Chapter 3: In Which The Newly Formed Army Of His Inestimable Darkness, Lord Edwin Draconoff, Plans Its First Campaign

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  The dark alleyway, with its cracked brick and the suffocating smell of sewage, was the spot Edwin had chosen to meet up with Libellia after leaving the tavern. When Garrik had chased the robbers outside to their horses, she had watched from afar to ensure Edwin’s safety.

  She gasped when the strange man had stood up, casually removing the crossbow bolt from his chest. Her mind began to turn. Could he be some kind of undead, or demon, like herself? She grew closer, hiding in the shadows, but she sensed no powerful magic from him. Thus, her concern was lessened, at least for the time being.

  After everyone was ensconced in the narrow passage, Libellia removed her hood and cloak (since nobody was visible from the alley where they stood) and stared back at the strange man. She had on a dark grey dress with a large white collar. Around her shoulders was fixed a short cape in the same color, just enough to cover her wings. The silhouette of the dress flattered her hourglass-shaped figure. Her horns emanated a deep crimson glow.

  Garrik leaned casually against the outer wall of the corner store just beneath a flickering street lamp. He crossed his legs, bracing himself by the elbow with his flexed arm. He wore a smug, amused expression on his face.

  “So… You must be the succubus that I’ve heard so much about.”

  Libellia stared back at him, unimpressed.

  "Typically," she retorted, "one does not address a new acquaintance by their species when meeting for the first time. My name is not 'the succubus.'"

  Edwin, standing to the left of Libellia, put his right hand behind his head and grinned sheepishly. The tension in the air felt thick – like humidity. "Weren't you the one complaining about manners earlier, Garrik?

  Garrik took no notice of what either of the two had said, and continued on in his puffed-up, self-assured tone of voice.

  "Name's Garrik. Garrik Neverlander. You might know the name-"

  “Nope.” Libellia replied.

  “Well,” Garrik continued, “there’s a first time for everything…”

  He raised a hand to his chin and pushed himself away from the wall. Pacing around, he began to examine Libellia from all angles, as if staring at a statue in a museum. His greedy eyes flicked up and down her body.

  Libellia turned to face him, hands curling into fists.

  "What precisely do you think you're doing?” Her voice was stern, annoyed.

  Garrik chuckled.

  "Oh, just trying to see if what they said in the stories was true..." Garrik replied, sneering, "and so far, it checks out."

  In an instant, Libellia raised a hand, smacking Garrik swiftly across the face.

  *SNAP!*

  The noise of the impact echoed against the brick-and-mortar walls of the enclosed space where they stood. Edwin jumped back in shock.

  "How dare you look at me in that way?!” Libellia growled back, through gritted teeth.

  Garrik raised a hand to his reddened cheek, wincing slightly. Within moments, his smile returned as if he had expected the reaction.

  "Hmm. Feisty. I like it."

  Garrik backed up a step, straightening his posture as if to appear regal and more composed than his worn clothing suggested. With his hands, he dusted dirt off of the lapels of his tattered jacket.

  "I'll cut straight to the chase," he pitched, "I'd like to offer myself as a willing sacrifice."

  Edwin's jaw dropped. This was NOT why he had asked Garrik to come along.

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  "H-hey! You're supposed to help us recover that thing those bandits stole from you!” Flustered, he turned to Libellia, arms waving. "Libellia, I'm so sorry, he didn't tell me he was going to-"

  Libellia interrupted. "A willing sacrifice, hmm?" Her green eyes began to illuminate the dark alley where they stood as she glared back at the rude stranger.

  Garrik smirked. "Very, very willing."

  Libellia straightened her posture.

  "You do realize," she said, voice becoming calm as she collected her composure, "that offering up such a thing would be signing your death warrant, correct?"

  Garrik's smile grew wider. "Trust me. My death would only make this whole thing better for me. I’m not sure if your buddy here told you, but staying alive is, well, kind of the only thing I’m good at anymore.”

  Edwin drew close to Libellia, putting up his hand and whispering in her ear. A minute passed as he recounted Garrik’s story.

  “wshwshwsh …Elf queen… wshwsh …Necromancer… wshwshwsh …Played them… wshwsh …cursed…”

  Her eyes widened as she listened, putting a finger to her lips as if thinking.

  “...So, you believe that I may be able to break this so-called Twin Curse, is that right?”

  Garrik crossed his arms. “You’re starting to get it! Think about it: There’s really no downside here. You get a tasty meal; I get finality.”

  Garrik leaned in, his eyes locking with those of the demoness.

  “Besides - I’m a non-judgmental kind of guy. Don’t feel the need to hold back. You want me to scream? To beg? Any other freaky stuff? You got it - no need to ask twice.”

  Libellia smiled.

  This man wasn’t a threat. He was pathetic.

  “I see. How very strange… a mortal like yourself being cursed with the inability to die. You must truly crave release more than anything…”

  She stepped forward, her face becoming coy and curious. The distance between them suddenly shrunk. Garrik swallowed hard, his face now becoming flushed.

  “Though…” she continued, “You did promise my master, Lord Edwin, that you would allow us to accompany you on an adventure, correct?”

  Edwin’s jaw dropped, once again. “M-master? M-me?!”

  Libellia smiled warmly, still addressing Garrik. “Yes! Lord Edwin is my master, and as such, his needs come before my own.”

  “Wicked…” Edwin muttered from the corner, stars forming in his eyes.

  Now within arm’s length, she lightly grabbed Garrik by the jacket, straightening it and pulling him towards her. Garrik stood straight as a board, his personal space clearly being invaded. He felt as if her horns would poke his cheek.

  “Therefore, I will consider your… offering. But only after we have retrieved your stolen belongings. You will take us to the location of these thieves, and relinquish whatever other goods we find therein. Understood?"

  Garrik stepped back, trying to give himself some breathing room from the demon queen’s intimidating aura.

  “Yeah? So, what’s stopping you from dragging me all that way just to say ‘no?’”

  Libellia gave a knowing smirk, shrugging her shoulders. “Nothing!” She replied, matter-of-factly. “However, if you refuse, you’ll have even worse chances. You’ll be just as miserable as you are now, with no companions to assist on your journey, to boot.”

  Garrik scoffed. “I never wanted any help.”

  Libellia tilted her head. “And yet… you’re still here.”

  Garrik huffed, frustrated that he had somehow lost his footing in the argument. He turned his head, his dark green hair whipping the air with a “woosh” as he moved. “This is ridiculous! You’re not at ALL like the succubuses-“

  “…Succubi,” Edwin corrected, hand raised as if in a classroom.

  “Whatever – You’re nothing like the stories. At ALL! I come here, offering you a free soul (full of torment, mind you), and you need to ‘think about it?!’ And him-” He pointed to Edwin, who shook back to reality at the mention of his name, “That is no dark lord. I don’t know if you’re playing some kind of trick, but-“

  Edwin interrupted again. “Garrik, I tried to tell you already, but you weren’t listening! Libellia isn’t… uh, practicing. She doesn’t consume people or souls anymore – she prefers warm baked goods and tea, now! Isn’t that cool?”

  Garrik’s face went white.

  “…Wha..? Waitaminute- You’re telling me that this, she’s-“

  Libellia nodded, slowly. “Lord Edwin is correct. I have sworn an oath of chastity.”

  Garrik’s eyes flashed from Libellia, to Edwin, to Libellia, back and forth. He was stunned – frozen by pure disbelief.

  “We didn’t ask for your opinions of our party, Garrik.” Libellia said sternly, hands rising to her hips. She motioned to Edwin, who was grasping his staff nervously. “We are offering our assistance. You may either accept our aid, or you will walk away quietly, alone. Those are your choices.”

  She turned, as if to leave. After a few steps, she glanced over her shoulder, a mischievous expression on her face.

  “Tsk. I would have thought a former royal guard like yourself would have more spirit and determination. I can understand why your prior partners were… disappointed.”

  With that, Garrik’s confident exterior shattered like thin glass. His brows furrowed as he pointed accusingly at the succubus who had insulted him.

  “OH, FOR THE LOVE OF-” Garrik raked a hand through his hair, pacing wildly. “Do you think I chose this life?! Do you know what this kind of cosmic bad luck does to a person?! Do you think I enjoy being crushed, stabbed, drowned, burned alive, resurrected, and doing it all over again?!”

  He wheeled back toward her, voice shaking now; less anger, more raw exhaustion.

  “My life is a revolving door of failures! Somebody up there must be having a field day, watching my endless suffering and pain!”

  He stood back, his head in his hands.

  “Then, FINALLY, I think the universe throws me a bone. I meet a powerful, voluptuous monster lady who might actually be able to give me one nice, permanent, happy ending… and instead I get a lecture on following through on promises?! Are you KIDDING me?! From a literal DEMONESS and a cosplayer?!”

  Garrik stopped, breathing heavily. Moments passed in silence. Libellia stared at him, her gaze and expression unwavering.

  “Have you finished?” She raised an eyebrow.

  Garrik tapped his foot, still annoyed. He threw his hands in the air, defeated.

  “Fine. Come along. What do I care? You’re the ones who have anything to lose, anyway.”

  He turned back towards the direction of the road.

  “But I’m not going until I’ve had some time to sleep off this beer… and, y’know, the raw pain of being rejected by the physical embodiment of lust.”

  He pointed.

  “I’m staying at that ratty inn over on the west side of town. I’m sure whenever you stop by tomorrow, I’ll still be in bed.”

  With that, Garrik marched off, staggering slightly as he made his way down the quiet city street.

  The tension that had been present in the alley was released. Edwin exhaled loudly. Libellia relaxed her shoulders and closed her eyes, quickly regaining self-composure.

  “Seriously,” Edwin started, “I am so sorry he behaved like that.”

  Libellia turned, a kind half-smile on her lips.

  “Don’t worry, Lord Edwin. I’m used to… inspiring that kind of reaction from people.”

  Edwin approached Libellia, his deep coffee eyes staring into hers. Street lights reflected in his glasses.

  “I never said, before, but I seriously want to thank you… for calling me Lord Edwin and stuff. You didn’t have to do that.”

  Libellia giggled slightly at Edwin’s earnest face.

  “I said it because it is a fact, Lord Edwin. I told you before: This is your adventure.”

  He smiled, and looked up, pondering what she had said.

  The dark sky was encrusted with sparkling stars that scattered themselves across their navy blue backdrop.

  “What Garrik said… I guess I’ve always known deep down that it might be true, y’know? That I’m just playing pretend with all of this.”

  Libellia moved closer, looking up at the sky with him. Her breaths slowed to match his pace.

  “You and I might have more in common than you think, Lord Edwin.”

  She tilted her head, facing him once again.

  “What’s important, I think, is that we keep trying to be what we’re meant to be. Regardless of how the words of others make us feel.”

  Edwin smiled, touched by her kind words. He looked back up at the sky, wondering if he could really follow that advice.

  Libellia looked up, wondering the same.