Demon King: Awakening

Chapter 3

“Do you smell that?” King Kobel asked as he and his men finally left the Meta Tavern.

“It smells of human blood, your majesty.” Parlan, the large black puma demon, responded. “The stench is quite strong. It appears someone is losing a lot of blood.” He informed the king.

Kobel thought for a moment, there was something familiar about the scent, “It's too much.” He said more to himself than to his demons.

“What would you like to do, your majesty,” Parlan asked.

Melonica slid up next to Kobel, placing her hand on his chest. “I think maybe we should just head back to the palace,” she spoke sweetly. She smiled as she ran her free hand seductively through her long dark purple hair.” We could do many other fun activities.” She said in a silky, seductive voice as she traced a heart on his chest with a finger, her purple scales shimmering in the sun.

“Melonica, that is enough,” Kobel said as he quickly removed her hand from his chest and pushed her away.

“Yes, your majesty.” She pouted.

“I would like to see where the scent is coming from. They may be in trouble.” He said as he started to go down the steps.

“Boo...” Melonica mumbled, sadly.

“If you aren't careful, you may one day find yourself without a head,” Parlan warned in a low growl.

“I'm just having a little fun.” She smirked.

Parlan limped alongside her, “Yes, but your idea of fun is not everyone's.” He informed her.

“Or just not yours.” She said hotly and sped up, getting nearer to Kobel.

“She's a feisty one,” Parlan mumbled before following at a better pace.

They walked on in silence until the smell of blood became stronger, “Your majesty, the injured is not far now. By the smell of their blood, it is human.” Parlan informed Kobel.

“Yes, I can sense that as well.” He responded more as confirmation for himself, rather than Parlan.

“Well, since it is human, we could just leave it to die,” Melonica sneered.

Kobel paused for a moment, glaring at her, “We are not like them, we will not leave the human to die in a place like this, alone.” He turned his attention to Parlan and the boarmen, “Find them.” He ordered.

As ordered Melonica, Parlan and two boarmen spread out in search of the injured. “Your Majesty!” shouted a boarman. He stood near the side of the road. “I've found the injured. She's the one who spared my cousin the sword.” He announced.

At that, the king raced to Areana's side. She was weak, her breathing shallow. At seeing them, she whispered a faint, “Hello, we seem to meet under stressful circumstances.” She tried to laugh but started to spit up blood instead.

“Don't talk,” he urged her. “We're going to help you, just hold on a little longer.” He saw the dagger sticking out from her side but dared not pull it out in case it caused more damage. “Parlan, do we have a way to transport her to the palace quickly.”

“I could call for Leonard, your Majesty,” Parlan suggested.

“Send for Leonard. They must come now.” He spoke with the urgency of someone who cared. Someone with feelings. Areana noticed, but her mind was becoming cloudier with each second passing, making it hard for her to think straight.

“Stay awake.” He urged her.

Parlan sounded as though he were talking to someone and then, within a few moments, there was a rush of wind, beating against the ground as dirt swirled around the road. “Leonard has arrived, your Majesty,” Parlan announced.

Leonard huffed, gruffly as he landed. “Your Majesty,” he said, bowing deeply. “I am ready to serve, what is it that you wish of me?” He spoke formally.

“You are to take the human back to the castle. I fear taking her to the human's castle will only endanger her life further.” Kobel informed him, his eyes narrowing, imploring Leonard to take the task seriously.

Leonard nodded without speaking. “Pick her up carefully,” he instructed.

Leonard grunted his understanding of what Kobel was telling him. Leonard carefully scooped her up, turning to leave, “Make sure that she is taken care of. I will return as soon as I can.” Leonard nodded, then pushed off from the ground and soared into the sky.

At some point during the flight, she passed out due to the pain. Soon Leonard landed on the balcony of one of the palace rooms, which was closest to the medical wing of the palace. He rushed her into the medical wing, “What happened?” asked a doctor.

“She was found on the side of the road with this dagger in her side. She was bleeding and barely conscious.” He explained in a deep gravelly voice.

The doctor looked at him quizzically, “She's human, right?” He asked suspiciously as he looked her over.

“That is correct,” Leonard affirmed. “Is there a problem?”

The doctor looked up at Leonard as though he had grown a second head, which sometimes was actually possible, “I do not desire to treat humans. Why not send her to her own kind?”

“It is not possible,” Leonard responded curtly.

“It is, simply drop her at the gates of her own home,” he said, with a dismissive sigh.

Leonard sighed internally, agitated by the doctor, “It is an order from the king that you care for this human. If you do not wish to, you will answer to him, not me.” He spoke, sternly.

The doctor's eyes went wide at this announcement, “Nurse, find a room for her, she is the guest of our king.” He said with a boom. Nurses quickly rushed around, preparing a room for her, separate from the others in the medical wing, which usually allowed for demons to be placed in simple beds only a few feet away from the others. Soon the room was prepared and Leonard was directed where to take her. He entered the room and laid her down on the simple bed and then took up a position near the entrance, standing at attention.

“Leonard, you may leave. We will care for her from here.” The doctor informed her.

“That is not possible. I was directed by his Majesty to watch over her. I will do so until he is able to return to the palace,” he said shortly.

The doctor wasn't pleased to have Leonard watching over him, but went right over to the bedside. He began to assess her wounds and any other injuries that she may have. “Nurse Chaiun, we will soon begin to remove the dagger from her side.”

“Of course, doctor,” she said with little enthusiasm. As she neared Areana, she realized she was human and slowed.

“Nurse Chaiun, quickly,” he ordered.

She obliged him, not out of fear, but because of the realization that the human in front of her was a guest of the king. She would rather not anger him. She sighed internally but went to stand beside the doctor. Within a few moments, the dagger was removed, the wound sanitized, and then Doctor Rataloan inspected the wound. He let out a sigh which piqued Leonard's interest.

“Doctor?” He said gruffly.

Doctor Rataloan appeared to think for a moment before deciding to tell Leonard what he had found. “It appears that the dagger nicked an internal organ. We have medicine that we would normally use for demons with a similar injury but I'm not sure how the human body will react to this treatment.” He informed him.

“What harm will come if it doesn't work?” For some reason, Leonard was interested in this weak human's life.

“It is possible that she could die. However, she will die if we do not,” he explained.

Leonard stared at the doctor, unsure of what should be done. What would the king wish to be done? “Is there an alternative?” He inquired.

“There is, but it will take longer for her to heal and possibly still die. While the one used on demons has a more immediate healing effect.” He looked to Leonard, waiting for him to make the decision. He didn't want to only then have, this apparently important, human die and it be due to his decision.

Leonard took a deep breath, he didn't want her to die and the king to come after him, somehow thinking that he had allowed her to die. “If you are confident that you are able to save her, then use any method you deem fit.”

“Of course,” Doctor Rataloan said, and immediately went to work preparing.

Leonard stood next to the door, not too far from the doctor, watching him carefully, knowing that most demons would do anything not to help a human. He watched as the nurse quickly gathered the materials necessary for the ointment. It was crushed, mixed, and then gently applied to the nick on her internal organ. As he observed the application process, Areana's face grimaced in pain. She moaned, but Leonard did not move, he simply watched and waited for the doctor to say he had completed the treatment. The wound was wrapped in bandages all the while Areana dozed in and out of consciousness, pain constantly attacking her. Finally, the doctor gave her a shot of something that allowed her to rest.

“She will need to be watched. We have never treated a human and it is unknown how her body will react to this ointment. We also gave her a shot for the pain, but it is also used on demons and she could react poorly to it.” He informed the nurses in the room, but he also looked over at Leonard as he explained. The nurses nodded in understanding, as they cleaned up the area.

“She must have at least two to make sure she lives. Since she is a human, she may need more medical aid. The king has entrusted us with her life. I suggest you make sure that she lives.” He spoke, eyeing Nurse Chaiun more than any other nurse in the room. A schedule was soon drawn up and they split into groups of two. “I will be coming every hour to check her vitals.”

* * *

Kobel had gone back to Meta Tavern and secured a horse from a reluctant human. He had paid him handsomely for the steed. He pushed the horse hard for the better part of the day, an ache in his heart becoming more and more painful the longer it took him to reach his kingdom. Finally, he reached the border and soon was within the gates. He continued to charge on at full speed, not caring who stood in his way or who was walking along the roads. He couldn't wait any longer, he needed to make sure she was going to survive. Soon he reached the castle and slowed himself to walk quickly toward the medical wing, trying to look in control of his raging emotions. He rounded the last corner to the medical wing and was met by a nurse.

“The human.” That was all he needed to say and she nodded with understanding. Everyone should have been aware of the human, since there had never been one within the castle walls before, let alone in the medical wing.

The nurse led him quickly to a room, secluded away from other demons in the ward. She opened the door and stepped aside to allow Kobel to step through first. “How is she?” He asked as soon as he entered the room.

“She is currently fighting for her life. We have used an ointment that is ordinarily used on demons and given her a shot for the pain, however, that is also normally used on demons. We are currently waiting to see how her body reacts to the treatment.” Nurse Chaiun informed Kobel.

“Why would you use such dangerous treatments!” He nearly roared.

Startled for a moment, Nurse Chaiun straightened herself before answering, “We asked Leonard what we should do since he was the one who brought her in and had said you wanted her to live.” She motioned over to Leonard.

Kobel knew she was merely trying to protect her own skin, by saying that it was Leonard's decision and not her's nor the doctor's. “I see.” He calmed himself. “Leonard, was this the best option for her?”

“Yes, your Majesty. Doctor Rataloan informed me that she had little chance without the ointment. However, there was another treatment which he had also said was just as dangerous, but slower in healing than the one she has now received.” He informed his king without appearing to fear what the king may blame him for.

Kobel took in all the new information, “I see, thank you for your thoughtful actions.” He said, trying to calm himself. “I will come back to check on your progress later today.” He informed the nurses. He had just realized how frantic he appeared and didn't want his subjects to think he had lost control because of this strange new human. The nurses bowed and wished him to rest easy knowing that Areana would be well-taken care of.

Kobel left the room and made his way to the throne room, exhausted and frustrated. He couldn't understand how a human had dug her way into his emotions, it had happened so quickly, it made no sense. Letting out a long exasperated sigh, he tried to refocus on his kingdom. “Your Majesty!” A large black bird squawked, “Scouts have reported that an army is being formed.” He warned.

“Whose army is assembling?” He sighed, rubbing the bridge of her nose.

“The human's army, your Majesty.”

“From which kingdom?” He said, sitting straighter on his throne, trying to make sense of what he was hearing.

“It appears that they are gathering soldiers from the kingdom of Zendora and the surrounding villages.” The bird informed him.

“I see.” was all Kobel could think to say, “Thank you for your service to our kingdom and for bringing these threats quickly to my attention.” He commended him.

The bird bowed, “Of course your Majesty, it is my pleasure to serve.” He said and then flew off.

Before the bird could reach the window Kobel called him back, “Send word to the advisors to meet in the war room.”

“Right away, your Majesty.” He replied as he soared quickly throughout the castle gathering the advisors quickly.

Kobel made his way to the war room. Within minutes he was joined by the advisors. They sat around a large table that had an enormous map sprawled over it. The war room held a model of the kingdom located off to one corner, it was an exact replica. Maps were arranged and pinned to the walls, previous war plans were still drawn on some. Aside from the colors of the maps on the walls, they were black with only a few windows spread out on them. Kobel had seated himself at the head of the table and watched as each advisor took their seat. Once every seat had been filled, an advisor spoke, “Your Majesty, what are you planning to do about this possible war,” the bird squawked.

“I would rather not go to war.” He paused for a moment, “It seems unwise to jump into war with humans.”

“Your father would have gone to war to make an example of them for all humans and the other demon kingdom. We are not weak however if we do not fight they may think us weak and make their own attack on us.” An advisor with long horns and fangs huffed.

“I don't think that cutting down an entire army of weak humans is a move that would make us appear strong. I would rather go a more peaceful route. I believe our best move would be to bring those outside our walls within the walls. Next, food and water are to be gathered to have enough provisions.” He instructed.

“Your Majesty, we don't believe that drawing our people into the castle walls, acting like cowards is going to set a good precedent for the other demon kingdom, it is doubtful that they will not be watching this battle.” An advisor with a long tail and mane spoke up.

“It's true, more than likely it will give them the sense that they can take our kingdom without much effort on their part.” The snake hissed.

Kobel rubbed his temples in frustration. “I would still like to bring in the civilian demons from outside the walls and gather food and water. Then strengthen our defences. We will be gathering those who are willing and able to fight. We are going to be strengthening our army.” The advisors nodded seeming to be slightly appeased by his plan to at least strengthen the army.

“We will begin these preparations, your Majesty.” One of the advisors responded, appearing to want to say more, but thinking better of it.

“Please do so,” Kobel said as the advisors responded.

Before leaving another advisor spoke up, “Your Majesty, please consider preparing for war, because the humans will not hesitate to kill, as we should not either. Remember we ourselves are demons. We should be willing to go to war.” the advisor with four horns and three long tails protruding from his horselike torso spoke.

“I understand. I will think more on the matter.” Kobel responded.

“We are meant to be feared, not be cowards.” An advisor spoke quickly as he made his way out of the room.

The remaining advisors left the room with Kobel remaining behind. He sighed heavily, knowing that he would be facing scrutiny for his desire for peace. He, himself, wondered why he was not following their advice. He was sure, if this same problem had come forward he would not have hesitated to have started a war, but now it appeared he had a fondness for peace over war. “What is happening to me?” He mumbled to himself as he looked over the map that lay before him. He stared a moment longer and then decided to leave the war room as well.

Before he could make his way out the door, it swung open with Melonica strutting in, “Your Majesty.” She said in a honey-like voice, batting her eyelashes. “I have barely seen you all day.” She pouted. “Maybe we could have a meal together. I bet you haven't eaten.” She smiled sweetly, coming nearer to him.

“I am not hungry.” He said simply, ignoring her obvious advances.

“But, please.” She begged.

“Melonica, that is enough!” He nearly growled. “I realize you may enjoy this flirtation of yours, but I am growing weary of your antics.”

“I'm sorry.” She whimpered, unsure of how to respond to him. “I'll go now.” She stepped toward the door.

“Melonica, there is a demon out there for you, however, that demon is not me. Until he takes away your desire to fight as a knight, would you continue to fight with and for me?” He may not enjoy her advances, but she was a brave and strong fighter. It would be optimal to keep her in his army.

She paused, looking back at him, “I will, of course, your Majesty.” She smiled weakly.

“Thank you.” He responded. He watched as she left the room and waited a few more moments until he was sure she was a fair distance away before he went out into the hallway.