20. That's Not How I Roll
1296 Words
My eyes fluttered and my breath hitched as I watched each of them emerge from behind the wicket door. Like thieves in the night, they went in and like soldiers who had just won a battle, they came out, chest heaving rapidly, knives dripping blood that was more likely their enemy's than theirs.
Their face too was tainted with red, clothes ruffled and dirty, and as if there was a pool of blood inside, at each step they took, a bloody trail was left behind.
"You killed them?" I accused, eyes widening in disbelief. "Tell me, Gylador...where's the logic in killing so many just to save a few?"
Gylador sighed out a breath of frustration, eyes fixated on nothing but me as he spoke. "Though your orders tend to be very stupid, I did not disobey you. They are not dead, they are simply injured. We made sure not to hit any vital parts."
As I processed his words, a feeling of relief built up within me. Gylador is more loyal than a dog is to his owner. I don't know what made me think he would ever disobey me.
With no more than two giant steps, Gylador stood directly before me, his barbaric look inciting me to scrunch up my nose. "You're planning on walking around looking like that?" I asked, eyes scornfully assessing their appearances.
Wardrock and Sapheme shrugged carelessly, but the sternness Gylador's eyes suddenly held made me halt my playfulness. The look he was giving me forced me to think that I might've unintentionally done something wrong.
I rose a brow at him. "Who shoved a stick up your ass?"
He sighed once more at my words before he decided to voice his thoughts, "You are still not well informed when it comes to the ways of demons so I will put this bluntly for you to understand...If we continue to act in such a forgiving manner, demons will think that we are weak at heart and easy to deceive. They will forever take us lightly. I understand that humans are the most cowardly in all the realms but here, you must act differently. Rule with violence, exercise your authority and show them that you are not one to mess with. Without violence, you will always have disloyalty among you. One will not entrust their lives to a coward...Forgive me if my words offend you, but it must be said."
Sapheme's eyes widened simultaneously with my own. "Gylador!" She shouted, nose flaring, "How could you say such a thing!? Have you become mad overnight?! If he was the same as he was in the past, you would not be standing here alive and well after uttering such things! I suggest you do not get ahead of yourself nor take advantage of his temporary weakness! Apologize this insta--"
"Sapheme..." I called to her.
Pursing her lips, she tore her glare away from her brother and turned to me. His words were not directed at her, yet she looked so angered by it. Their loyalty is truly something. Smiling softly, I shook my head, a wordless means of telling her that I did not need her to intervene in the matter.
I guided my gaze back to Gylador who did not even seem fazed by what his sister said. His words definitely stung. He has always been harsh when it comes to me, but he has never said anything like this before...The way his brows knitted and the way his eyes desperately pleaded to me as he spoke, conveyed the frustration he had been holding back all along. Parts of it, I understood, but other parts I could not comprehend. Use violence to get what I want? That is not how I roll.
"If the past me acted as you described then let me tell you from now that I will act however I want to...no matter what it may cause. The me now and the me then, are completely different. Killing people because of simple things like power, is not justified. If you and your demon friends do not want to follow a coward, then so be it. I will not use violence to get others to submit," I said, knowing full well that I might've sounded a bit too modest.
Gylador's forehead creased in confusion. "Then what will you do? Words do not have such power."
I shrugged. "Honestly, I have absolutely no idea, but I suppose when the time comes, I'll know."
"The time is already upon us," he whispered absentmindedly before turning around and waving for us to follow, apparently losing interest in the conversation. I sighed. His sudden agitation is quite bothersome and irritating.
Sapheme gestured to him with her eyes as if telling me that I could not just let him leave like that. I rolled my eyes and moved off for the wicket door, grabbing her wrist as I passed her and dragging her along.
"Let's just go." I told her, glancing behind me for a second to ensure that Delari was following.
"But you-"
Gylador shushed us as one by one we entered through the door. On each side of the paved pathway, men laid on the floor grunting and groaning due to the countless wounds covering their skin. There were only a few who had less than six visible slices all over. I grimaced.
I get the feeling that this is Gylador's way of unleashing his anger at having been unable to kill them all. Poor things. I can't even bear to imagine myself in such a state.
"If it disturbs you, it is best to look away." Delari adviced in a low whisper.
I shook my head. "In my line of work, my eyes are very experienced in these things." I said casually, in hopes of hiding my discomfort.
We followed along a straight path, passing small houses that were ten times more elegant than the ones outside the gate. Apart from the few we already encountered guarding the gate, there weren't anymore demons in sight. That means the rest --if there is any-- are probably at the conference.
Sudden cheering and incoherent chattering filled my ear. The direct location of the sounds was close and even someone as stupid at me could tell that the conference meeting was nothing but a few steps away. And indeed it was...two more steps and a turn left, had us standing behind a multitude of demons.
I halted and so did everyone else. With conflicted eyes, I looked at my most loyal subjects. Their faces were blank, but beneath their nonchalant facade, I could decipher the worry in their eyes.
This was it after all, the point where we'd finally see if our plans would work. Their lives depends on me, my life depends on me and even with a solid plan, fear still clouded my vision.
What if this doesn't end well?
What if we die?
What if w—
"Wardrock, quickly head for the staff as planned." Gylador ordered and Wardrock nodded at him, taking off in a different direction.
Gylador then turned to address Sapheme and Delari. "I will do the talking. Delari, watch Darkus's every move, Sapheme, you keep an eye out for danger and as for you," he shifted his eyes to me, "just stay there looking promising."
I frowned. Who made him boss?
Before I could reply, he moved off, Sapheme and Gylador mirroring his actions. I lingered in the back for a few seconds, before I made an hesitant step forward, then another and another.
Then just as we were about to enter the crowd, Gylador's voice blared over the noise. "Demons of the underworld, rulers of all fourteen kingdoms, and finally our acting King...I hereby inform you that King Lucifer, the rightful owner of the throne, has arrived!"
- Writer
