Chapter 600: Empire's Invasion [18]

A bad taste pestered; Lilith's appearance had left quite the maltreatment to her person. None to guide nor none to watch, she stayed despite the cold-shoulder, a single person mattered, one whomst she carried gently to bed. 

The chirping of birds dawdled beside the sound of wooden swords hitting one another, '-I passed out earlier,' eyes reopened to the same room. A few hours had passed, side-glance to the bedside clock showed 10:00. '-am I being spooned?' warm, slightly moist breaths strolled down the neck, '-her scent, she smells of the forest. Well, judging from the long hair, it's Lilith. Still can't move, my limbs are so numb.' Ruffles in the sheet broke the 'spoon', she turned to be assaulted by a beam from the sun. The latter almost felt as if mocking the lady with a wink.

"Goodness," she sat, her feet tinkled once on the floor, "-I must have dozed off," gently leaning back, "-I'm sorry, did I wake you?" 

'A man-eater,' he gulped, '-she's unbelievably pretty. A fresh breath of air from Gophy's rumbustious personality, Intherna's energetic and lively side, as well as Miira's all comforting presence. This one's like the definition of charm and allure.'

"Oh please," her face dropped closer, the sweet-scented lips meaningfully prowled about his nose, "-why not say something, am I so repulsive?" Her brows knitted, Igna's lips and mouth desperately tried to pronounce, the shakiness gave to anticipation, her cheeks seemed to soften, the eyes widened and her ears fluttered. 

"Yes…" excitement grew, "-I'm here, tell me what you need."

"B-b-b-b-"

"You wish to make a baby with me?" hands to her cheeks, "-no, we mustn't," the tone swapped to childish, "-I suppose," her index playfully went up the legs, "-this body is still pure, I don't mind sharing the bounty."

"B-b-b-b-l…Blood," he whispered. 

"Blood," she facepalmed, "-honestly, I was ready to offer myself. Way to ruin the moment," quick to drag a silver-knife lost inside a fruit-filled tray, "-if tis blood thee wishes." A cut, the liquid fell bit by bit into the lifeless mouth. 

*Thud,* the body shook, '-the intensity,' the numbness faded, '-her blood is a thing of wonder.' 

A few droplets gave strength to move, "-Lilith," propped against the headboard, "-come to me," the paleness dissolved at a slow pace.

"What now," she pouted, "-I gave blood, what else you want?"

"Y-you," ordered he, "-come," the arms stretched, "-I need you."

"Oh," her lashes fluttered, "-don't mind if I do," her body melted into his. Without warning, her shirt brushed aside, her cheeks flushed, the head moved to sniff her neck. 

"Quite the experience one, aren't you," remarked she, "-toying with me in such a manner… it does feel pleasant."

"Lilith," inches from the tender skin, "-someone's hormonal," *bite.*

Downstairs lunch stuck in limbo, what the lady said earlier hit home. Gophy sat with her face plastered on the table. Intherna could have cared less, her last words were, "-he'll be up in a few hours. You worry too much," and off she was to the wild, shooting fire spells and creating dummies. Miira lounged facing a lovely forest with a book in hand, the title read, '-Chronicles of the Haggard.' 

"Julius, why are you in such a mood?" wondered the priestess.

"Malley," hands atop hers, "-I'm sorry. Looking at Igna felt relieving at first, then, I felt anger… I'm angry at myself. I didn't realize… maybe I did and chose to not see it. The moment the Curse activated; I selfishly made my mind to not lose you. Igna had to swoop in and go against Lilith, the Queen of Demons. It makes me mad; I swear."

"I don't get it myself," her head lowered, "-my memories are fuzzy, all I picture is a man of unfathomable power splitting my being." 

*Aahh,* a satisfied scream echoed from the upstairs, "-LILITH!" gritted Gophy.

"Wait for us," said the prince to no avail, footstep trampled up the stairs and into the room, *bang,* "LILITH, what are you doing?" 

Kind rays blessed the bed, the lady completely melted into Igna, the latter slowly moved to watch the intruders, blood trickled, the wind seamlessly caressed the long brownish-white hair. The pupils fetchingly stabbed their aura with a crimson and white shimmer. 

"Cousin, are you well?" 

"I'm fine now," returned he, "-thanks to Lilith here," he kindly lifted her head, "-she's a bit on the hormonal side. The blood's truly potent, I've never had anything like it."

"Hormonal is an understatement," commented Malley.

"She's shivering, look at her legs and mouth, drooling as if a freak," added Gophy, "-makes me queasy," she covered her mouth.

"Don't be that way," said Igna standing before the window, "-Lilith will be a great asset  to us." 

*Dup, dup, dup,* bare feet against the floor, a tiny figure slipped in between the barred entrance, "-HEYA POPS!" a bullet of energy shot to land in a tight embrace. 

"Pops?" he frowned, '-horns, a diamond shape tattoo on the forehead, dark circles, slightly tanned complexion, vampire-like canines, and a sharp nose. Who is this kid?'

"Sorry about that," mumbled Lilith, "-my emotions ran a little wild," sat with knees to her chest, "-that's Lyon, your son."

"Lyon?" the eyes narrowed, "-excuse me?"

"Hey pops," said he very full of energy, "-you're the one who saved mother, didn't you. I know it all, I was there when the souls were being split, you're strong, very strong, that's why you're pops."

"Hold on there," index to the boy's forehead, "-be quiet for just a minute."

"Alright pops," he swam up the back and sat atop Igna's shoulder, "-you heard my pops, BE QUIET!" arms crossed paired with a pout, "-did I do good?"

*Exhale,* "-Lilith, everyone, shall we head downstairs. I'm at a loss for words at the moment." 

Stumped for words, the mind subconsciously led him to the kitchen. There, using the remainder of ingredients, hearty plates soon filled the counter. Miira and Intherna soon joined the fray. Little Lyon, as he came to know, ran about with a toy car. 'A demon with the body and mind of an eight-year-old…'

"Hey pops, I want to ride in one of these cars one day."

"No," returned Igna.

"WHY NOT," the face tightened, "-I WANT TO RIDE IN THE CAR!"

"Not going to happen," refuted he.

"B-b-but," the eyes watered, "-I WANT TO RIDE," he dropped to the floor in a fit, "-I WANT TO RIDE, WANT TO RIDE," mana sucked to generate flickers of lightning.

'This brat,' *Mana Cancelation.* "No throwing a fit when I'm around." The mana dispersed.

"Pops?" the cries stopped, "-what did you do?"

"Enough acting," said he, "-come on, I know of the true identity, little Lyon. Reincarnation of Draconis, elder demon."

"Whatever pops," nonchalantly dusting off the clothes, "-I ought to give praise. Igna Haggard, tis true, I'm the reincarnation of the Elder Demon Draconis, the protector of Void, else known as the Demon King of Destruction."

"There," he handed over a plate with fried fish, "-go on, Demon King, have something to eat."

"Food," the innocent glee could have fooled anyone, "-ahem, back to my tale," emotions shifted tremendously between serious and enjoying the morsels, "I'm Draconis. To be fair, I was the demon king until the war against gods and demons. We lost the battle, my being sent to the farthest reaches of the abyss. Our home of Balone was invaded and taken over, I swore to protect the Demon Queen but failed. Her majesty's attempts at killing Lucifer ended in naught. Casualties were great, so the story goes. I don't remember much of it myself, the time elapsed and I slept. Well, until I heard her voice again, then there I was, reincarnated as Lilith's son. You saved me and saved mom, tis the reason you're pops. No fighting it, I've deemed you as my guardian." 

"Whatever, kiddo," calmly roughing his hair, "-take this to the others."

"Alright, pops," and off he skipped to the dining hall. 

'Well then, events have taken a turn for the better. Lilith and Draconis were revived and brought into the mortal realm. They should be great additions to the Shadow Realm. Can't assumed she'll willingly join my cause. Lucifer's wife, what awaits us?'

Tension flickered in the exchange of glares; the ladies were thoroughly on edge. Julius kept to Malley, mostly likely ashamed for the selfish demands of before. The little kid ran around the table with a plane. Aroma-filled plates brought animosity to a pact of neutrality. 

"I suppose it's time we speak," said Igna, "-my only request is of a civil parley."

"Cool with me," said Intherna.

"Same here," nodded Miira, "-no qualms to speak of."

"As long as Julius doesn't fight, I'll remain silent," said Malley.

"If I must," said Gophy.

"The food's great, I rather spend time chewing than speaking," fired Lilith towards Gophy of which she replied in a snarl.

"Don't forget about me," whispered a familiar voice, "-Hey there, my prodigy," *bite.*

"Adete," shaking the head, "-please no drinking blood from an injured man."

"Oh please," said as if there were more, "-hum," *Bite,* silence. Plates passed around, few morsels in, "-Lilith, what are your intentions?" inquired Gophy. 

"My intentions?" her head tilted, "-whatever does that mean?"

"Please don't elude the question," requested Miira, "-we need answers. Staying here was an agreement until Igna awoke. Be truthful so the barrier can be set. Enemy or foe."

"Fine then," fork into the table, "-I'm neither," proclaimed she, "-my objective is still to become strong and take what was mine. I'm sure," the boy scurried to sat atop her lap, "-my son here will aid in the conquest."

"Try again," countless fireball spells summoned above her head,"-Lilith, Queen of demons, I care not about thine ambitions save for one small margin. If Igna's targeted, then expect no mercy."

"Resorting to violence?" she smirked, "-very well."

"Who dares direct killing-intent to my mother," the horns grew, "-I'll slaughter you all!" 

"This was a bad idea from the start," cried Miira summoning a head of a dragon.

"Told you she was bad news," sighed Gophy, a darkened aura rose from within.

"Cousin," whispered Julius, "-this is bad." 

*Smack,* knife into a steak, "-excuse me," frowned Igna, "-what about my request," a malignant aura wrapped around the table, "-shall I repeat myself?" *Ancient Magic, Spatial-Arts: Disruption.* reality wobbled, the table and surroundings melted, "-w-what h-happening?"

"My head, it's about to explode."

"I'M GOING TO HURL!"

*Release,* a snap quelled the belligerent atmosphere, "-Lilith, please, for my sake, tell them the truth."

Faced by genuine concern, "-I apologize," the visage lightened, "-a little test never hurt anyone. My ambitions are to take back what was stolen from me. This little guy here is my son, an Elder Demon who has reincarnated thanks to the curse of Akina. In a way, my being here is a result of Gophy's actions. I've attained salvation, my mind and heart have been cleaned from the all-encompassing hatred of betrayal and weakness. Igna Haggard is the first man who ever held out a hand of help. The look in your blank expression reminds me of myself. Lucifer must pay for ruining Balone, he must pay dearly. My allegiance will forever be to the god of death. I have a tiny request."

"What is it?"

"I'd like Igna to take me as his wife," she smirked, "-I mean… a man must take responsibilities for his actions."

*Cough,* 

"Cousin," stared Julius, "-did you cheat on poor Alicia?"

"Don't make it so scandalous," facepalmed Igna. The table went silent, "-Lilith, as a man of my word, I'll take responsibility."

"We're going to get married?" her eyes glimmered.

"Quit it with the jests," he laughed, "-by responsibilities, I meant tending to little Lyon's every need."

"I knew you'd say that," she smiled, "-then it's settled. Igna Haggard, I pledge my body and soul to thy cause."

"Good," he smiled, "-welcome to the family, Lilith, Lyon."

"Pops," hopping from chair to chair, "-don't call me Lyon. I want something new, something better."

"How about Draconis, no need to forgo a great name."

"AWESOME," the cheeks bloated.

"Question," interjected Intherna, "-why's little Draconis so small, he looks like an infant but is eight years old?" 

"Simple," he stood proudly, "-I don't have any idea about my age. I just saw eight randomly." Echoes of disappointment diffused across the manor. The gathering, constant arguments, and pointless jokes reminded of Kniq, '-I'd have never thought this moment would ever come.'