Luciferus stood at the entrance of the throne room, his crimson eyes narrowing as he spotted Zackary and the others approaching. His long, dark cloak trailed elegantly behind him, the golden trim catching the torchlight.
"What took you so long?" Luciferus asked, his tone calm yet expectant.
Reages, his sharp features betraying no stress, replied smoothly. "We had a little bit of a setback."
Before anyone else could speak, Aisha appeared silently at Luciferus's side, her silver hair flowing as if caught by an unseen breeze. Her sudden presence startled even the Dukes. "What His Grace means," she said with a faint smile, "is that they had an incident with an earth dragon."
Luciferus raised an eyebrow. "You're done already?"
Leon emerged next, his short blue hair still damp from exertion. "We brought everyone back to life, but as for the damage… we didn't have time to fix it."
"Shouldn't we be greeting the dwarves?" Vlad asked impatiently, his deep voice echoing off the grand hall's marble pillars.
Luciferus gave a small nod, then pushed open the throne room doors. The chamber gleamed with obsidian floors and high stained-glass windows that reflected the light of the twin moons. He ascended the steps and seated himself on the throne, Zackary standing firmly at his right and Aisha gracefully at his left. The others lined the hall in their designated places.
His eyes fell upon two smaller figures beside Zackary. "Why do you have two children with you?" Luciferus asked, his gaze shifting between Amelia, who hid slightly behind Zackary's arm, and Gray, who stood with nervous determination. As Zackary opened his mouth to explain, he caught the faintest, almost satisfied smile tugging at Aisha's lips. He frowned, puzzled, before snapping back to the moment.
"Bring them out."
At his command, Xoraxys spread his shadow across the polished floor, releasing the dwarves, along with Cassarian, Finn, and Penelope. Nia appeared soundlessly beside him, her golden eyes alert.
"Greetings," Luciferus's voice resonated with authority, carrying through the hall like a commandment. "I am Demon King Luciferus, ruler of the Twilight Territory. Welcome to my domain."
The dwarves froze, awe painted across their bearded faces. Trainor, their leader, stepped forward. His stocky frame bore the heavy marks of war, yet his tone carried respect. "As leader of the dwarves, I, Trainor, greet the Demon King and his Dukes on behalf of my people with the utmost respect."
Zackary and a few of the others smirked faintly, recalling Caleb's nervous introductions before.
"Thank you for granting us refuge in the Twilight Territory," Trainor continued, bowing deeply.
Luciferus tilted his head. "You've likely heard of which areas are habitable?"
"Yes, we have."
"And have you chosen where you would like to settle?"
"If possible," Trainor said firmly, "my people and I would like to live alongside Caleb and Cassarian's people."
Luciferus allowed a faint smile. "As expected. Very well, you are exhausted. The maids will teleport you to your new home."
The dwarves' faces lit up like children at festival lights, joy brimming in their eyes. No more caves. No more wandering.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Trainor said, nearly trembling with relief.
After the dwarves were escorted away, Luciferus and the others gathered in the meeting room. Their attendants stood silently outside the doors, a line of vigilant shadows.
A woman with flowing golden hair and mischievous blue eyes leaned against the wall. "My Duke is awfully busy these days," Frey teased, her lips curving as her gaze lingered on the black-haired vampire beside her.
The man's red eyes sharpened like daggers. "Don't even try, Frey."
"You vampires are always such a bore," she sighed dramatically, before turning her attention to the siren, her sapphire gaze lingering on his delicate features. "No one wants to play with me, huh?" she muttered.
Inside the meeting room, Sebastian leaned forward, confusion on his face. "Exion?"
Lysander, his expression unreadable, answered. "That's what they call themselves. They operate like a cult, from what Leon and I could gather."
Maximilian adjusted his spectacles, his calm tone carrying the weight of information. "They are a secretive organization under the Church of the Sunlight Goddess. They remain hidden, monitoring newly established nations to judge whether they pose a threat."
The words left everyone uneasy.
"What else did you find?" Luciferus asked.
Maximilian's brow furrowed. "In their records, I found mention of an artifact… one said to be capable of killing a god." The weight of his words froze the room, even Aisha's composure slipping. "But the wording was past tense. They had such artifacts. It's possible they've been lost."
Luciferus gave a small nod, but the silence lingered.
Reages broke it. "What happened while we were gone?"
Luciferus's gaze hardened. "A Beastman attacked the southern territory. Strong, far stronger than expected. You saw the destruction and the loss." His voice lowered. Sebastian kept his eyes fixed downward, silent.
"Where is he now?" Zackary asked.
"In the dungeon. Unconscious."
The conversation turned. Vlad leaned forward, arms crossed. "Tell us what happened with you."
Zackary recounted his encounter with Lunarias, the Spirit King. His words left the room shaken.
"What? We're really at less than ten percent power?" Reages muttered in disbelief.
"And the only way to regain it is to undo our own seals and fight?" Vlad's deep voice rumbled with irritation. Xoraxys, however, leaned back with a faint smirk, clearly pleased at the thought of growing stronger.
Luciferus's eyes shifted once more. "Where did you find the children?"
"They were with Lunarias as well," Zackary explained. As he detailed why Amelia and Gray could no longer live in the Spirit Realm, questions piled in the others' minds.
"Lunarias did say their father was in the Twilight Territory," Zackary continued slowly. "And that he was one of the rulers."
The room erupted.
"One of us has children?" Lysander cut in sharply.
"How does he know that?" Maximilian asked, brows furrowed.
Zackary hesitated. "A dragon was trying to deliver the children here before it died. Lunarias said he could read its thoughts—he knew the dragon's last intent was to bring them to their lord in the Twilight Territory."
Leon tilted his head. "But how does Lunarias know for certain what the dragon thought?"
Aisha's voice cut through like silk. "Because Spirit Kings possess spirit sight. They can see the past, the future, the thoughts of others, bloodlines, even affinities. Everything. If he said it, then it's true."
The room fell silent.
Luciferus finally asked, "So who is the father?"
Zackary clenched his fists. "I don't know. Lunarias left me with only that."
Aisha's gaze softened, though her words carried a sharp weight. "Grand Duke Vermillion, you are misunderstanding the Spirit King's intention."
"What do you mean?" Zackary asked, confusion twisting his expression.
"Why do you think Lunarias left the children in your care?" she pressed. "Those children… are yours."
The words landed like thunder. The Dukes froze. Zackary's mind spun into chaos.
"I'll give you time to process," Aisha said gently.
Zackary rose without another word and left the room, his footsteps heavy. Outside, his attendants bowed. "Ryanhardt, take my place," he ordered curtly before vanishing.
Ryanhardt Fang, his crimson hair catching the torchlight, stepped forward. "I will represent Grand Duke Zackary." The meeting resumed.
---
That night, under the pale glow of twin moons, Aisha and Luciferus walked in the garden, the air cool and fragrant with night-blooming lilies.
"Your Majesty," Aisha said softly, her eyes never leaving the sky, "do you think I did the right thing, revealing the truth to him now?"
Luciferus's gaze followed hers. "He would have found out eventually. There is no point in regret."
---
At the Vermillion estate, Zackary finally returned home. Lance rushed forward, his usually composed demeanor breaking into irritation. "Your Grace, how could you stay out so late and leave me with the children?" His voice faltered as he caught sight of Zackary's troubled expression.
"Are they asleep?" Zackary asked quietly.
"Yes, in the room next to yours, as you commanded."
Zackary walked past without another word, Sofia's concerned voice drifting after him. "What's the matter with the boy?" Lance only shook his head.
Zackary stopped at a white door. His heart raced. After a long pause, he entered. Inside, Amelia and Gray slept peacefully. Zackary found himself smiling, only for confusion to gnaw at him once more.
Later, in his office, Lance and Sofia entered. Their worried gazes pressed on him until, at last, Zackary confessed everything. Their shock mirrored his own turmoil.
"What will you do?" Sofia asked.
"I don't know."
"Who's the mother?" Lance pressed.
"I don't know!" Zackary snapped, slamming his fist onto the desk, the echo freezing the room. "I don't know what to do, or how to care for them, or who their mother is!"
Finally, he dismissed them. Alone, Zackary stared out at the twin moons. "The universe really does hate me," he whispered. Yet as he thought of Amelia and Gray, the turmoil deepened. "What am I going to do?"
---
In the Demonic Elven Territory, Xoraxys made a decision for Nia's safety.
"Do I have to go?" Nia asked, her golden eyes glimmering with worry.
"Yes. This is to keep you safe," Xoraxys said firmly, placing a small shadow kitten in her arms. "Look after her, and do whatever she asks," he ordered. The kitten meowed obediently.
"I'll come visit in a few days," he said as he lifted her into the carriage, several maids surrounding her protectively.
He turned to his attendant. "You're certain the Vermillion mansion has enough servants?"
"Yes, Your Grace."
Xoraxys gave a final nod, though his expression remained grim. "Well… if you say so."