A hand gripped upon your shoulder. Firm at first, but relaxing as you were gently shaken awake. Your heart quickened in pace for a moment, your eyes focusing as you took in the room around you.
It was as you feared. It wasn't a dream of any sort still. No matter how much you wished it so, it was there, staring you in the face.
"Morning is upon us," Jaldabaoth's voice beckoned. It was oddly calm, far more gentle than you were expecting it to be. He had removed his mask, allowing his words to carry a bit better without it hindering him. "You need to get up and eat something."
There were so many snippish things you wanted to say in response to that, but at this point, you were emotionally exhausted. You refused to share whatever energy you had towards him. Eating wasn't something you wanted to do at all. If you could just lie in bed and stay there till you drew your last breath...
But no.
Demiurge's words of encouragement flooded back to you. Besides, you couldn't leave Nyala here alone to suffer whatever fate would await her.
Pushing yourself up from the bed, you sighed to yourself. "What is it you have planned?" Your eyes drifted to your side, catching the sight of Nyala still resting.
"I managed to hunt through the night to get other things that could make a far more varied breakfast."
Your fingers curled, doing your best to not let your emotions rise and get the better of you. Very little did you know of Jaldabaoth. If he so wished, he could end your life in a second's notice if that were his desire. Saying the wrong thing felt as though it could only cost you more than anything.
"I don't know if I truly wish to eat anything right now..." It was the truth. Emotions filled you more than food.
"Nonsense," said the devil, placing the mask down on the nightstand nearby. "Perhaps if you eat just one thing, it will encourage your body to open up more."
Your eyes followed the Traitor's Mask. The blue and gold mask felt as though it were screaming out to you. Every part of you wanted to grab it and throw it on the ground. To break it would be to kill him. He was tied to that object. Without it, he couldn't exist.
That you recalled perfectly well.
You sighed. "Maybe..."
Jaldabaoth's face contorted into confusion, trying to think of what to say or do to put you at ease. His hand opened for you to take. "Come."
You looked down at Nyala, resistant to her being alone.
"We won't be far away." He pointed to his own balcony that the curtains tried to conceal.
Accepting his hand, you allowed him to escort you to the balcony. Your fingers soon gripped the old marble, feeling the chill on it from the night before. Even the morning dew graced your fingertips. None of it brought you the pleasure it would have. If anything, it all felt like ash, crumbling within your grasp.
The devil relaxed on the railing, arms folded upon it as he looked down at you. "He told you what he saw fit to. Yes, I was the weaker brother. I always have been, and to be honest, I am surprised I managed to obtain the strength I have. Of my own volition, mind you. I never made deals with anybody to encourage my strength."
You pretended as though you didn't care and weren't listening. After everything he did, Jaldabaoth lost his right to your cooperation at times.
The demon's eyes narrowed. "But, just as he's told his entire kingdom—I did not steal his women. They came to me."
Hearing such a thing, your attention was easily grasped.
"Those women he took as his mate prior? They were mine in the beginning." Jaldabaoth's teeth flashed angrily at recalling such a memory. "One in particular, Felshena, never saw my lack of strength as something to be disgusted by. She was always intent to assist me to stand when I had lost the power in doing so. Out of any of my mates, she was the one who would stand at my side and see me strong once more. She encouraged my desire in becoming so."
You looked away from him, trying to recall everything that Demiurge had said about this all before. In his former talks with you, he sounded so honest. He knew that jealousy can encourage the growth of others as well as breed insanity. But at the same time, Jaldabaoth had yet to show you that insane side of himself...
Regardless, you refused to believe that Demiurge ever lied to you.
"However, Demiurge and I are cursed—we both have identical mating senses and desire over the same smell another can carry," Jaldabaoth continued, sighing heavily in a form of disgust. "When Demiurge had yet to obtain his own mate, he saw the perfect chance to lure Felshena away from my side..." His eyes narrowed, glowing an ominous red. "Since we are identical, she saw no reason to doubt it was me till it was too late."
You tried to keep yourself from speaking out and questioning him. But, it was nagging at you... "Demiurge said the same in kind about yourself." You looked accusingly at him. "How you lured his mates away and claimed them as your own."
Jaldabaoth raised a brow at that remark. "Whenever a liar hopes to plead their case, they often switch the narrative to suit their needs to make them appear the victim."
Then I don't know who to trust...You could easily be doing the same thing just to cover yourself, you thought. Head in hand, you sighed in frustration. His entire story could just be a twisted narrative of what Demiurge told you. Both were there. Both had their own side to this, but beyond them? Nothing else could be the deciding factor.
It boiled down to who the most respectful of the two would seem like. Actions always spoke louder than words, and with enough time with Jaldabaoth, you'd possibly be able to see through whatever veil he could be wearing.
When silence overtook the conversation, Jaldabaoth hummed in concern. "I must admit, you've been with him for a few days, and he never once seemed intent on changing your race to that of a demon."
Hearing such an offer again, you recoiled as Jaldabaoth attempted to rest his hand upon your shoulder. "He mentioned it, but I declined the thought." Honestly, you just never cared to give it much thought. You'd have to die to change into anything... that alone scared you.
"Why so? You'd grow old and die while he would remain as he is—immortal."
You sighed your frustrations just slightly to yourself. "I feel I should have the right to enjoy my life the way I want to, don't you think?"
Without death, life couldn't be cherished for what it was. You couldn't imagine being immortal; especially without the man you loved at your side.
Jaldabaoth raised a brow at that remark. Never once had he met someone with a limited time in this world choosing to die over living forever. "I do suppose."
You could tell he wasn't satisfied with that response, but you weren't going to change to please him. You wouldn't change to please anybody. If he loved you, he'd accept you for who you were. "Demiurge respected my decision."
The archdevil's nostrils flared as he exhaled a sigh. "Perhaps I can coax you into changing your mind."
Highly unlikely, you thought. At this point, just raising Nyala into adulthood would be good enough for you.
He nodded back towards the bedroom. "I have dinner prepared for you. Come with me." Jaldabaoth retrieved his mask on the way back into the bedroom, putting it in place once more.
Venturing back to the bedside, you shook Nyala awake before scooping her up into your arms. She released a small yawn, rubbing her eyes free of sleep as her tail hooked about your arm to stay anchored in place.
"There is a dining hall just down the way," Jaldabaoth mentioned with a motion towards the bedroom door. "I'll take you to it."
Whenever Demiurge ate with you, it was done in private. This sounded like a far more open place for eating to occur. It was odd to think about seeing as demons didn't require food to survive. Perhaps even his kingdom as well had cannibals and meat eaters.
You hesitantly nodded, leaving the room with him at your side.
The dining room was quite enormous, even sharing the same space with the throne room. The throne was at the back with three lengthy tables combining to make a U shape. The stairs leading up to the thrones for a king and queen were left free of such a thing. Curtains dangled from the ceiling and pillars lined the sides of the room.
"It appears your entire court would eat here," you mentioned, noting the many empty seats all around the tables.
Jaldabaoth shrugged at the thought. "At times, if they so choose to. The lot of my kingdom, you see, is either of my own breeding or they are souls I have captured to add to my collection—so to speak."
Your brow furrowed. "You just...steal souls...?"
"Not steal, my dear," Jaldabaoth chuckled with a shake of his head. "Just as my brother did, we make a deal with them. If they so choose to join us, then we raise them up as a demon to begin their life anew."
He offered you his hand. You wanted to ignore it but Demiurge's plea rang back into your mind. Sighing out your frustrations, you took the archdevil's grasp and walked up the staircase. Just beside the queen's seat was the food he had prepared for you. Noticing the decorative chair, however, you couldn't help but take one step backward even as Jaldabaoth tried to urge you onward.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"That place is for your queen." You shook your head. "I am not your queen."
Whenever he was silent and had that mask on, it was so unnerving. It was harder to understand what he could be thinking or feeling with it always in place. "But in my heart, you are my queen." He motioned towards it again. "Did you wish for a ceremony to take place to solidify the deal?"
"No!" Realizing how urgently that sounded, you calmed yourself. "N-No. Not all."
You didn't want to encourage the idea of any marriage ceremony. Even if you were still under the impression Demiurge was gone, you didn't know. There was something in your heart, nagging for you to continue to be hopeful.
"Don't worry." His voice sounded sly, almost doing his all to hide back the laughter that could otherwise erupt in his words. "There will be one in due time. For now, just enjoy the seat that will be yours in time."
Biting your lower lip, you stepped forward, sitting down on the twisted looking chair that reminded you of something freshly torn from the bowels of the underworld. Keeping Nyala in your lap, you looked over at the tray. There was enough meat that time for more than just yourself. At least he was willing to put Nyala into account.
A few strawberries, carrots and potatoes also made up the dish. Odd to say, it didn't feel nearly as exquisitely made as Demiurge's dinners. You kept the thought to yourself.
"Thank you for the meal," you whispered in appreciation.
Jaldabaoth bowed before you for a moment, taking his seat at your side.
You looked to the demon through your dinner, noting he was watching you on and off. It was so unsettling and made eating all the more difficult. "So umm...you said that you needed that mask to live, didn't you?"
"Yes."
"But Demiurge commented you've been pretty good about removing it for extended periods." You nodded back towards where you came from. "Even just a moment ago, I saw you not wearing it for a time. What happened...?"
The devil seemed to question whether or not he should tell you anything. His silence spoke volumes in that regard. His hand gripped the mask as if to remind himself of the contours of it. "My brother cursed me to be bound to this object." Jaldabaoth's words growled as he spoke them. "It is possible for the Demon King to lay a curse upon any demon, binding them to an object if he so desires. It is the most foul deed to ever do to any—let alone your own kin." His grip tightened on the mask, making you think for a moment he would even crush it himself. "He did this upon my continued revenge against him for hurting my mates, and then banished me from his kingdom. He saw me...a traitor."
Even if you knew Jaldabaoth's side, you couldn't say he was the innocent one. While the story sounded horrible, it seemed both could have stopped at any moment to spare the other heartache. They were both just too prideful and stubborn to end this ongoing war with each other.
Even with Demiurge's love, you couldn't ignore that fault in him. He could have stopped this all at any point—shown mercy to Jaldabaoth's mates. Killing them or even the babies Demiurge's former mates had with his brother wasn't necessary.
"I will say this..." you began as a whisper, "I am sorry on his behalf for whatever harm he caused you. When he killed your last mate there when we were heading to The Abbadon Circle, I didn't have the words to say anything." You shook your head. "I wish I had. I wish I had told him not to harm her. I just didn't expect he would be that swift to act..."
Jaldabaoth's grip on the mask loosened. His entire body seemed to ease itself into a relaxed state as a sigh expelled from him. "Your apology on his behalf is better than none at all, I suppose."
When his hand graced yours there on the armrest of the throne, you slipped away from it.
"But still you recoil from me?"
"I acknowledge Demiurge's faults, yes, but I still miss him." You shook your head. "Nobody in this world is perfect. Nobody. Demons thrive on sin more often than not, but he loved me. He wanted to make certain I had a better life than what was to await me out there in the gorge. He wasn't perfect but none of us are." You bit on your lower lip, swearing to yourself. "No matter what, Lord Jaldabaoth, you cannot ever take his place."
It was a bold thing to say, but it was the honest truth nonetheless.
Before he could even hope to counter your words, the doors to the throne room opened up in a hurry. A female demon you couldn't say you recognized appeared before you both. "My Lord, that blasted merchant is nearby."
"Gerdu?" Jaldabaoth questioned, drumming his fingers on the armrest of his throne. "Is there any particular reason why he's bothering me?"
Hearing that name, you looked towards the woman and then back to Jaldabaoth in hopes they would allow him in. It would at least give you a familiar face.
The demon shook her head. "Merely passing through, he said. He wanted to check and be certain you were doing well, all things considered."
The archdevil sighed with a wave of his hand. "Fine. Allow him to pass through the gate."
She bowed. "As you wish, my Lord."
Jaldabaoth turned to you. "I am assuming you've heard of him, unless my brother wished not to deal with Gerdu."
"No, no," you muttered. "Even before my time with Demiurge, Gerdu traveled everywhere, my Lord. He used to frequent my own human village on occasions."
"I see."
It took several minutes, but before long, the half-dragon ventured into the throne room with a few demon warriors behind him. Seemed even Jaldabaoth couldn't trust anybody. Not that you could blame him given the war he had with his brother. Old habits die hard, as they say.
"It is charming to see you both again, my Lord and Lady," Gerdu greeted, bowing in an almost exaggerated fashion that made you wonder if he was being facetious.
"Get to the point, Gerdu," Jaldabaoth's voice rumbled with a low impatient growl as he spoke. "What brings you here?"
"Charming as always." Gerdu shrugged as he ventured a bit further into the room. Of course, one of the women moved their jagged spears before his chest to prevent him from going further. He sighed his frustrations, rolling his eyes. "I wanted to be certain that the healing tonic worked as intended. Last thing I need is one of my patrons to suddenly drop dead because of a miscalculation on my part."
Even if you couldn't see it, you were certain the archdevil was sneering. "Would you truly put someone such as me in harm's way?"
"Of course not." Gerdu's words rumbled with a hidden laughter. "Playful banter from a mere merchant is all that is." He scrunched up his face and dismissed the act with a wave of his hand. "Pay it no mind."
"I have nothing I wish to buy from you. It is best you return to your routes." The red eyes on the mask glowed intensely, as if to send a mute warning.
"Well, I did say I wished to check in on you, but that was half the truth." Gerdu's visible eye looked at you. "My Lady, I have something that may very well be beneficial to you."
The growl from Jaldabaoth became more obvious, making the merchant shrink back just a bit.
"For a price, of course." His fingers pyramided together as he looked over at Jaldabaoth as well. "And I do think it would be beneficial to you as well, my Lord."
"How so?" the demon grumbled.
"Tis that time of the year, is it not?" Gerdu noted the demon's form tense at the reminder. "I thought so. I do have something that can certainly entice the mood."
From the sound of things, it was a love potion. Something to make the user go numb to the thought of what was happening. You didn't like that—at all. "N-No, no thank you, Gerdu. I'm—."
"Let me see it," Jaldabaoth interrupted.
Hearing him insist on even owning such a thing made your heart sink to your stomach. "My Lord, please don't..." you muttered.
He ignored your words, allowing Gerdu to take a few steps towards the throne to offer the phial to Jaldabaoth.
It was another gorgeous vial, intricately made. The liquid inside was a blood red, making you think of either a healing potion or a love tonic. The outside was bound in an old piece of paper that had beautiful detailings upon it.
"A specialty of course," Gerdu explained. "For the Lady only, my Lord, for it will not work on one such as yourself. You are far too strong for it." He bowed once more out of respect.
"For how much?"
You inhaled sharply, holding Nyala to your chest as though she were a stuffed animal you could find comfort in.
"I would say for a mere 2,000 gold coins, it is all yours."
You wanted to get up and throw your drink in this merchant's face. But even in that moment, you had to remember: he was a merchant. In whatever way he could make money, he would gladly do it. No matter who he put in danger.
It made you feel sick.
Jaldabaoth pulled the money from a summoning portal, tossing it in his direction. "Very well. I'll accept. The gods know I could use such a thing in the future." He motioned away rather eagerly. "Now, be gone with you."
The women grabbed at his arms, leading him forcefully from the room. "I hardly need such roughness to be moved," growled the halfling. "Oh, by the way, my Lady—mind not the way the bottle was crafted. It was done at last moment's notice."
"Onward!" one of the females ordered, urging him through the doors ahead.
"How could you accept such a thing?" you asked in disgust, looking at the bottle he now held.
Jaldabaoth handed it to you. "For you to consider. If sleeping with me with a stable mind isn't something you wish to do, then perhaps that merchant offered you a solution."
Your chest heaved in disgust. It felt like every moment you woke, you found yourself in literal hell.
When the meal was over, you were escorted back to the bedroom. Jaldabaoth had other things to tend to, and he didn't trust you on your own about the kingdom. At this point, you were nothing but a bird locked in a cage. Your wings clipped, unable to fly free. At least Demiurge insisted on your growth in his kingdom.
"Are you okay...?" Nyala asked when you placed her hurriedly on the bed.
With the bottle of this love potion in your care, you angrily threw it on the ground. You didn't care if it would make Jaldabaoth angry. You wanted it out of your hands.
But it didn't break. Much to your surprise.
"Dammit all!" you swore, grabbing at it to try and beat it again and again on the ground.
Not a single crack would form, but eventually, the old center wrapping that had been tied about the bottle came undone upon the floor. Sobbing in disbelief that this would be your life, you stalled when you noticed that the paper that was once wrapped about the vial had some sort of writing on the inside.
Cautiously, you took the paper into your hands. It was a letter written by Gerdu himself.
Oh, I'm sure you loathe me for this, my Lady. My apologies for it all the same. It was the only way I could relay a message to you without enticing his ire.
I still desire his coin after all.
The bottle is nothing, by the way, if you are curious. Merely a tonic to settle nerves. I am to assume you need it in this period. I had to play the part of something far more to excite the idea Jaldabaoth would allow you to own it. I can only hope you understood my words in parting. If not, well, maybe some other fortune smiled upon me to where you are now reading this.
I must ask a request: play along with his games for now. Pretend to be his doting lover and do your all to sate his requests within reason.
I was paid a higher sum to protect you, and so, I will do as my customer asked of me.
And please, do you think me a fool? My bottles aren't easily shattered. I have no doubt in my mind you tried. I won't give you an easy way out, my Lady, but I will try and help you find the road out of there.
You must give me sometime to prepare for that with his kingdom. I am afraid I am not excellent at this sort of thing. Well, not completely so.
Gerdu
Your brow furrowed in confusion, rolling up the paper and pocketing it away as you hurried to the balcony. Gerdu was nowhere in sight at the moment. He had already left the town below. Your chest tightened as your fingers curled into fists.
"Customer...? What customer...?" you asked yourself.