Ram’s unplanned attack on Reyna had prevented Amon from giving her a proper explanation of what her powers were. She eagerly awaited his words.
“Heal Mahou,” Auronmar said, “consists of Caster, Aide, and Healer. Minor wounds are mended under a Caster. An Aide can fuse broken bones while a Healer has the ability to heal mortal wounds and reattach limbs if the target is reached in time. Those under Heal Magic have an increased rate of regeneration than others that are not.”
Reyna swallowed at his words.
“Summon Mahou’s three levels are Caller, Rite, and Summoner. Though simple in its evolution, its power increases as the tiers do. Callers can usually summon only on demon, a lower level one, for a short amount of time. Rites can call upon a few more and have the power to Summon upper level demons. It is only a Summoner that has the power to call forth a superior level demon along. Some may even call a Spirit under their command.”
Auronmar lowered his crossed leg and leaned towards Reyna. “Something you should know is that all Magika power is not set in stone. Simply because you hold the capability of a high level Magika does not mean you will automatically achieve those powers. The efficiency and potency of Magika depends on its user and the target.
“Individuals can mold and explore their Mahou, adapting it to create new tools or abilities that can be used or even taught to others. The Body Construction the humans of old developed and you configured can be an example of that.”
Reyna gazed at the king the best she could from her fixed angle. His words sunk in and their understanding brought her a sense of ease. Finally an explanation to something that wasn’t sprung on her against her will.
“There is something else you should know about your Magika,” Auronmar said. “I am sure you have been told you are a Hybrid. What that means is you have access to two forms of Magika. More than likely, however, you will not be as powerful in them as a non-Hybrid with the same powers as you.
“In turn, though, as a Hybrid you have a ‘mixed’ and random power in addition to your Magika. In your case, it is your ability to manifest weapons and defenses out of thin air. As a Hybrid, something only twins are, it is your power alone.”
Awed, Reyna remained silent. Auronmar watched her with solemn eyes.
“Wait,” she suddenly spoke. “You said something about lower and upper demons earlier. Do they have anything to do with those demons I faced earlier?” She recalled they had been part of his army. “I mean your demons. Sorry about killing them. Do any of them have Magika?” Reyna bashfully asked.
Again, Auronmar chuckled softly at her fretting. “Yes, there are different types of demons: lower level, upper level, and superior level. The lower level Demons make up the majority of the demon population. They mostly serve the purpose of front line soldiers and are the ones you encountered in your earlier battle. These demons cannot use Magika.
“Upper level demons are found within a small percentage of the demographic. Their appearance is more human than the lower but still hold plenty of demonic features. Few uppers can use magic. Those who can, however, are mostly limited to only the lower level of Mahou. An upper level demon achieving the second level of Magika can be possible, but it is extremely uncommon.
“Superior Level Demons are quite rare.” Auronmar gave a small grin. “They are the strongest type of demons and have access to the strongest level of Magika. They can handle the fusion of weapon and Spirit. Gahn, Cerus, and Erian are superior level demons.”
“About that,” Reyna spoke up, “I don’t understand what Spirits are exactly.”
“There is not much for me to tell you. Spirits are a bit of a mystery to us as well. They come in different forms and appearances and for some reason appear in our realm. Some possess powers of their own while others are vessels to be used. When a demon partners a Spirit with their weapon, his power can increase. At times he is bestowed with a new power provided the Spirit itself has them,” Auronmar answered.
“That explains Flow and Lina,” Reyna said with understanding.
“I am glad you are following along. Is there anything else I may enlighten you with?” The king leaned back on his chair as if giving her room to think.
Reyna immediately knew what she wanted to ask. “But then what about Mundus? What is he in the demon hierarchy? What are, if you don’t mind me asking, you and Blethinette?”
“We,” Auronmar slowly spoke unsurprised at her questions, “are Dark Blood Demons. We are above all for our blood is from the planet itself. Only the royal family is given such powers through a ceremony. We are omnipotent and have full access to all Magika.
“That is how Mundus and I were able to heal you. Granted his powers are not up to par since he is still settling into his body. Such is why he brought you here. He did not want to risk losing you if he tried healing you in his weakened state.”
Reyna froze, finding a way to do so even in her still state. “He–”
“Reyna,” Auronmar leaned to her and placed a hand on hers. His warmth was felt. “Please do not lose your trust in Mundus.”
She stared at him the best she could from her awkward position. I don’t know if I can do that, she wanted to say.
A swirling tornado of fire filled the room, sucking out all oxygen. Though Reyna felt its intensity, Auronmar showed no signs of discomfort. He merely turned to the approaching source.
“Father,” Mundus’ voice was heard. “What is the status of Reyna’s well being? I have sensed her awakening.”
Auronmar stood from his seat and waved his hand towards her, mentioning for his son to see. As he approached, his huge Magika essence crushed Reyna all the more. When he finally stood next to the bed, the oppressing force all at once disappeared as Reyna’s body adjusted to the discomfort. They locked sights.
Mundus’ eyes waved with relief but soon fell back into their usual hardened yet sly state. Reyna’s own answered with a deep mixture of sadness, bitterness, hesitance, but most of all betrayal. The sight of them stung him. It was an odd feeling. He almost did not recognize it. It floated in his chest and bubbled in his heart as if a wave from Reyna’s own sorrows had infiltrated his body.
“Reyna,” Mundus whispered to her as he continued to gaze onto her.
She remained silent. She had seen the rush of relief that visited Mundus’ eyes, but she did not know what to think of it. He had placed her life in danger so he could simply obtain his own body. Lied to her about multiple things. No, she did not know this demon anymore. Perhaps she had not known him at all. What added to the aching confusion the most was how all of that did nothing to change her emotions towards him.
“Do you feel well?” Mundus asked her, eager for a response from her.
Reyna simply nodded, not ready to give him that.
He smiled nonetheless. “Full movement. You are quite well now.”
“Yes,” Auronmar, standing next to Mundus, spoke. “You are fully healed. Can you sit up?”
Reyna did with great simplicity. The pain in her back was gone. It felt as if she had just woken up from a much needed nap. Reyna smiled, brightened by a sudden realization. “Can I go home now?”
~*~*~
Flow’s ears twitched. He opened his eyes and lifted his head, golden sight scanning the horizon. Erian and Cerus quickly quieted down from their current conversation and waited for the approaching duo to arrive. Finally after numerous minutes of silently waiting, Reyna and Mundus showed up.
Though they had sped back to the original portal that brought them to the demon world, it had taken them what felt like a day or two to reach it. Their entire time together has been a quiet one. At times Mundus would try to strike up a conversation but made no progress. By his third try, he too fell into the numbness.
Cerus grinned as he got up from the ground. “It’s about time you got here. I went through five naps waiting for you guys. Ready to go?”
Reyna and Mundus stared at them, waiting for an explanation. They had sensed their presence by the portal, but neither knew why they were there.
“It is your intention to return to the mortal world?” Mundus asked the two demons before him.
“Yup. We’re here to help you.” Cerus’ grin grew.
Reyna stepped up, infuriated. “Help in what? Taking over my world?”
Erian met her eyes. “Do not be foolish, mortal. We are to help Mundus take down this Ram individual that is causing chaos. As mentioned, we are on a temporary truce while this annoyance is disposed.”
She dared argue with him though her voice emerged shaky. “Auronmar said he didn’t believe in that truce. Why should I?”
“Reyna.” Cerus held genuine hurt in his face. “Please. We don’t want to hurt you.”
Erian tsk’d.
“I don’t want to hurt you.” Cerus redefined. “I don’t want anything or anyone to hurt you either. Please believe me.”
Reyna glared uncertainly at the Shape Shifter.
He was an odd one. His affiliation with Blethinette was a peculiar case, almost wrong. Cerus did not seem to be the type that would associate himself with a power ambitious queen. It was almost like he didn’t want to be but something was compelling him to do so.
Reyna somehow felt she could trust Cerus, and out of the three demons before her, he was the only one she did. “Okay,” she whispered.
Cerus smiled.
The rest turned to Reyna, waiting for her to Summon open the portal. Mundus’ current disharmony with his body prevented him from bringing it forth.
For a moment, Reyna did not want to take these demons with her to her world. They were, after all, on Blethinette’s side on things. However Ram was running around in Human World summoning demons and using them to kill people. Each evil had to be dealt one at a time, and it was Ram’s turn at the moment.
Reyna went through the usual ritual of a simple Summoning, something that was starting to familiarize to her. The portal appeared, showing a hazy view of brown and blue. However, something seemed different; it seemed wrong. Regardless, the entire group stepped through.
Instead of walking into a small closet, there was only total emptiness. The raggedy furniture that had once been in the room was gone. In fact, the entire room no longer existed. A half house skeleton of charred beams were the only remains of what had once been Amon’s home. The cracked foundation was littered with dirt and old ash. It seemed as if the house had burned down months ago.
It was not fair. After returning from a world she barely found out existed, and after being told countless things she did not want to know, it was not fair that Reyna would return to this.
“Uncle Amon!” she frantically called out, eyes scanning around only to see soil, sky, and sun. She ran to what used to be the hallway. “Uncle Amon!” Her vision began to blur and her voice cracked.
The demons, meanwhile, slightly spread out. Mundus and Erian drew their weapons. Cerus tensed for an attack while Flow bristled by his side. Reyna, however, was too hysterical to sense the power level that was rushing towards them.
A young man appeared. He was clothed in old, tattered jeans and a faded green shirt that sported an even more faded design. His face held days old stubble, and his hair was a shaggy mess down his neck. Within his two hands was the hilt of a huge sword a few inches short of the wielder’s height. The width of the blade was about a foot, yet the man was holding it without any difficulty.
“Demons,” he hissed under his breath. Then, he noticed Reyna. He half eased out of his stance as his giant sword thudded to the floor in a heavy spray of dust and ash. The sound caught Reyna’s attention.
“Reyna,” the young man said in disbelief. “You…You’re alive? I can’t believe it! You…You’ve been gone for two years.”
Reyna did not hear what he said, locking sights with his way too familiar green eyes. “Dante?” she gasped.
****************************************
Author's Note: Bit of a fluff chapter. I'm really sleepy right now, so I don't have much to say.
One question though...would it help if I added an appendix or glossary type of thing to this book about the different types of Magika and demon hierarchy and all that jazz?
Thank you so much for reading. I appreciate it beyond words.
<3