Pursuing the Demon Lord

by Randoman

  “Demon down!” A voice called from behind the doorway as a long tentacle slithered around the corner, grabbed the guard I had knocked out, and dragged him back to safety. Good teamwork.

  “Come and get me you bastards!” I yelled out, sending a hail of electrical devastation into the doorway, keeping them from entering. A few shots came back in response, but they were way off their mark. I had the overwhelming advantage of only needing to focus on a small area.

  ‘Satellites weapons have been disabled, Captain.’

  ‘Music to my ears Aya.’

  “We’re good to go Egyle. Get this thing airborn!” I called over the comms.

  “Roger that!” came her reply as the engines began to burn.

  Not wanting to stick around in the cargo bay, I jumped up and rushed to close the ramp. Bolts of electricity riddled the ship, some coming dangerously close to hitting me. Without a second thought, I punched the button to close the ramp. Grinding metal screeched out in a high-pitched wail that caused me physical pain. Guards outside the ship dropped their weapons to hold their hands to their ears. It was only a few seconds, but each second was an eternity of damnation, until the ramp shut.

  ‘Aya.’ I strained to speak in my own mind from the sound of a thousand souls screaming in agony.

  ‘Yes Captain?’ Of course she wasn’t affected by it.

  ‘Remind me to get some oil for that shit.’

  ‘Acknowledged.’

  ———————————————————————————————

  “Damnit!” Aevalonis yelled as she slammed her hand upon the conference room table where she sat. Lyrin, Balros, and Yvael all sat in silence as they watched the camera feed of the Hero’s escape. Plasma cannons blasted the shutters and melted the metal in seconds. Guards attempted to shoot the ship, but they couldn’t do anything with their stun-guns. “Tell me the satellites will do the job.”

  “They’re coming into range now.” Balros spoke. “Satellites locked on.”

  “Fire!” Aevalonis yelled. Nothing happened.

  “What is wrong with them?” Lyrin raged alongside Aevalonis. “That ship should be nothing more than debris!”

  “Its that damn AI of his.” Aevalonis growled. “It has to be.”

  “Incoming transmission from the Boatsy.” Yvael spoke from the side. “Video feed.” Aevalonis ground her teeth together in frustration.

  “Patch it through.” A second later, a hologram of Chet sitting in his chair popped up in the middle of the room. “Come to gloat, Hero? To rub your successful getaway in my face?”

  “What kind of a person do you take me for, Avon? I would only do that to someone I didn’t like.” The Hero responded.

  “Then why are you contacting me?”

  “I just wanted to let you know that I’m not your enemy. And I don’t want to be. But trying to kill me really puts me in a bind you know. You’re treading real close to being just as much of a bitch as Queen Salyzan.”

  “Hrmph. Don’t compare me to that monster.”

  “Just did. You’re not quiet at her level just yet, but keep on acting like you did and you’ll be no better than her.”

  “So, what exactly do you want from me?”

  “Well I would prefer if we could be lovers, but I can settle for being just friends for now.”

  “Friends? And just why would I want to be friends with a disgusting pig like you?”

  “Ouch, that really hurts you know?” He grinned an infuriating grin. “I think you could gain a lot from being friends with someone like me.”

  “Like what?” Aevalonis shot back. “What could you exactly offer me, Hero?”

  “An unbiased opinion for one. You ask Lyrin or Yvael or Balros a question and they’ll give you their opinion which has been tempered by your views and ideals.”

  “Hmmm.” Aevalonis closed her eyes in consideration.

  “Don’t listen to him Lord.” Lyrin pleaded. “We don’t need this human!”

  Aevalonis looked at her friend whose eyes were burning with hatred as she stared at the hologram of the Hero. “Alright. Before I even think about accepting your request for friendship, I have one thing to ask your so-called unbiased opinion.”

  “Alright.”

  “Why are you so set on making me your woman?” She could feel everyone staring at her, but she paid them no mind. This was between her and the Hero.

  “At first, it was your looks. I’m a shallow dude, I’ll admit.”

  “Hrmph. Typical.”

  “But the more I see of the galaxy the more I end up thinking, what kind of message would a Hero and a Demon Lord getting together send? A peaceful one, I’d imagine. Perhaps subconsciously I always thought of this as being a way to achieve peace without war.” He laughed, “Perhaps I’m just an idealist.”

  “I see. Alright then Hero, lets be friends.”

  “Any chance on you being my woman?”

  “No.”

  “Damnit. Alright, friends it is. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go help my other friend save his wife.”

  Just as quickly as the transmission began, it ended. Aevalonis looked to her companions. Yvael looked quite relieved, Balros, as usual, was thoughtful, and Lyrin…well…she looked hurt.

  “I’m sorry Lyrin. But hes right, I need to try for peace.” Aevalonis bowed her head to her friend. Without a word, Lyrin left the room.

  Chapter 16: Cargo Bay Camping

  ‘Wheres the beef, Aya?!’ I yelled out in my head as I sat on my bed in my quarters looking at the hamburger on my plate. It looked like hamburger. It smelled like hamburger. But it was not hamburger. It was nothing more than an illusion made to trick my mind into thinking I was eating the real thing. But I knew better, I wasn’t fooled in the least.

  ‘Replicators can only imitate the real thing.’ Aya explained for what must have been the tenth time over the course of our interstellar journey. Normally when we stop at a station or a planet, we would be able to acquire supplies for some real food. We never got the chance to do so at Avon’s place, and now we were paying the price.

  ‘Whats this slop even made out of?’ I asked as I picked up the fake bun and gagged at the fake cheese and patty.

  ‘Every order from the replicators are from reprocessed plant-based products.’

  ‘Don’t bullshit me Aya, I’ve have tofu before and this is garbage. Tofu may be fake, but at least it has some taste to it! This replicant crap is pure disappointment and emptiness! I swear Aya, if I have to spend another day eating this crap I’m plotting us on a direct course into a black hole.’

  ‘I’m sorry Captain, but its all we have at the moment. We are still a day’s travel from the Falrias system.’ I groaned out loud,

  ‘Just kill me now.’

  ‘Negative.’

  The thought of another two days of these hellish conditions was too much. Boredom was bad, but at least we had decent food to look forward to in between systems. Now we didn’t even have that. With a sigh, I atomized my half-eaten not-burger and headed out of my room for a bit of a stretch and a workout in the cargo bay. As I walked through the hall of the ship, I stepped over Hortur’s tail. He had run out of lemons yesterday and was just now starting to feel the effects of lemonlessness.

  “Hang in there buddy.” I called out to him. “We’ve another day to go.”

  “Kill me…” Came the pitiful reply from within his room.

  “I know exactly how you feel man.” He tried to say something else, but a wave of nausea gripped him. With a brief ‘peace out’ I left him to his suffering.

  The door to the cargo bay zipped open as I approached. It was a shame, we had all this cargo space and no cargo. We could make some extra cash transporting goods across systems if we utilized what we had. Not as much as a dedicated freighter, but still, money is money. Looking around the empty room, I spied Egyle wrapped up in her bedsheets asleep against the walls closest to the engines. She’d been doing that more and more a
s time went on, and I was pretty sure she had a ship fetish. She’d fit right in on My Strange Addiction like that dude who was in love with his car.

  I could see the headlines now, ‘Princess has illicit relationship with a ship she doesn’t even own!’ I’m sure her parents would love that. Well, since she was sleeping here I’d come back another time.

  “Captain?” Egyle yawned groggily from the corner. “We there yet?”

  “Another day and we will be.” I responded to her as she rubbed her eyes.

  “Damn.” Another yawn escaped her. The little princess was growing up, she had cursed! Look at me, corrupting the youth.

  ‘You truly are a monster.’ Aya sarcastically stated.

  “What are you doing here Captain?” She asked groggily.

  “Was going to do some light exercise, but since you’re here I’ll come back another time. Why do you keep sleeping in here anyway?”

  “I like the sound of the engines. Its calming. Besides, my room is right next to Hortur’s. I couldn’t sleep last night from those noises he was making.”

  “Ah, I got you. You can go back to sleep if you want.”

  “Its fine…” she mumbled, “I gotta get back to cleaning anyway.” Without even bothering to open her eyes, she stood up and walked from the cargo bay, still wrapped in her bed sheet. She cooks, she cleans, and she can take out a Fighter in three volleys from a pair of outdated plasma cannons. Total wife material.

  Just not my wife. That position was saved.

  ‘You’re hopeless.’ Aya sighed.

  ‘Hopeful actually. Me and Avon are friends now, thats like, super close to almost being married kinda.’

  ‘Negative.’

  ‘Why you gotta do me like this Aya?’

  ‘Someone has to bring you back to reality.’

  ‘Thanks mom.’ I rolled my eyes. It was time for a workout.

  —————————————————————

  A baking red sun beat down upon the dunes of Falrias II. Massive groupings of sandstone cities had been built around the few massive oases located on the surface of the planet. The rest of the world was comprised entirely of unforgiving desert, the perfect habitat for the Lamlian people like Jiirl. Her golden hair rustled in the breeze that flowed through her home, humming happily as she folded freshly washed laundry. Her upper body clothed in only a very thin black shirt. White scales glimmered in the sunlight as her blue eyes affixed upon the three guests sitting in her living room.

  “You boys thirsty?” Jiirl asked with a kindly voice.

  “Yes’m!” the three men sitting on her sofa all spoke in unison.

  “Coming right up!” she smiled and slithered towards the kitchen to prepare a refreshing glass of imported mint tea. Her husband Hortur hadn’t sent her a message in days, but that was the usual with him. ‘Hes always so caught up in his work. Sands bless him so.’ She thought happily to herself as she opened the refrigerator to bring out the ingredients necessary to entertain her guests.

  “You idiots.” A blond haired boy who had introduced himself as the Prince mumbled softly. Jiirl didn’t know what to think of that, having a Prince in her own home. It was preposterous! As if someone so important would bother themselves with someone like her on a planet like this. The group had only arrived two days ago asking about her husband. When she couldn’t give them an answer the turned a little unruly, but nothing a firm hand couldn’t solve.

  “Here you are boys.” She smiled as she placed a plate with four glasses balanced atop upon the table in her living room.

  “Thank you Mrs. Klaas.” The three armored men spoke as they took their glasses. She nodded happily. Prince Lavizo, if he truly was a prince, looked at the fourth glass cautiously.

  “I added a bit of honey just the way you like it dear.” She smiled at the boy before heading back into the kitchen.

  “Thank you very much.” He mumbled with rosy red cheeks.

  ‘What a good boy.’ Jiirl thought to herself.

  Before she could begin to start getting a bowl of snacks ready, the communicator began to play her favorite Lamlian band’s song. The same one she had danced to on her wedding night.

  “Oh my!” she smiled as she rushed over the communicator and held it up to her head. “Hortur?”

  “My love, forgive me for not contacting you earlier. Are you safe? Are you well?” He heart soared as she heard his voice. Her tail swished back and forth happily.

  “Oh Hortur its so good to hear from you! Yes yes, I’m both safe and fine. How about you? Are you well, dear?” The four men in her home watched and listened to her conversation with an unhealthy amount of interest. She’d have to give them a proper scolding later.

  “Yes yes, I am! And you?”

  “Oh everything has been lovely. Thank you dear.”

  “Good, good. Listen Jiirl, something has come up. I need you to get your things ready.”

  “Ready for what?”

  “Is it him?” The so-called Prince asked curiously, but a sharp glare fixed him right up. This was her home and he was under her rules. And her rules said no interrupting communications.

  “We need to leave Jiirl. Things have…” he sighed, “I’d much rather explain face to face. Just please, get your things ready, okay?”

  “Hmm alright dear, but what about our home?”

  “We…we’ll have to leave it for now. Please get ready, I’ll be there in an hour at most.”

  “An hour?! Oh my, such a surprise!”

  “See you soon, my sun.”

  “And you, my sands.” The communication ended with a beep. She couldn’t believe her ears! Her husband was coming here for her! Frantically she began to think of all the things she’d need for their journey together. ‘Oh its so exciting and romantic!’ she thought to herself.

  “Mrs. Klaas, was it him?” Lavizo asked politely. She nodded, he was becoming a much better young man than when he had first arrived.

  “Indeed, he’ll be here within the hour he says.” Unable to contain her joy, she began to gather things she’d need for wherever they were going.

  “Alright guys, lets move.” Lavizo spoke in a commanding tone and headed towards the exit. “Thank you for your hospitality Mrs. Klaas.” Lavizo remember to say before leaving.

  “Thank you!” the men echoed

  “You’re welcome. Oh! Before you leave, I have a gift for you!” She rushed into the kitchen. The four humans waited around by the exit, not wanting to be improper in their hostess’ home. “Here you boys go.” She handed them each a thermos, “Surish Bush wine.” She explained with a smile. They all thanked her for her great kindness. “You boys are welcome back any time, you hear?”

  “Thanks again!” They all bowed their heads and left the home. It was good that they were finally able to learn some manners.

  ————————————————————————————————————

  “Falrias orbital, this is Boatsy, requesting permission to dock.” I spoke into the communicator.

  “Falrais orbital confirming Boatsy. Please dock at the designated hangar.”

  “Roger that orbital, Boatsy out.” With our location confirmed, we zipped towards our destination, a very minor spaceport that orbited Falrias II, a desert world of white sands. Small splashes of green surrounded large inland oceans called oases by Hortur. It was at one of these we would find his wife.

  “Alright Egyle, I’m entrusting you with a vital mission here. I spoke as we assembled in the cargo bay. With Aya’s help, I transferred a large amount of money to her account. “Buy everything. Every bit of food you can find, we want. Crates and crates of whatever you can get your hands on.”

  “And lemons. Don’t forget the lemons.” Hortur spoke with a hand over his stomach.

  “Food and lemons. Got it.” She nodded seriously.

  “Oh and if you can, a bottle of Surish Bush wine would be lovely. My wife and I love the stuff.” Hortur requested.<
br />
  “I’ve had that wine before! Its quite delicious and refreshing. I’ll get a few bottles!” Egyle smiled happily.

  “Alright, while we do that, Hortur and I will go retrieve his wife. We should be back in an hour or so.”

  “Affirmative. Good luck you two!” Egyle smiled and headed down the ramp to acquire our supplies. We followed shortly after in search of a shuttle that would take us to Hortur’s home.

  “Are you sure you know how to fly this thing?” Hortur asked nervously as I sat in the cockpit of the shuttle we had been given leave to use. Multitudes of buttons and gizmos lit up in front of me as the ignition started up.

  “Nope, but it cant be too hard.” I spoke as I grabbed the flight stick and slowly increased the throttle. Aya was giving me instructions as fast as I could think, just like when I piloted the ship. Like a rocket, we shot out of the station and hurtled towards the planet far below.

  Dunes of sand came into view as we cruised through the planet’s atmosphere. It wasn’t long until a city of white sandstone buildings came into view followed by the nearest inland ocean.

  “Thats Shirishilis.” Hortur explained, “We’re not far from my home now. Take it down anywhere.” As soon as Hortur spoke those words, the shuttle began to nose-dive towards the city.

  “Ummm.” I spoke as I attempted to pull up on the flight stick. It wouldn’t budge.

  “Captain, please pull up. You’re scaring me.” Hortur uttered nervously as the sandy streets crept ever closer.

  “I’m trying buddy. This thing ain’t budging.” I grunted while trying my best to pull up. “Well Hortur, its been fun.” I sighed as I sat back in my seat.

  “No! Not like this!” Hortur cried out as he reached the flight stick. No matter how he struggled, it wouldn’t budge.

  Moments before we collided into the streets of Shiri-something, the shuttle leveled out and slowed down.

  ‘Did you enjoy the ride?’

  “Not funny Aya.” I grumbled. “You made me accept my death for nothing.”

  “Aya…did this…?” Hortur panted as he held a hand over his heart.