'It's warm...'

Ruby thought as she stroked one of the dragon eggs on her lap that Dyrroth had given her as their pseudo children. The egg emitted a dull heat that was a comfortable contrast against the cold winds that kissed her cheeks. She sighed as her mind wandered to Dyrroth and his well-being. She gazed upon the twinkling stars that blinked down on her, wishing that somehow they could hear her wish.

She's currently sulking on her veranda in Devas in a new castle that Dyrroth had built for her. It seems that the edifice she noticed being constructed months ago wasn't someplace of worship but a palace of her own courtesy Dyrroth's vast wealth. It is a safe house he asked Martis to build in case something happens to him. Plus, it's beneficial to house the demons with her to avoid conflict with the Ashura tribe. For now Ruby is calling it the Abyssal Embassy for a lack of a better name. It's a working title but she'll surely come up with something more creative once her mind finds peace which will be quite a while due to the events that transpired.

A month has passed since Dyrroth was struck down by Miya and for the duration of that time, Ruby was filled with distress and pent-up feelings. Sorca had returned her to Devas and accompanied her everywhere she went, no matter what she might be doing. Martis welcomed her back into his tribe and offered her protection while Dyrroth recovers. But since his confession, there weren't any amicable nor intimate interactions between them. Sometimes, Ruby finds herself missing his stoic company.

Martis avoided her like the plague and only spoke to her unless it was something important. She figured that he was giving her some space so she merely respected his decision. It was awkward but his love for her was still undeniable due to his forlorn gazes and longing sighs which she frequently caught him doing while staring in her direction whenever she visits his palace.

Sorca also made sure to fulfill her promise to Dyrroth. The demoness would always tell her how much he loves her even if she broke into tears every time she heard those three torturous words in his stead.

"He loves you." She would say every day at irregular intervals, always surprising her with her terrible timing. It was both frustrating and reassuring. Frustrating because he's not the one with her and reassuring because in a way, Dyrroth would always be with her no matter what happens.

According to Sorca's daily reports from her soldiers in the Abyss, Dyrroth is not doing any better. His wounds are healing through magecraft but he hasn't shown any signs of rousing nor even twitched a millimeter. Ruby is extremely alarmed by this news and without her by his side, her anxiety increased even more.

"You should go in already, Ruby. There might be a sniper lying in wait to assassinate you. And frankly, he wouldn't be the first." Sorca suggested as she wiped her blade with a rag, removing the blood of her latest victims.

"How many is it this time?" Ruby questioned as she turned to her companion who entered her room with a subtle hint of tiredness from her latest escapade. She carefully placed the dragon egg back with its siblings in their wicker basket lined with silk and cushions before proceeding to pour Sorca a cup of cold water to help lessen her lethargy.

"Only twelve, not much of a challenge. They're the fifth assassins this week but they don't seem to be getting any better at their job." commented the demoness as she accepted the drink, taking a large gulp.

"Would you prefer it if they succeeded?" said Ruby jokingly, making the demoness roll her eyes.

"The magma would turn blue before that happens, Ruby. I'm the best at my job."

"Killing and babysitting?"

"Precisely."

"I just want to ask... Why don't you take your wife here? I mean, there's plenty of space for one more demon."

"I would, but Alice took Araignee (A-ren-nee sounds like irony) with her in the Moonshire. I suspect that she needs more outfits now that she's playing queen of the enchanted forest."

"Araignee is a clothes maker?"

"Yes, she outfits every high-ranking demoness. Even you. She was the one who made the clothes Dyrroth gave you during your date to Avalor and repaired your cape. She was always fascinated by you. Your small proportions are just astounding for her. She's quite fond of small and cute things. Makes her want to eat them."

"Okay, that is totally not creepy. Nope, not at all." Sorca chuckled, making the girl smile. It is rare for her demoness guard to even crack a smile, much less laugh.

"What type of demon is Araignee anyway?"

"She's not a demon. She's an Arachna Gorga from the Shadow swamp. I suppose you might compare her to a spider and a human combined, as terrifying to you as that sounds. But her true terror comes when she's in bed. That girl's a beast through and through." Sorca mused suggestively making Ruby snicker.

"You demons and your unparalleled sex drive."

"What about you and your other mate? You haven't hit it off yet? You've been so tense lately, maybe you need to loosen up and unwind. Dyrroth's not going to get any better if you stress yourself."

"You mean Martis? What are you talking about? He and I are just friends and I wouldn't want to cheat on Dyrroth now that I technically told him that I love him... Whether or not he heard it... Consciously."

"What's stopping you from getting another mate who can protect you? Both Ashura and demons accept polyandry. And I bet that their king has a size that can satisfy you every night. Without Dyrroth's cock to tame your desires, which you cannot deny that you don't have, Martis would be a good alternative for the time being. I let Araignee hit it off with someone else while I was out on the campaign and it didn't make her any less loyal to me."

"Okay, ewww. Please stop. I don't wanna imagine his dong before sleeping but also... You're really encouraging that? And Dyrroth is your boss." Ruby rebutted with a faint blush at her friend's bluntness.

"You humans and your monogamy. So fucking boring. Listen, Ruby, no one wants to spend the rest of their lives with the same face. It might be in the beginning but later on, it's gonna get stale. Plus there are billions of people around the world, why only fuck one?" Sorca reasoned as she took an apple before taking a large bite

"I see your point. I think. But if Dyrroth ever finds out that Martis so much as kissed me then I fear that the world would burn in an instant. He's a very jealous and possessive bastard."

"Ah, yes. I remember him throwing a massive tantrum when I told him you have a crush on both Alucard and Granger during your one-sided prison ramblings. He burned down three villages to blow of some steam before fucking you in the throne room."

"We didn't have sex! He just... Gave me a... Little lick."

"And you gave him a blowjob. Yes, your screams were very informative."

"I was raped."

"For the first half at least. And then your screams turned to moans and begged him to go faster."

"You were listening?!"

"I was forced to listen. All I could do was stand guard on the door waiting for orders. Plus I was betting with Orthog and Kreos if Dyrroth would kill, fuck, or literally eat you."

"What exactly did you bet he would do to me?"

"I wagered that he would eat you. He was fattening you up and dressing you nicely. I thought he was going to cook you into a roasted human dish. But technically I was still right but in another sense I guess."

"That is some very disturbing information so now I'm going to sleep because this conversation is making me so uncomfortable. Goodnight, Sorca." Ruby said as she finally made her way to her bed and pulled her blanket over her body.

"G'night princess," Sorca replied as she took her place on the veranda seat with a smug smile. She began sharpening her spear with a whetstone, keeping an eye on the girl from time to time. Several soldiers, both demons and Ashura, are patrolling the grounds for any threats. Just as she said earlier, it wouldn't be the first time that someone tries to assassinate the girl.

Ever since Dyrroth was put out of commission, many demons from several Abyssal factions have tried to kill her to negate her right to be the princess regent of the Abyss. A position she had no interest to acquire in the first place. Without both Dyrroth and Alice to keep track of things in that chaotic chasm, things have been escalating from dangerous to downright pandemonium.

A civil war has broken among the demons to decide who will stand in place of Dyrroth, who they automatically assume is dead. Alice on the other hand couldn't care any less about what her subordinates do since she is busy tormenting her new toys. Ruby heard that Alice was doing some sick play with the elves and although she doesn't have any attachment with them, she pitied them for getting the shorter end of the stick. Dyrroth would have given them a swift and maybe brutal and painful death, but Alice? She would torture them until the last hope they have is gone. She will consume their sanity, play with their feelings, and devour their souls simply for her pleasure and not even her sustenance. She is a cruel and merciless bitch but Ruby wasn't any better.

What she did to Miya haunts her thoughts sometimes and maybe she went a little bit overboard with what she did to her former love rival. But then when she remembers Dyrroth's deathly face all her regrets are instantly poured down the drain and a satisfied smile escapes her lips.

Setting aside her chaotic life, she closed her eyes and began dreaming of a beautiful pasture where she and her friends would have a picnic. Guinevere is dressing up her homemade cupcakes along with her boyfriend Gusion. Kagura and Hanabi are chopping up the vegetables for the salad and she is listening to Granger's violin as he plays a mellow tune in the background. Layla would be playing some sort of video game with Beatrix while the guys would be roughhousing and grilling some barbecues. They would eat the most scrumptious of home-cooked dishes and share stories to pass the time.

It was fun. The dream was very nostalgic. But then the faces of her friends changed. They're no longer her friends from the surface world. The people around her would be the friends she made in the Abyss and Devas. Arethria and Dothron were the ones grilling the barbecue. Sorca would be chopping down a Demonic boar she hunted with her soldiers while Skywynn slept in the background. Terizla was the one cooking a stew with Lady Shura, and Ruby would be laying in a blanket being caressed and showered with sweet words by both Martis and Dyrroth. She would blush at one of their comments and turn away in embarrassment.

Martis would pull her in his lap and Dyrroth would kiss her lips. A golden ring glinted on her finger. In the center is a ruby being sandwiched by two purple diamonds. It was beautiful and it was unbreakable. She has married both Martis and Dyrroth and the three of them are happy. But of course, there would always be darkness whatever there is light.

The clouds darkened and the once peaceful pasture is now a frigid and bleak place where she stood alone surrounded by emptiness and spite. Sinister figures would dance somewhere in the corners of her eyes but there would be nothing there whenever she focused her sight on them.

"Ahh... Mother, we finally found you." said a wolf that suddenly appeared in front of her. There were two of them, one was black with golden eyes and the other was grey with blue eyes. They were majestic as they were terrifying and they approached her with wide hungry grins like predators about to devour their prey.

"Who--who are you?" she asked, backing away from them.

"You don't remember us? We're your children." answered the grey one.

"I've never been pregnant before! Who are you?"

"It's no matter. We'll be coming for you, mother." the black one smirked and his voice reverberated in her head as the world spun around her.

"Mother..."

"Mother..."

"Mother..."

"Fenrir..." That was the last thing she heard before the wolves pounced on her and the last thing she remembered was the darkness of their gigantic maw as they devoured her.

Ruby bolted awake heaving and sweating profusely due to her dream. It wasn't particularly scary like all the others but it was ominous, to say the least. She stood up from her bed to take a glass of water before resuming with her sleep. Her throat was quite parched and she feels a little bit dehydrated so maybe drinking something might help calm her nerves. For some unknown reason, her heart refuses to calm down. It is beating wildly with anticipation, waiting for something, preparing for anything.

And that's when she saw it. She had a passing glance on her vanity mirror but it was enough to identify something out of the ordinary. Or someone. A silhouette appeared behind her and she immediately summoned her scythe to defend herself against the intruder. She didn't hesitate to take the first move, delivering several fatal strikes on the person who evaded her blade with much precision.

"Who are you?" she questioned after taking a swing at him which the stranger expertly dodged again. She couldn't identify his features due to the lack of proper illumination but she saw him narrow his eyes while his lips twitched in a half-smile. This bastard is amused, but why?

She traced a rune on the handle of her weapon and the blade immediately ignited with fiery crimson light that casted a dull illumination upon her countenance. Now she can properly see his form, his height, his breadth, and the amused look on his smug face that she so wanted to punch away. Having a good look at her surroundings a realization suddenly dawned on her: Where is Sorca?

She thought about Sorca and her current whereabouts. The demoness would never leave her side unless she had to deal with some assassins, but if the assassin is already here then does that mean that something happened to her friend? She doesn't want to dwell on such thoughts since she knows that the demoness is a strong and capable fighter but what if he's not alone? And what of all her other guards?

He doesn't have any weapons in him nor any indication that he's a magic practitioner but such observations wouldn't be enough to lower her guard. She trained her ears to listen to the faintest sound while her assailant watched her quietly. Beyond her door, she can hear the dull sound of metal clashing against metal with the occasional sound of screaming and growling which she assumes means that her demon friends are fighting.

"What did you do to my friends?" she roared at the male who only smiled at her with an enigmatic glint in his azure orbs.

"Skoll is handling them along with the others. I'm the one tasked to rescue you, father." replied the man with a casual tone. There was barely any emotion in his eyes except for mild amusement and curiosity. He was so mysterious like a blackhole raising all the red flags in her mind to get away from him.

"Father? Are you out of your dang mind? Do I look male to you?" she replied in offense. Frankly, she's also surprised that that's the first thing she's worried about and not her friends or what he means by rescue.

"Well, you are indeed in the guise of a woman so perhaps it would be more appropriate to refer to you as such. You are a child of Loki after all so your gender is something for you to decide on your whim. Very well, mother. How about we escape from this place?"

"What the hell are you talking about? Child of Loki? You mean Fenrir? I don't--!" Ruby's words were suddenly interrupted when someone burst through her door.

"Hrod, did you get, father? These demons are tougher than I thought, dad certainly hired good people especially this red demon bitch who nearly killed me a few times. She's insanely strong! It took Alaska, Verdant, and five others to keep her pinned and she's screaming bloody murder about what she's gonna do to us if we harmed father. As if!" mused another one with a chipper tone.

"WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?!" Ruby exclaimed at the golden-haired newcomer.

"Oh, is that father? He looks so puny, like a cute little bunny or even a feisty kitten. Why are you so small, Lord Fenrir?"

"Skoll, do not be disrespectful. Mother chose this appearance for a reason and I think it is strategic. She dons an appearance of weakness that might make her enemies underestimate her which she uses to her advantage. I believe that she is embodying the term 'wolf in sheep's clothing'. She nearly sliced me in half the moment she saw me, thank her name for my agility. I thought I was gonna die."

"I see. That is genius indeed. But anyway it's time for us to leave. The enemy called in reinforcements like the big buff dude with two swords. I hate his face so we should be going now."

"Lord Fenrir, allow me to burrow your weapon." The Skoll guy said as he suddenly took her scythe from her hold. He appeared in front of her as if in a flash of lightning and yanked her scythe from her tight grip before gently pushing her to the arms of the other man.

"We'll be going now. Intercept them, Skoll. And Mother, please hold on tight."

"What?" was all Ruby could say as this Hrod guy hoisted her on his shoulder before jumping off the veranda.

Before she could fall on her demise she saw Martis and Sorca with furious looks screaming out her name, reaching out to her but was stopped by Skoll who twirled her scythe between his fingers before attacking her friends. That was the last thing she saw before blacking out as Hrod traced a sleep rune on her back.