Fan Fiction ❯ The Four Lords ❯ The Council Awaits part. 1 ( Chapter 5 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Brittany stormed down to the dinning hall and furiously sat down as she covered her face with her hands as warm tears rolled down her cheeks. Holly hurried to her side to make sure she was okay.

"I take it the Lord got to you too huh. I'm sorry." Holly said soothingly as she tried to comfort Brittany.

"Did he really kill them?" Brittany asked in a tone barely above a whisper as she looked up at Holly with red puffy eyes from crying.

"Kill who?" Holly asked not knowing what this was about.

"The ones who put some knockout drug in my drink. Did he kill them?" Brittany asked a little louder, but still afraid of the answer.

"No...he didn't kill the ones responsible. The only one he's killed was a cook...the one who told on...me and Kiba." Holly said softly.

"Wait...you mean...you were the ones that put that stuff in my drink...but he said he killed those who did it. Why would he say that?" Brittany asked now more confused that ever. "And why did he kill the cook, it doesn't make sense."

"He killed the cook, because the cook betrayed me and Kiba. Our Lord, he believes that if you will betray your own friends, that it will only be a matter of time before you betray him. He's lived a life full of constant threats, it is because of that, that trust is so important to him. So when the cook revealed what we did to the Lord...he killed him." Holly said sadly.

"That's still no excuse!" Brittany yelled. Her voice became softer as she looked at Holly's hurt expression. "What did he do to you guys?"

"We got tossed around pretty bad, but nothing that hasn't already healed. We got off lucky...very lucky. He just told us that if we ever did anything like that again, he'd kill us. That, and for us to quit meddling in his love life." Holly added with a giggle. "I think he was actually afraid of what you would do to him if you found out he'd hurt us."

"From the way he just acted I don't think so." Brittany replied sadly. "Why does he act like the Alex I knew one minute, then act like a completely different person the next!"

"That is because he is battling with his human emotions." Kiba said as he walked up behind her. "His feelings for you in the human realm are battling with his demonic will. So whichever side is winning at the moment, that is which personality you shall see. But I will say this, the longer he's here in the demon realm, the stronger his demonic will, will become and the easier it will become for him to block out his human emotions."

"So the Alex I knew is still in there somewhere?" Brittany asked with a slight hint of hope in her eyes.

"Of course lass, that person has never left you, he's just hidden for the time being." Kiba said as he smiled at her.

"Good news everyone. Looks as if we're going to the council meeting with the Lord after all." Shadow said with a wide grin as he looked at Brittany. "Thanks to her requesting for us to be her personal body guards that is. I really didn't think you liked us that much."

"Well you are the only one's I actually know. Besides, its fun to be around you, especially with the way Alex has been acting." Brittany said with a smile. As she looked up she saw how pale everyone had become and instinctively knew that Alex was behind her.

"And how might that be I wonder?" Alex asked in a cold tone as he rested his hand on her shoulder and leaned over to look at her.

"I-I mean..." Brittany stammered not sure what to say.

"It doesn't matter." Alex cut in before she could say more. "Kiba, Holly, and Shadow come with me. I have to discuss something with you before we leave. Brittany, I'll have them send out some breakfast for you."

With that everyone left, but not before everyone gave a reassuring smile to Brittany that Alex wasn't going to do anything bad to them. Alex instructed two demons to get her breakfast ready and also to have them clean up all the rooms while he was gone, but to leave his room alone.

* * * * * * * *

"Now, know this, it was not my decision to put you in charge of guarding Brittany, she was the one that chose you. Don't think that I have forgiven you for what you did either." Alex said coldly as he turned around to face them. Everyone was quiet as they listened to what it was their lord wanted to tell them. "Now seeing as how you will be guarding her, I want to make sure that you will protect her no matter what. Is that understood?"

"Yes my Lord." Kiba answered for all of them.

"You know as well as I do, that once I'm within their grasp the council will do everything conceivable to try and ridicule or punish me. That is why I am positive they will attack her, and I will not be able to help her. If anything should happen to her..." Alex said as he closed his eyes for a moment, envisioning all that could happen to her.

"Nothing will my Lord, we will protect her with our lives." Shadow said reassuringly. Alex's eyes snapped open as he heard this.

"I'm glad, because if anything should happen to her, you had better pray that you are dead before I can get to you. Trust me, death would seem like a privilege compared to what I would do to you." Alex said as he glared at them. "No one, I mean no one, is to get near her. We will leave as soon as she's finished breakfast."

With that he dismissed them and everyone turned to leave. "Also, one more thing. Do not mention why I called you in here. If she asks, it was to go over you duties today, that is all. I don't want her thinking that I actually care about her, I just need her for now, is that clear?"

"Yes my Lord." Kiba answered as everyone hurried out. Alex waited for everyone to leave before he let out a loud sigh.

"Just...don't let them find out. That's all I ask." Alex whispered to himself. I'm putting Brittany's safety in your hands guys. Don't let me down. Right now, I'm putting her in more danger than anyone realizes. Especially...if they find out why I really brought her here.

Alex then walked towards the dinning hall dreading what was to come.

* * * * * *

"We won't have to go too far. I requested that the council meeting be held in my own lands." Alex said as he walked with Brittany beside him. Kiba was on his right, Holly on his far left, and Shadow next to her. Alex had told her, for all purposes that he had to act like she was his intimate mate. For that reason he walked with her very close to him as he wrapped his left arm around her waist. As they walked through the villages the demons bowed in respect for their lord. Most of the demons were disgusted that he had chosen a human for his mate, but none dared speak about it until he was far out of ear shot.

While traveling Brittany felt Alex tense up suddenly as his grip on her tightened. "What's wrong?" Brittany asked.

"Nothing...don't worry about it. Shadow, Holly, go check on it." Alex ordered. Both the demons nodded as they fell back and headed towards the forest edge to the right of Alex. "Kiba...watch to make sure they don't get themselves killed."

"Yes my Lord." Kiba said as he fell back and followed after them.

"Alex, what's going on?" Brittany asked again.

"It seems we're being followed." Alex replied calmly. Suddenly from out of the woods erupted and enormous black creature. It was ten feet tall and twenty feet long with black wings, and razor sharp talons. Brittany couldn't believe her eyes as the creature lunged itself at her and Alex. Before the creature could get close Shadow sprung at the creature from out of nowhere. He back flipped and caught the creature beneath the jaw with his foot, knocking the creatures head back. Holly came crashing down on the creature's skull as she rammed both her hands into his head and pulled backwards, forcing the creature's head back farther. Kiba finished the creature off by launching himself at it and slicing its throat with his claws. Blood poured out everywhere as Alex instinctively pulled Brittany close to him to block out the images.

"Well, that was easy." Shadow said with a smirk as they walked back to Alex.

"W-what was that?" Brittany asked in a timid voice.

"That was a Drakel, a ferocious creature that's a combination of both lizard and dragon." Alex replied calmly. "But one Drakel's no match for my three best warriors."

"Thank you my Lord." Holly said as she and everyone else beamed brightly at the compliment. Suddenly there came an ear piercing cry from the forest as the tree's began to shudder.

"That can't be good." Kiba said with a frown. "Looks like there's more of them." As if on cue eleven more Drakel's erupted from the forest edge, all headed towards Brittany and Alex. Instantly Kiba, Holly, and Shadow launched themselves at the Drakels, but soon it became increasingly apparent that even if they were Alex's best warriors, three of them were still no match for eleven Drakels.

"Alex, you've got to help them!" Brittany begged as she saw a Drakel slash Kiba across the chest. Another sent Shadow flying as its powerful tail collided with him. Holly was barely able to move from a Drakel as it tore a deep wound into her leg.

"It is forbidden for a demon lord to use their power in battles such as this. Besides, I only fight for myself, no one else. Let us continue." Alex said as he turned back to the road to continue walking.

"Alex...you can't just walk away they're your friends!" Brittany cried.

"They...they are my servants, nothing more. I already told you once before, I fight only for myself." Alex replied coldly as he continued walking away.

"So you can't use your power to help your friends, but you can use it for revenge! Alex...help them...please." Brittany begged as she looked back at them. They had managed to kill one, but they were already badly wounded and wouldn't be able to take much more. "Please...."

A Drakel raised its claw to strike at Kiba, who had shoved Holly aside so that she wouldn't get hurt. Its claw came crashing down as Alex walked past Brittany. Right as the claw was about to hit Kiba it stopped in mid air unable to move.

"Brittany, close your eyes." Alex instructed as he held the Drakel's arm from moving. Brittany willingly obliged as she heard a loud rip and a Drakel scream. A few seconds later she felt Alex wrap his arm around her once again. "There, are you happy?"

"D-did you help them?" Brittany asked as she slowly opened up her eyes to reveal Alex starring at her with a smirk.

"What do you think I did?" Alex replied as he turned around to reveal the ten remaining Drakel's ripped to shreds and strewn around the ground. Kiba, Holly, and Shadow were weakly getting up as they surveyed the damage.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Brittany exclaimed as she hugged Alex and kissed him on the cheek. "I knew you wouldn't let them die."

"Don't think that I did it because you asked me to." Alex said coldly. "Its just that I realized where those Drakels came from. The only black Drakels are from the northern realm, which means that Zanatos sent them after me."

"Who's Zanatos?" Brittany asked. More importantly, why do act as if your not glad that they're okay? Do you really have to act so calm all the time? I know your not emotionless, no one, not even a demon lord is without emotions. Especially not this demon lord.

"Zanatos is the Lord of the northern realm. You will see him at the council meeting. Him along with the other demon lords." Alex replied softly. "They are going to go over my punishment."

"Why were you punished exactly. I heard you were banished to the human realm...but why would they banish a demon lord?" Brittany asked.

"Because...well lets just say they were really pissed that I became a demon lord. I wasn't one of the naturally chosen demon lords...I became a demon lord, when I killed the Lord of the southern realm." Alex answered.

"So you killed him? Why? I mean, did he do something to you, or did you just want his power?" Brittany continued.

"Both actually. He deserved what he got, actually he deserved worse, but also I wanted his power." Alex admitted. By this time everyone had regrouped with Alex and Brittany and they began walking again. Everyone continued in silence, thinking about all that had just occurred, and knowing that it did not bode well for the meeting to come.

As soon as they were to where the meeting was to be held they all saw that things would not be in their favor. Where as Alex only came with three demons, every other demon lord seemed to come with their entire army.

"Why did they bring all these demons with them? Surely they don't expect you to attack them like this." Shadow said as he counted the demons. "It looks like they each brought about one-fourth of their armies, but still that's a lot. That's about 5,000 for the west, 9,000 for the east, and 30,000 for the north."

"They are probably afraid that our Lord will end their miserable lives like he did the original lord of the south." Kiba answered with a serious expression.

"Are they really that afraid of you?" Brittany asked.

"No, they know they don't have any reason to be afraid of me...not now anyways. They are however very cautious." Alex said calmly. Even though all the demons there mocked and jeered at him, Alex held his head high. He put forth a show for everyone as he gallantly led Brittany though the demon hordes. He led Brittany to an empty place right in front of the middle of the arena. From here she could see three figures seated high above the crowd in front of the giant circle, all of them fixed their eyes on Alex. "Sit here and don't move okay. Kiba, I'm trusting you."

"Yes my Lord. You have nothing to fear." Kiba said reassuringly. He smiled at Alex and patted him on the back. Alex gave a weak smile back as he stared up at the three lords who were staring down not at him but at Brittany. Alex felt his anger rise as he saw the disgust in their faces. Suddenly Alex walked over to Brittany and wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her into a deep passionate kiss.

"This if for good luck, nothing more." Alex whispered into her ear as he headed back towards the circle with a satisfied smirk on his face as the demon lords looked on shocked at what he had just done. When Alex reached the middle of the circle everyone in the arena silenced. Everyone's eyes were transfixed on the three demon lords who lowered the platforms they were sitting on so that they would be able to better see Alex. The first one to speak was a slender man, who had shoulder length black hair and looked as young as Alex. He didn't look at all like a demon, he didn't have pointed ears like Alex, the only sign that he was a demon was his glowing red eyes.