2

"You are all dismissed!"

Came the frustrated bark of King Raylar, ruler of the land of Nissia, and the most powerfull man on the continent. He had a busy day dealing with his counsel, who relentlessly badgered him about the many issues that plagued his kingdom. Honestly, he had enough on hisbplate dealing with the problems in the capital, he deserved some sort of down time before sorting ot the rest of the kingdom! The nerve of those flies!

"Hmph!"

He huffed angrily as slammed the doors to his chambers open, not sparing so much as a glance towards either of the guards stationed at either side of his door. Upon entering his the room, he immediately felt a chill. His grey eyes roamed the room, until they landed on an open window. He huffed, his already rotten mood souring further as he stomped his way over to said window, before closing it with a slam. He spun around, only to freeze in his tracks.

There, across the room, was a tall, easily seven-foot tall, humanoid lean, muscular creature that resembled a shadow more than anything elese, with to fire rid eyes gleaming at him. His heart rate shot up, and he opened his mouth to scream, only to find that he couldn't when the creature somehow closed the distance between them in a flash and held a claw over his mouth, using his other, long arm to wrap around him, locking him in place.

It's mouth slowly opened up, a few embers floating out, revealing a mouthful of long, curved fangs,

King Raylar feared the worst expecting, him to take a bite right out of his head. Instead, the creature- no, the monster overpowering him began inhaling sharply, and then everything went white.

As he inhaled, the man's eyes glowed white, signaling him to remove the claw blocking his mouth. A light eminated from his mouth as well. Soon, a glowing white energy exited his mouth and flowed into his own.

After that, he dropped the man's suddenly limp body onto the ground.

He shuddered and twitched at the sensation as he swallowed his soul, He clenched his fists as his body began to convulse and change form and shape.

_______________________________________________

Alice jolted awake, frantically looking around, taking in her surroundings. She found herself in a small, plain looking room, complete with wooden floors, walls, a single door and window which let in the morning light. The only pieces of furniture being the bed she was currently occupying, a slim wardrobe opposite the bed, and a small table in the corner, complete with a single chair.

The words 'bare bones' sprung to mind.

She shook her off those thoughts. She thad more pressing matters to deal with. She glanced at the bed once more. Was all that just a dream? A horrible, horrible nightmare? Yes! That must be it! What else could explain that... thing? But... she wasn't in her bed, or her room, or her house for that matter. So...

*Click*

*Creak*

The sound of the door opening snapped her out of her and caused her to reflexively tense up, only to relax when a familiar head popped through.

"Zac?"

Zac looked towards her, a relieved smile spreading over his face, before making his way towards her. "Alice! You're awake!"

She blinked at him, not quite comprehending. "...Is there a reason I shouldn't be?"

His smile fell.

"...I was worried there was."

Alice was about to question him further, when she felt a pang of pain in the back of her head. Just... like... wait.

"Hold on, are you telling me that... that all that stuff that happened to me, it was all real? Not a nightmare?"

...

Zac remained silent, not answering. Not that he needed to, as the look on his face said it all.

"No..." She breathed dispondently, before abruptly burying her face in her arms.

What followed was a series of incomprehensable, uncontrollable sobs unleashed by Alice, not caring about the stains marring her sleeves in the slightest. She suddenly felt movement on the bed, and then a hand on her shoulder. Without a second thought she threw her arms around Zac, hugging him tightly, desperately trying the-BURNINGSEERINGAGONIZING-pain that now plagued her.

_______________________________________________

After over ten minutes of nonstop crying, Alice managed to calm down, if only a little. An eerie silence followed, only the occasional sniffle filling their ears. Untill, finally, it was broken.

"A demon."

She heard Zac utter, causing some confusion.

"Huh?"

"It was a demon." He clarified, though it only added to her confusion. "The thing that killed your parents, it was a demon. It must have escaped from hell."

...

A... demon? But-But, those didn't exist! They were just stories, right? This didn't make sensnse. But, at the same time, it DID make sense. What else could that monster have been? It certainly wasn't human, and it didn't resemble any animal she'd ever seen. And if it weren't for Zac, she definitely wouldn't have been able to recognize i-

'How did Zac know about this? He should be jin the dark about all this too!'

"I suppose it is high time a tell you."

Alice twitched.

'How did he...?'

"Because you're talking out loud." He admonished gently.

"...Oh." She muttered.

"As I was saying-" He continued. "I should explain myself." He took a deep breath, before turning to face her. "I'm an angel. I was exciled from heaven a long time ago, so now I live here, on plain old Earth."

Alice blinked, not quite comprehending for a few moments, before letting out an exasperated sigh before burying her head in her arms once more.

This... is alot, to say the least. First, those horrible events from the night before, then she discovers the existence of angels and demons, and now she finds out that her best friend is one of them?! She let out yet another sigh as she allowed her mind to drift, to her memomries. Memories of her parents. Of times bitter, and times sweet. Of days where she would play a simple game of hide and seek with mum. Of times where father would show her the proper way to swing an axe. Of nights where they would tell her stories as she nestled under her warm blanket. Stories... about...

Wait...

"Hold on!" She suddenly exclaimed as her head shot up, startling the angel by her side. "My parents told me stories about angels and demons before! They told me that according to the legends, demons can return the lives they've taken. Is there any truth to that?" She asked-though it sounded morw like pleading-hopefully.

Zac regarded her, a thoughtful look appearing on his face as he did so, before answering. "Now, that you've mentioned it, yes. I do recall encountering demons with such abilities."

Alice wanted to leap for joy.

"R-Really?!" She, receiving a nod from him. She leapt out of bed. "Then there's no time to waste!" She turned towards the door, taking a step when a hand on her shoulder stopped her dead in her tracks.

"Hold on now." Zac spoke. "This goes without saying, but demons are dangerous, very dangerous. It's nearly impossible for humans to defeat them. If you come along, there's every chance that you could be next. Are you SURE you wanna to do thi-"

"Yes."

"...Well as long as you've given it thought." He muttered to himself, though alice didn't seem to hear.

"I have to do this. I have to face him." She declared resolutely, a determined and, surprisingly, dark look in her eyes. The look she was sending him stook him aback, having never expected to see the normally cheerful and easy girl sporting such a chilling gaze.

He shook off those thoughts, returning to reality.

"Alright. But-" He added, noticing her mouth start to open. "we have to prepare first." He spun around, and walked over to the wardrobe, sticking his arm in to fish out something. "Like I said, it's nearly impossible for humans to defeat a demon, nearly." What he revealed next really caught her attention.A massive, silver spear, easily taller than herself. "Something I swiped from heaven before my banishment as a spot of revenge. Michael's lance."

Alice blinked. "Michael? As in the archangel Michael?!"

Zac nodded. "Yes. It's the most powerful weapon in existence. With it even a human like you could vanquish powerful demons." He stated, then walked over to Alice, handing the weapon over to her.

It was surprisingly light. Then again, this is her first time holding a divine weapon. A thought soon struck her.

"But, I don't know how to use a spear... or any weapon really."

Zac smirked at her. "Trust me, it'll come to you."

_______________________________________________

An uproar of deafening cheers erupted from the surrounding streets as the crown was placed upon the head of the new king from a balcony by the castle, the sudden noise causing him to flinch.

The boy, Lars, was fairly thin for the age of twelve. Medium length silver hair adorned his head, a pair of baby blue eyes looking about nervously.

The news of King Raylar's death was greeted with mixed emotions by all. There were those who mourned his death, those who, while not particularly saddened, paid their respects nonetheless, those who didn't pay much mind to the news, and even those who celebrated. Nevertheless, Lars' ascension was, evidently, celebrated by many. Nearly an hour later, and the celebrations were interrupted.

"Your majesty." A familiar voice called.

Lars turned to find Alphonse, his father's most trusted advisor standing to his. He was a man in his late forties, standing at five-foot-eleven, long black hair tied into a pony tail, a pair of glasses resting in front of two dull, almost grey eyes.

"Y-Yes?" He responded, a little startled by the sudden address.

For some reason, Alphonse looked hesitant for a moment, but he composed himself quickly enough. "Your prescence is required in the throne room."

He ragarded him curiously, but nodded eventually, turning to leave. Really, he was just glad to get away from this crowd. The guards stationed by the balcony began to follow them, only to be waved off by Alphonse.

"Only the king's pressence." He intoned harshly.

The guards looked to Lars for confirmation, falling baxk into their places when they got a nod from him.

The two of them made their way down the hallway towards the throne room, the noise from the massive crowd outside slowly growing softer and softer, untill they reached the massive golden doors that lead to the throne room. Alphonse pushed them open and allowed Lars to step inside, before he closed the doors, and it went silent. Then Lars noticed the figure on the other end of the room, on the throne.

He leaned forward, taking in the appearance of the newcomer with intrique before getting up, walking over to the two of them. He could easily spot the older male tense up at his approach, as he expected. What he didn't expect was the reaction from the boy beside him: curiosity. Not fear, not dread, not anxiety, just genuine curiosity. It took him aback slightly, but he didn't break stride, before his now six-foot-four frame stood before the two.

"Hello Lars." He intoned coldly.

Lars blinked at him for a moment, before responding. "Who are you?"

...

He wasn't expecting that either.

'What are you?' Yes.

'Why are you here?' Certainly.

But 'WHO are you?'

He shook his head, ridding himself of those thoughts.

"My name is Adremalech." He answered firmly, "I hear you're the new king." Lars nodded. "Alright then, listen up. You'll stay the king, the public will know you as the king, but behind the scenes, I'll be pulling the strings. You'll do what I tell you to do, you'll say what I tell you to do. Yes?"

"...Okay." Was his thoughtful answer.

It took all his strength not to flinch at his response. This child, in a matter of minutes, had completely baffled him at every turn. "You're alright with that?" He asked, genuinely curious.

"Yeah. I mean, I never really wanted to become king anyways."

He stared at the perplexing child, uncomprehending, before turning around, scoffing.

'How typical of one who hasn't suffered.'

"But... why?" He pulled out of his thoughts by the sudden question, turning back to him with narrowed eyes.

"Why?" He hissed, causing Lars to, for the first time, look nervous. "Let me tell you why." He raised his suddenly clawed hand to cup the top of his head, causing both Lars and Alphonse to tense further. "Because if you don'f, it would be all too easy for me to crush your head in my hand." He raised his other hand, a flame suddenly appearing in it. "Because if you don't, I could incinerate the two of you on the spot. Because if I wish it, I could lay waste to your kingdom. That's why!" He intoned darkly. Satisfied with the looks of terror on their faces, he spun around, stomping his way out of the room.