50

I woke to the sight of Nike's beautiful smile, his hands gently shaking me on the bench where I'd fallen asleep.

"Good morning, my little imp," I murmured sleepily, reaching up and pulling him into my arms without a second thought.

Still half-asleep, I tried to go back to bed right there, clutching him like a plush toy. Nike squirmed, letting out a small grunt of protest before giving up entirely and laying across my chest with a sigh.

"Fine," he muttered. "Just a few more minutes."

He wrapped his arms around my waist, his body warm and soft against mine. And so, we lay there in silence, wrapped up in each other. For a while, the world could wait.

Almost twenty minutes passed in peaceful quiet until a new voice broke the calm.

"Master Azazel," Isabella said firmly, her voice echoing slightly in the chamber. "You need to wake up and check on Cinder and the new naga."

Nike stirred, sitting up slightly—unfortunately, still on my chest. The added weight made it harder to breathe and quickly pushed me into full awareness.

"Alright, alright," I groaned. "I'll check on them. Just let me breathe first."

Nike slowly slid off me, a sheepish grin on his face as he gave me space to sit up. I stretched with a groan, my body still sore from yesterday's events.

I looked up at Isabella, tilting my head. "You don't usually come to find me yourself. Something wrong?"

Isabella nodded, her expression calm but clearly purposeful. "Cinder requested backup in the night. She asked for a second guard to assist with watching over the orc delver. I assigned the new naga, as you instructed, but she's... unusual. I thought it best you check in personally. There may be some unexpected complications."

"Unusual?" I echoed, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. "Unusual how?"

"She's... big," Isabella said carefully, her tone almost amused. "And apparently, quite affectionate."

Nike snorted. "I like her already."

I shot him a look before standing and adjusting my robes. "Alright, I'll go see for myself. Hopefully, they haven't eaten each other by now."

Scene Continues

The hallway was quiet as I walked toward the lower levels of the core room, where Cinder had taken the orc delver—Drak. Nike trailed behind me, still yawning, while Isabella returned to her duties.

When I reached the cell, the first thing I noticed was the warmth. A subtle heat hung in the air, no doubt from the presence of two naga coiled up nearby. One I recognized immediately—Cinder, alert and vigilant as always. The other was... unmistakable.

The new naga was massive, even by naga standards. Her violet-scaled body shimmered faintly in the low light, celestial blue patterns glowing faintly like stars scattered across the sky. Two heads rested lazily on her shoulders, both looking toward me with identical smiles—mischievous, serene, and ever so curious.

"Master Azazel," the left head greeted in a soft, velvety voice.

"You're prettier than the stories," the right added with a wink.

I blinked, suprised by her tone. I try to keep my composure. "You must be the new arrival."

"Indeed," they said in unison.

Cinder gestured toward the cell. "Delver's still out cold, but her breathing's steadier now. No signs of waking yet."

"Good," I said, stepping forward and glancing in at Drak. She looked more peaceful now, but the bruises and faint tension in her muscles suggested she was still ready to fight the moment she woke up.

I turned back to the twin-headed naga. "Have you been comfortable?"

She chuckled, both voices layering on top of each other. "Cozy enough, though the company could be a little less grumpy." She gestured playfully at Cinder, who rolled her eyes.

"We take our jobs seriously," Cinder replied flatly.

Nike peered in at Drak. "So, what's the plan when she wakes up? She's not exactly the reasonable type."

I sighed. "We talk. We learn. And if she refuses to listen... we adapt."

Drak's POV

Darkness.

A heavy, hot fog clung to my senses, weighing down my limbs and clouding my mind. I could feel the warmth of stone beneath me, the dull throb of pain in my muscles, and the faint sting of wounds not fully healed. My arms—pinned. My legs—bound. Cold metal against my wrists. Chains?

My eyes blinked open slowly.

Dim purple light danced across the ceiling above me. Bioluminescent moss, maybe? No… no, it shimmered too much, too precise. This wasn't nature. This was designed.

Then it all came rushing back—

The battle.

The golems.

The swarm.

Him.

That demon with the face of an angel.

I growled and tried to sit up, only for the chains to clink loudly and pull tight. I twisted my wrists—firm but not painful restraints. Not torture. Not yet.

"She's awake," a smooth, amused voice said from nearby. No, voices—plural, layered, like two women speaking in harmony.

I turned my head.

A… naga? No, something more. Massive, radiant, twin-headed. One face smirked while the other looked mildly curious. Her coils lay casually near the entrance, gleaming with starlit markings. Behind her, a leaner naga—darker scales and a more serious posture—stood vigilant, arms crossed and tail coiled like a spring.

The purple one gave a little wave. "Good morning, sunshine. Sleep well?"

I snarled. "Let me out of these chains."

"You tried to kill our master," the darker naga said plainly. "You're lucky you woke up at all."

That voice. I narrowed my eyes, shifting again. "Where is he?"

And then—like a damn spell—he walked in.

Azazel.

His presence filled the room before he even spoke. Draped in dark silk, every movement elegant and unnatural. Those eyes… too soft, too intelligent for a dungeon core. He didn't just look at you—he saw you. And damn it, he was still beautiful. That wasn't fair.

He came to stand a few feet from my cell, arms folded loosely in front of him. No guards, no weapons. Just confidence.

"Good evening, Drak," he said calmly. "Glad to see you survived." My heart skipped a beat at his words. It was happening again something about him made it difficult to look away. "Why did you spare me? I asked curiously. 

The smile that blue demon gave was warm and inviting. " cause I am someone who doesn't enjoy death, besides you made it farther than anyone else. So I think you earned a chat or to."