The Prince of Demons

“We are in a lot of trouble.” Ekard told Nil. The four of them laughed, sounding like they fully accepted their fate.

“Oh, for sure. The fireworks are probably going to let our parents know something is up.” Nil replied, clearly pleased with himself.

“Worth it.” Lux chimed. She sounded just as tired as Nil. That took all they had.

“How much trouble are we in?” Ein asked, clearly looking distraught.

“Ekard, Lux, and I? A ton. You, we ‘forced’ you to help us, so quite a bit less.” Nil comforted him. What a good brother.

“But you didn’t.” Ein replied. Nil and Ekard both looked at him.

“We did. Remember, we ‘forced’ you to. No need for you to get in as much trouble as the rest of us.” Nil instructed, using his hands for emphasis.

“But.” Ein retorted, looking ready to cry.

“Listen to your brother. We knew the risk going in. You were forced.” Ekard chided, making his voice a bit sterner.

“Nil will cover!” Lux added on, giving Ein a light swat.

The four of them sat back and enjoyed the fireworks display they made. It was kind of hard to see in the daytime, but they clearly enjoyed it. Grisbane was attacking the prison Nil made to no avail. It was an impressive accomplishment. I am so proud of you at the moment Nil. Your methods were abhorrent and will need serious lectures, but you found a way to win.

Nil is willing to cover for little Ein. Why is Grisbane stuck in place, and why are we all watching without intervening? Nox asked me, laughing at the disaster the four created.

Nil, Ekard, Lux, and Ein got revenge against Grisbane for how she reacted to their fireworks plan. Is Nez back too? I replied, trying not to break cover.

Yes. Nox answered.

Nez, why did you teach Nil how to deal with ? I inquired. I could feel Nez’s glee.

I never taught him that. Nor did I teach him how to make that right there. What is that? Nez retorted with his gushing tone.

I think Nil called it . It appears to be similar to but instead of an isolated space in its own dimension, this version isolates them in some form of dead space that makes an inescapable prison. I explained. It was a much less intensive version now that I thought about it.

How much trouble are they going to be in? Azkar asked. That was a good question. A lot.

I am not sure this is the time Emperor Azzeck, but I was not aware Lux was able to make and manipulate to such a degree. Orga interjected. They clearly innovated and pushed themselves.The three teachers were clearly mixed on the display they just put on.

They all clearly held back a bit in lessons, and this will need to be dealt with, do not worry. I explained. Nil and Lux clearly were capable of more.

We all revealed ourselves, and the team didn’t even flinch. They all just sighed and saluted each other. Lords above their dedication to the mission is impressive. They looked around at us and shrugged before returning to their farewells. Grisbane was looking at us, trying to get our attention.

Being honest, I want to congratulate them, but this definitely deserves punishment. I told Azkar who was nodding in agreement.

“Do you have anything to say for yourselves?” Senna asked them. The four of them looked at each other, nodding in solemn agreement.

“No.” Lux, Ein, and Nil answered in unison.

“What about you Ekard?” Vauzu probed, looking with a vicious smile.

“No.” Ekard stated, looking ready to face the music.

“Nil, free your grandmother.” Senna ordered him.

“Yes mom.” Nil replied, and with a snap of his fingers Grisbane was free.

“These children-!” Grisbane started before Azkar and I shot her a look that shut her up.

“We saw the entire thing. We know what happened. For future reference, blowing a small act out of proportion is not a good idea, as some backlash was nearly guaranteed. Do I make myself clear?” I snarled at her. She clamped her mouth shut and nodded. Senna gave me a side glance.

What? She is not innocent in this matter. The four of them are in way more trouble, but she definitely provoked them. I told her, wondering why she was giving me the stink eye.

I wanted to tell her. Senna pouted. Oh. Fair. That was my bad.

“How much trouble are we in?” Ein asked, almost crying.

“You are in nowhere near as much trouble as Nil and Lux.” Senna told him. Ein looked relieved, and then a bit guilty.

“Okay.” Lux and Nil sighed. They really look ready to accept their fate.

Nil had a knowing smirk; he clearly was willing to accept how much trouble he was in. He is scarily calm about this looking at his reaction. Ekard had the same expression. The two of them knew they were in a world of trouble and completely okay with that fact. They did avenge themselves and got to see the fireworks.

“You are in a lot of trouble yourself, Ekard.” Vauzu snapped at her son.

“I know. Nil warned us before we started this we would likely get in a lot of trouble. Totally worth it.” Ekard replied with a knowing smile.

Ekard and Nil did another victory high five, and Lux joined in. We all glared at them, which didn’t even seem to stop their good mood, but did halt their celebration. I’m amazed Nil managed to figure out a way to defeat his grandmother. Grisbane was only more irate by the complete lack of care of the kids of how much trouble they were in. I thought they’d panic, but they are committed to the cause.

“How long would you say you are going to be punished for?” Senna asked Nil.

“My low estimate is two months.” Nil confessed. A surprisingly good guess. Nil really thought this out.

“Try four.” Senna told him with a wicked smile. Nil just let out a deep sigh and sunk his head a little.

“Hah, you predicted something wrong Nil.” Ekard teased, still smiling.

“I was halfway there.” Nil shot back with a shrug.

“Still wrong.” Ekard continued, taunting Nil.

“My plan worked, all that matters.” Nil retorted, looking quite pleased with himself.

The two of them got a swift smack from their mothers. They were rubbing where they got hit, looking at their mothers who were having none of their puppy faces. The problem children were marched back into the castle, getting scolded about how unbecoming their behavior was, and how they should not assault their elders. Grisbane was trying to give Nil a death glare but was starting to wobble and bumping into things. Nil just looked back, smiled, and gave a mischievous wink. Senna caught Nil taunting her and gave him another corrective swat.

That is going to be an immense argument later. Nil, stop digging the hole. I thought to myself.

So how are you going to punish your children? Azkar checked, smirking at the kids.

Lux and Nil are about to get some extra special, highly rigorous lessons. Ein I am not sure yet. How about you? I answered as Senna and Vauzu were really hitting their stride.

About the same. Ekard is not going to lose to Nil twice. Azkar replied with confidence.

Our wives were in full swing lecturing the children. Azkar and I tried interjecting once or twice but were met with glares that sent a clear message: we were to stand there and glare menacingly in support. Nez and Nox tagged along, as did Grisbane who was clearly not feeling well. Surdel, and my parents showed up as well, hearing the lecture the kids were getting.

Wait, the four of them defeated Grisbane? Mom asked, sounding stunned.

That’s our grandchildren! Dad cheered, not that his face showed it.

I warned her to expect pushback. Never imagined they could devise a plan to defeat her. Surdel chimed with a bit of pride in his voice.

How is she doing? I asked back, seeing how bad she was wobbling.

She is starting to enter the atmosphere. How did Nil manage to drug her? Surdel inquired. Definitely was not a fan of how he managed to even the playing field. Not that he had a lot of ways to even the fighting ability.

The tea somehow. I’m wondering how he figured out how to deal with the , and how he came up with . I replied. Where did he get the drugs as well? Wait. The apothecary said someone swiped some salvia. He could put the leaves in her tea, and it would blend in.

I know right? Clearly his intuition is a lot greater than we originally realized. We clearly needed to ramp up his lessons if he was capable of this. Nez said excitedly.

Nez, now is not the time. Nox retorted.

But clearly the two of them are much more talented than we originally believed! Their new lessons need to reflect that fact! Nez chimed. Don’t worry about that.

Like the lightning field? Nox inquired. It was a solid idea.

Oh. That is a great idea, Nox. I concurred. It was both training and a solid punishment.

What is that? Nez asked, sounding curious.

Training that is usually reserved as a punishment because it’s practice dodging artificial lightning. I think this is the perfect time for it. I explained. I felt Nox and Nez chuckle.

I meant some more rigorous training. Nez clarified, realizing it was training.

Oh, that will be in there too. His free time for the next four months is going to be drastically reduced. I confirmed. Nil thinking of the salvia was a bit unnerving.

It seems a tad extreme. Mom lectured. You made Nox and I do it as training when we misbehaved.

He stole, drugged his other grandmother, used stolen items as shields, attacked his other grandmother, imprisoned her, and then watched the fireworks display he originally got in trouble for just to send the message. The worst part of this is, he knew full well he would get in immense trouble, and decided it was worth it just to get revenge for his loss. Now, I am proud he avenged himself, but his methodology was definitely a bit extreme. I think this is an appropriate level of punishment. I shot back. Nil was not getting off lightly.

Okay, when you put it like that. What about Ein? Mom retorted, conceding the point.

He is not in anywhere near as much trouble as his big brother who roped him into his scheme. Lux and Ekard were more aware of the consequences and definitely had a more active role in the matter. I explained. He did get his brother to learn just for this.

It was a matter for a later time, as it was time for dinner. The kids were dragged to the dining hall. The dinner was still nice and elaborate, but there was an awkward silence for most of it. Grisbane had to be taken to her room by Surdel, as the drugs had kicked in fully by this point, and she was well past being gone. Surprisingly, the kids were all in a pretty good mood still. Unfortunately for them, that was not likely to be the case tomorrow.