Late at night, In the village whilst everyone was possibly deep in slumber, Imuru snuck out beyond the walls, resting underneath a nearby tree, listening to a soft ruffle of leaves in the wind, troubled by the crisp air.
Imuru sat with his back pressed firmly against the tree, its gnarled bark a familiar texture against his spine. The night was a deep, velvety blue, pierced only by the sharp, cold light of a million stars. The air was still and quiet, holding its breath alongside him.
On his left the tangled edge of the forest out in the distance, simply ceased, revealing an immense, moon washed plain.
Resting his stretched out hand on the upwards knee of his bent up leg, Imuru dangled his broken weapon in his hand.
It's jagged edge once a razor line of confidence and promised protection, now only a memory of what it was once. A hollow feeling lingered in the back of his mind, something he couldn't quite grasp... Deep down he was bitter, but for what reason he was unsure, just the memory of being given a weapon his friend claimed was his.
There was never any doubt from the moment he left it in his grasp... Just merely another extension of himself that he welcomed with ease and grace. It fitted well, because it belonged, like dancing with an old friend, he knew so long.
Whether it was broken or not, there's not a thought that came to his mind or repairing it with something new.
His attention drifted back to reality, picking up on someone approaching. The person, Ern S' Ri made his presence known, at a distance in his approach.
Sheathing back what was left of his sword, he straightened himself, prepared for Ern S' Ri.
"A wonderful night, Is it not Lord Imuru?" Ern S' Ri murmured, coming up beside him. "Only me to apologize on behalf of Calnary. We were all guided by fear when we initially got informed of your existence."
"I suppose you already know of the 6th Demon King from the Yellow lineage?" He inquired.
"Talk about timing… But might as well learn what I can," Imuru thought, admittedly not in the mood. "He's Uin isn't he?"
"Precisely." Ern S' Ri shut his eyes, having just negative associations with the name. "He came here years ago, looking for something…"
"About the other King?…" Imuru inquired.
"Lucktan. There was a disagreement between them… Likely having something to do about the implications of Uin's sudden presence in the forest, in territory Lucktan himself was planning to make his own," Ern S' Ri explained. "It seemed they both found something and neither was willing to back down."
"So they both died," Imuru said leaning back against the tree.
"Possibly. The Yellows are a political family, I am certain they aren't willing to let us know the whole situation," Ern S' Ri replied.
"Now that I think about it, they really had it rough, huh?" Imuru mused, glad he came here when it was relatively safe. "Talk about bad luck. But it doesn't seem like I'll get a straight answer about this situation as a whole… Hmm. To be expected."
"Great Imuru," Ern S' Ri cleared his throat. "There is something I must ask you," he said.
Imuru almost side-eyed him to death, knowing immediately it was something he had no interest in hearing.
"The seats of Sacred Forest Council had been populated by the High Council over the years after failed corporations with the others, along with them losing faith, abandoning the Capital. This could be our chance to rebuild it, slowly, one person at a time, starting with you," Ern S' Ri locked eyes with the unwilling Demon Lord. "Would you be willing to accept a seat in the council?"
Staring Ern S' Ri dead in the eye, Imuru contemplated this request for no longer than a second, giving him a simple answer. "No."
An answer that was kept to himself, as he scrambled internally for any options… Then it hit him. "Yes~... I will," He replied, dragging his words, sounding uncertain. "I'll have… Uh… My representative? Yes, exactly, I'll have my representative on the seat, as I have many things to do. Very busy. Very, very, busy."
"Splendid. That is excellent news. One last question, what is the name of your settlement?" Ern S' Ri inquired.
"Ugh~... Name?" Imuru thought. "I better think of something fast, can't have them going around saying 'Demon Lord settlement' or using my name. So, what will it be? Hmm. Cherishnot… Blah, awful, but I don't have the time."
Imuru cleared his throat. "Ch-Cherishnot…"
Embarrassed, his head lowered dramatically. "Alright, yeah, kill me now."
In spite of Imuru's embarrassment Ern S' Ri didn't see an issue with the name. "Wonderful." Gazing out to the plains out below. "Lord Imuru, you're truly a welcoming presence."
To finish off the long night, Imuru went back to the residents where his group was provided to reside in for their stay. On his way, Imuru, spotted something… Or preferably someone that caught his eye. It was the same soldier that still was loyal to Calnary.
Following closely, but at a distance, Imuru trailed behind the figure that came to a building—the Capital's prison. He walked past the guards, to enter inside, hurrying down to the underground, through a tight corridor lit by torches on the wall. It ended off with him turning left down some steps to the cells.
He walked, until he found Calnary's cell where he was relaxing on his head, staring off into the ceiling.
"Lord Calnary," The soldier quietly called, looking from left to right. "Don't worry my Lord, I've gathered a few more men, we're gonna break you out."
Calnary sat up leisurely, sitting at the edge of his bed. "Breaking me out is that simple?"
"Yes… Well, no. Not exactly," The soldier stammered, quickly composing himself. "Don't worry. All those loyal to you are on their shift for prison right now my Lord. There will be no need for haste, we can simply walk out."
Calnary glanced at him, his eyes wobbling back to the floor, hands together, and fingers intertwined.
Calnary fell quiet, making the soldier even more anxious. "Sir!..."
"I thought I could've fixed it… But achieved nothing…" Calnary whispered his mind fading back to when he was a child, playing among in the sun drenched fields with mother, his creative mind, thinking of the greatest he'll bring to not only Sacred Forest but to the world as a whole. "... They'd be disappointed…"
"Lord… Calnary," The soldier opened the gate. "There's still a chance… Look," He said, widening the gate, arms spread.
"No. These are the consequences of my actions." Calnary looked to the soldier. "Be better. I've stained my family's name enough. Try to honor yours."
Stationed above the stairs just around the corner, Imuru had listened in on the conversation. He didn't wait around long after, but he had a strange glimmer in his eyes.
Asleep on his bed, that wasn't practically comfortable, Calnary was rushing with cold sweat, fidgeting in his bed, unable to find comfort.
His body jolted him away, with him flying straight up. His eyes snapped to the side, because right beside was the reason he was having such an hectic sleep.
…. Imuru.
There was a subtle smile on his face, left hand on his hips. Taking the nearby seat he placed it right in front of the perplexed Calnary.
Calnary huffed lightly, taking his lower body off the bed, sitting up straight on the edge. "The Great Demon Lord… To what do I owe the pleasure?" He inquired, a smile on his face.
Imuru raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms across his chest. "Good morning to you too." He glanced around briefly. "But I guess you would've been able to tell, would you? Greetings aside, I wanted to see you before I leave."
"Me?" Calnary said feigning shock. "I thought you had everything you needed… The High Council, and maybe soon the Sacred Forest. Came to rub it in?"
Imuru sighed, kinda displeased at how much this guy simply misunderstands him. "Believe it or not, but the last thing I wanted was to be a part of any of this. I'm not here to argue… I'm here to know your ambitions, the plans you had for the future… You wanted to make your home a better place, did you not?"
From Imuru's words Calnary's expression softened subtly. "My… ambitions," He thought, his gaze drifting to the ground momentarily, memories flashing into his vision of his childhood.
A genuine smile creased his lips without his knowledge, as he softly chuckled. "Childhood ambitions…" Calnary pinched the inner corners of his eyes, laughing hysterically, for a brief moment. "An adult carrying such world views… How foolish." He locked eyes with Imuru. "I wanted to return stability to my home, at the very least… I wanted to at least do that for them."
He smiled solemnly, his head dipping. "Would it have mattered? They're not here anymore." Calnary laughed dryly. "Look on the bright side. They didn't see me turn out like this."
Before Imuru got the chance to respond, Yoshi came strolling down the hallway to the calls. "Great Imuru. We are set, and ready," She chirped, hands on her hips, giving a dashing smile.
Imuru nodded, getting up, patting Calnary on the shoulder. He locked eyes with him to leave him reassured. "Rest easy," Imuru said confidently, leaving the cell, as a guard closed it shut behind him.
Calnary wasn't sure what it was, but he felt—he felt the future of his home was in safe hands. He wasn't certain, however he felt something that could only be explained as… Hope.
Hope for a better future, and for the world.
"Great Demon Lord Imuru…" Calnary mumbled. "Who are you?" He mused with intrigue.
On the surface, Imuru was ready to set off back home. It was an exhausting and difficult ride, nethertheless he was proud of himself and just thrilled to finally be on his way home.
Imuru, Collon, and Yoshi stepped into the stagecoach… Forcent standing firm by their stagecoach… And with Captain Mult ensuring they had their essential for the journey back, the stagecoaches and wagon set off, short two passengers that are now long life friends, but filled with the three craftsman elves from Frenum.