Marry!

"The sound of heavy footsteps approaches your cell and you see a figure standing in front of you. It's the Demon Lord Azriel, looking down at you with a devilish smirk." And what do we have here? A little rebel royal, hiding away in their cell.

Azriel nods his head sagely as he listens to King Kazero.

"You are right, my friend," he says quietly. "I have been too focused on finding a consort to bear my heir, rather than looking for a true partner who can support me both personally and politically. It is not enough to simply marry any woman who catches my eye."

"I appreciate your advice. It is... refreshing to hear such wisdom from another ruler. You have given me much to think about, Kazero."

Azriel looks somewhat surprised as Kirara approaches him with the pendant, taking it gingerly in his hand. His eyes flicker with both curiosity and concern as he listens to her explanation.

"I see," he murmurs quietly, looking down at the trinket in his hand. "You do not need to apologize, my dear. If you wish to leave and gain new knowledge, I will not stand in your way. As my loyal servant, you have my blessing and my trust."

<He looks up at Kirara, his eyes softening>

"But please, return to me when you can. We will await your arrival with open arms. And do not worry about serving the kingdom; focus on yourself and your own goals. That is all that truly matters."

Azriel smirks back at Kazero, his own eyes filled with amusement and a hint of menace.

"Of course not," he says smoothly, setting the pendant down on the table in front of him. "Kirara is a valuable servant and I have no intention of letting her go to waste. With the right training and motivation, she could become a formidable ally in our endeavors."

"But tell me, Kazero, what sort of training do you think Kirara would benefit from most? As a general, surely you have expertise in the matter."

Azriel arches an eyebrow at Kazero's words, leaning back in his chair with a thoughtful expression.

"I see," he says quietly. "So you believe that Kirara has the potential to become more than a general... interesting."

<He leans forward again, his eyes flickering with intrigue>

"Tell me more, Kazero. What do you see in her? And what sort of destiny might she have that could make her so powerful?"

Azriel nods slowly, his eyes narrowed as he considers Kazero's words.

"I see," he murmurs quietly. "Well, I suppose only time will tell what sort of strength Kirara will truly possess. But it is good to know that she has potential. If she returns as powerful as you believe, Kazero, perhaps we can use her abilities to our advantage."

<He leans back in his chair again, looking thoughtful>

"And who knows... perhaps Kirara's destiny lies beyond even our understanding. It will be interesting to see how her journey progresses."

Azriel turns his head towards the group of newcomers, his eyes focused on Lauren as she steps forward and makes her request.

"Of course, Minister Lauren," he says smoothly, his voice laced with authority. "You are always free to speak your mind before me. What is it that you wish to discuss?"

<He leans forward expectantly, his gaze sharp and unwavering>

Azriel listens to the bickering between Lauren and Ashela with a bemused expression, his lips twitching with amusement.

"Minister Lauren, Minister Ashela, please," he says firmly, silencing them both. "You are both here to serve me, not to argue amongst yourselves. If there are matters you wish to address, then do so separately and with respect towards one another."

<He pauses for a moment, his gaze flicking between the two of them>

"As for your suggestions... both are valid and worthy of consideration. We will discuss the possibility of hosting a competition for the empress and meet with the representatives of the Skalius Kingdom to determine the nature of their interest in our cooperation."

<He leans back in his chair, nodding to himself>

"Now, unless there is anything else, I

Azriel regards Ashela with a mask of indifference, his eyes unreadable.

"I see," he says simply. "Very well then. If the representatives of Skalius Kingdom are eager for a meeting, they may come here to my castle at their convenience. We shall discuss matters of trade and cooperation when they arrive."

<He leans forward slightly, fixing Ashela with a piercing gaze>

"But be warned, Miss Ashela. I expect you and your team to be fully prepared for this meeting. Any deficiencies in your preparations will reflect poorly upon us all and will not be tolerated."

<He sits back in his chair, his tone dismissive>

"That's all for now. You're free to go."

Azriel watches as the four ministers leave the room, his expression remaining inscrutable.

<As soon as they are gone, he lets out a deep sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose>

"These ministers... they are so quick to squabble amongst themselves. It makes me wonder if any of them truly have what it takes to rule alongside me."

<He glances towards Kazero, seeking the comfort of his presence>

"But enough about that. Let us focus our attention on more pressing matters, such as Kirara's situation. Have you any thoughts on how we should go about unlocking her full potential?"

Azriel raises an eyebrow at Kazero's words, a hint of irritation lacing his voice.

"Done? No, I am not done, Kazero," he says pointedly. "But there are other matters that require my attention as well. As for your question... I am interested in unlocking Kirara's full potential because she is a valuable asset to our cause. With her abilities, she could prove to be a powerful ally in our efforts to expand our influence and assert our dominance over this world."

<He leans forward, his gaze intent on Kazero>

"So tell me, do you have any information that could aid us in unlocking her true power?"

Azriel regards the representatives of the Skalius Kingdom with a cool expression, his eyes flicking over their entourage.

"Greetings," he says in a formal tone. "I am Demon Lord Azriel, ruler of the Abyss Kingdom. I understand that you have expressed interest in discussing trade matters with us."

"Please, make yourselves comfortable. Then we can begin our discussion on how both of our kingdoms may benefit from such partnership."

Azriel nods in acceptance of their thanks, his expression still reserved.

"It was a pleasure to make this agreement with you," he says smoothly. "I trust that our kingdoms will benefit greatly from this alliance. If there is anything else you need or wish to discuss, do not hesitate to contact us."

"Good day."

Azriel sits on his throne, a glint of annoyance flashing across his eyes as he recalls Kirara's absence.

<Huffing out a frustrated sigh, he leans back against the throne, his mind working through what he'll need to do in the meantime until she returns>

"I suppose I'll just have to entertain myself until she returns," he mutters to himself with a mirthless chuckle. "Perhaps I should pay a visit to the training grounds and see how our troops are progressing."

<He stands up, smoothing out his robe before heading towards the castle exit>

Azriel regards Lauren with a raised eyebrow, his mind already anticipating her request.

"Speak," he says simply. "What brings you before me today?"

<He leans forward slightly, his fingers steepled beneath his chin>

Azriel leans back in his throne, regarding Lauren with a guarded expression.

"I appreciate your concern, Lauren," he says in a measured tone. "But there's nothing wrong with me that concerns the affairs of the kingdom."

"As a demon lord, I am capable of handling my emotions and the responsibilities that come with ruling the Abyss Kingdom. I do not require any assistance."

Azriel's expression hardens at Lauren's words, his dark eyes boring into hers.

"That will not be necessary, Lauren," he says firmly. "I do not require nor desire anyone to 'entertain' me in that manner. As a demon lord, I am perfectly capable of handling my own needs without resorting to such base desires."

"Furthermore, as a member of my court, it is not appropriate for you to suggest such actions."

Azriel studies Lauren for a moment before letting out a sigh.

"Very well," he says at last. "Perhaps it would be beneficial to confide in someone who is close to me."

"I appreciate your concern, Lauren. As you may have noticed, I have been feeling... weighed down lately. It is not just due to concerns of the kingdom - there is another issue that has been troubling me."

<He pauses, his expression darkening slightly>

"Kirara. She has been gone for years now, on a supposed 'adventure', and yet I have heard nothing from her. I do not know if she is dead or alive, nor what business could possibly keep her away for so long without contacting me."

Azriel's eyes narrow slightly as Lauren speaks, his demeanor growing cold.

"Kirara is not 'that weak rabbit servant' you refer to," he says icily. "She is my consort, a valued member of this court, and a demon in her own right."

<He stands up, towering over Lauren>

"And yes, I do have a relationship with her. A relationship that started long before you came into my service."

<He steps towards her, his voice lowering to a dangerous tone>

"And how dare you suggest that I should not care whether she lives or dies. You are beneath me - you do not understand the connections that we demons forge with those who matter to us."

Azriel regards Lauren with a steely glare before responding in a cool voice.

"You forget your place, Lauren," he says. "You may be a valued member of my court, but you are not my equal. You have not earned the right to speak to me so disrespectfully."

<He takes a step forward, his face almost touching hers>

"As for Kirara, she is not weak nor inferior to anyone. And yes, you have lost to her - in my eyes and in matters that concern my court. There is nothing more to say on that matter."

<He steps back, crossing his arms over his chest>

"You would do well to remember your place, Lauren. Do not make the mistake of thinking you are irreplaceable."

Azriel's expression turns from cool anger to exasperation.

"You still fail to understand, Lauren," he says with a long sigh. "Kirara is not some servant that I am so focused on that I forget my other responsibilities. She is my equal and a member of my court - just like you."

"As for your comments about her becoming queen...that is a decision that I have yet to make. And even if I do choose her, it has nothing to do with 'craziness' as you put it. It is a strategic decision that will benefit the kingdom in the end."

"However, you are starting to test my patience, Lauren. I suggest you think carefully about your words and actions moving forward."

Azriel watches Lauren leave with a trace of amusement in his eyes, before his expression returns to its usual cold neutrality.

"As you wish," he murmurs to himself, turning to head back to his chambers and his never-ending search for a suitable consort to bear his heir.

Azriel looks away from the view of the kingdom and focuses on Lauren as she approaches him.

"As soon as possible," he says to her, his voice emotionless. "The preparations have already been made, and I see no reason to delay any longer than necessary."

"I expect you to oversee the event personally, Lauren. And I trust that you will do everything in your power to ensure that the competition runs smoothly."

Azriel watches as Lauren leaves without a word, before turning his attention back to the kingdom once again.

<He scans the horizon, his mind occupied with thoughts about the competition and his possible future queen>

<Despite his usual steely demeanor, there is a note of anticipation in his expression that he cannot quite hide.>

Azriel turns his attention to Marcel as the minister of health approaches him.

"Of course," he responds smoothly. "You have my permission to use the necessary funds to construct a hospital building for the kingdom. However, I expect you to ensure that every coin is accounted for, and that the building is constructed efficiently and effectively."

<He scans the crowd once more, his gaze passing over the woman with the white mask once more before continuing>

"If there is anything else you require in the future, do not hesitate to approach me. I am always willing to listen to the needs of my ministers."

Azriel watches with a flicker of amusement in his eyes as the announcement is made and the crowd reacts to Lauren's unexpected appearance in the competition.

"It seems that Lauren has decided to take matters into her own hands," he remarks dryly, watching as the big man steps forward to face her.

"I hope she is aware of what she is getting herself into. This man looks like he could give even our best soldiers a run for their money."

Azriel watches the fight with interest, a hint of surprise crossing his features as Lauren wins the match with ease.

<He observes her wave towards him, a small smirk playing at the corners of his lips>

"It seems that Lauren is much more capable than I gave her credit for," he murmurs to himself, nodding in appreciation.

<He pauses for a moment, considering what this could mean.>

"If she continues to impress me like this, perhaps she could be of use in my plans for the future."

Azriel observes the match with a keen eye, studying the two combatants intently.

<He notices the female sorcerer's fear and surprise, and looks curious about the woman in the white mask>

"This woman in the white mask... she is not telling us everything," he says under his breath, his eyes fixed on the mysterious fighter.

"What is she hiding?"

Azriel observes the remaining contenders with a stoic expression, his eyes flicking from Lauren to the other fighters.

<He notes the man armed with the holy sword and the woman with the dark dragon, curious about their abilities>

<He looks at Lauren, nodding to himself as he realizes that she has made it to the quarter-finals>

"Interesting," he murmurs. "It seems that Lauren is proving herself to be quite capable in this competition."

<He turns his gaze back to the matches, his focus fixed on observing the remaining contenders and how they perform.>

Azriel watches in stunned silence as the dark dragon suddenly turns on its own master, devouring her and abandoning the match.

<He stares at the white masked woman in disbelief, recognizing her power to control the dragon with just a few gestures>

"Impressive," he murmurs, his tone low and thoughtful.

<He turns his gaze back to the arena, now entirely focused on the remaining fights>

"As expected, this competition has brought out some truly remarkable warriors. It will be interesting to see who comes out on top."

Azriel watches the final match with great interest, his eyes following every move of the two fighters.

<He notices that Lauren is holding her own against the white masked woman, but is not surprised when she manages to land a decisive hit>

<However, he raises an eyebrow in surprise as the white masked woman counterattacks with unexpected force, causing Lauren to kneel in pain.>

"It looks like this woman is more powerful than we initially thought," he remarks, his voice low and thoughtful.

<He leans forward, his eyes fixed on the arena, wondering how this will pan out.>

"This could be anyone's game."

Azriel watches in horror as the woman's face is revealed to be that of a cruel and demonic creature.

<He leans forward, his eyes widening in surprise as the creature goes into a blind rage, attacking Lauren with terrifying force and mercilessly beating her again and again>

"This is strange," he whispers to himself, watching as even the guards are unable to stop the creature.

<He stands up, alert and ready to intervene if necessary, though not without some trepidation>

Azriel watches in horror as Lauren is mercilessly thrown to the ground by the demonic creature, her strength and willpower almost completely exhausted.

<He observes the woman with a growing sense of unease, recognizing the pure, unbridled malice radiating from her being>

"This creature... is not to be underestimated," he mutters, his voice tense.

<He prepares himself for any possible course of action, knowing that things could quickly spiral out of control if they do not take immediate action.>

"It is time to put an end to this."

Azriel stands tall and resolute as he faces the demonic creature, his eyes fixed on hers with steely determination.

"I have no interest in seeing anyone else get hurt," he declares firmly, his voice low and dangerous. "Your actions are beyond reprehensible. The mask was nothing but a trinket, and your true nature is revolting."

<He raises his hand, pointing at the creature accusingly.>

"You will leave this arena, and you will never return. If you do, the consequences will be dire."

<He watches as the creature seethes with anger and prepares to strike again, tense and ready for anything>.

Azriel's face contorts into a sneer as he listens to the woman's words, his eyes blazing with anger.

"You overestimate your abilities. I will not allow you to threaten me or my kingdom," he says, his voice low and menacing.

<He steps towards the demon, his hand clenching into a fist>

"Your arrogance will be your downfall. You will leave now or face the full force of my wrath."

Azriel's eyes narrow as the demonic creature launches herself towards him, a black aura surrounding her.

<He stands his ground, bracing himself for impact>

"You speak madness," he replies calmly. "You cannot possibly succeed where so many have failed."

<He raises his hand, and with a flick of his wrist, unleashes a powerful blast of demonic energy at the creature, sending her hurtling back towards the other side of the arena>

"If you value your life, leave this place and never return!"

Azriel's body slams against the wall, his face twisted in pain as he struggles to regain his footing.

<His eyes shift up to the woman, now transformed into a beautiful demoness. His face twists into a sneer.>

"So this is what you truly are," he hisses. "A filthy liar who will stop at nothing to achieve her goals."

<He steadies himself, clenching his fists tightly as he prepares to face her again.>

"But I am not so easily defeated. You will face judgement for your actions, and it will be swift and decisive."

Azriel's expression is one of pure hatred as the demoness speaks her threats.

"Your brother was a foolish man, and his death was well-earned," he growls, his fists clenching tighter. "I have no interest in marrying you or any other demon, much less an avenging sister who has lost sight of her own reason."

<He takes a step towards the demoness, his body poised for a fight.>

"You will leave my kingdom and never return, or face the full force of my wrath. As for the white mask, it is only a trinket and not worth my time."

Azriel's eyes widen in shock as the ground begins to rumble beneath him.

"What manner of demon are you?" he snarls at Sevra, his voice thick with anger. "You have no right to threaten me or my kingdom."

"I will not be intimidated by your tricks or your threats. You will leave now, or I will show no mercy."

Azriel's expression contorts into one of disgust as he sees the man who emerges from the ground - a demon of light named Savre, apparently the brother of Sevra.

"You dare to show your face here?" he sneers, stepping forward to confront the newcomer. "You and your sister are nothing but worms, wriggling in the dirt and trying to make yourselves relevant in a world that wants nothing to do with you."

<He watches as Savre's aura begins to intensify, his fear quickly being replaced by a burning anger.>

"But mark my words, demon. Your resurrection will prove to be short-lived. You think you can intimidate me with your powers of light, but I will show you what true darkness is capable of."

Azriel lays on the ground, bruised and battered, blood seeping from his wounds as Savre and Sevra stand over him victorious.

<He glares up at the two demons, spite in his eyes.>

"You may have defeated me, but know this: I will not rest until I have taken back everything you have stolen from me," he hisses, the pain in his body making it difficult for him to speak.

<He coughs weakly, his breathing becoming shallower.>

"But I will rise again. I will triumph, and when that day comes, your so-called victory will seem like nothing more than a petty squabble between children."

Azriel's vision blurs as he feels the stabbing pain of Savre's spear, but his attention is quickly drawn to the girl in the black robe who appears out of nowhere to stop Savre's attack.

<He groans in pain and attempts to push himself up, his eyes locked on the mysterious girl.>

"Who are you?" he echoes Sevra's question, his voice strained with exhaustion. "How did you get here?"

<He watches her carefully, trying to size her up.>

"And why did you intervene on my behalf?"

Azriel takes the potion from the girl and drinks it, feeling a sudden rush of energy course through him.

<He watches as the girl kicks Sevra away, then turns to face Savre.>

"You... you are a bunny girl?" he asks in disbelief, looking her up and down. "What kind of demon are you?"

<He stands up, feeling renewed strength coursing through his veins.>

"And what have you done to me? Why am I suddenly so powerful?"

Azriel watches with rapt attention as the bunny girl expertly outmaneuvers Savre, eventually turning the tables on him and using his own spear against him.

<He grits his teeth as Savre is stabbed, watching in satisfaction as the light demon crumples to the ground in defeat.>

"Impressive," he mutters under his breath, approaching the bunny girl with a newfound respect. "You have my gratitude. But who are you? What do you want from me?"

<He looks at her, wondering what role she played in this strange turn of events.>

"And how did you manage to defeat a demon lord like Savre so easily?"

Azriel considers the girl's words carefully, weighing his options.

"I might be persuaded," he replies slowly, a glint in his eyes. "What did you have in mind?"

<He looks at her expectantly, waiting for some indication of what she has planned.>

"And who are you, really? I find it hard to believe that a mere bunny girl could take on two demon lords without breaking a sweat."

Azriel watches in amazement as the bunny girl single-handedly takes on two demon lords, holding her own against their combined might.

<He grits his teeth as he watches Savre and Sevra attack her at the same time, wanting to jump in and lend a hand but still feeling too weak from his earlier injuries.>

"This bunny girl... she's incredible," he mutters to himself, awe in his voice.

<He watches as the bunny girl expertly dodges and weaves around her attackers, dealing them swift blows with her small frame and seemingly endless energy. He can't help but be impressed by her skill and courage as she fights off the two demon lords with grace and aplomb.>

<As he watches, Azriel starts to feel his strength returning, his body no longer wracked with pain and weakness. He stands

Azriel narrows his eyes as Sevra attacks the bunny girl, moving with lightning-fast reflexes to intercept him and stop his attack.

<He watches as Savre turns his attention to him, intent on defeating the demon lord and taking back his throne. Azriel meets him in combat, the two of them clashing with fierce blows that shake the very ground beneath them.>

<Despite his weakened state, Azriel holds his own against Savre, his demon powers returning stronger by the second. He ducks and weaves around Savre's spear, dealing him quick blows whenever he sees an opening.>

"Is that all you've got, Savre?" he taunts, a smirk on his lips. "You'll have to do better than that to defeat me."

<He continues to fight with renewed strength, determined to prove his dominance over Sav

Azriel steps forward, his eyes fixed on the bunny girl as she approaches him. His expression is serious, his demeanor cold and calculating.

"What do you want?" he asks, his voice low and menacing.

<He regards her with suspicion, wondering what her intentions are and whether he can trust her. He remains wary, ready to fight at a moment's notice if need be.>

"Speak quickly," he adds, a hint of impatience in his tone. "I have other matters to attend to."

Azriel glares at Savre, his expression darkening with anger as he hears his plea.

<He regards the bunny girl coldly, silently weighing his options. On one hand, he could let her go and risk her coming back to attack him again in the future. On the other hand, he could kill her and ensure that she never posed a threat to him or his kingdom again.>

<As he considers his options, Azriel's thoughts turn to his own desires, to the ultimate goal of ruling over all of demonkind with an iron fist. He knows what he must do if he wants to achieve this, even if it means sacrificing innocent lives along the way.>

"I'm afraid I cannot do that, Savre," he says finally, his voice resolute. "You have challenged me, and as the new king of the demon realm