Realm of Token

The lecture hall was located in the center of Edgerest, surrounded by immaculately trimmed shrubs and ornate statues of beloved Elves of history. It was a masterpiece of architectural elegance, with every detail meticulously designed to inspire awe and reverence. Its grand entrance featured two towering stone pillars, intricately carved with mythical creatures and magical sigils, framing the massive oak doors. Elaborate, golden filigree adorned the edges of the doors, catching the sunlight in a dazzling display. While it wasn't often used except for town meetings and educational lectures for young students, most of the town budget went straight to the preservation and improvement of the lecture hall. It was treasured as the most elegant building in the town, and held quite the reputation among small villages.

The spacious interior unfolded like a realm of its own. The hall was an expansive, circular chamber, with a soaring domed ceiling that depicted constellations and ancient symbols of magic in richly painted murals. The ceiling was adorned with delicate, hanging crystal chandeliers that bathed the room in a soft, warm glow when lit.

The walls of the lecture hall were draped with heavy, velvet tapestries that told the stories of legendary mages and their battles against mythical creatures, weaving together a visual history of Token’s magical heritage. The tapestries were carefully woven with intricate details, and some even seemed to ripple with a hint of enchantment when observed closely. Naturally, there was a sign fixed to the wall that read in bold letters, Do Not Touch.

Rows of meticulously carved wooden benches with plush, velvet cushions provided seating for the students that attended the annual teachings. The benches formed a gentle slope, ensuring that every student had a clear view of the lectern. Carved runes and sigils adorned the benches, granting the feeling that they were vessels of knowledge themselves.

At the front of the hall, the lecturer's platform was an elevated dais made from polished marble, set with intricate geometric patterns. A large lectern, also marble, bore the insignia of a well-known academy located in the more splendor parts of Token, and was equipped with mystical gemstones that illuminated the lecturer's notes.

Throughout the hall, there were ornate, gilded sconces that held burning candles, casting flickering, warm light across the room. The candles emitted a subtle glow that was both comforting and welcoming at the same time.

Aside from the library, the lecture hall was Lumi’s favorite place to visit. Not only was it a sophisticated building, but it was also home to a very vast library. Of course, nothing like the library in Steelgate, but it was still impressive for a small village like Edgerest to have a large library section.

The library occupied one side of the lecture hall, with towering bookshelves that reached to the ceiling, lined with countless volumes, scrolls, and manuscripts. The air held a faint scent of aged parchment and ink, a fragrance that whispered of centuries of accumulated knowledge. She had tried to actually get a part-time job at the hall, but there was no need for her assistance, since it was hardly used anyway, hence her current position at the library.

With the gentle sun high in the sky and a smooth breeze to accompany it, Lumi made her way to the lecture hall with Ikuo by her side. She had talked him into attending the latest lesson said to be given by a very respected and highly educated professor of ancient Elven arts and the deep archives of Token history. Lumi had read many of his books and articles growing up, and the chance to actually meet him overwhelmed her. He had a complicated name, however, but she had practiced repeating it in her bathroom mirror until she was sure she had it nailed down perfectly.

“Fredrich Teadmised.” Lumi muttered softly, memorizing the way the name felt in her mouth. She hadn’t been sure if it was pronounced Tedmissed or Teedmiseed, but through a grueling hour-long research break, she was sure she had it nailed down.

Ikuo chuckled to himself, stepping over a pile of dried brown leaves. “This lecture is pretty important, huh? Is this professor guy really that awesome?”

“Of course!” Lumi said with a firm nod of her head. “Haven’t you read any of his work? He’s a genius!”

“How so? I mean, doesn’t he just talk about old stuff that nobody besides you has any interest in? I guarantee that half the kids you see when we get in there will have been forced into attending.”

“Oh, stop. You may not enjoy this lesson, but I certainly will. One should always try to expand their knowledge.” Lumi held up a finger as she recited the quote from one of Teadmised’s many pieces of writing. This such quote came from his expansive novel on the proper etiquette of man and woman. Lumi had read it cover to cover for three straight hours, which resulted in Lucky’s concern for her friend’s health and well-being.

Ikuo laughed as they stepped up the stone steps towards the large oak doors. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but you’re basically a walking thesaurus.”

Lumi giggled. “I’ll take that as a very high compliment.”

They both reached forward and pulled open the doors, a loud creak echoing through the chamber as the double doors swung outward. They stepped inside and began descending the staircase, the smell of warm wax from the candles and mildewed books greeting them as they made their way toward the rows of seats. Their footsteps were amplified, making it seem as though there were ten of them rather than two.

The benches were packed, and a low hum of chatter filled the air as students sat and awaited the beginning of the lecture. Ikuo and Lumi found two vacant seats near the back and sat down, placing their belongings under the bench to avoid them being stepped on. The small whispers and girly giggles wafted around the chamber, causing Lumi to roll her eyes. She didn't have anything against girls, but sometimes she wished they'd just shut up for once, especially during such an important lecture by a very respected individual. All they cared to do was talk in whispers with each other about other girls that they disliked, spreading the much-feared rumors around like the wildfire that they were.

"So, what does this guy look like?" Ikuo asked as he looked around at the students filling up the room. "Is he...like...super old?"

Lumi chuckled, reaching into her book bag for her notebook, already prepared to take notes. "Not exactly. He's around middle aged, at best. But he has the intelligence of an old man, so I guess it can go both ways."

"You sound like you're obsessed with him."

"That's not true, Ikuo." Lumi rolled her eyes. "I just appreciate his work. That's all."

"Yeah, I bet you do," Ikuo said with a grin. "No judgment, of course. Smart girls are better than dumb girls."

"Dumb girls? That sounds awfully judgemental." Lumi said with a small grin, casting a glance at him.

Ikuo blushed, instantly tensing up. "No, no, I didn't mean it like that. I was just..." His words trailed off as he noticed Lumi's growing smile.

Lumi giggled, lightly elbowing him in the arm. "Relax, I'm just messing with you. Besides, I agree. It's important to know a thing or two about what's going on in the world."

"Yeah...that's why you're my favorite girl." Ikuo said, his face still beet red. He quickly looked away, hoping Lumi didn't notice.

Lumi's smile faltered, and she blinked once, twice, before turning her attention back to the front of the hall, her heart fluttering in her chest. She had known Ikuo for years now, and each day she tried to pretend that she didn't have a major crush on him. Sometimes, she could barely look him in the eye. It was his humor and charm and charisma that drew her in. Sure, he wasn't as into reading or history or plants as she was, but she was able to ignore that and focus on his own personal interests and personality. He was sweet and kind and gentle and caring, everything a girl could ask for in a guy. But there was one tiny problem.

Lumi was terrified of intimacy.

She had never been intimate with anyone before, and the thought of having to do such things made her uncomfortable. It was difficult enough just to hold hands and kiss. How would she ever be able to get to third base without being overwhelmed by nerves and anxiety?

Lucky was the first person she told about her issue, and the poor girl had to spend several hours trying to convince Lumi that intimacy wasn't something to fear. Unfortunately, her attempts were futile, and Lumi was left feeling even more worried than before.

But now, in this moment, sitting next to Ikuo, she felt her worries slowly disappear. This was one of the few times she was able to forget about her problems and just enjoy the moment. Constantly being wrapped up in books and old scriptures were enjoyable, but being with the one she cared deeply for was another feeling entirely. It was a different kind of happiness, one she cherished and longed for.

The chatter died down as the crowd began to grow quiet. The double doors closed with another loud creak, and all eyes turned to the platform at the front of the room.

Lumi felt her heart skip a beat as Professor Teadmised stepped onto the marble dais, adjusting his glasses as he approached the lectern. He was just as Lumi had imagined, only he was much shorter. His hair was a dark shade of brown, slicked back with what appeared to be gel. His eyes were a piercing shade of blue, and his nose was thin and pointed. He had a strong jawline and sharp cheekbones, giving him the appearance of a male model. His clothes were immaculately tailored, and his shoes were polished to a shine.

As he took his place behind the lectern, Lumi could hear the whispers of the other students.

"He's so handsome!" one girl said.

"I wish he would teach me some things," another said in a flirtatious voice..

Lumi rolled her eyes and leaned forward, her elbows resting on her knees. She watched as Professor Teadmised began his lecture, his voice booming throughout the hall. He started off slow at first, as if getting into the swing of his speech, but picked up the pace after a few minutes, his confidence and charisma overflowing. His hands moved animatedly as he spoke, his eyes tracing each figure sitting before him.

"History. What is history. Can anyone tell me?" He asked, his voice aged and rich. "History is the study of past events, often focusing on how those events shaped our society. History is important because it teaches us about ourselves and our world. It allows us to see how things have changed and how they've stayed the same. It helps us understand why things are the way they are, and it gives us a glimpse into the past, which is something we all need from time to time."

"Without history, we wouldn't be here right now. Without history, we wouldn't know how our ancestors lived, or how they overcame obstacles that seem impossible today. History tells us about people, about places, about entire civilizations, and it is a key part of learning who we are as individuals and as a species. So, what do you think? What does history mean to you?"

"It means we're not alone," one student answered.

"It means we can learn from the past," another said.

Lumi nodded her head, satisfied with the answers, and quickly jotted down each one in her notebook. She was happy to see the other students being so engaged. Hopefully this wasn't a one-off, and they would continue to care about what the professor was saying. Even Ikuo seemed intrigued, his eyes trained on the professor intently.

"Yes, yes, very good." Teadmised said, his face lighting up with a smile. "History is a powerful thing, and we must all remember that. Along with history comes civilization, so lets dive into the different species out here in Token, shall we?"

Professor Teadmised cleared his throat and continued, rifling through a thick stack of note cards on the podium. "Elves are a species native to Token, known for their long lives, beauty, and magical abilities. They are generally considered to be the most intelligent and cultured of Token's many races, though this reputation has led to some resentment towards them from other races. Elves are physically slender and graceful, with pointed ears and almond-shaped eyes. Their skin tones vary from fair to dark, and their hair colors are typically blonde, brown, or various colors of the rainbow, excluding red. Some elves have been known to develop magical powers as well."

As he continued on to discuss the different races in Token, Lumi was amazed at how much information he could hold in his brain. She jotted down as much as she could, trying to keep up with the rapid-fire words flying out of his mouth. The more she learned, the more interested she became.

After several minutes of discussing the Elves and the Centaurs and even the Mermaids, he then dove into Lumi's newly found favorite topic: Demons. She perked up, halting momentarily in her note-taking to listen.

"Now, for Demons, they're a whole other ballpark. They're quite an interesting species, with their ability to possess others and feed on their energy, though some can take on a physical form." Teadmised said, glancing at his notes. "They're generally feared by the other races, due to their powers and lack of compassion. Many Demons have been known to use their powers for evil, and there are stories of entire villages being wiped out by a single Demon. However, most Demons are known to be rather laid back and docile, though they are not to be mistaken for friends. The Deity Demons, for example. They are the most graceful Demons here in Token, with great beauty and elegance. Some even say they have the power to heal and resurrect."

"Wow..." Lumi whispered in awe, her eyes wide. She had read a great deal about the Deity Demons, but somehow Teadmised seemed to know more, which really didn't surprise her all that much. She jotted down every word he said, not wanting to miss a single detail.

"What do you think?" Ikuo asked, leaning over. "About the Deity Demons."

Lumi looked at him, her cheeks heating up slightly. "I think they're...interesting. I've read about them before, and they seem very intriguing."

"Yeah, I've heard some pretty wild stories about them. If you ever come across one, you better run the other way," Ikuo said, a joking smile on his face.

Lumi giggled, lightly punching his arm. "Oh, stop it. I'm sure they're not that scary. Besides, if you ever come across one, you'd probably faint on the spot."

"I would not!"

"Would too."

"Would not!"

"Please, in the back, I am in the middle of a lecture, would you mind saving your idle chatter for later?" Teadmised voice traveled up to them, and every head in the lecture hall turned to glare at them.

"O-oh! Sorry, sir." Lumi said sheepishly, sinking in her seat. Her cheeks were burning, and she wished she could just disappear.

Ikuo sat back in his seat, avoiding the glares from the students around them. "Sorry..."

"As I was saying, Deity Demons are not to be trusted, and should be avoided at all costs. They can be quite dangerous, and they are known for their cunning and manipulation. Havoc Demons, on the other hard, are immensely powerful and are known for their brute strength and violent nature. They have been known to tear apart villages and wreak havoc wherever they go. Fortunately, they are a rare sight to be seen, which is the same for the Dark Demons, which have been extinct for many, many years, thankfully.”

"Finally, the last Demon species I will discuss is the most common and most known of them all. The Demi-Demon. I'm sure everyone has heard of them before, correct? A show of hands, who has heard of the Demi-Demons?" Teadmised looked around expectantly, raising an eyebrow as a majority of students raised their hand, including Lumi. He nodded, satisfied. "Excellent. Now, let's talk about them. The Demi-Demons are the weakest Demons, and are rather short in size but have a very temperamental attitude and are known to be far more territorial than the other Demons. They are easily frightened, and they usually seek shelter in small, dark spaces when threatened. They are said to be very shy and tend to avoid contact with others. Still, they are actually rather strong when packed into a corner. However, they are not very friendly and are actually, and this is actually funny, little thieves like raccoons, and like to steal things to eat. I know, it's actually rather adorable.Vampires actually share a very similar appearance to these Demi-Demons, size wise. All Vampires have deep red hair and leathery bat wings, so it is fairly simple to differentiate them from Demi-Demons. Vampires tend to travel alone, while Demi-Demons prefer the company of others. Do not mistake a Demi-Demon for a Vampire, and vice versa. They don't typically like that very much."

Lumi listened intently as Teadmised continued on with his lecture, detailing the history and culture of the many species. She took notes furiously, not wanting to miss anything. She could feel herself becoming more and more enamored with the professor as time passed, and by the time he had already switched gears to the traditional weapons of the ancient Elves, she felt like she had learned more in that one lecture than she had in her entire life.

"This is an ancient, aged blade made by a beloved blacksmith over a thousand years ago," Teadmised said slowly, reaching into his bag and pulling out a slightly curved blade, the hilt wrapped in a white cloth to avoid fingerprints. The blade, around the same size as a dagger, was a pale shade of gray, with faded markings carved into the blade itself. "This was crafted by none other than the famous blacksmith, Yosafire, who is said to have died around a thousand years ago, leaving behind this dagger and a few other weapons to be found across Token."

The class oohed and awed at the sight of the blade, some leaning forward in their seats to get a better look. Lumi stared at it with wide eyes, taking in every detail of the weapon. The markings on the blade looked familiar to her, but she couldn't place them. She was sure she'd seen them somewhere before, but she couldn't remember where.

Teadmised held the blade up for everyone to see. "Now, can anyone tell me what this means? This is actually the most important part of the weapon."

The room was silent. No one seemed to know the answer. Teadmised sighed and shook his head.

"Honestly, does no one pay attention in history class? These markings are incredibly important! This is a dagger that has been passed down among many generations of warriors. Each warrior etched a marking on the hilt, so that it may be passed down and remembered. It's a symbol of pride and honor, and it shows that you are a warrior worthy of respect and admiration. Now, does anyone have a guess as to what this marking might mean?"

A few hands shot up into the air, but Teadmised ignored them. Instead, he turned to Lumi, who had her hand held higher than anyone, and pointed at her. "You there, young lady. What do you think this symbol means?"

Lumi's cheeks turned red. She had never been called on by a teacher before, even when she was in school. She knew everything the teacher had been teaching, so she wasn't really called upon because most teachers wanted the other kids who weren't paying attention to suffer. "I-I think it's a symbol of strength and courage. I think it means that the warrior who wielded this blade was brave and powerful, and that they would never back down from a fight."

Teadmised smiled and nodded his head. "Very good. That is exactly what it means. The warrior who used this blade was a great man, and he was a fierce fighter. He fought in many battles and never once backed down. He was a true hero, and this blade is a testament to his courage and bravery. We should all aspire to be like him."

Lumi's hand shot up again, and Teadmised hesitated for a second before nodding towards her. "Yes...what is your question?"

"Could this blade have been used in the Elven-Demon War?" Lumi asked, her pen ready to speed-write. Several Elves started whispering about her question, casting her glances over their shoulders.

"The Elven-Demon War? What do you know of it, young lady?"

"Well...I've read about it, and it was a terrible war. From the books I've read, it was between a general of the Talet military force and the Demon Queen, and that the Elven King had ordered the attack on the Demon Queen after she had refused to respect the peace treaty they had signed many years prior."

"That's correct. However, in this case, the Demon Queen was far more powerful than the Elven general, and she had defeated him with ease, along with his army. It is unknown if this particular blade was used in that war, but it is possible."

"Interesting..." Lumi muttered to herself as she jotted down every word he said, her hand moving furiously. "If the Demon Queen is so strong, what's stopping her from attacking the Elven Kingdom right now? I mean, thinking realistically, she could easily overthrow it, right?"

Teadmised looked confused, his eyes narrowed as if in deep thought.

"Um, what my friend is trying to say is...why didn't the Demon Queen kill the Elven King when she had the chance?" Ikuo said, quickly saving the situation. He gave her a small nudge, shooting her a look.

Teadmised blinked once before smiling. "Oh, of course! Well, you see, the Demon Queen is very cunning, and she knew that killing the Elven King would only lead to more violence and death and chaos. In my professional opinion, she is taking her time to form a plan. I'm sure she will attack the Elven Kingdom sooner or later. It is only a matter of time."

A chill ran down Lumi's spine as the students started giving panicked glaces at each other. She knew the Demon Queen was ruthless, but she hadn't expected her to be that ruthless. From her research of the Queen over her study breaks, she had learned a great deal, but there were still chunks of information she was missing. The books from the library were expansive on old facts and trivia about her, but they seemed to be biting their tongue on the information she really wanted. It confused her that a Queen with such a reputation in Token would be mentioned so hesitantly in the history books. Even more so, Teadmised didn't seem to be in a sharing mood about her, either. It was as if they were all hiding something from the rest of the world.

Lumi sighed, shaking her head. She was thinking too much. This was just a silly lecture, and she was taking it too seriously. Still, something about the Demon Queen was very mysterious, and she wanted to learn more about her.

After Teadmised had assured the practically traumatized young Elves that they were not going to die tomorrow due to a Demon attack, he proceeded to talk about a trip he had taken to the icy snow-caped mountains of Cardend, and the locals whom he had befriended. Not long after that, an hour had passed, and the lecture was over, much to Lumi's disappointment. Everyone stood, erupting in chatter about everything they had just learned, or discussing the new latest fashion that had arrived in the tailor shops down the street.

As the hall began to clear and Ikuo began to head towards the door, Lumi haltered in her packing up. Her eyes traveled to the marble dais, where the professor was packing up his things in his rather glamorous leather book bag. She bit the inside of her cheek, her thoughts running rampant. She wanted so desperately to meet him, to shake his head, to get his autograph, but her nervous jitters were telling her to just head home and read over the notes she had collected. The opportunity of a lifetime sat before her, and she stood still debating whether or not to take it. The chance of Teadmised coming back to Edgerest for another lecture was slim, as he traveled all over Token spreading his knowledge and insights.

Before Lumi could decide, her feet began moving forward, slowly walking down the aisle towards the dais, where Professor Teadmised stood, looking through a small leather notebook.

"Um, Professor Teadmised?" Her voice croaked out, timid and utterly pathetic. She kicked herself for sounding so scared, but the nerves were getting the best of her.

"Yes? Can I help you?" He looked up from his notebook, his piercing blue eyes locking with hers. Lumi's cheeks heated up, and she swallowed the lump in her throat.

"Um...well...I greatly enjoyed your lecture, Mister Teadmised...but I...just had some questions to ask you...if that's...okay?" Her fingers gripped her book bag strap so tightly that she was sure she would end up tearing the entire strap off the bag.

"Questions? About the lecture? Or...about something else?" His expression was unreadable, and his tone was a bit cold, as if he were exhausted from all his talking.

"Um, well, it's more about the Demons," Lumi said, trying to keep her voice steady.

"Oh? What about the Demons? Is there something specific you'd like to ask me?"

"Well...yes. I was wondering, what do you know about the Demon Queen? Do you know anything about her? I've read up a great deal, but there's still some things I'd like to know. A-and you mentioned her briefly, and said that she was forming a plan of some sort? How did you come across that knowledge?"

Teadmised raised an eyebrow, his expression slightly amused. "I'm very pleased that you enjoyed my lecture, miss..."

"Lumi!" Lumi blurted, then covered in mouth, lowering her voice until it was almost a whisper. "S-sorry. Lumi Valgus Roheline. That's my name."

"Well, Miss Lumi, I'm very pleased that you enjoyed the lecture. As for the Demon Queen, I'm afraid I don't know much. I have met a few Demons, but they weren't particularly keen on speaking with me. They usually keep to themselves now, and while I've never met the Demon Queen myself, I am all but certain that she is making some type of plan for revenge. After all, what better species for revenge than Demons?"

Lumi nodded, her face falling slightly. She had been hoping that he had some knowledge that the books hadn't. "Right...of course."

Teadmised glanced past her, towards the exit. "Are you traveling with your friend? Perhaps you should get going. He looks to be waiting for you."

Lumi glanced over her shoulder, where Ikuo stood, watching them, his face clearly saying, You're talking to him? Are you nuts?

She nodded and turned back to the professor, holding out her hand. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Mister Teadmised. I really appreciate your time and input...and...if it's not too much trouble...would you mind giving me your autograph?"

***

"I can't believe I got his autograph!" Lumi shouted, holding up her notebook into the air as if it were now an invaluable piece of ancient history.

“I can’t believe you actually talked to him. You should get a medal for that.” Ikuo chuckled, playfully nudging her with his shoulder.

The two made their way back to Lumi’s house, the sun high above them like a beacon. Edgerest came the most alive in the middle of the day, and the sidewalks were as crowded as ever. Lumi spotted some students from the lecture wandering around with their friends, drinking canned beverages by parked carriages, or racing each other down the street. Despite the small size of Edgerest. The community was as active as any other town, perhaps even more so.

Lumi traced the tip of her finger across the beautiful cursive letters of his signature, mumbling each letter softly. It was as if she were in her own world, and Ikuo had to direct her away from walking right into crowds or even into the street.

Ikuo stuffed his hands into his pockets, clearing his throat to get her attention. “Um…so…about Mirstone…”

Lumi faltered for a second, then shook herself free from her thoughts and gently tucked her notebook into her backpack. “Right. Mirstone. Don’t worry, I’m still working on saving up some funds.”

“Maybe we can ask for a promotion from the library. We work hard, I don’t see why we wouldn’t get one.” Ikuo suggested.

“Perhaps,” Lumi nodded. “But that may be difficult. I’m only working there part-time, so getting a promotion might be harder for me.”

“Then I could get one.” Ikuo said with a proud smile.

“I couldn’t ask you to do that, Ikuo.” Lumi shook her head, tightening her grip on her bag strap.

“Why not? You asked me to come with you, so the least I can do is pay for some of it, right?” His smile vanished for a second, and he leaned towards her slightly, his pace slowing to a gentle walk. “I’ve been meaning to ask you…why did you invite me to come along with you? I figured you’d ask that one friend of yours…Lucky, right?”

Lumi stopped walking, biting her bottom lip in uncertainty. Her cheeks flushed a bright red, and at that moment she wished for the power for invisibility to escape this conversation. The last thing she wanted to do was admit that she had a crush on him and have him reject her, or say that he already had a girlfriend, or that he wasn't interested in commitment at the moment.

The silence between them grew uncomfortable, and Ikuo's face fell.

"Was...it something I said?" He asked softly, his eyes downcast.

"N-no, no, of course not, I just...I'm not sure how to answer that." Lumi said quickly, her voice shaky. "I guess I just...I wanted you to come along. That's all. I mean, if you don't want to, I totally understand. I just...like hanging out with you. After all...we're pals, aren't we?" Without thinking, she playfully punched his arm, chuckling nervously. "Right...uh...bro?"

"Oh. Uh, yeah, right! Right...pal." Ikuo said with an awkward laugh. He cleared his throat and ran a hand through his hair. "I guess I just thought that...maybe...you kinda-"

"Oh my gosh! Look at the time!" Lumi interrupted, moving her coat sleeve to look down at her watch, then realized she wasn't wearing a watch and yanked her sleeve back down. "I...uh...gotta go! I have to water my plants and organize my books!" She said, her voice frantic.

Ikuo blinked, clearly taken aback by her sudden change in attitude. "Oh, uh, okay. Yeah, I gotta get going too. I'll see you tomorrow, then?"

"Y-yeah! See ya tomorrow!" Lumi said, her cheeks still bright red. She turned on her heels and ran down the sidewalk, pushing past the other Elves walking by in a hurry.

Ikuo watched as she disappeared through the crowd, a confused look on his face. "Did I say something wrong?"

***

Lumi closed her front door with a slam, panting heavily, her hair askew from her braid. She placed her back against the wooden door, sliding down until her butt hit the floor. Her face was burning, and her heart was pounding. The run home had been a long and agonizing one, as she had replayed the awkward encounter over and over in her mind.

What in the name of Token had gotten into her? Why had she suddenly gotten so flustered and nervous around him? They'd been friends for years now, so why did her body react like this to him? She wanted so badly to tell him how she felt, but the fear of rejection or humiliation was greater than her.

"Stupid...stupid...stupid..." She muttered under her breath, pulling her knees to her chest. She felt like crying, but the tears wouldn't come. All she could feel was embarrassment. She was certain that Ikuo would never want to hang out with her again. He probably thought she was weird now and wanted nothing to do with her. He was probably laughing at her right now, telling all of his friends about her awkwardness. She buried her face in her hands, groaning in frustration.

"This is all my fault..." She whispered, shaking her head. "I should've just stayed home and read instead."

"Aww, come on, don't be depressed. That's no fun." A cheerful, high-pitched female voice spoke, one that Lumi had never heard before. It was soft and sweet, like sugar.

Lumi jumped up in fright, her eyes wide as she looked around the room. Her eyes scanned her kitchen, then her living room, but saw nothing but her furniture and the usual decorative items she kept around. She was alone. Or at least, she thought she was.

"Who said that? Where are you?" Lumi asked, her voice trembling. Her eyes darted around the room, searching for the source of the voice. If it was an intruder, then she at least had an advantage by being beside the front door.

"Right here, silly!" The voice called, and Lumi jerked her head to the right side of her living room, where a window was wide open, and a face was peering in at her with a wide smile. It was difficult to make out all of the facial features, but she managed to make out red hair, pointed ears, glowing red eyes, and a pair of small black horns atop the head.

Lumi yelped in surprise, tripping over her feet as she stumbled backwards. She fell against her kitchen table, sending plates and cups crashing to the floor, shattering upon impact. She winced as glass shards scattered along the floor, skittering under appliances and chairs.

"Oh! Are you okay?" The face asked, their eyes wide. They then began to climb awkwardly through the window, raising their leg to slip over.

"Don't come in here!" Lumi cried out, holding up her hand in warning. "I'll call the guards!"

"Relax, I'm not going to hurt you." The face said, rolling their eyes. They then jumped down from the window, landing on their feet with a loud thump. Lumi stared in shock as they dusted themselves off, a small smile on their face. A tail flicked back and forth behind them, slim and made of pure cartilage. The girl placed her hands on her hips, a wide smile on her face. "See? I'm not a monster." She said, grinning.

Lumi's mouth dropped open in shock as she stared at the Demon standing before her. She had read countless stories about them, but she had never actually seen one in person. She looked over every inch of the intruder, realizing that it was in fact a Demi-Demon, judging from the small size and even smaller horns.

"W-what...what are you doing here? Who are you?" Lumi asked, her voice trembling. Her heart was beating so fast, she thought it was going to burst out of her chest. "I-If you want money, I don't have any! Honest!"

"I don't need money, silly! My name is Jester!" The girl said, stepping forward.

Lumi scrambled away from her, falling against the wall, her hand reaching out to grab a broom. She held it up like a sword, her knuckles white from her grip. "Get back! I'll beat you to death!"

Jester giggled, shaking her head. "You're so funny! I like your spunk." She placed her hands back on her hips, looking around the kitchen with a click of her tongue. "Got any food in here? I sure am starved."

Lumi stared at her, her eye twitching. This isn’t a dream, right? She pinched herself on the arm, yelping at the stinging sensation. Yep, definitely awake.

"Look, I didn't mean to scare ya. That plant led me right to ya, so I guess we're friends now!" Jester said brightly, spreading her arms at her sides.

"Plant?" Lumi asked, tilting her head.

"Yeah! The small purple one over there in your yard! I was walking around and it started smelling really good, and then I followed it here! It's weird, huh?" Jester giggled. "It's a pretty common plant where I come from, you should know. It's like a catnip for cats, but for Demons." She laughed loudly, slapping her thigh. "You shoulda seen the look on your face when I walked in! You were all like 'AHHHHHHHH!' And I was like 'Oh no! Don't be scared!' And you were all 'GET OUT! GET OUT!' And I was like 'Nope! Not gonna happen! We're gonna be best friends!'" She said, giving Lumi a thumbs-up.

"What? I...I'm not going to be your friend!" Lumi snapped, her voice shaking. "You just broke into my house and now you want to be my friend?! That's not how friendship works!"

"But we're already friends! What's your name, anyway?" Jester asked, taking a step towards her with a curious glint in her eyes.

Lumi tensed, her grip on the broom tightening. "My name is none of your business. Now get out of my house."

Jester let out a sigh, dropping her shoulders. "Man, you're no fun. I told you my name, and now you won't tell me yours. That's anarchy."

"A-anarchy?" Lumi repeated, almost letting a chuckle slip through her lips. This Demon was rather funny, despite her intrusive nature. "That's not really what anarchy means...where did you even come from? How'd you get to Edgerest?"

"I'm from Bellcrest!" Jester said proudly, pumping her fist in the air. "And I got here by walking, duh! You don't think I could fly, do ya? That's for Vampires, not Demons. You're funny, new friend."

"I'm not your friend!" Lumi said, raising her voice. "I don't even know you!"

"Yeah, you do! I'm Jester! Now you can't say you don't know me!" Jester grinned playfully. "Jester Angelica Kere, you're new best friend in the whole world! Speaking of new best friend in the whole world, got any food? We're kinda super duper hungry."

"We're?" Lumi asked slowly, dreading the answer. "What do you mean, 'we're?"

"Oh! My buddy Lenix!" She turned on her heel and cupped her hands around her mouth. "Hey, Lenix! Come meet our new best friend!"

A moment passed, and then a figure appeared in the window, their features obscured by the shadows. Lumi watched as the figure carefully climbed into the window, their hands stuffed into their pockets. A head of spiked white hair and skin of the purest black greeted her, with piercing red eyes to finish it off.

"This is Lenix, my other super best friend!" Jester said, her eyes shining with admiration. "He's the coolest friend ever!"

"Oh, I'm sure," Lumi said, rolling her eyes. "So, why'd you two decide to break into my house? That's a crime, you know. And a rude thing to do. I could've been getting ready for bed or something."

"I told you, we're hungry! And this is the first house we saw. Also, where's your bathroom? We gotta go." Jester looked around expectedly, tapping her fingertips together.

"I told you this was a stupid idea." Lenix grumbled, shaking his head. "You're so dumb."

"Hey! That's mean!" Jester poked a finger at him. "Don't be mean in front of my new friend!"

Lenix sighed and turned away, not saying a word. Lumi stared at the two, unsure of how to intervene, or what she was even supposed to say. This had never happened before. She had no idea how to handle this situation. It wasn't exactly something they covered in school. It had started off as a normal day, and now there were two Demi-Demons standing in her living room asking for food. What was she supposed to do? The books never went over this kind of problem.

"Did you two...travel together?" She asked softly, slowly setting her broom down.

Jester giggled, clapping her hands together excitedly. "Yep! We left Bellcrest cause the Demon Queen-"

Lenix quickly covered her mouth, shaking his head furiously. "Shh! Don't talk about that!"

Jester shoved his hand away. "Why not? We're with our new friend!"

"Demon Queen?" Lumi said, stepping forward. "What happened? Is she planning an attack? Why'd you escape?"

"I said don't talk about it!" Lenix growled, baring his teeth. "It's none of your business!"

Jester sighed, shaking her head. "Oh, don't listen to him. He's just a cranky butt. The Demon Queen was gonna kill a whole bunch of Demons cause they weren't strong enough for her army and stuff. Isn't that just super silly?"

"Oh my god, we're dead." Lenix face-palmed, pacing back and forth. "You've just screwed us, I hope you're happy."

Lumi's eyes widened as she looked between the two, trying to comprehend what she had just heard. The Demon Queen was going to kill her own people? Why? How? And how did they manage to escape? And an army? So Teadmised had been right after all. The Demon Queen was planning an attack, but on her own people? That didn't seem like her. Why would anyone kill their own people? That didn't make any sense. But if she was forming an army, then that meant that she would no doubt attack the rest of Token in no time at all. Why wouldn't she? If someone had an army just sitting there, they would most certainly use it. It was only logical.

"Wait, hold on, please," Lumi said quickly, holding her hands out in front of her. "Slow down. You guys need to start from the beginning. The Demon Queen is planning...a war?"

"Why are we even befriending Elves?!" Lenix huffed, throwing his arms in the air. "They're nothing but trouble!"

"Calm down, Lenix. She's nice." Jester said, patting his arm reassuringly. "The Demon Queen has been building an army, and she wants to kill everyone who isn't strong enough to join. That's why we escaped! We weren't strong enough for her. We were the only ones who escaped. Well...I was strong...but I was sabotaged. Sabotaged, I tell you!"

"An...army? The Demon Queen is building an army?" Lumi said, her heart sinking to the floor. She imagined a Demon army marching into Edgerest, lighting fires and wreaking havoc on the innocent people. Just the mere thought made her quiver. Edgerest wouldn't stand a chance against a Demon attack, or any attack, for that matter. It was far too small and feeble to withstand even a single strong breeze, let alone a horde of Demons accompanied by THE Demon Queen herself.

"I'm starving," Jester said, patting her belly. "I could go for a few apples right now!"

"Oh, shut up about the apples!" Lenix snapped, slapping her upside the head. "Enough about the damn apples! You've been going on and on about them for miles!"

Lumi's eyes widened. She looked around the area, her heart pounding in her chest. She needed to tell someone about this. But who? If this was true, then the whole village was in danger. She needed to warn them. But how? And what if they didn't believe her? What if they laughed at her? What if they thought she was crazy and banished her? That was possible, since nobody ever anticipated a Demon attack in Edgerest. The town was so small and minuscule on a map that no one really cared. However, Lumi had never had a reputation of spewing lies of falsehoods.

She chewed on her lip, her thoughts racing. She knew she had to do something, but she didn't know what. She looked around, trying to find a solution, but all she saw were the empty streets and the tall buildings of Edgerest. There was no one else around.

Jester rubbed her head, pouting at Lenix. "Don't be so mean...I was just saying...and my stomach hurts..."

"Your stomach always hurts!" Lenix huffed. "All you do is complain! And now you've gone and introduced yourself to an Elf, for fucks sake! You do realize that she'll just turn us into the authorities here, right? I told you this was a stupid idea, but did you listen to me? No!"

"It wasn't that bad!" Jester said, her ears lowering. "I mean...she seemed nice...and...I don't think she'll tell anyone about us."

"How would you know that? Are you some expert on female Elves?" Lenix said, raising his brows. "Hm? Are you?"

Jester huffed, crossing her arms. "No, but-"

"I won't say anything." Lumi said quickly, her arms glued to her sides. Her face was beet red from pure fear and tension, but she wasn't about to let two Demi-Demons just wander around the forests of Edgerest. Her village was full of bright clothes and cheerful Elves, so a Demon would stick out like a sore thumb, especially a pair of Demi-Demons.

Jester and Lenix both snapped their heads towards Lumi, their eyes wide. Lenix scowled at her, his ears pricked upwards. "What the hell did you just say?"

"I said, I won't tell anyone about you." Lumi repeated, her voice quivering. "You...you say that the Demon Queen is planning an army...so...the logical thing would be for...me to...help you" She gulped tightly, unsure of their response. Would they kill her? Would they think she's stupid and leave? Or would they attack Edgerest themselves?

Jester blinked, looking up at Lenix with a big smile. "See? I told you!"

Lenix scoffed. "I told you that she was going to turn us in!"

"I'm not!" Lumi said quickly, waving her hands in front of her. "I won't! I promise!"

"Why should we believe you? You're an Elf!" Lenix spat, taking a step towards her. He was a good foot taller than her, and he loomed over her menacingly.

Lumi shivered, practically cowering under his shadow.

Jester leaped in between them, placing her hands on his chest and pushing him away. "Heel, Lenix!" She turned to Lumi, a smile on her face. "Thank you so much! I knew you were nice! I knew it!"

"What the hell?!" Lenix shouted, gritting his teeth. "Jester, the plan was to get as far away from Bellcrest without causing attention to us. This is the exact opposite!"

"Don't be such a crab, Lenix." Jester said with a shake of her head. She turned back to Lumi. "So, what's your name, anyway?"

"Um...Lumi."

"Oh! That's such a pretty name!" Jester held out her hand. "Pleasure to meet you, Lumi!"

Lumi slowly took Jester's hand and gave it a gentle shake. "It's...it's a pleasure to meet you, too..."

Jester turned back to Lenix, her eyes pleading. "Come on, Lenix, just give her a chance, please? We could really use her help."

Lenix sighed and rolled his eyes. "Fine. Whatever."

Jester let out a squeal of delight and jumped into the air, clapping her hands together. She turned to Lumi and took her hands into her own. "Thank you so much, Lumi! You have no idea how much this means to us!"

Lumi felt a flutter in her chest as Jester held onto her hands. They were warm and soft, just like her own. Her innocent smile, her bright eyes, her gentle touch; it was all too much for Lumi to handle. She didn't understand anything that was happening. Demons were supposed to be vicious and ruthless...right?

"Um...you're...you're welcome..." Lumi stuttered, her cheeks turning a rosy shade of red.

"So...about those apples?" Jester asked, leaning forward eagerly. "Got any?"

Lenix groaned loudly and flung himself onto the couch with a thump.

Lumi blinked, then slowly made her way into the kitchen towards the crystal ice chest, her eyes never leaving the pair of Demons. Is this really happening? Am I really getting apples for a pair of Demons? Her mind was racing and her hands were shaking. She had read so much about them, but had never seen one in the flesh. They seemed...harmless enough, but she was still cautious. But it was strange. All her reading had fed her information saying that Demons were evil and that no Elf should go near them. But the two of them...they didn't seem so bad. Jester seemed like a sweet girl, and Lenix, though rude and angry, seemed to care for her.

Perhaps the books she read had gotten their facts wrong.