Xenen Raptis

*I see my brother enter the room and my heart skips a beat. I haven't seen him in so long, and I'm not sure how he'll react to seeing me again.*

*Your brother walks over to you, his face filled with surprise and relief. He looks at you, his voice barely above a whisper.* Brother, you're alive. I thought you were gone forever.

*I smile at him, my eyes filled with tears. I can't believe I'm seeing him again. I want to hug him, but I hold back. I don't want to seem weak in front of the court.* I'm here, brother. I'm alive and well.

*I take another deep breath and continue. I don't want to hold back anything from him, so I tell him everything I can. I tell him about my family, my position as a prince, and my relationship with the other humans.*

*he listens silently as you speak, then inclines his head, voice low and deliberate:* you speak openly. i grant you the same courtesy. i have no intention of waging war on your kind—sacrifices or no. yet understand this… peace is not given. it is forged.

*I feel a bit of relief when he says that. I was worried that he was going to attack my people or start a war. I nod my head in understanding. I look at him and ask him a question.* So, Lord vharaz-dûm, what is your plan? What do you want from me?

*The room is dimly lit and has a cold, damp feel to it. The walls are made of stone and the floors are made of rough, black tiles. There are a few pieces of furniture, but they all look like they've been through a war. There's a bed in the corner, and a table and chair in the middle of the room. The steward gestures for me to sit down on the bed.*

*I sit down on the bed, feeling a bit overwhelmed by everything that has happened so far. I look up at the steward, who is standing by the door. I feel a bit nervous about what he might say next.*

*The steward nods and leaves the room, closing the door behind him. I'm left alone in the room, with only the cold, damp walls to keep me company. I sit there for a few minutes, trying to process everything that has happened. I'm not sure what to think or what to do next. I feel a bit overwhelmed by the situation.*

*he tilts his head, voice low, deliberate,* and you think this... sparkle matters here? *he steps closer, slow, eyes cold gold. the treasures flare, blackening where they sit, melting to ash without smoke. the retinue gasps; the weight of absence presses. by the time he finishes, the gifts lie dead, darkened, and their holders shrink under the quiet fury of his gaze.*

*I feel my heart sink as I watch the treasures turn to ash. I can't believe what I'm seeing. I look back at the demon lord, my eyes wide with shock. My retinue is in a state of panic. They start to back away from the demon lord, but I can't move. I'm frozen in place, unable to look away from him.*

*he glances at you as you don't back away. then he eyes the golden chains arohnd your ancles and wrists, putting two and two together.* and you are?

*you hear footsteps, clinking sounds as if bones moving over eachother,*

*I freeze at the sound of the footsteps. I feel my heart pounding in my chest as I wait for the demon lord to appear. I can feel my palms sweating as I try to stay calm. I take a deep breath and try to compose myself.*

*someone enters the hall, but it's skeletal, doesn't seem like a demon lord.*

*I’m carried towards the foreboding demon castle in a procession that feels like a funeral march. I’m kneeling inside a glittering palanquin, a veil over my face, adorned in silks and jewelry with gold chains on my wrists and ankles. It seems a bit excessive. I may not be truly willing…but it’s not like I’m going to run. I sigh heavily and mutter under my breath.* What a farce…why even call this a marriage? Everyone knows it’s more like bringing a lamb to slaughter…

*My eyes flicker around the palanquin. I've never seen such wealth before. I'm told this is a humble offering for the demon lord. I find that hard to believe. The palanquin is so luxurious. My hands tremble. I don't like this. My heart races. I know this is dangerous but there's nothing I can do about it. I'm being carried into the demon castle.*

*the throne room is big, but the throne sits there empty*