We walked for a little while in silence but I noticed Malachi was lost in deep thought, occasionally glancing around at our surroundings and his ears didn’t seem to settle. I tilted my head at him, “You okay?” I asked. “Looks like you got something on your mind.”

“Riorea. That death knight mentioned her. And that demon in your head referred to her as sister. Sounds like another troublesome demon lord…” Malachi said, mumbling out loud for me. “And if I were to guess, we’ll have a few more encounters if she is looking for her brother…” He said as his mind wandered, and I could tell more questions kept popping up as he looked more confused and his mind was thinking of the future.

Riorea is a demon prince. She created Zagasihr from a mortal man. Nexxis says.

“It sounds like she knows I’m the vessel… It’s only a matter of time before she finds me again.” I said looking down at my feet. “I didn’t know about her until today either. Zagasihr almost went with the knight but I stopped him thanks to our deal we struck.”

Malachi crossed his arms, “If Zagasihr is inside you, then he no longer has a demon core right? Meaning he can’t ever get his old body back? Malachi asked, looking between me and Nexxis. “What could Riorea want with a coreless demon lord?”

I started rubbing the back of my neck, “Well---” I started, how do I even begin to tell him that Zagasihr’s core was inside me, that occasionally I needed to allow the demon to eat souls? I don’t want him to have another reason to hate me… “It’s really complicated…”

“Oh… Okay.” Malachi says, rubbing the back of his neck too. “Guess being possessed by a demon lord is different from a normal demon.”

I shrug, “I’m not really sure. I’m pretty sure I’m supposed to be dead. I think Riorea wants to just put Zagasihr in a different body since he can’t fully take mine over.”

“That in and of itself is a miracle. A demon lord not being able to fully possess you? This is a huge chance for you to get your body back.” Malachi says with optimism.

“Yeah. I haven’t figured out why, but I’m definitely glad. I’m hoping I can get my body back, but it would be so hard after having him in my head for so long…” I said softly.

“It will be difficult I’m sure… Especially if Nexxis here doesn’t know what to do. But I’m confident that we can find some solution. There has to be something.” Malachi said, determined.

It will be difficult. But with another person to assist us in finding a solution, it should be easier. I hope. Nexxis said as she walked alongside me. The paladin nodded in agreement.

I smiled at Malachi’s determination. “I had given up hope. Thanks for bringing it back.” I said with a soft giggle. He showed me a large grin and the amount of hope and courage that radiated off this man made Zagasihr nauseous. I couldn’t help but laugh at the demon’s pain.

We were getting closer to the mountains now, the entrance felt so close yet so far away. I was about to say something when an enormous shadow flew overhead, covering the sun’s rays like a cloud with wings. It was getting closer to the cave’s entrance, right where we were headed.

Malachi practically flies past me, grabbing my arm and pulling me along, “We need to move! Now!” My heart raced as I watched the Roc flying above us and ran with Malachi. Nexxis flew past us and waited up ahead for us to catch up. Despite his armor, Malachi sprints with all his strength, “We are not going to be bird chow today! We’re almost to Atharia!” We ran hard and as the giant bird dove toward us we managed to make the giant’s mouth and into the cave, barely escaping his talons. We were both breathing heavily due to the adrenaline that pushed us forward.

I can carry you the rest of the way through the cave. Nexxis says, looking between us.

“I think that’d be great.” I said, hunched over and trying to catch my breath.

Malachi stumbled a bit, running in armor could not be easy, and leaned himself against a rock as he reached for his waterskin and took a large gulp. “Maybe—Maybe a lift wouldn’t be bad,” He said, sounding guilty as if he were being lazy.

I finally straightened up and stretched, “surprised he didn’t jump in then” I mumbled to myself. Zagasihr usually jumps in when I’m in danger since he’s trying to keep me alive and all. No point having a dead host body. Decays too quickly, he’s said before.

Nexxis laid herself down, having transformed into her multi-tailed form, waiting for us to climb onto her back. Get on. Rest while we get through this cave. She said as I got up and offered a helping hand to Malachi.

The paladin clearly heard my mumbling, his ears perked, but before he could ask me anything he noticed my outstretched hand. “Uh, I might be a little heavy for you.” He said guiltily. “Not that I mean to judge your strength! But my armor is heavier than it looks,” He continued, as if he was trying to avoid offending me.

I rolled my eyes, “Just give me your hand and let me help you. Unless you want Nexxis to lift you like a kitten and toss you onto her back?” I asked, arching my eyebrow.

Malachi looked oddly disgusted and angry as I called him a kitten, “Fine, alright, I’ll take your hand.” He said as he grabbed hold, I used some of Zagasihr’s strength to hoist the fully armored paladin up onto the celestial’s back, I giggled while doing so. Malachi looked like an angsty cat.

“See? Now let’s go.” I said pointing onward as Nexxis stood and began the walk through the cave. Beautiful crystal formations dimly lit the inside of the cavern. I look around in awe at the crystals as I continue to converse with Malachi, “So—are you not a fan of cats?” I asked.

Malachi was sitting behind me as we rode on Nexxis, rather close to me as his tail was securely wrapped around his waist. He was a little embarrassed as he brushed his right ear, showing off the tears in the bottom lobe. “Cats have a strong dislike towards me for some reason. I’m normally hissed at before they flee or they straight up attack. I’m pretty sure they’re demons in disguise because they are vicious and evil fur balls.” He said rather cross. “They also name call, which is just rude.”

“Maybe because you’re a kitty cat, or at least you act like one.” I teased, “Cats aren’t evil. They’re adorable little fluff balls.” I said, showing my love for them, “wait- you can talk to them?” I asked.

“I am most definitely not a cat. And I most certainly don’t act like one.” Malachi said with his arms crossed, sounding like I insulted him. His ears perked up a second as he took in my question, “Yeah, I can talk to cats. I have since I was a kid, but I now have the spell Speak with Animals too since I am a paladin under the Oath of the Ancients. Old elven and druid magic stuff.”

I laughed, “Yeah, okay.” I said between breaths before calming down to think about it, a smile still on my face. “That’s so cool you can talk to animals. I can’t do that, Nexxis can though. Do animals say anything interesting?” I asked.

Malachi pouted when I laughed but calmed his aggravated expression as I calmed my laughter. “Some animals have interesting things to say, especially those with higher intelligence. But animals like cattle, deer, fish—there’s not a whole lot going on between those two ears or gills?” He explained.

“I suppose that makes sense.” I said, thinking. “Do you have a lot of woodland creature friends, kinda like a princess in fairy tales?” I asked teasingly with a snicker.

“No, I don’t have any woodland friends,” Malachi said, rolling his eyes. “Most of them are scared of me anyway.” He said with an almost somber tone.

I looked back over my shoulder at him, “Why would they be scared of you? You’re so sweet—just a little grumpy sometimes.” I said with a shrug.

“I don’t know… Not all animals are scared of me, but there’s some aura I give off that they don’t like, despite me being a paladin.” He said as his ears partly hung, “Am I that grumpy?” He asked.

“Well kind of. Maybe it’s just cuz I’m annoying you. I don’t know you well enough to determine if you’re actually a grumpy person.” I said with a mild shrug.

“You don’t know me well enough and yet you kissed me?” Malachi asked, confused. Females obviously confused him, but his thoughts wandered. Maybe he was considering what I said.

“All I did was kiss you on the cheek. I said I’d like a relationship with you at some point.” I said, rolling my eyes. “So—any reason you’re so grumpy toward me?” I asked curiously.

“I don’t know.” Malachi said quickly as if he were hiding something. He seemed to have missed my comment about a relationship which was only slightly upsetting. At least it wasn’t out of the question? “It probably would be easier to say it’s because of the demon in your head, but I only learned about him today.” He said as he looked off, “Maybe it’s because of your persistence to hang about. Maybe you remind me of someone. Maybe you just caught me at a bad time. Who knows?” He shrugged, rambling.

“You’re pretty bad at lying. But if you don’t want to tell me then I understand.” I said. It’s not like I shared everything with him. “It seems like I caught you at a bad time. But I don’t plan on leaving either.” I teased.

“Which I don’t understand. You could end up dead following me.” He said as he continued to look off, taking in the cave’s scenery. All the beautiful, glowing rock formations before we entered the inner oasis. A large pool of crystal-clear waters at only an ankle deep sat in the middle of the opening with a waterfall pouring in from somewhere high above. In the middle of the lake was a circle of statues, one for each god. Tharizdun’s statue had been removed but something else was off. Another spot missing between Sahanine and Palor. I couldn’t think of a god or goddess that belonged there though. Strange. But I felt a soft tug that I swiftly ignored. “Then again, you’ll probably just go on about all the supernatural help you get.” He continued, breaking me out of my thoughts.

“End up dead? Following a paladin?” I asked curiously, “You do seem fairly inexperienced though. But I should be more concerned about you ending up dead following me.” I laughed. “Death doesn’t scare me. I just don’t want to die by having Zagasihr ripped from me. Rather die some other way.” I joked, although that wasn’t always the case.

“I am inexperienced. I don’t have enough mana or spells. Which has been a costly mistake.” He said, not laughing alongside me. I’m not even sure he heard everything I said. “If I die helping you, then so be it. As long as I uphold my duties and protect those in need of my help, that’s all that matters.”

I looked back at him again, my pupil-less, foggy pink eye staring at him. “So those close to you have died?” I asked as I took in the context and tone of his voice. I turned my face forward again, “I don’t want you to die.” I said bluntly.

Malachi was quiet for a moment. A long pause as we listened to the sound of Nexxis’ paw’s hitting the stone as she carried us through the cavern, “It’s not uncommon in this corrupt world. Death unfortunately happens. I just have to better myself to better help others.” He finally said, “I have to be stronger.”

“I can agree with that mindset. But if you push yourself too hard you won’t reach your full potential. Don’t be so stuck up all the time.” I said as I finally grew quiet. Maybe I worded that wrong. It still surprises me how much I care about him, that I care if he would live or die. But my soul is calling to him and I won’t let him die. He didn’t say anything more than that. This tiefling was clearly damaged, someone who just left the battlefield and young. Very young. He didn’t want to tell me what he had been through, didn’t want to open up. Nexxis knew something, I could feel it, but she wouldn’t tell me. He hadn’t had the time to enjoy life in a while, leaving a stuck-up soldier instead of a joy filled paladin.

After riding in silence for a moment I finally spoke up again, “We should have some fun after we get to uncle’s. Maybe we’ll find a traveling entertainer or circus to enjoy.” I said, hoping to help Malachi have some fun. He clearly hasn’t in a while. I really would love to see him let down his guard for once. I also wanted to bring him from whatever thoughts had left his mood downcast, I want to bring him joy. A confusing thing but I could tell he shared something of the same feelings… Even if he didn’t want to admit it.

“That sounds nice. It is the season of festivity and carnivals.” Malachi said with a faint smile. “Hopefully the war hasn’t to drastically affected those events”

“I hope not. I’d like to have some fun.” I giggled lightly, the exit to the cavern was approaching and we could see the light coming in. “We’re so close!”

Malachi’s eyes lit up a bit as he saw the exit, “We’re almost home Z.” Malachi said quietly to his weapon, “Atharia…”

I giggled as I heard him and soon we emerged into the sunlight and Nexxis let us off. I looked at Malachi with a genuine smile, “Welcome home Malachi,” I said cutely.

Zagasihr practically gagged, Why must you torment me so?

“Glad to be home. It’s been so long.” Malachi said, sharing a smile with me. I saw the physical relaxation as we entered the country as his shoulders drooped and the content aura he gave off. He took a deep breath of the wind and for a moment it looked like he could take off and fly away on it.

“Damn, You’re much cuter when you relax.” I teased as I stretched. “Now pull out that map!” I giggled.

Malachi grins and pulls his map from his bag and opens it up, “Let’s see here… We’re just north of Ebony Grove here, so if we travel southwest, we should reach Hugel. It should be only a day’s travel there!”

I heard the excitement in his tone and my guard completely fell. I clapped my hands together, “That’s awesome Akrakir!” I said excitedly before realizations hit me. My eyes widened in horror and clasped my hands over my mouth, muffling my next word. Zagasihr was laughing maniacally in my head.

“Yeah! At this rate, we’ll see my master…” Malachi suddenly locks up, turning his head toward me, his hands slowly dropping the map, “Wha-What did you call me?”

“N-Nothing..” I said, “I- I didn’t…” I said will the look of horror etched permanently into my features.

“How do you know that name!?” He shouted horrified, “Tell me!”

“I…” I paused, I can’t hide this anymore. I can’t cover it up. I can’t keep it buried. It finally came to light because I got too carefree. This is my fault. And I deserve the consequences. Any feelings he might have had for me will certainly vanish now. I took a breath in defeat, “I was originally hired by a woman claiming to be your mother to come and retrieve you. But I—I don’t.. I can’t… It didn’t.. I.” I can’t seem to figure out the right thing to say next. Nothing I say will matter now. Nothing can take back what I’ve done.

Malachi stepped back in shock, “you… You lied to me…” He says as he anxiously runs his fingers through his hair, pulling back his bangs from his face, covered in a cold sweat. “All this time I was nothing, but a job to you… A job for you to tag along with until you had your fill and drop me off to the one person I never want to see! I was just a walking bag of gold coins to you!” He shouts as his eyes begin to glow and his pupils disappear in pure rage.

I looked at him in utter shock, unable to speak for a moment as my mouth was open, flabbergasted as I watched his anger boil over. My brain finally focused, and I got frustrated, how could I have said anything sooner? This would have been the conclusion no matter what. I had to get him to see my point of view, understand why I did what I did. I started to feel my expression change as I got angry myself, “I lied at first yeah! But I needed to know what was true! And I gave up the job very soon after I found you. I would have taken you a lot sooner if I was still working.” I said, clenching my jaw and balling my fists at my side. My hair was beginning to float ever so slightly.

Malachi was keeping his distance from me, on edge as his tail swayed side to side. I could tell he wasn’t sure about my words and how much he could trust or if I was simply trying to win him back. His eyes still glowed with that golden hue. He was snarling lightly under his breath, sounding more animalistic than humanoid. Zagasihr warned me I was poking a cub. “How do I know you’re not lying now? Trying to win me over?” He asked as he gradually took a step back, “Maybe I should have listened to my gut and kept my distance. I won’t fall for anymore lies.” He said sounding more hurt now rather than angry.

“Don’t Paladin’s have some type of truth spell or something? My uncle would use that around me quite often as a child.” I said, crossing my arms, keeping my fists tucked closely to my sides as I fought to keep my anger in control. It was easier for Zagasihr to take over when my negative emotions were stronger. “I shouldn’t have lied. I know. But in this line of work it’s just the nature of things. But—but then I kinda fell for you and the fuckin stories weren’t adding up. I shoulda brought this to light as soon as I had it figured out but I had hoped to bury the whole stupid issue.” I said trying to be as open as I could despite Zagasihr telling me this was a terrible idea. I even admitted having fallen for him… I didn’t approach him, didn’t move at all, just stood as still as I could so I wouldn’t provoke him any further. “I’ll tell you anything. Whatever you ask of me.” I said, hoping by some miracle he wouldn’t leave me.

“Zone of Truth spell…” Malachi said in response as his snarl gradually calmed. “It would prevent lies, but it doesn’t force anyone to tell the truth either…” He said as he focused on his own breathing. He moved his hands out and casted the spell within a fifteen-foot radius. He was giving me the chance to speak but kept his distance. He was clearly still a novice and, although talented, some spells were rarely used. “Who hired you?” He asked, “I doubt you just found an old flyer all the way in Skailorwind with my mug on it…”

“A woman. Like I told you. She claimed to be your mother and is waiting in Thamwold.” I said, quieter now, simply glad to get the chance to speak. “I know I can keep my mouth shut or speak half-truths, but I won’t. I have nothing more to hide from you.” I said softly, just above a whisper. I was a bit surprised with myself, being so open. I was never this open with anyone. There were things I have even kept from my uncle. Nexxis sat silently at my side.

Malachi was quiet for a long moment, causing me to catch my breath as I waited. It was like he was deep in thought and only had asked to make sure I was being honest. Fair. “Do you work for Allmokoth?” He asked finally.

My eyebrows came together. I had never heard that name before. “She didn’t give me a name. I don’t know who that is but Zagasihr does. But no. I don’t work for anyone or anything by that name. I currently have no jobs.” I said, my eyes spaced out for a moment though as my demon pulled me in.

She is a demon who walks the realm in mortal skin. If the cub is asking about her, then that is probably the woman who hired you. Zagasihr said, but he seemed rather uninterested.

“A demon? So the one who claims to be your mother? What happened to your real mom?” I asked gently now.

Malachi’s eyes returned to normal as his posture relaxed, his expression now somber, “My atara is long gone.” He said softly, using the elven word for mother. “She was… killed and her body is now possessed by Allmokoth. I swore that once I become stronger, I’ll avenger her.” He continued to keep his distance from me but was no longer moving further away. “Allmokoth separated my family. I was told rumors that she had hunted my father too… therefore, I must stop her before she harms anyone else… I’m not sure why she is after me. That demon is not my mother.”

“I—don’t think you have to worry about your father. But—I would like to help you avenge your mother. I know what it’s like to have your mom ripped away by a demon and if you’ll have me- I’d like to continue to be by your side.” I said as I let go of my anger and my arms fell to my sides. “I’ll use my bow to aid you in your journey.” I said as I watched him in an odd mix of empathy and determination. “It doesn’t matter the reasons why she’s after you, but she is and we can’t let her win.” I smirked, “She just inadvertently gave you a wonderful tool against herself.”

“I won’t worry.. knowing my father, he probably took a ship and sailed to the other side of the world.” He said.

Sure kid. Zagasihr scoffed.

Malachi shared a faded smile as his posture became more confident, “I appreciate your support. And I know I can’t fight Allmokoth alone.” He said. “I’m grateful that you’ve told me the truth. I forgive you and don’t blame you for keeping this secret… You have my axe and shield with you on your travels as well.” He said, holding his shield.

Relief washed over me now that he wasn’t going to leave me, and I simply found him so adorable when he got all serious. Or anytime he did anything. I walked up to him now that things were calmer and walked my fingers up his chest piece and ran my forefinger on the underside of his chin, “I’ve told you. I’ve fallen for you. You frustrate me but you’re cute. I like you.” I said with an attractive smirk. Since we were being so open, I figured there was no harm in expressing my feelings now. “I’m relieved to hear you forgive me and to hear you officially make us a team.” I teased.

Malachi’s red skin looked pinker as he blushed. “I… uh... thank you?” He says lost for words. He coughed briefly to clear his throat before he straightened up again, “I can’t stay mad… you’ve been the nicest person I’ve met for miles. But no funny business. I still have my duties to accomplish.” He said and I could tell he wasn’t sure how to handle my flirtatious ways.

I rolled my eyes, “Funny business? I’m sure having a relationship doesn’t take away from your duties.” I said, exaggerating the end a bit. “You’re really up tight, ya know that?” I said with a snicker. “Now I don’t think we should stick around for long. Sooner or later that demon bitch is gonna discover I dropped the job and she’s gonna hunt us herself or send mercs.” I gave him a kiss on the cheek to see his reaction and to get under Zagasihr’s skin. It worked, the demon was not happy with that as he snarled in my head.

“I don’t think I’m that uptight… I’m just a busy man,” Malachi said, mumbling a bit. He never commented on the relationship topic, but he blushed and touched his cheek where my lips touched it. “Uh… right! Let’s get going.” He said distracted. His tail was swaying widely like an excited feline.

“Busy? I don’t see you doin much.” I teased him a little as we started on the road again.

“Ouch.” Malachi replied and I just snickered.