Chapter 22 – The Pact of the Legion

  The duo stood alone in front of the serene canvas reflecting the blue moon and the stray stars, the silence broken by the occasional coots of the owls and crickets, the air scented with the night howler—the purple flowers filling the park.

  Ryan broke the silence, "Leo, what do you think of the current king? What do you think of the demons under his rule?"

  Leo replied, "The king is a tyrant, his subordinates are trash. The people are suffering, even this culling is due to his negligence."

  Ryan, his voice tensed, eyebrows frowning, "That's not all, Leo. There are children getting lost—never to be found—in the Kingdom of Knights. There is a historically highest harvest in the Magic Kingdom, but its people are starving. There's even talk of witnessing abominations in the outskirts of the Hell Star's domain. All of this only after the tyrant ascended the throne."

  The air became suffocating, the serene environment replaced by a cutthroat tension.

  Leo replied, "Indeed, the demons are suffering."

  Ryan continued, "Don't you think there should be a change, Leo? A change to save our people?"

  Leo's eyes constricted, his voice tensed, his veins on his head popping, "Indeed. Perhaps it will all end if the tyrant dies with all the corrupt demons. Perhaps if he is killed."

  Ryan's gaze lowered, his head bent down. He started laughing, "Hahahhahahahahhaaaaa. Indeed, if he is killed, it will be alright."

  Leo continued, "Perhaps it's not that simple. Perhaps it will end if the people unite against the tyrant."

  Ryan replied, "Indeed, if people unite, it will be fine."

  Leo said, "Only if there was a way to unite the people of the demon kingdom."

  After a pause, Leo sighed, "Only if there was a way."

  "What if I have a way, Leo? What will you do? Will you follow me?"asked Ryan, his eyes showing firm resolve.

  "What do you mean, Ryan? Don't tell me you are involved in something dangerous," asked Leo with a concerned voice.

  "Leo, I had a family—a loving mother and father, a simple, humble, but content and happy life.I would have been content to have that same life as long as I lived. I would have had the life of my dreams with my parents. If only they didn't starve to death. The Magic Tower monopolised the bountiful harvest that year, only for it to rot in the storage silos.Perhaps if that had not happened, I would not have had to survive eating the flesh of my parents."

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  Ryan's eyes moistened, not by tears but by blood, his fists clenched so hard they started to bleed, his eyes bloodshot,his heart racing ,his knees weakened,he fell to the ground

  Leo ran to Ryan's side, his arms wrapping him.

  Stopped his fall, Leo hugged him tight, held his torso, wiped his eyes.

  He wanted to talk but Words stopped at his throat, his thoughts in disarray. Ryan loosened his clenched fist.

  The duo stayed that way for a while.The air was silent. Ryan's eyes slowly recovered.

  His legs regained strength,he stood again not as a broken boy but a healed demon.

  Leo said, "I am here, my friend. Anytime, you can lean on me.Ryan, my sister too died to the tyrant's blade—burned to ashes in front of my eyes. That day I took an oath to carry on my sister's duty—the oath to protect the demons of this realm."

  Ryan replied, "Leo, we were not the only ones. I was broken, had no place to go, filled with anger and hate. That was when I found them—the people who suffered at the tyrant's hand. The demons who gathered together to oppose the tyrant, to save the people.I joined them. We are the LEGION—the rebels against the tyrant's tyranny.Leo, my friend, join me. Let's set the shackles holding the demon realm free."

  Under the moonlight, Ryan's hand extended to Leo.

  Leo's face grinned, eyes bright. He slowly extended his arm and held Ryan's own.

  Ryan stepped back, raised his right arm against his leafy chest, and said,"Repeat after me, Leo:We of different origin, bearing different names, different paths,Swear to bear a single duty—the duty to the people of the kingdom.Who we were before is not significant.From today, this moment forth, we are the servants of the people.It is our duty—we shall engrave it in our souls.from Today, our names erased, e

  our duty engraved in our souls.From today, we are the LEGION."

  Leo swore the oath.

  Ryan spoke, "From today, you are Leo Legion."

  A pact was forged—with nature as its witness.A union that marked the beginning of the journey of the demon king of liberation.

  The duo returned to their rooms in the tavern.

  Leo laid on his bed, many thoughts going through his head, wondering what will happen tomorrow ,he thought ," from today I am leo legion , huh it does have a nice ring to it, where am I going ". He decided to rest today and leave what is tomorrow's problem to tomorrow—and closed his eyes and rested.

  In the dead of the night – Reed’s Room

  A demonic hawk descended on his window and entered the room, resting on Reed’s arm.

  Reed took the small letter tied to the hawk’s legs.He unrolled it and placed it against the candle flame.Letters started to burn into the empty scroll.It read out: “KILL THE LIGHT.”

  Reed burned the letter. The hawk left the room.

  The silence of the night continued.

  What does the future hold for our young demon prince?What does Reed plan? Who commanded him?Where will the future take him?Stay tuned to find out.

  ?? Enjoyed the chapter? Leave a comment or review!?? Like, share, and follow for more!?? Support the story on Patreon: patreon.com/Lore_weaver