The Great Demon System

<< So, what do you kids need from me? Ask me anything you like? >> The elder smiled and sat down at the crowded dinner table where all of team Artorias rested, all but one short girl who was sitting firmly at the fireplace heating herself up, she and a peculiar, beaming ashen-purple haired child.

They had long eaten dinner already, and it was finally time to discuss. Raveena, the rather gorgeous daughter of the elder had long left them in private, after they were done dining together of course.

They were all hesitant about eating the food, it was not that it looked like an inedible sludge, in fact, it looked very delectable. However, what worried them was the possibility of poison. But, after checking it over with the poison detector the school had given them, they found it to be more than edible.

Indeed, the food was in fact delicious.

Unlike the outside world, the house itself was rather warm. The construction did not look very insolating, which was a surprise yet not something completely unbelievable.

"Elder, I would like to thank you once again for your hospitality." Artorias lowered his head to the smiling elder.

<< Fear not my child, there is no need to thank me. I'm more than happy to help, just ask me anything you need and I will answer to the best of my abilities… >> His gaze looked over towards the candle in the middle of the table before it shifted towards the flickering fireplace where his granddaughter and the freezing Hikari were playing.

<< Hey! Alien! Want to play rock paper scissors? >>

"Oh how fun! I'd be happy to play with you cutie!"

Moby could also not help but chuckle, he had not seen Hikari have such genuine fun in a very long time. Her innocence was mirrored very well in that child.

"Elder, we would like to ask you… Are you aware of where lies the highest peak on this planet?"

<< The Highest peak you say… Well, that is a question that is quite simple to answer! Without a doubt, the highest peak on this planet lies at lord's peak, not too far away from here where Vordran castle resides… >>

"Vordran castle?"

<< Yes, it is the home where the almighty lord of this land resides. He had come here very long ago. There are many different cities and tribes that reside all around this planet, before his arrival, we were nothing but depressed, waring lands who knew nothing of joy. But, after he came, he enlightened us all! We had never been happier! For eons, we had been under his rule, and not once were we ungrateful! >>

"Wait… Is that the reason for that massive cathedral? Was that lord of yours the man in the statue?"

<< Indeed, that statue was built many, many moons ago and has stuck with us for many more, ever since his highness blessed our lands. Right now it is not the same as it was before. But, reconstruction is not something we are willing to do, for that would be a sin against his majesty the king. >>

"You keep referring to this king of yours as "king," or "his majesty," does he not have a name?"

<< He has a name, yet it is a name that he had never uttered to us. Legend say that he is an alien as well, not native to this frozen planet of ours. Not once has he ever left his castle, and only the very privileged few would be permitted to enter his domain. >>

There was a moment of pause as Artorias took time to ponder over the elder's words, but that was when the little granddaughter of his approached him jumping up and down almost as though she was over-dosing on sugar.

<< Grandpa Grandpa! Can I go out to play! Pretty please? >>

<< Ho ho! Of course, you can my little dear! When have I ever said no? >>

<< You never said no! That's why grandpa is the best! >>

<< Aww… That warms my heart! >>

<< Okay grandpa! I'm leaving then! Bye bye! Miss Hikari! Do you want to join me? >>

"I'm really sorry little one, but I need to stay here with the rest of my team…"

<< Okay! Don't worry! Bye bye to you too! >>

"Bye Meryl! Have fun honey bun!" Hikari waved her off as she saw her run out the door, closing it as she left.

"Elder, where is she going to play?" Hikari turned around and asked her first question ever since they arrived.

<< Oh! I'm not sure! But, if I had to guess, I think she's going to play with her friends at the cathedral! There is a very big slide in the garden that the kids always like to play on. It's still not finished rising… One day it will grow far beyond its current state! >>

"Oh! That sounds really fun! I hope she enjoys herself!"

<< Oh, don't worry, she always enjoys herself… Every moment of the day… >>

"Elder," Artorias once again spoke, not after taking a heavy breath, almost like it was out of frustration. "You claim that only the chosen few can be granted audience of this nameless king. Our mission requires us to get to the top of this planet. Is there a way we could be granted an audience?"

<<Worry not! Had I not mentioned that our ruler is a benevolent one possessing a heart of gold? I am certain if you go ask, he would be more than happy to aid you! I'm more than certain he would be ecstatic to see aliens such as himself! >>

"Huh? How can you be so sure? He's the almighty lord! How would we be so easily accepted by simply knocking on his door and asking nicely? This isn't some children's fairytale. If that's the case then why don't all of you just go visit the king whenever you want?"

<< We have too much reverence for our king to visit him with no summons. I am 100% certain he will be interested in your mission and hear your plea! Please have faith in me, young adventurers! >>

"DO YOU THINK WE ARE JUST A BUNCH OF FOOLS!?" Artorias snapped, slamming his hands on the table in a fit of rage, splitting it all in two.

<< Oh, I apologize for the mess, I'll call over Raveena to clean it up! >> His smile grew even brighter.

"WHY DO YOU KEEP SMILING! IS IT WHAT I THINK IT IS!! THIS IS HERESY! HOW DID THE HEATHENS EVEN DO THIS!?!?"

"Artorias calm down! What's gotten into you?" Elizabeth tried to suppress Artorias's sudden rage, however, it was all to no avail.

"Let go of me now!!"

<< What's the matter, young traveller? Had I said something wrong? Please be positive! Smile! There is no need for sadness! Please! What can I do for you? What would make you happy? Please let me know and I'll definitely do it! >>

"Act like a normal person! Or is this truly the work of heretics? Are you doing this willingly or are you under influence? Shall you need to be condemned or freed!?"

<< Act normal… Controlled? I am acting normal you see! Does your planet have people frowning all the time? Depressed and negative? Is that the norm for you people? If that will make you happy! I shall try my best to emulate that for you! … … How does this look? >> He put on the worst fake frown conceivable, one twitchy and very unstable.

That was when suddenly, the front door to the house was sprung wide open, allowing the howling wind to enter. And, from the door entered Meryl, one of her hands leaning back as though she was dragging something, something with a clear, distinct, foul stench.

<< I'm back grandpa! >> She spoke in an upbeat tone, unknown stains of blue on her mouth.

<< Oh! My little sweetie! You're back already? How was it? >>

<< Fun! Very fun! >> She nodded vigorously. << But, why are you frowning grandpa? What is making you so sad? >>

<< Oh! Fear not my dear Meryl! I am simply pretending to do so for our cherished guests! >>

<< Oooohhh!! Okay! Fun! >> She chuckled at her grandpa's goofy face.

<< Anyways my little dear, what is that you are dragging behind you? >>

<< Oh… This? I came back to ask you about this… >> Her smile grew larger as she looked back at what she had in hand, as she slowly dragged it in front of her bare, blue-stained feet.

And, as soon as what she had came into full view, their dull eyes grew wide, and their pupils dilated to the size of pees, especially Hikari who could not help but watch in horror.

In her hand was something deformed, a monstrosity fleeting on the precipice of beyond recognition.

It was a corpse… One of a child, dyed in blue from head to toe, blood dripping out of every pore. The body itself had various members missing… Missing with clear bite marks left on each missing limb, almost as if entire chunks were bitten off, leaving a mangled mess that showed visible bone. The face itself was not left out either… It lacked no eyes, ears, mouth, and barely any skin. It was almost as if that was the main course.

Yet, despite the clear, repugnant disfigurement, part of them knew exactly who it was, yet did not want to believe it… However, their suspicions were soon after confirmed by the small little girl herself.

<< This is Beavle! He had alien slimy stuff on him! Me and my friends really wanted a taste so he was glad to let us have it! But, now the fun is over, what should I do with the rest of him? >>

<< Ho ho! My little granddaughter! You really did have some fun, didn't you? How did it taste? >>

<< Delicious! >> She licked the lingering blood from her mouth.

<< I'm happy to hear! You can put his remains on top of the slide to make it even taller! I'm certain he would love to have his dead body serve even more fun to all of you! One day, the slide will be so tall that you will be able to see the king's castle past the clouds! >>