Chapter Text
Royal Makai, Castle Lillith
To say it was a beautiful day would be an understatement as if one looks outside, as it almost looks like it's nighttime. To the mamono that lives within the castle town of Royal Makai; it's a marvelous time for a day to either enjoy it with their husbands or open their shops to old and new customers with a smile. For the Mamono Lord and her husband; it's another eventful day for their family.
"Mommy! Daddy! It's time to get up!"
Barging into their bedroom is their first-born daughter. The married couple groaned as they got up, rubbing their eyes to banish any remnants of tiredness. The mother stretched her white wings and looked toward her child with a smile. "You know you don't have to keep doing this, right?" She asked, "Mommy and Daddy are capable of getting up on their own, alright."
"I know, but I wanted to make sure you are." The daughter said, her bright smile never leaving. She and the mother are alike with their appearances. The older succubus white hair going down to her hips with her two pair of horns being the same color as they form something like a crown. Her eyes shine an eerie red but are filled with love. Her daughter's hair goes past her shoulder with her bangs covering her right eye. Her horns are but nubs as they haven't grown out yet. Her wings were small, but she can still fly. Both their tails swayed lazily. "Come on! Breakfast is almost done!"
"Alright Theodora, just let us get dress first and we'll join you shortly."
Theodora nodded and ran out of their room. "It seems Theo really enjoys mornings, doesn't she Lilly?" her husband asked. She turns to face him, giggling.
"Well, she is a very energetic child. Especially when it involves breakfast, Cedric."
Her husband had a fine chiseled body, as expected of a former hero. His short golden hair glistened in the light of day. His eyes shines like fine emeralds. He smiled and said, "I can't argue with that. After all, breakfast is the most important part of the day."
His wife gave him a quick kiss. "Let's not keep Theo waiting too long, dear."
Royal Makai, Throne Room
After having breakfast, Theodora and Cedric went to spend the day at the forest. Lillith would have joined them, but she had other tasks to do. Sitting on a lavish throne that is next to another, with a desk in front of her with a neatly organized workspace, she signed and stamped a paper and placed it in a stack with others, then pulled another from a stack next to her to look over. She preferred doing this sort of thing in here, as she was comfortable doing it there than her study.
She hated doing paperwork, but it is a necessary evil to have in order to keep the kingdom from falling into chaos. Some of them were about approvals for new laws, some were requesting some aide in traveling to get some supplies, while others are from Baphomet's newly established Sabbath. It was small, but she expects to expand it more and have other mamono from various races join it. Baphomet may have a vast knowledge of magic, but she wanted to learn more. And with the help from many mamono and her witches, she can provide spells that can prevent large casualties and transportation. She is now in the prosses of learning dimensional warping.
"Honestly, singing these blasted papers makes me feel like they're draining the life out of me." she said while opening and closing her hand to prevent any cramps, "I wish I can assign someone else to do it. That way I can spend time with my family and not worry about getting a headache from doing this,"
"Thou wouldst condemn a poor soul to do thy tasks? That is very caddish, even for thee, Lilly."
Lillith wasn't surprised of who spoke to her and turned to her visitor. People would mistake her for a young girl given her appearance, but the Lord of Mamono knows very well of who her longtime friend is. Her long brown hair was tied into pigtails and pinned by small goat skulls that, funnily enough, matches with her large brown goat horns growing from her head. Her clothing, if one can call them that, mainly consists of two thin metal sheets that acts as her bra and panties with gold trim with small spikey pauldrons attached to both sides of her waist. Her hands were four fingered brown beast-like paws ending with cream-colored fluffy tuffs while her feet were goat hooves that also end fluffy tuffs. Her cape flowed all the way to where her soft goat tail is. The cape was black on the front side while the back side is dark red with black fur on the shoulders. It is connected by a metal goat skull that is similar to her decretive hair pins with a black and gold cloth that has intricate details on it.
Her purple eyes held a mischievous look as she gives her friend a smug smirk. Lillith smiled and said, "I know Baphomet, but can you blame me for wanting to be with my husband and daughter than doing this." She got up and held up a piece of paper to empathize her point.
Baphomet laughed a little. "I agree. Thou hast achieved so much that thee deserve a break." She smiled genuinely as Lillith put the paper down and held her arms out. She accepted and embraced each other warmly. "It is wonderful to see thee again."
"Me to." Lillith said, "You been in your lab for months and have not been visiting as often. Theo was beginning to worry that something has happened to you." They broke their hug as Baphomet gave the ruler some space. "I am terribly sorry if I cause trepidation in young Theodora, I promise thee that I, the great Baphomet, shall compensate for the lost moments with the princess." The demonic goat gave a dramatic bow to her. Lillith laughed and smiled again. Her friend was as much of a workaholic as her and will be engrossed in whatever research that is in need of her attention. Though it was rare for her to be doing it a lot longer than her average research; as some of them were mostly of new spells and potions.
"I have a feeling this visit isn't because of that, now would it Baphomet?" She said with a raised eyebrow.
Baphomet ceased her theatrics and took on her signature smug look, "As keenly observant as ever, Lilly." She holds her paw out and summoned a leather book, the subject of her research Lillith deduced. She looked closely at the ancient tome and noticed its design on the front was that of the Order's insignia with runes on the bottom. "I discovered it amidst the vestiges of an abandoned city of the Order, manifestly from the time before thou didst usurp the throne of the old lord."
The Mamono Lord was intrigued of her friend's discovery. She has a feeling this book contains spells judging by the ancient writing. But why was it left in the ruins? She knew the Order would make sure any books, whether important or not, would be extracted and not fall into the hands of their enemies. So why an exception to this book then? "What spells does it contain?"
"Verily, they are but contingencies should the valiant stray from their course, yet one incantation hath aroused my curiosity." The ancient demoness opened the book and started flipping through the pages before stopping on the one she was looking for. She turned the book over to let Lillith see it. The succubus's eyes were wide with intrigue. The page had an illustration of an incantation circle that takes up a large space in a room and is surrounded by seventeen hooded individuals. She knows some knowledge of ancient languages and the writing on the page is during the old era but has been updated to be more readable. The name of the spell was...
"Other World Hero Summoning Ritual."
Baphomet nodded with enthusiasm on her face, "If my theory is rectified, then the Order had summoned champions from other realms to succor them in their time of great need. Though I do suspect that the rituals hath not fared well for them, for there exist no records of those folk nor their deeds of merit."
Lillith is left with more questions than answers. Why did the Order leave no mention of the heroes they summoned? Did something happen to warrant the abandonment of this ritual along with this book? And who are these individuals? Before she could inquire further, the door to the throne room burst open, revealing a lizardman guard who looks troubled. "What happened?" the ruler asked worriedly.
"The king and princess came back with two human children during their trek, and they are in need of medical attention!" the guard informed her.
Lillith was already flying out the door and heading towards the infirmary, flapping each wing to make her flight quicker.
"Alas, verily this doth vex me sorely." Baphomet said worriedly as well. What perplexed was how are these human children not monsterized already?
Whatever the case, she will provide assistance in healing whatever injuries they had. With that, she cast a spell to teleport herself to the infirmary. This conversation about this discovery will have to be told another time.