Inside Imuru's office, Linira stood formally before him, with Yosho and Roll flanking his sides, while Arken remained a silent, watchful presence at the door.
"I've spoken with Roll, and we have an offer for you and the rest of Shadow of the Moon," Imuru began, his tone steady but open.
"An offer? What may that be?" Linira inquired, her gaze attentive as she waited for him to elaborate.
Imuru glanced at Roll, who took the lead from there. "This might sound... harsh," Roll said carefully. "And I respect you, Linira, but to prevent further issues with my former home... Shadow of the Moon will be under the room of Cherisnot, and under Lord Imuru's authority. You will be the bridge—the one to help integrate them into our environment."
He paused, allowing the weight of it to settle. "There is one simple rule that must be followed above all: Disputes must be settled in a respectful manner amongst each other. As Dark Deviders, we have a habit of resorting to unnecessary violence. That will not be accepted here. We have an area in development where that... urge can be released safely. Do you understand?"
"you've made quite a place for yourself here. Your parents would've been proud." Linira's voice held a rare note of something almost atone to kinship. "I understand your point, and will take this to the others." With a final, respectful nod, she turned and left the office.
Roll breathed a long sigh of relief once the door slid shut. "Did... did I do well?" He asked Imuru, his feigned stoicism faded.
"You're a natural, Roll," Imuru replied, his smile warm and genuine. "To think you doubt yourself. When you're so naturally good."
"Thank you. I'm glad I did well for you, Lord Imuru," Roll said, standing a little taller.
"I think you'd make a perfect leader," Imuru mused for a moment, before shifting his tone back to planning. "Now, putting this behind us... If we can't live here in blissful ignorance, then we need to ensure there won't be any threats to us—from the inside or the outside—without having to lift a finger. It'll be a good idea to get other prominent forces on our side. Cat Daughter... And the others."
"Pointless," Arken spoke from the doorway, his voice flat and dismissive. "With Shadow of the Moon under your control, we can now simply crush any opposition with overwhelming force. No need for diplomacy."
They stared at Arken blankly, dismissing his words almost immediately.
"Since you brought it up. Which would you prefer to meet first? When I went home to retrieve the books, we came to the conclusion to start with Cat Daughter. Does that work for you?" Yosho inquired.
Imuru thought for a brief second, and an important memory surfacing in his brain, where he'll need to put that on hold for a bit longer. "Works… There is something else coming up in two days, I'll need to attend to… Orcs."
"Orcs? I don't recall any in the Sacred Forest." Yosho thought over her words carefully for a second. "Unless, you mean Pink Grunts? Though I think they're extinct at this point, I haven't seen any in years."
"Extinct?" Imuru repeated, curious as to how that could've happened.
"Persudos… Busy bees," Yosho replied, with dry sarcasm.
"Persudos." Imuru sank in his chair. "Always Persudos. They really do eat anything. They're apex predators alright, isn't that for certain."
Imuru cleared his throat. "There's no need for us to worry about them any longer… Thankfully. On the other hand, I pretty clearly recalled Forcent referring to the creature as an Orc."
"Forcent?" Arken muttered. "Where is that unreliable mutt?!"
"Ah. Hunting. It's part of his daily routine. Besides, we can't blame him for what happened here," Imuru replied.
Arken frowned, a low rumble in his throat. "You baby that creature too much," He grumbled, accusation blunt and unfiltered.
This was indeed a truth Imuru felt deeply uncomfortable having aired so plainly in front of Yosho and Roll. He glanced at them with slightly panicked eyes—a fleeting look that pleaded 'don't listen to him' before turning back to Arken with a soft, strained reply.
"No. I do not. I treat everyone equally..." He paused, gathering his composure. "Remember, not all have the same needs. So you're merely... mistaken."
Imuru cleared his throat, forcefully steering the subject away. "Back on to the important topic. As I said, we'll need to forge some kind of alliance with the other heads of the Sacred Forest. Collon will be preparing a meeting with me and Cat's Daughter. Until then... I have the Orcs to deal with."
He turned to Arken, a playful tilt to the head. "Would you like to come, Arken?" He asked, leaning forward slightly with a coaxing smile.
"To accompany you?..." Arken said, his tone flat. "If you so wish, then I shall. But I will not have the Ennom tail behind me," He added swiftly.
"Uh, I'm not sure how that's supposed to work. Forcent's the bridge here, between them and us," Imuru replied, scratching his head. "If he wasn't, I would've left him."
"Fine," Arken gave in, his voice clipped. "The Ennom may travel along."
"Awe~... very kind of you," Imuru teased, his eyes twinkling. He leaned back in his chair with a contented sigh. "Things around here are gonna be a lot more busy." He turned his head toward Roll. "Are you sure you're okay with them moving here? Managing them is a significant increase in work."
"Have no need to fret. In fact, I'm looking forward to it," Roll replied, a knowing steady light in his eyes. "Even better, they're now all officially below me, and will be following my orders. I knew a few Deviders that would be in denial about now."
Imuru had Roll in his sights from the corner of his eyes. "So, deep down there's pride," He thought with a touch of warmth. "It's nice to see he's humble about it."
Not planning to sit in his office all day, Imuru got up from around his desk. "Remember. We're all one of the same. There will be no treating anyone differently, understand?" He said, his tone firm but kind.
Roll gave a simple nod, the obvious first, and only one in the room to have no complaints and concerns.
"If they decide to drag your name through the dirt?" Yosho inquired, her brow frowned with concern.
"And refuse my orders," Arken threw in, to the surprise of no-one.
Imuru pondered for a few seconds. "Just... ignore it. As for you, Arken—if it comes to that, find Linira—for the sake of order. Remember, we do not want unnecessary fighting. I'm sure deep down they're still grieving the defeat of their former leader."
"Lord Imuru," Roll suddenly spoke up, his curiosity breaking through. "If I may... you defeated Head-hand Arg? What was it like fighting him? If I were to guess there wasn't much of a fight at all."
Yosho and Roll listened intently; even Arken's attention seemed to sharpen much more than the others.
"I wouldn't say easy... He was strong, very strong," Imuru replied, modestly.
Arken's eyes shut, a sharp and quiet breath of annoyance from his nostrils. He knew—they all knew—Imuru was merely underselling himself, as he always did.
They had just stepped out onto the porch when Chaos descended from above. The two Shadow of the Moon assassins who'd been knocked out earlier had awoken and we're clinging upside-down from the roof like spiders. The moment the group learned the doorway, they dropped like silent stones, aimed straight for Imuru.
They never reached him.
Yosho moved in a blur of preemptive violence. She intercepted them both with a sweeping kick, knocking both down out of the air, and right down into the dirt of the earth.
"What the—!" Imuru exclaimed, dropping back in panicked shock.
Yosho and Roll immediately shoved themselves in front of him, forming a human shield. Arken didn't bother with defense. He strode forward before they recovered, grabbed one assassin by the throat with each hand, and lifted them clean off the ground, their feet dangling.
"Wow, gently!" Imuru said, peeking through the narrow gap between Yosho and Roll.
Arken glared at the two choking figures, recognition flashing in his eyes. He turned, and approached, dropping them unceremoniously in front of the steps. "The most ridiculous of the clan. There's nothing to fear—these are twins: Keeni and Keeny. Specialist in sneaking up on their targets. I'd forgotten how far my clan had fallen."
"Hey, listen, we were forced to do this!" Keeni gasped, rubbing his throat.
"Yeah, don't blame us," Keeny backed up, scowling.
"You think we wanted this?" Keeni's eyes grew wide, his hands clawing at the air as if grasping for something grander. "To never feel the thrill of battle? To march head on with the thought that I might not make it back... Without fear, just the possibility of death... Ugh~... I could only imagine! But we're stuck with this."
"Exactly!" Keeny cut in, his voice fierce. "Keeni and I weren't bred for the sneaky stuff! They tossed us into this—we were forced. So don't ever think we're weak."
Arken stared, something shifting behind his stern expression. "That pride," He mumbled, genuine shock softening his tone. "There did still hope, it seems. You two—stand! There is hope for those who were lost by the horrible decisions of our clan. Follow me, and I will teach you the true ways of the Dark Deviders."
Keeni and Keeny were on their feet in an instant, eyes blazing. "The true ways of the Dark Deviders?!" They echoed in unison.
"Oh, wait—" Keeni paused, drawing a serrated blade from his own shadow with a flick of his skill. "We still have a job to do."
Imuru finally stepped forward, sighing internally. He cleared his throat loudly, drawing all attention. "Excuse me. I'm Imuru. And the battle? It's long over?"
"The battle is over when Head-hand Arg decides," Keeni retorted, still holding his blade ready.
"Um~... Mr. Head-hand Arg is no longer with us," Imuru said, keeping his pleasant, patient smile firmly in place. "Linira is in command now. You really don't want to make her angry... Do you?"
Keeni and Keeny exchanged a long, silent look. The fight drained out of them at once. Keeni's blade clattered to the ground, and both raised their hands in surrender, their rebellious fire banked by the simple, new reality.
"Are you all now subjects of Head-hand Linira?" Keeni asked, his head tilted in genuine curiosity.
"This is a nice settlement for us to have under our control. It's gonna make our future expeditions in the forest much easier," Keeny said, nudging his brother.
"Dear, you must be mistaken," Yosho stepped forward, her voice cool and firm. "Great Imuru is in control of your clan. Shadow of the Moon is now an extension of Cherisnot from this day forward. Allow me to be the first to welcome you."
"Oa~. I think I'd like to hear those words from Head-hand Linira herself," Keeni said, crossing his arms defiantly.
"This is the truth. Get used to it," Roll said, his usually submissive demeanor sharpening into something edged and dangerous as he peered into the twins' soul.
"We're not scared of you," Keeny spoke up, puffing out his chest.
Roll shrugged his shoulders as he walked down the steps. "Maybe we should teach them the gap between the Great Demon Lord and them."
"Seriously, no, not Roll," Imuru thought, utterly bamboozled by Roll's sudden aggressive turn.
"Agreed. I will no longer take such disrespect toward Great Imuru." Yosho followed, moving down beside Roll.
Arken glanced up to lock eyes with Imuru, the Demon Lord silently asking, 'what the heck is happening?' Arken could only shrug in bewildered response. Arken felt strangely out of place, watching his role being filled by others.
Imuru hurried down the steps, getting between the two groups. "Okay, this is not happening," He exclaimed.
Just then with Imuru this close, Keeni took the opportunity to strike at Imuru with a chop. Imuru caught his wrist without even looking, his grip like iron.
"Keeni!" Keeny screamed in shock, diving for his blade in his shadow with a swift skill activation—only for Arken to grab him from behind by the scruff of his neck and casually toss him aside like a bothersome kitten.
Keeni struggled uselessly against Imuru's hold while Imuru sternly addressed Yosho and Roll, their attention split between his lecture and the squirming Dark Devider in his grip.
"We are not starting fights to prove points," Imuru said firmly, finally releasing Keeni, who fell backward onto his backside, gasping.