"Julius, grab your jacket, we're headed to the market," a middle-aged demon woman shouted to her 15 year old son.
"Coming Mother! Are we going to see Uncle G today? His food is the best!" Julius replied with excitement.
"Yes dear, we also need to stop by your school for conferences. That's why I had you put on your school uniform," his mother replied.
"But school is so boring!" Julius complained. He didn't want his mother to catch on. He had a big surprise in store for her at the parent teacher conference.
The two stepped out of their small, yet cozy home around midday and walked about ½ mile through the city streets. The streets were busy as the local market stalls had everything a demon needed.
Clothes. Jewelry. School supplies, human flesh, blood, books, furniture, weapons, armor and more.
"Hey Clarissa! It's great to see you out with young Julius. You two look great! How's Robert? Still off serving in the military?" a demon, around 400 years old, said to the woman and her son.
"Your shop looks as lovely as ever Tatu! I wish Robert would pick me up something from your shop! Unfortunately, he's at base #2 training the military. Thanks for asking! That necklace looks amazing. Is that new?" Clarissa asked excitedly.
"Yes, it is. I made it myself, just as I always do. Tell him to stop by one day. I'll give him a big discount," Tatu said politely.
"I really like this one mom! It would look so beautiful on you," Julius said as he grabbed a necklace from the higher priced section.
"Aw, thanks love but be careful with that. That's an expensive one," Clarissa said while returning it neatly to its shelf.
"Don't worry about it. He's just a curious lad, just like his mother and father when they were young," Tatu said while winking at Julius. "Well, I hope to see you soon," Tatu said as Clarissa and Julius made their way to Mr. G's food stand.
"Uncle G!" Julius exclaimed. "Do you have any Uthra flesh this month? What about Uthra blood?" Julius asked as he gave the butcher a giant hug.
Mr. G was Robert's brother and sold flesh and blood in the marketplace. He prided himself on always having pure flesh and pure blood—never mixed or diluted. He also always ensured it was from people who had recently passed away or died in battle. He didn't believe in the human trapping operation.
However, many other shopkeepers were in the human trapping business. They would trap humans on the outskirts of Prosperia, throw them in a dungeon, fatten them up and kill them like a pig for slaughter. They were able to get large amounts of flesh and always ensured they drew all of the blood.
Others shops mixed human flesh with ground beef or animal flesh and still charged the same price.
"I do Jules but I really hate to tell you two, but ever since Sora and Brie became King and Queen, Azazel has raised the taxes on us! It's inhumane I tell you!" Mr. G said quietly.
"I've noticed things have become a lot more expensive around here. Even the cost of living went up. Thankfully Robert is in the military, so our house is paid for," Clarissa said while shaking her head.
"Well, here's your regular order, it'll be 50 vites I'm afraid," Mr. G said.
"That's double your regular price! How bad is it?" Clarissa whispered.
"It's bad. I threw in two extra pounds and an extra gallon of blood. That's double your usual order to make up for it," Mr. G whispered.
"Gary, no. You need to make a living, we will be fine," Clarissa said as she slipped a centavite into his pocket.
"Thanks. But get out of here. The princes have been out and about more recently," Gary said as he rushed the two along.
"See ya uncle G! Thanks for the Uthra flesh!" Julius said as he held the two gallons of blood for his mother.
*****
After dropping off the food in the refrigerator at home, they headed straight for Julius' school. Thankfully, it was close.
"Hi Mrs. Nerissa!" Julius exclaimed.
Mrs. Nerissa was his favorite teacher.
"Why hello Julius and I see you have your mom with you!" Mrs. Nerissa said back politely.
"Hey—how are you doing with everything?" Clarissa asked, empathetically.
"I'm good. I'm good. Let's talk about Julius. Have you shown your mother your demonic art yet?" Mrs. Nerissa asked excitedly.
"Nope! Just like you asked! Can I finally show her?!?!" Julius exclaimed.
"Of course, but not here! Let's go to the training area," Mrs. Nerissa suggested.
Julius ran ahead to get changed and the ladies walked slowly behind.
"Seriously though, how are you doing? I know every demon was killed in that attack on the Kings Castle. Everyone saw the broadcast beforehand. I hate being so blunt, but you won't open up!" Clarissa said with desperation.
"My daughter wouldn't go down without a fight, and I don't think she would have fought anyone in Sora's party. I raised her better than that," Mrs. Nerissa said with a kind smile.
"So, you're saying Seraphina fought demons instead? How does she make it out of that alive? How does she dodge the attack of the dragon? I'm sorry I'm not trying to be mean or discourage your hope. I'm just trying to be realistic here," Clarissa pleaded.
"Do you know what Seraphina's demon art is, Clarissa?" Mrs. Nerissa asked.
"She can form shuriken out of any material and change her hair color at will," Clarissa said.
"Do you know why she can change her hair color at will?"
Clarissa shook her head no.
"She has supersonic speed. The lighter her hair, the faster she is. She could have fled and returned to that battlefield at any time," Mrs. Nerissa said with a smile.
Clarissa did her best to hide her shocked expression, but it just made the teacher smile. They entered the training room, and Julius was in the center, eager to show off his demon art.
"Go ahead Julius, show your mother," Mrs. Nerissa said with a kind smile.
Julius took a deep breath and focused. "Sorry mom!" he yelled.
"Propaganda!" Julius screamed. His white eyes glowed and his mom collapsed to the ground.
Clarissa got up in a rage and tried to attack Mrs. Nerissa. When she got close, Julius yelled, "Release!"
Clarissa immediately stopped and dropped the broken piece of chair she was holding in shock.
"By the gods— I didn't have an ounce of control of my mind or body. Was that Julius?" Clarissa asked, clearly spooked.
"Indeed, as he grows more powerful the amount of people he can control at once—who knows? You've been a wonderful mother. Don't ever let that change. I think he needs a suitable teacher, I've done all I can," Mrs. Nerissa said.
"But who?" Clarissa asked.
"I'm not sure, but I scheduled this conference at this time for a reason," Mrs. Nerissa said with a wink.
"Julius come watch the television once you've changed back into your uniform."
"Sounds good thanks Mrs. N!" Julius exclaimed as he ran out of the room.
Mrs. Nerissa turned on the television in the training room.
"Breaking news here on your demonic underground network, where our Lord cannot see or hear what we have to bring to the good demon people. I'm Demon X and with me, from Sorbella, is Demon Y," the masked demon said in a muffled voice. No one knew if it was a male or female.
"Thanks demon X. As you can see, the King has recovered from injury and returned to his duties. 50 demons are approaching to ask to live in Sorbella. This is big news so everybody stay tuned," the other masked demon said, also with a muffled voice.
"I didn't know this news station existed!" Clarissa said.
"And it should stay that way. You're going to have to make a choice soon, Clarissa, your son or your husband," Mrs. Nerissa whispered.
Julius sprinted back in another room in his school uniform and looked up at the TV.
Sora was greeting 50 starved, ragged demons in search of a place to live.
"Sera! Help please!" Sora yelled.
Seraphina and the rest of Sora's party teleported to him, each holding wrapped flesh and gallons of blood.
"Of course we will find homes for you!" Sora said gleefully.
"That's all for today everyone. Stay tuned. If you want to know this week's passcode it's Savior and the pickup time is 05:00 in 3 days. We do have a warning. We cannot guarantee your safety all the way to Sorbella; it is a risky journey." Demon y said and the screens turned fuzzy.
******
Deep in Azazel's lair:
"How the hell are demons leaving my city after Pride did exactly as I asked! How is Brie alive?!" Azazel demanded.
"Do you really think you're the only one with one of us working with you?" the woman asked.
"But it's forbidden by Athena!" Azazel pleaded.
"Yet here I am. It's not like you're losing much. If some demons wanna go live with the brat, let them go live with the brat," the goddess said.
"And why can't I just launch a full attack with all of my sins and princes?" Azazel demanded. "Are you sure you're even on my side?"
The goddess laughed. "Be my guest. Throw away 7000 years of work. Why would I waste 7000 years with you if we didn't have a clear end goal. What's the point of ruling if there's no one left to rule?" The goddess said mockingly.
"You need to relax. There will come a time where you will get to end Sora yourself. Only then will you truly be King."
"Ok. I'm sorry my lady, it's just getting tiring," Azazel surrendered with a bow.
A bright pair of golden eyes appeared.
"Remember, when the time is right, you kill Sora and become a god. Only then can we truly be together," the goddess said as she kissed Azazel.
He took her back to his bedroom. Even the evilest demon in the world enjoys having a good time with a woman. Especially a goddess.