Chapter Text
In the barren outskirts of the world lies the [Demon Dungeon] which houses powerful demon generals every fifteen floors within its one hundred and twenty. Each floor treks deeper into the soil, underneath where the sun cannot shine and darkness reigns superior as unnatural light flickers throughout every hall and chamber. The ominous crimson flames used for light become increasingly necessary delving deeper down and as they increase the more the rooms are hued blood red. It’s no wonder it’s often referred to as the gateway to Hell.
The reason for such architecture is all due to the everlasting conflict between the humans and the demons, a strife that has continued for eons and one that refuses to end. That is however if an adventurer somehow finds themselves reaching the lowest level of the dungeon and meeting the resident dwelling inside.
The infamous, self proclaimed -Reaper Queen- ever confident in her skill to reap the souls of the adventurers determined enough to take her head. For if they do, they would restore peace to mankind as they have made fall the world’s [Demon Lord].
Of course, there are other more self-interested benefits for such a fit, such as fifty million gold, the lifetime support from the kingdom, and being lionized as the world savior. So suffice to say the number of adventurers in a flurry to defeat her is no laughing matter, although what is, is the lack of many of them reaching her in the first place, as dangerous demons lurk the dungeon along with the generals made to prevent any who dare go deeper. Yes, for an adventurer to go and set foot in such a place, they must have had the clearest intent on killing the Reaper Queen.
... That is, all but one.
-[Demon Dungeon]-
“My, aren’t you a little young to have gone this far? Looking forward to beheading me that bad, huh? Hm. I can respect that.” [Calliope] the -Reaper Queen- uttered with a sly grin on her face as she looks down on the girl from her throne. She squints her eyes, the bright display of both features and clothing of the girl standing before her a stark contrast to the dark shadows of her chamber, so deep beneath the earth that no human could thrive. It is a peculiar sight all things considered, with such bright orange and teal hair, along with magenta eyes, and clad in a vibrant outfit not seemingly suited for combat, it’s... strange to see when she has been only privy to the perpetual night of the ground for what feels like forever. But it will be no different, she already expects this to be only a few measly seconds of her time.
[Kiara] an -Arcane Warrior- at last speaks up, “N-no! why would I do that! You’re prettier with it attached to your gorgeous body!” She exclaims, pent up energy within her bursting out, and the prior nervousness of finally being in Calli’s presence dissolving into newfound confidence.
“... What? Wait just a moment—” There’s a hint of peaking alarm in her voice and Calli forces it down, “W-Why are you here again? To attempt my life, right?”
“You could say so.” Kiara beams, and with a hand to her chest proclaims, “I’m Kiara Takanashi, an Arcane Warrior from the Adventurer’s Academy and I’m here to challenge you, Calliope Mori! And if I win you will vow to spend your life with me, as my wife!”
SWOOSH~
The sound of Calli’s scythe cutting into the air and releasing a magical slash fills the room and is the only company left as the human girl is cut in half, poofing into a coffin and thunking down on the ground. Her tight grip slackens as her face heats in embarrassment and very clearly anger. Rubbing her forehead she hopes that was the last she ever will see of the foolish human, but a foreboding feeling digs into her being and she snaps her fingers for a round of wine. She suspects she needs it.
-[Folstina Church]-
[Ina’nis] a -Cleric- sits patiently on the first row of the church, ready any minute for when her friend respawns. She ensured Kiara had enough money to revive, like always, despite the girl’s bold statement that she wouldn’t need it this time around now that she’s certain she’ll be able to reach Calliope. Love conquers all, and all that. Ina made sure to put all her love into knocking the sense into the girl so she actually thinks. Why did she have to be the singular brain cell between them? If only Kiara could use her brain when it comes to the Reaper Queen and not her… heart.
Well. Nothing to do about it, if distance and time would only seem to grow her love, then why should she rationalize it? And she is sincerely happy for her, it seems she indeed has a chance to meet Calliope as each attempt ever since the first has been a progressive step forward, and last time she got to the seventh general. Although how Kiara beat them the first go around she will never know as the girl refuses to tell her. The last general she fought, the sixth, took the most tries to beat out of the previous five, so hopefully, it wasn’t just out of pure luck.
To do this all for love of the Demon Lord... humu, even now she can’t condemn it as heavily as others probably would, she’s admittedly only a little better than Kiara. At least she doesn’t have a single fixation on anyone real. Ina huffed a little painfully at the thought. Seriously, why wasn’t there any—
FWOOM!
A casket appears in front of her with “Kiara” labeled on the front and she scurries to open it. Lifting the lid she finds Kiara pouting with her arms around her legs and she sighs, raising her hand to comfort the upset girl.
“She one-hit KO-ed me! I didn’t even get to do anything other than proclaiming my love!” Kiara whines and Ina somehow sympathizes with the Reaper Queen.
She lays her hand on Kiara’s head, now hatless due to the girl’s movement in the coffin, and begins petting, “There, there, at least you got to do that, right? I mean you weren’t there to kill her, so not getting to fight isn’t such a loss.”
Kiara lets out a sigh, less upset, “yeah... but I really wanted to show off!” She suddenly stands up from the coffin, “and, you know, I still want to win the fight against her, to show that we’re equals!” She states a fire reigniting in her eyes, and she goes to pick up her hat and put it back on. Ina is again shown the girl’s fiery resolution, and could only shake her head with a smile as they begin walking out the cathedral.
“Alrighty then, but I bet it was still scythe to meet her.” Ina chuckles in which Kiara groans.
“Ina, that’s how I died!”
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