Marked Ones: Advent of the Demon Prince-Chapter 366: Unsettled Beasts

Wally gently sauntered through the halls of his home in Arcadios's castle. He still occupied the room at the base of the Oracle's tower, though his presence was no longer a necessity in that space with Rena having moved to Lefae's personal quarter of the castle.

He could have, or maybe should have, gone back to the academy, but it was quite nice being so close to his granddaughter. Now that he knew Adellia had known his identity all along, he wanted to take advantage of it as much as he could. Not only that, but he was finally able to treat Lyrah and Lucius as his great-grandchildren. Lucius even had a bundle of joy of his own.

"Hmm." Wally mused. He opened the door to his room and gazed upon a painting he had ordered to be made years ago. "How you would have enjoyed this Rosette, my love. My little Emilia, how wonderfully happy you would be to hold your own grandchild. I'm finally going to meet her. I hear Adellia was the one who named her. Penelope. Lyrah has shared the young one is as cute as a button. I give her the affections I know you would have."

Wally placed two fingers on his lips and pressed them gently upon the foreheads of both women in the painting. With a small chuckle he turned to leave his quarters and finally meet his great-grandchild. While he meandered through the stone halls, a presence fell upon him. It was oppressive at first, but faded a moment later.

"Ah, dear Kalivas. Come to meet her as well?"

"I have."

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A large beastman with jet-black hair and panther-like tail and ears stepped in line with him. No doubt he had managed to infiltrate the building without anyone noticing. Technically there was no request in the works for him to gain entry to the borders, but as one of the two people maintaining the balance of this kingdom—or perhaps territory is more appropriate since it was not the kingdom itself that mattered, but the land—Wally was more than happy to overlook it.

The two men reached their fated destination. Wally thought he caught Kalivas's breath hitch as he opened the door, making the old man chuckle again. Inside the room was a wonderful sight. Lucius was laying sloppily over Rena's lap while Adellia, Rubellia, and Lyrah cooed over Penelope. The infant's giggles spread warmth through the air that soothed the old man's aching heart.

"Father. Grandpa Wally." Lucius called out. Wally nearly fell over at the boy's casual demeanor. His hand was simply held in the air, but he made no move to actually stand. Something changed about him, but it seemed as though it were for the better.

"My son. Is this…her?" Kalivas's voice broke. Adellia turned to face him, holding the black-haired child in her arms. Penelope had inherited her mother's green eyes and they stared wildly at the bestial warrior.

Adellia smiled gently, "Yes, Kalivas. Meet your granddaughter. She looks so much like Lyrah did when she was this age. Here, hold her, would you?"

Kalivas took the child into his arms, treating her as the most precious of treasures. While he was fascinated by her small size and adorable appearance, Penelope was only interested in one thing: the ears atop his head. Wally noticed the glinting of a silver bangle on the child's ankle.

"What is that? Some sort of modern baby fashion?" He wondered. It was enchanted, so maybe it was more than that?

"A protective charm of sorts." Rena answered, pushing Lucius to the floor on her way to greet them. Her husband grumbled complaints, but brushed himself off before joining them. He grabbed Kalliope's hand, helping her to stand.

Kalivas quickly caught the surprising visual. "Congratulations are in order it seems. Both for the Kane family and the Gray Wolf Clan. Do you believe it will be a boy or a girl?"

Kalliope smirked. "It's possible it is one of each. We are expecting twins."

Before Kalivas could respond, Lyrah cleared her throat. "Father. Do you not have another reason for being here? Penelope is adorable as can be, and a ballooned-up Kalliope is certainly amusing, but I know you have other business, do you not?"

Wally looked to his friend. He suspected something else was afoot. Kalivas sighed and passed the child to her mother. There was a small whine in protest, but she quickly nestled into her mother's chest seeking food.

"Wally, we must make way to Raleron. The basilisk. It is enraged. Deeltas, my cohort in Eroa went to investigate but…" Kalivas sighed. "I spoke with the Dragon of Eroa and he believes him to be dead. If the basilisk is allowed to run rampant, the balance will be disrupted."

"Gaellion has awakened? No matter. What of Raleron's guardians?" Normally the Dragon of Eroa would sleep for centuries at a time, but if he has awakened, then something important may be on the horizon.

"No sign of them."

"Alright. I will speak with Fenrir and the Thunderking about my departure." Wally turned to the rest of the room; his eyes paused on little Penelope. "I will return in short time. Worry not. With this muscle-brained buffoon's strength and my magic, I am sure we will make short work of the overgrown garden snake."

***

Wally and Kalivas bid slow goodbyes to the group, pausing the longest on Rena, Kalliope, and Penelope. Lucius could barely suppress a smile at the two men cooing at his daughter, despite how high up the food chain of the world they were. Once they were gone, Lucius turned to rest on the couch. Since Rena was gone, he began to make his way to Jade.

"Jade, please lend me your lap for a few. My nap was interrupted by…"

"Not so fast, brother dearest." Lyrah said coldly. He turned to face her, all sense of mirth gone from him. She only took on a serious tone when it mattered. "You have no time to rest either. You have something to do as well."

He met her cool gaze with equal intensity. Both of their eyes shimmered with power. Lyrah continued, "To climb the spire, you must first descend into the depths of despair. Seek what was rightfully yours through all time, hiding in darkness it hungers. Power, waiting for someone strong enough to seize it. Survive the Demon's Stomach and return, strong enough to protect your family. Fail, and everything, everyone, will be lost to you. Forever."

The spire? Was she referring to the demon's spire from before the attack on the Academy? Lucius definitely recognized the Demon's Stomach. It was a dungeon between Pelith and the capital. At one point, Rena and he were going to venture into it together. Grimm even mentioned it one time.

"I can't just leave my wives behind. Kalliope is pregnant. Penelope is barely old enough to hold up her own head."

"Then stay. And lose them." Lyrah replied. Her tone was icier than death's embrace. "Lose everything, brother dearest. Without the power that awaits you at the dungeon's depths, you will not be strong enough to protect them."

"Just tell me straight, Lyrah. What will I lose them to?"

"I can't tell you."

"Do you know?"

"I do. But that does not matter. Because I will not tell you. I have seen what happens if you know everything too soon." Her gaze settled upon Penelope. "It is better you do as I say. That is if you would like to see your little hellfire burn as bright as the future I have seen for her. Or, you can let her flames be snuffed out by this cruel world. The choice is yours, brother dearest."