The Return of the Order: Act 23

On arriving in the demon realm Louisa steadied the twins, “It gets easier with practise,” she said. “Now be watchful, there will be those looking to capitalise on the chaos the reapers are causing.”

Louisa spread her wings and lifted into the air, the twins followed close behind, ever watchful as they made their way to Typhon’s stronghold. They were met with raucous shouts as they neared Typhon’s throne. The noise abated quickly as the assembled demons noticed their arrival. It was clear that news of William’s banishment to the realm had spread. Whispers at the edge of the crowd questioned the identity of the demons that flanked Louisa, she grinned, realising that none of them had expected her children, born and brought up in the human realm, to have so readily accepted and controlled their demon forms.

Typhon stood as he saw them approach, the whispers had not gone unnoticed by him either. “Louisa, my heir and champion, your sudden arrival brings joy and concern. Will you present the two whom you have brought with you?”

“Lord Typhon, may I present the children of Malphas, your grandchildren, Raven and Lilith.”

An uneasy hush settled across the room and Typhon moved forward and embraced the twins, whispering, “Don’t look so worried, I knew who you were, it is for the benefit of those who did not think your parents capable of raising such fine demons.” Louder, ensuring everyone could hear, he continued, “Welcome children of Malphas, who carry the blood of the dragon, you are a credit to your bloodlines, and your deeds are already being spoken of throughout the realm."

The twins looked at him confused, “They may not be yet, but they will be soon,” he smirked.

Moving his attention to Louisa, he continued, "I am correct in assuming this was about more than presenting the children before they came of age."

“Yes, a friend and protector of the family has been banished here and is in grave danger if we do not retrieve him soon.”

“Undertaker?”

“No father, William, he was punished for his actions against the reaper that attempted to harm Lilith and who planned on killing the rest of us.”

Typhon growled, causing those demons nearest to him to shift and move back. “Then it is true that there is war between the reapers? And he is truly protecting you?”

"Yes, father, and he is is extremely dear to Lilith."

Typhon’s face darkened at the news; he was far from fond of the reapers. He only accepted Undertaker because he was so unlike the others and had always respected Jayne's decision when she chose Typhon over him. However, Lilith's feelings for William were evident, as was her fear for his safety.

“We had heard a reaper was here. There are demons out searching for him, with intentions less charitable than yours. I will ensure that my hordes are instructed as to his role in aiding you. They will find him first and will bring him directly to me.”

As he spoke a roar reverberated from the back of the room. They turned to see two demons dragging a bloodied and bruised William towards the assembled crowd. Lilith turned to move, only to find her mother grasping her arm. “No, you must stay. If we are to take him from here alive, your grandfather must deal with this. But be ready."

Lilith growled, anger rising along with the pain of seeing William in such a state. Typhon moved through the crowd of baying demons. “You will release the reaper to me.”

“You would have all the sport for yourself, Typhon?” Hissed one of the slobbering creatures that held William.

“No, I would release the reaper, it is not his time yet.”

“Release him. But he is a reaper, they are the ones killing our kind, he was sent here to be punished, and punished he shall be.”

Typhon roared, spread his wings, and stood to his full height. “Do I not rule here? I have said he is to be released, there will be time and reapers enough for you to have your sport. This reaper and those under his command are not responsible for the killing of the demons or their offspring. Would I or my bloodline protect him if he were? Those that would destroy us will be punished when they are found.”

The baying creature whimpered and bowed low, “As you command Lord Typhon, we wait on your pleasure, but promises made must be kept.”

“And they shall be.”

The creatures dropped William at Typhon's feet. Louisa released Lilith from her grasp; she and Raven rushed forward to retrieve him. Louisa turned to her father, "Thank you, Lord Typhon, it will give us great pleasure to send those who wrong our kind to meet their end here amongst those they despise the most."

A roar went up from the assembled demons at her words. Typhon embraced his daughter, “Go, get him back to the library, he will recover there quickest.”

“The library has already fallen to the other faction, we fought a contingent of them, that is how we knew he was here.”

“A victory then.”

“A hollow one, they are using enchanted scythes, stronger than the one once held by the Order. They are capable of killing reapers and demons; few of the reaper faction were dispatched with their own weapons, and one of our own is gravely injured."

"Then return now to the human world. We will join you presently, and we will stand together with Malphas and those reapers who stand with you.”

Louisa nodded, embraced him and then motioned for the twins to leave. Raven carried William’s limp form with Lilith close by his side, her gaze never straying far from William as they journeyed back to the human world and Lord Birch’s manor.