The Demon Lord And His Hero

Rowan and Syryn were sitting side by side in their garden, watching Levia chase Lucien for a piece of chicken.

"Ryn, do you ever wonder if people are born in pairs, like soul mates decided by the universe?"

Syryn tipped his head back and thought about it. "If that was true then it is unfortunate. Imagine missing out on having a soul mate because one of them got drunk and fell off a cliff."

"You two are intolerable," Alka told the couple. He had on a pair of rough leather gloves that protected his skin from the toxic sap of the plants he was handling.

"What are you talking about?" Syryn protested.

"Sitting there and discussing sappy feelings like old women. You disgust me."

Rowan smiled because Alka had no idea how old they really were.

"I like it," Syryn replied. "It's nice."

"Senile amnesiac," Alka responded without heat. "It's your big day tomorrow, Syryn. You're getting married and I can't believe it."

"No one's getting married," Lucien shouted loudly. "If Rowan wants to marry Syryn then he'll have to ask for my permission!"

"No one cares, Luci," Alka shouted back. He was suddenly reminded of Magnus. What would the fire mage think of the Lucien that little Luci had grown into? And where was Magnus anyway? Dead?

"Oh, by the way, Salem wants more succulents for the shop. They're very popular with the young women," Syryn told Alka.

"Tell him to grow them himself," Alka grumbled. The cheap plants were annoying to take care of and didn't bring in enough money to warrant his wastage of time. Nonetheless, he made a mental note to buy more seeds. He would grow enough that Salem would have his hands full for a year.

____

"Wake up, Ryn."

The sun wasn't up yet but Rowan was. The choosing ceremony began at noon when the sun would be directly above them.

"Rowan, too early," Syryn mumbled through a haze of sleep. His violet eyes were half-open as he looked up at the gorgeous man leaning on an arm and smiling at him. "You're really hot, Ro," he added. Rowan was hot both figuratively and literally. His warm body was flush against Syryn.

The anti mage savoured these moments of quiet that made him forget it all. Everything he had done, was for Syryn. In hindsight, something was very wrong with Rowan and he was cognizant of it. The blond knew it was crazy for anyone to mean so much to another. His feelings went beyond the definition of simple love.

"Syryn," he softly called to the sleeping beauty.

The demon lord cracked one eye open. "Yes?"

"Do you wanna take a walk with me?"

Syryn craned his neck to look out the window. "Now?" He asked in disbelief.

Restless energy had taken over the anti mage's body. He was looking forward to the ceremony but somewhere inside, a kernel of fear grew its roots in his heart. Whenever good things happened to him and Ryn, it was always followed by a shadow of ill luck. Rowan wasn't a superstitious man but experience was a painful mistress who had taught him well about being too happy when it came to Syryn.

"Yes, now. Come with me?" Rowan responded.

The alchemist felt the change in Rowan's mood. "Yeah, let's go for a walk."

_____

Sunrise brought with it the chirping of birds and a bounty of food from their well-stocked kitchen.

Syryn was a picture of calm but Rowan felt like his insides were tossing about.

"It's time," Salem reminded them. "Are you two ready?"

They weren't.

"Whatever, let's get it done with," Syryn said to the table.

Rowan was gripped with uncertainty. It wasn't supposed to happen this way. Syryn didn't understand what he was getting himself into.

"Ryn-"

"I want to do this," Syryn cut him off like he had read Rowan's mind. "Maybe I'll regret, maybe I won't. But, I'm not making a big mistake, am I?"

Rowan opened his mouth but words failed him. Whether Syryn wanted him or not, Rowan would have to fight the war that was coming for them, for Syryn's soul.

"We'll be alright, Ryn," he answered. "Just promise you'll never leave me." It was selfish of him to ask this of Syryn but Rowan needed the assurance even if he received a lie for it.

Syryn wordlessly took Rowan's hand in his. "Promises are paper-thin, but I'll give you my word, Rowan. I will never betray the goodwill you've shown me. Without my memories, I cannot make promises because I am unable to even trust my own self."

It was more than he could ask for. Rowan placed a light kiss on Syryn's lips. Today, his world was going to change forever.

____

Eos' temple had opened its doors for the ceremony. Lantern flowers hung from every door and window. In the centre of the expansive hall where the worshippers gathered, a circular glass skylight allowed sunlight to concentrate on a raised pedestal where an ancient lantern plant with a single large bud sat. The bud was pure white in colour and furled tightly into a perfect oval. It would bloom only for Eos' chosen.

worshippers poured in like ants and filled up the temple from one end to the other. The royal family was separated from the commoners. They sat in front and were flanked by other VIPs.

"What's going to happen?" Drake whispered to Dionys.

"No idea. I pray that Lillith is prepared for heartbreak."

"There's never been.." Drake thought better than to finish that sentence. Syryn wasn't known for being conventional.

Soft music began to play when the sun's rays aligned with the lantern plant.

"Is Rowan late?" Someone whispered.

"Maybe. The priestess' are already here."

Three women had been narrowed down for Rowan. Among them, Lillith stood in between, overshadowing her rivals with her beauty. Her silver hair was loose, perfumed, and wreathed in gold buds. She wore a heavy gold dress that was designed to mimic the dress that would be worn by Eos' chosen. She had all but declared herself the chosen. This was her quiet statement to the public, given the scandal ridden circumstances that had come up.

"Look, that shameless Syryn really came," one novice priest pointed out to another.

"And Rowan too. Are they crazy? I can imagine Syryn would pull such a stunt, but Rowan? He should know better than to let his boy toy manipulate him to this extent."

"So shameful.."

Syryn hadn't made any extra effort for this special day. It was enough to arrive as himself. He made eye contact with the princess who defiantly raised her chin at him.

"Rowan, hold my hand," Syryn asked his boyfriend.. "That woman is getting on my nerves."