Page 79 of The Dark Lord Awakens
I watched as Azrael meticulously arranged my breakfast—each item placed with reverent precision, his movements almost ceremonial. Had he always done this? Was I only noticing now because I knew about his… devotional activities?
The void commerce solution was working better than I’d anticipated, even if it had taken an unexpected turn intoreligious merchandise. With the treasury steadily replenishing itself, we could maintain the relief efforts while beginning the more ambitious rebuilding projects. And all it took was selling some fancy mushrooms, shadow goo, and apparently my bathwater to interdimensional customers.
My business professors would be so proud. Or horrified. Possibly both.
After bathing and dressing (with a new awareness of Azrael’s careful collection of my discarded bathwater), I wolfed down breakfast (the kitchen had finally mastered proper scrambled eggs after three disastrous attempts that I’m pretty sure violated the Geneva Convention) and headed to the council chamber where the department heads gathered each morning.
The room fell silent as I entered, the assembled demons rising and bowing deeply. I waved them back to their seats, still not entirely comfortable with the whole “worship me” vibe despite a month of practice.
“Morning, everyone. What’s new in the realm of perpetual twilight and questionable infrastructure?” I asked, dropping into the ornate chair at the head of the table.
Lady Shadowfax’s shadowy form rippled slightly as she spoke first. “My lord, seventy-three new refugees arrived before dawn—primarily goblins with a small contingent of marsh sprites from the deep forest interior.”
“Marsh sprites? That’s new,” I said, leaning forward with interest. “They’re from the deep forest, right? Not the edges?”
“Correct, my lord,” Lady Shadowfax confirmed. “Their arrival suggests the disturbance is spreading deeper into the forest interior. They speak of ‘shadows that eat light’ consuming everything in their path.”
“Shadows that eat light,” I repeated, drumming my fingers on the table. “That’s both poetically terrifying and completelyunhelpful as a description. Did anyone get a clear look at whatever’s causing this?”
“The sprites claim that those who look directly at the phenomenon ‘become shadows themselves,’” Lady Shadowfax replied. “Most informative was their report that the disturbance began three nights ago in their region, suggesting an accelerating pattern of expansion.”
Great. Just what we needed—a monster buffet working its way through the local ecosystem like me at an all-you-can-eat pizza bar.
“Double the perimeter patrols,” I ordered. “And have your agents interview these sprites thoroughly. I want every detail they can remember, no matter how insignificant it seems.”
“It shall be done, my lord,” Lady Shadowfax inclined her head slightly.
General Smashington cleared his throat—a sound like boulders tumbling down a mountainside. “My troops report increased activity along the western edge as well. The creatures that normally avoid the forest boundary are fleeing deeper into our territory.”
“Are they threatening the camp?” I asked, immediately concerned.
“Not directly, my lord. My soldiers have established a containment perimeter. But the wildlife displacement is… unprecedented.” The massive four-armed general shifted uncomfortably. “Creatures that are natural enemies have been observed traveling together, united by common fear.”
That was genuinely concerning. When predator and prey decide to buddy up, you know something scarier than both of them is on the menu.
“Keep me updated on any changes,” I said. “We may need to consider a direct investigation soon.”
“With all due respect, my lord,” Azrael interjected smoothly from his position behind my chair, “such an expedition would require extensive preparation and security measures. The unknown nature of the threat demands caution.”
“Noted,” I replied, recognizing the protective concern beneath his formal tone. “But I’m not sending others to face something I’m not willing to confront myself. We’ll discuss specifics when we have more information.”
Healer 47’s delicate antennae quivered slightly as she spoke next. “My lord, I am pleased to report continued improvement in all medical cases. The void supplements have produced unprecedented recovery rates, particularly in the most severely malnourished patients.”
“That’s great news.” I smiled. “Any unexpected side effects I should know about?”
The mothlike demon hesitated, her compound eyes reflecting the room’s light in kaleidoscopic patterns. “There have been… physical changes in some patients, my lord. Nothing concerning but noteworthy. Enhanced natural features, increased magical resonance, accelerated healing beyond normal parameters.”
“I’ve noticed similar changes in the castle staff.” I nodded. “And some of the citizens during my camp visits.”
“Most fascinating is the correlation between duration of void provision consumption and the extent of enhancement,” Healer 47 continued, her scientific curiosity clearly piqued. “Those who have consumed the greatest quantities show the most pronounced changes.”
I glanced at Magister Wiggles, whose translucent skin seemed more vibrant today, the magical patterns swirling beneath it more complex and colorful than I remembered. “Magister, any theories on what’s causing these changes?”
The ancient scholar demon’s eyes lit up—literally glowing with excitement. “My preliminary investigations suggest an interdimensional resonance effect, my lord! The void products appear to contain trace elements unknown in our realm, which catalyze latent magical potential in our physiology!”
“In laymen’s term, please.” I sighed.
“The void food makes us more of what we already are,” Magister Wiggles simplified, his magical patterns swirling faster. “It enhances our innate qualities and abilities. The effect is most pronounced in those with greater magical potential to begin with.”
