The Red Hand Interlude 10 – The Spirits Discuss the Past and the Future

Interlude 10 – The Spirits Discuss the Past and the Future.

Announcent

Apologize for the error. My file doesn't have these in the right place, so when I uploaded the chapters, I accidentally skipped this one. I will place it in the correct order on the list.

"I can't believe it's co to this." Mizumi sighed. She, Shinlua, and Kukurihi were sitting around a table in the greenhouse discussing recent events. They'd brought out so alcohol since they needed sothing to take the edge off.

"That our own descendants would co to act in such a fashion... I imagine Dokorimon would be spinning in his grave if he had one." Kukurihi shook her head in disbelief. She'd been inford of the events within Omara, and was both saddened and angered by the foolishness of the Council.

{Our people fled this world out of fear of humanity, but to think they'd one day co back to kill and enslave them... Our people never wanted that, so why would they try and do such a thing. I understand being angry at those who attacked you in that other world, but the people of Earth have done nothing to you. Even in the past, clashes were minor, and it was rare for one of us to perish by human hands.} (Kukurihi)

"It's funny. Many of our kind think us better than others, and yet we're no different when you get down to it." Mizumi gave a defeated laugh as she took a shot of sake. "We disparage humans for their petty squabbles, yet here we are... We finally get to a place where we can live in peace, and the first thing we do is make an enemy of the very being that could destroy us..." She took another sip. Mizumi didn't really like alcohol, but right now, she needed a drink.

"At the very least, Akagi seems like she has no malicious intent." Shinlua gave a wry smile. "I'm not sure if that's just being optimistic or naive."

"Probably a mix of both." (Mizumi x Kukurihi)

"Don't get wrong, Akagi has been a big help in getting Omara to where it is, and she's not exactly a terrible person." Mizumi groaned. "It's just that I know her well enough by this point... That mind of hers is a crazy place, and I don't even want to imagine what might happen to her over the centuries and millennia."

{I anticipate that things will go the way of EVERY being that has a long lifespan. She'll eventually get bored and start doing things to entertain herself. I just hope that she doesn't start seeing PEOPLE as acceptable targets for boredom alleviation.} (Mizumi)

"Ti has a way of warping people. I've only been around a few thousand years, and I can tell that I've beco much less attached to the world around ." Kukurihi gave a nervous laugh. “Its just what happens...”

"I understand what you an." Shinlua gave a wry smile. "My kind lives much shorter lives than yours, but even our outlook can confuse humans. I suppose that is a natural part of living longer than most other beings."

{Humans typically see us Elves as aloof or uncaring, sothing that is not necessarily untrue.} (Shinlua)

"And Akagi will live on far longer than any of us." Mizumi laughed as she put her head on the table. "If nothing kills her, that crazy Demon will be here forever! And I've dood our people to eternally serving her..."

{Things couldn't get any worse...} (Mizumi)

"Please don't say things like that, Lady Mizumi." Shinlua tried to comfort her. "Things will be fine. While becoming subjects of a Demon Lord is not the most... desirable outco, I believe it was the most favorable outco we could have gotten."

{We could easily be dead or wishing we were right now, so lets just be thankful for the cards we've been dealt, rather than wishing we could have a new hand.} (Shinlua)

"Indeed, from what you've told , she intends to allow things to run as they were before, and she isn't exactly making you slaves. In fact, having such an existence protecting you has its benefits." Kukurihi tried to make her feel better with head pats.

{Why are they treating like a child?!? I know your older than , but its still not right!} (Mizumi)

As she was dying on the inside from being comforted by Kukurihi, a voice called out to them.

"Oh? Is soone else using the greenhouse today?" Alice entered the greenhouse while holding Floofy in her arms.

"Hello, Alice." Mizumi sighed.

{I swear if she starts to comfort too, I'ma scream...} (Mizumi)

"It's that sweet child from last ti!" Kukurihi's eyes sparkled when she saw Alice. "Co here." She patted her lap.

"???" Alice tilted her head. "Ahh, you're that old lady who was here before!" She didn't recognize Kukurihi at first and gave her a knockout blow.

"Pfff." (Shinlua x Mizumi)

"O-old..." Kukurihi froze.

{O-old...} (Kukurihi)

"Mama said that you were one of those an old ladies who do nothing but drink box wine and take care of cats 'cause you're lonely!" Alice stepped back.

"Oh, my fucking god!" Mizumi burst out laughing. "Akagi, you're so awful!"

{But that was great...} (Mizumi)

"I..." Kukurihi had no idea what to even say to such comnts from the child.

"I think she broke." Shinlua was having a hard ti holding in laughter as she watched Kukurihi break.

Alice's lips curled into a smirk. "Just kidding!" She started laughing. "Mama said no such thing. I just wanted to ss with you!" She walked up to the Oni and crawled onto her lap.

"THAT'S EVEN FUNNIER!" Mizumi started pounding on the table as she laughed, and Shinlua finally lost control of herself. Being slightly buzzed probably didn't help.

"Why would you do such a thing?!? I thought you were a sweet child!" Kukurihi shook off her shock and questioned her.

"I'm my mother's daughter. What did you expect?" Alice grinned.

"She corrupted you!" Kukurhi cried out in horror

"Maybe?" Alice thought for a mont. "Yeah, probably. But that's fine." She smiled.

"I knew that Demon was no good!" Kukurihi's eyes lit up with fire. "I shall save you, my child, no matter the cost!"

"Good luck." Alice laughed.

"I see that Akagi's child is just as feisty as she is." Shinlua was still giggling. "Though, I must ask what kind of saint the father is if he can put up with such a woman." This comnt caused the entire room to quiet up.

{Did I ask sothing I shouldn't have?} Shinlua started sweating nervously.

"Alice is not Akagi's biological child, Shinlua." Mizumi decided to explain things. "She took her in during their ti in-ga, and formally adopted her as her daughter once they returned to Earth. Her biological parents are... are no longer with us."

"Oh...." Shinlua felt bad for bringing up the topic. "I'm sorry, Alice. I didn't an to bring back bad mories with my words."

"It's fine." Alice hugged Floofy. "Mama has been a great Mama to . She's taken care of ever since we first t..."

{I barely even rember my real parents anymore, and I don't even recall what their faces looked like....} (Alice)

"My poor child." Kukurihi stroked her head. "You've been through so much, haven't you?" She had a soft spot for children and didn't like to see them in pain.

"It's been hard, there were so many an people that did bad things to , but Mama has been nothing but kind to ." Alice said while her face was pushed against Floofy. "She saved from the pain..."

"You love Akagi very much, don't you?" Mizumi asked. She'd sobered up slightly now that Alice was here, but was still drunk.

"Yeah!" Alice smiled. "Mama always plays with every day, and she does everything she can to make smile. Though I wish she'd let do more for her..." She knew Akagi kept so of her own issues away from her. When she found out just how lonely Akagi was without Yumi, the girl yelled at her for not seeking her out. The Demon didn't like the idea of relying on her for support, but Alice told her that it was perfectly fine and scolded her for being stupid.

"I'm glad to hear that." Kukurihi smiled. "I can't say much about Akagi myself, but it's nice to see her taking such good care of you."

"Yeah, it's still strange to think the Demon Lord can be a loving parent." Mizumi sighed. "It goes against all logic."

"Mama... Mama's parents were awful people..." Alice said quietly. "They were terrible to her, and they hated her." She knew a small bit of Akagi's history, as the Demon had shared a bit about her own past to get Alice to open up. "The other day, Mama's Mama said sothing that made her sad... so Mama ca into my room and hugged while singing a song. Kana explained it to later, but Mama was in a lot of pain..."

Kukurihi and Shinlua didn't really understand the situation and looked at Mizumi.

"Akagi's parents were, for whatever reason, aware that she was not human, and treated her as a pariah her entire life." Mizumi gave a bitter smile. "She was hated by her own parents, and that contributed to how bitter and twisted of a person she is today. It's... it's truly awful. Demon Lord or not, for a young child to experience such hatred is... is unacceptable." She shook her head.

{She's only told a tiny fraction of the story, and I imagine it goes much deeper. I wonder if Vikes went through sothing similar?} (Mizumi)

"That's..." Kukurihi had no idea what to say. "To think that one could treat their own child in such a way." She shook her head. "I cannot even fathom such a thing. I've loved every mber of my family, from my own son to my distant descendants. Hating one's own child for simply not being human is just..."

{What appalling people. She was a child who needed a loving family! Pushing her away for being born differently is just awful!} (Kukurihi)

"But it's all ok!" Alice smiled as she kicked her feet. "Mama has all of us now!" She smiled. "We all love her and support her so she's never alone again."

"That's good to hear." Kukurihi pat her on the head.

{I wonder where we fall in that? Does Akagi actually give a damn about and the Spirits, or are we just toys for her amusent?} (Mizumi)

"The other day Mama and I had so much fun!" Alice looked over at Mizumi. "She was telling all sorts of stories about your new ho! She even showed pictures! It was so pretty, and the people seed really nice."

"Thank you." Mizumi smiled. The girl's warmth was infectious.

{I just hope Akagi really ans it when she says that she wants this girl to always smile.} (Mizumi)

"Mama told that after Serval is beaten that she'd take to see the Spirit City." Alice smiled.

"I'd love to show you around." Shinlua chuckled. "It is a wonderful place."

"Mama said so too!" Alice's words surprised the Elf and Water Spirit. "She loved the whole place! She told about all the people she t, and the things that she and Kana did! When she talked to about it, she had the biggest smile on her face!" Alice giggled. "Mama seed to like your ho a lot, and she didn't stop talking about it for like a week! Mama said it reminded her of Antkellion, which was our favorite place to go in FWO. It was always busy, and the people there were so much fun!"

{Did she really enjoy herself that much?} (Mizumi)

"Mama even told that she wants to make your ho even better once she gets her country in the Sumr." Alice said. "What was it that she said to ?" She thought for a minute. "Ahh, yes. She said. I want to make that world into a place where everyone can be happy!"

Alice's words again shocked Shinlua and Mizumi. They never expected Akagi to take such a liking to their ho, and the idea of the Demon genuinely desiring the happiness of their people had never crossed their minds.

"I would love for that!" Mizumi giggled. "And I'll work as hard as possible with Akagi to make it happen."

"As will I." Shinlua smiled.

{Perhaps I've misjudged her yet again. Is it really possible that Akagi truly wants to make my people... happy?} (Mizumi)