The Seven Demon's Tamer

Chapter 7

Luxy simply stared; that is all he could do right now. He stared, puzzled and surprised at the new information he was gaining from Hollow.

To be honest, just like Hollow stated, he had no clue whether or why he suddenly changed. He was just like the other obedient servants in the Dracogon's plane, and suddenly, one day, he decided to disobey the Dracogon.

After listening to Hollow, he understood why he did so. It was because of Ryder.

"Who are you, Ryder!" That question echoed in Luxy's brain.

"I had the aim to steal the Dracogon's attention, but still, the Dracogon never paid me any attention," he thought inwardly.

"I was guessing the Dracogon didn't notice me all this while, but that wasn't the case. The Dracogon knew all I was doing but didn't punish me because of the shared connection we had with Ryder from the moment of his birth."

Hollow raised his snow-white furry arm a bit upwards, just a few inches above his head, and spoke.

"You see, Ryder, Dracogon made a very silly mistake the moment he alerted us about how much interest he has in you.

All the monarchs keep secrets from each other, especially the vital ones, and what the Dracogon did was expose something that should have been his little secret.

Despite the fact that I don't know what is special about you, I still will be choosing you as my summoner as well.

I trust the Dracogon's choice; that is why I will be snatching you from him."

Ryder quickly processed what this meant and stepped backward.

"You want to bind with my soul!" said Ryder.

Despite Hollow's wolf-like face, he was still able to smile. He showed a devilish smirk and replied,

"That's right."

Ryder took another step backward. "No, I already have a familiar!"

Hollow didn't give a damn. His answer was given in action rather than words.

A sudden wave of ripples traveled through the air, passing through every single place in the entire Hollow's plane where they stood.

Unlike Luxy, there was no need for permission. A monarch does not need permission to enter a host.

Ryder's body slowly lifted upwards to a distance above the ground and suspended in the air while a blend of purple and red crackling energy flowed into him from Hollow's outstretched claws like lightning.

"No!" Luxy's eyes widened as he watched from the ground, but he was unable to do anything. More than anything, he was afraid to intervene.

Slowly, Hollow's body began to disintegrate into dust particles and flowed towards Ryder, leaving a small red tattoo on Ryder's neck upon completion.

The air settled like nothing ever happened, and Ryder returned to the ground on his feet.

"Ahhh, my head," he moaned lightly as he placed his palm over his head.

He didn't need anyone to tell him what just happened; a monarch is now in his body.

Looking downwards, he could see Luxy staring at him with a locked gaze.

For a whole long while, their gaze remained unwavering, not uttering a word to each other but rather feeling the breeze that traveled through their bodies.

"I guess he is in you now," Luxy broke the silence. "My time with you is over, isn't it?"

"No, it's not," Ryder replied back.

Luxy walked forward, away from Ryder, then halted. "Really, what can you do? Nothing!

A monarch is in you; you do not necessarily need me now, after all." Luxy smiled sadly.

"You are my friend; you have saved my life, and there is a connection between us," said Ryder. "You said the soul can contain limitless familiars, right? I want you back now."

"No... I... I don't think it will be possible now.

I believe you have noticed a difference in our binding. Other than the fancy lightning, Hollow didn't ask for your permission before binding with you.

He separated you from me by simply flicking his hand. This is a monarch; he is in control.

If there is going to be a chance for us to be one again, you will have to negotiate and talk things out with him from the inside.

If he doesn't see eye-to-eye with your negotiation, then it's goodbye."

Ryder nodded with firm determination etched on his face.

"Right!"

Unlike how he conversed with Luxy, he approached Hollow differently. It was like the knowledge suddenly came to his head.

Sitting down on the floor, Ryder closed his eyes. Suddenly, he felt his whole consciousness being jolted into his soul space.

He couldn't even tell if it was his consciousness alone that was brought into this space or his whole body, but right now, it doesn't matter.

Looking ahead, he could see the horizon right before his eyes. This space he is in is a vast expanse of land with red natural lighting, enabling him to see properly.

On the smooth, leveled ground, stagnant water could be seen rising just a bit off the ground. This water is the oddest Ryder has ever seen; it wasn't cool like it should have been, nor could it make him wet.

He couldn't feel the expected moist feeling.

In a short distance away, he could see a figure in particular: a humanoid wolf-like creature with snow-white skin.

Its body is standing about ten feet tall, and its muscle was pronounced. Judging by its body appearance, no one would be able to guess that this is a demon beast, but that thought will be instantly tossed out of the window if its eyes are seen.

A pair of deep red eyes and the most menacing glare it gave out made Ryder tremble slightly.

"Is this why it had its eyes closed most of the time!"

"This is interesting; it is my first time to be in a soul dimension." Hollow licked his claws, then rested on a throne made out of bone behind him. "There haven't been anyone who is capable to contract me or any other demon monarch."

"I am not interested in your blabbering," Ryder fired.

Hollow didn't even pause for the briefest moment as he continued speaking.

"The moment any of us demon monarchs marks a human, they instantly die. Bearing our mark alone is hard enough.

You do not even seem pressed, so you might just be able to hold another demon, maybe the Dracogon!

The Dracogon and I can be in one body! This thought alone is making me excited.

He will clearly not be in approval, maybe might go as far as trying to force me out, but rest assured, I will not be leaving. I am a demon monarch as well, after all; I cannot be overpowered."

"Hollow! I am not interested in these," Ryder started.

Hollow paused briefly, then spoke. "I'm not in a bad mood right now, so tell me what you are interested in right now, or make a wish if you want!"

Ryder had just two words to say as his wish: "Get out!"