Whisper thought he was speaking to her, ready to defend itself, but he held up a hand and pointed behind him.

“They will not obey your orders,” a soft pitched voice said, and Void turned to look at them.

The monster seemed to make a point not to look toward Whisper, and she wondered why.

There sat a white haired demon, with electric red skin and deep purple eyes regarding their new sire.

Though she was on the ground, holding her side, she kept her head high.

“Will you?” Void tipped his head to the side.

“They do not take the word of the minority. Anyone who dares to tell the truth gains nothing in situations like this.The ones that return will either face punishment for failure or virtue for lies. I will be killed when I go back with nothing, and so will those who admit defeat, which most will. Let me stay here, let me assist you in your build of power!”

“Build of power?” Void repeated, confused.

“You are quite weak right now my Void, and your power is like a young gargoyle learning to fly. The chances of you crashing and burning are high.” Whisper supplied.

“You’re a target,” the white haired monster added, “More of these attacks will happen, with stronger, more conscious beasts. Especially now that the rest of the monsters can feel your growing presence. But it is more than that. I’ve heard that the Myths and Miracles have caught wind of your creation. To everyone, you are exposed, through and through.”

The monster looked between them both in pure bewilderment.

“I’m going to need a rundown, and then I’ll decide what to do with you both.”

“Of course,” they said simultaneously, lowering their heads respectfully.

Whisper guessed as much that Void hadn’t decided whether it would be an asset to keep around. Besides, information and an insatiable hunger was all she could offer at the moment, unless…

“Tell us what we’re up against, first.” Void demanded.

The demon breathed slowly for a bit, and Whisper saw she was still hurt, “Well, I’m sure by now you know about Shine’s Moons, the spheres floating around the human realm, ‘Earth’, that host everything Shine ever created.”

“Yes, I’ve had a few nights to read about them. They’re invisible to the human eye.” 

“Precisely. We’re unsure how many moons there are exactly, as every known hidden creature has one, and then some that aren’t recognized come through every day, but we know they fit under one of three categories: Myths, Miracles, and Monsters. Monsters have had the most power changes in millennia, yours included. Our last ruler, Abyss, had a…very different greeting to our world than you did. Not to mention, we can smell the differences in you. You were once human. While the Myths and Miracles may treat them as babies to take care of, Monsters are not so nice. The Myths and Miracles are not so much your concern as the Monsters should be. We’ve always known humans as weak, and it’s not uncommon for us to attack, especially at night. I’m guessing that had something to do with how you got here?” The demon breathed a bit hard after her rant. Whisper was mere feet away, with no way of helping.

“In a loose sense, yes I was attacked, but-”

“Are you okay?” It finally brought attention to her state of being. 

She cleared her throat, “Yes, I am fine. Please continue my lord.” again, she never looked toward Whisper. 

“I think you should heal first, but I’m not exactly educated on monster wounds. Do your weapons act like human ones, or are they more magic-based?” Void asked, kneeling down to look her in the eyes.

“Unfortunately, demons were not blessed with healing properties like many others. No matter the injury, we heal about as slow as the humans we deem weak, or not at all. There should be someone among the dead with a bag to use for wounds, the rest I can handle.” 

Void nodded and began searching the mangled bodies. While he did so, Whisper kept a keen gaze on her. The demon glanced in her direction, but would not meet her gaze still.

“Am I so beneath you that you seek to ignore me?” Whisper spoke, voice distorted with slight anger.

“I apologize, but if I look into your eyes, that may be my last moments of life.”

Whisper was left confused, “Why is that?”

“Well, you are an Eater, and my soul is very weak at the moment. You could easily consume me in a blink.”

“I don’t think that rank has much to do with it, I’ve almost eaten Void before.”

“In this realm? I don’t believe it.”

“No…it wasn’t here, he was in the humans’ realm.”

“Then of course you could eat him there, everyone’s abilities are severely dampened in the human world.”

She took the time to think about it. This demon was very much right. Even her own hunger was less than it would have been in the Realms. Sometimes she could go days without consuming a single soul. 

Void came back with five bloodied bags in one hand, “These are all I’ve found.”

The way this monster presented himself, no one would ever guess he was the newest holder of the Dark Realms. Void sat down beside the demon, watching carefully as she treated her injuries, asking questions like a toddler just introduced to life. One could compare him to such, seeing as he’d only been in their world a few short years.

When she was done, she looked visibly better, bandaged and relaxed. Void helped her to her feet and she used a random spear as a crutch. 

“What is your name?” Void asked her.

“Lotus,” she answered with slight pride and said nothing more.

“Lotus,” Void repeated, “Whisper and I could use your knowledge.”

Whisper’s eyes widened, “S-Sir? Are you meaning-?”

“Both of you have knowledge of this place that I was never told. You can help me build my strength, broaden my supporters against these mysterious powerhouses, and best of all, expand my knowledge of what it is I’m supposed to be ruling over. With this new power, I’m sure there is something I can do for you as well?”

“Yes, there is!” Whisper piped up, “Somewhere in you, there is a memory of my creation. If the spirit before you transferred everything to you, you know how to remake me, or rather remake my body. Along with that, you can also teach me how to control this hunger. I could be of more use with my body, I’m sure!”

Void nodded in agreement to all she said before looking at Lotus in expectation.

“As I’m thinking about it, I cannot stay here. I would probably be of more use to you strengthening your numbers in the Demon Realm. However, if you need me…”

The demon held her hand toward Void, and she instructed him to stab two claws through it.

Void looked affronted, so Whisper informed, “Demons usually don’t have names, only signals, symbols and markings, that are given to trusted holders to call on them in a time of need. I’m guessing Lotus gave itself this name?” She received a nod of confirmation, “But your usual markings are pricks, yes?”

“Yes, I find it’s the least painful for me.”

“You just asked me to stab through your hand, though.”

“I will be fine, just- ah!” Lotus squeaked as Void got it over with, two of his claws sticking through the bottom of her hand. All of them looked at the damage with wide eyes of surprise.

“Okay,” she breathed out, “Now say my name.”

“Lotus.” Void said firmly, though his face looked paler than pale. This was confusing to Whisper, seeing the carnage he’d just committed minutes before.

The demon’s eyes flashed for a moment before she removed her own hand with gritted teeth. The holes immediately closed.

Whisper muttered a “fascinating”. 

“I will be around if you need me, just remember my name and call me with a purpose.” Lotus instructed Void, who stiffly nodded.

The demon limped away into the shadowed horizon, leaving Whisper and Void in the quiet expanse of nothingness.

“So what are we doing first, Sire?”

Void shook away his haze of awe, glancing down at the strange monster awaiting his order.

“We make you a new body.”