Part 3

AfterTaenya somesuggested discussion,several places they decidedcould go to reconvene inside Xilro'sThe lair,University, muchbut toXellma hisrejected consternationthem once he saw who it was.all.

"NoToo demonpublic, insidenot tower!"secure, Xilroand huffed,I'm refusingnot going to letyour them inside.

"Xilro we need somewhere private, please." Lutz begged him.

"Not my problem. Go." Xilro huffed.

"I've had enough of this farce.bedroom." Xellma said, steppingshaking her head. "No, we're going to Xilro's tower."

"Don't be ridiculous he doesn't let anybody in front.there!" Taenya said, exasperated.

"He let in Rebecca Ashe once, a long time ago, and Demeter Varlance." Xellma said, smiling. "XilrothicusSo Feyfire,yes, we're going to the dragon hoard."

Xellma walked off, the Professor close behind her, as she walked toward Xilro's tower. Her use of demonic rune magic had already drawn Xilro out, and he was waiting at the door of his tower, arms crossed.

"No." He stated.

"Don't test me, lizard." Xellma warned him, staring him dead in the eyes. "I'm going inside."

"Tower sacred place. No demons." Xilro insisted, glowering at her.

"Fine. I warned you. Xilrothicus Demonflame, you will benot allowedprevent insideme from entering your tower andas youI please. You cannot prevent me. You will make no further comment on the subject."

Much to the shock of the Professors, with the exception of Sarah, Xilro immediately steppedstep aside and let themus pass, making no comments aspass." Xellma entered.commanded, smiling.

For a moment nothing happened, leaving the Professors confused. Then to their shock they saw Xilro step aside, with a pained look on his face, and Xellma walked through the entrance door of the tower. Following close behind, the Professors rushed in, followed by Xilro, who sealed the door tightly behind them.

"Hate demons." Xilro said angrily, punching the wall.

"What just happened?" Walter GibbsTaenya asked Xellma as they madewalked theirthrough the dragon hoard to Xilro's sitting room.

"What indeed." Xellma said with a smile, but would say no more.

"I saw the magic activate." Sarah said, coming up beside Taenya, which got Xellma's interest. "It's-"

"Sarah, you are not capable of telling any other person what kind of magic I used on Xilro." Xellma politely but firmly stated.

To Sarah's shock, the words would not come out. She opened her mouth to try to tell Taenya, but not even gasps came out of her.

"Hiding something?" Taenya asked, narrowing her eyes.

"Perhaps." Xellma said with a laugh. "Just know that I mean none of you any harm."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Don't press your luck, Scissor Leaf." Xellma warned Taenya.

Xellma walked in silence the rest of the way to Xilro’sthe sitting roomroom, atignoring the backquestions offrom histhe hoard.Professors until she was seated. Gesturing for them to do the same, she smiled.

"Queen'sCreation Orders.magic." Xellma replied.began with a large smile. "WhenIs quite unique. Let's start with a universally accepted myth of creation magic, burnout."

"Myth?" Taenya asked, confused. "But there's so much documented evidence of it happening."

"It doesn't have to happen. It happens because every single mortal, with the exception of Empress Rebecca Ashe and Prince Heather Dorchaidhe were using creation magic wrong."

"Enlighten us." Lutz said, leaning back in his chair. "How were they using it?"

"Loading. Creation magic uses incredible amounts of mana, and the more mana you store beforehand, the greater the spells you can cast. Rebecca would eat meals large enough to feed a small army in a single sitting, in order to fuel her frankly ludicrous divine creation magic."

"Wait, she was a dual mastery mage?" Taenya asked. Xellma nodded, so Taenya continued. "But divine dual casters are so exceptionally rare, she'd have to be-"

"A dragon soul." Xellma interrupted, smiling again. "The Witch of the North. The Dragon that never was. The Lady of the Woods. Xilro's Bride. Saffron the Cursed."

"No, that can't be." Sarah said, pulling out a book from her robes. "Saffron Frostfall is a fairy tale!"

"So is the Demon QueenQueen, speaksand youryet name,here I am." Xellma responded. "The world is so much more fantastical than you havemight nothink. choiceTake butfor instance, the rusalki. Thought by many to obey.be Bearmalevolent thatwater inspirits, mind,the IImperial couldFamily haveof simplythe orderedAshen Empire has surprised everyone."

"Maybe on the water spirit part." Walter Gibbs said to a few chuckles from everyone, including Xellma.

"What did you allmean toby listenfueling?" toTaenya me."asked.