Erik stretched, walking back to his rooms from the throne room. "Idiots," he muttered, shaking his head.  He absent-mindedly put his hand on Nikita's shoulder, pulling him closer, as if to reassure himself intelligence did exist in his realm. "Maybe I should just let them all beat themselves into senseless stupidity," he mused. "I swear, the bigger the muscles the less oxygen that's left for higher brain functions. It's a wonder they can ~breathe~ never the less ~think~."

Nikita smiled.  "No one compares with Master," he said, rubbing his cheek against Erik's shoulder.

Erik smiled at the boy. "Very true," he agreed. "Very true."  He tilted his head a moment, noticing another new guard had been posted for his door. The last one had most likely refused the post again. Maybe this one would be an improvement, though he very much doubted it.

Nikita eyed the new guard suspiciously as they passed.  He looked like he was waiting for something.  His turn to ask the man his business threw off the man's aim so the stake meant for his heart hit his shoulder instead.  The second strike went through the arm he raised in self-defense.  With a whimpering cry, Nikita stumbled back against the wall.  "Master look out!" he sobbed.

Erik gave an exclamation and reflexively blasted the guard back, going to Nikita's aid, putting an arm around the boy and holding him closely, eyes narrowed and cold in their glare at the man who had attacked as he gathered energy for a finishing blow.

"The Empire will outlive freaks like you and your pet," the man spat, leveling a third weapon at the pair.

"Get out of the way, Master," Nikita insisted, pushing Erik down and taking the third bolt in his side.  He gave a choked scream and slid to the floor.

Energy flared up around Erik sharply as the high demon's eyes nearly glowed with outraged anger. He threw an energy blast into the attacker that obliterated him completely, leaving only a scorched mark to show he had ever existed. Quickly, he knelt down next to Nikita, eyes wide in shock and horror.  Seeing the stakes protruding from the boy's form, his eyes again went cold.  Taking hold of the closest, he concentrated his energy into it, causing it to dissolve, leaving no traces.  Quickly, he did the same to the others and cradled Nikita's form to himself, trying to comfort him.

"Master's ok?" Nikita asked, raising a shaking hand to the man's cheek.

Erik nodded, placing his hand over Nikita's, eyes concerned. "I'm fine," he said, voice shaking slightly. "Will-- will you be...?"

"Need... to rest...." the boy said softly, eyes fluttering closed.  "Lucky... Vampires heal... quickly...."  He smiled slightly.  "Master... all that matters...."

"That isn't true!" Erik protested. "You matter as much as I!"

He looked up as another figure entered the hall. Erik recognized the demon as being one of his cabinet members and held Nikita protectively, rising to his feet to bring the boy into his room, keeping the other demon in the side of his vision.

"Human blood should NEVER have been king, half-breed!" the demon snarled.

Eyes narrowing, Erik turned to face the other demon. "I... am not ~human~" he snarled back, gathering his energy around him.

The demon gave a laugh as others gathered behind him. "Then throw away that trash and fight us, weakling."

Erik's eyes narrowed further, going cold. "Nikita is NOT TRASH!" he yelled, aura flaring up as he reverted to demonic form, wings flashing out dramatically around him. He tensed, and giving a yell of anger, sent off large waves of destructive energy.

They barreled out in a perfect sphere from around him, destroying near everything in their way. The attackers were nearly vaporized, and the walls around them reduced to rubble as the energy continued to spread, eating away at everything that angered their originator.

Clutching Nikita protectively close to him, Erik glared, eyes slits of pure white energy. "~THIS BLOODY REALM CAN GO BACK TO THE SEVENTH LAYER OF HELL FROM WHENCE IT CAME!!~" he roared.

Another blast rippled out, blinding in intensity as if Erik aura itself had detached and gone on a destructive rampage, eating through the castle walls to tear into the city beyond, sparing very little.

Finally, the energy faded, Erik's aura returning to normal.  Very little of the castle had been left intact. Erik's chambers were miraculously unharmed, as was the area underneath it, as well as the water piping leading into it.  From where he stood, Erik could see the solid oak double doors of the library, standing surreally untouched among the rubble, the walls still upright and protecting the books with in.

Very slowly and cautiously, the door to the harem wing was opened and a very timid looking middle demon peaked out.  Erik glared at it and the door was very quickly shut again.

Shifting Nikita in his arms, Erik opened the door to his chambers and entered, closing the door behind him and locking it before gently placing Nikita down on the bed and collapsing next to him and falling into an exhausted slumber.
 
 
 
 

Nikita woke slowly, feeling a lingering pain that told him what had happened wasn't a dream.

He looked around the pristine room dazedly until his eyes fell on Erik.  "Master!" he cried, nuzzling the man's neck and shoulder.  "Master!"  He heard the hysterics in his voice and took a moment to compose himself before pressing close to Erik.  "Master," he whimpered.

Erik gave a small noise, eyes cracking open slightly. They slowly focused on Nikita a moment and he gave a very small and tired smile before closing them again.

Nikita gave a soft sigh of relief and continued to nuzzle against Erik.  He pressed his body close, offering warmth and comfort.  He purred softly, closing his eyes again and drifting back into a light sleep.
 
 
 

There was a knock on the door, followed by a pause, a small muted exclamation and then the knock indicating it was Harem business.

Nikita smiled softly, rising from Erik's side to open the door.  He bowed apropriately to the Harem Master, and gestured him in.

The doctor smiled. "Good morning, Nikita. The boys finaly got the floors fixed enough for me to come over and see how you were doing."

"Master is weak," the boy said.  "Nikita doesn't know how to help."

"Well, after that distuction, it's no wonder!" the doctor replied, his tail swishing slightly and stiring up a bit of debris that hadn't been cleared. He turned, blinkign at it. "Dear me, may I come in, Nikita? It's horribly messy out... bits of no-one knows what all over the place. I swear I think I stepped in part of the roof yesterday. Quite distressing."

Nikita moved aside to make room for the Dr.  "Help Master?" he said, eyes begging.

"I will try, Nikita," the doctor smiled, putting a hand on the boy;s head. He lifted his other to show his bag. "I figured one of you would need some tending to so I came prepared."  He moved over to Erik's side and began his examination.

Erik's eyes opened slightly and he turned, blinkign at the doctor.

"Oh don't mind me, just checkign to see you didn't over extend yourself too badly," the middle demon said with a small hand gesture.

Nikita crawled onto the bed and curled against Erik's side, watching the doctor worriedly.

Erik put a tired arm around Nikita, snuggling close.

A short while later the doctor nodded to himself and began rummaging through his bag. "I KNOW I have a think of those vitamins in here somwhere," he said to himself, searching. "Ah HA!" he exclaimed happily, putting out a small bottle. "Here," he held it out. "Make sure he takes at least one of those a day until he recovers. It's a special formula for demons who do things with magic energy, though mostly geared for middle demons because, well, you know how the high demons are with lack of magic and all that," the doctor sighed. "Really is a shame, I heard such intresting things about the old days when all the high demons were a bit more like your demon here," he nodded towards Erik. "With the magic and all and I was going to give you these vitamins wasn't I, dear me." The doctor handed NIkita the bottle.  "It's been rather stressful, the past few days, so many of the boy's are all upset and jitterly. We only got to poor Jameson earlier today, he was trapped, poor dear."

Nikita took the bottle, still concerned.  "Was anyone hurt?"

"Not too badly. A few bruses and poor Nerle got a broken arm when something fell of him. It was quiet amazing really. Yutiru was in the middle of the act with his cliant when the demon just desolved from the energy. Yutiru himself was fine, just confused." The doctor shook his head slightly. "And did you know he plumming was uneffected?" he continued, voice in wonder. "I was in the water closet with the latest Tan'abrn novel, wonderful romace in those, very cute, and I heard this rumble and had no idea what in the realm it could be. I get out and poor Kantral was jibbering about the angel of death with wings of blood and I looked out side and only this room and the libray were out there. That and the pluming. The PLUMBING!" He exclaimed. "Half the castle is gone but the water's still running. Amazing, I tell you, absolutely amazing..."

Nikita smiled, nuzzling against Erik.  "I'm glad everyone's ok."

The doctor smiled. "I dare say we'll have to relocate most of the staff now, I don't think there'll be much business here for a while."

"No," Nikita agreed quietly.  "Doctor.... the kitchens?"

"The one under our wing is intact. Some of the staff is running it now. Hopefuly tehre won;t be too many upset stomaches," the doctor smiled again.

Nikita nodded.  He licked his lips.  "Can some be brought here?"

"Oh! Of course, gracious, I should have THOUGHT of that!" the doctor lamented. "I'll go have some sent up right away!" He got up and bustled to the door.

"Thank you," Nikita called after the retreating figure.

The doctor waved as he left the room.

"Does he always talk that much?" Erik asked, voice tired and bemused.

Nikita smiled fondly and nodded.  "Master will get better now," he said certainly.

Erik slowly sat up. "Blazes," he swore softly, streaching. "I feel like I was in a fight." He rotated his shoulders.

Nikita pulled back to give him room.  "If the doctor is right, Master destroyed so much....  Of course Master is weak."

"Mmm.." Erik said noncomitaly. "I couldn't very well let them just get away with hurting you," he said, still streaching. He gave a sharp exhale, finding his muscle sore and knotted. "NIkita, would you?" he asked, nodding to his shoulders.

Putting the vitamin container carefully on a table, Nikita moved to massage Erik's muscles.  He winced slightly, feeling the place where the stake had gone through his arm protest, but continued as well as he could.

"Are you alright?" Erik asked, turning to look at the boy. "If you're hurt as well, you should rest..." he said.

Nikita smiled.  "I'm fine, Master."

Erik smiled back and hugged the boy. "I'm glad," he said softly.

Nikita snuggled close a moment, then pulled out of Erik's arms to continue the massage.

Erik gave a deep sigh, relaxing. "I don't have much of a kingdom anymore, do I?" he said, voice almost bemused.

Nikita frowned, not quite understanding.  "Master is still king...."

"Yes, but I rather trashed everything I rule," Erik streached again, smiling.

"But still king," Nikita insisted.

"Yes, Nikita," Erik smiled. "King of the ashes of the high demons!" he let out a slight laugh.

"My king," Nikita corrected softly.

Erik turned again, smiling softly. "That that was the only thing that really mattered," he said, hugging the boy again.

Nikita leaned against him, purring softly.  "Master is all that matters."

"Nikita maters just as much as I," Erik corrected, sighing happily. "Blazes, I'm tired," he comented, eyes closing.

Gently, Nikita helped lower Erik to the bed, snuggling at his side.  "Rest, Master."

Erik nodded. "Sounds like a good plan," he said, voice tried before he fell asleep again.

Nikita remained curled close, leaning his head on Erik's chest and waiting for someone to come with food.

A while later there was a noise at the door that was almost as if someone was slapping he door rather then knocking on it.

Rising quickly, Nikita opened the door, shushing the person on the other side.  "Master asleep."

"Terribly sorry," the doctor grimced. "Hands were full, had to use my tail to knock," he appologized. He was carrying a tray full of vairous food types. "I got lots of soup, it should be helpful."

Nikita hurried to take some of the food from him, arranging it all on the table.  He turned back when he was done, bowing deeply.

The doctor smiled. "I realzied I never checked on you. I heard there was an attack before your fop exploded, did you get hurt at all? Anything in need or care?"

"I'm fine," Nikita said, shaking his head, then clapped a hand over his arm as it twinged in pain.

The doctor tisked. "NIkita, you have to take care of youself else you won't beble to take care of your fop," he chided. "Let me see that..." He knelt down and took the boy's arm and examined it. "What happened?"

"I'm sorry," Nikit said contrittely.  "There were stakes...." he said.

The doctor grimced. "Dear... did you get any blood after?"

The boy shook his head.

"Hm. You may wish to look into getting some to help you recover. The higher the better." He rummaged in his bag again. "Here," he handed NIkita a small bottle of redish pills. "These will help as well."

Nikita took the bottle.  "Thank you.  Where would I get blood?"

The doctor hesistaed. "Dear me, I don't know..." he grimced. "Maybe your fop can get you some? I'd offer my own but I don't think itm would help too much, you remember last time," he smiled.

Nikita's eyes widened.  "Master's..?"  He looked at the sleeping man, then shook his head.  "Couldn't ask Master."

"He is still the king. I'm sure he can find you some," the doctor smiled kindly. "If not, I'll see if I can get donations for you."

Nikita nodded, still looking at Erik.

"Is there anywhere else you got hurt?" the doctor asked. "Anything broken that didn't heal? Did you get all the splinters out?"

Nikita touched the opposite shoulder and side where the others stakes had hurt him.  "Master disolved them."

The doctors eyes widened. "Disolved?" he repeated. "Goodness!" he exclaimed, checking over the areas. "Hm. As with the other, a good drink will help the healing process, as will those pills. Get lots of fluids."

Nikita nodded.  "Nikita will find blood."

The doctor smiled.
 

Erik made a small noise, waking.

Nikita was instantly at his side with a bowl of soup and the pills the doctor had given him.  He nuzzled Erik's cheek.

Erik opened his eyes, smiling drowsily. "Mm... smells like food..." he said, sitting up slowly.

Nikita nodded, shifting to sit next to Erik.  He picked up the spoon, holding it out to the man with a smile.  "Master will be ok?"

Erik took the spoon, nodding. "I should be," he smiled at Nikita before beging to eat.

"Nikita is glad," he said.  He reached out to get a glass of water so Erik could take the pill the doctor had perscribed.  As he extended his arm he flinched, putting a hand to his shoulder.

Erik looked conserned. "NIkita..." he said softly. "You haven;t fully healed..."

"Should have blood," Nikita said, looking down.  "Blood helps heal.  But I don't know where to get any.  I don't want to trouble the Harem more...."

Erik looked at the boy a moment, then looked at his wrist. He nodded and pushed up his sleeve before presenting the exposed area to Nikira.

Nikita looked at the offered wrist, then up at Erik, eyes wide.  "Master?"

Erik smiled. "As long as it's a small amount, I should be fine, correct?"

Nikita nodded.  "You would...?"

Erik nodded. "If it will help you heal, I don't mind it at all."

Nikita's smile lit his face as he hugged Erik tightly.

Erik hugged the boy back, smiling. "Just don't mind me while I don;t look," he added, gently stroking the boy's hair and back.

Nikita nodded and lowered his mouth to Erik's wrist.  Very carefully, he extended his fangs into the vein, drinking the sweet blood that was his Master's life.  It was different than anything he'd ever drunk before, and so strong.  After a few swallows of it he felt as if he'd burst into flame.  He pulled his fangs out of the wrist, licking it to help close the wound.

Erik's face was blissfilled, looking as it did after he and Nikita had sex, lips slightly parted and eyes closed. He gave a very long exhail. ".... my...." he breathed, voice small.

Nikita licked his lips clean and smiled.  "I should have told you it does that...."

Erik's eyes opened slighly. "That..." he said, voice slightly shaky from the senory overload. "Yes..." he finaly said. "You... probally should have..."

"I'm sorry, Master," Nikita said.  "Please," he held out the pill and water.

"No.. no need to apologize..." Erik said, shaking his head slightly. "Rather... pleasant... suprize..." he said slowly.  He looked at the pill a moment, as if debating detoxing it, then paused. "Wait a moment... there;'s  no reason to be paranoid if everyone's dead... who in this idoit realm is left who'd want to kill me?" he smiled before taking the pill.

Nikita smiled.  "Nikita trusts the doctor," he said in agreement.

Erik smiled. "Mind you, with all the idoits gone, we'll have to find you a new source of food..." he paused, concidering. "Though I could rather get used to you drinking fro me," he smiled.

Nikita's eyes widened and he smiled, curling against Erik's side.  "We could go to another realm," he suggested.

"Mmmm," Erik comented, taking another spoonful of soup. "That we could. There really isn't much of anything left here, nevermind anything to bind us to thispalce..."

The boy nodded agreement.  "Where does Master want to go?"

Erik debated. "Honestly? I have no idea," he answered.

"There's time to think," Nikita responded.  "Master should finish healing."

Erik nodded. "And you should as well..."