The Young Demon Lord and her Maid-Knight

After what felt like an eternity, Danser's soft purring turned into deep, rhythmic snores.

Lix fluttered down to Lilith, her expression amused. "Well, it looks like you passed your test," she said with a smirk. "Danser wouldn't be able to sleep like this unless he got a really good scratch."

Lilith crossed her arms, glancing at the peacefully slumbering feline. "Great. But now we have a small problem—how long do we have to wait for him to wake up?"

Lix rubbed the back of her head, smiling awkwardly. "Hmm… well, technically we could wake him up…"

Lilith raised an eyebrow. "Then let's do that."

Lix quickly shook her head. "Uh… yeah, about that." She glanced at Danser nervously. "The last time someone forced him awake, he ate them."

Lilith's expression remained unreadable. "…He ate them?"

Lix nodded. "Yup. Whole." She patted her stomach for emphasis. "And personally? I really don't feel like becoming a snack for an oversized cat today."

Lilith let out a small sigh, placing a hand on her hip. "So what? We just… wait?"

Lix grinned. "Unless you want to risk ending up in his stomach? Yeah. We wait."

Lilith groaned. "Fantastic."

Meanwhile deep within Xandoria, nestled in the heart of a cavernous chamber that blended the majesty of a throne room with the raw beauty of nature, a soothing yet commanding voice resonated through the dimly lit expanse. The chamber, illuminated by soft, bioluminescent glows from crystalline roots embedded in the walls, pulsed with an ancient rhythm, as though the very heart of the world beat within.

"Alpha, my child…" the voice called, gentle yet omnipotent, like a whisper carried by the wind yet impossible to ignore. "It seems we are about to receive a visitor—one of my sister's children. No… wait." The voice hesitated, as if attuning itself to a distant presence. "This visitor is not simply from my sister's line. They are from Eldoria… where their World Tree has perished. That must mean… it is Eldoria's sapling. To think the sapling has already grown this much, and even managed to create a child."

Standing before the radiant core, a lone pixie hovered with graceful stillness, her translucent wings shimmering like moonlit silk. She was Alpha, the eldest among her kin, her presence both regal and unwavering. She listened intently, her golden eyes reflecting the soft glow of the core, which, though spherical in form, bore the unmistakable essence of a great tree—its pulsing energy a testament to its deep connection with the world's lifeblood.

"Yes, Mother," Alpha spoke at last, her voice carrying both reverence and curiosity. "Shall I bring them here?"

The chamber pulsed again, the core's radiance shifting subtly, as though considering the question. After a moment, the voice responded with a thoughtful hum.

"We must prepare. The chamber is not yet ready to receive them, and we must make room. Gather your sisters—Beta and Charlie. Have them assist in clearing the space. I would rather not greet a visitor amidst clutter and disarray."

"As you wish, Mother," Alpha replied without hesitation. With a graceful turn, her wings fluttered softly, sending ripples through the air as she ascended into the cavern's upper reaches. She moved with quiet precision, her thoughts already reaching out to her sisters, summoning them to aid in the preparations.

For the first time in ages, something unexpected was about to unfold within the sacred chamber of the World Tree's core.

Two weeks had passed within the chamber, and Lilith stretched her back with a sigh. "Lix, how long does Danser usually snooze? We've already waited for at least a week—if not more. It's hard to tell time in here."

Lix nodded, stretching her tiny body with a yawn. "Yeah, he can sleep for a long time. But after a month, it should be safe to wake him up without getting eaten… I think." She grinned mischievously before pointing at the soft mark left by Lilith's form on Danser's thick fur. "But look on the bright side—have you ever slept this peacefully?"

Lilith glanced at the spot and let out a small chuckle. "I guess I did rest well…" she admitted. "But this is getting boring. I can't do anything here because I don't even know where 'here' is. And I can't sense a way to leave either." She narrowed her eyes slightly, focusing on the subtle magical energy in the air. "I'm guessing the core's magic—and Danser's—are preventing me from leaving without their permission."

Lix hovered beside her, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "Yep, that sounds about right. This place is bound by the dungeon's rules, and until Danser wakes up, we're kinda stuck." She twirled in the air lazily. "Guess we just have to wait… or find a way to entertain ourselves."

Lilith sighed again, crossing her arms. "Great. Guess we're on Danser's schedule now."

As Lilith pondered to herself, a dark thought crossed her mind. I could just kill him and take over the core. I feel like I have the power to handle him… She glanced at the massive feline, still peacefully slumbering. Or maybe I should wake him up and fight him instead? The idea was tempting, but she hesitated. Then again, he was kind to me, and I don't wish to anger the World Tree here. That would be… unwise.

Before she could entertain the thought further, a tiny sparkle shimmered in the dim chamber. The air crackled with energy as a portal began to take shape, its glowing edges swirling like liquid light. When it fully formed, a pixie emerged, her presence radiating authority. She observed Lilith with sharp, intelligent eyes before offering a formal greeting.

"Demon Lord from another world," the pixie spoke with a calm yet commanding voice. "My mother has sent me to bring you to her. She is ashamed that Danser kept you waiting for so long before she noticed." The pixie placed a delicate hand over her chest. "So she has asked me, Alpha, to escort you."

As soon as Alpha finished speaking, two more pixies fluttered through the portal, their tiny forms glowing faintly with magical energy. "With my two sisters, Beta and Charlie," Alpha continued, "we will create a grand portal for you to use."

Alpha then turned her attention to Lix. "Lix," she said in a firm yet gentle tone, "you may return now. We will take over from here."

Lix stretched her tiny arms and let out a lazy sigh before giving a playful salute. "Yes, esteemed eldest sister. I, Lix, will follow the will of our mother and leave Lilith in your care." She grinned at Lilith before adding, "Good luck, demon lady. Try not to cause too much chaos." With that, she darted into a smaller portal of her own, vanishing with a shimmer of light.

Alpha then spoke out, her voice steady and authoritative.

"Beta, Charlie—let's begin."

Without hesitation, the two other pixies moved in perfect sync, their small hands weaving intricate symbols in the air as they chanted an enchantment. The core next to Danser began to glow, its surface pulsing with ancient magic. Sparks of energy crackled through the chamber, illuminating the space with an ethereal light. Soon, the magic stabilized, and a portal large enough for Lilith to step through shimmered into existence.

Alpha turned to Lilith, her expression unreadable. "Now, Lilith, this portal will take you directly to our mother, the World Tree." She hovered slightly closer, her wings beating softly. "Only you may enter. My sisters and I will remain here, outside her chamber, so that she may speak with you alone."

The air around the portal hummed with power, the energy inviting yet overwhelming. Lilith narrowed her eyes, studying it for a moment. She could feel the presence beyond—ancient, vast, and undeniably powerful. This was no ordinary meeting. This was an audience with a being as old as the world itself.

With one final glance at the pixies, Lilith stepped forward.

As the portal shimmered and closed behind Lilith, the chamber settled into a quiet stillness.

Charlie exhaled, stretching her tiny arms. "Phew… she's a strong one."

Beta nodded, her wings fluttering lightly. "Yes, but more than that—she's calm. Focused. She doesn't act out of arrogance or anger, like others might."

Alpha, still watching where Lilith had disappeared, smirked and then turned her gaze toward Danser. "And look at him," she said, pointing at the massive feline guardian. "She made him sleep even deeper than usual."

With a playful twirl, Alpha zipped through the air and landed gently on Danser's thick fur. She buried herself into the warmth of his coat and sighed in contentment. "Oh, I missed this sleeping spot," she murmured, her voice muffled against the plush fur.

Charlie and Beta exchanged glances before grinning and following suit. Within moments, the three pixies nestled into Danser's belly, their small forms rising and falling with his slow, steady breaths. The glow of the core bathed them in a soft light as they surrendered to the warmth and comfort, drifting into a peaceful slumber.

For now, everything was calm.