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Barbatos stared up at the castle. He felt empty. Everything he had was torn from him. His throne was gone for the world to eventually see peace. Images of rats pouring from the walls caused him to cringe. His nose scrunched up, his lips peeled back, and his eyes clenched shut.
“Stop,” he muttered to himself, trying to will the images away. His eyes opened back up to the quiet castle. “It’s all gone.”
What was he even supposed to do? He had no duties to fulfill as king. He had no people to serve. They were all better off in this timeline. The timelines. He had complete control over realities. In his haste, he flung himself to this reality. But he could easily go through another one.
“I could make it so that I never existed,” he murmured. He wasn’t remembered by anyone in this reality, he had no beginning and would have no end here – not unless he willed his end. This world surely wouldn’t change if he disappeared, vanquished without a trace. No one even knew of his existence.
“Hello!” Barbatos’s eyebrows furrowed together. He looked ahead, no one was there. “Right here!” Barbatos’s eyes trailed down to a child. He stared up at with him a wide smile and bright, golden eyes. His red hair fell over his growing horns. “You’re from outside the castle!”
Barbatos tilted his head. “Yes, I suppose I am.”
“What’s it like outside of the castle?” the child leaned against the iron gates separating them. “I’ve never gone outside.”
“Is that so?” Barbatos questioned. Something urged him to humor the kid. Kneeling down to the kid’s level, Barbatos spoke. “This world is vast, filled with many different beings. All are unique and have different needs, different wants, different stories.”
“Stories? Could you tell me some?”
“Perhaps,” Barbatos spoke. “What’s your name?”
“Diavolo! I’m the prince of the Devildom!”
Barbatos blinked seeing who would take over the thrown that he once had. “I see. It’s wonderful to meet you, Prince Diavolo. I’m Barbatos.”
“Barbatos?” Diavolo repeated and earned a nod from the other demon. He grinned. “Let’s be friends!”
“I think that sounds like a lovely plan,” Barbatos said with a chuckle.
Diavolo nodded. His voice grew quiet and he shyly averted his eyes. “I’ve never had friends before.”
“Well, I’m sure you’ll make for a great friend,” Barbatos reassured the child. “I’ll be sure to visit and tell you stories about the world. Although, I should probably meet your parents first.”
“Just my father,” Diavolo said. “It would just be my father.” He looked back at the castle over his shoulder. “He might not want me having friends. He won’t ever let me leave the grounds and is always watching what I do. I snuck away just to try and get some space. I’ll have to tell him where I’ve been. He won’t be happy.”
“You’re very honest.”
Diavolo nodded. “My father lies to me a lot. I don’t like it.”
“How can you tell?”
Diavolo shrugged. “I just can, I don’t know.”
“Well,” Barbatos spoke thoughtfully. “Some demons have their own powers that are very special. Perhaps that’s yours.”
“You think so?” Diavolo asked with hope. “Do they have more than one?”
“Yes, sometimes.”
“What about you, Barbatos? Do you have special powers?”
Barbatos was quiet as he observed the child. “Yes, I do. Though, I wouldn’t consider them special. They can be more of a burden.”
“How come?”
“They can cause pain.”
“Knowing when someone is lying causes pain. But it can be a good thing, too.” Diavolo gripped the gate. “I knew you weren’t lying when you said it was a good idea to be friends. That made me happy. So maybe your powers can be a good thing, too!”
Barbatos hummed. “Perhaps.”
“What are your powers?”
Barbatos took a deep breath. “I’ll tell you another time. Right now, I don’t want to discuss it. It hurt me, recently, so I want some space from it. I hope you understand.”
“Not really,” Diavolo grumbled. “But maybe when I’m older.”
Barbatos couldn’t help the laugh that passed his lips. “Yes, maybe when you’re older.” Barbatos rose to his feet. “Now, you should go back to the castle. It’s getting late.”
Diavolo nodded and started to hurry off, but paused mid-run. “Promise you’ll come back and tell me stories!”
Barbatos nodded and waved. “It’s a promise, Young Lord!” He watched as the prince made his way back to the castle. He sighed and turned around – so much for no one knowing him. Perhaps he would give this reality a try.