At the heart of the Demon Realm sat THEFIREPALACE.
It was a pagoda-like building, tall and grand, almost extending into the red mist of the sky.
The structure was built and decorated in black and red, showcasing the grand demonic aura of where the Demon King lived. This grand palace sat suspended in thin air as red smoke covered its base.
From time to time, fire spread from different sides of the building, and dragons (mainly red and black) flew around the palace. Some were full dragons, while some were hybrids—humans with dragon wings, tails, claws, scales, and horns. All flew around with fire oozing in different directions.
At the top of this palace was a hall where a red throne sat. And the Demon King sat upon this throne.
He was young. He wore baggy, oversized black pants with a red belt. His black robe hung loosely on him, exposing his bare chest and abs, which reflected the light from the fires illuminating the hall on poles and pillars.
His hair was loose, almost like a madman's. But his gorgeously dangerous face was enough to make him look like a hot psychopath.
He was in his full human form. His eyes were shut, a hand on his chin, as a hybrid dragon beast stood before him, informing him about the Demon God who was now free.
He smiled devilishly at the information. His voice was low, lazy, and husky. "Is that so? Finally. The Demon God is free."
He opened his eyes. They were a fiery red. He smirked. "Get everything ready. I think it's time to pay my future husband a visit. It's been a while."
*****
Ren landed in the woods in the Mortal Realm. He stood straight and looked around. It was already night, but he could still recognize the pattern of the trees and bushes.
"Why are we in the Mortal Realm?" Zuran looked around and stared at him. "What are you plotting now?" He fixed his eyes on him.
"Mortal Realm?" Ren looked around. He hadn't known where he was escaping to; he was just desperate to leave. "Oh, that. I suppose we can just hide here in the meantime."
He could still read the distrust in Zuran's eyes. He could tell the young lad was alert and worried he might be planning to harm him or something.
There were sounds in the woods behind them, and Ren could sense the Death Sea guards.
"How did they even get here?" He snapped as he grabbed Zuran by the hand and dragged him along. Zuran couldn't protest even if he wanted to; he simply followed.
The two of them moved through the bushes for a while, hiding from the guards that pursued them.
While in hiding, they caught sight of a parade happening before them.
A group of humans was moving in a single-file line, all dressed in red, chanting and dancing while beating their instruments along the forest pathway. They seemed to be having some sort of celebration.
Ren stared closely. He saw a beautifully decorated carriage behind them, covered in red and golden designs and attached to a white horse.
"It's a marriage," Ren thought. And then he got an idea. With a smile, he turned to Zuran, who cast him an alert gaze.
"What?"
"Let's get in."
Zuran looked confused. Ren didn't need to explain much; he simply took him by the hand and risked using his powers in the mortal realm. [Which he knew wasn't advisable for ethical reasons]
The two dispersed into purple smoke and then appeared inside the carriage where the married couple was supposed to be.
Zuran looked around, confused. "What's this... what did you do...? What do you want to do?"
Ren smiled. "Calm down. I'm not selling you off. I'm saving your ass. We'll be safe here." He smiled while listening to the chants and instruments playing ahead.
These people were parading the newly married couple to their mansion. From the looks of things, Ren guessed the family was a well-off one.
Zuran shifted to the corner, further away from Ren, and asked, "What happened to the original couple? Did you.... kill them?" He was expecting a yes.
"Why would I do that?" Ren opened his palms to display a blue pearl. "They're in here. Don't worry, they're safe in an alternative universe where they are still celebrating their wedding."
Ren smiled. "That will buy us some time. I'll let them go when we're done hiding from those annoying things."
Zuran's eyes met Ren's, surprised. Ren could tell he was. He was probably expecting him to kill them off and take their position, as he normally would. But he didn't.
The procession took longer than expected before they finally arrived at their destination: a grand mansion meant for nobility.
Ren peeked out through the window, admiring the lush build of the mansion and its surroundings. It was just like he had seen in historical Chinese dramas.
And the place was decorated in red for the grand wedding.
As soon as their carriage arrived, the celebration intensified. Many people joined in the singing and dancing while playing different instruments. There were a lot of fireworks going off in the sky to celebrate. It was indeed a noisy celebration.
Ren turned to Zuran. "Put this on." A red, opaque linen appeared. "We'll use it to cover ourselves up."
Zuran stared at him for a while. Ren didn't know what ran through his mind, but he could tell he was being calculative and careful around him.
But he ended up taking it.
Ren also took out his veil and covered himself up. Zuran did the same, and the two sat there, waiting for their cue.
The celebration continued as they welcomed the newly married couple. The carriage was opened, and Zuran walked down first.
Ren had told him to play along, so Zuran turned and stretched out a hand to Ren. Ren took his hand, and Zuran led him down from the carriage.
Ren couldn't help but view this as a real marriage, even though they were running for their lives. It felt as though he had entered this world and picked up a hot young husband. Well, he technically did.
But he brushed the thought off, reminding himself that this was Zuren. And this young hot husband hated him down to the core. So he wasn't safe around him either.
The two of them completed the marriage tradition. They made their way to the ancestral hall of the mansion with the couple's parents and burned incense to the ancestors.
As they prayed, they heard the priest chant:
"May the heavens look after this couple and shower them with endless blessings! May the heavens keep them away from the clutches of the nine-tailed fox demon god!"
Ren blinked—he guessed he didn't have a good reputation among the humans, either.
The tradition was done, and now the couple was led to their marriage room, where they were expected to consummate their marriage.