About the future.

John swept the room with keen eyes, Melik was there with his father and his posture seems withdrawn. The king was not giving him anything, as usual, his father was one of the few peoples John couldn't read. But one thing was sure, this wasn't good at all and meeting in the king study was not a good sign.

" Father, you wanted to see me?" John started taking the center of the room and giving a slight bow in respect.

" Yes, I did son. I'm afraid this is bad news, I wish I could do something about it but I can't. Please take a seat, John we have things to discuss." Said the king taking his own seat behind the large desk. Melik was still not making eye contact with him and he seemed very uncomfortable, John knew new there is only one thing this could be about. Normally it could have been any number of things, but Melik presence and body language were leaving only his new situation as the reason for this meeting. John thought he'd have more time before his situation was known, now the only play left was to see what his father had in store for him.

" So you know already then." Stated the young strategist while calmly taking the seat. However, he was surprised to see his father smile, it was small but it was there. Maybe John had jumped to a conclusion too soon.

" Your sharp mind is still impressive even after years, son. Melik overheard your conversation with your mother in the garden, he was most distress and didn't what to do." Confirmed the white-haired king with a small sigh.

" I apologize, young lord, I ... I was torn between my duty to you and the king ... I" Tried to apologize the loyal servant before he was cut off by the incubus.

" There is no need for this, Melik. Your duty's to the king prevail over any other you might have, I won't give you forgiveness because there is nothing to forgive." John reassured the servant. Melik was always honest and straight forward with him, the man never tried to pretend that John situation was the same as his older brothers, unlike other servants. The king right hand gave a deep bow to the young prince before settling back down.

" Tell me, are your powers awaken yet? did you ... mate with your mother?" The father asked not quite able to keep resentment enter his voice. Dante knew that his son would never hurt his family intentionally, but he loved Eliana deeply and feelings care very little about the reason.

" Some of them, however, I do not have good control over them. At least I am now able to keep my pheromones to a minimal, they're still more potent than a human but they won't cause trouble." Answered the third so purposefully avoiding to answer the other question. The answer was clear by that very fact, there was no need to state it out loud.

" Son, I love you, I hope you know that. That's why it is difficult for me to do this, but there is no other way. John, you have to leave the kingdom, nobody but me and Melik know for now, but if you stay here ... " Said the king with a heavy heart.

" I understand, father. If it comes to be known that your own son his a demon, you would lose the support of many peoples inside the kingdom and put in jeopardy the Toriin alliance." There was nothing to be said more than that, it would cripple him and possibly throw the kingdom in a civil war. Even for one of his own sons, the king could not take that chance. Not even mentioning John was not really his son to begin with.

" If it was just that I would take the chance, but the demon hunters guild is what worries me. Since I became king I founded and let the guild get more and more power, there was no reason not to. The guild provided the peoples with a sense of security, and even if the demons are all but eradicated the guild still acts as a sort of militia. So there was no reason for me to cut funding or restrain their political ambitions, but now they have eyes and ears all over the kingdom and if they cut wind of you ... " Explained Dante.

" But it's not that bad, we can send you to Trinidad on what we will call a long term diplomatic mission. Sending my third son in the Toriins capital for diplomacy won't raise any eyebrows, and would even be considered a good decision since you are known to be of a sharp mind." Dante said revealing his plan.

" No, you are right that would be an easy way to get me aways without arousing suspicions, but if what Calipso said is true sending me there will do us no good. There is nothing to be gain there other than maybe strengthening our bond, but my situation could destroy it as well if it was discovered." Analyzed John quickly.

" I know it's a risk, but if you are careful everything should be fine. And having someone I can trust inside the Toriins capital is not to be overlooked." The king pointed out.

" True, but you can send anyone of your diplomate for the same effect. If the demons are really coming, then there is only one place for me to go that make sense." Sais the prince locking eyes with his father.

" NO! That's too dangerous, nobody ever came back from the wildlands. I won't send one of my children in that forsaken land, only last year we lost 30 peoples on an expedition that got too deep beyond the line of the great forest." Dante said alarmed by his son suggestion.

" Still, the wildlands are the only place where I can find an army. The wildlands are five times bigger than the northern kingdom, and we know there are humans living somewhere pass or in the great forest. If what Calipso predicted come to pass then the wildlands inhabitants could make the difference." John said knowing the risk and willing to take them. John slowly got up from his seat and got to one knee placing his right hand over his hart in a perfect northerner salute.

" King Dante Shepard, I Prince John Shepard, request the permission to venture into the wildlands with the goal of raising an army to help in the defense of our world. If the worst comes to pass and the demons army invades, I swear on my life to come back with every help I could find out there." Declared the prince ceremoniously. John knew it was a cheap shot, by standing on ceremonials tradition he was forcing his father hands. Either he accepted the request and gave John his permission, or he refused and with a witness present declared John unworthy of the task. A refusal would have a repercussion on John status that was already low due to his situation.

" I ... permission granted." Dante finally answered after a long pause. He didn't like it, but he knew his son could be stubborn when he really believed in something.

" And I suppose you want to go alone?" Asked the king already knowing the answer.

" Can't have it any other way, father. My ... special circumstances will help me out there, but having little control over them would make it too difficult to have someone else there to look after." Answered the young prince.

" Very well, when will you leave, son." Questioned the resigned king.

" Tomorow, before the sun. I ask that you say nothing to anyone, especially mother and Jane. They would try to talk me out of it or worse, they could try to come with me and we both know we can't let them do that." Requested the incubus.

" I understand, you know it will break their hearts not being able to say goodbye. But I understand you want to protect them from themselves ... son? Please be careful." Pleaded the father to his soon to leave son.

" I will father, and you have my word, I will not fail." Said John getting ready to leave so he could prepare for his long journey.

" Good because if you dare die out there I will find you in the afterlife to kick your ass little brat." Joked the king trying to lighten the mood. " Oh, and one last thing, a piece of advice from father to son ... don't ever stick your dick in crazy! It might seem like a good idea at first, but it never ends well, believe me." Said the father surprisingly seriously.

" I ... I'll keep that in mind." Unsurely answered the young man before taking his leave.

...................................................................................................................................................

The sun was almost ready to make his appearance when John started to cross the natural bridge that connected the northern kingdom to the southern continent. It would take him at least 3-days to reach the great forest and really begin his journey, until then, there was nothing to be really worried about.........