Simple solutions

The ghouls come that evening, slipping past your guards with surprising ease. However, to their misfortune, both Uzume and Clarissa are relaxing in the hallway when they make for Iris’ room. You hear the commotion and arrive just as the last one crumples to the floor. The fight, if it could be called that, took no more than thirty seconds, and the remains of six creatures are scattered around the hallway.

Uzume and Clarissa aren’t even breathing hard, and Uzume looks disappointed. “These were the vicious killers? This wasn’t even a good warm up!”

Clarissa wipes her axe on on one of the corpses. “A bit like squashing a bug with a boulder.”

You chuckle, and see a wide eyed Iris looking out of her room. “It’s taken care of, Iris. There shouldn’t be any more, right?”

She shakes her head, looking at the three of you. “That…that should be all, yes. What are you people? Such power, this was a joke to you!”

You chuckle. “Uzume is basically a force of nature. I’ve never seen anyone come close to beating her. And Clarissa is a ball of steel, almost literally.”

Clarissa laughs. “Hey, I’m soft on the inside!”

Uzume grins. “Very soft!”

You roll your eyes. “They are goofballs, though. To be fair, most of the family is as well.”

Iris nods. “I am beginning to see how you were able to defeat the demon lord. I can feel the power radiating from you, though you do not seem to rely upon it. And your…family…is remarkable.”

You smile. “If it was just me, I wouldn’t be standing. The girls support me, and we all love each other.”

Clarissa laughs. “You know, like a family!”

You shrug. “Exactly. So as I said, you’re safe here, Iris. You shouldn’t need guards now, so just let someone know if you need something.”

You, Uzume, and Clarissa walk off, arguing over who has to clean up the mess. You glance over your shoulder and see Iris still watching, disbelief on her pale face.