**The Demon Lord's Court**

As I scanned the room, I noticed that each of the demons had their own servants and slaves present, a testament to their power and status within the demon lord's court. Vorgath, for instance, had two wolf beast girls chained at his side, his dogs of war. They were fierce, nearly feral, with sharp teeth and glowing eyes that seemed to burn with an inner fire. They snapped and bit at nearby slaves, who cowered in fear, trying to stay out of their reach. Mari's gaze fell upon the wolf girls, and her expression twisted in disgust. I could sense her disdain, her distaste for Vorgath's choice of companions. It was clear that she had little love for her husband, and I wondered what kind of arrangement had brought her to this point. As I glanced at Xexaria, I saw that she was standing beside Mari, a subtle smile playing on her lips. It was a fleeting moment, but I sensed a deep connection between the two women, a bond that went beyond mere friendship. As the reports continued, I found myself growing more and more uneasy. The demon lord seemed to be savoring the tension in the room, his eyes gleaming with malevolent pleasure. Mari stood tall, her eyes flashing with a mixture of defiance and caution, as she listened to the reports of her siblings. But I knew that she was a double target, not just because of her favored status, but also because of her mixed heritage. The demon lord's seed had corrupted her fate, twisting her destiny from that of a hero to a monster. And I, the only one who knew her true potential, was bound to her, a slave to her whims and fancies. I felt a pang of sorrow, thinking about the choices that had led me to this point. I had once been a hero, a warrior with a noble quest. But now, I was nothing more than a plaything, a toy for Mari and the demon lord to use as they saw fit. As the meeting drew to a close, the demon lord's gaze fell upon me, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. "And what of you, my half-demon daughter?" he asked, his voice dripping with curiosity. "What news do you bring me from your...adventures?" Mari's eyes flashed with warning, and I knew that I was in for a carefully choreographed performance. She stepped forward, her tail twitching behind her, and began to speak in a voice that was both melodious and menacing. "I bring news of our enemy," she said, her eyes locked on mine. "The human who once wielded the power of the ancients. He is a threat, father, and one that we must not underestimate." The demon lord's gaze narrowed, his eyes glinting with interest. "Tell me more," he said, his voice low and husky. Mari's smile was a cold, calculated thing, and I knew that I was in for a wild ride. As she began to speak, I felt a sense of trepidation. I knew that I was trapped in a web of intrigue, with no escape in sight. The demons in the room seemed to be watching me, their eyes gleaming with curiosity and hunger. I was a pawn in their game, a toy to be used and discarded. And Mari, my supposed wife, was no better. She was a half-demon, corrupted by the demon lord's seed, and driven by her own ambition. The room seemed to grow darker, the shadows deepening as Mari spoke. I felt a sense of foreboding, a sense that I was staring into the abyss. And then, just as suddenly as it had begun, everything stopped. The demon lord's gaze fell upon me once more, and I knew that my fate was sealed. I was a slave, a plaything for the demons to use as they saw fit. And Mari, my wife, was no better. She was a monster, a creature driven by her own desires and ambitions. And I was trapped, bound to her by the slave collar around my neck.