Jack walked past the throne room, through the portrait hall where paintings of previous Soul Wardens watched with silent judgment, toward the eastern wing where Malakai's garden waited.
The doorway revealed itself, and Jack stepped through into air that immediately felt different, charged with magic that made his skin prickle.
Seven sections, each one bursting with plants that glowed faintly with their respective elements.
"Boss!" The simple demon's head snapped up, his face splitting into a grin so wide it looked painful. "Boss come back! Kyren did good! Plants grow big! Look, look!"
He scrambled to his feet with the enthusiasm of a child showing off a school project, his arm gesturing wildly at the surrounding growth. "Fire plants hot! Water plants wet! All plants happy! Kyren talk to them every day! They like Kyren!"
Jack couldn't help but smile at the display. Pure, unfiltered pride from someone who'd been given purpose and had exceeded every expectation.
