Author's note: Second update of the day! make sure you check the previous one if you missed it!
A Marvelous Devil:
Chapter 13: Terms and Conditions.
Sona Sitri.
"Is this really the best time to visit, Miss Sitri?" Dante Andromalius asked softly, tapping the door with an odd rhythm.
Each metallic sound made something thump inside my chest.
I frowned, hiding a wince at his words. Why was I acting so desperately? That wasn't like me. Yet ever since the party, Dante Andromalius occupied my thoughts more than was appropriate.
Not because I found him attractive. No matter how much Rias teased me after returning to the human world.
And no, I wasn't jealous of her meeting with him. Even when she acted coy about what they discussed. Which, frankly, was suspicious. Rias was never good at secrets.
The timing wasn't ideal. I knew that. I counted on it.
I barely knew anything about Dante Andromalius. He was sharper than he seemed. He met privately with Rias, befriended Sairaorg, and deliberately threw our game.
Ah, and the mess his father created. I suspected even my sister cursed his name a couple of times this last week.
That was why I was here. I needed to see him at his lowest. To gain an advantage over this unknown variable.
I wasn't even certain what I wanted from this meeting.
Answers, perhaps about the game, but it felt deeper than that.
"I returned from the human world to speak to you," I said flatly. "You could at least listen."
Tsubaki glanced at me. I did my best to ignore her.
Dante continued tapping for another minute, saying nothing. Simply watching us.
Was he doing something? I couldn't sense any demonic power.
Then he stopped.
He turned away, leaving the door open.
"Enter if you want, Miss Sitri," he said coolly. "But once you cross that door, remember… you're in my domain. With all it entails."
His voice echoed in my ears long after he walked away.
Domain? What was he talking about?
Tsubaki frowned. We shared a confused look before I tried to step in.
Tried being the keyword, as Tsubaki's grip made it all but impossible to move.
Only when I turned around did I realize how uncomfortable she looked.
"Tsubaki?"
"Are you sure this is wise, President?" she asked worriedly. "I have a bad feeling. He isn't acting as you described, and I didn't like the look in his eyes."
She paused, then sighed, "Shouldn't you tell your parents you're back in the underworld before you visit Mister Andromalius? No one saw us teleport."
"It's fine, Tsubaki. Didn't you feel it? He's weaker than me, and he wouldn't dare harm us on my family's territory," I said, pulling my arm free and giving her a scolding look.
My queen shook her head defeatedly but followed me despite her hesitant steps.
I still didn't know what she was so worried about.
There was something strange in the house. It felt weird, but not in a way I could explain.
Maybe this was what grief did to a household. I couldn't imagine what Dante's mother was going through. Dante didn't seem affected, but maybe he was just hiding it well.
It's not like I didn't know he was a good liar. If it wasn't for his gift, I wouldn't be sure whether he threw our game or if it was just my imagination.
He was waiting for us in the living room, with some teacups already arranged. His eyes were amused, but there was something like… disappointed exasperation as he locked eyes with me.
"You should've taken the out, Miss Sitri," he said, gesturing to the seats with a flick of his wrist.
Cheap, but I already knew about his family's situation.
Tsubaki grabbed the two cups, and a small, almost unnoticeable magical circle appeared in her palms as she checked them.
I hid my frown. Something had spooked my queen hard; she knew better than this. The Andromalius might not be nobles anymore, but they were part of the pillars.
But instead of being offended as I feared, he just smiled slightly.
"You have nothing to fear, Tsubaki Shinra. If I wanted any of you dead, I wouldn't use something as inelegant as poison. I invited you here, and guests' rights apply as soon as you pass through the door." He chuckled darkly.
There was darkness in his eyes, as if he meant every word he said.
I shivered without understanding why. I could feel his magic, and he wasn't anything special. I wasn't the monster Serafall was, but I knew I was stronger than him.
And I didn't feel any wards or spells in the room.
The oppressive feeling grew to the point that Tsubaki's hands trembled, almost dropping the tea. I had to bite my tongue to avoid standing up.
Then, it vanished as his smile returned.
"Go ahead, Miss Sitri," he tapped the table, matching his previous rhythm. "Why are you here? Why now?"
"I've been watching you since the party. You tossed our chess game, and I needed to know why. When I learned about your father, I saw a chance to get the truth from you."
Why did I say all that? I should have shown compassion first.
He just lifted his eyebrow as the amused glint returned to his eyes.
Embarrassed and unsure what to say, I continued, "I wanted to understand you. You're clearly more than you seem, and you didn't push to join my peerage at the party as I expected. You threw our match as soon as Rias mentioned marriage, and I wanted to know if it was because you don't find me attractive."
I could feel a blush burning through my face. Tsubaki's alarmed gaze didn't help a single bit.
"And yes, I saw the chance to recruit you when you're vulnerable. I don't know you; I needed any advantage."
Why was I still talking?!
His eyes. It had to be his eyes that made me nervous.
He was quiet for a long time. Just watching me with those blue eyes that were similar to Serafall's but lacked the same warmth.
Then he smiled. Not mockingly, but in understanding.
"Hm. Dark, I approve," he nodded respectfully, "You clearly are out of your depth here, my dear."
"Let me lay your fears to rest. You're an attractive devil, and your intellect matches your beauty," he said soothingly, while I felt my blush explode. "I assure you; I didn't throw the game because I didn't find you attractive."
A sound came out of my mouth; one I didn't know I could even make.
"You got your answer. Now you can leave, Miss Sitri." He rose, draining his tea in a single gulp. "I need to be with Celestine and make some preparations."
He was… dismissing us?
No.
Not like this. I wanted to know more.
"Wait…!" I stood up.
Why did I do that?!
"Yes?" He looked at the hand I'd grabbed in my panic.
Oh, by the Satans. What was happening to me?
"I can help you with your situation!" I blurted out.
Tsubaki stood up sharply, "President, why are you acting this way? You're acting stupid!"
Tsubaki's hands flew to her mouth, eyes wide with horror. "I… I didn't mean… Lady Sona, I would never…"
But she did say it. Tsubaki. My queen, my best friend who would never say something like this in front of someone else.
Something was very, very wrong.
I turned to look into Dante's eyes. Those cold, dispassionate, if amused eyes.
"You!" Anger surged through me. "You did something to us!"
He laughed. Softly at first, then hard enough that he had to cover his mouth.
"I warned you, didn't I?" He shrugged as he sat down and dried his eyes from a few stray tears. "I dislike being lied to in my domain."
He nodded once.
My body moved without permission as I was forced into the seat.
Tsubaki squealed as she dropped into her chair, her hands gripping the armrests.
"What… what is this?!" She looked terrified.
"As I said before, if I wanted any of you dead, I wouldn't need something like poison, my ladies," he answered calmly, "But your well-being is assured."
I shared a glance with Tsubaki, and I regretted not listening to her.
We should have alerted someone about our plans. We shouldn't have entered his house.
His calm tone only made me even more nervous. He talked as if we were speaking about the weather, not the death of the Heiress of the Sitri House.
"You've forced us to say the truth…" I looked at him before shaking my head, "Not only that, but you are also lowering our inhibition."
"Bingo. And people say brains aren't attractive," he winked at me.
Damn this bastard.
"How are you doing this?" Tsubaki asked, panic easing as she tested her legs. I also felt the force holding me still fade.
"You don't expect me to explain all my tricks, right?" Dante grinned a boyish grin, "No can do, my fair lady. Even if I have to admit those eyes of yours are striking."
Then it was Tsubaki's turn to sputter a reply.
His eyes were locked with my Queen's. But it wasn't like the majority of devils, where she felt uncomfortable. He was looking at her like a man appraising a painting.
Which only made Tsubaki even more embarrassed.
"Now, since you piqued my interest. What were you offering?" He glanced at me this time.
And now that I noticed, he looked at me in a similar way.
"Join my peerage!" I blurted, then cursed at whatever he had done.
Coughing into my fist, I continued, "I don't know how you do this, but I see hundreds of ways to use it. Join me, and your family will be cared for. Your father will be in the best hospital in the territory. Father has an entire wing studying the sleeping sickness; the best doctors will look after him."
"As for your mother, she will be under the protection of my family. I vow that in my name."
"No."
That was all he said. A single word in a flat tone. One that made it clear that nothing I could offer would change his mind.
Which didn't make sense. Everything I knew about him showed that he cared about his parents; they had been the only constant in his life since he was all but a babe.
Was I dealing with a prideful devil? They were the worst ones after the slothful ones.
"An impressive offer, Miss Sitri. Don't get me wrong." He chuckled, "All very generous… but there are some things you don't understand."
"Then tell me!" The words came out of me without meaning to.
Glaring at the smug bastard who snickered at my plight, I did my best to show my anger.
No, I wasn't pouting. I didn't pout.
"Do you carry them with you?" He asked calmly, "If I may, can I see them? Whatever piece you'd prefer."
"It's clear your family hasn't taught you much," I scoffed, "You should know how… personal evil pieces are for every devil."
"But you are too curious for your own good," he chuckled.
Damn him. He was right.
Hesitantly, I shared a look with Tsubaki, who sighed and sat down defeatedly.
She knew I had already decided to see this till the end.
I pulled the evil pieces from a magical ring I had been given a couple of years ago. Storage rings were expensive, but Serafall always went above and beyond with her gifts.
And this one was too useful to ignore, as I did most of the time.
Grabbing a pawn, I put it in Dante's hand.
If my parents were to see me, my bum would be red for a couple of years.
He observed it, nodding every once in a while.
Then everything went to hell. At first, I didn't think much of it, just had some strange feeling in my skin.
Then Dante's eyes began shining. A silver, otherworldly light came out of his eyes as sound ceased to exist.
There was no outward expression of power, no noticeable magic, no broken furniture, nothing.
But I couldn't move. I couldn't think. Everything was blank, and the only thing on my mind was how hauntingly beautiful his eyes looked.
I didn't know how much time passed until I could finally move… but Dante was shaking his head in disappointment.
"Interesting work, I suppose. But I expected better from someone of that devil caliber." He tapped his lips with his finger, "Well, he made them when he was younger, I suppose."
I didn't know what came out of me, but I felt laughter bubbling inside my chest.
"You want me to believe you understand what Lord Beelzebub did? No one in the underworld knows how evil pieces work, much less how they were created. They are known throughout the world as some of the finest magics ever created. And you, a disgraced noble barely older than me, understand them?"
Perhaps it was bad etiquette, but even I couldn't bring myself to scold Tsubaki for laughing with me.
"I think you have forgotten something, my dear," he didn't get angry; he had the same amused look in his eyes. "I said I despise lies in my domain."
"These trinkets wouldn't be able to force me to do anything," he continued, "They would fail, and I'm unsure what would happen to them."
"Especially from someone like you."
He wasn't mocking me; he was stating a fact.
But I felt rage bubbling inside my chest.
"You mean to say I'm too weak to reincarnate you?!" I shouted even as I stood up.
Only for my eyes to widen when I noticed my wobbly knees.
"My dear, not even if your sister were here would she be allowed to tame me."
"Preposterous," I scoffed. "My sister is the strongest female devil in the whole underworld."
"And she would fail," he shrugged as if he wasn't sprouting out something ridiculous, then his eyes brightened.
"What about a bet, Lady Sona?" he laughed cooly, "I will give you one chance. One. Try to reincarnate me. If you succeed… well, that's it. If you lose, you will do something for me, one of the two things you offered, either you will put my father in the best care you are allowed to, or you will protect my mother."
"I want to know if you are telling the truth or if it's only what you believe the truth is," I said honestly.
"Then try," he stood up and opened his arms, "But I warn you… I don't know what will happen to that piece."
He was taunting me. I could see that he truly believed what he was saying. And despite knowing that, I only grew even more curious.
"You are gambling with your future's safety?" I frowned, disliking the thought. I wasn't sure if I wanted someone who would do something so foolish.
"Like saying you will only marry someone who beats you in chess?" He snorted, "I wouldn't call it a bet if you already know the result."
Bastard. It wasn't the same thing.
"But be careful, my lady," his eyes turned cold, "Making a pact with me is unlike anything you've ever done. If you or I win, we will be forced to provide what the other person asks for. Understood?"
Something about the way he said it made my skin prickle.
His eyes looked older, as confusing as it was. Reminding me of when my sister was serious about something.
"I understand. And I accept." I clasped his hand.
"Excellent." He grinned.
Later.
Sona Sitri.
Following Dante to his room was something I didn't expect out of me anytime soon. But here I was, walking silently to avoid bothering Mrs. Andromalius.
The house was as small as I had heard, and it lacked any kind of show of wealth as I knew most of the pillars overused. But there was something you didn't see that often in other castles and territories.
Family pictures. Genuine, not the usual pompous ones.
One where every family member was there because they wanted to, instead of being forced to be there.
"We're here," I smiled as he led us in, tapping the floor with his feet. Much to my surprise, some tiles on the floor opened, and a space larger than it should have been, appeared.
A secret room, how quaint. But damn this devil, everything he had done only filled me with more questions, and as much as he answered, I didn't feel like I knew better than when I came in.
The tiles closed behind us, and I finally saw the first tell of wards in this house. But I didn't recognize a single one.
They also didn't feel like demonic power. In fact, it was unlike every single system I had seen in my eighteen years of life. I wasn't the most knowledgeable, but… this was strange.
A wall in the far corner was blocked by a scary amount of wards, though. Like, over ten times as many as the ones used to block the room.
I wonder what he was hiding there. But knowing the bastard, he would try fluster me before answering me.
"You can start, Lady Sona," he said kindly.
That tone again. He was starting to piss me off. Dante Andromalius was an agent of chaos. But I could set him straight.
I swallowed my nerves before stepping closer.
Tsubaki hovered behind me, looking as tense and disapproving as before. She didn't stop me; she knew better than that.
Once I decided on something, stopping me only made it worse.
I drew a pawn from my ring.
It rested in my palm, and it wasn't until then that I realized how… sweaty my hands were.
It was a simple evil piece. I hadn't been one of the luckier devils that had received a mutated piece, but I used them as efficiently as I could. Dante shouldn't be a problem despite his words; someone of his strength should be easy for me to reincarnate.
I doubted I'd need more than three pieces, and that was thinking too highly of him.
My magic wrapped around it instinctively… and I pressed it against Dante's chest.
The Sitri magic circle bloomed instantly, its blue lines spreading across his torso as the pawn sank into him without resistance.
I smirked triumphantly. The connection snapped into place, just like every last time I had used them.
At least this would serve as a training experience when I approached the other boy I had my eyes on. I doubted it would take more than six months to see if he was the one for my peerage.
I wasn't usually this… desperate to get my pieces, but Rias didn't wait to ask if I was truly interested in Dante. Whatever he had done with my best friend had made her increasingly… unhinged when she talked about him.
And I wasn't going to lose to Rias. Not in this.
But I won. I would even take care of his family as I had offered, despite him not asking for it in the terms of our bet. I would have to curve his prideful streak, but I knew how to deal with problem children…
And I'd have to teach him how to make better deals. But he was intelligent; I doubted he would take much time.
I almost laughed at myself for ever doubting myself. The truth spell, his weird magic… all of it made sense now. It wasn't absolute. It only forced out what one believed to be true.
That was the flaw.
But even with this limitation, I could still use it to help me fulfil my dream.
Dante wasn't immune. He was just convinced of his own invincibility.
And now I had proof I was right.
The circle tightened, glowing brighter as my magic flowed in. I took a breath, steadying myself, ready to put another pawn in.
Then something went wrong.
The circle stuttered.
I frowned, instinctively pushing more power into it. The lines trembled, as if something inside Dante was pushing back.
A sharp crack echoed through the room.
The magic circle shattered.
It shattered.
I stumbled back as the connection was severed so violently it felt like someone had ripped a nerve out of my chest. My breath hitched, pain flaring across my body as the link to the pawn piece vanished entirely.
"No!"
Dante grunted in pain.
He staggered, his hand flying to his chest as he took a step back, clenching his teeth. For a heartbeat, I thought I had seriously hurt him.
Then a smoky red light seeped out from beneath his fingers.
Slowly at first, then it took speed.
Crimson mist bled into the air, curling unnaturally before sinking toward the floor. Something clinked softly as it fell.
Then again.
And again.
My pawn piece.
I dropped to my knees before I even realized I had moved, my hands trembling as I picked up one of the fragments. The runes etched into it were dull.
Completely dead. Devoid of demonic power.
"That's not possible," I whispered.
My chest tightened painfully as more pieces fell, scattering across the floor like broken glass. I gathered them frantically, as if holding them together might undo what I was seeing.
They didn't respond. No matter how much demonic power I pumped into it.
The pawn piece was gone.
Something wet blurred my vision.
"That was my evil piece," I said hoarsely. "Do you have any idea what you've done?"
Anger surged up to smother the rising panic. I stood abruptly, clenching my hands into fists as I glared at him.
"You destroyed it!" My voice cracked. "You said you didn't know what would happen, but this… this is…"
Damn him and this strange spell. Every action was what I truly felt, I couldn't hide them as I usually did.
"I warned you," Dante said quietly.
He straightened slowly, rolling his shoulder as if it hurt as much as I losing an evil piece forever.
His expression wasn't smug. If anything, it was sad.
Then it turned… serious.
"I told you I didn't know what would happen to the piece," he continued. "I also didn't expect this to happen."
My throat tightened despite myself. A sob almost escaped me when I felt Tsubaki's hand on my back.
"One can't get more pieces… not even my sister without owing Lord Ajuka too much," I hissed. "It was a masterpiece. Ajuka himself…"
"Made something acceptable," Dante finished calmly.
"Even at this point, my dear, think you know what you are dealing with. Let me tell you… You know nothing."
I stared at him.
Something inside my chest twisted painfully. Regret crept in, of course. Not just over the pawn. Over the bet. Over stepping into this room. Over thinking I would get what I wanted from this meeting.
This wasn't supposed to happen.
This wasn't how it went in my head.
My hands shook as I pressed them against my eyes. I hated this feeling. Hated losing control. Hated that my voice wavered when I spoke again.
"I shouldn't have agreed to this," I whispered.
The words slipped out before I could stop them.
I lowered my hands and looked at the remains of my piece, "I shouldn't have come here."
For the first time since I entered his house, I didn't feel clever. Or confident. Or even more powerful than him.
I really shouldn't have. I should have listened to Tsubaki.
Even as I heard slow, calm footsteps, I didn't look.
At least, I didn't look until I felt some soft fingers lifting my chin.
Those daunting blue eyes of his. I never understood the saying about getting lost in someone else's eyes… until now.
There was understanding in his gaze, dare I say an apology, even if he didn't voice it out.
He didn't make a show of power like before, but his gaze reminded me of that time. Of that power, that unfathomable power.
His fingers weren't holding me tight. I could have turned away.
I didn't.
Tsubaki tensed. I could feel her eyes on my back, ready for anything. But she let it play out, just as curious as I was.
"Tell me, Sona," his voice was soft, almost intimate, as he helped me stand up.
It wasn't until now that I noticed how tall he was.
"What would you give to get it back? Would you make a pact with something you don't understand?"
He brushed away my tears with his thumb, gently… soothingly.
I shivered. It was the coldness of the room, nothing more than that.
"What would you say, my lady?" He whispered, "Would you want something in return? Something better than those trinkets?"
He got closer. Too close.
"Something done by me, personally?" he finished throatily.
"I'd give anything," I whispered just as softly, my gaze locked with his.
"Careful, careful," he chuckled warmly, "You are lucky I like you. Don't go around making promises like that, Sona. I felt bad because, in a way, I was at fault. But I just want what you already offered. My father and mother taken care to the best of your ability."
The warmth of his hand and his breath near mine confused me more than his gentle scolding.
I'd always heard that devils should use any advantage to get what they wanted. We were devils, after all. Everyone had their weaknesses. Apparently, mine were handsome devils with warm hands who could beat me in chess and throw the game, almost making me believe they hadn't.
If it wasn't for his gift, I wouldn't have realized he played everyone for a fool.
But no one had used this tactic against me. No one had ever dared to use my desires against me. Not these ones.
I simply wasn't prepared for it.
The amused twinkle in his eyes showed me he knew what he was doing to me.
Blasted devil and his beautiful eyes.
He was getting too intimate with me, but I wasn't moving away because I liked it.
Despite all he had done, I enjoyed feeling wanted.
Something that Rias always took away from me.
"You have my word," I whispered, after feeling lost in his hands for far too long. "You handsome bastard. This is unfair."
He laughed warmly, and Tsubaki giggled behind her hand. I would get my due from Dante… later. When I learned more about him.
As for Tsubaki? The paddle in the council room will be useful after a long while.
"I need time," he sighed as he tried to step away.
Tried. I didn't let him. He had embarrassed me beyond any other time. I had already made a fool of myself; now I just wanted to enjoy his warmth without caring.
Yes, that's right. I didn't care anymore. It's not like I could even lie while I was here, and it was all this bastard's fault. He owed me.
And I always get my due.
"I vow to give you something better, Sona," he grinned, "Just… trust I don't lie, and when I am capable of it, you will get my gift. Sounds fair?"
"I don't have much of a choice," I deadpanned even as I tightened my hold on his arm.
Hmm… he did train his body.
"But I also think I want to say yes, despite having no idea what you are hiding."
Damn him. And damn me for being intrigued despite everything.
"I always fulfil my deals, Sona," he grinned, his eyes twinkling in victory.
Of course, he was feeling victorious. He got everything he wanted and didn't lose a single thing.
He played me the whole time, and here I was… my fingers grazing his arm a third time, making him laugh.
"And I hope we'll know each other much better when the time comes."
I completely ignored Tsubaki. I couldn't deal with her teasing right now.
Later.
Dante Andormalius.
Heh. She fled.
Sona couldn't bear Tsubaki's teasing looks, and she took her by the ear when she reached her limit.
How adorable.
I honestly hadn't intended to go as hard as I did in the end, but as fair as I usually was, I was, in the end, a demon.
Or devil, but… semantics.
I had been willing to owe Sona at most three favors, just because her help would be the most efficient answer for my situation, but it wasn't my fault that she made things easier for me. And she even gifted me a significant amount of power with her pawn piece. The opportunity to drain all of its power was too good to pass by.
And despite my disappointment, they were interesting pieces of magic. I could do something better, but as I was currently, my hands were tied. But it did give me many ideas.
And it's not like I was lying. I did find the devil cute, both of them. There was nothing lost in planting some seeds and letting them take root. While I wasn't focused on that, it was because I had other pressing matters to attend to.
But that wouldn't last forever. Not when I had finally decided to make the jump.
I couldn't wait any longer to grow stronger, and as dangerous as my original universe was, I would only grow like I wanted if I had access to that place.
And I won our little game. I trusted Sona to do as she promised, even without the assurance of my power. She was just like me, pragmatic, but good of heart.
Well, maybe she was better than I was in that regard. I slipped… sometimes.
Only when it was to my favor. But it was in my nature, and as much as I fought against it most of the time, I wasn't dumb enough not to take advantage of it.
There was only too much one could do against foolish mortals who didn't care about what they gave. Some people made it too easy to take advantage of them.
But I was going on a tangent. Everything at home was set, Father was… taken care of, and protected, but they wouldn't do much to help him.
They didn't realize the curse's truth, thinking it was a natural illness. I thought about telling Sona about it before staying silent.
It wasn't the best time.
Yes, she was bright, but… I doubted she would stay silent with such information.
Especially since her father absolutely was in the sight of the curse's creators. The hospital she took him to was impressive, and it was clear Lord Sitri was investing a great deal of gold in studying the 'illness'.
I didn't give him more than three years before he 'contracted' it.
Maybe less if he got too close to the truth.
But it was fixable. Hell, I would do it for free just because I found Sona's reactions adorable.
And, obviously, she'd be thankful.
And I still felt a tiny bit bad about making my only male friend cry… my nature slipped a bit too much with Sai during the party. So, I needed to grow strong enough to cure three patients of the curse and defend myself and my family from the attention that would bring.
Now that I think about it, Rias was the only one who hadn't seen that side of me. But she was the most naïve out of all of them.
Sai saw through me with his life energy use. I honestly didn't expect that from a devil and wasn't protecting myself against it. Sona… well, I didn't care about hiding anymore. Not after whoever acted against my family did so without any care.
She was just unlucky.
Or maybe lucky. I was good at sniffing out secrets, and while I didn't have many of my abilities from my past life, I could see that not being in control did some things to her.
Kinky. It was always the quiet ones.
Laughing alone in my secret room, I glanced fondly at the pictures.
Well… I had done what I could.
Mom wasn't… happy with me leaving, but she understood.
Who was I kidding, she was absolutely pissed, and I couldn't even fault her. She had lost her husband, and her son was leaving her alone to seek a cure.
But she believed in me. She trusted I knew what I was doing, even when she logically shouldn't.
I loved that woman. And I would make sure to bring her husband back to health.
My father, back to health.
Then I would lock him inside the house to keep him safe. Or have a very… direct conversation with him.
He had been lucky these idiots just cursed him. If he had died… well, reviving the dead wasn't easy, nor cheap.
Glancing around one last time, I sighed.
Tapping the warded wall, the spells deactivated, and I glanced at the most secure place in the house.
My treasury. It was empty beyond a single object, but I would fill it in time.
Taking Red's scale, I plunged it into another wall, and a rift appeared.
I hesitated for a moment before stepping inside the crimson rift into the nothingness of the void.
"You aren't as ready as I wanted to." Red's voice echoed inside my head.
"You saw what happened, bastard." I huffed at nothingness, "I'll be careful, you have my word."
He snorted but didn't speak for a moment.
"Well, I guess I told you to care for your family," I got the impression he shrugged, "Whatever, I had an idea when I peeked inside. Have fun, insufferable bastard. You'll need it."
Something invisible slammed into me midair.
My body was hurled forward before I could even orient myself, the familiar feeling of Red's power pressing against my skin, wrapping my whole body and soul.
The only active thing was my clan trait to its maximum output.
The sun hit me from the back, a yellow sun, at least.
So, Red sent me to the earth. Hopefully.
Eh, that was my first stop if I had chosen. Mortals were easy to trick. Even though many decades had passed since I last came here.
I tried to unfurl my wings out of instinct, but Red's power pressed harder, pinning my limbs against my will.
And he had the audacity to call me an insufferable bastard.
With my magic and body locked, I attempted to look around to no avail.
But something didn't make sense. Even if centuries were to have passed, this shouldn't be possible.
This amount of magic in the air wasn't normal.
Not even close.
The density alone reminded me of some lesser domains from other demons. Like magic was continuously passing through this place.
A Leyline? A big one, if I was right.
But even that didn't make much sense… this amount was absurd.
"Uff."
I impacted against something… hard enough to feel my bones rattle.
Glass shattered around me as I went through it. I rolled in the air enough times to make me dizzy before slamming into the ground with enough force to crack the stone under me.
"…Tch. Fucking overpowered manchild."
I lay there for a moment; my face pressed against something cool.
My magic was still locked.
Slurp.
I froze.
Another slurp followed, exaggerated enough that it couldn't possibly be accidental.
Whoever it was, it was already pissing me off.
I tried to lift my head… and failed, again.
Whatever restraint had me pinned was still there.
Slurp.
"Well," a calm voice said above me, amused and wary in equal measures, "this is new."
The pressure vanished. I heard Red's chuckle inside my head before his presence disappeared.
I pushed myself up slowly. My joints cracked with every move. I ignored the other presence in the room as I checked myself for injuries.
And looked up.
A bald woman stood before me, completely relaxed, holding a cup filled with glowing blue ice. I had never seen something like that. It smelled… fruity?
She slurped again, her eyes flicking down to meet mine with open curiosity.
She looked… ordinary.
But I wasn't focused on her looks. She stank of the power from that arm Mephisto threw at me before killing me. A follower of Dormammu? What was Red thinking?
I doubted he was happy with me throwing Mephisto through his realm. Did Red make a deal with the flaming head? Even if he was pissed at me, I supposed he would be angrier at Mephisto than me. Hopefully.
She leaned back slightly, setting the cup down on a nearby table with an infuriatingly casual motion, and clasped her hands behind her back.
"I have to admit," she said thoughtfully, "this is the first time a demon has dropped at my feet without at least a few spears buried in his torso."
I blinked once, feeling a bit confused.
Then I smiled.
"First time for everything," I replied, dusting glass shards from my coat. "Though I feel robbed. I would have liked to make an even more dramatic entrance."
Her lips twitched in amusement.
"Oh, don't worry," she said lightly. "You're early. The dramatic part usually comes after introductions."
Her eyes sharpened just a fraction. She was sitting casually, but every alarm inside my head was telling me that she wasn't someone I could currently match, "You're very far from home, demon. And I wasn't expecting you."
I met her gaze before my eyes widened at what was in her neck.
Why the actual fuck did she have a piece of the being who birthed me?!
"Yes," I agreed. "It seems I am."
She smiled.
"Welcome to Earth," she said. "I fear that my usual meetings with demons end with violence... but I have a feeling this time doesn't have to be like that."
In her hand, the strange ice crackled inside the cup.
Well… I was in danger. And it was all Red's fault.
Heh. At least Red knew how to make things interesting.
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