Six

It was already past midday and Zane was packing some equipment into the van with Leon.

"This isn't fair." Lena whined standing outside the opened front door. "How come only Zane gets to go?"

Leon sighed, then let down the trunk of the van. "He's only going to help me set up. That's all."

"I'll help too."

He lit a cigarette. "Even with divine intervention you still have a day or so before you can use that arm. How do you plan to help? Just hang out here for the day and rest."

She relented rearranging her sling. "Yes, sir."

"Such a good girl." He smiled. "Alright, Zane hop in."

Zane walked to the other side of the van and heard a beep in his pocket. A text from Lena.

I won't let this go, Zane

He smiled and waved at her getting in the car.

As they begin to drive off, Leon spoke to Zane. "I hope you've prepared for the most grueling weekend you have ever experienced."

Zane, matching the seriousness of Leon's tone, nodded. "I am."

Lena watched as the van sped off down the street. Then she turned around and was back inside. She flopped on the couch annoyed.

If she hadn't broken her arm she would be going to this meeting as well. Maybe even get someone to mentor her a bit. She hated how weak she felt during her first mission. Even though it was a success.

There was a knock at the door. Lena jumped up. She reached the knob expecting Zane and was surprised to see Mikalia.

"You?" Lena scrunched her face.

"Hello." Mikalia responded throwing up a cutesy peace sign and finishing with a wink.

"Why. Are. You. Here?" She spat already angry. "Zane's not here."

Mikalia smirked. "I know, I can sense that much. I'm here for you today."

Lena stood straighter. "What do you want with me?"

"I intended to challenge you, but by the looks of it there isn't much you can actually do is there?"

"You trying to pick a fight?" Lena's eye twitched as she tried to beat back her fury.

Mikalia looked genuinely innocent. "You couldn't defeat me when you could use both arms, how do you plan to now?"

Lena laughed dryly. "Well come on if you think I can't."

"Maybe you should slow down and listen. I didn't come here to challenge you to a fist fight."

"What DID you come for?"

"It's obvious we are both in love with Zane. So I will take the time to officially recognize you as my rival."

Lena scoffed. "Two things wrong with that. One, we aren't in anything with Zane. And two, I certainly want nothing to do with being your rival."

"Deny it all you want but I'm gonna call you out on it. With that said, as my rival for Zane, it's only fair to level the playing field."

Lena sucked her teeth and exhaled. "What's that even mean?"

"I saw your fight a couple days ago, miss demon slayer."

Lena's eyes narrowed as she took a defensive posture. "I was told the presence of a higher level fiend had rendered every human in the vicinity unconscious. Who. Are. You?"

"I am the Devil." Mikalia's brown eyes were suddenly glowing a flaming orange before reverting back. "Well that's still my father, but almost. And Zane will be my king."

Lena threw a punch with her good arm which Mikalia avoiding by stepping back. Then Lena threw a sharp kick. Mikalia flipped in the air landing a few yards away.

"I'm glad you revealed yourself, demon. Now I can destroy you without hesitation."

Mikalia crossed her arms into an "X". "I told you I didn't come for a fist fight."

"If you think I'll let you..."

Without a thought, Mikalia was behind Lena with her eyes orange. "The difference between us is too great. You know? At least wait to fight me once you have recuperated."

"When I do I'm gonna kill you."

"Until then."

"Why, why tell me this? What do you think Zane's reaction to this news will be."

"I will admit that I freaked out at that question. But I believe its already been resolved."

"He knows?"

"Yes and no. I mean he knew everything about me when he was younger. He just needs a little reminder. It's a work in progress."

"Even so, once I report to my dad, the Vatican will never let you near him. They'll hunt you til the ends of the earth."

"That's why you're not going to report a word about any of this. To anyone."

"Ha, why would I do that?"

Her eyes were suddenly darker in tone. "If you do, it won't take heaven long to figure out about what Zane really is. I would bring an end to you and anyone else before I allow you to place Zane into their crosshairs again."

Lena's stance softened. "You were there the night of his family was massacre, weren't you?"

"If anyone finds out what he is...that night will be nothing in comparison."

"What happened that night? What is he?"

Mikalia looked to the distance. "Heaven showed just how frightening they can be."

"Are you saying God did that? Don't kid me!"

"Believe what you what. But if you love him as much as I know you do, then you will say nothing."

Mikalia began to walk away. "Wait..." Lena stopped her. "I formally recognize you as my rival Mikalia James."

Mikalia nodded in affirmation. "We will let Zane decide the victor."

"First to completely win him over, is it?"

"Exactly."

"May the best girl win."

"I already intended to. I'll start my assault first thing in the morning."

"Sorry to disappoint but Zane won't be back until after the weekend."

Mikalia deflated in an instant. "You're kidding?"

"Did that throw a wrench in your gameplan? So tragic."

"What is a girl supposed to do until then?"

Lena shrugged. "Not my problem." She said shutting Mikalia outside."

"Guess I go home for now." Mikalia said blankly.

Mikalia entered the living room of her palace where her mother was. Her mother waved her over.

"I didn't get to ask last night but how did it go with Mr. Zane?"

"Went incredibly. He even remembered something after I kissed him." She smiled thinking back to it.

"See I told you, men must be reminded of things through their other brain."

"Please cut that out. I only kissed him on the cheeks. But he remembered very special memory we shared underneath the cherry blossom tree." Immediately Mikalia regretted her words.

"Cherry blossom tree? Who did you say this boy was?" When Mikalia only remained silent Lilith continued? "Be mindful of what you say and whom you say it around. Please do not ruin your own happiness, my daughter."

Mikalia nodded understanding she was safe with her mother. "Thank you."

"And for the record, I think if you were to go all the way with this young man you would get more than a small pocket of memory."

"Mom!"

"You have a power stronger than God between your legs and it was God, himself, who gave you such a weapon."

"And I'm not having this conversation with you." Mikalia walked away heading to the lounge where most demons her age frequented.

Before she got there she overheard Beelzebub speaking with another fiend. She edged herself closer to them to hear better.  She recognized the other demon as Ranma. She was the older sister of the fiend Zane had killed the other day.

"This shall not stand Beelzebub."

"You shall have your revenge in do time Ranma. For now, we must..."

"I am not asking permission. I can not focus on resurrecting Mastema until my brother has been avenged."

Beelzebub sucked his teeth. "Dammit Ranma, do not cause any more attention. I do not want Lucifer to know I am making moves behind his back. We shall eliminate the pest at a later date."

"Do not presume to tell me..."

Beelzebub quickly grabbed her by the throat. "It is you who should not presume. You are nothing before me. Your great power is a blessing from me."

He let her go. "I can have it done by tomorrow."

He nodded. "Then return once it's done. Do not make a mess of things as your brother has."

With those final words, the two parted ways. Her heart beat faster. Ranma was a Greater Fiend. Leagues above what her brother was. Zane couldn't survive an encounter with her at the level he was at.

He would need her. Or she would lose the man she loves.