Chapter 333- Honesty

Within the city of devils, society was strangely normal, even by human standards.

The devils held dignity, and considered themselves to be on an even plane with all other demons, whether it be elementals, spirits, dragonic demons, or the other devils.

The devils viewed their own creations- the humanoids- as beings on a lesser plane, however when it came to one another, society functioned as if it were a human society.

When Vex was younger, he attended a school and spent his days educating himself about the world.

Like any other high schooler, he had dreams, goals, and a vision for himself.

He also longed to be with a certain girl, just as any high school boy would.

Vex was relatively outgoing even in his younger days, yet when he was faced with this girl he would freeze up, unable to speak.

However, on one day in particular, he mustered up his courage and asked her on a date.

And by a miracle, she said yes.

Vex spent the entire week looking forward to this date.

He ensured that all preparations were perfect.

He dressed up. He set the place, the time, and the venue.

He prepared a grand budget and scheme, from A to Z.

He did everything and anything to ensure that there would be absolutely no issues.

Yet on the day of the date, something happened.

It was a trivial matter.

"Oof...."

"Ugh....."

"Agh...."

Vex was walking to pick up this date from her home, when he saw in a back alleyway a nerdy devil who was being beat up by three roughneck devils.

"Hahaha.... that's what you get, shithead. Next time bring us more than this chump change."

"That's right. Or we'll have to repeat this all over again."

Vex was completely and utterly focused on the date at hand, but something stopped him.

"Hm? I have a date to be going to..... don't tell me..... I want to help that kid?"

Vex felt a strange emotion which contradicted his own benefit, yet he could not shake it.

He walked away, continuing to walk, and as he did so this emotion only became greater.

"Is this.... remorse? Am I feeling remorse for letting that kid get beat?"

Closing his eyes, Vex let out an annoyed sigh.

"Agh!! Whatever. I'll do it real quick."

Without a watch on his hand, Vex was unable to check the time.

'I left early.... so I should still be on time....'

Vex turned back into the alleyway.

"Hey. Let that kid go."

"Eh???"

"What's it to you?"

"You wanna provide us with the money he was supposed to get us?"

The three replied in vulgar manner.

"I said to let him go. Now."

"Get him."

The three charged Vex, at which the bright orange demon smiled.

He took a fighting stance, preparing himself to fight back.

Vex blocked the first blow, shifting the weight of the demon around so that he flew into the wall, however another blow was quickly made by the 2nd demon, landing square in the face of Vex.

"Ugh!"

Vex held his face as he was punched, but the beating didn't end there.

A fist rose up into the gut of Vex, knocking the wind out of him.

"Thought you were a tough guy, eh? Hahaha!!!"

Vex was beaten to the ground.

He was kicked, humiliated, and laughed at.

"Nice suit you got there. I'm sure you've got some money on you, rich boy."

The devil slipped his hand into the pocket of Vex, grabbing his coin pouch before counting the coins.

"Whoa, you're loaded aren't you? I'll be taking this."

Vex looked up at the devil with rage and disgust, yet this was met with a kick to the face.

"Quit looking at me like that. This is your fault for getting involved. Be thankful. I don't feel like pushing that wimp around anymore."

The boys left, quickly evacuating the area, leaving Vex and the nerdy kid alone.

"T-thank you-"

"Shut up. I don't need your sympathy. I have a date to get to."

Vex got himself up slowly, limping and bruised.

"A date?"

"Yeah. A date. Now get the hell out of here."

"But didn't they just take your money?"

Vex merely smirked.

"I prepared an extra pouch just in case something like this happened."

Pulling another pouch out, Vex grinned.

"Later kid. Don't expect anything like this again."

Vex rushed off, to meet his date while bruised and beaten.

'Ah.... I'm late now.... this sucks.....'

Vex rushed over to the home of the girl as fast as he could, but when he arrived, he was met with a butler.

"I'm here to pick up the girl who lives here. Is she ready? Sorry that I'm late."

"The lady just left with another man. He came by as she was waiting outside, and they ran off."

Vex was met with a quick reply, to which his heart was shattered.

"Another.... man?"

"They went that direction. I'm not one to pry in the business of the lady, but...."

Vex rushed off, taking flight.

He scoured the streets before noticing the two.

The girl and the very man who had just beaten him up.

'How cliché...'

Landing before them, Vex stopped the two as they walked.

They seemed to be happily chatting with one another, yet before them appeared a bruised demon, anger in his eyes.

"What are you doing with my date?", Vex asked.

"What are you talking about? I just found this chick outside waiting for someone, and she said that person stood her up and kept her waiting. Ah ah.... looks like you just got into a fight, kiddo. What's your problem? Going around picking fights with people and leaving this poor girl on the side?"

The thug spoke as if he was unrelated, pretending to play as the hero who swooped in and saved a girl who had been abandoned.

"He's right. You ask me on a date and have the nerve to show up late? Get a watch or something."

The girl flipped her hair and the two walked past Vex, not even allowing time for Vex to explain or say anything.

"I don't want to see your face again."

Vex, at that moment, felt a boiling wrath within him.

Towards both the girl before him, and towards the man who had swooped in and stole her.

"Ah..... so that's how you're going to play it....."

"Hey hey. Do you plan on fighting me? What are you, some sort of battle maniac? I'll let you know.... you don't stand a chance."

Vex rushed forward once more.

This time it was one on one. He could win.

The man acted like he was protecting the woman, standing in front of her before meeting the punch of Vex.

"In front of a lady too.... how classless."

This was met with an elbow to the head, knocking Vex unconscious.

"Let's go. Sorry you had to see that."

"Mhm.... how lame..... he can't even show up on time, then he complains and resorts to violence? What a sore loser. Glad I didn't end up with him."

Those were the last words that Vex heard before he entered a dreamlike state.

[Come..... to me.....]

Vex could not see anything aside from these words, but they beckoned him.

[You know where I am. Come.]

When Vex awoke, he remembered the man.

He was a jock, and another student at his Academy.

Vex did not know who he was, but he knew one thing.

He hated him.

He hated him, and he hated himself for wanting to date such a fickle and tactless woman.

Everything within Vex was filled with hatred.

"What.... the fuck....."

The woman denied him because he was late?

She went with another guy just because he was late?

Ridiculous.

Ludicrous.

"This is..... bullshit....."

Vex couldn't contain his anger. He wanted to punch a wall, but instead he walked forth.

He walked and walked until he came upon a graveyard.

"Fuck him.... fuck her.... fuck them!!!!! I HATE THEM!!!!"

Vex grabbed his head as he shouted in agony.

Nobody was around to hear, so he let his soul vent out of rage.

"AGH!!!!! WHAT THE HELL!!!!"

Vex continued to walk forward, coming upon a small shack for equipment.

He didn't know why, but he had been guided here. It was as if he instinctively knew to come here.

When he opened the door to the shack, he saw it.

A red crystal, floating in the air as it rotated on an axis, brightly glowing.

[Hello, my Host. I am.... the Sin of Wrath. You hold enough wrath in you.... to destroy entire nations. Go and spread your wrath to the world. Dispense it to those who are unsuspecting.]

Vex felt power flow into him, and something changed about him.

He was stronger.

He was faster.

He was better.

But more importantly, he held a new ability.

Knowledge of this ability was instilled into him, as if he was born with it.

On that night, a double murder occurred.

A young couple was found dead in the streets, their bodies in a horrible state as if they had exploded from the inside.

The murderer was never captured.

From that day forward, Vex purchased a watch, and never once allowed himself to show up late.

To anything.

----

Vex was met with the usual butler outside the mansion of his fiancé, who immediately noticed his unusual demeanor.

"Master Vex.... or perhaps you would like for me to simply refer to you as Vex? The lady has been quite distressed throughout the day. Did something happen last night?"

Vex met the eyes of the man who was clearly concerned for his mistress, and closed his own eyes.

Opening his eyes, he walked forward.

"Hey butler. Slap me."

"I'm sorry?"

Vex ran his own hand through his hair, shaking his own face as he tried to throw his own memories of being defeated out the window.

"I said slap me. Do it."

"As you wish."

The butler brought his demonic hand back and slapped Vex across the face, who laughed as soon as contact was made with a loud clap.

"Hahaha!! I needed that. Sorry bout the weird request. I've been through a lot today, so I needed that to get back into shape."

"Do you wish for me to lend an ear?"

"Nah, it's all good. After all, I don't wanna keep the lady waiting."

The butler nodded with a light smile, closing his eyes.

"I see. You would do best to apologize, regardless of whether the fault was your own or not."

"Yeah, I got that. She really is one picky girl. She finds any tiny fault and picks at it like a scab, causing a whole new wound to emerge- worse than the original. But....."

Vex let out a sigh.

"I suppose the fact that she's picky, clingy, and jealous just shows how fine of a woman she is."

"It takes a real man to understand that, Vex. I will let the lady know that you've arrived."

The butler opened the door and motioned for Vex to head over to the waiting room before heading up the stairs himself to knock on the door of his mistress.

"Lady Hatia, Master Vex has come by. Do you wish to come and speak with him?"

"That idiot came back after what he said yesterday!? Ha! Tell him to go shove it!"

"I do believe he has come back with a sincere and remorseful heart. Will you not at least come out and speak with him?"

"Mmmm..... fine!! But he'd better not think that I'll just forgive him like that! After all, he was working with that queen of lust! How can I expect him to be loyal to me when he's working with a woman like that!?"

"I understand your concerns, but that is not my place to speak."

"Whatever! Tell him I'll be down in a minute!"

The butler heard the sounds of rustling coming from the room of the lady as he walked down the stairs to inform Vex of their conversation.

'She is truly a handful, but I believe that if anyone can handle her that it is Master Vex.'

"I believe she is getting herself ready.", the butler said as he entered the waiting room. "Would you like me to fix you some tea while you wait?"

Vex was now sitting on the couch and nodded.

"Sure thing. I've never really thanked you for anything, butler. You've always been watching over me from the shadows, haven't you?"

"It is certainly rare for the head of one of the 7 houses to thank a mere servant like myself of a lower house. Truly, something happened to you today. Your demeanor is far different than usual."

"Is it that obvious?"

As the butler poured the tea he lightly nodded his head, placing the cup on the coffee table in front of Vex.

"Do you think that humanoids are people? Are their lives worth the same as ours?"

Vex posed the sudden question to the butler, who looked at him with shock and surprise.

"I am not sure. I have never personally left the realm of demons, and so to make such an assertion without even meeting a humanoid would be pretentious. Am I wrong?"

"I see."

Vex took a sip of the tea, thinning his eyes as he thought.

"I witnessed a demon today who considered the lives of even her enemies to be worth saving. When I removed their essence of fear, this demon became infuriated and lectured me, saying that I had ripped their humanity from them."

"Humanity? A strange term to use when describing the humanoids- and from a demon no less? It's almost as if the one using that term was a human themselves."

The butler sat down on the couch next to Vex, pouring his own cup of tea.

"Hmm.... I never really gave much thought to that."

"This demon you met.... they considered even their own enemies to be worth something? That is a very strange view. I am no warrior, but even I know that the destruction of one's enemies is the law of this demonic realm."

"That's what I thought too. Though, the demon didn't hesitate to kill the ones that I messed with. Once I had 'robbed them of their humanity', they said that the humanoids were 'no longer human'."

"That is certainly an interesting story. But that cannot be the only reason why you have changed so much. After all, why did you meet this demon in the first place?"

"I was supposed to kill her. The Determined."

The butler looked at Vex with a face of surprise.

"The demon you speak of is the Determined?"

"Yep. The weirdest demon I've ever seen. She didn't even look like a demon most of the time."

"What did she look like?", the butler asked, intrigued.

"She looked like an angel."

"Who are you saying looked like an angel!?!?!?"

The door bursted open and in came a demon with white skin who wore a beautiful black gown, her own face perked up with makeup and all sorts of cosmetics to beautify herself.

"Hatia! I wanted to apologize for what happened last night. I admit it was my own fault. I should never have spoken with Lustia or worked with her. I'm sorry for even being in the same room as that woman."

"More important than that, who is this angel you were just talking about!?!? HM!?!?"

"Ah, that was the woman I was supposed to kill today! The Determined has united the antiheroes, and they are threatening the authority of the 7 houses by taking over city after city within the monster realm- under the guise of becoming the true demon lords. I didn't mean that she looked like an angel as in 'she was as beautiful as an angel'. I meant that she literally looked like an angel. She had a halo and everything."

"Hmmmmm???? A literal angel, eh? Never heard of one of those."

"Well, even compared to an angel you are still-"

Vex was about to tell Hatia that she was even more beautiful than an angel, however his own words stopped.

[Condition: Honest has been set. Lying will not be allowed.]

'Eh? What is this? Lying is not allowed? What does that even mean? I wasn't about to lie....'

These words were shown only in the mind of Vex, however he contemplated their meaning as the beautiful demon stared him down.

"Were you going to finish your statement?"

"Ah, sorry! I was just gonna say that you're the most-"

'Most beautiful girl I've ever met.....'

[Warning. Lying goes against the condition: Honest. Statement has been disallowed.]

Vex stared at these words, and finally perceived their meaning.

'What the hell...'

Realizing what had happened to him, he wanted to grab his own head in despair, but resisted the urge to do so.

'I.... am not allowed to lie anymore?'

'My power is gone....'

'I'm weak.....'

'I no longer have my abilities.....'

'And now I can't even use my words to get out of things?'

'No no... I just have to tell the truth.... this is still fine.... we can get around this somehow.'

Vex looked up to the woman.

"You are gorgeous. I would never look-"

'At another woman but you....'

[Warning. Lying will not be allowed due to condition: Honest]

'FUCK!!!! THIS DAMN CONDITION!!!!'

"Are you trying to say something? You keep on finishing your sentences halfway through. What are you doing?"

Hatia looked down on Vex with a questionable face, but took a seat next to him.

"Sigh..... Vex, if you want to apologize then do so properly. I might consider forgiving you. Just don't ever work with or look at another woman again."

The demon stuck her chin up with her eyes closed, lightly opening one to peek over at the expression of Vex who sat next to her.

"What will it be?"

"Ah, you're right."

Vex stood up from the couch and knelt before the woman on one knee, bowing his own head in humility.

"I'm sorry. Will you forgive me?"

"Hmm..... I suppose so. Sit next to me."

Vex then sat down next to the woman, and the butler stood up from the couch.

"I will be taking my leave. If you need anything, do not hesitate to call out, Lady Hatia."

"That will be fine.", the female demon replied.

The two were now left alone to sit on the couch.

"I.... missed you during the day....", Hatia admitted reluctantly. "I am glad you have come back, but you came far too late. Why is that?"

"Hatia.... there's something I need to tell you."

"What is it?"

"I have lost my power. I lost in a fight today against the Determined, and she robbed me of my abilities. I don't know how it happened. It seemed like an instant before the fight was over. I don't even remember having a chance to fight back. Before I knew it, my body was moving on it's own against my will, and I was playing to her tune. And then.... the fear hit....."

The hands of Vex began to visibly tremble.

"That demon..... she was a monster..."

His eyes became filled with terror as he remembered the face and words of that demon.

'Do you know what it's like to be killed?'

Vex felt the hand of the demon intertwine with his own in his show of weakness.

"Are you ok?"

Looking up to see her face, he saw that welcoming smile that he longed to see.

Hatia looked down at Vex with genuine concern for him.

'So only after I become weak does she smile at me like this?'

"Sorry.... I said some weird things. I don't have any power any more. I am no longer worthy of leading the house of wrath."

"That doesn't matter. That isn't why I want to be with you, Vex."

"Are you.... is that true?"

The white demon nodded with a gorgeous smile.

Vex felt his own chest welling up with emotions, and found it hard to control them.

"Thank you."

"You've never thanked me before, Vex....."

"Thank you."

"Wanna go out to eat?"

Vex nodded his head, grabbing his own forehead while closing his eyes and biting his lip.

"Let's go...."

The two stood up and exited the house hand in hand, passing the butler who bowed to them before they exited the mansion.

'What have I been doing all this time? Power? Anger? Hatred? Wrath? Superiority?'

Vex gripped the hand of his woman tightly with a smile.

'I don't need any of that. All I need is this person right here. That's it.'

The two walked through the garden together and the demonic woman used her free hand to move her bangs to the side, revealing her gorgeous eyes.

She looked to the side, but Vex could tell she was happier than usual.

Perhaps even happier than ever before.

"I know this is a horrible thing to say.... but I'm glad that this Determined did this to you....", Hatia stated.

"Hahaha.... I think I might be as well....."

It was at that moment that Vex heard a voice in his mind.

It was a voice which sounded similar to the angelic tone which the Determined spoke with, yet it was distorted and demented as if it had been run through some sort of audio mixer.

[Did you really think I would send you off to have such a happy ending like that?]

Vex looked around in terror as he heard the voice.

Hatia looked at him with confused eyes.

"Is something wrong, Vex? Why do you seem so worried?"

"I.... heard something.... a voice...."

"A voice? You're just hearing things. Come on. Let's go eat something."

"Ah, right."

The two continued walking out of the gate and into the streets, which were dimly lit by magical fires.

There was no moon out, and the only light was the demon-made lights of the city.

Even so, a bright light then began to emit from Vex, blinding everyone in the area around him.

[As if, asshole.]

"What's.... Vex, why are you glowing like that!?!?!"

The red glow seemed to spread out radially, and eventually the skin of Vex began to rupture, revealing the red energy contained within him.

"What's.... what's happening!??!?!?!"

It was then that an explosion of energy erupted within the center of the city of darkness, taking out not just one, but three mansions in the area with it- and all their inhabitants.

For just a few moments the city was illuminated as if it was daytime, and in only a few moments more this light disappeared, leaving nothing more than the destruction in the cold dark night.

A crater was left in the center of the city, and not a single demon understood how or knew why it had happened.

A shockwave was sent through the city of devils, and everyone was filled with confusion on the sudden burst of light and energy.

Even so, they thought one thing as they saw this.

'My goodness.....'

'What is that?'

'It's.... terrible.....'

'But at the same time....'

'It's so beautiful....'

----

Earlier the same day, when Claire was heading back to her own office, she found herself soaring above the city before coming to a realization.

'Ah.... I had better take care of any of the others who had their fear removed.....'

'After all, they will only hurt people.....'

Claire held out her hand while closing her eyes to perform a scan of the city.

[Scanning for statistic: Fear]

[Loading. Please wait]

[Note: Anomalies found. Fear=Indeterminant. Pinpointing locations]

'So there are more after all....'

Claire made it her duty to take care of these people before they did any more harm to others.

Flying at tremendous speeds, Claire appeared on the opposite side of the city in a moment.

She heard the sounds of gunshots from inside a store, and the gnarly shouting of a man.

"AHAHA!!!! Give me all your money!!!! Hand it over!!!!! I'll kill you all if you don't!!!!"

"Don't you know that violence is banned? If the Determined finds out about this..."

"HAH!?!?! You speak the name of that demon in front of me!?! She isn't shit!!! I ain't scared of her!!!!!"

[Ah, is that so? You have no fear?]

Behind the man who was robbing a store, the demon which the people spoke of appeared.

Everyone in the vicinity shrunk away in terror at seeing this demon appear, however one man in particular merely looked behind him while pointing his firearm at her.

"HAHAHA!!!! You went and showed up, didn't you, demon? Too bad for you!!!! I won't lose to anyone today!!!! Not even you!!!!"

The man shot off a bullet which stuck into the tarlike substance which composed the face of the demonic figure.

"HAHAHA!!!! Doesn't matter if that don't effect you!!! I'll still kill you!!!!"

"Enough. You don't have what it takes to kill me."

Claire stuck her demonic arm through the chest of the ratman, piercing his own heart.

Ripping his heart out with a spray of blood, the man did not even have the time to scream.

The body dropped to the floor,

'The Determined....'

'She truly showed up....'

'She killed that man without a second thought.....'

'How terrifying.....'

In a moment, the demonic aura which came over Claire retracted, and all that remained was the beautiful angel who smiled upon the people.

Smashing the heart within her hand and flicking off the blood and flesh, she gave a delightful smile to the people who reeled back in terror.

"Criminals are truly bold these days to go and rob shops in broad daylight. I suppose the sun is going down already, isn't it? Even so....."

Claire walked out of the shop as the people blocking the door scooted back in horror, making a path for her.

"Regardless of how dark it is, to commit a crime in my realm is the same as doing it in broad daylight. I see all, and will destroy all who disobey my law."

The people were left breathing raggedly as the demonic angel exited, closing the door with a slam.

Claire then proceeded around the city, going from place to place to clean up the remainders of Vex's rampage.

After finishing off the rest of the men around the city, she found herself headed back towards her own office.

'Finally.... I can get back to the office.... geh.... there are still mounds of work to do when I get back....'

'This really has been a pain in the ass, hasn't it? You did so much but now we're just back to square one.'

'I know, right?'

'I wonder how Mori and Lisa are.... I hope they're alright. I should check up on them as soon as we get back.'

'You do that, me.'

'UGH!! There's still so much work to do!!! It's already past 6!!!!'

'Ain't no rest for the wicked.'

'Don't call me wicked!!!'

'You say that after killing so many people?'

Claire's face became one which carried a heavy weight to it.

Closing her eyes and opening them once more, she continued flying through the sky towards her office.

'The ones we killed today weren't people. They were monsters.'