Chapter 3: Veil

As I stood there, the black smoke collected into a twisted shape. In just moments, it looked as if it were forming some demon with tall horns and a snake-like body.

In the next few seconds, the smoke began to move in an elf-like pattern. "W-what the hell?" Stardust finally muttered. My mother didn't even correct his bad language, because she was too focused on Akai's teary eyes.

"Hello? Is anyone there?" A voice asked. The odd, accented voice startled me. It made me jump and then fall backwards. "H-hello?" I whimpered. "Who in Azther's name are you?" The voice asked. My eyes widened. Was I supposed to answer?

"Hello- I asked you a question!" The little black demon snapped at me. It was that thing! The demon that came from Akai's neck...!

"G-g...g..." I couldn't get my name out. I didn't want to conversation with one of the very creatures that had a part in killing my father. It's all their fault...

I felt myself starting to cry again.

My mother ran to me and pulled me back over to where they were. "Well hello to you too then. People sure have a way of greeting others around here..." The creature said sassily.

"What are you?" Stardust asked in disgust. "I'm a demon, young space boy." The demon smiled. Stardust shut up after that. It seemed Akai could finally manage to speak again...

"What the hell are you doing inside of me???" Akai asked, practically screamed. "I'm your personal guide demon!" The demonic creature shouted in an excited tone. "Oh, we're gonna have so much fun together!" The creature chirped.

"Like hell we are, get out of me!!!" Akai clawed at his neck to try and remove the mark. To no avail, the mark still remained on his neck. "Aw cmon now don't be like that. It won't come off anyways. It's permanent..." the creature stated. "It's how I travel between this world and the demon world. It won't affect you too much." The demon stated plainly.

"Are you kidding me? Do you know how painful that was?!" Akai asked, cradling his neck in his hands.

"Oh, don't worry, it only does that the first time. You won't feel a thing next time." It said. "By the way, are you gonna give me a name, or am I gonna be called creature for the rest of my days?" The demon asked.

"Hm, how about pain in the ass, or wait– even better– fucking nightmare!" Akai growled. "Ok, first of all, calm down. Second of all, I hate those names. And third- well I don't have a third I just wanted to say it." The demon laughed to himself.

I'm surprised my mother hasn't said anything about them using that kind of language. I could never curse... but I-I guess that's aside the point.

"Just give me a name. Any name. I promise you'll grow to like me." The demon commented. "Yeah right." Akai mumbled as he propped himself against the wall of the tree. "I'm serious. I'm hilarious and reliable. Plus- I hate that damn Azther." The black creature added in a low voice.

The tree when all four of us stared directly at the little black demon. "What? I do. He's rude and arrogant. I hate people like that..." "Don't we all." Stardust added. "Finally, someone with a sense of humor!" The creature bellowed.

"Name me." It kept saying. "Please give me a name." It even asked me. "You there- yes- you! Girly girl! Oh- my bad I mean manly man- yes green hair! Please give me a name!!!" I wasn't sure if I should be offended or not... "u-ummm...." I whispered. "Veil." I replied suddenly without thinking.

The creature floated towards me. "Veil, hm?" He eyed me with his large, swirling purple orbs. They reminded me of Akai's eyes. I nodded and swallowed the lump in my throat. "Y-yeah..." I whimpered as he got closer. I backed away... "I like it!!! What does it mean?" He asked. He seemed intrigued.

"I-it means shadow, or d-darkness..." I replied. "Ah I see. Thank you for naming me. I have to return to my master now." He says, floating back to Akai's side. "W-wait- master?" Akai questioned. "Yep. You're my new master/friend." He chuckled.

Akai looked as if he wanted to curl up and die right then and there.

Stardust and I gave each other a glance. My mother was silent. "B-but why?" Akai asked. "Because Azther put me here as a last resort. I promise I'm not here to do anything evil or whatever. In fact, this is a punishment. If I hadn't messed up, then I wouldn't be here..." Veil trailed off. "Oh." Akai whispered.

"Sooo- you're not gonna hurt us?" Stardust asked Veil. "No. Why on earth would I do that?" Veil seemed puzzled. "Um- because you're a demon?!" Akai answered for him. "Pfft- please not every demon is bad. Plus- I'm terrible at doing evil stuff. The most evil thing I've ever done is steal candy from a baby and call this one ogre girl a mean name." Veil said.

We all four looked at each other with confused expressions. "So uh- how do I get you to go away?" Akai asked. "You want to get rid of me already??? How rude..." Veil rolled his eyes. "Well yeah- I..." Akai stopped. "Wait." "Hm?" Veil hummed in response. "Can you help transform me back into an elf?" Akai asked in an almost silent, serious tone. "I...I'm not sure. I want to, but I don't know how that's going to work out." Veil was telling the truth.

"Please." Akai begged him. "Please I'll do anything. I just want to hug my mother and father again without them being afraid. Please." I could see the dark purple tears welling up in his eyes again. Veil sighed. "Fine, but I have a few conditions." He agreed. "What are they?" Stardust asked, butting in.

"Well first of all, I wasn't talking to you, space boy- I was talking to my master." Stardust shrugged with a guilty look. "Sorry- I'm just curious is all. I mean- a minute ago I thought I was gonna die- so you might as well tell all of us." He said truthfully. I was curious as well.

"Alright fine. I have two conditions. I will help you if you promise to only put me away when necessary, and you let me see the world." Veil hummed. "You want to see the world?" Akai asked. "Yes. I have always been interested in knowledge and discovery, so I want to see the world. I want to know everything..." Veil's eyes sparkled as he talked about his dream.

"Fine. I think we can manage that." Akai said as he stood up. I hadn't even noticed until now, but his wings disappeared, and his eyes returned to normal. His horns and tail remained the same.

"So does this mean we're going on an adventure? How do adventures work?" Veil asked. "I suppose it does." Akai replied as he stood up, suddenly growing confidence. "I need to change back. If I don't... I just... I'll never be able to live with myself." He admitted.

"It's alright Akai. We understand." I said lowly. "I want you to come with me." He blurted. "W-what?!" My mother and I both exclaimed. "Please. I- I can't do it alone." Akai shook his head while speaking. My mother and I only looked at each other. Stardust seemed to have no problem with joining Akai's miniature brigade.

I, on the other hand... I don't know if I could handle facing... A-Azther...

Should I join and face the possibility of death?...Or should I cower and remain a lowly little elf for the rest of my days? The decision was hard, but I certainly didn't want to cower in fear for the rest of my days.