Surroundings

Feeling the afternoon wind blowing my face and gently ruffling my hair, I just take in the view of the great Kōriyama Castle from the camp where I was staying. Luckily I got a new change of cleaner clothes, just a simple set of white t-shirt, military pants and black suspenders. My clothes from before were worn and dirty, making me feel good with the feeling of clean clothes on my skin, even though it was something snobby or even childish was something I appreciated. Ren told me that we were at a baseball field that was close to the big castle, being a great open place in the middle of that stone forest. I look around and notice that some demons were tearing down some tents and putting their contents into boxes or suitcases.

- As there is no more goblin we are dispatching everything and returning to the main base.

A frowning voice comes from beside me, followed by a set of light steps.

- I hope that doesn't get in the way of my little adventure today. - I turn to Jax carefree and even more relaxed after receiving some pain meds from the doctors.

- I doubt that would stop you. -His voice was tired but at the same time he didn't seem to want to resist my opinion anymore. - I told the mansion about what happened and we had Liz-san's permission.

- So you ratted me out?

- You're kidding me, I'd rather rat you out than disobey Liz-san.

- I'm surprised Alex let me go. - I take advantage of a new gust of wind to cool my skin and at the same time take this little concern with its current.

- I just talked to Liz, it looks like our General is still stuck in the meeting.

His words brought me calm but at the same time made me anxious.

- Well, it's a meeting with the other Generals of Hell, there's nothing to do. - I try to think that it was just a thing in my head, but still I can't.

- It could even be... we never had a Generals meeting in my generation, so I can't say if it's normal or not. - His droopy eyes just showed that I wasn't the only one worried about it.

- I see, but you don't have to worry… - I stretch my arms to the sky and feel my bones crack with my stretch. - No one will steal Belial from you while he's gone, I doubt he'll find someone like you.

My words fly with speed to Jax's ears, craning his neck at me with a ghostly and grim expression, seeming to use every bit of self-control he had inside himself to keep from attacking me.

- Don't abuse boy. - Your deadly voice doesn't bother me, I'm even starting to get used to it.

- Did I not need to take anything specific? - I better change the subject. - Salt or perhaps some protective talisman?

- ... - He just looks at me, not with the hatred of before but looking at me like I'm an idiot. - You humans watch a lot of television. You just need to find him and talk, no biggie.

- Only that?

- Do you think you would set a trap with charmed pieces? - He makes his last word very clear, hoping I wouldn't repeat it. - You have three hours, after that I'll drag you to the mansion. We've been here too long and still I have to inform Alexander-sama what happened yesterday.

- Yes sir. - I understand his words with aptitude and ready to go.

Following my spirits, Ren and Leo move closer to the two of us. Both looked nervous in their clean uniforms and now with no apparent bandage on their faces, as if they didn't want to show any kind of weakness or failure in that service even among the members of Lust, who looked at us from afar with some interest and even doubt. .. making even more clear to me the words that Jax had spoken to me before, I have to be careful with my surroundings for now, I still don't know who to trust properly.

Both my escorts, even serious, give me a thin smile and calm my feelings of insecurity and even suspicion of my surroundings. As the coordinate they are on each side with their columns straight and rigid, only Leo walked armed carrying his spear while Ren was without any weapon but I still didn't worry about the fact that he managed to make a magic bow emerge from his bare hands. Positioned, Jax and the other soldiers around us only move a short distance away, but even so I can only focus on Jax at the moment, standing out with his blue hair and serious, authoritative aura.

- Get ready, I'll send you to the last place the ghost was reported. You two remember who you are protecting right now, any failure or injury will cost more than your lives. - He looked like a completely different person from before, his atmosphere around him was calm but at the same time it made the air tremble with his sentences... for the first time I saw the face of a captain and not a hot-headed man without a patient who I was talking to a few seconds before. - Yuki...

When he says my name, my bones shake completely and I force myself to stand firm and standing in front of that presence.

- As my student I hope it brings good results for me and Alexander-sama. Show me that you are worthy to bear the name of the House of Lust... - The test starts now, everyone looked at me so with indifference, some smiles and even some angry expressions against me. - Don't let me down... - I swallow hard and stare straight ahead, my eyes burning with determination and strength.

- Don't worry captain, I won't fail and I'll show everyone that I'm worthy of the title and of being by Alexander's side. A small smile appears on Jax's face, seeming to expect that answer from me.

He holds out one of his hands and following the will of his fingers a white circle forms beneath my feet, growing enough to cover all of my little group of three. I keep up appearances in public and try not to be impressed by it.

- Good luck. - Snapping my fingers and causing a great flash to be emitted from below me, growing the great white light with blue accents through the luminescent magic curtain. In a reaction I close my eyes and soon I feel Leo and Ren's arms grip me tightly as I felt my feet loosen from the ground for a few seconds... I'll never get used to this...

My stomach seems to turn in those short moments in the air, being held by my escorts looking like they're keeping me from flying away. The light fades and little by little the scenery around me changes completely, the heat of the sun no longer warms us and we were now surrounded by concrete walls in a long corridor of shiny wood. It was a cold place even though it was lit by all the windows, like there was something weird around here.

- Landing was a success. - Leo's excited voice is the first, seeming not to have the same feeling as I do about where we were. - We arrived at Koriyama High School.

- It's right where we started... wait what?

- Koriyama High School. - He repeats I don't understand my doubt.

I turn a little in disbelief and then walk up to a window, sticking my head out. From that position I could see the baseball field where we were standing in the distance, with some tents and some people in the distance.

- You're kidding me...

- What's wrong Yuki-san? - Ren's calm, confused voice reaches me, while Leo seems to have moved away to explore that corridor a bit.

- Problem? We are literally on the side of the camp, why do we use the teleport? - I can't understand the laziness of walking a few meters while he still looks at me confused, as if he didn't understand my logic. - Aff... demons... whatever, let's start looking.

- I agree! - Leo seems to have returned to our side, as excited as ever.

- I agree! - He repeats with the same spirit.

- Yes Leo, we understand that you're anim... Hmm? - I say turning slowly towards the spearman until I go into shock.

Next to Leo, there was an exact copy of himself in every way. From the outfit, the smiling facial expression and even the messy red hair with every strand of hair mimicking the original. He didn't seem to understand why I was surprised or Ren's, who also didn't know how to react. Confused, he looks sideways and so that reflection imitates him, like a dignified mirror materialized in front of us. Leo didn't seem to understand what was going on, but at the same time he wasn't scared just looking at that strange reflection with doubt, shaking his head from side to side. Mimicking his expression perfectly, the copy does the same. Every strand of hair or even the fabric of his clothes followed the exact same movement. I couldn't say anything, but I still tried not to lose control and watch the situation as Leo seemed to start having fun with that thing imitating him over and over. Ren was still trying to assimilate that, not knowing how to distinguish that shadow for his expedition companion.

- Okay, before we start, which one of you is Leo? - That was the situation where we couldn't lose our temper, I don't want things to get any more confused than they are.

- It is me!

- I'm the real one!

I knew this would happen...

- Okay, think of something that only the real would know. - I continue, trying not to stress myself and just move on, we don't have time to waste here in this boring game. - Ren any ideas?

- Oh yes... - He regains focus, approaching the two Leos still apprehensive about the duplicated image. - Leo, where did we meet for the first time?

They both look at Ren, both confident and already starting to think about their answer. Neither of them showed any confusion, already putting their brains to work and we just waited for any movement or strange response... anytime... any moment... maybe a little more... a few more seconds...

- Are you going to say something!? - I lose my patient composure against the two who jumped at the loud sound of my voice. - Answer anything, we don't have all day!

Both Leos looked on in amazement, not knowing how to react to my anger, seeking only comfort with Ren, who seemed to be starting to get angrier than me.

- Leo...

A few more seconds of silence pass and I continue to glare at them both with my impatient eyes, I can almost see a little smoke starting to come out of their heads thinking so much of some way out of Ren's anger and mine.

- You have no idea, right? - With my hand on my hip, I just realize this might be harder than I thought.

Sweat starts to trickle down their faces, not knowing what to do. Ren looked just as nervous… maybe because Leo didn't remember something like that.

- Okay, maybe that's a little difficult... it was at your sister's wedding. - He gives a slight angry whisper at the answer he should have given. - The room number we divided by YEARS when we were in the military academy?

- How can I say... it's been so long since we left the gym. - Said the first copy, wanting to hide in some of the room nearby so as not to meet my impatient look or Ren's angry look, which even though calm seemed to be about to explode... I think he's the type who cares about this things...

- I-I can't remember that much... - The other Leo just stutters out of control, wanting to ask Ren to stop.

Narrowing my eyes, I just look the two of them from head to toe, searching for any way to tell those two apart…I'd like to do that before Ren completely loses his sanity.

- Yuki-san, maybe I have another way to solve this. - Ren's calm voice comes to me and he appears to be calm with the bad memory of his long-term friend.

- Great... anything, I'm already holding myself back to not freeze the two of them and just move on. They both shiver at my words, having all their body hairs lifted with my coldness, which perhaps materializes into two blocks of ice covering them both.

- Yuki-san, you can't use magic yet, you just left the medical wing. - He reminds me a bit of my mom when I was at school, but it was still correct, I better not overreact... I don't want to think about what Jax would make me do if I damaged any place in this school. - We just have to hit them, until someone confesses.

- ... -

Silence breaks in the place, my expression freezes and the two Leos didn't seem to understand the situation either.

- You have some pretty violent ideas, for someone calm.

- Sorry, but do you have any other ideas Yuki-san?

- No, continue just be careful, we don't know what the other is? - I'll let him do what he wants, I'd rather he blow something up here than me… - Jax would surely forgive Ren in the blink of an eye.

- Uh... Yuki... - One of them looks at me scared and at the same time, shaking with my confirmation.

- Sorry but we don't have time... try not to die. I wave as a sign of good luck as Ren lunges at the two.

Materializing your bow in your free hands, the dark wood is held tightly and the string is extended as far as possible. At your fingertips, a small white light forms and materializes into a long, pointed arrow. With his eyes sharp and precise on the pair of targets, Ren just smiles calmly at the two startled preys.

- Leo, don't worry, if it's you I'm sure you'll come out alive. The other one... get down. - Without even hesitating he just releases the arrow and begins the hunt.

Having the luminous arrows flying down the hall with the two Leos dodging as much as possible. I just stand there watching with some pity for the two of them, but I still held myself back from participating with Ren and solving this at once. The young redhead on the left, seems to be tired of running away and draws his spear. I watch my eyes and prepare myself. The arrow that flew towards his body is quickly reflected by the metal of the spear, then the second, until he gets used to the rhythm of the shots and begins to reflect all the projectiles that came into his reach. That scene makes it seem like I'm seeing a completely different person from the playful and clumsy young man before, now I just saw an experienced spearman focused on the opponent's attacks. Not taking his eyes off Ren, who didn't seem to want to stop his shooting. Even without rest, Leo stands firm and steadies his feet on the ground and establishes his body firmly and strongly.

"This is really awesome... but..."

- If we have Leo over there, where's the other...? - I say to myself, returning the focus to the subject and starting to search the corridor with my eyes, trying to search for the copy by the wave of sharp arrows.

"Where are you... Ah..."

I look to the corners or even to the classroom doors, but my eyes go straight to Leo's legs, which were being grabbed by a pair of hands frightened by that sudden attack. The copy was there like a frightened child behind the spearman still defending himself with force… it was almost funny to see the brave version of Leo with his frightened copy and hiding behind his muscular, uniform-covered legs.

"I wanted to take a picture of this hehehe... no, no... no time for that."

- Ren, that's enough. - Hearing my serious tone, the archer just relaxes his arms and makes his weapon disappear in the air as fast as when he made it appear again. - Leo you too. - The young redhead releases his muscles from that tension and now the warrior protecting himself with his sharp and precise spear has returned to being that smiling soldier.

He approaches excitedly, seeming to have forgotten that two seconds ago he was Ren's target, who was quiet beside me but at the same time seemed more relaxed... maybe it's Ren's way of relaxing... Even though he wants to know if Leo was fine, both now and in any past incident involving angry Ren but I want to focus on the redheaded copy still crouched in the middle of the hallway, worrying about any further shots.

- I-Is it over? - His shaky voice and identical to Leo's still impresses me, leaving no doubt that I had copied every physical aspect of him perfectly... he was just lucky that Leo couldn't remember anything at all.

- Unless you take off that disguise, maybe. - Ren is the first to say something, looking ready to draw his bow again.

- Yes please, I will! -It looked like he was about to cry, terrified and even shaking his body a little.

He briefly raises his hands in a peace sign until he is fully standing. He takes a breath, still in tears he starts to emit a small yellowish glow that gradually begins to dominate his silhouette and Leo's mirrored form is consumed until only a shiny mass remains. We all watched attentively as the light seemed to reshape. This time he was taking on a new humanoid form but shorter than me, simple clothes and dark hair, with a fringe covering half his little face. Finishing graduation, I see the form of a boy, scared and looking like he might cry at any moment. His expression made me feel guilty for coming up with the idea of shooting the imposter.

- Is that good...? -A sweet and low voice comes out of his lips, making the guilt worse and forces me to act quickly.

- Ah... n-no need to worry little boy, we don't want to hurt you, we were just a little surprised by your joke. - I start to get nervous and looking for a way to prevent the worst from happening. But before I can say anything else, Ren steps forward and stops me. - Ren?

- Yuki-san, our goal is ahead. Get ready.

- Ah... don't tell me that... is the ghost? - I point out a little in disbelief that the familiar so coveted and capable of becoming everything had the image of an unprotected and crying child.

The ghost doesn't react to our words, even seeming to be unable to understand them properly. I don't know exactly what to do in this situation, normally I would think about just fighting him or even trying to come to some kind of deal, but what could I do with a kid?

I feel my head heating up and almost exploding in ways to work it out and have at least some chance of getting him to form a contract with me... but I still don't even know if he can have any use as a familiar...

- I didn't expect it to be a child... aff. - I hear the tired voice of Leo, who sounded sweaty after the sudden exercise of defense.

- Is there a problem that he's a child? - I say trying to see some light at the end of the tunnel to the situation and trying to continue with the plan.

- Yes and no... his uses as a familiar still remain, but it would still be preferable for it to be some older individual... that would make things much easier. - He puts one of his hands to his chin thoughtfully and surveys the not-so-ghostly figure from head to toe. - While it is tragic that he died so young, we cannot let this opportunity pass.

- Yes I know. - I listen carefully to Ren's words, causing me to open my chest and take the first step forward.

I'm the only one doing something, both Ren and Leo know he can be easily startled and they both stand still without raising any sign of hostility. I don't show my nervousness, just a peaceful expression to try to calm the young dark-haired ghost's spirits. He sees me approaching and leans back a little, his legs startled by my figure. I stop pacing and slowly crouch down, looking deeply into the eye that was uncapped from the hair, dark lids with no sign of shine or color. Definitely a sad expression for a child of that age.

A bitter feeling starts to go through me, making my stomach turn at the sight of his face... pity... sadness... I can't tell...

I reach out my hand slowly toward him, as if I'm asking something for him. He looks at me confused and apprehensive, not understanding my actions but still not enough to scare him. The pacifism on my face slowly starts to mold itself into a small welcoming smile, trying to push away all those negative feelings around us... gently opening my lips.

- Would you like to come with me?

He looks at me confused and without my needing to turn my face I feel Leo and Ren's looks of disagreement shoot the back of my head.

- Yuki... you know this isn't some manga with the power of friendship. - The redhead's words directly hit my pride and make it sound like he's calling me an idiot.

- Yuki-san, that's not how it works, please take it seriously. - Even Ren was discredited, thinking I was playing with it. - Don't tell me you're interested in kids?

- Quiet you two! - I turn my still-crouched body with speed towards the two idiots. - As I would be interested in someone, especially a child, I'm not a pervert!

Without hesitating I just turn my back on the pair again and turn to the boy.

- Ignore the two idiots, could you tell me your name? - My smile returns, as he kept looking at that scene without losing any aspect.

- Ah... my name...

BOOM!!!!

A big blinding yellow light streams through the window a few feet in front of us, followed by a loud bang across the school corridor. The shards of glass fly everywhere, along with a few pieces of wood and concrete. On a quick instinct I move, grab the boy in the middle of the small destructive explosion and tuck him into my arms. The cool feeling of his skin contact makes the hairs on my body stand on end, but I still don't let go.

A brief dark smoke screen begins to spread through the place and behind the gaseous wall I can see some silhouettes appearing in the black cloud. There were three in total, certainly an extravagant entrance... completely fading now I can clearly see the purple on their uniforms standing out, two of them wore the same simple pattern, while the person in the middle stood out with their medals gleaming amidst the purple fabric.

- Well, well... maybe you should have aimed a little to the right. - A husky voice is uttered behind the smoke, a little disappointed but at the same time not seeming to take any interest in the subject, as if it were a waste of his time.

With the gentle wind clearing the air, my vision snaps to the new guests, having Leo and Ren ready their bow and spear for sudden combat. My nerves and my willingness to use any magic surface in me, but a sudden strange pain starts to course through the veins in my arm and breaks my will to do something. I try to suppress that pain, keeping my focus and taking care not to hurt the still-scared boy.

- It doesn't matter, let's just get it over with. - The rude voice imposes its orders and finally the people's features are revealed to us.

The two furthest back were two grim-faced soldiers, dressed in Pride uniforms, tall and muscular, their faces covered in hoods with the same fabric as their clothes, making it difficult for me to identify. The only one who said anything was the highest-ranking being.

- Well, well, if we haven't found Alexander's little bitch. - The familiar voice along with the rude words against me makes me focus on the man with the medals.

- Looks like you know me, so you'd be polite to introduce yourself. - I move slowly towards Ren and Leo on guard. - Or you're just a nobody.

The smoke drifted off and the man's expression raged at me and my words, his face aged and wrinkled, a familiar face I wouldn't want to see anytime soon.

- I am the great Emissary of Pride, Master-

- Ah you are the old emissary of today, how are you? - I finally remember where I saw him, now relieved to know his identity. - What a scare, I thought it was something dangerous.

For some reason I could see a vein expanding in his forehead... could he be stressed about something?

- But you're sure it's okay to blow up the hallway, do you have a free pass to do that? - I'm starting to think about the perks of being an emissary... maybe I should try for a job, maybe Alex can get me a job. - Emissary?

He is silent for a few seconds, bending his spine and shivering as the veins in his face almost pop out. I still don't understand, thinking he was feeling sick.

- AAAAHHH, my name is Mastema and not emissary!! - His voice makes my ears ring with irritation, almost a mosquito. I knew he didn't like me, but there's no need to scream.

- Mastema, what are you doing here? - Ren's harsh words make him focus on all of us. His eyes were focused and somewhat irritated by the older looking man's figure.

- Aff... you, I didn't think they demoted you to the point of being a prostitute's bodyguard. But until the service serves well.

- Look who's talking, just a puppy in search of promotions, serves you very well. - He says with a slender and thin smile. I didn't think he could manage such an expression, it really doesn't suit him.

-Miserable... -The man grumbles but his anger only slowly changes to an evil smile. - I was thinking about just catching the ghost, but why not kill two birds with one stone. - I'm starting to get a bad feeling about that.

- Is this a threat? - Leo's speech grows thick and angry, his fingers tightening even more around the spear he wields. - You really have no notion of the danger, you're threatening us, having Alexander-sama's fiance present, do you want to cause a war between the Houses of Hell?!

My uncertainty increases, starting to remember the angry faces I saw before we came here, even though Alex took me in, I'm still a mere human. That's exactly what he'd told me, I doubt my death will be treated by the other generals as a great lost cause and the only ones that would really be affected would be just Lust.

- Accidents happen all the time, don't you agree? - Hissing his poisonous words and as before not even trying to hide his bitter malice in a slender smile of a viper. - No one would find it strange if a mere human died in a place with some ghost, along with his two brave soldiers who accompany him.

The threat is real, Ren draws his bow quickly and fires the first arrow without any warning at the end of the man's sentence. The glowing projectile flies at terrifying speed without warning, exploding into a new large, darkened smoke bomb that covers the invaders.

- Yuki-san!

I don't need an explanation of what to do. My legs wake up and I start to run backwards, still carrying the ghost boy in my hands carefully, pushing through Ren and Leo.

- Leave them to us, hide Yuki. - Leo stays in position and his muscles tighten into a precise attack position.

He strides into the pale smoke with weapon in hand and lashes out with the pointed spear through the gaseous curtain. But before he managed to get through the fabricated cloud, the metal hits with two new blades, making the sparks dance in the air, now the two guards were also armed with weapons, two identical daggers that stopped Leo's furious attack, while Mastema remained behind your guards. Leo doesn't flinch at his defense, he just pushes his way forward, cracking the wooden floor and putting real strength against those two. Both defenders grit their teeth, not expecting Leo to have that much strength to overwhelm the two, using even more force as they both try to stop his attack.

The emissary remained at a distance, now with a furious expression directed at Leo, realizing that it would not be such an easy thing to carry out his threat. Before he can even do anything for support, a new arrow flies towards him and grazes his face and causes a small explosion at the end of the hallway.

- Careful emissary-san... - His eyes turn to Ren, startled and surprised after that attack. - Accidents can happen... like a stray arrow going through your disgusting skull. -Ren's eyes were focused on his prey, like a hawk looking at the poor scared mouse.

The fight seems to be in our favor, but I prefer not to go against Leo's words and start running, past Ren and down the hall, hearing the sound of blades hitting metal and the sound of arrows slicing through the air with fury. I turn the aisle and try to get as far away from the battle as possible, running I try to avoid the feeling of running away from combat again and just try to use the wounds on my body as an excuse to at least give me a false excuse for mine conscience.I run and run through the rooms with the doors closed, when I realize that I must have walked a good distance, I enter the first room I see. It was a science laboratory, quite big, with several tables, cabinets with several glasses used in the laboratory... it reminded me of my old school...

- This must be saf-hã? I look down and the little ghost was curled up in my arms and shaking with fear. - C-Calm down, I'm sorry I scared you like that, I had no choice but to run like that, sorry! - I lower him to the ground carefully and hoping he'll at least calm down a little.

I didn't know how to deal with children, I was always the younger brother, I have no experience. I don't know if I'm more nervous about this than about... what's that guy's name anyway...? Whatever. From that room, where only the ghost was crying, I hear the sound of the door opening again a little way away from me. That noise of wood being moved makes my heart beat faster and I turn my head with my nerves racing to know who it was...

Leo On:

Putting more strength into my spear, I keep both men busy while Ren tends to Mastema further behind his guards. His glares were fierce and angry, maybe because the two strong guys weren't getting me down... probably their pride was affected. The animation starts to run through my muscles in the heat of battle, they were different from those crazy hobgoblins of yesterday, they are weak...

I make a quick move with my spear and throw the Pride soldiers. They both take a little leap back but don't let their guard down for a second, I've never liked those starches and now I don't need to hold back. I still haven't had a chance to stretch my muscles after leaving the medical ward, I'm lucky to have some idiots in front of me for me to tear up.

- Leo. - The familiar sound calls to me, bringing comfort and pushing those violent thoughts out of my head. - Don't overdo it, let's get them alive.

- Okay Ren, sorry. Don't worry, I'll take care to make them whole... enough to say something.

- Uh, are you really serious? - Now the irritating sound of the thick, manly voice of one of the men exalted by my words from before. - You really have balls you shit-AH!! - I was really tired of hearing your voice, so I take a little jump and approach the chatterbox, punching him in the abdomen right away.

I can hear the sound of his ribs cracking with the impact of my fist and his skin tearing. That weakling's body just flies down the hall with a few drops of blood coming out of his mouth floating in the air. His big mass of flesh just falls completely unconscious next to Mastema, who doesn't seem to mind the slumped body of his subordinate at all... I really don't like him.

- Ah... AAAAHHH!! The other soldier roared in rage and made an unnecessary advance, blinded by his own desperation to bring me down, raising his sharp weapon for my neck.

Like the first one, this one had a loud, irritating voice. I don't even bother raising my spear, we've already won the fight. Seeing that false chance, he lunges forward, but Ren's arrow goes through his head faster than his blade and just lands lifeless and hard on the wooden floor. I said it would be easy... My eyes dart to the wrinkled starchy in front of me, his expression confident and ignoring his dead men without any remorse at the cold bodies on the floor... wait...

- Hey you said it wasn't to kill them. - I turn to my fellow archer regarding that corpse beside me.

- ... - Ren remained silent for a few seconds looking at the man with his arrow stuck in his skull. - Sorry, they were so stupid that I got confused with some monster and I couldn't resist shooting right in the middle of his forehead. - He just shrugs with this lame excuse... but understanding... but still lame.

- It's not fair, I wanted to kill one of them too!

- Sorry...

Grumpy, I turn my eyes to the wrinkled starched man in front of me, expression confident and ignoring his dead men with no remorse at the cold bodies on the floor.

- It's over, you idiot, let's go so I can kill you later. I put one of my hands on my hip, waiting for him to react so I have the same excuse as Ren for piercing him.

He just keeps looking at us, with the emptiness in his eyes and ignoring the situation too much. Mastema was never someone who guaranteed himself in a hand-to-hand fight and his tranquility made my spine tremble with his serene expression.

- What, are you so scared that you can't say anything? - I try to provoke but I have no answer other than your indifferent look at that situation. - But what...? - Before I could get closer, a new well-aimed arrow from Ren flies past my ear and it grazes right in the middle of that man's forehead.

I don't go against Ren's decisions when choosing targets for a killing shot, but I still felt something strange about that, the trembling in my body didn't go away even with the scene of him falling to the ground.

I try to move closer to my partner, but the fallen body moves again... like a fish out of water, its limbs thrashing hard on the ground, spasms that made his whole body jump off the ground. That image made my stomach churn, it felt like it had no bones inside it, tearing its skin and clothing with its writhing movements. I didn't know what to make of it, whether it was some illusion or just some trick of that man. His skin began to soften and turn his normal skin tone to a disgusting gray.

I move on instinct and run against that thing, holding my spear in both hands. I feel the heat spreading through my palms and the metal handle, some embers start to release from my fingers and the burning sensation spreads through my feet, increasing my speed. In just a single movement I thrust my spear in the middle of that being of soft and disgusting consistency. The heated metal causes that skin to crumble into several pieces until that humanoid-shaped thing with no bone structure vanishes in front of us. That weird feeling still coursed through my veins, making me look up into Ren's face.

- Which direction did Yuki go? - That was wrong and Ren knew that too.

We moved fast where the young man we were supposed to protect ran... shit, he should have stayed with us... The idea of him running away was mine, making me grit my teeth with hatred for myself and those words. Ren seemed to have the same expression as mine, having the guilt that he hadn't said anything spread across his face. We reached the bend in the corridor and had our steps interrupted. The sound of shuffling stuff fills our ears, making my stomach spin completely at the sight. More gray-skinned, boneless creatures appeared and covered the entire hallway, slinking along the floor, glued to the walls and staring at the two of us and slowly approaching with their limp arms.

- Aff... I really hate that guy, that's so gross.

Yuki On:

A hand goes through the door then a silhouette that makes my whole body tremble.

- Shit.

- What do we have here... - The hissing sound of that voice was already getting on my nerves.

Mastema... the sight of that putrid old man entering the science room makes the air in that room feel heavy and difficult to breathe. He approached at a slow pace, while I walked away from him, looking for any escape route or weapon that might be useful. The thought of using magic comes back to me along with the deep pain in my arms, I look back and the shadow of that ghost just disappears into the air, showing that I was alone in that situation. I want to get further away from him but I feel the hard wall that hampered my escape miserably. I feel helpless in the eyes of that man in front of me, something that makes my spine tingle, in a way to maintain my composure and pride I don't show my fear or affliction against that demon.

- What's the problem, lost your courage from earlier? - He hisses those words with pleasure in a scrotum grin.

That vulgar sensation of his eyes on my body makes me withdraw into that wall. It was humiliating having that man just approaching me and I have nowhere or nowhere to run, even though I want to use any magic spark to crush this bastard's face, I can't.

- Have you decided to become more obedient? He reaches his hand close to my face and brushes his nails lightly over my cheek. - No need to be so afraid, I'm not that bad... I can even be generous once in a while. -His fingers move and the nauseating smell of his body starts to enter my nostrils, on an instinct I turn my face to at least reduce the smell.

- And by any chance does this generosity involve hunting a young committed boy? - I give a slender smile in his direction, I'd like to keep that expression longer until I feel the rough slap hitting me with everything.

The burning sensation starts to spread across my face and the taste of blood spreads across my tongue. It was so unexpected that I didn't even understand what had happened, my eyes glazed over on the floor of that room as my nerves of hate start to shoot out of me, forcing my gaze to the direction of that wretch, who seemed to be enjoying my current face. My blood starts to boil and I start thinking about the possibility of ignoring the pain and just blowing up all his organs.

- Ah... I like sluts with their pretty doll faces. - He continues, I get even more irritated with his disgusting words, making my whole body feel dirty just with that.

- Fuck you.

- Don't treat me like that... I know, how about you come with me, honey. - Is he really serious? If I had the strength in my arms, I would have decapitated that disgusting bastard by now.

I start kicking him with all my strength, to at least get an opening so I can run to the door of that place and be reunited with Ren and Leo as quickly as possible so I can get out of here and... and back to Alex ...

- Calm down... I said calm down! - A new slap on the other side of the face, it was really amazing how it was possible that everything about a person was completely disgusting and even repulsive. - Be patient… - I feel the suffocating grip on my neck causes me to stop moving for a few seconds, crawling along the wall as I lift a little into the air.

He holds it for a few seconds until he throws me into the corner of the room. Luckily I manage to fall down without a problem, coughing from the brief shortness of breath, just watching that man approach me with an asshole attitude of superiority.

- Don't worry, I'll make all the arrangements to separate you with that man. - I don't want to keep listening. - You can even become one of my spouses if you are a good boy. - He's really serious about all this nonsense.

- You must be really popular... how many of them are whores you paid? - I tell a few small truths and he looked at me with darker eyes than before.

- Aff... Alexander really doesn't know how to discipline his property, maybe it's a good chance for that. - I feel my hair being pulled hard and brutally. - If we were in my mansion, it would show that it would not be so bad to become mine.

- Why, do you have a big screen television? It sure makes you more attractive to the boys or maybe it makes up for the size of your gun between your legs hehe. I give a light laugh before he pulls my hair harder harder and nearly bends my neck.

- Ha... you really are funny, I just have fun with them, keeping everyone in line. - I'm careful when I move, in a matter of strength I don't win, he's just playing with me like a cat with food. - I tie up those who disobey me and apply an incredible chemical from hell, which makes all the little bitches like you crazy and asking for more.

- Charming, I imagine that all your sexual experiences have been like this. - I spit at the foot of the man.

At first he doesn't seem to mind, keeping a straight face for a few seconds before letting go of my hair. My neck relaxes again before I feel my abdomen being kicked hard and I almost vomit with that force. I wince after feeling that impact, bending my spine and hugging my barrel, pulling myself into a fetal position as he continues to hover around me and take in my writhing body on the floor.

- I won't lie, I like boys like you... strong, stubborn, handsome... - I almost feel like that's a compliment to me. - I love…breaking people like you…-His eyes glaze over at me with his face flushed.

- Pervert.

- Don't say that, all my spouses will love you... it's been a while since I've brought someone new to my house. -His hands wrap around my neck and he starts squeezing my neck little by little and cutting off my air supply as he pressed his fingers harder against my skin. - But for that I need you to sleep a little, until we reach my mansion.

- Ah... ah... ah... - I try to scream but nothing but mutters come out of my mouth.

- Don't worry, you'll like it in the end, you'll beg me not to stop...

I struggle fiercely but my strength soon drains from my body, I try to at least stay awake as I try to create some spark with my hands... but nothing happens... my arms start to get tired and my face starts to tingle with the my hatred and disappointment at not being able to do anything but watch it happen. Any chance... any chance...

The breaking glass, the clear, sharp sound of the pieces of glass breaking enters my ears and manages to keep me from passing out completely.

-AAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!

The man's scream was so loud that I sounded out of breath from screaming and I felt the tightness in my neck loosen and the air flow back into my lungs. I don't think much of what happened, I just get all the oxygen I need and ignore the pain in my arms, no matter what, shooting the sparks from my arms that hit that damn man with everything. Mastema was thrown back, knocking over the tables and hitting one of the farthest cabinets and blowing up its wooden doors.

I manage to get up and manage to recover, while my arms felt like they were being pierced by long needles that felt like they were breaking my muscles, but I still managed to hold on. I observe from afar his wrinkled face with several shards of glass stuck in the skin of his face, letting a few drops of blood come out of the bruises on those transparent blades. I notice a few drops dripping on his face, maybe there was some chemical inside those jars. I can't help but smile and even think that with those shards on his face he looked more attractive. I feel dizzy, trying to re-establish my own balance as I get up using one of the closest tables for support.

- Y-Are you okay? - A low, shy whisper appears behind me.

Even though my eyesight is a little tired, I can see her new figure but at the same time familiar to me.

- Hello little one. - The sight of that ghost makes my heart rejoice with its almost imperceptible presence. - Did you help me? - I mean the glass that hit Mastema.

No words, just a little confirmation with her cute little head. I regain control of my body and lift my spine, opening my chest confidently, ignoring all the pain I felt in my nerves in my arm...

"Maybe I should have used less force."

I look again at that pervert on the floor and rethink my thoughts...

"No... was enough."

The wood in the cabinets moves and the debris is removed from the body of that demon. He starts to move and shows a certain recovery to the ghost's surprise attack, the glass was falling off his face and falling to the ground, having his small cuts closing slowly until there was no trace of that wound left. That regeneration takes me by surprise, but it was still expected of one of his race.

- You miserable... arh... you should have just been a good bitch and accepted... you don't know who you messed with...

I was about to throw anything at that man, dizzy and in a maddening fury against me, until I feel a small icy breeze pass my lips and make the hairs on the back of my neck rise with that strange coldness, but at even feeling that feeling of a merciless winter... it didn't bother me, that mysterious force of nature seemed to hug me carefully as it attacked Mastema, who was shivering with cold and his legs could barely keep him upright. I still couldn't understand the source of it, my nerves focused on the suffering man.

- Wh-wh-what you did! - He also seemed not to understand in the midst of his fury. Trembling and grinding his teeth, almost cracking that dirty white. - When l-I get you-OH!

The blood flies in front of me, those dark drops almost touch my face, but before they can even touch my skin, the liquid red turns to small frozen crimson tears, like small stones that break in the air into pieces as tiny as grains of red sand. Across Mastema's chest, a long, sharp white thorn pierced the man's flesh and skin, still shivering from the stimulus of that freezing wind. Black blood stained the pure white of that attack, running down the long expanse of that smooth surface. The ferrous liquid begins to spit out of that man's aged mouth, desperate to try to breathe without drowning in the blood that comes out. The sight of that man frightened the little ghost, who hid behind my legs in fear, while I… feel nothing… feel nothing?

I was hoping to develop that coldness at some point in the moments I went out with Alex on the hunt... the feeling of fear of seeing some life slip away right in front of me, even though it was someone despicable, he seemed to want to beg for life in through his whispers that spurted even more blood, both from his mouth and the wound in his chest. That would normally make someone run or even faint... nothing comes to my mind, not a nerve of mine moves with it... "get used to death"... that was the goal... but I don't know if I'm glad I got it so soon, I still remember the times when I was a normal person, living his life, now someone who doesn't seem to care about the death in front of him...

- I told you not to come here.

The cold voice is received by me as something normal in my new daily life, along with the sound of a new pair of footsteps emerging from the back of the room and approaching me slowly and observing the situation with a calm, calculating and cold.

- Aff... even if you didn't want me to come, it was still useful. - I turn to him with indifference.

- I didn't think you'd notice.

- You introduced me to this man, knowing his opinion of me and letting me go without almost any resistance...

- Hmm...

- No excuses, "Sensei"?

- There's no reason why. - He doesn't even care what he was saying. - You got the little ghost you wanted and I caught a miserable insect that deserved to disappear from the face of the earth and hell. What's the problem?

A certain bitter feeling passes through me, it was different from Jax's normal attitude towards me, it was something more serious, almost something hidden inside him.

- Finally telling the truth?

- Don't screw with me... I just have common sense, unlike this idiot in relation to you. - He continues bitterly and referring to Mastema bending over in his last moments of air. - Maybe you're innocent or just stupid to notice, but I'd rather die than have to respect someone like you.

Dry swallow. The pressure of his angry gaze falls on me and the bright blue of his eyes turns to something cold and even frightening, preventing me from saying anything.

- Humans should not meddle in our affairs, I just kept it because I was obliged by the General. -His fists saw and his nails almost rip the palm of his hand from the force.

- So that advice of yours about others...

- I was referring to myself. - I don't notice any lie he just smiled as if he was releasing something very big inside him. - Aff... whatever, I just want to make it clear... don't feel so proud boy...

His words cut me hard, but I was also foolish not to expect it.

- Come on... - He walks past me with his icy wind cutting through my skin and his anger trying to attack my nerves...

-Be careful what you say Jax...-He stops moving, his body turns with a cruel and angry look, his white teeth gnashed and veins start to jump on his forehead. - If Belial hears this, he will be sad with those words of yours. -His pupils jump and his hand wraps around my neck firmly and control his strength so as not to crush my windpipe.

- What did you say human? -His voice trembles in the air. The words in low tones came out thicker and more frightening than before. My spine froze and I can't move my eyes away from those cold eyes and asking for my blood to spread across that room next to Mastema's... but he knows he can't... - Repeat your-

- And what will you do? - I interrupt him without fear, I know he can't do anything against me for now, even though he's angry he can't hurt me. - Anything that happens to me, Alexander will take out everything on you... my teacher and bodyguard.

I feel your desire to squeeze my flesh and make me totally lose my breath and die right there, with my body cold like the ice your magic created. My worries start to fade when he doesn't say anything and clenches a hard, rigid fist. Biting his lip and holding his tongue to keep from saying anything.

- If we understand each other, we'll make things easier for both of us. - I do not miss the opportunity of that small momentary superiority that I had achieved. - If you're complaining so much, doesn't it mean that the credits will be bigger?

Her anger seemed to dissipate a little, releasing her fingers and relaxing her hand again.

- If you can make a mediocre human, who just spread his beautiful legs to the general, to become a worthy warrior... imagine how much influence you can get among the nobility. - I'm not that ignorant. I had talked to Liz a few days ago about how the nobility of Hell works, just a curiosity that I never thought would come in handy at some point. - Raise rank, status for your bloodline or... even... get a young captain and a certain lieutenant colonel to have a good love relationship without interrupting anyone.

The room is silent, Jax's murderous aura exalting itself to its fullest and even making it difficult for me to breathe. His eyes lose their blue and white and blend into an ugly dark black. My skin shivers and even a thick layer of ice begins to build up on all the tables and chairs in that room and emerge towards me.

For the first time I met Jax…I finally remembered he was a demon.

Alexander On:

"My feet hurt. I'm in so much pain to hear those old men complain."

I enter my house and walk through that entrance hall. I look at the stairs and laziness overwhelms me, causing me to just turn right and walk without thinking into the living room, spacious with that beautiful hand-picked furniture. Even being a beautiful day, with the sun illuminating that early afternoon, I couldn't make my tiredness go away. I sigh all the way to the big blue upholstered sofa. As if my body is being pushed by the air itself, my body drops onto the fabric with a comfortable pillow.

- I didn't think I'd be back so soon. - The ungentle sound comes a few meters from where I was, looking not so happy to have me back.

- Hello to you too Liz, I would like to know where my dear maid was to welcome me in my beautiful home.

- Define "dear maid"... where's Belial?

- He had to stop somewhere, he'll be back in a few hours... Yuki...?

- Captain Jax informed me that they're coming back, isn't it better to take a shower before meeting them? - I find the insensitivity of certain people incredible.

I can't move or can't even get out of that position I was in, still in my formal military uniform with a remnant of gel in my hair that just fades and my hair returns to that tangle of dark strands as usual. I want to close my eyes but I still want to wait for him... I want to be the first to receive him... I want to be the first to touch him... My eyelids close and just leave a small beam of my available vision of that overpowered room by silver and blue...

- An idiot... - Coming from Liz, that's a compliment. A small smile breaks across my face at the grim, far-off sound of my mischievous boss as I close my eyes further and further into complete darkness. - But... still... good job, Alexander-sama... - I wish I had recorded this...

.

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I don't know how much time passed. Every muscle in my body was tired, my bones seemed to be totally petrified. With my eyes closed but my mind awake, I start to wonder if I'll get up or play dead for a few more moments.

An odd sensation, something was pressing on top of my chest, a lanky little body seemed to sit on top of my abdomen. Even though I just want to ignore it and continue that feeling of calm and tranquility I was having, I feel someone tugging hard on my cheek.

- Liz, there's a limit to-!

- Yuki!! - He squeezes tighter. - Ah-ah a-love, I'm happy to see you more what's the reason for this squeeze?

- I arrived and you were sleeping, I waited a few more hours but I was out of patience, sorry. - He says that still squeezing me. - Was the meeting difficult?

- The hardest part was getting away from my cute fiancé.

- ... - His silence indicated that I'm going to be punched, so I close my eyes waiting for the feel of his fist in my face. - You asked for it

"here it comes"

But instead of the hard feel of a fist, I have a soft, warm feeling against my lips. My body can't process that, not knowing how I'm supposed to react, I just open my eyes and look at Yuki, who was hiding his face with the tips of his reddened ears. That scene and feeling causes a small smile of satisfaction to appear on my face.

- I-I want to introduce you to someone

- Hã?

"Who is this now, was I enjoying our moment? It wasn't enough Jax and those fox brothers fall under Yuki's spell, now who will have to compete with me-."

- Alex?

- Yes Dear.

From behind Yuki, a child is a little apprehensive in front of me but still stands at the front trying to get some courage, with his dark hair and bangs covering one side of his face and I calmly start to analyze him... especially if it is a possible competition against me.

"..."

I take Yuki's hands quickly and my nervous face more proud.

- Yuki, as your partner I will take responsibility for our child.

- What?

- I know we have sex a few times and I have full confidence in my seed to say that this boy is mine, I knew children grew up fast but not so much, so don't worry and since you look fine why don't we try to make one second-? - I try to continue but I feel a kick in my stomach that cuts my air.

- That's not how pregnancy works idiot!!!