[02] SsSsuspiscious

Walking endlessly, my feet move on their own accord. I have no idea where I am heading exactly. Earth is a new place, perhaps a whole lot of world. Lucky demons are able to cross the path from our world to this planet, and speaking of lucky ones, only demons who've bestowed a quest upon by our ruler. Not everyone has the privilege to travel back and forth, thus only those who have the guts and will to be brave enough for accepting such a quest.

Zonax, our realm is divided into regions, to which each part serves different purposes for the great ruler.

In the West, demons are servants and concubines in the proud territory of the ruler. On the other side, North demons are the guardians of the portal as we are forbidden to lurk outside the realm.

Contrary to these demons, in the South where demons are embedded with one purpose into their systems; the distinct value of their race. Responsible for collecting 'zui' that they gathered from human's inner soul. Once a human-made a sin, its soul releases dark energy, zui, which look like gas smokes floating above their head and radiating throughout the body. The more they make sins, the darker the energies around them, and the stronger the energy South Demons collect.

Unfortunately, all actions have their own respective consequences, sacrifices rather. All South demons who do not wield their own oath, they'll be taken as sacrifices to the kalapluwa or the ritual of collecting zui. Poor demons then become deceased, but having hundreds of zui collected. Pretty patriotic, I guess. If I could offer myself, then I will be willing to be a lamb for the ruler. Once collected, zui will then be offered to his excellency.

However, my case is nothing ordinary and far from what average demons do. I came from a small area of the East region, yet we have one of the most necessary task-to find a pure virgin soul.

Back to my reality, I decided to walk around first, assuming I'll find clues or at least be able to find more information about this place so I can adapt well.

Observing humans, I feel a piece of confusion, somewhat lies between guilt and jealousy inside of me. I quickly push the thoughts away. I don't have any seconds to spare for my feelings. Us, demons, should focus on our purpose that makes our ruler satisfied.

I look back straight on the path, I collide with someone. My body is caught off guard, the slippery ground brings no help, so then I pathetically fell on the cold tiles, ass first. The things I bought just a moment ago dramatically fly out of their bags. I grunt with my eyebrows knitted together. I may be new to this world but I have always hated getting my things dirty, plus, myself slipping into the ground.

I look up, about to yell at who dare did this to me, but my words got stuck when I saw a gorgeous human face. He stretched his arms towards, offering help. No need to reject, I grab his hand, feels so warm and soft. This is my first day and my first time having physical contact with a human. My hand seems perfectly fit on his.

"Miss, I'm really sorry, are you alright?" asked he. His voice is gentle and soothing in my hearing senses. I cannot explain but its sound differs from other voices of humans I have talked to and heard. Worry sketched on his face altogether with his eyes looking at me with care. As I did not answer, he initiates picking up my materials on the floor and put them back inside the paper bags.

I cannot speak, it is as if my voice has left. Standing in front of him, I keep on looking at his perfectly sculptured face. People are starting to crowd around us, but I cannot dare leave my eyes on this man.

"Hey? Are you okay? Your face looks so red" again, asked he. And at that moment, I feel the blood rushing all over my face. I feel unnecessarily hot. Suddenly, everything around me starts to spin. I lost my balance but strange arms had caught me before I fall again.

"Miss? Miss?" his voice slowly fades away then everything turns black.

<♡>

Light brightly welcomes me when I open my eyes. It's blinding, that I have to blink few times before my sight fully adjusts to the environment.

I sit up and look around. Not having any memory of how I got here. Just a while ago, I was inside a castle or according to what I heard from humans; a mall. I bought clothes to wear so I can somehow mix with the species here on Earth.

Speaking of the castle, I remember bumping into someone and fainting. Why did I even faint? And the whole scene before I lost consciousness, what was that all about? I am getting confused with myself being passed out in the middle of a mission.

Just as I am thinking of any possible reasons, the surrounding quakes but I do not hear any reactions from other beings around. Is it the ruler of the mall? Did I break some laws?

'Sssss ssss'

Its hissing sound is too high pitch, it makes a slight off-tune in my hearing senses.

I've read this in the journal. A so-called monster lurking in its premises. Now, I'm trapped in its den.

I dodge its fangs as I manage to jump away from the bed. Facing the entity, eye to eye, we examine ourselves. Its tongue moves on its own, with the eyes still gazing at my features.

It hisses again. "I knew it assss I sssssmell a kind of, sssstrange ssssmell. A demon! You're on a quessssst, aren't you? My, o, my. I bet a demon like you is deliciousssss enough! Ssss..." proclaims it.

I ended up smirking. "A demon like me? Well, that's what I'm going to say. I bet a humongous snake like you is delicious enough!!"

Did not hesitate anymore, I lunge my horns at it. Forward, it dodges. But, my body is one step ahead of its mind, paralyzing its huge body by my third eye. It cannot move or hiss again.

I pull beneath my skin, a long dagger. Stabbing into its chest and dragging downward to its belly. My smell senses got the taste of its blood and flesh. Dirty snake. It occasionally eats young women. These women scream and cry for help, but this huge snake had no sympathy or even pity.

Its body made a loud noise as it hits the ground, which exactly the humans have heard and felt. Then, in the meantime, the huge snake slowly changes its form. Appeared a young female human. Somehow, I saw her face in the mall.

The banner or poster every corner.

Green blood scatters on the ground and on my clothes. The woman had a massive cut in her torso where her intestines and organs slide away.

Immediately, I exited the room. I had a cleaning potion poured into my clothes, as I just left the crime scene.

On my way to leave the mall, the man I just bumped into stood there and seemed to be waiting for something.

I find myself once again, staring at him. While staring at him, I notice his outfit. It seems familiar. The design and color remind me of something. I close my eyes, remembering where I saw the outfit. Ah! He's wearing similar clothes as the woman I was chasing back in the mall. Right! Because the women were wearing skirts and not pants unlike this guy, I had a tough time remembering. Anyway, I also notice a crown embroidered on the left pocket on his chest.

In an instant, he noticed my presence. Crap, I need to get out of here as soon as possible! Ignoring his figure, I let myself walk forward. Suddenly, he grabs my shoulder.

"Do you need anything?" I ask, bravely opening up a conversation. For a second, he looks surprised. Weird.

"No. But I think you forgot to say something to me."

Wait, what? Am I suppose to tell him something?

I give him a poker face, but then I decided to raise one of my eyebrows on him "I don't think so."

The man stares at me, looking in disbelief.

"Shouldn't you thank me?" he asks with his eyebrows knitted together. Why should I be grateful to someone who causes dismay to me?

"Why so?"

"Because I'm the one who urgently carries you to the medical room?"

Medical room? The one where I just woke up and then a huge snake appears. Uhm, how about no thanks?

"Oh, thank you for your kindness," I said what the journal preferred to. "And, it is your fault for charging in my way, genuinely."

"I know it is partly my fault, but don't you think you too, should have looked in front when walking? Besides, you've got a fever while wandering. I guess you're ill."

"I didn't have a fever. When we shook hands, have you felt if my hands were hot? Of course, you did not. Because I was not sick."

This guy is getting on my nerves! Before I fainted, he looked so perfect and different. But I guess, humans are the same after all.

"So you are telling me, you caught a fever right at that moment, then a few minutes later, your temperature went back to normal. Are you some sort of an alien?" Is he related to the first human I saw? Funny, they have some thoughts on alien creatures.

Wait for a second, I don't understand. Demons don't get sick so easily. We are immune to cold and heat. Although it makes sense that my body temperature quickly went back to normal because my body is really different from theirs.

"And if I am?" I smirked at him but he only stares at me.

This man is really weird, he keeps on staring at me since a while ago. Is there something wrong with my face?

Wait, did my third eye appeared? I quickly check my forehead, fortunately, it was not. The man suddenly chuckles and I look at him confused. Humans are really confusing, their mind is very complex and their way of thinking is hard to comprehend.

Alarms and red lights ringing and blinking around. The man stops on his chuckles and looks around as I do.

The servants of the snake are now finding me!

I sprint forward to the near exit. Using my camouflage, I leave the mall. I just killed the ruler of the mall. How great is this day?

I couldn't hold anymore.

I laugh and laugh as hard as I could. That was funny! A snake thinking it can devour a demon? Hell no, keep away from me, snaky.

And, that male human! How could he dare to say I'm ill? Preposterous.

Nearby humans are strange, looking around. I forgot I'm in camouflage and my laugh is terrible for their senses.

I pick a hidden spot. I switch my camouflage, and then, onto finding the Kingston again. I almost have a chance if I got to talk more to that man! He's wearing the same uniform, or at least what I suspect from Kingston.

As I am about to hop again, another entity faces me. This time, I have no idea what it is. A small ball of fire, ranging from red to blue flames.

It then forms in humans. A man in flames, smiling then grinning, and then smiling. It speaks, "Pleasant afternoon, lost traveler. I speak as your guide. Choose or query, I let your hands be in destiny. What do you need, lost traveler?"

"Who are you?" asked I in confusion.

"Query, it is. I am Santelmo or call me, Elmo."

"What's your purpose?"

"I am your guide."

"Tell me, where is Kingston University?"

"Is that the path you're willing to take?"

"What do you mean? I'd rather be on my own, than relying on a guide."

"Choose. I'll take you to your desired place. Or, you'll let me take you on the desired place."

That words got me struck by confusion, once again. I didn't catch up with the options. What did he say?

"Just take me to the Kingston University." I need to confirm this location. My inner subconscious knows this will be a huge step for the quest.

He inverts his form to the ball of fire. "Follow me," says he. The ball rapidly hops from the top of a post to another. I set myself to camouflage then follow the trail.

West District, as what signage has written on. Beyond the street, there are lots of structures. The theme of colors painted is Tyrian purple and silvery-white.

Front welcomes anyone who stands out there, looking at its huge golden and purple metallic letters. The phrase goes KINGSTON UNIVERSITY. Finally, I found the first clue!

Tyrian purple represents royalty, king, monarchy, priest while white refers to purity and gold for wealth. Indeed, a king built this.

Santelmo then asserts. "Do you wish to accept my present for your travel? Or, still, wish to remain alone?" In the ball of fire form, he encircles me, while I'm at the roof of some store near the university.

"What's the wish, anyway?"

"You'll see. It'll be helpful, I promise."

"You take no side of demons or deities?"

"Who? I am only a guide for the lost traveler."

"Are you speaking the truth?"

"Yes, I am a creature only lives with the presence of a lost traveler. I take no other objectives."

"For now, okay. I'll take the wish whatsoever."

"Present, to be particular. Good luck, traveler. I'll be at your side whenever you're lost. And, I wish for you to always choose what's the best option."

Disappear together with the wind. I'll write Santelmo in my journal. My gut tells that creature has something dark, perhaps evil motivations for any beings.

I will fill my stomach first, before invading the King's tower.