An unexpected request

Having no contact with the outer world, he was stuck in his own mind. Darkness, total darkness, nothing to see, everything was just darkness. Here, Zeke was walking without a certain direction all he did was to move away from some strange sounds that surrounded him.

At one point a strange light distracted him and made him tremble with fear. The same silhouette appeared in front of him and just like the last time its face couldn't be seen. It was just a figure that haunts Zeke and repeats the same words over and over again: 'You're going to die'. The very next moment, he wakes up, screaming 'LEAVE ME ALONE'. He was breathing much harder than normal, and he was sweating extremely hard.

He then stopped confused, he didn't know what was happening. He looked around, noticed that he was not in his normal bed, but in a different one, with bandages all over his head. He seemed to be in a hospital room, with a lot of standard equipment all over the place.

It seemed to have everything it needed: utensils, a patient bed, a large window near the bed, a bedside table on the right side of the bed where patients can keep their food, and a chair on the side, right of the bed next to the window, for visitors.

The next thing he notices was Yuki's arm, touching him, trying to get his attention.

'Hey, hey, are you ok?!' she asked worried 'Zeke, can you hear me!?'

'What is happening here?' he asked, confused.

'Oh my Dad, I'm so glad you're awake. It's ok now, you're safe the fight is over, you're in the hospital now'

'Hos...pi...tal? Fight?' he quietly said, slowly understanding what was happening. In his mind, things began to connect with each other. Different images from the previous fight appeared in his mind, the struggle he went through to survive, the wounds he received, and the final attack that brought him victory.

'Oh...I remember now, the Hals, it took us by surprise'

'Seems like your head is ok, how does your chest feel?'

'My chest?' he asked, confused, before realizing 'My chest! That's right, the wound should be right he…' then he suddenly stopped. He untied his robe around his chest and, to his big surprise the wound was already bandaged. He sighs of relief and lays down in bed on his back.

'I'm so glad, that everything is ok now'

'Yes, it's all alright now' Yuki replied with a smile on her face, then said in a low and soft voice 'You've kept your promise after all'

Zeke looked at Yuki, and was confused 'Why are you blushing?' he asked.

Yuki didn't realized yet, but her face was already just as red as a tomato, if not more 'I'M...M...M....M...NOT BLUSHING!' she replied stammering.

'You certainly are' he replied to her.

'You little....!' she said, clearly pissed off, and was about to hit Zeke in the face, but then she stopped. The fact that he didn't pay much attention to her made her stop. Instead Zeke looked out the window at the image of the city where had been living for 5 years already, Paxton. The city was pretty nice. It had almost everything a person would want from a city where he lives. The city itself was not a metropolis, but it was quite large and populated. Zeke was still lost in his thoughts among the memories, before he came back to reality.

He sighed loudly, and made Yuki asked him "What were you thinking?'. He remained silent for a second, before carefully choosing his words.

'It has already been five years since I came to Paxton. A lot of things have changed since then,' he said.

'Five years?' asked Yuki, confused. 'You said you were nineteen now, didn't you? It's normal for human childrens to live alone since they are fourteen?'

'Not really…' Zeke replied half-mouthed.

'Then? What happened?' Yuki asked again, but this time, Zeke chose to remain silent.

'A lot of things happened…' he said in the end 'I don't really want to talk about my past…'

'Oh. Okay, I got it, Mr. Mysterious,' she replied sarcastically. At which Zeke chuckled.

'Couldn't you find a better nickname?'

'You don't deserve a better one for the moment' she replied laughing, and after a couple of seconds she continued to talk 'It seems that even humans can be good beings from time to time'

'Normally they are, I am the one who is usually a jerk.' replied Zeke, making Yuki laugh again.

'You don't even compare to the rest of the humans I've met, you're the best right now'

'Oh but thank you, dead young lady, what a pleasure on my part to be called 'the best' by someone like you,' he replied, with a sarcastic, yet very polite accent.

'Oh my, but for you to call me 'your dear lady', are you trying to send me a message? Are you trying to impress me?'

'I think you're already going too far with your imagination'

Yuki laughed once more 'That is true, but at the very least I've known you long enough to form an opinion, and as I said, you're the best human I've ever met'

'You flatter me'

'But' she said interrupting him 'Keep in mind that you don't know my past either'

'Hmpf, that's true' replied Zeke smiling 'You're still a mystery to me'.

'So are you to me' said Yuki, making both of them laugh.

'You know what, you really seem to be a normal girl, it doesn't look like you are from another world'

'You say that because you haven't seen them yet'

'Seen what?' Zeke asked, confused, and at that moment, Yuki took out her hidden wings from her back. They had a majestic color, an elegant and beautiful black, a black through which light did not penetrate, a black whose mysterious color made you immerse yourself in their secrets, a color as dark, mysterious as it was beautiful and fragile. After the first second Zeke had seen them, he had already been enchanted by their beauty.

'Hey, hey, hey, brainless monkey? Can you hear me?' she said trying to get Zeke's attention.

'Huh?'

'Are you daydreaming?' she said giggling 'Did my wings enchant you so much that you start dreaming during the day? Do you already have…lewd thoughts?' she asked with a wide smile on her face. Zeke's cheeks began to flush, and he coughed purposefully to change the subject.

'Isn't it dangerous to expose your demon parts in public?' he replied, but Yuki seemed to be pissed by this answear.

'Hmph, with this attitude you will not get any girl in this short mortal life' she replied, sulking and looking in another direction.

'To be honest, I don't even think I need one,' Zeke replied, giving Yuki an idea.

'Oh? Do we have a shy boy here?' she said, getting closer and closer to his face. She piled on top of him, and her face was only inches away from his face. She put her hand on his chin and softly said 'You don't need to be shy, all of us want some affection, besides, it's just the two of us here'

'You're…' replied Zeke half-mouthed 'TOO CLOSE!' was the last thing he said, but their conversation was interrupted at the time when someone opened the door of the room. He was the doctor responsible for Zeke's hospitalization.

Fortunately, Yuki's reflexes were quick enough for her to hide her demon horns and wings and return to her chair. Although, her face was all red, as if something happened.

'I'm glad to see you're so energetic early in the morning, but this is still a hospital, and he needs to rest' the doctor said.

'No, you've got the wrong idea doct…' Yuki tried to explain, before being interrupted by Zeke.

'Thank you for your kindness doctor' he said, after which he looked at Yuki with a smug face. On Yuki's face frustration and embarrassment could be seen, and on her lips only one thing could be read 'You're gonna pay for this'

'You're welcome, it's our pleasure to help people in need' the doctor continued to say.

The doctor was a man about forty to fifty years old, bald, with glasses. His clothes were simple, as he was wearing a hospital gown.

'I'm glad to see that you're better, you got some pretty deadly wounds, I've been a doctor for over 20 years, but I've never seen such serious wounds in my life, can you tell me what happened? I would be interested to know if I need to add something to your treatment. You should normally have surgery today, but…' he made a small pause.

'But what?' both Yuki and Zeke asked worriedly.

'Considering your current condition, it may not be necessary, you seem to be in a much better state than we predicted, but really, what happened?'

Before coming up with something, Zeke was interrupted by Yuki, who in a panic replied to the doctor.

'We were on a trip with the tent, and at night we were attacked by a bear, and my boyfriend here' she said pointing at Zeke with her hand 'He tried to drive the bear away on his own, protecting me, he was so cool!' she continued as she had some weird and cringe reactions.

'Seriously? That's the best story you've come up with? Do you really think a doctor is so stupid to think something like…' thought Zeke.

'Oh really? You were camping in the area? I'm sorry to see that a bear has ruined your trip. The bears have been quite active lately, they have started to descend from the mountains to the outskirts of the city in search of food'

'You have to be kidding me' said Zeke to himself 'Are you telling me that really is something that stupid to believe that…?'

'Sir, I understand what you are going through now, and we are glad that you and your girlfriend escaped with your life, but even if the surgery will not take place we still had to keep you hospitalized for a few more weeks, until you can get back on your feet'

'It's ok, I understand…' Zeke replied 'It's just… I am worried about those at the university... no one knows I'll be away for so long, I will be left behind with a lot of homework and projects'

'Really? You barely made it out alive from a deadly situation and you think about projects and homeworks?' Yuki said, after which she sighed 'Ah...You're incredible. Don't worry, it's okay, you don't have to think about that, I already told them about your situation'

'Did you do it? How? You don't know anyone at my university' Zeke replied amazed.

'I just picked up your phone and called 'The coolest teacher in history *emoji with sunglasses* and he told me that he understood the situation you were in and that he would pass it on to the school management'

Zeke felt ashamed to think of the nickname Mr.Herrler has. He sighed in shame 'At least I know things will work out quickly if Mr. Herrler knows my situation'

'Miss…' the doctor said with what looked like a sad expression on his face 'I'm sorry to remind you that the visitation schedule is very strict and we need to respect it so all visitors have time to visit the patient'

'Oh, it's ok' she replied 'Nobody besides me will want to visit him, he doesn't have any friends'

At that moment, something strong seemed to hit Zeke in the heart, something so strong that it hurt, something called, the truth.

'You know…' he replied, with his pride clearly hurt 'That was rude'

'But you can't say it's not true' Yuki replied with an innocent face.

'I see, you like teasing each other' the doctor said laughing 'But there is one gentleman outside waiting to enter'

Both Zeke and Yuki were surprised, and they exchanged a few glances at each other 'There's someone else who wants to see me?' asked Zeke 'Please tell him to come inside"

Then the doctor went out the door, and after a few seconds, a familiar figure stepped on the doorstep, it was Mr.Herrler. This time he wore a light brown jacket with a matching hat and a white plaid shirt.

'Looks like you got in trouble this time buddy' he said while laughing 'I'm glad you're alive Zeke' he continued in a serious tone.

'Haha, 'alive' is too much said' he replied laughing.

'And I guess this young lady was the one who called me and informed me about your situation, wasn't she?'

'T...That's right' Yuki replied, stammering 'It's a pleasure to meet you Mr.Herrler, my name is Yuki' she said, bowing to him.

'Oh please, you don't have to be so formal.' he instantly replied, reaching out for a handshake. They shook hands and Herrler continued to speak. 'Yuki, what a wonderful name, it suits a lady as charming as you' he said, before taking his hat off, putting it on his chest and bowing respectfully 'Respecting a young lady is a gentleman's duty, not the other way around. As you already know, I'm Herrler and the pleasure really is mine'

'What a strong presence I feel coming from him…Was I so wrong? Are there really so many good humans in this world?' said Yuki to herself, before being turned back to reality by Herrler's words.

'Thank you for taking care of Zeke, it makes me very happy to think that someone is by his side' he said, approaching her and whispering something in her ear. 'You know...Zeke isn't very popular with young people, especially with girls. He seems to be having a hard time so please stay by his side.'

'I…' started Yuki to say before being interrupted by Zeke.

'You know that I can still hear you, don't you?'

His comment made Yuki and Herrler laugh, and after a couple of seconds, Herrler got much closer to Yuki so Zeke couldn't hear what he was saying to her.

'Zeke is not a bad person, he just went through a lot on his own, and it's hard for him to trust others and ask for help, he just needs someone to be there for him and to support him'

Yuki was hesitant to give Herrler an immediate answer, but after a few seconds, she replied with: 'I'll do my best'

'I'm glad to hear this' Herrler replied smiling. 'All right, then, can you allow me to spend a few moments with Zeke in private?'

'O…Of course! It's no problem, I'll be back tomorrow for the next visit anyway!'

Zeke was very surprised to hear Yuki's response 'You will?' he asked her.

Yuki froze for a moment. 'O...of course I will, after all, if I don't, this place is going to be pretty lonely' she replied in the end.

'Hmm, thanks Yuki' he replied with a smile on his face.

Yuki seemed to ignore him at that moment, she turned her back on him, and muttered something only she had heard 'You don't have to thank me for that, after all, because of me you end up like this' She was taking her things and was ready to leave, when one last question made her stop in the doorway.

'Are you really coming back tomorrow?' Zeke asked again.

'Did you hit your head too hard or what? I said I will.' Then she leaves, leaving the visitors chair free. Herrler sat down in this chair and started to talk with Zeke.

'She looks like a pretty charming girl, but still, she has a weird and complicated personality, I would dare to say that she's the perfect pair for you'

'I've just met her, please don't put me in the same pot as her'

'Hmm, if you say so' said Herrler before remaining silent for a couple of seconds 'Now, for real, what happened that you end up like this? The story with the bear was pretty pathetic to be honest'

'It really was, wasn't it?' said Zeke laughing.

'You could have come up with something better than that' Herrler replied, making both of them laugh.

'Yeah, I know but Yuki took it before me and that's how the bear story was born, but…' Zeke said, making a small pause after that 'Even if I told you, you wouldn't believe me, so I think we'd better stick to the bear story for now, and forget about the details'

'Hmm, I'm pretty sure you have your reasons why you don't want to go into more detail, and I understand that. I also have been in weird situations, just like you... I saw things I should never have seen... and to be honest, there are things in this world that you shouldn't know about'

'I hope you don't misunderstand Mr. Herrler. The point is... all the things that are happening now are very unusual, not even I fully understand what is happening'

'I don't even expect you to fully understand, you're still young, you have a whole life to find out' replied Herrler laughing.

'I don't know if a human life would be enough for me to find out the answers to the questions I have at the moment'

'Hmm, don't rush to find explanations for what's happening now, the answers will come naturally, and sometimes, it's better to never find the answer to some questions, but Zeke…' Herrler said, in a serious tone 'I actually came today to visit you to see if you're okay, but more or less...I have a personal request for you'

'A personal request? Why are you behaving so formally all of a sudden, Mr. Herrler? You can ask me everything you want, I will help you without hesitation'

Herrler was touched by Zeke's words, so that the expression on his face changed from a nervous one to a happy one. 'Thank you Zeke, you truly are a good person'

'Mr. Herrler...so far, you've helped me in so many cases since I've come to Paxton, if there's anything you need, just tell me, and I'll do everything in my power to help you.'

Zeke's words made Herrler smile again 'Well then, I should go straight to the point, there is a certain person that will come to this city in a few days, he's a very good student but I don't know how he will adapt to the education system in this country'

'And here is the part where I intervene?'

'Yes, you see Zeke, you're a very good student by yourself, but in order to become even a better one you should try to teach others what you already know. I am sure that this is a good opportunity for you to develop your social skills and practice for future exams. So? What do you say? Do you like this offer?'

Zeke hesitated in giving a proper answer, but it was Mr. Herrler, who was asking for such a request so he made up his mind quickly and gave Herrler a proper answer.

'I will do it' he said 'But still Mr. Herrler, why do you want me to do it? Why don't you talk to his parents to take him to a teacher in proximity who does much better with teaching than a college student? What makes you think I am better suited for this task than a university professor?'

'At this year's final exams you placed third in the school, the only people who had higher marks than you in the exams were two colleagues from higher classes. And unlike them, you are a very persevering person and you work hard to achieve your goals, they were lucky with the meditations offered by their parents over the years, instead, you, everything you've got, you've got on your own work, and this is something I really appreciate at you'

'Mr.Herrler…' Zeke said in a soft voice 'Thank you, it means a lot for me'

'Your answer means more to me, I'm glad that you accept it! I guarantee you that you will not regret your decision'

'I hope that's the case' Zeke said to himself 'So? Who's this guy?' he then asked Herrler.

'His name is Luis, he's the same age as you, but he's in a parallel class. He's a good boy, I'm sure you two will get along, I will leave you his contact details to set the first meeting, after which you can discuss more details with him.

'Okay, though...I don't know the exact date when I'll be discharged...the doctor said I'll stay here for a few more weeks…'

'Take your time Zeke, It's not something urgent, take your time and get well.'

'Thank you Mr. Herrler, and thank you that you've come today to visit me'

'Don't worry buddy, I'm by your side anytime'

After that the visiting hours ended so Herrler had to say goodbye to Zeke. The days passed and Zeke was discharged from the hospital in less than a week. During these days Yuki visited Zeke every day. She told him about a lot of things: about Hals, about powers, about spells, about demons, and more.

'Oh man, these recovery powers are really useful, Yuki told me that demons regenerate much faster than humans, but a deadly wound like that to heal in just five days, and without leaving a scar...it's pure madness...oh...anyway, at least I was able to get away easily with an excuse invented instantly, that I have a very strong body...harder to accept the fact is that the doctors really believed me...it seems that on the day of today anyone can become a doctor…' Zeke though.

'A lot of things happened during these days, Yuki stayed with me every day while I was in the hospital and brought me teaching materials for when I could be a tutor, so on the academic side I can say that I am quite stable. However, something too different from her as she was with me these days, her gaze was different, and she was trying to do anything for me. Those eyes, that look, I saw it...a long time ago...NO, I don't want to remember those times, I have another life now, what's in the past stays in the past'

Zeke's thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the sound of an alarm on his phone.

'Oh? it looks like it's almost time to meet that boy, Luis, I told him we should meet after class at the library, I should hurry, I don't want to make a bad impression from day one'

Zeke started walking toward the university. Walking alone on the street many thoughts still bothered Zeke.

'Ever since the whole phase with the powers, my life has changed, I don't even fully understand what's going on. During these five days, Yuki re-explained to me everything there is to know about our situation and what I need to know. First, there are three realms, Hell, Heaven and Earth. In each realm are different species of creatures. On Earth we have our species, such as dogs, bears, plants, or humans. We are species that can be found on Earth.

Yuki is a demon from Hell. Her mission is to found out why these creatures called Hals appeared on Earth. These creatures feed on human souls, so it's a pretty urgent problem to solve. The day I met her, we met because of a Hals that appeared in my school. That was the day when I got my powers. Apparently, Yuki's blood gave me these powers, but she didn't want to go into more detail, so I don't really understand much about this. I just know that's why I got some of her demon powers. So far, the things I've noticed changed in me are physical strength and regenerative power. At the moment, I have a brute force at least equal to the most powerful people on Earth, which would normally give me a colossal advantage over a human, but our enemies are not humans, but creatures from Hell.

That's why I started a special training with Yuki so that I could be able to summon my weapon, or something like that, said Yuki. The only time I was able to do it was after I got my powers, I was able to summon a katana just like Yuki's, but that was the first and last time I did it. That's why the subject with weapons is still in the fog for me. Yuki explained to me that it has something to do with the fact that we humans can't use magic, which is why it's hard for me to use it now.

She explained to me that it had something to do with faith or something, but again, these are things that I still don't understand and that I need to understand as soon as possible if I don't want more people to die.

One last detail that caught my eye was the fact that I asked Yuki if there are other types of magic, because I saw her using something related to electricity and I thought it wouldn't hurt to be able to also throw flashed where I wanted, but she avoided the subject.'

Zeke arrived in front of the library. After he went inside, he was looking for a good place to study where there are no windows or too many people around to distract them. After finally finding a place, Zeke leaves his things and prepares for his first class as a tutor. He was quite excited, which was not in his nature, was it because he was not ready? Or because Herrler trusted him to handle it? Whatever it was, the emotions were in place.

About 20 minutes passed and no one showed up, so Zeke decided to take a short break and go eat. As he was getting ready to go out the door, something happened, someone hurried into the room and ran into him. The person who had just entered was holding notebooks, which were now scattered everywhere.

'Ahh, that sucks, are you ok?' asked Zeke

'OH...I'm so sorry, I was in a hurry to meet someone and I'm already late, I apologize' the boy said, gathering his notebooks in a hurry.

'Let me give you a hand' Zeke said.

'Oh thank you so much! I'm sorry to bother you so much, I need to meet my tutor and I'm pretty excited about it. Oh yeah, by the way, my name is Luis, nice to meet you, sir…'

Upon hearing Luis's words, Zeke stops gathering the notebooks, realizing what was happening

'Sir, it's a bit too much, don't you think? We're the same age after all' he replied smiling. He reached out for a handshake with Luis. then told him 'I'm Zeke, and it looks like I'll be your tutor starting from today'