Chapter 19: Deal Cutter

Kalika looks on blankly staring into space waiting for something interesting to happen. Her expectations of seeing anyone is about as low as it can get. However, an intense and malicious aura can be felt. It isn't long until the creaking of the steel doors are heard, and the pattering of feet becomes audible.

Before Kalika knew it her prison door was being opened, revealing three red skinned demon ladies. Two of them had black hair; one with short hair and the other with long, lengthy hair down to her tail. The other had gray hair and a smug face. They all also had their own unique shaped horns with the short hairs having horns positioned like cat ears as the other two had horns curving to the front respectively.

"Who are these Demons??"

The Smug demon woman started to talk to the other two in their native language. Kalika could understand some of what she said but it was too broken up for her to fully comprehend.

They started to surround her and grabbed her by the shoulder. She attempted to free herself but found herself being punched in the gut.

A swing to the face.

A drag to the floor followed by many kicks.

Kalika is being trampled upon these women by unprovoked violence. Shortly after Kalika was grabbed by the throat and pinned to the wall. They readied some blade, speaking once more in the demon language.

Kalika could tell just by the tone of their voice that they saw her as a pathetic human girl. A familiar name pops out through their Taunt. They were mentioning her sister and Rakon. Before she could think further about the names mentioned, she started to get slashed. Kalika screams echoed in the hall as they painfully marked Kalika's body with their knives.

After some time, they were finally satisfied. The two black haired ladies started to leave. On the other hand, the gray haired demon woman started to step on Kalika's head, taunting her like she wanted her to do something. With the pain coursing through her body, Kalika couldn't move one bit. Despite this she gives a tearful glare at the women towering over her. This provokes the woman to kick Kalika in the gut, not once but twice.

The gray hair demon finally leaves with the other two, closing the steel door behind them.

"T-those bastards…"

Kalika's vision was becoming hazy, slipping in and out of consciousness until the door was open once more with Rhonda on the other side. Rhonda runs up to Kalika, face pale, painted with deep concern and horror.

Rakon suddenly shows up behind Rhonda with a blade in hand. He tosses it on the ground for Rhonda who looks back and forth with reluctance. And with the remaining strength she has Kalika tugs at Rhonda's skirt.

"Please… Rhonda…"

Rhonda finally obliges, killing Kalika and soon after

reawakens with her wounds fully healed.

Kalika Looked angrily at Rakon with welled up eyes.

"Y-you bastard!" she yelled.

Rakon simply gave a smile at the girls in the prison. He then proceeded to crouch down to the level examining them; as if they were cute animals. He gave a light chuckle as he continued looking at the two.

"For a human girl you can be very cute." he continued to chuckle for a little before standing back up.

"Those girls that stopped by are some of my loyal idiots that stopped by to say hi. For the time being they'll be your playmates to make sure things aren't boring for you. After all… I can't let the queen's toy be neglected, now can I."

Kalika glared much more ragefully at Rakon. 

"Oh, How scary."

Rakon enters into the neat solitary prison. "And here I thought that we should bargain a contract."

Kalika, as angry as she was, had a curiosity growing from this statement. "What do you mean?"

Rakon gave a knowing smile.

"Since I admire you so much I had a couple choice contract ready" Rakon snapped his fingers for a servant to appear with two scrolls in hand. He delivered them to Kalika before taking his leave.

"I even went through the trouble to transcribe it to the human language, just for you." Rakon starts to rub his chin watching Kalika opening the first scroll. "And Alternatively, if you don't like either option. I can let my girls continue to entertain you until their majesties return. Thinking about it now it'd probably be fun to join in."

Kalika tried ignoring Rakon, starting to read the parchment in front of her along with Rhonda; who was having a hard time understanding the symbols on the paper. Reading line by line she grips the edges of the paper furiously.

"Tch!"

Kalika widens her eyes in shock, throwing the first scroll to the corner of the room. "Concubine?! What kind of sick joke is this!? Like hell I'm going to be some whore!" Kalika was seething in anger.

Rakon turns around to grab the scroll that was thrown. "And the second?" 

Reluctantly Kalika proceeded to open the second scroll to read, giving a huff as she did. She squeezed the trim of the paper frustrated by the choices given to her. It wasn't a choice of two evils but three and the most current option she saw before her is the most hopeful that she could see.

Rakon placed the first scroll by Kalika.

"There won't be any negotiations or other chances. This will be the only time I'll be offering these choices to you Kalika." he walked over to the door, leaning on it as he watched Kalika intently. "The first one, I think, is the most favorable for you. besides… It's not like our species can have offspring. From what I've seen these last years in this war, ."

"No way in hell am I ever going to consider that! I won't let him have his satisfaction! I WON'T LET HIM LOOK DOWN ON ME!!"

"I'll take the second option," Kalika said.

"Oh." Rakon's smile widened. "Are you sure about this?"

"That contract states that I just need to kill three people to be released and put under protection, yeah?"

"That's true, but you'll also be fair game to any with a grudge for the next 6 months. Not to mention my subordinates. I'm sure they've already taken quite a liking to you. "

With a stern eye Kalika looked at Rakon. "If that's all, then I'd happily bear through it! Compared to what Lily put me through, it's nothing!"

Rakon chuckles, which turns into laughter. "Amazing! This is why I admire you so much!" his laughter continues.

"Very well." Blood drops onto the second contract from above. "I've signed the second with my blood. All you have to do is give a drop like me and it'll seal the contract."

"And how do I know you won't go back?" Kalika inquired.

"These contracts before you, are enchanted with an ancient magic that was first discovered and created by our ancestor. So, rest assured that should I violate it, I would perish on the spot."

With reluctance Kalika finally opted to sign the contract with the assistance of Rhonda. despite Rhonda's own reluctance to cut Kalika's finger she finally caves in, cutting it and dropping some blood on the parchment sealing the contract.

Shortly after Rhonda licked the fresh cut on Kalika's finger. and to her amazement, her cut started healing itself leaving Kalika speechless.

Suddenly a big burst of fire erupted onto the contract, burning the parchment to ash. "W-what the hell??"

"That's normal. It's just a sign that the contract has been recognized. You can even ask your maid since she's done one herself."

Kalika looked towards Rhonda and instantly became nervous and affirmed the Rakon wasn't lying.

"Alright so when will I be killing this first person?" Kalika asked.

"In the next three months we will have your first match."

"Match?"

Guards start to enter the cell.

"Yes. and while we get the preparation done, you can feel free to prepare yourself as you see fit while you're with the other prisoners." 

"Wait so I'm not staying here?"

"Of course not. I can't keep the Prisons celebrity locked up forever. You have to stretch your legs, meet old acquaintances and the likes. It wouldn't be a fair contract if I had you rot here forever, now would it."

The guards approach Kalika and her maid. "Fine. So be it." Kalika sighed. 

Rakon smiled happily hearing Kalika's response.

Understanding the situation Kalika gets up, only to find that her legs are much shakier than before. perhaps from the beating she was given earlier.

Rhonda, a little nervous, opts to follow right behind Kalika. as some of the guards lead them outside the cell and through the hall of steel doors, Leaving behind Rakon who simply watched them off.

"Now don't cause any trouble out there." Rakon was chuckling. it was obvious to Kalika that he was taunting her. 

"K-K-Kalika?"

Kalika, surprised, looked back to find Rhonda concerned, tugging at her prisoner's clothes lightly. It was rare to find Rhonda wanting to talk.

"A-are you sure you should've done that? S-signing the contract I mean."

Kalika paused trying to comprehend the fact that her succubus maid was actually talking to her. and in the human language no less.

Kalika came back to her sense shortly after and finally responded. "Honestly... I don't know."

 Kalika balled her fist, frustrated by the circumstance she's in. "I really don't trust him either. But if guaranteeing my safety means killing few people, then I'd happily do it. even if this safety only last until Lilly comes back."

"I-I See".

Suddenly Kalika started to feel a heat rising within her. Her heart now pounding furiously with vision becoming unsteady. "Why do I feel so weird all of a sudden?"

Without warning Kalika's legs gave way, making her trip over. Luckily, she is saved from the fall thanks to Rhonda's quick reaction. 

One of the guards inquired Rhonda on the situation in their native language. she gave a quick reply. The guard scoffed at the maid following up with a remark that sounded offensive. Rhonda piad no mind to this, she simply proceeded to put Kalika's arm around her shoulder and lifted her up so they could continue being escorted.

"I-I'm sorry. this is my fault."

Kalika glanced at her maid Rhonda still a little confused. "W-what do you mean? You didn't do anything wrong."

Rhonda becomes a little flustered by the response and opts not to respond. still feeling some guilt.

"T-the feeling should pass soon, just try to resist any weird urges."

"S... Sure..."

After a journey through the corridors, they finally reached a part of the dungeon, lined in rows and rows of Prison cells. All of which were strangely empty.

Continuing forth, Kalika starts to feel much better, recovering from the strange sensation she had. Feeling better she finally felt able to separate herself from Rhonda.

"I wonder what that was about…"

"Kalika Archelion." a voice rang out.

Kalika looked up to find a blue demon with short white hair and black eyes, he had a strap of armor hanging by his waist and his horns pointing to the front like a bull. There's also a horizontal scar going across his face that still looked fresh. The demon was standing in the path

"" a guard asked.

""

Ek turned her attention back to Kalika. "You've got a lot of nerve coming down here after everything you've done!"

Kalika simply stared at the demon general and despite his menacing gaze she can't help but to not take him seriously.

Kalika turned to one of the guards. "Uhh… who is he?" 

Ek Got up close shouting at Kalika. "UUUUWWWAAAAAA!!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!! YOUR ASS HAS BEEN CAUSIN ME NOTHIN BUT TROUBLE EVER SINCE YOU'VE BEEN BREAKING OUT ALL THE DAMN TIME!!!"

The angry demon starts going on tangents that seemed to have no bearing on the matter of what Kalika did. Understanding this, some of the guards pulled away the angry general and reminded him of Kalika's predicament of not being able to remember the last 10 years. He calms down a little hearing this but continues to scowl at Kalika. 

"Consider yourself lucky this time. Next time I see you, you better start groveling!"

Ek leaves Kalika and her escort to their business. "The names Ek. And don't forget it!"

Kalika could only be annoyed by this demon as she can hear what sounds to be curses being uttered under the demon's breath. She pays it no mind however, focusing on actually arriving at their destination. It's not long until they finally bring her to a prison cell.

One of the guards steps up and speaks. "This… is your cell. Open any time. Leave any time. But. cannot leave dungeon. Understood?"

"How is Rhonda able to speak better than him...???"

Kalika looked on awkwardly at the guard before giving an affirmative answer. With their jobs completed Kalika was left at her new place with her maid.

"So this'll be my new home… it's probably just empty with-"

 Kalika took a peek into her new cell with no hopes of a clean quarters. But to her surprise, the cell was clean and actually had a bed in it. 

She rushed over to the bed, feeling it to make sure it was real. She quickly hopped over to lay on the bed to find it very cozy despite some of its stiffness. She could almost cry for joy. Kalika quickly became embarrassed realizing that Rhonda was watching her.

Kalika cleared her throat. "This is… a very acceptable prison call."

Rhonda only watches on cheerfully. Happy to see this rare moment of excitement from Kalika.

Kalika looked around the dungeon corridor to find most of the prisons empty. There were signs that their cells were being preoccupied by the disorganized beds and some strange decorations being hung in some of the individual cells.

"What the hell is going on?" Kalika continued to look around from her cell. "And where is everyone?"

"You're back?" a gruff voice sounds out.

Kalika looked to her left to find an older looking gentleman with a well-kept body, gray hair and a face that looks great for his age.

Kalika's eyes' widened in surprise. "Wait a minute. I've seen this man before! But from where?"

 the man continued. "Honestly I thought you'd never come back after that last attempt you made."

"That's right! Wasn't he in my dream???"

"Especially after you and the queen of demons killed almost everyone here…"

Kalika instantly became pale upon hearing this. Even Rhonda who was standing closely was shocked by this bit of information.

Complete confusion hit Kalika hard. "W-wait. what?"