Chapter 12:Evil or good, this person could be both

"Then what do you say if we take stroll?" Lumiere said cheerfully.

I'm sure your guardian is here, because how would you get here if not right?

"You might just get bored here. I know some places." Lumiere said to the child with a cheerful voice.

The child was delighted upon hearing Lumiere's words. Despite of the mask he was wearing, you could clearly see the sparkle around him like stars.

"A stroll with Lumi-Onisama! Mm I'd love to come!" Kurayami said with a cheerful tone.

Hearing that,Lumiere couldn't help but to have a concerned look on his face.

This child is so naive and so trustful. If I'm a bad person, what would have happened to him?

"Sigh listen Kurayami, you shouldn't trust strangers easily. What if they have bad motives to you?" Lumiere said.

The child went silent for a while. He seemed to be thinking,but then right after a few seconds he replied.

"But onisama isn't a stranger. I know his name."

Hearing that, Lumiere couldn't help but to be more concerned. The world is full of cruelty and evil. Demons or humans, no matter what race all of them are filled with greed. An innocent lamb shouldn't be thrown on a cage with full of hungry wolves.

Lumiere let out a deep Sigh. He knelt down and put his hand on Kurayami's shoulders. " what if I have bad motives to you?" Lumiere said.

The child didn't paused a second and immediately replied."But you will never right?"

Fool... "Listen, The world is vast. There are many various types of people...Ah... "

Sigh... I guess it'll be useless to give a poetic lecture to a six years old child. I'll just make it simple.

"Kid, just don't trust anyone so easily. Even blood related could betray each other. What's more for a stranger?"Lumiere said.

The child then responded faster than Lumiere expected.

"Mm!"

Lumiere doesn't know if the child really understood what he just said, because of the speed of his response. Nevertheless, at least the child affirmed.

Lumiere was about to walk when he saw himself with the reflection of the water on the ground.

He was like struck by a lightning on his head. His face went dark. He was still wearing a mikoto dress with a slight of make up.

Lumiere feels so embarrassed and awkward. He paused and said,

"Um... Kurayami, You know it's pretty awkward for me to walk when I am dressed up like this, what do you say if we buy some mask for me first?"

The mask was indeed the best option that they have for now. Wearing a mask won't be so long than going buy new clothes and change.

As soon as the child heard the word 'mask', you could see the sparkle around him again like stars. "Mm! Onisama I know where they sell real good mask!" The child then drags Lumiere into a stall not really afar from them. The store sells a lot of stuffs; there are different kinds of masks, talismans and other lucky charms.

As soon as they arrived, Kurayami went to the barrier or rather border between the buyer and the vendor. It was like a cashier desk.

Kurayami had to point his toe in order to be noticed by the seller.

"Oji-san one kitsune mask for this person please!" The child said politely to the old seller.

Kitsune... Kid, you're not just a simple noble I see. You also know about literature at a young age. Thought Lumiere.

The old man then hand the mask to the child.

"Here you go." The old man said.

"Thank you so much!" The child politely replied as he hands the money to the old man.

"Onichan let me put it to you!" The child said with a delightful tone.

"Ah yes."

Lumiere knelt down so Kurayami could reach his neck. While kneeling, Lumiere thought of something.

The child's origin was unknown. He has a lot of money and knows about literature. His bright red kimono and haori also looks expensive. Surely he's a noble man, but what's more interesting is his mana.

The first time that Lumiere saw the child, he clearly felt the immense amount of mana inside him. At first he thought that Kurayami might be from the elf empire or witch empire because of his mana, but none of their traits shows that he's from those empire.

When Lumiere knelt and his body became so close to Kurayami, he felt shiver run down on his spine. The immense mana that he felt became even clearer and what's even more behind it, is that a dark mana was inside the child.

Only demon blood could have a dark mana. Knowing that fact, Lumiere's spine run colder. The child in front of him was clearly a demon. What's even scarier is that he managed to enter the sacred blood moon shrine without any struggle and even participate the event.

If the child is were about to snap Lumiere's neck,or blow his head, he would be helpless and wouldn't be able to fight back.

Lumiere immediately channels his mana on his neck and head in case that the child do something bad to him.

Lumiere was so nervous so as soon as the child finished putting the mask on him, he immediately stand up. But before he could stand up, the child refrained him to.

"Lumi-Onimsama, stay still." The child said with his usual cheerful tone.

Lumiere couldn't help but to just gulp. If he still doesn't know the real identity of the child, Lumiere would gladly stay still on his position. But since Lumiere knows it as clear as water, accepting it is like pointing a sword right in front of his neck with his own hands.

But then, Lumiere thought of something. If the child really wants to do something bad, shouldn't he have done it earlier? Why stay and mess around with him?

Lumiere wants to think positive as he can . He also doesn't want to judge someone just by their race, though he still must be careful.

Lumiere just stayed still as the child said. He was preparing himself if ever the child were to do something.

After a few seconds, the child spoked up.

"Onisama it's done!"

"Done?" Lumiere was dumbfounded.

He stood up and felt something wrong. He looked at his chest and he saw a ring pendant. It was shining silver and amethyst. The pendant looks so beautiful and stunning. It's lace was made by pure silver and the ring was like a crescent moon theme with amethyst stones on it.

The pendant doesn't looks like a simple pendant. Lumiere could feel immense light and dark mana in it.

"This..."

"That's my keepsake." The child replied softly.

Lumiere became confused.

"Keepsake?"

"Mm!" The child nods. "My father and father gave it to me before they passed away."

Hearing that, Lumiere became even more confused. Why would a demon give him a keepsake? Is the item cursed? No, what would be the point if that so?

Lumiere was ambivalent making a bewildered expression. He was so confused and doesn't know what to do nor feel.

It was the first time that someone gave him something after all. When he heard that it was a keepsake from Kurayami's parents, Lumiere felt that the item was really important. He felt sympathetic for the child. But doubt are still there.What if the item was cursed? What now?

Nevertheless, Lumiere doesn't really care. What's on his feelings right now is that someone finally gave him something. Lumiere isn't used to it because no one ever did give him something. It was always him who's giving, but never receiving.

If he was being deceived right now, he doesn't care nor will he care. The feelings that is stirring up inside him was really new feeling.

It was as if a warm breeze of wind was blown right in front of him. If feels so warm that it's relaxing like embrace.

If he was really being deceived,his heart will surely shatter his into pieces. But right now, Lumiere could only think about the new feeling inside him.

Taking a bite of sweet lie is way better than tasting a bitter reality.

Lumiere didn't spoke up nor the child did say further information about the necklace.

Kurayami just held Lumiere's hand and slowly guides him towards a stall.

"Lumi-Onisama, let's go there. I want to try catching some fish." Kurayami said with a cheerful tone.

Lumiere didn't think anymore. He followed as the child said.

As soon as they arrived,the vendor immediately greets them.

The stall was like idk

"Young boy, young lady do you want to try scooping?"

Young lady...

"Yes please!" Kurayami said with a cheerful tone.

He then gave a money to the vendor and the vendor gave him the paper scoop.

Kurayami then proceeds to scoop the first koi fish, but failed. He then scooped again for the second time but still failed.

The child was about to lose his temper but he tried again. For the third time he gave again a money to the vendor and scoops the fish.

the black koi fish then swam in to the scoop. Kurayami's Lips were starting to curve up but then it suddenly go down. When he lifted up the scoop, the net went broken.

Seeing that, the vendor whispered to Lumiere.

"Young lady, don't you want to help the young boy? I think he's about to lose his temper"

"Ah... Then can I have another scoop?" Lumiere said as he gives a money to the vendor.

"Here you go young lady." The vendor said.

"Lumi-Onichan..."

Ah... Come to think of it... I might live in blood moon empire, I never played games on festivals! I never played this game! I don't know what to do! Ah... well It looks easy but the scoop is fragile which makes it difficult. Lumiere you can do it!

Lumiere then proceeds to scoop his first fish, but as same as Kurayami he failed. He then tried again but failed. For the third time he tried again but none of the fish wants to go in the scoop.

Ahhhh! I suck at this! But I won't give up!

"Come" a voice mumured

Lumiere then again scooped for the fourth time and he managed to catch two koi fish,black and white.

"woah! I did it! I did it Kurayami! I caught fish and they were two!"Lumiere said cheerfully.

The fact that the child in front of him was a demon, disappeared like a bubble. Lumiere was smiling genuinely without putting a mask on his face.

The child smiled at him warmly.

"Onichan looks even prettier when he's happy. He should smile more often." Kurayami said.

Hearing that, Lumiere snapped out to reality. He realized that he has been smiling genuinely not like the way he used to smile.

What's strange is he's wearing a face mask. How could he tell it? Well perhaps it's because he really is a demon.

Lumiere didn't question it anymore.

The child held Lumiere's sleeve and said,

"Onichan I heard that there will be a fireworks. Let's find a good place to watch."

Lumiere was still confused and thinking on what is this child's motives. Nevertheless, it's better to play dumb to know other people's motives.

"Ah... Yes I think it's good to watch it from that house." Lumiere said.

They then proceeds to walk together towards that house.

While walking, they passed by a stall who's selling lanterns. The child grabbed Lumiere on his sleeve.

"Onichan let's fetch some lantern and light it up later when we arrive in there!" Kurayami said cheerfully.

"Ah... Alright." Lumiere replied.

Kurayami drags Lumiere on the stall.

"Two lantern please!" Kurayami said politely to the vendor.

The vendor then hands over two lanterns to them.

"There you go young man. May your wishes come true." the vendor said.

"Thank you o-jisan" Kurayami said cheerfully.

His tone is really cheerful like a blossoming flowers. It looks so genuine and pure like a diamond in rough.

Lumiere couldn't help but feel ambivalent. If the child is a demon then he must eliminate him. But Kurayami isn't doing anything bad yet so he couldn't bring himself to do so.

Unlike other exorcist, Lumiere isn't the type of person who kill someone just because of their race. But if the child is really evil, it'll be his fault if the child harm people.

Lumiere pauses from walking.

"what's the matter onichan?" Kurayami said.

" Ne, Kurayami I think that house in there was really a good spot, but sure there are lots of people in there now since that's the best spot. How about we go up there at that house instead? The spot is really good. It's also quite. It'll be just us and It's not too far. What do you say?"Lumiere said.

Actually that house is really too far. And it's not also house it's a temple. It's a fact the it's quite but watching the fire works over there is really too far.

The child however agreed without any hesitation. "I'll go anywhere as long as I'm with Lumi-Onichan!"

Kid... Are you fool or just playing dumb? Nevertheless, there's no going back now.

They then proceeds to walk. The sky looks so beautiful with the stars and moon illuminating the darkness. In the middle of their walking, the child spoked up again.

"Walking with Lumi-Onisama sure is fun, but I hope we could both walk together without mask."

Hearing that, Lumiere's lips curved up. It curved up not because he's happy, rather he was ambivalent.

So you know, yet you still continue? Just how far can you go? Thought Lumiere.

After a quiet long walk, they finally arrived at the shrine. The shrine was at the peak of the mountain. It was very tall and look so nice. If you go on its top, you could clearly see the blood moon's empire and the festival.

They then proceeds to go inside. As they took the first step, Lumiere's heart couldn't help but to beat fast.

He looked at Kurayami to see if he'll burn or react. But the child didn't even flinched a little.

Lumiere couldn't help but to think if he was mistaken. He couldn't be so sure about that they have just entered the entrance after all.

As they go further, Lumiere pays more attention to the child. But as the same, he doesn't react at all.

Lumiere's face couldn't help but to turn pale. If the child is really a demon and even managed to enter this shrine without any reaction, then he's dead.

Only powerful demon could withstand entering a shrine, but even if they're high rank, they could still feel pain. If he's a demon then he's no ordinary. How could he withstand it all without even flinching?

As they proceeds to walk, they finally reached the 4th floor. Lumiere is still not getting any reaction at all. But as they get further, he noticed that the grip of the child on his lantern is becoming tighter.

Seeing that, cold ran down on Lumiere's spine. It was confirmed that he was not mistaken.

He tried to maintain his composure and act normal as he could.

Finally they reached the top.

Reaching the top, Kurayami immediately dashed towards the edge of the terrace.

He looked at the view and seemed so excited. His eyes was sparkling with the sight he was seeing. The festival look so stunning from up there and so the blood moon's empire.

The whole mountain was illuminating bright red. The blood moon's empire look really astonishing.

The child looks so cheerful and hyped.

"Onichan it's about time. Let's light up our lanterns." Kurayami said cheerfully. He was like a blooming flower in a fog. Eye-catching and blooming beautifully despite of the darkness.

How could someone like him be a demon?

Lumiere just remained composed as usual .

"Yes." Lumiere replied to him.

They then proceeds to light up their lanterns.

Lighting up their lantern, a soft yet cold tine of voice spoke up.

"Ne, kurayami it's okay to show me your real form. I know you're struggling."

Hearing that,The child Kurayami glowed amethyst and transformed into a young man as same age as Lumiere. Height was taller than Lumiere. hair was long and dark which contradited his pale white skin and made him even paler. Physique was great but face can't be seen because of the kitsune mask.

"Ah... That was fast I didn't expect that Onisama will found out so soon... Onichan why don't we fly out lanterns together?" Kurayami said warmly.

The sky illuminates red, green,blue and yellow. The sky lighted up by different colors. With loud noise whistle like noise with a "bang". The fire works started.

Loud noises from the fire works but Kurayami only heard 5 words.

"Don't call me like that anymore. "

Warm expression turned into cold one. Kurayami was like struck by a lightning. He was like blown by a punch with a heavy of hammer and anvil. Behind his mask, his face color turned white to dark continuously.

Hearing what Lumiere said, Kurayami's hand trembled and lost grip of his lantern.

The lantern went flying like a feather blown by a cold wind.

Kurayami froze as he watch his lantern fly on its own.

The lantern was getting further and further. Suddenly, a swift wind passed in front of him.Lumiere dashed swiftly as wind yet smooth like a fiery moth flapping it's wings softly. A sound of metal clang to each other. Lumiere's mysterious crimson amulet showed itself and clanged with the crescent moon pendant ring that Kurayami gave to him.

The lantern isn't that far away yet. Lumiere catched it easily like a feather falling on his hands.

Lumiere landed perfectly on the ground. He came towards Kurayami and hands the lantern to him.

"Ah... why did you let it go? Didn't you said we'll fly our lanterns together? "Lumiere said.

Kurayami was just dumbfounded he was so puzzled and making a bewildered expression.

With a cheerful tone Lumiere spoke up again.

"Here at the count of 3 we'll fly both of our lanterns together."

Lumiere then started to count.

"1..."

"2..."

As Lumiere counts, Kurayami couldn't help but to look at him with dumbfounded expression. He was too stunned to speak and looked daze at Lumiere's covered face.

At the count of three they both flew off their lanterns.

Despite of his face wearing a mask, Lumiere still look so elegant and majestic as he clasps his hands and closed his eyes. Kurayami couldn't help but to mesmerized at this sight as Lumiere makes his wish.

"I wish I could change this cruel world into peaceful and happy one where everyone can get along together. And..."

Their lanterns flew like fireflies flying freely towards the moon.

Kurayami also started to make his wish.

Thousands of lanterns are now flying in the sky. All of them are illuminating bright making them look like stars.

"Aww it's so beautiful! Ne, Kurayami from now on call me by my name, 'Lumi' . I think it would be really cute if you call me like that!" Lumiere said cheerfully.

Kurayami was so confused and puzzled. Confused and puzzled. Why Lumiere isn't eliminating him when he already found out that he's a demon. .

"Why aren't you killing me?"Kurayami asked. His tone was completely different from the child earlier. His voice is cold and soothing. It's as if his personality changed 180 degree. If Lumiere don't know,he wouldn't be able to tell that the Kurayami in front of him is the same as the child that He met.

"Why would I?"Lumiere said succinctly.

Kurayami seemed to be more confused.

"Aren't exorcists supposed to kill demons and evil spirits?"Kurayami said.

Lumiere immediately replied.

"Kurayami... You seem to misunderstand."

"Misunderstand?"Kurayami became Eden more confused.

"I may be exorcist,but I don't kill anyone just because of their race. I only kill and eliminate evil ones. You see, in this world humans,elves,witch, Gods and goddesses, all of them could be evil, but are they demons?"

Hearing that, Kurayami was like awestruck. He have never heard someone say things like that. Usually, once an exorcist found that a person is a demon or vampire, they will immediately unsheath their sword and won't hesitate to cut the neck of the person in an instant.

"When there's a light there's a dark. The purer the person is, the darker their heart could be. That's how onmyodo works. I don't judge and kill. If you're evil then I'll eliminate you,but if you are good then I'll be your friend."Said Lumiere.

Kurayami remained silent for a while and replied.

"What if I'm both?" Kurayami said.

Lumiere wasn't expecting that reply,but then he didn't waste any time and replied promptly.

"Then I will also be both." Said Lumiere.

"How will that even work?" Kurayami said nonchalantly.