getting to know my friend and his possessive girlfriend

Kaius finally arrived at the central square of Crimson Grove, a place that had not changed since he left it years ago. The fresh morning air was infused with the scent of the trees and flowers surrounding the fountain in the center of which a small figure was releasing water, crystal clear water that continued to dance to the rhythm of a time that seemed far away for him. 

But for Kaius, that place was not just a picturesque space; it was a portal to his most intense memories. As soon as he set foot in the square, fragments of the past swirled in his mind like an unexpected storm.

Three little boys appeared in his memory, running around the fountain with laughter filling the air. He, being the oldest, was trying to maintain a serious posture, but the other two kept chasing after him, trying to get his attention. James, with his tousled blond hair and eyes sparkling with enthusiasm, always found an excuse to provoke a little fight, and the other boy - whose name Kaius was reminding me of his younger brother Ettore - was quick to join in the chaos.

The childish arguments almost always ended in tears or shouting, but later, as if nothing had happened, they were sitting together under the big oak tree in the square, sharing stories and dreams.

Kaius closed his eyes for a moment, letting the echoes of that laughter resonate within him. A part of him, buried deep in his heart, knew he hadn't forgotten anything. He really missed him.

The wind blew gently, bringing with it a leaf that fell in front of his feet. She took it between her fingers and looked at it closely, as if in it she could find some tangible trace of those happy days. But the memories, though sharp, were just that: ghosts of a past he could not recover.

He sighed, straightening up, trying to shake off the melancholy.

-I didn't come here for this," he said quietly to himself, as if trying to convince himself was enough to keep control.

As he walked away from the fountain, however, he could not help but glance toward the large oak tree at the far end of the square. . His heart, though hardened by the years, gave a little flip.

- "James...etti...what will have become of you?" -he thought remembering that day where he woke up like a demon in that circle made of blood with those damn bullet wounds in his chest and legs as his little brother hugged him tightly and as James followed him he remembered that day for one simple reason because that day

the only people he had left with that woman that person who destroyed their lives while he walked away from them maybe it was his fault maybe if he had just agreed to go maybe if he had kept that feeling of hate and anger for knowing the truth of how she would use them and then discard them 

maybe someday we will see each other again- 

What he didn't know was that this moment would be in a very short time.

Kaius went in the direction of the old house they owned and was walking down a residential street when he stopped dead in his tracks, his body tensing as he watched a car pull up next to him. The sound of the brakes and the crunch of gravel under the wheels seemed louder in the silence of the road. The driver's door opened, and a man slowly stepped out.

Kaius instinctively braced himself, channeling his magic subtly into his fists. He had learned to expect the worst in situations like this, especially in small towns where strangers were not always welcome.

But then she saw him.

That blond hair.

It was unmistakable, though it was now a little longer and messier than in her memory. The light eyes looking up at him were full of disbelief and excitement.

-Kaius? Is it really you? -The voice trembled slightly, a mixture of surprise and something else Kaius couldn't immediately identify.

Kaius felt time stand still for an instant. It had been so many years since he had last seen James, but that face was impossible to forget.

-James... -he whispered, almost as if he feared that saying it aloud would break the spell of the moment.

James took a step towards him, his expression quickly changing from astonishment to a mixture of relief and joy.

-Kaius! I can't believe it! It's you, isn't it? -he exclaimed, striding forward with firm steps.

He approached Kaius by taking him by the waist and lifting him up as if they were a couple and laughing and their old friendship was restored but then came that memory where he saw both of them walking away with that woman. 

-What are you doing here? -asked Kaius with a voice full of nostalgia, anger but also some sadness.

James put him down but didn't let go as if he was really scared that if he let go he would leave and never see him again.

-Kai. I just... I didn't expect to find you like this, in this place. -He paused, as if choosing his words carefully. It's been so long where you've been

Kaius relaxed but his eyes still showed old sadness.

-Yes, it has been a while," he replied cautiously. Too long.

The silence between them was heavy, full of things neither of them knew how to say. Finally, James broke the tension.

-Can we talk? There is much I need to know... and much I want to tell you.

Kaius watched him for a moment, assessing his words. There were so many emotions swirling inside him that he didn't know which one to listen to. But finally he nodded, though he still kept some distance.

-All right. But not here. Let's go somewhere else

James smiled, this time with a hint of hope.

-I'll take you

They got into the car and drove away from that street where a girl was watching them from her window annoyingly biting her nails. 

Arriving at James' house after a few minutes Kaius couldn't help but glance sideways at the old family home next door, its facade worn down by time and neglect. The paint was peeling, the windows broken, and the garden overgrown with weeds. 

-You'll need to fix it, sooner or later," James muttered as he opened the door to his house.

Kaius looked away, feeling a knot in his stomach.

-I know. But not today.

When James opened the door, Kaius tried to follow him without much thought, but the pain hit him like a wave. His body tensed, his magic churned furiously and uncontrollably, and a familiar voice echoed in his mind.

"Get out of there, now!" shouted Black, his tone more urgent than usual.

Kaius stumbled backwards, but James reacted quickly. He grabbed him by the arm, pulling him away from the entrance with a force that, while gentle, left no room for protest.

-Wait," James said with a mixture of concern and firmness, "There's something you need to know before you go in.

Kaius drew in a shaky breath, trying to calm his overflowing, weakened magic and nearly falling silent. 

-What the hell do you have on that door?

James sighed, running a hand through his blond hair before pointing towards the entrance.

-Sangría. Not the drink, obviously, but the red sap from the Crimson Grove trees. It's a natural repellent for demons and other supernatural creatures.

Kaius blinked, surprised. He knew about bloodletting and its ability to keep beings like him at bay, but there was something that didn't fit.

-How can you get in and out of your house without... this? -he asked, his tone full of distrust.

James looked at him with a wry smile as he guided him into the living room, away from the door.

-I'm weaker than most demons. I barely feel the effect. But don't worry, the bloodletting isn't permanent. I can remove it if you ask me to.

James led Kaius to a large armchair where he helped him lie down and offered him a basin of water. He took the glass of water James offered him and held it in his hands, watching the liquid move slightly with the trembling of his fingers.

-Why do you have that on the door? -she asked, though she already sensed the answer.

James sat down across from him, folding his hands on his knees.

-It's a precaution. This place isn't safe. Besides, I've learned not to trust anyone after what happened with.... her.

The silence grew heavier as the name Velladona Hills returned to his fragmented mind. 

-So it's true," Kaius muttered he wanted to say I told them but knew it wouldn't do any good, not now. That woman... What did she do to them?

James closed his eyes, as if by doing so he could block out the memories.

-She blinded us. She convinced us to follow her, promising things she never intended to keep. For forty years, we were her pawns. But one day, she just got bored. She showed us who she really was and disappeared, leaving your brother and me alone.

Kaius felt a pang in his chest at that.

-Did you and etti look for me? -he asked quietly.

James looked at him with a sad expression.

-Yes, for years. But someone told us you were dead. After that... we just stopped looking.

Kaius gritted his teeth, his mind flooded with mixed emotions: guilt, anger, and a strange relief that at least they had tried.

-I'm not dead, James. I'm here," he finally said.

James nodded slowly, a small smile tugging at his lips.

-And now that I know that, I'm not going to let you disappear again.

The air between them seemed lighter, though there were still many wounds to heal and words to say. For now, being in the same place, after so long, was enough.

James held Kai tightly, as if he feared the moment might vanish in a breath. His embrace was warm, filled with a mixture of emotions: relief, regret, and a deep need to connect after so many years apart.

Kaius broke the silence, his voice hoarse with pent-up emotions:

-James, do you know where I can find Etti? Or how to contact him?

The question seemed to break something in James. His embrace tightened before loosening, but he didn't let go completely. With a heavy sigh, he replied:

-After we were told the news of your death we didn't believe it so we split up to look for clues about you... back then there were no phones. We communicated by letters. -James paused, as if the next words were a weight he didn't want to carry. But one day, they just stopped coming.

Kaius frowned, pulling away long enough to look him in the eye.

-They stopped coming? How? What happened?

James shrugged.

-I don't know. I sent several more letters, but never got a reply. I thought something had happened to him. Maybe it was Velladona's damned influence, or maybe it was just... something else got in the way.

Kaius felt a knot form in his stomach. The thought that Etti might have suffered the same as them or worse as death. 

-- he's not dead -- black said in his mind trying to reassure him.

it reassured kaius that he could not reconcile with a brother he wanted to know more than a few fragmented memories. 

-Do you even know where he was the last time you heard from him? -he asked, his tone pressing. 

James put a hand to his chin, remembering.

-The last letter I received said he was somewhere near the mountains, in a small town called Ravenridge. It was a remote place, almost impossible to track. But I have no further information.

Kaius gritted his teeth, processing that information. Ravenridge knew what place it was black administers information from all over the world like a living computer in my mind with conciensa is a small town on the outskirts of California where they have ancient rules a secluded community.

kaius without thinking said out loud -I just hope he didn't get in trouble he always had a lazy ..... tongue-. 

kaius' mind was too confused how did he know that his mouth just moved by itself. 

--it's your body memory that will help you remember faster," said black with a kinder voice and stroking kai's head trying to reassure him. 

--kai are you all right, are you in pain?" said james bringing kai out of his thoughts. 

--yes jame relax -- he said messing up his hair and smiling -I'm just still dazed from the bleeding plus a little tired I've been traveling for days and even though I've been feeding myself I couldn't get the rest I needed. 

james knew what he needed and was so happy to offer it to him.

--why don't you stay for a few days, I have the guest room vacated, it has a bathtub and a private bathroom. 

kai thought about it for a moment if he wanted to spend time with him but he also wanted a space to create the locator spell he had thought of to find etti and he didn't know how james would react if he found out he could use magic. 

- you can occupy the liminal spaces so he won't notice so you can stay with him without worrying about him finding out about you," said black in a more know-it-all tone. 

kai thought about it a lot, black talked to him all the way to crimson Grove about the liminal spaces are spaces connected between dimensions whose time is not the same as the world we know, although for someone in that place they spend hours, in the world you know they can spend months or the other way around, in this case it would be the second one he would use.

-Why not," said Kai as he walked to the kitchen of the house, "besides, you need someone to take care of you since knowing you will continue with your diet of animals. 

he started to take out some things to make human food in this case a mexican dish chilaquiles con carne fortunately there were cold tortillas in the fridge and tomatoes 

- james do you want chilaquiles with meat or with egg?

- with egg," he said as he sat down at a black marble counter in the kitchen, "I didn't know what you cooked.

kaius had to invent something since he didn't know what he cooked either, he just does it by automatic memory. 

- The truth is that I had to learn I kept to myself for a while only marrying when I really needed human flesh and I fed on blood but I was always very careful with that I fed on as much human food as I could and sometimes I had to make my own food.

 he said as he made the sauce and heated the meat and fried the omelets he moved around the kitchen as if he was dancing james watched him like a fairy fluttering around as he pulled out the blue vagina which fascinated him as soon as he saw it and served it all with the freshly made egg for james 

they sat down together to eat kaius took out a bag of blood that he had taken from a blood bank and mixed the juice he poured into the bag. 

-- kaius what are you doing with that bag," he said with a panicked look on his face. 

-- well, eating you want some -- he offered kindly. 

james shook his head 

-- It's just a little bit won't hurt you, in fact it wouldn't hurt you to have a little more strength. 

--no kaius i can't drink blood...no...not...now-- he said holding back-- 

nothing more happened after eating they both went to their respective rooms kaius to the room a room with hardwood floors and large windows. and a desk of the same material along with a built-in closet in the wall. 

--where could I set up my secret room, black," he asked, making sure to sound a little humorous.

--What about in the closet like that book in the old closet that leads to another world, only instead of a world, it's a house on its own?

-- I'll show you how to create the spell to open a liminal space, just close the door because we don't want a certain gossipy blond guy to come in.

kai closed the door and created a circular codex lock spell that can't be opened without a special password not that he distrusts him but he doesn't know what would happen if he found out that he has more magic than a normal demon could have in quotes besides he didn't want him to see him as a threat he doesn't know how james reacts with witches and more with something like his magic not that he hates having it but he knows he is not normal. 

--Well now open the cupboard doors and channel your magic like you do to create simple spells and touch the wall of the cupboard and imagine that raises come out of your whole body," said black.

Kaius obeyed, sliding the cabinet doors open and placing both hands on the wooden surface inside. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, allowing his magic to flow. It was like a river spreading out from his chest, branching into hundreds of strands that seemed to pierce the barrier of the cabinet.

As she concentrated her energy, she felt the space change, as if the wood was transforming into something living and malleable. A slight vibration ran through his hands, a sign that the spell was working.

-That's it, keep it up. Let the magic guide you," Black murmured, almost as a whisper in his mind.

Slowly, the inside of the closet ceased to be a simple compartment. Kaius opened his eyes and watched as the bottom of it turned into a glowing blue door. 

-You did it," Black said with satisfaction. Now you have a door to a liminal space.

Black fell silent as he looked at the boy his open eyes reflected the cello of the 7 arrows a seal that had disappeared eons ago but it was only for a second when the boy awoke from the magical trance without noticing the seal on his being. 

Kaius smiled to himself, satisfied with his achievement. This small space would be his secret, a place where he could work uninterrupted and keep safe that which he preferred not to reveal to anyone, not even to James 

-Do you want to see it to see how we fix it up? -Black asked with a mixture of excitement and curiosity in his voice.

Kaius nodded, intrigued, as the door he had just created opened. As soon as they both entered, they were in front of a breathtaking place: a vibrant space filled with trees of glowing green, as if they were trapped in an eternal spring. The whole place was enclosed under a greenish glass dome that seemed to filter the light naturally, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

In the center of the space was a huge magical seal, carved directly into the floor with intricate patterns that seemed to move as if alive. Just above the seal, a sphere of energy floated, pulsing with a soft light that shifted between shades of gold, blue and silver. It was evident that this sphere was the source that kept the whole place full of life and magic.

Kaius walked slowly, marveling. He could feel how the energy of the place flowed in harmony, connecting with his own magic in an almost natural way.

-This... this is more than I expected," he finally said, his eyes fixed on the sphere floating above the seal.

Black let out a small chuckle.

-It's a good start, but it still needs a little work, maybe we can plant some magical plants or breed magical minerals...

Black materialized in a more physical way, he seemed to be able to touch it like any other body. 

--black, you really like farming, wouldn't you like to have a body of your own?

--I won't deny that I like farming a lot, but the second thing I've never liked is getting along with humans. 

-Come on, Black, don't be so dramatic. Just imagine having a body so you can carry things or open doors for me," Kaius joked, raising his eyebrows playfully.

-Ha. Very funny, Kaius," Black replied in a dry tone. I admit that a physical form could be useful, but for now I like being able to watch you make a fool of yourself without anyone else noticing. Besides, can you imagine the mess if I had to protect you all the time in person?

Kaius shook his head, still smiling. He knew Black was being sarcastic, but behind those words was a genuine interest in keeping him safe.

-Okay, I accept that. I need you to continue to be my voice of reason... although sometimes you are more of a voice of constant criticism," said Kaius, shrugging his shoulders.

-It's my job, dear Kai, and I do it with style. Now, back to the subject, are you sure you want to try the tracking spell? It's not a simple thing, especially if your memories are still as scattered as your sense of humor.

Kaius nodded with determination.

-Yes, I need it. I need to find Ettie, and any clue we can get is better than nothing.

Black sighed, as if he knew he couldn't dissuade him.

-All right. Listen carefully. The tracking spell requires concentration and an object linked to the person you're looking for. But since you don't have such a thing now, you will use your magic to project a connection based on your memories.

Kaius frowned, interested but somewhat unsure.

-And how exactly do I do that?

-Open your hands and channel your magic. This time, instead of imagining roots as before, visualize a thread. That thread is you, Kai, and each fiber represents your memories, your connection to Ettie. Focus on the image of him that you have in your mind, even if it's not perfect. Let your magic do the rest.

Kaius closed his eyes, following the instructions. His breathing slowed as he visualized the thread Black described. Slowly, he began to feel a slight vibration in the air, as if something was responding.

-That's it, Kai. Keep the focus. Now, extend the thread forward. Search, but don't force. Your magic knows where to go.

Kaius felt how the thread seemed to stretch out, crossing space and time. His mind filled with flashes, fragments of memories mixed with sensations. And then, something. A tug, as if the thread had found an anchor point.

He opened his eyes with a start, his heart beating fast but then something happened his body began to wobble his eyes were closing and after that he heard no more from the outside 

Kaius heard a distant voice, as if coming from the bottom of a tunnel.

-Kaius... wake up... Kai... is... -Black tried to call out to him, but his mind went blank, trapped in a limbo of silence and confusion.

Suddenly, he was there again, in that place of infinite sunset. The orange sky stretched as far as the eye could see, with a warm, comforting glow. But something had changed. In the distance, a beautiful two-story wooden house stood, inviting him with its familiar, nostalgic appearance.

Kaius advanced toward the door, but a shiver stopped him in his tracks. In the background, he heard a shout.

-Kaius!

The sound pierced him like a pang. Everything went dark again, and then he felt his body being pulled back.

When he finally opened his eyes, everything was a blur. A figure nearby was calling out to him desperately.

-Kaius, are you all right? Are you in pain?

The voice was a distant echo at first, but soon he began to make it out. After a few minutes, his sight slowly returned.

-Kaius, wake up, please," James pleaded, his face full of anguish, with tears held back on the verge of spilling over.

Kaius recognized that pain. It was the same one he had seen so many times on his face as a child when his father scolded and insulted him. He could not bear it. He reached out his hand, gently, and wiped away the tears that were barely welling in James' eyes.

-It's all right, Jame.... I'm all right. Don't cry, little one," he murmured in a soft voice, almost like a soothing whisper.

Kaius awoke fully then, noticing that he was in the room of the inn. Black spoke to him, concerned.

-Are you all right? -asked the voice in his mind.

-Yes, I'm fine," Kaius replied mentally.

Black explained that he had taken him out of that liminal place, making sure that nosy blond boy as black called James didn't see anything. James, meanwhile, continued to watch him with obvious concern.

-It was extreme tiredness, nothing serious," said Kaius to James, playing it down and resting his hand on the other's shoulder.

But James was not entirely convinced.

-Can you come downstairs with me after your bath? I want to watch movies together," James asked, in a slightly pleading tone.

Kaius couldn't refuse. After a quick shower in the tub, he put on the clothes James had given him which consisted of plain blue pillama pants with a black t-shirt and they both went downstairs. They spent several hours in front of the television, enjoying some quiet time that seemed impossible in their hectic lives.

However, that peace was suddenly shattered. At about eight o'clock in the evening, the front door opened violently. A woman burst in, hysterical and out of control.

-You bloody man! Get away from James! He's mine! -shouted a hysterical woman, her fury unbridled.

Kaius barely had time to process what was happening before that woman by the name of Lilian as James had told him her name was came over and slapped him hard. The calm on his face vanished instantly, replaced by a cold expression of menace.

-I'm warning you," he said in a deep voice, baring his sharp fangs and his eyes turning golden, dark and fierce. Get out before I lose my patience and make you disappear.

Lilian, far from being intimidated, laughed scornfully.

-James won't allow it," she replied, folding her arms with an air of superiority.

That comment was enough to further inflame Kaius' anger. With a swift movement, he grabbed her by the collar, lifting her slightly off the ground.

-James has no idea of the power I have," he spat with a coldness that would freeze anyone's blood. And you, Lilian, are nothing more than an insignificant shadow. If you try anything like this again, you won't even have time to regret it.

He let go of her roughly, making her stagger backwards. Lilian looked at him with a mixture of fear and anger, but dared not say more. She walked out of the house, casting one last hateful glare at Kaius before disappearing into the night.

Kaius sighed, relaxing his shoulders and looking at James, who was clearly affected by the confrontation.

-I'm sorry, Jame. But someone had to put her in her place, no one will ever use us again," said Kaius, trying to regain some of the composure he had lost and headed for his room.