Underworld. Gremory Household. 1714 BC.

Combat arena was built to be able to withstand a battle between two Satans if needed. And today it`s sturdiness had come in use, as two crimson haired members of House of Gremory were clashing with each other. The fighters were near complete copies of each other, but one that knew them could easily tell the difference between them, even though they were twin brothers, born by one mother. And while they had the same blood and looks, their upbringing couldn`t be any different, along with the attitude of the boys and their parents towards them, for Zeoticus Gremory and his wife, Venelana Gremory, formally of House of Bael, had put a lot of effort and time into upbringing their eldest child and firstborn of the twins, Sirzechs.

And that came at a cost of their younger twin child, Gaheris, who was basically left out his family and abandoned in light of his far more superior brother. For all 14 years of his life, Gaheris kept hearing all about Sirzechs` superiority over him and his absolute importance, while he was left in shadows and forgotten. Envy, jealousy, hatred, frustration and fury… All that kept bottling up in Gaheris, driving him away from his family even further and forcing him to learn Demonic Magic and what it meant to be a Devil all on his own. Fortunately, seven years ago, a certain someone, who had far more heart and care in him than his parents combined, decided to help Gaheris, secretly training him, discovering his latent potentials and developing them in him, as well as teaching him new and important skills. All of that Gaheris was studying for one reason:

Prove that he was equal to his older twin in every aspect.

And now, after issuing him a direct challenge, Gaheris and Sirzechs, under focused gazes of their parents, grandparents from his mother`s and father`s sides and also a pair of very special guests, were now engaged in a fight. Gaheris leapt from his place, avoiding several direct shots of Destruction from his brother, moving in an evasive pattern right towards him, quickly closing the gap between them and engaging in close combat. Gaheris` fist was the first to land a strike, finding his target in Sirzechs` stomach, making him widen his eyes and splat out blood, feeling as if he were hit by a bloody boulder. Pressing the advantage, Gaheris rained on his brother a barrage of powerfully enhanced punches and kicks, hitting him hard and without mercy, with Sirzechs not being able to repel most of the strikes. In his earlier days of training, when Gaheris could properly even expel Demonic energy from him, he found out that he could use his Demonic energy within his body and strengthen his bones, muscle tissues and even his senses, which would give him a far greater strength than he would usual have. This was his first developed Power- Power of Strengthening.

Gaheris had finished punching his brother into a jaw, deciding to finish this one. Concentrating his energy in his right fist, he sent it right at Sirzechs` chin, preparing to knock him out… Only for it to miss, as Sirzechs had moved back and avoided being hit, rallying himself in the process. Gaheris` eyes widened as he realized that he had exposed his entire frame, which was exactly what Sirzechs needed, as he got a hold of Gaheris` arm and moved his brother closer to himself, smashing his forehead into Gaheris` nose, nearly breaking it, had he not strengthened it. However, it was enough for blood to begin flowing out of it and disorientates Gaheris enough for Sirzechs take the advantage, as his right hand touched Gaheris` torso, blasting a full charged orb of Power of Destruction, sending Gaheris flying right into the opposite wall, crushing into it with dust and smock covering the entire crater.

Sirzechs, wiping away his blood, smirked at seeing his foolish little brother getting what he had coming. Zeoticus and Venelana also have satisfied smiles on their faces, alongside Zekram and his wife, Lissa Bael. Only special guests and Zeoticus` parents, former Head of the House of Gremory Alesandor Gremory and his wife Nirena seemed completely not amused and even showed some disdain at what they saw. Sirzechs was already about to leave the ring, having assumed that he has won his battle… Only to be knocked out of his feet by a powerful Demonic Fire blast. He landed several meters away from his spot, with his bloodied clothing being burned and feeling several burns on his skin, but he was more or less fine. He looked into the direction from where the blast came, seeing how Gaheris was walking out of the crater in wall, his cloths destroyed completely, face covered in his blood and a huge Demonic burn on his torso, where Sirzechs` Power of Destruction had touched him. It looked like he should`ve long fallen down, but he still moved, as in his hands appeared crimson colored fireballs, spinning in his palms. Sirzechs wiped away his sweat and blood, spitting it out of his mouth, looking with a snarl and speaking to Gaheris with a scowl.

"Well, well, look at that. This idiot still has some cheap tricks left up in his sleeve!" Sirzechs mocked Gaheris as he moved to the center of the ring, standing just 6 meters away from Sirzechs. "I didn`t even think you`ve had a natural affinity towards anything but being a failure. Looks like I was partially wrong." Sirzechs conjured up in his arms a fully powered sphere of Destruction and pointed it at Gaheris. "However, don`t think that just because you`ve landed a couple successful hits you`ll be able to take me down, fool. I was trained by our parents and excelled in all, unlike you, who can`t just admit his own defectiveness and accept his place. But don`t worry too much about it, Gaheris… For I`ll simply remove the trash that is you from our house completely!" Sirzechs shouted at him, empowering that sphere, before sending it right towards Gaheris, while Alesandor and Nirena had widened their eyes at hearing this.

"He can`t be serious… Zeoticus, stop this match now!" Nirena demanded of her son, who shrugged off his mother`s command. "How can you simply look at this with a smile?! Sirzechs is about to kill his own brother!"

"If Gaheris can`t handle the consequences of his own foolish actions, than he is not worthy of the name of Gremory, mother." Zeoticus simply said to her, shocking her and his father, while Zekram and Lissa let out satisfied chuckles. "Besides that, Gaheris` insubordination and refusal to accept the status quo are enough of reason for Sirzechs to punish him like that."

"I can`t believe that I hear it from my own son. That is enough, I`m ending this match and…" Alesandor was about to rise from his seat, but he was stopped.

"Alesandor, remain in your seat. This match will continue." Spoke up calm and commanding voice, making Alesandor widen his eyes at the bearer of it.

"But… Lord Lucifer, do you realize that Gaheris won`t be able to survive that blast if it hits him?!" Alesandor addressed the ruler of all Devils, Lucifer, the silver-haired young looking man with silver eyes and dressed in formal wear of Satans, who was seating at the side of his wife, Lilith, Queen of Succubae and Incubi, who possessed long wavy black hair, incredibly attractive figure and alluring red eyes, all complimented with a black dress.

"I am well aware of it, Alesandor. Even so, this duel is not over yet and conclusion may yet surprise us all." Lucifer cryptically said to them all, as he turned his attention back on a fight, with Lilith nodding to this one as well.

Gaheris watched as his brother was putting everything he had into his sphere of Destruction, as it risked to get out of control, as bolts of Destruction were getting out of it, while he was calmly redirecting his Demonic energy into his spinning fireballs, further empowering them. Even though he had not inherited his mother`s nature of Chaos, which was essential for usage of Power of Destruction, Gaheris had been able to access two different elements, one of which was Fire and the other was Darkness, an extremely rare and near legendary element, which only belonged to Lucifer`s family. And while Gaheris possessed an access to it, his usage of Darkness was fundamentally different from Lucifer`s way, as he used it to decimate his opponents and leave nothing out of them, engulfing them into oblivion. Gaheris, on the other hand, found a way to give Darkness substance, make it tangible and molded it into what he desired. And he was about to demonstrate what he was able to make with it.

Sirzechs let out a cry of fury, as his Power of Destruction flew right towards Gaheris, intended to completely destroy him. Gaheris could see it clear as day, yet he remained completely calm, as his flames in hands suddenly began to take a shape of prolonged objects, with utter blackness in the core of it, with Demonic fire covering them. When Sphere of Destruction was about to reach Gaheris, he flung his made spears and sent them both flying right into Sphere of Destruction. The objects collided with each other, creating a massive, blinding explosion of pure Demonic energy and Chaos, covering the entire arena. The audience, safe for Lucifer and his wife, were utterly shocked at what they had seen just now and once the dust had settled and smock cleared away, they witnessed, how Gaheris, covered in bleeding wounds all over his body and burns from Power of Destruction, stood still, panting and wincing out of pain, while Sirzechs` frame was found on the other end of the arena, deep within the wall, as shock and fear had taken his face, frozen expression as his conscience left him. And inside his shoulder was engulfed a blazing spear made of utter Darkness. As Gaheris had seen the result of his work, he let out a small smile, before he fell onto the ground, eyes closing out of exhaustion and pain, being taken by void.


Present time. Underworld. Tristan Bael`s private residence.

"ARGHH!" Grunted out of agony and pain Tristan, as his eye opened up and he shot upwards on his bed, covered in sweat, his entire being trembling and shaking.

For a few long seconds, Tristan was completely engulfed in all feelings, senses and practically everything that he saw in that new dream of his. This time, he saw childhood of his brother, a very rough and cruel childhood, practically devoid of any affection and filled with anger, frustration, misunderstanding, mistreatment and almost all negative emotions that Tristan knew of. It was absolutely overwhelming to feel all that Gaheris felt and still remember it, just like with his first dream: anger, envy and, at last, superiority over Sirzechs, hatred and fury towards Zekram and his wife for belittling Gaheris, same with Zeoticus. But, perhaps the most overwhelming were the memories of Gaheris and their mother.

Gareth didn`t lie when he said that she was completely different person back in those times, as Tristan, despite fully knowing that it was his mother and feeling a connection between them, almost could not believe that it was Venelana Gremory, for she was cold, devoid of any sympathy to Gaheris, angry at him for being weak and ruthless to him. Seeing, interacting and simply being in her presence filled Gaheris` heart and mind first with misunderstanding, later desperation and frustration, but then… Frustration and disparity became anger, rage and hatred, so strong that Tristan could still feel it inside him, swelling and fighting his positive feelings about Venelana, his mother. And worst of all- Tristan wasn`t sure that he could look at his mother the same way as he did after seeing what Zeoticus and she had done to Gaheris.

Tristan didn`t know exactly how much of Gaheris` life he saw so far, but all that he saw and felt, as well as experienced, including magic and battle skills. Tristan couldn`t explain it to himself completely, the only sane thing he could think was that he was either having hallucinations, or he was some sort of reincarnation of Gaheris, but he quickly dropped that theory, as it was ridiculous in nature of its own. Still, he couldn`t deny one thing for certain: those dreams had a direct effect on him and his body, as evidenced by the appearance of outlines of wounds and burns all over his naked body.

After expecting the reddened outlines, Tristan finally noticed that he was not alone in his bed, as at his sides to him clung earlier both Ravel and Cleria, naked and sleeping peacefully. Tristan let out a silent sigh, as he was relieved that he didn`t wake them up, though, after recalling just in what kinds of "festivities" they were engaged during night, Tristan wasn`t surprised to see them sleeping without any care. After the Gathering was over and both ladies of his heart returned to their new home, Tristan told them of his decision to train under Scathach and explained to them how it will go down, leaving out no details.

Both Ravel and Cleria were at first confused a little and were protesting, given the fact that their lover won`t see them for a year and a half, while they will have to wait for him less than 20 days, plus there was the fact of him aging up, but, after long and thoughtful discussion, along with some convincing, Cleria and Ravel had accepted it, but under the condition that this night they will not let go to waste, which they didn`t at all. While for humans and some other races it would be utterly disgusting, to see basically 14 year-olds having very intimate relations and without any holding back, but for Devils, Fallen Angels, Youkais and some other races, it was a norm. Devils` physiology and psychology, along with morals and ethics were vastly different from other races and for basically teens to have sex was nothing amoral, and polygamy among Devils was practically essential, along with marriages as soon as children reach age when they can have sex and girls can carry children, which was right at this age. Plus, Tristan and his lovers were entering an age when Devils would become most active sexually and seek out to satisfy their desires and needs. Tristan, Cleria and Ravel were no different in that regard and simply indulged their desires and needs without any hesitation.

Carefully, without waking up either of the girls, Tristan had left the warmth of bed and his beloved ladies and headed towards the bathroom, but not before noticing that it was barely the time for sunrise in Underworld, meaning that he had slept only about 5 hours or so. Fortunately, for Tristan it was enough and, picking up his clothing, he headed towards bathroom to clean himself from sweat and finally wake himself up. Once there, Tristan found out that it was preoccupied, when he saw his attendant, Medusa, standing under the shower, without any piece of clothing on her, leaving out not an inch of her well-developed body, long and beautiful legs, wide hips and big breasts, all complimented with her long purple hair, giving Medusa a near goddess-like look. Gathering up his will power, Tristan had managed to turn away from the sight, just avoiding making an eye contact with her.

"M-Medusa, I-I`m sorry, I didn`t know you were here…" Tristan apologized to her, standing with his back to her and covering up his private bits. "C-Could you tell me why are you taking shower here, as in, my bathroom?"

"Master Tristan, you should remember that your chambers are joined by a gallery with my chambers, and since in my bathroom there was a malfunction, I`ve decided to take shower here, as closest to me. And it is not even sunrise, so I was most certain that I wouldn`t disturb anyone." Medusa explained herself, removing herself from the shower and slowly making her way to her master, who still refused to look her in the eye. "Master, if you would like, I could help you clean yourself."

"I doubt that it is within your specter of duties, Medusa." Tristan argumented to her, but then, he suddenly felt how her soft, caring hands touched his arms and were starting to lower the pressure in them, while her curvy frame pressed closer to him, making Tristan feel with his back all of Medusa` assets and how his primal needs were starting to kick in again. "M-Medusa…"

"Master." She leaned right to his ear, speaking sensually and with heat, making sure to let her Master feel her warmth and heat, as she pressed herself against him. "Please, allow this to me, to be of use to you, not just as your attendant, but also as someone who holds very deep and strong feelings for you, Master."

"Wh-what do you mean?" Tristan asked of her, as his body began to respond to Medusa`s actions, as he hands were beginning to massage his tense body and her lips found his cheek and gave a quick kiss.

"Master, I know that you are deeply in love with Lady Ravel and Lady Cleria, and I fully understand them, for I too have come to be infatuated by you." Medusa admitted to him, giving him another kiss on his neck. "You have given me all I have: home, freedom, friends and even family… And also you became someone I`ve come to love. Please, even if you do not hold any feelings for me, allow this worthless maid of yours to at least relieve you of stress and…"

Even though Tristan had trained his will to be akin to steel and his endurance was something he prided himself on, there was a limit to all. Sensual voice, seductive curves, hormones and possession of strong affectionate feelings towards seductive Medusa broke Tristan`s defenses, especially when she called herself worthless. It was the moment when Tristan wanted to shut her and make her understand that she was not worthless, but his most prized person, just like his lovers. And he decided to do so, as he dropped his cloths and without any warning pushed his attendant against the wall, surprising Medusa at such action. She was even further surprised when Tristan pulled her lips towards his and kissed her passionately and lovingly. Medusa quickly responded to it, wrapping her hands around her master, kissing him back, feeling how his manhood is fully prepared and is just few centimeters away from her flower. Tristan and Medusa kissed for a minute, before separating from each other, with Tristan speaking to her.

"Never call yourself like that, Medusa. Never." Tristan commanded her, with Medusa nodding to it. "You are intellectual, diligent, beautiful, seductive and much more. You are worth to me more than my life."

"Master…" Medusa was about to reply to him, but instead she was met with another kiss, containing more affection and care in it, to which Medusa replied with affection, using last bits of her clear mind to cast up a teleportation circle and teleporting them into her room.

In a second, they both stood right in front of Medusa`s bed, wet and naked and with passion clouding their minds. Tristan didn`t mind at all the fact that his Pawn teleported them into her room, using this opportunity to gently put her on bed, climbing on to it, kissing her neck and moving lower, towards her perfectly shaped breasts, leading Medusa to moan, but she soon began to nearly scream. Tristan was kissing her sensitive nipples and playing with them in his caring palm, while his other one caressed her thighs and hips, until it reached to her flower and began to please her, leading Medusa to grip the sheets on her bed and moan louder and louder. Soon enough, her body trembled and legs clamped together, as she experienced a tidal wave of orgasmic pleasure, leading to her to reach to her Master and give him her intoxicated kiss, as if trying to share her bombarding pleasure, which Tristan reciprocated. Once Medusa had calmed down and regained her senses, she decided that her Master needed some special attention from her now.

Lightly, she pushed her lover onto her comfy bed, climbing over to him and beginning to kiss her Master, starting with his lips, before she moved lower and lower, all the while her eyes were fixated on Tristan`s face. Medusa knew how to move with elegance, seduction and feeling, letting her master see before him not some common priestess of flesh and sex, but a nymph, dancing on him and pleasing him on more than one level. Her lips and tongue skillfully researcher her Master`s entire torso, moving lower and lower, until Medusa had reached her ultimate goal, which her hands reached and began to massage slowly, sensually and with patience, while her lips were gently kissing him and her tongue occasionally got out to get a taste. Tristan, who already knew of this art from Cleria performing it on him, had to stop himself from forcing Medusa to go further than that, as the sensation he was getting from this one was overwhelming and unlike those before. Soon, Medusa decided to take far more forward actions, and began to take her Master`s manhood into her mouth and soon throat, letting her Master to relish in her cavity. And soon, after Medusa had allowed her Master to utilize her mouth, she felt how a hot, sticky and creamy seed had left her Master and was running down her throat and mouth. Medusa didn`t let out any yelp or cry, while Tristan let out a groan, as she simply took her Tristan`s seed all into her. Once the torrent had gone down, Medusa released Tristan, moving closer to his face and giving him another kiss in the lips, as her hips positioned themselves right above Tristan`s manhood, as it stood full of energy.

Slowly, as she pulled away from her lover`s lips, Medusa gave her Master a fully view of her body, as she descended upon him, letting him enter her freely, with no resistance from her. Medusa let out a slight moan, as she had to take a few seconds to adjust herself to her Master`s manhood, but it was well worth it, as Medusa began to move her hips and waist, slowly and sensually, without any need to speed up her movements, as she worked like in a dance, letting Tristan enjoy the feeling of Medusa, the sight of her long purple hair flowing freely and how her naked frame danced in his sight. Medusa had a very good control over her entire body and all its parts, including her neither region, as while she was visibly dancing for her Master, she was also stimulating him and herself, driving each other insane with passion and lust, without moving like rabid animals in heat. As Medusa danced for her Master, moaning his name, Tristan reached with his hands for her waist, moving them up to her breasts and capturing them, feeling their firmness, coupled with a tone of softness, driving Medusa wild, as she intensified her ministrations. Soon enough, Medusa felt how she was no longer able to control herself and gave into pure and raw pleasure, as she humped her Master, driving him finally to the final, braking his defense and releasing his seed once more into Medusa, as her temple`s walls tightened and taken out of her Master everything they could, as Medusa moaned and screamed Tristan`s name out. After a few minutes, she finally fell down onto her Master`s chest, looking in his eye with hers, as he spoke to her.

"Did you really have to wait until the day I would leave for training?" Tristan asked her, hugging Medusa with one arm, with Medusa smiling to him.

"My apologies, Master. While I`ve long recognized my feelings towards you, I needed some courage to express them." She explained, resting on his chest. "After all, you and I have a visible age difference, as well as social status and not to mention your relations with your Ladies."

"Were you not aware of the fact that Devils de-facto reach very early adulthood in age of 14, since ancient times? We are a different kind from humans, Medusa. And as for social status, you are my dearest lover now, so don`t even think about it. And as for Ravel and Cleria… Well, they`ve already told me that sooner or later, I`ll end up with a harem, so they were alright with it. Cleria even took upon herself the entire management of it."

"I see. Then I shall talk to her about our… development of relations, as well as inform Kuroka, for she had expressed a deep interest you." Medusa said to him with a small smile, looking out in the window and noticing that sun wasn`t yet up. "Master, the sun had not risen yet. Would you like me to… continue?" Medusa asked of him, and continued they did…


5 hours later. Courtyard.

Tristan had spent several more hours in embrace of Medusa, until it was her time to take up her duties, but she has made up to Tristan for her insecurities by fully embracing her passions and letting it all out, showing her Master how exotic and seductive she could truly be. In the end, all parties were satisfied well beyond needed and when Tristan had left Medusa`s bedroom and headed to his bathroom, he found Ravel and Cleria already cleaning themselves up and being aware of their lover`s new status with Medusa. Good thing that they had long suspected Medusa to be in love with Tristan and already came in terms with all the facts, pointing out to him soon having a large harem. After cleaning up, without going too far away from actual cleaning, the trio went to the dining room, where they had a breakfast with everyone else, including Venelana, towards whom Tristan actually felt… conflicted, to say the least. The memories and feelings of Gaheris remained and weren`t going back, and the shelf of what had happened to Gaheris now was with Tristan. And, much to his frustration, it did effect his personal opinion of his mother, though he hid it very well. However, along with that, while he had the chance in Dun Scaith, he needed to sort this entire thing with Gaheris` past dreams out, or Tristan might start to think he was going mad.

After the entire breakfast was done for and Tristan had gathered up what little belongings he would need in Dun Scaith, namely his armor, restored and fitted up to him, a new sword behind his back, made in a same manner as the last one, and a small backpack with clothing and other stuff. If he would require anything additional, he could get it through his teleportation circle, without leaving the Land of Shadows. And so, Tristan turned to see his mother, friends and lovers for the last time, before heading out. He spoke out.

"I`ll miss you all terribly, I won`t lie. It`s gonna be pretty difficult without all of you." Tristan admitted, with Venelana taking the initiative and caringly hugging her son, who answered this embrace.

"Be careful out there, my dear. I know you`ll do there just as you did always." Venelana supported him with a smile on her face. "If you need any help, supplies or anything- don`t hesitate and call."

"I will, thank you, mom." Tristan turned his attention to both Cleria and Ravel who moved closer to him, embracing him and giving him a goodbye kiss each. "Will you two be alright?"

"We`ll manage three weeks without you, don`t worry, love." Cleria assured her lover, while turning her attention to Ravel.

"J-Just make sure to make it t-to our…" Ravel struggled to say the word, but Tristan simply cupped her cheek with a smile, before embracing her caringly and warmly, making Ravel relax a little bit and speak up with more confidence. "Do you really need to go? You are already strong, stronger than even my brother and could take on Sairaorg. So why do you need to go, Tristan?"

"Because I want to stay strong, Ravel. Strength is a relative thing and has several meanings, my sun. I was strong and powerful, and yet, I ended up nearly dying. I do not want to ever repeat this experience and for that, I need to learn from the very best there is." Tristan explained to Ravel, looking into her blue eyes, wiping away a single tear from her cheek. "I don`t want power and strength for myself, but I need if I am to successfully protect and defend those that I care and love most. I need to be strong so that I can protect you, Ravel. I want to protect my family and you are my family, my wife." Tristan said to her with feeling, with Ravel embracing her husband to be with tears, as Tristan turns to Medusa, with whom he had said goodbyes before this meeting. "Medusa, while I am absent, you shall serve Ravel as her personal attendant and maid. Be at her side and support her just as well as you did with me."

"It will be done, Master Tristan." She bowed to him, while Ravel released her fiancée, letting him to step closer to Alexander, who also had a backpack in his arm.

"Leaving too?" Tristan asked of him, with Alexander smiling to this.

"Just decided to finally visit home and family. It`s been literally ages since I`ve seen my mom and I`ve missed on way too many of her live concerts, so I really should get up to date." Alexander joked a little, to which Tristan smiled, giving him a hand, which Alexander shook. "I`ll see you in 20 days, Master. Take care of yourself out there."

"You too, Alex." Tristan said to him, as Tristan turned to Kuroka and Shirone already looking saddened by the fact that he was leaving. "What`s with the long faces? I won`t be gone forever, just little less than three weeks and I am back."

"Nya, but it will be really sad and boring three weeks for us, nya." Kuroka said to Tristan, with Shirone nodding to this. "Can`t we go with you, nya? I promise, Shirone and I will be the most obedient and best kitties forever, nya." Kuroka did the most effective sad cat look to Tristan, which was a devastating weapon, especially when it was used by her and Shirone at the same time, making even Tristan waver on his decision, but he was fortunately saved by his more cold-hearted friend.

"Kuroka, didn`t I tell you and your little sis that Dun Scaith is no place for you two?" Alexander immediately received glares from two hissing Nekoshou. "If even half the stories I`ve heard about that place are true, then Tristan won`t have any time for the two of you. Hell, he`ll spending far more time just surviving there than simply thinking about you and your little sister. I wouldn`t be surprised if he were to even forget your names by the end of his training." Alexander gained a sinister grin on his face, showing his fangs, scaring a bit Nekoshou and making Kuroka look in panic at Tristan, while Shirone literally latched on to his arm with her hands legs and even tail.

"Nya, Tristan! Please promise us that you won`t forget us! We will be very good, really good, I promise you, just don`t forget us!" Kuroka was in full panic mode, with Shirone tightly clinging to Tristan through his arm.

"Nii-san, we will behave and do all our chores. We`ll be really good kitties, just don`t ever forget us!" Shirone too, was going into a panicked state, with Tristan deciding to stop their rumblings, as he, having released himself from Shirone, put both of his hands behind their cat ears and began to gently rub, immediately making both cat girls purr and calm.

"I would never even think about forgetting about the two of you. But you really need to stay here. After all, who will keep Ravel and Cleria company, not to mention that with whom Millicas would play when he comes to visit." Tristan reminded them, especially Shirone, as she had apparently taken a liking to his nephew. "And as for Alexander, he has a pretty sinister sense of humour so do not take all of his grim words as truthful." Alexander simply chuckled evilly at this one.

"Well, I am a Vampire, so it is expected of my kind to be sinister and evil." Alexander gave away evil sounding laugh, sending shivers to both Kuroka and Shirone, along with Ravel.

"Really? And here I thought you Vampires were kinda different." Cleria had a mischievous look on her face, with Alexander immediately stopping laughing and turning to face her with absolutely serious look on his face.

"Cleria…" Alexander`s voice as if warned her not to go into that territory.

"You know, a bit emotionless, edgy and with those strange and weird antics in public, followed by weird social choices of words and actions in public…" Cleria continued, with Alexander starting to get nervous.

"Don`t you dare…" Valois warned Cleria, already starting to sense where it is going to.

"…With that shining diamond like skin, and endless romantic turmoil with blend dim witted girls, followed by a love triangle with a werewolf in it." Cleria continued, with everyone already knowing what was going to happen, at Alexander starting to become really nervous.

"Don`t you fucking dare!" That was the last warning from Alexander, as he already knew, what was going to happen next.

"Like in Twilight." Cleria said in sing-song voice, finally dropping the bomb and Alexander finally losing his absolute cool and flipping out.

"OH CURSED BLOODY SABBATH, WHY?! JUST BLOODY WHY DID IT HAVE TO BE MADE?! WHAT HAVE WE BLOODY DID?! WERE WE REALLY THIS BAD THAT WE NEEDED TO BE PUNISHED LIKE THIS?! PLEASE GOD, HAVE MERCY ON ME AND MY PEOPLE AND ERACE… Oh, dammit it hurts like HELL!" Alexander rant was stopped by divine intervention, which was strange for Tristan and others, as they were actually sure that even Heavens and God hated it, but nope…

And on this happy note, Tristan finally separated from his friends and families, giving his mother a sign to open up a portal, which she did, opening up a crimson portal. Tristan casted the last look onto his friends and family, before he stepped into the portal, leaving Underworld for his training, disappearing from sight and transporting himself into a completely different dimension, as the portal closed up.


Dun Scaith. Scathach`s Castle.

The crimson portal opened up and from there stepped out Tristan, practically immediately beginning to cough up for a little bit, as air of Land of Shadows filled up his lungs, with a sense of death, despair and suffering filling his nostrils and lungs. His muscles suddenly became stiffened and strained, as Tristan even began to struggle to stand strongly on his feet and hold his backpack, feeling as if the world around him became much, much heavier. Along with that, he found himself feeling his magic fading away, withering akin to dead flowers in winter`s blizzard. Now Tristan was starting to understand what Alexander had meant in his words about Land of Shadows. He could literally feel death everywhere here, as if the very land itself was made of it and all here was created to destroy whoever was here. And Tristan was finding himself already struggling, even before he had begun his training.

"You`ve finally came." Tristan suddenly heard a woman`s voice, looking around the courtyard in the middle of which he stood. "I had not expected you to arrive so soon after Venelana had given you my message. You are either brave or foolish enough to think, that you Land of Shadows will not break you." As the voice had said, it`s bearer revealed itself, as a stunning beautiful purple haired woman with red eyes stepped out of the castle, wearing a skin tight body suit, effectively showing away all of her curves, whilst her hands held two red spears.

Woman moved from the steps of her castle and closer to Tristan, who was examining her with careful eye, just as she did. For a few minutes, as she moved around him, examining him, before she stopped and spoke to Tristan, who was already sweating and starting to feel a little tired at this atmosphere around him.

"You certainly have the spirit of a warrior, as well as clear bravery and willpower, otherwise the very air here would`ve consumed your soul the moment you`ve set foot here." She said to him, putting both spears into the ground. "However, while you are able to stand in my lands and live, that does not mean that you are yet worthy of being my apprentice."

"Then, what must I do to prove my worth to you?" Tristan asked of her with a bit of strain, as ruler of Dun Scaith smirked a little, as she took up one of the red spears and tossed it right into the arms of Tristan, who caught it.

"Discard that sword of yours and take up the spear." She ordered him, with Tristan untying his belts and throwing away his primary weapon. "Before swords were moulded, humans and Gods learned to wield spear as their weapons. You shall do so too, and if you manage to land a successful hit on me with it, than I will take you as my apprentice, Tristan Gremory. Fail to do so, and the last thing you shall see is my Gae Bolg plunged into your heart, for I do not intend to show you any mercy." Scathach said to Tristan, as she easily picked up her Gae Bolg and twirled it in her hand, immediately taking up a battle stance, prepared to strike at Tristan, as he, having mustered his strength, jumped away from her and took up his spear.

Tristan could clearly say that Scathach was not kidding: she was prepared to attack him, to kill him. It was different from Morgan, as, while she had not held back, she never had intended to kill him. Scathach… She was aiming to kill Tristan, nothing more and nothing less. And if Tristan were to not only live, but also train under her, he would have to put all he had on the line, just to even have a ghost of chance here. His left hand also gripped the spear and he stood up in a combat position, as Gaheris` memories from Trojan War kicked in Tristan`s mind and body, flowing into his blood and instinctively telling him how to stand. He had never before used a spear in a battle, but with Gaheris` memories he had mysteriously received, he felt like he has been using spear his whole life.

Scathach watched closely how Tristan`s insecure posture steadily changed into a complete and prepared battle stance. She was surprised a little, to see Tristan hold the spear with evident skill and determination, but she was even more surprised at the fact that she knew that stance of his. She hadn`t seen it in a very, very long time, but she could never forget it. The stance, which Gaheris had used in their very first fight, the one where she had also tested him. This couldn`t help but draw a very small smile from Scathach, as fond memories rushed back into her mind.

However, while her heart was warmth, her mind and body were still dead set on battle, as she saw Tristan beginning to concentrate his Demonic energy in his body, before suddenly disappearing in flash of red light. For most, it would`ve been enough to worry, but for Scathach… She simply scoffed at this one, as she suddenly flung her spear around and it`s blunt end reached behind her back and hit Tristan with great force. Red haired Devil, who had used Mana Burst to get behind Scathach and strike her down, was sent flying backwards and hitting the ground, just barely managing to hold onto his spear. As he rallied himself and, with a bit of a struggle from pressure of Land, he rose up, Scathach spoke up to him.

"Trying to strike first and fast, coming from my blind spot. A solid strategy, one that most well trained warriors will utilize." Scathach commented, as she began to walk towards Tristan. "But it was also a foolish move on your part. A well trained warrior certainly would take that route, but a true warrior would know of this strategy and easily counter it. Consider that strike to be my only mercy to you, for I could`ve easily pierced your heart." Scathach said to him, as she changed her pace and ran towards Tristan, with her spear ready and waiting to strike.

Tristan, wiping away sweat from his face, rallied himself up and took up the defences. Scathach came on his fast and hard, with her first strike already intended to kill him, as Tristan`s spear moved, intercepting Gae Bolg as it was on route to pierce his blinded side of face. It took nearly all of Tristan`s strength to block the attack, his strength being nearly half of his supposed one. Scathach was not deterred by this and sent another strike at Tristan, swirling it akin to a whirlwind and strike at his left shoulder and drawing the first blood, with Tristan gritting his teeth and trying to counter attack, moving his spear to pierce Scathach, but being unable to do so, as she easily evaded him. Once his strength began to dwindle, Scathach easily moved in closer, Gae Bolg moving Tristan`s weapon away from her, blunt end reaching to his right side of face and striking Tristan there, with blood escaping from his mouth. But, that was only half of her attack, as once Scathach was in his blind spot, she sent Gae Bolg towards his skull, the red blade piercing flesh deeply and nearing the bone.

However, Scathach`s attempt to kill Tristan was faulted as he blasted his way from her, disappearing from her and reappearing ten meters away from her, panting and practically exhausted, his shoulder wound bleeding and a deep and wide long wound on his right side of face appearing before her, surprising matching the one that Gaheris once received from Paris. Tristan had nearly dropped onto his knees, as he felt his blood leave his wounds and flow out, as he had nearly exhausted his magical reserves just on those two Mana Bursts, when in normal conditions, he could do at least 8 of them without feeling too much exhaustion, but here… Dun Scaith made everything from him several times much harder and tougher to accomplish, with his magical energy and strength having been severely reduced out of exposure to the land. Tristan could tell that he had not enough energy for another Mana Burst and his wounds were really starting to affect him, but he could not allow himself to drop dead. No, he has come here to study under Scathach and he will do so, even if it meant he would have to break past his physical limits...

That was it… That was what Tristan needed to do: surpass himself here and now, just for a few seconds, but it was enough for him. Scathach already moved towards him, sprinting with her spear ready to strike him, as Tristan gathered all of his Demonic energy inside him, but not expelling it, no. He had seen that he could not use it like a jet fuel and blast towards Scathach, no. However, he had seen, felt, experienced the alternative way of using his Demonic energy. Forcing it to course through his bones and muscles, blood stream and skin, Tristan began to feel the familiar feeling of power and strength. Just like in his dream, just like when Gaheris faced Sirzechs. Scathach had closed in on him, moving her Gae Bolg right at him with her highest speed, prepared to strike him finally down… Only to suddenly see her trusted red spear moved away, swiftly and effectively, as the blunt end of Tristan`s spear met with blade of Gae Bolg, swirled around. Scathach`s eyes widened, as she saw Tristan suddenly gain lightness of feet and strength in arms, as his spear`s blade was closing on her head, just a few inches away. Scathach pulled back, being forced to tactically retreat from her opponent and re-examine him. Her eyes widened as she finally realized what Tristan had done.

"Strengthening… Gaheris` trump card." She uttered to herself in near disbelief, knowing full well of Power of Strengthening.

A single moment of confusion, less than a second of hesitation out of shock and realization… It was all that Tristan needed, as he leaped out of his place and moved right towards Scathach, taking initiative. He could not afford himself to fight her any longer, for his energy was running lower and lower every second and once it was gone, he was dead. He gambled all he had just to get in close to her and strike her. Appearing right before her, Scathach decided not to wait, rallying herself in moment`s notice, sending her Gae Bolg at Tristan and striking him into his shoulder, piercing his shoulder and bone, expecting him to drop his spear… But instead of doing it, Tristan, ignoring extreme pain, exhaustion and magical exhaustion, pushed his spear right parallel to Gae Bolg… and it`s blade finally reached its target, as Scathach`s right hand was cut, blood flowing away from it. A shallow wound, nothing too critical… But that was enough. Scathach looked at her hand with curiosity, before turning her attention to Tristan, as his magical energy finally ran out and he dropped his spear, blood flowing like rivers from his wounds and only her Gae Bolg deep within his flesh keeping him standing. Scathach smiled a little, as she easily removed her spear out of Tristan`s flesh and bone, making him fall onto the ground, half-dead and close to passing out. Queen of Dun Scaith stood over him, kneeling down on him and casting a series of runes on him. Runes flashed up and then disappeared, as bright green light exuded from them and entered Tristan, healing him from his wounds, with new scars appearing on his body and face. Once he was out of danger, Scathach spoke to him.

"It was utterly reckless, stupid and completely foolish of you." She said to him, but without any disdain or bad intent. "But, it was also the only way you could gain even a glimpse of a chance to strike me. And you did just that. Now, answer me this: that stance and your magical ability, where did you learn it?" She asked him with utmost seriousness and even threat in her voice. "All of those were only in possession of one man and I know that he has not left it for anyone to pick up. So tell me, how were able to fight in Gaheris` stance and use Power of Strengthening against me?"

"I… I simply knew how to do it." Tristan honestly answered her, still lying on the ground. "For the last few days, I`ve been seeing dreams or visions of things that happened in the past. Things that happened thousands of years ago, in times I could never had been involved in, and yet… I saw things, felt, experienced, sensed and more as if I was there and doing it all. I… I do not know how to explain it, but somehow, I gain…"

"Gaheris` memory…" Scathach said simply, looking at Tristan with a bit of sadness, yet also… hope. "You relieve within our dreams the life of your dead brother, the man I`ve trained here, just as I am going to train you. Congratulation, Tristan Gremory, I, Scathach of Dun Scaith, accept you as my apprentice and acolyte. From today and for the next year and a half, you shall learn all that I have to teach you. I shall not show you any mercy nor will be lenient in my methods, nor will I accept any failure from you. You will either do as I say and grow stronger, or you will be fed to the beast outside of this castle. Do you understand?" Tristan had rose up on his knee and bowed to her in deep respect.

"Yes, Teacher." Tristan addressed her with utmost respect and admiration. "When shall we begin?"

"We will begin tomorrow at dawn`s break." She said to him, as she turned around and began to walk out of the courtyard, speaking up to him. "You shall sleep in guest`s room to the left of throne room, just follow my crow. The spear you fought with is now yours and you shall continue train with it, until I deem you ready to fight with other weapons. Now, go and rest. Tomorrow, your true training starts." She said to him as she headed out of the gates of castle, while Tristan headed inside the castle.

'That stance, the combat style, his Strengthening, even his looks… Gaheris, could it be that death had not been able to keep you away?' Scathach asked her with hopes, as she looked at silver ring on her ring finger. "Could it be… That you have returned, my love and heart, just as you have promised?" She asked herself as tears began to drop from her eyes.


Well, and here we have it. This chapter is really packed up with all kinds of action and even a bit of a humour thrown into it. As you can see, Twilight is quite a touchy subject for all Vampires and I cannot see them not be morally and psychologically crushed at the fact that they were reduced to those abominations, ugh! And along with that, we have another spotlight of Gaheris at the same age as Tristan. As you can see, he had really rough… Also, along with memories, feelings, experiences and senses, Tristan is gaining Gaheris` abilities, slowly and piece by piece but still…

Now, to address all of you flamers out there that has given me all these reviews about me being a bloody paedophile asked me to die. This is bloody fiction, and it is a bloody fiction NOT about human race, but Devils, for crying outloud! Devils and Humans, while look similarly, are two completely separate races, each with their own sets of rules, morals and ethics, which can differ from those of Humans and other races. And I`ve made it clear as I possibly could that Devils were starting to become more and more sexually active around the age of our hero, due to his organism maturing and instincts kicking in.

Devils also are creatures of passions and desires, following them without any hesitation, so why the hell would they hesitate in bed? Hell, even in our history there were more than enough times when people of similar age got married and even had kids, dammit. Anyway, what I am trying to say, is that please try and understand that conditions for Devils and Humans are completely different and it is entirely possible for Devils, even likely, to be far more active in sexual life than humans from early on. Also, all those that were understandable to this and even defended my position and supported me, I am deeply grateful to all of you.

Another point here is the fact that Scathach was actually holding back a really big time. Had she gone all out, Tristan would`ve been annihilated in a second, if you would start to wonder. There was zero chance he could ever win this fight and all he could do is just give her a little scratch, while she nearly killed him.

Now, I am still accepting all of your suggestions for Peerage and Harem, but I am excluding Shirone from Harem, as she and Tristan have a brother-sister bond, and I also exclude Scathach from Peerage members, as she is insanely powerful and even will all Mutation Pieces Evil Set, Tristan wouldn`t be able to make her his Servant. She is a lady that killed GODS without any trouble, so I doubt that even Satans would be able to get her as a Servant.

Leave comment, suggestion, question and more, for I love it when you do so.

Next time: A new memory- new questions; Learning art of magic; Hope of a Witch.

See ya!