Honestly, I didn't expect myself to be really hooked onto this story. But I'm so happy to reach Chapter 10 ^^
One thing's for sure, the fact that people read this is one of the reasons I'm enjoying updating this story.
Thank you! XD

"Lass.. You've.."

"You killed him.."

The room was enlightened with light that shone from the hole in the ceiling. The floor was collected with robes and skeletal figures. A broken altar stood at the back, with a smashed up table. And in the midst of the room, was a blood coated standoffish Lass, holding a knife with streaks of crimson, a lying body in front of him.

It was the white body of Melt, dilated emerald eyes that showed no living traits.

"You killed Melt.." Arme whispered, keeping her gaze locked with sapphire. She hesitated when he flickered off the blood from the knife, still shaken at the sight that he killed Melt. That he killed a friend he was so close to in the past few days. She knew she disliked the blue haired male, being so close to the thief. But she never meant to wish his death. Never. Though, she clearly remembered the deduction they had made earlier on.

'Kaze'Aze had already taken over Melt.'

And how long had it been? Possibly since the hooded man arrived in the Serdin Castle, having information on the Bounty Hunter that they were inquiring about. Kaze'Aze must have had played them all this time, wanting to destroy them easily on Elia - Her turf, where her abandoned castle stood darkly above them, where her troops rampaged everywhere, where her darkness continued to spread like wild fire. And being on bad terms with Rufus, she must have wanted him to die along with the Grand Chase, seeing that all threats were to be eliminated.

"Correction. He killed Kaze'Aze."

All eyes turned to the the Bounty Hunter, he who forced himself to sit against the wall and breathing heavily, taking out a knife that had thrusted deep in his left arm. The brunette was minding his own business, ripping off a cloth from the lying unused robe to cover up his wound. Unbelievably, Lass approached the bounty hunter, instead of his comrades. Leaning on to the wall, just next to the brunette, and sliding down where he sat comfortable next to him.

"Didn't mean to shoot it so deeply."

"Right," sarcastically, Rufus replied, "I could tell you were more than satisfied to hit me.."

"So you're a mind reader now?"

"No. I'm your brother. I'd know."

"Shut that crap.."

To see the silverette alongside the brunette was a major surprise to the rest of the people who stood dumbfounded in the entrance of the room. The sapphire eyes had turned to the amethyst that stood with the group. "Arme, can you heal us? I'm still not feeling great and this guy's taken up too much damage."

"Uh.. S-sure..." Avoiding the freshly deceased one, the mage reluctantly approached them, still feeling hesitant to the situation that they were in. Yet she stopped when a hand reached out to her shoulder, one that belonged to Elesis. The red headed knight glared at the two males, desiring something from them before she'd let Arme cast a healing spell on the two. When neither of them gave word, Elesis barked out her demands.

"What the heck happened?"

The brunette sighed. He shot a stare at the knight, making her flinch. "Heal first."

"Not happening. I want answers first..."

"Then I die." Rufus glanced away, already facing it hard to grip on to consciousness as his breathings continued to increase rapidly. He was exhausted enough, letting his eyes close into the darkness.

When light finally shone upon him, he was still saw the same sky from earlier on. "Damn it! I thought you really died!"

The yowl came from the same red head that tried to argue with earlier as well. She was cross armed, yet her face showed that she had submitted herself to agitation. He found himself lying on the most emptiness spot of the floor, just next to the broken table. In between him and it, was the creature his brother killed, but his knife wound had disappeared from his chest. 'Strange... It must have healed itself...'

The brunette then locked eyes with the familiar sapphire eyes of the silverette. "I was out?"

"For at least half an hour." A casual reply. He sounded better than before as he assumed that the thief had been properly aided than himself.

"Now to explain all this crap, kid~" Seighart smiled at him, leaning on to his Gladius that he was prepared to use at the right time. He wasn't one to trust the male so easily like the silverette. "Other than the fact you are Rufus Wild, a Bounty hunter that took in Melt as a pet and claims Lassy there is your brother."

"Most of which is correct." An amused snort came from Rufus, yet his eyes darkened when he continued on. "Melt really was my pet... Until he discovered that he could use Kaze'Aze's powers."

Rufus's flashback.
Rufus' POV.

"Rafas." He called out a name. It wasn't mine. But he meant it to be mine. I scuffled that light blue hair of his as he whined in protest, correcting him.

"It's Rufus. RUuu~FUuu~s."

"Rafas~" He looked up to at me innocently, still repeating the same mistake. It has been like this the moment I picked him up from that bloody temple. I sighed at the fact that I didn't succeed in gathering the blue flames that was used to bring the Queen of Darkness into this world as they had just disappeared. But I was glad to save him from her wrath. That was what mattered the most.

That was what I thought.

"Rafas. Someone teach Melt new things." He pulled on to my shirt, craving attention so badly, yet he showed no sign of it from his face. And it amused me that he couldn't speak his English so fluently, though I was mostly at fault since I, myself, didn't speak much. It was also adorable that he didn't use the terms 'I', 'my', 'me' and 'mine' and referring to himself as 'Melt', like a third person. I gave in to the child, kneeling down in front of him and letting him tell me face to face. "Melt can use dark powers."

"Dark powers?" I questioned. Remembering back, I did no such thing as teaching him to do anything dangerous, let alone to fight. I couldn't recall seeing him interact with anyone else but me either. He was too shy with others and stuck close to me like glue, hiding behind me like his tails hid in between his own legs. "Melt, who taught you how to use dark powers?"

"Melt see pretty girl," bluntly he answered, his head tilted cutely to a side, letting his ears flopped lazily with it. I nudged him to describe the who this 'pretty girl' was, feeling tense at that fact. "She's short. Have.. purple hair. Eyes red like Rafas also. She smells scary. But funny."

Short, but had purple hair and red eyes? Had a fearful scent? This was a person would've been someone far too dangerous then. It could be a demon, but then I would have sense his or her being near Melt.

"Did she say her name?" Melt shook her head immediately.

"She say Melt knows already. Also if Melt say it, she helps Melt." I thought of it for a while. It seemed way too suspicious. Much like-

It was Kaze'Aze. No doubt in that. But her being short? It must be the remnants of her darkness that lingered in him. Some of the blue flames must have been successfully used to contain the slightest of her powers in the little boy. I took in a deep breath, wrapping my arms around him. He nuzzled on to my neck quite perfectly.

"You don't need her help Melt. I'll always here for you."

"Okay, Rafas~"

"D-damn.." I was caught off guard, getting hit by another Garou from behind. Melt was safely hidden behind the walls, I made sure of that whilst I destroy these monsters. I was hoping to find some hints from the Relics of Kounat that could help me seal away the darkness that was Kaze'Aze from taking over Melt.

"R-Rafas..." I heard the boy whimper in fear, hating the fact I'm getting hurt. I growled back at him, forcing him to stay put as I shot up into the sky, using one of my techniques; Bullet Rain.

He winced in fear to the blasting bullets, they brought these Garous down so easily though. When there was nothing else around, I looked at the scared little boy. Melt stared back, but he wasn't frightened enough to run into me, holding me by the waist tightly. That was how high he could reach. "Rafas.."

"See. I'm strong enough to protect you, Melt." I patted the blue hair, leading him deeper in the dungeon. So far nothing I see was useful. They were too distorted and oddly enough, I could see that there were traces of huge tracks around, as if they were made in these recent years. Thankfully, not the time we were currently here.*

"R-Rafas..." I could feel Melt's ears twitching against me, he was always like this whenever he could feel another unknown presence approaching. Frankly, it was useful as I reached my eyeteeth. I commanded the boy to find a safe place to hide and he obediently nodded, running behind a large slab where I could monitor him perfectly. And like magic, more Garous surrounded me.

Like the usual, I went head on with close ranged combats, waiting for my Ability Power to charge up. When it had enough, I'd use Rake or such, trying to weaken as much enemies as I can so I could easily sweep them away. And then-

"S-Shi...!" There were more Garous than earlier, and I can't keep up.

"Rafas!" Melt screamed, I could see his ears perked up, feeling horrid to watch me getting beaten up.

"Stay back, Melt!" I warned him, noticing the fact he had dug his nails on to the stone slab. But that very moment, he dared not to obey my commands. Rushing towards me and avoiding each assaults. He stood in front of me, hissing at the incoming Garous. To me, this was surprisingly adorable to watch as a young child desperately tries to play hero and protect me. But that wasn't the time to think so as I grabbed the boy by his waist and pulled him closer to me, pointing my eyeteeth upwards.

"Make it Rain."

Dark clouds gathered above us as amethyst bullets rained down on to the enemies heavily. I heard them cry in pain, but the Melt's shivering were my most concerns. He was a pacifist at heart, didn't even dare to touch any of my weapons. Being in the midst of a battle was already something that took away a few years of life away from him. I tightened my clutch around him, letting him find solace from me alone.

But it didn't end there. The Garous were still alive even from after I had used Make it Rain. It took a lot of Ability Power from me, and being in the middle of a group of blood lusting monsters and Melt to protect, I was in a crisis. Panicked, I glanced every where to seek something, anything that could have been to my advantage.

"Melt help Rafas.."

I looked back to the half beast, his emerald eyes were strangely dilated, darkened. Something I have never seen before coming from Melt. The boy hugged me back, by my head, as if to protect me. His shaken self was no more as he spoke with a dangerously low tone.

"I am Melt Regina Tenebrae. How dare you raise your claws against me... Regina Tenebrae's Wrath!"

It's been days since Melt used the dark powers, and he hasn't woken up since. Well, to be exact, she hasn't woken up since. Melt's turned into a girl the moment she used that technique, wiping out every single monster opposing us as well as the simple clothes I had given before. Which puts me in an unbearable situation.

There's a cute little girl who's sleeping innocently on my lap.

I sighed painfully, looking down at the being, coated with only my jacket. Thankfully, I had enough sanity to keep my hands to myself, and the jacket was long enough to cover her body up to her knees. Though, I sighed again.

Regina Tenebrae. It meant Queen of Darkness.

I gulped, my fingers traced on to her jaw line towards her hair. Melt had called out Kaze'Aze's name in order to protect me. I closed my eyes, hands clenched tightly together.

"Melt.. Please don't get consumed by her.."

"I'm not consumed by anyone.." I was surprised to hear a whisper back to me as I look down. The emerald eyes was staring back at me, blankly like they usually do. "Rufus~"

"Hey, you actually said my name correctly." I couldn't help but chuckle, feeling a burden had been lifted off my back.

"Yeap~" Melt smiled as she sat up quickly. She began undoing the buttons of the jacket. "This thing is too stuffy for me, though.."

"W-wait! M-Melt!" I panicked. I didn't need Melt to go undress so urgently. Especially when-

It was a male's body. Melt had turned back into the original Melt.

"Nee, Rufus" He nudged me by my shoulder. "Where's my old clothes? I liked them more."

"Ahh..." I put back the jacket on to the boy, much to his discomfort. "You'll have to wear this for now, alright. Then we'll go find some."

He yelp in excitement as I stared bewildered to the boy. Everything that had just happened was a little to hard for me to take in. First of all, where did the broken English go? Melt was actually speaking so fluently. And he didn't speak in thrid person any more. How did his body revert to normal? Why did it change when he used that technique initially?

Why is he calling me Rufus now?

Back to Third person POV

"It wasn't long until I realized Kaze'Aze took over Melt the moment he had said his full name. I cornered Kaze'Aze, tried to rip her out of Melt. But she deceived me by acting as Melt and threw me off guard. In the end, I lost track of Kaze'Aze..." Rufus sighed, gazing down at the blue haired, his head now lying on his lap just like how he used to let the male sleep before. He saw that Melt had grown much larger compared to before, being the same height with his own.

"You did all those bad things to Melt- To Kaze'Aze that night.." Amy stuttered behind Jin, wanting to be sure about that experience. The brunette nodded, explaining that Kaze'Aze wouldn't just faint to a mere gun shot and he didn't know any other way to knock the Queen out.

"So that is the reason Master Seighart had called subject Melt a 'tranny', earlier on." Mari thought out loud, giving the immortal unwanted attention. Though he whistled, glancing away. Elesis looked at her like her usual blank self, so the rune caster fixed her glasses and explained. "I believe the word tranny that Master Seighart used was a shorter version of the word transvestite."

"That's why you assaulted Melt that night on the boat! YOU DAMNED OLD PERVERT!" Elesis, outraged with her sword tightly in her grasp, went berserk on her ancestor, making him run for his life in the room as he dodged her blows. The older man tried to reason with her, but Zero had accidentally (or maybe on purpose) slipped out that he was going to show where Melt's sensitive points were on that night, causing the red head to become much more angry than she was. "YOU DON'T EVEN DESERVE TO BE PART OF THE SEIGHART HOUSEHOLD! I'M GOING TO KILL YOU! EVEN IF YOU'RE A LOUSY LEGENDARY HERO! DIEEEEEEEE!"

The scene was just hilarious to the bounty hunter as he laughed, an occasional cough in between had told him he wasn't completely recovered. "This is the Legendary Seighart? How amusing. Though, I'm more curious how you all figured this was Kaze'Aze..."

"Well that," Seighart smiled arrogantly, his hands behind his head as he evaded his descendant's slashes, "All credit belongs to me, thank you very much~ I, the smartass of the group, figured all his doings were just way too suspicious and therefore deducted that he was Kaze'Aze this whole time~" The violet demon forced down the immortal to the ground, much to his delight, where Elesis had a clear path to hit him. Seighart merely rolled, only to evade the powerful blow by an inch, before he started to continue to skip away. Though, there was a murmur of submission to his prideful accusations.

"You all knew..?" Lass looked at them, dumbfounded. Remembering back, they did solve the puzzle whilst he ran off.

"Lass, we got the answer when you foolishly left your poor lil Arme alone in that room." Ley teased the boy, making the him blush. Arme was flustered as well, hearing that she had belonged to the thief. Strange enough, Rufus was blushing at that fact, but he shrugged it off immediately. The pink demon had ulterior motives to say such, interrupting Arme from speaking of the secret meeting that they held, which had no use anymore. "And you?"

"I... The change of heart of Kaze'Aze... The only time she ever did use my name was when she cooed me to join her.. But not this time.. And.." Lass turned to see Rufus, he perked up to locked eyes. "But I still don't trust you.."

The brunette smirked. Setting aside the white being, he stood, only to take out his eyeteeth and set it to Melt's forehead. This caused an uproar amongst the Grand Chase, they didn't expect him to continue to pursue his death after what they had seen what Lass had done to him. Rufus growled, silencing the group. "So how long are you going to pretend to be dead, Kaze'Aze.."

"Hnn... This isn't fun.. I thought you all would buy the fact I was already killed..." They all backed off, hearing words seeping out from the rising dead. Slowly, Melt forced himself up, keeping his evil, twisted grin across his face, the eyeteeth still in pursuit to the blank forehead. He scratched his chest casually, on where Lass had stabbed him, where the wound had disappeared. "I guess can't do a proper sneak attack anymore..."

"He.. Lass killed you! We saw it!"

"That thief killed me? Please.." Melt rolled his eyes, "This body was made by my beloved worshipers specifically for me to never die." A glint of catastrophe just sparked in those emerald eyes as he snapped his fingers. Troops of Black Knights suddenly marched in, surrounding them so suddenly, some of them rose from under the robes, much to their surprise, but Melt.

"When-? I didn't sense them at all!" Ryan shouted, turning at Lire, Ley and Zero. They held the same astonished faces.

"Pheh, they've always been here. They just needed a wake up call."

"You truly are Kaze'Aze..." Lass glared at him, his dagger pointed directly to the chest. Melt was unaffected to such determination to kill him, but the male laughed psychopathically.

"Kaze'Aze is dead. She had ALWAYS been dead!" The murderous aura leaked out from Melt, as he jumped back, landing safely on the broken altar. The Bounty Hunter was going to go after him yet he was interrupted by more Black Knights that gathered themselves in between the two. "I did quite an effort to avoid every mistake that pathetic woman did. Trying to wipe out you all who killed her, and you, bounty hunter, who exist as a threat to my rule. I am much more stronger than her."

"I am the TRUE Queen of Darkness. Melt Regina Tenebrae!"

'The Queen has risen'

Those low chantings leaked out from the hoard of knights, their morale rose greatly. Darkness began to coat the half beast, taking the form of a Gothic torn trench coat. And on his head was a small black crown, tilting on one of his ears. His glittering emerald eyes turned to a darker shade of viridian as the aura around him shadowed into black azure. Sparks of the blue flame lingered around and he had a darkened twisted smirk.

Lass couldn't believe it, seeing the figure in front of him.

Melt took in a deep breath. "HELL'S FIRE!"

Fire shot out from his mouth, black flames that burned only in Hell. They engulfed the room, blazing over the Dark Knights and the Grand Chase. Satisfied that he had scorched the room in a blaze, the half beast skipped out through the hole in the ceiling, not forgetting to laugh maniacally as he exited.

"Black Space!" The violet spherical force, made by the amaranthine demon, blasted from the midst of the room, pushing the obsidian flames away and revealing the unharmed Grand Chase, Bounty Hunter and a shield warding Jeeves. But the fire was instead absorbed by the unaffected Dark Knights, increasing their strength and defense. Ley nodded to her trusted butler, his services for now was done, and he vanished with a gentlemanly bow.

"Ah, for the Love of... Why do the bad guys always.. ALWAYS leave us with their henchmen..." Amy whined, her chakrani positioned to assault the Dark Knights.

"It just means that we're annoying the Hell out of them~" Seighart yowled as he charged on to the enemies, triggering them to fight back as he enthusiastically slashed away with his Gladius. He was enjoying this massacre. And this was better than getting murdered by his kin as she had forgotten his wrong doings.

"This is annoying me..." Dio spat, hating the fact he was going to use his powers for this senseless, worthless battle. He stood aside, not wanting to waste anymore than he already had.

Jin roared his battle cry, rallying the rest to arms, destroying the endless obsidian opponents that stood before them.

"DIVE BOMBING!" Lire skidded backwards, the large piercing arrow shot straight through the last of the Dark Knight. She breathed out before she landed flat on her bottom. Looking around her, everyone was exhausted as well, tired to lift another finger up. All except Dio whom wanted nothing to do with the battle. "So.. What do we do now..?"

"Hunt Melt down." Bluntly the cream haired demon stated, staggering on to Grandark, even he had lost a load of energy. The sword blinked in agreement, just as everyone else nodded in approval.

Phew. :D I'm satisfied.
I have successfully made my OC the badass of this story! HELL YEAH!

*If I remember, Dio was stalking around the Relics of Kounat leaving those marks, right? RIGHT? :|

Explanation for Melt's Hell's Fire - Since Melt entered his Regina Tenebrae form, he's able to use dark based skills. So his 2nd Skill : Fireball just got upgraded to 2nd Skill : Hell's Fire.

Btw, Rafas... eheheheh.. Personally, that's what I call him when I play GC alongside my family/cousins/friends etc. It's just cute to call him Rafas instead of Rufus, though I could imagine him going to shoot my brains out. So I made Little!Melt call him that XD
And just to be sure, Little!Melt only looks up to Rufus as an older brother, even if he was treated back like a pet.