A new chapter may seem strange after so so so long but hey exam season is upon me and i have ran out of ways to procrastinate.
Also, due to knew manga updates I've also gained a new interest so i thought why not.
Excuse any typos because I was lazy with the editing xx
Amaimon's POV
Stepping through the curtain of water Amaimon gracefully landed on a large rock on the other side. They had traveled through a waterfall and were now behind it. Stretched out in front of them was a cave that stank of salt and seaweed.
Rin hadn't been so lucky with his landing and was currently sitting in a small pool of water with a grimace.
"You could have at least warned me!"
Amaimon simply shrugged in response and waited for Rin to compose himself. The boy was currently pulling pieces of seaweed and other plant life off of himself while grumbling profanities. He was soaking and Amaimon doubted he had any control over is flame so he could dry himself. He looks like a wet, angry, dog.
Once Rin was victorious in his short battle Amaimon motioned for him to follow as he led him out from behind the curtain of water.
In the open they were able to get a better grasp on their surrounds. Currently they stood at the end of some cliff. The waterfall must continue underground because there was no river or large lake. Instead it was marsh land that stretched out in front of them.
"It stinks."
Amaimon looked at Rin who was covering his nose. Shrugging again Amaimon started walking ahead, trying to pick the driest route.
"You get used to it."
"Oh….you've been here before?" Rin was keeping in step with Amaimon so he wouldn't take a wrong step and sink into the marsh.
"Unfortunately."
Rin didn't seem too satisfied with the answer and was nodding for the demon to explain. With a sigh Amaimon kicked as small lizard like demon out of his way as he continued.
"Egyn, our elder brother and demon king of water, resides here. He hosts formal parties every now and then for the higher level demons to attend. Father has forced me to go on a few occasions. And they are boring."
To Rin's amusement Amaimon even spelled out the letters b.o.r.i.n.g as if he were a cheerleader.
"From what I've seen at his little get togethers, Kamiko also can't stand him."
"I wonder why."
"You'll understand when you meet him."
Amaimon rolled his eyes at the boy's confused expression.
"He is the one that took Kamiko."
"Yeah, I know I'm not an idiot. I just thought it would have been a sneak in, grab her, sneak out kind of job. You know...ninja style."
Amaimon threw away the stick of his sucker but it was quickly replaced by another, blackcurrant.
"Now, where would be the fun in that?"
Kamiko's POV
The girl groaned as she opened her eyes, she didn't remember passing out but chastised herself for doing so. This was because I was careless with those damned Naiads.
She cursed the demons as she sat up. As her vision cleared she quickly took in her surroundings. She was currently resting on a queen sized bed which had an overhead. Blue sheets draped down, concealing her from sight. Realising the beds sheets were blue too she mumbled to herself.
"The demon kings take colour schemes too far."
Pulling the sheets off of herself and pushing the drape back she hoped out of the bed, silently thankful that nobody else seemed to be in the room.
It was simple, a few cabinets to store clothes where either side of the bed. A long couch sat against the back wall and was accompanied by a small table.
Kamiko grimaced as her feet touched the floor, it was covered in water that was about an inch deep. However, she quickly forgot about the water as she realised her clothes had been changed. She currently stood in a royal blue night gown that stopped just above the water.
Oh god please say a slave dressed me, please, please, please.
Looking around for an exit, preferably a window, Kamiko sighed as she realised the only way to leave the room was through the single door to the right.
She really didn't want to venture out but she wasn't too eager to stay.
Walking over to the door and placing her ear to it she waited a while to make sure there was no movement. All she could hear was some falling water and as she opened the door she hoped that luck would be on her side today.
Rin's POV
Rin groaned internally as he waded through the water. He had been hoping to avoid it as much as possible, especially since his little pool incident. He scowled at Amaimon in front of him who was obviously using the perks of being the demon king of earth. For some time now he had been calling up rocks to stand on but as soon as he jumped of one it would sink back down. So to Rin's dismay he had to take the lower route.
They walked in silence for quiet sometime. Rin had learned early on that Amaimon wasn't the best at upholding a conversation so he just followed the demon in silence.
Rin also noted the weight of the kurikara on his back. Satan…er…well his father had told him not to use it unless it was necessary. He didn't understand why he had bothered giving it to him, he had no experience with a sword at all and he was positive that anyone with a bit of skill would be able to disarm him.
However, Rin hadn't voiced his concerns at the time, favouring self-preservation. Besides, if Satan had given it to him then he was sure there was a reason.
Rin groaned as he ran his hand through his hair. He was still confused on what to actually call the big black demon. Sure he had been told to address him as father in his presence but outside of that, even to himself, he wasn't sure what to call him.
He was hesitant, after all Shiro had raised him. Sure he had done a pretty crappy job in Rin's opinion but still.
Shaking his head in frustration, Rin decided now wasn't the time to be thinking about this. Lost in thought he hadn't realised Amaimon and stopped until he bumped into him, well, into his rock.
"Jeeze Amaimon warn a guy." Rubbing his head Rin noticed the pain quickly subsided. Demon perks.
He followed Amaimon's gaze upwards as he spoke.
"Ahhhh…that's Kamiko's."
Rin just nodded in agreement. He had never seen her without her kimono so couldn't help but worry.
He followed once again as Amaimon moved forward and it wasn't long until they reached a clearing or sorts. Dead Naiad's littered the ground and Rin's worry grew.
"Egyn was here so she's most likely in the castle."
Rin looked over to Amaimon who was crouching on the ground staring at god knows what.
"Are you sure?"
"Well, it's definitely his scent in the air and these footprints are most likely his. He has webbed feet you know."
"Gross."
Kamiko's POV
Kamiko stood still once she had passed through the door and placed her head in her hands. Why me?
A handful of slaves were spread around the room and once they noticed her presence they quickly feel to the floor in front of her, heads to the ground. Least its not Egyn.
Looking around, Kamiko noticed that there was more to this room then the last. In the center were two large couches facing one another with a table in between.
In the furthest corner was a small step surrounded by mirrors, most likely for when one was changing. There was a grand chandelier that hung from the ceiling that was illuminating the room.
Looking back to the ground Kamiko motioned for the slaves to rise.
"Where am I?"
The smallest spoke first and Kamiko noted its lack of teeth.
"Ma'am is in her own quarters provided by King Egyn."
Kamiko's eyebrows shot up and she twitched slightly. My…my own quarters?
The young slave most of noticed the confused expression on her face and continued explaining.
"Master had it made for the lady to provide her with what she needed. He has ordered that once you have awoken to change and meet him in the ballroom."
"No."
"Ma'am…?"
"Where's the throne room?"
Kamiko just wanted to leave, so if she could just get to the throne room she could use the portal to Satan's realm.
"We were instructed to dress you and bring you to the ballroom."
Kamiko crossed her arms and glared at the slave. Before she retorted another pushed the smaller one behind them. Kamiko was a bit taken aback by the action but kept herself composed as her eyes fell upon the next. She was taller than the last and much thinner too, it looked like her clothes were hanging off of her and her skin was a sickly green.
"Ma'am I apologies but these are our instructions from the King so we must obey." The demon looked around the room as if to check that nobody else had come in. She then lowered her voice.
"We understand ma'am does not wish to be here and that our King can be unreasonable. Please, allow us to dress you and bring you to the ballroom."
Kamiko stared at the slave for a moment before smirking.
"Make sure not to talk like that to an actual resident, it will get you killed."
The slave simply nodded as she led Kamiko to the corner with the steps and mirrors. She unhooked a dress from the back which Kamiko hadn't noticed. It was floor length which was a bit inconvenient considering the water situation.
As Kamiko pulled a screen in front of her she quickly changed.
"Eh…was it you that changed me earlier?"
"Yes ma'am."
Kamiko sighed in relief as she pulled herself into the dress and allowed the slave to fasten the back. She was then placed in front of the mirrors so she could see herself.
To her surprise she actually liked the dress. The only chance she ever got to wear them would be to formal occasions.
The one she wore now was a tight fit until her hips were it loosened. It left her shoulders, arms and upper back bare. A white lace detail covered her chest and ran up to the neck were it looped around.
She turned down the shoes offered to her. She didn't see the point if you couldn't see them, besides she'd be able to run quicker without them.
Following her outfit change she was brought over to the couches where another slave worked her hair up off of her face and into a simple up do.
Once finished the extremely thin slave brought her to the only other door in the room and opened it into the corridor. In front stood too large guards.
"We are to help escort the lady."
They received a courteous nod from the slave and scoff from Kamiko as they led them through the corridors. As they walked Kamiko began to here the faint sound of music which only grew louder with each step until they reached too large embellished doors.
It was pretty clear to Kamiko that the music was coming from behind and she mentally braced herself for what was to come. The guards opened the doors for the two who stepped through.
Standing at the top of a grand staircase Kamiko could clearly see the ballroom stretched out in front of her. It was filled with an array of demons, some humanoid and others far from that. The room went silent apart from the music as everyone looked up at the new arrival. A crap on a stick.
Before leaving the slave bent into a deep bow and spoke just low enough for Kamiko to here.
"There's a door at the back tucked into the left corner. It'll bring you to the throne room."
With that the slave scurried off and Kamiko was left on her own. At least, she wished she had been because as soon as the slave departed an ugly voice rose from the base of the staircase. Kamiko glared at the demon King.
"So glad you could join us my dear."
Rin's POV
"What the hell is that?"
"A lake."
"Not the lake idiot…that."
They had just arrived at a large lake. Amaimon had said it was where Egyn lived but Rin had expected a castle on the lake or something. Instead there stood a small cabin of sorts in the middle of the lake. There was no path out to it and Rin was still trying to figure out if it was floating or not.
Amaimon started walking out towards it using rocks again so not to fall into the water.
"It's Egyn's house."
Rin thanked Amaimon silently as this time it seemed he would keep the rocks up for the young boy to follow.
"So he lives in that tiny house?"
Rin couldn't see Amaimon's face but was sure he just rolled his eyes.
"Now who's the idiot? It's the entrance."
Rin's mouth formed into an 'o' as they continued on. Once they reached the little cabin of sorts Rin could see that there were no windows or anything and that it actually wasn't floating. There was a staircase in the center which Amaimon started to descend.
As they got deeper the stone walls turned into a glass of sorts that was transparent enough for the boy to see under the lake. It was vast and to his surprise well illuminated due to some weird fluorescent plant.
Rin noted the lower level demons that populated the waters. Kamiko had explained that the lower level demons could be compared to the animals that populated Assiah. As a group of fish like demons swam past Rin couldnt help but wonder what they tasted like.
Amaimon's voice pulled the boy out of his thoughts.
"I hope you're fighting skills have improved Otouto."
Rin didn't ask why he wanted to know as it was easy enough to guess. Generally when one kidnaps another they don't particularly want to give them back. It was a big possibility that they would have to fight their way to Kamiko.
As they kept walking down Rin noticed the large structure that was nearing. It must be Eygn's castle. Huh, that's pretty neat.
It took a few more minutes but they soon reached the base of the stairs and Rin hoped that they wouldn't have to walk back up.
They were in the entrance of a cave that quickly gave way to a grand set of double doors. Rin studied them and noted the detail. They were a royal blue and seemed to be embellished with pearls. Engravings of some sort covered the doors and Rin couldn't tell if they were another language or not.
On either side stood two guards which quickly stood to attention once they noticed the two approaching.
"State your business Amaimon."
"Just visiting, is that so bad?" Amaimon stood there with his hands in the air as if pleading innocence.
"We are under strict orders not to let anyone in until further notice. I apologies but visiting is not an option."
"What about breaking and entering?"
Before the guards could reply the demon raced forward and in one smooth movement cut the throat of the first guard who slumped to the ground. The second didn't have much time to react as Amaimon raised the earth beneath him until he was crushed into the ceiling.
Rin grimaced as he watched. He hadn't realised Amaimon could move that quickly as he stepped over the now dead guard.
Staying a few feet behind Amaimon, the two strolled through the foyer as if they owned the place. Surprisingly there weren't many guards in the area.
"Where could she be…." Rin looked around the open area. In the middle stood a staircase that spiraled up a pillar of falling water. From where he was standing he could clearly see that there were three floors accessible to them from here.
"Rin, have you ever attended a ball for demons?"
Rin shook his head at the peculiar question and the demon handed him a sucker. He stuck it in his pocket for later. He didn't think he could fight and eat sweets at the same time. He would probably choke.
He followed Amaimon as he started up the staircase to the second floor.
"The only reason the guards have for not being in the foyer is if Egyn's having one of his stupid parties."
"What about Kamiko?"
"It'll just be easier to ask him where she is."
Rin didn't say anything about Amaimon's plan. Honestly, he didn't like it that much but he wasn't an efficient enough fighter yet to go off on a Kamiko hunt by himself in an unfamiliar place so he stuck with the demon.
So he quietly followed the elder through a ridiculous amount of corridors.
"Where is this ballroom?!"
"Huh…oh we have to take the long way around. Some off the rooms to the ballroom are flooded and we can't breath underwater."
Rin groaned, the longer he spent in this realm the more he realised that he didn't like it. It smelt of salt, there was a bad taste in the air, he was getting soaked and there was a high chance that he would drown.
However, Rin's mood lifted a bit as the sound of music started to fill the air, indicating they were getting close. Unfortunately, just as his mood lifted it changed again at the possibility of a fight occurring.
As much as Rin enjoyed a good fight he didn't like it when the odds were stacked so high against him. In this kind of situation he really was putting his faith in Amaimon that he would at least make sure nobody killed him.
"HALT!"
Rin froze mid step and Amaimon let out a groan.
"Whaaaaaaaat?"
They had just been about to pass through the doors to what Rin presumed to be he ballroom.
Turning around Rin couldn't help but giggle a bit at the demons appearance. He only came up to Rin's knee and he seemed to be covered in white fur. Two horns curled up out of his head and his eyes reminded Rin of a cat. He looks like a teddy.
Seeming to ignore Rin's laugh the guard addressed Amaimon.
"You are not on the list to attend this ball and visitors have not been permitted entry for the foreseeable future. Explain yourself."
Amaimon shrugged.
"I just wanted to see big brother…..and what do you mean I'm not on the list? I'm kind of offended by that."
The guard shook his head as he crossed his arms.
"Maybe it's because you always cause trouble when you come on your little 'visits'."
Rin stifled a giggle as he seen the normally expressionless demon grimace. It was rare for anything to cross the demons face and no matter what expression it was it always made Rin laugh. Though he kept that to himself.
"We aren't leaving." Amaimon stood there with his arms crossed like a defiant child.
The guard seemed to chuckle, or maybe he had the hiccups, Rin couldn't tell. Though he thought he would intervene before things got of control.
"Hey little guy, we don't want any trouble we are just here to pick somebody up."
As soon as the words passed his mouth he regretted it. As the small demon guard seemed to get angry.
"Little? LITTLE?! IM NOT LITTLE YOU SHIT! NOW IF YOU WON'T LEAVE THEN I'LL MAKE YOU!"
Rin felt himself shrink on the inside from the guards change of appearance while Amaimon whispered into his ear.
"Oh you went and done it now."
The previously small guard was no longer so little. He had grown about three times in size and now towered over Rin. The white fur was now stretched over his large body and it seemed as if there was none at all. His horns had grown with him and his eyes were no a dangerous hue of red.
"Right I'll deal with your mess, you go enjoy the ball."
"Wait wha…."
Before he could finish Amaimon pushed him out of the path of an incoming foot. Rin didn't need any more encouragement. Before fluffy could get him he ran through the double doors and quickly shut them behind himself as he slid to the ground.
He hadn't realised the amount of noise he had made entering the room until he steadied his breath and looked up.
Any music that had been playing now stopped and everyone, well every demon, was now staring up at him.
Rin stood to his feet and with a very awkward smile waved.
"Ehhh…..Hi?"