A/N: Hey guys hope you are enjoying the alpha test I know I am. I know Its been a while but I find Rhasa a particular difficult demon to portray hope you like what I came up with. Also I too have been enjoying the alpha.

Chapter 13

A Demon's Plight

[Play Two Steps from Hell Heart of Courage Extended on YouTube]

"And Kiega makes three." Depth said aloud as he glanced as his demon-possessed arm balling it into a fist, "Its funny, I'm almost certain that I've changed somehow sense I began the process of awakening. Otherwise I would have said something like three down, four to go. As if the demons were nothing more than items to be collected." Depth closes his eyes tightly somewhat ashamed of this truth.

"You think you've changed? That remains to be seen mortal!" A voice exclaims as the ground shook.

Depth tighten his grip on his sword as he examined his surrounding area, there was no one their. The voice wasn't coming from any single location, it was all around him, "Who's there? Show yourself!"

"Why should I take order from some lowly human like yourself? Ridiculous!" The voice boomed again, Depth grabbed his ears in pain.

"I've proven myself. I've already earned the blessings of three of the Demon Gods, and I don't plan to stop there." Depth shouted in his defense.

"Blessings." The voice laughed,"Demons do not offer blessings. Only deals that beget pain and suffering."

Depth said nothing for a time as the creature continued its taunts and laughter. Suddenly"Then what say you and I make a deal!" Depth said eyes still searching the area for a place of origin for this voice.

"Always the renegade that why you've continued to amuse me until." The voice continued,"But that's the true essence of a Soul Reaper someone who always without fail seek to maintain control over a situation. No matter how insignificant they might be in such matters. Pride is certainly an underlying factor in this one. I don't know why Kiega didn't consume you when she had the chance, she was always too soft."

"I'm not hearing a no." Depth yelled interrupting the unknown voice's rant.

"Foolish mortal, that's because I'm not going to say no. In fact it's just the opposite. I'm going to agree to this little game of yours. I'm going to saw you the end result when a mortal's unfortunate fate forces him to cross paths with a Demon God." said the voice. Suddenly a doorway materialize out of nothingness right before Depth's eyes. "Take this path mortal if you truly mean what you say. However, I cannot say what lies on the other side, whether it be wonders beyond your wildest dreams or nightmares beyond all imaginings!"

Depth slowly walks forward, then realizing his hesitation he burst forward into the unknown thinking "There is no turning back now, heck I passed the point of no return three trials back." Suddenly he was bombarded with a barrage of terrible odors followed by a stinging sensation in his eyes. On top of that he felt weaker with each passing second."What is this?" he exclaimed.

"Hahaha! You act like you've never been poisoned before!" The Demon laughed.

"Poison." Depth whispered under his breath as he placed his scarf over his mouth.

"Nice try, I'm afraid my special brand of poison doesn't enter your system through your mouth or nose it goes direct through your skin with the help of my little helpers of course." The voice explained as a small pair of glowing eyes appeared off in the distance.

Depth looked closely at his body only to find that was under attack by tiny legless skeletons. Three had made their way beneath his notice each tearing into his flesh with their unique brand of carnage. Quickly he moved his sword hand decapitating all three creature and one swing.

"How very dramatic. But unfortunately for you, you're too late the poison has already made it way into your system." The Ghost laughs

"Damn it." Depth says as he falls to one knee slamming his katana into the ground to maintain his sense of balance his vision failing. "Curses, Poisons and Blindness. If I recall correctly those are your specialties Rhasa."

"You remember me." Rhasa exclaimed,"So the least I can offer you is a quick and painless death, at least that what I wish I could say but sadly that just isn't my style."

Were the last words Depth heard before he slipped into darkness of his unconscious mind.

[Play DFO Moonlight Tavern on YouTube]

Disorientated, dehydrated, and felling like he just got his by an airship Depth awoke from his slumber. His face covered in drool and sweat. His vision finally returning to him, what he saw surprised him but he quickly regained his composure realizing the situation he was in. He spoke," I see. So Rhasa you've chosen on that form have you?"

"I think Its appropriate considering the scenery." The Demon God replied. They were at the bar of the Elven Moonlight Tavern, hardwood floors and ceilings but there was an eerie violent light hovering just above them and no one else leaving the rest of the room and complete blackness. Siusha the Tavern Owner was there serving seemingly endless drinks to the Demon however her skin was pale and transparent. Depth could literally see her bones through her skin. Blood was dripping from the corners of her lips and while she normally likes to liven things up with the drunkers around her tavern she was completely silent.

Depth manage to sneak a look at the liquor that Rhasa was sucking down. It was a dark purple slim with black lumps in it the mere sight of it manage to make Depth's gag reflex activate, Rhasa noticing Depth interest said," Want some its my own special brew."

"If I drink something like that I really will experience a slow and painful death." Depth thought to himself. "No thanks!" he blurted. "So Rhasa..."

"Are you gonna call me that the entire time?" Rhasa interrupted him, "I went through a lot of trouble appearing before you in this form the least you can do is call me..."

"Not gonna happen." Depth asserted taking back control of the conversation

"Suit yourself. However you might want to take note that I am the Demon of Gluttony and alcoholic addiction is one of the greatest example of such. And I could think of no better example then your buddy..."

"Just Drop it!" Depth shouted interrupting the Demon God yet again. "Damn it" Depth thought to himself. As he recalled his last trip to the Newly remade Dragon Warrior Guild. Ariel had asked him to speak to Aganzo about his drinking problem and tone it down a bit. But when Depth finally found him, he was too drunk to recognize him. Soon one thing led to another and before Depth knew it Aganzo started swinging his sword at everything that moved. Fortunately no one important was hurt during the brawl only a few thugs ,gang members, and back-water dungeon fighters scattered about. Depth managed to subdue his former master but the next day he acted as if nothing had happened and was back in the bar, making the two of them more than a few enemies.

"You look deep in thought."Rhasa stated.

"Aganzo, this is the last place I would ever want to see you." Depth thought to himself, "And what of it." he finally said.

"Feeling a little guilty." Rhasa taunted,"After all it's your fault that Aganzo ended up in this pitiful state. Yours and that berserker's what was his name again I can't seem to recall."

"You son of a..." Depth said as he stood up his blade firmly in his grasp.

"Ah, there it is." Rhasa stated as a smile made his way to his face,"That fire in you're eyes. You know all Soul bender have it to an extent. A desire for battle to display the product of their sacrifices. As well as an iron will to command the seven demon gods if only for awhile. But the end result is the same. Eventually they always fall to our will."

"Well I haven't fallen yet!" Depth shouted.

"Indeed." Rhasa laughed,"In fact that's part of the reason I agreed to go along with this little game of yours to come to an arrangement."

"Arrangement? What did you have in mind?" Depth asked finally calming down.

"How does this sound? I'll give you my powers. No trial. No Battle. But, in exchange you have to do something for me." Rhasa said as a tainted smile made its way to his face.

"What might be?" Depth asked with hesitation in his voice.

"Its quite simply really. I want you to take on the seventh spirit Furious Blache. No rather, I want you to defeat him. And reclaim ownership of your soul." Rhasa explains.

"What are you talking about? You two are on the same side, aren't you?" Depth quickly snapped.

"You would think that wouldn't you?" Rhasa responded,"The fact of the matter is although the seven ghost somehow manage to co-exist we are each and everyone of us motivated by our own morals and desires. You must have seen It by now the drastic difference between the personality of the Demon Gods you've already encountered. These difference are due in no small part to the lives we led when we were mortal. Take Kazen the Bladesoul for instance, he was once a respected general, but was framed and cast aside when the noble class when they began to fear his growing influence. They executed his friends and family then banished him with the tendence in his wrist cut so that he could never hold a sword again. Imagine his angry when a know nothing brat like yourself that barely knows how to hold a blade tries to give him orders. Ha."

Depth took a sit as he spoke,"What about you? What's your story?"

"My Story?" Rhasa paused,"Thats no bodies business but my own. However I will tell you, why Blache needs to be defeated. But, first do you understand how the God of Wrath powers work."

"No, but I get the feeling you're about to tell me." Depth responded.

"Normally the powers of the Seven Demon is pretty much about equal. However Blache's powers are a little different, he doesn't just relies on his own power to defeat his foes." Rhasa paused for a moment but then continues,"He uses the power of the other six ghost. Even now Blache is consuming my powers preparing for his confrontation with you. And this pain, its inhuman."

"What does all of this have to do with me?" Depth asked.

"More than you know mortal."Rhasa Explained,"As things are now Blache is consuming our powers and the only way to severe that bond is to create a new one. A bond with a Soul Reaper. Only then will Blache lose the ability to absorb our powers. Once we have found a Soul Reaper Blache can only increase his powers when he is allowed to by that Soul Reaper's will. As you well know you now posses three of Seven Demon God in your body, which means Blache can no longer consume their powers, however that bad news for the Demons that remain, because he is taking even more of our strength than usual to compensate for the missing power sources."

"Power sources?"Depth said with confusion in is eyes.

"That's right, all we are to him is a means to an end. A source of power to destroy all that stands in his way. And as much as I'd hate to admit it you're the only one that can put a stop to it." Rhasa Pauses as he holds out his hand,"Will you help us?" With no Hesitation at all Depth grasped on his hand. Rhasa couldn't hide his surprised by this action,"So I guess you've made up you mind?"

"I made up my mind awhile ago." Depth finally said,"As long as I defeat Blache and preserve the seven spirits... Nothing that happens after that matters."

"Preserve... You want to preserve us ever after all that we've done to you."Thought Rhasa as he tried to suppress the anger that made its way to his face.

[Play Naruto Shippuden OST Decision on YouTube]

Flashback

I was once a lowly street urchin, It didn't take long for me to realize that I wouldn't survive long if I didn't take what I needed. I was good at It. Stealing, being invincible, turns out its pretty easy when everyone pretends you don't exist. I ended up taking in a lot of the wayward children on the street, kids just like myself. I was the only thing standing between them and certain death. However the more children I took in the more money I need to take care of them all. Eventually petty thievery wasn't enough I had to take to bounty hunting but I wasn't particularly good at close combat, however I did find that I had a talent for poisons of all kind. Inducing vomiting or blindness, having my pray believe they were cursed or simply killing them, nothing was beyond my skill. Eventually I had created a name for myself, Rhasa the ruler of all disease. Then one day I was approached by the minions of a Crime Lord name Diregie, They told me they would provide me and the children I took care of with anything we'd ever need so long as I served their boss. I couldn't hesitate this was the chance of a lifetime. After years of working as an underling I eventually had risen through the ranks becoming one of Diregie's right hand men. Then betrayal. While I was off on a mission Diregie was convinced by the Commander opposite myself that I was not to be trusted and that he should get ride of me before I tried anything. That monster then used the men that worked under me to take the lives of the children I had sworn to protect. Without thinking I rushed in only to meet my end same as them. Then I heard it a voice.

It offered me another chance at life. It told me that I would get to see the children again too. I happily accepted. But It was all for not. I was given a ghostly form with new powers and the only time I ever saw the children is when I summoned them in their undead bodies to sunk their fangs into my enemies to apply my poison. Surely this is a fate worst than death, Every time my powers are used I'm reminded of my greatest failure.

Flashback Ends

"Wanting to preserve something that was the cause of so much a pain and suffering." Rhasa thought to himself,"Where were you? Why weren't you there to protect them... Why weren't you there to protect me when I still had my innocence." Rhasa grabs on to Depth demon-possessed arm and a dark-light shines. When the light disappeared Aganzo was gone and the rune of Rhasa the Ruler of Diseases appeared.

Depth stood there in silents looking at the new mark on his demon arm, under his breath he whispers,"So they need my help? What exactly am I suppose to do." Suddenly Depth notice the rune of Rhasa glew a bright crimson on his arm then a sudden burning in his chest. And a crippling sharp pain spread throughout his entire body. He fails to his knees and screams.

A little ways away.

"Such a Fool. You should never make a deal with a demon." Rhasa says,"What you are experiencing now is just a fraction of the pain we Demon gods are currently dealing with. I already told you didn't I. Demons do not offer blessings only deals that beget pain and suffering!"