Ch 24: Ankam Waltz (Part 4)

Caine

(24 weeks 4 days after arrival in Kalichi)

"I fail to see what you have to lose, Galeran. The Crocells have influence, money and contacts aplenty. Siding with us would only do wonders for your 'business' and you wouldn't have to worry about your supplier suddenly disappearing…"

The Griffon's leader just smirks and idly replies, "Funny, that's what we thought about the Valefors. Almost an entire century of patronage and protection, gone in a single night. Unless you have some super-secret way of convincing me that the same thing isn't gonna happen to you, we're not interested right now. Even us bottom feeders know that your Pillar politics have a habit of being…volatile."

I smirk from where I'm watching the proceedings through a scrying spell, admiring Galeran's handling of the matter with just the right amounts of information fishing, mockery and respect.

It sure is good at pissing off Andreas, Gyer's Queen Piece. The Bastard is barely keeping his professional mask in place as the humanoid Griffon skillfully leads him on a verbal chase that isn't really leading anywhere other than polite refusal.

I can spot the signs though. Having spent a fair bit of my time around high society types like the Crocells it's easy to see the slight downturns to the fake smiles they have, the forced relaxation.

The dude is pissed and desperately trying not to show it.

Of course, the way Galeran is lightly stroking Aino's feathers as he negotiates the deal is probably making him feel like he's being made fun of.

His tone becoming noticeably more clipped Gyer asks, "At the very least, could you answer as to why you consider the Fallen Angels backing you to be a better alternative?"

Oh, so he's playing hardball and revealing that he knows about the Fallen backing the Kalichi gangs, is he?

Galeran just smirks like a champ and retorts, "Well, considering that you can't tell me who these Fallen are, their anonymity is a pretty good defense in and of itself, yah?"

The distinct lack of expression from the Queen Piece might as well be a giant storm of swearing and rude hang gestures.

Galeran ends the conversation with, "Besides, we're not in the habit of just casually abandoning our business partners. If you want to cut a deal, find out who's backing us and take it up with them."

Translation: If you can't even do a bit of basic investigation, we don't want anything to do with you. Thank you, come again.

There's some more empty platitudes but the meeting is pretty much over at that point and I lean back in contemplation, three rooms away.

So the Crocells know that the Kalichi gangs are being helped out by the Fallen Angels, but beyond that don't know much, or at least not enough to have some form of credible leverage.

Hmm…something to let Azazel know about, if only to keep him updated.

I wait until the Crocells are well and gone-can't let em' get even a whiff of me, just to be safe-and head on over to where Galeran and Aino were chatting it up.

"You ever considered going into politics before? You have the gift of the gab part down pat."

The Griffon's leader just snorts and replies, "No thanks Boss, I'll stick with Kalichi politics for the time being. At least here you have the completely acceptable option of punching the person if talks break down. I'll keep my beak out of your Pillar level crap."

Aino resolutely nods and signs out, 'boring'.

"Well, can't argue with that. Thanks for letting me know you were meeting with them today and setting this up, it helps to have a face to associate with the asshole."

"Hey, don't mention it", Galeran amusedly replies, "This is just my little way of saying thanks for dealing with Syriana the way you did. Can I just say the little quip afterwards was nicely done?"

I wryly grin and sheepishly admit, "It sounded decidedly less impressive after I tried to walk away and almost collapsed on the injured leg. Kinda killed the moment a bit."

Aino rolls her eyes and signs, 'dumb' and quite frankly I agree with her.

I turn my attention back to Galeran as he warns me, "That said, I'd play it safe around Nihil. It runs a tight ship and is professional to the extreme. Don't expect it to accept an Ankam Waltz just out of principle. Heck, ask the wrong way and it might just have you killed right then and there, just to eliminate a possible threat. Especially if it's heard about your little adventures with me and Syriana."

Nihil. The leader of the Exiled and by far the more reclusive of the various Gang Leaders.

Although…

"Ok, why does everyone keep calling Nihil an 'it'? I've been meaning to ask that but no one has ever given me a straight answer."

"Well, put bluntly…no one is 100% certain whether Nihil is a guy or gal."

…Huh?

"Huh? Seriously? Hasn't Nihil been the Exiled's leader for like eight years or something? And in the entire time no one has figured that out?!"

Galeran just shrugs and simply replies, "Hey, it's never taken anyone to bed and always wears pretty damn conservative clothing. Add in the absence of anything that resembles crotch or chest bulge and all you have left to go on are physical features. And Nihil…well, most would agree it has largely feminine qualities, but…shit, it's hard to tell for certain."

I just shake my head and wryly reply, "Well, I'll try to cop a feel and find out for certain…I'll see you two around."

I make to leave before Galeran speaks up with, "Oh, before you go Boss, I dunno if you heard yet but I'd advise steering clear of Gluttony Square if you're headed in that direction. Some of my boys have mentioned that Strays have been showing up outside of the Tartarus Pits and two smaller gangs, the Cerise Tails and the Undertakers, have been getting into scraps that are rapidly escalating into full out turf wars. If millennia of past experience are anything to go by, today or tomorrow is gonna be pretty bloody."

I resist the urge to swear and instead grumble underneath my breath before heaving a heavy sigh.

Of all the rotten luck…

"What's with the long face? You needed to go to the square or something?"

"Yeah…yeah you could say that."

Galeran gives me a confused look and says, "Well, just go some other time…unless this is supposedly time essential or some shit like that."

I pinch the bridge of my nose and mutter back, "Time essential indeed…you two know about Incarnate Stones?"

They both seem momentarily stumped before the Griffon snaps his fingers and says, "Oh, you mean those gems that can hold a Supernatural beings power, or some wild technique like that? Yeah, I know of-oh…that's what you're after, huh?"

I nod and hold out Ravel's necklace, Galeran suddenly exclaiming, "Holy crap, that's a Phoenix Heart variant of the Stones, isn't it? Explains how you summoned those flames during our fight…Boss, how the fuck did you get ahold of something that valuable?"

I idly slide a finger over the gem before slowly replying, "It was a gift…or rather, a promise. One I intend to keep. And what better way to reply to it with a gift of equal meaning and value?"

That seems to clique with the gang leader…but it doesn't stop him from asking, "Alright, but what's with the whole pressed for time deal?"

I shake my head and explain, "Yesterday I asked Ferdinand if there was anything in Kalichi that was similar to an Incarnate Stone seller and he told me that the actual producers of the things arrived in the city two weeks ago. Apparently they stay for two weeks and leave for a ten year period before returning, and I want to catch them before they go. Ten years is no small amount of time, even for us Devils. And beats me if I'll even still be alive in ten years…"

I lock gazes with the two of them for a few seconds, neither displaying any sort of obvious emotion-

-until Galeran sighs and gives me a dissatisfied look.

"Alright, Boss…but I'm telling you, this is a bad idea. Ten years is a long time, sure…but being dead is a Hell of a lot longer."

"Duly noted, I'll see you around."

Aino frowns but still signs, 'careful' before pointing to me.

I put on my best smile and reply, "What are you worried about, careful is my middle name!"

I try not to let my nervousness show on my face as I wind my way through Gluttony Square, avoiding most of the other passerby and general hawking of crap by the innumerable vendors that litter the place.

I'd say business as usual, but there's a…tenseness to the usual proceedings, like holding your breath before the jumpscare happens.

It's making me curse the fact that I just found out about the Incarnate Stone dealer recently, and not a few days, or even hours ago.

I cast a quick glance at Ferdinand's written instructions, stalk past a tent selling something that looks like spleens turned inside out and smells half as pleasant before finally finding my target.

It's…unassuming.

A small tipi looking structure that seems like it could comfortably hold 10 at most, an overhang sticking out a meter or so with a small countertop set underneath it, a heavily robed and hooded figure manning the thing.

…They've got the 'mystery' motif down pat.

"Uh, 'scuse me? This wouldn't happen to be the place to buy an Incarnate Stone, would it?"

…Some great interrogator I'll never be. I gotta work on that…

Thankfully the mystery person doesn't just outright laugh at me and briefly nods in reply.

"This is indeed the place you seek, Young Devil. How may we be of service?"

I do a double take upon hearing the person's voice, it being a weird hybrid of both male and female, sounding like two people are talking at once.

…Maybe that, 'we' bit was more literal than I imagined?

"Well I was looking to purchase an Incarnate Stone, specifically one that uses Alexandrite as it's core. You have anything like that?"

The figure lightly cocks it's shrouded head and replies, "We do, but it is not as simple as merely giving you the stone. Are you familiar with the process of creating an Incarnate Stone?"

"Umm…no."

"Good. We would be upset if it was such a well known method. To vastly understate the complexity of what it is we do, weinterlace raw Aether and Orichalcum into the stone, as well as a hearty amount of Magic Spells that assist in keeping such a volatile mixture from combusting. Once that is completed, you would have to channel a significant amount of your own Magic into the Stone in order for it to properly take on the attributes of your power."

I blankly stare at the figure and reply, "It's actually quite terrifying that the part you said is 'understated' is the combining of an energy source commonly known as the 5th element and a metal that was thought to have been lost along with Atlantis."

"Oh, good, you naturally understand the complexity of our craft then?"

"Forget complexity, I'm wondering how the Hell it's even possible! Where the friggin' heck do you find that stuff?!"

The shopkeeper merely gives a dissonant chuckle and replies, "Now now, young one…we can't just go about telling people our methods, now can we? That would be rather bad for business."

I heave a sigh but realize I'm gonna get anything out of pursuing that line of questioning other than disappointment.

Damn, I'd have one Hell of a bargaining chip if I had access to two resources most people question even exist…

"That said, we do not sell to just anyone. Tell me, Devil. Why do you want one of our pieces of craftsmanship?"

Ah, so this is why these stones are so rare to come by. They have a vetting process.

"I was hoping to purchase one for…someone special to me. She gave me an Incarnate Stone of her own and I sort of promised I'd get one in return. We were supposed to marry but things…fell through, I guess?"

"You mean your family was killed, your influence taken away and you're now on the long climb back to the top? Quite the ambitious plan you have there, Caine Valefor."

My blood goes cold and I cautiously ask, "What makes you say-"

"Come now, Child. You are wearing the results of our craftsmanship, it would be rather strange if we didn't know who you are. And might we say that Miss Phenex is a rather lucky girl, considering her future husband is taking the acquisition of such a gift so seriously, despite his rather adversarial circumstances?"

I frown and neutrally reply, "I might…or I might be wondering how the Hell you seem to know so much about stuff that isn't exactly common knowledge."

The dual-natured voice is now definitely amused as it replies, "It's our business to know about the people we sell our wares to. Both the good and the bad."

I decide not to comment on that and instead ask, "So, do I pass?"

"May we see the Incarnate Stone you refer to as a Phoenix Heart?"

I hesitate only for a moment before lifting the pendant off my chest and handing it to the robed person, where I'm assuming they peer intently at it.

The hood makes any kind of accurate observation a pain in the ass.

"Well well…someone has certainly been getting some mileage out of this particular bit of craftsmanship."

I resist the urge to roll my eyes and retort, "Well to borrow someone's words, I am on a long climb back to the top. And Maou only knows that thing has saved my life more times than is probably advisable."

"Hmm, a fair point. It's a good thing we picked a particularly polished ruby as the base then, it'll need to be durable. Very well, we'll provide you with your Stone. Do you have a preferred receiving date?"

…Well that was easy.

"As soon as possible, I guess."

The mystery person sets a perfectly made Incarnate Stone of greenish alexandrite, red veins spread out across it's surface and causing it to glow with an unnatural light, directly onto the counter and stares at me expectantly.

…

…What?

"Did…did you have that made and ready to go?"

"We certainly did. All the Stone needs to be complete is you to channel some of your Valefor Magic into it so that those very same properties can be accessed by the Stone's bearer."

I bet my expression is more than a little skeptical as I ask, "So you made a Stone that, by your own admission, is incredibly difficult to make ahead of time merely on the assumption that I would one day come by to pick it up!? And that I would qualify for it as well?"

A mere nod is my only reply and the being says, "We also require $350,000 U.S. currency as payment."

I freeze and feel a small chill crawl down my spine.

That's precisely the amount of money I had brought with me. I'd figured I would be paying in installments and that this would be a suitable start, but…

Warily eyeing the utterly relaxed figure I carefully ask, "You're not some sort of real Prophet or Seer…are you?"

"Seer? Don't be ridiculous, of course we don't have the power to see the future. Just like we didn't see exactly how much money you were carrying, or that you would seek us out for an Incarnate Stone. That would just be silly."

"…You're making fun of me, aren't you?"

"Perish the thought!"

I heave a sigh as the alexandrite gem eagerly consumes the Magic I pushed into it, the core of the stone now pulsing with a smoky, almost shadowy substance.

…Well how about that, looks like I got ahold of Ravel's present sooner than I thought I would after all.

"Now take good care of that, Heir Valefor. We didn't go to the trouble of making that stone that we totally weren't sure you would ever drop by to collect just so you can lose it."

I scowl and growl back, "I still can't tell if you're screwing with me or not. And quite frankly I'm leaning more towards the idea that you do have some sort of bizarre precognicient powers. I mean, how else did you know all that stuff?"

There's two disembodied snorts and the robed person replies, "We could have x-ray vision and seen the amount of money you had. And we also could have lied about how difficult it actually is to make these stones and just have truckloads lying about."

We stare at each other for a few more seconds…before I shake my head and dryly remark, "You're not actually going to tell me anything for certain, are you?"

A fluid shrug is the beings response, even as they reply, "And where would the fun in that be? Although we feel compelled to tell you that, should you remain as dogged and compassionate as you were in trying to collect this stone, you will become a very lucky man in the future. Here, the Incarnate Stone is yours now."

The figure hands me the stone even as I slide over the stack of money and I briefly glance downward to make sure the thing securely makes it into one of my jackets sealed compartments-

-and when I look back up, the tent is gone.

…

I whip my head around and look up and down the crowded square-

-and find nothing at all.

One final shiver runs down my back and I take a shaky breath before running a hand through my hair.

Every Devil knows that there's no shortage of freaky, unknown creatures and individuals that roam the Underworld outside of the inhabited zones…but actually meeting one of those said being is a whole other experience.

Although we feel compelled to tell you that, should you remain as dogged and compassionate as you were in trying to collect this stone, you will become a very lucky man in the future.

…What the Hell is that supposed to mean?

I let loose an enormous sigh and decide to get out of here before the 'scheduled' gang fight comes to a head.

I think I've pushed my luck enough for today.

It started off innocuously enough…at least by Kalichi standards.

A few shouts and the sound of 'public property' being destroyed by what's no doubt people being thrown around left and right, as well as some basic Magic incantations of various schools and effects.

The start of a three way fight between the Cerise Tails, the Undertakers and some particularly ambitious Stray Devils.

I'd calmly turned on my heel, kept my head down and walked in the opposite direction of where I could rapidly hear things getting out of hand, shouts being replaced with screams and the mad cackling and howling of the Strays.

…Probably one of the dumbest mistakes I've ever made in my life and Maou dammit I know better.

Kuroka and Shirone wouldn't have made the same mistake I did. The second they heard the turf war spiraling out of control they wouldn't have leisurely walked away…they would have flat out sprinted and gotten the Hell out of dodge, avoiding any sort of spillover.

David would have done the same thing, probably only pausing to ready whatever weapons and tools he happened to have on his person…just in case.

Hell, the Fallen would have reacted better! Mittelt, Raynare, Dohnaseek, Kalawarner…they would have all just popped their wings and taken to the rooftops to figure out where they shouldn't go, or at least to get out of street level.

Not my dumbass.

I don't know if it was a moment of distraction, overconfidence in my ability to handle anything thrown at me, a failure to recognize just how dangerous the dispute just a few streets away from where I was walking really was…but the results were the same.

I had just briefly turned around, to make sure there wasn't anything chasing after me or some other less than stellar development-

-when a Tsuchigumo suddenly leaps around the corner of the street, chasing after some Fallen Angel woman who leaps to the side as the giant spider Yokai makes some sort of convulsing motion with it's abdomen-

-and a sharp pain suddenly sprouts in my neck, drawing a startled curse from me as my hand shoots up, only to find and yank a small stinger out of my skin.

…That's it?

I scowl at where the Fallen and Yokai continue their battle, not sparing a second thought to the guy who got caught in the crossfire, and make to get out of here on the pronto-

-when an odd coldness starts spreading from where I was struck, the feeling in my muscles turning oddly lax.

Oh great, a numbing agent? I better make fast tracks back to the Church then, I don't much like the idea of getting caught out in the open by some-

-whatever my next thought was going to be is abruptly cut off as an anguished scream tears itself out of my throat, my hands flying to where I got hit and desperately trying to remove whatever it is that's making it hurt like someone shoved molten glass shards into my veins-

-oh…oh no.

Not a numbing agent. Poison.

Half blind with pain I desperately leap up and flare my wings before tearing towards the Church, stealth be damned.

Kuroka

"Ok Dragon Girl, here we go in 3…2…1…now."

A brief bit of Youjutsu later four additional copies of myself spring into being, all of them totally fake but pretty darn convincing to the untrained eye.

Dragon Girly opens her eyes and proceeds to lightly furrow her brow as she tries to figure out which ones are false and which one is the real me.

It's a pretty basic exercise for those still learning Senjutsu, teaching people how to notice the subtle differences and the play of energy between a Youjutsu illusion and the tangible thing.

A small smirk comes to my face as I remember Caine's introduction to this particular practice.

He'd sucked.

"Um…are you the first one on the left?"

The polar opposite of Dragon Girl over here, who's been correct more often than not.

Must have something to do with her Draconic perceptions, if I had to wager a guess.

"Dangit, that's right again…are you cheating?"

I don't miss the brief flash of indignation that appears on her face before she schools her expression into one of neutrality and retorts, "Of course not!"

I just huff and cross my arms…while inwardly grinning.

Ever since she and Caine spent that time in the forest she's been acting all competitive with me, showing a backbone that she never showed before.

It makes riling her up so easy.

Lisa just snickers from where she's sitting on a nearby couch, combing Little Sis' hair and cheekily adds, "Ignore Kuroka, Vallia. She's just upset because you get it right most of the time. She's used to working with Caine and he wasn't nearly as good as you are."

And just like that Dragon Girl is all fluffiness and rainbows, hands idly grasping each other and her gaze averts from us as her tone shifts to a shy one.

"O-oh, r-really? I, um…didn't know that…do you think he'd, uh…be impressed?"

I can't resist groaning aloud and sigh out, "Sweet Kami Dragon Girl…act any sweeter than that and we're gonna get diabetes just by breathing the same air as you!"

Little Sis has my back as she quietly sings, "Vallia and Caine, sitting in a tree…k-i-s-s-i-"

"Shirone!"

I break down laughing at Dragon Girl's scandalized expression, Little Sis outwardly looking stoic but her lashing tails give things away, like they usually do.

Lisa is about to patiently come to Dragon Girl's rescue when all of the sudden-

BANG!

The four of us trade quick glances before relaxing slightly after there's no further commotion, Paladin already making his way to the front door with a sort of resigned air.

This wouldn't be the first time somethings made some sort of unexpected noise at the Church. In between people throwing shit at it, collapsing on the steps and just the general sound that accompanies living in a city we've mostly gotten used to it.

…So why do I have such a-

"LISA! In here, now!"

I can count on one hand the number of times I've heard the Paladin shout, with fingers to spare.

And he's never sounded so worried.

We all sit motionlessly for a second, too surprised to do much of anything…

…and then as a group we sprint towards where Paladin is, prepared for whatever trouble decided to head our way today-

-and I feel the blood drain from my face at the sight that greets us.

Caine, with several scratch marks on his neck that are freely bleeding, his skin rapidly shifting between an alarming pale and crimson flush, sweat pouring out of his body and drenching his clothes-

-and an unhinged, panicked expression on his features.

"Caine, what happened?"

Paladin does his best to remain calm and tries to get the Kid to focus-

-only for Caine to suddenly pitch forward and retch before throwing up a clear stream of liquid…with tinges of what's probably blood in it.

"Caine, I need you to focus and tell me exactly what-"

"Fucking Tsuchigumo got me…stinger or something."

He sways dangerously on his feet and I almost yell at Paladin to just let him freakin' rest-

-when I notice the hollow expression on the old priest's face.

"Was it one with a black carapace?"

"Black? I think it…was…GAHH!"

A scream of such awful agony makes it's way out of the kids throat that I feel like I was the one going through whatever it is he's feeling and he suddenly claws at his neck, opening up the scratches even further and are those self-inflicted?!

Paladin tries to keep him from doing so but doesn't have much luck and shouts at me and Little Sis.

"Kuroka, Shirone! Restrain him and bring him to one of the beds, put something in between his teeth so he doesn't bite off his tongue! Lisa, go through his system and try to find anything that might have to do with parasitism or symbiosis!"

I get over my shock at this sudden turn of events and leap forward, Little Sis seizing the Devil's other side and the two of us holding him steady even as we half-drag him to the Church's makeshift infirmary.

"K-Kuroka? W-when did…I…"

I swallow the anxious lump that's quickly forming in my throat and shakily reply, "Relax Kid, we've got you-"

My words sound more like a cruel joke than they do comforting as he suddenly doubles over, dry heaving and panting harshly, cold sweat dripping to the floor in a rapidly congealing trail and my voice trails off into nothing as Lisa matches our pace and worriedly glances at the Kid's face before grimly muttering, "He's dehydrated, badly…"

Dragon Girl's voice, her tone somewhere between terrified and concerned, sounds out from behind us as she asks, "Can't we just give him some water or something-"

"Why? So he can just throw it back up?"

Harsh words from the usually polite Elf…but this situation doesn't exactly have time for subtlety.

"In here! Stick this in his mouth and hold him down!"

Little Sis grabs a piece of leather from Lisa and shoves it into the Kid's mouth even as I throw him onto an available mattress, both of us keeping a tight grasp on his limbs-

-and I'm almost thrown off as he suddenly spasms, impossible strength requiring me to summon the full extent of my Senjutsu powers in order to keep him down.

Odd noises start coming from his throat, eyes rolling and dammit I feel so helpless!

"What the Hell is the commotion with you…all…what the fuck happened?!"

I barely spare a glance for Mittelt and Raynare as they wander into the room, the taller of the duo with a grim expression as she sees whats going on and the blonde Fallen looking like she just got clubbed in the face.

Dragon Girl, appearing almost grateful for something productive to do, shakily explains, "H-he suddenly arrived back at the Church a-and was like this…then Father David said it might be a p-poison…"

Whatever the midget Fallen was going to say in response to Vallia is lost to time as Paladin pushes past her, some massive syringe filled with a clear liquid in hand and he roughly pushes Caine's head aside before injecting the contents with a steady hand.

Mittelt worriedly looks at the now empty injector and asks, "Hey, Priest, what the heck was that stuff?"

A grim look on his face Paladin gruffly replies, "Morphine."

A second of silence and then-

"WHAT?! That was almost 2 grams of Morphine you just shoved inside of him! Are you fucking insane?!"

Not losing his composure a single bit Paladin calmly explains, "Supernatural beings are incredibly resistant, Caine especially so, despite his age. And this was necessary, or he'd be thrashing and screaming the entire time we try to help."

Mittelt seems to deflate and without missing a beat Paladin turns to Lisa, who's running some kind of ethereally glowing light over Caine's body and asks, "Is it as we feared?"

The Elf thickly swallows and shakily replies, "Worse…It's a Tsuchigumo King's venom, and it's already spread throughout his upper chest and arms…Father, I…I don't know if we can fix this."

The defeated expression on Paladin's face freezes my blood quicker than any blizzard could ever hope to.

"What do you mean you 'don't know if we can fix this'?! You're not even going to try?!"

"It's not a matter of trying or not," Paladin glumly replies to my shout, "It's a matter of us not having a way to actually save him. Tsuchigumo King venom is particularly lethal against Devils and similar species. It's more akin to a virus than it is a disease. In addition to it's more 'mundane' hallucinogenic and anesthetic traits it actively infects and appropriates a target's Magic for its own accelerated growth…you can imagine why it works particularly well against beings such as yourselves."

…My stomach can't sink much lower.

Paladin was right in saying that we don't have a way of healing the Kid, it's not as simple as just regenerating flesh or burning out the poison, we'd have to remove or reduce his Magic energy, a Devil's lifeline, in order…to…

A wild idea comes to me.

"Hey, Paladin! If we used Dragon Girl's Sacred Gear to continuously reduce Caine's power, keeping it as low as possible, wouldn't we be ale to buy enough time for the stuff to run it's course or even find a way to remove it?"

There's dead silence in the room for a second-

-until Paladin whirls around and starts issuing orders.

"Raynare, find Sister Bianca and bring her here as quickly as possible! Mittelt, How small can you make your Lightspears?"

"Uhh…about sewing needle sized, but their power will be laughab-"

"That's fine! Kuroka, Shirone, you two use your Senjutsu to constantly replenish his life force, he's no doubt going to be on the border of life and death for the majority of this operation. Lisa, keep an eye on him and if any of his critical organs start to fail, keep them working as best you can."

"U-understood!" Is the Elf's stammered reply, answering for both me and Little Sis.

Taking a deep breath Paladin gets down on one knee in front of Vallia, gently places his hands on her shoulders and quietly explains, "You'll be the most important link in our attempt to save Caine, Vallia. You'll need to constantly be using Divine Dividing to reduce Caine's power, keeping his Magic low so that there's not much, if anything, for the disease to feast on. Can you do that for us?"

While she's an extra shade of pale, Dragon Girl nonetheless clenches her jaw and nods before moving to stand next to where the Kid has slumped into a kind of stupor.

"Father David, you called?"

Out of the corner of my eye I see Sister Bianca walk into the room and take everything in at a glance, her face hardly showing even a trace of emotion.

With a grim set to his mouth Paladin takes a deep breath and says, "Alright…let's begin."

Three hours.

Three hours of the most stressful, nerve-wracking and worrying work I've ever done to save someone who, I guess I'll finally admit, I kinda sorta definitely love.

And its not fucking working!

I have to lock a frustrated cry behind my teeth as the blue Senjutsu aura I'd been sharing with Caine fizzles out, exhaustion bringing me to the edge of consciousness and I practically collapse to the floor in a gasping heap.

Little Sis takes over my spot…but she's already swaying dangerously and has to practically lay on top of the bed in order to stay upright, her previously blazing aura now barely a candle flicker.

Not that anyone else is in better shape…Lisa is breathing heavily, limbs trembling as she yet again tries to Magically restart Caine's heart, which just failed for the sixth time…I think.

Sister Bianca still seems fine, but her subjects aren't.

Paladin and Raynare have been having their Magic constantly drained by Sister Bianca and given to Lisa, but they're rapidly reaching the end of their rope. Paladin is sweating and pale faced while the Fallen looks like she's having trouble staying awake.

Matters aren't helped by the fact that however it is Sister Bianca is doing the transfer, she's admitted that it's not very efficient, only like a quarter of the drained energy making it to the Elf.

Mittelt is probably in the best shape out of all of us…but she easily looks the most stressed and I can't really blame her.

Using incredibly slim Lightspears she's been carefully stabbing into Caine's body at specific points, burning out and corrupting his natural Devil energies with her Holy ones so as to stop the spread of the Tsuchigumo poison, donating her energy to Lisa when she can. Basically fighting fire by burning down the forest before it can catch fire…

Dragon Girl is the one I'm most concerned for.

Drenched in gleaming sweat, eyes sunken and skin alternating between a ruby flush and deathly pale she's been using her Sacred Gear practically non-stop in order to keep Caine's Magic as low as possible. Albion had said something about it being, 'too early to force so much foreign energy into her body' but she'd predictably ignored it.

It's a coin toss if she ends up killing herself before Caine goes.

A deranged chuckle escapes my lips at that morbid thought and my vision abruptly clouds over with tears.

…

Dammit dammit DAMMIT!

There has to be something we can do!

Then, just because the Universe is an asshole, the worst happens. The glow in Lisa's palms sputters and dies even as the Elf staggers backwards, Raynare and Paladin collapsing where they were sitting or standing, completely out of Magic energy to spare.

Amid gasps Lisa whispers, "I…I got his heart…beating…but he still has…too much venom…in him…"

I desperately look to Paladin, hoping that he has one more plan that can turn this around-

-and my heart sinks as he looks both resigned and defeated.

All around me everyone seems to have similar expressions, Dragon Girl being the only exception and that's mostly because she's so far gone that I'm amazed she's even conscious.

…No, fuck that! I am not giving up that easily!

Think, Kuroka…there has to be something that I can do to…help…

…

It's a long shot, but I think I might be able to work this.

Sorry Ravel. If we ever meet I hope you'll be able to overlook this kinda necessary transgression…

"Everybody out."

Every single pair of eyes in the room, minus Dragon Girl's, meets mine with varying levels of hope and disbelief.

"Hey, Paladin, the Morphine should be wearing off soon, right?"

He exhaustedly checks his watch and nods.

"It's been about three hours…Kuroka, are you sure this will work? He's not going to be in the best of physical conditions…"

Go figure Paladin knows what it is I'm gonna do.

I offer a weak smile and reply, "Hey, he's a Devil…I'm pretty sure it doesn't matter what condition they're in, they're always in the mood."

A faint nod is his only reply and he painfully rises to his feet before saying, "Everyone, leave Kuroka to her work…it's the only viable option we have left."

They're all too exhausted to argue, only Little Sis stopping next to me even as she supports a halfway comatose Vallia and whispers, "Please, Big Sis…save him?"

I offer up a gentle scratch to her ears and reply, "Count on it…now get going, Dragon Girl looks like she's about to fall into a coma."

My Little Shirone nods and slowly leaves, giving one last sad glance at Caine before she does so.

It's just me and him now.

I weakly slump into a nearby chair, staring at my….mate, I guess, and have to restrain a pained wince as I do so.

This is the lowest I've ever seen him and it hurts. Even when we first met him, half-dead with a stab wound in his side, he wasn't this bad off. And over the past few months he's only gotten, well…hotter.

He's grown taller, gained muscle, inherited confidence and basically just looked alive.

Now?

While his lower half is covered by the sweat soaked and bloody bedsheets, his upper body is on full display in all it's emaciated 'glory'.

Dozens, if not hundreds of minuscule burn marks where the Blonde Fallen did her acupuncture work, sallow skin that looks like it's hanging off his frame, black rimmed eyes and even his extraordinary musculature looks like it's atrophying before my eyes.

And the entire time, for almost three hours straight he's been having some sort of fever dream that's left him frantically mumbling in panicked tones, the words too indistinct and fragmented to glean any specifics from.

…Dammit Kid, why'd you have to go and worry us like this?

"…Kuroka?"

In a flash I'm leaning forward, grasping the Kid's alarmingly fragile hand and worryingly asking, "Caine! I'm here, are you alright?"

His dual-colored eyes roam aimlessly for a second before locking on mine-

-and he weakly smiles, an act that looks like a skeleton grimacing at me.

"I feel like death…"

A weak laugh escapes me as a single tear leaks out of my eye.

"For fuck's sake Caine…are you trying to make your last words lame jokes?"

"Who said…they're lame?"

This time I can't help but chuckle despite the severity of things and slowly run my thumb over his hands, the papery skin feeling like it could tear at the slightest movement.

"Kuroka? I'm…I'm sorry. If I hadn't been so damn stupid…none of you would have to-"

I fiercely cut him off with, "Save you're worhtless excuses for when you're well enough to take a beating, because Kami only knows Shirone is going to have a bone to pick with you, probably everyone else as well. Now shut up and listen to what I'm about to tell you."

I see the barest glimmer of surprise and amusement in his eyes before he weakly replies with, "What…what do you need?"

I slowly lean forward and caress his face even as deeply kiss him, ignoring the taste of bile and blood.

"I need you to want this…remember what I told you about Bouchujutsu?"

He seems confused for a second before recognition flashes in his eyes.

"Umm…I guess I can…but are you sure-"

I rip off my shirt followed shortly after by my bra, displaying my chest for him to see before I once more lean in, this time unblinking as I whisper, "I'm more than sure. And I am not letting you die, Caine."

Caine

…Why is everything so blurry?

Ugh…never mind the blurriness, every part of me hurts. More than that, I feel so damn weak that I can't even move.

I fight down the panic that comes from that realization and try to keep calm.

Being helpless doesn't sit right with me…

"…ey! C'mon…now…awake!"

Huh? Those voices…is that Kuroka? Or Mittelt? No…I think that was Lisa's?

But why would they all be here and why am I…so…

…

It all comes rushing back to me and my eyes fly open as I frantically try to take a breath-

-only to painfully choke and cough, my chest and lungs feeling so beat up that even something as simple as sucking down air feels difficult.

"Caine, relax! You're ok, there's nothing to worry about…"

My vision clears enough that I can make out Lisa's features as she worriedly runs an Examination Spell over me, various colors and shapes appearing on the circle denoting a variety of medical shorthand that I can't read.

Thankfully she sighs in relief and smiles, explaining, "Well aside from muscular atrophy, glandular exhaustion, general poisoning from Holy and Tsuchigumo sources in every corner of your body, mild fever, minor dehydration and other nutrition related deficiencies when your body was consuming every available resource…you're fine."

...

"Fine seems like a pretty strong word."

The Elf tiredly smiles and squeezes my shoulder before replying, "Considering the fact that you technically 'died' several times when we were trying to heal you, I think it's rather fitting."

…I don't know how to reply to that.

"Hey, Lisa, is everyone else-"

"Oh we're just fine. How you feeling, Kid?"

It takes way more effort than it should to turn my neck, like I was trying to push a mountain, and see Kuroka sitting with Shirone on her lap next to my bed, a gentle smile on her face.

…Shirone's expression is stormy, however.

I don't think she's happy with me.

Putting aside my all too likely beating by a tiny enraged Yokai I try my best to grin and rely, "Well…I'm alive. That counts for something."

The older Nekoushou sister just rolls her eyes, still wearing that content smile.

"Where's everyone else? Are they ok?"

Lisa sits on the edge of my bed and explains, "Father David and the Fallen Angels are resting right now. You've been asleep for almost a full day after we managed to pull you through the worst of it, if you're wondering…"

Well that explains what's been happening-

"Wait, what about Val? What about her?"

The blonde Elf just smiles and says, "Look to your left."

With twice the effort I had to expend before I crane my neck over to the other side…and find a ragged looking Vallia staring expressionlessly at me, her eyes hollow and simple grey sweatpants and tank top loosely hanging off her frame, silvery-grey hair in ragged snarls as if she hasn't bothered to look after herself for a long time…or a short period of extreme stress.

"Umm…Val? Did you get any rest? I-"

I almost pass out as she leaps forward and wraps her arms around my neck and just squeezes like she's afraid I'll disappear if she loosens her grip, burying her head into my shoulder.

"Erk! Val, not to ruin the moment, but could you loosen your-"

My words die in my mouth as I hear a sniffle from the Longinus wielder…followed shortly after by what sounds like a wet hiccup.

…

If moving my neck was like pushing a mountain, then lifting my arm is like trying to bench press a continent.

But I do it anyways, gently placing my hand on Val's head which only causes her to hold on even tighter.

"…Sorry, Val, for putting you through that…"

I'm surprised by her whispered reply of, "You inconsiderate Asshole…"

Inexplicably I start laughing of all things, her completely off-base reply catching me off guard.

…It hurts to laugh.

Kuroka just contentedly sighs and says, "I hope you realize you owe us BIG time for all of this, Caine. Ear scratches and tail massages for Little Sis for months…probably wing massages for Dragon Girl and the Fallen though."

I raise an eyebrow and curiously ask, "No reward for you? That's more than a little worrying…"

A lecherous grin suddenly appears on her face and she happily explains, "Oh don't worry…you'll be helping me out with a massage of an entirely different kind. And you're going to be a very attentive student, you get me?"

I'm confused by her words-

-until my last conscious thoughts flash back to me and what Bouchujutsu had…well, what it had been.

If I had blood to spare, it'd no doubt be coloring my cheeks right now.

Instead I just set aside that little bit of memory and focus on the rapidly worsening storm that is Shirone's glare.

"Um…Shirone? You're not…you're not mad? Are you?"

Her reply could freeze magma.

"You made my Sister sad. You made me sad. You made my friends sad. Get better so I can punch you."

…

Maybe I would have been better off dead.

Vallia's hiccuped growl of, "I'll help.", only reinforces that thought.

Gyer

I slowly twirl the glass of water in my hands, staring at its clear contents and idly reflect on this latest piece of news.

"You're sure."

Andreas grimly nods and further explains, "No doubt about it. Someone very high up the Fallen's food chain is pulling the Kalichi gang's strings. I heard it from the half-breed myself."

I heave a sigh at this revelation and rub the bridge of my nose, annoyance being my predominant emotion.

"So what you're telling me is that we'll likely be in this cesspool for months, if not years before we can start making any sort of headway."

"…More or less."

I don't bother hiding my disgusted sigh and reflect that Father is going to be less than pleased at this turn of events.

"But that's not all, is it Andreas?"

My Queen looks apologetic and slowly says, "Bear in mind, my King, that this is merely speculation and rumors of the more rampant variety…but I feel I should bring it to your attention regardless."

He pauses and shifts uncomfortably before hesitantly starting with, "During my visit to the Griffons and Black Wings, as well as some idle gossip we have heard when traveling about in EDEN, it seems there is a new player in Kalichi making a name for themselves. Add in the fact that the Black Wing's leader, Syriana, was recently killed by the very same mystery person and we have a compelling case on our hands."

I raise an eyebrow at that. One of the Gang Leaders was killed and we didn't learn about it till now? Hardly inspiring news there…

"The worrisome part is…taken together, many of these bits of hearsay and hushed whispers portray our unknown friend as a young man with two eye colors of red and green…who has an unnatural control over shadows."

I'm momentarily confused as to why my shirt is suddenly sopping wet, or why my hand hurts and is dripping blood.

And then I realize I crushed the glass in my hands as soon as Andreas had said the words, 'control over shadows'.

…Of fucking course nothing can go right.

"So…one of the Valefor runts escaped, did they?"

"My King, bear in mind that I said these are only-"

"Shut up, Andreas. We can't afford not to take these rumors at face value. If there is a Valefor still alive, still trying to rebuild their lost empire…well, it's easily a worst case scenario for us."

My Queen is silent for a few moments before asking, "Should I notify Lord Crocell? He-"

"Absolutely not! Create a Dead Man's switch that, should we fall, will notify my Father of our suspicions but until then tell him nothing of a potentially surviving Valefor. All he will do is start unnecessarily breathing down our necks and micromanaging things that we would have already been doing anyway."

I distractedly cast a basic healing spell on my hand and gaze out over the city, growling under my breath, "We'll deal with the Valefor scion, if he exists, ourselves."

Near death experience=avoided.

Oh, and almost dying while suffering excruciating pain apparently loses you your V-card. Welcome to the Supernatural world!

That aside the school semester has started up for me and it's pretty heavy on the workload already, so that's gonna cut pretty heavily into my available writing time, hence why this chapter is being released far later than usual. I've tried to stick to around a 2 weeks release schedule (more or less) but that's gonna start looking like every 3 weeks for the foreseeable future.

Oh, and it's always annoyed me how the bad guy goes, 'oh I can't let my allies know about this surviving hero, they'll get angry then!' but never does something as simple as making a will or something along those lines so that said allies are at least forwarned, however unlikely it may seem.

Gyer may be an arrogant prick, but he isn't gonna be totally stupid :D

Wacko12: Ankam is a sort of ritual combat used by old Indian (not Native American Indian) cultures and the waltz part I just threw in there because I like the word waltz. Sounds snazzy.

xanothos: Much like how there wouldn't be very many criminals if crime didn't pay, there wouldn't be much violence in the world if it didn't occasionally work really well. And it's an interesting thing, writing a character I so dearly wanted to punch in the nose the entire time.

Temsen: I blame all of you, IT'S KILLING ME.

...

Actually it was just a hilarious typo that I didn't catch and subsequently made me laugh since it made me look like an obsessed madman XD

Tohka123: I'd say the Harem life has already found him! Jokes aside, appreciate all your feedback and comments!

OshiroNai: Syriana did have the hot factor going for her, but like you said...never mess with a person's cats. And I'd be totally stoked to see anything you try! Far as I'm concerned having more options to read from is a good thing, not bad.

Web11211: Sometimes you're the bird, sometimes you're the statue. And Jonah will have his own nightmare scenarios to deal with, don't you worry :D

...Most of them concerning a racist Magic God.

maxeplay: Amen to that, lol. Which is the main reason I love fiction, you can make things as absurdly wish-fulfillment as you want. And yeah, there's going to be some explaining on Caine's part when he gets back to Devil society as a whole...or will there? Events might play out slightly differently ;]

Dark White Fang: I actually borrowed that name from one of Matthew Stover's series, Acts of Caine, just because Caine is a badass character and the name sound awesome :D

Also because I thought it would be pretty funny if two Devils were named after notable biblical figures.

Amusebeard: No sweat, everyone has their own preferences and kinks (I feel like I should have come up with a better word than 'kinks') and I'll freely admit that this is going to be a very, very longer story than what I had originally imagined. Mostly just because Idea after idea popped into my head and they all fit together and yowzers. Some people will like it, I imagine most won't, but that's the goody part about not having to pay for stuff, you can pick up and drop as needed.

And I appreciate you trying to explain your thoughts and rationales for why you won't be continuing, most would just leave an angry guest review saying my shit sucks XD (lord only knows I've seen some pretty nasty ones on other stories 0.0)