Meeting new people.


Sakura looked at the young man in surprise. The box he carried was ornately decorated with many small designs.

After a moment the man tilted his head to the side strangely and Sakura remembered she had been asked a question.

She took a breath and smiled "I am Sakura, Fiend Caste Exalted."

The youth's head slowly returned to a proper posture before he said something that sent a chill down Sakura's back.

"That wasn't the name your mother gave you."

It wasn't just the words that shocked her but the source, it was a feminine voice that spoke from within the box the boy was holding.

Sakura took a small step away before regaining her mental balance. She let the smile return to her face before continuing "You asked for my name, I told you the name I choose to use. I never needed her choice of name."

The boy nodded at that and there was a pause in the conversation and Sakura's coadjutor took the moment to fill her in on the demon she was talking to.

"Sigereth is a second circle demon born from Kimbery via the third circle demon That Which Wears Down the Mountains. Sigereth is not actually the boy you are talking to but instead the box the boy is holding. The boy is a type of first circle demon called a Baidak that she creates from those who lose games against her. Sigereth has power over games, if anyone plays a game with her blessing then there is no limit to what can be wagered. Physical strength, Family members and Souls can be on the line. In rare cases she plays herself, using her Baidaks to move the pieces for her." There was a pause as if her coadjutor didn't want to say something but eventually she said it "She outranks you, if she decided she wants to play a game with you then your own charms will bind you to agree. I advise you to leave."

Sakura nodded and quickly thought how to escape without looking impolite.

Sigereth herself began to speak from the box but was interrupted by the sound of a woman yelling.

"Oi, Sigereth. Want to make a bet?"

A woman wandered over to Sakura and Sigereth. She was somehow both overdressed and underdressed. She was wearing ornate armour that somehow left massive holes in ways that could be called provocative. On her back were a collection of weapons and she had a whip wrapped around her waist like a belt. Under that were what appeared to be a see-through skirt that went down to just above her knees.

Sigereth gave a loud sigh but spoke from the box "What's the wager?"

The woman smiled and peformed an over the top bow. Considering how top heavy her armour and assets made her it was a wonder she didn't fall over.

"Wager on how many get to the final round of my next games. I'll wager the loser's souls vs getting some of your slaves to help in some games later on."

Sakura's coadjutor spoke up again to introduce the new demon to Sakura "This is Kashta. She is a third circle demon of Isidoros. While not as famous as some other demons she is known in some places in Malfeas as the 'Queen of blood sports' She can summon a fabulous coliseum wherever she wishes and forces those she traps within to fight to the death for her pleasure."

While the two demons talked Sakura slowly made her way away from them. After a few moments she escaped down an alley onto the adjacent street where it looked like two people were arguing. Sakura listened to the argument for a moment but left again when it was clear that they were discussing the merits of torturing your enemies.

She managed to find her way to a more empty part of the party. It was in a large courtyard that looked down over a hole through which she could see the next layer. She sat on one of the benches and sighed.

There were still a few people about but they were having their own conversations. Sakura closed her eyes for a moment to try and get her thoughts in order.

After a few minutes she opened them again and realised there was someone sitting on the bench next to her.

It was a mature woman. Her skin was covered in a thin armour that looked perfectly molded for her, it even moved with her like a second skin. On her back was a giant sword whose handle stuck above her head and whose blade was almost touching the floor. Her face was pale but Sakura felt drawn to her as if by gravity.

The woman looked down at her and Sakura wondered if she was a dead apostle ancestors. She had the right look for it.

"You're awake then? Good." The woman's voice was clipped but forceful. She was clearly someone used to getting her own way.

Sakura gave a small nod and the woman grunted before taking a breath. In a moment her entire aura changed. Sakura felt a strange resonance with the woman as her face shifted slightly.

"You still need to introduce yourself more. Lord Szoreny said this would be a good place for you to practice."

The woman's voice had changed subtly too. Not just in tone but in warmth. Sakura had a strange feeling of deja vu before figuring it out.

She was copying her. The woman had taken up Sakura's mannerisms. She had mentioned Szoreny was she a Akuma for him?

She asked as such and the woman let out a slight snort before answering "No, I am not an Akuma for lord Szoreny even if I do owe him a lot."

The woman stood up and held out her hand to help Sakura up. After Sakura was lifted to her feet the woman introduced herself.

"My name is Reflection's Truth. I am a Slayer Caste Green Sun Prince, I serve lords Szoreny and Isidoros. Szoreny told me that you would likely call me Senpai as we will be working together."


End of chapter

I am still not sure about RT's name. I've planned for their concept for a while but I had never thought of a name for them.

Since I don't think Kashta has any official art here is how I imagine her: Evil Fate!Nero. As in Nero but dressing in evil colours. She even has an evil version of the Golden Theater.