Chapter 15: The Rumored Demon Girl
After the Demon Debacle, me and my two attendants; Nick and Rebecca were now on our way home in a separate carriage from my dad. Separate because my Dad's doesn't have enough space (cough bullshit cough) to put sit with my attendee as well and I was fine with that. This way, I could talk and act the way I want it too.
Which is laying our backs on the carriage's couch at the peak of our exhaustion. Rebecca had became a mother hen when me and Nick told her our 'small' and 'light' adventure and was slightly furious and exasperate we got ourselves into trouble. If I wasn't her employer, I would think she would smack me on the head then and there.
No, smacking is a bit light, she would have strangled me and spare me the effort of getting myself killed.
The interesting part though was how rueful she felt that she missed meeting with the great 'Phantom Thief' and she's still mournfully moaning at it right now.
"Phantom...you meet Phantom?! He was here? Is he still here? Can I meet him? Oh god I still looked horrible after frantically searching for you two." Rebecca began searching left and right and grabbed a silver platter as a makeshift mirror. Brushing her hair with her hands and spotting any zits or blemishes on her face.
Nick and I sweatdropped at the scene and when I was about to tell her about how they had went away, Nick closed my mouth and shushed me.
"Don't. We'll avoid lecture longer when she's too busy fantasizing."
It was why she was like a listless ghost throughout the journey and we were spared from the long lecture she would have given us from chasing after a crooked thief who could potentially hurt us.
And I'm glad. Mostly because I can go through the journey peace silent we all needed after the fiasco we had. My family didn't stay long to hear what Rune Knights had to say about the mysterious demon that appeared and disappeared so suddenly and I honestly don't care what bullshit they're spouting.
I then turned to Nick, sleeping loudly as he snored and wasn't realizing he was drooling on Rebecca's apron. She would give him hell for that but the scene was too amusing for me to call it out.
And hugging the egg like a pillow. Yeah, I give the egg to Nick. Partly because it is a fix semantic that all Dragon raised Dragon Slayer should have flying cat companion, and because I threw the responsibility to him.
"What do you mean it's mine Aniki?!
"Exactly as I said, it's your kid now so deal with it. Afterall, it did saved your life. It's only fair you make it your family."
"Bu...but...but I'm not ready to have a kid yet!"
The comment was too ridiculous coming out of an eight year old's mouth, I couldn't help but smack him upside his head right afterward. He did reluctantly agreed to take responsibility to it now and considering his personality, it won't be long until he get attached to it.
I just hope that egg won't invite more trouble than it was worth.
I closed my eyes and my mind had to pull out last night's memory.
With our magic, we were able to reach town once more without anyone quite noticing us until we were few blocks away from the mansion. We stopped to take a breather and that's when I started asking things.
About their lives, their friends, family, hobbies (What? It's a legitimate question) and their magic.
Off course they don't say anything much about it, but I did learn two things.
One, Sam turns out to have an obsessively green thumb that she named a grape plant she has back home Piere.
And two...
"You're not a mage?!" I cried in shock. Because what kind of person who could do magic that isn't called a mage?
"No, not exactly a mage." Malcolm said as he twirled his staff around. "I can use magic sure, but I can't manipulate etharno from my own body, no. I've only managed to get this far because of my staff. An old relic passed down from my father."
I gazed at the staff in a new light, and my mind flashed of certain memory of Edo-Jellal being able to wield magic here despite not having etharno within him and could still do magic here."So that's why you looked so young despite being famous for 40 years."
Malcolm blinked form my words before sending a smug look on the young Devil Slayer, "See Sam, I'm reasonably young for my age."
"Pssh, you're still old to me."
"I'm only in my early 30s dammit! I'm not that old! The kid agrees with me right?"
"Well. I only said you look young, but being in your 30s is kinda…" I trailed off.
"Oh, not you too," he grumbled out. "Anyway, you should be able to get back to the mansion by yourself." The two turned as a sign of farewell and were about walked out on us. I hesitated for a bit, thinking through on my decision before I called out to stop them.
"Before you go, here."
I present them with a one-way small communication lacrima. One that could be strapped into their wrist. Understanding dawn on them both. Freed was just as surprised while Nick grin, as if this decision was inevitable.
"You know that we're criminals right? If the Rune Knights caught us and analyze that lacrima, you'll be just as guilty as us," Sam pointed out.
"So? Just don't get caught then. I may not trust you guys that much yet and the same sentiment goes for me I'm sure, but I trust your skill and judgement. And if I can do anything to help what you're doing. To help from today's disaster from ever happening again than say the word and I'll do anything in my power to help you."
Malcolm stared at it blankly for a while and I was beginning to feel he was going to refuse, until Sam came up and took it, "We'll keep in touch then."
It was a bit of surprised to see her taking the initiative but I'm glad they took it. They'll be glad allies in the future.
My thoughts were broken up when suddenly our carriage lurched, sending me tumbling down and hit my nose.
"What happened?" Nick asked, already getting up and in his fighting stance for possible assailant.
"Sorry Young Master, it looks like we have a loose wheel. We won't be moving on anytime soon." said the coachman
"Geez, I hope I my face didn't get bruised." I murmured, "Any place we could get help around?"
"Actually yes, there's a village just 10 minutes on foot by the East River. I doubt you'll missed it Young Master."
"Thanks! Okay guys, let's walk from here until we find help."
So we did. We got our stuff and spend a few minutes walk before stopping into a near village. Just like any other place; uneven houses, the smell barnyard animals from a farm not so out of sight, there was the rang of bell from the small white church with a be, the angry mob lining up with pitches and forks…
Wait...what the freaking Bush?
Indeed, I took a double take and there was an angry mob, all walking away from where we are. Some armed with stones and some were just holding sticks. They were all chanting to 'Kill the demon' over and over again and after what me and Nick had been through. We couldn't really leave it alone.
So we followed up their trail that led us to small house downhill. People were throwing pebbles and asking for the demon to come out so they could kill him. I snorted, thinking how stupid all these people were. If it really was a demon, then most would at least have been dead by now. A pebble succeed striking the acond window that was still intact and I heard the high pitched cry of a girl. A voice that shouldn't have belong to someone who reached puberty.
Oh hell…
Oh hell no…
They are attacking children?!
Okay, I've seen far enough shit show for now.
With a demented grin I cupped my mouth and shouted out, "HEY!"
The crowd froze like I had hope, eyeing with curiosity and suspicion. I noticed someone's head was peeking out from the window. "Greeting Villagers," I said. Nick and Rebecca began whispering with one another, Rebecca in particular was holding back shrieking to ask what I was doing.
"I noticed that you have seemed to have some sort of Demon Problem in your hand."
"Who the hell are you kid? Back off we have a job to do here!" said a random villager.
"I notice. And this job entails going after this 'Demon' I've been hearing about. I just thought I provide you some service by helping you getting rid some demons."
"And who are you supposed to be?"
I arched an eyebrow at a fat man strutting up on me, but before he could reach out to touch me; I held on to his wrist, sweep his legs off, and twirl his body so his back lay on the ground, his wrist still in place is now in an awkward angle that could break.
"I am just Demon Exorcist here to get rid of the demon I've been hearing about."
I ignored the scared squeak from behind and just looked confident in front of the midst of the angry crowd as they murmured with one another.
"Of course with a price. My carriage was coincidentally had crashed wheel so we would like you to provide us a new wheel. You take care of our carriage and I'll take care of the demon and no one needs to even get close to it. Deal?"
The murmur became softer and there was a tone of excitement mix into it, and old elderly came up to me this time. He has lick gray hair, tall and looked buffed from farmering. Wearing a light blue shirt, straw hat, and a khaki pants.
"If we leave this demon to you, will you truly get rid of it?"
"Absolutely."
A sigh of relief escape his lips he agreed to my terms. I then gestured to my two companions to follow as we walked toward the house inside. Coming at it, it was much smaller then I would have thought at first, or maybe after living in a mansion for so long I forgotten how normal house is like.
Steeling my nerve and heaving a sigh I decided to approach this appropriately.
I knocked.
Yeah, I should have thought twice in when being polite to a demon infested home. So imagined my surprise when someone inside had softly answered, "Who is it?" but was quickly scolded by another occupant inside.
It confirm my suspicion though that most likely the villagers had mistaken something inside with a demon, because as far as I know. Demons don't let children alive without reasons, they sounded much afraid for the people outside rather than whatever it is alongside with them suspected as a demon.
There was a familiarity with the situation that kept nagging me at the back of my head but I promptly ignore.
I tried opening the door but it was locked, but with runes, it was easily opened. The house was dark from the lack of light yet I could somehow make out the lining interior of the living room.
Calmly creeping slowly inside the house, but then soft buta audible footsteps was heard to my right and a boy around my age jumped, with a loud war cry as he tried to tackle me down, only to be thwarted by Nick. Making a rounded kick to the assailant side. Sliding him sideways against the floorboard.
"Elf-niichan!" cried a girl who has hid in a corner and coming up beside him. Followed by a child in black cloak, shielding the two siblings from me.
Nature did her a favor by giving a dramatic timing when a heavy wind blew her hood away, making me gasp. While I should have the goat horns on her head and the inhuman arm that mismatched with her left hand. I was more mesmerized at her white long hair, and large eyes that had the darkest blue eyes I've ever seen. Looks I couldn't find anywhere from my world and rarely around here.
"Don't you dare hurt my family, if it's the demon you're looking for, it's me. Leave them if it's me that you want."
Her voice snapped me out of my thoughts in after taking in more of her features, her nose, her head, and her age. My face paled when the reality strikes me.
I just met with Mira-Satan freaking Soul user-Jane
Oh God. She is one of the few woman I do not want to piss off.
Nick at first had yelped when he first saw her and ready his battle stance for whatever attacks we might receive, waiting for any signal I made since I just stood there in silence like an idiot.
"Yean, uh...wait, let me get this straight. You're a demon?" I dumbly pointed out.
Mirajane looked surprise from the question, as if I had asked her if she was a girl.
"Off course, who else is there?"
I made a frustrated growl, wiping my face with my hand.
"I bet that's what those dimwitted villagers said you are right?"
"What are you-"
"Look," I cut her off, "How about we sat down and talk instead?" to show her I meant them no harm, I sat at the dusty floor and looked expectantly at her.
She looked unnerved by my action and did not trust me, but her siblings was more gullible than her as they decided come closer and asked me, "You promised...not to hurt us?" said the petite girl I figured was Lisanna.
Looking at her, my aggravated nerve soften abit and smiled. "I won't, promised. Heck, I'll even pinky swear with you."
"Really?"
"Really." I showed her my expose pinky and she excitedly entwined her small one with my callous one. She had no problem sitting in front of me and Elfman while still rubbing the bruise on his side sat next beside her. He looked scared and unsure of all this but I could tell if anything happened, he was determined to pull out Lisanna by then.
Mirajane, if it was possible, looked at me with more suspicion and openly glared at me before sitting down on Lisanna's left.
"I heard what you said, you're a Demon Exorcist right? Why else you'd be here then?"
I snorted, "There's no such thing as Demon Exorcist, I made it up. We're only here because our carriage kind of crash and seeing a mob outside, I got curious what kind of demon might be hiding inside. They didn't tell me she was a cute."
Mirajane flushed and looked away from me, I thought it'd be a good way to break the tension but did it backfired instead? Elfman and Nick just looked confusingly between Mirajane and me while the youngest sister made something akin to a sly smirk.
"So, care to tell me what cause that arm and horn in the first place?"
Mirajane hid her arm and put on her hood when I pointed it out and bit her lip for a while before admitting what happened.
There had been a demon lurking around the church rumored to take people away and has been there for years, making it abandon. The Strauss children despite that kept coming every year to honor their parents at their graves. That was when a dark elf like demon appeared According to them, it had many beady bug eyes, sharp bones sticking out of its hands, small horns and spider like legs. It aimed to grabbed on Lisanna, but Mirajane managed to pushed her away at the last second but got taken instead toward the church. Her siblings chased after her but the door was mysterious locked.
"It was the most terrifying thing I experienced," she said. "I thought I was going to die. The demon...it...it pin my arms to the walls with its claws...licking and taunting me...Elfman managed to break in through the window along with Lisanna but that gave it the idea to try... eating them…in front of me and..." I noticed her hand began to shook a lot more violently and her breathing was uneven. Quickly, I took her hand and was glad she didn't pull away, telling her to breath.
"Focused on my voice Mira. You're safe, you're siblings are safe, you're not in that church anymore. You hear me? You are safe."
I didn't noticed I had slip up her name when they hadn't even told me, but no one seemed to pay attention to that. Mirajane nodded and and took a heavy breathe in before she finally managed to calm herself down.
"It was a blur afterward, I remembered panicking, screaming it to stop and a bright light enveloped me and it and I...passed out only to wake up looking like this," she finished.
We all let her story sunk in, and I had to hold back to let out a string of impressed cursed in front of children because Holy Shit that was some intense experience, that could have been a traumatic experience. How she could bounced up as she was in her FT counterpart I have no idea.
It was also weird seeing her so sad, weak, and vulnerable. I had only seen her as the smiling, confidant, optimistic mage or the sadistic yet secretly caring, competitive mage.
It looked so wrong on her that I couldn't not do anything about it.
I slapped my thigh loudly, getting their attention,"Right then, let's go shall we! Should we start packing or what?"
"Wait...packing? What are you talking about?" Elfman squeaked out nervously at my sudden declaration.
I tilted my head toward the many confused given to me and smirk, "Getting out of this dunghole village of course, obviously those idiots villagers don't want you here so how about you all leave and found a new home?"
I thought my idea was great. Obviously cannon had shown them they moved away, so I was positive they would agree. Clearly, I didn't think this through.
The three Strauss siblings looked absolutely livid at me, especially Mirajane. She stood and walked up to me and slapped me with her demon hand. I was more shock than hurt from the reaction.
Actually... I lied, the hurt came slow and painful then I imagined. Nick was already up and by my side as I held back a loud groan but not quite the painful expression I make.
"Don't talk as if it's so simple. You think being kicked out of our homes is our only option now?! Like you could understand everything what we're going through Bastard!" she snarled at me, but then she blinked and her face paled when she belatedly realized she just used her so called cursed-arm to pushed me away. The pushed made me hit my head so I was a bit disoriented,
"Oh my god...I'm so sorry...I didn't mean…" she went to my side, to see the extent of my damage when Nick glared at the older girl and pin her to the ground.
"Don't touch him Demon, you've done enough!" he hissed at her.
Mirajane twitched guiltily at him and looked resign, Elfman was shielding his sister from whatever might happen while soothing her back that looked she was about to cry.
I sat up and winced at the stinging pain from my side, and realized when I felt the wet sticky substance on my hand that I was bleeding. Great Shakespeare, just how powerful is she?
"Wait...Nick...stop…" I slurred, "You don't have to...it's just an accident."
Nick immediately got up and went to my side, glancing back and forth between me and my supposed assailant.
"Aniki, I don't know what you have in mind and I trust you, but you know what demons are like! They can't be trusted." he whispered to me.
I made a rueful smile at him, touched by his concern but at the wrong place and time, "I understand your concern Nick but trust me when I say she's not your enemy."
The Demon Girl got up and stood before us with apologetic look, Nick shielded me with his hands, making me roll my eyes. "I'm sorry, but you need to leave me. Leave us. You're not welcome here anymore" she said as solemnly as she could.
"Nope, sorry, not an option."
Mira looked taken aback at my brazen attitude and was about to lashed out more until she eyed my wound once more. I sat up straighter, much to Nick's disapproval (Seriously, since when did this kid turned overprotective?) and looked at her straight in the eyes.
"You know you can't stay here right?"
Mira frowned and looked like she want to refute but I cut her off fast, "Please don't lie to yourself, look at the facts! I'm sorry if I'm too brazen about this and sounded bossy but those idiot villagers outside? They won't stop coming for you in their misplaced fear when all you did was try to save your family. I'm betting you guys can't even walked to your parents grave without getting pummeled by either pebbles or food. And when pushed comes to shove, they might even try to burn this house down and no one might be there to save your siblings this time. Not even you."
Mira was silent and the air became tensed because of it until it was broken by a sniffed, I looked up to her face and saw her crying face.
"Then where are we supposed to go? This is all that we have, this house is where we've lived all our lives in, and this village is where our parent's grave are. This all we know and have, what else are you going to take from us?" she cried out.
My lips felt dry at the broke voice she made between her crying chokes, she fell to her knees and started crying out loud. Like someone breaking down after losing everything she tried so hard to hold tight everything that's keeping her together. And being the eldest of the three where she had to keep reassuring her siblings, it must be a heavy burden to keep.
I felt bad having to say this to her, but it's not like she's out of option. She just needs to know that getting out of this village won't be the end of them.
Lisanna and Elfman were already by their sister's side. Both were giving me the stink eye since I made her cry.
"What do you want for us anyway?" Lisanna yelled at me.
"The truth? I want to help you. I can't provide you a home but I can provide you a way out, and maybe...someplace where you can get help. Not just for a place to stay, but to help control your magic."
Mira looked up when, a small glint of hope finally shine in her eyes but was fogged with confusion on her end, "Ma...magic? What are you…"
"What you just did to help your siblings? It's possibly a Take-Over Magic. A spell use to take over another being's body, and you just possessed a demon's."
Mira looked briefly disgusted, confirming a monster living inside her but I have no time for pity party. Not when Nick whispered to me that the crowd was getting restless. Rebecca should be trying to dissuade them but it couldn't last for long.
"How...how can we trust you?"
I turned back from glancing the window to looking at a hard faced Mira. There were streaks of dry tears on her cheeks, her eyes was puffed but that did not lessen the intensity her eyes gave me.
I thought through on what the right answer would be for her and find I had none to gain her trust. I brushed my hair and breathed out exasperatedly. For all we know, I might just kidnap them for profit. Yet I can see she desperately want me to give her one and I huffed out.
"I don't have a reason for you to trust me."
"So...that's it? You appear suddenly in front us, practically made us move out of our homes and you expect for us to just have faith in you." she stated, her voice on the brick of rising and lashing out once more.
"Bu will you?" I offered my hand to her, giving her and her family the choice to leave with me or leave later on by themselves. At the very least, I don't want to let them suffer longer than they should.
Mira gazed down at my hand long and hard, and as seconds tick by, my confidence falter and since her hand showed no movement to reached it and her eyes looked guiltily at me. It became clear she has no intention to accept my offer until Lisanna pulled her robe, making her turn.
Silent exchange ensued with one another and Mira turned to Elfman, doing the same. Their nods showed they must have come into an agreement. She didn't need to say anything else when she finally took my hand with hers.
Soon after, they all packed their bags and was ready to get out of this village. When the villagers saw us, they backtracked away in fear. Only Rebecca stood where she waited patiently for me. Her hand still hugging the white, orange marked egg. She briefly looked alarmed when she noticed the wound on my side and I waved her off.
"Don't worry, it's only a flesh wound."
"Wha...what"s she doing outside? Didn't you say you were going to get rid of her?!" yelled out one of the villagers. Pointing at me with his pitch fork.
"I am getting rid of her from this village like you asked me too. Taking her away should counts right?"
The villagers looked dumbfounded at my solution, looking at me scandalously like I was mad as they eyed my hand that still lingered on the Demon Girl yet I didn't show the slightest bit look of concern. I felt a few pair of eyes watching my every move. Had I had turned to locked my eyes with theirs, I would have seen the mixed feelings of wariness and hope.
I smiled when spotting the now fixed carriage and was greatly pleased by it. I showed them the way and we all eagerly couldn't wait to get out when a young villager yelled out from behind with his shovel and separate my hold with her. He looked ready to pummel Mirajane even with his legs trembling in fear. He was young man in strong build, looking like a villager who had worked in physical labor almost his whole life. His eyes glinted in determination as he looked at Mira distastefully.
"You've been bewitched!" He cried out to me,"Whatever she promised you, whatever she says. Don't believe her! That's what demons do, they'll twist your mind and make you suffer later on. Don't worry, we won't let it happened to you." he said in a misguided righteous attempt.
I saw Mira looking at me expectantly. Whether she expect me to defend her or to throw her away at that moment I wasn't sure but it's about time I washed away any doubt she had on me.
At the corner of my eyes I spotted both Rebecca and Nick sigh as they count down from three in exasperation and fondness until I snapped.
So I quite relished kicking the balls of the guy and watch him crumpled down in pain. Picking the shovel up and thrust it down next to his face, making him squeak like a mouse.
"All of you bigoted idiots listen up!" I cried, loud enough that hopefully everyone could hear my point. "You all seemed to have this certainty that this girl is the source of your misfortune because she's different. Some of you might think like this Idiot that getting rid of her would amount as getting free ticket to heaven by the Lord or any misguided righteous shit you have in your tiny close minded brain. This girl…" I pointed at Mira who bristled at the sudden attention, "This brilliant girl around my age sacrifice herself to save her two siblings after facing a demon on her own, to save the only two family she has left."
"She did something I doubt more than half of you would even have the guts to do and let fear prosecute someone you should have worship as a hero. As far as I'm concerned, she doesn't deserve you people. Put a hand on her and I'll smack you down worse than this guy."
Silence greeted me, and I didn't stay long enough to wait for their response and taking Mira's hand once more for us to marched up toward the carriage, the coachman seemed nervous by her presence but his payroll didn't let him complaint.
"Just who...are you?"
I was about to answer until I tilted my head in thought, "You know, we never actually introduced ourselves. Hi, my name is Roy Jurenelle, what's yours?"
She looked down at my hand that had been dragging her all this time incredulously, before she locked her blue eyes with my green one, assessing how genuine I was before taking it.
"Mirajane Strauss."
I couldn't stop the wide grin I made showing my white blinding teeth, "Well, Mirajane. It's nice to meet you."
AN: Okay, first let me explain the discrepancy of the timeline some of you might think about the egg and Mirajane's pre-FT appearance. First of all, it was never stated for how long the eggs were at Earthland other than it was 6 years ago in Edo-Time. Happy's egg could have been on the tree for weeks or months before Natsu could knock it out of tree. And please don't use chicken-egg logic or any other science logic that the egg shouldn't have survive if left unattended for that long because remember. This is a fantasy world, anything that doesn't make sense should be explain by magic.
Hope you enjoy it please R&R
Peace out!