Chapter 28

With a grim smile, Ryan strode over to Maria and placed his hand on her shoulder. "Do you remember me?" he asked.

Maria calmly brushed his hand off and answered, "I don't believe that I've ever met you, boy."

Ryan's expression darkened, and his followers joined him standing in front of Maria. "You don't want to mess wit me, baby," said Ryan. "I can't TELL you how happy I am to see you here, and so soon I might add!"

Saga trudged over to Ryan. Lifting his axe, he said, "The evil banter is getting really old, really fast." He swung the weapon to chop off the man's head…and nothing happened.

"Unlike those demons, his soul isn't cursed. Normal attacks won't work," said Maria.

By now, Ivy had gotten a good look at the newcomer. "R-Ryan?" she said.

The man crouched down and looked at the meerkat. The voice was Ivy's and she recognized him, unlike the woman who looked so much like her. All thoughts of revenge were driven from his mind for a moment. "Ivy…what the…are you really a…" he trailed off. Upon his face was look of utter confusion.

"I'd say I was surprised to see you here, but I should have expected it. You're afraid to move on, aren't you? I can't see you as having someone to watch over," said Ivy.

Ryan's anger returned, and he stood up, sure that this was Ivy he was talking to. "Just because I didn't meet your "standards" doesn't mean that I don't have noble reasons for staying here. You see, I've been waiting for you, so that I could make you suffer as much as possible, as payback for you killing me. It seems that my task will be much more simple than I-" he cut off as a tin can passed through is head, and he looked over to see where it had come from. He saw Frus, who was giving him the finger.

Meanwhile, Saga was whispering to Maria, "This guy seems like he'll be talking for a while. We can pick off his minions while he does." Maria nodded and the two of them began stealthily removing demons from the back of the group.

Ryan went on, heedless of what was occurring. "Ivy, who's that guy? Did you drag your new boyfriend into whatever got you like that, or did you raid a pet shop once you changed?" He laughed as Ivy became angrier. She hurled a fireball at him which, surprisingly enough…hurt like heck.

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