"I'm here to talk to your leader. I have a proposal."
"And why would I send you to him? What if you assassinate him?" Multiple 'hrm's followed in an annoying incessant manner.
"I'm here to offer redemption. Possibly. We're still testing it." This got the tiny demon's attention.
He led her to the redemption rebels leader. She recognized him immediately. Veridian. They just stared at each other. "Ummmm. Crimson. What are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same thing!" She pointed at him comically. She cleared her throat. "I suggest you explain yourself first."
"Well, at first it was more of spy work I decided to do on my own. Then I don't know. I kinda liked the people here. You?" He seemed so surprised by her visit.
"I help the princess run the redemption hotel, The Happy Hotel. I came here to help you all find redemption."
"Seriously?" Veridian laughed. "You? What's Lucifer really got planned?" He got serious suddenly.
"Just the protection of his daughter. Other than that. It's all me right now. I wanted to use the rebellion by giving them what they want. That is all." She shrugged.
"Use how?" Veridian seemed unsure of Selena's intentions.
"If I can redeem them, I can get what I want. That's all you need to know."
"Prove it. Let's do what we used to do to get to know each other. Let's talk with our fists." Selena debated Veridian's request but eventually gave in.
"Fine." They left the leader's tent and headed towards the battlefield.
"My lord, Zelen. Are you sure fighting her is wise? We have a rebellion. If you're injured we won't make any headway like in the past years." Zelen or Veridian raised his finger.
"This is merely to determine her intentions. People speak best while sparring." Zelen turned to Selena. "You now know my name. May I ask yours?"
"Selena."
"Ah. Like the moon goddess. A fitting name giving your hair color." They walked further out. "Just a spar, my dear. We don't want to kill each other."
"I know. Just like old times." She stressed and got into her sword woman's stance. Veridian— no, Zelen— got into his fighting stance. He left himself open often to taunt enemies, but of the three Reapers, he was the fastest and the most flexible.
"Begin!" Selena shouted. Zelen moved quickly. She could see him but she would have to minimize her movements to dodge. She slid past his attack but barely. The pressure from his punch sent the ground into shattered pieces blocking her view of her sparring opponent. He moved for his next attack. Selena used a totem swap and got behind him. She punched as hard as he did. She heard him cough and wheeze before repositioning his stance. His hands had a green smoke coming from them. Shit. He was gonna pull her soul out of her body to land a blow.
Selena saw what he had planned and tried to move accordingly. She dodged blow after blow finding it damn near impossible to keep up with his superior would defend using her foxfire, but he seemed to always foresee the idea and swoop behind her. If it wasn't a spar, she would use more powerful magic, but for now, she was struggling to keep up. He used a high kick which she chose to dodge by getting closer to the ground. This idea turned into a massive mistake. He full on ax-kicked her. She hit the ground and felt her ribs break. Her breath left her and before she could recover, he stuck his hands in her and pulled out her soul. As soon as he had, he placed it back in her. She felt her body mend, and her soul readjust in its Hellish shell.
"Fucking Hell, Zelen! You said spar! If you wanted me to go all out you should've specified! I was trying to play fair!" Selena coughed until her body felt more right.
"Hahaha! No fight is fair, my friend!" Zelen helped pick her up off the ground.
"Spars are supposed to be." She murmured.
"What's that?" He teased.
'You heard me." She laughed.
"Good news is that I know you were sincere. Let's go inside and talk more." He pushed her gently into the direction of his tent.