"Talking"

'Thinking'

(Oblethe)

Chapter 2 - Devil On The Horizon - What The Hell Is Going On?

Cassius makes a beeline but the supposed devil steps in their way. The hooded boy immediately stops in his tracks irritated that it won't be simple to get around . He can't tell who it specifically is and waits a bit before gently flailing his hands in annoyance and he groans.

"Look I don't know what the hell you are but can you move aside please? I'm kind of running for my life and that takes precedence over this stupid stunt you're pulling here."

The devil smirks and chuckles beholding a sultry feminine voice. A red magic circle begins forming underneath her as the light reveals her form. Crimson hair flows in the breeze as she looks down at Cassius.

"I'm sorry. I'm afraid I can't do that. There has been disturbances occuring in my territory and until I get to the bottom of this you're staying put and answering some questions. My peerage is investigating the forest as we speak and we'll know for ourselves soon enough."

Cassius tilted his head in utter confusion. Territory? Peerage? He didn't understand a single thing that came out of this girl's mouth. He grew frustrated.

"Look I'm not here to play games, woman! You want to know what happened? I'm currently running for my goddamn life from a crazy cult that's trying to kill me! Now either make some sort of sense or move out of the way!"

The woman was taken aback at the sudden snapping. Not to mention what he said his situation was. She wanted to believe him but for all she knows he was the source of the disturbances in the forest. She needed more answers but she honestly conflicted on what to do.

"I'm not waiting for you." Cassius readied himself as if going for a sprint. He dashed forward running towards the red head girl before he was covered in a strange eerie glow. The girl readied herself as a ball of energy coiled around her hand. Cassius as if on instinct alone jumped over her with great heights. He landed on his feet turning around to see her astounded at the sudden development.

The glow around the boy disappears. He comes to his senses and looks around confused. His pants patting him down trying to find his bearings before realizing that he can bolt again. The girl immediately runs forward trying to prevent that.

"Wait!" she pleads. "What was that? How did you do that?" she begins inquiring him

"Uh. Honestly I have no idea, but I can't stay here. Don't even try to chase me!"

"Look I promise you I don't want to fight! I'm just trying to find out what's going on?"

"And I'm supposed to trust you just by hearing that?!" Cassius once again frustrated.

"Look just hear me out okay. I won't do anything I promise. Let's just talk."

Cassius looks at her and then looks down at his left hand. He can't bring that up with her. Whatever it takes to get away.

He pinches the bridge between his eyebrows. Frustration easily visible. "Alright. Fine. Who are you? What do you want? For real."

The girl takes a breath to calm her nerves before continuing.

"First let me introduce myself. My name is Rias Gremory. It's a pleasure. Who are you?"

"What do you want, Rias? I'm not in the mood nor have the patience. You'll know my name when you answer my questions." he retorted quickly with stern. He kept himself in a stance for if anything were to happen he could immediately run.

Rias looked at him with a pout. 'How rude. I'm just trying too properly introduce myself. Still, he seems to be in a panic. Either he is telling the truth, or he got on someone's bad side. Gonna have to play this out.

"Alright, you win. One of my members from my peerage, Akeno, heard voices in the forest. The ramblings of a madman so to speak so she reported it to me. I sent them to the forest to investigate and I would check the surrounding area in case."

"You're not wrong with madmen. Like I said they're cultists. Nothing but maniacs and psychotic killers." Cassius adds on to that as he paces slowly back and forth. His attention on Rias.

"Well I'll find out soon enough." Rias said gently as she turned around looking at the forest.

Meanwhile In The Forest

"That should be all of them. a blond haired boy says as he ties them up.

"Appreciate it Kiba. Now that that mess is over we can figure out some answers and report to Rias." the girl next to Kiba thanked with gratitude. She had a long black ponytail. She looked around as if trying to find someone. "Koneko! Did anyone else escape?"

A small white haired girl dropped down from the trees.

"Nope. That's all of them. Should we bring them to Rias?"

"Wait! Please!" a voice pleading to the trio. "I don't know what's going on but ya gotta let us go! We're trying to find someone! Please help us!" the leader of the group struggling with the bindings. He groaned upon failure.

"Then what was with the screaming? You're looking for someone?" Akeno leaned forward with a puzzled look?

"Yes! See there's this kid that's been stealing from us and we keep trying to get him but he always escapes us! He took something important to me this time and I got very angry. I'm usually not like this. I don't know if ya saw the leaking canister of lighter fluid back there but the kid was desperate enough to set the whole forest on fire just to get away."

The three looked at each other with concerning looks. They didn't know if what he said was true.

"Akeno. Report this to Rias. For all we know she might've come across whoever this is already. Me and Koneko will stay here in case anything happens.

"Right. I'll be back quick." she nodded as she ran towards the end of the forest towards Rias. "Be careful you two."

The leader hiding his mask in his robe had a devilish smirk plagued across his face as he saw the girl depart.

Meanwhile back with Rias and Cassius.

"Will you please let me leave? I'm telling you at any moment they're gonna catch up with me! I have to go!"

"I don't understand why are they after a hooded boy hiding his identity in the middle of the night." Rias pondered.

"Because I have something that they have and that masked bastard says he has to kill me for it."

"Oh I see." Rias has a rough idea based on Cassius' statements and testimonies. "If I may say, could it perhaps be because of a Sacred Gear?"

The words echoed in his head and triggered him as he readied into a fighting stance. "Tch!" he uttered in anger. "So you're after this too?"

Rias stood confidently upon guessing correctly. "So it's cause you do have a Sacred Gear! How interesting."

"I don't need your commentary! We're done here." he said as he was waiting for any movements from Rias. He looked up to see a bolt of lightning come down on him. He dodged out of the way just time as Akeno touches ground next to Rias.

"I see so you're the alleged culprit." Akeno looked up and down at Cassius's stature. "Now now no need to hide yourself. We know who you are."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Cassius responded with venom. "Who the hell are you?"

Rias sighed. Feeling a bit defeated as she feels as they're back to square one.

"Do you have anything to report Akeno? I appreciate the assistance but I could've taken care of it myself if things went south."

"Well according to the group he apparently stole something important to them and was willing to burn the forest down to get away. We found an open canister of lighter fluid. There and a burnt out match.

'Shit! That asshole put me into a corner! I still have the pack of matches on me! If they see that then they're gonna think I'm the culprit.' he was thinking to himself. Beads of sweat were trickling down as his legs started shaking. The thought of going back there to those creeps terrifies him.

"Seems your story conflicts with hers. I'd rather believe a member of my peerage more than a masked stranger. I'm going to ask that you come with me to sort this out." Rias standing firm with Akeno in tow.

"I refuse! There is no way in hell I'm stand near them I stole absolute nothing from them! I not just gonna walk back there because you listened to a sob story. They are nothing but the scum of the earth willing to do anything to get their hands on what they want. Damn The Cult! Damn The Masters! Damn your territory and your peerage! Now piss off!" he shouted as he started walking away.

"I said you're coming with us!" Rias repeating herself as she shot a ball of energy at Cassius.

Cassius turning to see the ball of energy hurled at him. He jerked his body as his left hand started to glow and shine. Rias and Akeno covered their eyes from the bright light as Cassius deflects the ball smacking up into the air letting off an explosion. All three were shocked to see what just happened.

Cassius was astonished but while they were distracted he hurled another smoke bomb at the two clouding their vision. These were always handy for a quick getaway. Sure it wasn't good on relying them too much but in situations like these he has to do what he needs to do to survive. If anything Cassius had an adept handling to making gadgets and tools. It's all he ever did when he was stuck in the cult.

Rias and Akeno flap their wings to get rid of the cloud but realize that we was nowhere in sight. Rias was frustrated and turned to Akeno.

"Get the others! We got to find him now!" Rias ordered.

"Right!" Akeno nodded as she took to the skies flying back to the forest to get Kiba and Koneko.

Rias also took to the skies looking for Cassius.

'Surely he hasn't gotten far.' Rias thought to herself. She gritted her teeth in irritation.

As Rias flies around the area. Cassius once again is in hiding. He is panting trying to catch his breath. Looking down to seeing the glowing dissipate and his left hand returning to normal. As he was looking out for the red head in the vicinity he never noticed that someone approached him from behind as they placed their hand on his right shoulder.

"Hey." a girlish voice whispered as Cassius turned to see a girl but like him she was covering up her face. "I know a way out. Follow me come on!"

Cassius didn't have a choice for it was this or getting caught so they quietly snuck out without Rias knowing.

They entered through a different section of trees. They paused for a moment of reprise as the girl turned around to Cassius. "We should be fine for now."

"I don't know who you are but...thanks I owe you one." Cassius said gently as he caught his breath.

The girl suddenly grew a wide smile. Not one of gentleness but more of a suspicious intent. She removed her robe. Revealing long black hair and very skimpy clothing. It took Cassius by surprise and he didn't even know what was happening. This entire night has been a massive roller coaster for him.

"It makes me glad that you would say that because I would like to ask one small favor in return." she said playfully as two large black wings revealed themselves. They were covered in feathers as Cassius immediately readied himself once again. The stranger chuckled and laughed before her as violet eyes pierced through Cassius.

'I'm just done with tonight in general.' he thought to himself as he gritted his teeth, clenched his fists and planted his feet. He was ready for a fight.

The girl readied a beam of light in the shape of a spear and taking aim at Cassius.

"Would you kindly die please?"

Hey everyone! Managed to be inspired enough to get this next chapter out! Currently planning out the next chapter before I have the time to write it up. Also I'm currently looking through any spelling mistakes I made because I just realized the keyboard on the laptop I use have a couple keys that don't work unless I push down on them hard so next chapter hopefully will have it posted with no mistakes. Next chapter will be interesting I think. A friend of Cassius will soon enter the fray! How you may ask? Well tune in to find out!

I'll see ya in the next chapter! Until then!