Fairy x Adventure

by Magnafeana

In a new era after the Alvarez War, Lucy, Natsu, and the rest of Fairy Tail not only face new challenges but watch as their kids go on new journeys, learn new powers, and battle new enemies and old! Join Luna, Nashi, and the upcoming generation of Mages on Fairy Tail and more on their never-ending adventure!

121. Adventure 121

Disclaimer: I do not own Hiro Mashima's Fairy Tail, any work professionally associated with it, nor any pop culture or classical references. All original plots and characters are mine.

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In a land far, far away lies the kingdom of Fiore, a small, peaceful nation of 17 million, and a place filled with Magic found in every home, bought and sold in every marketplace. For most, Magic is merely a tool, a mundane part of everyday life. For some, however, Magic is an art, and they've devoted their lives to its practice. These are the wizards. Banded together into magical guilds, they ply their skills in search of fame and fortune. Many such guilds dot the landscape of Fiore. But there is a certain guild in a certain town that soars high above the rest, one from which countless legends have been born. A guild that will no doubt continue to create legends well into the future. Its name...is Fairy Tail.

---

PREVIOUSLY, on Fairy Adventure: the fog did a number on Carlisle to remember a dark time in his life. But Dante still wants to be there for him through it all. The Forge too, except she isn't just any woman offering support—she's actually a God! Orochi and Ezra's trip down memory lane comes full-stop around the dark truth of why Ezra broke up with Saudade revolving around his sentient Beast Soul. Muta starts to realize Dante's body might be the age it should be, but his mind and intelligence are a little too mature. Even with secrets revealed, Dante couldn't care less so long as Carlisle is safe and sound. Orochi and Ezra's meeting with Chace furthers the truth surrounding Ezra, but more mysteries pop up with Chace's intentions at the USA. And while Dante and Carlisle have reconciled, it looks like trouble is still on the horizon.

'I'm sorry to leave you to do this, but… This will be the last responsibility I give to you.'

I wonder what the name of the weapon means. And Chace, I definitely think Marceaux has a crush on you.

---

Kyler was having a good dream.

He was. It was quite a nice dream with him one of the most beautiful sandy beaches he had visited in his youth. He could feel the warmth of the sun on his wings and his skin. Funny, though, the warmth felt like caresses…kisses, almost. Well, that did not matter. It felt good and if he was a cat, he would be purring. He hummed when a particular warm kiss pressed against the sensitive spot beneath his jaw. The sand feathered his hip in soothing strokes.

A sweet croon breathed in his ear. "Does that feel good, Malã'iko?"

He hummed and mumbled gibberish, but his skin tingled when an ardent set of kisses went down his spine. He could feel something wonderful nudge his arms upwards and cupped down his muscles. A lazy laugh hidden behind his lips rumbled up when those touches stroked his sides.

"That's it. Good boy," came dulcet praise.

Yes, he was a good boy. He shifted when those touches fluttered down his back until they reached the curve of his—

KIRI!

"Ow!" Kyler's eyes flew wide open with a flush on his face. "My back." He froze someone covered his back and gentle fingers cradled his jaw.

"Go back to sleep, Malã'iko," came seductive soothe. "It was just getting fun."

Kyler's face fell into his pillow and he groaned, "Arezodi…" When he heard a loud sigh and felt the weight off his back, he peeked from his pillow to see Mirella lying on her side with her head propped up on a fist and her robe loose. "I told you to not wake me up like that how many times?"

"Oh, come on, it's hot," Mirella teased him, blowing him a kiss. "I just want to wake up my little Angel with an orgasm. Is that so wrong?"

"Yes!" Red steamed Kyler's face. "I'm still recovering from last night!"

Mirella waved a dismissive hand. "Oh, please, that was just a warm-up round." She came in close with her lips brushing his ear. "Let me make you feel good—Mmmph!"

Kyler had clamped a hand around an unimpressed Mirella's mouth and looked on the cusp of fainting from his embarrassment. "I won't be swayed again by you this time, Arezodi. I still need time to recover." He cringed as he flipped onto his side, still sore, and added in a mumbled, "And I told you to go gently."

"Oh… My poor baby is still sore." Mirella wrapped around him and thumbed his chest. "I didn't mean to be so rough with you. You're just so adorable when you cry."

Now Kyler did want to cry. How is this a compliment? He huffed and swatted away her wandering hand. "Whatever." He sat up and rubbed his lower back. "I've had to deal with you becoming a little too enthusiastic these past months."

He felt disturbed about all the times he worked and Mirella got the drop on him with either suddenly stripping and pouncing on him or dragging an innocent kiss into a make-out session that made him weak. My parents must be rolling in their graves. I've disgraced my bloodline and don't deserve to be Nashi's big brother.

"Oh, don't be so up-tight." Mirella hugged him from behind with a tempting finger swirling his lower stomach. "Relax, baby," she cooed. "Isn't it fun to basically be teenagers again? None of that war stuff or responsibilities… We finally have 'us' time."

TICK!

"'Responsibility', huh?" Kyler's hand clenched.

"Exactly." Mirella kissed below his ear. "So why don't you get that hot ass over here and we can keep playing?"

Kyler slowly turned around. "Arezodi…"

Mirella smirked and hugged his hips. "Yes, Malã'iko?"

"You…" Kyler gritted his teeth. "You…. You…" He comically broke into a roar, "You need a job!"

Mirella blinked twice. "Huh?"

"A job! You need a job!" Kyler raged. "We do have responsibilities here! We have Talia's education to pay for and property tax and insurance and groceries and utilities too!"

Mirella crossed her arms. "Then we can use our treasuries. Done."

"No, we can't!" Kyler cried. "We can't bring alien money into this economy! And we can't just pay in any of the gold we have without messing up the economy either! That's what you did last time and you forced an entire continent into severe inflation and then it crashed!"

Mirella did not see the problem. "So? Who cares? They're mortals. They're like an invasive species and bounce back from things like war and economic collapse and stuff." She sat back and teased her robe. "Now come here and let your stay-at-home lover make you feel all sorts of things."

Kyler rubbed his temples. "And I'd be fine if you stayed at home if I didn't feel attacked every day! I can't even cook with you trying to have your way with me!"

Mirella mumbled, "Then don't look so delicious wearing an apron."

"You bought that apron!"

"Oh, did I? I had no idea."

Kyler fumed over Mirella's feigned innocence. "Mirella, please, listen to me! I can't do laundry or clean because I'm constantly trying to dodge you—!"

"Then hire a Brownie or something—"

"They don't exist on this planet anymore!"

Mirella groaned. "Ugh, this planet is so boring with all its stupid rules and logic. I wanted to kill that damn driving instructor for getting snippy with me." Eager bloodlust filled her eyes. "I could've gotten away with it too."

Kyler felt like he was spiraling. "Please tell me you didn't—!"

"No," Mirella huffed, grouchy. "I didn't kill her." She mumbled, "If I did, I know you would've just complained about it anyway."

Kyler's eye twitched again. "You shouldn't kill her because it's wrong. It's wrong." He sighed when Mirella gave him a clear look that she did not care, and he moved around the bed (wincing a little). "You can't keep living like this. I thought you wanted to be a Curse Consultant?"

"But that's so much work," Mirella complained, enjoying the view of Kyler's ass. "And I have other things I want do very hard."

Kyler did not appreciate the innuendo. "Job, Mirella. Job." He went to the dresser for a scrunchie to put his hair in a ballerina bun.

Mirella huffily laid on her stomach to watch him. "But we did our jobs. We saved this country from destruction and then helped your little sister and her boy toy Devil. What's so bad about us having a little 'us' time?"

"The problem," Kyler muttered as he figured out what underwear he wanted, "is that it's not just 'us' anymore. We have Talia now. And Mammon and Nashi too. And"—his eyebrow twitched remembering Gary and that damned smile—"my sister's…boyfriend. We're a family now. And we live with humans. We have to fit in." Turquoise clashed with gold in the mirror. "Please? For me, Arezodi?"

Mirella gave him a baleful look. "Fine." She put her fine atop her hands to give Kyler a lazy perusal when he bent over. "It's hard for me to say, 'no' to you anyway when your ass is right there with my handprint."

Embarrassed beyond belief, Kyler shot up and scurried to the master bath to shut the door. After a moment, he opened it and reminded her, "And we're doing to Fantasia World today for Talia's spring holiday." The door shut. Five beats. It cracked open. "You can use the guest shower." And the door shut for good.

Mirella sighed and decided to get up. Taking off her robe, she admires the scores of scratch marks on her shoulders and back like they were battle wounds. "Just my luck to get such a freak in the sheets and a nun on the streets." Even so, she made sure the bathroom door was closed before a prism light flashed in her hands and showed two gold rings. When she shifted her cupped hands, inscriptions in Enochian and in Dark Tongue were in both.

Her eyes softened. You really don't know how much I want to steal you away from the world, Malã'iko.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

kazoekire nai hodo no omoi wo

itsu made mo okuri tsuzuke te kun da zutto zutto sen mo

•

kurikaeshi gokoro ni chikau yo

te wo nigiri zutto soba ni iru n da soshite kesshite hanasa nai yo

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Theme parks sparked joy, and Kyler was excited.

Dressed in bountiful colors with the tips of the roller coasters shown and the main attraction a giant golf ball, this park brought along great and small, old and young, people of all ages. Spring break had families and friends with their wristbands and gold passes lining up to gain entry for a day of laughter, screaming, fried food, and nighttime fireworks. One roller coaster was spiraling across the iconic Champion Tower from Pergrande. Another was a haunted hotel drop ride. The ferris wheel would be popular later tonight, but it looked like every seat was full.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

« This is Fantasia World, one of the most popular amusement parks in Bellum that has a lot of Magia influence. Known for its detail in its theming and its constant creativity with its attractions and shows, it's one of the best theme parks in the world. »

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

"We've made it!" Kyler looked bright and cheerful with his hair in a ponytail, and his shorts and printed short-sleeved button-down was helpful to his merry appearance. He looked all-too proud of himself seeing Fantasia World. "All the parents told me this was one of the best parks for a family."

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Fantasia World

Bergamot City

Bellum, Ishgar

10:47 AM CIT

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Combat boots stepped out. "Yeah. Because they wanted to add you to their family."

Mirella popped her gum and looked like a dark contrast in her signature black with her shades. She cut a woman eyeing Kyler a flash of sharp teeth (and reveled when the woman eeped and power walked away). "Ugh. It reeks of humans. Sweaty humans at that."

"Oh, come on, this looks fun!" Kyler enthused. He turned back to the SUV and held out a hand. "Right, my sweet pr'olprcht?"

Talia took her father's hand and looked like a gothic Lolita with a headdress and black ensemble. She looked around before blinking up at her father. "I like the screaming."

"Yes." Mammon stepped out in his bearish human form and looked like a widow. "I enjoy the screams. Is this where we can make humans scream?"

Mirella moaned. "I'd give anything for that. It's been so long since I have the opportunity." She swung her hand to bring out her large death scythe (and people walking by were either terrified or impressed). "Let's make them scream even louder—"

"No!" Kyler trampled down the idea as he picked up Talia. "No making humans scream."

Talia gifted her father those large eyes. "Not even a little bit, Daddy?"

Kyler tried hard to maintain his sternness, but it was difficult when those big turquoise eyes looked at him. She's so adorable!And so murderous! Gathering his wits, he gently said, "Not even a little, pr'olprcht. I'm sorry." He kissed her cheek before giving Mirella a look.

Mirella raised her hands in reluctant surrender and her death scythe burst back into harmless shadows. "Fine. No making humans scream." She fixed Talia's headdress and fluffed out her hair. "How is this an amusement park if we won't be amused?"

"Because you can be amused in other ways," Kyler insisted. "You always loved it at Granbell Kingdom, remember?"

Mirella patted his cheek. "I hated it there, but I only went because I liked seeing you happy, babe." Gold sparkled. "Seeing you happy… There's nothing I wanted more."

Kyler blushed, surprised at such an affection compliment—

Until Mirella continued: "And you promised me I could use the vibrator on your—"

Kyler shielded Talia and put a hand on her ear as he gave Mirella a frazzled look. "Don't such vulgar words in front of our daughter!" he hissed in a whisper. Shaking his head, he looked at the Fantasia World sign. "And this will be fun. We can be a normal family here." He kissed Talia's brow before offering Mirella an imploring look. "What do you say, Arezodi?"

"Put those eyes away, babe," Mirella good-naturedly growled before kissing his cheek. "We'll go in there and be a perfectly normal family who isn't murderous."

Kyler smiled and pecked Mirella's lips. "Thank you." Adjusting Talia, those turquoise eyes were aglow with cheer. "This will be the perfect day for us!"

And he never noticed the silent exchange between, Mammon, Talia, and Mirella.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Fairy Adventure 121

•

A Spring Holiday Side Story

Wilson Family Adventure

•

春休みサイドストーリー

ウィルソン家族の冒険

•

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The crowd had picked up and came in all cultures and languages. Bellish was automatically provided with Minstrish, Sinnish, and sign language available. Cast members smiled as they helped out their exuberant guests. Children ran around, gay and laughing, while parents and guardians had to manage their rugrats and make time for conversation. But most who had come with clusters of adolescents and upwards who were free from obligations for the spring holiday and wanted to spend their free time feeling an adrenaline rush.

"Okay!" Kyler held out the map of the park. "We have a long day ahead of us, but I think we can hit the main attractions and one of the performance shows if we plan for it." He gave a longing sigh. "If only Nashi was here too. It'd be such great bonding time with her!" As long as she leaves her Devil at home. He could imagine doting on Nashi only to seethe seeing Gary wait on her hand and foot.

Talia tilted her head. "What about your cousin?"

Kyler's smile froze. "Right. Carlisle…" His hands clutched the map. I wish…I could speak to him just once more… But he hasn't contacted me… He blinked when a hand was on his head.

Mirella understood his sadness. "Don't worry. He'll call when he's ready."

"I know," Kyler sighed. He shared a sweet kiss with her.

"Now." Mirella looked down at the map as she rubbed his back. "Where are we going first?"

Kyler straightened the map. "I was thinking we could go to Kidz World first," he decided. "Talia isn't tall enough to ride all the rides in the main park, but she can ride all the rides at Kidz World." He looked down at his daughter. "What do you say, Talia?" He frowned seeing Talia's gaze elsewhere. "Pr'olprcht?"

Talia blinked before smiling at him with her cuteness making a flowery aura. "That sounds great, Daddy!"

Kyler felt like he was going to have a stroke from her adorability. She's so precious! He took her hand, beaming. "Then let's go! Oh, you'll have so much fun and maybe you can make new friends!"

Mirella slanted a look at her daughter with a lifted chin. Talia only nodded before looking where she had been before. And black glitter swirled around her hand before it vanished.

°•°•°•°

Kidz World had its miniature adventures and rides, overrun with kids racing with their friends to get in line for the next ride. A boardwalk had easier children's games with Ochs am Berg ("Ox on the Mountain" or Red Light/Green Light), bean bag tosses, squirt guns, basketball free throws, and even hula hooping contests. The restaurants even had sections strictly for children with shorter booths and stools.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

« Kidz World was actually inspired by the original creators of Fantasia World thanks to their daughter who always wanted a playland just for kids! Kidz World has educational performances shows, its own water park, and a nighttime spectacular. It also has a section for nursing mothers and a Totz Land for babies and toddlers. »

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

"Doesn't this look fun?" Kyler cheered.

Talia took a look at the other children in the park with their bright clothes and smiles and giggles. "Are you sure I can't make them scream?"

Kyler wanted to crumble in defeat. Why did she have to inherit so much of Mirella? "No, my pr'olprcht," he deterred. "We'll have so much more fun laughing, right?" He blinked seeing Talia's gaze go elsewhere. "Are you okay?" he fretted.

"Yes." Talia tightened her grip on her father's hand. "I am, Daddy." She swung her gaze around the park and pointed at the children's drop tower. "I'd like to go there, Daddy."

"Of course!" The power of fatherhood shone off Kyler as he guided her forward.

Mirella and Mammon watched them before Mirella looked at Mammon. "I'll stay here." Golds narrowed. "Be careful."

Mammon nodded before he walked away.

Mirella sighed and watched Kyler eagerly chatter away with Talia. Today has to be perfect. I don't want to ruin this for him. She strode to watch up with them and hooked her hand in Kyler's free one. "So, where are we going?"

"Talia wants to do the drop tower first," Kyler relayed. "So we'll go there first. I was thinking we could do the bumper cars afterward."

"Sounds good to me," Mirella breezily agreed. An idea popped into her head and she snuggled against his arm to purr, "And maybe later, you and I could—"

"Oh, Talia, look, they're going to have a stunt show later on!"

A dreary aura hung around Mirella as she watched Kyler ignore her to turn his bright aura onto his daughter. She shakily lifted a finger. Y'know, I'm right here too…

The line had been strategically for children only, and Talia was none-too-impressed with how smug Mirella was in contrast to the cheery innocence of her father. "I don't know about this…"

Kyler crouched down to her height, worried. "Are you scared, pr'olprcht?"

"Not exactly." Talia gave a devious Mirella a look of quiet disdain. I'm more worried for your innocence above all else, leaving you with her.

Kyler frowned. "You don't have to ride it if you don't want to. I just wanted you to experience something fun for the day."

Talia blinked at her downcast father. He's gone through all this trouble. I don't like seeing him sad. He looks much better happy. She smiled at him. "I want to ride it, Daddy! Don't worry!"

"Really?" Kyler's eyes humorously clouded with tears. "I'll have to take a video of this to send to your auntie Nashi. You're very first roller coaster ride. This is such a red-letter day!"

Talia's true smile might have been smaller, but she could not help it. He's smiling again. Her eyes lowered, sparkling. I'm…glad.

"And don't worry, Talia." Mirella sunk down to possessively place a hand on Kyler's chest with a smirk. "I'll take good care of Daddy until you're finished with your ride, okay?"

Lightning crackled between mother and daughter.

Kyler remained oblivious as he nudged Talia in the direction of the line. "Go on now! I want to capture this every moment!"

Mirella's smirk twitched. "Oh, come on, we don't have to capture every moment—" She froze when Kyler cut her a chilling look. "Um. Baby?"

"If you dare stop me from capturing every adorable moment with our daughter, you can sleep on the couch"—turquoise glowed with malicious intent—"for the entire week."

And that threat disarmed Mirella and made her pitifully sulk while Kyler turned his beam back to his daughter. "Go on now! We'll be waiting at the exit for you."

"Okay, Daddy." Talia went with the flow to get in line. The yaps and chattering of the children irked her as glitter crackled around her hands. So noisy. I should silence them. But she let go of her power. I can't. It wouldn't make Kyler happy if I did that. She touched her heart. So this is what it's like to have a father. I quite like this sensation. He's very kind. Even if I worry about him being around Mirella and her lust.

Mirella sneezed.

Turquoise glinted in contemplation. I want to make him smile more. If I can make him happy, will I keep feeling this sensation? This…'love'? Her hand lowered. Would he still love me if he knew all the damage I've done under Lynn?

Orange and yellow glitter whirled around her hands. I… I would like him to still love me. I don't know what to do if he stops smiling at me anymore. Her lips tugged into a small frown. This is what is called 'fear'. I don't like this feeling. But I'm—hints of red showed in her glitter—afraid.

"Ew, did you actually dress like that?"

Talia looked up and noticed a group of girls looking at her in judgment with their pastels and colored nails. Are these humans speaking to me? She looked elsewhere. How annoying.

One girl crossed her arm and remarked in Bellish, "You look like a freak. Who wears black anyway? Are you, like, going to a funeral or something?"

"Yes." Bloodlust brightened in turquoise. "Want three guesses who?"

The girl looked a little alarmed at that, but with her friends behind her, she garnered enough strength to rebuke, "You're not that funny."

"I wasn't trying to be." Talia stepped forward and the group of girls stepped back. "How would you like to die? By poison? Disease?" Her hand lifted and her glittered produced a dagger. "I don't have a preference."

The girls shrilly screamed and one girl called for their mother as they ducked out of line and ran away.

Talia dismissed her dagger back into glitter. How annoying. Their screams weren't even amusing. Humans are such fickle creatures.

"H-H-Hey."

Talia turned her head to examine a lanky boy with a Super Rangers shirt. His mop of hair spilled over to curl over his left eye, leaving his bright gold eye exposed. She tilted her head. "Yes?"

"U-Um." The little boy shuffled. "Th-That was my sister."

"Oh." They have the same familial essence. Is he trying to avenge her? Either way, it did not bother her. "If you're seeking retribution, then I suppose it can't be helped." She gave pause. I was supposed to be speaking like a human child.

"Huh? O-Oh, no, that's not it." The boy shuffled his feet. "She's pretty mean and so are all her friends. They're all bullies, by my mom and dad said she's just confident." His lips pursed. "But she's just mean. Thanks for standing up to her."

Talia was unfazed. "I didn't. I meant every word I said. Your thanks isn't necessary."

"Well, um… Okay then." He scratched his cheek. "I think it's pretty cool that you like black." He cleared his throat and held out a hand. "I'm Jonas."

⌜CASSIA-MONTESSORI-GRUNDSCHULE

Name: Jonas Webber

Age: 8

Occupation: Year 3 Student

Likes: Super Rangers Dislikes: his eyes

Special Note: Jonas might not be his parents' favorite, but he's one of the friendliest students as a student ambassador! ⌟

Talia put her hand in his. "Talia."

"S-So, um…" A flush crept up Jonas' neck. "Do you want to ride the tower together?"

Talia blinked. Right. This is a human child ritual. She remembered at her school having to manage all the offers of play and friendship. It's annoying listening to it every day. But this one…doesn't annoy me as much. "Okay."

"O-Okay." Jonas blushed harder. "Cool."

°•°•°•°

"Look, Arezodi, she's next in line!"

Mirella kept her arms cross, still sulking, while Kyler had his Compact ready to record. "Yeah. I see." I'd touch him, but…

Kyler's threat came back. "You can sleep on the couch for the entire week."

She further sulked. I don't think I can survive sleeping on the couch.

"I was thinking about something. We should put an official birthday down for Talia so we can celebrate it."

Golds widened.

Kyler continued, "When I enrolled Talia into school, I was able to establish Talia's age without her needing a birth certificate since I wanted us to create a birthday for her together. Talia said she wasn't concerned with birthdays, but everyone should celebrate the anniversary of their birth."

Mirella blinked. A birthday, huh? She smiled to herself. He really never changes, does he?

• — • — • — •

"A 'birthday'?"

Their newest home was a comfortable cottage furnished with furs and scales of magical creatures from all her hunting and foraging. But she could not help being confused as they sat on opposite ends of the table for their candlelit dinner.

"Yes. A birthday," Kyler repeated as he picked up his mug. "It's an annual celebration around the day of your birth."

"Why?"

"'Why'?" Kyler echoed. "Well…" He scratched his cheek with a finger, blushing. "I'm not too sure about the concept. I recently learned about birthdays speaking to the locals. I suppose it's a tradition to celebrate your birth."

She dismissed it as she took a bite of food. "Hm."

"But… It does sound entertaining."

She was taken aback by the soft glow in his eyes.

"To be born—to exist—it's such a sacred ritual," Kyler murmured. "The start of life is so precious and beautiful. And in every moment, you grow and change in the life you started. And to celebrate that day when your journey in this life started… It sounds wonderful and poetic."

'Wonderful'? She looked down at her nearly empty plate. "I don't see how such a waste of time is wonderful," she disregarded. "Not when my existence in this life has brought nothing but blood." She looked at her scarred hand with its callouses. "The start of my life created unspeakable Hell for my mother. And to celebrate that would mean I am celebrating her succumbing to a life of suffering and her suicide."

Her breath stutter-stepped when a gentle hand clasped with her rough one. She looked up to catch affection on Kyler's face. 'Kyler…'

"It was never you who condemned your mother, Mirella," Kyler delicately put. "It was Bael who drove her to such lengths. But I'm certain from all her suffering… You were her ray of light in the darkness. And if it's okay with you, I'd like to celebrate your birth as my gratitude to her."

She echoed, "'Gratitude'?"

"Yes. Because I'm thankful to her for giving birth to you." Red dusted Kyler's cheeks as he tightened his hold on her hand. "Your life is precious and full of so many possibilities. And I'm thankful to your mother that I could watch you shine in this life. Every moment with you has been a new adventure. And I can't wait to see what you'll do next. So, please. If it's okay, could we celebrate it?"

She opened her mouth before looking down at their joined hands. 'Kyler…' "Okay." A half-smile could not be helped when she saw his eyes light up. "We'll celebrate a 'birthday' together then."

• — • — • — •

The memory felt so dear to her heart. I never even knew my birthday. Bael wasn't exactly a model father. And my mother never celebrated it either. Such foolish concepts. To celebrate the beginnings of your existence. I thought it was such a childish thing to do. But… How could I say, 'no' when he looked so happy?

A darker thought wormed into her mind. And because of me, he spent so many of his birthdays alone. I should've been there, thanking his parents for gifting me this Angel of a man. And instead, I…

"Mirella?"

She blinked up to catch the concern written on Kyler's face. Well. I can't think about that now. She fingered her jacket pocket. I want this day to be perfect. She reached up and surprised him with a searing kiss.

Kyler quickly pulled away and covered his mouth, looking like he would explode with all the red caked onto his face. "Wh-Wh-What was that for?"

"Nothing." Mirella hugged him. "You're just too adorable. I wish I could kidnap you."

Kyler said dryly, "You did that before." But he paused when Mirella tightened her hold on him. "Are you sure everything's okay?"

"Yeah." Mirella looked up at this man, beautiful in body, mind, heart, and soul, and felt her heart flutter. "Everything's perfect."

Kyler smiled. "I…" His smile turned twitchy. "Arezodi?"

"Hmm?"

Kyler grappled Mirella's hand when it snaked under his shirt. "We are in a public place."

"And?" Mirella smirked up at him and purred, "That hasn't stopped me before. And I never saw you complain."

Embarrassment flared up and Kyler pushed away from her, coughing into a fist. "We should resist such frivolity in public. Please restrain yourself." But his words were all for naught when Mirella hugged him from behind. "A-A-Arezodi—!"

"What?" Mirella simpered with her chin on Kyler's shoulder and held him tighter. "A hug should be innocent enough, right?"

"W-Well." Kyler cleared his throat and focused his Compact on the ride with his ears burning. "I-I suppose if it's just hugging…"

Mirella hummed her amusement. He really is too cute for his own good. She gave vicious glares towards swooning mothers, who quickly sweated and looked away. And too cute for my sanity.

Kyler's eyebrow twitched. I can feel her scaring away people. He sighed and ended up smiling to himself. But…I guess I can let it go for now. His chest felt all warm inside. I'm just happy enough we all can spend the day together. A thought occurred. Wait a minute. He looked around. "Where's Mammon?" Horror filled him. "Did we just lose a Daemon?"

Mirella sweated. Shit. He's going to panic. She pointed. "Look, babe, it's Talia!"

"Where?" Kyler beamed seeing Talia get on the ride. "That's our little girl!" But all his cheer broke for confusion when he saw an unknown boy holding her hand. Wait… Who is that next to her? And why are they holding hands? He clutched his Compact seeing the boy flush as he sat next to Talia. And why is he blushing? "Mirella?"

"Yeah?"

"A random boy is blushing near Talia," Kyler reported, hollow.

"What?" Mirella narrowed her eyes to see the boy and Talia holding hands as they were checked to be strapped in. "So there is." A pang hit her. Wait, is this a crush? If Kyler freaks out that Nashi has a boyfriend, then he's going to be…

SNIFF!

Mirella gawked seeing Kyler's eyes water with the power of proud fatherhood sparkling around him. …completely okay with it?!

"I'm witnessing my daughter's first admirer," Kyler rasped. "This is the best day ever."

Mirella sweatdropped. "You do realize Nashi has a boyfriend and you're still not accepting it, right?"

"That Devil is full of carnal lust and doesn't deserve to look at my sweet little sister in wings!" Kyler argued. "He'll corrupt her! And she's so young and innocent!"

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

And in the Caracole Islands…

Warning

Explicit Content Ahead

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

"Oh g-god, yes!"

Steam puffed from Nashi as she dug her nails into his shoulders. Her back scraped against the master suite bathroom wall and each hard thrust made her aching breasts pounce, but she mewled for more.

"M-Master, ah…!"

Gary groaned in her ear as he held her taught, the feeling of her contracting around his cock too much to bear. "Angel feels so good," he moaned before giving a biting kiss on her throat. Frost huffed from him as he placed more chilling kisses alongside her neck. "Angel's going to make me cum."

"Please," Nashi begged of him. "Nnngh, M-Master, please, I… I…!"

Gary snarled against her throat, frantic to match his release with hers. "Not yet, Angel—Ha!" His stomach shuttered when she flexed her hips and icy-blue rimmed ceruleans. "So Angel wants to play? I guess Master has to indulge her."

Nashi trembled when Gary stopped and clawed at his back. "No, pl-please, d-don't stop—!"

THURST!

"Mast—ah…!"

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Back to Bellum

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Mirella sweatdropped again. I think he's giving Gary too much credit. She shook her head, sighing. "Don't read into this too much. I mean, they just met. For all we know, it could be harmless and they'll never see each other again and—"

"We should invite him over!"

Mirella felt a headache coming on as Kyler enthusiastically raved about getting to know this unknown boy and his family. Well, he's certainly excitable today. And it's all focused on our daughter. She sighed, a little put out. I guess it's natural. He's always been so caring. She looked up at the sky. I just hope Mammon can take care of everything before tonight.

°•°•°•°

Mammon had never been around so many humans. Alive, anyway.

He shouldered through the crowds without a lick of remorse and turned a deaf ear towards complaints of his rudeness. Their primitive chatter never disturbed me before. Being free from Bael… I now understand his annoyance.

"Bitch, oh my god, he's totally a daddy!" some young woman whispered loudly to her friend. "Look at his ass!"

Mammon would feel his tail switching. And they continue to think I am some sort of sire. Daemon can't produce spawns. They really are a primitive race. It makes sense Bael took a few for his collection. He blinked as he looked upwards. Strange. My existence was to serve him. And now…I serve myself.

A flash of Kyler, Mirella, and Talia came before him from this morning as he witnessed Kyler choke on his food when Mirella touched his thigh and smirked at an agitated Talia.

Mammon's hand clenched. And…I serve them as well. How strange, this 'freedom'. A familiar feeling crossed him and darkened his features. But I will no longer have this freedom if I don't care for this problem immediately.

The farther he walked, the less he swam upstream from a river of park-goers. Fewer attractions were this way and more and more signs for construction popped up on large, slated fences. Soon enough, he departed from the crowd entirely to stop on the one-way street of the park. A medieval attraction was under construction and would be projected to debut this July. But Mammon's gaze sharpened to reveal a pulse of shadowed energy.

We were fortunate Bael's long-time enemy Vehuiah aided. But that does not mean his energy dissolved. It scattered and is taking form again to make his Shadow. He could feel his tail lash. This is inconvenient for my freedom.

LUB-DUB.

His gaze dropped to see a lone woman standing for the construction fence with a white can in her hand. A human? No… His gaze sharpened again to show a thin aura of golden-orange surrounding her body. She is a human, but the power she gives off…

He was quiet in his approach to the woman until he was standing beside her. He took the time to profile her. The walking stick looked normal enough and so did her attire paired with her burnt brown skin. Her headscarf was kept up in an intricate updo, and tinted gray sunglasses sat on her face.

She is a blind human, Mammon concluded. But this power…

"You sense it too?"

Mammon blinked down at the woman before looking at the construction site. "Yes." The language she used…

"Good." She adjusted her sunglasses. "I'm going in." She swept her cane before her to find the first barrier of the chain-link fence.

Mammon went forward to stop her. "Wait—" But he held pause when the woman perfectly got over the chain-link fence. Her white cane went over the wooden construction fence before she vaulted herself across. He looked at his hand. What was I…?

"Come on."

Mammon saw her hand beckoning him.

"Unless you're not coming." Her hand made a passive gesture. "Then it's whatever. I'll go it alone."

Is she…mocking me? Mammon phased through the chain link and the construction fence to cross onto the other side. The medieval attraction had built up a castle with spiral towers and the tracks were coming along nicely. But he focused on the woman as she moved for the cautionary entrance and easily sped to catch up to her.

Her lips twitched. "I take it you're coming?"

"You shouldn't be here," Mammon warned, bland.

She tilted her head towards him. "Why? Because I'm a woman or because I'm blind?"

"Your gender has nothing to do with this," Mammon negated.

"Ah. so because I'm blind." She simpered behind a hand. "Whatever. Unlike what people think about being blind, I can still see. The world just doesn't look the same as you sighted. I'll be fine."

Mammon could feel his tail lash again. Her defiance is agitating. Bael discarded his defective spawn. But mortals seem to keep them. He turned his attention away from her. Her demise is her own doing. It matters little to me.

The queue line wove through the medieval castle. Decorations would come later, but the foundation had been set and now would come the first layers and trimmings. The concrete floors were almost finished, but dirt, dust, and debris poisoned the air. Light filtered in from the open windows, but it was not like Mammon needed it. But his skin prickled the further they went through this maze of a castle.

Bael's energy converges below us. He stopped and looked down at the floor. I could phase through—

"Aren't you coming?"

Mammon saw the woman had questioned this over her shoulder as she continued to walk with her probing stick. "You should leave, human woman," he put it bluntly.

"My name is Aditya, not 'human woman'," Aditya called. "And I'll be fine. If you're leaving, though, then that's up to you."

Mammon glanced at the floor.

Aditya inched up an eyebrow when Mammon sped back to her side. "I thought you were going to leave me to do this alone. Or should I be grateful you're taking pity on a blind person?"

"I don't pity you," Mammon said. "If you choose to proceed at your own peril, it makes no difference to me."

She tittered. "Whatever. Thanks, I guess."

He flicked her a look. "I do not understand how you are alive."

"You don't understand how I was born?" Aditya reiterated, amused. "How old are you?"

He ignored that part and said instead, "You are a defective human. Why did you dame and sire allow you to reach maturity if you cannot function at normal capacity? Did they not receive aid to correct for defection?"

Aditya slowed to a stop as she clutched her probing stick.

Mammon stopped, curious for her answer.

"I might not be sighted like you, but I'm perfectly happy about the way I am," Aditya told him coolly. "I've never once considered myself 'defective'. And I don't have to answer you. We don't have to work together if you think I'm so 'defective'." She continued on with her cane.

It took Mammon a handful of moments until he sped to catch up with her and held his quiet. Her pheromones state her hostility toward me. "I have…offended you."

Aditya grunted, "Whatever."

Mammon could feel his tail twitch, the tips bobbing side to side. Her hostility… It is most agitating. "So you are content being defective?"

"Are you happy being a dick?" Aditya retorted.

Mammon blinked. "No one has called me male genitalia before."

Aditya huffed. "Whatever."

'Whatever'. His tail lashed again. This response sounds…unpleasant. "You did not answer my question."

"Because that was a ridiculous question," Aditya growled at him. "Are you this much of a charmer with all the ladies?"

"I am unsure," Mammon responded, honest. "Most human women speak to me about their trivial affairs and enjoy touching my person." A pinprick of disgruntlement needled him. "It is bothersome. But I'm told I am not allowed to kill them."

Aditya tilted her head in his direction before she burst into laughter.

Question marks flew around Mammon. What did I say to warrant this reaction?

Aditya sighed out her mirth. "You aren't from around here, are you?"

Mammon thought about this. Kyler said I cannot reveal my origins to life forms here. "I am from around here."

"Sure." Aditya gave him a pearly grin. "Whatever."

Mammon cocked his head. This 'whatever' sounded…pleasant. He ignored that he could feel his tail drunkenly sway and let a mollified silence embrace him and Aditya. But as much as he was used to silence, something felt off. This is…strange to me. This quiet doesn't feel right.

"You're not a big talker, are you?"

Mammon glanced down at her. "A 'talker'?"

"Conversationalist," Aditya amended.

"I can have conversations," Mammon replied. "But I have been given the freedom to not entertain conversation."

Aditya frowned. "'Freedom'?"

"Yes." Mammon nodded and looked ahead. "I have been given freedom."

"Wait." Aditya paused in her tracks. "Were you a…?" She shook her head. "Whatever." And she continued walking.

Mammon blinked. What was she trying to say? But his curiosity was shrugged off as he kept even pace with her.

The source of the prickling presence made them wind through the work-in-progress medieval castle. Instead of going to the docking bay, the pair of them ended up going a back route that would be used by employees in the future. More cautionary tape and mesh fencing sectioned-off areas. Mammon phased through what he could, but he paused and silently cut through what Aditya would need to walk through.

It was not until Mammon saw a glowing exit sign that he felt a hand on his arm. He stopped with Aditya.

"You can feel that, can't you?" Aditya murmured. "That dread…"

"Yes." Mammon's eyes narrowed. Remnants of Bael's energy have been gathered into a Shadow. How bothersome. His hand fisted. I will not relinquish my freedom. It took him an easy two seconds to adjust to his natural Daemon Form. "You should head back the way you came."

"I'm where I need to be." No condescension touched her words. "Don't get in my way, okay?"

Mammon slighted her a look with his tail twitching. She thinks she's a match to face a Demon's Shadow. An arrogant notion. "Hmph." He looked at the glowing exit sign shrouded in swirling darkness. "As you wish, human woman."

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Fairy Adventure

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

"Aw, they're becoming such fast friends!"

Kyler could not be a better proud papa as he watched Talia and Jonas play the boardwalk games. When the game's master had his back turned, Talia used her glitter to solidify her win in the bean bag toss. But she passed the large teddy bear to Jonas, who blushingly took it and followed after her like a puppy.

Kyler could not stop capturing every moment and cooed, "My pr'olprcht is getting along with him so nicely! This is so adorable!"

Mirella snorted as she watched Talia listened to Jonas' request and approached another game. More like she sees the kid is gullible and submissive. But I guess she got that from me.

SNIFF!

Mirella gawked seeing Kyler use his handkerchief to rub away his tears. And now he's crying tears of joy with this? She ruffled her hair. Ha… I'm in love with such a sensitive man. "I don't understand why you're so excited. Talia sees humans all the time at her school."

"Yes, but not like this," Kyler remarked, smiling when Talia won a basketball game using her powers. The game's master looked like he was scolding her, but he changed tune quickly when Talia made a dagger. He sweated through his shaky smile to offer her a pick of the prizes. "I know it's been difficult for her to make friends. I suppose…we have that in common."

Mirella's brow knitted together. "What do you mean? You were one of the friendliest on any realm." Dark thoughts crossed her remembering an innocent Kyler oblivious when it came to the women surrounding him and their intentions. Too friendly…

"Yes, but those friendships were superficial," Kyler said softly. "Having a deep friendship with others… That's not easy when your lifespan and aging are different." Turquoise held tender love for his daughter as Talia walked along the boardwalk with Jonas happily following her with all the prizes. "The concept of aging and time bears differently on our bodies than mortals. We can last eons looking the same while mentally growing, but the friends we make can't do the same."

Mirella understood. Talia's mind is overdeveloped for the age of her body. She should age around the same as humans until she reaches peak bodily maturity. She'll eventually age slower and slower until everything she knew…is gone.

She observed Kyler. I was never that attached to people. I had Kyler, but he was the first person I had feelings for and would've killed for. But for him…

She could imagine a small Kyler with his wings and bodies all around him. How many times did he have to witness the people he care for die around him? How many times was his heart was broken being left alone? Her own heart ached for him. And even after all that, he's still this kind and warm. She fingered her pocket again. I just want to make sure he doesn't experience heartbreak again.

"Daddy?"

Kyler beamed as Talia and a shy Jonas came over. "What is it, pr'olprcht?" He lightened his smile for Jonas and greeted in Bellish, "Hello, little one."

Jonas instantly relaxed. "Hello."

"We would like to keep playing games," Talia requested of her father. "These game's masters are ignorant and con artists. I would like to"—she showed her red and black glitter with bloodlust burning in her eyes—"put them in their rightful place."

"Of course, my little pr'olprcht!" A flowery aura projected off Kyler. "Whatever you want!" It's so nice she's engaging and making friends and even has an admirer! How adorable!

Heeled footsteps came over. "So you're the parents to this…sweet little thing?"

Kyler looked to see a woman hovering nearby with a hand on her cheek and a gracious smile. Her four-pointed star pupils stood out against her orange eyes and considering this was a place of public, her attire certainly gave an impression.

But Kyler was too super-charged with his fatherhood aura as he stood up. "Yes! I'm Talia's father, Kyler." He held out a hand. "It's nice to meet you…?"

"Estelle," she rasped as she nimbly shook his hand, an arm underneath her breasts. "I'm Jonas' mother. It's a"—her smile brightened slipping a once-over on him—"pleasure to meet you."

⌜CASSIA CITY

Name: Estelle Webber

Age: 31

Occupation: Secretary

Likes: Younger men Dislikes: Tobacco

Special Note: Estelle might be married, but she's certainly a man-eater! ⌟

Jonas asked his mother, "Mom, can I stay with Talia?"

"Of course, sweetie. Your father is taking your sister and her friends to the big kids' rides," Estelle informed her son. Her smile towards him was strained, but when she flipped that smile back to Kyler, it held all sorts of promises. "But I'm sure we'll find a good ride. Don't you think, Kyler?"

Kyler enthusiastically nodded. "Of course! And I'd love to get to know Jonas' parents."

Mirella cut in with a sharp smile at Estelle. "And so would I." She held out her hand. "I'm Talia's mother, Mirella."

"Goodness, where are my manners?" Estelle shook Mirella's hand. "Thanks for letting my Jonas hang out with Talia. You have such a sweet little girl." Her eyes strayed to Kyler, wicked. "I'm sure she gets that from her daddy."

Glass cracked in Mirella's mind as her smile cracked into a jagged smirk. This little bitch…

"Oh, thank you!"

A dreary aura agitated Mirella seeing Kyler's beam. Of course that went over his head. I'm in love with a puritan. She met Talia's eyes and they both nodded.

We need to get him away from this snake.

Talia tugged at Kyler's hand. "Daddy, can we go now?"

"Whatever you want," Kyler cooed, taking her hand. "Jonas, Talia, where you would both like to—? O-Oh, oh, we're going then." He stumbled when Talia used her natural strength to tug him along with Jonas making sure to stick close.

Estelle licked her lips as she watched Kyler. "You have a good man there. But no ring on his finger."

That irked Mirella, but she snarked, "But I see you have yours on."

"Yes." Estelle sighed as she admired her wedding ring. "I guess I do. But then again"—her sly smile came back—"my husband doesn't mind if I have a need to meet younger, single men."

"He's not single," Mirella bit.

Estelle feigned surprise. "Really? Well I don't see a ring on his finger. And you don't even call each other 'husband' and 'wife', so I just assumed you're both unmarried. Is that not true?"

Lightning clashed in Mirella's head as her demonic powers swirled around her fists. This snake…

"We better catch up with them," Estelle suggested with a clap of her hands and a beam. But her eyes told a different story. "I want to learn everything about Talia's very single daddy."

Mirella seethed when Estelle traipsed away (on an unrelated note, a game's master freaked when all his goldfish in their baggies up and died, and the children started sobbing) and growled, "The Hell does she get off? Does she have any idea who I am?" I should kill the bitch where she stands. But then Kyler would complain.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

How Kyler Would React

Warning

Mature Content Ahead

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

"What have you done!"

In this fantasy, Kyler's beauty was enhanced with a loose toga on his person as he dramatically rested his hand on the back of his head. "Arezodi! How could you? How could you kill such an innocent soul?"

A bed was magically there and he draped himself on it. "I can't forgive you!" he lamented. "I'm never giving my body to you again!" A steamy blush blossomed on his cheeks as his toga exposed his chest. "You'll never taste me again, Arezodi. You deserve to be punished for this."

He sucked on two fingers before he dragged down them from his lips to his legs. "That's why I'll make you watch me and you won't get to touch me." When his fingers hit purchase, he threw back his head with a moan. "M-Mirella…"

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Wow ~

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Steam puffed from Mirella's nose as she speared Kyler with a lustful look. Maybe killing her is worth that sort of torture.

(Kyler shivered, disturbed. I can feel significant lust aimed towards me.)

Mirella sighed and followed after the group, grumpy how easily Kyler fell for Estelle's friendly neighbor charm without noticing her innuendos. No, he'd probably kick me back to the couch. She could not hold back her childish pout. And I'd get to miss all those opportunities to play with him. But how could she not smile at her handsome Enoch. Well, I guess that means I should get my act together.

Golds darkened as her eyes cut to the sky. And Mammon better hurry up. The fact that he's taking this long somehow makes me nervous.

°•°•°•°

The darkness was not something to deter Mammon nor Aditya.

It was obvious the barrage of shadows they slipped into was unnatural. No light outside the glazed exit sign was left. A normal human would not have been able to see one centimeter in front of them and would have walked with no confidence in their gait. But Mammon nor Aditya stutter-stepped as they made their way closer to the exit sign.

Mammon readied his ax in one hand. I can feel Bael's signature. Another of his energy had reformed. His lips curled. We have entered into a part of disjointed part of the labyrinth. And Bael's Shadow is the culprit. We should be running into his Familiars. But I see he still aims to toy with us.

Regardless of the dark, he could see Aditya as clear as day in this vast nothingness. This human woman does not cower. Most would start to feel the madness. He could see the gold-orange aura pulsing around her. Yet this power protects her.

"Hold up."

Mammon blinked his surprise when her hand touched his stomach to stop him.

Aditya whispered, "We've got incoming."

Mammon felt them before he saw them. No eyes pierced the darkness, but his vision sharpened to see their horns and tails and claws as they slithered out to hound them. Mammon twirled his ax and said to Aditya, "You told me not to get in your way. Then you are not to get into mine." And he pounced.

Familiars stood no chance against a Daemon. Their useless tricks and baiting ended up being their downfall when Mammon cut them down with his ax. Their squeals into their demise did not sound sweet to him, but his ears twitched. Annoying. Their shrieks into their death annoyed him. A routine nothingness filled him as he stomped and smashed every familiar that dared try to take him down.

How annoying. Mammon killed another Familiar. A Familiar cannot match a Daemon. This is a meaningless assault. They must be here to attack the human woman. He slaughtered two more Familiars—

"My traitorous servant."

Six treacherous gold eyes gleamed through the unnatural darkness.

Mammon tensed, clutching his ax. Bael's Shadow. He summoned another ax and could feel his wings flex and his tail lash. "It took you longer to form a Shadow, Bael. Vehuiah has surely placed you back in your labyrinth."

Bael's Shadow hissed, slinking around. "That Agent will die by my hand. As will you. My most faithful Daemon turned traitor for the sake of my daughter's pussy. How amusing when you can't even breed."

That did not bother Mammon as he swung his axes at the Shadow.

Bael's Shadow sneered as it let the axes pass through him. "Is Mirella's cunt that addicting that you would betray me? Or have you sucked her pet Enoch's dick instead?"

"Always vulgar, My Lord." Mammon merged his axes into one large ax his power thundered around him. "Forgive my own vulgarity, but have you made another phantom of Hemera to keep you preoccupied in your labyrinth?"

Bael's Shadow snarled. "Don't piss me off, Daemon. I am offering you a chance at His table."

"Then allow me to give you my answer, My Lord." Mammon reared his ax back and channeled the darkness within. "I have been given my freedom. And I will not"—he swung his ax—"give it back."

The six eyes narrowed. "'Freedom'?"

Mammon waited for his axe to find purchase—

LUB-DUB.

Feeling your power suddenly sap from your body felt like the most painful five second of your entire existence.

Mammon grunted when his legs gave out. The power that headed his command struggled to keep a latch onto him. He could feel it being forcibly ripped from him, but his mouth made no more noises of pain even as his body shook. My…power…

Bael's Shadow laughed as all six eyes landed on Mammon. "What 'freedom' does a Daemon like you have?" he goaded. "You were designed to serve me. You have no freedom outside of obeying my every command. You think that hybrid monster actually freed you? Don't make me laugh. I – own – you."

Mammon gritted his teeth when he could feel Bael's reach disease him. He could feel that overwhelming darkness try and consume every last part of him until he was nothing left other than a hollow shell. No… I…will not give up my freedom. But the chant fed into a new bout of agony, like claws tore apart his insides. Not when I…have found what I want to use my freedom for.

He could recount Mirella teasing a red-faced Kyler only for him to shyly cave. He could see Talia quietly snacking and taking the time to enjoy the meal he made for her. He could see all of them on the back porch to survey their city—their home.

Bael's Shadow cackled as he swarmed Mammon into a tornado of his prowess. "You think you, a Daemon, could have a home? A family? You were created for the purpose to serve me!"

The ground cracked underneath the raw force Bael's Shadow forced down on Mammon.

"I gave you purpose!" Bael's Shadow roared. "I gave you a seat at His table! I gave you power and freedom! So stop fucking around and show some loyalty to your master!"

Black blood trickled from Mammon's mouth. He could feel his spine try to rip from his back and every hair felt like it was on fire. Darkness blinded his eyes and yanked him back as he could feel Bael's essence start to worm its way into his body and take control. No… I cannot…allow this. My…freedom… But even try as hard as he might, the fact was there.

A Daemon could never compare to a Demon.

A deep frown. "You should've listened to me."

GONG!

Mammon had enough energy to slightly turn his head—

Aditya had been emblazoned with her golden orange glow as a glowing seal of the same color blossomed behind her made of a wheel—as though the sun was cresting behind her. Her probing stick had churned into a wooden wand with glowing orange glyphs painting up its entirety. Her headscarf loosened as the weight of her power flared up in its own tornado and showed hair that shined like the sun.

Her gray sunglasses were taken off. But when she opened her eyes, it was like the red sun had stolen her irises. "I told you"—she pointed her wand with her free hand converged into a mudra of her thumb pressing down on her forefinger—"don't get in my way."

Bael's Shadow cringed back from the brightness of her light, but his vile anger raged into a hot seethe. "You little bitch," he spat. "Do you even know who I am?"

"You are nothing more than a Demon's Shadow," Aditya shot back. "And now even a Demon's Shadow can withstand this!" She chanted with a chorus of voices alongside her, "Om Bhaskaray Vidmahe Martanday Dheemahi Tanah Surya Prachodayat!"

Mammon saw the crest of the sun burn on her chest for a fraction of a second before—

GONG!

Bael's Shadow screeched when the burst of heat and light overwhelmed the fragments of his power. The Familiars that had been sidelined screamed as they dissipated into a smoke that Bael's Shadow absorbed. But not even the Shadow could maintain a form in such intensity. Those squinting six eyes burned with warranted hatred.

"More will come after me," Bael's Shadow snarled as he fizzled and smoked in the intensity of her light. "And not even your cute trick will be enough to stop Him, bitch." Those eyes swung to Mammon like they were convicting a death sentence. "I'll see you soon, Daemon." With his final words said, Bael's Shadow dispersed and scurried back into the natural shadows.

Mammon silently gasped when he felt his power smack back into him, forcing his muscles to tense on instinct before relaxing.

Aditya made sure Bael's Shadow would not return before her headscarf covered her hair up while her seal and crest dismissed themselves. With a long sigh, she closed her eyes and slipped back on her sunglasses with her staff resorting back to her probing stick. Natural light crawled into the under-construction ride to show the pair of them were close to the exit sign with concrete floors and drywall.

Mammon panted when he heard a stick skitter closer and some footsteps.

"Hey, you."

Mammon turned his head to look up only for Aditya's hand to be in his face.

Her lips twitched upwards. "Want to get out of here?"

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

And then…

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

How did I get here?

Back in his human form, Mammon sat one of the round tables of the boardwalk with little emotion on his face as he watched Aditya chomp down on her assortment of fried foods with no remorse for her appetite or manners. "You eat much for a human."

"I'm told I eat a lot more from being a woman than human." She pointed a fry at him. "You're not going to eat?"

"I do not need to eat. And also…" Mammon eyed the fried foods. "I find the scent of this food offensive."

Aditya shrugged and popped in a fry. "Whatever."

This 'whatever' again. Mammon ignored it for now and focused on Aditya with hints of curiosity. She managed to scatter Bael's Shadow so his power was forced to retreat. It will take some time until he has enough power to reform a Shadow. But that power she used…

"So you knew that guy then?" Aditya slurped on her milkshake for a moment before adding, "I mean that Demon's Shadow. You knew it?"

Mammon played with his options. Kyler advised me I am not to share my origins as humans don't take kindly to demonic lore. He remembered how panicked and beseeching the Enoch had been in rehearsing lines to feed curious humans. However… "I was his Daemon. Now I am not."

"A 'Daemon'," Aditya repeated like the word fascinated her.

Mammon nodded. "I was created for the sole purpose to serve my Demon. And now, I do not." But it's troubling that he had this much power over me to take back my freedom. Had I been within his labyrinth, I know I would no longer have this freedom. We are fortunate to face his Shadow.

"I see." Aditya slowed in her eating. "I'm sorry."

Mammon cocked his head. "Why do you apologize?"

"I mean…" Aditya struggled for a moment before sighing. "Well, you mentioned that you finally had freedom. I'm guessing that Demon you were under basically stole all your freedom and made you his slave instead of a respected servant. That must've been hard on you."

Mammon's frown deepened. Why does she needlessly apologize? Daemons are not created to feel. He could feel his tail twitched. Humans are truly sensitive creatures. He told her—

She reached her hand across to place it on top of Mammon's own. "I'm sorry."

The contact made Mammon give pause. His gaze flashed down to her hand covering her own. What is this? Why does she apologize when she never was at fault? This is unnecessary. And yet… His stare went back to her gray monochrome sunglasses. She is genuine in her apology for my serving of Bael. She is…strange.

"I am unsure what to say," Mammon ended up saying. "Your apology is unnecessary."

Something shifted in Aditya. "Whatever." And she took her hand away—

Now she gave pause when Mammon caught her fingers with his own.

"But I think I am to say, 'thank you'," Mammon guessed. "I have learned when humans offer condolences, the appropriate response is gratitude for their sympathy. So…thank you."

Aditya's lips twitched into a smile. "Sure. It's whatever." She nodded to their hands. "You can let my hand go."

"Ah…" Mammon released her. "Yes. Of course." But he looked at his fingers, puzzled. Why did I…?

"Aditya!"

It piqued Mammon's interest when annoyance flicked on Aditya's face hearing her name. The one who had called her was a scurrying little woman in an asymmetrical kurta with thick ringlets of dirty blonde hair and tanned skin. But what was curious about her were her natural leonid ears and tail. Like a mother on a mission, she instantly fussed over Aditya.

"You cannot just run off on your own, Aditya!" the woman scolded. "Just because you have certain power does not mean you can be reckless! You could've gotten hurt or worse!" She checked all over Aditya. "Did you break a bone? Get a hangnail?" She stole Aditya's chin and forced her mouth open. "Are all your teeth in place—?"

"Simha," Aditya growled, pushing her hand away. "I'm fine. And it was just a Demon's Shadow."

"Just a Shadow?" Simha repeated, aghast. "Aditya, I swear to the Navagraha, you can't just—!"

Mammon watched as Aditya sat back, bored, while Simha laid into her with words so fast, it would be impossible to follow. This new female's scent… "You are an Exceed."

Simha looked scared out of her wits that Mammon spoke and even more terrified when she got a look at him. "A Daemon?" She prodded Aditya. "You are eating with a Daemon? Don't you know how dangerous that thing is? This is why I can't leave you alone—!"

"Simha," Aditya cut in. "It's fine. I'm fine, he's fine, everything's fine. So what if he's a Daemon?" She leveled a warm look at Mammon. "He's free."

Mammon blinked. She…

"Well, I better get going," Aditya decided, standing up. She gathered her probing stick in one hand and aimed Mammon a smile. "Next time we meet, just remember how such a defective human saved you."

Simha gaped. "He called you 'defective'?" She lobbied a childish glare onto Mammon and you could see her angered vibes of how-dare-you and I-will-hurt-you bounce off him.

Aditya scooped up her tray with one hand. "Simha, let's go before you get an ulcer." She turned away—

"Wait."

Aditya tilted her head in Mammon's direction. "Yeah?"

Mammon clenched his hands. What am I doing? I do not understand. "I am told it is customary to exchange Compact numbers if you wish to have prolonged contact and establish a relationship with another being."

She rounded back on him with a smirk. "Is this your way of asking if you could score a defective human woman's Com number?"

"Yes."

Aditya snickered while Simha was back to glaring at Mammon. "You know you're way with women. It's cute."

That bothered Mammon. 'Cute'?

"Aw, look how cute my baby is!" He remembered Mirella's use of the word when he caught her and Kyler in the kitchen with a red-face Kyler trying and failing to keep Mirella from feeling him up. "You're just so adorable when you're all red, Malã'iko! Makes me want to keep making you blush!"

"Here."

Mammon looked at the receipt gifted to him with digits on the back. This is…

"That's my number," Aditya confirmed. "When you need to be saved by someone defective again, let me know."

Simha gaped and whispered to Aditya, "Aditya, what are you doing? That's a Daemon! You can't just—!"

"I have made an error." Mammon garnered both women's attention, but he focused on Aditya. "You are not defective. You are…different."

"A man who humbles himself and says when he's wrong," Aditya remarked. "You're a rarity to find in the wild."

Mammon did not understand. "Daemons are common creatures."

Aditya chuckled. "Whatever." She turned away, but she said to him, "There are some days I'm just as frustrated as anyone that I can't understand all they can see. But there are other days I wouldn't change a thing about me. That's like that for everyone. It doesn't make me different. It just makes me a person. No need to look into it any further than that."

She moved her cane as she walked away. "Enjoy your freedom, Daemon."

Mammon said loud enough for her to catch, "I will meet you again."

Aditya paused and gave him a sliver of her profile. "Whatever." And she walked away with Simha fussing over her once more.

Mammon watched Aditya leave before looking down at the paper with her Com number. He brought the paper up and scented it. It's faint, but it smells…warm.

"Mammon!"

He swiveled his head to see Mirella striding for him. He got up to cross the distance and murmured for her ears only, "I will leave tonight to capture the scattered remains of Bael's Shadow before it can try and reform again."

Mirella sliced him with a glare. "You didn't capture it?"

"No. I…" Mammon clutched the receipt. "Even though I am not directly Bael's Daemon, I underestimated his Shadow's power over my being. He may no longer be my master, but he is still my creator." He could still take away my freedom.

That lessened Mirella's fierce glare as she ruffled her bangs. "Ha… I should've known that sick bastard would try to make you his slave again. As long as we can catch the remnants of his power, we should be fine."

Her gaze found Kyler and softened as he bought ice cream for Jonas. The shy boy offered Talia the first spoonful and she looked at Kyler for approval before she accepted (and Kyler looked all too ready for more pictures while Jonas turned crimson). I don't want him to worry anymore about Bael. I can tell it takes such a toll on him already with how the way this world is. I don't want anything to snuff out the light inside him. And either way, Bael is my problem. So long as he obsesses over my mother, I'm not free from him.

Her hands fisted, white-knuckled. And so long as Bael continues to serve Him…none of us will be free from him. It hit her. Speaking of… "If you had complications, how did you manage to escape?"

"A woman."

Mirella was taken aback. "What?"

"A human woman," Mammon said. "She managed to scatter the Shadow with a power like an infinite sun. She was…"—his eyes fell to the number—"different."

'Different'? Mirella echoed. Then it struck her.

Mammon did not care for Mirella's smirk when she nudged him. "What."

"You like this mysterious woman," Mirella goaded. "And here I thought a stuffy Daemon like you would stick with his stay-at-home moms harem."

"I do not like her," Mammon dismissed. "I said she is different."

"Which means she makes you curious about her," Mirella jested. "I see what's happening here. You like her…!"

Mammon's face went flat. "I could kill you where you stand."

"Ha!" Mirella waved away the concern. "Please."

Mammon saw Mirella's gaze stray back to Kyler and caught the love in her eyes. "You have chosen a good life mate," he told her. He added a tad softer, "Your mother would be proud."

Mirella stiffened.

A hush fell between them.

"Would…? Would she really?" Mirella asked, voice small.

Mammon looked up at the glaring sun. "Hemera ended her life due to Bael's abuse of her. She had nothing to live for. But prior to her death, I had visited her chambers. She was not present, but I found her in your chambers. You were asleep in her arms. And she told me something peculiar."

• — • — • — •

"Lord Bael requests your shared chambers, Lady Hemera."

The bedroom was gaudily lavish with its own fireplace, shelves of books and toys, and even gifted its own night's sky. It was befitting the favored daughter of a Demon and his favorite consort be spoiled rotten with a sleigh bed too big for one little girl.

"I see." A loveless smile. "Thank you, Mammon.

Mammon watched Hemera with that gauntness impressing her face as she stroked the bridge of her daughter's nose while Mirella silently slept with her wild hair tamed into a neat braid and her nightdress fashioned from the finest silk.

"Do you want children, Mammon?"

Mammon answered, "That is my Lord's decision."

"Right." Hemera's golds glinted in sadness. "It would be." She sighed with a heavy heart. "If you ever have children Mammon, you will do anything for them. Because all you want is for your child to have a better future against your past. There is no such thing as suffering or sacrifices. Because to see your child grow and to love them is such a precious reward in itself." She leaned down to kiss Mirella's forehead and whisper something before slipping out of bed.

Mammon watched as she approached the roaring fireplace, its glow making such an abstract painting of disquiet on her face.

"I would like to think all I have had to endure was to have my daughter," Hemera said. "Her father is a tyrant and deserves a fate worse than death. But at least I was given Mirella. She is my world. She will always be my world."

A decision steeled in those golds. "And as she is my world, all I want for her is to meet her sun that will keep turning her world around. If she could find that sun for her world, then I could be at peace she never turned into this farce I have with Bael."

DRIP.

A tear shed from Hemera and looked like a prism before it scattered.

DROP.

A haunting type of beautiful—that was Hemera as her prism tears stained her face. "I could be at peace knowing she learned how to love."

• — • — • — •

"At the time, her words meant nothing to me," Mammon recalled. "But now, they make sense to me. So, yes. She would be proud you have found your own sun."

Mirella withheld her silence. "She still killed herself."

Mammon did not deny that. "Yes, she did."

"She left me alone with that bastard for eons," Mirella forced out. "She was a selfish bitch for leaving her own daughter to deal with a fucker like him." She angrily knuckled her cheek. "Cheap words like that don't change the fact she abandoned me when I needed her." She went to storm away…

…but she stopped.

Mammon watched her.

"But…" Mirella squared her shoulders and mumbled, "Thank you, Mammon." And she stalked away.

Mammon observed her sneaking up behind Kyler to surprise him with a hug. He instantly blushed, trying to paw her off him, but the ferocity of her kiss to him made him weaken. Mammon looked back at the Compact number.

We are different.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

And that night…

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The sun had taken its sweet time to get below the horizon as though it was hopeful his angry lunar wife would give him the time of day if he lingered. Fantasia World still filled with music and laughter and screams with the roller coasters lit up in their nighttime modes. Glow sticks and neon items were available for purchase and more adults were loading themselves up with goofy glow-sticks than their younger generation. The large merry-go-round at the entrance had a fortitude of riders cheering onto the band organ song.

Kyler and Mirella played the happy couple towards Estelle and her husband, but Estelle's husband—all brawn and little brain—seemed more interested in his Compact than interacting while Mirella was sneering at a smug Estelle, and oblivious Kyler fawned over all the pictures he took.

"All the photos turned out so nice!" Kyler cheered. "I can't wait to send them to my sister!"

"You have a sister? How adorable," Estelle commented, simpering over Mirella's glare. "If she's anything like you, she must be so sweet."

"She is," Kyler praised, puffing his chest. "She's strong, independent, and wonderful. Her boyfriend on the other hand..." I just need to pair her with a nice, gentlemanly Phoenix instead of her sinful Devil. He petulantly scowled when he imagined two scenarios. The first was a delicate Chibi-Nashi in a beautiful wedding dress with a broad-shouldered Phoenix in his imposing human form. The second was a graphic image of Nashi with a ripped wedding dress fainting in the arms of a cackling and horned Gary.

Steam puffed from Kyler's head as he fumed. He better not be doing anything indecent to her.

Estelle laughed. "So you must be her big overprotective brother, I take it. Chasing all the boys from her?"

"Oh, I wouldn't say that!" Kyler scrambled to say, sweating as he awkwardly laughed. "She's her own person and her boyfriend isn't all that bad! I have no reason to worry at all! Actually, I like him!"

Mirella was unimpressed as she distinctly remembered Nashi's complaints that Kyler tried several times to use his Staff of Miracles on a terrified Gary when they were stuck in Alvarez. Is he serious?

Estelle clapped her hands. "That's wonderful news! It's so sweet you're so supportive." Her fingers skated across the back of his hand. "I like that in men."

"Oh, really?" Kyler scratched his cheek, beaming. "Well, thank you!"

Murderous intent held a black aura around Mirella. Is he serious? What about her husband…? Her mood darkened when Estelle's husband looked too into gaming on his Compact. Fucking fantastic. She loudly cut into the conversation, "You're right, Estelle. He really is so supportive and such a sweet big brother." She touched Kyler's cheek. "I'm sure he can't wait for his little sister to walk down the aisle one day, right, babe?"

SNIFFLE!

Mirella gawked when Kyler cover his mouth and his eyes watered. "Wh-Why would you say something so cruel to me?"he asked her. "She's only seventeen, Mirella. And you already want me to just give her away to some man. How cruel of you."

I… I… Mirella slumped over, dreary. I give up.

"Oh, you poor thing," Estelle cooed as she got out a tissue to blot his cheeks. "You should treasure those moments with your little sister whenever you can. She'll be all grown up before you know it, so take your time."

Kyler clasped Estelle's hand with his own as a radiant aura blossomed from him. "Th-Thank you."

Mirella growled. Oh, come on!

Kyler wiped his cheeks. "Where are the kids?" He looked over his shoulder and softened seeing Jonas and Talia sitting together on a bench with their winnings from today surrounding them. It's nice to see she's making a friend. I'm sure making a friend around her biological age will help her adjust. He sighed, warm inside. I can just imagine what they're talking about now.

°•°•°•°

"So you can really kill someone?"

Jonas swung his legs as he looked at Talia with all the pure-hearted interest in the world.

Talia tilted her head with her hands folded perfectly on her lap. "Yes, I can. And I have killed multiple people."

"Wow…!" Stars were in Jonas' eyes as he admired her. "Your power must be really strong to do that!" He felt silly as he mentioned, "I wish I could do all the things you could do."

"First, you'll need a Demon and a Demigod as your paternal grandparents," Talia said blandly. "Then you will need also need a hybrid Angel as your father. And with trial and error, you would receive a power similar to mine."

Jonas laughed. "My family isn't nearly as cool." A sour look crossed his face as he saw his older sister with her posse. "My sister is such a bully and so are all her friends. I hate when they come over."

"Why not take care of them?" Talia skimmed over his sister, and that sweet bloodlust glowed in her eyes. "I'd be happy to do it for you."

Somehow, Jonas was able to laugh at that. "No, it's okay." He looked at the blanket of blue in the sky. "She's still my sister. That's what my parents say when I get mad at her. And you're supposed to love family no matter what."

"Really?"

Jonas blinked down at Talia in surprise when her expression furrowed, serious.

"Is that really how it works?" Talia asked. "That family will love you no matter what."

"Uh…" Jonas smiled and nodded. "Yeah, I'm pretty sure."

"I see." Talia looked at Kyler with her eyes shining. So then… He will love me no matter what. A small smile graced her as she looked at her lap. Then I have nothing to fear if he will love me no matter what. This love is…unconditional.

"You're smiling!"

Talia looked up at Jonas. "Pardon?"

"O-Oh. Well, um." Jonas scratched the back of his head with a smile split between sheepish and bashful. "I-I just haven't seen you smile all day. Your smile is, um"—the pink on his cheeks darkened—"really pretty."

Talia blinked. He is complimenting my smile? Something rather odd happened. A heat touched her cheeks and she touched one of her cheeks in confusion. What is this reaction? A faint pink had dusted her face. Am I embarrassed? By a mere child's compliment?

A new unsettling awkwardness touched her, but she primly appreciated, "Thank you." Her hand lowered over her heart as flecks of pink glitter came out. I believe I should return the compliment as human etiquette dictates. "You have a nice smile as well."

"You think so?" Jonas' smile widened even as his face reddened. "Thanks!"

Talia faintly nodded, unable to look at him as more pink glitter sprinkled from her hand. "Mm."

Mammon's voice flooded into Talia's mind. Are you okay?

Yes. Talia got a grip on her power. I… I am. There is no need to worry. She cleared away this awful embarrassment for a topic soberer. Did you take care of Bael's Shadow? I felt our connection wan for a moment.

It took Mammon a moment to answer. It has been taken care of.

Very good. Thank you. Talia felt Mammon close off his mind to her, but she weighed the conversation. His mind… It felt different to me.

"Pr'olprcht!"

Talia and Jonas looked up when Kyler came over. He gave Jonas an apologetic smile and said, "It looks like your parents will be leaving to meet up with the other parents they were with. And you'll have to go with them."

"I have to?" Jonas frowned, clearly unhappy. "But… I can't stay with Talia?"

"Well." Kyler crouched to Jonas' level. "I think we could ask your parents if you could come over sometime and then you and Talia can hang out again. How does that sound?"

Jonas beamed. "It sounds good."

"Great!" Kyler turned towards his daughter. "What do you think—?" He stopped seeing Talia's frown, but he understood after a moment and patted her head. "We'll make sure we set up a play date soon, pr'olprcht, I promise."

Talia blinked before looking down as the faint pink returned onto her cheeks. "Mm."

Kyler's smile lightened. I'm happy to see she wants to see him again. This could be such a great experience for her. A flowery aura wafted off him as his heart sighed. And she doesn't even want to kill him. Maybe she's not as much as Mirella as I thought and I can have hope she'll like people instead of murdering everyone in sight!

Mirella sneezed.

Seeing off Estelle, Jonas, the husband, and the sister and her friends was a quiet affair. Estelle stilled her hand into Kyler's for a long handshake and purred, "Well, I'm certain we'll be seeing each other more often now that I have your number."

Mirella grounded her teeth to keep from drowning Estelle in her own shadow. Keep it together… Keep it together…

"We'll have to set something up soon," Kyler suggested. "And I'll make sure to have my shortbread recipe waiting for you!"

Estelle laughed and put a hand on Kyler's chest. "You really are every woman's dream man. Oh!" Her hand roamed his front. "And you're so fit too."

"Thank you! I really think people underestimate how yoga, qigong, and barre can really help the body!"

Mirella felt like she was death incarnate watching this conversation. Kyler, stop being irresistible to women, dammit.

Jonas shuffled his feet. "So I'll see you soon?"

"It seems that way, "Talia loftily commented. But she was a little confused when Jonas showed her a black bunny stuffed animal with a blue bowtie. "Was it this?"

"W-Well, um." Jonas could barely keep eye contact with those adorable crimson cheeks. "I-It's for you." He showed her a white bunny stuffed animal with a red bowtie. "And this one's mine. So we can match."

Talia slowly understood the situation. Is he giving me a gift? Memories of Kyler spoiling her with bountiful gifts came to mind and her barely-there smile delighted her face. I thought I would only like gifts from Daddy. But…this doesn't feel as bothersome as I thought it would. She took the black bunny stuffed animal. "Thank you, Jonas."

Jonas swallowed. "You're welcome—"

"Ew, Jonas, don't give that freak a gift."

Jonas' sister looked all-too-smug and shared none of the kind heart of her younger brother. She looked down on them both with her disgust aimed clearly at Talia now that she was confident once more with her crew behind her.

⌜CASSIA-MONTESSORI-GRUNDSCHULE

Name: Samantha Webber

Age: 10

Occupation: Year 5 Student

Likes: make-up Dislikes: anything that's not "brand"

Special Note: Samantha is the second most popular girl in her grade! The most popular girl is actually very shy! ⌟

Samantha lifted her chin at Talia. "Just because you thought you were funny before doesn't mean you're funny now. You're just a freak who wears black."

"I wear it for a reason," Talia said to her.

Samantha was unconvinced, and her friends looked a little scared. "For what?"

Talia stepped forward. "Wait."

Samantha visibly swallowed, but she gathered her haughty attitude and sniffed, "It's not like a thing like you could have friends. I bet you can't even smile like a normal person."

"I like to smile." Talia showed her sharp teeth and let her tongue run over her fangs "See?"

Samantha took a step back and stammered, "Y-You're just a freak! Jonas, don't talk to her or you'll be a freak like her!" She marched away with her friends scurrying after her like they could not get away fast enough.

Jonas looked downright embarrassed from that altercation. "I'm sorry…"

"Don't be. You aren't at fault." Talia turned back to him and showed him her stuffed animal. "I will take care of your gift."

Jonas swallowed again, pink-faced. "Okay. And, um. I still want to talk to you. I don't think you're a freak."

"I am abnormal," Talia supposed. "A 'freak' is considered an irregularity. Even being a hybrid would make me an irregularity. I don't mind being called a 'freak' because that is an accurate description of my person."

Jonas looked down, contemplating, before he made his choice. "Okay." He stood tall and declared, "Then I'll be a freak with you! And we can be freaks together!"

Silence.

"W-Well, uh…" Jonas realized his declaration and spiraling embarrassment filled him as a puff of steam left his head. He hid his face in his stuffed animal and mumbled, "I-I just meant…I still want to be friends, so…"

"Pfft."

Jonas peeked to see Talia clearing her throat behind a fist, but he pouted. "You laughed at me."

"Of course I didn't," Talia dismissed with poise.

Jonas gave her a scolding look. "I heard you! You laughed at me!"

"I did no such thing."

"Yes, you did!"

Talia kept her veiled amusement to herself as Jonas fumed. Hm. He's entertaining for a human. She recounted watching her mother tease her father until he was a steaming mess. I understand why Mirella teases Kyler so much. This is enjoyable.

Both Kyler and Mirella sneezed.

Talia looked at her stuffed animal. He gave me a gift. I suppose… it is customary I also give him one. But what do I…? An idea came. "I also have a gift for you."

Jonas brightened. "You do? But—" His words fumbled when Talia's fingers threaded through the bangs covering one side of his face.

Glitter warped around Talia's fingers until she was finished and liked her work. "There. That is my gift to you."

Jonas tentatively touched the hair-clip that had pulled back his bangs to show one gleaming red eye that mismatched his gold eye. "My hair…"

"It is better to see with both your eyes." Talia, however, was not sure of her choice in a present when Jonas kept touching the flowery hair clip. "You don't like it."

"N-N-No! I do, I do!" Jonas scrambled to say. "I-It's just…!" He touched his face. Mom told me to keep my eye covered because people think I look funny. And now she'll think the same and won't want to be friends with me. He paused when Talia brushed his hand away from his face.

"I like seeing both your eyes," Talia told him. "They're unique."

Red-gold widened. Jonas pressed his lips together as he shored up the nerve for a reason. She…doesn't mind?

"You also have a physical abnormality," Talia deduced. "Now, I can accept your offer to be a freak alongside me."

Jonas' eyes shimmered. She really…doesn't mind. He beamed. "Okay! We'll be freaks together!"

Talia slightly tilted her head to scrutinize him. I like Daddy's smile more, but this one does have a nice one as well. "Okay." She hid the pink glittered swirling around her hand behind her stuffed animal. "We will meet again soon."

Jonas's smile widened. "I can't wait!"

Kyler, Mirella, Talia, and Mammon waved away the Webbers and company (Estelle's seduction shattered for being appalled when she realized Jonas showed both of his eyes) until they were out of sight.

Mirella stretched. "Finally, they're gone!" That stupid bitch was going to drive me insane. Now I can finally have a moment with my man. "Kyler—"

"You'll see Jonas soon, Talia, I promise."

TICK!

Mirella wanted to yank out her hair seeing Kyler abandon her to dote on their daughter. Is he serious!

Talia hugged her stuffed animal in front of her. "Yes. I know." She put a lock of hair behind her ear when the wind picked up. With ease, she could still track Jonas with her vision, but she turned away to look up at her father. "Did you have fun today, Daddy?"

"I did because you did," Kyler assured her. "I just wanted you to have fun today, and you did plus you made a friend. I couldn't be happier!"

Talia felt warmed seeing his smile. "I'm glad." I am fortunate to have a father who will love me unconditionally. I want to keep making him happy with everything I have. Her eyes slated to Mirella. Even if that means sharing him. When Mirella raised an eyebrow at her, she gave a hint of a smirk. "Hmph."

Mirella raised a shaky fist, ready for a fight. So she wants to piss me off too, huh?

"Mommy, Mommy!"

That disarmed Mirella. 'Mommy?' She had no choice when Talia sped to her and yanked her down for a hug that showed her strength. She hissed into Talia's mind, What are you—?

I am willing to share him with you as long as you make him happy.

Golds widened.

Talia continued, I want my father happy and I will do whatever I can to keep him happy. And if that involves sharing you, then I will reluctantly allow it. She added in a mutter, Even though he clearly deserves better

TICK!

Mirella forced a tight smile. This little girl. Does she not remember I gave birth to her?

Talia pulled back a little to make sure turquoise and gold met. She whispered, "Please make Daddy happy, Mommy."

That request took Mirella a moment before she nodded. "I will."

"And one other thing."

Mirella was about to ask when she hacked when Talia launched onto her. "What the f—?"

"Mommy, can you carry me?" Talia loudly asked. "I'm really tired, but I still want to see the fireworks. You'll carry me, won't you?"

Mirella's eyebrow twitched. She is trying my patience. Wait. She looked down at her daughter. The fireworks. Then she knew…

Talia nodded.

"This is so beautiful!" Kyler sniveled as he took another picture while trying to keep his tears at bay (and Mammon patted his back when he remembered it was human etiquette to comfort the crying). "Mother-daughter bonding is so precious."

Looks like I have no choice, Mirella groused. She picked up Talia and shifted her onto her hip, cooing, "Of course Mommy will carry you, my sweet baby! Mommy will always carry you."

And Talia regretted her plot when she had to endure Mirella's very loud baby talk.

Like mother, like daughter indeed.

°•°•°•°

If you asked where the best place to watch the Fantasia World fireworks were, most people would tell you in the parking lot, and that was true. The fireworks were beautiful from the parking lot and you had the luxury of being close to your car to leave once they were finished.

But the romantics would tell you the best place for the fireworks was by the giant merry-go-round.

The large merry-go-round sat near the entry gates and had the lights and bells and whistles on for its nighttime mode. Just because the moon was out, did not stop roller coasters from charging or for the fun and games to stop. The band organ of the merry-go-round blasted Tales from the Vienna Woods as couples and children and families piled onto their unicorns and pegasi and kelpies and normal horses or the chariots offered.

The romantics and others gathered around the merry-go-round with their glow sticks and light-up headbands and sneakers and their winnings from today as they waited for the fireworks. Mammon did well finding them a clear spot and looked ridiculous carrying the prizes Mirella and Talia had won today.

Mirella set Talia down to hold Kyler's hand and hug him from the side.

Kyler flushed. "M-Mirella—"

"Let me hold you," Mirella mumbled. "That woman was hanging off you all day. Now it's my turn. I was good when I was feeling awfully murderous towards her. So don't I deserve a reward?"

Kyler coughed, his ears heating up. "W-Well. If it's only for a little while…"

Mirella caught him looking at his Compact and asked, "What's going on?" When he showed her the picture, she could not hold back her smile. A photo posted on Gary's Instagraph showed a romantic kiss shared between them as the Lyrid shower started. "Aw… They look so cute."

"I guess."

Mirella snickered hearing Kyler's childish mutter. "You know when Nashi comes to visit us, you have to be supportive of her relationship with a man who not only treats her right, but he's powerful, he's financially stable, and he won her father's approval—"

"To date her," Kyler vehemently reminded. "He hasn't won the battle for her hand in marriage." And I'm counting on Natsu Dragneel to be victorious. He's my last hope. He shivered when Mirella brushed his ear. "D-Don't do that." He turned his head away to cover his ear, red streaking across his nose and cheeks. "You always touch my ear and now it's gotten sensitive."

"That was my plan all along."

Kyler snuck her a look. "Really?"

"No." Mirella shrugged. "My goal was to make every part of you sensitive so one touch made you beg for more. And I'd say it worked." Her hand skimmed his neck and she reveled in seeing Kyler flinch and tremble. "Wouldn't you agree?"

Kyler covered his mouth with an arm with his whole body aflame. "Arezodi…"

"Oh, fine." Mirella stopped her teasing to snuggle his side. "I won't keep teasing my cute Malã'iko." Her lashes fluttered for a moment. "I know you're worried about Nashi. It's not heard of for Devils to be able to Bond. For all intents and purposes, a connection like theirs should've killed them or one of them should've overpowered the other. But instead…it's so strong and equal and passionate. And that could be troublesome if something happens."

Kyler's lips tugged into a frown. I know. His hand tightened around his Compact. I didn't want to be cruel to her, but she had to know what she was getting into.

• — • — • — •

"…the madness that lives inside Gary will change him…and will slaughter us all."

Nashi sat on the couch across from him in her royal regalia and the expression of despair was so clear on her face that it made him want to cave and comfort her in any way he could. "But… He… He can't." Hickories looked at him, desperate. "He wouldn't. He's good, Kyler. I thought you understood that."

"And I do," Kyler soothed. "In fact, most Devils are benevolent beings. It's their balance. They are given the power of Black at its fullest potential. They could slaughter worlds without thinking much of it. But they maintain kind personalities instead and have fallen admirers to Nature and a calm way of life. They have no instinctual need for blood unless they feel threatened, which is a natural response. Balance has to exist to equalize power.

"There is a reason Dragons never mated for life, Nashi. Surely, your father has educated you on that," Kyler went on. "Dragons were mighty beings on your realm, dangerous and intelligent. To counter their power, they were designed to mate infrequently and solely for reproduction and produce very small clutches of eggs, of which may be one to two would even hatch. It was balance, a control, to make sure other races could survive them."

"We're not animals," Nashi breathed. "W-We're not…!" But her words would not come out right.

Kyler could not take this anymore. He used his Staff of Miracles to help him across to the other couch. His body twinged when he summoned his wings—

Nashi panicked. "Kyler, you're hurt—"

"I'm not hurt enough to give comfort to my little sister." Kyler wrapped one of his wings around her. "Nashi, what you have with Gary is unprecedented, yes, but it is special. And it is yours. But you need to understand what risks you can and cannot take now that you and Gary are tied together." He glanced to the teapot. "My mother once told me…there was once another Devil and mortal woman bonding to the capacity to and Gary have."

That shocked Nashi. "What?"

Kyler nodded. "Yes." A darkness touched his features. "There was one other bonding that she knew of…and it did not end well."

Nashi swallowed. "Can you tell me…what happened?"

"It's not a happy tale," Kyler forewarned her.

"Please," Nashi beseeched, grabbing his hand.

Kyler sighed. "Very well." He narrated, "It was long ago and in a planetary system that has ceased to exist. Devils had been long-ignored as creatures used for war due to their peaceful nature. Most had thought Devils had no madness inside them. They called them 'weak' and 'spineless'. And at the time, it wasn't conceivable to perform such an intimate bond between any race or any way. But that changed when a Devil met a particular woman.

"My mother said the woman was a Daughter of the Spirits. She had lived her life in pure maidenhood until she met this Devil. And through more exposure and meetings, the Devil and the Daughter of the Spirits fell in love with each other."

"But…this wasn't the first time a Devil was with a human, right?" Nashi questioned.

"No. Devils were more likely to be male, so it was common for them to reproduce outside their species if they wanted children," Kyler said. "From what my mother remembers, the Devil and the Daughter of the Spirits rumored to have such a pure love that the Spirits could not ignore. They relinquished her of her vow of maidenhood and gave her away to the Devil. And the love the Spirits witnessed between their Daughter and the Devil was so pure of heart that they imparted a spiritual bond between them so they may forever bask in each other's devotion.

"For many moons, the Devil and his wife found peace and prosperity and even started a family. All was well for them. The Spirits even invited the Devil into the Spirit Realm and blessed the Devil and his bride's children with gifts of grandeur."

Kyler's hand clutched his staff. "But then an accident happened.

"One day, the Daughter of the Spirits wished to surprise her husband with a rare gift. And in order to find this gift, she put her trust in a treasure hunter that had all the outward makings of a sheep and the inward mindset of a wolf. Not even the Spirits could keep in contact with her when she was near the treasure hunter, and she ignored their warnings as she wanted so badly to surprise her adoring husband."

Nashi did not like where the story was headed and rasped, "She was killed, wasn't she?"

"In the most brutal of ways, yes," Kyler said. "The Devil had felt their connection break. And to feel such an intense loneliness and emptiness… It unleashed the madness he never once listened to." He briefly closed his eyes. "It didn't matter who was in his way. Not the gods or the Spirits—not even his own children could soothe his violent bereavement. Once the madness in him had its catalyst, he was unstoppable."

Nashi's breath hitched before she clutched Kyler's hand tighter for silent support. "But he was killed."

"Yes."

Nashi waited for Kyler to say, but when he stayed quiet, she probed, "By who?" More silence made her press, "Kyler, I'm not a child—"

"But you are." Kyler speared her with a sorrowful look. "You are a child in comparison to those out there seeking to use Gary. Terrans across galaxies slaughtered Devils and drove them into technical racial extinction and ability endangerment. They did it out of fear and hatred.

"From what Mirella told me, as much as the forces had Devils on trophies, those Devils had been drugged beyond belief to be obedient and often had no recollection if their handler forced them to breed or destroy a planet. And the ones that turned on their handler were killed so their powers could be collected and implanted into a host loyal to their handler."

"Oh my gods," Nashi whispered sickened.

"Do you understand why you must pick and choose your risks?" Kyler asked her. "It's been centuries since the last true Devil lived. And now, Gary has proven to be the last Devil. He is the only one left of his kind with his anatomy and physiology and, not only that, but as a male Devil, he could spread his genetic make-up quicker and give way to being used like a stallion for breeding."

Nashi sucked in a pained breath. "Kyler—"

"We are fortunate Aamon has little interest in him, but the next Demon might not be as kind," Kyler went on. "And while Gary has proven to be a capable ally, not even he can resist the urge if you are in danger. He will let his enemies know that not only is he the last Devil but you are his weakness. To control you means they can make him their obedient dog."

Nashi hung her head as an angry tear dripped off her chin. "This isn't fair, Kyler. He never asked for this. He never asked for any of this."

"He didn't," Kyler agreed. "And neither did you ask for this. But we can't change what we never asked for. What we can change is how we approach situations. Gary is strong, but he is not invincible. You are his crucial weakness. And you must become his strength.

"You must be cautious in your endeavors. We are fortunate Gary's dual identity as Skade is kept a secret. But you must act on the assumption that any enemy could potentially know Gary is the last Devil and you are his partner."

"I… I just…" Nashi leaned against Kyler as she cupped her hands around her nose and mouth for a deep breath. "I'm scared, Kyler. I'm not ready for this."

Kyler brushed back her hair to one side before thumbing her cheek. "I'm afraid you don't have a choice, little sister. In the eyes of many, you are a child. But you must act like an adult to protect yourself and your loved ones. And I'll be right beside you." He moved his arm to hug her, his wing sheltering them both from the cruel reality they lived in.

Nashi's shoulders shook. "K-Kyler—"

KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK.

"Your Majesty?" came call. "I have been told the First Prince Naseer has prepared dessert for you in the southern tower's conservatory. May I escort you to him, Your Grace?"

Nashi weakly called, "I-I'll be right out." A cry fizzled out that she could not stop. "K-Kyler—"

"Listen to me, little sister," Kyler spoke, tone low and authoritative. "I know that this will not be easy to do, but you cannot show any weakness right now. You have to dry your eyes and keep your head up and shoulders low. Don't let them see they have beaten you before you make one move." He placed a palm on her shoulder—

"No." Nashi stopped him as she sniffed and did her best to calm down. "Don't Calm me. You're too injured right now. I can calm myself. I can do this." She grabbed one of the cloth napkins on the coffee table and blotted her face dry. "I can do this,"

"I know you can." Kyler gave her a sad smile. "I just wish you didn't have to. You're so young and all of this responsibility is on your shoulders. And while we have not shared blood for too long, that doesn't mean I want to see my little sister in such a precarious position alone—" He paused when Nashi kissed his cheek.

"I'll be okay," she promised him. "And I'll see you in the morning, so get some rest." Hickories steeled. "I'm going to make sure we all go home. And I won't let a single one of you fall into danger."

• — • — • — •

Kyler looked down at his Compact to still see the posted photo of Gary and Nashi together with the stars as a witness to their love.

I want so badly for Nashi to have a happy life. But…I can't help feeling afraid for her. I know in my heart Gary is a good man. He's the same as his fallen race. And with time, he'll learn to control the madness that was forced out of him. But if Nashi were to die… What will he do then?

Turquoise sparkled. I can only pray to the Presence such a thing won't happen. So why do I…?

HYU…

Kyler looked up—

DON-DON-DON!

Gasps of awe scattered amongst the vibrant explosions of color in the sky. Children pointed and giggled with each new grandiose burst of reds and blues and whites and greens. Some had taken the shape of beloved park characters. Others had taken the form of a short blip of a message. But either way, to watch such colorful mastery felt like a priceless moment in time.

Kyler clutched his Compact as the fireworks reflected in his eyes. I can't shelter Nashi from the world. But I can do what I can to make sure she lives a happy and fulfilling life. That's my responsibility as her brother-in-wings. I just hope I can make you proud of me…Mother…Father… And—

The vivid reminder of those unique sea-greens meshed of blue and violet flakes painted before him.

Mirella's lilting voice carried over the fireworks. "Malã'iko." Her hand slid down to his. "Would you look at me? I have something to tell you."

Kyler turned to face her, but when he saw her, his inhale hitched…

…because Mirella was down on one knee.

Kyler tried to find his voice. "Arezodi?"

Mirella held his hand in hers and for once, she was not the daughter of a Demon with a bloodstained past. She was a nervous proposer. "I-It's been a while since I've spoken this, but I've been practicing." She cleared her throat. "Ol turbs malakh…"

Kyler effectively lost his breath. She's speaking the language of Agents?

Mirella continued: "When you and I first met, I couldn't see anything but darkness and blood. But upon meeting you and feeling your kindness and the warmth of your heart, I started to see…light for once. I saw that there was a better path than this endless fighting. That there could be peace and love—that I could find peace and love. And every moment I have spent with you, I'm inspired more and more to make a world where those ideals can persist. I want that world. And I want that world with you.

"I know I've hurt you. You've forgiven me, I know, but that doesn't mean either of us has forgotten," she went on, determined. "And I won't forget. I won't forget that I was the reason for your tears and your heartache. Because I want to spend the next millennia being the one to give you a smile for every tear you shed because of me. For every time your heart broke, I want to give your heart a reason to beat. I want to be the one you can trust in the sky. I want you to be my sun in my world."

A cloudiness covered Kyler's eyes. Mirella…

"I know I still have a lot to learn," Mirella persisted. "You've always told me that people come into our lives for a reason, for us to learn something and to become better. I was never sure how true that was, but… Because I met you… Because I know you… I know that I've been changed for good. And I want to keep learning and growing with you. So…"

Kyler covered his mouth when Mirella showed him a gold ring. "A-Arezodi…"

"I know on other realms, we're considered 'partners', but I also know that we were apart for so long. And that his realm has a different set of rules to display partnership. So, with this ring, I want to reaffirm everything we promised to each other long ago and start a new chapter of our story here, on Earth Land." Mirella swallowed. "Kyler, I want you to become my husband. And I want to become your wife. I want to see you walk down the aisle. I want the world to know you're my Angel that I could never stop loving and being inspired by."

She held up the ring. "Will you marry me?"

"I…" Kyler slipped his Compact in his pocket to rub his tear-stained cheek. "I-I… I don't know what to say."

Mammon unhelpfully added, "You can accept or decline. Those are your two options."

Mirella forked a glare at the Daemon. "Thank you, Mammon."

"I think you should accept, Daddy."

Attention turned onto Talia as she touched her father's hand. She looked up at him and said, "You should say, 'yes'. Because she makes you happy. And you should always be happy, Daddy."

"I…" Kyler sniffled. "Oh, my." He managed a watery smile. "You're right, Talia. Mirella makes me very happy."

Hope filled Mirella. "So does this mean…?"

"Hojya," Kyler replied in Dark Tongue. "Yes, Mirella. I'll marry you."

Mirella had to forcibly face herself so she did not collapse in relief—

She spoke too soon when Kyler wagged an offending finger in her face with one cheek puffed out and he warned her, "But you have to get a job."

Mirella blinked before grinning. "I was actually saving that as a surprise until later, but…" Her eyes gleamed. "You're looking at Bellum's number-one Curse Consultant and Coordinator."

Disbelief held Kyler. "What?"

Mirella got to her feet. "It took some time and the paperwork for my registering has to be finalized, but…yeah. I have a job. I'll do something that I love just like you do."

Kyler could not hold back his excited beam. "That's great, Arezodi!"

"Thank you." Mirella took his hand and showed him the ring to tease him (and tried not to show how nervous she was), "Now can I put this on?"

Kyler's beam widened as a watery laugh came out. "Hoyja." Shakily, she slid the ring onto Kyler's hand, and Kyler admired it before eyeing her bare hand. "What about your ring?"

Mirellabrought out her ring from her pocket. Kyler had taken it and carefully slid it onto her finger. "It's perfect."

"I guess so." Mirella cradled Kyler's cheeks in her hand. "But not as perfect as you." And she pulled him down for a sweet kiss.

Applause had broken out. Bystanders, moved from the proposal, could not help giving their shouts of glee and celebration. Mirella smiled into the kiss and surprised several people when she picked Kyler up, making him laugh.

Talia watched her parents with that delicate smile of hers. He'll be even happier now. She hugged the black bunny stuffed animal to her chest and could feel Mammon lay a supportive hand on her shoulder. "We have to protect them."

Mammon agreed. "We will." He clutched the receipt paper with Aditya's number on it. We will not let this world fall to Him. Or at the very least…we will make sure She is ready this time.

And the fireworks continued to burst in the sky as a teary Kyler and Mirella touched foreheads with loving smiles, and their golden bands glinted in the night.

---

— • — • — • —

Come on now, dance tonight

We can boogie till the morning

There's no plans tonight

We gonna have a Good One

Mizugiwa no playground

Konna kyouku wo play

And we can dance tonight

Hey we gonna have a Good One

•

Wanna see you move like this

I like it, you like it

Side to side, front to back

He likes it, she likes it

Wanna see you move like this

We like it, they like it

Upside-down, inside-out

And it's gonna be a good one!

— • — • — • —

---

Aditya had no fucks to give when she stumbled into the hotel room and collapsed onto the bed. "Nnngh, I'm so tired…"

Simha sighed as she made sure to take the probing stick and rest it against the wall. "Well, that's what happens when you fight a Demon's Shadow." She huffed as she went over to their luggage to find pajamas for Aditya. "Honestly, Aditya, what were you thinking? You could have exposed us or worse! You could have been taken into a Demon's labyrinth!"

"I had it under control," Aditya waved away. "It's fine, Simha. And no one found out." She peeked her head up with her eyes dark behind her gray shades. "Right?"

Simha sighed as she found a silk pajama set. "If you're asking if I've received any other invitations, then no, I haven't. And I'm not thrilled to see any of them either." She handed off Aditya her pajamas. "Here. PJs. Change."

As Aditya forced herself up to strip, Simha started to take off her kurta and continued: "I don't understand why you want me to contact any of those who abandoned our masters. They've all turned bitter and hateful. And the ones from other religions would be angry at my loyalty."

Aditya smirked as she took off her pants to put on her pajama bottoms. "Didn't you tell me some of them have a cat-girl fetish? Why not use that to our advantage?"

Simha looked downright scandalized. "Y-Y-You can't be serious!"

"Relax." Aditya tugged off her shirt. "I was just kidding. You're so uptight sometimes." Her smirk fell when she saw the jagged scars marking all over Simha's body. Even for a small woman with a warm olive tan on her skin, the alabaster scars that ran wild on her skin made anyone wonder how something so cruel could have happened to her. And if that was not enough, words had been carved into her back.

GODS' WHORE

Aditya's hands clenched into fists.

Simha sniffed, not noticing Aditya's darkening mood. "Well that wasn't funny." She swept her hair behind her shoulders as she prepped her nightdress. "I'm a horribly liar to begin with. Even if I wanted to approach them and ask them about their invitation to His table, they'd know I wasn't one of them." She thought on that principle. "Though I'm sure there are a few that are neutral. Finding them might be difficult—oh!"

Simha paused when she felt Aditya's hand touch between her shoulder blades. A sad smile toyed with her face. "There's no need for that. It happened before you were born."

"That doesn't make it right," Aditya growled.

"Perhaps not, but… It can't be helped." Simha's greens glistened. "The other Custodians were angry when I wouldn't abandon the temple—that I wouldn't abandon our gods. And they were angry that the Navagraha had entrusted me with the Gods' Map."

"Being angry doesn't give them a right to treat you like this."

Simha could feel the heated sting of Aditya's ire when she pulled away. "Nothing good will come from your temper rising and exposing us. And it doesn't matter what they've done. Even though I'm the one entrusted to use the map, we still have to find it." She slipped on her nightdress and flicked out her hair, tail twitching. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Yes." Aditya freed herself from her bra. "This is the only way to guarantee the freedom of the rest of the Slayers."

On her naked back was the tattoo of the dharmachakra with a lion's head at the center of the seven-pointed wheel. She put on her sleep shirt to cover her tattoo back up. "Baracles is the reason for such slaughter against the Old Gods. He's the reason the gods abandoned their people. And as it stands, it's safe to say whoever Baracles' chose as his successor will make sure to rule us the same way as his God Father."

Simha sighed. "I know."

"Then you know why I'm doing this, Simha."

Simha's shoulders fell. "Yes. I know." Her hands clasped together. "I just wish you wouldn't have to. You shouldn't fight among family. Perhaps…Baracles' Son is different than him—"

"You lived through Baracles' reign. He was a tyrant. He was a murderer. He was a master manipulator all to sit at His table. You told me yourself the despicable things he did the Original of the Hearth, Simha, and you threw up in the middle of telling me them. And you want me to trust his Son to give God Slayers like me a better future?"

Simha had no answer for that.

"I refuse to let my brothers and sisters have another tyrant control them. God Slayers deserve to live in peace and prosperity. And the sins of the father become the sins of the son." Aditya took off her monochrome glasses, but she kept her eyes closed. "Once we find the Gods' Map, I'll put an end to Baracles' reign of terror over us." Her eyes opened, but her irises were burning suns. "Permanently."

---

•

•

•

•

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Bonus Story

"His Eyes…"

「彼の目は」

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

•

•

•

•

---

The black market was like everything you had ever heard.

Stands were reserved for food, but it was the tents and little buildings that were the most obvious to buy and sell anything and anyone. Scavengers, Hunters, Cowboys—they crept through the alleyways and dark streets, some with tentacles, some with paws, some with scales, and some with flesh. A red-light district had slow business today with the occasional passerby coming in for a quick romp with a random before they had business to attend to.

Masks were optional in a place like this. It was no secret the Interstellar Union Army and the corrupt but strong Karkadaan Empire tried to plant sleepers and other undercover agents to capture names and faces.

But most of those investigators never left here once they came.

What selfishly garnered the most attention was an above-all fortress that was raised so high, you could see it anywhere on the asteroid. That was the entire purpose. Its watchtower saw all and knew all, and anyone could tell that a fortress of that magnitude came with so many locks and protections that you would be a fool to think you could slip in undetected.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

« This is The Citadel. Like the House of O, The Citadel is a Black Auction House where people and objects from all over the galaxy can be bought, sold, and exchanged. Some say that The Citadel works with a faction of the UA and the KE. »

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The Citadel had seven layers of security as an ode to the seven rings of Hell, and the cloaked teacher and student knew that well. The external guards of The Citadel were no one people could see. Once you crossed the bridge, there was no door to wait for you and those who pounded at the wall were killed without pause.

The cloaked teacher rustled in her cloak until she brought out an odd sort of broach and pressed it onto the wall.

GRRRRRRRRRRRR….

The teacher grabbed her student's hand and they phased through the first line of defense with ease.

Six more layers to go through.

Darkness greeted them, but that was normal and they continued to walk. Without warning, alien glyphs burst around them to start running diagnostics as though they had phased into a cyber field. The second defensive measure was a prick to their fingers. The third was a swab from their mouths. The fourth misted them in a mysterious substance, but no effect took place. The fifth plucked their hair for testing. The sixth was a full-body scan. And the seventh layer had them stop when podiums were given to them to lay their hands on.

PING!

The alien glyphs were gone.

A door opened to show warm light.

Teacher and student strode to the door to break into a luxury lobby with otherworldly chandeliers and a red rug that's pattern moved so tantalizingly that one could be hypnotized if they stared too long. But that was neither here nor there. Someone waited for them with a butler's suit on, but he had a tentacle beard with no mouth and three eyes.

He sloshed something to the pair of them.

"Yes." The Forge removed her hood to show her white hair in a messy bun and her mooned eyes. "It has been a long time, M'azzl. But we haven't gotten a moment to waste. My companion could only keep us in the past for three hours. Is the seller ready for me?"

M'azzl sloshed again before all three eyes went to the student.

The Forge nodded. "He is the student I spoke about. He will wait outside for the meeting as promised."

M'azzl sloshed again before bowing and turning away.

The Forge followed after him. "Come, my student."

And her student kept to her side.

Some would find it ironic that such a place had a Victorian feel to it with endless high-vaulted chambers and elegance that could be bought with heaps of money. No windows existed in the Citadel's innards, but the ethereal chandeliers provided another light and warmth. And even with so much wealth to be exuded, no guards swept through the halls. It felt as if the entire fortress was empty.

But that was not the case.

M'azzl led them to large dual doors that looked like a carbon copy of the other doors built for the Citadel, but no one commented on the fact. M'azzl sloshed and gestured to the doors.

The Forge put a hand on her student's hooded head. "You will stay out here. As you are my student, if you interact with anyone from the past, you will not affect the flow of time and space. But you must be cautious and do not drop your hood. Do you understand, Dante?"

"Mm." Dante looked up at his teacher and nodded. "I understand, Teacher."

The Forge smiled. "I'll be out once negotiations are finished for the materials I need. M'azzl has volunteered to be your guardian in the meantime." She nodded at M'azzl, who opened one of the doors for her. She slipped in without Dante ever seeing a peek of the inside.

The door shut.

And Dante and M'azzl were left alone.

Dante brought out his mirror rubix cube to pass the time with his hands in gloves as he started to move around the puzzle. Teacher has been working hard on one of her projects. We've been jumping around in different points of time for her materials. I hope everything goes okay today. He sighed inside his mind. I hope Tesla's okay. Teacher said it's only July. But I haven't seen her in so many decades. I just really hope she's okay.

It caught his interest when the doors across the hall opened up. The languages that trickled out were a combination of swish and clicks and a harsh tongue that sounded like it had no vowels built, but that was all he could hear over the strangely seductive music. From what he gathered from the glimpse inside, some sort of club filled with strobe lights and fog took up the space.

A Dimension Door? he guessed. He turned attention to his mirror cube. So noisy…

Footsteps stumbled from the door until the door closed. Dante could hear heavy panting and someone was forced against the wall. A grunt was heard and subtle noises of aggressive kissing came next.

Can't they do that somewhere else? Dante wished. He could hear the footsteps again. Good. They're leaving. He looked up—

His eyes widened.

A stream of silver hair fluttered in the wind.

Blank sea-greens meshed with blue and violet flakes bombarded him.

Dante felt entranced. His eyes…

He watched as this beautiful man with hair that fell to his waist stumbled after his shorter hooded companion. Not a care was put into his gait as he allowed his companion to make every decision for him. Dante watched as the two traveled down the corridor, but he could not forget what he had witnessed.

His eyes… They seemed so empty, like how Tesla's eyes used to be. His lips tugged into a frown as he looked down at his mirror cube. With one more turn, it could be complete. But…they were so beautiful.

His fingers went to the last section of his mirror cube. I hope I could see them again someday. I want to look at them more. I wonder how bright they'd be if he was happy.

And he finished his cube.

---

Voices of Characters in Order of Appearance

— • — • — • —

Mirella – Edie Mirman

Kyler Wilson – Ray Chase

Talia – Serena Varghesa

Mammon – Paul St. Peters

Jonas Webber –

Nashi Dragneel – Laura Landa

Gary Fullbuster – Griffin Burns

Aditya – Dilshad Vadsaria

Estelle Webber –

Bael's Shadow – Paul St. Peters

Simha – Anjali Bhinami

Hemera –

M'azzl – Dee Bradley Baker

The Forge – Julie Mayfield

Dante Princeton O'Neill (child) –

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Additional Voices

Opening Narrator – Mary McGlynn

Description Narrator – Mary McGlynn

Closing Narrator – Melissa Fahn

— • — • — • —

⌜ OPENING SONG

⟪ Walking with You ⟫

Novelbright

Lyrics by

雄大 / 勇太朗⌟

•

⌜ENDING SONG

⟪ Good One ⟫

HIRAIDAI

Lyrics by

EIGO, Dai Hirai⌟

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— • — • — • —

Next time, on Fairy Adventure

•

Episode 122

•

THE DEAL

— • — • — • —

•

•

•

•

TO BE CONTINUED…

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The lights are, but Chibi-Luna puts on a flashlight under her chin to show her students her Frankenstein make-up and she starts in a gravelly voice, "Good day, students. Are you ready for your Fairy Lesson?"

The lights turn on and Chibi-Luna is flustered. "Wh-What was that for?"

"You're too cute to be scary, Teacher!" her students tell her.

Chibi-Luna deflates in her Frankenstein outfit and make-up. "I know that was a compliment, but I'm still insulted." She sighs, but she carries on. "Today's Fairy Lesson will be about a Demon's Shadow." She breaks into maniacal laughter as she turns her flashlight on and off.

Her students sweatdrop. Teacher, you really aren't that scary…

Chibi-Luna goes to the blackboard and shows her drawing the outline of a horned person and the colored in version of them, identical. "Demons, as you know, aren't all the same. They have different Curses, personalities, dynamics, and interests. But Bael is considered one of the worst demons to have an Agent permanently assigned to him to fight against him."

A few pictures from the Lucky Duck Casino Arc are clipped to the blackboard to show the chaos and destruction.

"When Bael fought against us and was subsequently taken away, not all of his Curse left with him. Luke explained when he and Gale investigated the murder of their Deutzia Falls students that when stronger Curses are used, it can leave some sort of marking either until it is naturally cycled out or other Demons or someone with demonic energy either absorb it or disperses it back into Ethernano.

"However, if there was enough Curse Power left behind, it can take the form of a Demon's Shadow." She points to the horned silhouettes she had drawn. "A Demon's Shadow is not at all as strong as the Demon itself, but it's still dangerous. Demon's Shadows can disguise themselves in the shadows of others and, with enough power, can speak, interact, and even possess people."

A hand goes up as a male student asks, "What about the other Demons we've seen? Did they leave energy behind?"

"No, because they weren't strong enough," Chibi-Luna answers. "And Luke was able to dispel whatever Curses was leftover from Henry's unstable use of his abilities of necromancy and Cursed Fire."

"How come Kyler didn't notice Bael's Shadow?" another student questions.

"To be honest, a Demon's Shadow isn't something most would notice without having demonic energy," Chibi-Luna informs. "Agents and others might be sensitive to demonic energy, but its more when demonic levels reach a certain limit. The reason Demon's Shadows fly under the radar is that they don't reach a level to be concerned about or even to notice. To us, it might seem like the Shadow was powerful, but it wasn't powerful enough that an Agent could catch it.

"Which is why it's crucial to either make sure if a powerful Curse was used, to make sur the remnants of it are caught or purified. If a Demon's Shadow gains enough power, there's no telling what it's capable of. And something tells me this won't be the last we see of Bael. Which could be really upsetting. But I'd rather think about…"

Chibi-Luna moved the blackboard slate to show two rings. "…a wedding! We cordially invite you to the wedding of Kyler and Mirella this summer! Who knows? We might get to see Jonas, Simha, and Aditya again!"

PINPON!

"That's the bell!" Chibi-Luna waves. "See you at the start of the Caelum Arc for my spring holiday with my best friends Silver, Ena, and Icarus! Until next time!"