Chapter 27

It took a week for that monster to digest, yet the lesson was learned. If Amai was going to eat, he would be certain to have Hunter around to get him back home. Still, when he was able to move again, he went back out on his patrol. Hunter kept him in City R out of respect for the people and his legions that live there. They don't take kindly to Hunter so Amai does the job.

It was strange though. When Sweet Mask arrived that day, he still appeared rather large from his last feast. No one mind the least bit, but that wasn't what caught his attention. There was a strange sculpture in the middle of the city square. Despite the light snowfall that occurred recently, this didn't have a single flake on it. He was curious and approached. "Must be one of those art pieces they place around the city," he said to himself.

Yet the closer he went, the more he realized it wasn't a city art piece. In fact, there was a sign stating 'reserved for Amai Mask'!

He looked about in confusion, until some city workers approached him. "Sweet Mask! Glad you are here, mind doing us a favor and testing this out for us?"

"Certainly… what is it?" Amai questioned.

"Try it and see!"

Amai was cautious as he approached the strange set up. It was a massive and oval looking black stone, his hand went on it and he immediately felt warmth! "Is this a warming stations?"

"Your fans insisted on it, they got the permit and passes it through city hall. Your fan club membership fee paid for this." One of the workers explained.

He was getting a chill. So Amai slithered up and did a lazy coil around the stone. He felt it instantly, his body warmed up, everything felt perfect! "You have no idea how much I needed this!" he purred.

"Glad you like it. Enjoy!" With that, the city workers went off as Amai savored the heat. He didn't realize it at the time, but some of his fans were near by, taking photos of him as he rested and warmed himself up.

When satisfied, he slinked off the stone and continued on his way. "I wish that was portable" he said, but then got the idea that perhaps the cities should all have one. Not for him, but for Snek. He patrols all the time.

Just as Amai was on his way down the street, Hunter flew overhead. The people parted as he came down and landed just before him. He brought along a very long, thick sweater and a hot drink. "Thought you could use these."

"I appreciate that, thank you. Did you see the warming station they set up for me?"

"Must be nice to have that kind of fan devotion." Amai slipped the sweater on and then savored his hot drink. Just as he did, there came an odd smirk over Hunter. "Congrats by the way."

He paused. "On what? I haven't done anything significant recently."

Hunter's smile grew as he took out his phone, when he found what he was looking for her showed Amai. He just took a sip of his hot chocolate when he spat it out in shock.

Amai Mask, Class A Rank 1

"This can't be right!" he protested. Yet he looked over the page, the reports and photos of him as a serpent, fighting and eating monsters. "I… I haven't been reporting my deeds…"

"Your fans have. They brought you back to Rank 1. Your latest song helped too from the album you were going to release after you took over my dad's body. Oddly though, it's the song my dad did when he was you!"

Amai couldn't believe it. He was at the top of A Class again, Hunter was brought down to Rank 2. "This isn't right still, you have done far more than I have, and you report it, don't you?"

"I do… and sometimes I don't. I ain't mad if that's what you are worried about. In fact… I am actually thrilled."

"What?"

"Don't you see, despite what you are right now… you're still a hero to the people. They know who you are, not what you became."

He paused to the news. It was true. A brief smile came over Amai, just as the wind blew a deep, bone chilling air through him. He nearly passed out then and there! Hunter caught him but Amai came too. "I'm okay… just a little cold…"

"Let's call it a day for you, it's been quite. We got to get you warmed up."

"There's a nice heating rock over in the town square…"

Amai was passing out, he nearly did until he felt the warmth once more come over his body. He woke to it, Hunter brought him to the heating stone in the square. "This… is divine" he said. To his left, Amai noticed someone left a rose for him. He casually leaned over and pick it up off the ground.

Hunter then stared at him oddly. "How come, no matter what the hell you are doing, you still have a sense of elegance in the way you sit, lie down or even just stand there? Even as a snake!" he questioned.

"It can be a blessing and a curse sometimes."

There were more of Sweet Mask's legions gathering, cameras and phones were taken out to take pictures of him, he didn't mind really. When comfortable, he announced he was ready to go. "Perhaps it is best we call it a day, I can't seem to keep myself going in this weather." Amai announced.

"It is getting chilly, let's go, maybe dad will let you help us out for Halloween this year."

Amai became curious. "Oh? Your family does something for Halloween?" he asked with great interest.

Hunter smiled wickedly…