And now, for a note from the author…
Because she's cool like that :
Just wanted to say, sorry for the really bad riddles! It was all I could think of! Ack! xP
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They sat.
They waited.
They were quiet.
Finally, the red-haired woman broke the silence.
"So… Shia-san, is it?"
"Ah! Yes!" exclaimed Shia, standing up and bowing. "I'm very pleased to meet you!"
Nyaa closed his eyes in embarrassment. The woman stared at Shia for a moment before Shia sat down, blushing.
"I… I see…" the woman muttered. "This is worse than I thought."
Shia looked down at her feet. But the woman looked up.
"So… moving on… Shia-san, you failed your demon exam, did you not?"
"…Yes," whispered Shia faintly.
"And do you know why you failed?"
"B-because I came in direct contact with an ang-"
"Hush!" the woman interrupted. "We do not speak of their kind."
"Y-yes… of course…" sighed Shia apologetically. "I… I'm sorry…"
The woman grimaced.
"Yes… well… I received a letter addressed to you… listen."
"Shia-san-
Your failed demon exam has qualified to be retaken. Solve the following riddle to unveil the three tasks you must perform. Finish them all in the next fourteen days and you will be accepted as a full-fledged demon.
Signed Nomed, Ruled or Devils, Demons, and Hell."
The lady thrust a folded piece of paper into her hand. She said, "Here. Read it."
Shia slowly unfolded the letter and looked at the riddle. She was stunned to read:
"The mortal's a fool, for he can't see
What pain and suffering tend to be
The mortal will sleep when the moos is bright
As a hellish figure performs the task tonight.
The mortal sleeps; his joy is blind
As the hellish figure captures it's find
It shall take it home for when it's done
The following task will be much more fun
The enemy sleeps; she's all alone
Deal with her and pick her bones
When nothing remains of the pitiful sight
A demon shall be rewarded and praised tonight."
Shia looked at Nyaa, her eyes wide. He looked back at her.
"You only have 336 hours… go."
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Misha did as she was told. She was too tired to argue or complain.
"What is it, Sa-chan? Su."
Sasha was glowing with excitement.
"Well, you know how you passed your exam, but you would rather live with Wonder Boy?"
Misha wanted to roll her eyes and yell, "DUH!" but she was too tired, so she just nodded.
"Well, I've just spoken to the PTB, and we've worked something out. They've decided to give you two weeks to work out a task that they give you. If you can pass it, you'll be able to perform your angel duties from Earth."
Misha was shocked.
"W…Wha?"
"Every word I spoke was true."
Misha's eyes grew wide. Her eyes leaked with happiness.
"Ah! Sa-chan! Thank ya! Thank ya so so so muchies! SU!" she yelled, trying to give Sasha a hug, but instead toppling her over.
"All right, all right! You're happy! Now enough with the PDA!" yelled Sasha. She was trying to look angry, but Misha knew that underneath, Sasha was really happy for her.
"Ooh! Ooh! What's da task? Da tasky wasky su!"
"Hm… let's see…" said Sasha. She waved her hands above her head and a scroll appeared in front of her, hovering in midair. She grabbed it and read it aloud:
"Misha san-
Solve the following in the next fourteen days and you shall be allowed to perform your duties from the surface world. Hidden in the following riddle are three tasks. Perform them all on time, and your wishes will be granted.
Signed, Aleginia, Head of the Surface World Department."
Sasha unfolded the scroll a bit more and a note fell out. It twirled to the floor, where it landed without a sound. Sasha picked it up and read it aloud, too:
"The children will laugh and birds will sing
A small boy trandsforms into a king
The cause of those is the cause of you
Causing this thing is the task you shall do
In the clutches of the enemy's hands
A mortal lay, bound by non-existent bounds
Sneak in and escape with your prize
Just before their luck suddenly dies
The enemy sleeps; she's all alone
Deal with her, then pick her bones
When nothing remains of the vile sight
An angel shall be rewarded and praised tonight."
Sasha folded up both papers and handed them to Misha.
"You only have 336 hours… go."