"Hey Mao, were you truly worried about me?"
"W-what the hell are you talking about! Who would say such a thing!" Mao growled
Almaz couldn't help but simply laugh "Ms Beryl was concerned. Mao, is it true?"
The other groaned nervously, before sighing "Of course it's true Almaz. It was bugging me for a while." Mao quickly grabbed Almaz's arm, pulling him in closer "The trip to your heart, to know it was my fault is still unbearable... an Honour Student shouldn't feel this kind of guilt..."
"That's why you wanted me to attack you right?"
"I thought... if maybe you showed me what you had felt, that maybe it would have helped."
Almaz immediately brought a hand out, slapping Mao "Idiot! There's no way Mao! I never wanted to see you get hurt!"
Mao snickered, bringing a hand to his cheek "You realize, Makora was right..."
"About what?"
"Recently we've been horrible as Demons..." Mao sighed
"That's horrible!"
"But, we're great as a couple..." Mao laughed
Almaz immediately turned a bright red, as Makora stepped out of her room "I heard my name."
"It's nothing." Almaz smiled, as Makora grabbed his arm
"Then come with me."
Almaz reluctantly followed, waving a quick goodbye to Mao "Korie? Where are we going?"
Makora growled "I want to see your heart resident problem for myself!"
"You mean Mao told you!" yelped Almaz
"Well, this is important, Almaz, of course he told me!" Makora shouted "Should I call you something else, would Mom be too embarrassing?"
"C-call me whatever you want. Just know, I truly am your mother."
The two approached the Heart Bank, quickly entering Almaz's heart.
"Just remember, don't touch anything."
"Come on Almaz! Just one?" Makora whined
Almaz sighed, seeing the desperate look in his daughters eyes "Fine, but just one."
Quickly, Makora picked up a glove from off the floor "Hmm?"
His eyes widening, Almaz quickly jolted to try to stop Makora as she put it on "N-Not that one!"
"Almaz, I've been worried about you recently. Is something wrong?" Sapphire asked, gently taking hold of his hand
Almaz shook his head "No Princess, it's nothing really." replied Almaz, pressing his small wings against his back
"Are you sure? You look different, and your title's been changing a lot too."
"No really, I'm fine." Almaz chuckled, his mood quickly changed as he got a sharp punch to the jaw "P-Princess! What are you doing!"
"Fool! I know you're turning into a demon! Were you planning on killing me once the transformation was complete!"
"Princess, I would never!" Almaz shouted, as Sapphire towered over him
"Can I believe that! Or are you a liar like the rest of the demons!"
Almaz gripped his lower jaw The taste of blood tainted his mouth, and his slightly greying blood seeped from the cut left by one of the spikes on her glove
"G-gh... why did you choose that?" Almaz sighed, wiping at his eyes. His heart raced simply at the memory of the incident
"You had a choice, to remain human? I thought you were forced into becoming a demon..."
"I thought it was the only way to keep my promise to Mao."
Makora cringed "Promise? To Dad?"
"I had promised to be his servant forever. Though a humans lifespan is a wide miss compared to an eternity."
"W-what do you mean?"
"Humans only live an average of, I think, 80 years... that's far from forever. Though, there's a lot more behind this than simply that."
"And that would be...?"
"If I hadn't become a demon I wouldn't have gone to Mao when the transformation was complete. This means I wouldn't have noticed him missing, and wouldn't have gone to the Human World to find him. I wouldn't have let him experiment on me. Meaning you wouldn't exist. Mao and I probably would have been separated, and for the rest of my life I would have been in the abusive relationship with the Princess."
Makora stared at him "It's scary how much you've thought this out."
"Well, the Princess never lets me forget. Neither does Mao."
"You still talk to this Princess!" Makora growled "How irresponsible, no, not just irresponsible, unforgivable!"
Almaz smiled "She's still my friend, and technically, I'm still her guard. I'm not going to let that separate us." Almaz laughed "Come on, you wanted to see them?"
Makora nodded, quickly grabbing the Hero's arm "Where are they?"
Almaz lead her to the Heart Vault. The light blue coloured residents had increased in numbers, all looking up at the Hero and his daughter the instant they came into view. Almaz's eyes widened, seeing his True Heart bruised, bleeding, and unconscious in the centre of it all
"True Heart!" Almaz screamed, bolting into the centre to protect the fallen "Makora run!"
Makora nodded, quickly sprinting away from the heart's core "He wouldn't allow us past, he deserved to go through what we do everyday." a resident spoke
"Why were you trying to get into the vault!" Almaz picking up the sword True Heart had a gentle, limp hold of
"To remove, the problem. Relieve you of your pain." another resident replied
"What would that be?" growled Almaz, as he turned towards the vault
"Your love, of Mao."
Almaz jumped, running to the open doors of the vault, guarding it preciously "No way! I won't allow it!"
It was one against an army, an invincible army at that. They outnumbered him in both quanitity and strength. Almaz shook in a mixture of anger and fear "Move aside, this is for your own good."
"Why would you take away something so important! I would never want this!"
"Almaz!"
Almaz looked ahead, the familiar voice made his heart race "Lord Mao!" Almaz yelped, Mao bolted up beside him, scooping up the fallen True Heart "Mao don't do this!"
"I have to Almaz. It's my top priority! Removing your heart's scar is important to me!"
"M-Mao..." Almaz stuttered, grabbing his hand "T-then together we'll do this!"
Mao noticed a few of the residents grow weaker "So long as the True Heart is down, we'll have to fight them, and guard the vault. Whatever they're after, I won't allow it!"
"Just the two of us then! Mao, stay on the defensive!" Almaz demanded "We know they grow stronger when we attack them."
"Hey hey, wait! Just you two? Almaz, what about us?" Beryl smirked, as her, Kyoko, and Asuka joined in
"Hero Almaz, you aren't alone, you have us, and all your other friends too!" Asuka smiled, as Makora broke through
"Family eh?" Makora chuckled "Family members look after one another right? Did you really think I'd just abandon you like that?"
"E-everyone... thank you." Almaz smiled, seeing a few residents disappear, and another taken out by a sudden gunshot
"Me too, Almaz!" Sapphire shouted, running up quickly "I thought you said they can't be hurt!"
Mao suddenly jumped, his glasses fogging slightly "Interesting... when they become weak enough they can be defeated... it's safe to assume it's a one-hit K.O. we're looking for!"
"H-how do we weaken them?" Beryl asked
"It's triggered by Almaz's mood, the more content he is, the weaker they become." explained Mao, as one resident grabbed him from behind
Sapphire aimed her gun towards Mao, and the one on his back "Sir Mao! Get down if you can!"
Instantly Mao was on his knees, pulling the resident up so he was higher than Mao was as Sapphire took her shot. Instantly the resident had exploded in a cloud of pink dust, and Makora had grabbed the bow it was using.
"Everyone... thank you..." Almaz smiled, before running forward, taking out another
Mao followed close behind, attacking another which quickly faded into pink spheres "Almaz... we need to prevent something like this from happening again. From now on, tell me if I've done something wrong."
Instantly Mao was brought into a tight embrace, the others ran forward to attack "Be careful... everyone... they're stronger than they appear..." a familiar voice piped in
"T-True Heart! You're awake! Guard the Heart Vault, tell us if they're getting too close!" Almaz shouted, taking out a few more, another being engulfed by a Mega Fire
Beryl waved to the two of them, closing the book she had used for the spell. The numbers of the residents were quickly falling
"We're almost there! Everyone, keep it up!" Kyoko shouted, a look of joy in her eyes being the only clue she was smiling
"Right, Dad, Almaz, move!" Makora demanded, launching herself towards the enemies using her bow, quickly knocking an enemy into another, both of which Mao quickly killed
Seven stood, heavily weakened by the Hero's increasingly evident happiness. Asuka quickly took three out with her spear, Sapphire shot the one she missed.
Almaz pierced his sword through one and Mao hastily took out another
"Why, would you help the one who hurt you?" the final enemy sighed
Almaz laughed "Because sadness isn't always linked to hatred."
The other froze, kneeling onto the floor "Then, finish me off."
Almaz hesitated, raising his sword, dropping it through the final. He quickly fell to his knees, breathing heavily "I-is everyone okay?"
"We're fine." Makora confirmed, sitting beside Almaz
"Hero Almaz! You're hurt! Take these thousand paper cranes for good health!" Asuka yelped, making Almaz laugh
"I'm fine, just a little tired is all."
Mao sat on his other side, placing a hand on the Hero's back "How do you feel Almaz?"
"Great, thank you everyone! I owe you all big time!" Almaz smiled, sitting more comfortably, and in turn, leaning against Mao
"We couldn't let a frend down, especially after hearing how close you are to my rival." Beryl smirked, sitting on a lower step along with the two other Delinquents
"Sir Mao, I've never seen you so determined." Sapphire chuckled, taking her place beside Beryl
"I'm not leaving Almaz's heart scarred." Mao growled
Sapphire jumped, looking at the concern deep in the Dean's eyes "What, happened while I was gone?"
"Apparently a lot." Mao replied, as the Hero jumped
"Ah, Ms Beryl! I still have your scrapbook!"
Beryl laughed "So you do still have it! I've been looking everywhere for it, I honestly thought I had lost it."
"Sorry... it slipped my mind. I'll grab it when we leave." Almaz replied. Beryl nodded, leaning back slightly
"You guys... saved some of Almaz's most precious memories... and his most treasured feeling. Thank you all."
Mao looked at the True Heart. Most treasured feeling?
"We're friends right?" Sapphire smiled
The True Heart sent a slight smile back, Almaz quickly stood, handing him the sword Almaz had borrowed "If possible, tell me next time you need help okay?"
Nodding, the True Heart sat down as Almaz quickly waved goodbye, grabbing Mao's hand gently "We'll be back again okay?"
"Almaz, are you okay? We did take out the vast majority of your heart after all." sighed Mao, looking nervously at Almaz
"I feel better than I have in a long time!" Almaz laughed, grabbing the Dean's coat as he pulled him into a loose hug
"W-what the hell do you think you're doing Almaz?" Mao whispered, completely relaxed
"I...I owe you everything Mao." Almaz whimpered, nuzzling the Dean nervously "You've done so much for me."
Sapphire had begun to show obvious signs of anger "People are staring at you two!"
"It's well known in the Netherworld that the Overlord is married. It's old news by now." Mao replied half-heartedly
"Married!" Sapphire yelped, her eyes wide
"It happens in the Netherworld too." Mao scoffed "Look at the father of Overlord Laharl. He married a human of all possibilities."
"You married Almaz!" Sapphire shouted
"So? Anyone can marry." Mao replied, wrapping his arms around the Hero, who still clung to him
"Mao... don't fight, I need to grab Ms Beryl's scrapbook." Almaz whined, releasing Mao who followed him back towards their room
"Almaz, you know I could have won. Why did you stop me?" Mao growled, staring at the Hero who grabbed the scrapbook from the table
"That's why. She's my friend, and your servant. Can we afford to lose her?" Almaz asked, as Mao sighed, watching the Hero walk towards the door "I'll be right back! I just have to give this to Ms Beryl." Almaz smiled
Mao sat down, quickly laying on the bed
"Hey Dad!" Makora greeted, sitting beside him "Good job earlier."
"Naturally! You weren't half bad yourself Makora." Mao snickered
"Mmmm, well I get that from my father, you might have met him before, he's an Overlord you know." Makora laughed
"Maybe, who knows, I might have passed him once or twice." Mao replied, yawning tiredly "Overlords pass through all the time..."
Mao found himself quickly falling asleep "Dad? You tired?"
"J-just a little..." Mao replied, laughing slightly "I'll be fine a little longer. I need to wait for Almaz to get back either way."
Makora nodded "Want me to wait with you?"
"If you want to." Mao replied, Makora smiled
"Well then, it's settled!"
Makora shuffled, getting more comfortable "If, I fall asleep, wake me up okay Makora?"
"Of course Dad!" Makora smirked "Raspberyldidn't go back to her room, Almaz should be back soon."
"G-good." Mao yawned, slowly drifting off "Shoot... I'm not going to be able to stay awake."
"Just a few more minutes Dad."
Mao chuckled slightly. He looked over at the door, which was slowly opening
"Mao? You still awake?" Almaz whispered, walking quietly into the room
"Yeah, come on." Mao replied
Almaz smiled, walking up before quickly laying on the bed "Thanks again, Mao."
Mao nodded, a smile forming across his face "Night Almaz, night Dad."
"Night Korie." Almaz chuckled, seeing Makora glare at him
"What have I told you about that name?" Makora growled
"Goodnight Makora." Mao added, Makora waved before retreating to the safety of her bedroom
"Mao, get some rest too, you look exhausted." Almaz laughed
Mao couldn't disagree, quickly shuffling towards Almaz, curling up beside him
"Nnn, night
"Good night Mao. Sleep in tomorrow okay?"
Mao yawned, a small smile on his face "T-tha..."
The Dean fell asleep, Almaz snickered slightly. He swore Mao was about to thank him. The older demon quickly shuffled to get even closer and more comfortable. Almaz smiled, seeing Mao now resting his head on Almaz's chest. The Hero, completely satisfied with this comfort, quickly drifted into a light slumber