SURPRISE! DOUBLE UPDATE!

After all this time without chapters I had to compensate you, my faithful readers, with something, don't you think?

Anyway, with this Act II is officially closed. Now some warnings:

In the next act the members of yuri couple of this fic will start to appear (bet you even forgot that there would be one) and a bunch of members of the gang will appear. Who knows, even Kratos might actually made an appearance.

Now, let's enjoy the interlude chapter and see what our favorite villains are doing now.

Interlude:

A Deal with the Devil

Alice exited the Final Road area (where the portal to Niflheim was located) of the Ginnungagap pouting. She had just gotten a scolding from Nebilim for engaging in combat with Ratatosk and his group and letting them escape in the end. The most frustrating part is that she knew she had Ratamil and his little friends at her mercy, but after that... why couldn't she remember anything besides that point? Of course, she wouldn't say that to Lord Nebilim, he would probably think she was making that up and it would not improve her situation with the Lord of the Demonic Invasion Troops.

To top it off, Nebilim deemed her as unprepared to face Emil again, since it seemed the group was getting powerful and called for an observation on the matter to access what was the level of threat Ratatosk and the reincarnated Summon Spirits represented to their plans for Aselia.

On her way out of the Ginnungagap, Alice saw Richter leaning on the wall of the door that separated the bridge to the Final Road of the Path of Ascension. The red head looked back at her with a smirk, it was obvious he had eavesdropped during the entire talk.

"What? Came here to brag just because I can't hunt your little friends for now?" Alice inquired with a venomous tone.

"What gave you that impression?" Richter asked, smirk never leaving his face.

Alice's pout got deeper. She knew Richter was making fun of her. The older half-demon never liked her or the fact she sold Ratamil and that annoying Martmart to Nebilim. She honestly didn't understand why Nebilim kept Richter around when the former half-elf made it so clear he was against them and was forced to join the demons against his will.

Then again, I don't understand most of what Lord Nebilim's plans are, but whatever. As long as I get to leave this filthy world behind, I don't mind. Alice thought.

"Go on laughing while you can, Richy..." Alice said her sweet smile and tone showing up. "Because sooner or later, your usefulness will end. And I'll make sure I'm there to put you to rest," she said the last part with her typical malicious tone and smile, giggling.

"Don't worry, I fully intent on seeing that I'm as far away from here as possible when that happens," Richter said, his tone never wavering as he detached himself from the wall. "Meanwhile, maybe you should be thinking on where you're standing in all of this, or don't tell me you fully believe the demons are intend on carrying out their end of the bargain."

With that, Richter left. The red head passed by Decus on his way, who stopped to shoot a look at the half-demon of doubtful loyalty. Alice had a neutral expression on her face as she saw Richter departing and Decus arriving. Her self-proclaimed servant asked how the audience with Nebilim was and Alice explained they were forbidden from going after Ratatosk until Nebilim could better access the situation.

"And what was it that Richter wanted?" Decus asked, shooting a look to the direction Richter had gone.

"Just to laugh at my face," Alice said.

"That double-timing... are you sure I can't kill him?"

"Did you already forget Decus? Lord Nebilim says he's not to be touched. Apparently, Richter is useful for him."

"Um... maybe he wants to use him as hostage," Decus suggested.

"Whatever. That's none of my business anyway."

There was silence between the two of them as they walked on the Path of Ascension. Decus started to think where he and Alice stood. He hated to admit it, but some of the things Richter said sometimes had some truth to them. But still...

"What are you thinking about, Decus?" Alice asked the young man.

"Well..."

"Don't tell me, I know that face and you know very well what my word is on the matter," Alice cut him.

"I just think that maybe we should have some kind of insurance about this deal. You know the demons think all Aselians are trash, human or not."

"But Lord Nebilim isn't like them. I know he'll uphold his end of the deal," Alice said, smiling.

"But still..."

Alice closed her expression. She and Decus had that argument several times and each time it seemed that she was unable to make him see her side of the things. Anyway, it wasn't like she needed him to agree with her. As long as he followed her orders, the rest could be arranged.

Even so… sometimes she felt annoyed that he would question her decisions. She didn't know why, but she wanted him to see what she was doing was for the best.

"Look, if you're going to jump out, then do it now. I have to know who I can relay the important tasks," Alice said in an ultimatum.

"No! I-I didn't mean it like that. I-I just…" Decus tried to justify himself.

"Of course, I would rather do everything myself. I am the only person I can really count on, but even I have my limitations," Alice mused, not caring that Decus was listening. "I can't simply put my trust on somebody that might betray me later."

"I would never betray you, Alice. I swear on my life!" Alice didn't seem to hear him as she started walking ahead again, leaving Decus behind.

The blue haired man sighed as he brought his hand to his head. Why couldn't Alice see he was just worried she might get herself in more trouble than she can handle? The deals with demons were no laughing matter, even he knew that, but Alice always insisted she was in control of things.

Maybe I should just shut up and play along. Decus thought.

Still, it frustrated him Alice didn't trust him even after everything he did for her… everything he would do for her. He didn't care if she was a half-elf, half-demon, or whatever. But it seemed the time she suffered being discriminated made her close herself off from everybody.

Sometimes, I wish I could have born a half-elf. At least, this way Alice would trust me and I wouldn't have to deal with… UGH! Decus mentally agonized as he felt pain and clutched his chest. He felt like something was squeezing hard his heart. Again!

Sweating, Decus quickly searched his pockets and found what he was looking for. He smiled as he sprayed the liquid on the bottle all over him. The effect was almost immediate as the pain started to subside and he sighed in relief. Luckily, Alice didn't notice the sudden spike of chaos energy on his aura as she came back, seeing he wasn't walking alongside her anymore, and stopped once she saw the bottle on his hand. With an expression of disgust, she said:

"Ugh! Not again. How many times do I have to tell you to stop using this thing?"

"Oh. So you're saying I need nothing to enhance my already alluring charms, my darling?" Decus said in a flamboyant tone, making flashy gestures with his free hand.

"No. I'm saying I would rather breath while I walk," Alice replied sharply as she snatched the bottle from Decus' hand, reading the name on it. "'Eau de Seduction'. I swear, I'll kill whoever had the brilliant idea of creating this thing."

"Actually, I modified it myself. Nothing like giving it a personal touch," Decus said, complimenting himself.

"I swear…" Alice said, turning and throwing the bottle over her shoulder. Decus caught it. "Sometimes I wonder what you have in your head instead of a brain."

Decus sighed as he followed Alice. Sometimes he wondered if he should tell her.

No. She'll think I'm weak and Alice doesn't have any need for weak people. Decus thought I'll have to endure it alone if I want to stay at her side and protect her.

Sometimes, he really wished he was born a half-elf. Then Alice wouldn't suspect of him trying to get advantage of her and he probably wouldn't have to suffer like this. And... maybe... none of this would have happened and he and her could be happy together...

As Decus thought on that, he and Alice passed near a section of the Path of Ascension that the demon generals used to train. There, Merahwdir and the Hell Knight were sparring. The bigger demon didn't have any problem countering the vast array of weapons the hunter demon could summon at will, spinning and swinging his halberd to bat projectiles away and release fire on the armored demon.

The two locked their weapons again as they pushed against each other, the Hell Knight trying to use the long-range of his sword to injured Merahwdir, who just pushed him back with a strong kick. The lion-like demon prepared to run his halberd through the hunter demon, but the Hell Knight simply jumped, landing on the lance's cable and running on it, ready to slice the other demon's head off.

Merahwdir brought one arm up, enveloping it in magical fire and using it to dispel the purple, energy blade of his adversary. He then proceeded to punch the smaller demon to the ground and prepared to finish him off with a slash, but the Hell Knight recovered and put his hands on the ground behind him, crouching his body, taking impulse and jumping behind as Merahwdir's lance scarred the ground, which quickly repaired itself. The two then stood on their battle stances once more.

It was then they heard clapping and stopped, looking at the source of the sound. From the path that led to that platform came another giant demon, almost the same size as Merahwdir. He was a blue, armor suit with a horned helmet. On his back was a bluish broadsword and a shield with a dragon's face carved on it. Between the gaps of the armor there was nothing, meaning the demon was one of spiritual type; possessing the giant armor specially made for him.

"You two have been really dedicated on your training recently," the living armor said in a deep, resounding voice, which made sound like he was really talking from inside the armor. "Shall I assume that it's because of your encounters with Ratatosk and his group of mongrels?"

"Greetings for you too, Narom'Kriaar," Merahwdir said. "Me and Gerash'Läh were just having a friendly spar while we don't have any assignments at the moment."

"Is that so? Are you sure it doesn't have anything to do with your inability to capture them?" the demon asked in a tone laced with malice.

"I wouldn't get so cocky, Narom. You didn't even face them," Gerash replied.

The living armor simply chuckled at him, turning from the two. He talked again while walking to the edge of the platform:

"If I heard it correctly; they outsmarted you, Gerash. Something I would never have let happen with me."

"Oh, sure. Like you were never once outsmarted during the First Invasion on this world by... let's say... that old coot that was the former leader of the Summon Spirits."

Narom turned to Gerash at that. The other two demons could feel the threat lingering in the aura of the spiritual demon, but Gerash obviously ignored that. Like many demon generals, Narom was a feared and terrible opponent, capable of overwhelming any adversary with his sheer size and strength. However, just like many others, he was beaten during the War of the Young Aselia, a fact many of them refused to comment or admit.

"At least some of us concentrate on getting the job done quick and not playing with their targets," Narom said, casting a glance at Merahwdir, who acted with indifference to the comment.

Merahwdir was often accused of being "too nice" with his adversaries, to the point some even called him a disgrace to their race. Even so, that meant nothing to the beast demon, who preferred to let his skills in combat and leading speak for him. The lion-like demon thought about the fiasco of the First Invasion in Aselia differently, thinking that he had finally met somebody worthy fighting during that time.

"That doesn't matter," Gerash said. "In the end, all this resistance is futile. This world is already wrapped in our Lords' fingers. The humans are just too stubborn to accept they already lost any rights they had to this world the moment they chose to destroy it over their petty disputes."

"It's just a matter of time before we can return it to the Great Father and their so-called resistance is of little consequence in the face of the facts," Merahwdir spoke, his arms crossed and a neutral expression on his face.

"Even so, they are still useful to us to some degree, if only as livestock. But if we break them too fast, they will be as good as a bunch of putrid flesh," Narom completed. "It's also quite entertaining seeing they struggle against the inevitable…"