I was getting extremely woozy, the world had a silvery icing that sparkled on the edges of my vision, the corners were beginning to blur, the colors melting in like a mad impressionist painting.

Was I going blind?

Now all I saw were dim shimmers here and there, the lights melded together like a twisted kaleidoscope above me.

Was I looking at the celing?

I was having temporary memory loss from the amount of blood I gave him.

What was wrong with me?

Dwindle was going to be soooo mad.

I hope he wasn't mad at me like he was last time.

I wracked my brain trying to remember why I felt like this.

"Splendor.

Are you going to be alright?

Oh dear you're not in any pain are you?"

Even the voices I heard were blurry and foggy sounding.

"No I'm... fine. Just a little light headed.

I'll recover soon... I think."

"I know this may not be any of my business but does it ever hurt...you know as it happens...when you're with him?"

I recognized the voice to be Sidney's even though his face was a mere outline because of how out of whack my brain was at this moment from all the blood loss.

"No, never, there is no pain.

I've had a lot of pain in my life and this isn't one of them that I can add to my repertoire of misery.

I am...very woozy right now.

Egads how much did you take?"

"I don't know, I wasn't keeping track.

Okay, okay, I might have gone a little overboard but at least I won't have to ask you again...at least not for awhile.

Ugh...on second thought maybe I shouldn't do this again at all.

It may only cause more problems if I make this a regular thing between us.

Is it too late to say I'm sorry?"

"No... just give me a minute to get my head straight. I can hardly see straight enough as it is...I need to recover... give me a moment to do that...okay".

I felt around for my hair pin and I nearly had to swallow my gasp as I realized I wasn't even wearing it yet surprisingly I felt a new surge of energy flow back into my system.

The new blood that rushed to my brain made my head feel heavy and rather cumbersome.

"You certainly look as good as new.

You know you really are such a marvel Splendor.

Can you heal yourself as well?"

The right corner of his mouth tilted upwards to form a challenging smirk.

"Well normally Dwindle does that for me but I can try."

Heal Yourself.

Heal. The blood will fade, the marks will disappear.

Fade, fade away, disappear for me.

No scars, no marks, no evidence.

I was wishing this, imagining it in my mind, I let the thought illuminate every bit of my being.

I was using all my mental energy to make this possible but I wasn't magical like Dwindle was.

His blood might have given me a few temporary abilities but no doubt that effect had worn off a long time ago.

Now I was just hoping and praying this would work.

"How absolutely miraculous.

The marks are gone and there's not even a single trace of blood to be seen."

Sidney had a soft and thoughtful tone now rather than using that dull and edgy tone he liked to use to snarl at everyone on the set.

"Whaa? Did I do it?

I didn't think I could do that but then again you can hardly be surprised since I'm not even human".

"Nooo... I'm not surprised at all.

I'm astounded and even somewhat impressed but not surprised.

I always knew you were different somehow.

I always knew you were someone special.

I never knew why or how but I know special when I see it."

Sidney had a casual lopsided smile that gave me the impression he was trying to compliment me.

All the the coherent thoughts in my head were far too slippery to grasp onto.

What had I done?

This had to be my fault.

I mean come on, I gave him a free meal, I didn't fight him or persuade him not to sink his teeth into my flesh.

I just let him drain me.

Oh no Dwindle was not going to be happy.

"You know, Splendor, I think you might need a little time to rest.

You should put your feet up, take it easy, take part in a little R R.

I wouldn't want you to overwork yourself."

"Oh I won't, don't you worry."

Sidney insisted to take my arm so as to support me up the stairs to my room.

"I won't be too far away if you need me.

I have very astute hearing so if you call me, I'll certainly be able to hear you.

How about I come and check on you later?

I'll knock first just to be on the safe side."

Sidney smiled rather sheepishly.

"Yes um...you can come check on me... later...if you want to.

I suppose Mansfield needs you."

"Oh yes, he always does, he's a bit of a man child, someone has to keep him in line and look after him.

He can't be left unsupervised...at least not for long."

"Funnily I used to be the same way".

"Oh really? So what changed?"

"I grew up.

Chesso happened, so I wasn't that wide eyed innocent for long.

Now I can be unsupervised all the time, I can handle myself, I could probably handle Chesso if I was given a chance but not now.

Only I'm not ready for that."

"Chesso will be brought to justice I promise you.

You won't have to testify if you don't want to.

I won't make you do that.

I pressured my wife to do the same thing and just look where it got her.

There will be enough evidence that you won't even have testify in a court of law, I'll make sure of it".

"Thank you".

He attempted to smile yet the corners of his mouth wouldn't cooperate.

"No, thank you, I owe you one.

Actually I owe you a couple of favors. Don't hesitate to ask...for anything... alright."

His voice was hesitant and cautious.

"Alright I won't.

Take care of yourself... Sidney.

Don't starve yourself like last time".

"Oh no I'm not going down that route again. I doubt you want a repeat of that near feeding frenzy spree again.

Although, this peculiar arrangement between us does have it's benefits and it is quite convenient... for me at least...I don't know about you".

"We'll see".

"Yes we will won't we.

Take Care. I'll be up later until then I'll be... around".

"Yes so you've said. "

"So I have. If you wander don't wander too far away okay.

I want to know where to find you".

"There's nowhere for me to really go so don't worry about me straying away from the manor.

I'm not familiar with this part of the countryside anyway.

I'll stay safe".

"Good girl.".

He gave me a shallow and superficial smirk as he shut the door behind him.

I let out a long sigh and closed my eyes so I could relax.

"Going to sleep so early my dear?"

There was invigorating chill in the air.

I saw the familiar crystallized hues of blues and purple.

I was in the multiverse again.

Great. Just Great yet I was too worn out to even be angry with him.

"I'm not sleeping, I'm resting.

There's a difference.

I'm on break, so I can pop off to your weird alternate nether realm again.

Thanks for asking me by the way".

"I'm sorry, I am here on urgent business if you want to know.

I just got done visiting Wastrum so now I have all the time in the world."

I was lying on the four poster bed when pressed his lips vigorously into my own.

"How is he?

Is he absolutely miserable without me?"

"Oh yes completely.

He's a absolute disaster in fact.

I found him climbing the walls, tearing down old portraits, smashing the chandelier, he even went so far as licking the furniture. It would have be hilarious but then I thought about you.

Tell me what should I do with him?"

"Bury him please".

"Well I can't do that, I've never done anything like that before.

I just do mild mental torture and other cheap parlor tricks.

I don't kill people and the truth is I've never killed a human ever before in my life.

How about a familiar?"

"If you made him a familiar he might think himself to be important.

You can do better than turn him into your pet, he's monster not a slobbery puppy dog."

"Oh he wouldn't be that type of familiar, think of him more as a servant or a slave perhaps".

"You can do what you want with him, I don't care.

He's not my problem anymore."

My voice was distant and indifferent.

"No protests, no objections, no cries against injustice?

I must say this is unusual.

Usually you'd be begging me to spare him.

"Oh don't harm him please.

Let him go, I don't want you to harm him."

He mockingly made his voice higher as to imitate a helpless maiden in distress.

I knew he was making fun of me but I knew he was only teasing me so I didn't let that comical voice bother me.

"I know I had a sensitive side for him once but not anymore.

I'd actually prefer him to be dead but I'd never ask you to kill him for me.

I don't have it me to kill him either so I suppose it's best you make him your servant or your slave.

Either way it doesn't matter to me".

"So you don't care if I take complete control over him?"

"Oh are you going to possess him or something?"

"Yuck. No, I'd never do that, I'm only going to train him, break him in so to speak, Not possess him.

He's already possessed by my own shadow anyway".

"You What?

You gave him your own shadow?!"

"Yes, yes calm down.

I have more than one remember.

I can have an infinite amount of them if I so desire.

It's not as if I'll run out and this shadow is bound in my blood, which means he'll never be able to completely control it, not as long as he is blood bound to me.

Seriously Splendor I know what I'm doing.

I've been a demon for a great long while and I've been practicing magic for ages.

Don't worry, I have it all under control."

"Alright, if you say so.

So...rumor has it you have a big night with Sidney.

Now just what do you hope to find in those ruins at Morningside?"

"The same thing Sidney's looking after: Information

Yet I want information specifically about Chesso's contacts, I want a list of his connections and all of his so called friends in high places".

"That's very commendable and noble but what's the catch?"

"You are the catch Splendor.

I'm doing all of this for you.

This investigation is for your sake.

All I need is a list of his contacts so I can sabotage all his connections he has in this world and without those connections he'll be absolutely powerless just like Wastrum is right now".

"How do you intend on doing that?"

"Simple, as soon as I get that list, I'll hunt each and every one of them down and I'll curse them.

I'll make sure that these curses keep them far away from Chesso's influence and control.

It will be wonderful at least if you approve of it".

Dwindle peered down at me with these cute doleful eyes.

"Yes of course I approve.

I don't know why I do but maybe it's because I trust you.

So go, curse them, you can even curse Chesso if you'd like, I don't care.

Wastrum is dead to me anyway so you might as well do what you want with him.

I shan't stop you.

He's fair game".

"Whoa, Fair game.

Who are you and what have you done with the old Splendor?

You're so cold and distant towards them.

It's so strange seeing you like this, its so very peculiar to hear you talk like this.

Are you alright?

You didn't get possessed by any demons while I was away did you?"

"No I'm just not that fond of them, I never was to be honest.

They've hurt me too many times and I'm tired of them mistaking my forgiveness as a weakness.

I forgave them, I will continue to do so but I never gave them permission to hurt and mistreat me.

It's time I cut them off from my life.

If I don't I'll always be making exceptions and excuses for them and frankly I'm exhausted from doing that everyday.

I want a break, a permanent vacation from the both of them.

I don't care if I ever see them again at least I'll be happy and healthy and at least I'll have you".

"You'll always have me Splendor.

There is something else I wanted to discuss with you.

So I've met Demora and we've done some talking, she says there are other free worlds where demons live, worlds free of humanity and untouched by the evils of Satan.

There is one such world that was actually created by Swerva himself.

She says if I help her return to this world she'll put in a good word for me, she'll tell her Father about me, so that got me thinking, what if I could live in this new world?

I don't want to go alone and obviously I don't want to leave you behind so I was wondering would you come with me?"

"I-I-I-I don't know if I can.

Don't I have to be a demon to go there".

"No not necessarily.

You might want to come stay with me in my own nether realm before you go to the new one just so you can get used to it and also to see if you like it."

"I'll have to die to do that won't I?"

"If you were human yes but you aren't human so there may be some exceptions and quite possibly you'd be just fine.

Give it a try.

Come with me.

Let us leave this multiverse and I'll take you to my hiding place.

Just you and me, no time , no age, no common sense, no logic to speak of. The laws of science don't apply there, so think of it as a experiment.

So What do you say?

Will you come with me?"

"Yes, I will, I promised you I would, so it's only fair that I go with you.

Are you going to still make me like you?"

"You already are like me Splendor.

You're even better than I am Splendor but I shall treat you as an equal.

Demora likes you, she's really quite fond of you so I'm sure she won't mind if you came along and crossed over to her world.

It will be splendid and you'll be forever happy and I'll probably never be miserable again because I'll have you for all eternity".

He proceeded to kiss my neck and then surprisingly his lips even wandered down to my chest.

His kisses were so desperate and vigorous, almost as if I was I was the very reason for his existence.

I had to omit a tiny alarmed yelp as he grasped onto to my breast, the firm pressure of his grasp, made me convulse slightly and I felt a strange yet happy little twinge between my legs.

The Twinge drifted past my groins and spread to my buttocks.

I felt heavy, helpless yet calmly peaceful and I couldn't help but be happy in this moment.

I was so content I almost didn't notice him slid himself on top of me.

I just assumed it was this delicious feeling that had erupted from my nether regions.

His lips touched my neck again yet as soon as he reached my neck he stopped, his face froze over and his eyes were a Icy thoughtful blue.

"You smell of dead flowers and crushed bones.

You've been with Sidney haven't you?"

His voice was so vacant and I looked up at him very fearfully.

"There's no use denying it.

I can smell him on you especially around your neck and strangely enough on one of your wrists.

You have been busy haven't you.

So how did it go?"

"It went well, I was a little woozy afterwards but I soon recovered and I even managed heal myself all on my own without any outside help".

"Wow...that is miraculous.

I'm Proud of you.

I never knew you could do that but then again I never had any doubts about you either.

You are a special girl.

Magical even, you are so much more than you seem to be and I'm sorry if I ever underestimated you.

You deserve better and you deserve far more than this world has to offer you".

"So you're not angry with me?"

"Why would I be angry with you?

You can handle yourself with or without anybody else.

So how woozy did he make you exactly?"

I began to get sick to stomach when be asked that.

"Really Woozy, like I was seeing stars, then I could hardly see anything after that.

Then I had a bit memory loss to go with it.

So yeah he might have gone a little overboard".

"I'll have a talk with him but until then How about I make you a little woozy myself?"

"Um about that, I've been doing some thinking as well and well it just occurred to me that if I'm not human then what's the point of you draining me any longer?"

"It's enjoyable and it is pleasurable.

It's created a strangely beautiful bond between us.

Does there have to be any other reasons?"

"Well my blood was supposed to redeem you but since I'm not human I can't really do that for you anymore".

"What are you talking about?

Your blood is pure and even if you're blood wasn't involved you've already redeemed me Splendor by just being you, by just existing, you've changed me by your love and presence alone.

I don't need your blood it's true but I hunger for it, I hunger for you.

I wish I could make you so woozy, that Sidney would be put to shame.

I wish I'd make you so light headed that you could hardly stand.

I'll out do him, just you wait.

I'll drain you so much you won't even be able to walk right out of here.

No escape, no second thoughts, only a heavy emptiness and a vast void of life.

Drift away with me, drift away to the nether realm.

I'll be your guide.

Feed me and I'll feed you your every desire from here to all eternity".

There was a part of me that told me to resist him, to get away and possibly escape but after years of suppression under the relentless control of both Wastrum and Chesso, I decided it was time to live for myself.

This was my life and it was never his, it was never Wastrum's and it was never Chesso's.

"You know it's not a competition right?So you really have nothing to prove to me".

Dwindle craned his neck to one side and his eyes twinkled eerily like two blue moons.

"There is no competition, you know why?

Because no one can compete with me.

I'm more powerful than that Sidney Salazar will ever be.

I AM RAPHAEL DWINDILARA.

Either love me or fear me".

"What will happen if I actually become a demon like you?"

"Then you'll be with me forever.

Why are you so frightened by change?

It's only a little blood, I'm not asking you to give me your life, I only ask you to trust me.

Stop fearing the change Splendor, stop fighting it and please stop resisting me.

You are too uptight, far to retrained, that kind of attitude can restrict blood flow and we don't want that do we?

No we don't, so just relax, enjoy the ride,Splendor.

I'll let you know when this little ride comes to an end.

Just trust me, Splendor.

I'm not Sidney, I can actually control myself unlike him.

He needs blood in order to survive and I on the other hand do not, I'm a demon so technically I don't even need to eat. So at this point I'm just doing you a favor.

Mind you I've shielded you from pain and I've spared you from any kind of discomfort.

I think I've been incredibly kind towards you.

I didn't have to be but I did for you.

I was willing to be human for you! Now I don't have to be, now I can be who you always imagined I'd be".

"And what's that?"

Dwindle took his finger and massaged my jugular vein which made my heart feel like it was about to explode from my chest.

Dwindle just laughed grimly as if he knew how this experience served to excite me so much.

I wasn't excited by this, no not this time, rather I was terrified.

I had to shut my eyes because the unnatural gleam of his fangs was blinding me and the fact that his lips were open and ready like a wolf about to dig into his first fresh kill.

I attempted to twist away yet he was too swift and before I could even move his teeth were already tightly embracing my throat.

He didn't even seem to bother to take his time, my life flow seemed to gush out of me at such speeds that I felt this precious life flow body burst forth in a rushful flood.

I felt I could hardly take a breathe, I felt helpless beneath his iron jaws, that even now seemed to be crushing the very life out of me.

I could scarcely whisper the words, so It seemed I had no choice but to ride this out.

Meanwhile I felt the taugtness of his chest, the desperation in his grip as he held me.

I felt his lips leave my neck, he omitted a gasp of delight, he smeared his lips together to remove the blood that clung to his lips like a wet ruby juice of the pomegranate.

"You're far too sweet to be human you know that.

I knew the moment I tasted you, that you couldn't possibly be human.

Humans aren't very delectable but you are a real treat my dear."

"I certainly must be if you can't keep your hands off of me".

"I can't keep my hands off of you even without that delicious life flow of yours.

Now stop distracting me, I'm not done yet."

I felt his teeth grip onto to the opposite side of my neck.

I was now beginning to lose the feeling in my fingertips and my legs felt rubbery, my body felt as if it was melting into the bed sheets.

I began to feel a unusual chill enter my bloodstream, I couldn't help but shiver and then there was a incredible stillness afterwards.

I felt as if there had been a rubber band hidden deep inside of me and now at long last the rubber band had snapped, breaking me free from all my fears and doubts.

I felt so free even though I was absolutely exhausted and I felt like a newly frozen corpse.

"It's over now, Splendor. You can open your eyes now.

That wasn't so bad was it?"

"I feel...like I just died".

Is all I could vacantly respond in reply.

"Then it is time, time to crossover and enter the nether realm.".

"No, Dwindle, I'm not ready...for that... just yet."

I tried to resist him one last time.

"This is the perfect time, Splendor.

Come with me, join me, rule by my side, be my equal, be my soulmate for all eternity."

"Will I be back in time for filming?"

"Yes of course, Splendor.

Time passes differently between worlds so a few hours in the netherworld will only be a few minutes in this time.

No one will even notice you were gone.

Really I wouldn't lie to you, not now, not at a time like this.

I will not deceive you.

You can return to this world whenever you wish, I will not hold you in my realm against your will, I promise you.

There are rules that come with my magic, Splendor.

There is a law that states I cannot bring over anyone to the Netherworld without permission.

I must never bring anyone over to any nether realm against their will.

There are dire consequences for those that do, so without your permission I cannot take you to my realm."

"Alright you can take me.

I give you my permission.

What's in this realm of yours anyways?"

"Silence, solitude, darkness, a little bit of fire and lightning here and there.

Then there are many mirrors and many doors which lead to other realms.

They could take you anywhere you wish to go, anywhere that's within this world and the next.

Any place you desire I can take you there.

You only have to ask and I will do as you say and I will grant you all that you desire.

Anything is possible in this realm, all types of magic work better there, the air is freer there and the mind is allowed to expand, the soul has room to grow and the spirit can evolve in this realm of mine.

Now this realm can be yours and it can belong to you.

Come with me Splendor".

"I Already said yes Dwindle.

So what are you waiting for?

Let's go".