Hello everyone, here is the next chapter
And, this will be more of the High Lords being unsure and Ace trying to get used to things, but finding it a bit hard
Hope you enjoy
Read and Relax
Namur was feeding the fish that was out in the lake, making them bigger and stronger so they could kill the sinners in a more horrible way. Namur liked the fish and other water creatures they had. They could use a lot of imagination to kill. And, it was always fun to see the sinners be afraid of the water when they got back alive in their level in Hell, knowing they would die if they went to drink or anything close to the water.
As he was about to grab another small bag of food, a person was there, Namur looking up to see a kid with black hair and a young face. This had to be the person Marco spoke of. The kid looked at the water before he looked at him. ¨Those are big fish; they seem to like you.¨ Namur knew the fish liked him, Namur having been feeding them for centuries now. Namur turned back to the fish, throwing more food out. ¨They do, since I am the one who feeds them.¨ The kid gave a nod, looking at the fish eating.
As Namur threw more food out, he spoke as he looked at the fish eating. ¨You should be careful, kid. We don't take lightly to outsiders, especially outsiders that doesn't belong here.¨ Namur wasn't a mean person, which was weird since he was a High Lord here. He didn't like the kid, knowing he had done something to Marco. That could only be the reason he was here.
The kid looked to be on his way to speak, but closed his mouth and gave a nod, before leaving. Namur hoped the kid hadn't done anything too bad to Marco and that they could fix it easy.
-x-
Ace gave a frown as he sat in his room, a bit confused by what the man- Namur?- had said. Had Ace done anything wrong? He had just tried to help and not be in the way.
Ace would try better. He would try more. Even though he didn't feel like people liked him, but he would try. After walking a bit around more, looking at the beautiful trees again, but not daring to go close, Ace headed back to Marco's room to relax, feeling tired.
After an hour, Ace gave a small sigh as a hand moved to his head, feeling a headache starting to blossom, but not terribly bad.
Ace didn't like headaches when they got bad; they always hurt a lot and Ace got emotional then. He always used to be with Sabo or Luffy when he had a headache, them knowing Ace was bad with those, same with fevers. Ace really wanted some relief from the pain, and hadn't Marco said there was someone here that was a doctor? Curiel? Ace needed to find and ask if he maybe had something to help.
When Ace got out of his room, he searched for the door that would be Curiel's, knowing the doors had names. Ace thankfully found it without much hassle and knocked.
-x-
Curiel sat in his room and was trying out a few herbs and other things, to see how they reacted. He liked to try out new things and had learned a lot the last few hundreds years after starting this, Pops even allowing him to be the main healer of sorts here, meaning he could even try them out. He never tried anything on the other High Lords without knowing it would help, same with Pops; he needed to be sure then.
As he was about to combine a few herbs, there was a knock at his door and he gave a come in. When the door opened, the new brat, Ace, who Marco had brought, was there.
Curiel didn't like the new kid. He had to be doing something sketchy or had done something sketchy. Why else would Marco suddenly give him his necklace and say he was equal to him, that no one was to hurt him or do anything to him. Ace needed to have done something to blackmail or force Marco to do this. Why Pops had said nothing was a big mystery to him. Curiel needed to speak to the man. Curiel would be sure to bring this up on the next meeting next week.
¨What do you want?¨ Asked Curiel, not trying to sound mean, but not kind either. The kid gave a small fidget. ¨Um. Marco said you were the healer? I- I have a headache and wondered if you maybe had anything or it…?¨ Curiel almost rolled his eyes. A headache? Really? The kid must be weak. ¨No. It's just a headache. Just go and sleep it off.¨ The kid looked to be on his way to speak, before he gave a nod, closing the door and walking away.
Curiel shook his head. Just a headache? Stupid reason to bother him.
-x-
When Ace got to his room, he went and lied down in his bed, curling together, hoping the headache would disappear.
After a couple of hours, Marco came by and gave him some food, staying a bit and asking what he had been doing, Ace mentioning he had been looking around a bit, and wondered if Marco could join him and show him around one time. Marco did say yes, but that he couldn't right now, having a lot to do, apologizing for it. Ace said it was fine, telling that Marco should do what he needed to do; Ace could wait until Marco had time off, he wasn't that important. Marco stayed for a few hours, doing a bit of paperwork, Ace feeling the headache letting up a bit, which was good. Maybe Curiel was right? Ace only needed sleep?
When Marco left after the two hours, Ace stayed in the room for a small while, before he decided to head out a bit again, to look more around, starting to get to know the place more and able to find his way back. Ace wanted to maybe go see what the king was doing, but knew he was a busy man, and didn't want to bother him; he was the king after all.
Ace decided to just look around the house a small bit, and a small bit outside, admiring the trees again, before just walking around.
-x-
Haruta was on her way to check on her level, to see the demons there still had control, when she saw the new kid walking in the hallway.
Haruta had heard from the others that the kid was Marco's companion or something, Marco saying he was as equal a person could be, but not elaborating. She had also been told they were sure the kid was doing something to Marco, to have forced him to do this, forced his way high up in their ranks. That was not okay. They needed to find out what he had done to help Marco.
As Haruta walked on, going to ignore the kid, the kid spoke. ¨Hi. You're Haruta… right?¨ Haruta looked at the kid. She wasn't going to be friendly if he was holding something against Marco. Marco was her older brother; you don't mess with their family. ¨What if I am? What is it to you?¨ The kid took a small step back. ¨Um nothing. I just-. I just wanted to say hi.¨ Haruta rolled her eyes, walking on. ¨And I'm busy. Go bother someone else.¨ Then Haruta left. She did have stuff to do, and she didn't want to be with the other kid.
She still wondered what the kid had done to manage to force Marco to bring him here.
-x-
Ace gave an unsure sound as Haruta left. He didn't mean to bother her. She was probably busy and stressed. But, it didn't stop him from feeling bad. He didn't feel like people here liked him. Ace felt as if he was bothering everyone; they all acted so hostile and mean. So uncaring.
Ace decided to walk a bit around, moving usually helping him calm down. There was still a lot to see around; the place and house was really big. Ace never ventured far away, not sure if he would manage to find his way back or that something would happen, but there was still a lot to see where he dared to go. It was still all new and Ace was unsure a lot.
Ace wanted to go home. But he would try a bit more; for Marco.
-x-
Thatch was busy with trying to figure out where a few of the new people would go, if they would go to level 3 or 4 in Hell, a bit uncertain. As he was walking and on his way to ask Pops what he thought, he saw the new brat, what was it again, Ace? Something like that at least. Thatch really wondered what the damn kid had done to have Marco take him here and make him this high up. Marco would never do that willingly, and he refused to tell why the kid was here, meaning it was bad. Maybe the kid had blackmailed Marco? They needed to find out so they knew how to help Marco.
As Thatch was walking on, the kid spoke up, making him halt. ¨Um, hi?¨ Thatch looked at the kid, who gave a small wave. Thatch shook his head, in no mood to deal with the kid. ¨Busy.¨ The kid gave a nod, before speaking again. ¨Oh. Can… Do you need help?¨ Thatch was on his way to say no, when a thought entered his mind. ¨You know. Why don't you go and get Cerberus in? He's in the back to the left. Black door. Just take him to the dog house.¨ No one was allowed near that beast aside from Pops and Marco, the kid would get in trouble for getting close to it.
The kid gave a nod. ¨O-Okay.¨ And then left. Thatch looked after the kid, the kid heading to the back. Thatch shook his head a bit and walked on. There was no way the kid would go anywhere near that dog; it was a beast. He would leave the moment he saw it.
Just small fun to show he didn't fit here. This was what you got from messing with them. He still needed to find out what the kid had done to Marco.
-x-
Ace watched the big dog, almost as big as him, growl at him.
Ace swallowed, not really wanting to get inside, but the man, Thatch if he remembered, had asked him to do this. Ace wanted to help out, to try and get the man to like him. Ace just wanted to help and try to do his best. He still felt left out here, so many new things. Ace took a deep breath, before he opened the gate, seeing the dog house the big, and almost-in-a-funny-way white demon dog would go into. Ace could do this.
When Ace opened the door, he looked at the dog. ¨H-hey? D-do you want to go inside your house and eat?¨ The dog snarled at him, making Ace take a small step back. Ace took a deep breath. He could do this.
Ace walked over to the house to the dog, opening it, seeing the food already in there. When Ace turned to look at the dog again, he saw it was chained to the ground. It was a long chain, probably to make sure he didn't escape, but it wasn't long enough to reach the dog house; Ace needed to give it more room to roam.
Ace walked over to the chain and past the dog, carefully opening the chain and giving it more to go on. As he was almost finished, the dog still being a bit away, but was threading closer and snarling. Ace could do this.
As he was almost finished, a growl was heard and the dog bit down in his arm, making Ace give a yelp and whimper at the pain.
Ace quickly pried his arm from the dog's jaws, and ran out, the dog almost managing to catch him again, before Ace was out of the gate, the dog not having longer chain. When Ace was safe, he looked at his arm, which was a mess of blood and bite marks, and it hurt. Ace carefully stood up and closed the gate, seeing the dog heading to the dog house to eat. Ace carefully walked back to his room, holding around the wound to stop the bleeding.
Ace needed to find Marco. He could help. As Ace walked, he moved a hand to his head. His headache was getting worse too.
Ace really wanted to go home.
-x-
Marco gave a sigh as he got to his room, glad to be back. He had had a long day, needing to fix a lot and speak to many. Marco really hated being the prince at times, especially as he needed to fix a lot of things Pops did wrong or agreed to. When he got inside his room and closed the door, a feeling of…. pain? hit him. Marco looked around, to see if anything was wrong. As he looked around, he heard a small hiss from the bathroom, which had him walk there, Ace sounding like he was in pain.
When he got to the bathroom, he saw Ace there, holding a cloth to a bad wound on his arm, which was bleeding badly.
¨Ace, yoi? What happened?¨ Said Marco as he grabbed another cloth and walked over to Ace moving the cloth to the wound and making Ace give a hiss in pain, before speaking. ¨I- I saw this dog, and- and- I tried to go close and it bit.¨ Marco blinked. ¨You mean Cerberus? The big one? Are you insane? He's a beast, yoi. No one is allowed close to him.¨ Ace gave a small sound, looking down.
Marco took a breath, calming himself down. ¨You didn't do anything wrong, yoi. I'm just worried. Cerberus can kill easily.¨ Ace gave a nod. ¨I'm still sorry.¨ Marco shook his head, moving to a cabinet and taking some bandages out. ¨It's fine. Here, let me help," Said Marco as he helped Ace bind the wound, stopping the bleeding for a bit. As it was bound, they walked to the bedroom, Marco looking for some clothes Ace could borrow, seeing as his shirt was bloody and a bit torn at the arm. As he found one, Ace spoke up in a small and unsure voice.
¨Um, Marco?¨ Marco gave a hum as he closed the closet, making Ace continue. ¨Do I need to stay here? Can't I just be at home and you visit? Like we used to?¨
Marco blinked, turning to Ace and sitting down on the bed next to Ace. ¨Why, yoi? Isn't it better to be here with me? With us? Now you aren't alone anymore.¨ As Marco said that, Ace fidgeted and looked nervous and sad, Marco feeling pain and sadness in him, knowing it was from the bond he had made, which Ace wasn't used to, meaning Marco felt the emotions Ace had if it were really focused ones. Why was Ace sad? ¨What's wrong? Why are you sad, yoi?¨ Ace looked to be on his way to speak, but closed his mouth again, Marco feeling the feelings growing. ¨Please tell me, yoi.¨ Marco was worried now, thinking something was wrong.
Ace gave a nervous look to him. ¨I- I don't think… the others like me.¨
Marco blinked, before he frowned. ¨Why, yoi? Did anyone say anything?¨ If someone had, Marco would speak to that person. Ace gave a small fidget again, looking unsure. Marco gave a sigh. ¨Please Ace, just tell me, yoi. I want you to be happy here, not sad.¨ Ace gave a small nod, taking a deep breath, before he started to tell how the last three days had been.
When Ace was finished, Marco was shocked and mad. Not only had one person said something, almost everyone had. Everyone had just brushed Ace off, or told him to leave, or just outright told him to go away and was not welcomed. Why would they act like this? Marco had said to treat him nice, not like this. Ace had even offered to help both Thatch and Rakuyo, and both had just brushed him off? Rakuyo even saying Ace didn't belong here?
Marco would have a really long conversation with them. This was not okay.
After he made sure Ace was fine, Ace falling asleep after a small bit, Marco left and headed to Pops' room, telling him to gather everyone for a meeting. The man did look concerned as to why, but saw he was mad and called everyone.
Marco would give everyone a piece of his mind.
-x-
Marco looked at everyone around the table, being sure to look frowning at everyone, making many fidget. When Pops asked why he had called everyone, he looked at everyone at the table.
¨I just spoke to Ace, yoi. And he told me many of you have been less than nice. Why?¨
There were no excuses to what they did, but he would hear their reasoning, to see how bad of a punishment he would give. Marco was also sure Pops was on his side in this; Marco knew he liked Ace. Thatch was the first one to speak. ¨What does he have on you?!¨ Marco frowned. ¨What, yoi?¨ Have on him? Ace had nothing on him. Thatch shook his head. ¨You just randomly bring a kid here, telling he is as high as us? He must have forced you somehow! Or blackmailed you! Which is it?! We can help!¨ Marco frowned, not understanding what Thatch said, before he did.
They had been mean to Ace since they thought Ace had done something to him. Even if he had, there was no reason to take it out on Ace, no reason to act mean. And, they should have asked him, not just acted like this.
Marco looked at Thatch with a deep frown, now more mad than before, making Thatch look nervous at his face. ¨What in the world makes you think he did anything? Don't you think I can't stand up to myself? Ace just told me he tried to help some of you, and you tell him to leave? Telling him he's not wanted here?¨ Marco gave a frown to everyone, making sure everyone know he was not happy. ¨I am truly disappointed in you all.¨ Marco could see Rakuyo on his way to speak, but Marco continued before he could. ¨And, even if he had done anything. You should have come to me and asked, or to Pops. Not take it out on Ace. He has done nothing wrong.¨
Izou looked at him. ¨Then why is he here? We deserve to know!¨ Marco gave a sigh. He thought he wouldn't do wrong in not telling them, but he was wrong. He would tell now and they would hopefully leave Ace alone or at least try and be kind. ¨Ace called for me, summoned me, and asked me for a favor, which I accepted.¨ Marco made sure to look at everyone when he continued.
¨Ace had one wish; and that was someone to call a friend, someone to be with, someone to speak with.¨
Marco saw a few looking shocked by that, some looking a bit ashamed, but Marco continued. ¨I accepted and visited him at least every other day. Ace spent every minute trying to please me, to be sure I was comfortable, to be sure he wasn't a bother. No self-esteem or anything, not wanting me to move out of my way for him, who sold his soul for me to be the only one he spoke to, the only one he came to call a friend. And, you tell me you act shunning towards him?¨
Many looked ashamed at that, which was good. They had really done wrong. Even Pops looked mad and disappointed at them. Thatch was the first one to speak. ¨Why-. Why is he here? How?¨ Marco gave a sigh. He wouldn't tell everything, but he would tell a bit. ¨There was an accident and someone broke into Ace's house, stabbing him, yoi. I felt the pull as I needed to harvest the soul, and when I saw it was Ace, I understood I came to view him as a friend, and accidentally did a binding spell. Ace is one of us now, and he is to be treated as such. It is my fault he is here.¨ Marco wouldn't tell which binding spell, there were many it could be.
Many looked even more ashamed at that. As Marco was on his way to speak, he felt the bond he had flare up in pain, which had him look at everyone. ¨I want you to think about what you have done, and I will speak to each and everyone later.¨ With that, Marco left, hearing Thatch yelling a sorry, but Marco didn't want to hear that now. Marco was also sure Pops had a few words to tell.
When he got to his room, he walked to the bed there, seeing Ace curled up in the bed. ¨Ace, yoi?¨ Asked Marco, moving a hand to touch Ace and ask what was wrong. But, before he could even touch Ace, Ace sat up, and Marco felt concerned when Ace was crying, tears going down his face.
Marco was on his way to ask what was wrong, when Ace spoke up. ¨I- I really want to go home, Marco. Please. I don't want to be here.¨
Marco tightened his jaw. He would really speak to the others and give harsh punishments. ¨Ace, yoi. It will be better, I promise. I've spoken to the others, they won't be mean to you again. You have done nothing wrong.¨ Ace shook his head, giving a small sob. ¨I- I still really want to go home. Why can't I go home?¨ Marco gave a small sigh, moving a hand through his hair, knowing he needed to explain. ¨Listen, Ace. The spell I cast, I made you my spouse as I said. We need to be close for a month. If not, you will die and I will be lost. Our souls are bound. I'm sorry, yoi. But you need to stay here for 3 and a half more weeks.¨
Ace gave a small sob at that, Marco feeling there was more here. ¨Ace? Are you in pain, yoi?¨ Ace was, he was sure, but he wanted Ace to say it. Ace gave a nod, trying to wipe his tears. ¨My- My head hurts really bad.¨ Marco gave a frown. Ace's head wasn't supposed to be hurting. Not now. He was still in the new bond, no ailment like that should bother him.
Marco gave a look to Ace. ¨Listen, I will go and find something to help, yoi. I'll be back in a second.¨ Ace gave a nod, moving down on the bed and curling together. Marco went over to the door and told a servant to go and get Curiel there, now. When the servant went off, Marco walked back to Ace and sat down, stroking his head.
Marco hoped Ace was fine, that he was just overthinking this.
-x-
When Marco left, Thatch felt really bad, now realizing he had really messed up, and he wasn't alone in that. As soon as Marco left, Thatch got up and headed after, ignoring Pops asking after him; Thatch was going to go and apologize to Ace. Thatch hadn't realised Ace just wanted someone to be with; a friend. Thatch felt like an asshole right about now.
When he got to Marco's door, sure both Ace and Marco was behind it and about to knock, a voice had him halt. ¨I- I really want to go home, Marco. Please. I don't want to be here.¨
Thatch felt himself freeze when he recognized the voice to be Ace's and he sounded really sad; he sounded as if he was crying? Had they done this? Made Ace want to leave this bad? Thatch thought Ace wanted to be here, that he wanted to be in their high ranks, but he was apparently wrong about that… too. Thatch had really messed up.
Thatch lowered his hand, understanding Ace didn't want to see him now, most likely same with Marco. And Thatch understood that; he had really messed up.
Thatch walked back to the meeting room, sitting down and feeling even worse than before. Pops did give him a look, but quickly started lecturing them. Thatch took it all in. They deserved nothing else.
When a servant came and told Marco asked for Curiel and needed him now, their worry grew a bit, but hoped it was nothing, Curiel leaving at once. When Curiel left, Pops continued to speak to them, saying that he was disappointed as well, and that they were to fix their mistake or stay away from Ace, he didn't deserve this.
They had really messed up.
-x-
As Curiel walked towards Marco's room, he wondered what was wrong, knowing he wouldn't have been called unless something was wrong.
Curiel felt a bit bad about brushing the kid off before, thinking the kid had done something wrong when he hadn't, and would ask if the headache had gone away, which it probably had. It had almost been a day after all.
When he got to Marco's room and knocked before walking in, he halted a bit in his steps as he saw Marco trying to comfort a crying Ace.
Curiel walked over to Ace and Marco, sending a worried look at Ace, before looking at Marco, who gave a sigh. ¨Ace says his head is really hurting, yoi. He shouldn't have a headache.¨ Curiel gave a small frown, not only because Ace still had the headache, which had became worse, but that Marco said he shouldn't have one. ¨What do you mean? We get headaches.¨ They got hurt and sick and had headaches, like normal people, although it healed fast. Marco gave a small sigh. ¨The spell I cast, it made Ace bound to me, yoi. His body is still settling to being a Cambion; he shouldn't have ailments like this for the first few weeks, or month.¨
Curiel felt cold fill him at that. Ace was a Cambion? Only a half-demon now? He really shouldn't have a headache, especially with Ace being this close to Marco, who he had bound with.
Curiel look at Ace. ¨Is it a pressure feeling?¨ Ace gave a small nod, not moving more or speaking, seeming to really be in pain. Curiel looked at Marco. ¨The pressure here might be too much for him; it's crushing for him. His human side is dying.¨ This was really bad, Curiel didn't know Ace was only a half-demon, still half-human. The human side would perish and it would take Ace with him now; it was too early for his human side to survive here, his demon side still needing to settle. That would take a month.
Marco gave a worried frown. ¨Can you fix it, yoi?¨ Curiel gave a small nod. ¨I think I can. I have something that would work on a weak demon, it should work.¨ Curiel was unsure if it would work on Ace, seeing as he was still a half-human, maybe a bit more as it was still early. Marco gave a nod. ¨We need to try it, yoi. If it doesn't work, we'll head up to the surface for a bit.¨ Curiel gave a nod and left, fetching what he needed. This was really serious, and had to have gotten really far for Ace to be in this much pain. Curiel should have taken him seriously before, and Curiel should have known Ace was only a half-demon.
Curiel stopped as he was heading out of his room. Would he had helped even if he knew? He had thought Ace had done something to Marco, not wanting to help the kid. Curiel hoped he would have taken Ace more seriously if he knew; Ace could die from this. Curiel should have taken him seriously from the beginning, not brushed him off. Why had Marco even called for him, knowing he had brushed Ace off before? Why not another healer here, although not as experienced.
A thought hit him, which made his breath leave him. Marco had said Ace tried to do everything he could to help and make Marco feel comfortable. Was Ace hiding this from Marco? Curiel hoped not. He didn't deserve Ace's protection, he had messed up bad.
When he got back to the room, he handed the the herb and drink to Marco, Marco helping Ace drink it. Ace really looked like a young kid. He couldn't be old, maybe 19 if he pushed it. When Ace had taken the herbs, Marco looked at Ace. ¨Why didn't you tell me your head was hurting, yoi?¨ Ace gave a sad look to Marco, wiping a bit of tears away. ¨I- I didn't think it was serious…. I didn't want to bother you.¨ Marco gave a sigh. ¨Don't be afraid of that, you won't bother me.¨ Marco looked at him. ¨Thank you, Curiel.¨ Curiel felt his throat tighten.
Ace was protecting him. Marco didn't know he had brushed Ace off when he came and told him before.
As Curiel was about to tell he was sorry, he noticed something red on the white shirt Ace had. ¨What's that?¨ Marco gave a frown, looking at Ace, before he gave a sigh. ¨He went close to Cerberus, curious about the dog, and he bit Ace, yoi. It seems to have bled through. We'll change it. Thank you for your help.¨ Curiel gave a nod, understanding he should leave, seeing as Marco said goodbye. He felt bad the kid had run into Cerberus; that dog was a beast. Whatever possessed Ace to do that was a mystery.
Curiel gave a goodbye, before he left, Marco moving to the bathroom to grab what he needed to change the bandages.
When Curiel got out of the room, he met Thatch there. ¨How is Ace? Is he injured?¨ Curiel gave a small sigh. ¨He's having issues setting to this place; he's apparently only a half-demon.¨ Thatch gave a frown. ¨Only a half-demon? That can be bad.¨ Curiel nodded. ¨Yeah. I tried to give something to help. Ace has also had a run in with Cerberus, and the dog with bit. Wonder what possessed him to try and get close to the beast.¨ Thatch looked really devastated by that. ¨Did he say why he was close to Cerberus?¨ Curiel nodded. ¨Yeah. He said it was because Ace was curious. Why?¨ Thatch swallowed. ¨I-I told him to go and take him in… Why didn't Ace tell Marco that?¨
Curiel frowned. Thatch had sent Ace to Cerberus? Marco would kill him when he found out. But, Ace had lied? Told he was curious? Curiel felt bad when he realised what this was.
Ace was protecting them. He didn't tell they had been injuring him, only shunning him. They didn't deserve this. They had done nothing to deserve this.
When Curiel told Thatch why, telling about what he had done too, Thatch looked even more devastated, Thatch telling what he had overheard before, which made Curiel feel worse, and they made a promise to go and apologize to Ace later, also come clean to Marco.
Ace was just an innocent kid.
And that's the chapter, hope you enjoyed
So, this chapter was a bit long as I wanted to tell all this and not split it. I know the High Lords are a bit mean, but they just jumped to a conclusion- which was really wrong- and now really regret it and will try and fix everything, to make Ace feel welcomed and enjoy being there. And, they only have 3 weeks before Ace leaves since the bond has settled then
Okay, so I forgot to tell you all that there was a beta reader. Sorry. My beta reader is ScandinavianTrash
If you have the time, I greatly appreciate feedback
