Malina sighed as she sat in front of her computer, mustering the courage to say something.
"I can't believe Zdrada is right," she groaned.
Ever since their conversation, Malina couldn't shake off what her sister had said. She could no longer deny it; she had developed a crush on a boy she had never met in person, someone she only knew online. With a groan, she let her forehead fall to the desk in a facepalm.
"Why me?" she lamented.
The ding from her computer caught her by surprise. Looking up, she noticed it was a message from Danny. Bracing herself, she clicked to open the PM, ready to face whatever came next.
"Hello, Malina. I hope I'm not interrupting."
"Not in the slightest. How may I assist you?"
"Well, I realize that we talked a lot but we never saw each other outside of DOOMED. And this is going to bug me for a long time, but is there a way we can see each other? Like, send a picture of our faces?"
Malina blinked. He wanted to see her face? She felt her cheeks grow warm but quickly dismissed the feeling.
"Are you certain?"
"Yes, I definitely don't want it to bother me forever. Since we're connected, I'll share mine with you first."
Malina blinked, taking in the image before her. Initially, she was taken aback by his black hair and blue eyes, which conjured the image of an angel, until she recalled that all angels, like demons, were female. Yet, she couldn't help but be captivated by those eyes, those kind, luminous, blue eyes...
"GAH!" she screamed upon realizing her actions.
Taking a deep breath, Malina began to work on her picture. She managed to angle it so her horns were not visible, but the most difficult task was attempting to smile. Despite trying for several minutes, she eventually gave up. In the end, she sent her picture with an explanation for her expression.
"Here you go. Apologies for the grim expression; smiling just isn't my forte."
She remained patient until she received his response.
"Wow, I assumed the white hair and red eyes were just for intimidation. Is that actually how you look?!"
Malina raised an eyebrow just as she noticed Danny had sent another message.
"Apologies, that came out wrong! I seem to have a bit of misfortune in the presence of charming girls. I mean... well."
Malina blinks in disbelief. He just called her cute. HE CALLED HER CUTE!
"I am NOT cute!" she exclaims, her cheeks flushing with color.
Malina inhaled deeply before she turned her attention back to the computer.
"Don't fret over it. Just refrain from calling me cute."
"Alright, apologies."
Malina sighed once more, gazing at the photograph. She conceded that, for a human, his appearance was quite appealing. His black hair was disheveled, yet it didn't obstruct his view. His teeth were bright and well-maintained. But it was his blue eyes that captivated her; they had a tranquility she imagined akin to the ocean, though she had never seen one.
"So, this is the boy you've been talking to?"
Startled from her reverie, she turned to find Zdrada peering over her shoulder.
"ZDRADA?! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!" She yelled.
"Just checking if you've chatted with the human. I must admit, he may look like a male angel, but he's quite charming," she remarked with a smirk.
"Don't you dare!" She cautioned her.
"Oh, come on, Malinka. I wouldn't dream of snatching a cute guy from you. Unless he's absolutely irresistible," Zdrada teased, eliciting a groan from Malina.
"Malina, are you still there?"
Malina turns away from her sister before responding.
"Yes, my sister came over. She also saw your picture."
"Really? What did you think?"
Malina exhaled sharply, her glare fixed on her sister's mocking grin.
"I must admit, I was taken aback. Even though your hair seemed unkempt, it oddly complements you. And the whiteness of your teeth is striking; it suggests you value cleanliness to some extent. As for your eyes... let's just say they're quite appealing."
"Like them? Come on, Malina, you're capable of more than that," Zdrada urged.
"Fuck off," Malina told her.
"Um, thanks? Jazz often says that most people are drawn to a person's eyes. I don't get what the big deal is, but if you like them, then that's fine by me."
Malina could sense Danny's modesty, which she didn't mind. He had already proven he was neither creepy nor a masochist, so his humble response was tolerable to her.
"He's such a dork," Zdrada remarked, stretching towards the keyboard.
"DON'T YOU DARE!" Malina yelled, swatting her sister's hands away.
Zdrada withdrew her hands, then smirked.
"Alright, alright. But it's obvious he wanted to say more," she said, lighting up a cigarette.
Malina sighed and turned back to her computer.
"I have to end this quickly. Zdrada is testing my patience again."
"Alright, I appreciate the photo, Malina. Best of luck dealing with your sister."
After Danny logs off, Malina turns and growls at Zdrada.
"For once in your life, can you not be so difficult?!" she yells, storming off.
"And that's why you adore me," Zdrada retorts with a smirk, inhaling from her cigarette.
Meanwhile,
"Well, it seems Zdrada was correct about one aspect. He certainly has the looks."
"Karma, please don't tell me you're developing feelings for a human."
"I'm merely concurring with her observation, Whiskey."
"It's Whisk, not Whiskey!"
"Sure, sure, but first we need to figure out where he lives and how to make those two leave," Karma said, delving into Danny's life.
She accessed the complete file of the human boy and was taken aback by his place of residence.
"Amity Park?!" Karma exclaimed, prompting her sister to peek over her shoulder.
"The most haunted place on earth? The town where that adorable Ghost Boy resides?!" Whisk inquired.
"Yes, the site of numerous ghost attacks. I wonder..." Karma pondered.
"Sis, what's your plan?" Whisk probed.
"I believe I've found a way to remove those two from our path. However, we'll require the Queen's assistance," Karma revealed, leaving her younger twin aghast.
"ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?! What makes you think she'll listen to anything we propose?!" Whisk challenged.
"Because, if any two demons can manage it, they can," Karma said with a smirk, her sister quickly understanding.
"Ah, so while they're preoccupied with the ghosts and that human boy, we'll seize our chance to take control!" Whisk said, smirking.
"Now you're on the right track, Whiskey," Karma said, smirking.
"IT'S WHISK!"
Later,
Malina exhales and places her broom aside. She retrieves her phone, where Danny's picture is saved. She's relieved to know his appearance matches his description, avoiding the dreaded "catfishing" scenario. She muses that if he had been the stereotypical deceitful character, she'd have sought him out to give him a demon's reprimand.
Yet, she finds herself captivated by his blue eyes, unable to look away. A smile begins to form, but she shakes off the feeling and pockets her phone. Resuming her sweeping, thoughts of Danny stir a peculiar sensation in her chest. She pauses and groans in frustration.
"Aw hell," she muttered, unable to shake the feeling that had taken hold of her.
"Why do I feel so helpless?" she groaned.
Malina placed the broom aside, realizing she could no longer restrain herself. She needed to see him, yet she had to conceal her horns and tail. He was unaware of her demonic nature, and she feared driving him away. Now, she faced the daunting task of explaining this to the Queen.
"Malina?"
She turned to see one of the Skeleton Guards approaching her.
"Yes?" she inquired.
"The Queen requires your and your sister's presence immediately," it declared.
Malina sighed. If it were only her, there would be no issue, but both her and Zdrada? She harbored an uneasy feeling about this.
In the latest chapter, Danny and Malina have seen each other for the first time, thanks to a scheme by the Twin Demons—a name courtesy of Jack Firerage. The details of Malina and Zdrada's journey to Earth will be revealed in the next installment. As previously mentioned in my standalone Helltaker stories, the other demon girls will not make an appearance, although Lucifer is referenced, she will not be present. The conversation between Malina, Zdrada, and Lucifer will be omitted, but I will provide an overview of their discussion. Now, it's time for the sisters to venture to Earth and meet Danny in person. The subplot involving Jazz and Zdrada is still in the works and will be explored later, as the current focus is on developing the dynamic between Danny and Malina.