This dinner table was the epitome of disgust. Tentacles and eyes bobbed in soup, wings of creatures floating like leaves on muddy looking water. Other things I could not distinguish. Purple bowl of mashed food. The more normal looking thing was an animal roast, but not one I had ever seen. I had not eaten anything since I arrived here, and this was not helping to entice me.

Iruma was chowing down on everything. This kid had no end to his stomach, and not care what went in it. The amount of food he consumed was unrealistic. Where did he put it all? I felt my ears pull back, and I realized my face had contorted. I sighed relaxing my face.

Opera lowered his face next to mine talking low. "I understand if it seems unusual to you, but I assure you it all tastes good."

My cheeks heated. It was embarrassing enough to be here under adoptive conditions, but to comment on how I might feel. I looked at Iruma, he nodded, pointing to something. The stake with bat wings, no. I watched him pick up the stake, and cut the wings off.

He held the plate out. "I promise it is just like regular stake."

Taking the plate, I cut a slice off. Without the wings it was a normal stake. Smelled like one, too. I took a bite chewing slowly. It was good, the savory flavors made my mouth water for more.

"Do that again."

He laughed. "This is like mashed potatoes, and this is like a casserole. It's cheese, um noodles and some other flavorings." He explained what some things tasted like to the best of his ability, but it seemed like he was not exposed to much as a young kid.

"Thanks, you were helpful. I'm not used to my meals looking at me, or… still moving."

"You'll get used to it, it took me a day, but it all tasted good. Best food I ever had."

"You have excellent manners, my lady."

"I used to be the boss of a company, having dinner parties, and catering to potential clients. Manners were important."

Grandpa beamed at me. "If you were successful in the human world, I have no doubt you passed the exams. Why, I bet tomorrow you'll be at rank two, bet. I expect nothing less."

I moved food around on my plate with my fork. "That's a lot of pressure."

"No matter what, I will still adore you."

"Right, Opera?" My eyes panned up to him.

"Yes?"

"How much time do I have to study for my exam?"

"Three weeks' time."

"That's all I have?!" I grabbed my head, shaking it. "Not seven-fold, fourteen-fold." I grumbled. "Grandpa, I need flash cards to help me study."

"Anything for my one and only granddaughter." He snapped his fingers.

Flash cards of all the different topics landed on the table next to me. I was going to make my own and he gave me all the information pre-made. A term or picture on one side and the description on the back. I had gold in my hands.

I jumped up hugging him. "You're the best Grandpa in the whole Nether world."

"You hear that Opera, the Best Grandpa in the whole Nether world. Study hard, princess."

"Of course." I took all the flash cards back to my room.

I read them out loud, repeating the terms several times. Describe the pictures, then the description and states of the plant or animal. They had their own version of cacti in this world, and I wanted one of my own.

This one had a lilac purple hue body with a pink flower on top. The poisonous Racti. One prick and you would hallucinate for hours. The plant had vines, once you go down it would wrap you up and eat you or its prey. Carnivorous and pretty.

I had cacti all over my house, took great care of them too. I had plants as old as my child. I frowned; she took me away from him. I will learn all of this and find a way to get back to him. I will not sit by and pretend I have a new life here.

I was not even admitted to this school, and he had clothes for me. He did the same for Iruma, and I was surprised that they fit as well as they had. He also insisted I take the violin as a gift, giving me a convenient backpack style case. I was doing a summoning and a flying test today, when would I need something like that? Iruma and I walked the pathway up to school together.

Shichiro waved and his eyes smiled as I walked up to the school. "Welcome to Babyls, I will be escorting you to the Familiars Hall."

Students walked in, greeted by other older students saying good morning. A woman shouted at them. "Louder, I can't hear you."

They shouted in unison. "Yes, student council president." Then they were shouting.

Iruma grabbed my hand, getting my attention. "Bye, Violetta, good luck." He dropped my hand, and we waved bye.

"Are you ready miss, Violetta?" I nodded to him.

I followed Shichiro around the school, Students walked the hallways. Stares of eyes followed me as I walked behind him. It was stated I was the oldest to attend, I am probably an old lady to these students. He went through two green doors to a large room. Pillars supported the Familiar hall's wide-open spaces.

Kalego stood at the end where a pentagram was drawn on the floor. A barrier wall about three feet high circled around it. A lit candle at the center. He looked twice as annoyed today from yesterday. He eyes the cargo I had on my back.

"I see you made it on time." I nodded. "Let us begin. I am the overseer of the summoners ritual for you to gain a familiar. You will use this piece of paper to which I have already put my symbol on for you to use. All you need to do is add a circle of blood and burn it over the fire. Then your familiar will appear."

I wonder which I would gain. I took the piece of paper from him. An intricate square with circles that looked like moon phases.

"The familiar must listen to its master no matter what or it will be punished. It is a part of the blood bond you will share."

Walking up the two steps to the summoning circle, I stood next to the candle. Cutting my finger with a nail, I drew the circle with blood. I placed the parchment over the fire. It burned at the tip; smoke erupted filling the whole space. I coughed, waving smoke from my face. A fierce snarl came from the smoke.

Six red dots glowed through the smoke, getting closer. A voice of many together spoke. "Who dared to summon me." It let out a snort, the smoke cleared. A three headed hound, half the height of the room loomed over the circle edge.

Kalego pushed himself in front of me, his familiar emerged snarling back. "What were you thinking when you summoned your familiar. Stay behind me."

The three headed hound laughed. "A Naberius clan member. We are blood bonded; I am not so dense to ignore the laws of familiars. Also do not forget where your bloodline descends from, we packed to help your race form a better world." He stopped a paw on the ground, Kalego's familiar disappeared.

"Kalego, I'm scared. What do I do?"

The three headed beast laid on the ground. Even then it towered over me. "Is this better?" He asked, I nodded.

Kalego turned. "You should fear a familiar, this one in particular." His Solomon face was not helping as he moved to stand behind me.

"We are Yodh, you are?"

"Violetta, um, or Viola."

Each head shook in slightly different directions. "My name is Tet." The middle one spoke, it was a single strong voice.

I titled my head, pointing at the one in the middle. "But you said Yodh." The one on the right started laughing hysterically. The one on the left was covering his eyes.

Tet snapped at the one on the right, he stopped, but smirked at me. "I am Chet."

The one covering his eyes lifted one ear. "Zayin." He covered up, turning his head. "Together."

"We." Tet spoke.

"Are." Chet said.

"Yodh." They spoke in unison.

They all had collars on with tags, from left to right the colors were blue, red, and yellow. With one unison black band, a matching symbol that looked like an abstract horned demon. Each one had a different dangling tag. I stepped closer, Tet sniffed me.

Chet pushed a low growling Tet out of the way. "Violetta, knock, knock."

"Who's there?"

"Who's."

"Who's who?"

"What are you, a Deviowl?" He started chackling. I smiled, then I laughed with him.

"Chet, Knock, knock."

He smirked. "Who's there."

"Least."

"Least who?"

"Least you can do is answer the door."

He covered his head with a paw, howling. "Come in." He laughed harder. "Doors open."

Tet snapped at him. "That's enough, my turn. Our last master gave us these collars, would you be forgiving if we kept them, and our names?"

"Yes, a gift is something you keep. It has a sentimental value; I do not have the heart to tell you to get rid of them nor have you change name. Besides, I think they look nice. My I ask who your last master was?"

The ones on the outside looked to the Tet. "We will not speak of her as you are now our master. What year is it?"

I looked at Kalego, his arms were crossed as he spoke. "Year one thousand and thirteen of the new world order."

Zayin uncovered an eye then shied away again. "I like her."

They spoke in unison. "As Yodh, we pledge to be your one and only familiar for the rest of your life. If you try to have another, we will get rid of them. Summon me whenever you please, our bound runs deeper than the blood." They disappeared in a plumb of smoke. One familiar, three heads, and four names to remember.

Shichiro rubbed the bottom of his chin. "Interesting indeed."

"Sullivan has a way with picking grandchildren." Kalego turned walking out of the room, I followed close behind.

What did he mean interesting? I would have to dive a little deeper into the Familiars book tonight. I followed them to an elevator; he pressed a button and the doors closed and opened in a new place. A barren land of tall standing makeshift stone pillars. Many with flat tops like the one we were standing on. Metal fencing aligned the edges with one opening.

"This one is simple; you must fly to the other side of the valley of Two valleys. Cutthroat Valley is on the right and is home to the king of the valley. Warbling is on the left. How ever long it takes for you to fly through will help determine you rank."

"How do I know if I am on the right path?"

"There are markers for you to follow. Use the yellow ones." He sighed with exasperation. "I will be on the other side of the valley waiting for you. Your time starts now." He clicked his watch, stepped into the elevator, and it closed and zipped off through the sky.

I took off, the valley split into two. I saw the yellow flags, and I saw red. Iruma said the dangerous route was the fastest one, home to the king of the valley. If I stay low and be mindful of my surroundings, I should be fine. Veering to the right I followed the red flags from below. Hopefully this king of the valley will be sleeping, and I can fly under his radar.

Weaving in and out of the pillars, I kept close to their side. A forest of thick purple and black vines a few feet below me. I would have to fly, there was not walking from this point on. Loud flapping overhead, I curled up against a pillar to see. A massive beast was flying in the same direction as me. He landed on a cliff.

It was quiet, and I started flying again. That had to be the nest. I was good at gliding, but I would need some speed to get a crossed. I flapped hard, gaining speed, and soared under the cliff's edge. Slowly descended towards the purple vines. At the last possible second, I flapped to raise myself. A gust of wing caught my wings, sending me up and over where I planned to maintain.

The beast roared, as eyes landed on me. I dove down, weaving in and out. Hiding behind a pillar. The beast was coming up to me. The pillar broke and I was snatched from my spot. The beast flew up with me in its paws. Why did I not listen to Kalego? I was dropped in the nest on my stomach; the beast sniffed me and then rubbed its head on me.

What? "Um, hello?"

It said nothing to me.

"I need to finish my race; um it is important for me to do so." The beast rolled on its back. "You want me to pet you?" I rubbed the fur along the belly side of the belly side of the beast.

He shoved a paw in my direction. A small purple thorn was lodged deep. It looked bad as it bled out the sides. If I were impaled by one of these, I would be dead. Then I remembered Iruma had encountered this best before. He said he healed it, and it helped him. The beast must smell him on me, but we spent so little time together.

Grabbing hold of the spike, I yanked on it. It was stuck, no wonder it needed some help. Another good grip and a heave of all my strength, it did not budge, and he cried. My eyes teared up, the poor thing was in pain, and I could not do anything. All I had was the violin, I took it off my back. I looked at the beast, then the case.

I had a light bulb turned on in my head. I was not strong enough, but magic might be. Unzipping the violin case, I tuned the violin and tightened my bow. Sullivan said interpretation and emotion. I closed my eyes, playing a comforting tune to soothe the crying beast. I peeked, the notes transforming into soothing caresses around the beasts' neck and belly.

The beast purred, Shichiro's vines came to mind, they were strong. I changed the tune, commanding the translucent vines to wrap around the spike. 'Pull' I commanded the vines through lyrics. Out popped the thorn, it thudded to the ground. What was the extent of this magic? Could it heal the gaping wound?

As the thought formed, a green glowing circle appeared over the wound. I changed the tune of the song, focusing everything on healing. The wound shrunk right before my eyes. I was doing it. I was healing, I was using magic. I had no doubt I could do anything with the power of music. The wound sealed up leaving a small scar in its place.

I smirked, laying my head on the violin's head. "I used magic. Thank you for believing in me Sullivan. This grandpa knows best."

The beast wrapped me up and licked my face. King of the valley my butt, it was like a giant baby. Another roar rang out from the sky, an even bigger beast was coming towards the nest. It was a baby, and to that thing. Follow the yellow flags and it will be your yellow brick road. I am such an idiot. Its mother landed on the side, stalking towards me.

The baby yipped at its mom, holding its' paw up. She backed off, moved out of the way, and nodded for me to go. I did not hesitate; packing my violin up, I took off out of the nest. Following the red flags, I moved as fast as I could go. This whole world was just one giant thorn bush. I saw the clearing where the two merged again. Kalego was relaxing in a chair sipping tea. A floating plaque disappeared.

I landed next to him; he stopped his watch. "Impressive, have any trouble?"

I shook my head as calmly as could be. No need to know that I went to the red flags like it was my toxic trait.

"Then we can give you your rank. Put your hand in the ranking owl's pouch and pull out your respective rank."

A three eyed owl rested on Kalego's arm. My first official ranking. I placed a hand in the pouch, the bird looked me dead in the eyes. I felt a small metal plate and took it out. Not wishing to steer at the owl any longer.

"Dal…" I looked too him, his face and mouth frozen in time.

I waved my hand in front of his face, no reaction. A giggle caught my attention. My eyes darting to the Owl who was watching me, eyes looking over me. A tiny head popped from the pouch, A feminine looking fairy's smile turning to a sharp toothed grin. She Darted out of the belly and straight at me. I recoiled, it slammed into my face, knocking me to the ground.

My eyes burned; what kind of sick joke was that?"

"…eth. That is a good rank to start… Why are you on the ground?"

I rubbed my eyes. "What kind of demented joke are you playing?" I looked up as I stood.

His head tilted. "None. You have a chance to rank up on the last day of this week during executioner cannonball. Then with your final exams. Study hard, and practice; I am sure you will be placed in a good class. When did you put that on?"

"Put what?"

He reached out, electricity shot out hitting his finger. "I think you are the one playing a joke, the tiara."

I touched the top of my head. "I feel nothing." I ruffled my hair.

He summoned a mirror, there was indeed a small tiara with one single black diamond. I could not touch it, my fingers phasing through it every time. "Your rank is Daleth; I will see you again at Executioners cannon ball."

I smiled. Daleth had to be higher than a bet. Because one was the lowest rank named aleph. I need to learn these rankings better. I went home and showed Grandpa. I held it up high, with a smirk on my face.

"Check it out, Daleth."

He picked me up swinging me around in a hug "I just knew you could do it. Ranked fourth already, I'm proud of you. I cannot wait to brag to the others about your accomplishments. You can tell me all about it over dinner."

"Um this happened." I pointed to the tiara.

"How pretty, a crown for my princess." He looked it over, smiling widely. "It suits you."

I only told them what I summoned and left out the encounter with the king of the valley. No need to get Kalego in trouble for something I did. He said use the yellow path and I had disobeyed. Grandpa was invested in the story I had to tell, nodding to all I said.

He knew the familiar I summoned, and personally. Yodh used to have the combined name Cerberus; all heads used to be one collected mind. This means Sullivan had to be over a thousand years old. Did all demons live this long or just the powerful ones. I wanted to ask, but they will probably tell me eventually.