Chapter 2 - An Encounter

3 years later. . .

"Argh. Good thing we all passed; I don't want to retake this fucking abomination this summer."

Nicki's voice echoes throughout the restroom. Despite her relief, her tone seems to be a lot more peeved.

Jane and I laughed at her sudden outburst; she then turned to me with an excited expression.

"Yeah. Hey, Seph, you owe us a drink this time! You made it to the list again!"

I tucked my hair behind my ears and noticed that the roots had grown a centimeter now. Since I explored the city and saw that salon, I've been keeping my hair short and dyed red. Indeed, I still feel anxious about my family discovering my whereabouts, so changing my appearance is something I've been doing to ease my worries.

Azrael initially disapproves of it, as he likes playing with my long, black hair. But then, he couldn't do anything when I came to him looking different.

Now I've got to have it retouched again.

"Probably not today; I have some business to attend to after this," I answered as I picked up my phone.

23 missed calls.

Indeed, I have promised to meet up with him tonight, but that is too much! It's only 1 in the afternoon, and I agreed to arrive at his penthouse by 8.

While I was on my phone, I didn't notice them leaning towards me. "Come on, you don't have to hide that hottie from us. Tell us, are you two really dating?" Both of them giggled at Nicki's question.

My relationship with him is something I cannot describe with only a single word. It'd probably take an entire essay to do so.

That's why I've been requesting that he refrain from seeing me in places where we might encounter people I'm acquainted with.

But yeah, since then he's gotten more carefree and would show up anywhere.

"I don't know what you're talking about. It's my grandmother's death anniversary, it's my brother calling."

Of course, that's a lie.

I never met my grandmother, and I don't want to see my family again.

"Oh, sorry for that." Nicki pressed her lips, and I saw Jane elbowing her side.

Then his name appeared on my screen again.

"It's okay. I'll go answer this call."

I excused myself and went somewhere devoid of people. . and demons.

"Hello?"

[Well hello there, my dearest. I bet the exam scores are out now. How was it?]

"Where are you now, Azrael?"

I heard people chattering in the background in an unfamiliar language and figured he must be out of the country.

[Just another business trip, love. I'll try to visit you tonight, but please reduce your expectations. I, too, am grief-stricken with the thought of missing such an important night with —]

"Yes, yes, me too. Have a safe trip, bye," he was about to say something, but I was quick to drop the call.

What a relief. Phew. Guess I can just drop by the salon.

I don't find him annoying at all, but it seems like he's leaving that impression on purpose to make things more comfortable for the both of us. So, I just try to go along with it.

After all, he's the only one I have now. He's the one who gave me another chance to change my life, so I owe him everything I have now.

To be saved and protected by humanity's enemy . . I still cannot wrap my head around it.

***

The sun had already set when I left the salon. For not filing an appointment days before, I was welcomed by a long queue.

From the bus stop, I have to walk for another 10 minutes along a dark street. I've gotten used to it, but often times, Azrael would give me a ride home.

I immediately took a liking to the unit when I saw some photos of it. But I did not expect it to be located in such a remote place.

Still, it's far better than the noisy neighborhoods.

Also, there hadn't been any reports of demon attacks in this area. Regardless, I know I am quite capable of protecting myself.

I've faced some feeble ones before; they typically lurk in dark alleys where they can easily pin someone into the corner to feed on themselves.

Someone said that the local demon extermination organization used to assign people to those areas, but many of them died because of the narrow roads. Then, they came up with the decision to stop designating people at all and simply remind everyone to avoid such places as much as possible.

Moreover, those creatures' cores do not fetch high prices and rewards, and no one would raise their bounty for private agencies and freelancers to chase.

However, it is still not possible to restrict people from going there. Once, there was this girl whose dog disappeared into an alley. I saw her crying beside the main road and decided to help her out.

We came too late to save the dog, but it took me only a few minutes to kill it.

Since then, that little girl has called me to take care of the feeble monsters in her neighborhood.

She hasn't called since a few days ago, but I guess that's good news.

Speaking of that girl, I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket and saw her name on it.

She left a text message:

'Hi, big sis!'

Such a sweet and thoughtful kid. How I wish I had a sister like her.

Nevermind, I don't want anyone to be in the same situation I experienced on that forsaken island.

With a smile, I texted her back, but just as I was about to send it, I felt a presence approaching me from the darkness beyond the lightpost.

It's a woman running toward me.

I took a halt. Why is she in such a hurry?

Despite her quick pace, I got to catchcatch a glimpse of her.

She was bathing in blood and was crying as she run desperately.

I was taken aback when she grabbed my shoulders.

In between her heavy breaths, she spoke, "She saved me. But at this rate, she'll . . she'll get killed. Help her, please. . ."

I know I'm not that skilled enough to face a demon of any kind or number. Now, I don't have any information about it, is it really fine to go?

"Please. . ."

I took a deep breath. "Call for help, I'll help her."

Crap. I really agreed with it.

***

I got past two lampposts before arriving at the place she mentioned. It's not the same road I take to get to my apartment, and I'm only familiar with this place in the sunlight.

It must be her, probably around my age. She's holding a double-bladed pole that's almost as long as her body.

Her movements could easily tell how exhausted she is. My eyes landed on the remains that were scattered on the floor, poor girl must've fought a lot before I arrived. But now, there are still so many of them standing! Was it an ambush?

I let my breathlessness subside while preparing myself for battle.

For a brief moment, I closed my eyes and traced the energy from my core as it traveled into my veins and concentrated it on my palms.

They broke free and converged into a sphere that floats in front of my chest. Before, I had to picture every inch of the pole displayed on our house's altar, but now all I need to do is stretch my arms, and the sphere turns into it.

I held on to the materialized spear tight and took a deep breath.

Here it goes. I haven't been into a battle with two or more demons at the same time, just several minutes into it, I already feel dizzy and fatigued.

To whoever hears this, please lend me your strength.

I locked my eyes on one of them and advanced forward.

"W-who are you?" the girl asked after I sliced one in front of her.

They are uniform in appearance, just as tall as an average person, but seriously agile. Similar to those I've faced before, they lack cognition and just attack randomly.

"Just a passerby," I said, turning around and landing a kick on a demon's face. "I live around here and saw the girl you helped escape."

The girl moves swiftly despite her exhaustion. However, it seems she's better at single-target combat, which renders her disadvantageous.

As much as I'd like to let her escape, I noticed the demons were only aiming at her.

What on earth is going on here?

"That girl? No way."

"What's the matter?"

Her tone confused me. What about that girl?

"She lured you here too. We have to escape now--"

It happened in just a matter of seconds.

Everything around me seems to have disappeared.

All I could see was the pain on her face, the bloody hand of the demon that pierced her from behind. . .

The sound of my own heartbeat and the continuous drop of blood on the floor were too loud.

I could not save her.

Just as I was about to reach her, she kicked the demon behind her and pulled herself away. With the strength and life she had left, she sliced it in half.

I rushed towards her and caught her body before it slammed into the ground.

To my surprise, the demons left and retreated.

I know it's a good thing, but it doesn't make any sense.

Those mindless demons consume human flesh to sustain life and relieve their powers. But now . . they simply left.

And that girl earlier. . .

No, I must focus on this girl now.

She was staring blankly at the sky. I was afraid I'd lost her, so I tried to wake her up.

"H-hey, look at me. Please do not close your eyes. I'm here for you, okay? I'll call for help."

With my trembling hands, I reached for the phone in my pocket but it wasn't there at all!

It may have fallen off somewhere.

There! It's a good thing it's in a well-lit area.

I turned to her again and carefully rested her head on the floor.

But all of a sudden, I heard the sound of breaking glass and footsteps coming near me.

"You're Azrael's bitch, ain't yah? A traitor being betrayed by his own pet. How you've stooped so low now, Azrael."

I lifted my face and forced my legs to stand.

He's wearing a cape with his skull suspended in burning flames over his body. His skeleton of a hand is holding a staff that extends a little beyond his head.

I've seen this one in the book that's always open on the altar table.

Although he is capable of communicating and thinking, he's not identified as a fallen God.

"Another demon."

I have to muster my strength.

He cannot sense my fear, or else. . .

"Don't pair me with those lowly creatures. I directly serve the Lords of the underworld. And that girl. . has so much debt to settle with me. Her head would earn me favor from my Lords."

I turned to her and extended my hands to my sides, as if barricading her.

"I'm not letting you--"

"Did I ask for your permission? Move away."

His voice inflicts so much fear in my senses.

It's reminding me of the same fear I've always felt around Azrael before.

"But you can't afford to leave a scratch on me," I forced my face to smirk.

I'm not well-knowledgeable of his relationship with Azrael, but he knows of I'm affiliated to him. Maybe that could save me this time?

"Know your place, you parasite-- well, we'll see each other next time then."

Is anyone coming? It seems he's retreating.

"Should I send your regards to him?"

"Y-you-- argh!" he roared in anger and disappeared into smoke.

At that moment, my fear seemed to have left my body. He's gone now, and I don't think he'd send any more demons to us.

I turned around and saw her coughing blood.

Her pulse is getting slower; this cannot get any worse.

"Hey, hey, it seems your comrades have arrived, hang on--"

There are cars approaching, I could feel them from meters away.

"Take this. I'm not sure if it's them. In case they're not, they cannot learn about my affiliation, or else. . ."

She handed me her wallet.

"Please, stop pushing yourself to speak."

"Your blessing can save more people. Should fate take you to my comrades, givet his to them. I-I know you can do better than me. . ."

With that, I felt her consciousness fade.

***