XXIII-The Signs of the Demon

William and Vincent were excused by their master, and went back to their training grounds to continue William's instruction. His determination to master the realm-travelling was reinvigorated by his time in the Great Hall with his master and Edward, and William's focus intensified. 

He stood at the base of the spire, and his attention honed in on the stage where Lucifer would stand when he came into this particular City of the Lost. He stepped forward, and to his disappointment, Vincent came to stand next to him, correcting him as he had Split a second time. 

"Now William, don't look so disappointed. I watched the attempt before I corrected it. You had asked earlier about the smoke, one of the signs of the demon. You may have Split, but you did have the smoke. You are getting closer. You are gaining the signs of the demon. Do not get discouraged; the signs are all there."

William's ruby eyes lit up. "You really think I'm getting closer?" –I wish my family could see this. They would never believe what I've become.–

Vincent gave a small smile. "We'll know for sure soon. Do it again. Do not allow your focus to waver."

"I can do this, Vincent."

The elder demon nodded, and realm-traveled to the spire, leaning against it as he waited for his student. He had taught Adam, Edward, and Hellena, and William had shown the fastest progress. Vincent toyed with the hilt of the sword that rested in its scabbard on his hip. –I know William will do well here. Even if this isn't originally the plan he had for himself after his death.– 

As Vincent's pale fingers curled around the sword hilt absently, a small amount of red smoke appeared next to him, and William came to stand beside him at the spire. The newest demon looked at his surroundings, and quickly checked himself over, making sure he was indeed whole. 

"Vincent? Vincent! I think…I think I'm whole…I think I was successful?" William's voice was cautiously optimistic, but wanted his mentor to confirm his success for him.

William's mentor looked over his student carefully, and clapped his hand on his pupil's shoulder. "Well done, William. You've had your first successful realm-travel, demonic signs and all. How do you feel?"

"I am…I am proud that I have used your teachings well, Vincent. I couldn't have done it without your guidance, and I know I can do better."

Vincent smirked; William certainly knew how to charm those around him. "Would you like to inform the lord of your success?"

William felt panic tighten in his chest; Lucifer was a kind man to him so far, but still made him rather nervous. "I would like to have a few more…I think I would like to have some more practice before we get him involved, if that is alright…"

"Does the master make you nervous?"

William sputtered. "N-n-no…no. There is just so much to get used to in this new life, and he is just a little…"

"Intimidating?"

"Thank you."

"I've known the master a long time. I was his first successful demonic conversion, and Edward followed only five years after. He truly is a fair man; he's simply been dealt an unfair hand in his life. He actually came from the Kingdom, you know. The Ruler ripped his wings from his back and cast him out, and he landed here, built this all. That's why he judges the Lost; he thinks there should be a better way than a single path for those not good enough for the Forever. He believes he was owed a trial in the Kingdom, and as he never got one, he gives them here."

William was intrigued. He knew that there were Judgements, as he had had his own, as well as attended Henry Yarrow's. But the reasons for the Judgements were news, and it gave him more compassion for his master. 

"How did you end up this way, Vincent?"

The elder demon pushed back his white hair, mischief dancing in his sanguine eyes. "Complete another successful realm-travel, and I'll tell you."

Curiosity paired with his own persistence drove William's determination further. He Split once more, and Vincent corrected his error again with some encouragement. He saw the drive in his student's ruby eyes, and gave a nod of approval. "Go from the stage to the fountain over there," Vincent gestured to the fountain in the center of the clearing, flowing with liquid gold. William bowed his head, acknowledging the task, and stepped between the realms.

Vincent met his student at the edge of the fountain, and inspected him before giving him another cuff on the shoulder in approval. "Well done, William. You would make our master proud."

"What's this about our master?" A feminine voice caught the new demon's attention, and he looked up to see Hellena striding toward the fountain, her long white hair flowing behind her.

"Greetings, Hellena, how are you doing today?" Vincent addressed the female demon politely, bowing his head slightly as she approached. 

"Fine. How goes your teachings?"

William chose to stay quiet; Hellena was rather imposing and looked at him with disdain, and he wanted to let her warm up to the idea of him. He decided to let her come to him when she was ready, and until then, simply hold a friendly air about him.

"Our newest conversion is doing quite well, I think the master would be proud. He's only Split a few times, and he's just completed his second successful realm-travel. He's already showing signs of the demon, and he's been learning rather quickly." Vincent smiled at Hellena, who glanced over at William. The newest demon gave a tiny wave at her, hoping she would start to get used to the idea of him being around.

"Hmm. That's nice for him. I'm sure Master Lucifer will be quite pleased with the news. I'm off to go speak with Adam, it was nice to see you, Vincent…William." Hellena disappeared in her red smoke, and left the two men standing alone by the fountain.

Vincent looked over at his student, who seemed confused by the female demon's short conversation. "She will come around. She does not trust easily, and that goes for everyone. It took her 125 years to speak that much to me."

"What happened to her to make her that way?"

Vincent gave William a sad glance. "I'm not at liberty to tell you that. That is her story, but perhaps one day she will tell you. You were a little older when you died, perhaps she will eventually come to see you as a father figure, and will warm up to you quicker than she did the rest of us."

–A father figure. I could never replace my son, but I did always want a daughter…–

William made a promise to himself that he would reach out to Hellena; he wanted her to know that whatever had happened to her to make her so cold, not everyone would treat her so terribly.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

William stepped between the realms to stand beside Vincent, only about six feet away. The mentor checked him over again, and confirmed that his student had not Split in any way. He gave William an approving nod, and sat on the edge of the fountain, gesturing for his student to join him.

The newest demon looked over to where he had disappeared from, and saw the smoke rising from the ground. It was a small thing, but it made him feel incredibly elated. It was the sign of the demon, and he felt a sense of belonging when he saw the red smoke dissipating from where he had come from. His pale skin, white hair, and red eyes gave him the physical look that the rest of Lucifer's demons had, but he was able to start showing other signs of the demons, and he loved feeling like he belonged. The UnderKingdom was significantly different from his living existence in Canden, but was quickly becoming a community to him the way Canden had been. 

Sitting next to Vincent, he glanced over at his mentor, who had dipped his fingers in the fountain. Vincent watched the melted gold drip from his hands, impervious to the extreme temperature. "I suppose you're after the story I promised?"

"If you are willing to share."

"I would like to ask you your story, but it has already spread around between the small group of us. Edward watched your Judgement, he was quite fascinated by the way the living girl came to testify for you. We don't get witnesses or anyone willing or able to testify often…or ever…here. I see you chose to keep your suicide mark?"

William's fingers traced the silver line across his throat. "That's a choice?"

"Of course. Master Lucifer can erase it; the only thing he cannot fix are the scars on his own back. Edward's scars from the gallows were taken away; he was so ashamed of how he died that Master Lucifer did not even ask before he erased the rope scars from him. Perhaps you may be rewarded with your scars removed for learning to realm-travel?"

"I will have to think about that. The scar reminds me of who I am, and what I sacrificed for my son's justice." His hands still roamed his throat, the raised scar from his death a silver souvenir of his son.