It was a terrible and beautiful sight, the flame that snuffed out humanity. I finally understood what hell was, to look at it. The immolation, all your sins come to life to haunt you. I see now, what I have wrought for myself. For the world. As I stand amidst the inferno, watching the hope of humanity disappear in a torrential outpouring of fire and mana, and hear the strangled cries of the animals as they experienced the terror they never deserved.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I woke up to the nightmares, the blood and bones fading from my memory leaving only unrest in their wake. I clutched the soft fabric of the sheets, heart pounding, eyes wide as my gaze swiveled around the room. My room, at the Half-Way House. I took a deep breath, slowly getting myself under control. I took another, breathing in deeply, holding it in, out slowly. Control. My heartbeat slowed down as the last vestiges of sleep faded away.

My body was sore all over, muscles stiff and cramped. I groaned softly as I swung my legs over the edge of the bed, my feet touching the cool morning floor. Standing up, I went about getting dressed in the clothes that were strewn about the room.

“Have a late night?” The demon asked.

“Last thing I remember is falling asleep on the roof next to Erica.” I murmured back, still putting on my clothes.

“Boring. And here I was being all polite and not watching whatever antics you too would get up to.”

“I certainly feel like something happened last night, but nothing will happen with me and Erica.”

“Don’t be like that, I’m sure you’ll get with her eventually. You’ve been pining for her for as long as I’ve known you.”

“Being friends with her is not ‘pining for her’ as you put it.”

“You can’t fool me, I can see inside your head.”

“Clearly not. Regardless, nothing happened last night, just some nightmares like usual.” I finished getting dressed and glanced out the window. My room was on the second floor and provided a nice view of the street down below. Still a bit too early for people to be out and about in full force, but there were a few people in the street as the sun started to rise. I shrugged, and stretched my body, trying to work out the stiffness from my limbs.

That being done, I was ready to start my day. I headed out the door and down the stairs, the warm air from downstairs greeting me, bringing with it the smell of fresh bread. My stomach rumbled in response to the stimuli, eagerly awaiting the sustenance that awaited in the kitchen. Following my stomach's wishes, I headed for the kitchen where my breakfast awaited.

In the kitchen I found Erica in the process of taking bread out of the oven, the hiss of steam running through pipes and the creaking of the wooden floor as she bustled around the kitchen were the only sounds in the inn right now. The rest of the guests were presumably still sleeping off whatever they celebrated with last night. Erica stopped for a moment when she saw me to give a little wave.

"Good morning! You're up early today, you get any sleep?" She said with a smile.

"I had some nightmares, woke up stiff and sore. How about yourself?" I moved to help her in the kitchen, loading baskets with fresh bread and dishes of butter.

"Aww poor thing, I slept a little well enough, woke up in the middle of the night, all alone. What kind of person would leave a helpless woman like myself all by herself, especially on a roof of all places.”

“Ah, I’m sorry about that. I really don't remember much after I fell asleep, I guess I woke up at some point and made my way to my room.”

“It’s ok, next time I’ll just tie you up so you can't leave.” She joked, waving a bread knife in my general direction. “So don’t do it next time, you hear me?”

“Yes Ma’am, no need to threaten me, I am ever at your command.”

“Hello? Is the proprietress in?” We heard a voice call from the entryway.

“Be right there!” Erica shouted back, then turned to me “Don’t do anything stupid while I’m gone.” She narrowed her eyes, and backed off towards the entryway. “I’ll know.”

“I would never.” I replied, crossing my fingers behind my back. She gave me one last look, then turned around the corner. I grabbed a loaf of bread, then as an afterthought grabbed her bread knife. Looking around, I climbed up on the counter by the wall, and placed the knife on top of the cupboards there, well out of sight. I climbed down, then headed out to the common room, finding it deserted. I sat down at a table and started eating the bread, listening to the muffled voices in the other room as Erica talked with her new guest. It was hard to tell precisely what they were saying, but I did make out a few words here and there, mostly about a job or a person.

“So, she wants to tie you up? You’ve definitely got a chance with her, I think she wants you.”

“What’s your deal today, are you jealous?”

“What? No. I’m looking out for you, I’m being a ‘wingman’ as they say.”

“How did you even find out about that word, and I don’t need a demon to wingman me. I am perfectly fine on my own.”

“Your lack of women begs to differ.”

“Please stop saying that like I’m some sort of barbarian.”

“Human men need women, that’s all I've heard, just repeating the facts.”

“And as a human man I am telling you you’re very wrong. On so many levels. Oh thank god she’s back.” I said, as Erica walked into the common room, a thoughtful look on her face. She moved over to where I was sitting and sat down across from me, her long brown hair framing her face, her crooked nose scrunched up as it does when she’s lost in thought. Eventually she snapped out of it though, and gave me another bright smile.

“Well, looks like someone else wants to hire you!” She said in her customary cheerful tone.

“If it is as easy as the last one, I’m in. What are the details?”

“Well, you’ll have to find that out on your own. It’s apparently the people working out of The Twig and Berries that are offering. Three hundred up front, thousand after.” I whistled at that.

“That’s quite the offering. They can guarantee it?”

“Of course they can, do you, know what The Twig and Berries is? Nevermind, I don’t want to know. Yes, they can cover the amount. They only want to discuss details with you, so, you’ll have to, you know, go there.”

“That seems reasonable, but I’m still confused on what the place actually is. Is it some sort of restaurant? ‘Grand reopening, The Twig and Berries, featuring only the finest of forest foods, now with more berries!’” Erica started blushing, going from fair skinned to tomato red remarkably fast.

“You really don’t know, do you?” She muttered, before suddenly grinning mischievously. “Yes, it’s a restaurant. I recommend ordering the clam first thing when you get there, you won’t be disappointed.” I narrowed my eyes at her.

“Now I definitely don’t trust that.”

“Aww come on, I've never misled you, have I? Don’t answer that. So, you gonna go?”

“I might as well. I’m out of bread after all.”

“Ok, the place is out in the Loft district. Just off Silver Street, just ask around if you can’t find it, shouldn’t be hard to miss.”

“Alright, thank you.”

“Of course! Don’t take too long now, be back for supper ya hear me?”

“Oh, that’s right, I’m actually having dinner with the Professor tonight, I’ll be back before then.”

“Hmph. He trying to woo you away from me?”

“Of course not, as if I would ever leave this establishment in your hands.” She snorted at that.

“You’re just saying that ‘cus I give you free food. Besides, I manage just fine without you around. In fact, I think I’ll make more money when you’re gone.”

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

“Free food is nice, I will admit. Can’t get it anywhere else. Actually, don’t I pay for the food?”

“You got me. I better get back to work, be safe out there, ya hear me?”

“On my honor, ma’am.”

“Like you have any of that.” She said, without any hint of malice. She stood up and left about her business, back into the kitchen. Following her lead, I stood up and hurried out the door before she could ask about her missing knife.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Finding The Twig and Berries was easy. Like Erica told me, it was right off Silver Street. The sign advertising the three story building had a branch with two bunches of berries at the end. I felt a fire in the back of my head as the demon laughed.

"What are you laughing at." I muttered at it.

"Oh, you'll see, don't you worry." It continued to chuckle, echoing in my skull. Shrugging I knocked on the door and heard a husky voice from inside.

"Come on in, we're always open darling." She said from inside. I let myself in at her discretion, and was greeted with an entryway decidedly not restaurant-like; dim lighting, warm air, very fluffy looking seat cushions, and a scantily clad voluptuous woman behind a podium. "What can I do you for today, sir?" She winked a half-lidded eye at me.

"Well, I'm here for a job actually, and I was told to order the clam."

"Not who we usually hire, but you're pretty enough we could make it work. We have all the 'clam' you could ever want here, darling." She stepped from behind the podium, hips swaying as she approached me. The air seemed to grow warmer, as if her very approach was enough to heat the room.

"Well, I'm very glad you think I'm pretty, but I believe you spoke with Miss Erica about a job for me?" I said as she sashayed over and lightly trailed a hand down my arm. I resisted the urge to flinch back at the unexpected touch.

"I've got plenty you can do, sir." She leaned in, really accentuating how little she was wearing. "If you ask real nice, you could even do me." She whispered, almost mischievously.

"I'm beginning to think this isn't a restaurant." She laughed at that.

"Why, there's plenty to eat here sir, as long as you have the coin."

"Yes, that makes sense, but I really am just here for a job, so if you could direct me to whoever is in charge of such things, I would be very thankful." She studied me for a moment at that, blue eyes searching mine.

"You really don’t know what this place is, do you?” She stepped away abruptly, face twisted in a half smile. The air cooled down noticeably, and tension I didn't even realize I was feeling left my body. “Well, what did you say your name was?”

“Meeko. Though I’m embarrassed to admit that I really do not know what this place is.”

“This place is a brothel, darling.”

“Ah, I see. So me ordering the clams…” I heard laughter from the back of my head, deep and raucous. I blushed profusely, feeling heat travel to my cheeks as I looked away, only now realizing what I had done.

“Oh don’t worry dear, it’s a good laugh.” She turned and walked towards one of the doors, behind her podium. “I’ll grab the mistress. Just sit tight, I’ll be right back darling.”

“What good are you if you’re gonna let me make a fool of myself like that.”

“That was hilarious, you really had no clue. Not one! I really wish I could tell Erica about this, just to see you embarrassed again.”

“That would be needlessly cruel.”

“I’m a demon. Big scary demon, remember?”

“I hope I never meet another demon again. They sound like assholes.” All I heard was more laughter, as the lady opened the door and gestured me forwards.

“The mistress will see you, and I’m sorry for the earlier misunderstanding. I’m usually sharper than that.”

“Don’t worry about it, ma’am, I’d be just as happy if we both woke up with no memory of this.”

“Ooo ma’am, I like that.” She said with a wink. I walked through the door, and she bowed slightly to me. “Don’t have too much fun, now, and be careful, or she might just eat you up.”

“Oh, that’s not ominous at all.” She giggled at that, then closed the door behind me. I walked through the hall of rich mahogany wood inlaid with crystalline veins that emitted a soft, rosy light. The door at the far end of the hallway was much the same as the one I came through, and I gave it a polite knock.

“Come in, the door’s open.” A voice like honey spoke out to me. I did as she bid, and opened into a half lounge, half office. A light haze of lavender smoke filled the air from an incense burner the mantle, which housed glass vials of unknown substances. There was a wide couch with entirely too many cushions and pillows, a beautifully carved desk, with a woman looking equally beautifully carved behind it. Her face was almost too symmetrical, with black hair perfectly trimmed to accentuate her beauty. Her lips were red and plump, and for some reason I had trouble keeping my eyes off of them. With effort, I tore my gaze away, and focused on her sapphire eyes, that glittered like-

I shook my head vigorously. And then again, just to make sure. Taking a deep breath, I looked back at her, and noticed the horns affixed to her head, curving slightly above her hair. More laughter from the back of my head.

“How curious. Literally shaking yourself out of it, well done.”

“Well, did I pass? Because that sure felt like a test.” She laughed, a musical sound.

“It was not a test, though I know it doesn’t look that way. I simply can't turn it off, so to speak.”

“Oh. That sounds inconvenient.”

“It can be, but it can also lead to a lot of fun.”

“I really don’t need to know about that, just here for the job.” She studied me a moment, before nodding her head slightly.

“I see, that’s why you were able to shake it off so fast. No matter, saves me some tonic I suppose. Business before pleasure. Please, sit down, and I’ll explain the job.” I sat down, and my eyes landed on her horns, black and glossy like obsidian. She noticed where my eyes were focused, apparently, and said: “I can’t disguise them like the others, part of my contract you see. It also happens to be why I’m here, sequestered away for only the clients who want me.”

“Of course. Must be lonely. My name’s Meeko, and yours?”

“You can call me Sophia.”

“A pleasure to meet you Sophia. You mentioned you contractually can’t disguise your horns?”

“Nor my tail, I’m afraid, devil’s in the details as they say. But that’s a story for another visit, I suppose. I am offering you three hundred crowns now, and one thousand additional crowns upon completion.”

“This is what I heard, but that’s a lot of money. Must be important.” She nodded in agreement.

“It is. One of our girl’s went missing between last night and this morning. We don’t believe she went willingly, and due to her contract, we know she is currently in the Green Stretch, alive. I want you to bring her back, from whatever took her.”

I nodded along, thoughtfully, before asking: “How do you know it was against her will?”

“It would be easier to show you, but her room was torn up, and there was blood.”

“Next question, how do you expect me to track her down?”

She reached down and opened a drawer of her desk, murmured a few words and the smell of sulfur briefly filled the air as she worked some magic, and then produced a piece of parchment.

“This is a copy of her contract, which will allow you to locate her. Note, it is not the real contract, and has very limited power over her. If you hurt her, I will hunt you down myself.” She said, looking me straight in the eye. I gave her a winning smile, not flinching from her stare.

“I would never dream of it. Mildly inconvenience, sure. Harm? Never.”

“Let me make this very clear, Meeko. If you harm her in any way. If you do a single untowards action.” As she spoke, the temperature slowly rose, the smell of sulfur tinging the air, as she weaved magic along with her words. “If you so much as lay a finger out of line, I will leave you a withered husk where your body should be. I take good care of the people here, both customers and not. If you take advantage of her, I will do everything in my power to make sure you die.”

“I understand ma’am, I apologize, I would never take advantage of her.” Once again, I found her eyes searching mine, as magic filled the air.

“Good. Then, when you find her, and when you free her,” She said, the magic coiling around her hand as she stretched it out to me, until it coalesced into a perfectly smooth, slightly oblong, black piece of obsidian. “Break this, and run. It will destroy whatever was keeping her. I will give you a gift if it takes out whomever took her.” I accepted the obsidian piece gingerly, it was mildly hot to the touch, like a stone left close to a fire. The air cooled down slightly as her magic faded away. I could only nod my head, finding it hard to speak. “Good. Now, here’s your advance. Three hundred, as I said. When shall you leave?”

Swallowing, I found I could speak again. “I’ll leave tomorrow. I’ll pick up what I need for such a venture in the morning, and head out after.”

“Good. I hope to hear good news from you upon your safe return.”

“I won’t disappoint.”

“I hear that a lot, I’m afraid. May you fare better than them.” Taking that as a dismissal, I stood up and left. The lady at the podium started as I walked out.

“Wow, you made it out in one piece, well done darling. You staying for any longer?”

“Unfortunately not, though it would be interesting to stay and talk a while. I do have several questions.”

“Awww, we could have had so much fun together.”

“Maybe some other time. Goodbye for now.”

“Goodbye darling, come again soon!”

I left The Twig and Berries, the sun having climbed into the sky, almost directly overhead now. I started heading back towards the Half-Way House.

“So was she an asshole?”

“Compared to you? No, you remain at the top of that list.”

“She’s not even a demon so that makes sense.”

“I saw the horns. You can’t lie to me like that.”

“She has a contract. Therefore not a demon. Just a succubus. A lot of them in that place, I guess.”

“Well why don’t we have a contract?”

“I told you, I’m a big scary demon. Demon. Not devil. We just talked about this yesterday, are you stupid?”

“I will find a way to turn you into a devil, maybe then your attitude will improve.”

“Good luck with that.” He laughed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Half-Way House was busier than when I left it, people stopping in for an early lunch in the midday heat. Erica was bustling about when I entered, along with some extra help she occasionally brought in, a man named Edward. She spotted me as I sat down at a table, and stormed over. She towered over me, a glower on her face and her hands on her hips.

“What did you do with my knife you jerk.?” She said.

“I put it away, it’s not safe to leave sharp objects out for anyone to find.” She punched my shoulder, not hard, but enough to jostle me.

“Yes but where. I like that knife. I, in fact, need that knife. Where did you put it?”

“I’m sure you’ll find it. Eventually. Besides, just consider it payback for telling me to order clams at a brothel. From Succubi.” Her face went red at that and she glanced around as if to make sure no one heard.

“Okay okay, jeez, I’m sorry. But that was funny.”

“So was hiding the knife. It’s on top of the cupboards by the way.”

“Thank you. You take the job?” I pulled out the pouch of coins, and shook it a bit so it clinked in a satisfying way.

“Yes I did. A girl got kidnapped, taken to the Green Stretch.” A worried look crossed her face.

“The Green Stretch…Will you be ok?”

“I should be fine. The girl too, if I’m good at my job.”

“Don’t worry, you are. When are you leaving?”

“Tomorrow, after I get what I need. Probably around noon.” Her nose scrunched up in thought.

“I’ll help prepare some travel food for you then. Won’t be much, but it’ll be good for you.”

“That sounds lovely, as long as you don’t poison me again.”

“I would never. At least, not when you’re on a job. You have dinner with the Professor tonight, right?”

“Yes that's right. Meeting him at the school, should probably be wearing the nice clothes.”

“Good idea, you can impress him with your dashing good looks.” She rolled her eyes. “I have to get back to work or Edward will yell at me, but before I forget, somebody came by. Gave the right pass, left a package for you. I left it in your room.”

“Breaking into my room? You really are trying to kill me.” That got a giggle out of her, and she rolled her eyes as she walked away.

“Don’t leave without saying goodbye, Meeko, or maybe I will.” She threatened as she bustled away, serving her patrons. I smiled fondly, and then it faded as my thoughts turned towards the mysterious package. I stood up and headed for the stairs.

My room was much as I left it, with the exception of the package on my bed, a simple wooden box tied with twine, and a note sitting on top which I opened. In elegant, dark red strokes, the note red:

Dear Meeko,

I hope this present finds you in good health. It's a souvenir of sorts. I know you don’t remember me, but we’ll meet again someday.

May you find many uses for this gift, and may it keep you safe until we meet again.

XX

Frowning, I put the note aside, turning my attention to the box. It had no visible latches or hinges, instead, after fiddling around with it for a moment, I found the top cover slid off diagonally, slowly revealing a wæstral lined interior, and a single object inside.

An ornate, crystal knife, a stylized serpent as a handle, its single edged blade wide curved up. It was also covered in blood, red and glistening.

“What a beautiful present.” The demon said, laughing up a storm.