The man came forward, he looked normal. This place didn't affect hiim. Not as disoriented like us, I couldn't stand up so I just sat on the fall. Eria back facing me I couldn't even see the expression she was making.

“Oh that was splendid. Too bad it ended so soon” A smirk on his face was a wicked one. Yes this guy is going to be trouble. How are we going to…

“Who are you?” Eria barked at him, I could see her hands shaking. She's trying to keep a strong face. It's probably because of me. If I didn't get hit maybe..

“Can't you see? I'm just like you, a human haha” The man forward to us, the smirk still on his face.

“Stop there, not any step closer.” Eria arm started glowing, it wasn't bright, probably the lowest I have ever seen it.

“Hey, hey why the hostility? I'm just trying to help. You are not probably in a shape to fight— and the other one behind you is out of commission.” The man said with his eyes fixed on me. It made me shiver.

“What made you think that? You have seen what I can do. I was just warming up back then.” A smirk cracked on her face. The mask she was trying to put already had cracks on them. I feel so useless. I should be the one right there. Eria has protected me quite enough.

“I can see your hands shaking, you're trying to control your heavy breathing. Your heart is racing. Do you smell that?” He twirled, this whole situation seemed fun to him.

“Fear! I can smell it. It's all over you. Hmm, you're not afraid for yourself but —”

“You tricks wouldn't work, I have seen the likes of you countless times, so just caught the chase, what do you want?” Eria seem pissed at something but what—

“Ooh, so you caught up, but listen I'm not like the others you have met. And please can you control the fear reeking out of you? It'll rail up unwanted attention.”

“What do you want?” Eria arms glow brighter, I can see the pain on her face.

“See that's the problem, I don't want anything but you need something for me.” He started biting his fingers, the smirk still on his face.

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“You want to get out of here right? Seeing how rough up both of you are. You were brought down here probably by mistake.” The spat out the fingers that he had been gathering in his mouth.

“I can help you guys out.” He snapped his fingers and the ceiling disappeared leaving a bright blinding light. The room was above us. The room I woke up from…

“But you have to give me something in return. It's a give and take agreement. Easy peesy.” The smirk never leaves that lips of his.

“What the you want?” Eria moved further away from me. I couldn't see her face or she didn't want me to see it.

“Finding a way out this abyss is going to cost a lot—”

“Just tell me what you want!” Eria stopped him from finishing, her breathing increased why is she acting—

“Something dear to y— no let me rephrase that, one of you is going to give up their soul,” The smirk highlighted when every word leaves his mouth.

“So think this thoroughly, who will bite it or—”

“Fine. I accept” Eria's response was blunt. Wait, is she trying to sacrifice herself for me? No no I hate being a burden like this. I hate this. HATE HATE HATE.

“Oh, that was quick. So who is dying?” The man had a bored look on his face like he already knows the answer.

“Her.” Eria finger pointing at me. I felt my ears ringing. She looked at me this time, finally. Her face blank gave out nothing. She was looking me straight in the eyes. This look on her face I have never seen before. How many masks does she have? Who's the real one? I could feel a sharp pain in my chest. Why am I feeling this way? Isn't this what I wanted?

The man was clearly shocked by Eria's answer. It didn't last and his smirk returned. “ Oh, I didn't expect that hehe”

“Because you looked a lot concerned about her well being back then.”

“ Yeah I know, because I had a gut feeling that I'll meet someone like you.” Eria back was turned at me, I couldn't see her face. Yeah it's not bad being sacrificial sheep. I feel like I'm weighing her down. Yeah that's fair, the genuine concern she had for me was weird and too good to be true. I'm fine with it, but why is my chest aching a lot? Why is it hard for me to breathe? My vision blurred, I felt something wet dropping on my cheeks. Huh? Tears why am I crying?

“Awwn m, would you look at her, she's crying” The man said with the never disappearing smirk on his face. Eria didn't look at me, why wouldn't she look at me. If this is the end of our journey together why is she —

“I have a condition” Eria suddenly spoke up.

“Yeah, and what is that?” The man asked with his eyebrows raised iup.

Eria brought out a blade from her ankle and threw it towards the man with a boast from her arm. The blade tore through the air, aimed directly at the man's palm. It tore through his palm judging from his reaction he could have probably dodged it but didn't.

Eria walked towards the man and removed another blade from her other ankle, making a clean cut on her palm too.

“ We're going to make a covenant, in case you got back on your words.”

“Haha that's brilliant I accept it.” The smirk still glued on his face. He stretched his crimson hand towards Eria.

Eria grabbed the hand mixing both blood together.

“O the gathering of the dark. If this man or whatever he is, has a way to send me back to the surface, take the soul of the girl behind me and place it on his hand. But if he lies, turn him a sign that'll lead us out of here.” Eria was fast , the words left her mouth so quickly before the man could interject.

“Hey what are you doing!” The man to break free from Eria's grip. But her arms glowed bright, locking both hands together.

The man screamed, his body morphing into something that looked like his true form but flame followed burning through him. The demon exploded and turned into a ball of fire. The ball moved swiftly piercing the air disintegrating the wall while leaving a trail of flame on the floor.

Eria turned and looked at me, I felt she was looking at me for real this time. Her teeth

were exposed by a smile.

Oh she used me as bait….