“The First Commandment requires the host to exhibit rebellious traits, not necessarily negative emotion, but just an unwillingness to ever stay and settle for their position.” Lucifer’s gravelly voice continued.

“Those that exhibit this are destined to destroy every last bond on them. Rules mean nothing to them. They will slay their teachers, kill their parents, destroy their friends. Everything is a chain upon them that they must break free of.”

I stayed silent. Everything was a chain. I would not accept this. Would I have to slay Chryssie too? Would I kill Jade?

“I will not accept.”

“It is too late. From the moment that your foster siblings decided to betray you…the seed of rebellion was sowed in your heart. While it may not be your wish…you will find that fate finds one way or another to kill them for you. This is your destiny. This is your curse. You will always, always be alone. The lone Demon…until you die.”

“When?”

“What do you mean?”

“When does this…curse take effect on the people around me?”

“Not so soon. The effect of the curse strengthens the more powerful you get.”

I sighed. So…So what? I didn’t even know anymore. I felt a surge of helplessness within me. What was the point anymore? Of anything I was doing? Rebellion. What a joke. In the end…the rebel will always be left with nothing.

But behind the helplessness and exhaustion…I felt something else. A burning rage. That aimed to reach higher. To grow more powerful. To take a shot at this so-called fate.

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I put a hand over my chest. Behind the freezing cold…a growing warmth spread.

“The ones chosen by the First Commandment…will never give in. For anything.” Lucifer’s voice spoke out again. “Be it possible…or impossible.”

He was right. There was only a momentary flash of fear. After that was a determination to defend Jade and Chryssie against…against whatever it was.

Lucifer began to speak again. “Now that you have been accepted by the First Commandment, you must start to work towards the second. “Life is as Death. Death is also as Life. What is the difference between the two?”

He paused. “You must learn to ignore Life and Death. Forget the fear of death. Forget your wish for life. Feel nothing as the iron blade whistles towards your neck. And perform only calm, cold-hearted action.”

Feel nothing in battle. So that was the second commandment. I covered my eyes with a hand for a moment. What was this making me do? Feeling nothing in battle…yes, it was very useful in that it keeps you safe and concentrated…but it was also losing all empathy. Losing all sympathy. Being little more than a cold hearted killer.

“I don’t know if I can-”

“I cannot say anymore. Learn, or you will never advance another step. And the Devil will move on to a new host. But you will still be cursed. And powerless to resist. You choose.”

I clenched my hands into fists. Life is and was always this…annoying.

And we were always so helpless against it.

Fury. Hatred. More dark emotions. I forced them down.

“Good. You may enter the purple scroll at night…there you will find your answer,” Lucifer said. Then he was gone.

I changed my clothes and stepped out of my room. Jade was already up, dressed in what seemed to be a black scaly flowing gown.

To my surprise, Chryssi was sitting on her lap, scribbling on paper with a small crayon. I walked slowly, and quietly towards them, almost afraid to disrupt the quiet happiness.

Every now and then, Chryssie would point to something on the paper, show it to Jade and they would both fall into a fit of giggles.

I knew then that I would never be able to hurt them in any way. Whoever dared to insult them, I’d cut out their tongues. Whoever dared to hurt them, I’d sentence them to a life of having no limbs. If they posed a threat to their lives, I’d kill them without a slightest shred of hesitation.

“If the Heavens Dare to hurt you two…if it defies my wishes…I’ll raze it to hell.” I muttered. Jade’s ears twitched, and she looked over her shoulder to see me standing there. For some reason, the only thing that I could think of was us faking to be…well…doing things, when the soldier came looking for us.

My face flushed red. Jade’s face also flashed a pink and she turned her head back. But I could still see that the tips of her pointed ears were a bright red.