Third Person

~

"So, what you're saying is that you failed to capture a new Keeper, and lost the souls, am I right Beelzebub?"

The Demon in question was kneeling in an abandoned warehouse in one of the many mazes of Tokyo's business districts, a new body granted to him by the being he is bowing to.

Tall and elegant, clad in black billowing fabric and surrounded by tendrils of dark smoke,

"I was attacked out of nowhere by some lightning-wielding kid, using Divinity Magic, he wasn't strong but you know what that power does to Demons.”

"Excuses, excuses. You're lucky I'm in a forgiving mood or that body you're wearing wouldn't be on you right now." Their tone is a clipped hiss, features twisted in anger are hidden behind their Mask spell which distorts the identity of the user's, "Another Keeper will add more to our troubles."

"She's too oblivious to be an issue, from what I can tell…she was probably a non-Magic user before getting Seal," the Demon rises, kneeling now, offering some form of new information that he knew the man would like.

"Explain."

"She doesn't have the Blessing, the powers are coming in to fast. At this rate she'll either destroy herself, or-”

"No need to explain I know what you mean," a contemplative hum that filled the stale air of the warehouse. The sound of footsteps could be heard. "Close, we're so close, do you know that?".

Beelzebub nods along quietly.

“We're about to do the impossible and bring Vengeance upon this world, I want the Keeper and all other humans to witness the folly of their actions,” he stands from the seat, warping space itself as he crosses the distance between them. He reaches his hand to the Demon, “I, the last true Summoner, will give you the world you deserve, you only need not fail me again.”

“Yes Master Nightmare.”

He turns his back to Beelzebub, "I'll look into your claims myself, see if she's a threat or toy I can bend to my whims later but right now, I have another job for you."

***

"If you're Billionaires why aren't you the Verbillions?" Kuro asks randomly, causing Moriko to burst into laughter.

"Names don't work like that, you moron," Troy smacks him over the head so Kira doesn't have to thankfully.

Their little group is seated in one of the corner booths at a student lounge spot not far from their school. Everyone has drinks in hand and somehow she had been roped into paying for each one.

It was just like America again. A single pained tear escapes her eye, At least I'm needed for now.

"I was curious." Kuro shrugs, innocently.

"Another body was just found two hours ago," Jade mumbles to herself, but her voice carries over to the whole table. Momo is now leaning over to peer at her phone.

Kira can't help but cast quick side glances to Kuro and Troy before turning to the screen Momo has now snatched from Jade to show them.

The dark-skinned girl doesn't look very pleased.

It's been nearly a week now since the series of unfortunate coincidences that have led Kira to taking up the ‘Demon Keeper’ mantle, becoming the Protector of a powerful Demonic Seal, and forcing her to team up with two very strange boys who possessed their own Magical abilities.

They were meant to be tracking the Jorōgumo monsters but Kira's very unique circumstance of being a Keeper that refused to cut off her ties to normalcy have led to challenges to say the least.

School left very little time for day time training leaving the only hours for them to do anything at all was at night. Her background in self defense, gymnastics and numerous sports would make her physical training easier but her grasp and Knowledge about Magic was practically nonexistent.

It had been a long, torturous discussion but the three of them had come to the conclusion she wouldn't be fit for any missions until she could replicate the moves during her battle with Beelzebub without feeling the urge to keel over every ten minutes. That way they wouldn't have to worry about protecting her while fighting.

The boys had taken turns each night, one staying to monitor her progress while the other patrolled for signs of the spider Yokais’ movements but even with wings, Tokyo was too much ground to cover for just one person.

Speaking of work, a pitiable groan falls from her lips, head falling to the table, "Next week is going to be the worst."

"Maybe next time you'll think twice before damaging school property." Jade chuckles.

“Really Kira, what were you thinking?” Kuro tuts as if she hadn't told him the truth already.

"How long's your punishment for again?" Momo asks while pulling her into a sitting position.

"A week." A whole week of picking up leaves after school. In addition to homework, vigilante training, and practice for the girls’ Volleyball team tryouts. Overwhelmed, she falls to the table again.

From the corner of her eye she can make out Troy's judgemental expression, him and Kuro being the only ones she had confided the reality of her misfortunes to.

For someone who didn't talk much his facial expressions were pretty loud and clear when he wanted them to be.

"If you ever need company, you can always call me," Momo smirks.

Kira could imagine having her ear talked off and she didn't like the imagery very much. Not to mention the blonde wouldn't spend up to thirty minutes keeping her company, running off the moment her phone ping with some new juicy gossip.

As if on cue, she announces, "I've got to get going, I promised Kikuko and Ayaka I'd meet up for shopping at the mall,"

As mentioned, staying still was not her thing.

"Have fun, and buy me something nice," Kuro calls out.

Troy is smacking him on the head again, his main purpose in existence seeming to be keeping Kuro in check.

The blonde girl smiles, "Sure thing, Jade, are you coming?"

"I'm not your shadow, Blondie."

"But you're strong and you scare all the obnoxious men away."

"It's called being straightforward."

Kira can't help getting the feeling that she, Troy, and Lucifer would get along pretty well if they sat down to discuss things.

"I have an appointment to get to, I'm heading straight home after now," Jade adds to ward off any more requests, her honey-brown eyes half closed.

"Is it one of your witchcraft-related experiments?" Momo rolls her eyes.

"And if it was?"

"You're so silly Jay-Jay, everyone knows that stuff doesn't really work." Moriko was walking towards the door now.

"Says the girl who worships the air Demona breathes," Kuro taunts before Jade can. The dark-skinned girl gives him a high five after noting Moriko sticking her tongue out at them.

Troy turns to Jade, "Magic isn't something to toy with, Keller."

"I know." She smiled.

"You could get in serious trouble."

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"You're taking this pretty seriously Zhao, you experience something you want to share?" She asks plainly.

He bites at his inner cheek to reign in his irritation at her disregard for the severity of the matter, there’s no actual proof he can give that won't expose the truth that no regular human like her should know.

"My guardian worked at a shrine while we were in China, I followed him to work now and then, and he took me to perform purification rituals when he could. What Demons can do to people isn't always pretty. Nor is it anything to laugh at."

It sounds like those old wives tales but Kira figures that the best one can do. She doesn't think it's a stretch though. Shivers cascade down her spine, she wouldn't wish her own recent experiences on some random person. If not for Hikari, she might have been a captive or another body for the cops to find. Without her powers, or Troy and Kuro coming to her rescue, Beelzebub would have easily killed her. Her mind travels back to one of the recent conversations she’d with Lucifer.

'Back when I was fighting Beelzebub, you told me to let you in and he said something along the same line. What did you two mean?'

'In essence, what we meant was possession. I would have taken over your body, you'd no longer be in control. It's a kind of half freedom, in exchange for my superior skills aiding your battle. But if you're too weak, you can't take it back, and I won't be so inclined to give it.'

'Was your plan to con me out of my body from the start?’

‘It wasn't my plan.’

‘Who's was it?

‘You'll know them soon enough.’

She doesn't like the sound of that but there's little she can drag out of him when he doesn't want to say anything, ‘Has any Keeper ever given you control?’

'The First, Kazue, her mental fortitude was admirable.’

‘Was she powerful?’

'Next is the Third, the only male Keeper. His power could rival hers.'

‘What happened? To all the Keepers, if they're so powerful?’

‘There are things; pacts, diseases, and Universal diseases, even Keepers can't escape, do well to avoid them, Fifth Keeper.’

"I'll be careful, so no need to worry your pretty little head," Jades final reply brings Kira back to the present. Momo, seemingly no longer interested in trying to convince her, blows a kiss to everyone and leaves.

“If you say so, see guys tomorrow!”

The table lapses into a short silence after that before Kuro brings up another topic which Kira can only put half of her heart into in an effort to dispel the tension. Magic and Demons are real, but the world, her world, still has to go on.

Soon they're all on the streets once again, Kuro and Troy trailing behind, whatever they’re arguing about now is definitely of no interest to the two girls.

"Zhao sure is something," Jade hums, her eyes flitting down to Kira for just a second.

"Seems pretty ordinary to me," the brunette chuckles wryly. Maybe they wouldn't get along so great after all.

"The way he looks, his name, the way he acts…”

Kira feels her heart jump into her throat, but she remains calm, "C'mon Jade, just say you think he's annoying.”

"His high and mighty attitude is more than annoying."

You have no idea, Kira thinks, "I'm still getting used to it as well but it's often people like him that have the kindest hearts, he's probably still warming up to us."

Jade gives her a skeptically raised eyebrow, “You really want to believe that don't you?’

“For the sake of what I have to deal with, yes.”

It's Jade's turn to smile now, but she says nothing, giving Kira that feeling there's more to the words she'd said but they're finally at the entrance to the station.

"I'll be busy tomorrow so I guess I'm seeing Kira and Zhao on Monday." She said with a wave.

"And me after school." Kuro chimes in.

"Guess so. Night night, and don't let curfew get ya," She steps into the train, it's doors whirring shut behind her.

"I don't like her." Troy is watching the moving vehicle with disdain.

"You don't like anyone." Kuro nudges him.

"She's playing with forces that she isn't meant to."

"If anything comes up, she has us," Kira throws back over her shoulder, Jade and Momo have been surprisingly very sweet and supportive given the little time they've known each other, she can't imagine any harm coming to them, "As I said, I'll protect the ones I care about and you both agreed to help me."

She can see the displeasure in Troy's eyes but he says nothing to combat her statement.

Kuro claps to gain their attention, "It's about time we get to training."

"Give me a few hours to soothe Ares' nerves. He's getting more overprotective by the day."

"Say hi for us." He grins before pulling Troy off toward their own train.

"He doesn't even know us."

She waves, more than happy to get home to get some rest, and debate on whether or not homework could wait until sunday. She could probably practice some volleyball before it was time to meet up with both of them again.

***

"My Master tells me she's heard that Nightmare was in china, I rush out to go find him. Instead, I found one of his guys who's burning down shrines all over the east. That's when I met this killjoy." Kuro is gesturing wildly through his whole story before pointing to Troy, “He's lucky I find it cute or I wouldn't even be here.”

"Stop distracting her and making disgusting comments about me, you moron," said blond is shoving him out of the way so he can correct her stance.

The trio's practice and patrol times lasted from about midnight to three every morning, they had assured her there were other Magic users like them who could take care of the other hours but it was best to keep to themselves and step on no one's toes. There designated meet up spot is an old apartment complex scheduled for demolition soon, meaning their fights weren't going to have any real impact.

For weekends they decided it would be better to start as early as 11 pm and they could patrol any time they were free during the day.

It was a decent setup; Kira didn't need much sleep and the boys seemed used to the rigorous training and nightlife.

Once again, she was reminded how much she had to catch up on if she didn't want to be a hindrance and make them reconsider this partnership. She could tell that Troy still didn't trust her and Kuro was probably the one holding him back.

Lucifer kept telling her to ditch both of them but unfortunately, she was afraid to be alone. Standing and looking down at rooftops all night and wondering if any battle she engaged in would be her last. If she could die and her family and friends would never know what happened to her.

'The thoughts of a weakling.-

"Shut up." She snaps at hims

Kuro is staring up at her in question, "What was that?"

"Was it the Demon again?" Troy asks.

"Yeah, doesn't ever shut up," She growls.

“I don't envy you.”

“Thanks for the encouragement.”

"And the stronger you grow the more of them you'll be able to hear?" Kuro cut in.

“That's what he said,”

"I still think that's pretty cool." Kuro sighed, "It's like some sort of video game, you just keep powering up until you're unstoppable."

"You think too highly of her." Troy scoffs and, very reluctantly, she agrees with him. She aimed to get just strong enough to pass on the Seal to another Keeper. Preferably someone who knew what they were getting into. She'd probably be doing the world a favor.

They get down to training, both of them staying this time so Troy can teach her how to dodge attacks she can't counter in speed while Kuro continues his teachings on magic.

An hour after that, they’re getting ready to look out for attacking Jorōgumo. Whatever is going on, they aim to get it over with during the weekend so they'll finally be able to focus their efforts on Nightmare.

"We take each district in this ward one by one. I'll tell you a rendezvous point and we'll meet there after an hour if we see nothing?" Kuro stated.

Kira still can't help but be shocked by his efficiency despite his age, she wondered if it had something to do with his powers, but no matter how she looked at it, the ability to manipulate any sentient being through their blood didn't seem to have any correlation to his weird intelligence. With blood he could also instruct the detachable feather of his wings on who to attack or not. Having Troy's blood from their first meeting was why his feathers had completely avoided harming the blond back in the underground passage.

Troy, knowing that, had used his wings to shield her to the best of his abilities.

Once again, his efficiency awed and scared her. How exactly had he gotten so good while so young, tangled up in this supernatural world of fear and violence?

She pushes that question out of her mind for now. Focus. "What if we see something?"

"Stay back but follow them and do not engage." The dark-feathered boy says.

"How about we call each other too?" She tries.

"Don't have a phone, remember?" He waves his empty hands to exaggerate the point.

"Remind me to get you one tomorrow."

"You don't have to do that, once you can project your voice into our minds, we won't have to use phones during missions, they can be distracting and dangerous if they happen to get into the wrong hands."

"We have a mission to get back to you two," Troy snaps his fingers, "Vermillion, you'll call me if you see anything and I'll inform the brat, got that?"

"Got it!" They both replied at the same time.

"Okay, let's get this started, last one back buys me breakfast!" Kuro screams, making some jumps and swiftly takes to the air.

Troy makes a disapproving ‘tsk’ sound, “This will still take forever.”

"Not if we're lucky," Kira winks before taking off for the nearest rooftop and extra relieved her take off and landing practice was paying off.

Several rooftops and two hours later, she's panting, nearl breathless. They were in the fourth district, the boys could fly and she more than made up for time with her speed but her stamina for this was extremely low. She kept to the shadows, looking down at the brightly lit city below. The streets were nearly devoid of people, everyone too afraid to be out for fear of being murdered, but there was still a mesmerizing charm to the city scape with its colorful billboards and sweeping sprawls of endless lights.

She's about to keep moving again when her phone beeps. She pulls it out to see it’s a text from Troy telling her to get Kuro and come to Shinjuku station.

That was weird, if she reasoned things out, the only reason he would ask 'her' to get Kuro was if he didn't plan on telling Kuro himself.

Her eyes wide realization, He's engaging?!

As much as she wants to go there and smack some sense into him, she knows she has to give Kuro the information. He would know what to do if something went wrong. She arrives at the rendezvous point in record speed to meet Kuro waiting , "He's at Shinjuku station, he's probably engaging whatever he encountered right now."

Kuro whines, "Damn it, Angel boy!"

"Let's go!" Pushing past her exhaustion, she starts off again, the gust of wind that accompanied Kuro's take off not far behind her. Soon, he’s at her side in thoughtful silence.

Her only wish is that they aren't too late.