Third Person

~

The feeling of being literally slammed down into your body was probably one of the least comfortable ways to return to the land of the living.

Kira jolts, a frightened scream torn from her lips as she rolls off a couch and onto beautifully polished wooden floorboards. The number of falls she's taken in what feels like a short amount of time is starting to get on her nerves.

She groans, doing her best to sit up straight and untangle herself from the coils of the blanket that had been placed on her body. The sounds of rushing footsteps reach her ears in the process and before she knows it Kuro's figure is jogging in from the hallway with Troy walking not far behind.

"You're awake!" The younger boy just about throws himself at her but seems to hesitate, settling for kneeling at her side and going for a much gentler hug, "You had us so worried!"

"Who knew you'd black out as soon as we stepped through the portal?" Troy muses, arms folded and looking down at them while Kuro helped her up and back onto the couch.

"So that's what happened," an embarrassed flush settles on her features, she had really let herself get that exhausted.

"Your regular aura also got really weak for a bit, almost like you..." Kuro trails off, but he doesn't have to continue, she understands, "But everything else was fine so we decided to wait and see what would happen."

'What happened kid? You freaked everyone out with that shit,' Mammon demands.

"This is going to sound crazy but I think I sort of was, at least that's what I got from Yamada-san's explanation," she begins, her skin bristles at the feeling of the Demons stirring violently within her, "Before you guys ask any questions, let me explain-"

The sound of the doorbell cuts her off, Troy walks off, stating he'd see to whoever it was only to return, very displeased, with Jade at his side wearing a smug smile.

"Nice place you got here Zhao," the purple-haired girl whistles loudly as she marches into the living room where Kuro and Kira are waiting. She locks eyes with the brunette, golden eyes brimming with a strange mixture of admiration and worry, "I see you're fine."

Kira returns the comment with a grin of her own, intending to ask how things worked out with Momo but the taller girl drops down to envelope her in a warm hug, taking her by surprise.

Jade pulls back then turns to the boys, "You guys did pretty good out there, not like I'm one to talk," she settles at the edge of Kira's seat, a sigh of frustration leaving her lips, "I was still afraid you know. Everything almost fell apart when I saw what happened to your legs. You couldn't walk, the guys were down and all I could do was stand and shiver, battling with what to do even when the answer was so obvious.

"I should have been there by you guys, fighting, but I was so consumed by my fear, the fear that I'd lose the only thing that made it possible to hold the people I love again," she grit her teeth, turning her face away from the group, "I should have realized, it's no use holding onto things you're not willing to lose everything for. Momo, Haru, you three, my family, I could lose all of you if I keep holding myself back. So if it's not too late, let me join you guys."

Kira listens, unsure of what to make of it all. It's clear as day the recent events are all that have consumed Jade's mind, eating are conscience and dredging up regrets she had in the past.

And maybe that was what the other girl needed to do, but it wasn't something to commit to in just a few hours. As much as she wanted to believe the darker-skinned girl was ready, she could still perceive some of that anxiety from the alley. Jade was still scared, but she had the strength and conviction to face future battles that may await.

That was more than what the brunette could have hoped for. The battle with Arius had shed some more light on things for her. Nightmare wasn't only moving forward with his own plans, but he was trying to delay them and put an end to their attempts to stop him. They were getting close and he didn't plan to let them any closer. He'd also take out any help they had at their disposal.

"You can't be on the team Jade," she explained, sitting up a bit straighter and taking off the blanket so could stretch her feet on the ground.

"Why?" Jade and Kuro yell just as she stoo, Troy also gives her a questioning look.

"You saw what Arius did during the fight, he called her out. Nightmare's watching us, he's watching our battles and probably trying to figure out who we are and more ways to stop us, we need to be extra careful from here on out."

'The more you three fight, the more he'll know about you, but having allies in the shadows will be your trump card,' Lucifer adds following her line of thought. Kira nods to herself, quite proud of the idea.

"I see what you mean," Kuro strokes his chin in understanding.

"I got another idea just before I left the Tethered Pavilions-"

"Where?" Troy asks.

"Oh yeah, I forgot I didn't tell you yet. The reason I passed out was 'cause the former Keepers summoned my soul to this sub-plane where all dead Keepers go after they die. I met everyone except for the first Keeper, Kazue but that's kinda not the point," she waves a bit dismissive but with a promise to elaborate later, "They called me there to tell me not to level up any further but what really stuck with me was when Hikari said she wished she had a team, we could go search for more allies to battle against Nightmare. Spirits like Yamagata-san or maybe other Demons on this plane that don't like him-" Her excited chatter is cut off when Troy speaks up.

"Vermillion, why did the Keepers tell you not to get any stronger?" The blond presses, tone cold with eyes searching every passing emotion on her face.

She turns, avoiding his gaze and stuffing her hands in the pocket of her shorts as she mutters a curt, "Nothing important," under her breath.

"Dead people don't summon the living for 'nothing important', Vermillion," he pushes, "And they sure wouldn't tell you not to get stronger when that's what's the fate of the world is riding on."

"He's right Kira, what aren't you telling us?" Kuro adds.

"Lucifer kinda said something before now, but they just elaborated on it," she mumbles, "Something about me not being Pure of Heart, and likely to become a Demon if I grow stronger, I don't know...it doesn't matter anyway, right?"

The room falls deathly silent for an uncomfortably long minute before Jade breaks it with a her tone, dry with disbelief, "You've got to be kidding right? More than half the people in this room use dark magic and you don't see us turning evil."

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"It's probably different because of the way the Seal works so it's possible," Kuro points out, "It locks the demons into the Keeper's soul, or probably a sub-plane linked to it. The energy they release is tied to that space and the Pure of Heart thing is a blessing from the Universe to only a few, it's not rare, but it's not common either, and it's probably what cleanses a regular Keeper's soul."

"Vermillion doesn't have the Universe's blessing I'm guessing," Troy growls.

"Trust me, when you meet someone who has it, you'll know," Kuro clicks his tongue, "Either way, regular dark magic exchanges send a part of the demon's magic into the blood and heart so it's not directly tied to our souls."

Jade nods once in understanding, sending a sorry look in Kira's direction, "Was it because of what happened on the battlefield, when you summoned those two Demons?"

The brunette shrugs, "Maybe."

"You also reached out to another one, they called him Levi," Troy elaborates.

'He's Leviathan and he's my super cute little brother,' Mammon gushes in her mind.

She rolls her eyes, "I guess, it's still weird how it all happened, one second I was buried in self-loathing, clawing through the darkness in my half-conscious state. I wasn't too sure about what was going on outside but I knew we weren't winning."

Her mind went back to her time in her meditative state, how she relentlessly wished to be just like those fighting but she couldn't even stand. Then she found him, a tall dark mass looming in front of her in the vast emptiness of her soul. She reached out but he pulled away.

She heard his warnings, 'The envy in your heart is a slow poison, are you ready to turn that poison against your enemies and paralyze them in the stillness of unattainable wanting?'

"I don't know how but power overwhelmed me, allowing me to drag him to the surface. Right now though, I can't feel his presence the way I feel Lucifer and Mammon. They're standing just beyond me, but I can't sense him."

"It's probably 'cause you flared...twice actually which is pretty impressive, and were calling on more magic energy before your body could set a proper limit. There are a lot of factors involved; like how much training you'd put in previously."

"There's also adrenaline, fluctuation of hormones and psyche," Jade adds.

"With the right circumstances, people become much stronger or weaker. Like what happened with Troy in the forest battle and me at Akio's temple, but mine doesn't really count since I just sort of reawakened the power I'd had-"

"Your time out must have given your body time to set the limit," Troy continues, cutting the raven-haired boy off before they get off tangent, "You can probably summon the Demon scum again but can't reach out to the one called Levi since, as said, you're not strong enough."

"And the Keepers don't want you to push the limit any further." Jade surmised.

"What a bummer!" Kuro whines kicking out his legs and scratching at his hair.

Troy says nothing, eyes distant and scowl settling into his features.

Kira turns just in time to see Xie Ren enter the room with a tray of tea and snacks.

"Man, this place is tense," he chuckles nervously, setting the tray down on the center table, "I'll excuse myself now, Troy-chan, serve your friends."

"Tch," he scoffs.

"If I stay any longer I might start telling stories," the older man coos dramatically.

"Leave already," The blond hisses, standing to do as he was told.

Xie Ren winks at the others, "I don't know what's going on but all I see right now are four kids who deserve a break, if only for tonight at least," he faces Jade, "A pleasure meeting you, Miss."

Jade bows lightly in return before the older male leaves the room, "Pretty sweet older brother you got there Troy, where'd they get you from?" She teases as he hands over her cup.

"She's got a point Angel-boy, the pretty and sweet combo knock most people off their feet."

"I don't think she meant things in that context Kuro," Kira sighs while taking a seat and grabbing a cup of tea, the calming scent of herbs and spices flooded her senses as she lifted the drink to her lips. The day had started pretty bad and had proceeded to escalate quickly until it got even worse. Their struggle this evening was probably their most difficult yet but they'd survived once again.

She might not have the Universe's blessing, but she definitely had a good team and some luck on her end since the meeting with the Keepers had given her more valuable information to work with.

"Agawa-san, the second Keeper, was the one that sealed the Gashadokuro the first time but she didn't do it properly, she did tell me a way to do it without leveling up my magic energy, though," she states, as Kuro turns on the TV, the news channel comes up; the battlefield was taped off and police were carrying out their work while the Commissioner Kobayashi did her best to brush off eager reporters. Kira explains what she'd been told about the Oracle stone and Kuro's eyes brighten even more.

"I'll find out what it is, trust me!"

"I'm counting on you," her eyes are hopeful when they land on his.

"I'll help as well, Ms. Hills handed me a bunch of books before I left America," Jade added, picking up her bag and getting up to leave, she glanced back at them over her shoulder, "I get what you said about me keeping to the shadows but I get to decide when I can come help, even if you don't want me to."

Kira smirks, "Whenever you're ready, I won't stop you, you're also free to come train with us whenever you're up to it."

"Good," she throws up her hand in a still wave, "And Blondie won't stop gushing about how she kissed Demona, I guess that beats any trauma she got from today, so don't worry about her too much. See you guys tomorrow I guess."

"See ya!" Kuro screams back as Troy escorts her to the door. The younger boy glances at the TV, then back at Kira, "A lot of stuff's happened today huh?"

"You could say that," she laughs, a mirthless sound heavy with frustration, "I still can't believe I managed to summon two Demons."

"But you went into a meditation state, which left you vulnerable during the fight," he gulps down his tea, "It's probably cause you were using too much magic so your body shut down, giving your mind less to work on as a result of your low mental strength," he glances off to the side, toying lightly with his scarf, "I know you trust us, and the Demons, for whatever reason, to have your back but we've got limits too. If you and Leviathan had been a second slower, none of us would have made it out alive."

"I know and I don't want that to happen again," she groans, "But how do I increase my mental strength?"

"I'm not a Summoner, I've also had pretty high mental strength since I was a kid-"

"You're still a kid by the way."

"Not the point," he pouts, "As I was saying, the best person to teach you would be Troy."

"Pass."

"It's not like I wanted to either way," The blond in question scoffs, joining them in the living room once more.

"You both can't be serious right now," Kuro frowns, "We nearly died, kiss and make up already."

"Vermillion only knows how to butter up to people when she needs help, but when things are getting 'too stressful' she starts whining."

"If you plan on going all crazy dictator like our training then it's better I find someone else."

"Yeah, I didn't like that as well," Kuro mumbles, "I figured you had a reason but leaving us out of the loop kinda made it... unreasonable I guess. We tell each other everything...most of the time, but you don't really... talk to us."

Troy glares at the two, how dare they accuse him like he's the problem? They've got no problem with blind trust in each other but it's so different when it's him because he doesn't 'talk to them'?

He's about to shoot something back when Lucifer's words from the battle come back to him, 'You'll learn that people won't understand you because you expect them to...'

He pauses, not taking his eyes off them as they await his response. How did he give them a reason without drowning their hope altogether? There are so many confusing thoughts swimming through his head. Kira couldn't increase her magic energy, but his vision was bound to come to reality, right?

Or had his training been the boost that made her strong enough to finish the recent fight? Would the new restriction on her abilities be the thing to change their path?

He didn't know what to make of all this but he'd sooner die than show his confusion. No one would get it, he was the only knew what was coming.

"Feel how ever you want, you humans get offended too easily," he turns away, heading back toward the door, "If you need me, I'll be in my room. I'll help with your meditation but that's about it, don't annoy me any further."

The other two exchange looks, unsure of what to make of the strange energy he left behind. Kuro is the first to speak up.

"Was it me, or did Troy look..."

"Hurt," Kira finishes, eyes not leaving the door.