Kira

~

My legs are unsteady as I pull myself back into a standing position while rubbing at the back of my head which had connected with the wall.

No blood.

Not yet at least.

'Your body's durability and pain resistance has been increased, as well, you're welcome,’ Lucifer informs once again. It was nice to know I'd have to be thrown around a bit more before I began to bleed out but I guess it would be best to avoid that all together.

I take a fighting stance, showing weakness or uncertainty this early in the fight could screw my chances more. Maybe I could threaten him. I open my mouth to say something but I'm cut off instead of by his words.

"Look who finally decided to show up, what took you so long, Demon Keeper?" He leers, eyeing me up like fresh meat.

I say nothing, glaring at him while also searching for a means of escape. He must still believe I'm Hikari and I wasn't sure if that was a good or bad thing yet.

"Were our new Jorōgumo that hard to handle, that you had to hide to heal? Well now, I get the chance to take you out my-" he stops speaking, gaze narrowing in obvious question, "You're not the one I fought last."

It was a statement, not a question.

The last thing I needed.

Before he can react, I throw myself at him, going for a solid roundhouse kick. He dodges, studying me. I land, avoiding the hand he reaches out to grab me as I flip through the air with a bit less grace than my former gymnastics instructor would have liked. My agility seemed to have taken a boost as well.

Under different circumstances I might have felt joy but I was staring death in the face at the moment.

"You are a new one aren't you? And the old chick, where is she?"

"Take a guess you disgusting monster," I spit taking out two knives, one in a regular grip and the other one in a reverse. I lunged at him again, if I could just immobilize him I'd have the chance at the ceiling again, maybe I'd be able to vanish into the crowd that was probably outside the cemetery, drawn in by the police.

"Dead, huh? That's too bad, I had a bone to pick with that one but I guess you'll have to do," He grabs my hand, stopping a slash but I made a quick spin so I stab his side instead. I heard his growl as I pulled away.

"Gross,” I hiss, shaking crimson blood off the knife, so Dekons bleed as well? Good to know. I turned to face him, he wasn't that tough, I could do this, "There's more where that came from, best you surrender."

There's a heart wrenching silence. A bead of sweat slides down my cheek.

Call my bluff, please.

It could never be that easy.

A bark of harsh blood-curdling laughter reverberates off the walls, filling me with instant dread.

Shit.

"For someone who's been doing this for less than a day, you sure are bold,” His murky red eyes surrounded by pitch black hone in on me with sick mirth, “You won't do much, but amuse me for however longer, new Keeper.”

I say nothing, sweat dripping down my forehead in torrents as I remain on guard.

The air hums, reddening and drawing towards Beelzebub, two lumps burst from his head, curving into jagged horns. His fingers stretch and taper into sleek claws that glint like fine steel.

Fear and nausea make me take a step back, my instincts are screaming I'm way in over my head but I can't give up.

I can't die.

"You being new makes my job much easier. I wonder what the boss will make of this."

"Like I'll let you take me."

"You have no choice in this kiddo, you're not strong enough," as if to make a point, he moves at the speed of light. Dazed, I feel him slamming into me before I can think of dodging. I tumble and skid down the hall in time to his words, "You're inexperienced."

I barely manage to roll away as his foot comes crashing into the spot I lay previously, crushing the ground. Breathing hard I run to the other end of the room, more terrified than I let on as I watch him shake the dust from his boot. His eyes landed on me.

My body is healing from the minor injuries and I hardly feel the pain, but just how could I keep up before he was tired of playing games?

"It's best if you surrender, with or without you, the boss's plan will succeed."

"I have a feeling I wouldn't like his plan."

Beelzebub grins, all jagged teeth, "Too bad, you had the chance to become a powerful ally."

I steel myself for the long battle ahead.

Calling it a battle was an overstatement.

Each attack leaves me breathless, his speed and strength overpowering each of my counters. My knives are poor match for his extended talons that tip and scratch at the skin beneath my clothes.

I slam through another wall for about the sixth time.

At this point I'm just shocked the whole cemetery hasn't come rown already.

Despite my enhanced abilities, he was just too quick for my eyes to follow, or for my body to react. My counters are sluggish, fatigue making the slashes I manage to get in shallow, nowhere near fatal.

I pull back, keeping my distance to recover and re-access

A glow in his hand catches my attention, a burning red sphere radiating ominous but awe inspiring energy. Before I can think of running, he throws it my way.

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Heat sears my skin as I'm blown back, the world flashes by in a blur. Jagged concrete scrapes at my back as I slide to the ground, senses numb, vision rippling.

I want to stand but something in me protests. I definitely can't take another hit of that thing.

I can't take anything at all.

Get up Kira.

Footsteps, I can hear them drawing closer.

You can't die here, get up!

I can feel tears well up behind my eyelids.

'Pitiful, but j can be of help,’ Lucifer's voice was a tempting hum in the back of my mind.

‘How?’ Even in my mind, I sound weak.

‘Let me take over your body, simply envision your soul leaving, I'll take care of this for you, Kira.’

A fierce repulsion screams at me not to listen, I can feel her, the girl had caused all this, somehow her emotions whirling through me.

Don't hand over control to them.

Not words, just feelings.

"Don't tell me you're that weak, new Protector of the Seal," Beelzebub's taunting call booms from ahead of us.

Us.

Not me.

"Oi, Demon Prince of Bullshit," I spit at Lucifer, coughing up some blood along the line, “Give me some advice, cuz I'm not giving you my body.”

Maybe angered by my refusal, his coaxing tone vanishes.

'What do you want me to do, child? He's not wrong,’ the bastard freaking laughs, my head throbs with the sound, 'You're nothing but a weak, spoiled brat. Trying to hold on to something she can't have.'

"I didn't choose to become Demona."

‘Neither did the others. You've been chosen by Fate, your responsibility from now on was to do this and if you had just agreed to cut ties as I told you, you wouldn't have to prove yourself this way.' His condescending attitude could almost make me feel guilty.

Almost.

A sad humorless smile makes its way to my face, “Screw them,” I whisper, “And screw ‘Fate’ too.”

I could feel it, his surprise at the way I spoke, but I was angry at and sorry for, the suckers that had just taken this shit job like it was a family heirloom. I didn't want it but here I was. I too had no choice but I wasn't going to be shoved around by pain, insecurity and doubt any more.

"Life's been giving me shit for a long time, Lucifer. I look like I have it all but I've never had it easy. I'm happy with the life I have with my family and I refuse to give that up." I clench my fist, pulling myself up by using the wall. I had a good father waiting for me to return, and I had two new friends who probably expected to see me tomorrow and meet up with them for lunch.

“I'm holding you to that.”

Like hell, I was going to die now. Tokyo wasn't home yet but I had just begun a new life here and I wasn't getting killed before it started.

I’d chase my own happiness, the best future, because I damn well deserved it.

A burning heat flares up in my right hand, a sense of euphoria and comfort spreading beneath my skin. A thrill sweeps through me. The heat hardens, stretching out into a cool sleek staff of dark metal. For a split second the world is a whirl of winds and vivid green. I feel invigorated, my breaths coming clearer and muscles no longer aching.

Power.

It courses through me like a dam, some power had been unlocked through me, it was maddening. More than I'd ever felt in my life. I stare at the staff, black, and intricately designed with runes and characters in silver. Beautiful but nothing too special. Just as that thought passed, I noticed two blades emerge from both ends.

I had no idea how to use a double-edged scythe but I did learn how to twirl a baton in middle school.

I spin the staff to test its weight in my hand and my skills, coupled with the enhancement, it seemed sufficient. I remember Lucifer saying something about control over the wind. Not sure how that would work but I guess I'd have to figure it out along the way as well.

Beelzebub's grunt of displeasure, probably at seeing me still standing, draws my attention.

With renewed vigor, I start our fight on a more offensive front. Feeling lighter than I had before, I let my instincts guide me now. Training, strategies, foresight, all those things could come later. I'm taken back to the brief time I'd been completely alone all those years ago.

Survive.

I had to survive

And I could only trust my instincts to guide my steps.

I bring my weapon down with vengeance but Beelzebub catches it by the blade, flinging me back. I skid on my feet, taking note the hand he had used to hold it was bleeding.

I smirk.

The Demon glared at his bleeding palm, red eyes brimming annoyance, "You got lucky."

"Try saying that again when I hack the whole thing off."

"Don't get cocky," He growls deeply before attacking me, I try to dodge his punch but realize too late it’s a diversion. His knee buries itself into my abdomen with extreme force. I fly up into the ceiling, dropping my weapon from the impact. I fall, only to be caught around the base of my neck.

My airways burn for air, my hands reaching up to scratch at the arm around my neck.

"Come on girlie, you didn't honestly think you could defeat me, did you?" Palpable scorn fills my ears.

I level him with a hostile snarl.

"You did, huh? Lucifer must really have a hold on you, why don't you let him out so we can talk? I just might convince him...or beat his sorry ass for going against his kind."

A weak chuckle escapes me.

"What's got you laughing?"

"He says, 'Dream on, shitstain.'"

Frown that takes his face is an ugly thing. His hold tightens with his fury, in hopes of either strangling me or severing my head from my body but unfortunately, for him Lucifer and I had worked our plan out.

My scythe flies in my hand seamlessly, the blade slashing clean through his elbow as it does.

He had been too busy talking smugly to notice I had been trying to move the air.

A pained roar erupts around us and I drop to the ground, the lower part of his hand falling with me. He's stumbling back and looking at the stub of his arm in surprise. He might have been a demon but that was still a human body he was inhabiting.

He glares down at me, “Why, you're too new, how can you…” He stops seeming to realize something but I don't care I try to get up, this was my chance. The best time to strike.

Uncooperative, my feet buckle and keeling over, I fall back to the ground, coughing up blood all over the place.

My chest is tight, the power is fading and weakness is clawing at my body.

"Lucifer, explain!" I commanded through strained breaths.

'Your body is still too weak to withstand the power you're using now, the unstable Magic Energy is rupturing your system. I'm surprised you kept up far longer than expected.”

If I wasn't coughing up essential body fluids I would've been pleased at how he sounded genuinely impressed.

"Luck. That's all you've got, but now, it's run out."

I looked up to see Beelzebub forming another one of those energy spheres in his good hand.

"This is where you meet your en-"

He’s cut off by the sound of a loud bang. Ethereal Lightning the color of polished gold pierces through the ceiling, striking the ground in front of me.

I shield my eyes from the bright glare and once it dies down, I can see a form, draped in a short cloak of white and gold, their long blond hair, braided into one elegant line blowing in the wind. Her face is beautifully refined framed by a few loose strands and a lone gold cross earring dangling from her right ear.

My heart stutters though this is definitely not the time.

The majestic being raises an arm, a bow, and an arrow seemingly made of burning light and sparks. Her eyes are locked on Beelzebub who seemed just as confused as I was.

The arrow soars through the air, the glare growing large and brighter and bursting to full brilliant glory as it makes an impact.

Once it was gone, Beelzebub's body lay scorched and limp on the ground.

I sigh in relief, shakily raising myself to a kneeling position, I look to the lady in gold and white, "Thanks a lot, Miss, you really saved my life."

"Who says I saved you?" The voice is smooth, but much deeper than I expected.

I squint, looking closer at the person before me. Without the majestic lights and the adrenaline rush, it becomes clearer they might be what I thought they were.

Shit.

I could also see their bow and arrow pointed at me.

Double shit.

‘There go your plans for a date,’ Lucifer drawls.

"I only took that foul creature out so no one would interrupt us. I am God's divine messenger, his agent of light, and I order you, Demon Keeper, to lead me to Nightmare," the arrow glows, pointed straight at my head, "Or die."

Triple shit!