Third Person

~

Kira had never practiced using the powers she had copied before. She just pushed them to the side, too worried about how much harm she could do without the guidance to use them. Mammon had warned her that lack of understanding of others' abilities could do more harm than good.

Now, however, with Ahlai's dark energy swirling within her veins she could feel the world as the Demon in question could. The power seemed to be reacting of its own accord, drawing her to follow along.

She could see the world as Ahlai did, invisible magic airwaves were spread around with her as the center, and she could feel the seals in her eyes moving like clogs in a clock or dials on a radio; searching, struggling and seeking to find the right signal that connected to various mental airwaves.

"So this is how you work, huh?" She snarled at the demon glaring down at her. She could feel the dagger at her neck trembling slightly, Ahlai was fighting against her own powers now.

"I'll admit, you caught me off guard, but this only makes things more interesting, that is if you can match up."

There was the click of a switch in Kira's mind as the right channel seemed to have been found. Ahlai gasped, stumbling back and staring with wide eyes as her thoughts muddled into watery memories.

The darkness vanished to reveal her looking up at a much younger version of her master, she could tell even with the Mask on his face because he was dressed like all those decades ago.

'You really can't see into minds, huh?'

She nodded, prepared for the usual sourness and contempt that those who summoned her often showed when they realized this. She'd be sent back to the other plane once they realized she was unable to give them what they accurately sought.

'It can't be helped, but there's hope for you yet.'

She stared up at the burning blue of his slit eyes inquisitively, joy was a feeling she'd grown not to expect unless she was watching others writhe in pain. All she knew was the cold numb feeling of boredom and the insatiable hunger of being a demon.

At those words though, something in her chest bloomed, acknowledgment from someone who accepted her as she was. Demons hated Summoners since they were usually more condensing than regular magic wielders, but they were the most frequent means to exit the Spirit plane.

This Summoner was watching her with kind eyes, hand outstretched, ready to welcome her and a flaw out of her control.

As one of the happiest memories she could hold on to, Ahlai wasn't going to let a mere human child taint it with inexperienced toying.

Before the memory could be corrupted she tore through the darkness, leaning back to watch Demona's foot fly over her face in an attempted kick.

"Nice try, Keeper, but you need to make it hit quicker, like so," the seals in her own eyes spun.

Kira growled, landing on unsteady feet as Ahlai's attack began to take effect, but she managed not to succumb to it. She dashed along the tree trunks, staff twirled in her grasp.

A wide menacing grin spread on the Demon's face, her eyes would as she watched Kira soar through the air, coming at her again, "You still wish to go, Keeper? I couldn't have asked for a better opponent!"

Kira brought her scythe down on her, only to be blocked by Ahlai's Kunai, "We'll see how you like your vision of the world being toyed with!"

"There's nothing to toy with, Keeper, my world has been dark from the start because it's your world. Because times have changed and the people got better at hiding it, that doesn't mean it isn't there."

Kira was just about to use the eyes again when Kuro's voice echoed in her head, 'I've taken care of all the Yokai, Kira. I'm coming to help.'

'No, find Troy and keep out of range!'

'But-'

'I'm trying to use Ahlai's powers against her, I can't match her efficiency so you'll only make things worse if she turns her focus on you too.'

'Got it, I'll find Angel boy as quick as possible, with him, we can win this.'

Kira dodged a swipe of the demon's knife, 'Exactly, now go!'

Kira started the search for the right waves once more, pouring as much energy as she could to keep Ahlai still, there was a click once more as a different signal was found. She watched as Ahlai's brows creased once again.

Bingo. "If you want despair so badly, have a taste of yours!"

Ahlai gritted her teeth as the black clouds swirled before her and she fought against it, a strained smile pulling at her lips, "I've drunk enough of that for two lifetimes!"

***

Was it always necessary to explain one's actions?

Was it always necessary to have a 'reason' for things?

Ahlai didn't believe so. Her real name had been lost before she'd been old enough to know it. Perhaps she didn't have one.

If there was a reason for everything, there had to be one for why she could only creep in the corners and only be present when called. Why did she have no control over her life? Why did she have to take every insult thrown at her like a statue without emotions? Why did she have to bare the eyes watching with contempt or more malicious intentions?

'From filth, you came and in filth, you'll remain.' She'd heard that phrase a lot. She didn't like it. Why couldn't she just take what she wanted?

Once there was a girl who never smiled or felt true joy because the smiles she wore were plastic masks. Put on to please those who stepped into a cesspit of devious deeds.

The first time she really smiled was while driving a knife into the heart of some random man that pulled her behind closed doors. The first time she ever felt truly in control was while bathed in blood.

From there, she was unable to stop chasing that feeling. She hopped from town to town, taking victims of all ages and stations; men, women, children, none of it mattered. All she wanted was to see the world that didn't give her another choice but despair burn.

She'd never be able to tell you how she died, all she would only ever be able to recall we're purple robes and burning silver eyes hidden behind a swirling mass of black mist.

She remembered the pain though, the piercing, white-hot pain of her soul being torn apart.

Until she woke up to red skies and rocky terrain surrounding her from all sides. She sat up, head-heavy and hands reaching up to feel a bump on her forehead. Two actually. She studied her arms which were now covered in pale grey scales.

'You ain't seem like much.'

The voice had come for beside her. She turned to see a man, well not a man exactly but by his voice, she could tell he was male. Greyscales covered his skin as well, and his eyes were a violent red.

'Never seen a Demon before kid?' He drawled once more.

She shook her head, standing gracefully, 'May I ask where I am?'

'Spirit realm, the higher demon territory. You're lucky I'm feeling nice and you don't seem worth devouring.'

She tilted her head questionably.

He groaned, 'You've awoken as a Demon, kid, get a clue,' he snarled.

'Oh,' Another choice made for her, life (or death) didn't seem keen on leaving her alone. This time though, she wasn't as annoyed. Demons were known for doing evil. She could do what she wanted and it would be expected, no one would force her to be what they wanted.

She turned to the male demon that was already hopping off his perch on the mountainside to walk away.

'Who are you?'

'Call me Bel,' He huffed trudging off, hands in the pockets of his robes. She trailed after him. A long time passed until he finally let out a tired groan and spun to face her, 'What do you want kid?'

'Bel-san, I want you to teach me how to be a demon.' She stated plainly.

An amused smirk pulled at his lips, 'If you're here, it probably means you already know how.'

She didn't budge still, violet eyes boring into him.

Bel sighed, he had enough on his plate without having to pull along some scrub but he had nothing better to do with the infinite life of being a demon. He tilted his head towards the rocky mountains beyond, 'I'm searching for cracks in the human world, there's a bastard I want to settle scores with. You gotta pull your weight if you're coming though.'

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

With those words, a companionship lasting several centuries was formed, even after splits to form their own paths, whatever paths were open to demons cursed to roam the darkest regions of the spirit plane.

Until Nightmare.

***

Beelzebub grumbled low under his breath, dodging another strike from the blond archer that came for him. As much as he wanted to crush this specific child for daring to look down on his abilities he wanted to be facing the Keeper.

If he managed to push her just enough, he would probably get her to surrender her body to Lucifer, and maybe after several centuries, they'd finally resolve things once and for all.

With an irate grunt, he summoned more walking corpses after he slammed Troy back into a tree trunk.

"Hold him!" He ordered the creatures to spring to life, charging forward at full speed, wave after wave of them to keep the blond busy.

Beelzebub was already tired of this fight, his blood burned to settle a more important score.

Troy hissed in frustration as he cut down another zombie, watching as the demon trudged toward the trees in the direction of the clearing.

He materialized his bow, pulling back the string, and a glowing arrow flared to life, "Hey, Demon! Never turn your back to your opponents?" He scowled, setting the arrow free, it blazed through several corpses at once, spinning in beautiful hues as it neared Beelzebub.

The Demon turned quickly summoning and smacked the blast off into a nearby cluster of shrubbery that caught fire from it.

"That's enough out of you!" He screamed, charging up a frighteningly large energy sphere which he launched at the archer.

Troy closed his eyes bracing for impact, but it never came, he opened them to see a dark red talisman absorbing the blast in front of him.

"You were meant to hide and recover, Angel boy?" Kuro's voice echoed around them.

"It couldn't be helped," he scoffed.

"The dark-winged brat? Just my luck," Beelzebub said, tone full of scorn.

"No one's leaving until we put you down," the younger boy stated. More talismans lit up their little battleground to reveal thin lines of garrote wire tangling through the trees.

"It's two against one, Demon scum, surrender and don't waste your strength," Troy added.

More corpses began to crawl up from the ground and his taloned hands glowed ominously, "You seriously doubt my strength, I will take victory..."

***

"For Master Nightmare!" Ahlai screamed as he and Kira clashed once more, both stumbling back briefly after they pulled from the strike as they'd both struck up memories.

The demon was first to recover but Kira was quick to dodge. They stayed apart, sizing each other up with ragged breaths spilling from their lips.

Kira could feel her stamina dwindling, she had to end this fight while Ahlai's energy levels were low as well. Gambles weren't her strong suit but she'd have to make this one work.

'Full power yet, Troy?'

'I think I'm good for one,' He replied almost immediately.

'I'm going to lead Ahlai into the skies and while she thinks you're busy with Beelzebub, I'll distract her and you'll strike. I'm starting now!'

***

Troy scoffed, what did Vermillion think he was? Some sort of miracle worker? 'Kuro, cover me,' he ordered as his wings glowed behind him and he prepared to take off.

"Oh no, you're not going anywhere!" Beelzebub yelled, leaping after him as he took off.

"Don't be rude, I'm your dance partner too!" Kuro whined sending feathers towards the demon who prioritized evading them to going after Troy.

Troy broke through the trees, golden arrow already at the ready and that's when he saw them, two figures locked in aerial battle. They were too close.

'Vermillion!' he called out strained.

***

Kira hissed, she sensed Troy's gaze and used a gust of wind to push out of Ahlai's hold as they started to fall, but the Demon was still fully alert.

She had to make this work. She activated the Eyes of Despair once more, pouring as much focus into it as she could, willing all the anger and hopelessness she felt in hopes that the Demon would know what she did to others could hurt worse than she thought.

There was the click, a far louder one in Kira's head this time.

Ahlai's body seized as the darkness swirled in, far stronger this time, Nightmare far larger this time looking down at her, eyes devoid of the trust they held towards her.

'And to think I wanted to give you a place in my world,' she drawled, tone hateful as he turned his back on her, like so many before him.

She reached out but stopped before she could call after him, mind struggling to break free of emotions she'd long since buried since meeting Bel.

"Mas...ter-" the bright light above pulled her out from the memory to see a pillar of lightning hurtling down towards her. With a gasp, she barely managed to create a shield pouring all her strength into it as the blast continued to push her toward the ground.

"Why hasn't it stopped yet?!" She asked in a panicked tone as her feet touched the floor but the pillar of energy was still pushing down. She watched as Kira appeared before her.

One of Ahlai's daggers appeared in the Keeper's grasp, "If you can doubt me, don't doubt my team, we're a couple of impressive idiots when we've had it with bullshit," she poised herself to strike, "For the people you've killed and the pain you've caused, you deserve this."

Kira dashes towards her, noting how the pillar was slowly thinning. 'Come on, Troy hold it!'

'I'm doing my best,'

'Troy, he's broke free and he's faster!' Kuro cried.

***

The blond's focus broke as he pulled away from Beelzebub's talon claws that almost sliced his throat.

"I'll murder you both."

***

The pillar vanished, and Ahlai smirked but before she could think to attack, Kira enhanced her speed beyond the limit she'd thought possible.

She wasn't going to be too slow this time, her eyes locked with the demon, and she saw...tears.

That split moment would have cost her if she hadn't been working with Lucifer's powers in overdrive. She grabbed the dagger flying towards her and spun, trusting it back towards Ahlai who was now too weak to attack.

The sick sound of metal piercing flesh was heard.

Kira stared, eyes not leaving the other as the Demon collapsed to the ground, clasping at the dagger in her heart.

Ahlai looked up at her, a bloody grin plastered on her lip as her skin began to turn to dust, "I've been bested, it seems."

"You didn't have to take this path," Kira couldn't help but say. Could they be considered empty words when said so plainly to the enemy no less? An enemy who just wanted to see the world burn.

"What path is there left to take when life's decided you to be a monster from the start?"

Kira said nothing, watching as more ashes from the demon's form blew into the night air.

"Demons never truly die, Keeper. It may take centuries, but let's meet again, and battle once more,"

"Why-"

But the girl was already gone, essence scattered to the winds. All left a few feet from Kira was the glowing silver dagger from earlier.

She stepped forward, about to pick it up when a flower started to bloom beneath it.

Beautiful white petals turned to sharp teeth, and green jaws like that of a venus flytrap snapping shut around the object before sinking back into the soil.

Kira stared, unsure of what had just happened. Her victory felt cathartic and a dagger had been swallowed up by a plant. She was having trouble wrapping her head around it all.

"You should have moved faster Kira."

Her blood turned cold. That voice. It wasn't possible.

***

Beelzebub felt the instant moment Ahlai's soul ceased to exist. Her stormy presence was no longer present on this plane, and probably not on the other as well.

His anger snapped, he'd never admit to calling her a friend, but they'd gone through so much for him not to be affected by her absence.

He launched for the blond, only to feel his body freeze mid-air, causing him to tumble all the way down to the forest floor.

He looked up to see Kuro smirking down at him while licking a feather, "You got distracted, losing people who you care about can do that to you."

"I'll crush you!" He stumbled to his feet, forming an energy sphere in his hand. Kuro pointed upwards.

The male demon glanced upward, Troy was perched on a branch weapon glowing aim already set on the demon's heart.

Beelzebub made to leave his mortal body, retreat to come back another day, but though he wasn't too weak to do so, something wouldn't let him. His eyes widened in realization.

"I can control everything," Kuro hummed, "And you're just about weak enough."

"This ends here," Troy sneered, letting the arrow fly towards the demon who was now cursing loudly, angry screams of promised vengeance echoing through the forest.

***

"My, isn't this a familiar position?"

Kira was glaring into very amused violet eyes. Eyes of the very same person that managed to make her feel so weak to rescue her own friend.

"You're meant to be dead!" She screamed, scythe pressed at his neck.

Akio chuckled, hands raised in surrender, "But I'm not, hurray!"

Kira took in deep calming breaths through her nose, nerves that were already frayed from her battle with Ahlai were unraveling even more now.

"Put that scythe away so we can talk like civilized people."

"Oh, now you want to talk?" She mocked, "There's no way in hell I'm trusting you."

"But you already do, that's why you haven't killed me yet, that or even after the whole display over there, you're still a coward."

"Shut up and start explaining before I lose my goddamn patience!" She snapped, but he was right, on both accounts; she was still too soft to end him, Ahlai's end had been a weird kind of accident, unrestrained instinct that turned out well in her favour.

She also had a feeling, some intuition telling her to trust Akio at the moment.

"I don't like doing this any more than you do but with my followers gone and a bounty from Nightmare, I might be unable to properly carry out any schemes for a while," he explained, tone turning deathly serious, "Nightmare is up to something big, there's a date and I figured a little bit of it out, just give this to Kuro," he added pushing a worn scroll into her hand.

"Why are you helping us?"

"Don't think of it so much as helping and more like me investing in the safety of my beloved-"

"Don't be disgusting, you literally tried to kill him."

He scowled down at her, "It was just a poison to give the illusion of death, I would sooner end my life than his," he looked even more serious then he grinned, and started to walk past her, the flaps of his dark jacket brushing her as he did so, "Summer's end, Kira, be strong enough to protect him, or I won't let you rest in peace," he instructed in a harsh tone.

Kira squeezed the scrolled, cold sweat dripping down her brow. Summer's end, huh?

***

Nightmare was scaling through dangerously, jagged mountainsides when he felt it. A sharp slice through his being as if parts of soul had been ripped off. He paused on a ledge, rolling up the sleeve of his shirt.

There was an ink bracelet of several symbols on his wrist. His eyes widened as he notice two were missing. He wasted no time in teleporting back to the warehouse in Tokyo to confirm.

He barely arrived when a voice from the shadow called out.

"It's not worth it, they're gone," a dull male voice said. A thick vines crawled out, carrying the dagger in its hold, "We're lucky I happened to take interest and check on them toward the end."

"You could have done something Kirai."

"Those weren't my orders, Master." The voice replied nonchalantly. A form sitting in the shadows and droopy dark green eyes staring into the distance.

Nightmare scowled but said nothing.

"Forget about them, we need to stop those children."

Nightmare scoffed, "See if you can get in contact with 'him', and we'll have them wishing the never interfered with us!" he growled into the echoey room as he brought a heavy hand down on his work desk.