We sat in my living room and were in the middle of watching some security footage on my TV which showed an apartment building which a demon had recently attacked.

We watched as a pool of dark liquid appeared in the parking lot.

From this pool rose a tall dark creature which resembled a Komodo dragon but was a bit more humanoid and stood on its long hind legs. It was covered in dark spines and Horns which were far more than Lilith or her children ever had. They were also distributed across its body in random, chaotic places with one curling dangerously close to its right eye.

It had knife-sized claws, thick powerful muscles and burning red eyes.

It let out a wild screech before charging towards the closest apartment where it brutalized whoever was inside before waiting for some reason. The cameras around the property didn't show exactly what was going on inside so it seemed as though nothing was happening for a bit.

The police were quickly called and, upon their arrival, immediately shot at it as it was emerged from the apartment but when they saw that bullets weren’t working on its thick skin, they quickly switched to Light Magic which they used to try and burn the creature and while it seemed somewhat resistant, which was worrisome, it then killed the policemen and made its way into the sewers beneath the city of Coliseum via a manhole.

The video ended and I glanced at Lilith to gauge her reaction.

She leaned back onto the couch and let out a sigh before shaking her head.

“There’s so much that was bizarre about that. Where did that pool of darkness come from? I had to physically birth all of my children so is that how the new Demons are born or is that a means of transportation? Why did the Demon look like that and is that how its mother or creator looks like? Why did it stop moving at that time and where did it go? Did the police ever find it?” She asked and I shook my head.

“No. And that scene took place not too far from here so that’s where we’re gonna start our investigation.”

“Aren’t the police already on this?” Lilith raised a brow.

“They are but they also have countless similar cases to follow. We’ll cover the ground that they can’t and work alongside them to resolve this.”

Lilith nodded.

“Mmm… while we’re doing that, I have to ask, whatever happened to my axe?”

“Oh- the handle is actually with Deis while the Axe itself is in the national museum. If we had the cash, we could buy it from him but… and I don’t even know where to begin with the axe head.”

Lilith tapped her chin thoughtfully.

“I have an idea which could get is the handle and we’ll have to worry about the head later.”

“Yeah, we can sort this out while Fora finishes up on his end. Speaking of which…”

I pulled out my phone and called my dear attorney/accountant/secretary while Lilith stood up to leave the room.

[Oh- it’s good that you called. I heard that Eins paid you a visit yesterday. What did you do?]

“Why must you always assume that I did something?”

[Mr. Chuma.] Fora droned in a scolding manner.

“Ugh, he was just warning Lilith about her Dark Energy.” I groaned.

[Oh. Makes sense but for him to do so in person… at this rate it’s only a matter of time before the other two make an appearance, hehe.]

“Please don’t scare me like that.” I nervously chuckled before remembering why I had called Fora in the first place.

“Oh- yeah, how far with everything?”

[You paid off your arrears as right?]

“Yeah, yeah. Sent those fuckers at the department all outstanding payments and whatever shitty fees they added.” I sighed as a single tear formed in my left eye.

[Good. Then it should only be a bit before everything is approved. Be sure to introduce yourself to the Chief at some point to let him know you’ll be operating, alright?]

“Alright.”

[Oh- and sir… never mind. Bye]

Fora ended the call and although I was curious about what was on his mind, I knew he’d eventually talk to me about it if it was important.

Lilith eventually returned with a folded cloth in hand.

“Mmm?” I sounded.

She sat on the couch opposite mine and unwrapped the cloth revealing her horn.

“Oh- I see. Well, he’ll certainly appreciate having that in his possession. Want me to call him?” I asked.

“Sure.”

I dialled a certain number and placed my phone by my ear while idly kicking my legs.

Lilith saw this and smirked making me stop but this just made her grin.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

[Hey, Mr. Chuma. Is something wrong?]

“Do I only ever call you when something is wrong?” I deflated.

[Yes.]

“I… fair enough but I have another item I want right sell you. This one may very well be greater in value than the Spear to the right buyer.”

[Oh? I was under the impression that you had nothing left. Don’t tell me you were holding out on me, you naughty little man.] Deis giggled.

“Let’s just say the item only recently came into my possession and it is a piece of that which fuelled the fires of the Great War itself,” I said while Lilith playfully tried sticking her horn back in place.

[Oh! The floodgates are already open, Mr. Chuma, no need to tease any further! Tell me what it is!]

I took a deep breath for dramatic effect.

“It’s one of Lilith’s Horns.”

Silence followed.

I could hear Deis’ breath but he didn’t say anything for a solid minute or so.

[WHAT?] He yelled much to the dismay of my right ear.

“Yep. Do you want me to-“

[Are you home right now- Ugh, of course you are! Stay put, I’ll be there before the sun sets!] Deis yelled before ending the call.

“Wow.”

“What? Is he interested?” Lilith asked.

“I guess so. He says he’ll be here and I guess that’s for better since he’ll able to see the Demon Queen in the flesh, thus allowing us to place a higher asking price.”

Lilith nodded before placing her horn on the table.

“But the round fucker lives all the way to the south, by the coast so it’ll be a bit before he gets here. We can use that time to follow Fora’s advice and meet the chief of police since we’ll most likely need their help at some point.” I said while standing.

“So get changed and let’s go.”

Lilith nodded and it wasn’t long before we were in the central business district of the city of Coliseum.

I owned a little hatchback which we used to get to the Central Police Department and as soon as we stepped out of my car, we were greeted by countless stares.

Everyone was looking at Lilith and while she had dressed somewhat modestly, nothing could be done about her horns.

Part of me wanted to suggest that she cut the other three off but I also didn’t want to lose my head.

I took a deep breath and walked towards the building with Lilith in tow.

Fortunately, no one could sense Lilith’s Dark Energy if she didn’t purposefully release it and only a trained Mage would be able to detect it and even that would require them to suspect her of being a demon.

It had been centuries since her children died off and people in the modern age only knew the newer more animalistic demons.

We entered the department and since I had already requested a meeting, the receptionist instructed that we enter an elevator which took us to the top floor where a single door awaited us.

We entered it to find Chief of Police - Tungsten Shauku sitting behind his infamous Dragon Scale desk.

His name was Shauku and Tungsten was more so a prefix he gained because of his appearance.

His arms, legs and jaw were entirely made of metal which was actuated by advanced cybernetics.

He had dark skin and draping from his head were thin white dreadlocks that contrasted shapely with his black uniform.

His hazel eyes immediately turned to Lilith and before I could introduce us, Shauku spoke.

“And so the past comes crashing into the present in the form of consequence. Please, sit.” He growled in a voice that was so deep it seemingly shook the windows.

We sat on the chairs in front of his desk and his eyes remained on Lilith who squinted at him in response.

“What defines a demon?” He asked while turning to me.

“A demon is a creature of darkness,” I answered frankly.

“An apt but disappointingly simple answer although I don’t think you came here to discuss definitions.” Shauku smiled warmly which was strange considering that he had a shiny piece of metal for a jaw.

“Yes, we just wanted to let you know that we’ll be operating as private investigators soon.”

“And what, if you don’t mind my asking, will you investigate?”

“The new generation of Demons. Their source and perhaps… a way to defeat them for good.”

Shauku’s eyes narrowed.

“Huh… what do you think you could find after centuries of dead ends and cold cases? Or perhaps... she is the key to your plan?”

“No. She is a gambit by Alexter and the others. My plan involves asking the unasked, searching through unsearched and maybe even finding a way to commune with the very gods.”

Shauku frowned.

“The Jester?”

“The immaterial clown who has haunted my thoughts for centuries.” I hissed lightly before taking a deep breath.

“Did you ever learn anything about him?” Lilith asked but I shook my head.

“Not a thing. He called himself a god but, if you don't count the myths and legends of old, we have yet to find any evidence of beings beyond mortal ken.”

“Well… that’s if you don’t count Eins.” Shauku chuckled.

“I don’t. Anyway, can I expect your support?”

“But of course. How could I refuse the Hero of the Fallen?” Shauku smiled making me bite my teeth.

“That aside, if we are going to be working together, how are you going to generate income? I’m assuming you’ll be working on active and cold cases so… who’ll pay you? I know I won’t.” Shauku grinned but I rolled my eyes.

“I want the corpses.”

“Of the Demons?” The chief frowned.

“Yep, and I don’t think I need to tell you why.”

It’s here that Shauku’s face stiffened.

“Mmm.” He growled.

“What do you plan on doing with the bodies?” Lilith asks but it was Shauku who answered.

“There currently exists a market for Demonic Body parts, organs and blood. Demon blood, as you both know, can be used to promote regeneration and strength but it is also extremely illegal. I would have expected better from the Hero of our time but then again, you weren’t exactly a shining beacon of light after the war ended, were you.”

I remained silent.

Shauku leaned forward.

“I will not let you engage in the illegal trade of Demon organs.”

“What if I do it legally?”

Shauku’s frown deepened.

“I know Alexter and his students are currently doing all kinds of research. Research that needs samples and you need clues. What if I sold him the parts, as my contribution to science, and sold information to you?”

Shauku’s head tilted with visible animosity.

“No.” He breathed before relaxing his face.

“I will not allow you to do as you please, even if you are a hero. That said, if you are able to bring me even a shred of information that advances this nigh eternal case by even just a little bit… then I’ll consider letting you trade the demons.” He signed.

“Thank you.” I lowered my head.

“You may leave.”

I nodded before leading Lilith out of the office.

“Do you enjoy talking out of your ass?” She asked.

“What can I say? I am a creature who thrives off of spontaneity.” I nervously laughed.

I mean, I hadn’t exactly lied about anything.

I knew freaks like Alexter would pay for demon parts which was hard since most were burnt upon collection.

I would be doing them a great service but Shauku wasn’t just gonna let me harvest them so I needed a solid clue first and I had a feeling that the Komodo demon would have at least a trace towards the path to success.

“Sounds to me like you’re just reckless.” Lilith sighed.

“Maybe I am but the moment often waits for no thought. Now, let’s head back before Deis arrives at an empty house.”

.

..

Lilith and I stood frozen by the driveway as we saw a short, chubby man in a penguin-style dark blue tuxedo sitting in front of my front door alongside a lanky woman.

The clearly despondent man had fiery red hair, a full beard and pale, freckled skin while the woman had long black hair, pale skin and slanted eyes.

The man, upon noticing our arrival, stood up and his eyes widened to a comical degree upon seeing Lilith.

“Is… is that?” He muttered.

“Hello.” She greeted only for the short man known as Deis to sprint towards us.

“Asshole! Why would you offer me a d'oeuvre when you have the main course standing next to you?” He yelled and while I initially wanted to laugh, I ended up letting out a pained yelp as Deis punched me in the balls.