'll allow Cornelius to act like this. He says he would get killed if they found him before, but perhaps this new appearance changes things.

“What are you doing here?” I ask Cornelius, purposefully avoiding his fake name that I already forgot.

“Well, you see, my dear little Ed. Me CORNELAIUS the devil of travel and manners has returned to you once more. I would never leave a client behind, after all!” He yells with a fervor that many probably aspire to have. I could hear a small snicker behind me as he calls me little Ed once more, but this time I simply decide to ignore him. I'm not really proud of almost hitting him, but he should know when to laugh and when to keep his trap shut.

“Aren't you happy to see me, little Ed? I am the one and only CORNELAIUS after all!” He yells, probably noticing that I didn't remember before, or simply because of his obsession with names. You never really know with this blabbering spectral that has now become some devilish figure.

On the other hand, Cornelius's yelling seems to have stirred Eli as she almost wakes up from his loud, obnoxious voice. All 4 of us show clear panic before we finally manage to calm down, noticing that she's still sleeping. Glares are being sent to the loud intruder who almost woke up the little girl up.

“I'm sorry.” Cornelauis answers in a soft, defeated tone. He quickly joins our little oak table.

“Cornelaius, do you kno-.” Are the only words I'm able to mutter before Ashmodai interjects.

“How did you and our friend here mete mister Cornelaius?” Ashmodai asks in a curious tone. I feel a shiver run down my spine as I see his mischievous smirk.

“Me and Little Ed? Well, you see, I saved him for near death.” He says in an overly dramatic tone.

'What?'

“Afterwards, I even raised the boy for a bit. I tried to make him a true devil of manners. He used to be so excited to learn. Always calling me his idol and the most fantastic person he ever met.”

I can hear 2 suppressed laughter coming from both of my sides as I simply facepalm listening to this made-up tale.

'Do you really believe that something like this is believable?' I ask myself mentally looking at this ridiculous person before me telling an even more ridiculous tale.

“I taught him everything he knows, you see, a pure scoundrel he was. But every scoundrel hides a gentleman. So I guided him like the true devil I am. I took him out of that darkness and showed him the light in this accursed world. Like a pilgrim on his journey, I never stopped, even if he still is an ill-disciplined runt.” He says, becoming more and more dramatic as his senseless speech continues.

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“Okay, that's enough,” I say while giving him a glance that contains all my feelings at the moment. Cornelius, seeing my gaze, decides to keep his mouth shut for the moment. Ashmodai seems to have literal tears in his eyes from suppressing his laughter. His imagination clearly running wild in a manner that would annoy me.

I explain the situation to Cornelius, as he perhaps might know something. Cornelius's expression looks very grim at the mention of a spiritual companion possibly sacrificing itself to lengthen.

“Is that something spiritual companions do, Cornelaius?” I ask in a hopeful tone.

“Don't get your hopes up.” He says while looking at me with a deadpan stare.

“But yes, if the companion and its owner share a strong bond, then it's not out of the question.” He continues speaking in his normal business-like tone.

'Did he just tell me that I shouldn't expect anything like that to happen in our case?' I ask myself, wondering why I even keep this man alive.

“Is there a way to help the spirit recover?” Idrilth asks reinvigorated because of this source of new information.

“Spiritual companions and their contractors are bound with names. If they agree to make a contract, both must call each other by an agreed upon name.” Cornelius says while seeming reminiscing about the past.

'Wait, I never agreed to any of this!' I yell out mentally.

'What do you mean you have to agree to each other's names? I never allowed you to call me little Ed!' my thoughts continue to ramble on as a feeling of being scammed comes over me. A prickling, questioning gaze was being sent to Cornelius.

Cornelius, who has been drinking some “Demon's rage” notices my mental questions. A smug smile and a wink are sent back to me.

'You're so dead.' I announce mentally.

“What you're saying is that we basically have to figure out this companion's name so that the contract can be reestablished.” Ashmodai asks, probably intrigued by the mechanics behind this new sort of “contract.”

“No, If everything we assume is correct, then we could make the guess that the companion sacrificed its consciousness to keep her contractor alive. A spiritual companion doesn't have many rules to oblige by, except the one that it must always answer when summoned. Forcing her to oblige this rule could give us the chance to cancel her sacrifice.” Cornelius answers.

“Wouldn't this kill her?” Idrilth asks in a nervous tone.

“It wouldn't, her body has already evolved and will most likely not die from her previous injuries. Besides, my dear student here is capable of using blood magic, so if necessary he could sacrifice some temporary strength of his to the recovery.”

Silence followed. A silence that signified our commitment, a silence that declared our next course of action. Or it would have been if we had the answer to one important question.

“What is the spirit's name?” Idrilth asks.

Another silence follows. A silence that signified that we have no clue and silence that shows that we are all extremely limited in the intelligence department.

Not being able to stand that insulting silence, I decide to try something. I think back to the 2 names she told me: Araam and Abbadon.

'Araam seemed more like someone who comforted her.' I think to myself, hoping that this is more than just a coincidence.

I put my scarred hand on her forehead as I whisper.

“Araam, for the health of your contractor, please come out and help me heal her.” My soft tone filled with anxiety and fear reaches out to the small figure before me.

Ten seconds pass, feeling dejected that my attempt didn't work. I look towards Eli and her white hair as I'm welcomed by a new sight. A small black-furred monster seems to be hiding in her hair. Its eyes and horn are identical to the ones that Eli has.

A sense of relief washes over me.

“So you are Eli's spiritual companion?” I ask, a clear smile on my face.