The portal stretched open, and Avernus dropped down on the cold ground below. He opened his eyes immediately to check on Velvet, glancing down.

The soft sensation of all that soft silky hair and the smell of Rose was gone, and so was Velvet. He dropped his arms, worried and quiet. "Never trust portals."

Avernus checked the area that he was in.; rocky blue islands floating around. A deadly silence and gloom thickened the air. The sensation was the same as ten years ago when he ventured into an earthpulse to find the Hyland's solution to the daemon infestation. His exaltation from squire to Shepherd coincided with despair and hopelessness. He was prideful, but he wasn't selfish. That night, he found the hidden malak Tia, slumbering in the depths of the earthpulse and ready for a pact holder to come.

During his years as the Shepherd, he lived in a world of death. Parts of his souls got lost along the journey, but his heart was still with his loving mother-figure, Rosa.

He sighed as the memories fast-forwarded through his mind. Avernus felt whispers flowing through the air, coming to him. He couldn't make out the phrases except for a name that repeated over and over: Eumacia. He struggled to focus as he spent most of his strengths fighting Artorius. Avernus' head became heavy, and the world started to circle him. He stumbled forward and blacked out.

Avernus opened his eyes with a sharp gasp and rose on his feet, noticing he was back at his room before he became a squire. He spotted a woman sitting on the same chair that Rosa used always to sit on. He stood up and strolled towards the figure. His mouth flattened. "Mother?"

She turned to him and smiled, "Avernus! My son!"

Avernus dropped on his knees, the same smell and same soothing aura. He instinctively placed his head on her thighs as he did when he was a child. Avernus wept as Rosa caressed his long hair.

He was again that little, pure-hearted boy in her mother's embrace. "I thought I lost you, Mother, I thought I would never see you again."

Rosa paused as she continued to smile, "Avernus, life is full of unexpected instances. Some make you cheerful, and some break your heart."

His eyes shed some tears, "I wasn't there when you needed me. I left you to die."

"All deprivations and miseries are temporary, do you know that? And most of it was inevitable. I had to leave so you can grow and have a life. Do not worry about me. My problems are long gone, my son."

Avernus grabbed her hand and put it under his cheek, "I don't want to go back out there. I can't do this anymore."

"You're strong, Avernus. You are a survivor. You always kept fighting."

Avernus raised his head to look at her eyes. They shined with hope and power, like always.

"You just have one more hardship to go through. Follow your heart and spread your wings." Rosa said and brushed a hand over his cheek for one last time. "I believe in you and your heart, Avernus."

With her last smile, everything went white, and he woke up from his dream. He clenched his fist and stood up. Avernus knew what he had to do. "Time to find Velvet."

----------------------------------------

In another place of the earthpulse, Velvet was asleep. She was tired of all fighting, of all those sleepless nights. The nights that the only thing on her mind was vengeance. But for the second time, after last night that Avernus gave her his pendant, it was her best rest she got. It seemed Velvet was back at their house in Aball, and she heard the serene voice of her beloved sister,

"Velvet. Wake up."

Velvet groaned and rolled in her bed away from the voice. "Please. Just let me sleep a little more, Celica."

"Oh, you're lazy, Velvet. Don't you remember the task that I asked you to do?"

"What task?" Velvet mumbled in protest.

Celica's tone began to roughen up, turning into Seres', "I asked you to take care of him."

Velvet wild awakened from her sleep. With a gasp, she quickly turned her head around, probing the area. "Where am I? Where is Avernus?" she wondered and checked her body for previous injuries, "My wounds are all gone."

Velvet's therion senses picked up a concentration of malevolence nearby. She turned her head to the source and spotted black flocks hovering around Laphicet's senseless body. She quickly dashed to his side, and instinctively checked his forehead, "Bad fever."

Suddenly Laphicet raised his hands and clawed them as he was casting spells, "Don't die Velvet." He muttered frowning.

"He's having a nightmare." Velvet pulled him into a tight embrace, "You saved my life. Now it's my turn to save you."

Determined, Velvet picked Laphicet up and looked around for an exit. Not finding any, she ran with his unconscious body tucked in her arms, towards the unknown. Velvet pushed forward and found a small portal at the end of the floating island. She passed through it, hoping to leave the place, but they appeared on yet another similar place.

Velvet didn't give up. She marched forward and passed through several other identical portals, but they lead to nowhere. Frustrated, she stopped and hopelessly looked around, "What the hell is this place? Where is the damn exit?!"

A recognizable voice answered her, "It's an earthpulse."

She turned and saw Eizen standing behind her cooly, playing with his coin. "So, you survived." Velvet calmly said in return. After a while, she noticed that there was someone else behind him. The unknown figure slowly walked to Eizen's side; a tall, pink-blond hair and pale woman; Tia.

"Don't think that we're in the clear, Velvet Crowe," Tia said.

Velvet narrowed her eyes at the malak. She felt that the feeling of her presence was nothing new and Velvet sensed her before. "Who are you?"

A complacent smile formed on the malak's face. "I will repeat what I told Eizen. I'm Tia. Avernus' ally and companion."

"You speak and look at Eizen and me in a way that you seem to know us both for a long time."

"I know you all since Avernus summoned me to start his quest. I was with him all along."

Velvet's eyes widened at the hearing of Avernus's name. Knowing him coming to their aid, her glances darted from Eizen to Tiamat and vice versa. "Avernus was there, wasn't he? Where is that damn fool?!"

Tia grinned, finding Velvet's concerns for him amusing.

Eizen tilted his head at Tia. "We owe our lives to them as well as Laphicet. About his whereabouts, I have no idea, and neither does his malak."

"He is not incompetent and certainly not weak." Tia said, "I can't sense him because he used all his powers to fight Artorius. He will find his way; you don't need to worry about him. If I were you, I'd be more worried about that little guy." She glanced at Laphicet as the little boy was panting and sweating.

Velvet slowly and gently put him on the ground.

"We've been sealed inside, but we're still alive. If we stayed in that place, we'd be dead by now." Eizen said.

Velvet shook her head slightly, "What is earthpulse anyway?"

Tia stayed silent, letting Eizen explain it. "An earthpulse is like a river flowing with nature's life energy. They exist all over the world. However, they can't be seen or interact with most of the time."

"Then how'd we wind up inside one?"

"Innominat's and Laphicet's powers collided with each other, and the resulting shock created a tear in space and time. Avernus distracted Artorius enough for me to overcome Innominat's domain to completely tear it open and use it to get away from that death trap. But I don't possess the means to get us out of here. Laphicet is the only one who can unseal it again." Tia clicked her tongue bitterly, "Laphicet can't do anything in this state. I can feel his essence turning into a daemon any moment now."

"Don't talk like that!" Velvet yelled, worryingly.

Tia maintained her haughty smile, "I'm not the one that you should be angry about. After all, he overused his powers to keep you alive, Velvet."

Velvet slowly lowered her head, feeling guilty all over again.

"It is not too late to stop it," Eizen said. Velvet raised her head instantly as a glimmer of hope flashed in her eyes.

Eizen continued. "If a malak occupies a pure vessel, he can be prevented from turning into a daemon."

Velvet gave him a sharp look. "Even you?"

Eizen opened his hand and showed Velvet his lucky coin. "This coin is my vessel. However, there is a catch to this one. It can only serve as a vessel for someone with reaper's powers."

Velvet turned to Tia, waiting for her ultimate offer of Avernus to be Laphicet's vessel. After all, he was the only one she could trust.

But Tia knew her intention and shut her down. "Avernus is my vessel, and before you ask to find him and bring him here, I will tell you that he can't make a pact with another malak.."

"Why?!" Velvet barked, scowling. "Does it have something to do with you, I presume?"

"It does, my dear. When we formed our pact long ago, I made sure that he would be my vessel only using an oath. I'm not fond of sharing him with anybody. If he could have made a pact with any other malak, you can be sure that he would have bounded Laphicet to himself as soon as he saw him. Such power is much desired among Shepherds."

"Then that's no help at all!" Velvet said bitterly, then sank into quiet desperation.

Then someone interrupted the moment. "I can do that."

Velvet raised her head and spotted Eleanor, standing a few meters from them. She had her spear ready beside her. "We exorcists are the same as your absent friend, Avernus. We offer our bodies as vessels for malakhim so that we can use them for Abbey's purposes. I volunteer to serve as your malak's vessel."

"I see." Velvet unsheathed her blade, sizing her up. "So we just need your body, not your legs or arms."

Eleanor twirled her spear and placed its blade near her neck, ready to cut her artery. "Not one step closer! I'll kill myself before you lay a hand on me. Your malak will become a daemon, and you will have no means of escaping this place!"

"You're direct. I'll give you that, exorcist."

"Know your foes, and strike where they're weak. It is the basis of all combat." Eleanor quoted.

Velvet sneered, "As cowardly as I'd expect from a student of Artorius."

Eleanor slammed her spear on the ground in anger. "No, this is personal! Once I regain my powers, I promise to challenge you and your traitorous friend, daemon Velvet!" She interrupted herself and calmed a little bit. "If I lose, I'll do as you wish. If you want me to die or to become a vessel for that malak, so be it."

Tia rolled her eyes at Eleanor. "You won't have a chance against Avernus. With or without your powers, it doesn't matter. You won't last for a minute. I advise you don't tempt your fate anymore, girl."

In the middle of their argument, Laphicet muttered Velvet's name again. Velvet noticed that his condition was getting worse. She unsheathed her blade and nodded her head in agreement. Eleanor moved to Laphicet's side and sat beside him. "What's the malak's name? Normally it is decided by their masters, but since I do not own him yet, I need to know."

Velvet clutched her teeth. "He is not a thing to be owned. His name is Laphicet."

Eleanor exhaled and closed her eyes, and began the incantation. "O' child of the fountain of creation, these vows we exchange. May our purpose, resplendent, help to purify this tainted world. Recognize this true name I grant you."

The pact seal formed around them like neon graffiti. More symbols began to appear around them until they all merged into a column of light, engulfing Laphicet and Eleanor's bodies together. Laphicet transformed into a white orb and merged with Eleanor. Her body jolted forward as she felt the sheer amount of power Laphicet possessed. The light began to shine brighter each second until the whole area flashed in a blinding light.

----------------------------------------

In an unknown, lush green land above the ground, a sudden burst of luminous blaze lit the area. Avernus appeared out of thin air. He checked his surroundings and spoke his mind with a slight grin, "Well done, Laphicet."

He closed his eyes and sensed his malak was near. Avernus turned and waited for Tia to appear in a cloud of dark smoke. After a few minutes of explaining what happened to the little malak, Avernus lowered his head and sounded bitter, "At least she averted the danger. Eleanor's presence was fortunate, indeed." He gazed towards their front. "I can sense both of them. Come. Let us welcome our new companion."

The duo travelled to the nearby clearing. Avernus spotted Eleanor, scanning the field around her in haste, feeling lost. He picked his staff from his belt, and with a soft but resonant sound, the Dreamshadow turned into its complete form. The sound alerted Eleanor, and she quickly turned to them. Avernus slammed the end of his staff on the ground, standing like a guardian, barring her from escaping.

Fear, cautiousness, and uncertainty filled Eleanor's face as she let out a sharp gasp, swallowing. The imposing and intimidating stance of the former Shepherd put fear into the lone exorcist. To Eleanor, the similarities to Artorius, her teacher, were indisputable; The determination, boldness, grit, and more importantly, the conviction in his stance and posture were the same if not more apparent.

However, one thing was different between the two that she couldn't ignore; his eyes. Artorius had glacial blue eyes of cold, devoid of emotions. On the other hand, Avernus' eyes brimmed with passion, sparkling and glowing brightly under the stars. Whenever Artorius looked upon her, she could feel his icy stares on her soul. But even as she felt threatened, Eleanor enjoyed his powerful glance as the sunlight warmed her skin. She now had Avernus's full attention.

"Going somewhere, Ms. Hume?"

Eleanor woke up from her reverie. She pointed her spear at Avernus threateningly.

"It is you! You wounded Lord Artorius!"

"Oh, I have considered doing far more than that. Trust me."

Eleanor became a ball of frantic energy, struggling not to pace. "But how could you? Lord Artorius said that you're a Shepherd! Where is your morality? Why is it that you sided with daemons? What do you want? Power?"

Avernus slightly smirked, which made her more uncomfortable. "The world isn't white and black. You're still young, and I can see that your heart is in the right place. But you're misguided, and I won't take it as an insult."

Avernus gazed directly into Eleanor's eyes. "I was a Shepherd for several years. I killed a lot more daemons than your whole Abbey combined. Loved for some years as a hero, hated the rest as a monster. Sometimes, I took the shots for the common folk to live in peace. But most of the time, I was homeless, a nomad running errands for the community."

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Tia emerged from him and landed gracefully like an ascending angel beside him.

"It is justice, punishment for individuals who betrayed the trust of others. If I let these kinds of people like Artorius rule over the world, then I failed myself. I didn't waste my life to have these so-called Shepherds ruin and sully the title."

Eleanor reminded glue to her place. She began to hate herself. His points seemed convincing, even if Eleanor herself didn't know what really happened. But his voice beamed with power, and she sensed that he believed his words completely.

----------------------------------------

In nearby temple ruins, Magilou and Rokurou materialized out of thin air. Magilou sighed and narrowed her eyes as she swept a glance over the ancient corridors. "That little brat actually unsealed the earthpulse?"

Rokurou whipped his head puzzlingly. "What did you say?"

Magilou placed her arms behind her head and leaned against the cold wall, ignoring Rokurou. "So this is the end of Velvet's insurrection against the world's savior. What a waste that it ended in a climax. But I didn't care either way."

Rokurou frowned in protest. "We don't know that Velvet's dead."

"Who cares? Dead or alive, she's done with this. No way she wants to go on after feeling how outmatched she is. Even with Avernus at her side, I don't think she'd keep going." Magilou smiled wickedly. "Bet you ten gald I'm right."

Rokurou accepted her challenge. "Hah, ten gald? You're on."

"Speaking of Avernus-" Before Magilou could finish her sentence, a sudden flash of light swept the area. Velvet and Eizen appeared before her eyes.

Velvet frantically turned her head around. "Laphicet?! What did that exorcist do?"

After a brief period of perplexity, she looked down and found out that she had landed on Rokurou's back. Velvet jumped to the side and let the dazzled Rokurou stand up.

"What happened to you?" Rokurou asked, dusting off his rob.

Velvet and Eizen explained what had happened with Laphicet, Eleanor, and Tia.

"I see. So that exorcist woman pledged herself to be Laphicet's vessel? Where did she head off then?" Rokurou asked.

"And where are Avernus and his malak?" Magilou asked and prompted everyone to look at each other in confusion once more.

"We don't know. Not even Tia knew. But if you two wound up here, then odds are that exorcist and Avernus both teleported somewhere nearby."

Velvet nodded in haste. "We'll find them."

Magilou narrowed her eyes in annoyance, "Sheesh. Are you not worked up about something in your life?"

Velvet closed her eyes and placed his clenched therion hand on her chest. "I said I would save Laphicet, so I will. Besides-" She opened her eyes, and with a sinister smile, she said, "Laphicet's powers are just what I need to kill Artorius."

Magilou seemed to have lost her bet easily. Rokurou turned to her with a smug. "Don't you forget our little wager now, all right?"

Magilou shook her head and dropped her arms, bending in defeat. "My precious ten gald. Slew in his bunk by a bully. Ugh!"

They traversed the dark corridors of the temple to look for an exit.

Rokurou decided to break the silence and turned to Magilou. "So, exorcists are the vessels for their malakhim. Avernus and Eleanor did that. You can do that, correct?"

Magilou straightened her chest. "Of course! This generous maiden has won the malakhim's choice award, The Most Enticing Vessel, three years running!"

Velvet turned to her. "Oh? Then you wouldn't mind replacing Eleanor as Laphicet's vessel, I hope."

"Thanks, but no thanks. I have my hands full dealing with Bienfu as it is."

"If I ate Bienfu, you'd have a room, I reckon." Velvet offered.

Bienfu darted out of Magilou's body and decided to fly away, but Magilou caught his foot. "Still wouldn't work, darling. You saw it with your own eyes. Even if only for an instant, that kid held his own against the power of Innominat. Not even I can handle something of that power. But perhaps Avernus can. You saw how he fought."

Velvet eyes sparkled for a brief moment, remembering their fight; Avernus took on all the legates and Artorius at once. He was her best asset to this crusade. However, her heart wanted something else.

Rokurou chuckled amidst her thoughts. "Oh, boy, that was a hell of a scene. From my perspective, he fought like a daemon and not like a human or an exorcist."

"Why do you say that?" Velvet wondered.

Eizen picked up where Rokrou left off. "He suppressed most of his emotion but rage. But he controlled it as if he already embraced it fully."

"Like a true Berserker," Rokurou said in praise. "Only a seasoned warrior can be fully in control of both of his emotions and actions at the same time."

"After everything we've seen, it's obvious there are more to Avernus and Laphicet than meets the eye. But there is something that you still don't know about Velvet."

Magilou giggled and swept a gaze over them all. "Aren't you forgetting to address the elephant in the room, everyone?"

Velvet immediately dropped her head as they all remembered how Melchior and Artorius called him; A Shepherd.

"I remember when he came to my village. A humble and nice man for a sophisticated townie." Velvet said. "He wanted to help people to stop the malevolence. Artorius offered his help back then and a place at the Abbey."

"So you're saying that if he chose to help Artorius, we would've fought two Shepherds at once? Guess we're all lucky." Rokriou said.

"Yeah. But instead, he stayed on my side against all he was and wanted to help me. That's why I-" She paused and breathed. "That's why I don't want him here."

Rokurou scratched his head, looking baffled. "Huh? I guess it's the other way. You need him. Isn't that right?"

"No. With Laphicet's power, I can do it myself."

"What? Are you trying to protect him?" Magilou glanced from the corner of her eyes, seemingly reading Velvet's real intention.

"Enough! back to the matters at hand." Velvet interrupted. "About Laphicet, even with that much power you mentioned, Eleanor was still able to become his vessel. So it should be easy for you too, Magilou."

Bienfu flew in front of Magilou and raised his chest. "That's because, unlike Ms. Magilou, Madam Eleanor actually tries."

Magilou quickly hit Bienfu with her hip-bone, throwing him across the corridor. "Before deciding on anything, you need to find her first, Velvet."

"Oh, we'll find her. No doubt about it."

They rushed through the temple and finally reached the topside. They opened the main door and saw Eleanor standing in the open with Avernus and Tia on the opposite sides in a confrontation. Avernus spotted Velvet and nodded. For a brief moment, her usual frowned look went away, and she nodded in return. "I thought you'd be long gone, Eleanor. But I guess you ran into a problem."

"No. Escape was not my intention. I apologize for disappearing on you. I was there, and then in the next moment, I was here." Eleanor said.

"And what about Laphicet?"

Eleanor closed her eyes, reaching to her core. "He is resting inside me. As far as I can tell, he seems healthy again."

Avernus acknowledged her claim. "She is right. Laphicet is back to his normal strengths. It is just a matter of time before he can materialize himself again."

"It is impossible! You can't sense other malaks, especially when they're merged with their vessels!" Eleanor complained.

"Says who? It is a rare talent." Avernus said.

Velvet quickly cut their conversation. "Your name is Eleanor, right? If I defeat you, you will be his vessel and follow my orders until the day you die."

"I accept. But conversely, should you lose, I will take your life!" Eleanor yelled as she pointed her spear.

Velvet unsheathed her blade and shifted into her battle stance. "I don't need anyone's help. I can handle this myself."

Everyone stepped back, creating more room for both of them to start their duel.

Tia leaned near Avernus' ear. "What if she loses? What should we do?"

"She won't lose."

Eleanor twirled her spear and dashed at Velvet. Velvet sidestepped and dodged Eleanor's spear thrust. Eleanor quickly turned on her heels and followed up her strike with a slash of her spear, trying to catch her off guard. Velvet raised a guard with her blade, and the spear bounced off.

"I see you're not using Laphicet to help you fight." Velvet observed.

"Of course not! This duel is between you and me."

"Heh, I'd better not hear any excuses after your defeat, exorcist!"

Eleanor spun her spear and met with Velvet's flurry of blades from her feet. Avernus' eyes followed their every move from up close.

"Eleanor's fighting honorably, but there is no chance for her to win the duel. Her emotions are betraying her. Her moves are all out of concentration."

"Evaluating your future disciple, I presume?" Tia whispered.

Avernus exhaled. "We'll see. If I want to keep Laphicet alive, it's best to teach his vessel first."

Eleanor's strength suddenly began to fade. Her reflexes became slower and Velvet, still going with full stamina, exploited this by pushing on with her attacks. Eleanor's arms lost their hold, and with a fast slash from Velvet's blade, Eleanor's guard broke, and she fell to her back.

Before Eleanor could scramble to her feet, Velvet's blade found her throat and stopped on her skin.

"We're done here."

Eleanor narrowed her eyes at Velvet, and her fingers fumbled around the spear. "Never let your guard down. Even when victorious!"

Eleanor pushed her spear toward Velvet's neck and held it under her chin.

"Why did you stop?"

"I know you can't kill me as long as I'm his vessel. I'm just abiding by the same terms. A duel is a duel."

Velvet quickly grabbed her spear and tossed her on the ground, just as Avernus did in their first fight; her grip on the spear was weak.

Velvet walked over to her, and as Eleanor struggled to get up, Velvet placed the spear near her face. "Once your sword is drawn, never waver. Control your feelings to control the flow of the fight" Am I right?"

Eleanor's eyes teared up, hearing Velvet quoting Artorius. "What a failure I have been," Eleanor wept. "I will keep my word; I will follow your orders-"

Eleanor suddenly grabbed the spear and pulled it towards herself, "To the day I die!"

Velvet gasped, expecting the spear to pierce Eleanor's throat. But she stopped moving.

Eleanor swallowed as her body ceased to function. "My body… I can't move… How…?!"

Avernus sensed Laphicet overpowering Eleanor.

Eleanor began to lose her energy and slowly fainted, crumpling to the ground. Then a white orb emerged from her body and turned into Laphicet. Velvet smiled for him. "Laphicet! Are you okay? Are you feeling better?"

Laphicet lowered his head and, in shyness, "Yeah, I'm feeling better.T-Thanks."

Avernus moved to his side, nodding favorably. "Well done, Laphicet."

Tia went to Eleanor's side, checking her condition. "Her body is reacting to the bond. There is no need to worry.",

"Yeah, I know the drill," Magilou said. "She'll get a high fever and stay put for a bit. Not a big deal, malak."

"Carrying her will slow us down. We can't afford that risk when we're venturing into parts unknown." Eizen said.

"We can rest here until she recovers," Rokurou suggested. "She is Laphicet's vessel, and because of that, she is one of us now."

Velvet and Avernus both agreed, and they moved into the temple to spend the night. Avernus began to mix a potion in a glassy looking flask that Tiaconjured. Bienfu sat beside the unconscious body of Eleanor and watched over her as Magilou glared at the scene, feeling a little bit jealous. Avernus handed the remedy to Bienfu. "I want you to give her a sip every thirty minutes. Don't mess this up. If you can't do it, tell me now so I will keep Tia here, and she'll do it instead."

Bienfu bowed, "Don't worry! I'll look after Madam Eleanor. I'm a professional at this!"

Avernus narrowed his eyes skeptically, waiting to hear more from him.

"After Miss Magilou and I made our pact, she couldn't stop sneezing and sniffling for months. That happened right when spring was starting. So I had to take care of her all the time."

"This is totally different," Avernus argued and sighed. "Alright, I will be topside. If something happens, tell Magilou. She also knows these kinds of stuff."

Avernus and Tia went topside again. Laphicet was staying outside of the temple, staring toward the night sky. Avernus joined him. "I'm sorry. I wish I had come sooner."

Laphicet hung his head in bashfulness, "I tried to help Velvet. I didn't want her to die."

"I know, Laphicet, but you shouldn't have overworked yourself. that was my fault, to begin with."

Velvet walked behind them and crossed her arms over her chest. Avernus turned and noticed her waiting for their conversation to be over. "I don't trust Bienfu with the potion. Would you two check up on Eleanor for me, Laphicet?"

Tia nodded at Laphicet. "I will come with you. How about that?"

Laphicet glanced inquisitively at Tia's elegant and sophisticated figure and blushed a little. "Sure."

Tia winked at Avernus and, together with Laphicet, went back inside. Avernus could hear Tia introducing herself to the little malak.

Then he and Velvet were alone. He walked closer but stopped a few feet away."I'm mad, but I'm equally glad and grateful that you've survived, Velvet."

"I reckon you've got the letter?"

Avernus held up the small piece of paper for Velvet to see. "Yes."

"I meant what I said in that piece of paper. Your foolishness throughout our journey made me uncomfortable. I didn't need that complication, and I certainly don't need that now. The only thing I want you is to leave by tomorrow and never come back."

"Are you concerned for my well-being?" Avernus didn't seem to care about her ultimatum. Velvet growled silently in annoyance.

"Didn't you hear what I said? I don't want you anywhere near me."

"That didn't answer my question." Avernus was stoic and focused, pinning Velvet under a solemn gaze. He was determined to extract her true feelings. "It feels strange, Velvet. You saw what I'm capable of, and you just want to let me go and not Rokurou, Eizen, Magilou, or even Laphicet?"

"I do fine without you."

Avernus smirked and chuckled. "Alright, as you wish."

Velvet's tense posture loosened, feeling that she won the argument.

Avernus suddenly scowled into a sharp gaze. "However, on one condition: we duel it out. If you win, I will let you go and never come back. You won't see me again. Ever."

Velvet pressed her lips, holding her breath.

"But If I win, I will stay with you until the end of your quest."

Velvet bared her fangs and shifted into her battle stance. "Agreed."

Avernus smiled in satisfaction and raised a coiled fist, and it lit up with magic. "I'll mold it into an oath so neither of us can escape the results." He slammed his fist into his chest, and a pulse of blue light stretched and hit both of them.

Watching her unique stance, Avernus whipped his staff, and it extended on the sides, but the blades didn't come out. "The terms are: you have to score a critical hit once, and I will do three on you." He smirked, "Easy, huh?"

Velvet darted on her feet. "Then let's get this over with!" She slashed broadly at Avernus, but her blade tore through empty air. She turned to see him teleported behind her with a smug face.

"That's what I'm talking about! Velvet Crowe in her full glory!" Avernus' eyes shone brightly, and his hair floated with all the magic spirling in his body. "Don't hold back, Velvet!"

She jumped to the air and dived down on him with her left leg extended, aiming to tackle him to the ground. But even her quick speed was no match for his reflexes. He sidestepped on one leg only, and as Velvet passed him, Avernus slammed her back with a heavy blow of his staff. She rolled on the ground from scrambling to her feet again. Velvet narrowed her eyes as his attack had no pain. "I'm not afraid of pain, Avernus! So spare me your chivalry feelings!"

Avernus twirled his staff in one hand in triumph. "One." He counted his first win.

Velvet growled at his smug face. "Just answer me one question: you got feelings for me? Because I don't need the complication."

Avernus smiled amusingly. "The thought freaks you out, doesn't it?"

Velvet bared her teeth. "Leave me alone, Avernus. I don't want this."

"You're lying." Avernus pulled the letter she wrote to him. "You don't hesitate to use others to get to your revenge but me. Feels pretty strange."

Velvet's eyes burned in an orange flame, her cheeks heating up. She hated when he called her on what her real intentions were. "Don't tell me what I feel. I know what I need." She released her wrist blade, brandishing it threateningly. "Go away!"

"Make me. Did you forget? Just one hit, and I'll go." Avernus extended his arm and bent his fingers, inviting her to continue their duel. "Come at me, then!"

With a battlecry, she dashed at him again and slashed and slashed away at him with a flurry of attacks. Her blades hit his guard and bounced off after one another. Avernus intercepted and parried each one masterfully. It seemed he was gazing into her soul and reading every move thoroughly. Then as Velvet saw an opening in his guard, she pushed her blade toward his arm, but with a clang, it reflected from Avernus' guard, and he hit her instantly in the gut.

"Two."

The force pushed her back, sliding on the ground. "What you want from me?!" she barked in desperation.

Avernus put the end of his staff on the ground and didn't seem to break any sweat. "To be with you."

"Why? I'm not interested in some dumb love affair." Velvet expressed in defiance.

"Who said anything about love?" Avernus shifted into his battle stance. "We are even. Come at me and hit me with your best shot!"

Velvet and Avernus both jolted at each other, and their weapons found each other, clashing in iron and steel.

She groaned harshly, staring into his eyes. "You feel, you get sloppy. It's simple."

Avernus maintained his slight smile as they locked their weapons. "What's with that wall you put up?"

"It's there for you, too." Velvet said. "Don't you get it? You want out alive; you run from me."

Avernus' smile widened as Velvet began to speak her heart. "Then you don't know what I want."

Velvet pushed on his guard. "Are you nuts?!"

"I'm persistent, so do your worst."

"Are you sure? It's going to hurt. You'll mess around. I'll end up killing you."

Avernus slowly marched towards her, "And?"

Suddenly, Velvet's therion arm roared out of the bandages, and she clawed Avernus' guard, breaking it, but he quickly backpedalled before getting hit. "Do you know what it's like to think you're alone and find out you're not?!"

"Pretty much, yeah. That's why I feel my destiny lies with you."

Triggered, Velvet pounced at him, and her blade clashed with his staff again. "You just keep pushing! What am I supposed to do with that?!"

"Nothing. Except stay at my side until we end this."

"Stop it!" Velvet screamed, and her claw glowed in a red hue. "Nightmare Claw!"

Avernus' eyes tracked Velvet's mystic arte and pulled his coiled fist. "Beast! Lion's Howl!"

The wolf's claw and lion's strike met each other in a grand slam. The blast flashed around the area, and trees broke in half.

Velvet felt her unrelenting therion arm cease to move, and it reverted immediately to her bandages. Before she could stumble backward, Avernus quickly grabbed her narrow waist and held her close to himself. "Just let me go." Velvet whispered.

"Why? So I leave the one person that I care most now to fate?" Avernus mumbled in return as particles of light began to emanate from his body, signalling the oath was in the favor of Avernus.

"You don't understand, Avernus. This is for your own good. I would not… I'm not like other girls. I'm not worth your distraction, and you are not worth mine."

"I won," Avernus said and smiled with a beaming face, ignoring her protest and pleas. It was too late for that.

With his alluring whisper that felt it was for Velvet alone, he leaned closer to her lips.

Velvet suddenly felt a thirst, not for blood, but for something else. Under the full moon, a soft light enveloped them as the oath was complete. Velvet raised her head to reach him, and they both pressed their lips together, covering each other in a gentle but hungry kiss. Velvet's mind blanked out, and the world was whirlwind in her thoughts.

Then like waking up from a dream, Velvet pushed him away. "What… why… we did it." Velvet mumbled, brushing a finger over her lips. She raised her head to look at Avernus' smug face. He won, and the oath was complete. Velvet groaned.

"You miserable, selfish fool! You will regret this, and so will I." Velvet protested.

"Perhaps this is how it must be." Avernus strengthened his head in triumph.

Velvet scowled and turned to the moon.

It was shining brightly, like a lone mother smiling on her children, in their darkest hours.