“So what are demons?” I watch as Alix finishes absorbing the blue fog.

“Oh right, umm” Alix begins.

“They are creatures from outside the world.” Emily says. She had absorbed the spirit energy before Alix and was now sitting on the ground.

“What does that even mean? Like aliens?” I ask, sitting on the ground beside her.

“It means they are not part of this world, so kind of. I wouldn't say they are aliens.” Emily pauses for a moment thinking, before continuing, “What I mean by outside this world is not from the afterlife. No one knows where they come from but a few studies have discovered they used to be human, so demons are more like ghosts.” Emily explains.

“How are they not in the afterlife if they are more spirits?”

“No clue, but here in the afterlife we refer to spirits as those that are part of the system, like you and I because we have the system to guide us in a way. Ghosts are everything else, those that are dead and not part of the system.”

“Interesting, so if I didn't have the system I would be a ghost and not a spirit, even if I'm the same as now, just without the system?”

“Exactly”

I wonder if that term is cultural like after centuries of the afterlife they decided to make them mean different things. Maybe it helps with studies, or maybe conversations? Who knows anymore. Why does everything have to be so confusing? A smile creeps on my face. I do love finding new things.

“Why don't we head back,” Emily interrupts my thoughts. “I think we deserve a feast tonight.”

“Second dinner I'm in” Alix cheers, clearly loving food more than me.

“You know I'm in.” I say, standing.

The second Alix’s hand touches the doorknob of the front door a blazing red light appears above in the night sky. We barely have a chance to look up before the light shoots down like a meteorite, hitting the house. The house vanishes in an intense explosion, radiating throughout the neighborhood. The blast destroyed everyone and everything in the area. Since I'm not in a barrier that traps me, I can reform anywhere. Twenty spirit energy down I reform on the spot. I notice that the entire block is missing. All that's left is patches of ash and scorched earth. Buildings farther away are on fire and exhibiting varying degrees of damage. Alix and Emily reforming next to me, we watch as a man stands from the center of it all.

The man wore a fine black suit and tie. The only thing that took away from his serious and professional appearance was his laughter. The laughter of an arsonist who had just got his fix. My heart drops. Not only had he destroyed the place where I was staying. Where my friends lived. But he had also ruined our second dinner. Glancing at the others they too appear like they desire justice. The rage and pain in their eyes are clear as day.

“Who the hell are you!” Alix shouts, anger fueling his tone.

“Names Locklend.” he answers, with a deep voice.

“Lockland? But why are you here?”

“Your friend not tell you?” he asks.

“Tell me what?” Alix asks, not taking his eyes off the man.

“Your new friend somehow accessed the admin privileges of the system.” Walking closer he places a hand on Alix’s shoulder. “You can blame him for this mess.”

“You are the one to blame, you always throw your destruction onto others.” Alix retorts, shoving Locklend’s hand off his shoulder.

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“Would you blame the bomb, or the one who threw it?” Locklend asks.

“You are the bomb literally, and you are the one who did this.”

“I did it for someone else and he said you deserve it.” Locklend’s easy smile made me sick.

Alix summons his sword in anger and swings it down. Locklend grabs it with one hand and casually throws the sword into the distance. The sword disappears and before Alix can resummon it, Locklend grabs Alix by the throat, lifting him off his feet.

“You would be well advised to not attempt that again. I was here to find your friend, not kill you, but I can.”

Tossing Alix down, he steps on the air. Standing there for a moment an explosion sends him flying, leaving a small creator behind.

“Can I float like that?” I ask.

“You can but it takes spirit energy.” Emily answers still in shock.

With a flat tone, Alix asks, “What did he mean about you accessing admin?”

“Exactly what he said.” I answer, deciding not to hide anything.

Alix looks surprised at my honesty.

“What does that have to do with anything?” I ask.

“For a start, how did you do it?” Emily asks, finally snapping out of it.

“I'm happy to tell you but does it really matter? All it will help with is finding who else would care.”

“Exactly,” Alix says, “ I don’t care but I want to kick the ass of whoever did this.”

“Yes, they must pay.” Emily agreed, nodding her head.

“Well I was playing with the system, so I decided to ask for admin. An admin section popped up and I added my old password.”

“Huh, so you can get the admin window by just asking the system?” Alix asks. “Does Not work for me,” he adds a second later.

“Or me,” Emily adds.

“Huh, it worked just fine for me.” I say, starting to be confused.

“Also what do you mean old password?” Emily asks.

“While I was alive, I created a system that was intended to keep memories after death. But, well, it's been added to since then.” I explain.

Alix and Emily don't look convinced, so I have to start from the beginning.

“I'm still not sure I believe you but,” Alix starts.

“It's too crazy to be completely fake,” Emily finishes Alix's sentence.

“That's basically saying you think i'm nuts, but we are friends and you want to support me as such.” I say

The pair share a look. Their faces still hold traces of rage and despair. I feel bad for them, and it's kind of my fault but who could have expected this?

“Sorry if this is my fault, I didn't know they would blow everything up, or even notice for that matter.”

“It's not your fault,” Emly consoles.

“Right, you couldn't have known they were watching, plus if anyone other than Locklend was sent nothing would have been destroyed.” Alix adds.

“Do you know Locklend?” I ask.

“I met him once but mostly he is known on the battlefield as the Nuke, he shows up every now and then, vaporizes a battlefield, or city and leaves.”

“Then why don't they send him to end the war?”

“Several reasons, he needs to be motivated. If it doesn't look fun for him to blow up, he doesn't. Two he isn't the strongest person on the battlefield. He is strong as hell, don't get me wrong, but Originals are stronger. He also takes a lot of spirit energy to fuel, all of his attacks are big and he wont move a finger unless you promise you’ll reimburse him.” Alix explains.

“So he's more like a trump card. But then why is he here?”

“Best guess, they don't have enough personnel on hand. The war has been picking up as of late.”

“Are all the Originals involved in this war?”

“Not all but most, there are ten Originals left, four on one side two on the other, the leftover staying far away, chasing their own goals.”

“Wouldn't the side with less Originals lose quickly?”

“It's about quality over quantity, those two are the strongest in the entire afterlife.”

“Anyways, I'm going to destroy their entire empire.” Emily growls, changing the topic.

“Agreed,” Alix nods, grinding his teeth.

“I'll go too,” I put my hand on Alix’s shoulder.

“Are you sure, this isn't going to be a field trip.”

“I'm sure, plus, it aligns with my goals. In a way.”

“What goals?”

“I want my system back.”