-Malleus-
Instead of immediately throwing a punch, my eyes opened wide as I reacted to the taller, stronger Oni's one. Her fist cocked back, wildly in an arc. It was a hook.
Just before it hit, I ducked backwards, seeing every ridge of her copper-kissed skin as the fist flew past my face, barely grazing one of my long white hairs. I took the opportunity to cock my own fist back. The punch was hastily blocked by the woman's raised guard, and her scowl got even uglier as she roared.
She stomped the ground, generating cracks all over it as she moved. For a moment, I thought she was going too fast, but… no. She wasn't fast.
Or, at least, she wasn't fast compared to Kuroki's throwing technique. That could blitz my perception entirely if I wasn't careful, even through my eyes that seemed to see everything.
''Slow,'' I whispered, side-stepping the wild charge. Seeing my dodge, the Oni planted her feet firmly on the ground, carving into it with her might alone. Considering our size difference, if I were hit by that, broken bones would be the least of my worries. ''One… Two…''
The woman's head turned, raven hair wildly flowing side to side under the pressure of her cursed energy. Yet, just before she could fully turn and try again, I was on her side, fist ready for a liver shot. ''…Three!''
I felt strong, remarkable muscles tense under my fist. The sound of it smacking against her flesh was nothing short of deafening at this close distance.
However…
''Grrr…'' A pained growl escaped past her lips. She was pushed slightly back, but that punch alone won't take her down any time soon. Her big, meaty hands tried to grab me a moment later. ''Stop moving!''
Nimbly, I jumped over her grab. The Oni's eyes were priceless as I channeled cursed energy into my right leg and landed an axe-kick on her unprotected shoulder blade.
I felt muscle and bone creak under the pressure once more, but it wasn't enough to deter the raging Oni. With a big, ugly smile, she grabbed my leg, intending to squeeze and break it, rendering me immobile.
Or, at least, that's what she tried to do.
''What…?!'' The woman's green eyes widened in shock as her hands, which were more or less the size of my head, tried and failed to grasp my leg, no matter how much effort she put into it. ''No, no! You cheating! CHEAT!''
The time was more than enough for me to pull my leg back. Blue eyes stared at the woman's every move. As long as I could keep my concentration, she could not get past my Infinity.
''I was in a festive mood, you drat.'' I ignored her nonsensical complaints, getting ready into another fighting stance, one hand close to my face, the other extended slightly further, both feet planted firmly on the ground. On the defensive, reactive. ''And now you have to sour it with your mindless complaining. Fuck off, and stop wasting both of our time.''
That didn't seem to amuse her any, unlike the Oni inside my head.
''You… I'll kill you!''
In a single second, I saw how the sickly yellow energy of the Oni rose in abundance. Her face was red with frustration, and her eyes were wild, unfocused, and angry, like those of a beast. This paired greatly with the steam getting blown out of her nostrils.
The ground caved below her step as she moved.
'This…!' My eyes widened in shock as I barely stepped out of the way. The dodged fist displaced the air as it coursed through the air. I could have stopped it, but considering my long day of training, I wasn't too keen on wasting any more Cursed Energy than necessary. ''...Certainly better.''
My praise fell on deaf ears, or more likely, they were replaced by the angry bellows of the Oni woman, along with the cheer of the crowd.
Following that, there were many more. I had to duck and block like I was fighting a woman possessed. There was barely any time to react and deliver my own punishing blows. It was a constant barrage of death with each movement. However, only hits that go past my guard couldn't get past Infinity.
And, of course, she was bound to run out of steam eventually. Quick, devastating hits became slightly slower as sweat dripped down the Oni's sun-kissed skin, which let room for openings.
I couldn't let her get any closer. Each time she tried to charge at me, I would step aside and plant a heavy kick to her legs. Even if the tree-trunk-sized limbs were robust and durable as hell, I doubt they could win a battle of attrition, especially since the Oni herself didn't seem to know what that word meant in the first place.
A dodge to the side was followed by a punch landing squarely on her liver or kidney. At the start of the fight, it didn't seem like my strikes were doing much besides annoying her, but my eyes revealed the truth in its entirety.
The once sweaty, scarred yet healthy skin of her abdomen started to bruise. And even the mindless beast that was the woman was starting to favor her left leg over her right.
Each strike was a sentence to her defeat. There will be a point at which her legs cannot support her anymore, where a punch to the liver, the kidney, or the ribs would be just as debilitating as getting the lights punched out of her head.
And each time I was just a bit too slow on the dodge, or I overstayed a second too long after landing a perfect hit, the barrier around my skin prevented any sort of grappling, punching, or kicking. No matter what the Oni tried, I could block it as long as it was within my perception.
'This is how the weak fight…' I chuckled mentally. 'Hit and run, never take the direct fight. And always… always see each hit like it would take you out of the fight.'
This was the essence of The Eyes of Mystery, paired with Infinity…
To fight like a completely annoying bastard.
-Chief Orikita-
When she was called by one of her hunters making trouble on the plaza in the middle of the festivities, Orikita already knew who it was.
Oriwa, a copper-skinned Oni that, while possessing an unparalleled strength among the town's hunters, and a relentless spirit, was simply too over in her head… and it's not like there was much in there to begin with.
Yet, the scene Orikita arrived at was one she didn't expect.
A crowd of Oni gathered in a circle, cheering and laughing as they drank under the moon up in the sky. At times like these, the cold, harsh environment was long forgotten in place of entertainment. Which, to Oni, usually meant a fight or drinking.
With suspicion and furrowed eyebrows, she searched the crowd for a powerful energy signature. Her spawn, Kuroki, was among the spectators, and when she found her and made her way to her daughter, with drunken Oni making way, Orikita saw her with surprised eyes staring at the center of the plaza.
'What is…?' Just for a howl of pain and anger to ring out across the otherwise loud words. 'Oh?'
Orikita side-glanced at her daughter and then at the fight taking place. Now? It was no surprise to the chief of this village as to why her daughter was so enthralled.
Oriwa, the Oni who had screamed in pain, delivered a powerful meaty fist that could shatter rock into powder to a deeply focused white-haired man; the Dehorned one.
Only for him to step out of the way at the last second, resulting in a wave of cursed energy to pulse around the makeshift arena as Oriwa's fist shattered the earth below. Sweat dripped down her brow, and her breath was ragged. On the opposite side, the Dehorned one was barely needed to catch his breath as he punished the overextension of her hunter with a powerful kick into the side—Crunch!
''RAHHHHHHH!'' Even all the way from here, she could hear the cracking of Oriwa's ribs at the blow. The massive Oni tried to use her size as an advantage, punishing the male Oni by attempting to put him in a bear hug. ''WEAK MAN! YOU DIE! I KILL YOU!''
Orikita frowned, almost even growled at the disrespect that her hunter used to treat the man. Weak he may be, especially compared to her daughter and her, but that was only natural. The male Oni had barely gotten out of bed today, and if she remembered correctly, had started regaining strength by training just a bit earlier.
Yet, even then, he was practically running circles around one of her best hunters.
The bear hug that would surely break a lesser Oni's back or outright kill them failed to encompass the man as he planted his knee into Oriwa's side. And, even as her powerful hands tried to crush him into powdered bone, her fingers could get as close as touching his skin, but never any further than that. Of course, this made the hunter roar in fury, even as the man frowned, annoyed.
'His technique.' She thought, staring with interest. All of a sudden, the bigger, stronger Oni was repelled, bare feet digging the earth as she was pushed back. The Dehorned stared in shock at his own action, a faint, pale blue light encompassing his left hand before it disappeared. 'He's amazed at his own recovery, too.'
Truly, she hoped this would serve as a lesson to Oriwa not to mess with her betters. After all, if this male were at full strength, he would have simply left her as a smear on the ground. Now, Orikita had to think of a way for the man to even forgive this transgression and spare the hunter's life.
'Such is the life of the strong.' Orikita huffed through pointed teeth.
Not being caught off guard by the sudden push back of his own making, the male clicked his tongue. Waves of angry red cursed energy washed over him as he dashed into Oriwa's guard. Once more, he barely dodged under a blow, a drop of his own blood falling as the wild blow actually touched him. Bruising the side of his lip and tearing a smidge of skin, before he delivered a fist straight into Oriwa's gut.
Speaking of… The copper-skinned Oni's side had turned almost purple with the bruising. The way she unconsciously favored one leg over the other was a clear indication of the male's plot. To weaken her, to humiliate her, show Oriwa her place for trying to mess with someone of his caliber.
Surely, she had some internal bleeding, but cracked ribs and torn muscles would be the least of her worries. She would be able to heal physically, but the humiliating defeat slowly approaching her would be worse than a true, dignified death, Orikita was sure.
Instead of spectating her hunter's defeat any longer, Orikita turned to her daughter, who had not for a single second torn her gaze away from the fight. She doubted the youngling had even blinked, considering just how lost in the rhythm of battle she was.
''You do well in paying attention, daughter.'' Orikita praised, placing a hand on the smaller girl's shoulder. The purple-horned Oni jumped at the touch. Staring at her with wide eyes and embarrassment. It wasn't clear to others, considering Kuroki's blank expression, but the way her eyes shone and her digits twitched against her clothing was indicator enough for her own mother. ''You noticed, didn't you?''
Kuroki, quick to catch the meaning behind her words, nodded. ''He's humiliating her. Oriwa challenged him. Dishonored our rituals. Now she pays.''
''Quite.'' Orikita patted her shoulder, proud of her daughter's observations. ''Yet, I see you not looking at the fight, but at him. You seek to take him, or for him to take you?''
Orikita resisted the urge to smile and laugh, considering how Kuroki suddenly stilled and looked to the ground. Her charcoal-black skin gained a lilac tone on her neck. She would have teased her about it, telling her how hard it would be for such a conquest to happen, only for her spawn's next words to surprise the Oni Chief.
''He told Kuroki to… call by name.'' The youngling whispered, as if she were speaking a taboo. Orikita was about to tell her that it was normal. Calling someone by title only was— ''Family name.''
Orikita paused. Eyes widening in surprise. A little upturn of the lips coming from the smaller Oni was enough to take her off the shock. Taking a deep breath, the mother put on a tough front. ''And you… accepted?''
''Hm.'' Kuroki nodded, her eyes glinting with the torches and traditional paper lamps serving as illumination for the small festivity. ''Kuroki… wants to be strong. Ultimate strong.''
Boisterous and joyous laughter escaped past the Chief's mouth. Putting her arm completely around her daughter, Orikita smiled and nuzzled the smaller Oni against her side in a strange show of affection. Or, at least, rare for their species.
''HAHAHA! What a bold little rascal!'' She didn't know if she was saying those words for her daughter, who so fervently wished to step into the realm of the strongest, or if she was talking about the Dehorned male, who took fancy in her spawn in such a brazen way barely a day into meeting her. ''I don't dislike that! Very Oni! Very good!''
If the villagers, workers, and hunters, who were not focusing on the fight, noticed their Chief laughing while hugging her inexpressive daughter, shaking the smaller Oni with each bout of laughter, while also abandoning her 'proper' way of speech, they didn't notice, or they did, and simply didn't care.
'Speaking of…' Orikita, cleaning a tear from her eye, smiled viciously while focusing back into the fight. 'This is as good as over, I see.'
Oriwa's chest rose up and down. One of her hands held her side, clutching it tightly. She had at some point bitten her lip so hard it started bleeding. Not only that, but all that angry energy that was carrying her through the fight could barely keep her on her own two feet now.
Her angry eyes looked down at the man who, albeit untouched, was quite winded. The only injury Oriwa had managed to place on him was that scratch near his lip. He cleaned it by licking the wound, spitting the glob of blood on the ground.
''It's over. You were weak. Too weak.'' The Dehorned huffed tiredly.
Oriwa growled, teeth grinding against each other as she trembled in anger and pain. In a last burst of lingering strength, she took a step forward, intending to keep going.
If anything, her anger carried her lack of technique. She was unrelenting even when she was totally beaten. Yet, the man didn't seem to care. Instead of turning around, he kicked Oriwa's damaged leg after barely having to dodge out of her grip. The woman howled, and finally, her leg gave in.
And, just as she fell to the ground. The man's frown turned into an angry scowl. Orikita was surprised, considering just how… non-Oni-like he showed himself in their little chat earlier that day.
'Well, Dehorned or not, and kind or not. He is still an Oni.' She nodded as the man pulled his fist back.
CRUNCH! CRACK!
A single punch, directly to Oriwa's scowling face. If the sound came from the cartilage of her nose being caved in under the punch's might, or if it were her lower fangs that were broken by it, the Chief didn't know, as the hunter was blown away and into the parting crowd of non-fighters that couldn't hope to catch the gargantuan woman by themselves.
Silence filled the plaza for a moment…
''ORAAAAAA! LOOK AT HIM!''
''He beat Oriwa! Strong! TRUE DEHORNED!''
''DEHORNED! DEHORNED! DEHORNED!''
''Give Sake to man! Do you not see victory! Sake to celebrate!''
The crowd erupted in cheers. One pink-skinned Oni even threw a gourd of Sake to the man, which he caught and looked at strangely. The male Oni paused before chuckling and uncorking the gourd, proceeding to drink the entire gourd in a few gulps, much to the crowd's even louder cheering.
''Kuroki.'' Orika turned, amused, to her bright-eyed daughter. ''Dehorned don't handle their alcohol well. He fancies you, so you care for him, understood?''
Kuroki paused, her red eyes widening minutely. The corner of her lips rose softly, showing fangs, and then she nodded, making way for the crowd that tried to surround the man and congratulate him.
''Haa…'' Orika sighed, half-proud at her daughter's boldness as she remained by the Dehorned's side. ''This festival was good. People will be in a better mood now…~''
And, considering just how better the Dehorned could get… maybe he'll be able to take care of their little frost problem. With some compensation, of course.
''Now, where can a Chief get Sake here?!'' Orika shouted, swishing her mane of wild hair side to side before making a beeline for a nearby stand.
-Malleus-
'Ha! Didja see that? I literally punched one of her teeth out? Bwahahah!' A dopey smile covered my face as I stumbled out of the main plaza.
Maybe it wasn't a great idea to just down an entire gourd of Sake, especially considering I was never much of a drinker at all. Yet, the adrenaline during the fight, the loud volume of the cheering people, and finally. That sweet, relishing feeling that came with being in control of something.
It was exhilarating, marvelous, even!
'Ha… It is common for weak people to think greatly of small victories.'' Yet, the curse I shared a body with didn't seem to think the same. After I landed the final blow, she was all snappy for some reason. ''Sloppy footing. Slow reactions. Now that I think about it… How did she hit you in the first place? Bah… bunch of sloppy everything.''
'Live a little, you old hag! It was you in the first place who told me to drink something!' I complained, stumbling across the walkway. 'I was fucking cool out there! I must have gotten a better rating than just ''sloppy'', right?!'
A thick silence filled my head as I giggled to myself. One step further into a small vendor that dragged my attention, and I almost fell on my face if it wasn't for an arm suddenly grabbing onto my shoulder, evading my fall and pressing me against something as hard as a brick wall.
''…2 stars.' Sukuna stated boredly, yet I could almost hear a hint of dark amusement in her tone. 'The bar has fallen so low that you get more than zero. Mediocre work, brat.'
'Mediocre doesn't mean bad, though!' I cackled to myself as Sukuna's presence went to the far back of my head. And even if I tried to visualize her again to see what she did while not being a nuisance, I felt her presence disappear altogether, as if a wall was put between us. 'Bah… and here I was going to share a bit of alcohol…~'
Instead of focusing on the woman-shaped monster that was my 'teacher', I frowned and felt the hand on my shoulder, and the hard wall that I now recognized as someone's body slowly guiding me away from the festivities.
Someone had even started playing music. Though thankfully, none started singing, because I doubt that with their deep, powerful voices, the Onis could play anything that wasn't some sort of heavy metal.
Even sluggishly drunk, my eyes worked somewhat the same, and the darkness of the night wasn't an impediment to recognizing just who was guiding me around.
''Kuroki… I wanted to party some more~! Bring me another fighter, I'll sweep the floor with them!'' I cackled, feeling the raven-haired Oni stop for a moment before her grip tightened. ''Hm?''
''Dehorne—Malleus.'' The pointed stare I directed at the taller woman made her call me by name.
To which I smiled a toothy, shark-like grin. ''Yeeees?''
Another pause. Yet, this time, the split pupil of the woman shone with a very different glint than before. ''You… Drunk. Too drunk, even for Oni. Even if you proper Oni. Kuroki safeguard Malleus.''
''Aww… You're worried about little old me…'' I cooed with a lazy smile. Really, this girl was too much of a worrywart. I was fine. Well, mostly. I probably couldn't take another fight, but I could navigate by myself just fine. ''I'll be alriiiight. Trust me—''
Immediately, as if to punish my words, I tripped on a patch of snowy grass. The sudden coldness on my ankles as a bit of snow and wind got past my loose robes and footwear brought some clarity to my drunken mind.
Silently, Kuroki pulled me closer, and I swore that her deadpan became even more prominent somehow.
''Fine, fine… I'll be in your care, then.'' Undeterred, I patted the woman's back. With my eyesight, I could see a hint of… excitement? Along with a twitch of the fingers that were holding onto my shoulder. 'Weird…'
The walk to the Chief's home was somewhat short-lived. My mind was getting clearer with each step and minute that passed. Either it had to do with how Devils assimilated alcohol, or it was something to do with my partial Oni-fication, or whatever it's called.
The tatami door opened as the warmth of the home eclipsed the cold outside. And, just as I was about to turn and ask for some bedding, considering that when I woke up, I was in Kuroki's bed and not an extra one, the door shut behind us, and Kuroki's strong grip encompassed my stomach instead of my shoulder.
I froze for a moment, only able to focus on the two hands, bigger and stronger than mine, as my head was pressed against Kuroki's… prominent yet concealed bosom.
'…This feels strangely intimate.' I frowned, now clear of mind. '…I didn't mess up and touch some sort of traditional ritual, right? Please tell me I didn't! Damn, Sukuna and her tendency to not tell me shit!'
''Oi, Kuroki—'' My breath hitched as I felt her hand go inside my slightly parted robes. Her cold fingertips pressed against my chest, and her hot breath was close to my ear. ''…I think you misunderstood something.''
''Kuroki… did?'' Her sudden hesitation made me freeze like a deer in the headlights. If I had normal vision, I would not have been able to see the way her form stilled so suddenly, or how her red eyes, previously holding a spark of excitement, now had a great disappointment, even as her face remained stone-cold. ''Ah, it's because Kuroki is not enough. That's… Kuroki understands.''
No, no, wait! What did that have to do with anything? Good enough for what?!
In the first place, why was Kuroki disrobing herself and me? I didn't even hint at a smidge of attraction to her, even if her proportions were more than appealing. I didn't even flirt or anything like that. If anything, I was some sort of edgy bitch by remaining cold, distant, and somewhat condescending!
What the fuck were the Oni standards?!
Just as Kuroki pulled back, I held onto the hand on my chest. ''I did not say that, now, did I? Do not place words in my mouth, woman.''
''…Hm.'' And, for some reason, that seemed to be enough reassurance for Kuroki to press me further into her half-naked, well-built, soft yet firm body.
The sensation of her strong arms around me as she bent slightly just to rest her head on my neck, along with her wandering hands and the pillow-soft mounds that threatened to engulf my head from behind…
It was exciting, and something deep inside was just screeching at me to turn around and not let this woman call the shots. To take the reins myself.
'Why the fuck did I word it like that?!' I panicked, even as I tried not to react outwardly. 'Sukuna! Sukuna, stop being a lazy parasite and help me with this!'
'…If you think I'll teach you how to handle a woman, you're sorely mistaken, brat.' The irritated voice of the curse answered, even though I knew there was a hint of amusement in her voice. 'Do whatever you want, but I'm not watching you waste time bedding a female.'
'You know that's not what I meant, you prick!' I screamed internally as Kuroki's soft, barely contained mounds of charcoal-black flesh rested on my left shoulder as she guided me to her bedroom. 'How do I let her down slowly, dammit!'
'Tsk, you're really getting on my nerves. Try to be something akin to a man, idiotic brat.' With those words, I felt the same wall as before be placed between me and Sukuna. Not before a bout of malicious, airy laughter filled my head, 'Do try not to disappoint yourself, or do, it will be hilarious either way, Hahahaha!'
'SUKUNA YOU FUCKING HAG!' I cursed with all my being as I was pulled into Kuroki's bedroom, robe discarded on the hallway outside.
The effort it took not to take the eager Oni right then and there was twice as much as what it took me to win today's fight.
-Crosery Asmodeus-
Heavy silence filled the room of Quin as she stared down at the maid sitting on his bed. Her digits were twitchy, and the way she nervously clenched her hands around the sheets while not looking her in the eye was slightly annoying.
But more than annoying, it was concerning.
Sebastian was guarding the door, making sure none could enter or leave, while another servant, a fair, brown-haired woman, stood stoically with her hands near her lap and her eyes staring coldly ahead.
''Well? Speak.'' Crosery huffed, gesturing at the nervous maid. Her patience was great. Greater than any of her fellow blood-purists. However, that didn't mean she liked to waste time, and much less so in a situation like this. ''You know what happened, but you fear the punishment that comes with revealing that information. Do not worry. Not a single whisper leaves this room.''
The maid, Felicia, looked up. Eyes wide. Her grip on the sheets became greater, so much so that were it not for the softness of the fabric, she would have surely cut her hand open with her nail alone.
''…The young Master.'' Felicia gulped, as if trying to piece the story together. ''H-He was in a poor state, could barely eat a whole meal, and even the bare hint of movement on his p-part seemed stressful, exhausting, even.''
Crosery clenched her fist, frowning as she took a deep breath. She knew her cousin was in a poor state; everyone would, considering just how the Sleeping Curse sapped away one's strength until there was nothing left.
'He barely had the reserves of a Middle-Class devil the last time I saw him…' The fact that the visit was five years ago told her much of just how debilitated her remaining family member was. ''And?''
The maid paused, eyes diverting to the side for a single second. Crosery didn't turn, but acknowledged it.
''H-he… A trio of Devils appeared. T-they took him away!'' The words seemed to come into sharp bursts. Felicia's eyes were unfocused, and she started to panic. ''The Young Master broke the hand of one of them, before… before she threatened me and the Young Master's life. She knocked him unconscious, told me she was just following orders, and then made way with him before I could say a word!''
''Who's she? Who was she taking orders from?'' Crosery pressed, hands clenching and unclenching behind her back. If the people in the room noticed desperation in her tone, they were silent as mice. ''I promise you, no harm will come to you after delivering your information. You have the word of Lady Asmodeus herself.''
It was the least she could do. After all, Felicia was not only a dutiful maid, but she was Quin's personal maid, too. Attending to him since he was but an imp, even when the Tragedy of the Malleus House happened, the blonde maid stood by his side. Guarding him, cleaning after him. Even one time, Crosery had caught the maid sleeping on a rocking chair with a book, side by side with a much younger Quin.
''I… I… I'm sorry, Lady Asmodeus. I'm so sorry…'' The Maid choked out a sob, eyes filled with tears that started to run down her face before she could cover the shame with her hands. ''I'm sorry…''
This time, Crosery didn't huff, didn't shout, didn't rage. Instead, her gaze turned to where Felicia had looked last, the brown-haired stoic maid who was simply stationed firmly against the wall.
That same maid, whom Crosery had just caught with a hint of steel in her eye.
'…How shameful.' Crosery thought. Red eyes boring into the now wide-eyed maid. A maid… she didn't quite recognize. 'To think I have left my house—The house of Asmodeus be left infected by cockroaches only because of grief. My 'mother' would have been turning in her grave.'
''You.'' I pointed at the maid, one armored, pointy finger. ''Who do you serve? Speak plainly, simply, and without fanfare.''
''M-me?'' The woman asked nervously, a drip of sweat falling down the side of her face. Her hands clenched against one another as she answered. ''T-the house of Asmodeus, of course. I—''
''Liar,'' Crosery growled, a small, purple flame appearing on the tip of her finger.
''W-wait! Lady Asmodeus, I swear I do, I—AAHHHUGHHH! AHH, IT BURNSSSS!'' And then, a painful, acute howl of pain filled the room. Sebastian frowned, steeling his face in disgust while Felicia looked with wide eyes as the brown-haired 'maid' burst into flames. Her clothes were quickly turned into nothing, and her flesh was not long after. ''IT BURNS! AAAAAAAAAAAH! PLEASE STOP! STOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOP!''
Crosery looked on, stared. Not even blinking as the traitor was burned to ashes. Not a single smidge of their existence or presence remained besides the scorch mark now glaringly obvious, staining the wall the maid was resting on.
For a minute, there was silence, but then…
''Lord… Lucifer…'' Crosery turned, red eyes landing on Felicia with befuddlement.
''…Come again?'' She repeated in shock. Fist clenching and trembling even as she had heard the name perfectly the first time.
''The woman who took the Young Master…'' Felicia cleaned her tears, staring Crosery dead in the eye. Her green orbs were determined, now without the fear of the impostor leaking this information to the man himself. ''It was an order from Rizevim Lucifer that took Young Quin away… M-my Lady.''
Crosery turned, and Sebastian moved out of her walk. Yet, before exiting the room, she gave the maid one last look, acknowledging her answer with a nod.
''I thank you, Felicia. Know this, for as long as I draw breath. You are part of this house. Now, and always.'' Then, she turned to Sebastian, the older-looking devil, who stood at attention. ''Sebastian, make sure to search our most proud house for any more pests. And dispose of them.''
''At once, Lady Asmodeus.'' The butler suddenly grinned, even as he walked to Felicia to check up on the now trembling maid. ''It would be my pleasure.''
Good. She was not going to have the Asmodeus name blemished any longer. And it started with tearing off that bastard's influence from it right away.
'As for how to deal with him…' Crosery mused, walking the hallways with a hurried yet refined step, cape billowing with a small breeze as she made way into her office. '…It pains me greatly to do so, but there are only two devils who would make Rizevim back off.'
She would have to bow her head, maybe even renounce her 'title', but… Quin would earn it back anyway. And, he, as the future hope of the Asmodeus, would need support.
And if she didn't do this before Rizevim found out, there would be no House of Asmodeus to come back to.
'Be safe, cousin, and just wait a little longer.' She took a shaky breath, putting many wards on her own office, before making a communication circle. 'As for you, Rizevim… I will kill you, even if it's the last thing I do.'
That was a promise, from the House of Asmodeus no less.
Bonus Scene: Calamities Strike Twice.
-?-
Deep within the spiritual branch of the Great Clans, voices screamed in panic, so much so that the entire place was a mess.
And a ruckus of this measure… was bound to alert those in command.
So, with a resounding voice, a young woman with a prominent, triangular scar on her face, a long ponytail of raven-dark hair that cascaded down her back, eyes as gold as mildew, and dressed in a red and white Miko outfit made her presence known.
By no other way than what it's always like. Power and presence.
The entire room filled to the brim with cursed energy, the temperature in the room rose so much that elder and trainee alike started to sweat buckets. There were some that would, at a later date, claim that they heard the Vermillion Bird itself caw their ears off with the mere presence of its wielder.
Those weak of will and heart collapsed, while those with a modicum of power could barely get up from their knees. They couldn't even scream as the equivalent of a mountain on their backs crushed their bodies entirely.
Gasps of surprise filled the room as the pressure was lifted. And on her feet, only the woman remained, her once golden eyes turning a burning blaze of orange, while her hair had spiked up, with the tips turning yellow, maybe even red as she stared down at her subjects.
"What is the meaning of this?" Suzaku spoke in a low voice as her glare analyzed the entire room in search of the culprit. "If there is a situation, it is informed in a proper manner. Are you wise Elders and devout Sorcerers or mere children playing pretend?"
A single servant managed to get on his feet. It was a man, older than the imposing woman, but not by much, with dark, short hair and a complicated expression.
"Lady Suzaku," He spoke, bowing his head completely. The woman sighed; her gaze was solely focused on the man. "There's horrendous news, and it's related to the Great Calamities!"
That made the woman pause. Immediately, she raised a hand, speaking to everyone in the room. "Everyone out! This is a private matter. And whatever you have heard today, stays inside your thick skulls lest you wish I remove them from the rest of thy pathetic bodies!"
With great hurry, the servants and Sorcerers vacated the premises, some even carrying their fainted comrades. And once there only remained Shizuka and the man, she sighed.
"Speak now, Keito." She said in a much softer tone, but with crossed arms. "Is it related to that crow we missed?"
The man, now addressed as Keito, shook his head, biting his lip.
And that made dread pool inside Suzaku's stomach.
Around two decades ago, the seal on one of the three Calamities had gone awry for unknown reasons. The one sealing away the Great Tengu General, known far and wide for its battle and war prowess.
The fact that had somehow escaped caused great panic, even if most of the Seven Cardinal Clans remained in the unknown, with the exception of the respective leaders and their most trusted.
Fortunately, the previous Vermillion Bird, along with the current Black Tortoise leader, had managed to cover the incident as a spar gone wrong, and the fact that there were no casualties went a long way to make the lie most believable.
Sadly, it seemed that such an event was bound to repeat, barely twenty years down the line.
"The seal on The King of Oni has wavered, my Lady." Ice ran through her veins as the man spoke with seriousness. "We… don't know how much it will last."
'Heaven above…' Biting her thumb and turning to the side, pacing around the room, Suzaku asked. "Has any cursed energy leaked out of her seal?"
Keito blinked before nodding gravely. "Yes, my Lady. We couldn't contain it that fast, so a small portion has leaked out. Why?" He asked.
"Call the other leaders immediately!" Suzaku spoke, already losing the small bit of hope that dared to lay embers on her chest.
"My lady…?" The man was confused and incredibly worried as she turned, hands hidden in her sleeves.
The woman shook her head as a deep sigh left her. Not even the warmth of the Vermillion Bird could help her out of such a dreadful, cold feeling.
''It only takes a smidge of energy for that damnable Curse to break free. It is why their seal was the one with the most protection…" Suzaku gravely explained. ''There needs to be a meeting right now… Tell the other leaders that Shuten-Douji is on the loose."
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Author's Note: Writing Sukuna and Malleus taking jabs at each other is fun.
Also no, no sexy time for now, but don't worry, there will be smut sooner rather than later.
As you guys can see, I'm moving some things around already. (Like female Creusserey not being an asshole). Wonder if there any other changes around (The answer is yes)
I have 5 more chapters of this fic on my Patreo n, in which this arc, which I had taken to naming ''The Oni Village Arc'' has already concluded!
Discord Link: discord .gg/ 92Yt5wxeWN
Patreo n: patreo n .com (slash) HamsterX42