Resolve

I woke up the next day feeling more at peace. The events from these last few days really marked me, but I was finally free. I woke up first as Harper and got out of bed, noticing that it was almost noon already.

Trying not to make too much noise, I went to the closet to wear something better for today. I took a black tanktop, a pair of cargo trousers and a pair of combat boots. That was Harper's idea of a casual outfit, most likely coming from her metalhead side.

A few minutes later, I got out of bed as Risa, making sure not to wake up Maia. I put on some of Harper's sports clothes, which didn't fit Risa all that well, but it was just temporary.

As Risa, I went towards the kitchen side of the apartment and started to prepare lunch, while, as Harper, I sat down on a chair to put the boots on.

"Ahhh~" Maia got up a bit later, purring as she stretched.

"Good morning, Maia." I said through Risa before switching to Harper. "Did you sleep well?"

She giggled happily. "I did! Modern human beds really are comfortable!"

As Harper, I tilted my head. “Modern human beds? What do you mean?"

"The last time I visited the human realm was during the sixteenth century."

"S-sixteenth century?" I almost dropped the egg I was about to crack as Risa when I heard that. "H-how old are you?"

"Hmm, I don't really know. I stopped caring after a while." She really didn't seem to care at all. She looked back at me, smiling. "Anyway, now that you're free, did you decide what you wanted to do?"

I glanced at my bodies. Harper's body. Risa's body...

As Harper, I stood up, staring Maia in the eyes. "I did." I clenched my fists, determined. "You told me to use my abilities how I see fit, right? I know how I will use them. I will... protect us. I will... possess people who can pose a threat to us, to make sure that we'll be safe."

I knew that it wasn't right, but I didn't want to go through what I lived there. I wanted to get strong enough to protect us.

Maia stared at me for a few seconds... before grinning. "That's a pretty good idea, Ben. Should we find you a wizard's body, then?"

I was taken aback. "A wizard? They exist?"

"They do. I don't know if you'd be able to use their magic, but it could still help neutralize some threats."

"It'd be useful, indeed..." I replied. As Harper, I scratched my chin. "There's also the issue of money. I need to find someone rich, to help Harper and Risa until they can find a new job."

Maia tilted her head. "What do you mean?"

I looked at Harper's hands and clenched them. "I'm fairly certain that I can let my hosts be in control of their bodies again. Even if I could manage to control four, five, or six bodies, I don't want to just steal their lives.” I sighed and spoke through Risa. “I won't free Harper and Risa, as they can be useful and know too much, but I can let them in control once I get more bodies. Having a part of me inside them will prevent them from ever trying anything against us, anyway."

Maia seemed disappointed. “You really are too soft."

I stood my ground, glaring at Maia. "I accepted that I wasn't human anymore, but it doesn't mean that I'll become a heartless monster, Maia. It's not because I'm trying to secure us a peaceful life that I'll fully enslave others. I would be the same as those who captured us, otherwise."

It made her grin. "I like the determination in your eyes. Very well, if that's what you want." Maia came closer, smiling. "You really are an interesting being, Ben."

"T-thanks..."

"Hmm, you have incredible potential..." Maia commented, observing me. "Maybe I could take you as my lover~?"

“What?” My two bodies echoed in surprise.I wasn't sure I heard that right…

Maia just chuckled. "Most of us demons don't really understand love the same way you humans do." She came even closer to Harper and gently caressed my cheek. "What attracts us are strong beings, and I firmly believe that you have the potential to become really strong. What do you say~?"

I blushed like crazy and looked away with both bodies. "I-I'll... have to think about it, we barely know each other."

Maia was really cute, I couldn't deny that, but… It was too early to answer...

Maia took a step back and let out a sigh, looking at the window. "Ah, it's true that you usually like to take your time before these kinds of things… But it's alright, I can wait~"

I tried to regain my composure and change the subject. "I-I'm going to try to let Harper in control, for now, while I'm washing our clothes as Risa. You can watch TV meanwhile, since you can't go out naked."

Maia looked at me, confused. "TV? What's that?"

“Oh right, I forgot.” I grabbed the TV remote and turned it on. Maia turned to face it, surprised. “It shows movies. They are like plays."

It seemed to amaze her. "Ohh! Human technology sure has advanced a lot. Alright, I'll wait for my dress to get cleaned."

As Harper, I sat down again, closing my eyes and focusing on finding how I could bring her consciousness back. As Risa, I finished cooking, and started to wash her clothes.

After about half an hour, I felt something coming from Harper's body, as I was eating with Maia as Risa.

"Oww... My head… What happened...?" Harper muttered, holding her forehead.

"How do you feel, Harper?" I asked as Risa, approaching her.

Harper turned to face me. "R-Risa? And..." When her eyes landed on Maia, her expression changed. "W-wait, that's...!"

"Calm down, Harper, you're safe."

Maia just waved. "Hi!"

Looking back at me, she analysed me. “You're..."

I nodded. "Yes, I'm the one who was possessing Kira and possessed you."

"W-why did you possess Risa?" Harper asked.

"To protect her. I will let her in control soon, as well."

"As well?" Harper repeated.

I took control of Harper's body for a brief moment, moving her hand towards her chest. "I still have a part of me inside you."

"W-what?"

Maia just kept eating in silence while observing us. She was most likely starving after spending so much time captured.

I continued to speak through Risa to not weird Harper out too much. "Now that we're free, I can properly introduce myself. My name is Ben. I was a high school student at St. Raphael high school until last week."

"A... high school student?" Confused thoughts were running through Harper's mind, thoughts that I could notice."

“Yes. I was also the person who broke into the warehouse and stole the chemicals. These are the things that turned me into the being I am now. A being able to possess multiple people and access their memories."

Harper was starting to feel fear, understanding how dangerous I could be. "What... will you do?"

I sighed. "I won't fully free the both of you, if that's what you were wondering. I'm sorry, but I don't want to take any chances. I won't be captured or tortured again… I will allow you to do almost whatever you want, but I want to make sure that I'm safe. I will possess a few more people, both to help you find new jobs, and to protect myself."

Harper caught on what I said. "New jobs? D-does it mean..."

I looked down, Risa's sadness overcoming me yet again. "Liliana died, yes… Alongside your contractor and the rest of the employees… You and Risa are the only survivors, since I was possessing you both. Liliana was already dying when I found her, and I promised her that I would take care of Risa."

"W-why Risa?"

I told her the truth. "She hid it, but Risa was Liliana's half sister."

"Her sister?

“Liliana recommended her as she was struggling to find a job, but hid the fact that they were siblings."

"I understand why she seemed overprotective of her… I hope you'll rest in peace, chief..." I could feel Harper's sadness. She was pretty close to Liliana, even if it was still in a professional way. After a few minutes of mourning her boss, Harper spoke again. glancing at Risa. "A highschooler… I find it hard to believe..."

I nodded, crossing my arms. "I don't have any reason to lie to you, Harper. I know that what I'm doing is wrong, but I still want to be friends with the ones I possess. I don't want you to hate me."

Harper looked away, seemingly ashamed. “I'm sorry for what we did to you..."

I shivered briefly as she said that, but regained my composure fast. "You're not the one I blame for that, Harper. You just followed orders." I then smiled at her. "But, if you're sorry, would you help me?"

Harper chuckled. "It's not like I really have a choice, but yeah… If you treat us well, I don't mind..."

Her answer was a relief. "Thank you, Harper." As Risa, I came closer and hugged Harper. I could feel her embarrassment, as well as a bit of something else. “You're bi, I see."

Harper broke the hug, looking confused. "H-huh?"

I gave her an amused smile. "Your arousal, I can feel it, since I'm still inside you. I take it that Risa is your type?"

Harper scratched her chin more shyly. "Heh... I always had a thing for blondes..."

It made me laugh. "Risa is really pretty, I get you.” But I regained my composure shortly after. "I'm going to need you in order to find my third host, Harper."

"How so?"

"I'm looking for someone rich, so I'm going to use your body for a trip to the mall. We're bound to find a suitable host by hanging out near expensive stores."

“Alright.” Harper didn't protest.

I focused on regaining control of her body and spoke through her mouth. "Don't worry, Harper, I'll let you conscious."

Wow, it's so weird… I heard Harper's thoughts in my mind, surprising me.

I decided to tell her. "It seems that I can still hear your thoughts even when I'm in direct control, Harper."

Really?

"Yes. It could be useful."

Wait, what about Risa? Didn't you say that you'll let her in control too? Harper then asked.

I sighed and nodded. "I'm going to wait until her clothes are dry and go to her flat, so that she doesn't see Maia."

It caught Maia's attention. "Why?"

Looking at her as Risa made me shake briefly. "You... sorta traumatized her, Maia. Killing people in front of her and **** her really shook her up, and I understand her."

"I see..." She answered casually, apparently not really caring.

I felt Harper getting slightly enraged at that. She lost some good friends there. She's heartless…

Grabbing Harper's bag, I went to the door. "I'm going out for now, Maia. I'll stay here as Risa until our clothes are clean."

She grinned and waved at me. "Have fun on your hunt, Ben."

"Thanks..."