Villains 2

Arya’s p.o.v.

“First of all, let me tell you what happened to Tristan and me. Then we will decide in what matter this friend of yours can help. I doubt Wendy has told you the complete story”. I say to Olden.

"Yes, finally, "Olden says, and once again, I begin my recollection of the events that led us to this day. Asmodeus is scratching his chin, nodding his head occasionally, while Olden has big eyes and is fully absorbed in the story's narrative.

“I see, so it was your conclusion that she was an incubus or a succubus,” Asmodeus concludes.

“What else she could have been?” Sony asked, annoyed.

"A devil or a small devil woman. I told you how we evolve. A succubus is the next phase of evolution for devil women. Just because she could cast that spell doesn't mean anything". Asmodeus says," Even worse, she could have been a demon general or the demon queen itself. "He laughs.

“Okay, imp, let me rephrase it this way. How much power a demon must have to cast a spell like this? ”Sonya asks again.

“Your question is, even more, stupider than your ugly face. It all depends on the period the curse is meant to last. If I put all my mana and vital **** on the line even I can cast this curse, but it won’t last for more than two days maximum. Do I make myself clear?” He looks at us like a professor in front of his classroom.

What he is saying makes sense. We don't know for how long this curse was placed on us.

"So you're saying that this curse might eventually be dispelled on its own? “I ask him.

"Of course, you're an elf. It will come off in a couple of hundred years, even if she was the demon queen. I don't think it will surpass 200 years. Okay, problem solved. Olden, I am sorry; there is nothing more to do here. Another day, another good deed is done, "he says, and he himself is looking somewhat disappointed.

"Wait a minute, imp, we are human. My son should live like this for 200 years. It will drive him crazy, not to mention. But, well, he is immortal, so it's okay." Sonya seems to calm down." Well, you're right, that's it, I guess, end of the story. "

“No, I can’t live like this for two hundred years,” I almost yell.” There must be a way to determine how long this curse was placed on us. What if I show you the runes that I copied from the ground? Maybe the period is written there”.

I return to my room and take the papers where I had drawn the visible runes. I return and hand him over the papers, and he looks at them, turning the pages one by one in every direction. He even closes one eye, looking at them while his lips move like he’s reading something.

“Yeah, this says half of the day one and half of the night, but you didn’t draw this in a continuous circle. How can I read this? I don’t know where the following line is. You write it like the elves and humans. We demons write like this.

He moves his hand, and three circles made of colored light appear in thin air. He then uses his pointing finger to turn the circle line into words. Well, I suppose they are words. They seem like runes like the ones on the paper and his tattoo.

"I can't read this, it's useless. I need to see the original", Asmodeus says.

"Well, it is like this. “I show him the order in which I had drawn them.

"I tell you this is useless because you read draconian like this," and he is lightning the order that you read it. It seems that they read it from up downwards, and then the order changes from left to right." If you change the position of the letter, what you wrote becomes useless. You can wipe your ass with these papers". He says with an annoyed tone.

I look at Sonya lost; she also doesn’t seem to have a solution.

Olden is looking at Asmodeus with an angry face. Then I hear Sonya asking.

“What kind of cave was it, Arya? Do you remember how the cave floor was, rocky or sandy?”

“It was sandy; I could stick my staff in it. “ I remember because we did fight on the sand. I had to adapt my style.

"I might have a potion. Well, it is more like a florescent plant that you can pour into the remaining crevice, accentuating the form drawn. And remember that you still need to investigate that village. Your next action should be returning to those caves with Asmodeus". Sonya's wisdom again proves helpful.

"It's a long shot. We don't know if anybody went there and destroyed the writing on the floor ". I tell them." But you're right, we should investigate that village. Maybe if we know more about the demon woman, we will guess the curse period.”

"Suit yourself, woman, but I demand compensation for wasted time. I want your staff. That skull is from an old friend of mine. I need to consume it. I am sure he wouldn't mind. Haha". Asmodeus laughs.

“You will get nothing, imp,” Sonya says. “You didn’t do anything but run your filthy mouth since you came here. You didn’t cure the curse”. Sonya makes a good point.

“I would disagree with that. The reward was for information on the demon kind and language, “ Olden says.” Arya doda, I think a small incentive is needed to compensate for travel expenses.” He then ads.

“The money is of no concern to me. You will be paid in full and some more. And Asmodeus, if this curse is cured, I would buy you ten demonic staffs like this one. What do you say? “

"Now you're talking my language elf, ha-ha, ten demonic staffs. "Asmodeus rubs his hands, lost in some kind of visual fantasy. I am sure it isn't nice what he's imagining.

"Well, I might have a problem with that. Asmodeus is under my care, and I should establish his reward. Plus, I will have to go where he is going, and again, we should establish a sum for me, and only then will I compensate Asmodeus.” Olden demands.

"Okay then, how much do you w……?” And my body begins glowing and then darkness again.

Tristan’s p.o.v.

It’s already noon, and my time is in the light again. But in the light of our living room, this time, a strange creature flies around and laughs while pointing at me.

"That is funnier than the chaos lord ass crack, ha-ha. Why have I never thought to curse someone like this? Imagine if you're taking a piss and then, ha-ha. Or that elf if she's sucking a co… AAA WAHH, what are you doing, old woman? Let go of my tail." He shouts at Mom, who, in a second, has managed to catch his tail and is twisting it.

“Watch your language in my house, imp? “Mom tells him while still pulling on his brown tail. Eventually, she lets him go.

He rubs his tail where my mom grabbed it and then moves it around to check if it is still functioning. He is red, has two tiny horns like a baby goat, and his eyes are big, like a newborn's.

"Mom, what's going on"? I immediately ask as I see a dark elf man looking at me.

“This is Olden and Asmodeus . They come from your guild to get rid of the curse. As you can see, Asmodeus is an imp, a creature from the demon land. "Mom smiles at me.

“Whoa, a demon. “ I can’t contain my excitement and approach Asmodeus to study him better. “ I’ve never seen a demon before. I mean, I thank you for agreeing to help.”

“Arya told them about the fight with the brood mother, and we established that they will go with you again in those caves to see the runes and further investigate the village,” Mom explains.

“We establish nothing. There is the matter of payment first, “the dark elf says.

"Again, about that young man, I am sure Arya's family will not disappoint you. I mean, you know who you are dealing with. I presume that's why you're here in the first place, no.?"

"Of course, we are hunters making a profit from our work; to keep doing this job is only natural, "the dark elf tells us while smiling." There is also the matter of accommodation. I didn't see an inn or a tavern in this village."

“Oo, right, about that. I don’t have an extra room, but my daughter and I can sleep in my laboratory if you two decide to help, “my mother tells them.

“That is fine. We will wait for 6 hours to make an agreement, “the dark elf says.

“Your daughter wouldn’t happen to have red hair and is an archer; I mean, a ranger?“ Asmodeus asks with a worried look.

“Yes, I am sure you’ve met her; she always greets new visitors. “This time, Mother smiles, and I see Asmodeus and Olden looking at each other with a concerned look, which makes me wonder what Selena did or said to them.

"Since you're staying, I will show you the bath until my mother prepares lunch, "I tell them to clear the air a little since they seem rather tense." Please follow me this way, "and I take them outside and explain to them the roads that lead outside the forest, show them around the house and then mom calls for lunch.

We sit at the table when Asmodeus asks.

“So, old woman, although you have those tattoos, I don’t sense any mana emanating from you. Why is that?”

“Let’s just say I bit more than I can chew like you seem to be doing with that steak. “Mom says to him.

"Mana withdrawal then, ha-ha, I am glad. Don't worry, woman, I know my limits, unlike you. Was it at least worth destroying your mana pool like that? Asmodeus asks again, grabbing another piece of steak. "This steak is excellent. I hope you didn't poison it ". He then adds.

"I didn't poison it, but I hope you **** on it, and yes, it was worth it. I saved a little kid from the brink of ****." My mom says proudly.

"Haha, I could've guessed it was for something like that. If it were me, I would even lift a finger. If the chaos lord wants to take back a soul to his bosom, who am I to oppose it, you humans with your weird goddess religion? Even the elves are smarter. "Asmodeus says. "We demons rejoice in **** because we are again returned into the chaos realm. There is nothing to be sad about or cry about. We even have a little party when some demon that we know dies. "

"Ha ha, you seem to be fooling yourself, imp. I couldn't care less about religion or the afterlife. It's about the people you leave behind. If you or they die, you'll never see them again. That is, if you have someone you care about but with your character, I really doubt that. "Mom makes Asmodeus silent, and he seems lost in thought for a while.

"So, Olden, is it a long time since you've been with Gabriel and the guild? "I try to make a light conversation after Mom and Asmodeus's philosophy lessons.

"Yes, about ten years when I became a mage, I left my family and came here, "Olden says with a bored voice who, unlike Asmodeus, seems to eat very little, preferring salad and vegetables.

"Arya said that you couldn't store mana and was puzzled that you became a mage, "Mom retakes charge of the conversation.

"I see nothing escapes Sonya ada. It's true I was born without a meridian and couldn't store mana. That is why I wasn't invited to join a matriarchy and had a difficult childhood.” Olden says sadly, "Until I met my friend over here. He let's me borrow his mana pool.” He looks at Asmodeus with a smiling face.

“Yes, I heard of this technique. It’s called dual incantation, so a friendship with benefits,” Mom smiles at Olden. “But I also heard that a binding or a magic contract is required to prevent accidents like mine.”

“No, we trust each other, don’t we imp ‘” Olden pets Asmodeus on his shoulder, who makes a grimace like a slime or a wererat touched it.

“Sure, my old friend, as the ugly old woman said, I am sure to miss you if something terrible happens to you. “ Asmodeus then laughs, and Olden follows him while still squeezing his shoulder.

“What about the nether realm? Can you open a portal and go there, Asmodeus?” I ask, as it always bothered me how that brood mother teleported herself.

“What nether realm? I don’t know what portal. “You are speaking gibberish to me,” he says, annoyed.

“You know the dark place where Arya and I go when we are not here.”

"Aa, you mean this, "and with his pointing finger, he makes a line in thin air, and immediately after, what seems like a cut, in reality, appears." We demon call this the soul realm because only the soul moves there "the cut is much smaller than that of the brood mother, but I think he can fit if he wants to.

"Well, can't you enter and take Arya out of there? "I ask.

"Haha, I am dealing with amateurs. It's called the soul realm because it's the individual soul realm. She send you into her soul realm. I can't enter another demon soul realm; not even the demon lord can.

"You mean that her soul realm remained around even after she died? "Mom asks.

“Of course, the soul and the soul realm are one and the same; he is eternal and indestructible. He is the chaos lord himself. I bet they don’t teach that in your goddess temples.” he speaks like a cleric priest with his sermon.

“What nonsense are you babbling about the soul realm? What proof do you have? “Mom tells him angrily.

"And what proof do you have? It isn't so. You humans and elves can't enter that realm because you don't have a connection with the chaos lord. That goddess of yours made you incomplete. Ha ha, without a soul. That's why you're scared shitless when you die, hahaha. Asmodeus laughs by himself, presuming we are insulted by his words.

What we know about the laws of nature is thought by the temple clerics that they learned from the angels a long time ago. But with time, those teachings became reinterpreted, and people followed them like a storybook. They are not relying on them too much. He seems to be very religious and knows a lot about the gods and their relationships.

“Whatever you say, imp. Are all demons like you so dedicated to this chaos lord? “. Mom, who seems to have read my mind, asks him.

“Let’s just say and leave it on that: once I had a job similar to yours,” Asmodeus says sadly.

We finish lunch and then leave them to rest in my room while Mom and I prepare the laboratory for sleeping. Selena returns from her rounds, and Mom tells her about our new guests. She isn’t happy that she needs to sleep in the cellar and decides to sleep in one of her tree houses. She made several of those around the forest to keep watch. Asmodeus emerges from the room and seems startled when he sees Selena.

“Asscrackeus, I will remember that you stole my bed, and I am not gonna let you go off that easily.” She jumps next to him when she sees him and grabs his tail.

“Let go, you crazy girl. What’s with this family and my tail? “Asmodeus tries to fly away.

“Noo, no, you going to come and play with me. “ Selena let go of his tail and grabs him by hand.

“No, no, you go play by yourself, OLDEN,” Asmodeus shouts, and Olden comes out of the room and says.

“I think a certain level of decency and respect must be maintained if we are to resi…

“O shut it, bed stealer. Didn’t you say he was a pet? Now, he must do what a pet is supposed to do: entertain me... Selena interrupts him, “Come on, I'll show you my tree house, “and pulls the poor Asmodeus outside the house towards the forest. He fights at first, trying to escape, but then he resents his fate and follows Selena, flapping his wings behind her with his head bent, probably cursing his luck.

I watch them disappear into the forest. Olden seems to want to go after them, but as they disappear, he returns.

“Don’t worry. Nothing bad will happen to him. Selena is just joking around, “I say to him.” She seems to like him. “

“Yeah, she certainly is an active girl. She should be what rank exactly? “Olden asks.

“I don’t know, proba……” and my time in the light has ended.