The Mysterious Lake and The Phantom (Cio)

OoC: Hope you like this Cio.

Bic: The hazy clouds that reached out of the mysterious lake. The thickest clouds near the lake’s water is what Nikudemon was warned about before taking the job. The glazed surface of the water reflected the moonlight in the clam water. The swordsman worked his way through the thick mist to the lake. His body strength weaken as he walked through what appeared to be normal fog that came off the lake. Even though his body slowly the strength and will power to move, he knew he had to make it, no wanted to make it.

Thoughts of failing were unheard of for him. To look in ones eyes after telling them he’ll take the job was unspeakable. His will to make it through burned through his dark brown eyes. Nikudemon arm covered his noise trying to breath in the thick blanket of air. The tresses around him coved in some kind of slimly moss that the swordsman never seen before. Every step he took made it harder to breath, the shallow breathing he did was all he could do.

“There it is,” he said, finally able to see the lake through the fog. His eye grown weak and his body almost not able to stand on its own. He saw the out line of a little girl waving her hand at him. He reached out in the mist to grab her but floated farther back into the cave behind the lake. Nikudemon will to move on couldn’t push him pass his human limits. “Sa-ya…” he called out as his body fell unconscious in the forest.


***

“Papa, is the swordsman going to be ok,” a little girl asked standing by the bedside of the swordsman. He could hear the sounds around him and the little girls voice. “Saya…” he mumbled, his hand twitched and his eyes opened. The old man and the young girl looked over at him. Nikudemon was lost at what happen or how he got here.

“You’re a strong one swordsman,” The old man said walking out to the bed. “I don’t know why you were at my door step, but you should rest.”

Nikudemon confused at what the old man was talking about. He got up out of the bed still weak for the mist in the forest, but could still walk. “Thank you sir, but I can take care of myself,” The swordsman replied walking out the door into the village. He could tell that he was far away from the lake. He took a step outside the village and his body gave out on him. He landed by the old tree just outside the village. Guess I need a little help…

Oh, great. Another village. Another chance to see humans crawling around every corner. It's pathetic to think that such a group could populate such a great majority of the world. The demon strode into the town, knowing its citizens were human, and planning to take a few victims while she was passing through. Not that she was in a rush. At least, not yet.

Celia briskly walked past a few playing children, scoffing at their juvenile hope and cheer. She knew better. She knew what lay beyond this town and what was on its outskirts. They'll need to wake up to the reality of it all some day.

She saw a little girl glaring at a young boy, looking as though ready to tackle him. The girl cried out, “Stop being such an... ass!”

Hearing that, the demon almost wanted to smile. That's someone who'll be successful. Knowing at such a young age how men, especially human ones, are. Having seen that, she walked on, almost contently, knowing there was some hope in this ignorant bunch of humans. Nothing like that idiotic bunch of humans I work with. I was forced into that demented alliance, them knowing full well how much I dislike humans.

Absentmindedly, she recalled the members of the alliance of Tasogare, remembering all of their actions and how most of them were human. Bah, all of them with their stupidity... She was so engrossed with the memories that she didn't realize she'd stepped out of town, let alone that she was standing next to a tree along with another person. A person who she happened to already know.

Cautiously, she turned down, staring right into a pair of deep brown eyes. “Huh? Niku? Speak of the devil, I suppose.”

Nikudemon sat by the tree still getting his strength back to continue on his mission. He all most laughed inside thinking back to when he first met Celia. The young demon that stood high above him was the reason for the thought. He had only seen the women a few times, but she was well respected. He glanced back down at the grass; embarrassed at the clothes she wore. “Celia, you still hate humans?” He asked, the thought always was in the back of his mind.

She didn’t answer right away, and when she was about to Niku stopped her. “No, that’s not a good way to start off.” He stopped again not really knowing how to start off. He didn’t want to get her pissed before he got her to help.

“What is it!?” the demon snarled already mad at the swordsmen. “Say something Nikudemon. When did you start to think before you talk anyway?”

“I guess you’re right,” Nikudemon said getting up off the ground slowly. His strength was still mostly gone, but he had enough to walk again. “Well, me trying not to make you mad seem not go well. Celia I’ll get to the point can you help me? It by chance that we met and I need the help,” he said, then pointed to the mountain off in the destine.

“I need to save a little girl that was taken by a magical dark lake. Her mind is still being taking over by evil and she started being called the Phantom Child. If this goes on I don’t want to think about how the human will hate her. Also evil people might try to use her powers,” Niku continued a looked back at the demon. “So, help me try and save her?”

OoC: Meh, here we go?

BiC:

Arms crossed, attitude as defiant as could be, the demon looked at the human through the corner of her eye, listening intently despite herself. “A human child you say? What good would it do me to save her? I'm trying to eliminate humans, not save them.” She paused, just to add to the weight her words carried. “But,” Celia continued, stressing each word to torture the man, “you've admitted you need my help. Therefore, I suppose I could assist.”

He smiled calmly, “Oh, thank you, shall-”

“Though!” she couldn't help but enjoy this, “the second something goes awry, or I'm displeased with how things are going, I bail. I don't intend to do this unless it is pain free for me. That is to say, it comes with conditions. You do not speak to me unless under dire circumstances. You do not walk on pace with me. And, lastly, do not question my decisions.”

Reluctantly, he nodded, “Fine, now, shall we go?” He took a few tentative steps, acting as though he was showing her the way.

Annoyed, she strut past him, toward the mountains in the distance, not caring whether or not the road she took even lead toward them. In fact, this gave her a good reason to go somewhere other than another random village with nothing enticing at all. I wonder how far this young child is... not that I have anything to do. Not that I ever have anything to do. I'm so pathetic that I'm in the company of a human on the way to save a human. What have I come to?

The pair of warriors walked over the hill, their steps out of tune with each other due to Celia's regulations and an utter silence between them as well. Nothing could be heard except the muffled footsteps on the loose dirt road and the natural symphony that natural bestowed upon them.

OoC: They aren't getting a long right away for being member of the same group. lol.

Bic: She as bossy as ever, Nikudemon thought walking up the beaten path. He put his arms behind his head looking up at the clear sky. The fencer couldn’t even do his job right. He couldn’t even make a demon see that human aren’t that bad. The young man sighed dropping his arms down and looked over at the young demon in front of him.

“You could be a bit more nice to me,” Nikudemon muttered looking up at the sky again. The heavens above him always reminded him of the sea. It gave him pace inside to see its beauty above his head.

“Didn’t I say no talking to me human,” Celia snarled as if just hearing the swordsman voice pissed her off. Nikudemon didn’t much care what she had to say about him or humans. He for one knew how foolish they could be. He took it as his job to keep pace in the world and to try an make others understand they don’t have to fear different races.

“I heard you, but I’m not as easy to push around,” he uttered, thinking about the weak fencer. “I’m not that damn Fencer named-.” He didn’t get a chance to finish. The demon had her staff was under his neck charged with magic.

“Don’t ever speak that man’s name in front of me,” she said with an evil tone in her voice that even put a chill down the swordsman back. He could see that the fencer did something, but not in a good way. He didn’t really want to fight her right now; he had something to do. He knew that only her dark magic was strong enough to get through the forest.

“Ok, ok I won’t talk about the dumbly,” Nikudemon said calmly pushing the staff away from his neck. “It’s not like I like him much anyway.” God Zorlo, what did you do to her? I don’t remember her being this hard to be around.

The swordsman smiled at the demon showing he didn’t want to fight. He ever reached for his swords by his side while wait for Celia to calm down. He knew he wouldn’t need to fight, or hoping that it wouldn’t come down to fighting. “Friends again?” He asked after a few minutes of nothing changing. He just calmly smiled waiting for her reply hoping it would come soon and not later.

OoC: Only 5 more. =P

BiC:

"We were ever friends?" she retorted, glaring at him. He'd taken a move that he should have avoided for both of their sakes. He'd mentioned that pathetic fencer. An image of him flashed through her mind, angering every fiber of her being. Hmph, way to ruin a girl's day. She flipped her head around, not caring that her long hair had practically whipped her companion. It's what he deserves... the nerve of it all...

She walked on, fuming silently to herself. Ignoring the trees that flashed past her, leaves full and green. Ignoring the chirps from the skies up above, high pitched and melodious. Ignoring the clouds dispersed freely overheard, floating without a care in the world. If only she could be that wild and free. Away from the weight of her own goals and the torment of others.

The worst days of my life were spent with that stupid fencer... grr. How I wish he were here just so I could beat the crap out of him. How can someone of his likes be in the same group as I am? It's incredulous. Her feet made contact with the ground roughly, step after step. After a few hard stomps, Celia was awakened to her own, very apparent, anger. She turned back to Nikudemon, ready to snarl at whatever mocking expression he had on his face.

Instead, she found he was staring into the sky, his face oddly serene. That's not something I see everyday... humans and their oddity. She continued, wary of each footstep. Her mind ventured off, wondering thoughts of their upcoming mission to get herself off less pleasant topics. “So, Niku, where is this 'dark lake'?”

He looked at her, as though not expecting her to speak to him. She didn't expect to speak to him either, but, unfortunately, one can't lead when they have no idea where they're going. “It's not too far off. Just keep going.”

“Psh, much help you are.” Her search baring no fruit, she did as he said and continued down the path, half expecting to trip into the lake. Sadly, she wasn't too far off.

Her foot, which had previously been stomping furiously, was now entangled in a tree root, taking Celia very much off guard and ensuring a somewhat interesting entrance to an even more interesting local. She landed with an 'oof' and a face full of moist dirt into the very place she had to help cross. “That's not what I was expecting...”

Nikudemon stopped his slow mindless walk that he had grown use to. Celia wasn’t going to talk to him so he was lost in his own thoughts. It wasn’t like he was thinking about anything, but more like he was daydreaming until he heard something fall down ahead of him. He glanced down to see the demon had fell face first into the mud. He wanted to laugh, but knew that would only make her more pissed at him.

He thought about it for a few thinking what he could do. He wanted to help her up, but knew she wouldn't like that. He when through hundreds of ideas quickly before coming up with the thought it was hopeless. “You're ok?” the swordsman said as he walked passed her. He stopped again only to glare at the mud land that they came to. He’d been here before on his first try to reach the girl.

An intense look came over his face as he remembered the last time he was here. He knew Celia wasn’t very happy with him, but he thought acting like he didn’t care was better then caring. She was a demon that didn’t like humans, but some how was a part of the group. He never understood why she never dropped out, but didn’t much care for her reason. “Only a little more and will start to reach and thick cloud of dark magic. I couldn’t get pass this black mist and it drained me of my powers.”

Celia finally got up from the ground coved in mud. She didn’t seem to care about the dirt as she whipped herself down a little. “That’s because you’re a weak human,” Celia snarled walking pass the swordsman taking the lead again.

“Maybe, but I think its fate that you happen to met me now. After all you’re the only person I know that uses dark magic.” He replied wondering if he said too much again. “I think you was meant to save this human.” He looked up into the tress hearing the leaves move from the light wind blowing. He noticed she was getting pissed as he glanced back at her. “Sorry, I mean that you’re the only one that could save her. I’m happy you’re will to help me with this,” he quickly replied back worried if he saved himself.

OoC: Plus one I would make it longer but I think you should take over how anger Celia is.

OoC: Take this!

BiC:

Her head stayed turned slightly from him, thinking about this deeply, but not expressing it in the least. Saving... a human? My job is to kill humans and saving them is not mentioned anywhere in the job description. I could always turn back now and spare myself the humiliation of actually saving an inferior being. But, of course, I would be left in the same bored rut I was in not too long ago. Decisions, decisions.

Having her mind made up, no matter how temporarily, she glared, “And, your happiness does nothing but dampen mine. I'd appreciate it if you were to not express it. By 'appreciate', I mean demand.” She stopped temporarily, meeting a thick cloud of blackness. “What is this place? Copying my powers or something?” Rolling her eyes slightly, she whipped her staff out, dipping it into the darkness.

Upon making contact, the clouds began to recede, if only just a little. She could feel her power suddenly growing stronger, the weird mist like substance boosting it. Her staff, not glowing a deep purple, seemed to be absorbing the clouds usual negative effect and turning into a power source for Celia's magic. Silently, she turned to Niku, whose expression pretty much summed up what she was thinking. “What the?” he asked, head cocked to the side.

“My thoughts exactly,” she said, calmly, losing her hatred toward him for that single instant, perhaps overly involved in the darkness that surged through her. “I feel so much stronger...” she spoke in a trance-like manner. Looking down at her fingers incredulously, she saw them glow the same color as her staff, and in that instant she dropped it, venturing so far as to control her magic without it.

While at any other time it would have been a complete surprise, her magic flowed out, completely controlled and assuming the same form as it did with her staff. “What's this...?”

“Something wrong?” Niku asked, still standing directly next to her, and looking down at her fingers oddly.

She almost smiled, but stopped herself, “My magic. This dark cloud has strengthened it. Not only is it flowing out continuously, but I don't require my staff to use it.” Her fingers began to tremble and more magic poured out, clearing a path for the two to walk through. “Brilliant.” Once again she took up her staff and she turned to her human companion, “And, this is why humans pale in comparison to demons.”

Ooc: You asked for it. Though it's nice that you're getting into posting again. ^^

Bic: Nikudemon was shocked at how easy it was for the demon to control the mist. It was like it let her take control and aided her powers. He’d been trying hard to get through the mist and the demon just took control of it like nothing. It was like everything to this point was meant to happen. It was like Celia was made to wield dark magic and he could feel she grew more powerful by it. He looked at her nails that now glowed a dark purple. The evil power he felt gave him a chill down his back, but at the same time he was happy she could control it.

“I guess we are then,” the swordsman replied back getting out of his thoughts about the evil mist. He still didn’t want to fight with her now more then ever. All he could do is let her believe what she thinks about them.

“It seems the darkness has opened away for us,” Celia said glancing back over at the open road way in the mist. “You made this sound like it was going to be hard. I should have known humans even you are too weak to know what’s hard.”

“Yeah, I guess I’m just too weak when it comes to evil dark mist. But I’m stronger in other ways just like you,” He mumbled back to himself making sure Celia didn’t hear anything he said. Hearing her talk down about humans made him wonder more than anything why she never left. He wondered if Zorlo had something to do with it.

The mist grew thicker around them but the road still lead them closer to the lake. Nikudemon knew there would be a trap waiting for them in the cave. Everything was going too easy for them. He wondered if he’ll be able to find the trap before it found them. He looked back at Celia wondering if she was thinking about the same thing he was. He wanted to ask, but knew she wasn‘t thinking this was too easy.

“Celia doesn’t this seem like everything going too easy. I’m starting to think we made it to late.” He didn’t know what give him this feeling, but the dark clouds seemed to be more cold then last time. “Do you think that the girl would be able to fight off evil this long?” He knew she didn’t care, but he needed something to take off this evil feeling his felt. It was clawing up his back and the swordsman didn’t like it.

OoC: I did, I did. And, I am, I am.

BiC:

The demon turned back to him, wanting to retort with a reminder of her rules, but didn't because what he had said made some sense. Still, she didn't show him any sympathy, “Just like a human, worrying about things better left pushed aside. Don't worry about the girl's well-being. If she's not there when we are, you'll have the satisfaction of knowing it wasn't your fault. And, I'll have the satisfaction of knowing that there is one less human in the world. Win-win situation really. But, you've got a point on the easiness factor, I guess. You made this sound like a huge expedition across huge expanses of impossible landscape. All it really is is some mist, a lake, and a cave.”

She turned back to him, waiting for a response. “I guess...” Celia could feel him holding back his real response, most likely not wanting to anger her.

As it should be, she thought, leering at him, As long as he stays in his place, all will go well. The demon continued, figuring nothing more would be pried out of him, “So, you do realized that in an instant I could always allow the mist to envelop everything but me... wouldn't that be fun?” She smiled one of her mocking grins, how she enjoyed watching him squirm.

He gave her a glance, obviously stating, 'You wouldn't. Would you?'.

The answer was, 'yes, yes I would.'. Their looks said it all, but the demon did nothing to endanger his life. She would keep him alive for the time being after all, they'd been forced into the same alliance and it wouldn't be proper to just go killing off all the humans in it. After all, there would be a significantly less amount of members.

Up ahead, the lake lay, still and unmoving despite the slight breeze. The water, normally being a pristine light blue in the lakes Celia had seen, was a deep purple, going along with the mist that shrouded it. “This must be a lake after my own heart, don't you think? Everything is just so dark.”

“I'll say,” he began, “Everything seems so planned out. Almost fateful.”

The girl winced upon listening to the word 'fate' being spoken. How she despised that word after hearing so many times, even from herself. “Yeah, I suppose, though I think it's more coincidental.” She offered up a word in exchange hoping he would adopt it as his own instead.

“Coincidental is a good word for it too,” he titled his head some, thinking on it, apparently. “Never knew accidents could be so precise though.”

“You never know these days,” Celia shrugged surprised she'd kept a conversation with a human this long. And, with that statement, she approached the lake, bending down to touch its surface. Her fingers skimmed over it, an odd feeling overcoming her. She closed her eyes for a second, peace surging through her. After her moments of silence, she opened them again, the setting having changed. The water still lay before her, but the duo stood at the mouth of a cave, rather than the entrance of the lake.

Turning to Niku, the demon said, “Would you consider that one of the things to look out for?”

Nikudemon looked deep into the cave that they found themselves in. He didn’t know how or why they appeared in the mouth of a cave, but he felt it was something to worry about. Now wasn’t the time for him to be fighting Celia. He could feel a great evil even stronger then what he felt when he came the first time. He could only hope that he would make it in time. “Yeah, I think so,” he said, his eyes fixed on what was ahead.

“Come on lets getting this over this,” She snarled again returning to normal. Nikudemon would never understand why the demon hated humans so much without getting to know one. The thought that she might have knew one never crossed his mind.

He glanced up to see that Celia already begun her way down the creepy cave by herself. She acted like the view didn’t matter, but it mattered to the swordsman. After a minute of calmly himself and took of after Celia. The wall oozed out some kind of soft glue like liquid from the walls. Nikudemon’s hand felt sticky after touching the walls. “I wonder what could have made this. It’s like the cave is bleeding or something.”

“Don’t worry about the cave. Come on.”

“Really, you’ve been in a rush a lot,” Nikudemon said walking up closer to Celia thinking about how rude she been since they met. “What did I ever do to you anyway?”

OoC: Short but I didn't know the answer to Nikudemon question.

OoC: What'd I tell you? ;D

BiC:

His question lingered for a moment, but in no way was Celia pondering it. In fact, as she spat out her answer, she showed her incredulous attitude toward his question, “Existed.” Her voice was full of contempt, and her position was rigid. She opened her mouth to continue, but promptly stopped. “You deserve no more of an answer than that.” And, with that, she resumed her business-like strut further into the cave, its dangers posing no threat to her.

It was obviously the only thing he had done to her. He was human, he lived, he breathed. Those were more than enough reasons for her to simply kill him there. But, she hadn't. Nor would she at the moment. Time would tell the extent of the damage she was allowed to make without incurring the wrath of the alliance.

As she passed more and more of the cavernous setting, with the crimson colored liquid spewing out of the cracks in the wall, the deeper the reserve of powers she was becoming. This place was her terrain. The darkness continued to flow through her effortlessly. Perhaps after this... I may not even require my staff to remain in control of my powers. The prospect brought a sinister grin to her face. The less restrictions, the more damage that could, and would, be done.

Before she could delve too far into the realm of possibilities, she was brought back from her thoughts by huge imposing wall that stood before them, marking the end of the pathway. But, just like the rest of the walls, more of the same thick running substance ran down its walls. Except, one notable difference was prominent in this one. A huge crack ran through it, letting loose more of that sticky liquid than any other. So much so that one could consider it a form of waterfall, save it certainly did not let out water.

“Holy,” Celia began, staring up the long way that it ran. “Now, I would end in crap, but I don't think it would do this behemoth justice.” Upon seeing this, she lost the hardness and thought process of before. All she could do was marvel at this, and wonder if getting up there was the way to go. The only thing to do was to ask Niku, despite how much she loathed him. “Do you suppose we have to get up there?”

While she dreaded the answer, she knew what was coming. “Yeah, I guess,” his voice came with the same kind of awe the demon's had. And, noticing this, the girl ceased her gawking.

Her eyes narrowed at the fall, jaw clenched, “How the hell are we going to manage that?”

Nikudemon fixed his eyes seeing how high up he would have to go. He then looked back down at Celia and thought about what she already told him. He shook is head at his only thought of how to get up there and it was the one thing he knew she wouldn’t like. The swordsman glanced back up again hoping to come up with other idea, but he didn’t. “I’ve only got one and you won’t like it,” he said worried about pissing her off more. He didn’t really want to have to fight with her here.

“What is it then?” Celia asked almost snarling at how the swordsman never gave her an answer she liked. She turned and stared into his eyes.

“Well… since it’s so high and we can’t climb up there,” he said pushing to think about is he really wanted to tell her. He glanced one more time, but still no other ideas came to him.

“Well what is it?” she snarled getting closer to him with every step she walked.

“We could fly up,” he quickly said taking a step back from her.

“How do you think we are going to fly up there?” she asked pointing up at the wall behind her.

“I can turn onto a being that has wings. If I do that I can hold you and get us up there in no time. Hopeful,” he replied unsure how high up he would have to go. He didn’t even know if he would make it up there while holding her.

“… You’re kidding, right?”

“No. I told you that you wouldn’t like it, but it’s the only way up.” Nikudemon took a step back again. “I’m unsure how long I would have to hold on to you though.”

“I would never like a human touch me you’ll have to think of a better way!” Celia shouted stepping even close to Nikudemon.

“Well… I got no other way of getting up there. Just let me take you up there in my arms. I won’t do anything to you,” he said knowing this wasn’t going to work at all, but he had to get her to see reason.

OoC: Bah, stupid takingforeverness. Next time I'll take less time. >>

BiC:

“Hmph...” Celia turned away, face placid, yet mind lost in thought. A human? Touching me? That's ridiculous. I'd rather stay trapped down here. But, it's not as though I can magically learn to fly in a matter of minutes... damnation. This is practically a nightmare. She let out a heavy sigh, unsure about how she would handle the situation, or if it was even an option.

A few footsteps sounded behind her, signifying that Niku was stirring. “Celia?” he ventured to ask. It was obvious she would have to make up her mind about this. There were no wide array of choices. Nothing seemed possible at this point. Except for what the human was saying.

This plan. It's completely vile. I can't go along with it. But... The demon turned around, facing her travel companion head on. “Listen here,” she began, her tone already argumentative, “there simply must be another way. And, if there isn't, make one. There is no way that I'm putting my safety in the hands of a,,, human” Once again, the word dripped off her tongue with a strong sense of loathing.

“But--” the human began.

“But nothing,” Celia spat out. She took a few steps infuriated and frustrated all the while. And, pacing, she continued to delve further into thought. What if I closed my eyes? Perhaps it would not be so terrible then... but, I would know he's human, his very touch will be repulsive. Grr... “Niku!” she barked out, having contemplated the situation the most she could. “Tell me, how is it that you'll be flying. Show me, and perhaps you'll convince me. If what you say is the truth, and there simply is no other way, then...” she paused, taking the moment to sigh more profoundly than before, “Then, I allow you to fly me up there.”

Curse this. To think: I've had to resort to accepting help from a human.

OoC: Lawl, shorter than I thought. X3

OoC: Ten days... I must get faster.

BiC: Nikudemon didn’t like where this was going. He didn’t like the idea of showing without knowing if she would of not. He had little choice, but to do what she asked and he would have to change anyway. But the thought of shocking her came to his thoughts. It wasn’t everyday you see a human transform into a demon. He stayed quiet for a few thinking it through.

“Well! Show me!” Celia yelled showing how much she didn’t like this plan.

“Well,” Nikudemon begun to say thinking of a good way to make his point.

“Well nothing just show me,” She quickly replied back growing tired of him holding back things.

Nikudemon sighed a bit as he backed up a few feet away from her. He wanted to warn her about what she going to see, but it was clear that time to form the right words wasn’t on his side. He was about show her his full powers and knew that it passed hers. He didn’t know how she was going to react, but it had to be done. “Ok. I’ll show you,” he replied, sounding sad.

“Good.”

The swordsman took off his black vest and placed it on the floor. The holes for his wings showed clearly now on the back of his shirt. Closing his brown eyes not wanting to see her face until he was done. He moved his arms out to the side of the walls and the pendent around his neck glowed white. The black hair of the swordsman was the first thing to change, as it grew longer clawing down his back. The front part of his hair coved his forehead. The tough light brown skin because smooth and turned a little darker, but not much. His nails slowly grew more and fangs formed.

Nikudemon moved his arms in as his breast grew, but wasn’t that noticeable. His arms folded into his chest and his face liked as if it was in pain. His body folded in and two white wings slowly forced themselves out of his skin. He looked as if his was in pain, but Nikudemon ever felt anything. The pendent power pulsed a few times and then the beautiful white wings moved a bit blowing air at Celia, before stopping. He opened his eyes unfolding his arms seeing a shock looked on the girls face.

“This is how,” Nikudemon said with a smile on his face trying to release the shock. Though he knew it might take some time before she would be able to come out of it. She has never seen him in a true demon form.

Celia allowed herself a few moments to stare openly--after all, why not? It wasn't everyday that someone who was seemingly only relatively weird turned out to be absurdly weird. And so she gawked.

She composed herself afterwards, mentally slapping herself for that reaction. She should have known it would have been something over the top like that. Nothing was ever simple with Niku.

"Alright," she said slowly, enunciating each syllable carefully. Not only fear that her voice might break, but that she might betray her emotions. Niku should have known that this changed things entirely. "So, you don't look human," she began again, choosing her words meticulously, her mind feeling sluggish with this information. "Why didn't you tell me this?" Her voice wasn't as menacing as she had hoped. She couldn't put the same amount of malice into it with him not looking disgustingly human.

Niku cocked his head to the side, obviously not seeing where Celia was coming from. "Because it's not everyday that someone sees a human turn into a demon?" It sounded more like a question than an answer.

"Well," Celia said, letting the word roll around on her tongue before cutting it abruptly. "Unlike humans, demons I can deal with. If you would have just told me this to begin with, I wouldn't have wasted all that time thinking of an alternate solution!" Her voice was steadily rising as she realized her situation in all of this. "You! You made my mind go through all that anguish and cringing at the thought of human flesh on me!" An overwhelming urge to punch him came over her, but she restrained. The grinding of her teeth was almost audible in the deathly silence that followed.

Niku stared at her almost blankly so the demon continued, "Alright, get me up there before I slap you." She crossed her arms, her face becoming impassive stone once again.

This human. Argh. This was why she wanted out.

Nikudemon wanted to sight and yell back, but he knew that wasn’t going to help one bit. He grabbed Celia by the waist thinking, wondering what couldn’t have to make her like she was. He began flapping his wings taking off into the air. The flight was slower then normal because of the add weight, but they some how made it up the cliff. The swordsman was tired from the long flight up the wall and he could see the end of the cave right in front of him. He knew if he told her he need a break she would yell at him more so he kept walking.

“We are all most at the end of the cave. I wonder if this is were she’ll be.”

“Shut up.”

“Why?”

“Just shut it already human!”

Nikudemon took the first step out of the cave to find himself in a large dome section of the cave. They had left the cave just happen to reach the end of the cave and on the other side he could see the little girl knocked out, but the phantom was nowhere to be found.

“There she is!” Nikudemon yelled out as he ran towards the little girl.

Celia walked in just a few steps behind him and watching he take off at the little girl. “Fool! That is the-!”

“Hehehe. I see the demon is the smarter one of the two.” A voice said sounding as if it was everywhere. The little girl’s body begun to rise up for the floor and the opening in the dome closed up. “You two will now die in this place.”

“Hehehe. I see the demon is the smarter one of the two. You two will now die in this place.” The words reverberated off the walls of the dome, feeling as if there was no point of origin to the words. They were everywhere at once, and their message was just as all-encompassing.

That stupid human! Celia's mind supplied fodder for her hatred. With one fleeting glance at the closed door, she turned her attention back to the floating girl. The situation wasn't something she saw a pleasant end to. This could have been avoidable.

But, at the moment, regrets and other decisions weren't the most pressing matter. The world in front of her kept changing throughout her mental seething. The girl kept rising up, her form completely limp—either unconscious, or they were too late. A throaty laughter followed the talking, along with a high pitched squeal. It wasn't the kind of squeal from any living thing, but rather that from a poorly oiled machine. It was a piercing sound, and Celia found her hands involuntarily covering her ears.

The sound didn't last long, and as it came to screeching halt, something landed where the child's body had been. It landed with a deafening boom, shattering the earth beneath it. Celia was thrown back by the impact, her body colliding into the far wall of the dome. A cloud of dust had been raised and obscured the demon's view from the 'it' that caused such a disturbance.

After a few discreet coughs, she walked a few steps forward, hand gripping her staff fiercely. As the dust cleared— settling on her clothes, hair, face—she could see the colossus being that stood before her.

It was almost as tall as the room and certainly as wide. It had a strange metallic sheen to it, its entirely body seemed to be made from random joints, tubes and gears. Yet, it very visibly had a body, two mismatched arms, one large stump of a leg, and three others of varying lengths and widths. And a large orb of a head. It was literally an orb, shining like the very best quality diamond, the only adornment being two deep indentations, carved crudely into it. One was deeper and wider, the other smaller but with an onyx inlay. The image it projected was one of disarray, but in a frightening package.

Despite the creature's size and looks, something about it seemed... insubstantial. As if it were a mirage, there one moment and disappearing the next, constantly shimmering in and out of space.

“The phantom,” Celia breathed out in understanding. They'd definitely found it.

Nikudemon fixed his eyes on the strange thing that landed in front of him. It was too odd for words as he found himself wordless. He couldn’t think of anything to say grapping the hilt of his white sword. It was big, ugly, and it held the girl captive behind it. He couldn’t forgive it for that pulling out his blade and point it to the phantom. “Release her,” he said without a second thought.

“What are you doing idiot!?” the demon girl next to him asked glaring at him. His friend smile was gone; he didn’t give off the same weakly look anymore.

“I can here to take her back. If he doesn’t give her up than their only one thing left,” he replied drawing back the sword letting his other hand rest on the hilt as well.

“You’re going to attack it?” she asked glancing back at the weird thing in their way.

“Yep.” Nikudemon dashed forward being the first one to try an attack it. Without realizing it, he was thrown into the wall of the call. He didn’t see what could have hit him. It was too fast for him as he stood up from the ground. “Careful. It fast.”

“No kidding you idiot!”

“I’m going in,” He said as he dashed forward sheathing his sword, hoping to see what and where he got hit from. Without fail he slammed into the wall again, this time with more force behind whatever had attack him. He got up once again and again dashed towards the monster trying to find away in.

Celia stood off to the side as Nikudemon got thrown back repeatedly. While a face palm and an exasperated sigh would have been more appropriated given the situation, the demon found herself smirking. “Idiot,” she muttered under her breath. Not that he would hear her anyway, he was busy charging forward again, swerving and observing, obviously looking for a weakness.

Obviously the demon girl would not take the same approach, but at least the hume would provide a long enough distraction to think strategy. As this thing was obviously not a living creature, she doubted very many of her attacks would effect it. Did these sorts of creatures even have emotions to tamper with? Either way, her own abilities were ruled out.

As she was contemplating the area around her, wondering if anything could be used, she heard a noise. All this time she had been studiously ignoring Niku, only sparing him a short glance to make sure he was still distracting the phantom; as in, not dead. Now though, her head snapped up, a sore burning stemmed from the back of her neck from the force of the turn. But the pain was easily ignored as she saw the creature rise up, hovering so that half of its form jutted into the ceiling. The noise it made as it rose was still just as mechanical and shrill. Where it had formally been stood Niku, staring wordlessly up at the phantom.

This had happened in a single second, the next following with Niku being thrown against the wall once more. This time she saw what had happened in that second, her eyes taking in every last detail. The creature's arm seemed to solidify for a second—less. And in a single movement it struck out at the air, the sheer force of it hurling Nikudemon back.

Of course, thought the demon, as she sprinted forward. She caught up with Niku before he lunged himself forward again. “Stop,” she commanded. There was no room for him to disobey in her tone. Hearing this he halted mid-step. “Here's what we're going to do.”

Now Niku wheeled around to turn toward her, his face showing his yearning to be out there fighting again—if you could call that fighting. “Don't argue either,” Celia added preemptively. “I'll charge at the monster. You. You're going to have to do this fast. Charge at his arm from the side. Wait until I'm within its reach to approach though. Then attack its arm. If you miss, so help me, I'll kill you myself.” The demon glared at him to get the message across.

After a short nod, they turned toward the monster which hung there motionlessly. One last side glance and Celia was doing exactly what she never did: charging head first into an enemy she could never face.