CHAPTER 14

HATE

Anouke’s eyes blinked open. He was sitting on the floor, back leant against the chair he usually sat or slept on. He looked over to Lex. He was in a peaceful slumber. His hair and lengthened and was the same colour as when he became an Angel. Anouke breathed out with relief. “Ah, you’re back…” He said imperceptibly. “I’m glad.”

His nails had shrunk back and he was curled up in a ball like a sleeping arctic fox. Anouke thought back to the events of last night.

Higher ranks are powerful… Lex defeated her though. Was that because he was angry? I know I defeated his mother when I was a kid, but that was because of my cursed magic. I don’t know… Perhaps she was the same rank as Lex actually… If that was the case, then it’d make sense. But her hand said higher… Lex couldn’t beat Kurkoren – or Ariuk – when he was off guard and he’s a proper higher-ranked Demon. She must be the same rank as him. He struck when she didn’t expect it. Lex was the same when I had ‘captured’ him, though. He didn’t expect it which gave me the upper hand.

Now look at us. Living together without him trying to run away. And he can even genuinely smile now. Though… he didn’t ever really apologize for what he did to my brothers. But, it may not really cross his mind. It does mine all of the time, but that’s why I’m helping Lex out. So I can accept this reality.

Lex began to move in his sleep, stretching his body on the petit settee. He yawned and lazily opened his eyes, bluish-grey eyes staring into space. He slowly turned his head to the side, feeling outlandishly tired. He sat up and felt like his bones creaked, trying to get him to lie back down. He groaned, pushing up his hands. Lex looked down and saw Anouke sitting on the floor with half-closed eyes. He looked asleep rather than in deep thought.

Lex clicked his fingers. It startled Anouke and he turned to face Lex, dim – almost unseen – shadows flicked across the room, casting a blurry and vague silhouette to flash across the back wall frequently. “Huh?” Anouke said, nearly inaudible.
“You okay?” Lex asked and leant his head a bit to the side. “You looked like you were in your own little world there.” He chuckled a little.
“Oh, yeah… I’m fine. I was just relaying the events of last night.

Lex looked down and pushed himself back to lean against the arm of the couch. He lifted his hand over his stomach. He closed it into a fist and then opened it, the creases in his palm moving like an uneven current. I became… a Demon, didn’t I? He asked himself questioningly although he already knew the answer.

“I turned back into a Demon.” Lex stated and Anouke’s eyes slightly widened at the emotionless statement and the blank structure of his face. “Did I hurt you?” He asked. Anouke just shook his head slightly, golden irises flecked with black analogous to the morning sun which trickled through the susceptible window. “No, you didn’t. It was that higher-up Demon, Arya.”
“That wretched Demon must have impressed Akuma. She was in my rank and you could tell because she wasn’t alert. She was just so lost in her hatred and desire and vengeance cast by Akuma to kill you she didn’t see me coming. Yet, she was so much stronger than me because she was probably given some more blood from Akuma, making her a higher rank. What I’m guessing is that she said or did something which fascinated him; he gave her more blood so she could challenge the complete higher-ups and to try and get even more of his blood. Then I don’t think I would have defeated her.”

Anouke looked down in thought. “How do you even impress Akuma? He seems – from what you’ve told me – full of himself--”
“He is,” Lex cut him off, making sure he knew so.
“Yes, I know… But because he seems – or is – so full of himself it’s difficult to think he would want Demons powerful like him.”
“No, you’ve got it wrong. The Demons are nowhere near as tough as him. He’s only raising a strong army of Demons to do the work for him. He’ll either bribe them with more power – which they crave the most – or with fear. That’s why they listen to him. He has power over us. He doesn’t just threaten us; he acts upon those things he says.”

“I see…” Anouke said slowly, tugging his knees up to his chest and placing his arms on each knee. “I’m going to take a breather.” Lex said. Anouke could tell by his tone he wanted to be alone to think about everything. He walked to the back door, threw one glance over his shoulder to look at Anouke, and then walked out with hatred and determination penetrating his eyes.

He rounded the corner of the house to look if there were any remains of blood. Once a Demon is killed, there is never a body left behind if willed to be banished with magic, but the blood stays.

He came to a halt. This time, fear infiltrated his spectacular eyes.

He leant down skeptically. He poked the jacket, seriously hoping it was an illusion. That this was all just a trick. The inside of the jacket was on view. He took a swift but deep intake of breath. When he rolled the jacket over and looked at the back, it would either prove or mistake his guess at whose jacket this was. He quickly turned it over with closed eyes. When he opened them, it felt like his chest just got ripped open.

“Akuma knows we are here. And he might be here now.” Lex whispered to himself. Footsteps came racing towards him from behind, swift and elegant. They were quiet but not silent. They came from the direction of the cabin. Lex’s eyes widened. Anouke is that way. Was the first thing to enter his mind. He rapidly turned around and used his arms as a shield to block a force which he expected to come. He dropped his arms, heart thrumming, pounding against his hollow chest which still felt like it’d been ripped out.

“Anouke, you scared the shit out of me!” Lex hollered.
“Haha,” he laughed nervously, “Sorry…” He looked around with an anxious look invading his eyes and mind. “We need to get out of the forest. Maybe to the human town. Somebody is here with us.” Lex nodded to Anouke’s suggestion.

By ‘somebody,’ Lex already guessed who it was; perhaps Akuma with Dayle. And even Kurkoren…

They both sprinted into the shadows of the trees which stared over them, covering them as they ran as fast as they could. Their speed was equal, neither faster nor slower than the other. They interlocked hands to make sure neither of them got left behind. They turned to face each other and both smiled reassuringly.

They reached the brim of the human territory, their nerves set abuzz from the cold atmosphere. “Where do you plan to go?” Lex asked. “My father’s place is around here.”

“Oh, you went to the human town to meet… The Devil?” Anouke asked, genuinely shocked. “Were you not seen at all? Oh you know, just a Demon carrying an unconscious Demon with a tail into the Devils house.” He sounded like he was lecturing Lex to be more careful, but it may be concern. Either way, as he said, Lex was unconscious and had no control over that situation. And plus, Kurkoren is a proper higher rank.

Anouke seemed to know that and gave up with his scolding. “Well… to make sure we avoid any problems, which way is your father’s home?” Anouke asked and looked left and right.
“That way.” He said. But, it wasn’t Lex’s voice. Nor was it his skin tone or finger which pointed to the left. Lex recognized the voice right away; the pale white finger helped to ‘discover’ who this mystery person was.

Anouke’s eyes widened. There was immense power flooding from the body like when sharing body heat in a tight hug. It felt like his aura alone could strangulate somebody. Let alone what his hands could do if they were around his neck…

Anouke digested the courage to turn around. When he did, the sight was terrifying. He could easily be mistook for just an old man, but the power pouring from him and smiling, red eyes, rimmed with black, and flecked with gold were too inhumane to confuse ‘man’ with ‘Devil’. Anouke had never seen a Devil before. So this is what the mighty Devil looks like. Lex held his arm and backed away, heart thumping. He didn’t step far though.

He looked at his father’s eyes. His yellow pupils were the shape of crescent moons. It looked like a portrait of a sinking moon under a sun-streaked sky, strokes of red and splotches of gold. Every feature about him looked human but at the same time was so obviously Demonic. Devilish.

“Well, what have we here, hm?” His voice was harsh and cold. Dayle hopped down from a tree, standing by Akuma’s side. Both Anouke and Lex wondered if Kurkoren was here somewhere, hidden in the trees, scent blown away by the wind. They wondered if he wanted to be a part of this, if he was forced or if he was even here.

Lex’s tail swished savagely. “Looks like we’ve found a wild Bai Ze and an Angel! Ha, such luck.” He said mockingly. “What a prize. I have never defeated a Bai Ze before. Nobody has really.”
“Your wife did.” Anouke cut in, not even a single drop of fear hinting in his voice. Either he was really good at hiding it, or really wasn’t scared. Don’t aggravate him, Anouke! Lex pleaded silently, hoping Anouke could somehow hear his thoughts or feel his wish leak off him.

“You’re just a damned old bat.” Anouke spat, horrified of the creature which stood before him.
“Oh, really now?” Dayle stepped in as if defending his friend which very much did not need defending.
“Oi, brat.” Akuma snapped. “Did I say you could do that you good for nothing son of a--”

“Shut up for the sake of Hell itself.” Lex stepped in now, knowing Akuma couldn’t control him now since he was no longer part of The Angels Antagonism. And no longer were they father and son, despite the blood bond they shared.

Arrogance dripped off the Devil.

“Well, well. They boy has got bold now he isn’t under my command.” Akuma stated. “Have you forgotten that you’re still my son? Hmm? Bound to me by blood.”
“I’d gladly have somebody – apart from you or Dayle – drink your atrocious, disgusting blood from me.” He mentioned, not caring who heard. “I don’t give a shit if humans hear us, I’m sure you’d kill them anyway, Akuma. Fearful of those powerless. Those who are below us, driven by the fear of having somebody – or something – stronger than them. If they find out what we are, they’d pick us off one by one.” Lex explained.

It was true. The humans were feared… because the humans feared…
Put in simpler terms, the humans of this land were afraid to have something bigger, stronger and more powerful in their place. They believed they ruled the world and wanted to keep it that way. They’d kill off others to keep it like that. And they’d kill the things that they’re scared of.

“Shut up, Lex!” Akumas voice rang out like a gunshot. All of the present Demons and Angels felt their ears ringing except for the Devil.

I just did… what I hoped Anouke wouldn’t do. What is wrong with me!? This means… Shit, there’s going to be a fight between… Akuma and Dayle with Anouke and I. The highest ever ranked Demon and the most powerful species of all. The ruler of Demons and Hell itself. Akuma. Against Anouke and I.

Like all of them sensed what was going to happen next, they all pursued fighting stances. All were different. Akuma liked fighting with his fists. And whatever Akuma did, Dayle did the same. He was basically just a shadow which could feel and fight. However, Anouke and Lex had also been practicing. But with magic.

There were two unanswered questions… one of which would only be answered by death. The other soon to be found out.

Who would win? Who would strike first?

There was a shrill yell as Akuma and Lex fired blows at each other first. Akuma went straight in for the kill. Un-tactical and unlike him. Lex murmured a protection spell around him and Anouke. It was only one word, so it was weak but quick. After Akuma’s hand dropped, the spell shattered. Lex took the chance to whisper a longer and more effective one. Anouke looked over at Dayle. His old friend. His old ally. And now his enemy.

This was going to be a fight based off pure rage by all of the beings which were fighting here. Akuma and Lex – their severed bond and hatred for one another.
Anouke and Dayle – their broken bond and their hard feelings for one another. They were off on their own battles.

Anouke whispered a protection spell as he slipped behind Lex to face Dayle. It strengthened the spell already on him. After watching fights with Demons before, he had learnt a few tricks. He crouched down and slipped a leg out, kicking Dayle in the ankle. He may have been strong, but he wasn’t so smart. Dayle grunted and went to grab Anouke. He slid on the mud, using the ground to his advantage, to avoid getting seized. “Ass, I’m losing patience already.” Dayle muttered and stomped closer to Anouke.
“Well, I guess Demons have a low temper. Especially you old friend.”
“Don’t ever call me that.” Dayle ordered.

They both sprinted towards each other. Their movements and strength matched each other. It was almost like two test subjects in a lab which were given the same everything were fighting. “I heard you whisper a little spell over there. Protection was it?” Both came to a halt. Dayle put a hand on his hip. “If we’re using magic now, pet, I don’t suppose it would be fair if only you had all the fun with it.” He smiled.

“Well, I can’t really stop you can I?” Anouke said with a slight huff, shrugging his shoulders nonchalantly. Dayle laughed a single sound. And just like that, the fight was on again. Anouke wasn’t really sure if his chutzpah was a bluff or real. Anouke ran forwards, trying to get those degrading thoughts out of his mind. He didn’t care if it was real or fake, what was done was done.

He regretted running straight after. Like they were deep under sea, it felt like a fishing line had caught Anouke. Dayle had slit his face with a blade. Anouke’s face was horrified, terrified. His friend really didn’t care anymore. He’s sold his soul to the Devil, in return for great power. The blood slid down his perfect skin. It was like a tear of blood had dribbled down. There was a perfect cut across his nose, just missing his eye. His protection spell did nothing at all.

“Ah, you didn’t know I had control of such things, did you?” Dayle said and waved his arm around as if saying ‘Where are my manners?’ It infuriated Anouke. Dayle must have felt the pure rage and hatred tumbling from his body like heat radiating. He took a step back. He had an advantage. He could manipulate the blades however, Anouke bet.
“I like to call it the Blades Blood.” He pointed to the wound on Anouke’s face. “As you can see why.” He smirked sadistically.

Lex turned away for a second, his body on autopilot as he avoided Akumas jabs. He saw Anouke injured and it aggravated him. It only triggered him furthermore. He wanted to scream.