Kira

~

I spend a decent amount of time before my supposed mission stretching and going over the self-defense techniques I'd earned in middle school.

Whatever we'd meet on getting to where Lucifer would lead me I was determined not to take it unprepared.

By the time I'm leaving my room at 7pm Ares is still not home. I send a quick text telling him that I'd be hanging out with some new friends. His reply is simple, 'Get back before nine,' followed by a tirade of emojis.

A small smile pulls at my lips, Kat and I may not be on good terms but we both understood we were Ares' only family and because of that, I'll do everything in my power to protect them both.

To do that I had to come back alive.

On the streets, the crowds are slowly thinning out. Knowing what I do now, it's mind shattering. Thousands of people are so oblivious to the truth of it all.

Guided by Lucifer's voice, I push forward, eager to get it all over as soon as possible. I had no idea how close we were, but with each step, my heart continued to beat faster, and my mind racing with thoughts of what I would meet there.

Was I really going to do this?

Was it really too late for me to back out?

‘Quit your endless fretting, I'm starting to regret this already.’

I want to shoot back a biting comment but I remember, once again, my life was in his hand.

Soon we arrived at a cemetery, one clearly falling into disuse. The wrought iron gates creak eerily in the spring breeze and I can't help glancing around for any other visitors. All I can see are vague cloudy shapes that shimmered now and then.

'Don't look too closely, once they sense your eyes it'll cause a commotion.'

'Why?' I asked, taking care to do so in my mind.

'There's a lot you have to learn, but all you need is to focus on our little mission for now,’ his tone is devoid of the derogatory sneer I've grown familiar with in such short time. He’s serious and I can feel why as we finally arrive at our destination. 

Before us is a tomb, but instead of a stone slab the ground beneath is a gaping hole with grayish stone steps leading down. I could feel a chill run down my spine just by looking at it, a compulsion to run gnawing at me.

'To a normal human, this is a simple grave, but you can see the truth…feel it, and you can always turn back, child,' Lucifer drawls, 'There is no shame in dying with your family in what's to befall your world.'

"I don't care about shame,” I stare at the first step, panic fills my chest, memories overwhelming my sense of reason, “Back on that rooftop, what happened to me could happen to anyone, to Ares or Kat. I'm not running.”

I fight back the mental image of flames reaching for me.

Lucifer merely scoffs, 'Work on being quiet if you wish to survive following missions...granted you survive this one.'

I make blabbing motions with my hand which earn me a huff of irritation from him, slightly amused, I can't help wondering what he might look like.

"Are you going to tell me how I used that freak strength from earlier or do I just walk to my death?" My voice is a bare whisper, first steps hesitant as I can hardly see the stairs at first. All too suddenly,  the darkness fades, or more precisely the world becomes several times clearer.

“Woah…”

'Demons can grant their Summoners what we call a Demonic Ability, mine includes Enhancement; all your senses and skills are currently three percent better than they usually are.'

"Just three percent?! Are you kidding me?!" I gawk quietly.

'It takes a lot of training but your body is compatible with the Seal, with some training…’ He trails off.

For the first time, I get a feeling I should’ve gotten earlier, "You're keeping something from me?"

My question is met with silence. I groan in annoyance, it feels too late to turn back now.

At the foot of the stairs is a passage lit by small electric lamps. The light they give off is dim at best but it was better than nothing. I picked up the pace, keeping an eye out for any signs of others, but the place is so silent it's nerve-wracking.

'Are you sure we got the right address?'

‘We narrowed it down before her death but couldn't come because of the attacks,’ his voice is cold and irritated, 'Besides, I'm never wrong. Just keep wal...'

I stopped listening once I spot a door. I jog up to it and, fortunately for us, it's open. Unfortunately, it wasn't an empty room with a whiteboard that had the instructions 'How to deal with your new shitty life.'

Did I wish it was? Yes, very much.

Instead, the room is filled with people.

All of them trapped in a giant cage which stands solemnly in the stark center of the room.

Surrounding the cage were several poles to which were taped talismans. I can hardly make out the glowing symbols in this light but I doubt they'd be much help for, either way.

‘They've gotten disgustingly lax recently,’ The Demon in my head is murmuring, but I could care less. How was I supposed to save all these people? 

'Hey, Demon Prince, what do I do?'

'Actually, this is where I leave you to your own devices.'

'Wait, what?!' I felt a chilling cold envelope my whole body but just as quickly, it's gone, like I'd been naked for a split second. Fearing the worst I looked down, relieved to see that my clothes had merely been changed. A long-sleeved crop that matched a deep purple color with a pair of shorts. A part of the top's shoulder was absent, leaving the seal to glow a soft red out in the open with a dark cloak billowed out behind me.

I wasn't into cosplay but I could manage this.

'Given what I've seen of your wardrobe, I could guess this costume is more your style but there's little I can do from here,' he drawls, ‘Time for your crash course so listen closely. Magic is instinctual, now the Seal has unlocked your Magic Energy core, you can feel it. Direct it how you wish and will your body accordingly.’

‘Wait -’

‘You can summon my Demonic weapon, Pride’s staff, with it you can access my other Ability, control over the winds. Good luck, and hurry if you wish to live.’

'You can't just abandon me, you bastard!'

'Watch me.'

I didn't need an oracle to know he was gone. Not exactly gone though, more like absent. I could feel his presence within me somehow but it wasn't strong. With a frustrated growl I peer back into the room, there were at least twenty or so people at most.

Not that many, but still too much. All with listless looks like hypnosis victims on their faces. Was it a sort of spell?

While pondering my options I hear footsteps, followed by a voice.

I step away from the room and pick out that the sounds are coming down the path I had come from. I hurriedly look around for an escape, ready to give up until my sights land on a gap in the ceiling.

Praying to whatever deity was on duty for the night, I hoped Lucifer hadn't been lying about the enhancement thing. I keep my eyes fixed on the gap and jump as high as I can, spreading my arms and legs in time to hold the sides of the alcove to keep myself from falling.

I hold my breath.

About thirty seconds later, the form of a hulking man probably twice my size passes beneath me. His gruff voice speaking to no one in particular as he's alone. It's all I can guess that he has a pompous Demon in his head too.

'Beelzebub, he's a Demon using a human body, his Ability lets him control the dead,' Lucifer informs, ‘Leave it to that oaf to get sloppy.’

I don't care about your drama, give me advice!

He doesn't answer. 

‘Screw you!’

"No, boss, we haven't seen the pest since you sent the bugs after her. She's probably off-dead somewhere, guess the kid's info was actually useful this time...you can always send out someone else if my work isn't enough for you?"

'What is he talking about, Lucifer?'

Silence.

Why do I bother?

'If you're gonna be like that then fine, my head hasn't been this peaceful since this morning.' I hiss, pained by the strain to my muscles, before returning to my watch.

Beelzebub is  gone from beneath me, and judging by the sounds of a door opening, he was probably entering the room with the caged people.

"Alright meat sacks, I'll be sending you off pretty soon, just waiting for the last batch to arrive. Should be here any minute now."

As if the spell over them is broken, the room bursts into an uproar of frightened pleas.

"Let us go!" The voice is hoarse but distinctly feminine. More pitiful screams followed until a large shockwave shares the underground structure. I catch myself, stabilizing before I can fall to the ground and give myself away.

Whoa.

That terrifying energy.

I'd felt something of the sort from Hikari.

My skin crawls.

These guys were in a totally different league. In a fight, he’d probably toss me around like a yo-yo, so that option was automatically wiped from the drawing board.

Think of something else, Kira.

A draft cools the back of my neck from above. Another opening that may be close to another grave. But I had no idea how large it was or how far it went. If there was a dead end I could probably punch through that though.

But I couldn't get thirty or so people up here quick enough. 

No. They'd have to take the main passage, meaning I'd have to make sure they couldn't be chased and I'd take the small space before big, tall and Demon could think.

Sounds plausible. 

My train of thought is interrupted when I hear a loud shriek.

The captives.

"Rounding up you meat sacks was hard work, a light snack wouldn't hurt anyone," Beelzebub's cold amused voice echoes in the brittle silence.

More sob wrack screams.

My blood boils beneath my skin when I finally realize it’s the scream of a child. The urge to jump down and do something tugs at my fraying nerves but I stamp it down with a vengeance. If I showed my face now, no one there would leave, including me. My limbs tremble with strain and rage as I hold onto the walls for dear life, nails digging into concrete

Can I risk it?

‘You can't,’ Lucifer's voice is unforgivingly cold, seeping into my heart. Is he manipulating my emotions again? I can't tell.

I don't want to know. 

Cringing, I listen to Beelzebub drag his victim out of the room and further down the passageway, away from the exit. Shoving back my shame, I wait for silence before I finally let myself down, knees shaking and sweat dripping down my brow from the exertion. I remind myself that I have little time to carry out my plan and I pull out my phone to dial the cops.

"Hello please I'm in trouble, some shady men have cornered me at the cemetery…” I give the address in a terrified whisper, “I need help." 

"Miss, please can you..."

"Please...oh no they're coming. Help me." I quickly cut the call, hopefully, they wouldn't toss it off as a prank call and send some cops to receive these guys. I walk into the room, raising one hand to show I wasn't a threat and putting a finger to my lips to indicate they keep silent.

"I'm Demona, and I'm here to free you."

I could visibly see relief flooding the faces of most in the cage, they might not believe I truly have powers, but someone was here and that's all that mattered. Others looked a bit tentative but they remained quiet as I approached.

"There is a young boy that was-" a woman began to speak but I cut her off.

"There's nothing I can do about that ma'am." I put my hands on the bars and direct the Magic Energy thing Lucifer spoke about. I could feel it, a strange rush of warmth flooding my pulsing within me. I could do this.

"But we can't just abandon him."

"Listen, do you want to live or not?!" I snap my eyes up to glare at the woman. She looked haggard and worn from spending god knows how long in this cell. All the prisoners looked like her. I could sense fear all around me and their expectations keeping me from shirking back and running for my own life.

I wasn't some hero.

I was just a girl who wanted to protect her family long enough to figure things out.

Determined by my justifications and finally able to concentrate without questions being thrown my way, I wrench the bars apart, slowly creating a large hole with each second until it's wide enough for them to step out.

I usher them out in a straight line towards the door. We're almost there when the large door is thrown open to reveal a Jorōgumo, a net held in one human hand slung over her shoulder, containing at least five more victims.

The last batch. 

The spider woman stares at the escaped captives who stared back in horror before finally letting out terrified cries. The spider screeches as well.

If Beelzebub wasn't alerted before, he would be now.

Without wasting time, I dug into the packs at the belt of my costume and pull out a knife before launching myself at the monster. With my enhanced strength and a few skills of my own, I'm able to dodge her attacks and chop off the arm holding the net in one clean cut. I don't hesitate, going for the neck next, a satisfied grin splitting my face as her head tumbles to the ground.

"Grab someone and start running!" Riding a familiar adrenaline high, I yell at the captives. They obey, herding themselves outside the door. Once the last one is out I join them and point down the path they should go.

'The cops are going to have field day with this one,' I sigh, breathing slightly heavy as I watch them go. Strangely though, I can field my body recovering from the exertion. Magic. I could get used to this.

No, I have to get rid of this power.

'You've done your part, the other forces will deal with theirs.' I hear Lucifer's curt reply. 

Now he speaks.

I'd ask what he meant later but for now, I still had a job to do.

I turn around once they're finally some ways off, just in time for Beelzebub's hulking figure to emerge from the room further down, a limp figure in his grasp. He drops the body to the floor with no regard, approaching with long but leisurely strides.

Time to go.

Swiftly, I punch at the archway posts holding up the ceiling and walls on both sides causing the roof to cave in, sealing the ex-captives off from the Demon. I'm fast, faster than I've ever been in my life so this should be easy. I jump for my former hiding place, ready to run for my life while simultaneously diverting his attention.

I succeed in only one of those things as my right ankle is grabbed by one large hand. I don't get the time to react before I'm thrown into the nearest wall.

Pain blossoms from my back, rattling my bones, and I hit the ground. 

The good news, I had successfully diverted his attention. Bad news, it was probably the last thing I'd ever do.