“All of what?” Curtis asked, furrowing his brow. “We don’t have anything like that to give you if you win. And where? There are too many people around, and someone could get hurt.”

Natsu cast him a soft smile. “Don’t worry about that,” he said. “No one will get hurt, I promise.”

Toji shot an arm forward, pointing at Byxx. “I want you, big guy.” His finger moved to Khaz. “You can fight Tristan.”

Khaz nodded. “Agreed.” she said. Young god or not, the boy was a far easier mark. Of course, the Augment wouldn’t be foolish enough to underestimate him. Preliminary scans detailed several leverage points that differed from his more impressive companion, each of which reminded the Augment of a familiar sparring partner from days gone by.

As a Deceiver herself, Khazmine knew better than to judge an opponent on appearances alone. There was a very real possibility that this Tristan was truly more powerful than he looked. “What are the terms?”

“Terms?” Toji said, cocking a brow. Wasn’t “winner take all” clear enough? “What d’you mean?”

“Parameters. Time limits. And to what conclusion shall we aim for? Full surrender, injury, or death?” Khazmine asked. The Augment was shockingly familiar with such spars, and wanted the particulars in advance, especially if she needed to bend the rules to win.

“To the death?” he laughed, the suggestion as ridiculous as him ever stepping foot in his brother’s house and letting the little bastard leave alive. “Haven’t heard that one in a while. Far too cliche, and I’m usually the one walking away at the end. Gets old after the first fifty or so, let me tell ya.”

Curtis paled.

“The terms are simple,” Natsu said, stepping up to his husband’s side. “If you win, you get the medicine Iris needs.”

“And if we lose?” Khaz asked.

Toji snorted. “Don’t lose.” He began to turn away, Natsu, Tristan, and Silver at his side.

“Explain,” Khazmine pressed. 

Toji sighed, dropping his head back. “Can we just get going, please? I’m fucking bored, Big Red looks like a good play toy, and my nephew needs to prove I haven’t wasted my time on him.” He twirled his finger in the air. “Let’s goooo!”

So, it’s the NEPHEW then… Khazmine tensed her nose until her plates jingled softly. Fine, if that’s what it takes, so be it…

“You still haven’t answered my question, stranger,” Byxx growled.

Toji didn’t turn around.

“What are you?” Byxx sneered.

Slowly, Toji turned his head, his right blue eye gleaming, his cat-like pupil narrowing. “We’re the ones who are offering to help your friend when no one else in this godforsaken Universal Core can.” His cold gaze slid to Iris and his jaw tensed. 

Toji…this is worse than we thought, Natsu said through their link. We can’t piss away any more time on this.

No shit…

Khazmine winced at a horrific, piercing buzzing that reminded her of something ancient, foreign, and familiar. Her eyes went wide and ears drew back as she tried to make sense of the noise. It was all so incredibly loud that it was difficult to parse, yet unmistakable at the same time. 

Natsu slowly turned, his shoulders tensing, his green eyes hard on Khaz. He couldn’t read her energy, neither of them could. But that…

You can hear us…can’t you?

Toji’s gaze snapped to her, wide and fierce. You have to be fucking kidding me right now…She can’t hear us…

She can feel the energy disruptions. Natsu glanced up at his husband. This was something they didn’t expect… It took a rare being to sense communication between soulmate links. It made Natsu nervous to think she may be able to sense a great deal more if that were the case.

What is it? Khazmine narrowed her eyes and stared expectantly at the two Devil Gods. A telltale jitter of long, pale-lilac ears finally homed in on the answer.

These two, these people… They share something personal, something binding.

Something she could leverage.

Khazmine concealed her discovery behind a piercing, predatory stare. What were the odds that this nephew was more precious than either man had let on? How far would she have to push to get what they needed?

A series of calculations ran in the Deceiver's mind as she weighed the pros and cons between two strategies. Neither one of them was a guarantee, but one offered a much higher chance of success. And she’d need Byxx’s help to do it…

Beastly, ice-blue eyes glanced over to the precious Summoner. The poor woman had finally lost consciousness in Zayne’s arms, her breathing stable, but her pulse weak. Seeing Iris struggling, Khazmine made a decision, one that Byxx would need to pay for.

Khaz and Byxx weren’t going to be at Toji’s mercy…

Toji …

“We’re the Devil Gods,” he finally responded before turning away again.

…was going to be at hers.

***

“As much as you’d like it, I’m not letting you off your leash,” Natsu said as they approached the field.

Toji frowned, sticking out his slightly fuller lower lip in a pout. “A little madness never killed anyone.”

Natsu glared up at him. Toji chuckled.

“That’s fair.”

“Tristan, keep your guard up with Khazmine,” Natsu said. “She’s far more dangerous than she appears and I don’t trust the way she looks at us.”

“Neither do I,” Tristan agreed, his brow furrowed in thought. “It’s like she’s studying us or something. It’s one thing to assess your opponent, but her?” He shook his head. “If I’m not careful, she could do real damage.”

“Just keep your senses and awareness up at all times,” Natsu said. “I don’t want either of you getting caught in some unexpected position you can’t get out of.”

“What about Big Red?” Toji asked.

“Byxx?” Natsu glanced back at the archfiend and shrugged. “I get the same impression you do. Strong, fast, intelligent. He probably likes to talk shit, too.”

Toji grinned maniacally and rubbed his hands together, Silver giggling as he walked beside his Master, his fingers laced behind his head. “This is gonna be so much fun.”

As soon as Toji was sure they were a fair enough distance away, the wide-open field before them inviting the upcoming destruction it was about to endure, he unsheathed Grim, the black bands of energy still tightly wound around the massive blade. 

He stabbed the behemoth into the ground, bringing everyone to a halt, while he continued a few more steps forward. Byxx and Zayne flinched instinctively away from the weapon, not daring to get any closer than they felt was necessary…which was not close at all. 

“That thing is…” Byxx said, shaking his head. Zayne nodded.

“Heavy,” was the only word the Paxoram could come up with. They moved further away from it, its suffocating energy swirling around it in an invisible cloud unseen by everyone other than Silver, Natsu, Toji, Tristan…

And Iris.

As soon as Grim pierced into the earth, poor Iris began trembling in Zayne’s arms. 

“Al, give me Byxx’s cape, will you?” Zayne asked as he rubbed his hands against Iris’s shivering body. “She’s cold, and I’m not sure what else to do.”

“Iris, are you okay?” Alden asked as he swaddled her with Byxx’s immense, heavy cape.

Dark, earthy-brown eyes barely opened as Iris smiled up at her boys. Curtis, Alden, and Zayne were all around her, and even if she was feeling poorly, a warming comfort descended on the Summoner. Even if she wasn’t entirely sure what was going on, at least she felt safe.

Toji clapped his hands and threw them in the air. “Alrighty then, boys and girls, let’s have some gratuitously violent fun, shall we?!” he shouted, spinning around and bringing his boots together with a loud clunk. The group stopped, fanning out on both sides.

Natsu manifested a soft chair for Iris to sit in and Alden held her frigid hands as she sat down, a bashful smile on his otherwise handsome face.

“I should have thought of that,” he said. “Sorry, love.”

Iris giggled softly, her weak attempt at a smile falling flat. “You can make up for it with a coffee date later,” she mumbled.

Alden’s eyes sparkled. “Deal.” He swallowed hard, hoping she didn’t see the rising fear in his eyes. I only hope we make it that far…

Toji pointed at Khaz and Byxx. “On the field, you two.”

The archfiend and Augment didn’t need to be told twice. They strode past Toji and Tristan without a backward glance.

Curtis, intrigued by the Sword, took a few steps toward it, hand extended. He’d only seen swords this large in RPGs and fantasy comics. The hilt was two handed, wrapped in red and black leather worn down by years of use, the blade itself thick and wide, with an edge he was certain could cut through just about anything.

He jumped as he felt a hand land on his shoulder. Curtis glanced back to see Silver shaking his head.

“Don’t touch,” he insisted.

“Why not?” Curtis asked. 

“Because it will destroy you,” Natsu replied without looking his way.

Curtis backed up, hands fidgeting. “Oh, well… Better not, then.” He liked Byxx’s sword better, anyway, he decided. It didn’t feel so wrong to be around.

The Summons took measured, careful paces to their starting points on the field, using this last opportunity to communicate their plans in Plainspeak, so as not to be overheard.

“<I remember you saying that you were responsible for the victory at Carmine. Is that true?>” Khazmine asked in Plainspeak as her boots crunched dead grass underfoot.

Not entirely sure why the Augment was interested, Byxx replied. “<Uh-huh. Took out the entire Outsider scouting party, and their frontline infantry, why?>”

“<Variation on a theme,>” Khazmine smirked. “<Keep the big one busy. Give him what he wants. Do what you have to, understand?>”

“<Won’t that put Iris in danger?>” Byxx countered.

Khazmine narrowed her eyes as she checked her seams and diverted power from non-essential systems. “<I doubt very much that our opponent would let his mate die. Although, I imagine Natsu is perfectly capable of defending himself and Iris.>”

That would have to be good enough for the two of them. Khazmine assumed a Solanai warrior’s defensive stance and Byxx drew Damocleaver from its sheath, the sword heavy in his hands.

Let’s do this… For Iris…

As they walked out to their positions on the field, Toji said to Tristan, “No flying.” 

Tristan glanced at him. “No cheating.”

Toji’s jaw dropped, an expression of horrified disbelief on his face, his fingers to his chest. “I’m offended. I would never!”

Tristan shook his head, allowing a small amused grin. “Whatever. You’ll do what you want, anyway, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.” He glanced over at his opponent before turning his ruby red eyes on Byxx. “I really don’t trust them.”

“Me neither,” Toji agreed.

Tristan glanced at him sidelong. “You don’t trust anyone.”

“Irrelevant.”

When the four participants were roughly fifty yards apart, they stopped and turned to face one another, each of them assessing their opponents while Natsu called out the final rules of the game.

“This is a mock battle,” he said, his soft voice reverberating easily around the wide-open space. “No dismemberment…Toji.”

“Dammit!” He crossed his arms over his chest, pouting like a petulant child. “So not fair.”

Byxx squinted.

“No mortal injuries, and don’t go outside the boundary lines that are being drawn for you.” He sent a gentle wave through to Toji, kissing his soul and making his husband giggle inwardly before he relaxed. 

Tristan watched as a wide circle of light made its way around the field encompassing a space wide enough for them to fight comfortably, but not so wide any debris they kicked up would impact the Faire still going on in the distance behind them. When the circle was complete, the light faded. 

“No magic, no energy manipulation,” Natsu continued. “Physical weapons and hand-to-hand only. The battle will last for five minutes. A second longer, and I’ll intervene.”

Toji shuddered with desire, the tip of his tongue pressed to his fang, his eyes taking on a hungry look. “Please do,” he said.

Tristan grimaced. “Could you not?”

Khazmine and Byxx shared a look across the field. Byxx rolled his shoulder where the Augment had burned him so long ago and gave a knowing smirk. No energy manipulation, huh? They must not know about her then…

“Five minutes,” Khazmine said, switching back to English, a smirk growing on her pale-lilac face. “That will be more than enough time.” Sliding her gaze to Byxx, she gave him a series of Mainland gestures, each one more disturbing than the last.

He pulled his ears back, grimacing. I don’t like this, Khaz… He turned his gaze from her, nodding once in acknowledgment. He’s just a kid...

Tristan took several deep breaths, focusing on his core, ensuring its spin was calm and even. He couldn’t afford to lose control out here, especially around mortals. The last thing he wanted on his conscience was an unintentional death because he couldn’t maintain proper focus.

“Tan.”

“Hm?”

“The woman,” he nodded at Khazmine. “That smell from earlier, it came from her.”

Tristan’s brow knitted as he focused on his opponent. “How?” he asked, running his eyes over her. “She’s an elf…isn’t she? I mean, she’s not a normal elf, but…”

“Figure it out.”

Jackass. Tristan hated when Toji said that but understood why he did. Tristan had to learn things on his own just as much as he did from others. He wouldn’t survive as a Guard otherwise. He opened up his senses further, focusing a little more on the Augment, trying to see what he had been missing. 

He flinched.

There it was. 

Holy shit…

From across the field, Khazmine grinned broadly. You can see now, can’t you, little one? Good. Let’s see how long it lasts…

He glanced at Toji who nodded once.

Tristan turned back to his partner. No heartbeat…More like…windchimes? He shook his head, puzzled. Just what are you, lady?

Khazmine’s ice-blue eyes bore into Tristan, taking in one final assessment, calculating each move and attack she would need to make in order to effectively execute her plan. Range of motion, breathing patterns, the hint of anxiety in his voice… Everything was up for grabs. Tristan swallowed hard, pinned under that predatory stare.

“Careful,” Toji said softly.

“Yes, Master.”

They each opened their right hands, swords manifesting at their sides. Byxx glared at them, anger washing over him.

“He said physical weapons!” he pointed, his tone accusatory, his blood roiling. He stood taller, the very image of his former self, an archfiend of legend, one who refused to accept a soldier who played dirty. His palm tightened around the hilt of Damocleaver; his teeth bared.

Toji glanced down at his sword impassively before looking back at Byxx. “It is physical,” he said, as though it were no big deal.

Byxx’s lip curled back in a snarl. “Why, you lousy, two-faced—”

“<It’s fine,>” Khazmine interjected quickly, calming him with a look. “<Allow this, champion. For her.>” She motioned to Iris, sitting on the sidelines, surrounded by their friends, and falling into and out of consciousness.