IT WOULD BE WISE TO STAY CALM.

But Selena has so much to lose if she made the wrong choice. She could not believe that after so many years she would be facing a death dealer again. And this time it was not because she summoned one.

“The moment you entered the room earlier I scanned your memories and have it recorded here in this monocle. Mostly, we used this for our work but this is a special case. I must know what transpired in order to understand the state of my fellow death dealer,” Kyros said as he continued the negotiation. “It was why I also figured out you were trying to find someone.”

“Do you know who I was looking for?” asked Selena.

“I have a suspicion. Would you like to use this monocle to see what happened while you were unconscious?”

“No—”

“Mom,” Johann called while running towards his mother. “What’s going on? Who are you looking for?”

“It’s nothing—”

“Is it Dad?”

Selene could not admit it but Johann can interpret from her silence and expression that he was right.

“Then let’s accept the deal.”

“No! Why would you do that?”

“Because I also want to be with him again. Don’t you?”

“I… But…”

“What are your terms?” Johann asked Kyros.

“For using this monocle? To give me your full trust. And, in exchange for Cassian's freedom, I offer you protection. Was that fair enough?”

“This deal is only for three days?”

“Yes. No more, no less.”

“Will that thing help us find who we are looking for?”

“That depends if the recorded occurrence offers clues to where he is.”

“Then it’s still a gamble. There’s no assurance we’ll find him again. Why not help us find him again while you protect me for three days?”

“And if I don’t find him within three days?”

“Then you’ll still get Cassian back.”

“Hmm… you’re smarter than you look. Fine. I accepted that offer. How about we seal the deal?”

“Wait! Johann, wait! This might be dangerous,” Selene said while holding on to her son.

“Mom. At this point, every decision I make could be dangerous. But I wanted to risk my life for this because I wanted us to see Dad again. At least, that’s what I wanted. How about you? Could you wait around and hope for another opportunity like this?”

“But this might be a trick!” Selene yelled as if to awaken her son.

“We are the ones who tricked them first,” Johann said while looking at Kyros who seemed surprised with Johann’s admittance. “Besides, we’ve searched for him and waited for a decade. But we heard nothing from him. I wanted him back.”

Selene could not believe how determined her son was. Her hands slowly let go of him and watched as he walked towards the death dealer who extended his hand for a handshake.

“Within three days, I, Kyros Price, vowed to do whatever I can to protect Johann Donovan. I would prevent any harm that might come our way as we search for his stepfather. This deal was made in order to undo a spell and free the death dealer named Cassian De Silva within his human body. May we be freed from this contract once it is done.”

Johann accepted Kyros’ hand for a brief handshake.

“Are you not going to confirm?”

“I… Johann Donovan… accepted the deal and its terms.”

A light appeared in their joined hands and a seal appeared from both of their palms.

“Well, then. Let’s get to work,” Kyros said as soon as the deal was made.

IT WAS DARK IN THE HOSPITAL ROOM.

But it was not due to the lack of lights, as the nurses let the patients sleep in their beds, which made the area gloomy. There was something in its ambiance that felt heavy with dread. While Selene was unconscious due to an accident, she could not sense the presence that was coming at her. They were like starving animals ready to take on its prey. She was helpless at that point.

Dark shadows emerge from the tiled floor of her room. They were small at first until their eyes appeared as they ascended from the ground. They all stare at their target. These demons were not aware that someone was already staring from behind them. As soon as the three of them leap from the floor, bandaged hands grab and squash them like an overripe fruit. No blood or flesh fell from his hand because demons once killed disintegrated like ashes.

A human sized demon was appearing from the hospital wall near him. But before it fully emerges the man hits its head using his fist. Using his other hand he also hit the other demon appearing from the other side. A faster one runs past him, it looks like a wolf merge with a lion. But the man appeared in front of it as it leaped towards Selene. He punched its face assuring its death while in mid-air. Three more small ones were emerging near the hospital bed. Using his feet, he swipes the demons then jumps fast to kick from the side as a bat-like demon appeared like a huge black tear from the ceiling. 

As he stood from the other side of the bed he can see that demons keep coming into him. They now see him as their target for he was preventing them from eating their prey. He let the demons emerge from the wall and the ceiling and let them come closer before he unleashed a black wave that wiped them all. It was like a strong vibration that travels faster than any sound. But the nurses and the other patients near the room have no clue what has been going on in that room.

It was now peaceful. The demons outside were attracted to something else. Something that was at the top of the hospital building. The man looked at the sleeping woman. He wore a cloak that prevented anyone from seeing his face. But even if someone removed the hood from his head, no one would be able to identify him. He wore more bandages now than before. Soon his entire flesh would no longer look normal. He will become somewhat like the undead. The man was about to touch her. But he soon changed his mind and left the building while knowing he no longer belonged there.

“Mom? Was that really Dad?” Johann asked as he removed the monocle from his left eye.

“I’m afraid so,” Selena responded as she sat on her son’s bed.

Luz was trying to cover up the damaged wall using a huge tarpaulin. Armed with a wall stapler in hand, she can sense the stress between the mother and son. Not to mention their sudden visitor who seemed to be the root of all their tension.

“Where can we find him?” Johann asked the mysterious man as he handed back the monocle he just used.

She saw him only after she heard an explosion of sorts.

“You’re aware that in case we do find him, he might not be in a very good state,” the man said to Johann.

“Yes, we are aware. That’s why we must find him before his curse can never be reversed.”

“Well, then. Let me take care of it. I’ll ask my colleague to babysit you while I do some investigations.”

“You’re asking someone else to protect me?” Johann asked as if surprised. “Was that part of our deal?”

“I assured you of your safety. I did not vow to be with you for eternity,” the man said as he called someone from his phone. When someone from the other line answered his call the man ignored Johann and made his negotiations as if he owned the room.

“Finally. You picked your phone from the first ring. I have a commission for you. Yes. This is a thrilling job. So don’t worry, it will not bore you. It involves Cassian. Yes. I’m fully aware now where he is. In fact, I’m here with him. Be here within twenty minutes. Don’t make me wait.”

When the man ended the call he stared back at Johann.

“Who was that?” Johann asked.

“He’s the only one I can think of who is most suitable to be with you 24/7. So please… be nice. And stay out of trouble.”