A Deal With A Demon

GRILLZ Bar.

Chatter... chatter...

"Ugh, so the kid's a Zero?" Ken asked, seated opposite Van with a table between them. His eyes were glassy, face drained and pale.

The two men's cheeks were flushed red from drink.

"Yeah," Van replied, shakily raising a thumbs-up.

"What kind of luck do you have?" Ken said, voice rising slightly as he pointed a finger at Van. "First Hina, now Code? That makes two of them."

"Heh, can't blame me," Van shrugged.

"Arrgh," Ken sighed, reaching into his suit. He pulled out a cigarette pack and lit one. "I just hope you have a plan, because if W.A.S or old man Zoldrak finds out—" He paused as Van raised a finger.

"Man, take it easy," Van said. "I won't let him find out." His gaze suddenly hardened. "The kid... he's gone through so much. Being a Zero is like a blessing. He finally has a reason to fight, and I want to protect that no matter what."

"Hmm? It's rare to see you sober," Ken said, raising a brow in doubt.

"That's to show you I'm pretty serious about it," Van replied, shaking his head against the dizziness.

"Good grief," Ken sighed. "But what about the demon possessing him? Know who it is?"

"Nah, don't know," Van replied lazily.

"Jeez." Ken facepalmed and shook his head. "Just hoping it isn't a special disorder like the one inside Hina." His tone darkened. "That would be very bad."

While Van and Ken discussed, the battle in Marrowfen was ongoing.

BOOOOMM!!

The building erupted in flames as demonic screams rang out. Blood splattered into the air, drenching the floor in crimson.

"Arrgh, arrgh," Finn breathed hard, eyes darting around in terror while he shivered.

Then suddenly—

CRUNCH!

A sound came from beside him.

"Huh?" His eyes rolled toward it and locked onto the massive half-burnt skull on the ground.

"Eeek!!" He screamed and jumped, heart nearly bursting from his chest, before realizing it was harmless.

"Jeez," he exhaled.

"Hahaha!!" Laughter boomed, followed by-

Crackle... FWOOOSH!!

Flames erupted as Ryūma's fist connected with a demon's torso, puncturing it, as its intestines gushed out.

Blood and gore covered his face and clothes, yet the grin never left his face.

He spun, locking onto another horde snarling and charging down the narrow hallway.

"Perfect," he whispered. "I need all of you in one line!"

"Fire Sorcery..." he muttered, pointing a finger toward the demons. Glowing fireballs materialized around him.

"Fireball-" he began, but Hina cut in mid-sentence.

"Oi, don't steal all the kills," she said with a wide grin, leaping over Ryūma and landing in front of him.

"Sword Sorcery: Sky Render!" She boomed, blitzing forward at blinding speed. She reached the demons, cleaving their heads off in a single slash.

"Huh?!" Ryūma exclaimed, jaw clenching as he realized Hina was taking his kills.

Then-

SWOOSH!

A gust of air blew past as Code dashed by.

"Eh? Code? You too?" Ryūma shouted, but Code had already reached the demons.

"Yeah, me too," he replied, skidding to a halt. 'So far, from the demons I've defeated, I think I've gotten the hang of their powers,' he thought, glancing at the approaching horde.

'Each demon has a particular part of their body enhanced. Since I've defeated some, I can enhance my physical abilities too!'

"Suuu..." He inhaled deeply, air curling around his nostrils.

CRACK!!

The floor beneath him cratered from his stance.

"Muscle Enhancement!" he roared, throwing a punch at a demon's ribs.

"Pulverize!!"

The blow connected.

Time slowed.

Pchhhk!

The demon's body gradually caved inward, bones crushing, flesh tearing, blood compressing before-

BLAAAMM!!

Its body vanished in a blur.

But the attack was not finished.

A destructive burst of air shot forward, slamming the next demons into the wall with catastrophic force.

"Woah," Code exhaled, eyes wide as he stared at the destruction.

Drip. Drip.

Blood rained from the ceiling onto the devastated floor.

"Arrgh, what a fight," Hina said, stepping out of the heap of flesh. Her body and sword were drenched in gore.

"You mean bath," Code replied mockingly.

"Aww, you guys killed everything?!" Ryūma yelled, eyes widening. "You didn't even leave any for me!"

"Aww, sorry. I couldn't help it once I got in the mood," Hina replied, walking away.

"Same here, man!" Code said, flashing a grin.

"Tsk," Ryūma clicked his tongue. "Then I'm fighting the next demon we encounter."

"There's a next demon?" Code asked.

"Yeah, didn't Finn mention a mid-class?" Ryūma replied.

"Oh, now that you mention it, he did," Code said. "Then where's-" he started, but paused as a bloodcurdling scream tore through the air.

"Ahhhhh!!"

"Huh?" Ryūma exclaimed, eyes going wide.

"What's that?!" Code asked.

"That voice," Hina replied. "It's Finn's." She dashed away.

"Finn?" Code and Ryūma repeated, racing after her.

"Hehehe, I knew this plan would totally work," a metallic voice chuckled.

"Hmph! Hmph!" Finn groaned, struggling to free himself from the demon's grip.

The demon's body was anything but normal. Three eyes were scattered across its face above a wide grin that stretched from ear to ear. Its arms and forehead were cannon barrels, and its legs were sharp twin blades glistening in the dark.

"Oi, there's no use struggling. I'll use you as a hostage against those three," it said amid chuckles.

Then Hina burst in.

"Oi, let him go!" she said, pointing her sword at the demon.

"Huh?" The demon turned and locked onto the blood-drenched trio.

"Eew, you guys stink," it remarked, covering its nose.

"Eh?!" Ryūma blurted in shock.

"Bastard," Code rasped.

"Hahahaha!" The demon laughed, its voice echoing. "I didn't think just three people could tear down my entire army-" It paused mid-sentence, realizing no one was listening to it.

"He doesn't look so strong to me," Ryūma whispered to Hina and Code.

"You think so?" Hina replied, grabbing her chin thoughtfully.

"You idiots! How dare you ignore me!!" The demon rasped, veins bulging.

"What's important is saving Finn," Hina continued. "After that, we can beat it to a pulp." She cracked her knuckles in anticipation.

"Yeah," Code and Ryūma nodded.

'What are they talking about?' the demon thought, a chill racing down its spine. 'I don't like the looks on their faces,' it swallowed hard.

"Oi!" Hina snapped, drawing its gaze.

"Hand over Finn if you don't wanna die," she said, her tone commanding and gaze ice-cold.

"Hmph! Hmph!" Finn struggled.

"I can't believe a demon this weak managed to take a hostage," Ryūma scoffed, voice dripping with disgust and mockery.

"You son of a bitch!" the demon snapped. "How dare you call me weak!"

"Anyway, I don't care what you think," it continued. "I have the upper hand."

"Let us make a deal!" it announced, lips curling into an ominous grin.

"Huh? A deal?" Code repeated.

"That's right," the demon nodded. "The deal is very simple. I'll spare the lives of you three, as long as you'll quietly leave me and this kid."

"Huh?" The three blurted.

"Hmmf! Hmf!" Finn struggled, eyes widening as he threw his legs about.

'Hehehe,' the demon chuckled inwardly. 'There's no way they'd want to lose this offer. I mean, after fighting against those low-classes, they're already famished. Meaning I've the upper hand in strength against all three of them,' it grinned.

'Now, let's see what your decision is. Because either way, I'm winning!'

"Hmm," Hina hummed, holding her chin in thought. Then, she turned back to the demon after a few seconds.

Her lips parted, and she spoke:

"No."