Envy

The next day...

Angelia stood in front of another shop, Aisellia, and Miyaura closely behind her. Looking over her shoulder at the girls, she smiled before speaking.

"Alright, ladies just follow my lead."

Opening the door, the three entered the shop. Inspecting their new surroundings the girls could notice that this place was spacious. Decorated with a pool table sitting near a wall, a bar in the corner being near the back wall, and a desk stationed next to a staircase leading to a second floor. Behind the desk sitting in a chair was a young-looking girl looking up to see Angelia and the two women standing behind her.

"Yo Remi!"

The slightly older woman called out, getting the attention of the young girl behind the desk. Seeing Angelia made the girl quickly smile, her face lighting up with joy. The young girl Remi had very long silver hair similar to Aisellia's. Upon closer inspection of the reaction to the girl seeing Angelia, the cat ears on top of Remi's head perked up along with her head. Aisellia and Miyaura instantly became entranced by the young woman, both attempting to hold in their squeals of admiration for how cute she was.

Aisellia & Miyaura: (She's adorable!)

"Miss Angelia! I've got all of the things you asked in order right here!"

Just then everyone present could hear a door open upstairs gaining everyone but Remi's attention. From one of the rooms upstairs, Karna could be seen exiting its space. A hand rose to his mouth as he let out a yawn and stretched his free arm. Finishing, he placed a hand on the rail at his side leading to the steps.

"I heard Angelia...Don't shoot me...I've been awake I swear."

"Oh? Are they you're guests he said he's going to work for? There's two-"

The three women stopped side by side in front of the desk. Remi opened one of the large books she had sprawled across her desk, looking up, her eyes immediately widening in shock and awe staring at Aisellia and Miyaua's chests aggressively.

"Monster boobs!" Remi unintentionally blurted out, leading Karna to instinctively throw himself towards the railing to look down below.

"Hm?! Hello guests! I'm the owner of this-"

Karna's body weight was thrown onto the railing stemming from his enthusiasm, the sudden force caused it to break, sending him plummeting down to the ground floor. All of the women watched as he fell onto the hard wooden desk. However, it was sturdy enough not to break or even fall from his fall. Seeing Karna lying in front of them he had a confident grin on his face. Angelia, moved to the side of the desk as soon as he came crashing down. Staggering to his feet, his eyes met with Aisellia, simply urging her to look away, looking slightly irritated but allowing him to peek at her with his lustful eyes and devilish grin anyway.

" Hello Legendary, heh."

"W-wha? That legendary stuff again? Please stop referring to my breasts as leg- ugh, I hate the fact you're right! Hmph!"

Aisellia said before Karna's eyes shifted and scanned over Miyaura who watched him curiously for a second. Soon realizing what he was doing caused a bright smile to appear on her face as she perked up happily causing her chest to bounce. With stars in his eyes enjoying his sight with a goofy grin he continued.

"Heya, my great oceans. Heh-heh."

Instantly a dense book was swung by Remi, slamming into Karna's head knocking him to the side and off the desk itself. Remi did not let up quickly, tossing a few more objects in her immediate reach as well.

"Stop harassing potential clients!  Do you remember the last time?! Big ones don't mean the world anyways bastard!"

"Hm? Well, they do to me, which is good enough for me! Haha! Don't judge what I find wonderful in people Remi, it's not a good look, heh. But Seriously, I hope you two were able to rest well. I thought Angelia might have had you hire some passersby instead. Ha!"

He quickly responded before getting his head knocked into the ground by a headshot from a wooden chair Remi had mercilessly proceeded to beat him over the head with. Soon finished with accepting Remi's beating, he lay on the ground and began to speak to the girls from there.

"I'm actually glad to see you two again. I thought Angelia might have had you run off without me. Ha!"

"Hit'em if ya want ladies, he knows he deserves it."

Angelia announced to Aisellia and Miyaura.  A statement that brought about an immediate question from Aisellia. The sudden flick of a lighter could be heard. Angelia raised her lighter to the cylindrical stick hanging from between her lips. 

"So why does he do it?"

Gently raising the flame to the green substance rolled to form its brown leafy containment. Taking a deep inhale, the lit end burned bright. Remi having noticed Angelia, reached into her shirt and raised a face mask over her mouth and nose before returning to intently listening to the man speaking just like the others.

"It's simple really."

Karna began answering on his own. He took the time to rise to his feet and begin casually strolling further away from the group of women. Randomly touched a couple of old paintings along the walls of his home and business.

"In my life...I've learned a few things I like to bring into practice. When I can anyway."

With a flicker of the cylinder between her fingers, Angelia casually sent her smoking object airborne, twirling into the air. Catching everyone but Karna's attention, the women looked up and curiously watched it descend casually between Karna's fingers. As if passing it to one another was natural between those two. Or simply their skill Aisellia considered.

"I just rather express myself fully while we're all still here and kicking. With demons, hell, even humans...Heh. I rather just say it, if you're going to hate me go ahead. If not...well"

"He doesn't know you exist unless you are something he can drool over or fight."

Remi interrupted. Karna, having been judged lost his enthusiasm and simply let out a deep sigh. Releasing a massive cloud of smoke from between his slightly parted lips. Begrudgingly tilting his head back and looking at her with his tired expression. 

"Remi...you're doing it again..." he said, taking in another inhale of the smoke before skillfully tossing it back to Angelia.

"No, YOU'RE doing IT again!"

"I can't believe we have to go over this again. Look, before even getting to all the lust stuff-"

"I don't want to hear it, mister! There are plenty of cute girls around! If your eyes could see that having big boobs, or deep curves doesn't automatically make a girl hot or not whether she has them!"

Karna only had one immediate reaction. Deeply inhaling in a highly drawn-out dramatic fashion. Placing his fingertips to his chest as the long draw of air filled his lungs, his face displayed a jokingly deep sense of disbelief. Slight chuckles began to escape Angelia. Aisellia looks over to see the woman barely holding it together at the man's obvious portrayal of him being offended by Remi's statement.

"I can't believe you would even think that way of me!'

Now a chuckle from the other side belonging to Miyaura confirmed for Aisellia that they were all aware of it. He was simply entertaining them, which from the faint smile Karna couldn't completely hold away from his performance, was something he enjoyed doing...for those who accepted him. Angelia couldn't hold her laughter anymore, her gradual break in her hold only made Miyaura's own held laughter breakthrough.

"It's not the size or the curves that make the woman attractive to me Remi. It's who the size and curves are own that makes them so appealing for me."

Later That Night...

Remi stood behind her desk, and Aisellia and Miyaura were seated in chairs on the desks on opposite sides. Remi had a finger placed on a page of one of the large books. Angelia would be behind the small bar in the corner making herself a drink with Karna sitting on a stool in front of it looking rather annoyed and by the bruises on his head...disappointed.

Remi Martel: "Given the run down Miss Angelia gave me, I'd say you dealt with a greater demon. But it sounds like he had just awakened so In a way, you could say he acted prematurely before he could fully adjust to the possession."

Aisellia Rae: "So from what you've explained to us, there are different categories of demons based on their power. Lesser, the most common, instinctually base demons that are simply violent by nature. Greater demons, significantly greater in power and abilities. They are also capable of having a bare minimum of intelligence that allows them to communicate with other demons. Lesser demons often follow the will of the strong, so according to that sometimes that level of conscious thought allows them to gather minions to do their bidding or group up. Above them are Superior Demons, beings of unimaginable power and intelligence for a demon. The gap in strength from lesser to greater is large but the gap to Superior dwarfs that exponentially several times over."

Miyaura: "A demon's overall power is their scaling of class but some demon's instincts are born from a sin they belong to by their nature. Wrath, Greed, Envy, Sloth, Gluttony, Pride, and Lust can influence their natural mentality and habits. Some demons grow more powerful by eating human flesh and blood but once they become a greater demon, the natural satisfaction of indulging their sin becomes another potent method to become stronger too."

Aisellia Rae: "Leading them to become more creative with their intelligence and learning to manipulate people to their satisfaction. Wrath can drive certain demons berserk making them very aggressive and terrifying forces, seeking prey to take out its unquenchable wrath onto its poor victims. Greed drives demons to enjoy taking and hoarding things or people of their interest, they tend to always seek the next thing to take for themselves, even though a basic demon lacks intelligence, doesn't mean they can't be clever when preying on people."

Remi Martel: "Each one has certain habits and stuff. If you can understand its nature, you might stand a better chance of anticipating what it might do. Or in some cases...where it may be hiding. As a favor to Miss Angelia, I'll let you borrow this for self-study until you depart."

Aisellia Rae: "Um. I have one more question I was hoping you might be able to explain to me. Have you ever heard of a cursed mark disappearing before?"

Remi Martel: "Oh that! That's another thing. Miss Angelia asked me to look up different known curses and unfortunately, there's no curse in this book that I've heard of that just disappears."

Remi explained to everyone present. Looking down flipping through the pages of her large book, stopping on a page quickly.

Miyaura: "So a curse is a type of link between victim and demon?"

Remi Martel: "Correct. Your common curse is a physical curse that affects the body over time. In truth, the curse only damages the body because of the link between them and their dominating demon. The physical curse ailments remain dormant after being supplied demonic energy, a form to control a human for the remainder of their life. If a demon is at least a superior class it's not just ownership of a person's body but they are kept alive like food sources to feed off of at convenience. Each demon has different ways to feed on this energy, this sin. This means the only way that a curse mark would disappear is if their body was revitalized by the demon. Once you're linked, the demon's sinful energy acts sort of like a drug-like sustenance the body requires in order to subdue the painfully negative withdrawal effects of the curse. Going extensively without it causes the symptoms you've heard of that leads to insanity and from there...many various unfortunate ways of death."

Miyaura: "A more powerful demon as a master?"

Miyaura questioned, she began thinking to herself. Repeating the words to herself, her eyes shifted over towards Karna who sat at the bar talking with Angelia in their separate conversation. Aisellia noticed Miyaura's gaze at Karna. A thought suddenly entered her mind.

Aisellia Rae: "We've seen Karna regenerate and show power no human could have, but it makes no sense that he's a demon being...well him. Rather than killing us, he helped us."

At that second Angelia stepped up to the side of the desk, surprising the women and quickly gaining their attention.

Angelia: "He's still human, half anyways. Beyond that is a mystery to me, Remi, and even himself without his memories. No one cursed can become as strong as him. So it only made sense he's probably a Deimos."

Aisellia Rae: "Deimos?"

Remi Martel: "Hm? Yes, half-human, half-demon. You've never seen a demi-human before? Hmm...well, you do dress like someone with money. and well protected.."

Aisellia noticed her words slipping out of her mouth with Remi's response. Angelia noticed how the noblewoman was caught off guard and quickly chimed in.

Angelia: "You can't be rude Remi. With how more and more demons are showing up around the world it's not that strange if people aren't ever able to leave their hometown to see some things, especially a city fortunate enough to have reliable protection, right girls?"

She said, smiling at Aisellia and Miyaura, leading them to return with smiles of their own and nod their head in agreement.

Aisellia & Miyaura: "Mhm. Thanks!"

Miyaura: "I don't know much about currently, but has the lifestyle of Demi-Humans become any better over the last few years or so?"

Remi Martel: "Unfortunately not...it's gotten worse than them being treated just as third-class beings. These days nobles basically being the political powers of the world's greatest kingdoms and regions. Many are still sold into slavery disguised as civil service, abused, enduring the constant prejudice from humans, and being prey to mindless demons all the same as humans. The nobles all work under or work for someone in the big cities in one way or another. Their children are even more likely to grow older to work for the same person they'll never meet face to face but I assume it doesn't matter for them as long as their money continues coming in. Most Deimos take the option of becoming a servant even if the conditions are terrible. At least the chance is less they'll starve and won't be sleeping in the wild in exchange for serving any way the nobles so desire."

Angelia: "Demi-Humans, more commonly called Deimos these days. When cursed humans are oversaturated with more demonic energy than their bodies can handle leads the dominator to supply their servant regularly like medication, or else the demonic energy begins to reject the body. If their bodies are rejecting too much, then they lose their mind and body to Insanity. Physically altering their bodies, the DNA is Mutated and altered and the result is a demon. Demons are rarely genetically compatible to reproduce sexually, much less with...humans. There are few less violent demon types out there. But it's either that or somehow a human decided to willingly become emotionally intimate with a demon resulting in giving birth or it's...the unfortunately far more common scenario. Those born from the act are called Deimos. Part of the reason such prejudice against them exists. The ones who violate humans until death. Bodies are scarred along with their heart and soul... Sadly a lot of Deimos are parent-less from the mothers often taking their own lives for giving birth to what they consider an abomination. Some of the deepest scars aren't those of the flesh. In the wrong areas of our continent, that prejudice only sparks hate. Families became known to beat and kill those human parents who only wanted to actually be a parent to their children. Not caring what species they were. Whether the child was born in unity or from innocence and inner will stolen."

Remi Martel: "Noble rulers pretty much enforce the slave agenda with ownership laws and the public degradation of Deimos. Nobles know nobles and they all connect to run the world. In a sense, they are the governing empire. But the continent alone is far too massive for even them to fully bring under control with their money and civilizations all from the safety of their homes. So people outside of their ruling cities and surrounding regions created a way for the free people to function on their own. There came The Guild Union. Some people of influence made the guild to provide work and establishment for the people outside of the rich. Over time people created different guilds. Bounty hunting, The Merchant's Guild, and others all joined under the first Master guild and became officially recognized by the nobles as its own authority outside of their own, in exchange for arranging tasks and money to provide a constant stream of work for common folk and nobles alike. to arrange and resource jobs from guild members."

Aisellia Rae: "So Deimos are still treated unfairly but I'm assuming they join guilds as well? Seems like it's at least the best chance for a decent living."

Angelia: "Unfortunately...not as much as one may think. There are a lot of people who aren't generally acceptable in most guilds. More often they're hired for small tasks but are still able to work freely as independent mercenaries to earn at least something. People tend to think it isn't hard enough for them, It's less common than someone would think that Deimos are physically gifted. Their bodies normally work just the same and are as vulnerable as any human. More likely Deimo's life spans are greater than your average humans though."

"Uh, I have a question please!"  Miyaura interjected, innocently raising her hand as she spoke to gain everyone's attention.

Miyaura: "I can't help but be curious but since you two know a lot about demons and have known him for a while, what class of power is Karna?"

Remi Martel: "I think Miss Angelia would know better than me. I've seen his power once when we met...when he saved me. It was something right out of a nightmare but...he was purposely saving me. Oddly I had felt as safe as I did. Anyway, it's only been a little over a year since he awoke and he hasn't shown the same power since. At least in front of me anyway. He travels for jobs while I stay here in town with Miss Angelia."

Angelia: "I guess it has been a little shy of over a decade since WE first met. We've gone through a lot together in our time. I guess it's a good time to tell you Remi as well. That nightmare you speak of couldn't calculate to a portion of power he used to have. Back then he was more of a headache but I've seen quite a few demons in my day and I'd say he at least categorized as a Superior class demon. Or he used to I should say."

Miyaura: "What do you mean used to?"

Angelia: "He's still very skilled with his training alone. The short story is he could kill a lesser demon while daydreaming as a boy but he gradually became weaker at a certain point while he was on his own. Whatever happened before he was put in some stasis over a year ago, took a chunk of his memory with it. Beyond who he is and his memories of how to fight, only faint memories of one of our former allies and I remain. Although he only regained memories of me, which returned naturally from...um...being around me often enough. With the extent his power can go, he would need to sin quite severely to be able to get back to how he was. Powerful demons naturally have an energy capacity and it's that energy they use to fuel their supernatural abilities such as regeneration, speed, strength, etcetera. As of now, he has little demonic energy to manipulate, making drawing out his abilities far more difficult, and with a cost each time he forces it out of his subconscious to overcome a serious threat. His demon consciousness grows stronger than his human side's consciousness during these moments. If he goes too far he could lose himself to his instincts, losing his mind in the process, becoming a living nightmare that will destroy anyone or anything. Although now, from my evaluation all he can do with that energy is regenerate. But trust me when I say his combat capabilities are still quite sharp. Even though it may seem like he has, Karna hasn't lost his mind, he's just that naturally unorthodox as a person."

"Man...all this is a lot to take in!" Miyaura exclaimed while rubbing her head in frustration at all the new things she had to retain in her mind.

Angelia: "I tell you all of this because it's you two he'll be traveling with. I'm sure you ladies know how bad of a Letcher he is but you still came here with him. I think you two should be able to know as much as you can, not just about the world but about him too. He decided to save you in the end so you two might be able to help him. Honestly, It's a little reassuring to know he'll be able to have reliable beautiful babes to help him learn a few things while he's out there."

Aisellia Rae: (A demon that found something worth fighting for in humanity. The demon that slays his own kind not to save humans but to keep his opportunities to enjoy what he found worth keeping humanity going for...it made him learn the value in human life or I should say specific ones that stand out to his liking anyway.) "Mm, thank you very much."

Angelia: "Aye no problem! You're honestly helping me out a lot by traveling with him. Maybe something will jog his memory...and keep him from getting lost again. It's not too often people can be around him this long."

Remi Martel: "He's a foul-mouthed trash talker and his ego just gets him into fights or kicked out of places. For women, because he's always so lecherous, attempting moves on spoken for women, shamelessly perverted. He'll literally stare at a woman's boobs or butt and not pay attention to anything else around him. He just ends up looking like a dumb puppy wanting a treat...pathetic! Hmph!"

Remi became flustered at the thought, her eyes glancing over the three women's chests around her intensely. She noticed their larger sizes before folding her arms across her own chest and looking away irritated.

"I don't get why he's obsessed with big chest blobs anyway. It's just one reason why we never have any money for this place and Miss Angelia always has to help! He somehow messes the job up and we've taken so many dead-end fake jobs because SOMEBODY has to only like being persuaded, taking jobs from girls just because their skin and body are exposed while he will let a decent guy or a girl with appropriate attire and money walk in with a request and ignore it or not care about messing up the job!"

Seeing Remi's glare at their chests before turning away and mumbling, Aisellia and Miyaura looked at each other, awkwardly smiling between themselves at the girl's obvious yet adorable envy.

(So that's why she said it would be better to wait until today to come here. Without Angelia's help and arrangements while we slept, Remi probably wouldn't have been as willing to help us.)

Aisellia thought. Miyaura's head perked up curiously, adjusting her head to look over at the bar, noticing Karna was sleeping on the bar table itself. The rest of them turned their heads to see him in a deep sleep. Angelia watched as the three girls observed him for a few seconds, this swiftly brought a smile to her face.

(There's more they'll have to learn for themselves but...maybe they'll be able to end your suffering and you may heal theirs. I'm kinda proud, even against your nature you still just follow your heart, changing lives just like theirs positively. My friend, I hope these girls can help heal your wounds. The wounds you endure, trying to hide them from even me still without all of your memories.)

Angelia thought while joining the girls in watching Karna sleep before turning back to them all, suddenly speaking up, causing them all to flinch breaking their staring gazes, having been lost in their individual thoughts about him.

"OK, ladies! Given what it took to kill that demon to save you two, he'll be in and out of deep sleep for the next couple of days. So if you two would like, you can stay a few weeks with me. It'll give you two some time to unwind and adjust after so much shit going down for you. I'll help you prepare for the trip. Remi? Whenever you have spare time during these weeks could you put together an assortment of things into a small book? He's pretty useless when it comes to remembering info but these girls are pretty smart, I'll pay for it so they have a good source of information. I'd prefer if their info is coming from you rather than anyone else. These girls have one hell of a journey in front of them."

"For you, I can get it done in a week Miss Angelia! Just leave it to me and I'll make sure everything's detailed with my knowledge free of charge! It's the least I can do for you!"

Remi responded nodding her head in response.


The Following Week...

There began their week, Aisellia and Miyaura were shown around the small desert town by Angelia. A single road leading from one end to the other down its center. The girls began helping Angelia shop at one of the small local stores, and from there, their time continued. Days passed, and Angelia began giving Aisellia gun and shooting lessons in her personal shooting range stationed behind her store, Separately instructing Miyaura through her physical training and rehabilitation. Practicing what she retained of her martial arts knowledge to get her body back into shape and accustomed to her new physical abilities of newfound endurance, speed, and strength. It quickly became obvious to both Miyaura and Aisellia that Angelia was no regular woman, being able to easily outmatch Miyaura's strength. This woman was their teacher for now and as time went by it became even more clear this woman was more than capable of protecting herself against man or demon.

In the evenings the three women held study sessions with Remi, Angelia invited the young girl Remi to join them. From the look on her face during their studies, it appeared studying wasn't exactly Miyaura's strong suit, she would often hold her head after a short time or simply find other small things around them or in her mind to entertain herself. Each night they shared not only time but food, becoming more casual and comfortable around each other, often sharing laughs, and pushing each other further in their training.

On the fifth day, Karna awoke from his slumber taking Angelia's place in training Miyaura in the mornings, taking her out into the desert sands which allowed Miyaura to train and spar with him without holding back her now returned strength. At the shooting range, Aisellia's training continued, Remi now joining in to observe from the background before they all reconvened together in Karna's home in the afternoon, continuing their studies guided by Remi. During these studies, they discovered Miyaura wasn't cursed but concluded she held demon DNA, more potently so than an average Demi-Human. Angelia however drew her own conclusions she privately shared with Aisellia, Miyaura's physical make-up was closer to a demon's physiology, her demon blood being much like Karna's own. Angelia could sense there was something more to both women meeting Karna that wasn't simply luck. The connection between Miyaura and Karna was a mystery but its existence was obvious, but his meeting with Aisellia was more than a coincidence. Evident by her connection to Miyaura. Aisellia, the one who freed the cursed girl from her sealed state thus making it evident to Angelia that they were all connected somehow.