TITLE    : Demonic Submission Ch. 30
STORYID  : demonic-submission-ch-30
SUMMARY  : Markus finds himself beset by an angry demon.
AUTHOR   : TheLastChaosLord@lit
DATE     : 2013-10-15
CATEGORY : non-erotic-stories
FLAGS    : h
TAGS     : |demon|incubus|red head|magic|


<em>Hello again all.</em>



<em>First off I'd like to thank WanderingMindGames for all her help with this chapter again. From being a beta reader to an editor, I really do appreciate her helping me with this story.</em>



<em>Second off I'd like to thank everyone who posts comments on my story, and I hope everyone continues to enjoy each new chapter I post. Some of you have been with me from the start, and some of you have started midway through and read back, and for all your positive comments I thank you. Many of you have commented on several chapters and that helps me gauge how people are reacting when I see several posts over multiple chapters. Kris10e specifically who's comments have made me smile as she shares her thoughts and hopes for this story.</em>



<em>This chapter is largely about the fallout of Markus's and Arzal's arrival, and the plans that Tristan and Rena have in store for them.</em>



<em>Cheers, I hope everyone enjoys.</em>



~~~~



Rena sat idly on Celestine's bed, watching her mortal companion look over her own wardrobe, apparently still not entirely sure what to wear. Rena had gotten cleaned up and into a change of clothes already, and now watched as Celestine hemmed and hawed at what she should be wearing. In an hour or so Arzal would be arriving, and while Celestine didn't actually have much to do in terms of preparation, it seemed to Rena that Celestine thought everything was dependent on what she wore.



"Come onnnn!" Rena whined as she fell forward, stretching out on Celestine's bed. "Just pick something already. You look nice in everything so it shouldn't be this hard."



Celestine smiled apologetically to Rena. "I am sorry that it's taking this long. It's just that there are things to consider here and I don't want to make the wrong impression." Celestine explained before turning back to her walk in closet.



Rena looked up and grinned at Celestine. "Heh, trying to figure something out to impress Master with are we?"



However, Rena was in for a bit of a surprise when she noticed Celestine go stiff for a moment, before Celestine glanced to Rena and nodded a bit nervously. "It's something like that, yea." Celestine answered before turning back to the closet.



"Why don't you wear the blue one in the back, the one with all the gems and what not that you wore during Court? It's easily the prettiest and I know you and Master both love it." Rena suggested, trying to hurry things along.



Celestine glanced to Rena before looking back to where the dress in question was kept. Rena was right in that Celestine loved the barely there strips of cloth, thin jewelry chains and numerous gems that adorned the dress, but she was reluctant to wear it... "I... I don't think so. I can't always wear it Rena. If I did, it would make it boring and common. Best to keep it for the most important occasions." Celestine explained, though Rena could still hear a taint of nervousness to her voice.



"I suppose." Rena replied. "You'd know better than me after all." She admitted, fully aware of her lack of understanding when it came to fashions do's and don'ts. However, after a long moment, Rena sat up again and observed Celestine carefully for several minutes. As she did, she couldn't help but begin to notice a pattern of sorts. "You are trying to choose something on the conservative side..." Rena commented frankly.



Again Celestine froze for a moment, but was quicker to relax this time. "Yea, I am. I figure it can't always be skin and near nudity. If I always wore things like that it'll give the wrong impression."



Rena frowned, and was clearly confused by Celestine's words. "Give the wrong impression to who? Master and I already know you for who you are, and whatever clothes you wear isn't going to change that. The same goes with Claude. As for everyone else, what does it matter what they think? If they give you grief over it, I'll make them regret it."



Celestine smiled again to Rena, pleased to hear her friend's loyalty. Still, Rena could see it was a hesitant smile. "I know that Rena. It's just... well... Arzal is supposed to be unique right? Tristan might not appreciate you eviscerating his newest scholar, so I want to avoid any possibility of future grief if I can. Make sense?"



Rena's frown deepened. "What you're saying makes sense... but it isn't why you are actually doing this, is it?" Rena posed.



"W-What do you mean?" Celestine asked, turning away from Rena, and looking back into the closet.



"Well... What I mean is that I don't think you give a rat's ass if Arzal likes you or not. Or in other words, I think you just tried to fib to me." Rena elaborated, her voice leveled and controlled. "And it isn't for Master... If it was you'd be choosing something more tempting... So again, I'm wondering who you seemed concerned about making an impression on..." Rena replied coolly. However, Celestine was hesitant to explain. Instead she simply stood facing away from Rena, hoping that her companion would drop it. Unfortunately, Celestine wasn't so lucky, and it wasn't long before she heard Rena get off her bed and walk over to gently prod at Celestine. "Well?"



Celestine sighed in frustration. "Promise you won't get mad?" She asked hopefully.



Rena snorted at that. "Impossible. I'm always mad. Just varying degrees of mad. Wrath demon, remember? It's not like I can turn it off. I might not appear angry, but it's always there, just locked away until it boils over." Rena reminded bluntly.



Celestine frowned. "That isn't fair Rena..."



"Hey, I'm just being honest. Something I don't think both of us can say right now." Rena replied with a slightly cocky grin. "Now out with it. I promise I won't start yelling or anything like that, alright?"



Celestine grumbled in annoyance, fully aware that she was trying to evade the subject with Rena. Eventually though she shook her head and spoke up. "Fine... Jeeze... I... I'm trying to find something to wear that will still impress Markus without making me look like a tramp or like I'm Tristan's arm candy..." Celestine explained, slightly embarrassed.



At first Rena didn't really reply. It was apparent that she understood the words, but didn't quite grasp the meaning. But eventually Rena did speak up, her voice distant and slightly hurt. "Well... Huh... I guess both of us aren't honest any more..."



~~~~



Tristan approached Celestine's room just in time to hear Rena thunder out. "<em>What do you mean it's for him!? I told you already, you don't need him!!</em>"



"Well, seems someone is upset..." Tristan said to himself dryly as he picked up the pace. Rena's hollering almost echoed down the hall, even with Celestine's door closed... It only took him another moment to reach the door and silently open it, not that he needed to. The two of them were in the middle of an argument, and Rena's and Celestine's voices were voices raised in anger and frustration respectively. Each was loud enough to easily cover any entry that he might want to attempt.



Still, to Tristan's eyes Celestine seemed to be trying to keep calm, though she wasn't exactly succeeding as he came in mid sentence. "-ld you that I'm free to make relationships with anyone I choose! Rena this is important to me! He's human, and so am I, and I need some human contact. But it isn't like you and I will stop being friends or anything like that so please don't get angry over this." Celestine implored, hoping that she could calm Rena.



"I told you I can't help but be angry!" Rena snapped. "And how do you know things won't change? HUH!? He could try and convince you to turn against Lord Durial! He could fill your head with stupid ideas about running off with him and away from Master! And... And from me! Then... Then I'd have to...!" Rena bit back the rest of her words, fists clenching and unclenching as she tried to vent her rage in as safe a way as possible... Even the thought of explaining that she might have to run Celestine down and kill her for fleeing was so abhorrent to Rena she couldn't even complete the thought. Yet even as she kept herself from saying it, Rena's vision blurred with unwelcome tears, which she angrily wiped away. "You just can't! You belong with Master!"



"I don't <em>belong</em> with anyone!" Celestine shot back firmly, her face red in frustration. On one side she hated being the source of Rena's anger and irritation, and seeing Rena be brought to tears nearly did Celestine in. But at the same time she couldn't just let herself be chained to Tristan like that... "I should be free to choose who to be with. Besides! It isn't like Tristan would actually care if I spent time with Markus or not!"



"How do you know?" Rena almost screamed back. "How do you know that seeing you with that <em>mortal</em> won't hurt Master?!"



"Because Tristan is a demon of lust, and hasn't hesitated to show that he's open to multiple partners. I've seen him sleep with at least three different women already, and I know there have been more beyond that! Even if he did care, it's not like he has any grounds to chastise me for it!" Celestine replied without hesitation, completely confident in what she was saying.



"It... It isn't the same!" Rena shot back adamantly. "Those people, they are just food to Master, or a moment's distraction, nothing more!" Rena implored. "You're the one who's importa-"



But Rena was cut off when Tristan cleared his throat from the doorway. Instantly the two of them looked and found him there, casually leaning against the doorframe. "Rena..." he called gently, holding his hand out for her, bidding her to approach him. Rena only hesitated a moment, giving an uncertain look to Celestine before slowly approaching Tristan. Yet instead of an angry word or similar chastisement, Tristan instead gently laid his hand upon her head and lightly pet her hair, even as she kept her gaze cast down, fighting to keep control of her own anger. "It's okay Rena. Everything will be alright soon enough. Please just bear with it for now..."



Rena nodded lightly, his hand still upon her head. "I'll... I'll try master." Rena replied in a small yet aggravated voice. "It's just that... She... she doesn't understand!"



"I know Rena." Tristan assured. "But it isn't something we can force, so we'll have to leave her to come into it on her own." Tristan explained. "Now, if you would be so kind I'd like to have a moment with Celestine."



Rena nodded and began to take her leave. However, just outside the door she paused and looked back to Celestine, her eyes apologetic for her outburst. Celestine gave her a slight smile, conveying her instant forgiveness. Try as she might, Celestine wasn't capable of staying angry with Rena. If anything, she was angry at herself for not handling the argument better. Despite all her ferocity, Rena wasn't well suited to dealing with emotional issues like this...



It wasn't long though before Rena took off, and Tristan closed the door behind her before turning back to Celestine. "I apologize for her... Rena's always been one to be completely open about the things she feels, even if what she usually feels is anger..." Tristan's voice was utterly calm as he approached, and moved to stand along side Celestine, looking into the walk-in closet.



His calm demeanor unsettled Celestine though... Probably because his composed tone and appearance made her feel like their argument was small and unimportant... Still, Celestine pushed that aside and pressed on. "So how much of that did you hear?" She asked bluntly.



"Enough. I came in about the time Rena started shouting. Then again I suppose everyone in this wing heard that part." Tristan shrugged, as if it were unimportant.



Celestine forced herself to look away from him, unable to bear seeing his relaxed demeanor. For reasons beyond her understanding, she wanted him to be upset and concerned... But instead of voicing such desires, she stepped ahead of him and into the closet, pretending to look over the clothes as she replied. "Then you must have a pretty good idea of why I'm taking so long to figure out what to wear..." Celestine baited, her voice stiffer and more defensive than she had intended.



"I do have a passing idea, yes." Tristan replied easily. She didn't turn to face him immediately, but after hearing what sounded like him going through her clothes, Celestine eventually glanced towards him. Only for her to find him holding out one of her dresses in front of her, as if to gauge how it would look on her. She instantly recognized it as one of the articles she was considering earlier. It was a dark blue single shoulder dress, which left one arm and shoulder completely bare, while the opposite arm had a sleeve that ended in a pleated wrist. It was relatively form fitting and didn't dip too low across her chest while still reaching down halfway to her knees from her hips. "I think this should fit your needs nicely. It has class, but is also quite alluring." Tristan suggested. "I'd recommend a darker metal bracelet for the bare arm, and darker leather sandals that reach up your calf's some. If I recall John did include a pair of those with all your clothes." He elaborated before handing the dress to her. "All told, it suits you well, and I think any man would be blessed to see you dressed so."



Celestine, for her part stood a bit stunned that he was helping her like this, while at the same time complimenting her. Despite herself, Celestine felt something run through her that made her want to scream at Tristan... Instead, all that came out was a feeble question. "W-... What are you doing?"



Tristan looked up and met her confused eyes, his eyes the same irritating calm they always seemed to be. Even through the Demonic Mark, she could feel the even calm that he felt right now. Everything about him showed his ease and composure, even as she wished he was frantic and would speak up against her plans... "I'm trying to help you become closer with Markus... the Runesmith. I assume that was whom you and Rena were talking about... right?" Tristan asked curiously.



"Oh shut it." Celestine replied as she looked away, her voice still tainted lightly with embarrassment. "You know that's who we were talking about... There isn't anyone else <em>to</em> talk about." Celestine finished. "... Maybe it would be better to ask you why you are doing this rather than anything else."



When Celestine looked up again at Tristan she found him smiling at her lightly. It was serene and peaceful, yet somehow utterly full of confidence. And despite herself, and her plans, she felt the tug of her own attraction towards Tristan... Still, when he did eventually reply, his words surprised her. "You have a valid point, in regards to what you were talking about with Rena that is." Tristan began, his voice completely level. "You should have some say in whom you choose to spend your time with, even despite your circumstance as my guest." Tristan continued to explain. "As such, once all the formalities are over with, I'm going to see if I can't convince our guest to stay here on a more permanent basis. You have to understand Celestine, despite wanting to make sure you stay in my care, it was never my intention to restrain you from perusing your desires, even if you desire a relationship with someone else."



Celestine found herself standing there a bit shocked, hearing him say such things, and it only took her a moment to begin to think that he might have an ulterior motive and that made her feel even more uneasy. Regardless of that, Celestine replied. "I see... I suppose that makes some sense. If you had several mortal servants like most demons do, I would have had ample opportunity to form relationships with them. It's just that your situation is unique in that I'm the only mortal servant that you keep in your home." Celestine said aloud. But after a moment's pause to gather her courage, Celestine spoke up again. "I'd like to ask you something if I could."



Tristan cocked his head slightly but nodded. "Feel free."



"During Court, when I was out dancing, I felt something from you for a split second, but then you cut me off from the Demonic Mark..." Celestine began, not entirely sure herself why she was bringing it up. "What was that emotion?" Celestine realized as she asked the question that part of her hoped to back Tristan into a corner... to force him to admit to feelings that he would otherwise deny. Even if he chose not to answer, it would be evidence enough for Celestine that there was something there... that he did feel something for her beyond simple lust. Honestly, she surprised herself when she realized what she was doing. It was rare that she tried to maneuver people like this... but she wanted to hear him say it... She wanted to know he was jealous...



"You mean when you were dancing with Markus?" Tristan began with no hesitation at all. "I think the best way to describe it would be jealousy." He said with complete and utter poise. Celestine found herself surprised again at the openness in which Tristan was talking about what he felt during that moment. But that openness only seemed to confirm what a part of her was secretly hoping for; that he didn't want her to be with any other men... That he wanted her all to himself...



Still, Celestine fought to keep such things from showing and instead forced light amusement into her voice. "I figured that was what it was. Strange though... I didn't think demons of lust would or could feel jealousy. I mean you folks sleep around enough that seems like such a thing would be pointless."



"In most cases you would be correct. However, just because I'm not a demon of envy, doesn't mean I can't feel jealousy. I'm still a person with a wide array of emotions after all. That said, there are only a few rare individuals that can stir such emotions in me. You, for example." Tristan admitted, his smile still upon his features.



Celestine smiled inwardly as she forced herself not to jump about in joy at hearing that she was one of those special few that could affect Tristan so. Feeling emboldened by his words, Celestine continued on, her voice beginning to grow playful. "Way to make a girl feel special there Tristan. If I didn't know better I'd think that you were falling for me or something ridiculous like that." Celestine couldn't help but laugh at her own words, even as she felt elated from this new information.



Tristan chuckled right along with her, though he did reply after their laughter died off. "I suppose one might think that if they didn't know better. So I suppose it's a blessing that you do know better than that." Tristan began with utter ease. "I mean it is possible for a human to fall in love with a demon... Hell, many marked servants do in fact love their masters. But even with that said, it's not like a demon can give a mortal love in return. At least not human love anyway. Sure we can care for them, even feel a deep level of affection for said mortal. But love? No... that's impossible for a demon."



Celestine found herself standing there for a moment, her features still holding the light jovial smile she wore just a moment ago, even though she suddenly felt numbed by his words. But as that moment passed she pushed it off and forced herself to chuckle again. "That makes sense. I mean a person can love having a steak for dinner and will even go so far as to specially prepare it with an almost tender amount of care. But to say they actually <em>love</em> it is a bit much. After all, it's just food... right?" Celestine asked as if on autopilot, not even completely aware of where she was going with this... It was strange, she felt like some part of her was just carrying on the conversation idly like nothing was wrong, while the rest of her wrestled with the pain that was forming in her chest.



"Quite right Celestine. That is actually a very good metaphor for what many demons feel for mortals. A little simplified in some cases, but largely accurate." Tristan confirmed.

<hr pg="2" />Celestine nodded, and seemed to be content leaving it at that on the surface at least. However, inside, Celestine felt completely unfulfilled. Something about this felt wrong... Like she couldn't possibly leave it like this. And despite knowing she should just leave it be, she spoke up again. "But... if that's the case... then why would you ever feel jealousy? Over any mortal?" Despite her attempts to stay calm and relaxed, even Celestine could hear the hesitation in her voice.



But Tristan smiled as if nothing was amiss before replying. "Oh, I see how that could be somewhat confusing. To be honest, in your case at least, it was a bit of a shock to me seeing you down there with Markus. If I had known you were looking for a partner to dance with, I would have joined you myself. I envy him for his up close view of seeing you dance." Tristan explained easily, as if it made perfect sense.



But for Celestine, his words only seemed to confuse her further. "Wait... what do you mean?"



"Well, like I said I enjoyed seeing you dance, but I would have rather been closer to you, perhaps next to you, or nearby on the dance floor, like when I first saw you back in that club. Instead, I had to watch from one of the higher tiers, which took away a lot from the view." Tristan elaborated.



"So..." Celestine began but hesitated again, cursing herself for even feeling the need to ask such foolish questions. He had already spelled it out, so why was she torturing herself like this? She didn't have an answer for that question, but still somehow felt the need to push on, despite knowing his answer would almost certainly hurt her more, even if she wasn't sure why it hurt. "So you were jealous because of the view, not because I was dancing with Markus, instead of you... correct?" Celestine asked, her features trying to portray herself as calm and composed, even though she was only half successful.



"Correct." Tristan replied simply, still apparently not picking up something was disturbing Celestine. "I mean dancing with you would have been wonderful, but I wanted to watch you dance more than anything. The fact that it was Markus dancing with you instead of me doesn't mean anything. At least not to me." Tristan finished.



Celestine nodded lightly. "I... I see. Thank you for clearing that up." She hid the agony she felt behind a smile before glancing towards the door. "But on that note, I think I'm going to get dressed now." She said, hinting for him to be on his way.



However, true to form, Tristan gave her a mischievous grin and only took a step back. "Please, don't hesitate on my account. I'll just stand here and watch." He said teasingly.



Despite herself, Celestine laughed at his brashness and shook her head, not becoming angry like she might have once not so long ago. "Jeeze! Can you not be a perv for even five minutes?" She asked as she began to push him towards the door to her bedroom. "Just get out already!" She continued, still laughing lightly.



"Alright alright!" Tristan replied, chuckling as he allowed her to push her out. "I'll see you in an hour or so. We'll be greeting them in the foyer, just so you know."



Celestine nodded once. "Foyer. Got it, thanks. Now get out!" Celestine gave one final shove and Tristan went through her now open door and then on his way. She watched him from her doorway for a moment or two, before gently closing her door behind him.



She stood at that door for a long moment, unsure how to deal with the numbing pain that had inflicted her... Eventually she made it back into her walk-in closet and looked to the dress that Tristan had suggested, and found herself idly agreeing with his choice. Yet despite that, she couldn't bring herself to reach out and take it off its hanger and begin to dress herself. Instead, all she found she could do was lean against the wall and let herself slowly slide down onto her rump and pull her knees in tightly, and try and fight off the pain that was still somehow growing in her chest as she came to grips with the fact that he didn't care for her... Not beyond physical pleasure and lust anyway. Or that he would never want a true relationship with her...



"Why... why am I surprised? I knew it was possible that he didn't think of me like that... I knew that all along! S-So why?!" She asked herself, voice tight and quiet, hidden and alone deep in her closet. Hardly more than an a few hours ago, she had been with him, and been happy as he taught her about the Nephilim and seduction, only to fuck her brains out afterwards... She had found joy when he was focused only on her... The memory of how good she felt compared to how she felt now almost made Celestine sob. But despite herself and how she felt, she tried to force such things down with deep slow breaths. She wasn't about to allow herself to start weeping... No. She wasn't a child and to weep over something like this, over him, would be absurd....



"Why should I weep over something so utterly foolish?" She challenged herself. "Why should I even care how he feels about me?!" Celestine continued, her voice growing harsh. "It was just stupid! He's a demon! A monster! Sure the fucking is great, but that doesn't mean I should care! So-... So then why do I!?" Celestine demanded of herself, as if asking the question would somehow give her the answer, even as her voice tightened further in her growing emotional turmoil.



<em>Because we want him to long for us...</em> Her inner voice replied, her tone subdued and dismayed, just like Celestine felt.



"Shut up!" Celestine replied sharply. "I do not! I don't want him to desir-"



But her inner voice cut her off, its voice chastising lightly. <em>Yes we do. From the moment we first saw him, we wanted him to pine for us as badly as we desired him.</em>



"Enough... please just stop..." Celestine whispered to herself, pulling her knees in even tighter as she tried to hide her face, even though she knew it was true. "It doesn't matter anyway, no matter what I might have felt once. He longs only for my body and soul... Not for relationship or anything else for that matter..." Celestine explained, her voice almost inaudible. Yet even that was too loud for her, and she had to fight back another sob that threatened to break free. "So then I ask again, why do I care? Even knowing it doesn't matter..." Celestine asked herself.



<em>Because we know joy when he longs for us. Because we know ecstasy when he conquers us, body and mind... But most of all because we lo-</em>



<em>"Silence!"</em> Celestine hissed out, hate suddenly staining her voice and thoughts. "I don't deny that I revel in the first two points you were describing, but the third? Utter insanity. Never mention that again. <em>Never!</em>" She demanded, voice hard like stone.



<em>I hate to tell you this, but it isn't like you can really stop me... I am you, you are me... We are one in the same, and we feel the same things, no matter what your side of our soul might think. But I'll leave it be for now, as it seems we both can't accept everything just yet...</em>



"Be quiet." Celestine demanded again, though her voice was less harsh and spiteful this time. She still felt confused and honestly betrayed by Tristan's words, but she pushed that all away and set it aside for another time. Focusing on it would only cause her more pain... For now, she decided to continue on her current course... She would lull Tristan into accepting her completely and earn the Third Mark in order to turn it against him, just as she had been so far. She would also turn to Markus, and seek to deepen their alliance. Despite her confusion over how she felt about Tristan, Celestine was certain she liked Markus. If nothing else he could be a friend, though she didn't close off the possibility of it evolving into something more.



It wasn't like she would have to worry about Tristan responding badly anymore either. He had said that he wanted her to form new relationships with others... So she would. She wasn't going to let her treacherous feelings for him stop her from feeling for others...



~~~~



Tristan walked the halls of his home with at a relaxed pace, as he pondered the most recent events. Despite himself, and what he said, a part of him regretted saying those things to Celestine. Strangely, that same part wanted him to be honest with her instead. It wanted him to tell her that seeing her dance with Markus nearly drove him crazy in frustration. To tell her that her feared that she might fall in love with the Runesmith, and that if she did, it would drive him into a murderous frenzy...



But that wasn't what she needed to hear right now. Maybe soon he could tell her, but not now. Now, he needed her desperate and vulnerable. He needed her to bait the Runesmith. In their one meeting Tristan guessed that Markus was the sort to offer aid to a beautiful woman, particularly when she was as tempting as Celestine was. This was especially true given Markus's apparent disdain for demons and their methods. Than again, if in his position, Tristan doubted he could act any differently from Markus if it were Celestine he was aiming to aid.



Perhaps Markus was a good person, and had only fallen afoul of an overabundance of pride in his own works, forcing him to turn to demons for help. Or, just as likely, Markus was an arrogant man, whose only goal is to grow in power and ability, in some childish attempt to disprove those who would claim to be his betters while only seeing Celestine as a potential prize to be claimed on his road to power. It didn't really matter either way though. Maybe Tristan didn't know exactly the sort of man Markus was, but Tristan did know one thing for sure: he knew that Markus longed for Celestine. That he lusted after her almost desperately... A trait that the two of them shared and something Tristan could recognize without fail...



The thought of someone lusting after Celestine wasn't new to Tristan... It didn't even upset him actually. However, the thought of someone else claiming her heart and affections, that made his ire seethe and burn. Even just thinking about it made his anger nearly boil over... However, on the plus side, it seemed that Celestine never saw through his guise of calm, even though underneath it all he wanted nothing more than to demand she not pursue the Runesmith, despite his own plans. The fact that he was able to display a relaxed calm through the Demonic Mark probably helped convince her too. It took some preparation to pull off, but after all, he had warned Celestine on several occasions that he could lie through the Demonic Mark...



Yet as Tristan floated in his own thoughts, Claude fell in step behind him, patiently waiting his Lord's acknowledgment. Tristan tried waiting him out, simply for fun's sake and to see how long Claude could hold out before feeling the need to speak up before being recognized. But ultimately, his butler won that little exchange, and Tristan eventually acknowledged him after becoming bored with his own game. "Hello Claude. I take it everything is being prepared appropriately?" He asked calmly, pushing thoughts of murdering Markus out of his head for now.



"Yes my Lord. The repairs to the estate are running smoothly, and are approximately 65% complete. Key areas which Arzal might travel have already been completed as to prevent him from suspecting anything might have happened today, despite the mess Rena made." Claude reported calmly.



"Speaking of which, care to enlighten me on what happened?" Tristan asked easily, hiding the concern he felt over Celestine's safety.



"It seems a pride demon in your service, by the name of Saul, tried to approach Celestine in an attempt to demean and humiliate her. Accompanying him were two lust demonesses: Salana and Tamana. They approached due to curiosity more than anything else, and never intended harm to Celestine. Saul, for whatever reason, seemed to lose his grip on rational thought and began to lash out at Celestine, causing her some injury." Claude didn't get any further than that in his report as he stopped, forced to pause by the abrupt halt that Tristan came to before turning to face Claude completely.



"Celestine was injured?" Tristan asked coolly.



Claude recognized his Lord's anger instantly, and calmly backed off a foot or two for safety's sake. "Indeed my Lord. They were only moderate injuries, which should be healed in a day or so. However, I should note that Tamana fashioned bandages for Celestine out of concern while Salana stood in Saul's way to prevent further injury. Honestly, the two of them probably saved her life." Claude explained easily.



"They should have prevented any harm from coming to Celestine." Tristan rumbled lowly.



Claude bowed his head before he continued. "Forgive me my Lord for contradicting you, but in normal circumstance, they probably would have done nothing at all. If you were any other noble, it would be completely in the norm for the two of them to have watched Saul tear Celestine into a bloody mess. Please my Lord, I implore you, be mindful of how you treat Celestine openly. Demanding that loyal demons treat a mortal, even a marked servant of a Demonic Lord, with a great degree of consideration and respect is more than a lot of demons are willing to put up with. No matter their sphere of power, most demons consider mortals to be well beneath them, and marked servants are no different. To be asked to treat them with respect, and even risk themselves for a mortal's safety is asking a lot."



"Are you saying that if Rena hadn't killed Saul, that I should have let him off with a slap on the wrist?" Tristan asked simply, realizing that Claude had a point. Despite himself, Tristan found himself glad that Celestine seemed to avoid most demons, and that most demons avoided her... Her strong will and personality would have made her clash with many of them and caused all manner of incidents...



"On the contrary my Lord," Claude began, "You'd be completely within your right to punish Saul however you saw fit. Whether that be a slap on the wrist or centuries of torture would make no difference to those watching. In fact leaning on the extreme side of the punishments might be a wiser course in order to evoke fear and respect for your authority. In the same breath, it is unwise to expect or demand that demons come to the defense of Celestine. Given her known value, some of the more frugal demons might try and use such opportunities as leverage for boons from my Lord. Not utterly unlike Lady Navira..." Claude reminded frankly.



Tristan couldn't help but sigh as Claude brought that up. "You are, as ever, correct my friend." Tristan ran a hand through his hair in mild frustration. "Damn Vestiem for telling the Court how valuable she is... But such is the way of things I suppose. We'll leave it be for now. Thank you for the report Claude. Is there anything else I need to be made aware of before the festivities begin?"



"No my Lord. Everything has been prepared according to your plans." Claude said, a cruel smile crossing his lips.



"Perfect." Tristan replied, his own features mirroring Claude's...



~~~~



Celestine entered the large chamber that dominated the front of Tristan's home and quickly found Tristan and Claude entering from an alternate entryway. Despite herself, Celestine couldn't help but recall her first night in his care when he fucked Rena right in front of her. However, despite the erotic memory, Celestine didn't allow herself to be distracted by it as she walked towards Tristan. True to the norm, Claude was dressed in the attire of a perfectly neat English butler, and almost radiated a stoic calm. However, unlike herself or Claude, Tristan seemed to dress as he often did, in a simple pair of decent pants and nice T-shirt which hugged his frame just enough to highlight his attractive build.



"Why are you wearing your plain everyday clothes when you have guests coming?" Celestine asked, clearly confused.



Tristan cocked his head curiously and smiled. "I could have... But then I don't need to impress these people. I did that during Court when I butchered Odeon during the Clash." Tristan answered confidently.



Celestine however, wasn't about to back off, apparently annoyed by his idle answer. "You mean the Clash that happened during the Court where you aggravated Odeon and nearly got me killed by painting a target on my head?" Celestine asked, her voice falling into the playful defiance that often came with their banter, despite still being unsure of her own feelings towards him.



"If that was the same Court that you clung to me after the first day, desperately begging me not to let you go in between cries of ecstasy and bliss, than yes, it was that Court." Tristan replied with perfect amused ease.



Celestine's features reddened a bit as Tristan brought up that particular point, even as her eyes narrowed to glare at him. Yet despite her annoyance at him, she didn't have a ready retort off the top of her head, and so instead stayed quiet.



"What? No more rebuttals? But I have at least five more quips lined up..." Tristan answered for her, voice amused and only teasing a little.



"Oh shut up." Celestine grumbled as she looked away from him. "What kind of noble are you anyway? Doesn't it just make sense to try and impress your guests at any given opportunity?"



"I'm the sort of noble that doesn't feel a particular need to impress his guests beyond simply being in their presence." Tristan replied without hesitation, his utterly full of relaxed confidence that easily bordered on arrogance. "Besides, what should I have worn than? Perhaps you would rather see me in a suit, or perhaps in my armor? Or perhaps you'd rather I wear nothing at all?" Tristan asked, his voice becoming teasingly brazen.



Celestine blushed at the thought but quickly stomped it down before turning away from him, clearly annoyed. "You think to highly of yourself. You are not entertaining half-wits Tristan, nor are you entertaining cock starved sluts... So tell me what exactly would you being nude in this situation achieve? How would that impress them?" Celestine asked bluntly, still trying to keep her own imagination from forming the images of him standing completely naked.



Tristan chuckled lowly but shook his head lightly before replying. "It probably wouldn't. But then, it wouldn't be them I would be trying to impress." Tristan elaborated, as he looked to her with a devilish smile, and adoring eyes.



His words and hungry tone drew her gaze back to him, making her cheeks reddened further as she met his eyes. Seeing him smile at her like that buried all her previous confusion and doubts under an unbidden wave of near giddy delight. Celestine didn't even hesitate to bask in his gaze, and allowed herself several long seconds of simply reveling in it. Despite condemning his perverse suggestion, she returned his gaze with a look of her own, her eyes from shining with a mischievous curiosity, reflecting how she might really react if he took such actions. Despite supposedly knowing better, and all his words to the contrary, that injured and battered part of Celestine that still clung desperately to the notion that there could be something more between them than just lust, tightened its grip on that belief, unwilling to let the dream die...



It was a moment that Celestine was almost hoping would last forever, but the slamming of car doors shattered it, and rational thought came back to Celestine. Instantly she darted away from him and busied herself by smoothing out her dress, even as she was still blushing. Tristan watched her for a moment, even as he regained control over his own emotions and forced himself to be calm. Despite the noises outside, the foyer felt devastatingly silent, and Tristan felt the need to break it. "You don't need to worry about the dress Celestine. Even if you wore simple street clothes, you would look ravishing." Tristan complimented easily, making Celestine look to him again, unsure hesitation written on her features. She might have been thinking of replying to him, but she didn't get a chance. "They're here." Tristan said before looking to the front doors.

<hr pg="3" />Celestine had just enough time to face the doors before the swung open, held by two demons in their human forms. Behind them, Celestine recognized Arzal immediately, already in his true demonic form. Celestine felt slightly unsettled as she looked upon him, and noticed that while his normal eyes looked directly towards Tristan, his third larger eye glanced about the room, taking in every detail until it fell on Celestine herself. She held its gaze for a long moment, even as its pupil dilated and widened at the sight of her. Eventually though, it looked away again, falling on Tristan.



A moment later she heard a heavy clunk behind Arzal and looked past him, to see Markus hauling what looked to be a huge suitcase of sorts through the front doors, all the while carrying two other smaller cases. Celestine stood a bit surprised that he could manage all that, as even with the Demonic Marks, she suspected she would have trouble managing it all. Idly, she overheard Arzal and Tristan beginning to talk, but Celestine only heard the basic greetings being exchanged. Instead, she focused on Markus, who, after setting down the luggage he bore, immediately looked to her.



Celestine couldn't help but smile lightly as he almost did a double take of her, and found him look very happy to see her. Without hesitation Celestine stepped forwards and spoke. "It's good to see you Markus. How have the last few days treated you?" Celestine asked curiously, hoping that nothing dire had happened since they last saw each other. As silly as it sounded in her head, she knew that it was definitely a possibility. The world of demons was terrifyingly fatal and remorselessly brutal. Still, despite their shared situation, Celestine felt warmed by the delighted smile he continued to give her.



"It's been alright. Though, if I might be bold, I've been looking forward to seeing you again." Markus replied with a warm voice. However, a moment later he glanced to Tristan and Arzal speaking to confirm that they were focused on their pleasantries before leaning in and whispering to her. "But what about you? Are you doing alright?" Markus asked worriedly, looking at Tristan firmly.



Celestine was a bit stunned at first by his concern but a moment later she couldn't help but smile happily at his concern. "I'm doing alright... I had a bit of a run in with a pride demon earlier today and got knocked around a little, but I'll be okay. The wounds have already closed up so it's not a big deal." Celestine explained.



Yet the moment she mentioned that she was injured, Markus's eyes snapped back to her, suddenly showing even greater concern. "What?! Let me see the wound, I might be able to use my runes to help accelerate the healing." Markus explained as he began to look her over for wherever the injury may be. Thankfully the dress hid it well, even with the bandages.



Celestine, while touched by the gesture, held out a hand and gently placed it upon his chest. "Relax Markus. I told you I'd be fine in a day or so, so no need to use your magic to speed it along any further." Celestine assured again.



Markus let out an annoyed sigh and glared at Tristan again. "How could he let this happen to you? He should be protecting you..."



Celestine cocked her head and smiled again at Markus's strong words. "Easy there. I'm not some dainty flower to be shielded from the world." Celestine teased lightly.



Markus however seemed to think he had crossed a line or something and quickly looked back to her to apologize. "Sorry, I didn't mean to make you seem like you were weak or anything it's just... These are demons Celestine, and as strong as you are, I worry that you're going to end up provoking a demon that will just ignore the Demonic Mark and lash out at you..."



Celestine glanced away, a bit embarrassed about how he described what happened earlier in the day. "Weeelllll... If I'm being honest, that's actually kind of what happened today. A couple demons approached me out of curiosity and one of them got a bit mouthy. I, being stubborn, returned fire, and sort of humiliated him in front of his companions. He took offence and lashed out because of it. But again, I'm fine now... so don't worry." She said looking back to him.



However, she found Markus looking at her stunned. "Uh... Wow... I mean I have my Runes to help protect me if a demon tries anything but... other than the Demonic Mark you don't have anything to use against them aside from your fists... forgive me for asking this... but how the hell are you still alive? Surely he didn't..." Markus began, glancing to Tristan.



Celestine shook her head. "Not directly." She replied. "I'm guessing I called out to Tristan as I was passing out and he sent my guardian to find and protect me." Celestine explained pleasantly.



"Guardian?" Markus asked with a bit of a frown. "What do you mean? Does he have some sort of golem or something that runs around keeping you safe?"



Celestine blinked once, a bit surprised by his suggestion. "Golem? Uh... No. Her name is Rena. She's actually a wrath demon, and has been, surprising as it may sound, one of the closest friends I've ever had." Celestine explained easily.



However she was surprised to find Markus frowning in confusion at her. "I'm sorry but that's... hard to believe. I've seen wrath demons... More than a few of them are homicidal monsters bent on shedding blood, the rest are inclined to help others kill each other by instigating conflict..." Markus explained, trying to keep an open mind.



"I know I know." Celestine began. "But Rena is different... sort of. I mean don't get me wrong, she's still perfectly capable of violence, and by her own admission, she's always angry. But she's compartmentalized it, so most of the time she thinks and acts calmly. She's a bit hyper maybe, but otherwise she's really easy to get along with." Celestine explained.



Markus nodded lightly, though Celestine could tell he wasn't wholly convinced. "I'll try and keep an open mind, but I can't promise anything Celestine. If I start thinking of them as friends I'm afraid I'm going to start letting my guard down..."



"I understand Markus. It's okay if you two don't get along. I've made it abundantly clear that she is going to have to just accept you as someone I want in my life, even if she doesn't like it." Celestine explained calmly. However, she noticed Markus blushing lightly in response to her words, and realized that her words might have implied more than she meant to.



Celestine was about to try and explain what she meant but Arzal spoke up, cutting her off without concern about whatever it was they were talking about. "Markus, I know you'd love to gab with our host's pretty servant, but the luggage isn't going to move itself out of the car." His voice was flighty and held an air of arrogance that Celestine found herself disliking. It wasn't like Claude, who was perfectly formal and calm. Rather it sounded more like a man who poked a dog with a stick when the dog didn't do what he wanted it to...



"I'm working on it." Markus replied firmly, and Celestine could tell he was fighting to keep the sharpness out of his voice. He turned back to her. "I've got another load to get out. I'll be right back." And with that he disappeared out the front doors again.



Celestine took the opportunity to glance to Tristan, only to find herself still flustered with what happened just before Markus and Arzal arrived. Just looking at him made her cheeks redden a bit and reminded her of the warmth of his cock in her hand... However, after a moment, she realized something: Tristan was observing Markus as he left... almost studying him...



Regardless of that, Markus came back with another load of heavy looking luggage and put it down with the rest before going to Arzal and offering him the sword that Celestine had seen back in Court. It was once again wrapped in a pure white cloth, and Arzal took it without hesitation before turning to Tristan again.



Tristan spoke up. "Alright, now that you're all unloaded, shall we go and discuss the terms of your service to me Arzal?"



"Of course my Lord." Arzal replied, quite pleased with himself at the moment. "Markus, carry our luggage with us. It contains several books and other articles that I would like to show to Lord Durial, and it would be most rude to just leave it laying there." Arzal insisted before turning to look to Tristan again.



However he only got half way around when Markus spoke up again. "I can't carry it all at once." He flatly reported before looking to Tristan. "Could I get someone to help me with this?"



Tristan however didn't get a chance to reply, as Arzal whipped around and snapped at Markus. "Your inefficiencies are not the concern of Lord Durial! If it takes more than one trip, then you'll do it in more than one trip! I hope I'm understood." Markus was about to snap back but Arzal turned to look to Tristan and continued speaking, as if Markus didn't have a choice but to understand. "My apologies my Lord, despite his keen mind when it comes to runes, Markus can be a bit thick at times when it comes to social graces."



Celestine saw Markus grind his teeth slowly but eventually he got a hold of his frustrations and began grabbing up luggage. Celestine however, seemed to take even greater offence than Markus, and was about to say something when she felt Claude's hand upon her shoulder. Glancing up, Claude gave her a shake of his head, silently telling her that now was not the time. Celestine took a moment to breathe and relax before looking to the other luggage that Markus couldn't handle on his first trip. She immediately went to assist him, but again she was held back when Markus spoke up.



"You don't need to worry about it Celestine, I've got them." He told her gently. "Arzal will just come down on me harder if you do help me."



Celestine looked to him and frowned, but eventually nodded. "Alright. But just let me know if you need a hand." She said before glancing to Arzal who had already begun to follow Tristan as they walked out of the foyer.



It only took Markus a moment to get his current load up and moving and Celestine walked alongside him, impressed that he was able to manage such a large load. "How exactly are you doing that? I mean with the Second Demonic Mark I might be able to manage, but only just. And I can tell you don't have second mark..." Celestine asked curiously.



"It's the runes." Markus replied. "Look at my belt." He suggested as he paused, giving her time to check it out. Celestine looked down to find what appeared to be a simple metal plate acting as the buckle to his belt, but when she looked closer she could see a strange shape etched into it's surface. While it didn't physically glow, Celestine began to sense some sort of power flowing through the buckle and into Markus. "One of the perks of being a Runesmith, I get to make my own toys. The belt gives me enough strength to handle this load well enough, and probably more. Honestly I could probably handle all the luggage in one load. The only reason I don't is because I lack the hands to carry it all." Markus explained, pride tinting his voice as they continued to walk.



"Impressive." Celestine admitted. "Do you have any other runic items or is it just the belt?" Celestine asked curiously.



"I've got others. Believe it or not, my shoes have runes etched in them." Markus explained. Celestine glanced down, but to her the shoes looked just like any other nice footwear. That said, she could still sense the power that seemed to radiate from them. "They are etched on the inside." Markus elaborated. "The funny thing about runes is that they don't need to be visible to work, making it easy to hide them and easier to surprise targets with." Markus explained.



"So if the belt gives you strength, what do the shoes do?" Celestine asked.



"Well, to answer that question, let me pose another. Do you hear me taking any footsteps?" Markus asked frankly.



Celestine looked down again and listened carefully. It took her a moment but she was able to make out four pairs of footsteps sounding off against the hardwood flooring that adorned Tristan's main halls. That accounted for her, Tristan, Arzal, and Claude... but she couldn't hear Markus's footsteps... "No... What the hell? With all your carrying, you should sound like an elephant stomping through."



"See? The runes in my shoes turn them into sneakers." Markus said with as straight a face as he could. Celestine looked to him a bit confused, and Markus couldn't help but smile. "Sorry, is a bad joke on my part. The runes in my shoes make me incredibly light on my feet and help me move about more easily. In essence, they are great for sneaking around, hence, sneakers." Markus finished, smiling to Celestine.



It took a second, but Celestine eventually groaned and chuckled at his poor joke. "Wow... did you make them solely so you could crack that joke?" She asked, still laughing slightly.



"I know I know, lame as can be. But I like groaner jokes. Plus, the runes work better when the function of the rune has something to do with the function of whatever they are imprinted on. Putting these on a set of gloves for example, wouldn't really work that well." Markus explained, laughing right along with Celestine as they continued to walk.



"Do your runic items work for anyone?" Celestine asked, wondering if he could forge anything for her.



"Sort of. One has to have skill and training to force raw arcane power into it to fuel the rune. Some runes do that for the user, but they tend to be very weak runes. When we get some spare time, I'll see if I can't teach you how to do it yourself." Markus suggested pleasantly.



"I'd like that." Celestine replied. "It would give me another tool to protect myself with." Celestine said smiling. "I wouldn't have to rely on Rena quite so much. I'm sure she doesn't enjoy rushing to my rescue every time I accidentally piss off a demon."



"Once you get good at it, you probably won't need her to protect you at all." Markus suggested.



Celestine found herself hoping that Rena would still rush to help her, even if she were able to handle serious trouble. So she simply shrugged at his suggestion. "Maybe..." She allowed lightly.



Markus replied to her non-committed agreement, but Celestine was distracted by a sudden surge of something a ways off. She tried to sense what it was, but it waned and disappeared again before she could really figure it out.



"Celestine?" Markus asked, pausing a few feet ahead of her. "Did you hear me?" he asked gently, wondering what drew her attention.



"Huh? Oh... no... Sorry about that." Celestine replied, moving to catch up.



~~~~



When they arrived in the meeting room, Celestine found it to be a fairly relaxed looking area. There were couches that faced each other where the occupants could discuss whatever it was they were meeting for, as well as a table that could easily be moved to lay out whatever documents they needed. It was well lit, and Celestine could see the warm day outside through the numerous windows that lined one of the walls.



"Please take a seat." Tristan said to Arzal, as he moved to sit in one of the couches. Despite herself, Celestine found herself falling in behind Tristan's couch, moving to stand by his side entirely on impulse. However, half way there, Celestine paused and looked back to Markus, who was setting down the luggage along side the couch Arzal chose to sit in.



"Thank you Lord Durial. I must say, I think I do prefer this sort of meeting chamber. So often nobles tend to prefer cold and dark throne rooms and the like. This is far more open and welcoming." Arzal complemented easily.



"Oh, I have one of those too, but I prefer this as well. As much as a looming throne room can be useful in some circumstances, I'm not one to try and constantly intimidate those loyal to me." Tristan explained easily.



"A wise choice my Lord. Dictators tend to be disposed of after all. Further, by earning their loyalty rather than demanding their fear, the demons sworn to you are more likely to put aside their own interests for yours..." Arzal complemented again.



Celestine fought the urge to gag as Arzal sucked up to Tristan. Instead she focused on Markus, still curious if Runes were something she could end up using... Despite her hopes, she realized it was quite unlikely. From the sounds of it, it took years to master such things, and she was pretty sure she didn't exactly have years... However as she observed Markus, he seemed to be taking a moment to rest, only for Arzal to snap at him. "Don't drag your feet. Go fetch the other cases. I need them to give examples of the services I will be able to offer him."



Markus however frowned lightly and spoke up, his voice clearly annoyed. "If you needed the other ones first, why didn't you tell me?"



Arzal scoffed. "Your own failings are not of my concern. Now hurry along." The demon demanded before turning towards Tristan again. "Again, my apologies my lord."



Tristan shook his head. "It's quite alright. I'm more than willing to wait." Tristan replied, even as Markus began to take his leave.



Celestine began to move to follow him, but Tristan's thoughts sounded to her through the Demonic Mark. <em>("Leave him be Celestine. Arzal is becoming suspicious of how much latitude I give you...and the dirty looks you've been giving him aren't helping either.")</em> Tristan explained calmly, even as he continued to carry on a conversation with Arzal.



Celestine sent a scoff over the Demonic Mark to him before replying. <em>("It isn't my fault Arzal is a pompous ass.")</em>



Celestine noticed Tristan almost break out and chuckle in the middle of talking to Arzal, apparently in response to her thoughts. <em>("That he may be, but for now I need him.")</em>



<em>("Well, as long as you're willing to acknowledge he's an asshole... Though I gotta say Tristan, for a Pride Demon, he's laying it on pretty thick don't you think? I mean I get trying to suck up to you, given your station, but even low rung demons didn't kiss your ass this much at Court...Do you think he's up to something?")</em> Celestine asked warily.



Celestine sensed a wave of approval coming from Tristan, apparently in response to her deduction. <em>("You are becoming more perceptive and cunning every day Celestine... Yes, he is pretty open to puckering up isn't he? But then he desperately wants something from me so it isn't a surprise that he's trying to butter me up.")</em> Tristan informed her, his thoughts carrying on a mischievous glint.



Celestine frowned lightly, curious as to what Arzal could want from Tristan, other than a patron. <em>("What does he want from you? I mean, yes you are powerful, but from what I've heard about him, power might not be what he's out for.")</em>



Celestine saw Tristan smile ever so lightly and glance back to her as Arzal busied himself with retrieving some artifact or what have you out of one of his trunks. <em>("Quite right Celestine. Arzal and other demons like him are often scholars and historians of our people, which makes them a bit of an oddity amongst our kind. Most demons are interested in accruing power and status, but Arzal and his ilk are interested in history and ancient relics more than anything. Strangely enough, this usually makes most demons look at them as non-threats.)</em> Tristan explained easily.



<em>("Well that makes some sense.")</em> Celestine replied. <em>("I can feel that Arzal is not an aggressive demon. In fact, if I were put on the spot I'd say he's probably the most passive demon I've ever encountered. His powers aren't aggressive like yours or any other demon's for that matter. I'd even almost describe him as benign.")</em> Celestine explained, still not sure how to gauge Arzal beyond his personality.



Tristan chuckled at her comments through the Demonic Mark. <em>("Benign? Perhaps that is an apt way of describing him... But then one could describe a tumor in much the same way, right before it becomes malignant and kills it's host...")</em> Tristan suggested darkly.

<hr pg="4" /><em>("Where the hell did that come from?")</em> Celestine asked, a bit surprised by how serious Tristan had become.



<em>("Let me ask you this...")</em> Tristan began slowly<em>. ("How do you think a spy would present themselves to a country that they are seeking to steal information from?")</em>



<em>("You keep coming up with statements that are completely out of left field Tristan...")</em> Celestine replied, confused by his apparently unrelated questions. <em>("But if I had to guess, maybe as a military officer or something like that?")</em>



Tristan visibly shrugged in response to her question, much to the confusion of Arzal as the two of them continued to speak aloud. <em>("Perhaps that has happened before, and I know movies love to portray secret agents doing exactly that, or pretending to be high stakes gamblers or something like that. But in reality, spies usually come in one of three guises... Businessmen, diplomats, and scholars...")</em>



Celestine looked to Tristan, unable to hide her surprise as he explained. <em>("Wait... what? The businessman I can understand, he'll try to steal economic secrets... the diplomat will try and steal government plans and the like... but why a scholar? What does a historian have to do with espionage?")</em> Celestine asked, still confused.



<em>("Because not so long ago, the term 'scholar' could refer to someone who did more than study history or a single subject, but instead referred to an individual who often studied a wide array of topics, including economics, sociology, medicine and engineering. Leonardo De Vinci would be the most obvious example of this, though as far as I'm aware, he never conducted any sort of espionage. However, it wasn't uncommon for lords and the like to be approached by scholars seeking a patron. In return for financial support, the scholar would work for the lord in question. Sometimes that meant designing bridges, other times it meant creating works of art to memorialize the lord in question. Regardless of what they were hired for, the scholar would be brought in and allowed to work closely with those in power...")</em> Tristan explained.



<em>("And that would give them plenty of opportunities to overhear important information...")</em> Celestine finished for Tristan.



She could feel another wave of approval from Tristan before he continued. <em>("Yes. But more than that, it gave the scholar the opportunity to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of whomever they were working for, or in the case of a spy, who they were pretending to work for. They would in turn, deliver such information to their true patrons who would in turn plan their future conquests.")</em> Tristan elaborated.



<em>("That's why you think Arzal is sucking up to you? Because he works for someone else who is out to topple you from your throne?")</em> Celestine asked curiously.



<em>("Perhaps. Perhaps not. Arzal might just be naturally docile and complacent. It could be just as likely that he wants to serve me in order to study something that I have in my possession.")</em> Tristan replied, his thoughts growing calm and relaxed again, now that he was finished making his allegations.



<em>("Study something you own? Like what?")</em> Celestine inquired, a bit annoyed that he went to such lengths to propose the idea that Arzal may be a spy, only to set it aside and say he might be here for some other reason entirely.



<em>("The Torment comes to mind... it's an ancient weapon and no one's really sure how exactly it came to be. We know the myths of course, and other demonic weapons do exist, but the Torment is unique in that the demonic soul within it, was the same one who forged the weapon itself. Usually demonic weapons and the like are created only after one demon has defeated another, and imprisons the loser into the weapon in question.")</em> Tristan suggested. <em>("Then again, he could be here for you... After Vestiem put such a high value on you at court, it wouldn't surprise me to know that someone came looking to find out why you're apparently so valuable.")</em> Tristan proposed his thoughts amused.



Celestine sighed lightly as she considered that. <em>("Joy. Just what I need... someone watching my every move and action...Whatever, I'll deal with it...")</em> Celestine finished before glancing to Arzal again, only to find his larger eye focused on her curiously, even as his normal eyes looked to Tristan while the two of them continued to speak. <em>("...That's just fucking creepy...")</em>



~~~~~



Markus began to approach the second load of luggage, finding it exactly where he had left it in the front foyer. Despite Arzal's demands that he hurry, Markus found himself taking his time with his tasks. The next few days were going to be painfully arduous, with him having to be close to Arzal for so long, while at the same time having little chance to continue his studies and works. It wouldn't be so bad if Arzal didn't demand to treat Markus like any other marked servant, but when in public Arzal seemed to care more about appearances than when they were in private. As a result, he was far more demeaning in public than in private...



Looking to the luggage in question, Markus seriously considered just saying 'fuck it' and blow off his work and make Arzal wait. Yet despite his dislike of his tutor, Markus felt his attraction to Celestine tugging at him. Now that he had the chance to be near her, he wasn't about to blow it off. Just seeing her earlier had made his heart skip once or twice, and it was a battle to keep himself from getting too familiar with her. Even now he could still recall the feel of her lips against, and despite knowing it was greedy, he wanted to feel them again. He was hoping to get some time privately with her, away from Arzal and Tristan in order to speak with her about how she had been handling Tristan's advances, but just from a glance he felt like she was doing alright. The fact that she wasn't clinging to him like some love struck puppy helped too.



Despite wanting to believe in her, part of him feared that was what he would find when they first got here. Markus knew that lust demons could be insidious, and it didn't take much to tempt a person. Yet there she was, firmly resolute and, at least in his mind, waiting for him... Without even thinking about it, Markus spoke her name, voice sounding more than a little infatuated. "Celestine..." He smiled as the name rolled off his tongue. "Damn..." he chuckled to himself. "It's hard to stop thinking about you now that I've gone and started again..." Markus said entirely to himself. The worst part of it was that he wasn't exaggerating. Over the last two days Markus thought about her often, and despite his best efforts, it had begun to affect his work...



"Still..." he began to himself, as the reality of their situation sunk in. "It's going to be hard... That bastard is in the way... As much as Celestine wants to resist him, she admitted to the fact that he's beginning to get to her." Markus thought about that for a moment, glaring down at the luggage as he mulled it over. He recalled the story about how Celestine earned the second Demonic Mark and how she chose to allow her treacherous friend to become a Hell Spawn breeder in order to protect the world at large from her... As much as Markus understood Celestine's decision, he couldn't agree with it. He didn't blame her of course... it was Durial's fault for pushing her into that position in the first place.



"Damn that bastard." Markus growled out. "Don't worry Celestine, You aren't alone any more." he muttered angrily. "We'll beat him... And I'll help save you from his corruption..." Markus swore to himself.



"And how will you do that, when you can't even save yourself?" An angry female voice almost spat at him from barely ten feet behind Markus.



Instantly Markus realized that he had allowed himself to become distracted, and even as he turned to face this new hostility, he recognized it for what it was: a demon of wrath. But before he even got all the way around, he saw her, and immediately his began to doubt his senses... She was so small, hardly more than five feet tall. But at the same time the purple glow of her eyes only confirmed what his arcane senses told him... Demon.



Though if any doubt remained, it was quickly wiped away when she closed the gap with frightening speed. Markus only just got his guard up before she lashed out at him with a double handed back swing that would have shattered the arms of any normal mortal who received the blow. Markus, thankfully, was only sent soaring back towards the nearest wall. Still, the pain was immense, and he was certain that he would have passed out if several of his newest runes didn't kick in and dissipate the pain for him. Seems it wasn't such a bad idea after all, creating additional support runes for this visit...



When Markus landed, he was already rolling and was up on his feet, facing off his attacker. Unlike most Arcanists, Runesmiths were known for diving into close combat. The ability to strengthen their bodies and accelerate themselves well beyond human capacity often won them enough of an advantage. Even if it didn't, the weapons they forged usually would win them the day.



Yet she seemed intent on killing him regardless of what he may or may not be, as again, the raven haired demoness came careening at him like a meteor. Yet despite the second of time it took for her to reach him, Markus was already analyzing her... Her reach and speed core amongst the things he began to read, but also how she moved and attacked. Even as he blocked the wild right handed sweep that she sent his way, Markus learned and adapted. This time the blow didn't send him flying, but instead only sent him skidding back a half dozen feet. Yet the fact that he kept his feet under him seemed to surprise and infuriate his attacker.



"Fucking Wizard!" The woman hissed angrily, eyes burning even brighter for a moment. Still the reprieve was short lived as the demoness launched herself at him again. This time though Markus raised his guard and held his ground, deflecting the first and second blow, before just managing to retaliate by lashing out with his clenched fist. When it connected, the demoness's head snapped back and she staggered a foot or so back, as if surprised he had actually connected.



But even as he put some distance between them, Markus couldn't help but grin widely. "Surprised that I was able to hit you?" he asked, his voice thick with confidence. "Hate to tell you this, but you are not the first demon I've tussled with, and I doubt very much that you'll be the last. I know I can keep up with you, which means I can beat you." Markus declared, fists held in front of him in a stance that reflected several fighting techniques.



However, as he watched, his assailant rubbed her cheek and then looked at her hand, and he noticed something that was perhaps a tad concerning... She was smiling. "Fuck... and here I thought this would be over quickly..." She said aloud and somewhat amused. "Maybe I called the cleanup crew in a bit to early..." She continued, glancing down one of the half dozen hallways that led to the Foyer.



Following her gaze, Markus found several lesser demons waiting in the hall, buckets and mops in hand, ready to clean up a corpse... "Yea, that was probably a bit premature of you." Markus replied, looking back to her. "But why the hell are you attacking me? I mean other than the fact that you are a bat shit crazy wrath demon..."



The woman giggled at his comments before nearly breaking out into a loud fit of laughter, only to quickly forced it down before it grew to loud. "No! Can't be too loud... She might overhear us then... Got to be quiet..." The woman said to herself, still giggling occasionally before she looked to Markus again. "Why? Because you want to take her away from Master... From me... You have already tried to convince her to abandon me... to learn from you so I won't be needed any more! But she doesn't need you... Celestine is plenty strong, and will become even stronger soon. Until then, she doesn't need you, because I'm her guardian." The woman almost spat her final words at Markus, her mirth dissolving under a fresh tide of barely controlled rage.



It was then that it clicked for Markus. "You... You are Rena. The demon Celestine described... What the hell is going on here? You're female... but a wrath demon too... I was told that was impossible." Markus replied, confusion beginning to creep onto his face.



"Fuck impossible and fuck you too. I'm here and that means you're dead meat. Strong as you are, your blows won't have any lasting damage. Plus, I'm still stronger that you..." Rena replied with a wicked grin on her face as she began to step towards Markus again. He could hear her clenching and unclenching her fists, knuckles popping loudly with each flex.



But then Markus wasn't intimidated. "Well shit... And here I thought I'd have to wait a while to actually deal with you. When Celestine told me about you I thought she was being lied to somehow, as supposedly all Wrath demons are male. But here you are, an angry bitch bearing her fangs... But you are right... I can't do lasting harm to you with just my fists..." Markus began, making Rena smile a bit wider, even as his insults and arrogant voice infuriated her further. "But then I'm a Runesmith... we're never unarmed..." Markus ran his thumb down the silver rings that he wore on his middle fingers, causing the incredibly tiny inscriptions hidden on them to come to life and spill over his hands.



In a moment, Rena found Markus holding his fists up again, ready to fight. But now, each knuckle bore a glowing red rune and she could sense the destructive power flowing through them. "Wow, you going to pull a rabbit out of your ass next?" Rena asked, completely unimpressed and with utter disdain dripping off her voice. Before he could reply, she was throwing herself at him again, a rumbling snarl escaping her lips.



When Rena reached Markus, she actually began by flipping over him and lashing out as she soared above. Three quick swipes ripped out at him, but Markus was able to either dodge or deflect the strikes easily enough. However when she came down, she landed low, with her knees bent almost completely, leaving Markus's guard far too high. Even as he desperately tried to bring his guard down, Rena lashed out again, aiming for the center of his mass with fast upward swipe. Markus was able to twist his body to avoid it, but it left him open for Rena's follow up jab that connected cleanly into his side, driving the air out of his lungs.



Again Markus found himself thankful for the runes hidden across his body and in his clothes. Without them he was fairly certain the blow would have pulverized his abdomen and detonated his liver... Skirting back a few feet to try and gain some breathing room, Markus twisted back to face Rena head on. It only took him a moment to push through having his wind knocked out and as Rena approached again, Markus took the offensive, dashing to meet her.



He opened with a jab, which Rena quickly ducked under, only to meet Markus's knee coming up with enough forward momentum to nearly lift Rena off her feet. With her head snapped back, Rena found herself wide open for the second jab, which connected cleanly on her chin with enough force to blow a normal person's face off. Unfortunately for Markus, all he got for his efforts was the sound of Rena's jaw dislocating...



Both combatants backed off and Markus saw the abject rage that spilled across Rena's face, even as part of her jaw hung loosely. Still, Markus was completely confident in his eventual victory. Yes, she had gotten a shot or two in, but it wasn't anything that Markus wasn't already recovering from. Further, he could see the burnt and flayed skin where he had connected with Rena's jaw, his runes doing their job and destroying the flesh they connected with. Still, he had to admit that she was tough... many demons would have a gaping crater in the side of their face after a blow like that, yet Rena only had four small rips in her flesh from each of the runes.



"You're a tough bitch aren't you?" Markus began, grinning all the way. "Oh! Sorry... you can't really reply with your jaw like that can you?" He mocked.



However Rena silenced his bravado as he watched her jaw clench, and a moment later the pull of Rena's muscles snapped the dislocated jaw back into place with a loud pop. "What the fuck are you going on about you arrogant piece of shit? You really thought that love tap would shut me up?!" Rena almost barked at him, even as blood began to run down her neck from her injuries.



Markus didn't reply, but instead rushed Rena again. Trying to land a jab or heavy hook in between low kicks meant to destabilize her balance. Unfortunately, Rena seemed to be dodging or deflecting most of the incoming blows, even if she only sparingly managed to return fire with an equal amount of success. But to Markus it didn't matter if he didn't connect again right away, he knew he would eventually, and that he would eventually be able to bring this demon down. Still, the fact that Rena still wore a sadistic grin was difficult to ignore...



But he didn't let it deter him from trying, and after a string of ducking and weaving, Markus saw Rena's balance falter for just a moment, but that was long enough for him. Markus stepped into his next heavy hook, sending his clenched fist rocketing towards the undamaged side of Rena's face. He knew if he connected properly, she would be stunned long enough to bury her under a tide of strikes. It was made all the more ideal as Rena seemed to be turning into the blow, and that the combined force of the collision could easily spell her ending.



So when Markus's fist connected, he felt a thrill of prideful celebration run through him for a fraction of a second and nearly roared out in his apparent victory. Yet even as the sound of triumph escaped his lips, Markus suddenly understood something was terribly wrong... He could feel her skin of her cheek against his knuckles, but all the pressure that was supposed to be there, wasn't... Yet somehow he could still see her head snapping back, as if he had just struck her across the face with an iron club...



The blow rushed past Rena's now turned head, and Rena continued to spin with the blow, which was expected if it had connected properly, yet Markus knew it hadn't. Another fraction of a second later and Markus began to understand what was happening, as Rena nearly did a full 360 degree spin and literally turned up his now outstretched arm. When her features came into view again, Markus found her sadistic smile again, and her eyes glowing in that furious purple haze, her onyx hair swirling around her head as she continued to turn.



The next thing he felt was her foot landing on the leg he stepped forward with to throw the heavy hook, which was now responsible for holding all his weight up, making it impossible to withdraw. That was quickly followed by the feeling of her strong hands gripping his now outstretched arm and seeing Rena begin to lift herself up by using his arm. By reflex alone, Markus began to pull his arm back, twisting desperately to face Rena who now had his flank utterly dominated. But even as he turned, Markus realized it was too late, and that whatever had planned, was going to hurt... A lot...



He saw her almost in slow motion push herself up with the foot planted on his leg, leaping up so that her hips were on a level plane with his head. He couldn't help but watch as her free leg, which was pulled back and tensed, began to come screaming forwards, and connect with the side of his head like a damn freight train...



Markus knew his consciousness blinked in and out for an impossibly short moment, as he didn't recall exactly when his neck had snapped around so far. Going so far as to even threaten to stretch past the point it would take to fatally snap his neck. Only through sheer will did Markus manage to pull his skull back before it spun off like a top, despite the howling muscles in his neck and upper chest. To say he was seeing starts was an understatement... It would be more accurate to say that he saw snippets of the world through the clouds of bright lights. Yet somehow, miraculously, Markus began to turn to face Rena again. He knew she wouldn't let a stunned opponent survive if given the chance. His one blessing was that it would take her a moment to drop to the ground and recover her stance...

<hr pg="5" />He heard her feet hitting the ground, just to his right and fought to raise his guard in that direction, to defend against the oncoming blow. Unfortunately, the only thing he saw as he turned to her was the end of her black hair flowing behind her, with her well out of his range of vision. He understood she was behind him even before he felt her powerful grip take hold of him by the hip and shoulder. And he understood she was about to hurl him as his feet left the ground...



The world became a cascade of shapes and colors and Markus felt Rena swing him bodily around her before hurling him away like a rag doll. He connected with something mid flight with his right shoulder, and given the screaming pain that shot down his arm, Markus though that it might have dislocated. Strange that the thought ran through his mind before he registered the sickening popping sound that sounded from the dislocated joint.



The landing wasn't as rough as Markus had dreaded, as it seemed the earlier impact had stolen away much of the force of the throw. Thankfully, vertigo hadn't destroyed his sense of balance, and Markus was able to get up to his feet quickly, despite the fact that he was having trouble opening his left eye. Not surprising given that her kick had landed on that side of his face...



He quickly found her standing a dozen feet away, her face showing both grudging respect for the fact that he was still alive, let along standing, and murderous glee, because it meant she could keep beating him into a bloody stain... "HA!" She sounded happily, even as her features were marred by the magical wounds. Even if the blow hadn't connected completely, the runes upon his fists still did their job, and injured Rena further. "And you called me tough!" Rena continued, taking a step towards him. "But I gotta fucking wonder, how much more you got left in you?" Rena asked with a cruel sneer.



"Oh... Well that is an interesting question now, isn't it?" Markus replied, as his still functioning hand began to probe his injured shoulder... Yes, it was definitely dislocated. "You see... I don't really run off stamina like most mortals might during a fight..." he began as he approached the nearby pillar which probably dislocated his shoulder in the first place. "When I'm in a combat situation, like now for example, I use arcane energies stored in several runes to help supplement my needs. It isn't perfect mind you, and it is a pain in the ass to keep them charged when I'm not fighting. But I think you'll agree that the regular maintenance is worth it..." Markus finished as he moved up to the pillar and lined his own shoulder up to it. A moment later he slammed his shoulder against the hard edifice and kept himself from roaring out in pain as he forced the joint back in place. "... Well...." He said in between painful gasps for air. "That was unpleasant..."



"No shit." Rena replied bluntly to his last comment. "Look, you about done blathering?" Rena continued, already growing impatient.



"I don't recall ever asking you to wait on my account. Though I have to say I am thankful." Markus tested his shoulder once or twice. It wasn't perfect, but it would do for now. But that wasn't really his biggest problem... His primary issue was the fact that Rena, despite fighting like a wild animal, was frighteningly skilled. She went on the defensive on purpose to draw him in for when she made an opening for him to exploit and for her to counter. The thing was, that unlike him, she fought with almost no style at all, making it incredibly difficult to read her movements. For her to have reached this level of skill, with her complete and utter lack of style, suggested that she had hundreds of battles under her belt, at the very least. While that conclusion was daunting, Markus shook his head, spat out a glob of bloody phlegm and turned to face her again, arms raised, waving her to come at him...



"Well, at least you ain't a pansy..." Rena commented harshly before rushing at him again. Markus stood his ground as she lashed out, and moved as little as possible in order to avoid the sharp attack from Rena that sailed past his ear. Yet before she could withdraw, Markus snapped out with both hands, leaving himself open as he clinched her arm, and slipped into her flank. It was a position that prevented him from attacking her, but it kept her completely unable to attack him as well. She instantly tried to muscle her way out of it, but Markus held fast, and kept the arm pinned, leaving her with only the ability to go forwards. Yet even as she did so, Markus began to turn to stay in her flank, and Rena found herself almost being swung around, and realized too late that he was using their combined momentum to drive her face first into the pillar she had thrown him into. The crack of stone sounded and Rena staggered back as blood streamed from her nose and broken lip, but Markus wasn't finished with her just yet. Still holding onto her arm, Markus dragged her into a roll, slamming her onto her back as he still held onto her arm.



Rena tried to get up again, but quickly found his weight on top of her chest, his lower body and legs stretched across her as the clinch on her arm shifted. A moment later Rena suddenly felt her arm being bent the wrong way with incredible pressure. Instinctively she began to pull her arm back but Markus's hold was to strong. He was using his entire body to try and break her one arm, and laid out as she was she couldn't do anything to stop it.



Rena immediately began to thrash about and try and bridge her whole body with her legs. She even tried to reach him with her unpinned arm, but even that was impossible as his legs stretched out over her upper arm, keeping her from using it to help her. A hateful snarl escaped her lips as Rena fought to break free, only to find that it was essentially impossible with the way things were.



"Give it up girly! Your arm is mine, and after I'm done breaking it, I'm going to pick you apart piecemeal." Markus announced proudly, even as he heard Rena's arm begin to creak and bend further. "I'm going to save Celestine, from you and that bastard you call master!" Markus swore aloud.



But when he looked to her attractive features, Markus found her face not contorted in pain like he expected. Instead he saw blind animal rage painted on her face, with her lips pulled back bearing her sharp teeth as she snarled and hissed at him. Yet despite that, he was certain he had her. She couldn't break free, and in a moment her arm would snap, leaving her crippled and nearly helpless.



That was until he felt her bite down into his leg, quickly by the feeling of hot blood flowing across his skin. Markus grunted in agony as he reflexively let go of her arm and began smashing his fist down upon her skull, It took three blows before any headway was actually made, and that was only because she snapped her head away, the flesh of his leg still locked in her teeth. Markus rolled away and again got up to his feet, only to feel hot blood continue to run down and into his shoe.



His pants were ripped wide open and even as he focused energies into stopping the bleeding, he saw Rena rise slowly, her eyes locked on him and burning fiercely behind the strands of disheveled black hair that fell across her once alluring features. From her jaws hung a scrap of his pants, which she quickly pulled away. Yet even from a distance Markus could see the hunk of meat she had torn away, hanging bloodily from her lips. He had nothing to say, as he watched her chew it a few times, before swallowing it, quickly followed by that same sadistic grin...



"Yummy... you taste pretty good mortal... I hope you don't mind if I eat you up..." Her feminine voice began to carry a thick threatening rumble to it."



"Got to kill me first little missy." Markus snapped back, falling into his stance again. All told, he felt he was doing alright... Even if he hadn't broken her arm, Markus had done some damage to it by stretching it well beyond the range it was supposed to go. Unfortunately, it seemed as if Rena was almost completely immune to pain, and if she did feel it, she showed no sign of it.



Rena, true to form, came bolting towards Markus, both hands stretched out to try and grab him, only to meet Markus's outstretched hands and lock up with him. The two of them stood face to face as both tried to push the other back. Slowly, and despite her frustrations, Markus began to gain ground, and soon he was glaring into her angry eyes, his own full of self-assurance.



"I thought you said you were stronger than me?" He sneered out. Yet even despite her losing position, Markus realized that Rena still showed no concern at all. It didn't make sense... only the most bloody minded demons showed no concern for failure or loss... So why didn't she seem to care?!



"I am." She replied, voice thick with anger and hate. "I know I am!" She repeated as she continued to push. "Just can't use my full power, Celestine might sense it and come running!"



Markus snapped back, thinking he could see through her childish excuse "Bullshit! You're on your last legs and we both know it! Besides, Celestine is a normal human; she couldn't possibly sense either of our powers!"



However the look that crossed Rena's face in response his words sent a cold sweat down his back... Rena looked as if she had just realized something... "Wait... You've been using your full powers all this time... And she hasn't come running!" Rena replied, her voice smooth and feminine again. "We must be to far away!" Rena continued, almost with a giddy smile.



"Reality check Rena!" Markus snapped out, trying to push her back even more. "She isn't coming because she doesn't care about you! Why would she? She's human, and you're a fucking demon! Besides, it won't matter in a minute. I'm just about done with yo-... What the?" Markus asked himself as all his forward progress suddenly stalled... He looked to her arms and found them completely still, even as his shuddered in exertion.



"Oh I love that look on your face..." Rena cooed playfully, even as Markus could hear the undertone of spiteful rage in it. "That 'I'm so royally fucked' look there... Yes that's it!" Rena continued, eyes wide to see every feature of his face as realization dawned on him. "Ya know... Celestine said you were smart, so it's a bit of a surprise you didn't figure it out... I mean think about it... I'm still in my human form, and I haven't tried using any powers at all on you..." Rena began to explain, leaving Markus to figure out the rest.



"... ... Oh fuck me..." Markus groaned, as the dots began to come together. She wasn't bullshitting him, and it became painfully apparent that she was holding herself back, all because she seemed worried that Celestine would come rushing in during the middle of their fight and scold her for it. He should have seen it earlier, but he was letting his successes blind him to the truth of it... Rena still wore her human form, and she hadn't used a scrap of her powers to try and influence him, or even increase her already sizable unnatural strength...



"Heh... Thanks for the offer, but not even on your best day..." Rena replied lewdly to his words. "But I'll happily kill you now!" She said with an insane chipper voice.



Markus watched as she began to push him back, her toothy grin showing, stained with his own blood. His only consolation was that she still at least seemed to be trying, and that she couldn't just blow him out of the water with the wave of her hand...



Not that that consolation did much when he suddenly felt her pulling him by his hands, and quickly began to swing him about again. A moment later he was airborne and quickly hit a wall. Nothing dislocated this time, but the landing stung badly. Not that he had any time to recover... Markus was up on his feet again only to find Rena in front of him, lashing out with that viciously gleeful smile. He managed to block the first heavy blow, even though it nearly knocked him to his knees. The second one he managed to dodge, even as she punched a hole through the marble panel he leaned against. The third he couldn't avoid though, and it came hooking up and catching him in the chin, nearly lifting him off his feet.



It wasn't a killing blow, but then it wasn't meant to be. The blow its job and stood Markus nearly straight up, giving Rena a prime opportunity to drop down and kick out his legs with enough force to almost completely flip Markus. He only managed to avoid landing on his head by throwing his arms out first to take the initial impact, though his head quickly followed and filled his vision with a new wave of stars. Yet even before the rest of his body fell down, Rena snapped her knee up, and caught him in the hip with enough force to make him almost bounce off the wall.



When Markus finally came to a complete halt upon the ground, he half cursed the fact that he was still alive, while at the same time thanking his runes for keeping him that way. Still, he knew he was in bad shape. He could taste more than a little blood in his mouth, and he was fairly certain a couple ribs were either severally bruised or cracked...



But it only seemed to get worse for him, as the moment's pause seemed only to exist to give Rena a moment wind her leg back and kick Markus when he was down, with enough force to literally lift him four feet into the air. Only to be quickly followed by Rena slamming both fists down across his chest and hips, sending him hurtling down with enough force to crack the marble tiles beneath him.



When he landed, a cough escaped his lips, which carried a thick mouthful of blood. His vision blurred and Markus was almost certain he could feel internal bleeding begin... Taking another mental check, Markus found some rather ill news... The bruised ribs had become broken ribs, he was fairly certain one of his kidneys was severally injured. Worst of all, three quarters of his runes were utterly ruined, and those that weren't, were nearly spent, but still managing to keep him barely alive... He guessed he could salvage about half of the broken runes, but as he thought about it, the urge to laugh struck him, despite the pain in his chest. It was particularly funny, because somehow, he still half expected to survive this... Markus couldn't help but think that perhaps Arzal and his former teachers were right, and that he was an arrogant overconfident ass...



But such thoughts were pushed away as he felt Rena grab his shirt and sat him up. He cracked an eye open and looked to her, grinning down to him maliciously. "Damn! You still ain't dead? Well good for you." Rena applauded. "Gotta say, even though I hate you're your guts, that was a pretty fun fight, even if I had to hold myself back some. That arm thing was interesting too. Probably would have broken it if I hadn't gotten to bite you." Rena paused as she leaned in. He felt her warm tongue lap up the side of his features, licking away the blood that leaked from the lacerations there.



"Mmmnnn.... I wasn't joking when I said you tasted good... But then hey, I love the taste of blood so maybe it's that... Anyway..." Rena paused leaning back some to pick up one of his hands. "Now that you're all helpless and shit, I figured I'd amuse myself for a little while longer... But I need you to do something for me... You can't scream." Rena paused again, looking into his eyes. "See, despite us being rowdy, I've worked really <em>REALLY</em> hard not to get to loud... I didn't want Celestine to over hear us and come looking. And because you never really shouted or screamed your head off, she never heard us. Then again, it could be because she's on the far side of the building, but meh... better safe than sorry."



Markus grunted painfully before he tried to form several words. "Yo-...you're fucking insane... you evil bitch..."



Rena smile and giggled at his words. "Yea well... I can't deny that. How did you put it? I'm 'bat shit crazy' when it comes to things in regards to Celestine. See... normally I'd just fucking rip your head off and be done with it... But you threatened to take her away from me and Master... and that <em>really</em> pisses me off... So I'm gonna make you suffer as long as I possibly can... That said, if you care about Celestine at all, you'll stay quiet, so she doesn't have to see you all mangled up like this... Okay? Okay..." Rena answered for him, slowly bringing his hand up to her lips and she moved to sit in his lap, straddling him with a leg on each side of him.



Markus tried to speak, but her free hand pressed against his chest where his ribs were broken, to keep him quite. "Oh... it seems you have an owie here..." Rena cooed as she looked at one of his fingers, which was bruised and cut lightly. "I'll kiss it better." Rena continued, before kissing the tip of his finger lightly. "Now... remember..." she began again, "don't scream..." She finished, before she opened her mouth and began to slip the finger into her mouth in some dark parody of the erotic gesture. Markus tried to struggle, but it was useless as she began to squeeze her teeth down around the highest finger bone. She kept her lips pulled back so he could watch it happen with a clear view. Despite her request, Markus began to groan as her sharp canines began to break flesh, and fresh blood began to spill from the digit and into her mouth or over her lips and down her chin.



"Miss Rena?" One of the other female demons meant to clean up his corpse spoke up from behind her, voice clearly concerned. They had apparently approached the two of them now that the fight was over. Rena however only seemed to ignore her, as her tongue darted out between her teeth and lapped at the blood that leaked from him. Markus watched, horrified, as she shuddered in an almost erotic joy at the taste of him... only to bite down a little bit more and cut deeper.



"Miss Rena!" The demoness sounded again, voice becoming more afraid. Markus vaguely realized she was dressed as a maid, which confused him greatly... He tried to figure out why she would be dressed like that, only to realize what a silly thing to think about as he was about to die... Again Rena ignored the demoness and bit down, just a little further. Much more, and she would have reached bone... The pain was blinding, and the painful wet groaning that escaped Markus's lips were beginning to grow in volume.



"MISS RENA!" The same demoness almost yelled to her, voice clearly terrified. Markus saw the flash of rage explode in Rena's eyes and in an instant his finger was out of her mouth and she was up, slamming the demoness in question against the wall.



"<strong>What</strong>!?<em>"</em> Rena hissed angrily, her mouth a half inch away from the maid's throat, clearly threatening to tear it out.



The maid was shivering in fear and Markus was fairly certain she was fighting not to piss herself as her arm came up and pointed...



Rena turned slowly, glaring at whatever it was the maid was pointing at... Only for a fresh wave of rage to nearly engulf her senses as she saw whom the maid was pointing at. "What the fuck do you want Claude?" Rena snapped angrily, finally letting go of the maid in question, who promptly scurried out of Rena's reach.



Markus weakly turned his head to find the crazy tall Pride Demon looming over both of them, little more than half dozen feet away. Yet unlike before when they first got there, Markus saw that his features were not perfectly calm. Instead, he seemed annoyed, like dealing with this situation was beneath him. "I'm here to tell you to stop what you're doing. Our Lord and Master has need of that mortal yet." Claude announced coldly.



"But he wants to turn Celestine against me and Master!" Rena replied sharply, anger and rage tainting her voice. But Markus could hear something else there, something he hadn't heard during their entire fight. Not even when he was about to destroy her arm... desperation.

<hr pg="6" />"What he wants to do or not do is unimportant. You will stop this. Now." Claude ordered bluntly.



Rena growled at him lowly. "You can't order me around Claude..." Markus watched as her knees began to bend, as if coiling to strike.



"Of course I can Rena. I just did. But if you are looking to settle this with a contest of strength..." Claude began to undo the buttons of his black suit jacket. "I think you'll find yourself ill equipped to defeat me." He turned to the maids. "You, go get the medical supplies for the Runesmith, the rest of you, leave." He ordered, and they went to quickly obey.



Markus couldn't believe his ears... This one was stronger than her? Holy god... how many powerful demons were there in this house? Rena was at least on par with a mid-tier noble, if not even stronger...



"You aren't stronger than me Claude, you know that as well as I do." Rena threatened angrily.



"Of course I am." Claude replied without any hesitation at all, as if her claim of greater power was ridiculous. "And even <em>if</em> we were on par with one another at our bests, you would still lose. Despite holding yourself back Rena, you are still injured. Whether you like to admit it or not, his runes did lasting harm to your body. Plus, you are not accustomed to holding yourself back, so you've wasted a great deal of your demonic energies... You might not be running on empty, but you certainly don't have a full tank like I do."



Rena's fists flexed in frustration and Markus saw that despite her want to fight Claude, she knew he was right, or at least right enough to matter today. "But... He'll turn her against me! And Master too!" Rena almost whined. "I can't let that happen!"



Claude looked to Rena for a long moment, eyes searching for something beyond Markus's understanding. Eventually though, he did reply, his voice cool and composed again. "I've always known you've had an envious streak in you... Even when you first came to us I could see it. I'm guessing it stemmed from seeing other demons from your old cage... laughing and enjoying themselves, when all you knew was Barathax's beatings and that bloody arena. It probably doesn't help that many of the souls you consume are envious of your power, even as they lay dieing..."



"...Stop it Claude..." Rena warned, though her voice sounded somehow weak and afraid to Markus.



"I saw it every time he bedded a woman, mortal or demon... Oh how you hated it... And it wasn't like you could go anywhere to avoid knowing about it. Your sharp senses always detected the scent of sex, or could hear the cries of ecstasy as our Lord feasted on his victims from anywhere in the mansion. Every time you wished you were them... held tightly in his arms with him driving into your womanhood like he often did when he first tamed you." Claude continued, voice level and poised despite her warning.



"Shut up!" Rena almost begged, hating the memories he was dragging up.



"But because he told you not to worry about it, not to feel such jealousy, you began to hate that part of yourself, didn't you? It was around that time that you started stealing clothes from the maids, thinking that it might draw him to you. Wasn't it?" Claude continued relentlessly. Yet this time Rena had no response, and only seemed to take a step back...



"You've known envy all your life." Claude announced calmly. "And you hate yourself for it because you think our Lord will brand you vile for it... And now, you bare your fangs at this mortal, all because you fear that he'll steal Celestine from you. Because you envy the attention she gives him." Rena stepped back again, unable to deny it. Claude sighed slowly and shook his head. "Silly girl... Despite your social ineptitude, even you should be able to tell what this will do to Celestine. I know for a fact that she's tried to explain it to you several times already, but it has still eluded your grasp. Not that I can blame you overly much... There is little quality in that one." Claude paused glancing to Markus, clearly unimpressed. "Yet even if you don't understand why, you know hurting him will only hurt Celestine. Even what you've done so far will upset her, and by killing him, you may well threaten your relationship in its entirely." Claude warned lightly.



If nothing else, that got Rena's attention. "B-but... No... that isn't how it should work!" Rena replied, clearly frustrated and confused. "I'm doing this so we can stay together! She'll understand that!"



"Indeed she may understand your reasoning, but that doesn't mean she'll accept it. In fact, she may just take it as proof that you don't really care about her feelings at all and push you away entirely." Claude explained bluntly.



Rena stood there a bit dazed by his words. "Y-... you're wrong! Celestine wouldn't abandon me like that!"



"It would hardly be abandoning you Rena. It would be fleeing <em>from</em> you. As of right now, it looks as if you have absolutely no intention of ever allowing her to make new relationships. That you in fact plan on keeping her chained to only you and our Lord. Even if she approached other demons and tried to form new bonds, can you honestly say you wouldn't act aggressively towards those individuals and try and chase them away?" Claude asked, already knowing the answer.



"She wouldn't be safe with them!" Rena objected. "I have to keep her safe! It's my fucking job!" Rena finished, worry gnawing on her that Celestine might have already made new companions, who were only bent on doing harm, or taking Celestine away from her.



But before Claude could reply, Markus gave a wet chuckle and began to speak. "And exactly how safe is she with you? How long till you lose your temper and she dies at you-<em>UNG!</em>" Markus was cut off as he found Claude's boot stepping down on his open leg wound.



"Be quiet." Claude ordered with a cold steely tone that would clearly bear no argument. There was no ultimatum, there was no warning. It was simply a statement that demanded unyielding conformity. In the face of such a tone, Markus found his mouth stunned into silence.



Yet it seemed Markus's words had an impact on Rena, and she took a step back, looking away and to the mess her fighting with Markus had created. It wasn't anything terribly serious, but it wasn't the first time she had let anger guide her... "What if he's ri-" Rena began, but Claude cut her off.



"Don't even entertain such a foolish notion. What does this wretch know of you, or the seemingly impossible task you face on a daily basis? I know how terrible your rage really is Rena, as I saw it years ago when you let it burn unbound. I also know how hard it is for you to keep it contained. Yet here you are, relatively level headed and <em>not</em> the frothing bezerker you once were. The notion of you losing control and physically hurting Celestine is absurd." Claude explained bluntly, annoyed only by the idea that Rena was influenced at all by the mortal's words.



Rena looked to Claude and after a long moment nodded her agreement. "I hate saying it, but I suppose you're right about that. I could never raise my hand against Celestine... I think I'd rather die first." Rena explained, leaning against the wall.



Markus was stunned by her words. Hearing a demon say that it couldn't even conceive of hurting a particular mortal was absurd. But then today had been an example of absurdity...



"And that is why you are a perfect guard for her Rena. But just because she wants more in her life, doesn't mean she's trying to push you away, or that you have to censure her relationships. If the thought of hurting her physically is so wrong to you, why would you ever accept hurting her emotionally?" Claude asked easily. "After all, emotional scars can't be healed by the Demonic Mark, and in a way are worse than any physical harm you could inflict on her."



Rena frowned as she tried to wrap her head around what Claude was telling her. "But... Then what do I do!?" She asked, her voice rising in frustration. "I can't just let it happen! I can't just let him take her away from us!" Rena replied, casting a glare towards Markus.



"So don't." Claude replied, drawing her attention back to him. "I know it shouldn't, but it surprises me that the solution to your problem isn't obvious to you. You are in a special position to guide Celestine to make the right choices. You are her companion aren't you? So act like it, and help show her the right choices to make. You can't make them for her Rena, but you can help guide her." Claude explained, his voice carrying the ring of a mentor.



Rena frowned. "But wouldn't that just be manipulating her? I know it sounds crazy, but I don't want to do that to her! I don't think I can anymore, not with her anyway..." Rena explained, confused by her own feelings.



Claude smiled ever so slightly for only a fraction of a second before replying. "Rena, what do you want most, right at this moment?"



Rena cocked her head, confused by his sudden question. "I want Celestine to be with Master. For her to realize that they are supposed to be together!" She answered, voice firm and strong.



Claude nodded lightly before continuing. "Why? Why is it important to you that Celestine be with our Lord?"



Rena didn't even hesitate to reply. "Because I know being with him will make her happy! Happier than she's ever been before!" Rena answered staunchly.



"Than how exactly is it manipulation when you are doing it for her? For her happiness?" Claude asked frankly, waiting for her to connect the last two dots.



Rena stood for a long moment, staring at the ground as she tried to process Claude's words. Eventually she let out a sigh and ran her hand through her hair, understanding finally dawning on her. "Fuck... You know I've never been able to completely understand you when you go off on your big complicated explanations... You should have just started with 'just be her friend and help her make the right choices' and stopped there. It would have been a fuck-ton easier for me to get." Rena replied, her voice level again.



Claude shrugged. "Perhaps it would have been easier, but understanding the situation is worth the difficulty. Though I will admit, you've always have been a thick headed student, so it took longer than it should have." Claude finished, a slight smile upon his lips.



"Yea yea yea... Whatever." Rena turned to Markus and knelt down in front of him. Despite her outward calm, he could still see her anger, simmering underneath it all. "So guess what? I'm not gonna kill you. At least not right now. I still hate your guts, but I'm gonna let you live... I think I get what Claude was lecturing me about, and I realized that killing you would just piss off Celestine. Hell, I've probably already made her mad just for roughing you up a little bit. Oh well, friends fight I suppose..." Rena shrugged. "But just a word of warning, I tend to change my mind pretty often, so I wouldn't bother locking your room at night. Me smashing it down would only wake you up and then you'd be wide awake when I murdered you, versus dying peacefully in your sleep." Rena finished before getting up and walking past Claude. "I'm gonna go apologize to Master and Celestine for this... You got this handled?"



Claude chuckled. "Of course I do. What an absurd question."



"Uh huh..." Rena replied sarcastically before beginning to walk away.



"If you are going to see Lord Durial, bring the luggage with you." Claude instructed, pointing at the luggage Markus was supposed to bring back. Rena took it without a word, though she did grumble slightly.



Once she was gone Markus glanced up to Claude, confused why the tall Pride Demon would help him at all. He didn't really ask though, and eventually the demoness maid returned and Claude went to work patching Markus up, and was surprisingly quick about it. Thankfully, the few remaining runes that were still functioning were ones Markus could use to help heal himself over time and help handle some of the pain. Soon enough he was mobile again, though he could have used a pair of crutches. "I don't suppose you'd let me borrow your shoulder." Markus asked, fully aware he was asking a demon for help.



"And let you touch me any more than is absolutely necessary? Of course not. The fact that I had to touch you at all while patching you up is unsettling enough. Remember your place mortal." Claude replied frankly and simply, before beginning to walk briskly towards where his Lord and the others were.



"Of course, whatever was I thinking?" Markus grumbled as he hobbled after him, trying to keep up...



~~~~



"What is this?" Arzal asked as Rena came in and simply dumped his cases beside his other luggage. "Why isn't Markus carrying these?" Arzal asked as well, though Rena only seemed to ignore him as she approached Tristan. Thankfully, they seemed to be in a lull of the conversation between them. Celestine however, saw Rena's injuries and was immediately worried about what had happened.



"Uh... Master?... I kinda fucked up..." Rena admitted sheepishly.



Tristan smiled lightly to Rena, surprised to see her admitting her own actions. Claude must have gotten to her somehow. It was rare, but on occasion he did manage it. "I hope he's still alive at least..."



Rena nodded. "Yea. Claude convinced me to stop before he died... He'll probably be okay. Claude was going to help treat him." Rena explained.



Celestine stood wide eyed and stunned at what she was hearing. But before she could speak up Arzal cut her off. "I'm sorry if I might be understanding this, but was there a confrontation of some sort, between her and Markus?"



Rena turned and frowned at Arzal. "Aren't you supposed to be smart too? Why is that all the smart ones are so freaking slow today?" Rena asked, completely unconcerned with how Arzal responded. Regardless Rena didn't wait for an answer and turned back to Tristan and bowed her head lightly. "I'll accept any punishment you give me Master..."



Tristan gave a slight sigh and shook his head before patting the top of her head. "We'll deal with that later. For now, stick close to Celestine, alright?"



Rena nodded and circled the couch to stand near Celestine, who was still looking to her half stunned and half furious. "What the hell Rena?! Did you attack Markus?" Celestine whispered to her, though Arzal and Tristan could probably both hear her anyway.



"Well... yes. But could we talk about it later?" Rena asked, much to Celestine's annoyance.



She wanted to talk about it right now, before she had a chance to cool off. Still, the fact that Rena hadn't come out unscathed concerned her as well. "Yes, I think we should. But first are you alright?" Celestine asked, leaning over some to look over Rena's injuries. "Jeeze... these look bad Rena..."



"Ouch!" Rena hissed. "Just don't poke them and they'll be fine in a day or so." Rena replied, pulling away from Celestine's touch.



"And Markus is going to be okay?" Celestine asked, clearly concerned. Rena huffed but nodded lightly, not happy that Celestine seemed to care about him at all. But then Celestine did something to surprise Rena. "And you are sure you're going to be okay?" The sincerity of the question shook Rena, drawing her gaze back to her companion. "I'd probably lose my mind if something serious happened to you..." Celestine continued, being completely honest. Rena smiled again, though she was a bit sheepish in doing so before nodding, provoking a light smile from Celestine. "Good." Celestine finished before pulling Rena in to embrace her lightly.



"... Uh... What's that all about?" Arzal asked, clearly confused by the display he was seeing.



"Oh, don't worry about the ladies. They have a unique relationship. Nothing you need to concern yourself with right now." Tristan announced, drawing Arzal's attention back to him. "But now that you have your luggage perhaps you can show me the Shards of Karnak?" Tristan asked, attempting to keep Arzal's attention. "I'm curious to know how you think such a mighty weapon was destroyed..."



"Yes!" Arzal replied quickly. "I had almost forgotten. Again, forgive the lack of haste from my servant. I'll reprimand his laziness later. As you know, Karnak was once a demonic pole arm capable of cutting down great swaths of foes on the battlefield. I have found that based on ancient texts, the weapon was destroyed during the American revolution. You see, the wielder of Karnak at the time was trying to prolong the war by fighting on both sides of the battle, killing men on either side and trying to keep both sides from achieving a strategic victory in order to keep feasting on the wrath and suffering the war created. However, I believe that several Nephilim detected his actions, and were forced to call down a True Angel in order to defeat Karnak and its wielder... The Angel, unwilling to allow even the tool that was responsible for prolonging the war to continue to exist, destroyed it and it's wielder together, blasting Karnak into a thousand pieces... The Nephilim were able to gather most of them, but I have three of the original shards, and another two back in my library..." Arzal explained with a glee that was hard to categorize...



Still, Tristan paid attention, glad to have distracted him from the fact that Rena had apparantly nearly butchered his servant...



~~~~



It was a good twenty minutes before Claude and Markus arrived, though Markus was several steps behind Claude, and swathed in bandages.



"Rena!" Celestine couldn't help but cry out. "Look at him! What the hell did you do to him?"



"I beat his ass up... What does it look like? Did you think I cuddled him or something?" Rena asked, smiling at her own joke.



Arzal however seemed disinclined to treat this as a laughing matter. "What did you do to insult one of our host's loyal demons? Apologize now!" Arzal demanded of Markus as he stood up.



Markus frowned, though it was hard to tell under all the bandages. "I didn't do anything! She attacked me!"



"Enough of your lies. Tell the truth or I swear I'll-" Arzal began, but Tristan cut him off mid threat.



"Enough Arzal. Please, sit. Punishments and things like that can be handled later. For now, I'd like to talk to you about something else." Tristan announced easily.



Arzal, for all his bluster, seemed to calm down almost instantly, and sat back down. "Of course my lord, of course! What did you have on your mind to discuss?" He asked pleasantly. Meanwhile Markus moved to find a seat, and Celestine moved to help assist him, Rena giving Celestine some space...



"Well..." Tristan began. "I wanted to go back and talk about how to maintain the loyalty of one's sworn demons. You said earlier that this room was far more inviting than a threatening throne room, and I still agree with that. However, compared to other tools at my disposal, this room is but a paltry means when it comes to maintaining loyalties." Tristan explained easily.



Arzal nodded and smiled pleasantly. "Please do go on my Lord. I'm curious how you manage. Many Demonic Lords do not use such methods and demand loyalty through force of arms... Yet you seem completely opposite to that manner..." Arzal began, leaving it open for Tristan to fill in the blanks.



"To be honest, I prefer to nurture and support younger demons, and help them grow in power. By doing so, they tend to know me all their lives, or at least during their growth. Unlike other Lords and high nobles, who tend to simply draw servants and lesser nobles in through status and power. The benefit to this is, that even if I seem like a weaker choice, when compared to other demonic nobles, they will be more inclined to stay with me, rather than risk another taking them into their fold, only to steal everything they've worked so hard to build. In essence, I care about those who are sworn to me, not just their power and how I can use it."

<hr pg="7" />"I see!" Arzal replied quickly. "It makes a certain amount of sense actually, and we've seen many examples of your method in the human world. Most demons in power tend to rail against such methods due to how long it takes to pay off, and the fact that one starts out with a much weaker power base... And evidence shows that they might not have been wrong in believing so. Even you had to fight off numerous attempts on your life and the lives of those sworn to you in your early years as a Noble and Lord, or so I understand. How did you keep demons from fleeing your side in the face of such odds?"



Tristan smiled, and everyone who it saw it realized it had a dark taint to it. "Well, simply put, I rewarded those who serve me loyally. Take Rena for example... Before I claimed her, she was mistreated, barely fed, and regularly abused by Barathax, the current Lord of Wrath. Yes she was strong, but she was nowhere near her potential. I took her in, put time and effort into developing her, and she's grown for it. Further, I've allowed her to hunt and feed on souls more often than most Demonic Lords would, simply to help encourage that growth further... Where most would fear a lesser demon rising in power and threatening their rein, I encourage growth by rewarding loyalty. In essence, it becomes Win-Win, for both my subjects and myself. My forces grow stronger, while the individual demons grow stronger and gain greater status, some of which eventually rising up to be nobles themselves."



Before Arzal could reply, Tristan cut him off. "For another example, let's look at your servant Markus... You've been giving him information over time about demonic glyphs to help him develop new Runes, and it keeps him working diligently, right?" Tristan asked calmly.



"Quite right my Lord. Markus has made leaps and bounds in the field of his research, and I plan on putting his knowledge to good use for you." Arzal assured.



"I'm sure you are. But before that, I have to ask... Do you have all the texts and the like to give him to complete his work? I understand that you currently only give him bits and pieces, though never enough to make his work easy." Tristan asked curiously.



Arzal paused at that, but eventually nodded. "Yes, I do. Though my Lord, I should note that there is a reason why I don't give it all to him at once. By giving it to him piecemeal, he's able to explore each facet more completely."



Tristan nodded lightly before looking to the beaten Markus. "If you had all the materials now, do you think it would accelerate your work upon the sword that you are making for me?"



Markus seemed to hesitate at first, glancing to Arzal warily. If he were at a hundred percent he wouldn't wait even a moment to reply, but beaten and battered as he was, he knew he should take a moment to consider his responses. Yet even after that consideration, Markus found himself at the same answer. "Yes, I'm convinced I can."



Tristan chuckled lightly. "I suspect you are convinced you can do just about anything, but that doesn't change the fact that I believe you in this instance." Tristan then turned back to Arzal. "Another facet of my success is that I don't hold my retainers back on purpose, unless there is an obvious and present danger. As such, if you want to prove that you're willing to serve me, I expect that you'll give Markus the information he needs. Doing so now would go well towards proving your intentions." Tristan explained, a calm smile written upon his features.



Arzal seemed a bit flustered and confused as to what Tristan was up to, but he didn't hesitate for more than a few moments before opening his robes and pulling out several scrolls and similar parchments from a tube that he kept secured at his belt. He then proceeded to offer them to Markus before sitting back down again, his features flat and unsure.



Celestine watched the exchange curiously, but noticed that once it was over, Claude, who stood behind Arzal's couch, began to take off his suit jacket, as well as his vest and other extra articles of clothing. He took special care to fold each neatly and set them out on a table near the wall behind Arzal...



Still, Celestine's attention was drawn back to Tristan as he smiled and nodded. "Very good! You are proving yourself more and more Arzal." He then turned to Markus, who was focused entirely on documents he had in hand. "Based off what you see there, do you think you could combine the demonic glyphs and your runes successfully?" Markus only seemed to half hear him and only after a poke from Celestine did he reply with a quick nod. Tristan then turned back to Arzal again. "Now, before we go further, you obviously have more assets than what you carried with you here today... I believe you mentioned a library of some sort, correct?" Tristan asked with an easy grin upon his features.



That lit up Arzal's features again. "Indeed my Lord Durial, I have several hundred texts, scrolls and similar articles that I have collected over the years, several of which I've transcribed myself based off the research I've done. It's well hidden away, and it would take a great deal of effort and knowledge for someone to find and navigate the mazes I've set in place leading up to it. It is a modest home, I admit, but I enjoy its solitude. Once all our discussions have concluded, I'd like to request that you allow me to use it as my base of operations. As much as I don't doubt your facilities here, it would be easier to work there. I would of course maintain a chamber here if you were to be so generous." Arzal explained.



"Hum... I see." Tristan began. "Tell me Arzal, who else knows how to reach this Library, other than yourself that is?"



Arzal smiled lightly. "Only myself and the librarian that maintains it for me. She is a mortal servant I've marked some decades ago and has come to understand my idiosyncrasies and knows exactly how I like my library kept. Otherwise, no one."



Celestine blushed lightly as she watched Claude begin to take off his undershirt, revealing his massive upper torso, and the heavy muscles and jagged tattoo like marks that were hidden under the concealing clothes. Still, Arzal seemed oblivious to the large demon stripping off his clothes with careful precision, and Markus seemed focused on the conversation about this library.



"Really? Hum...." Tristan seemed to ponder Arzal's words for a long moment. "And this library holds the sum of your knowledge and information?"



"More actually. Even I have not had the time to memorize it all. It is catalogued though, in case I ever have need to look up a certain passage or tidbit of information." Arzal responded easily, clearly proud of his collection.



Tristan nodded lightly before glancing to Markus expectantly. Markus seemed to shift in his seat uncomfortably, though it wasn't just from his injuries, not that those were pleasant either. Eventually though he responded to Tristan's unspoken question. "I know how to reach it..."



"What?!" Arzal snapped, rising quickly and glaring at Markus angrily.



"I've slipped several tracking runes onto various objects that you've carried into your library. It took the better part of six months, but I've mapped the mazes and have been there... Ella and I have met on numerous occasions, and she's shown me around several times." Markus informed him calmly. "Are you really that surprised? I've referenced books in your library that you never brought back with you..." Markus explained, voice surprised by the fact that Arzal didn't know already.



"Impudent wretch!" Arzal snapped. "I should scramble your mind so badly that a turnip would have more cognitive capabilities!" Arzal threatened as he took a step towards Markus.



Celestine tensed to move to defend Markus, though such an action was quickly made pointless when she felt Tristan's power wax mightily, drawing Arzal's attention back to him. Despite the daunting power that swirled around Tristan, he seemed perfectly calm and relaxed as he spoke up again. "Sit down Arzal... There isn't any need for threats here..." Arzal slowly complied, and his features began to show worry and doubt... Yet as Celestine watched the exchange, she noticed Claude had stripped down to nothing more than a single undergarment...



"Now..." Tristan continued slowly after leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees, "with all I've heard, I've come to a conclusion... Can you guess what that conclusion is Arzal?" However Arzal, in his apparent concern and worry, didn't reply immediately. Instead he glanced towards the door and his only reliable means of escape, though eventually his gaze came back to Tristan as he shook his head, not wanting to risk saying anything.



"Well... simply put I've come to the conclusion that you may, or may not be a spy... For who? I don't have a clue. But then I don't really care either, even if you are a spy. Further, I've come to the conclusion that your services as a scholar are not required by me at this time. I'm sorry, but I shall not be accepting you as a Retainer." Tristan explained with an easy calm, and a cruel grin.



"Am... Am I to understand that you are going to kill me now, Lord Durial?" Arzal asked, his voice only shaking once...



"Me? Kill you? Oh my no." Tristan said waving his hand at Arzal as he sat back and smiled. "I have no reason to kill you Arzal... Yes, I hold power over the sphere of pride, but I'm almost certain I'd have no taste for your soul... You have pride in the knowledge you have and the accomplishments you've made, where as I have pride in myself. Frankly speaking, I know I'm great, where you know your books and knowledge are impressive as are your accomplishments. I'd even say some of your research and work could be called perfect. That said, you yourself are markedly less so. This was made all the more apparent by the fact that a mortal duped you, and badly too. As such, I have no interest in consuming your soul or even killing you." Tristan concluded, his voice light and pleasant, even as his words were cruel and cut deeply.



Still, despite the insults Arzal bowed his head lightly. "Thank you for sparing me, Lord Durial..." Arzal's voice was stiff and formal, but ultimately thankful for its life.



"Oh don't bother thanking me... After all you're still going to die..." Tristan explained, even as Claude began to take on his true form. "I might have no interest in your soul, but as I said earlier, I reward loyalty and service. Therefore, Claude will be killing and eating you..." Tristan explained in a completely matter-of-fact voice.



Arzal looked dumbstruck and just sat there for a long moment, trying to comprehend the cruelty that Tristan was inflicting him with. When his mind finally caught up, Arzal got to his feet to tried and flee. Unfortunately for him, he didn't even get a step towards the door, as Claude's large mirror scaled form reached out from behind the couch and slammed Arzal back down while twisting his head back to look up at Claude... It was with his third larger eye that Arzal watched the scales covering Claude's maw pull back to allow his mandibles to reach out and bite into the oversized eye.



It was then that Arzal started screaming and thrashing helplessly against Claude.



Despite hating Arzal, Markus found what was unfolding in front of him sickening and more than a little disturbing... Claude's mandibles seemed to dig into the ocular orb and to pull it into his waiting maw. Once it was in a few inches, the mandibles would snap back out and dig into the orb that was being pulled from Arzal's skull and repeat the process. In moments the heavy nerves and veins that connected Arzal's eye to his skull were being stretched and pulled out along with his central eye. Quickly following that though came Arzal's brain, which seemed to be wired directly into the large eye...



Markus saw the soul draining from Arzal though the gory spectacle to be consumed by Claude as the life faded from the fallen pride demon. Somehow it was so utterly wrong that he couldn't stand to keep watching and turned away. Unfortunately, what his gaze fell upon was perhaps more disturbing... He found Celestine, watching raptly, eyes focusing on the consumption of flesh and soul... Worse... he saw her smiling, completely content and satisfied, as if she had been hoping to watch Arzal die.



Soon Claude was done and he released the now still and rapidly withering body, leaving it to wilt on the couch. Even as the energies of the now dead Arzal surged through him, Claude stood with perfect poise and maintained his ever calm demeanor... Even as his body began to shift and change, adapting to the new power... Two great large spars erupted from the back of his shoulder blades, each of them the same perfect mirror polish as his existing scales and carrying a murderously sharp edge. Further, Claude's existing double pair of eyes were quickly shifting to accommodate the new pair that seemed to form and open. Even as Celestine watched, each eye seemed to be able to move with complete independence, just as Arzal's had been able to...



The transformation took all of 30 seconds, and once it was complete, Claude turned to Tristan and bowed his head in supplication. "My thanks for this reward, my Lord." He said as if nothing in the world were wrong.



"Think nothing of it my friend... As I said, service is rewarded. But now onto other business..." Tristan glanced to Markus, who suddenly realized he was no longer just an observer in the exchange that was unfolding in front of him. Claude reached over and scooped Markus up and promptly deposited him in the couch facing Tristan, right alongside the corpse of his former tutor.



Celestine of course tried to protect Markus, but Rena quickly put herself in the way, eyes pleading for her not to interfere in Tristan's business, and not to run to Markus's side. Seeing Rena like that made Celestine hesitate, and that was enough for Claude to dump Markus in front of Tristan. "Tristan! What the hell are you doing?!" Celestine snapped, no longer having to play the obedient servant now that Arzal was dead, but not trying to push past Rena either, much to the little demoness's relief.



Tristan glanced to her and smiled lightly, though it was clear he seeemd confused by her anger and surprise. "Exactly what I promised you I would... I'm trying to ensure that our guest, namely Markus will stay with us for an extended period, just like you wanted..." Celestine paled as it all seemed to click into place in her mind, as understanding dawned on her.



Yet before she could reply Tristan turned back to Markus and smiled lightly. "Congratulations on becoming a free agent Markus! Here's to new career opportunities!" Tristan declared, giving Markus a mock toast. "So how about it? You want the job?" Tristan asked with a perfectly relaxed and utterly cruel smile, fully intent on branding Markus with his mark if he accepted.



"Tristan! Don't do this!" Celestine almost begged as she knew what Tristan had planned. "Please!" She didn't want Markus to be shackled like she was... He was one of her last hopes for any normalcy in her life, one of her last chances for some sort of exterior moral compass... If Tristan got his claws into him, she dreaded how long it would take for his corruption to take root in Markus. She believed in him, but experience had taught her that resisting Tristan indefinitely was impossible.



"Don't do what? Give him a job? Why ever not? He has the skills and knowledge I need, and you want to have him around right? So why not?" Tristan replied curiously. "Besides, I know I'm a better patron than Arzal ever could be..."



"Cut the bullshit!" Celestine snapped. "You want to brand him with your mark and chain him down, just like me!"



Tristan shrugged lightly. "Yes... And? Just a little while ago you were looking forward to spending time with him Celestine, and now you are angry because you are getting even more time than you expected with him? You have to forgive me, because that is somewhat confusing... Maybe you are angry because the two of you were certain that Markus could overwhelm Arzal once he was done with his research into combining demonic glyphs and runes, and therefore break free of his now dead master, which could theoretically free him from the demonic world all together?" Tristan asked, his relaxed tone somehow condemning.



Celestine couldn't find the words to answer him or deny his allegations, especially given he had hit it right on the head. Instead bit her lower lip in frustrated silence, desperately trying to think of something to say. Yet she found that she couldn't do anything but look at Markus, a feeling of utter helplessness filling her. Markus meanwhile glared at Tristan, clearly pissed that the Demonic Lord had some inkling of his plans, and secretly dreading that Tristan might know more.



"Oh don't look at me like that Markus... I know someone who is biding their time when I see them. Believe it or not, I've been there and done that, and now look where I am. So who knows, maybe if you try again with me, you'll have more success and be able to save not only yourself, but Celestine too." Tristan stood and stepped up to Markus to lean over him as he met Markus's damning gaze. "Look, you can either decline and die in a spectacularly horrible way, or, you can accept the first Demonic Mark from me, just like you did with Arzal. Then, you can continue your work for me, just as you were for him." Tristan reasoned simply.



"However, unlike Arzal, I won't purposely hold you back because I won't feel threatened by the possibility of your success. Plus, and this is an added bonus that would seal the deal for me, you get to spend as much time with Celestine as she is willing to allow. Which, I assure you, wouldn't have happened if I had let Arzal live... I'm pretty sure he would have kept you locked away as much as possible, toiling for him endlessly." Tristan explained with a confident calm, as if the end of this negotiation had already been concluded and they simply didn't know it yet. "So... what do you say Markus? You know it's a good deal." Tristan asked finally, offering his hand to the young Runesmith.



"A deal with the devil huh?" Markus asked roughly, looking to Tristan icily.



"Thank you for the compliment, but I still don't see your hand shaking mine..." Tristan replied easily, calmly waiting for what he seemed inevitable... After all, Markus wasn't suicidal.



"Wait!" Celestine called out again, her voice worried and unsure. "You just want him to make you that sword right?" Celestine asked, her voice becoming half desperate.



"Yes." Tristan replied skeptically, his hand retreating from Markus. "I think I've made that abundantly clear." However, as he spoke his voice lost some of its easy calm, and it was replaced by caution, as if he worried about some unseen maneuver from Celestine.



Celestine looked to Markus, eyes unsure and confused, but after a moment she spoke up again, voice becoming firm and direct. "I know you don't want to serve Tristan. I know you don't want to bear another Demonic Mark. And I know I don't want either of those things either... So instead of serving him, ser-... Serve me! Swear yourself to me, mind body and soul! That way you don't have to bear his corruption, and he still gets what he wants..." Celestine looked to Tristan again, eyes pleading with him. "Would that be acceptable Tristan? Please, do this for me... You'd still get what you want, and so would I. Everyone wins... Isn't that how you do things? Win-Win for those who serve you loyally?" She asked, using his own words against him.



Celestine's words seemed to cast doubt onto Tristan's plans, forcing Tristan to mull her offer over for what felt like an age. He even drew back from Markus and approached Celestine instead, though he didn't take such a dominant position with her. It became painfully apparent that he was looking for signs of treachery and deceit in her words. But as he found nothing to hold against her, Tristan quickly seemed to become torn... On one side he seemed to want to put Markus directly under his heel and humiliate the over-confident human at every opportunity, but on the other hand, it was apparent that he didn't want to upset Celestine unduly, and clearly didn't want to risk pushing Celestine further away than today's antics already had.

<hr pg="8" />Eventually Tristan spoke up. "Very well, I agree, but only with several conditions." Tristan accented firmly. "You will ensure his productivity, and if he fails to meet his promise of completing that sword to my specifications, you will be responsible for conducting his punishment, a punishment which <strong>I</strong> will have some say in. If for whatever reason, I feel like you aren't commanding him appropriately, the deal is off, and I sear the demonic mark into his forehead whether he likes it or not and then I'll let Rena work out some of her frustrations on him... Further, he will obey the chain of command, which you will become part of by agreeing to this. Finally, he will never, under any circumstance teach you any runric magic. If he does, he's dead, no matter if the sword is done or not. Do you agree to my terms?" Tristan asked, his hand now held out to Celestine. Still, despite being the one outlining the terms, Celestine saw and felt that he didn't like this all that much...



"Hey!" Markus blurted out. "Don't I get a fucking say in this?!"



However, he was quickly squashed as Celestine and Tristan replied in unison, her voice dominating and hard, and his frustrated. "No!"



Markus blinked once at that and then sat back into the couch. "Oh... uh... alright..."



Rena giggled at Markus being crushed by the two of them, but Celestine only turned back to Tristan and didn't hesitate to slip her hand into his, shaking it firmly to seal the pact between them.



"Alright..." Tristan replied with somber calm. "With that we both get what we want... Just make sure you keep your end of the deal. I'll have someone come soon to show you two to his room." Tristan finished, turning and taking is leave. Claude collected his clothes and promptly followed his Lord out of the room still in his demonic form.



Celestine however, suddenly found herself hesitant, unsure exactly what she was supposed to do now... She looked to Markus and found him looking back to her, his features, even wrapped in bandages, showed his frustration with how things turned out.



"Look, I'm sorry, but it was the only way to spare you from Tristan." Celestine explained, stepping forwards.



Markus took a deep breath but nodded lightly. "You would know better than I would. Arzal was pretty docile when it came to jerking me around, and I'm pretty sure Durial would just love making my life a living hell." Celestine let out a sigh of relief, happy that he wasn't furious with her. However she might have been a bit too hasty in her relief, as Markus continued. "Oh, don't think you're getting off that easy Celestine. I sure as fuck didn't want you in some sort of open ended pact like that with him. I appreciate the sentiment, and what you were trying to do, but for god sakes, there is a lot of latitude in that agreement for him to abuse."



Celestine nodded. "I know... I was half panicked when I suggested it and couldn't really get anything concrete out. That said, I'm almost certain he won't push it too far." Celestine assured.



"And what makes you say that? He seems like an asshole to me." Markus said dryly.



"Oi! Watch your mouth, or I'll fucking break you all over again." Rena snapped at him, standing a half dozen feet away from the two of them.



Celestine looked to Rena, silently hoping she could somehow accept what was going on. As much as Markus was right in that Tristan could abuse the agreement, it was Rena she was really worried about. The possibility that she would just decide to kill Markus out of hand was still a definite possibility. Still she answered Markus's question, trying to keep her voice calm and certain sounding, even though she was flying by the seat of her pants. "He won't because he doesn't want to push me away... he's agreed that I should be allowed to make relationships with whomever I choose, but given the fact that I'm more or less under house arrest, I don't have that chance... you give me that chance..."



"Wait... so he doesn't mind if we become closer?" Markus asked, clearly disbelieving.



Celestine opened her mouth to reply, only to find herself unsure of what to say... On one side he had said as much, hell he nearly crushed her with words when he said them... But despite telling herself she shouldn't care about what he thought or felt, she couldn't help but remember her inner voice's words, and the words that she didn't get a chance to finish...



"... Yes. He told me as much." Celestine replied finally, even as she wished it wasn't true...



~~~~



Tristan seemed to be brooding as he walked towards his own chambers, and hadn't said a word to Claude since he had left Markus and Celestine behind. Yet as they turned the corner and he began to put some distance between himself and Celestine, Tristan couldn't help the grin that slowly began to spread across his features, until it finally blossomed into a wide supremely satisfied smile...

