Kiran approached holding a feline robot in her arms. The cat robot struggled while meowing loudly.
"Yeah, yeah, I know...." Len says with his eyes glued on his hammer. He pounded it with a steel mallet to improve its shape.
"You can work on that for some other time!" Kiran hollered as she put Neku down on the floor. Len grimaced.
"I can't go with a hammer in a pretty bad shape!"
Growing impatient, Kiran pulled his bicep and dragged him along with her.
"You're the only one missing!"
Len wanted to protest... but then he knew what she meant.
"I guess my cover's been blown after all..."
"Well, chyea~ you're a Deity-owned mortal, doofus. You have to show up!"
Len sighed as he switched off Neku with his remote control.
The ritual's venue is now prepared for the chosen vessels. Ruko, Amy, Mirouni, Koide and Aika arrived later on with Ash taking the lead. Len and Kiran soon caught up with them.
"Well... I see that the long-term absence of our ally has been put to an end~" Mirouni folded her arms as she flashed a smug.
Len toyed with his fingers and averted his glance sheepishly.
"Err... yeah... about that---Ow!!" He winced when Kiran elbowed him.
"Ash, have them stand on their places." Mizu commanded. "You must start at once."
Ash nodded as he stood on the center of the casting circle. He channeled on Travix's power with his eyes closed in concentration. He slowly chanted the incantations when the floor soon emanated fog along with white glowing lines traced shapes and patterns, forming the elemental emblems. They glowed in their corresponding colors while Travix's glowed on where Ash is standing.
"Please chant the incantations correctly and punctually." Mizu instructed as the other six vessels stood over their respective emblems. "The various languages which you have deciphered from your scrolls are your individual incantations."
Aika's water gem appeared gleaming on her forehead, signifying her bond with Saku along with the two other Deities -- Ness and Khione, the Guardian's parents.
The cores have been presented. They hovered above their owners as Ash chanted subsequently. While he's at it, the cores glowed, gathering their essences altogether until they formed into a globule. The globule soon took form when it materialized into an orb.
It's Travix's second core! Ash thought as he gasped in shock. Optimism took over him as he continued his part.
"Travix-sama... please lend me your power."
As the individual casting began, each vessel recited his pledge to accept the Deity's essence and to allow it to stay in his body for the rest of his life equivalent to serving to protect the universe. Ash then recited his and declared the embodiment to take effect. Then the group chanting came next.
The final incantation was chanted carefully and punctually as instructed by Mizu. As the spell progresses, the corresponding cores glowed extremely bright, transforming into celestial beams that slithered all over the entire casting arena. The essences swirled around their bodies.
Ash chanted the final words. He raised his war staff to signify his authority. He yelled the last words before the casting circle gave out kaleidoscopic colors.
"Heeyaha!" Kiran shouted in delight. Her lemon eyes glistened in joy as she clasped her hands together while watching the incredible beauty of the scenario. As she gaped, her glance was averted by the seven glowing figures in front of the vessels. The glowing figures looked exactly like them... only if you look very closely, they were wearing different clothes.
"What are they?" she asked.
"They are the manifestations of their Guardian images," Mizu stated. "They have been summoned at last."
Kiran stared wide-eyed. "Wow... that's.. that's tremendous! I can't believe it!"
Mizu nods. "Yes. Meanwhile, our other pair has its own casting ritual. It will consist of Ryuu's humanity sacrificed to turn himself into a pure demon."
Tyson gasped upon hearing this.
"But... he hasn't reached the required age!"
"Apparently, yes. Yet according to Ryuu's response, it won't be long until the ritual starts in spite of his young age. His decision must be respected."
The demon fell silent upon Mizu's reply. Sora then went to him and spoke.
"Stick to the bright side. Aika-sama will be your waifu~!"
The three stared at her in shock. Tyson's face turned beet-red when he pinched her cheek and pulled it. Sora wailed in response.
After quite sometime, the casting ritual ended with Ash's message of gratitude to the Deities and to the only Creator Himself. Their Otherworldly forms made contact with the earthly bodies to complete the process. They celebrated their success with delicious snacks and imported tea.
"We should also rejoice for Aika-chan's revival!" Amy announced while raising her cookie. Aika didn't say anything as she drank her tea. Tyson sat next to her.
"Hmm.. by the way, what was that gem thingy on your forehead, Aika-chan?" Mirouni asked while pointing at the megane's forehead.
"Something that signified my bond with Saku.." Aika replied in a monotonous tone.
"Hoohh~ looks like our precious Aika-chan has changed! What happened to the cute and innocent and bubbly Aika-chan we used to know??"
"Shut up.." Aika said with her cheeks flaming. Tyson suppressed a laugh.
"Hiyahaa~!!" Mirouni shouted in delight when she flashed a kitty face. "Aika-chan is now a dere-dere---wait, no, a tsundere!! That's it! TSUNDERE-CHAN!"
Aika is starting to lose her temper when Tyson's warmth hindered her from doing so.
"Calm down, milady. I'll take you out later. Just the two of us."
Her face turned red when she averted her glance from him.
"Fine....."
Ash went back to his initial dilemma. While eating, he decided to look further.
Black arts. Forbidden Dark magic. The story behind the illegal use.
Part of him couldn't help but to think that they've been performed before.
Ash tried contacting Travix yet he's among the unfortunate. The Deities are seemingly resting and keeping themselves busy with other things. He sighed. Then he remembered what his patron had told him before.
"Guys, do you remember our main task, right?" he asked the group.
"Yep~" Mirouni replied. "Learning the path of the Guardian. We understand now."
"We're giving up our humanities... for real?" Koide has spoken at last. She soon found out the truth behind everything.
"We aren't forced to do so. Besides, we can still live normally and pursue our aspirations in life. The Deities respect the decisions of their vessels." Amy explained.
Ruko stood up and grinned. "Yosh! So this path involves real training, sweet! Body building lessons, here I come!"
###########
Inside the Nyx domain, Miyako sat on her small bench with a table alone. The demon butlers served her a saucer of cookies and a tall glass of iced tea with lemon slice as her treat. She eyed the chair opposite to hers. She suddenly imagined the heir eating snacks with her... but she shook that fantasy off.
"Ne, having a relaxation there, Miyako-chan?"
She yelped upon hearing that voice.
She jerked behind her and saw Asmodeus sitting on her bed. The girl's spine earned the shivers... this Demon of Lust is whom she is facing..
"W-Why are you here...?!"
The Demon chuckled. "Why... I'm here to see how you're doing. Ryuu-sama's occupied with a lot of things.." He smirked. "Ara... he has other priorities. He hasn't spent long hours with you... never did he! Never had he invited you for romantic privacy, not even anything to win your heart."
Miyako felt tension rising all over her. She gained a little composure.
"I'm afraid I'll be asking you to leave. You shouldn't be here."
"God gave me you~" he closed in with a lustful gaze. "He made you for me. Now that I am here, let me feel your warmth... let me touch your soft and tiny lips, your pale skin... everything."
Miyako acted fast as she fished out her fan and pointed it towards him as to keep him at bay.
"Don't come any closer! Please leave at once!"
Asmodeus grinned unnaturally. "Not without tasting you, Miyako-chan~"
"STOP!" she cried, stood up and prepared to escape. Unfortunately, Asmodeus teleported and appeared in front of her out of dark particles. Miyako staggered backwards and slapped him across the face. But this only led the Demon to continue his ministrations.
"I do hope that Ryuu-sama understands your misery. Look at you. A lone wolf crying in despair... desiring for a companion. Why do that when you have me? Why do you choose that indifferent heir over this caring beau? Do you not like me?"
Miyako winced in reply. "Leave me alone! Stay away from me!" she prepared her fan for any action but Asmodeus swatted it abruptly out of her hand, sending it tumbling across the floor.
Nataliya had warned her about him... using his fluid ministrations and charms to lure women to him. Miyako isn't going to fall for those.
"Love me, Miyako-chan! I'll give you thousands of gifts! Everything that will make you drop to your knees!" Asmodeus hollered.
"Nonononono!" she shook her head rapidly. "I...I love someone else.. I don't need those goodies.. please get out!"
"Ohh... persistent, eh? How cute..."
"No, please!! Leave me alone!"
"Dump those feelings for Ryuu..." Asmodeus's voice grew grim as his gaze darkened. "He doesn't deserve you... and in the same way, you don't deserve him. He isn't really interested in you... naive, vulnerable... inane.."
"That's not true! You're lying--"
"It's true! You're making a fool out of yourself, Miyako-chan. I'll treat like how a woman should be treated. I'm being honest with you, kiddo. You'll do better when you're with me... better than that Kujyou rascal. I've flirted with the consorts and wives of the heirs and rulers countless of times. They did not forget about me. I even married them although they already are! I've broken their imprints to their consorts! Miyako-chan, you'll be imprinted to me... and become one with me..."
"I-Iyaaa! Stop!" The poor girl screamed. Asmodeus's ministrations went further as he pinned her against the wall. Miyako couldn't do anything to escape.
She understood the heir's work. Asmodeus just wanted her to leave Ryuu for him. This Demon is known as a molester. From the look in his eyes it's already implied. Deep inside her heart, she wanted only the heir... who had saved her from death... from the likes of the enemies.. from the clutches of malice..
"I feel bad for them, though."
Miyako's tension eased. Right before her eyes, a familiar figure stood a few meters behind the Demon. Her heart stopped when she met those forest eyes.
Asmodeus paused and turned around.
"You've played with them so well. Toying them with your virtually effective ministrations." Ryuu blurted out in his casually calm manner. "...well played. But unfortunately, that girl is an inappropriate victim; not right for you."
Asmodeus was about to respond when he winced. A stake stabbed his left shoulder. He grimaced and abruptly pulled it off. The stake reverted to its Demon form.
"Oi, I thought you've said you don't like her anymore!" Leviathan growled in anger.
The Demon of Lust smiled, amused from his brother's sentence.
"Ohh~ I guess I've said that."
"You... you stupid liar..."
"It seems that the lady didn't make herself clear." Ryuu said grimly. "Get. Out."
"Hai-hai~" Asmodeus chuckled as he and his furious brother vanished, leaving behind dark particles until they faded.
Miyako fell on her legs and trembled. Tears leaked her eyes as they streamed down her cheeks, dripping to the floor.
"R-Ryuu....kun..." she sniffled when she heard his footsteps approaching.
To her surprise, Ryuu was in front of her. He pulled her close to him as her sniffles turned into hiccuping sobs.
"What did he do?" he asked.
The girl spoke betweeb hiccups. "...a lot of things."
Ryuu wasn't surprised. "Now you know him. You do remember what I told you."
Miyako nodded, leaning and resting her head on his chest. She then felt him push her, pinning her back against the wall. Her legs relaxed on the floor. She swallowed.
"He charmed women into falling for him..." the heir stated. "He lied. He'll molest and dump you like garbage... and I don't want that."
The girl's heart skipped a beat. She lowered her head to hide her red face.
"Ryuu-kun..."
She wanted to confess. Ryuu soon noticed her condition when he drew closer.
"Forgive me..." he muttered.
Miyako blinked her swollen eyes. "...e-eh? A-Ah!"
She yelped faintly when he attacked her neck. Her eyes suddenly squeezed shut and her mouth couldn't breathe a word. But... she wasn't struggling.
She almost jumped when his teeth dug themselves right through her skin.
Blood trickled down her shoulder blade then down her collarbone... then down her chest.
Suddenly, it hit her. She remembered this kind of act -- feeding on the blood of the chosen consort of the demon's choice. It would signify as a proposal.
She uttered his name faintly with her cheeks beet-red. She shuddered when Ryuu's tongue brushed against her throat and then her chest, closing the cut with it.
"Did it hurt..?"
Miyako touched the bitten spot and shook her head.
"...thanks for saving me.."
Ryuu kept his gaze on her when he spoke.
"I won't leave you again.... and I won't let anyone, even that stupid ass, touch you before I do."
The girl gasped in shock. What could he possibly mean?
"Ryuu-kun..."
He understood her... and knew what she felt. It took less than a minute for Miyako to interpret that sign.
"We'll do the ritual here." Ryuu said as his glance looked over his shoulder. "Nobody will be involved but us. The ritual will be just for you and me."
"But... what about the door?" Miyako asked.
"I've sealed it shut with a spell that only I can lift."
With a fluid flick of his arm, Ryuu instantly created the casting circle. The two cores -- Dark core and Nyx core -- were presented to start the ceremony proper.
"Make it happen, Kujyou-kun... please protect her.. for me."
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