Our Journey

Beast Blood

A brilliant, white castle towered over a distant, forest encircled city. The wondrous, white stone seeming to glow underneath the bright sunlight, giving it an ethereal aura...And yet, despite the beauty of it all, those stone white buildings, the gentle forest surrounding it all, something sinister stood within.

On a balcony high above one of this extraordinary, white towers, there stood a lone figure, watching over the city with unfeeling eyes. His short, slicked back hair was a striking, cerulean blue, rusty red eyes turning away from the city, his intricately designed robes swaying in tune with his motion.

“I take it you have a good reason for bothering me like this.” He spoke up in a deep, silken voice, his gaze turned towards seemingly nothing in the shadows of the room interior.

“Oh come now, Roan. Is that really how you greet a good friend of yours?” A voice hummed from within those shadows, golden eyes peering out, but nothing more could be seen.

“I don’t recall becoming friends with scum like you, Xordin.”

“Oh? I’m the scum, am I?” The golden eyed voice responded, seemingly amused with this statement. “Take a look around the city below. Are you not the one who brought the great kingdom to ruin all on your own?” The voice questioned, enthused. “All I did was give you a little push. As for the rest? That honor is yours alone. Aren’t you happy?”

“Happy?” Roan echoed, his rust colored eyes going distant as he scoffed at these words. “What is there to be happy about? With all the pompous grandeur I’ve been fed about this glorious capital, I have to say I’m disappointed. They had baffoons for soldiers, and a frightened cat for a king. Need I say more?” He sighed, shaking his head. “The ‘real prize’, as you once worded it to me, has already long since disappeared from this country.”

“...Ah, so he slipped through your fingers, did he?” The golden eyed man chuckled. “Didn’t I tell you not to underestimate him?” “What was there to underestimate? I can’t begin to understand what you saw in him.”

“...If you’re saying that, then you know nothing at all. It’s your loss. I don’t mind swooping in and stealing that glory right out from under you.” Golden eyes, amused, narrowed mockingly. “Are you upset? As long as those two remain on the run, Farronia will not fall.”

“It has already fallen.” Roan snapped back, enraged. “Silence yourself.”

“As you wish.”

Silence ensued, the presence of the golden eyed man all but vanishing...Leaving Roan rolling his words over and over within his mind.

...Patience.

Yes...Soon enough, he would find them...And when he did…

He would truly bring them, and this entire nation to it’s knees.

…………

Two-toned eyes opened to see a familiar, gray ceiling, morning light filtering into the room through the slightly parted window curtains.

...Morning.

Rubbing the back of his neck, he sat up, stretching his arms out with a yawn, the tip of his gray-black tail curling in the air.

He felt particularly well rested, scooting out of his bedroom, and into the living room just down the hall...However, perhaps to his concern, the small, white form he expected to still be laying on the couch simply wasn’t there.

“...Max?” He called out to him, glancing around as he picked up his scent...Yet he simply couldn’t spot him.

...Where in the hell…?

It was just as he began to wonder that...That he saw it out of the corner of his eye. A fluffy, curled up lump...He hadn’t seen that little lump right away, having been hidden by the arm of the couch, and when he had, he couldn’t help but quirk his head.

...Just what was he looking at, exactly?

No matter how he looked at it, there was just a curled up, little white fox sleeping on the floor. He was so dumbfounded by the sight, that he couldn’t seem to put two and two together when one of those green tipped ears gave a little twitch.

Emerald eyes opened, looking surprisingly vivid against the white fur.

“Oh...Morning.”

Eon’s mouth was agape as the familiar voice resounded from the little fox, finally processing what the source could have been.

“...Max?”

“...Yes??” Max tilted his fluffy head to the side, curious as to what Eon was so shocked about...And as he gave himself a once-over, he realized why. He did have a tendency to shift forms like this in his sleep sometimes. “...Ah, woops.” He stretched his black paws forward, tail arching in the air. “...What are you so surprised about? I am a fox, after all.”

“...I didn’t think you could actually turn into one.” Eon replied flatly, the base of his tail trembling as he was struck with another feeling, entirely different from his previous surprise.

That perfect, sleek fur, those little, black paws, the way his fluffy ears flopped over just so...Eon never considered himself overly fond of cute things, but this was an entirely different story...He honestly just wanted to snuggle his face into all that soft fur, to squish his toe-beans, and everything in between...No, he couldn’t ever give into such a ridiculous urge. It was unbecoming. He refused to make a fool out of himself in such a way.

Max...Felt a rising sense of concern as Eon practically glared at him in what seemed like aggression.

“W-What’s wrong?” He folded his ears back, beginning to wonder if he had unintentionally done or said something wrong to incite such a reaction from the man.

“...et me…” The response Max received was little more than a mumble, at best, Eon’s whole body trembling from his head, to the tip of his tail...And then, he finally spoke up. “Let me pet you.”

There was a feeling of strained silence before the air seemed to go weak, an anticlimactic atmosphere passing throughout the room.

“...Pardon?” Max didn’t quite understand, partially feeling as though his ears had betrayed him.

“I said to let me pet you!” Eon rose his voice.

W-Why was he so angry? Max was startled and confused, but he agreed anyways.

“O-Okay?”

Rather than being angry, Eon was more frustrated with himself, but he couldn’t help it. So, he walked right on over to Max, knelt down, and gave his fluffy head a few pats.

Better than he could have ever imagined. His fur was so soft and silky, like high quality velvet...Sweet satisfaction. He had no regrets.

And it was just then...That it clicked. If Max had not been a fox at the moment, Eon would have seen awry grin on his face.

“...I didn’t take you for the type to like cute things.”

“…!!” Eon frowned, but he had no excuses for himself. “...It’s because you’re so damn fluffy.”

“Not my fault that your tail is as smooth as a baby’s bottom.” A chuckle escaped Max, amused by this turn of events, but he let Eon pet him to his heart’s content.

“Shut it.” Eon shot back, making the decision to pluck Max up and set him down on the couch so they could get a bit more comfortable...And so he could pet that soft fur some more, of course.

Somehow, the usual, awkward air between them was non existent.

“So what are we doing today?” Max’s voice echoed from just below, and Eon glanced down at him, surprised as he took the initiative to speak up. Usually, it was quite the other way around.

“Hmmm…” Eon gave Max’s question some thought before shrugging. “Not much, I suppose.” He answered, rubbing behind Max’s ears when he noticed he seemed to like the feeling. “After yesterday, I’m technically under house arrest for the time being.”

Max looked up at Eon, quite enjoying those ear scratches.

He still didn’t think Eon’s treatment was just, but Eon seemed to fully accept the outcome, so Max let it go.

“...Say…” Eon began after some time of being lost in thought, burning with curiosity as to what Max’s circumstances were. He couldn’t bite back that very curiosity after what happened the previous night...He wondered if now was the right time to ask him. Perhaps he would be overstepping his boundaries in doing so...Regardless, he decided to press the subject. “...Will you tell me what happened? How you ended up here, and before that.” He didn’t believe there was a way to go about the subject delicately, so he asked outright. “You don’t have to tell me if you still don’t want to, of course.”

“...You really want to know?”

Max’s response was nearly immediate, perhaps to Eon’s surprise...However, he gave Max a little nod almost immediately as well.

He truly wanted to know. About his circumstances...And about Max himself.

“…” Max was quiet, lowering his snout as his gaze fixated onto his paws. However, this wasn’t because he didn’t want to say...He just...Didn’t want to recall. “...It was a blur, truthfully.” He began. “It all seemed as though it was just another day...But that day couldn’t have been more different.” He closed his eyes, thinking back. “I don’t know what happened...One moment, everything was at it always was, and the next, we were surrounded en mass. There wasn’t even a moment to breathe, a moment to retaliate. In what felt like moments, we were brought to our knees...I…” Max’s tail trembled before sagging listlessly. “...I don’t remember much beyond that. I was injured while trying to fight, and the next thing I knew, I woke up here, in Raoul.”

Eon listened, not having been sure what to expect...But even then, he wasn’t expecting this. He had no idea of what had transpired in Max’s hometown, but when he finally heard the details, Eon couldn't help but pity him.

“...Then the people you knew…?”

Max shook his head, downcast,

“...I don’t know what became of them...But the answer should be obvious.”

Eon now understood, and somehow...Max reminded him of himself. The him who, in the beginning, had nothing. The him who, in the beginning, was so lost.

He felt a strange sense of kinship with him, given everything that they had gone through as of late.

“...What was it like?” He questioned, rubbing behind Max’s ears again in the hopes of comforting him. “Farronia, that is.”

“Farronia?” Max echoed, his ear twitching before he crossed his paws and rested his chin along them, the feeling of Eon rubbing his ears strangely soothing. “...It was a beautiful place.” His expression softened. “The city was bright, lively...The people were kind, and the castle was probably the most awe inspiring to most. On sunny days, the white stone made it practically glow...But I loved the forest too. They weren’t so dark and eerie there...It was bright, warm. They were filled with life and light, and there was nothing quite like the feeling of rushing through them, the wind sweeping past you, and always carrying a pleasant smell.” If Max were to close his eyes, he could paint a picture of it all, vividly so. “The foxberries were always so delicious too…” His tail began to tremble at the recollections, emotions welling up in his chest...He was thankful for the fact that he was shifted over, otherwise he was certain tears would begin welling up in his eyes.

He didn’t realize...How much he missed it all, and he missed it terribly so.

He wanted to go home. To see all the familiar faces, to run through the forest with all his might.

But...He understood that even if he were to return, he may never see any of it again. He had no right to. He failed them all.

“You’ll be able to go back someday.” Eon’s soft voice resounded in his ears. “But until then, you have to keep your chin up.”

“...Yeah….That’d be nice, wouldn’t it?” Max nodded, knowing he could do nothing but as Eon said. He had to keep his chin up. Had to keep looking forward.

“...Well, that’s enough of that.” Eon nodded. “It’s the first time we’ve had a day to just do nothing, so how’s about we just sit back and relax, yeah? I’ll cook up some of that fish we got yesterday, how’s that sound?”

“...That sounds great, actually.” Max replied, an obvious smile still managing to form onto his fox-like face.

Perhaps it would be fine to simply live within the moment like this...Just for now.

The two would spend a quiet morning and afternoon together, but that would come to an abrupt end as a ringing sound reached Max’s ears.

Having long since shifted back to his more familiar, humanoid for, Max glanced around for the source of the obnoxious sound.

On the coffee table, Eon’s bulky cell device was going off.

Eon was busy in the kitchen, and Max figured the call must have been important...So he took the liberty of answering.

“...Hello?”

“…? You’re not Eon.” A familiar voice spoke from the other line, and Max recognized it as belonging to Azuma.

“I was closer, so I answered for him.”

“...I see. Well, I would like the both of you to report to me.”

“Right now?” Max frowned, annoyance coloring his tone.

A chuckle resounded in response.

“Considering Eon is usually so obedient, it’s a little refreshing to hear that little attitude coming from you.” Azuma said, entertained. “At any rate, I’m sure I’ll see you both shortly.”

And with a click, the other line went quiet before Max could protest any further.

“Why are you holding onto that?” Eon’s voice reached Max’s ears as he stepped out from beyond the island kitchen, raising an eyebrow as Max held onto his cell device.

“...Azuma called saying he wanted to see us.”

“Really?” Eon rubbed the back if his neck, not expecting to be called in so soon...While he didn’t mind being kept busy, he felt a bit bad for Max. No doubt he wanted time to just sit back and settle for once. “I can just ask him to let you sit this one out. Your shoulder’s still injured right?” Eon tossed those words over his shoulder as he threw on his boots, preparing to head off alone, and yet, Max was right there at the door with him.

“I’m fine, it’s mostly healed already.” Max protested, clearly looking as though he refused to stay behind.

“...Alright, alright. I can tell just by your eyes that it’s pointless to try and argue with you about this.” Eon sighed. “Come on, then. Let’s go.”

And so, the two took their leave, heading off towards the Society once more.

This would only have been the second time that Max stepped foot inside the place, and he was still as impressed as the first time he walked through those doors. Perhaps, because it was particularly sunny today, the white, marbled floors glowed rather brilliantly.

Eon paused as soon as they passed through the front doors, glancing around as though searching for something...But when he caught sight of the questioning look Max shot his way, he shrugged.

“I was expecting you-know-who to pop up and start causing trouble again.” He explained. “Maybe that oh so scary outburst of yours from the other day scared him off??”

“I hope you’re not referring to me.”

Before Max could frown at Eon’s comment, as though summoned, Asato began making his way down one of the staircases leading to the second floor.

“...Speak of the devil…” Eon muttered underneath his breath, wanting to avoid any confrontation. “Of course not, of course not~” He hummed, waving his hand dismissively. “I know, I know. Demon’s are the scum of the earth, right? I totally agree with you, it’s fine, yeah? We’re just gonna hustle ourselves right upstairs like the good lapdogs that we are, okay?”

“Hey, I’m not-” Max began, refusing to accept that label, but Eon hurried him right along.

“Yes, yes. Let’s be a good boy now, alright?” He smiled innocently with a toothy grin. “The Chief’s waiting, after all.”

“Hmph.” Asato scoffed as the two passed him by in a rush.

...And it was just then, that Max caught a whiff of it.

The faintest of scents. Something was off. He picked up on it just as they passed Asato, but it flashed by far too quickly for him to wrap his mind around what that strange scent could have been.

“Something wrong?” Eon questioned, puzzled as to what Max was distracted by.

“…” Max’s gaze lingered on Asato, who remained on the first floor, his back turned to them...But Max was hit with the sensation that he was glancing back at them as well. “...No...It’s nothing.” He shook his head to clear it.

His imagination? Surely, that must have been the case.

They resumed making their way onward, finally reaching Azuma’s office, and stepping inside.

As usual, the room was in a sad, disarrayed state of confusion.

“Ah, there you two are.” He hummed, seemingly pleased despite being practically buried underneath a mountain of paperwork. It was a strangely comical, and familiar sight to Max. He knew someone who often looked the same. “I can see you two are getting along well.” He crossed his hands together, resting his chin upon them with a cheery grin. “I can’t recall there being a time where Eon looked so chipper.”

“…” Eon narrowed his eyes, displeased. “I hope you didn’t call us here just so you can poke fun at me.”

“Of course not. It’s just an added bonus.” Azuma grinned cheekily, beckoning them both over, and handing Eon a hefty stack of papers. “Rather than marinating in boredom, I had a rather fun assignment in mind for you...Plus it gives you an opportunity to show him the ropes, yes?”

“...’Fun’? Define fun.” Eon quirked an eyebrow, wary of this supposedly fun assignment. He lowered his gaze to skim over the papers, visibly going stiff partway through. “Port Sahrim? Why there???”

“To run a security check of course. I trust I don’t need to tell you what for??”

“...No.” Eon replied reluctantly, his tanned fingers clutching at the papers.

“I understand your unease on the matter, but so long as you remain under the Society’s care, there really is no need for worry.”

“...I know.” Eon lowered his gaze with a heavy sigh. “...Alright then. I understand.”

“Do take care, yes?”

Eon grimaced, leaving the room with Max after the briefing.

Max, of course, was curious. This job had to have been rather interesting, for Eon to act in such a way...And since Max was going with him, he had an obligation to know, right?

“What kind of assignment is it?”

“An unpleasant one.”

“...Well, yeah, I got that, but details??” Max frowned. “Is it because it’s far? Or maybe you’re annoyed that they won’t send someone else??”

“Nobody really likes to go this far out. They save those kinds of odd jobs for someone like me, but that’s not really the issue here.”

“Then what is?” Max crossed his arms, pausing in his tracks and tapping his foot against the marbled floor, refusing to take another step until he got the details.

Eon was clearly hesitant, his eyes narrowing.

“It’s not the job as much as it’s...The location...Or rather, the habits of the people who live there.”

“...Okay? And the rest??” Max insisted, continuing to press the matter. His interest was piqued, especially seeing Eon so openly averting the subject. He had to know now.

“...It’s not really a thing around the Capital, but...Sahrim has a particular, nasty habit for dabbling in the Demon Trade.” Eon flicked his tail with a restless sway. “Humanoid Demons are rare in Raoul. Those savage, beast like ones you saw before are more of the norm...To some people of particular...Tastes, I suppose, Humanoid’s are rather attractive to ‘collectors’ of sorts...Some even selectively trade and breed ones of desirable traits...And it goes without saying that the more exotic the Demon, the better…” Eon’s voice trailed off, his gaze dropping to Max as he hoped he would understand where he was going with this.

“...Ah.” Max certainly did catch his drift, but he took it in stride. “Aww, are you worried about me?” He teased with an amused flick of his tail.

“That’s-!! Of course I’d be worried. I’m sure the last thing you want is to end up as some creepy, rich man’s plaything.” Eon frowned at being teased, but he really was worried. No matter how you looked at it, Max was as ‘exotic’ as Demon’s got around here. “Any way you look at it, you stand out. You’re pretty easy on the eyes too.”

“Oh yeah?” Max grinned wryly. “Flattery isn’t going to get you anywhere, Eon.”

Eon realized his slip of the tongue, his hand planting firmly across his own face in exasperation. It was much too late to fix that little slip up now.

“...Anyways.” He cleared his throat with a small scoff. “Once we get there, stick close, aight?”

“Yessir.” Max replied with a halfhearted salute.

Honestly, this guy...Eon just didn’t know sometimes.

As exasperated as he was, Eon felt relieved too.

Maybe because of their conversation from the previous night, Max’s attitude and disposition seemed to have shifted. He was much easier to talk to, like he lowered his walls, even if only just a little.

Eon just found himself wanting to look out for Max, even if he still didn’t understand why.

“...Well, I guess we have a long ways ahead of us then.” He spoke up again, stretching once they were outside. “I hope you don’t mind taking a hefty road trip.”

“I’m down for that. Beats being cooped up inside all day, every day.” Max chimed in response, feeling like getting away from the Capital might be good...For himself, and for Eon too. “Should we stop by your house for anything??”

“Mmm...I suppose. We don’t need a lot though. I prefer to travel lightly.” Eon replied, walking just a ways before glancing over his shoulder. He knew by now that Max was always trailing just a little ways behind him, so he waited. He always maintained that slight distance, leaving just enough room for Max to close that gap when he wanted to. “...You tagging along, or you gonna stand there all day?”

Max didn’t respond with words, instead simply closing that little bit of space between them. Such was only natural to him.

...But their presence did not go unnoticed.

Eyes fell on the duo as they trailed off into the distance. Watching. Plotting.

A blood red gaze, brimming with hunger and animosity.

This insanity filled gaze stopped Max in his tracks, a shudder running from the base of his tail, to the tip of his ears. That feeling that left the hairs on the back of your neck standing on end.

He cast a cautious glance over his own shoulder, but as swiftly as he picked up on that feeling, it was gone. He couldn’t find the source no matter how he tried to search for it.

“Something wrong?”

Eon’s voice cut through Max’s vague sense of panic like a knife through melted butter.

Only for a moment, alarmed, emerald eyes met his two-toned ones, and then, his fur fell flat.

“...Nothing.” He nodded, pushing aside that sense of foreboding steadily rising within him. “It’s nothing.” He repeated, as though to convince himself. “Let’s head back.”

“Mmm…” Eon swayed his tail in response, wondering what could have caught Max’s attention...He was an awfully distracted fellow at times, wasn’t he? “Why don’t you head back first and wait for me? I just remembered that I had forgotten something.” He suggested thoughtfully.

Reluctance was the first feeling that seized Max in response, that sense of foreboding rising within his chest once more, nagging at him incessantly...Yet, he couldn’t seem to pinpoint the source.

“...Okay.” He finally agreed, parting ways with Eon as he began heading back to the house.

Being alone like this, he came to the realization that this was the first time he’d been without Eon since ending up in Raoul...The road looked inexplicably broad without that back walking just a ways ahead of him.

It was a strangely empty feeling.

Had he become dependent on Eon’s company?

Was he...Attached to him??

The thought...Left a feeling of unease lingering within Max’s chest, weighing heavily on his heart.

He shook his head to clear it, realizing he had already arrived, the little house visible in the distance. So, he made his way up the stairs, however…

His hand froze the very moment he had unlocked the door and closed it around the doorknob.

Something was wrong. He felt that in the pit of his stomach. Instinctively. Right down to his very core.

His instincts never betrayed him, and he’d be playing the fool to ignore them now. They practically screeched at him. His palms broke out into a cold sweat, the door seeming incredibly far away...Even as he stood just before it.

Ba-thump.

The sound of his heartbeat began pounding in his ears.

Ba-thump.

Louder. His throat grew dry, and he held his breath. His nerves were teeming with tension, ready to explode at any moment, a small voice warning him in the back of his mind...He wanted to run away, and yet, his hand remained closed around the doorknob, as though glued to it.

And then...Time seemed to grind to a halt the moment he moved, turning the knob slowly...Slowly...The door opened with a quiet creak as Max peered inside.

All was as normal as it could have been. He made out the coffee table and couch along the back wall, the bathroom door and the hallway just a little ways beyond them...Carefully, cautiously, he stepped into the room, scanning his surroundings.

Absolutely nothing appeared to be out of the ordinary. The room was entirely undisturbed.

So then why…?

Max only realized it too late, that strange, faint scent that reached his nose, familiar, yet unfamiliar to him.

A presence just behind him.

“Surprise~” A voice cooed, Max catching a brief glance of gray-black hair as a clawed hand clamped firmly over his mouth. Muffled sounds escaped him as he fought back, forced to the hardwood floor, an unnatural weight boring down on him from behind.

He couldn’t throw his assailant off.

“Haha, I caught you…” A thrilled voice hummed in a sing song tuned, delighted at having effortlessly caught his prey.

That voice...Max recognized that voice, his heart dropping.

As he managed to move just enough to catch a glance of his attacker, his fears were confirmed.

It was Asato, his previously brown eyes now reflecting a deep, blood orange. That familiar contempt and animosity now replaced with and overly enthusiastic, jeering smile, as though he was absolutely delighted with this turn of events.

This was entirely unlike the Asato he had come to know. As though he were looking at someone else entirely.

“Oh? Whatever could be the matter? You look as though you have questions...Ah, but you can’t ask them, now can you?” A laugh bellowed from overhead, lovingly stroking Max’s jaw before his claws dug in painfully. “You little Vixen...You noticed, didn’t you? Even though I’m always oh so careful about masking my scent...Can’t have you opening that little mouth of yours, now can I?” Asato leaned down, voice whispering against the back of Max’s ear, the hand clamped around his wrists tightening with more force. “I bet you’re curious, aren’t you? I suppose I can tell you...Since you’ll be taking it to the grave with you.” Asato cackled, his lips widening into a gruesome smile before splitting down to his jaws.

Max watched the scene unfold before him, a shudder passing throughout Asato’s body, his back deforming, cracking, tearing. The sound of rending flesh echoed as a lithe, black form burst forth from underneath Human skin, jaws agape, massive, white fangs glinting just by Max’s face.

The weight pressing down on Max doubled, threatening to crush him underneath. Yet the hand never left from his mouth, deforming into elongated, scaly fingers, claws enlarging, scraping against his skin roughly. Deliberately.

This Demon was unlike any other Max had seen thus far. Larger than those from before, it’s thick, scaly hide protruded vicious plates and spikes, it’s thorny tail whipping to and fro in barely hidden excitement.

“Such a pity, wasting this Human’s skin…” The Beast sighed, seemingly troubled, but only just. His voice deepened, no longer holding any, definitive gender. “How many years has it been since I’ve been free like this…? Ah, I remember that little village...What a feast, it was! I had a particular amount of fun with this one...I was tearing apart his precious thing he called ‘mother’ as he walked in. That fury, that resentment...That despair in his eyes as I gutted him while he still breathed….How delightful it all was!” The beast shuddered, euphoric as it recalled the memories. As if reliving the moment. “I love it, you see...Love it when they scream, but more than that, their eyes.The terror, the hate, the moment they realize there’s no hope or salvation as the lights in their eyes flicker out...It gives me the chills...But as I ate, and I ate, and I ate...It all became so bland.The flavor of Human flesh was as tasteless as cardboard. As foul as a rotting carcass…” The Demon hoisted Max’s torso upwards, still pinning his lower body with one of it's muscular legs, and Max’s body screamed in protest, straining at the awkward position...And then, his blood went cold, a chill running up his spine as a disgustingly, moist tongue slid across his skin, a low growl echoing from just behind his head. “...Lately...I’ve been craving something a little more...I thought about that other, Demon brat...Eon, was it? Ah, but you’ll do nicely…” The Demon nuzzled it’s scaly snout into the nape of Max’s neck, inhaling his scent. “...I don’t know what it is about you, but you smell delicious...Plus I owe you for all those little nasty comments the other day, don’t I?”

Pain flared throughout Max’s body as teeth sank into his previously injured shoulder.

“I’d love to hear you scream, but I’ll settle with the look of frustration and despair in your eyes as I gut you while you’re conscious.”

This...This was beyond Max’s worst imagination, pain continuing to burn across his skin, settling within his core.

Would he just...Let this happen? To spend his last moments as another Demon’s meal? Perhaps he should resign himself to such a fate.

With this...Everything would finally be over. He accepted that outcome, silently, and obediently...But it was as he had done so, that Eon’s image flashed throughout his mind. Fleeting, but powerful.

Why? Why did he have to see him now, of all times??

Fight.

A voice echoed from deep within.

Fight.

No, he refused. He didn’t want to fight anymore.

He was tired.

Why couldn’t he just give up here?? He just wanted it all to be over, and yet…

Something stirred within him, thrashing about, desiring freedom.

A bright ball of heat, threatening to burst within, like a turbid torrent, it simply couldn’t be contained.

He...Was losing. A thin thread growing taut within him.

F i g h t.

And then...It snapped, a shattering sound echoing throughout his mind.

A bestial, high pitched cry resounded from the Demon as it lurched back. Blood orange eyes went wide with shock as a tendril like line pierced through the side of it’s jaws, blood pooling down to the floor.

“What the hell?!”The Demon screeched, staring at the scene before it in disbelief. It’s eyes fixated on Max, who should have been down for the count...But it was quite the opposite.

The tendril like blade piercing it’s jaw wriggled about, protruding from Max’s back, his wounds closing effortlessly.

His forearms began to grow dark, an ugly, unnatural black spreading up to his biceps like a sickness. Hardened skin began overtaking his usually, pale arms, green, crystalline like protrusions lining the black like thin blades. Colorful markings in hues of blue spiraled along his pale skin, writhing as though they were alive, pulsating, and at the center of the backs of his hands, sat strange, orb like protrusions, glowing eerily like a Demon’s eyes.

It was an unearthly sight...But what struck an overwhelming sense of fear within the Demon’s heart...Was Max’s eyes.

The whites had gone entirely black, pupils needle thin to the point of nearly disappearing, surrounded by a glowing green that peered back at the Demon emotionlessly.

“What are you?!”The Demon screeched in fear and rage, freeing it’s jaw from the lashing tendril.

But there was nowhere to run to.

Like a cornered animal, the hunter became the hunted as Max closed the distance.

“...You want to make a meal out of me?” Max’s voice resounded, devoid of emotion, cold and ruthless. “Know your place, mutt. That’s more than a filthy thing like you could ever hope for.”

From his back, another of those blade-like tendrils protruded, followed by another...And another as they lashed against the floor with a whip-like sound.

The cowering Demon incited something within him. A visceral hunger, deep, bottomless, even...And only then, did the faintest of smiles cross his expression.

“...How about a Demon shish-kebab?” He questioned, licking his lips slowly. “That sounds good.”