Rade's Demon Elimination Service

Chapter 11: New York Tells Kalleid What London Knows

Kalleid looked around the bridge where people walked to and fro with the little note on his hand.

At a distance, he could see New York battling it out with a ferocious demon as big as a three storey building. As difficult that may have sounded, New York was holding his own fairly well. Since the river that went in the middle of bridge was deep and disgusting, New York was looking as though he was trying hard not to get a single river water on his person.

He was doing fairly well, Kalleid thought grimly as New York's face was starting to get to a shade of green.

Kalleid shielded his eyes with his hands like a pair of binoculars, stuffing the note on the pocket of his pants, and watched New York create boundaries that became his foothold so he would not plunge to his humiliation to the river.

The boundaries, as thin as a sheet of paper, New York created shimmered under the setting sun, varying in the shades of violet. Aztle, New York's own holy weapon that was always in necklace form around his neck unless being called upon, elegantly strike at the enormous demon— its black blade was glimmering under the afternoon glow of the sun. The black blade of the scythe glimmered and was noticeable even from afar that Kalleid could see it even with his poor eyesight.

"Woah," Kalleid muttered quietly, "I really forget that New York could also be like this to me, but he never did."

Kalleid wasn't a Catholic, he never had a religion because, after all, he was a demon and if members of any church would know his existence, their existence actually, he was afraid he would get an exorcism instead of a warm welcome. And so, even if not having any religion, Kalleid immediately prayed to whoever deity was watching over him to tame New York whenever he was with him.

Kalleid heard the other boy cursed as the demon swatted him away, narrowly missing his head. The scythe on his hand circled elegantly on New York's hand with the sharp tip of the blade ending on the demon's skin. A boundary immediately rose in front of New York, shielding his face and whole body against the onslaught of the blood that poured over the wound that Aztle caused it.

Kalleid was about to shout a cheer for New York until he remembered that the one people could see and not affected with the distortion boundary was actually him. What he could only do was to watch New York from afar, propping his chin up on his palm. When he got bored, Kalleid left his position at the railings of the bridge only to shortly come back with two hot dog sandwiches, still fresh out of the grill and drizzled with mustard and ketchup, and also two large size root beer.

He pouted, but New York was still not yet done. He even ate one hot dog, slurped down one of the root beers, until he craved more and ate the second one meant for New York and drank the second drink.

He was still fighting.

Kalleid thought if he wanted to fight with New York, but he would only get scolded by the other boy for certain, being a nuisance or getting in the way. Either way, Kalleid only left his position on the railings again, coming back with a set of new refreshment for New York if he was ever done fighting the demon.

It took New York a full hour before getting rid of the demon, and when it turned into a glimmering core, New York conjured up another boundary that was as thin as paper and reflecting different shades of blue this time and let the core fall into it. It bounced a couple of times before settling on the boundary silently.

The passersby and the panhandlers were all oblivious to the fact that a person was in the middle of the river seemingly floating but was actually standing on a thin surface that even resembled how ice formed atop the surface of a water, and had only just fought a three-storey large demon.

Kalleid looked up, saying his goodbye to the twilight which was replaced by the total darkness in the absence of the sun. When he turned, he was already beaming to an exhausted New York who took the water bottle he was holding and downed it straight until there was no more.

New York was heaving huge gulps of air. He was drenched with sweat all over his face and his white uniform clung on his back. Seeing the sorry state of New York, Kalleid immediately rummaged through his school backpack and offered a clean handkerchief to New York who accepted it with a grunt of gratitude.

"You're working too hard," Kalleid said mildly, his hand went to pat New York's drenched uniform. "You look like a dog now. With tongue hanging out, and always breathing as though you just ran around under th sun—"

New York shot him a glare, shutting Kalleid's talking mouth. Instead of teasing him further, Kalleid pulled the note out of his pants' pocket that he found in the clubroom. He waved to New York with a slightly protruding lips.

"Can't this wait?" Kalleid asked curiously. "Here—" Kalleid reached out to wipe New York's brow with his hand, a gentle look touched his expression, but he was stopped by New York.

"Take this, you dumbass," New York said and rudely shoved the core that he just got from fighting the demon in the middle of the river. "Get Lyu to give you a good prize on it. Make a heartfelt speech how much I resembled a drenched dog after fighting it it whatever."

New York's lips were pursed and there was a creeping red on his neck up to his cheeks that only Kalleid has the privilege of ever seeing. A smile was immediately placed on Kalleid's lips, touched with how New York was still subtly caring for him.

"You always do this, New York," Kalleid told him gently. The demon core on his hands felt fragile and small out of nowhere and Kalleid wanted to keep it in his possession instead of just selling it to another. "Thank you for doing this. You don't have to do this, New york. My father's sending me allowance once in a while."

"One more word and I'm gonna yeet you to the river," New York warned and started walking along the railings of the bridge. There were still people around, walking and some were biking, but they paid the duo no mind.

"Why here though?" Kalleid looked at him bashfully.

New York shrugged casually, heat was still travelling up to his neck and he uncomfortably raise the collar of his shirt to at least pretend that he has some shame, but his mind was faraway, with himself and not with Kalleid.

"It was Geneva who sent me here," he answered Kalleid. "We're clearing the way for the Shadow Fantasm. You know the big day of its arrival is tomorrow so we're also busy right now."

"Not giving it any reason to stay?"

New York only nodded as answer to Kalleid's question directed at him. There was a sigh that came after the nod as though this whole ordeal was stressing New York out.

"The distortion boundary is fading," Kalleid remarked as he noticed the cracking of the spell on the horizon. "It kind of looks nice, don't you think so?"

But New York did not answer him.

Looking at him intently, Kalleid found him seriously pondering about something with both of his brows knitted together. It wasn't that often Kalleid would see New York like this. Courage building up in his chest, Kalleid took the initiative and held the hand of the boy just to see his reaction, leaning on the side while they were both walking.

None came.

"I don't mind spending time with you, New York," he said gently, his head leaning on the other's shoulder. "Tell me what's in your mind though. I'm an immortal, not a telepath."

"She's dangerous," he instead said softly.

Kalleid's back straightened automatically, instantly understanding what the otehr boy meant with that.

That was when Kalleid regarded New York in another light. He wasn't considered as a genius, but Kalleid think he fairly knew what New York meant by that word 'her'. He stopped walking, dragging New York's hand that he was still holding.

"Are you jealous..." he paused, not sure if he should continue or if he was already walking on thin ice. "Of her?" Then a smile erupted from Kalleid who was still speaking gently towards the other who rolled his eyes hard enough to make Kalleid wonder how those eyes weren't popping out of their sockets.

"Shut up, dumbass!" he roared at Kalleid. New York then pulled at their intertwined hands and glared at Kalleid when he didn't followed him. "What?" he hissed.

"Shouldn't I say that?" Kalleid asked in return, his mild voice cutting through the breeze of the night made cold by the river just beside them. "I find it hard to believe you would want to meet me here to have a date. Though—" Kalleid looked around their proximity "—it is quite the romantic place to really have a date. What is it? And what is up with Rade? Tell me, please?"

"Who are you saying about a date? You're being a delusional i***t all over again," New York scolded at him, but he didn't shook off the hand that connected them both.

He led Kalleid gently to come to his side, though there was still the displeased look on his expression. Kalleid let himself be led and assumed his position earlier.

"London just came back," New York stated as they both started to walk.

People looked at them, but none of those onlookers ever met their eyes as New York glared at anyone who dared meet his while Kalleid only gazed at New York's face.

In Kalleid's mind, people would always look and he was really used of people scrutinizing him from head to toe; looking as though it was his own fault by just existing. He was used to it, and he doesn't have any problems if people find it difficult to accept him so those eyes clinging to them, it was vey much familiar to Kalleid.

"I'm aware," Kalleid answered, uncertain of which way this would go or which way he should go, "I think I'd know if my bestfriend would go around the school and not tell me. New York, tell me really what you want to say, please."

"Elora Isolde Aldam killed Carysia Haeven," New York revealed, "the last surviving heir of the Haeven clan, Carysia Haeven, in a battle with the Shadow Fantasm with the Fantasm taking over the body of Laurinette Haeven. She's a ward? A slave of the Haeven clan, even I'm not sure."

Kalleid was speechless, not knowing what to say to New York, his gaze told the other a story that begged him to take back what he said. What was peculiar was that there wasn't any surprise that tainted Kalleid's eyes, and that didn't escape the person who held his hand.

"You knew?" New York asked him, the grip on his hand tightened. "Since when?"

"Because my hands have sinned and killed people," Kalleid remembered hearing Rade said quietly. Her head was bent down low, and her hands were both trembling so hard that Kalleid wanted to wrapped those with something warm. She looked so cold and alone then when she added the last five words, "I have sinned and killed."

Kalleid was already shaking his head, denying any mistake from how New York understood the circumstances.

"No, it's not like I'm aware of whom she killed or her connection to the Shadow Fantasm," Kalleid said, explaining in a hurried manner. "But she did tell me that she killed someone."

"And yet you still stuck with her?!" New York roared at the other, a vein was popping on his temple and his neck that made Kalleod retreated. "What is wrong with you? Do you have a death wish, Kal? She already warned you herself!"

"Is this why you told me to say away from her in the first place?"

New York shook his head and loosened his grip, he felt that he was choking him again and he let go of his hand but Kalleid didn't so their connection remained.

"London told me upon his arrival," New York said to him, "that Aldam girl is dangerous. I told you to stay away exactly because I knew she's just dangerous, I never knew she did something like that before or any of this. Because if I knew, she wouldn't be able to breathe in the similar direction towards you."

"There are certain circumstances," Kalleid protested, his mind going to a particular direction on his memory, "certain circumstances that a person just snaps. Look what I did before to y—"

Kalleid was cut short by New York, his eyes were blazing with fury and wrath towards him. His hand unconsciously gripped the other boy's harder to the point that Kalleid felt it hurts, but he didn't say anything.

"People don't kill other just because they snap," he contradicted then he proceeded on a mocking tone, "oh look, I'm angry. Now, I wanna kill you. Things in this messed up world just doesn't work that way, Kalleid. Don't justify something that is wrong."

"Even demons can be misunderstood," Kalleid muttered. "Like me. Miss Megumi, Lyu."

Before anything progress to any worse though, New York took a deep breath to calm his nerves. He motioned to the nearest shop where he gestured for Kalleid to sit. New York, however, went inside to buy them both something.

Kalleid felt the wind, smelling both the pollution and the oncoming blooming of the flowers which constitutes to the florescence of the cherry blossoms. The door's chimes of the café shop rang faintly as someone went out and New York was already walking towards to him on Kalleid's p.e uniform shirt which he borrowed since he was too drenched with sweat from his fight.

Kalleid listened at jow the chimes rang softly, being moved by the door and the wind that was blowing them gently. He has always like the refreshing sound of those little bell chimes.

Giving him the iced coffee, New York sat beside Kalleid's chair and sipped his own.

"A year ago the Shadow Fantasm was first seen," New York started, reclining on his metal chair and looking at cars zipping pass them both and all of the pedestrians. "Elora Isolde— what the heck? Her name is a mouthful!" he cursed so loud that passersby looked at him.

"Just call her Rade," Kalleid suggested, and also sipped on his own drink. "I know you two are not in first name basis, just bear with it."

Kalleid gave New York a sweet smile when the boy only glared at him fiercely. He nodded at him, giving him encouragement to proceed with his story.

"What happened next?" he asked New York and sipped innocently on the paper straw on his drink. Kalleid pursed his lips on the straw that has become so soggy that the coffee just tasted paper full-on. Disgusted, he removed the straw and put it on a tissue then proceeded in drinking his coffee from the rim.

"So what happened?" he repeated when New York only looked at him, he smiled innocently.

"Rade was brought in by the Haeven clan," New York finally continued. "Based on what London found out while he's in Romania, the Haeven clan took Rade, the last descendant of the cursed bloodline and wielder of the cursed blade scimitar, Aíma, when she was a kid. Maybe just after her parents have been killed."

New York's gaze was afar like he was thinking of something else.

"Being a gifted bunch than the rest of us, the Aldam family was resented by the hunters' community. They were shunned by the people, and they slowly went extinct until Rade Aldam is the only member left of that clan. Ten years ago, the formidable Haeven clan, you know who they are. Right?"

New York pointedly looked at the other boy who nodded solemnly.

"They are only fifth on the clan rank within the hunters' society or at least they used to be," Kalleid answered delicately. "Let me guess what happens next—" New York quieted down and let him speak "—Shadow Fantasm showed up, while Rade and that girl, that Haeven girl, involved in a hunt with the Fantasm. Rade accidentally killed her, is that it? But what's it got to do with me, New York? I can't understand."

Closing his eyes, New York only leaned back to the chair rests. It was already dark and, but this time, demons were rampant and more vicious than normal. For a while, he didn't answer Kalleid and let the wind pass his wind by.

"That's why she's here," he suddenly uttered, freezing Kalleid on his seat. "Elora Isolde Aldam plans to go after the Shadow Fantasam. To truly kill Laurinette Haeven."

"But—!" Kalleid stood up immediately, alarmed by the news. Although he shouldn't have been shocked, nevertheless he still was.

"And this is why I'm telling you this, you i***t!" New York roared which had Kalleid covering his ears. "Under no damn circumstances are you allowed to get her close in with the Fantasm."

"New York, I don't want to—" Kalleid protested, his bottom was already seated on his chair.

"I don't care what you want," New York snapped, "I care that you're safe. And you should stop her while you can— away from the Shadow Fantasm. Away from that Haeven girl."

"New York—" Kalleid protested, only stopping whe he realized what New York said. "You want me to stop her?"

"Yeah, something like that, i***t," New York answered casually. "Are you not listening? I've heard some rumors from around the hunters in the house. Like an unbelievable urban legend."

"About Rade?"

New York shook his head, brows furrowed with anxiety.

"Not just about Rade, Kal, but about the whole clan she came from. All those involved themselves with the Aldam clan will have bad luck tail them until the Aíma absorbs their blood. Much like what happened with the only heir of the Haeven clan and that Haeven girl who became the vessel of the Fantasm. Full of bullshit, of course, I'm worried still though. I can't have you all running around when the Fantasm is just around the corner."

At first, New York's tone was full of gloom, but when he saw Kalleid's knotted brows, observing how he spoke, his tone suddenly took a sharp turn and rolled his eyes.

"It's tomorrow," Kalleid stated, the other nodded as a response. "Does she think she could kill the Fantasm?"

"Beats me."

New York stood, but Kalleid was too deep within his thoughts that he didn't even noticed it. The other boy just watched him think, the delicate lines of his face and how his lips still held the gentle hint of his character.

With last glance, New York turned his back and walked away from Kalleid who still has his head lowered, deep in the thoughts of his muddled mind. New York was afraid that the only thing that brought his news to Kalleid was pity.

"He's always been like this," he muttered to himself, his hands on his pockets already and his feet dragging him away from Kalleid.

"Wait!" He heard him called to him. Since Kalleid was never really one for sports, his breaths were labored and it took him a moment to reach New York even if he already stopped walking to wait for him. When Kalleid caught up with New York, he pushed his glasses back on his sweaty nose bridge before speaking again. "What are you doing, just leaving? Think you're in some sort of a drama?"

Instead of an answer, Kalleid only got his back slapped hard. He coughed to cover the sting of the slap, smiling at New York as he reached for his hand again.

"It's getting dark, dumbass, I should get you home," New York told him gruffly, their hands were now stuffed within the the pocket of Kalleid's white jacket while New York's other hand pulled the hood of Kalleid's jacket.

"You do think you're in a drama," Kalleid teased him. "I'm not a damsel in distress, I could get myself home on my own. Thank you very much," he added with a good dose of sarcasm.

"One more word, and I'll kill you," he warned to Kalleid who only happily leaned on his shoulder. "I want you safe, you understand that, yeah?" A nod from Kalleid. "Don't let her do anything stupid, but remember what your dad told you." Another nod from Kalleid. "Don't go straight to the Fantasm yourself. Don't do stupid things yourself."

But even with those nods, New York knew that Kalleid was too soft-hearted and he was too gentle to let someone like Rade, a lost puppy in the midst of a boxing arena, just march on her own death procession just like that. He knew that Kalleid would heed his advice and stop Rade even if he told him not to.

"Lock up," New York reminded Kalleid as he ushered him inside his house. "Your apartment is a pig's den, you idiot." Kalleid only smiled at New York sheepishly. "Clean up. After I put more boundaries around your useless self, I'll go home then."

"I wouldn't do anything stupid," he suddenly said before he closed the door, "you know that."

"Who knows, you're always stupid," New York only responded.

"Wait—!" Kalleid stopped New York before the latter close the door in between them.

"What?" New York grunted.

"I'm really cold," Kalleid said bashfully with a small smile.

A sigh from New York and he beckoned the other boy, opening his arms as he spoke to Kalleid.

"Get in here," New York said, but his voice was already muffled when Kalleid gently threw himself on his arms, feeling the warmth being emitted by the other boy.

It was New York who closed the door in between them after Kalleid himself let go with great reluctance.

When he entered the manor of the Aldeia clan, what New York saw was the working hunters, heaving piles of paperwork and even weapons too. All were ready for the arrival of the Shadow Fantasm.

"Hello there," an unfamiliar voice rang.

Turning his head, New York found an unfamiliar stranger standing on one of the many receiving halls of the manor of the Aldeia clan. His brows immediately rose automatically with the presence of the man.

He was pleasant enough looking with very pretty mild voice to compliment his pretty facial features. Since he was a kid, New York always make it a point to know every single hunter and servant, or just about anyone, inside the manor in any case of a break-in.

"If you're not suppose to be here, I'll give you ten seconds to surrender," New York said calmly and went for the stack of sweets London hid on the back of the grandfather clock.

The figure flinched with New York's abrupt movement, but when he saw what the kid pulled, his shoulders visibly slumped.

"I see you're finally here, my dear prodigal brother," a very cold and harsh voice suddenly entered the room and New York just felt himself went stiff.

He looked back to his sister and bowed deeply.

"Sister," he greeted formally, but his eyes flickered to the man standing not a few meters away from him.

"Our guest," Geneva Aldeia answered his questioning look, "Felif Astride." Geneva motioned to the man who smiled amiably. New York doesn't like him immediately. "Where you've been? With Kal again?"

"I have a question, sister."

Geneva only looked at him, not indicating whether he was allowed to talk any further or not. Still though, New York asked what was in his mind.

"There's just no way in hell that you don't know a certain little loli who came from a cursed bloodline residing within the region of the Aldeia clan with the intention of defeating the Shadow Fantasm."

Geneva only continued her cold gaze that Felif took a few steps back, away from any fighting range for combat between the brother and sister.

"Why did you let her in knowing how she killed the Haeven clan's heir?" New York finally asked seriously.