The Moonlight Demon

11 | Monster Ball

NADIA'S POV

"It's just like killing two bird with one stone," Asura said and smile. "Tell your grandparents, aunts, and uncle that mommy needs to deal with a job request before coming home, okay?" Caia nodded.

I wonder what kind of party is this Monster Ball. Does it involve monsters and all? To add to that, I wonder how Asura's parents look like. They're devils after all.

Will there be a resemblance to the devils like the illustration? With pointy horns and razor-sharp teeth?

"Where are we going, Master?" I asked when we watched her kids. "We're going to the human world first then we will travel to Hell. Why?"

She asked like its normal to say what she just said. "Umm, no, not really," I said. It's not my place to question her. She smiled and summon a circle. And just like that, we arrived in front of a small urban housing estate.

"Why are we here?" I asked.

"A little bird told me that someone is being possessed here. A teenage boy," She walks towards the house in front of us. I looked around the scenery and it's creepy as hell! Not that I ever went to hell yet but I assume it does.

"Hmmm... He's probably the priest." I looked at the direction Asura referred to.

"Priest, they're so annoying." We seem to be invisible to their eyes. "Oh wow. That's going to leave a mark on that boy." I was taken aback myself when we found that the boy was in the state of humanly impossible.

"I need to grab a hold on that devil inside of him. He's been messing the balance in this world. I never recall of granting a wish for anyone to possess a child!" We were surprised when the priest entered the room together with the boy's parents.

"Ugh, hold them off, will you. I don't need them to interfere." I nodded and tried to forbid them going any further. I place a barrier like how Agramon taught me.

"Something forbid us from entering the room." The priest announced to the parents. I just hope my master know what she's doing.

"Hey, there little guy." I heard master says. "What are you doing here all by yourself?" I don't know if it's just me but I literally saw something coming out from within the boy!

"I was left alone. I waited but no one came back for me." Is that... it's a little boy!

"Oh, you poor thing. Is that why you possessed this human boy?" Asura asked while her hands slowly reaching for it. The little devil nodding its head. "Awww. Do you want to go home with me? It's not nice to disturb his little human boy you know."

"I can go home?" It asked. Master nodded.

"You can. Now take my hand and let's go home, okay?" The little devil nodding its head and grabbed on master's hand. "Let's go, Nadia." Master summon a portal and all three of us walk through it. "Is it okay to let them be? I mean, the priest and all."

"The angels who will come after they heard the priest's prayer. They will help the little human boy," Master said while letting the maids taking the little devil.

"Now that it's done, let's meet my family." I was waiting for a portal to show up but she leads me towards somewhere I ember been before.

"Huh? A plane?" I asked dumbfounded. "Yes. We're going to hell using a plane. Why? Too weird for you?" I shake my head no. It's just, never in my life I heard someone going to hell using a plane before.

We boarded the plane and waited for it to take off. Come to think of it, I never ride a plane before. I wonder how does it feel, to be up in the air like a bird. Is it the same when I flew around with Ra's wings? Or is it different because we're inside this plane?

"So ... basically, we're just entering a huge portal to the underworld?" Master looked out and nodded. "Yes. Relax. It's going to be a long ride to the Demonix realm." She smiled before covering her eyes and rest.

Few minutes in the air, I noticed the sign for a seat just being turned off by the pilot. I decide to explore this plane while my master doesn't need me. This is a huge plane.

"Your up?" Agramon asked when I walked passed her without noticing it's even her. "Yes. I just curious about this huge metal bird. Does it belong to the master's family?" Agramon nodded at my question.

"The Demonix household is one of the many prominent high ranking devils in the underworld. The Demonix domain is the largest city in the underworld. It's a home for over 20 million devils and still counting." That's a f*****g huge city!

"Since Asura bear the title Behemoth replacing her father, Asura's sister who was born after her takes the position as the ruler of this domain. She's quite strict, unlike Asura. So be careful around her." I nodded, taking notes.

"Oh, before I forget, once we arrived at the Demonix main mansion, you'll meet some of Asura's siblings." She smiled. Her siblings?

"Her parents had 20 kids including Asura." 20 kids?! My eyes widen upon hearing that little information. So .... fertile!

Agramon chuckled. "As you can see, they all are competitive devils. But until this day, none of the brothers and sisters manage to defeat Asura in combat even magic. Asura is gifted with many talents and kind-hearted. For a devil to be that kind, it's too impossible." True, she even befriends with angels that supposedly enemies for the devils.

"Of course that trait of hers earned herself a lot of problems back then. Even her brothers despise her for being too lenient against those creatures of the light. But Asura never let that be the judge of her judgment. She's a Behemoth, the keeper of balance between the underworld, heaven, and the human world."

That's true. I noticed she gave everyone the same kind of attention whenever we attend any party or meeting.

"You should really rest. Because your Asura's servant, you have to help with the ball's preparation once we landed. I suggest trying to take some remedy from the witch who's working as the barrister," She pointed at a direction.

I thanked her and followed her advice.

***

"OH, MY GOD!" I immediately feel the burn of stating the name of God when I came face to face with one of the guards!

"That's so not wise of you." Agramon chuckled. "Sorry. Force of habit I'll say. Before this, I never call the Devil's name before." Since we landed, Asura was forced to meet her family while Agramon and I were helping the party planner.

But for me, this party planner look more like an octopus than a planner. Her tentacles will attack you if you don't do the job right. "Seems like everything in place. Thank you, everyone." Everyone sighed in relief.

"Hey, Agramon. What is this monster ball? Is it a party for monsters?" She nodded. "It's exactly what the name says. A party for monsters. Once a year, the Demonix will hold a ball in their mansion and invited every single monster in their domain. From the higher rank to the lowest of the low. Even ghouls are invited and they're brainless." She chuckled.

She's right, they're stupid.

"Seems like the orchestra practicing their sound. Do you dance?" I shake my head no.

"Being Asura's servant, you have to learn. Believe it or not, even though you're a servant, you have a higher rank than I am, a knight. Since you basically serving Asura directly, you have the same level as the army general."

For real? Wow!

"Anyway, how does it feel to be Asura's special someone. She practically told her kids to call you as their mother. She never does that before."

She what??

Her kids?

Mother?

Huh?

"You seem to be confused and in shock. What? Did I say something weird? You two are dating, right? Or is it just something unrequited love?" I don't know how to respond to that. "Me and my big mouth then." She chuckled as we both walking out of the ballroom.

I never thought she would feel that way before. I see her as my master and her kids as my superior. Nothing more, nothing less.

I feel stupid for not seeing the sign. I sighed mentally. "You've met all of Asura's kids, right?" I nodded. I remembered meeting them when I first was woken up after being turn to a devil. But, because of how many of them, I only remembered Caia, Yuko, and Israfel. The rest, it's a bit hazy.

"Because you're Asura's servant and the only one, you have to prepare all of her kids for the ball. Even though it's tomorrow but... better safe than sorry what I always say. They're two doors down. They all inside the room with the seamstress."

I nodded and went to the door Agramon mentioned earlier. I knock before entering it.

"Nadia?" I was glad I met Caia of all people first. "Are you here by the order of mommy?" I nodded. "We're almost done but, as you can see, Yuko still hasn't pick anything yet." She's right.

Yuko is searching for something to wear from the many collections they have. Yuko is beautiful. I blushed every time she turned to look at me.

"She said she will never wear something indecent and will only wear the kimono if nothing perk her interest." Caia chuckled. A kimono huh. Anything she decides will good on her anyway. She's a beautiful lady.

"Come on. Let me introduce to you to my brothers and sisters. This is Draven, the youngest. You know him very well. The one who's holding Draven is Kokabiel. Of course, Israfel and this is Kushiel and Leliel. They were all there when we met your family,"

Yes, I remember them. Kokabiel talks back to my parents. "This is Matariel, Remiel, Hexen, and Armaros. They're quadruplet twins." 2 boys, 2 girls huh. I wonder how my master actually pushed them out of her body. It must be hard for her.

"This is Simikiel, my little sister. She's ... well, she's a necromancer. She always talks to the dead about everything." She actually smiled at me creepily.

"This is Zachriel and of course, Yuko. 13 of Asura Demonix's children for you. We protected our mother with our life and if she's sad, you'll make all of us mad." She smiled.

I'm not sure if that's a threat or something else, something way more sinister. "Oh hello, Nadia. I didn't know you're here." It's my master. I bow my head and watched as Draven running towards his mother. But before he could reach her, he fell face down.

I was about to grab him when my master raised her hand. "Watch this," Caia whispered to me.

"Draven, are you okay?" My master asked him. But no respond at all. When he did respond he looked up and about to cry to his heart contain.

"You're not hurt, are you? Stand up on your own and come to mommy. Come," Master kneel down and opened her arms.

Draven wiped his tears and stood up on his own. He ran towards his mother and finally cry. "Good boy." My master smiled while hugging him back.

"That's how our mother teaches us. That's her way to shape us. It's tough love but she always cares for our well being. Even if we ignore her sometimes she always finds a way to get into our nerve."

Especially Kokabiel." She pointed it out. "Kokabiel, honey, your a grown man for demon sake. Do I need to ask your sisters to help you with your clothes?"

The girls were ready to 'help' him.

Kokabiel blushed. "No!" He immediately fixed his clothes. I see. That's her way of teaching the kids huh. That's actually pretty neat. It must be amazing to have a mother like that.

Who cares for them deeply.

***

"Stop!" I heard my Master said.

I turned to face her before she fixing my clothes. "You're representing my image out there. Be aware of your surrounding and mistake." I did a mistake and my master has to .... pointed it out for me!

This is not acceptable.

"All done." I thanked her and stood behind her. "Before we walk through the ballroom, I have something to say to you." She faces me. "Once we step inside this ballroom, you'll be witnessing a group of monsters that you wouldn't even guess existed."

I nodded.

She motioned for the guards to open the door for us. At first, I saw nothing out of the ordinary but when I turned my attention to my left, the things she mentioned earlier appeared right before my eyes.

"Don't stare. They have feelings too." My Master said.

This is truly a monster ball of your asking me.

"Oh! Chris! It's been so long." I was surprised to see two Asura in front of me. Which one of them is the real one?!

"Let me introduce to you, my servant Nadia. Nadia, this is Chris, the scariest elements in the Philippines. He also has another name, it's Tambal." Tam-what? Nevertheless, I bow my head to the guest.

"New servant? Only one? Oh, Asura you need more servant. I have some if you want it." He smiles! I never even imagine Asura smiling before.

"As you can see Nadia, Tambal likes to take someone's form while the real one lost in the forest or anywhere they reside. I lost count of how many humans he lured into the forest just for him to stayed in the human world." Asura was shaking her head.

When Chris turned to his form, I don't know how to react to it!

"Asura. Nice seeing you. Of course, Chris." Wow, this new person that greeted us is beautiful!

"Via! Seems like you guys came earlier than usual." What does she mean by that?

"Meet Nadia, my servant. Nadia, this is Via, she's like a vampire but her name at where she came from us Aswang." I bow my head. "So polite. Usually, your servant would lunge at me." Asura chuckled together with Via and Chris.

"You earned yourself a great servant my dear." Via smiled.

Is that a compliment? For me?

"I see your parents even invited those posers." I heard Via said. "Hey, don't be that way. They're all your colleagues." My master turned to me.

"If you turn your head to that side, those group of people came from the same country as Chris and Via. From the left, that's Brian, a Bungisngis also known as Mahentoy. He's actually a fun cyclops." My master Chile's as she waved at him.

"Beside him is Pablo, he's a TikTik. A shapeshifter but usually he likes to have the form of a giant bird. A tip, if you ever encounter one, if the sound of his scream is loud, he's far away. But if it's quieter, he's right behind you." He sounds trouble to me. I hope I won't be facing him in any type of situation.

"Now that lovely girl is a Tiyanak. Her name is Aria. Don't let her posture foul you! She's a big eater. I once saw her ate a full grown chimera." My eyes widen. That's the real definition of don't judge a book by its cover!

"Now She's my all-time favorite. Quezon is a Manananggal. She likes to eat a pregnant woman and she can separate her body from her torso. She's quite a handful back then when she's not in the same allied as us." She actually smiled at me.

"Now, the beast of the beast, he's special because he grants wishes if you manage to capture him. Victor is the name and he's known as Tikbalamg to the humans. But he has a bad habit of stealing a woman. I have no idea why though." Asura shrugged.

We both heard the sound of chattering coming our way. "Our other guest has arrived. Now, it's time for me to explain the real purpose of this ball to you." I followed my master to a specific part of the room.

"The real purpose of this ball is to accept any type of complaints from the monster around the world. They reside in the human world mostly and they tend to do some trouble, causing problems for the humans. And humans tend to do some type of ritual to lure them out and chase them away. Do you know what it is?"

"Exorcism?" My master nodded.

"You see, there's a lot of monster and elements or ghost came from around the world. Such as the Grootslang from South Africa, Dybbuk from Israel, Dullahan from Ireland, Gargoyles from England, and even Bunyip from Australia. These all under the Demonix household."

That sound like a lot of work.

"There's a time we have to perform our own exorcism for the stray spirit that was from our household as well. Now those creatures will fall to the dungeon." Dungeon? As in jail?

"The dungeon is where we will keep those wandering or stray spirit from creating more chaos. You may say it's a jail but a jail complete with eternal punishment." So basically hell within hell? I chuckled.

"What's so funny?" She asked.

I shake my head no. "Anyway, it's time for you to meet my brothers and sisters. I have to warn you, they're all .... not that easy to handle." She smiled. "One of them is here." Huh? For real?" I looked around and see no one near us.

"She's invisible," Asura added.

Whoa! Invisible?!

"Sister, don't touch my servant inappropriately. She may be dense but I can see you." Touch me where?

I am confused.

"Sorry. My sister, she's a pervert. She was about to touch your breast." What?!

How can she said that like it's a normal thing?!