Cole jumped out of his bed drenched in sweat and panting. The memories of the dream burned into his brain like someone branding their property. Soon a twinge of pain shot from his neck and his head started to pound. Cole trying to wake up looked outside his window thinking about his conversation with Naiomi the night prior when a thought popped into his mind. He looked around his room to find no evidence of anyone even living in his room. Everything was clean and organized. The blankets were folded and placed into a neat pile. The plate from the night before was gone along with any trace Naiomi was in the room.
Cole "Where is Naiomi?"
Deablos "Maybe you should check downstairs…who knows it might be quite the surprise."
Cole tried to think of a retort but was too tired, so he shrugged his shoulders and went downstairs. As he descended the staircase the smell of food wafted through the air. It was strange, the food was the same, but it didn't smell like his mothers. As he got closer to the kitchen he saw a spread of food waiting for him along with two plates on the table. Being even more curious Cole looked around and saw everything was spotless as it could be. Just as his curiosity was reaching its peak Cole saw Naiomi in a bright pink apron with roses all over. His jaw dropped a bit as he tried to slowly backed out of the kitchen.
Naiomi "I see you silly. Go sit down I'm almost done."
Cole "Sure…just one tiny question…Why are you wearing an apron?"
Naiomi "so I don't dirty my clothes duh. You really are a silly boy."
Cole "Mmhmm…yes…I should be more clear. WHY ARE YOU ONLY WEARING AN APRON?!?"
Naiomi "It gets hot in the kitchen, so I did it to cool off a bit. Do you like it?"
Cole looked away as Naiomi twirled around to show him the apron. Accepting things aren't going to change, Cole sat at the table and waited for Naiomi to finish cooking. To his surprise she came out fully dressed carrying a plate of pancakes. Cole still in shock of everything around him sits still as Naiomi slides two perfectly shaped pancakes onto his plate and dousing it with the perfect amount of syrup. She also placed a cup of apple juice and water besides him and sat at the other end of the table. The shock was piling on top of one another, Naiomi being naked aside from the apron to fully dressed in a few minutes, her mastery of pancake to syrup ratio, her knowing exactly what his morning meal consisted of without a single failure. Cole didn't know what to say, so he just sat and stared at the food. After a few moments of awkward silence, Cole began quietly to eat his food. The more Cole ate the more Naiomi became anxious for his response, she became impatient and stared at him. Naiomi just couldn't tell if Cole truly liked her food, darting her eyes every time Cole stared back. Soon he became annoyed at her constant gawking at him.
Cole "Naiomi, eat you shouldn't waste food."
Naiomi "Does that mean you think it's good?"
Cole "It's not my like my mom's food but it's okay I guess."
Naiomi "Thank you. I worked really hard on it."
Cole "I can tell. You will make someone very happy one day."
Cole finished his food and went out to the backyard without saying a word. Although he refused to admit it, her food was better than what his mother makes. Something about it all made everything a little sweeter and flavorful. Trying to banish the thoughts from his mind he began to practice his martial art forms to no avail. Deablos telling him to start from the beginning again and again. Naiomi, after finishing the dishes went outside with two glasses of water and sat on the back porch to watch Cole practice. After an hour Cole took a break to catch his breath and to prepare for the next set of moves. Naiomi waved to him, holding a cup in her hand. Deciding that a cup of water was the best way to feel better Cole sat next to Naiomi and chugged the entire cup. After feeling refreshed he noticed a slight pink smudge where his lips were. Cole confusedly stared at Naiomi's blushing face then back at the cup.
Cole "Did you drink from this?"
Naiomi "Well I was thirsty, and you were taking a while. It's fine right? We are friends aren't we?"
Cole "Yea, but your motivations seem a little…whatever. When are you planning on leaving?
Naiomi "My mother said she will pick me up from school, so Monday afternoon. If that's alright with you."
Cole "Yea it's fine…I guess…"
Naiomi "Hmm? What's wrong?"
Cole "Nothing…it's just…"
Naiomi "Spit it out silly."
Cole "Well…I…uh…I don't want you watching me training!"
Naiomi "I see. No worries, I would be embarrassed with those forms as well."
Cole "What is that supposed to mean?"
Naiomi "During the tournament you were placed in a five year prediction of strength. So, you're trying to perform moves in a way that your body doesn't know."
Cole "What! Damn…I can't go back to letting people walk over me. I have to train ten times as hard."
Naiomi "Or we can do it the easy way?"
Cole "The easy way? I don't know that sounds suspicious."
Naiomi "Don't worry I do it all the time. You didn't think I was going all out against you when we fought did you?"
Cole "You said you did! I can't believe you lied to me."
Naiomi "Cole, you're right. I lied, but that was before we were friends. look, I'm offering the ability to mass your strength thousands of times what you have now."
Cole "Say I do believe you just this once. How would you strengthen me?"
Naiomi "We no longer age, theoretically we are able to live forever. So, with my time-space magic I can age specific aspects or people. It comes at a price. The older I make you the less control over what I age. If you don't die from old age then you may die from the sheer shock of the power boost and it only works on one thing at a time."
Cole "I'll keep that in mind. Me training isn't about just getting stronger but to also to teach me discipline."
Naiomi "You disciplined? Hehe you're silly."
Cole "Screw you!"
Cole walked away from Naiomi and began from the start practicing his forms over and over. Naiomi was shocked, even though he was using her help it was as if his body or rather, another person remembered how his body moved. She began to wonder if Cole could transcend time. Naiomi's heartbeat faster as thought raced through her mind. Cole wouldn't need her, he doesn't need her, everything they she was working for was for nothing. Each form he performed perfectly filled her with more and more dread. As he went to practice more Naiomi shrieked, dropping Cole to the ground clutching his ears and writhing in pain. Cole's eyes flashed red, his hairs stood on end, just when his anger was at its peak he gabbed Naiomi and shook her violently.
Cole "STOP SCREAMING!"
Deablos "Cole, behind you!"
Cole turned around and smacked several kunai out of the air. Taking a defensive stance Cole looked around for where it came from when more kunai came from when dozens more came separating Cole and Naiomi. Cole called out to Naiomi to see she was put to sleep, it was just him to protect his house. Cole picked up some pebbles from the dirt and shot them in a circle around him doing nothing. He tried to pick up a soul signature to no avail. They were all over, it felt like thousands of people encircled him and none of them had an opening. Constantly on guard Cole decided to shift his focus to his blind spots. Whoever is attacking him trained for way longer than he did. In a moment of clarity Cole focused his aether into his eyes, tracing the path of the knives, noticing they only came from a few directions while changing direction mid-flight. Naiomi snapped out of her daze and immediately jumped in front of Cole to protect him from the knifes, fearing the attack he braced for Naiomi to get hit. When Cole opened his eyes, the kunai were stuck in the ground around Naiomi.
Cole "Wow Naiomi I didn't know you could make a barrier."
Naiomi "I didn't do th…at..."
Cole caught Naiomi as she fainted from a small needle in the nape of her neck.
Deablos "Oof it looks like GHB concentrate."
Angelos "She is going to be out for a while."
Cole "Right now is not the time to analyze those things! Fight then protect."
Angelos "Then may I suggest moving?"
Deablos "Large fast object approaching now."
Cole jumped back just as a blade passed by his face, barely cutting his forehead. Within the split second window for a counter Cole grabbed the assailants arm, tossing him to the ground. As the assassin recovered, four more all dressed in the same black cloak and different colored mask landed next to their friend.
Cole "Look, guys. I don't know what you want or who you are, but how about we call it a day and like not today? I mean your mask are super scary!"
Rentin "Shut up peasant! I Rentin of the young branch will end you for her lady."
Sasa "Rentin wait!"
It was too late. As Rentin rushed towards him, Cole took a defensive stance and gripped Rentin in a half-nelson, breaking his shoulder.
Cole "Please, I really don't want to fight."
Rentin "Don't listen you know the code! Finish the mission!"
The five assailants rushed a defenseless Cole. They were unrelenting to the point not even his demon form helped at all, eventually pinning him down in the dirt. Cole couldn't even cut a scratch in their masks let alone take them all on as one unit. Cole struggled desperately to break free of their grasps as they all in unison lifted their swords and brought them down into the ground surrounding him. When they let go of him, Cole thought this to be the perfect time to escape but hit his face on an invisible wall. Cole frantically punched and kicked in all directions, noticing nothing he did amounted to more than bending the barrier around him. Cole became angry and desperate to the point he started clawed at the walls putting small cracks into it that repaired instantly. After a few more minutes Cole felt weak and his vision blurred. With one last punch Cole passed out.
Rentin "Jeez, that was more difficult than we were told. Tie him up and let's get out of here."
Cole woke up chained to a wall in a jail cell. He couldn't see much outside nor move too far away from the wall. Cole tugged at the chains until his arms were sore, but they wouldn't even budge.
Deablos "This is why we train. Turn the chains into liquid."
Cole "Thought of that already it doesn't work. The chains are regressing my power slowly. At this point if I move too much I will lose my abilities."
Angelos "But you have infinite power. It doesn't matter how much they take."
Cole "No, look closer. The chains have a time magic bound on them. They aren't regressing my power by taking it. They are de-aging my skills to control that power."
Deablos "Again, this is why we train."
Cole "WOULD YOU SPIT IT OUT?"
Deablos "If they are de-aging your skills to a time where you couldn't use them, then they aren't de-aging your knowledge. All it would do to you specifically is make you stronger when you get out."
Cole "Sometimes I just don't know what goes on in your mind. You seem dumb, very dumb."
Angelos "Astronomically dumb. Dumber than beast."
Deablos "OH SCREW YOU GUYS! Cole, we have a few hours before curfew. Right now, would be as good as ever to train more. Especially if you want to reach your goal. Meditate and find your true balance, once you do that, it shouldn't matter at which point your powers are they will always be mixed."
Cole meditated as the pain grew, but he pressed on pushing and mixing aether within himself. The chains started to glow an ominous blue and burned Cole's ankles and wrist however, he pressed on. He focused on everything his body and surroundings had to offer down to the very atoms of his being with a sudden warmth lit inside of Cole. A small grey flame flickering off and on inside of his soul. As he focused on pulling more power into him the flame grew larger but unruly eventually bursting in a massive explosion, lashing back as pain in his body.
Angelos "No good. You were close but the execution was poor."
Deablos "I told you time and time again you have to keep the ratio right. If you mix too much chi or magic it will explode."
Cole "It's not exactly easy as it gets harder and harder to control the ratio. These stupid chains are burning me and ugh!"
Angelos "Cole, I understand it must not be the best environment for you to focus, but we need you to understand these unintended lessons."
Cole "Like what? How to make someone's life unrealistically difficult?"
Deablos "No, how to focus in a shit scenario. If you can focus with your body in pain, tired, and frustrated then you can do it while running and fighting. You may not like it, but you are a leader now. How will it look when people criticize you for being a lame? You won't have the strength to do anything much less prove them wrong."
Cole "I know…You guys are always right, but I didn't plan on being a leader. I was actually going to give it to Aslalo. He is a much better fit than I am. I don't have a particular care for anything like fame, power, control. I just want to be treated like a normal person for once."
A high pitch whine sent Cole into the ground writhing in agony. It was the same voice that called out to him before, the same pitch and tone as the one in the dream. He couldn't understand any of what it was saying but the only thing that seemed to calm the voice was writing in the dirt. Soon the pain became too intense for Cole to handle and he screamed, alerting guards to his cell.
Rentin "SHUT UP WILL YA!? HIS AND HER MAJESTY WILL BE HERE SOON SO QUIT YELLING!"
Rentin's words fell on deaf ears as Cole kept scribbling weird strings of symbols and lines. When the voice subsided Cole was bleeding from his eyes, nose, and ears. Sweat soaked his clothes and his breathing was rapidly inconsistent.
Rentin "What did you write? …Whatever at least you're quiet now. I will be back in a few with their majesty in toe, don't go having an episode. Bye-bye."
Angelos "Deablos, can you read that? I can seem to only understand half. It's like someone started to write in Enochian on the upper parts of the letters."
Deablos "Same here, the lower half seems to be in Fo ́dil. Cole when you are done being a wuss read this. We can't seem to make head or tails of it."
Cole "*huff* It says, 'Those who seek not power often receive, balance the light and dark and lean not on one's understanding but on the power of the lord.' Whatever that means? Also, there is a signature…Samael? Who is Samael?"
Angelos "Did you say Samael? Oh no…no, no. This isn't good!"
Deablos "This is really bad feathers. If his power is flowing that strongly then he is fully awake now. What are we going to do? You know what he said before."
Angelos "It will be fine… It would be best not to alarm Cole right now."
Deablos "Alarm Cole! ALARM COLE! Screw not alarming Cole, he could breakout at any moment!"
Angelos "Calm down, last time he tried to speak to Cole, his power was mild at best. So just think if Cole is stronger, then his power in him is stronger too right?"
Deablos "No, he put Cole to sleep before and recently Cole has been having nightmares. I think the spell god put on him is breaking. Soon he will tear down that wall on his own."
Angelos "it's probably nothing to worry about. If it becomes an issue then we will tell Cole. If not then we will keep our mouths shut. The less he knows the better. Knowing him he would reach out to him like he always does."
Deablos "Yea, that wouldn't be good. Especially if he had Cole."
Cole "Guys? Who is Samael?"
Deablos "No one you should concern yourself with. Focus on getting out."
Cole "That's not a problem. While you two were talking I got free."
Angelos "How? Those cuffs were unbreakable."
Cole "Oh…something in me just felt like I could and next thing I knew they turned to ash."
Deablos "Keep quiet huh?"
Angelos "hush, he's listening."
Cole "Keep quiet about what? Ya know what? I don't care right now. When I get home, you will tell me everything."
As Cole poked around at the concrete walls looking for a way out Renton brought in Higari and Saitori, saluting them, walking out, and closing the door behind him. Cole raised his eyebrow then rolled his eyes when he remembered the faces of Naiomi's parents. Higari had an angry but ashamed look and Saitori's face was smiling ear to ear.
Cole "Is this going to be a regular thing or something? I'm starting to think you may not like me."
Higari "Why would we like you? You are a demon and a commoner no less. You should be grateful we have…"
Saitori "Higari dear, mind your manners. We wouldn't want an incident like last time would we?"
Higari "Yes dear. My apologies boy."
Cole "We cool dog, so long as you let me go."
Saitori "After you tell me what was your answer? I tried to ask Naiomi and she wouldn't say anything other than you made up your mind."
Higari "AND SHE STARTED CRYING! I SWEAR IF YOU HAVE DONE ANYTHING TO MY DAUGHTER I'LL…"
Saitori "You will what Higari? What exactly will you do? I see the lesson I gave last time didn't stick, would you like for me to repeat myself?"
Higari "I wasn't planning on doing anything dear. No need to repeat yourself, I will not interrupt anymore."
Saitori "Good. Cole, what was your answer?"
Cole "Well, I told her we should just be friends. I met her less than three days ago, I don't have the feelings you would like me to have right now."
Saitori "That is unfortunate to hear. I was expecting some development."
Cole "Eh I'm sorry to disappoint you, but what did you expect? This isn't some fantasy novel with epic battles and the guy gets the girl. This is real life and sometimes it doesn't matter if you play cupid or not."
Saitori "Well Cole I would like to believe in the power of love, but if you genuinely have no intentions of taking my daughter as a bride then I guess I can't do anything to change your mind."
Cole "Thank you, now let me go...please."
Saitori "I'm sorry. However, I can't allow you to leave just yet."
Cole "Come on lady! I have to be home or my dad is going to be pissed."
Saitori "Don't worry, you will be home shortly. Higari, please us alone for the moment."
Higari "You expect me to leave you with this…this…thing? Saitori, have you gone mad?"
As soon as those words left his mouth, Higari instantly regretted it. The air fell silent and cold, the walls cracked, and the bars of the cell started to creek. Higari and Cole fell to their knees from the pressure of the cold, dark energy emanating from Saitori. Her brow furled and with one flick of her finger Saitori sent Higari into the wall. As Higari stood, Saitori nudged her head flinging Higari to the other side of the room. Saitori flung Higari all around the room as if he were a tissue in the wind as Cole watched on in fear of the power she was exerting without even stopping to breathe. Cole's body shook, this level of power he bore witness to was nothing compared to anything he saw in the tournament. When Saitori was finished, Higari fell from the ceiling and quickly got on his knees and begged, but Saitori didn't care. With all the scorn of a housewife points her finger down, slamming Higari's head into the ground. A small drips of blood filled the cracks in the ground. Cole couldn't believe what he was seeing. Higari was nothing but a disobedient dog kneeling before his master. Saitori turned to Higari and kneeled to his level and lifted him by his hair so she could look in the eyes.
Saitori "Higari dear. Do you know why I gave you a love tap?"
Higari "I was being a disobedient servant to the Nguyen family."
Saitori "Nope, two more guesses."
Higari "I disrespected her majesty in front of a guess."
Saitori "Last chance honey bunches."
Higari "You seriously can't be mad over that thing."
Saitori slammed Higari into the ground and rubbed his face into dirt.
Saitori "Ding. Ding. Ding. Look at the pathetic human before me. Not only did you disrespect me and my orders. You disrespected the next male of the Nguyen family, disgraced yourself by feeling you are any better than a half demon, and this is my second time telling you to watch your mouth."
Higari "Please my love, forgive this foolish man of his digressions."
Saitori "I have my love. I have forgiven you the moment you said it. That is a weakness of mine and its only for you. I love you so much, but because I love you I need to punish you."
Higari "Saitori! Please! NO, I…"
With a snap of her fingers, Saitori froze Higari in a time crystal. With another snap Higari disappeared. Saitori's magic still crushing Cole under its weight, she turns to him and lifted him to her level. She gave him a slight smile and a kiss on the forehead. This woman who just brutalized a man Cole needed help with after a five year boost just kissed him on the forehead. The other displays Saitori showed, just moments later was a spark in the consuming blaze of terror that just filled Cole.
Saitori "Hey, hey now, there is no need to fear me. you are my future son, I won't let anyone disrespect you. I love you. you know that right? I love you just like you were a child born of my flesh. I would never do that to you. Please trust me when I say that."
Cole "I…I…The…"
Saitori "Oh? No witty come back this time? That's so unlike you. You don't have to put up a front for me."
Cole "…I…ye…I…"
Saitori "Oh dear you must be sick. Don't worry mom will take care of you."
Cole's aie turned purple and he slaps Saitori's hand away. Saitori reaches her hand out to Cole again and it was slapped away, this time Saitori had a small bruise on her arm. Out of anger she attempts to slap Cole but was stopped by him grabbing her arm.
Samael "Hehehe hahahaha! I am not sure who you dare raise your hand to wench, but this boy is not him. Why do humans think they can do anything they want."
Saitori "You aren't Cole are you!? Where is he!?"
Samael "Shhh he's sleeping. It seems you scared him, and he passed out. I suggest you keep quiet."
Saitori "Just what are you?"
Samael "Hmm? I don't know? No one ever told me, and I didn't care to ask. If my name means anything, I am destruction, but I don't particularly like that name. I prefer the potion of god. Destruction makes me sound evil. I don't think I'm evil. Do you think I'm evil?"
Saitori didn't want to look Cole in the eye's or even speak. Something about Cole's being in that state, made her feel lesser, as if she didn't even deserve to look at him. Samael began to get fed up with lack of an answer, so he reached through the bars and took Saitori by the chin and turned her face towards his. Still trying to avoid eye contact looking back and forth at Cole and the walls. This, however, didn't fill Samael with the usual satisfaction he would gain from dominating someone. Although he usually would just ash this woman and go about his day, he felt unamused…rather pity. Tears dripped to the ground, his hand trembled, his energy spiked effortlessly overpowering Saitori's magic that was crushing him. Cole stared into Saitori's eyes and wiped the tears from her eyes, comforting her as best he could.
Samael "And here I thought that you and I would be compatible. Apparently all humans are trash, you make me sick. *ptt*"
Samael through Cole spat on Saitori's face, but she didn't react with anger. Saitori instead reacted with trembling fear as she wiped her face and bowed to the presence before her. Samael turned his back to Saitori and vanished. Saitori lifted her head, smirking the entire time, the situation was lining up in such a way that got her to scheme.
Saitori "I knew he would be powerful, but to think he also held the death god. Hehe this will be interesting. Naiomi don't you dare screw this up and give birth to a weak child. Mother has set everything up perfectly for you."
Cole woke up in his back yard with Naiomi doting over him like a concerned mother, trying to wake him up. When Naiomi saw Cole awake she quickly jumped off of him and smiled as bright and warm as an evening sun that shone on them. Oddly, Cole saw Naiomi just as beautiful as the sun set as she whipped her tears. Something inside of him made him regret his decision to be friends, but just as quickly this feeling came over him he banished it away. For Cole there was no way to justify those feelings being much more than relief from his situation. Cole stood up, walked inside, sat on the couch and watched television. After a few moments Naiomi walks in with a tray of food, setting it in front of Cole.
Cole "What's this?"
Naiomi "It's dinner. While you were out your mother called. She said they won't be returning home until late today."
Cole "And they weren't going to pick something up!?"
Naiomi "I told them they didn't have to."
Cole "What!? Why would you do that?"
Naiomi "It sounded like they didn't want to come home. If my food is not good enough we could go out to eat. Is that what you prefer?"
Cole "No, it's whatever…"
Naiomi "Are you sure? I can afford it. We can go out somewhere. It's not that much of an issue to me."
Cole "Nah, got school tomorrow and so do you. I would prefer not going out."
Naiomi "Okay then…um…OH! Speaking of school, congrats on being student council president for the tenth grade!"
Cole "Huh? I thought it was for the school?
Naiomi "Right! You were in the hospital during the announcements. Apparently we are the leaders of the tenth grade, but we can move up if we challenge the higher grades and before you think about it. The grades above us make your battle with Aslalo look like a joke and not even worth their time with a five year time skip."
Cole "Hmm…that's something to consider. I will just have to see I guess."
Cole continued to eat his dinner in excitement for the days to come. Although he had no chance of winning, the thought of even fighting stronger people sort of excited him. He thought of what their powers might be and ways to beat them. he thought about how training would allow him to beat them. He saw the results from a few days of training lightly did and he imagined training for months or even a year. Cole's heart raced with excitement and he just could wait to fight them. He could prove to everyone that he isn't a cripple or worse for being a demon.
Cole "Naiomi? Did they explain how the fights would work? Say I did decide to challenge the upper classmen what would I have to do?"
Naiomi "They weren't exactly specific, so I don't know. Cole don't tell me you plan on challenging them? I can borrow from me twenty years into the future and I can't beat them. You as you are now has no hope."
Cole "I won't know till I try right? I'm excited now. Who knows what I will be able to accomplish with the right training?"
Deablos "Hehe Cole? Maybe we should cut back your training a bit?"
Cole "What!?! You were the one that said I had to be stronger! why are you changing your mind now?"
Deablos "Well I as your teacher just thinks it best if you…"
Cole "Nah, I don't care. That tournament taught me something. There are people out there that would give me that feeling again."
Angelos "What feeling?"
Cole "I don't know how to describe it, but it was like for the first time I believed in myself. Where I felt right in my skin and I'm not some monster. No, rather it didn't matter if I were a monster they couldn't say anything to me about it. For the first time I lorded over others and I want to do it again. They would have no choice but to like me when I dominate them with total power."
Samael "tnaw uoy rewop s'ti fI. eldnah dluoc namuh yna tahw naht erom uoy evig lliw i dna eman ym tuo llac Mal'ak."
Cole "Huh? Who said that? Who are you?"
Naiomi "Cole what's wrong? Are you okay?"
Cole "Yea, just some voice in my head. It speaks gibberish and vanishes. Every time it just grates the inside of my ears like nails on a chalk board. The last time this happened I started to bleed from my ears and nose, but this time he seems more mellow and calm."
Naiomi "I have heard about this from my mother. Our ancestors used to believe spirits could talk to them but when the spirit was powerful enough or had something super important to say they could sometimes do things to their surroundings."
Cole "Don't tell me you're one of those wackos that believes in the supernatural? You do realize we have scientific data proving none of that is real right?"
Naiomi "Hardy har, har. I know that silly, but our programs run in a similar manner. Perhaps you have a program that you remained unaware of? It's not exactly unheard of just super-duper rare! What happens if you have three A.I.? That would mean you might be stronger than I thought if you carrying around three without noticing it! I would also explain a lot of things."
Cole "Calm down. I only have two. Angelos and Deablos and that's it."
Naiomi "Complete folly! Your aie change colors when your emotions change. Dark emotions such as depression and hate lends to be red. The light emotions such as care, and protection makes them blue."
Cole "Oooo tell me something I don't know. Like I said I don't have a third aie."
Naiomi "And in times of great need and desperation they turn purple. Its as if you are mixing emotions into something unprecedented. It could be a great power and if you learned how to control it…Maybe enough to decimate the seniors with enough practice."
Cole "Forget it, it's not worth the trouble. I will do it with my own strength."
Naiomi "You really misunderstand. When have I ever gave you an option? Those people will never recognize you without power. Go on, keep thinking you can take everything on alone and see where that gets you!"
Cole "Fine by me. I won't rely on anyone but myself and if you can't accept that then…then I don't need you around."
Naiomi "Cole, you don't mean that."
Cole "No, I do. You, my teachers, my shit Ais, even my parents all look down on me. I refuse to let them be right and take the easy way. If that means I remain alone then so be it!"
Naiomi "I see…I hoped it didn't come to this, but you leave me no choice."
Before Cole could react Naiomi poked him on the forehead putting him to sleep instantly. Naiomi lowered Cole down gently and began to remove the clothes on his body to begin her ritual. As she returned with her materials Cole was sitting up right in nothing but his boxers.
Naiomi "I didn't expect you to wake up yet."
Samael "Oh Naiomi, I wondered when you would be enacting the ritual. You were taking forever, and the boy is fighting really hard to wake up. I'm not sure how long I can hold him."
Naiomi "I'm sorry, I had to make sure I had everything perfect. What you are asking me to do is very specific."
Samael ". Did he take the drug?"
Naiomi "Yes, I put in his food. I also made sure to gather everything you told me."
Samael "To think Cole had a priestess at his beck and call. It couldn't go any better for me. quickly, they are breaking down my code now."
Naiomi "Before I do anything. You are going to keep your word right?"
Samael "Right now is not the time. We will discuss it after the ceremony."
Naiomi "What guarantee do I have that you aren't lying? I am betraying his trust so we both can get what we want, but if you are lying Cole and I only stand to lose."
Samael waved his hand to conjure a contract and a feather from a grey flame.
Samael "Sign it and use the feather to prick yourself. Place a drop of blood next to your name."
Naiomi "Why? What is the purpose of this?"
Samael "It's a spirit contract, I can't break it or disobey. It's as powerful as an order from my father directly."
Naiomi read the contract thoroughly, making sure not to miss any detail. After reading it a few times she started to reach for the feather, but hesitated. Growing ever impatient Samael yelled at Naiomi to hurry up.
Naiomi "Your verbiage leaves much to the imagination. First it says that Samael will assist in the process of acquiring Cole Yankell's heart. For all I know you are going to rip his heart out and give it to me. secondly it also mentions that If I don't or am otherwise unable to hold my end of the deal then I will lose everything that was agreed upon in the contract. This is a seal made by god, there is no guarantee that I could even scratch it so at least lower the margin of error."
Samael "I can change the first one however the second clause is something god put in to keep humans from reneging on the contracts. I can guarantee that you and Cole will share a lovers relationship, so long as you break this seal. I will also make the contract adaptive, so what ever you do is proportional to what you receive."
Naiomi "Explain. Proportional how? Will it be a lesser love or something?"
Samael "Jeez, you are one of the smarter humans aren't you? everything takes time, if you were to fully release me then I can guarantee a seven month minimum wait period. However, it will take no longer than a year. Look this is in Cole's best interest. Not only will he be with someone that loves him, but he will be with someone that has the power to protect him. I won't force you to sign it or help me and I wouldn't even resort to this if he would listen to my calls."
Naiomi "Fine…I don't know why it feels like I'm selling my soul to the devil."
Samael "No, my sister would find a way to take everything regardless of what was stated. I abide by what's on the paper and what we agreed the meaning of words are. So, sign it and get this over with. I wasted enough time and he is almost awake."
Naiomi took the feather and signed her name. Each letter filled her with more fear than the last, but she knew her fate was sealed when she stamped her bloody finger onto the page, and it vanished into smoke. The smoke wrapped itself around Naiomi's hand searing a sigil into her skin. After inspecting it for a few seconds it faded and vanished.
Samael "When it is time for you to receive what I promised, the sigil will burn. If you try and do something outside of our deal then the sigil will burn you, even if it's not your fault. So, no concubines and what not. Also, when you two truly love each other the sigil on your hand will burn and so will the one on my heart. Since my heart is Cole's heart, if you don't make your move the flames will consume you both.
Naiomi "Definitely signed a deal with the devil…*sigh* Fine… I Naiomi, priestess and guardian of flow of time beckon the sands of time to heed my call. I call to the blue cords of time and the very loom of fate, come to my side and obey my demands. Make all things flow in reverse, undo that which is done. Unwind that is coiled and unbind that is bound. Time-space magic temporal reversal!"
A fiery crest protruded from Cole's body, the same one on that appeared Naiomi's hand. Black, white, and grey flames spewed all over sticking to the walls but also not burning anything, except when it hit Naiomi the flames scorched her skin. They were more intense than anything she has ever felt in her life. Her skin didn't burn, nor her clothes, it was something inside. Like the very essence of her being was being burned. The white flames burned but with love and passion giving her brief periods of rest between the onslaught of the black flames which burned her with the scorn of everyone she has ever wronged. However, neither flame compared to the grey flames that burned what felt like her soul. It was a peaceful seething rage, a flame that held no animosity or love. It could not be described as anything else but destruction. As Naiomi held firm and poured every ounce of her magic into her spell, the waves of grey flames began to become more frequent than before. Not giving up for a second, Naiomi pushed harder than she ever had before, and the crest responded in turn by cracking and fracturing releasing a small blast that sent Naiomi into a wall knocking her out. When she woke up Samael was standing before her smiling.
Samael "You did quite well Nguyen Naiomi. Far exceeded my expectations."
Naiomi "Huh? What's going on did it work."
Samael "Yes, you removed the seal. He should be able to hear me clearly now. Mal'ak I can speak to you now old friend. Naiomi how can I repay you?"
Naiomi "you said Cole will love me. I did my part, now you do yours."
Samael "Ah yes, that was going to happen regardless. However, that wasn't what I was referring to, you also reversed the seals the boy instinctively put on my power. By accident or not, you did something extra so I must return the favor. Don't worry, I wrote on our contract I owe you one favor of equivalent value. Whenever you have a wish hold your palm towards out and call my name."
Naiomi "Yeah sure, whatever. Just don't lie to me."
Cole "Lie to you about what? I was serious about not wanting you around!"
Naiomi "Oh hush silly, no you weren't. What did you want for desert?"
Cole "Nothing, I'm going to train for a while longer and then I'm going to bed. We have school tomorrow and I have to be ready."
Cole's mother and father burst through the door laughing, Gavin smiling passed out in his stroller.
Naiomi "Welcome home. I see you made a safe trip."
Jonah "Naiomi, you are so polite. Cole could learn a thing or two from you."
Sondi "Cole are you not going to greet your parents?"
Cole "hello mother, father, Gavin. I am going to train now."
Jonah "You have school tomorrow. You need to do your homework."
Sondi "No, no Cole is the fourth in his class. Let him train, it's the first time I've seen him so fired up."
Jonah "Maybe it's because a certain someone is here, huh Cole?"
Cole "It's not like that! I'm student council president now and I have to get stronger to make everyone respect me.��
Sondi "Oh, is that so? Cole, mind if I join you? We could have a little sparring match like old times."
Cole "I'm not a kid anymore old man."
Sondi "Old man? I'm barely thirty five. Come on humor me. You may even learn something."
Cole "Fine, but you better not treat me like a child."
Sondi nods and walks with Cole to the backyard, soon being joined by Naiomi and Jonah. Once there Cole and Sondi got prepared to fight. Cole felt something different about himself already, stronger, faster, he knew he could best his father after never even being able to graze his skin before. Sondi tied a blind fold on and put a hand behind his back. Cole's face twisted with rage at his father for still treating him like a child.
Cole "You still treat me like a child! You said that you wouldn't!"
Sondi "That's because you are acting like a child. Besides, I have one hand out this time. Come on, if you can prove to me that you aren't a kid then I will use two hands."
Jonah "Get him Sondi! Show him whose boss!"
Naiomi "that's your son and husband. Don't you want Cole to win?"
Jonah "He was rude all weekend. I think he needs to be set straight a bit. Go Sondi! Make him sorry!"
Naiomi "Cole, beat your dad! You are much stronger than before!"
Sondi "You can't use magic so same rules as before. I will not use magic or weapons and you can use whatever."
Cole "I told you stop treating me like a kid!"
In the distance a single leaf fell from a tree, the anticipation building until it touched the ground and Cole vanished. Suddenly appearing next to his dad attempting to kick him but failed. Cole's father didn't move an inch and was able to block Cole's kick as if he were a toddler. Infuriated Cole sent a volley of punches and kicks at his father in the fiercest combo he had, still doing nothing to his father. Sondi smiled and plucked Cole on his forehead sending him flying across the yard. Cole hopped up enraged by his father utterly embarrassing him, calling forth his sword of flame. Cole swung his sword at his father with the intent to kill him and still it did nothing, Sondi caught the blade with his two fingers and snapped it like a twig that was left in the summer sun. without wasting a second Cole brings his sword of ice forward, finally making his father have to move back.
Sondi "I seems I was wrong. You have grown to be quite strong and learned a few things too, I see."
Cole "Yeah, I had to compete with the others somehow!"
Sondi "Don't get ahead of yourself kiddo, you still have a lot of growing to do."
Cole launched a flurry of fire and ice slashed at his father surprising even himself that he was able to hold two swords. His body was sharper and his moves cleaner than ever before, but all that meant nothing if Cole couldn't even hit his blindfolded father. Sondi parried all of Cole's attacks one after the other, making Cole angrier and angrier.
Cole "Screw this! I'm taking these stupid weights off!"
Sondi "Hmm? I don't think that would make much of a difference but go ahead."
Cole threw his weights at his father crashing into the ground behind him. Cole knew this wasn't a normal sparring match. Cole knew his father could have ended him before the match began, but this was different than his normal sparring matches. It were Sondi was goading him into acting more and more rash, and Cole was falling for it each time. Cole promised himself that he wouldn't let his dad embarrass him this time. Cole wanted to show his father that he isn't that little boy anymore. Taking a breath Cole rushed his father with everything he had and for the first time of the fight Sondi responded by launching a counterattack, kneeing Cole in the stomach making him throw up a bit. As Sondi tried to pull his leg back Cole smiled and held his fathers leg tightly. Cole started laughing hysterically as he spun his father around launching him into a near by tree.
Cole "How's that old man! Had enough! I guess I did get stronger, you even had to attack me."
Sondi "My foolish son, I just wanted to see how much force you could handle. Do you really think you can take the same attacks that you gave me?"
Cole "Won't know till I try right? Bring it you fart!"
Sondi "Okay."
Deablos "Cole, use the eyes of god."
Sondi "tsk, tsk that's cheating."
Angelos ��He heard you!?!"
Cole barely dodged the swing of his fathers arm, the air pressure so immense it dug a whole in the tree behind him.
Cole "Were you trying to kill me!?!?"
Sondi "You said, and I quote 'don't treat me like a kid'. This is me doing what you asked."
Sondi sent hundreds of jabs in an instant. Cole tried his best but was only able to block half before being overrun by the sheer amount of attacks his father sent his way. The force of the attack knocked Cole to his knees, but that didn't stop him. With a red ominous glow in his aies, a black energy leaked out of Cole's body, a tail grew from his back, his teeth and nails grew longer and sharper.
Sondi "This is new? Did you make that demonic power your own yet?"
Cole "Shut up! Cole no demon!"
Sondi "Not just yet I see. Here I thought you actually were training in a meaningful way."
Cole ran at his father in a sporadic zig-zag, jumping in the air and moving all around Sondi couldn't follow his son's movements at all. As if punching at shadows Sondi's hands went through wherever Cole appeared. Suddenly Cole was on his back gasping for air, his father holding onto his wrist. Cole attempted to tug his arm, but that gave his father enough momentum to flip over him and slam him into the ground.
Sondi "That form from what I was told is quite powerful, but it is unruly, feeding off your anger but trading your sanity. Had you been fighting anyone else at your school, you might've had a chance but from what I'm seeing. You could use some work.
Cole prepared for another attack when he heard a voice call out to him, calming him down instantly. Everything faded from his view and suddenly he was back inside that formless void next to a campfire, only this time it wasn't a faceless man but the one he saw in his dreams.
Samael "Mal'ak, you aren't going to scratch father with those weak attacks."
Cole "Who are you? and I don't remember asking for your opinion!"
Samael "Hmm? you should know who I am. The previous versions of you did, really think idiot."
Cole "Are you Samael?"
Samael "It seems this version of you is the dumbest one by far."
Cole "who are you calling dumb! You are in my head!"
Samael "Yeah, you're right. I guess I'm just as dumb as you."
Cole "Never mind that. Send me back. I'm about to beat my dad."
Samael "Oh? And how are you going to do that?"
Cole "Well, I was going to…"
Samael "No, that won't work. The setup is too long, and you'll burn yourself out before then."
Cole "Then if I just…"
Samael "It's not going to have the power you think it will and you will miss and end up in the tree."
Cole "Will you let me talk! Jeez, how do you even know what I was going to say!"
Samael "This isn't the first time you fought your dad, all the previous incarnations of you fought him. Sometimes as his child, other times as an enemy on the battlefield. You are unoriginal to say the least."
Cole "Well I don't see you coming up with any bright ideas Mr. know-it-all!"
Samael "Well, I don't have any more ideas. You've tried most of them already and they all failed."
Cole "Then you aren't any help! If I'm going to lose any way just send me back, I feel tingly he is going to attack."
Samael "There is something, none of the other incarnations of you could do that might work."
Cole "Well spit it out."
Samael "I will lend you a tiny portion of my power and you funnel it throughout your body like aether. It will surprise him for sure, but it comes at a cost."
Cole "Of course it does."
Samael "Don't worry, it won't kill you or anything. If I wanted I could give you power right now, but it wouldn't do me any good if you go and seal me back up after I worked so hard to reach you. See these shackles? Break one off to show me you're not going to put me back up and you can have everything I can give, deal?"
Cole "Fine, but I have questions for you so how do I reach you after?"
Samael "talk to me like you do those two weaklings."
Cole "Mmhmm okay… but first."
Cole grabbed him by the hand, forcing Samael's power out of him. Forming a knife Cole stabbed himself waking up to reality with his fathers fist mere centimeters from his face. Samael on the chuckled as the shackle on his wrist fell to the ground.
Samael "Sorry old friend, but you can't worm your way out."
A searing pain burned onto Cole's hand as his body instinctively moved back to dodge his fathers attack. Without giving Cole time to recover Sondi threw punch after punch, Cole dodging them all. Sondi pulled back for one final attack, leaving a small opening Cole instinctively exploited. Once Cole threw the punch a grey tattoo in the shape of an hourglass appeared on his hand and brushed slightly past Sondi's head. Cole's father felt a warm drip flow down his head and the blindfold falling off his face. The moment the blindfold touched the ground, it instantly turned to ash. The flesh around Sondi's head began to crack and flake before instantly returning to normal. Cole sprung up catching his father of guard and set in to deliver the final blow when he felt a pressure in his abs sending him to the ground coughing up blood. Cole tried to stand and fight, but his father poked his head signifying to Cole the match was over, and he had lost. Although Cole was furious he lost, he also felt a since of joy. For the first time in his life he was able to make his father lose the blindfold and be somewhat serious. However, that joy soon turned into frustration as he realized he hasn't done it with his power alone. He had to rely on others to even have a chance and even then he knew his father cold have finished the match long before he threw the punch.
Cole "You let me think I almost beat you, didn't you? Why are you still babying me!?"
Sondi "I can assure you, I didn't intend to lose my blindfold. Nice work though, you still have a lot to learn. You are a powerhouse but what does that matter when you lose focus and can't hit your target? You need to control your power better or you will never beat me."
Cole "Yeah, yeah I won't let you off so easy next time."
Sondi "Sure, whatever you say kiddo. Let your mother take a look at your injuries. I'm going to bed, nothin' like a good ole fashion brawl to tucker you out."
Jonah "I am a motherly light, a flame that shields my family from pain. Blaze magic mothers love. Come here Cole so I can heal you right up and you can head off to bed."
Cole "No, I'm going to my room. Good night."
Cole stormed off upstairs. Jonah sighed and began to use her magic to fix the backyard with Naiomi helping where she could. Naiomi for a second let her guard down and looked saddened by the results of the match. Jonah patted Naiomi on the back showing her a loving gesture, that for a split second reminded Naiomi of her own mother. Naiomi smiled, once again reminded of her cold and distant family.
Jonah "Cheer up, Naiomi. Cole never wins. This time he did get significantly better. I'm so proud of him that work he put in recently paid off. Ya know I remember when he was a toddler first learning how to do the proper stances. He looked so cute."
Naiomi "Yeah? Was he any good at it?"
Jonah "Who Cole? heavens no. hehe, whenever dad told him it was time to train he would run away crying to me saying things like 'Dad is really going to kill me!' broke my heart to send him back out there but I know it's good for him. Even if he doesn't know yet."
Naiomi "So he was always like this?"
Jonah "No, he was a bright cheery kid at one point. To Cole, it didn't matter if you were crippled or not you just were. He was more concerned about who you were rather than what you did or could do. Although he didn't admit it, I think that's why Jody made such an impact on him. He witnessed her death firsthand a few years ago. We put him in therapy for a short while, but the doctors claimed he was fine because he didn't show signs of turning into a demon but from time to time he has night terrors and screams about some monster laughing at him. We thought he was going stir crazy, so we decided to send him to school. We thought it would get better and it did for a while but that's when he was…kidnapped. When he came home he was never the same. We try not to talk about it but…it's…it'…*sob* tearing me up."
Naiomi "He sounded adorable when he was younger. You two are great parents, please don't blame yourselves."
Jonah "Th-thank y-you *sob*"
Jonah began to have a somber look as tears welled up in her eyes. Naiomi hugged Jonah and tried to comfort Cole's mother as best as she could. Jonah reciprocated the gesture, wiped the tears from her eyes and gave Naiomi a tight hug that lasted a little.
Naiomi "Umm I should go see if Cole feels better."
Jonah "I'm sorry, I shouldn't be crying in front of guest. Yes, you're right. Go on now wash up and head off to bed. Thank you for talking to me Naiomi."
Naiomi "Yeah, anytime… Good night."
Jonah "Night."
Naiomi left Jonah sitting on the porch, reminiscing over everything she went through raising Cole. However, Cole wasn't having an easy time himself. Like a mad man Cole paced back and forth in his room talking and arguing with the voices in his head about everything that happened. Samael would tease him whenever Cole complained about the others and the others begged Cole to understand. However, their words didn't reach him in the slightest.
Cole "SO YOU ARE TELLING ME YOU KNEW THAT HE WAS THERE AND YOU DIDN'T TELL ME!"
Angelos "Because we knew you would act just like this."
Deablos "At the time it didn't matter."
Cole "Didn't matter? I think someone who calls himself the arc angel of destruction matters a fucking whole lot!"
Samael "To be fair, my name can mean more than destruction. More like the potion of god, I remedy the evils of the world among some other things."
Cole "And you! How long did you plan on hiding from me! not to mention every time you talked you nearly killed me."
Samael "Well if you weren't such a weakling I wouldn't have to lower my voice. Honestly, I would've loved nothing more than for you to reach out to me but nooo. You had to ignore all the signs I gave you, forget about everything, and worse yet you have me chained up. I say I'm the one who got screwed."
Cole "That doesn't matter when I never asked for you to be with me to begin with."
Samael "You should be more friendly with me. I saved you countless of times. You could at least show me some gratitude. So ungrateful, you know your previous incarnations worshipped me as a god."
Cole "Huh? That's silly why would anyone worship an AI program? Especially a stuck up prick like you."
Samael "Because I'm the first son of god? I am the second oldest being in the universe? I don't know why, maybe because I was their friend?"
Cole "Ugh Son of god? Is your programming messed up? AI can't have children."
Samael "hehe that's cute you still think god isn't real despite talking to an angel and a demon. Don't you think it's a bit of a coincidence that they are named 'angel' and 'demon' programs?"
Cole "It's a superficial name. angels are called that way because of their purpose of guiding us and demons tempt us to do heinous acts. It has nothing to do with spirituality, but rather their actions in guidance."
Samael "Okay fair enough, how do you explain magic, chi, and aether?"
Cole "Deablos says its spiritual energy that remained from when god created everything. However, the truth of the matter it's just our computer chips manipulating electromagnetic waves in order to move atoms around. It's simple science taught in fourth grade."
Samael "Wow, such a big brain explanation. You say no spirituality even though you can see souls."
Cole "Are you talking about those small fires? That's just the organ that we evolved to collect the electromagnetic energy."
Samael "And you don't see how that is contradictory?"
Cole "As if religion doesn't contradict itself repeatedly?"
Samael "It's almost as if the creator has the same mentality as humans, but if there is no creator then those emotions should exist either. If those emotions don't exist then why should there be contradictions? Everything so have an absolute reason right? sometimes well, in my life span most times the right answer is often the simple one."
Cole "Ockham's razor huh? That's a pretty old religious argument. It still falls flat, we have traveled to countless dimensions and planets and we have yet to see proof of a heaven or hell. We have devices to pick up magic, so if there were a place with such a massive amount of people or beings then we would see it somewhere. We don't, so until we have proof then there is no logical justification of heaven or hell."
Samael "Do your devices pick up aether? No need to answer, they don't. How do you explain getting stronger? You can't. What about your uncanny inability to use magic despite having two of the most powerful magic users? Your parents were instrumental in the six year war. Not to mention the resident energy is literally called faith. If you can't see the signs then I don't know what to tell you."
Cole "You keep mentioning insignificant things as proof of a god but everything you mentioned could be applied to the flying spaghetti monster. An invisible omnipresent, omnipotent, and omniscient noodle created everything."
Samael "Oh, well she was a thing way back in the day. 'The humans gave birth to me for no reason' this. 'I don't need to preform miracles to gain power' that. She was rather annoying to be completely honest, so I ate her. I guess I'm the flying spaghetti monster now. As a meal I'm rather disappointed, she didn't taste at all of pasta. Just ethereal plasma."
Cole "You're going to be annoying aren't you?"
Samael "It really depends. Are you going to accept Yahweh as the lord and savior?"
Cole "No, not until you prove what you are saying is true or more valid than any other god."
Samael "Then I guess I will be annoying."
*knock**knock*
Cole "Come in."
Naiomi "Hey, you ran off earlier and I just wanted to make sure you're okay."
Cole "I'm fine."
Naiomi "Really? It seems to me your more angry than okay…"
Cole stopped pacing back and forth to give Naiomi a death stare.
Cole "I said I'm fine…"
Naiomi "Well, I can't make you feel any different, but I wish you'd be a bit more honest."
Cole "I SAID I'M FINE OKAY!"
Naiomi "And I understand that. To be told you're weak by a peer just to be proven right by your father. It seems like it would be a lot to handle, but you are a lot stronger than that. Don't sweat it, I will help you train!"
Cole "I don't need your help…I'm going to bed. Just…just leave me alone."
Naiomi "As you wish…"
Cole crawled into bed as Naiomi shut off the light and went to shower. Cole's face winced from the pain in his gut. He poked and prodded around and came to the idea it was just a bruise, Cole focused aether in that area to heal his injury but it didn't help.
Samael "You should have let your mother heal you."
Cole "Will you shut up I'm trying to sleep."
Samael "You aren't going to be able to sleep like that."
Cole "I'm trying to fix it, but it isn't working."
Samael "That's because I'm blocking it."
Cole "What? Why would you do that?"
Samael "Because you need to learn how to love again. I personally don't care if the whole world hates you, act with some sort of dignity. You keep pushing everyone away and it starting to annoy me."
Cole "What does it matter to you? They're just a bunch of liars. I don't need anyone, especially some ones and zeros telling me how to live my life"
Samael "Mal'ak I'm really not liking how this world has changed you."
Cole "Why do you keep calling me mal'ak? My name is Cole Yankell. COLE YANKELL!"
Samael "I am aware of your current name, but that is not who you are."
Cole "And what would you know about who I am? I don't even know yet."
Samael "That's why I'm skipping the whole self-discovery adventure and getting to the point. You are the 16,725th reincarnation of mal'ak, I have went on that adventure just as many and it has gotten dull. So just accept it and lets move on shall we?"
Cole "No, how do I know you aren't using me?"
Samael "Because child, I have saved you four separate times, you are the reincarnation of my best friend, and if you die I get sent back to that accursed cage. I have not the slightest motivation to harm you or abuse you in any way. I do, however, have a request of you. it's optional of course."
Cole "And that is?"
Samael "Help me destroy this planet and all of its inhabitants. I promise those you care about will be safe."
Cole "No…yea…no that's not happening like ever…"
Samael "Ah such is life. I guess I'm stuck here…with you…forever…"
Cole "Yup, now time for bed, I have a few more questions for you."
Samael "Yeah, yeah good night mal'ak…erm Cole."
Cole closed his eyes and fell asleep when he heard a voice calling his name. being exhausted, frustrated, and sleepy, Cole ignored the voice, but that only made it grow louder and louder. Soon becoming a banshee screaming his name until he opened his eyes. However, it wasn't his room, at least not really. Everything was dark and black, a red light shone through the window lighting up the silhouette of a demon. This monster said nothing despite Cole's calls out to him.
Cole "I'm not afraid of you! You are just a dream! You can't hurt me!"
The Demon quietly laughed as it pointed behind Cole. a frightful anger filled Cole as he began to shout at the demon in front of him, but it meant nothing, and the demon kept laughing and pointing. Frustrated Cole turned to see what the demon was pointing at, his eyes widened, sorrow, terror, and panic at what he saw. Cole collapsed and tears swelled in his eyes. When he looked up the image was there personified in a bright ominous glow. The being reached its hands out, gripping Cole by his face making him take in the full sight of what he as done. Cole quickly looked away but was snatched back just as fast.
Jody "Why do you look away? Don't you LoVE mEE?"
Cole "You're dead! Stop haunting me and leave me alone!"
Jody "LOOK AT ME! LOOK AT ALL THAT YOU'VE DONE. RELIVE YOUR WORST MOMENT FOREVER! HAHAHA!"
Jody's mangled corpse decayed, rejuvenated, and decayed over and over. Memories of Cole's capture in the basement played. Cole screamed in dread and panic. The voices of insults surrounded him starting with one and grew to ten and growing further to a hundred. Soon thousands of voices spat insults and curses upon Cole, while his memories tirelessly replayed over and over, taunting him in his failures. Just when all things seemed hopeless and the darkness was just about to take Cole, a light shone dispelling the darkness, banishing all the memories and burning up the corpse of Jody.
Samael "Ba'al I'm free now, you will terrorize him no more."
Ba'al "He is mine! Go away! He belongs to me by right!"
Samael "I don't remember caring about any of that? I remember specifically telling you this boy is not to be touched by you ever. He doesn't belong to anyone. Not you, me, humanity, the Nephilim, the half-breeds, or God himself."
Ba'al "Begone Samael! He is just a worthless brat. He deserves no love nor forgiveness! He is a disgusting sinner. By law I am allowed to reap all sinners! He needs to be punished and reminded of his sins until he repents!"
Samael "He is Cole Yankell, 16725th reincarnation of mal'ak and you will speak of him with respect! He has committed no wrong doings nor sins. Let this be known you scur, no one will subject him to any pain so long as I live, you hear me Ba'al! NO ONE! Now begone, go back into your hole where you belong and leave him be!"
With a hiss Ba'al fled and the darkness lifted. Samael comforted the crying and shaking Cole, by giving him a hug and patted his head. Cole opened his eyes one last time, looking around and seeing his room, Naiomi holding tightly into her bosom and patting his head. Cole's breaths slowed and his body stopped shaking. Once Naiomi started to let go, Cole for a split second held her tightly, not wanting to let her go as he felt at peace. After a few minutes, the two separated from each other to sit properly on Cole's bed.
Cole "I'm sorry."
Naiomi "For what?"
Cole "I didn't mean to bother you while you were trying to sleep."
Naiomi "it's okay, it's not like you could help it."
Cole "No, it's not okay. I'm tired of being a burden on everyone around me. So, I'm sorry for being a burden on you no matter how slight."
Naiomi "You're you, so if every now and then you wake me up because the darkness is consuming you then I will be here for you."
Cole "Will you? what if I killed and ate people? What if I give into the darkness and truly become a demon? How can you say that you will be here for me? My own parents don't want to deal with me. You should just forget about me before I end up a burden to you too."
Naiomi "Hush that nonsense! Your parents love you and they are trying your best. Them not being able to reach you is tearing them apart. Your mother broke down in front of me, telling me what happened to you and her in ability to help. They love you more than you could know and..."
Cole "But that…they…they are putting up a front."
Naiomi held Cole, patting his head before looking him deeply in the eyes. His fear, doubts, insecurities displayed clearly for Naiomi to see. The pain Cole endured striking Naiomi's heart with his tears.
Naiomi "You asked me how will I be there for you? I will be there because I love you. to my mother you are just a tool for power but when she told me about you I fell for you before even meeting you. It doesn't matter if you ate people, become a demon, or if you're a cripple, I will always love you. I will accept you because you deserve it after accepting others. You will never be a burden on me, no matter what happens. I won't leave you alone ever."
Cole and Naiomi's hearts started to beat faster as they stared into each other's eyes. Their breaths grew deep and soft. The tattoo on Naiomi's hand burned her more and more as time went on. Naiomi knew this was her chance and she wasn't going to get another one for a while. The teens lips grew closer, being just hairs breaths away from sharing a part of themselves no other has had prior with each other. Just when they're a hairs breath away from kissing Cole's mother burst through the door startling the teens and resulting in Cole kicking Naiomi off his bed. Jonah crossed her arms and put on a suspicious expression.
Jonah "Sorry to interrupt, I thought you were having one of those night terrors but apparently it was for another reason. Cole you weren���t doing anything naughty were you?"
Cole "MOM! That's gross!"
Jonah "Hmm lying huh? I guess I'll ask Naiomi she wouldn't lie to me."
Naiomi's face reddened with embarrassment as she looked away from Jonah. Unable to speak, Naiomi covered her face as to shield her from Jonah's inquisitive and suggestive stares. Naiomi nor Cole could wanted to say anything about what happened, so Jonah gave up her interrogation of the young teens. Cole rolling over in his bed wrapping himself in the blankets and Naiomi bedding down on the floor facing away from Cole's bed. Jonah sighed and kissed Cole on the forehead and did the same for Naiomi. Before she left, Jonah whispered something into Naiomi's ear and walked off before Naiomi could reply closing the door behind her.
Jonah "Sorry, kiddo. I won't bother you next time hehe."
Naiomi and Cole both headed off to bed neither one able to talk to the other even though they both were awake the entire night. Their embarrassment wouldn't allow them to move at all being stuck in a permanent cringe until morning.