"We should buy rice. " Etim said.
"Sure."
"And beans?"
"No problem."
Etim sighed. Since last night, after that awkward clash, Tabibah had been super cold to him. She just gave him a bag of gold coins and ignored him. He felt like a whore, used and dumped.
Clang. Clang. Two children ran passed them in demon masks and wooden swords. The market was noisier than anyone Etim had ever been to, with children and adults in various masks.
Etim smiled. "I didn't know that today was the full moon festival." He didn't notice Tabibah's shocked look and dragged her hands excitedly. "We should get masks."
He dragged them in front of a stall where an old man stood.
"Hello!!"
"Hey!! Such a beautiful couple, may you be blessed with twelve children."
Tabibah rolled her eyes as she watched Etim flush. What twelve children, if I can even have a child, I would be grateful to Shadai.
"We want to buy masks."
"Which one do you want? I have the bunny kind, fox kind. Looking at your cute face, the bunny type would be fit for you…"
Tabibah wasn't interested in their conversation. She held Etim's hand and played with his soft fingers. She knew he was an archer and should have cartoons but because of his elf blood, his body would never scar. Her eyes went misty at that thought. Tabibah broke from her thoughts when Etim wore a mask on her face.
She frowned at his sudden action and sighed when she watched him smile, beautiful.
"Just like I thought." Etim said happily," A snake mask really fits you. "
Tabibah: "…"
"You are just like a snake, sneaky, poisonous, deadly…"
Etim didn't see as Tabibah's eyes turned darker at his words and continued happily. "Twisted, sinister, cold, striking, beautiful and brilliant. The mask really suits you."
Is it too late to suffocate him with this mask?Tabibah thought. Such a two-faced person, acting all cute and silly, but secretly seeking revenge over any small matter. She looked at the rabbit mask on Etim and felt like stabbing it until it tore.
Etim didn't know why, but he suddenly felt cold.
He dragged her around, and they shopped at almost every store. Etim was happy. Etim wants everything. Etim felt free. Etim was missing.
Tabibah froze immediately, she didn't see Etim in the crowd and laughed creepily. Somebody was clearly seeking death.
When Etim woke up, he was in pain. He felt dizzy, he couldn't breathe well, and he knew undoubtedly that he was tied to the roof… Again.
Tabibah was really good to me, be thought, she was definitely the only kidnapper who will feed her captive and take them shopping. He didn't waste time crying or tugging on the rope, he knew he won't succeed in breaking it. With wide teary eyes and his heart pumping, he could only pray that Tabibah quickly discovered he was missing. He hoped he was that important for her to find him.
He wasn't sure how long he had been locked up, The room was dark. Furthermore, he only knew he was chained because he could feel it. Suddenly, the room turned very bright, and he became blind…almost.
"Well, well, well, we have a pretty one here." the voice was scratchy and creepy. It hurts to listen to. Etim groaned, it was not every day you see a kidnapper like Tabibah, she made all the kidnappers look unworthy.
Etim lifted his head and saw a man. The man or manlike thing was very thin, thinner than Etim's real body, which was something to say. It had a man-like face, but his eyes were slitted wildly, his nose was just two holes, and he had no lips. His body was like numerous dead vines entwined together, his outfit was sleeveless, so Etim was forced to watch such a disgusting creature look at him lewdly. Help.
"Hmm, I have good eyes. My twelfth sacrifice is so good-looking, I almost feel bad for picking her."
Oh, the legendary villains talk, Etim thought. His aura suddenly changed, and he looked weaker than before, tears slipped out of his eyes as he stammered pitifully.
"Who…who are you?"
The thing smiled, exposing his fangs and slitted tongue. Help.
"I'm Ariga Sula Shagi Holia Orion Legima Eros also known as..."
Asshole? Etim thought.
Aros, The man said. Etim wrinkled his face, who gave him that nickname, was he not aware Aros meant to fool. From the man's proud look, he was certainly not aware of the meaning, or he won't state his name proudly.
"Lord Aros, why am I here, do you want to eat me?" Etim asked naively. One thing he loved about his looks was that nobody took him seriously and think he was a little lamb meant to be slaughtered.
"Of course not, sweet thing," he said to him. "I'm a classy monster, I don't eat people…"
Oh, really.
"I only sleep with them and suck their essence until they are bones to make myself stronger."
Etim: "…"
"But why me??" he cried.
"Because you were wearing a bunny mask and bunnies are cute," he said plainly.
Well, fuck me, Etim thought. He should have given the mask to Tabibah.
"I didn't use to be like this…" he started.
Here we go, Etim sighed.
"I was a good demon. I kept my house clean and minded my business, I didn't even kill other lower demons evils, I always made sure I wrote them apology letters before I put them to permanent sleep."
Etim: "Wow, what a benevolent demon you are. You even wrote them lovely messages before they go."
"I know right?" Aros said excitedly, fortunately for Etim, he couldn't get Sarcasm.
"But the other demons mocked me, they called me ugly and took all my food. They stole my lover and slept with my mother, so I told myself, I must get stronger. Luckily for me, Satanè love me and gave me enlightenment. If I can sacrifice twelve women to strengthen my essence, I would get stronger."
He smiled at Etim. "You, my dear, would be the twelfth and reason for my power. Once the moon reaches its peak, I will fuck you so hard you will turn to dust and I will become the epitome of power."
Etim shivered as his gaze turn more evil and lewd. " But before that, let's have some fun."
His hands didn't get to touch him before his head fell cleanly from his neck and he fell to his knee. Etim let out a scream.