He did his job perfectly. There was not a single hole of mistake where Master Boota could peek through. The clothes were folded immaculately. The stir fried vegetables were cooked right so that they maintained that crunch. The protective seal that deflected anything and anyone was intact until it was shattered by Master Boota's acquaintances.
They did not appear to be chummy with each other. The moment their eyes connected Master Boota's frown deepened and his foul mood became even fouler. Gaku was prepared to attack. Despite being a humanoid eel that was two feet tall he could take on formidable beasts for the sake of his master. On top of that, he needed to avenge the seal he took pride in. That slithering reptile and that miscreation of a centaur, bird, fairy or whatever she was, had the audacity to barge into their solitary life.
"Master, shall I punish these trespassers?"
The snake flinched from his hostility but was more concerned about the welfare of their dying companion. Gaku was very sure that his waspish master would not turn a blind eye to this disrespect.
"Kid, you have to help Kou. He was seared like a barbecue by Soleil's flames. The bangles on him are slowing his healing!"
Gaku smirked and snorted. The youngest of the group sensed his amusement to their bereavement and glanced at him sharply. No way his master would treat a single hair on that man's body.
"What are you waiting for, world peace? Get him to my tree house!" Boota barked out, taking one of the limp arms from the youngest person and flying to the tree house without wasting a single second.
Gaku's jaw nearly dropped. There were many viels who came to seek his help but every one of them were turned down. Oftentimes, those viels couldn't accept being shunned and they would end up trying to murder his master. Most viels were immortal, but since their bodies were patched up with different body parts plus the flooding of chemicals into their circulation, their bodies sprouted more abnormalities that even now gave Gaku nightmares.
Master Boota wasn't always a gelid hikikomori. Many humans knew of his existence and his capabilities. People from all parts of the world sought him in this forest to get treated for their injuries, illnesses and disabilities. Although Master Boota was hesitant he couldn't turn his back away. He was a doctor. He continuously said yes to those in need until a certain incident sealed every plea with a: "No, just die for all I care."
So, despite sulking, Gaku carried out his loyal duties as Boota's fish servant, painting sacred symbols on a paper while whispering his prayers. With each finished seal Gaku danced around the paper tag; a white magic circle appeared on the ground before it completely shrunk underneath the seal.
"Give us protection." The paper lifted from the ground, floating in midair and shortly flashing a transparent wave of green light, similar to the northern lights.
Gaku patted his own back with his webbed hand for a successful seal. He turned around, ready to amble to the next spot.
"A fish fixing a holy barrier on land?"
Gaku spun, tensing when he saw the horns sticking on the man's forehead. He didn't notice his presence even when his hands were leaning against the barrier, like a child eager to see what toys were ready for him to play with. He was wearing a three piece white suit. His blazer waistcoat and vest were lined with gold designs. He could be from a noble family or heck, maybe he was the king of this country. His white coat made clunking sounds from the gold coins that exaggeratedly lined it from top to bottom. Gold glitters powdered around his bright orange eyes that sat in the middle of darkness where a normal eye should have white ones.
"Tell me, eel, did you see my toy pass through here?"
Gaku feared nothing. He should be fearless because Boota was his master and Boota was the strongest in this land.
"Ge–get off our land!" he stuttered. It wasn't the most intimidating shout but at least he tried. He glanced at his trembling knees, cursing at his inability to move. The man was emitting such a terrible and malicious aura. Was he even a man? No viel could get under his slimy skin before.
The outsider lifted his hand up, touching the seal with his fingertips. The seal crumbled into a fine powder of ash. Gaku took in a shaky breath, steadying his wobbly legs. The intruder stepped inside, briefly sniffing the air that lifted the corners of his lips in satisfaction.
"He's here."
"Don't make me repeat myself!" Gaku threatened.
An aureate coin flew in a rapid spin above them. Gaku followed the motion until the penny landed on the side of the man's white-gloved hand.
"Heads," he announced.
A resonating sound of the coin radiated through the air. As soon as Gaku opened his eyes, he was no longer in the forest. He was lying flat on a cold surface with humans chattering amongst each other on a long table. He was staring from below, trying to catch his breath. But no matter how much he heaved, the burning feeling in his lungs became hotter as if he was breathing fire.
He blinked again, now the humans had knives and forks in their grasps. The face of the man from before was hovering on top of him.
"This is where you belong…" he whispered, withdrawing himself from above and raising a golden chalice.
Gaku's scream merely came out as breathless gapes of his mouth. Silverware pierced through his scales and flesh, feasting on him raw and alive. His fragile bones came out with his flesh; the humans chortled as they ate him.
'Master Boota…Master Boota, save me! It hurts. It hurts!'
Bells sharply chimed. Gaku's forehead sensed a strong flick that brought him back to reality. The ground was shaking, already cracking from the intensity of the earthquake that the eel had caused. Master Boota was staring at him with annoyance. Gaku's despair was instantly lifted. His eyes filled with salty tears.
"Master, you came for me!" He rushed to his master's side, bowing down and almost embracing the ground where he stood. "I'm forever indebted to you!"
"Stupid seahorse."
Gaku raised his head with sparkly eyes of affection. "I am an eel, master, but I can be whatever you wish for!"
Basil leaped out from the trees, pouncing on the trespasser like an excited wolf. The man easily dodged, clicking his tongue yet maintaining that grin.
"Three against one, isn't that unjust?"
"You are one of the seven princes of hell, what exactly are you doing here?" Boota questioned.
The demon lord grinned, spinning a coin on top of his index finger. "I want to play a game. If I win, you give me the viel in your house. If you win, I will give you your greatest desires."
A sting dripping with poison pierced through the air, sticking straight into the demon's neck vein.
"Screw your game! Whether you're a demon lord or an archangel you've been screwing with our world far too long already!" Basil snarled.
The demon grasped the lengthy sting, plucking it from his neck and dropping it nonchalantly to the floor as if he was brushing off dirt from his shoulders.
A resplendent treasure chest surfaced from beneath the soil. The empty paper seals from Gaku's pockets flew out, attaching themselves above the forest in a wide range. Yellow light grew out of the seals, forming a circular symbol of a golden coin that multiplied into four more, boxing them inside.
"Do I need to repeat myself? I said I want to play a game."
......................................
Kou stared at the darkening clouds. He finished chopping all the wood for the fireplace. Kairon had cooked them a simple meal: steamed asparagus, fried eel, roasted tomatoes, and boiled potatoes. This was their second week eating this combination that Kairon had mastered preparing them. Kou had begun to take care of chickens so that when they lay eggs, Kairon could practice frying them. He was committed to supporting Kairon with his commitment to cook him the most perfect sunny side up egg.
The viel wiped off the sweat from his forehead. He straightened his back, his nose lifting when he grasped the scent of petrichor. There were dark clouds forming, hinting a heavy rainfall soon.
"Kou, are you finished?"
"Yes, Prince Kairon."
Kairon requested to be called by his name and for Kou to give up the royal honorifics.
"Kou, I told you, Kairon is fine."
Kou slightly pouted. "Kou isn't used to calling his king that so Kou had a good idea to keep demoting you until I reach that name."
Kairon couldn't hold back a loud laugh. His king had to keep his noble composure in front of all the observing eyes, therefore, laughing like a madman like this only happened when it was just the two of them.
"Let's go inside Kou. It's going to rain soon. We can watch the raindrops with a hot mug of chocolate, don't you think?"
Kou inclined his head. "Kou agrees!"