It blinked. A tiny lightless pupil stared into nothingness like it was blind to all but something Leo and Tiam couldn't see. Like something out of an apocalyptic lab, the rings around it turned slowly with pulses like blood pumped through them. What kind of terrible mind came up with this creature? Who thought it was a good idea?
'Are the demons trying to create an angel?' Tiam asked. The question sent Leo's body into a straining fit as he came to terms with the idea. Of course they were up to no good, but this was just horrific. Whoever this M was, they had a messed-up mind. Leo did have to remind himself that many of the demons around didn't have very flattering forms either.
'What makes you think that they're making an angel?' Leo waved his hand in front of the glass, but the tiny thing didn't move or react. It's eye looked like it contained the void of space and all darkness within.
'Just the name and the fact that it looks like one of those angels described in the Bible.' Tiam kept their cutlass at the ready, bending its glow against the glass. 'And as much as I wouldn't mind being sponsored by a demon, they're screwed up enough to make this… mockery.'
Leo agreed with the point, but still couldn't comprehend that anyone would want this. What was this colosseum for, really? What happened to those five top fighters? Surely it wasn't all linked to this tiny monstrosity.
'Leo, where are you and Tiam?' The voice came from directly behind Leo and nearly sent him hurtling into the glass tube. Leo's Key floated beside him and whirled around his head. Raphael asked again, 'Leo, where are you?'
'Uh.' Leo froze, cleared his throat and said, 'just out for a walk. Need something?'
'Yeah, you both just got announced as requested for special matches this evening. You need to get to reception and respond.'
Leo swapped nervous gazes with Tiam. That felt way too specific to be just a coincidence. Was someone getting at them for making it through the survival game together, or did someone know what they were up to?
'We'll go right away,' Tiam cut in. They gave Leo a stern look. Both of them needed to keep up the act for now, at least until they had a good chance to ask questions. 'Do you know who our opponents are?' Tiam asked without breaking Leo's eye contact.
'Yes, you're fighting someone named Johanis, and Leo is up against a strange lady named Zeta.'
Fantastic, a strange person was exactly what Leo needed right now. No better way to process horrific revelations and terrifying questions than fighting a weirdo in an organised arena match. Leo needed far more time than he had. He didn't like this new life of solving a terrifying mystery and entering deadly bouts of combat on the side. He couldn't do both, or at least not for long. One of these things would give, and he was scared it would be the arena matches, delivering whatever consequences that meant.
'We'll come see you before our matches, Raphael,' Leo said. 'Thanks for letting us know.'
'Of course.' Raphael's voice faded and the Key floated away.
Leo exchanged one last glance with the tiny horror, but found its eye had closed again, like had fallen back into a slumber. He placed a hand on Tiam's shoulder and said, 'sorry for dragging you into this.'
'No, no,' Tiam threw their hands up. 'I started it. We're both guilty and we broke into demon property together.' They gestured to make for the hallway, and the pair carefully travelled into the darkness beyond.
Unfortunately, the dark wasn't quite so dim for long. Something bright and fiery moved along the ceiling. It was like an imp, but both its feet and arms were flaming hands not connected to its body.
'I thought I smelled something fishy, but looks like it was just trash.' The creature gurgled proudly at its little insult, which earned it a very quick retaliation. A blast burst its side with a horrid spatter.
Leo held the shotgun Bellestar, freshly drawn from his Key and smoking after its first shot in his hands. He gave it a look over and nodded, satisfied with the results. 'Nasty,' he said with a confident laugh. He couldn't believe he'd survived a fight with such a weapon in his first match, let alone when it was wielded by someone who knew what they were doing.
'Sure, just fire a gun in a tunnel!' Tiam wiped a tear from their eye as they rubbed their ear. 'Right beside me, too. Go for it, I say.'
'Sorry.'
'I'm kidding. You looked really cool.'
'Thanks!'
The demon coughed and fell to the floor in a fit of rage and obvious pain that it seemed to be playing off as no more than a hindrance. It floated into the air, snarling and readying its tiny flaming fists. 'Manos de fuego!' It cried. Two of the hands sharpened into pointed claws of fire and flung at Leo. He tried to wave Bellestar and Nameless to defend himself, but the attacks never reached him. A clatter of glowing white blades knocked the hands against the walls, as Tiam guarded Leo with a proud smile.
'You never saw us, demon.' Tiam drove their cutlass into the demon, pinning it to the floor. It writhed, gargling and gasping, but to no success.
'Actually.' Leo stilled Tiam with a hand on theirs. 'I have a better idea.' He drew dangerously close to the demon's face, its black and red eyes reflecting his face. 'You do us a favour and never speak of us being here, and I'll offer you something you can't refuse.'
The demon tilted its head like a curious puppy. 'Go ahead.'
Leo felt a little dirty for what he was about to do, but as he'd already decided, he was in too deep. 'I can see you're ranking quite low as a demon. Sponsor me, and I'll win so many fights your kind will have to shower you in respect and reputation.'
The room echoed the crackle of those flaming hands, as the demon hummed in thought. Finally, it spoke, saying, 'alright, name's Voulstrick. I'm excited to do business with you.'