Everything was pitch black for him, he felt detached from his body. It felt like he was dropping into an endless pit then, he opened his eyes realizing it was all a dream. But what was the dream about? It was all a blur.
This was not the first time he had a dream and forgot. It happened so frequently that he began doubting his sanity. He let the noxious thoughts wane and started meditating on his day. Even though he had people to update him on his schedule, he preferred his planning.
He looked beside him at the sleeping Gabriel. She was worn out from having spent the night with her master. She was still naked, the thin sheets showing her curves, her head resting on his chest, and her blond hair in disarray.
His shaking woke her, she was always a light sleeper. She would wake up with a slight disturbance and almost instantly lose sleep. She had sleepy eyes as her red eyes met with his sharp gaze.
"Sorry if I woke you, Gabriel, you may go back to sleep."
Her response was to get on top of him before kissing him. She moaned slightly as their tongues rolled in their mouths. He liked the sensation of having her bare breast on his chest. His hand strayed from her back to her butt, and he pulled her closer.
"Master, I completely underestimated you yesterday," she said her face turning red.
Her hand strayed to his broad chest and rock-solid abs. She ran her fingers through the cervixes of his muscles and felt the pulsing of his blood.
"It was our first time doing it after a long time, and since you had just regained your physic, I assumed you were tired."
It was true, he had techniques to build muscle in just two weeks. That and the mind-muscle connection he had established, his body returned to its peak in just fourteen days of intense training and diet. He also accounted for rest days in between.
The training he used epitomized efficiency and was more rigorous than even the military special ops. If anyone besides him tried it out they would collapse and die.
"I apologize if I was not enough for you," she said feeling more embarrassed.
"You were fine," he said, "To be honest, my muscles still ached from the training. Your company was more than sufficient."
"I am happy to hear you say that," she said, "but I think you should take today and rest as well, too much strain on your body will harm you too."
"I see, I shall heed your words then,"
She knew all that talk had got him excited. She could feel it as he was very hard. He was a person who enjoyed the most of his life as he understood even for immortals, time was still a valuable thing.
Just then, the door was knocked to her irritation. She looked over wanting to ignore it but understood it was something urgent. So urgent that someone would dare interrupt her time with him.
"Lord Cain, Lady Gabriel." came a feminine voice.
"Enter," said Gabriel.
Cain preferred information to be delivered to him face to face, in that way he would detect lies. He was a master at reading micro-emotions and understanding the psychology of lying. In the world, he detested liars more than anything.
The maid curtsied and maintained the position. She, along with others, was trained to suppress their emotions, this was to serve their lord as efficiently as possible. So even in the scene before her, she did not show any feelings of embarrassment.
"Please," said Cain, "be at ease."
She stood upright and looked into his eyes.
"Speak your message," he said.
His voice always had a commanding tone in it. His nonchalant attitude, inscrutable face, and sharp gaze made him intimidating.
"As per your request, we have located Lord Simeon Jaxon the Third Son Of Jacob."
"Is that all?" he asked.
"It seems that the Order is aware of your existence, they however seem to be unaware of your location."
"Seem to?" Gabriel spoke.
"I apologize, Mistress, 'seem to' is vague, I shall avoid giving any unverified information. If I may be allowed me to give my insight my lord."
"Interesting, speak."
"I think you should be civil in the matter. Even though it is Sir Jericho you are after it would be wiser not to cause war with the Sons of Jacob."
"You doubt my strength?"
"Quite the contrary, but also I would not underestimate Sir Jericho. The more civil you are, the less you will have to waste your energy, and the more efficient this will be."
Gabriel got off him and he sat in a contemplative manner.
"I don't see any civil way out of this. We both know that this world is a meritocracy."
"My Lord if I may," suggested Gabriel, "She may be right, offering them an alternative is not out of the question."
"And if they refuse?" asked Cain.
"Kill them all," Gabriel and the maid spoke together in unison.
"I see, I shall heed your advice. I want to see if the Sons Of Jacob are civil."
* * *
Japan's standard time was 4.45 PM.
"You must be scared Tsune. But you are doing a good job of hiding it," said Adam.
Akira felt Kitsune's hands, and they were cold and sweaty. She was scared for some reason, but superficially, her demeanor remained calm and collected. His words did not break her, she remained silent.
"As expected of the daughter of Ohashi,"
Kitsune bit her lower lip but conserved her frustration.
"Tsune, what's going on here?" Akira asked realizing the tension.
"You should tell her Tsune, I think she has the right to know."
"Tell me? Tell me what?" Akira was now beginning to panic.
It was like a chain. Alone maybe Kitsune would have endured. With Akira, it was a different matter, she too was panicking. One of them had to be the emotional anchor and knowing how her best friend was fragile, she knew the role was delegated to her.
"Stoicism won't help you her Kitsune San," said Adam slightly breaking to Japanese.
Taking a deep breath Kitsune sighed throwing in the towel. At this point, there was no point in keeping it a secret anymore.
"Akira, do you believe in devils?" asked Kitsune.
"Devils? Why do people keep asking me that question?"
"On the Island, the man who saved me was not human."
These words shook Akira and was uncertain whether to believe them or not. However, the look on Kitsune's face, her cold eyes, she had seen it countless times when Kitsune was about to deliver shocking news.
"Kitsune, please say you are joking," she said a tremble in her voice.
"I am not," said Kitsune, "what's more, he said I was his master, and . . . I think that is why we are in this car."
Akira traced Kitsune's face to find a hint of humor but could not. Although the entire concept was far-fetched she decided to play along. She did not want to call her friend crazy without tangible evidence.
"Tsune, I want to believe you, I do, but what you are saying, it almost sounds insane."
"It doesn't matter whether she believes or not," Adam cut in, "the fact remains, you met someone on the Island. All I want you is to say the name of the individual."
"I don't know," said Kitsune her eyes momentarily looking to the side.
"You're such a bad liar," said Adam leaning forward, "You see, in the past five thousand or so years, humans have grown fragile. I think because of ignorance, bad mental health in the pretense of improvement, and . . . oh! a poor diet."
He shifted his attention to Akira and raised his index finger. He made a slice in the air and simultaneously Akira gasped feeling a sharp pain on the back of her hand. A small razor-sized cut but slightly deeper had formed.
"As you can see, I too am a Demon. I am also a soldier, I do not want to hurt you, but if you lie to me again, I'll cut the throat. So, what is his name?"
"Cain Philip Joseph."
Adam sat back and looked around for a moment then sighed in disbelief.
"You must not value your friend's life. You lied."
"I didn't, I swear. His name is Cain Philip Joseph. That's what he said."
"Then where is he?" As a master when you call a demon by the name they are supposed to appear."
Adam then smirked and placed his palm on his forehead, disappointed. It was almost funny.
"He lied to you, but that's impossible. So maybe that's not his full name. Demons are the embodiment of the seven Deadly Sins of a man. To have a lowly human as a master must be a blow to his pride."
Kitsune recalled the man. Recalled his cold distant look and silence.
*The moment the human heart wants something, it suddenly sees all the arguments for it and becomes oblivious to the arguments against it. (George Barnard Shaw). *
It was the same case for Kitsune. All she could recall was Cain's distant blank cold eyes that looked beyond her. Resentment boiled in her as she wondered, was that the price for rescuing her?
"I hate to say this, but I told you so. Demons are not to be trusted," said Adam looking into her eyes and seeing the rage, "nothing can be done about it."
Kitsune's eyes fell upon Akira then she lowered her head.
"I know I am to blame for this Akira, but don't worry, I won't let them hurt you."
"No. Kitsune, you are wrong. You told me to stay away from him, but I was too stubborn to listen, this one is on me. I am sorry."
"Touching as your sentiments may be, this is not an anime," Adam cut in, " I need you both to keep an open mind. You may die today. I am not an enemy I am just a soldier."
"If you are not our enemy, then why kidnap us," asked Akira.
"I said 'an enemy' not 'your enemy'. As a soldier, I must protect this world even if it means sacrificing a few lives. I am sorry, those few lives had to include you two."
"You are sorry, that's funny," said Kitsune.
"And why is that?"
She was feeling resentment, on Cain as well as on Adam. Especially Adam.
"I see now, you have this warped sense of Justice, and you believe that you are playing the perfect soldier!" she then exploded, " You use words like, 'Am sorry' and that makes me angry. You think justifying killing us will make you a saint. In my eyes, you are a hypocrite, honestly, I pity you."
For a moment there was dudgeon in his eyes. He however recovered instantly. Kitsune saw the gap, and she then realized, Adam was hiding something, he wanted to show a calm collected, and emotionless persona. Then why was he asking them these questions, and giving them reasons as to why they had to die?
Behind his demeanor of calmness and collectiveness, he was a mess. A meshwork of ideals and emotions waiting to be unraveled.