As we stepped out of the Camper, gasps greeted us.
"Holy shit, how is she even sleeping?" Sandra exclaimed, wide-eyed, as she gazed at Venidith. "That must be painful."
"Demons usually hibernate after taking considerable damage," Gustav said, scratching his head. "How come she didn't try to bite you or possess you?"
"I don't know, honestly," I said, shrugging. "Although she hugged and pretty much clung to me after she met me."
"That's interesting," Gustav remarked, rubbing his chin. "Hey Sandra, can you get your sister settled?"
"Yeah, sure, c'mon Sis," Sandra said, gently tugging Hannah.
"But what about Venidith?" Hannah hesitated, concerned for her demonic friend.
"I'll be watching her, don't worry," Juliette reassured her.
Hannah sighed and reluctantly followed Sandra.
"Follow me to the sickbay," Gustav instructed, turning his back and walking down the hallway.
I sighed and followed Gustav, carrying Venidith in my arms, with Juliette closely behind.
Gustav opened the door, and we entered the sickbay, a pleasantly relaxing place. I gently laid Venidith on the table, which was designed as an operating table, with lights directed above it.
I gently covered her injured legs. Despite being snapped from the shin and thighs, her porcelain skin stretched, giving them a twisted appearance resembling pretzels.
Gustav, lost in thought, suddenly widened his eyes. "Aha! Page 11! It says a demon can form a pact unknowingly with a human."
He paused, contemplating further. "Without a formal agreement between the demon and human, as long as the demon feels intense passion towards the human..."
Gustav snorted, "It cannot gain power from sinners that directly affect the demon. Only the human it greatly admires can give it power."
"However, it can still receive a small amount of power from other humans who commit sins against each other," Gustav added, yawning as he continued.
"So, Venidith made a pact with Alexander?" Juliette questioned, trying to grasp the concept. "It's basically like marriage."
"Yeah, but-" Gustav began to respond.
Before he could say another word, I sighed and reached for Venidith's chest, gently rubbing her there, trying to recall something. The scene felt familiar, but I couldn't place the memory.
Abruptly, I stopped, backing away from the table. Juliette's face turned red, her hands covering her mouth in shock. "Th-that's... I-I," she stammered, unable to find the right words to express her discomfort.
"Holy smokes, you really went all in with her," Gustav chuckled, thoroughly amused by the situation. "Let's see if—"
In a shocking twist, Venidith's previously broken legs snapped back into place with an eerie speed, straightening out in an instant. It defied all logic, leaving us stunned and speechless. I couldn't even finish my exclamation of surprise when Venidith threw her arms up in the air and beamed with delight.
"The Princess is back!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with joy and triumph.
The sudden and miraculous recovery of Venidith's legs left us astounded, struggling to comprehend the extraordinary turn of events. It was as if divine intervention had taken place, defying the laws of nature and restoring her mobility in a breathtaking display.
All eyes were fixed on Venidith, witnessing her astonishing transformation from a battered and injured state to one that resembled a person fresh out of a salon. Her cuts and bruises had miraculously disappeared, leaving behind flawless and unmarred skin. As she gracefully stepped off the table, a confident smirk played on her lips, and her captivating eyes locked onto mine.
"Oh my, I thought you wouldn't have the nerve," Venidith said playfully, mischief evident in her voice. She winked at me, a suggestive gesture that sent a wave of mixed emotions through me.
I tried to remain composed, reminding her of the situation. "I only healed you because you saved us," I responded, my tone reflecting both gratitude and caution. "It would be wise for you to rest and allow yourself to recover."
Her disappointment was palpable as she pouted and pointed accusingly at me. "What? That's impossible! I am the primordial demon of lust!" Venidith protested, her voice a mix of frustration and longing. "You should be under my spell, yearning to caress and kiss me."
Gustav, seemingly unfazed by Venidith's charm, yawned nonchalantly. "Sorry to burst your bubble," he said dismissively. "But it seems your seductive powers don't work on him. Better luck next time, I suppose."
"What? That's impossible! I am the primordial demon of lust!" Venidith pouted, frustration evident in her voice as she pointed an accusatory finger at me. "You should be under my spell, yearning to caress and kiss me!"
I scoffed, uninterested. "Already did without the kissing," I retorted, brushing off her attempts.
Juliette, always the voice of reason, interjected. "Venidith, it's no use. There must be something unique about Alexander that resists your powers."
Gustav, eager to move things along, brushed off the dramatics. "Save the drama for later," he said, walking towards the door. "You two, follow me. And Alexander, go get changed."
"Alright," I replied, giving Venidith a reassuring smile as I started making my way towards the armory.
But before I could take another step, Venidith grabbed hold of my shoulder, stopping me in my tracks. Her touch sent a jolt of electricity through me, and I turned to face her, curious about what she had to say.
I turned around to face Venidith, taking in her appearance. The tattered rags she wore barely covered her body, revealing her perfect figure that could rival that of a model. Her smooth hands gently held onto my arms, her touch surprisingly gentle. With a sigh, I asked, "What is it?"
Venidith's expression softened, and her words lacked any trace of her usual seductive intent. "Please, don't leave me for too long, okay?" she said, a genuine smile gracing her lips.
I couldn't help but notice the change in her eyes. They no longer held the usual lustful allure but instead conveyed genuine concern and a hint of tears. It was as if beneath her demon exterior, she harbored deep-seated fear and desperation, afraid of being abandoned.
Nodding in understanding, I reassured her, "I'm just going to drop off my gear at the armory. I won't be gone for too long." Despite her centuries-old existence, it seemed that Venidith still craved reassurance and connection.
Venidith released her grip on my arm and took a step back. "Remember, I am older than your planet," she said, a touch of wistfulness in her voice. With that, she turned and walked away, joining the others who were waiting.
We went our separate ways, and I made my way towards the armory. As I walked down the hallway, I couldn't help but notice the significant changes. The air felt cooler, thanks to the upgraded ventilation and air conditioning systems. The steel walls gleamed, free of any signs of rust. It was clear that the robots had been diligently maintaining the area.