Rin was staring at Nessa as she stood before him with a Holy Sword. She was wearing her standard jeans and t-shirt and looked to be a normal middle-aged woman. Only if you ignored the fact that she held a large sword doused in Holy Aura in her right hand. Currently it was pointed at Rin.
Rin was on edge, not knowing if he should just blindly attack her or bide his time. He decided he would stall. He gulped and said to Nessa, "You've got a big one there. The biggest I've seen." He attempted to joke with Nessa, but she didn't smile. He preferred her when she was smiling. Seeing his joke fail, he changed tactics.
"Nessa, how long have you known about me?" he asked.
It was with this statement that Nessa finally stirred. She blinked a few times and then said, "Since the beginning."
She had recognized Rin as a demon since the first day she met him at his house. She thought back to the initial meeting with the Spiritualists of Aeger Temple. She along with the other Spiritualist had felt the unusual demonic presence in the city and would feel it spike when a demon or spirit was being destroyed. The elders of the Aeger Temple, had summoned Nessa, due to her experience and high spiritual powers, hoping she could assist them in tracking down the source of demonic energy. She had complied and was able to successfully track the source to a small home not too far from where she lived. She had wondered how she never noticed it before, but quickly devised a plan to confirm that within that house lay the demon.
That day she met Rin, she had intentionally loosened the distributor cap on her car feet away from Rin's home ensuring it would stall right in front of the ugly house. Only a demon could live in this home, she had thought as she got out of her car. After Rin had opened the door, she wasn't prepared to be met with a beautiful young man who seemed to be a high school student. She had expected to encounter a half possessed human or some loathsome demon form that inhabited the home before her. But instead, it was a teenaged boy standing before her with a confused look on his face. Nessa realized she was staring with her mouth open and tried to recover.
Nessa shook the memory away and spoke again, "You're not very good at concealing your energy Rin. Especially, when you are exorcising demons and spirits." Rin didn't say anything to that. He was still currently trying to figure out how to get out of this predicament. Nessa decided to continue. "Rin, there are others who are aware of your presence. They don't exactly know it's you, but its only a matter of time…which is why I'm here." Nessa took an offensive stance and said, "I need to be the one to deal with you."
Rin's brow furrowed in confusion and before he could respond, Nessa had leapt into action and was running with amazing speed toward Rin. Already prepared for an attack, Rin quickly dodged to the right. Rin was no weak fighter. Despite being trapped in a human body his reflexes and instincts as a demon of the Demon Plane were still there. After dodging he quickly lifted his hand, catching Nessa's left wrist. Holding it in place, he was already quickly gathering dark energy in his right palm ready to blast Nessa at point blank range.
Nessa, sensing danger, recovered quickly and flung her sword up into the air, freeing her right hand. Balling her hand up into a fist she punched Rin hard in his jaw. White light flashed as soon as her fist connected with his jaw and it did the trick. Not only did Rin let go of Nessa's hand, the dark energy Rin had been gathering was suddenly dispersed.
Not missing a second, Nessa caught her sword again in both hands and lunged at Rin. He was still reeling from the punch to the face and before he could hit the ground, the Holy Sword was shoved into the left side of his chest, inches from his heart. Had it connected with the organ, Rin would have been dead.
Rin cried out in pain before he hit the ground with a thud. Nessa followed the sword and Rin to the ground and was now straddling him, her sword still lodged deep into his chest. They were both panting loudly. Rin was staring at Nessa with pure bloodlust in his eyes. The look was so intense that Nessa almost lost her composure.
"You're very fortunate Nessa," Rin started, "If not for this weak form of mine, you would never have done something this foolish. Just know, I never forget a thing." His injured jaw was clenched in anger but he kept his hands firmly at his side. He knew Nessa still had the advantage in this fight. Any wrong move would mean the removal of his head.
Nessa was still panting before she swallowed and said, "Rin…despite what it looks like I didn't come here specifically to kill you, though I was prepared to do so if necessary."
Rin didn't change his expression. The look in his eyes still showed Nessa that given the opportunity, Rin would murder her in cold blood. She reaffirmed her grip on her sword and continued speaking. "Rin, believe me, I didn't come here to spill blood, I came here to give you a choice." Rin's eyes softened a bit and Nessa finally relaxed a little. "Will you listen to what I have to say?"
Nessa and Rin had a silent showdown before Rin nodded. Nessa searched Rin's eyes before relaxing completely and dislodging the sword from Rin's chest. Rin grunted in pain but then sat up right holding his hand over his bleeding wound. He would heal just fine from this injury thanks to him being a demon.
Nessa's sword was lowered at her side, Rin's blood still dripping from the tip. Nessa looked at Rin and the look in her eyes almost looked pleading. "Rin, I will help you…. conceal you and protect you if you make the right choice."
Rin stared at Nessa with an indifferent expression, not giving anything away before Nessa continued, "Your choices are: Deny me my request and die by my hands or accept my request and live. Live another day to see the people I know you care for. Live another day to protect those same people from your enemies. Because you do have enemies Rin, a lot of them. And it's only a matter of time before they find you and take away everything you hold dear."
Rin's face finally shifted. What the fuck is this bitch talking about? Rin thought, and his face must've given away his silent question because for the first time tonight Nessa cracked a smile at Rin.
"Rin, I must say, you have an uncanny ability to make people lower their guards around you." Nessa sighed and lowered her head still smiling. Rin's expression was still incredulous, but he finally spoke.
"Nessa, please know, I absolutely despise people who try to force me into decisions. It didn't work in the past and will likely not work in your favor. You came and ambushed me, showed me how great your power is, and then cornered me. It pisses me off to no end." Rin finally stood up still holding his hand over his wound. "You do all of this and yet say you have a request of me?"
Rin straightened his back and began to slowly walk toward Nessa. "You know what I say? I say, you should take your request, shove it deep into your ass, plug it with your thumb and spin on it."
Nessa's face looked shocked when Rin said this. Her mouth was agape and then snapped close before opening again. After a few seconds seeing Rin's expression didn't budge. Nessa couldn't keep it in any long and burst out laughing. She laughed so hard there were tears streaming down her face. Although she still held her sword with her right hand her left was currently holding her stomach as she bent over.
"Rin!" Nessa finally said between laughs, "Please tell me you don't speak to Leah like this! That wasn't a very gentlemen-like thing to say. You're too sassy!" Nessa laughed for a few seconds more before regaining her composure. Though she was still smiling at Rin.
Rin sighed and cocked his hip to the side with his left hand settling on top. He looked down at his still bleeding wound and swore. The Holy Sword certainly lives up to its name…Rin thought. Turning his attention back to Nessa, he spoke.
"You know for a god, you're…not standard," he was attempting to be polite but also, he wanted to get to the bottom of things. Nessa was very different from the gods of the Heaven Realm. She was much more relaxed and laidback. Nessa's amused expression suddenly changed to a sad one.
"Oh…Well about that…I'm not actually considered a god anymore," Nessa looked up into the night sky and stared at the stars. They floated across the sky and shown quite brightly from their location miles away from the city. She then looked back down and caught Rin's eyes.
"It's true, it had been thousands of years since a human from this plane ascended to become gods. No matter how much the scattered Spiritualists sects tried, they just couldn't produce a disciple who could ascend. Until me."
Nessa looked thoughtful before she continued, "I was the first human in thousands of years to ascend. I was a disciple at the Aeger Temple for many years. You see I come from a family of generational Spiritualists. I was born into their world and naturally found a path to cultivate. When I was twenty years old I achieved what others could not. I ascended into Heaven Realm and was greeted by King Constantine and the other gods. However, even though I ascended, I did not want it."
Rin, who was listening intensively, arched an eyebrow in surprise. The Spiritualist in this plane were obsessed with the idea of ascension. They created strict sects that were oppressive and downright abusive, but it was done with the intensions of producing disciples who were worthy of becoming gods. Seeing how they were today, it was easy for the humans of this plane to consider them a cult now. They were harsh and for any disciple who broke their sect rules, they were punished severely or even exiled. Hearing Nessa didn't want the privilege was different from the standard. Though Nessa wasn't standard, as he was beginning to figure out.
"I didn't want to become a god. In my experience, the gods of Heaven Realm no longer interfered with the Human Plane. What good could I be in heaven, if I couldn't actually help the people down here? So…I jumped back down to Human Plane and renounced my privilege. After that, King Constantine banished me. Though I still retain some of my powers as a former god, it was severely drained and every day, I lose more of my powers. Before long, I'll be nothing more than a normal human. It's the price for defying the heavens."
Rin soaked in everything Nessa was telling him. King Constantine, was lauded for being generous and kindhearted. He was loved by all, including humans and the gods. His shrines were still around today in the Human Plane. But after hearing Nessa's story…It would seem he can also be a bit of bitch, Rin thought to himself. Nessa gave him a knowing smile. It seems she and Rin had the same thought.
Nessa looked at Rin and suddenly she wanted to lay herself bare to him. If she wanted him to accept her request, she had to be honest. No more deception from her.
"After I was banished, the elders at the temple became very ashamed. They had a disciple from their temple that had ascended to the heavens. The first to have ascended in thousands of years…and it was their same disciple that had been banished in less than twenty four hours. It brought them great shame. As a result, I was excommunicated from the temple. Ironically, because of my former status, they still rely on my advice and expertise from time to time."
"You should've told them to go to hell, Nessa," Rin said abruptly.
It made her smile before she responded, "I would have loved to do that more than anything, Rin, but I'm thinking of the best interest of the people here in the Human Plane."
"Fuck the people," Rin said deadpan.
It was this response that made Nessa lose her composure again and break out in laughing fits. "Sassy indeed!" Nessa said in between tears.
Rin was starting to get annoyed. If she had a point to this conversation, she needs to get to it quickly. "Nessa, you gave me choices earlier. What is your request?" Rin asked impatiently.
Nessa was still laughing but said, "Ahh, honestly maybe I should have left you alone. You suddenly seem very capable to me."
She was holding her mouth holding in laughs before Rin shouted, "THE FUCKING REQUEST, NESSA?!" he wanted to throttle her.
"Ahh, it's simple." Nessa finally regained her composure and finally looked serious. "Help me protect the people of this plane, Rin. You can deny your feelings all you want to, but you care about the people in your life. If you want to protect them, then join me. When your enemies do come, they won't just come for you, they'll target everyone you know."
Rin looked at Nessa with raised brows before she continued, "Rin, you try so hard to build up walls around yourself. I have no doubt what you said all those nights ago in my loft was true. You truly despise humans, but regardless of what you think, they are much better than that and deserve a fate better than what's to come. And believe me Rin, it is coming."
Rin didn't give an answer but continued to look at Nessa. She kept Rin's eyes before looking away and sighing. "Rin, I can only hold the Spiritualists off for so long. Before long, they'll find out about you and then they'll pray to the one who has their ear in Heaven Realm."
Rin's face changed at this. He did not want to be caught up in a dispute with the Heaven Realm. He was way too weak right now. His powers were barely coming back to him. He thought hard about what he wanted to say before he finally spoke.
"I accept your request," Rin said firmly. What he didn't say, was that this was only a temporary bargain. Once he regained his powers, he just might kill everyone for putting him through this.
Nessa smiled at Rin. Her Holy Sword that was still in her right hand suddenly fluctuated before it disappeared. Nessa wiped her hands off and walked towards Rin. The closer she got to him the more his expression changed to one of displeasure. Nessa stopped inches from his face. He was taller than her by a couple of inches but even so, she lifted her hand and patted his hair.
Rin's face changed into an expression so severe Nessa almost broke out into fits of laughter again. But instead she said with shaking shoulders and a smile, "you should come back to my loft and let me dress your wounds. If I send you home bloody and battered, what will Kief think?"
.
.
.
Upon returning home, Rin was exhausted. He had let Nessa bandage his wounds and then make him tea. They talked a little more about the Spiritualists and their plans as well as some background on the Heaven Realm. Information from the heavens was hard to come by so he didn't mind Nessa's ramblings about the details. Taking all this information in, Rin thought it would be best not to give Nessa any details about himself. He didn't trust her enough to tell her anything that might make her turn on him. And to be truthful, if she did find out about his past, no doubt, she would remove his head from his shoulders and add it as decor next to her art sculptures on her shelves in her loft.
Putting the key in the door, he knew he wouldn't be rammed by Arty and Ruru this time. It was nearly 2 a.m. and they were definitely asleep by now. Closing the door behind him he shuffled awkwardly down the hall and was about to turn the corner to go down the longer hall toward his room, when a voice from the dining room called out to him.
"Rin?" the voice asked. It was Kief.
Rin rounded the threshold of the dining room and at the table sat Kief. His notebook was there next to him but closed. This was unusual. Why was Kief still up? Rin thought to himself. Almost looked like he was waiting for Rin to come home.
"You're up? Ran out of porn?" Rin attempted to tease Kief like he always did, but Kief wasn't smiling. In fact, he looked livid.
"Rin, it's 2 a.m., just where the fuck have you been?" Kief said.
Rin was taken aback. Not only was Kief angry with him but it was the first time he had cursed at Rin. Had Rin not been so shocked he probably would've cursed back but seeing the man he had known for two years act like this, made Rin feel befuddled.
"Since when do you care when I come back home?" Rin defended. Rin's chest wound was hurting like hell, but with the way Nessa bandaged it, at least it wasn't bleeding. That was the last thing he wanted Kief to see in that moment.
"Don't give me sass, Rin," Kief said with a pointed finger.
Why does everyone think I'm sassy? Rin lamented internally.
Kief continued, "Rin, no more. You come home at a decent hour and if it's your turn to make dinner you'll be home sooner, unless it's a school activity. You need to be more careful!"
Rin blinked in surprise and then asked, "What do you mean?"
Kief's face blanched a bit, but then recovered. "You're in high school, there's nothing out there at this time of night for a highschooler. You live here, and for as long as you do, you'll have to follow my rules."
After Kief said this, he grabbed his notebook and retreated to his room, slamming his door with a loud bang.
Rin's eyes twitched. As much as he wanted to kick down Kief's door and beat the shit out of him for speaking to him with such insolence. He couldn't. A human son wouldn't do that to his adoptive father would he?
Rin rolled his eyes and headed toward his room. After preparing for bed, Rin slid under his sheets and laid down. He stared at the ceiling thinking about that night and Nessa's earlier conversation.
Did he really care? For so long, he had thought of humans as no more than a nuisance. For eighteen years, he endured them and had to walk amongst them in their skin. Now, he found himself fond of quite a few. Nessa's words made him feel as though he did have something to fight for. This was his world for now. Rin thought that maybe it wouldn't hurt to try a little more. His mind took him to Leah suddenly. He knew that she was falling for him just as Zel said. Would it be so hard to let someone love him and to love back? Could he learn to love? It was with this thought that Rin finally drifted off to sleep.