Rin stared at Kief still in disbelief. Just how much did Kief know about the demons, the gods and apparently everything else that was happening in Human Plane? He thought to himself. Kief was sat next to Rin's bed with a worried look on his face.
"Just how much do you know about what's going on Kief?" Rin finally asked tentatively.
"I know more than you do at the moment, Rin," Kief answered back. Kief held Rin's eyes and then let out a deep sigh.
"I find it incredible that you don't know much, Rin," Kief said and Rin looked at him in disbelief.
"I suppose I should tell you everything…I'm a god from Heaven Realm and have been conducting my own investigation here in Human Plane."
Rin's mouth gaped open. All this time he believed Kief to be some weird but nice man who had taken him in. But it would seem that Kief had his own agenda and had kept all of this from Rin.
"So you mean to tell me, taking me in was on purpose?" Rin finally asked.
Kief put his hands up and defended, " Rin, your not like the typical demon or evil spirit that humans encounter in the lower plane. You are a demon from Demon Plane and your presence here, no matter how depleted your energy was, didn't go completely unnoticed."
Rin was starting to get angry. He had been tricked. He felt betrayal for some reason. Was it because he actually cared about Kief? Somewhere along the way he started to feel like he had a family. But if everything Kief was telling Rin was true, Rin was only a pawn in the game the Heaven Realm had been playing.
"I don't know what to say to you," Rin said to Kief looking away.
"I don't want you to be angry with me, Rin," Kief said, "You have to understand my position in all of this…"
Just in that moment Cura entered the room with a bowl of broth. He was still his quiet self and didn't say anything to Rin or Kief.
"So you're from Heaven Realm as well Cura? You're also a god?" Rin asked with one eyebrow raised.
Cura looked to Kief and then back to Rin before answering, "Yes. I was to make sure I kept an eye on you and your…activities."
"So you watched me?" Rin's head was spinning.
"Yes."
Sarra couldn't stay silent anymore and finally spoke up, "Rin, you have to understand their orders came from King Constantine. Even I didn't know Athan—er, I mean Kief, was sent to Human Plane. Not many knew…"
"I don't care," Rin said looking completely annoyed at this explanation.
Kief sighed and started to say something before everyone's attention snapped to the hallway where noise could be heard. It sounded like footsteps that grew louder and louder before it finally stopped by the bedroom door.
The door flew open and, in the doorway, stood Nessa. She looked disheveled and was panting from exertion.
"Did you have to put up the strongest barrier spells you could muster?!" Nessa complained as she walked into the room. "It took forever to dispel them!"
"Nessa?" Rin sat up in his bed and looked even more confused.
"Hi Rin, I'm glad you are okay," Nessa said as she came around to the other side of Rin's bedside. "I was worried for you so I decided to come here and check on you myself, since your guardian was cryptic over the phone." At this she gave Kief and knowing look and something passed between the two of them.
"You talk with Kief? As in, you have each other's numbers?" Rin asked.
"Yes, we exchanged it a while back. Just in case…"Nessa said and at the look of incredulity in his face, she turned back to Kief and said, "You should tell him everything. It's probably not smart to keep him in the dark anymore. I know you don't want to defy the King but this is getting serious."
Kief sighed and finally looked to Rin before speaking. "I suppose it can't be helped. My name, my real name is not Kief, but Athan, I'm God of Knowledge and Cura is my attendant. We descended from Heaven Realm years ago to investigate some anomalies that we found. I needed to be able to adapt and blend in so I had to subdue my aura and powers so as to not attract any unwanted visits. After a while I discovered you and persuaded you to live with me so I could better keep an eye on you." Kief looked down and thought about what he wanted to say next.
"I didn't trust you at first Rin. I thought it was just a guise and that it was only a matter of time before you showed your true colors. A demon from Demon Plane is ruthless, cunning and unforgiving, and I didn't want you out of my sights. But I also couldn't expose myself so I hid my powers from you and thankfully, your awareness skills are lacking in that form."
Rin scoffed and then looked away.
Kief continued, "You didn't notice my aura because I'm painfully skilled at hiding it. After finding you I wanted to see how I could dispose of you but awhile I noticed you had no evil intent so I was content in just observing you …" At this Kief stopped and looked almost embarrassed.
"I admit… I am quite fond of you now. It's startling how much things can change. I noticed lately there have been more evil spirits with heightened spiritual powers around. And it was the same with the demons emerging from Demon Plane. It was strange to me and it wasn't until Nessa's appearance that I figured out why."
Nessa snapped her head to Kief. "Me? Why?"
Kief smiled and said, " You only came to my house that day, because you sensed Rin's demonic energy, yes?" Nessa looked thoughtful before nodding her head.
"It's Rin, The anomalies here in the Human Plane are happening because of his presence."
Rin looked between Nessa and Kief, before speaking. "Wait… so this entire time you knew about Nessa too?" Rin looked shocked.
Nessa bent down and pinched Rin's cheek, teasing him. Rin could only smack away her hands with an annoyed look on his face.
"Rin, to be so smart you are also kind of dense. Kief and I recognized each other's aura as soon as we laid eyes on one another." Nessa laughed as she remembered that day her car conveniently "broke down" in front of Rin's home.
"I wasn't expecting to see a god sitting at the kitchen table when I followed you into your home, Rin. I think we both caught each other off guard and had to play it off in front of you."
Rin looked at Nessa with a scowl. "So you left me in the dark too?"
"Sorry Rin but it was for your own good," Nessa said with a smile.
Just then Kief looked up at Rin and said, "Rin, for what it's worth part of the deception was to keep you safe and out of sight. You're nosy friend here had other ideas however." Kief looked at Nessa and shook his head before continuing. "Your run in with Nessa at the burial grounds that night and her decision to train you was something I disliked immensely. I was trying to be subtle in my warnings, but it backfired anyway."
Rin looked stunned, it was why he and Kief had not been getting along lately. Kief was always moody around Rin and he didn't know why this whole time. It was because Kief wanted Rin out of sight and under his protection. All those times he was angry at Rin for staying out later for training was Kief's way of trying to protect Rin. This made Rin see Kief in a whole new light. He actually cared about Rin and his wellbeing.
All of a sudden Cura's words to Rin about Kief looking out for him made sense. Of course Cura himself knew Kief's worries and shared them as well. Rin couldn't look Cura or Kief in the eyes at this revelation. Seeing Rin a bit bashful made Nessa chuckle and even Cura had a small smile on his face.
"Well, everything is out, so now we just need to plan against any further attacks from these demons that have now decided to show themselves here in Human Plane," Kief said.
"Which is why I descended to this plane," Sarra said while shifting in her chair.
"I want to assist in any way that I can but first I suppose I should fill you all in on what's been happening in the Heaven Realm."
This garnered everyone's attention. No one except Sarra knew of what was currently happening in Heaven Realm, let along Demon Plane. Not even Cura and Kief.
"That would be nice. Outside of giving King Constantine reports, I hear nothing else from him. It's one-way communication so I'm left in the dark mostly," Kief said.
Sarra nodded her head and said, "I figured. King Constantine doesn't tell us anything either. Not only did we not know about you and Cura, being sent here to investigate, but the King was vague on any information he gave us. We were left in the dark as well."
Sarra furrowed her brows and continued, "I told His Majesty, about the troubles in Human Plane, but he ignored me at every attempt. He even forbade any god from descending into Human Plane. It's so strange…It's like he's hiding something very important."
At this statement it grew strangely quiet. Sarra had addressed some elephant in the room, that none of the other gods present wanted to say. The King was up to something, but what that something was, no one knew.
"He's been so preoccupied with the war in Demon Plane, he's completely ignoring the Human Plane. The threat is great in Demon Plane, but not like what I've been feeling here in this plane. The heavens should be directing it's focus here, but instead…" Sarra trailed off. Everyone in the room understood though. The Heaven Realm was just as mysterious as ever.
Finally Rin realized something. "So, since you've been reporting to your king, Kief, that means he's aware of me, right?"
"Yes, Rin, he knows and so far, he seems fine with letting you roam free. I guess his priorities are focused on Demon Plane right now to care about one demon who's lost most of his powers."
Rin was contemplative for a moment before his eyes slowly widened as he finally remembered something.
Sarra seeing Rin's expression asked, "What's wrong Rin?"
"I just remembered…the demon I fought earlier, the second one…he was incredibly powerful. But he didn't finish me off. Instead he told me his name was Nostos."
Everyone in the room stilled. Nostos was not a name casually mentioned. This was the Demon God that was pure untapped chaos. He destroyed and did as he pleased with no restraint. He made the other demon gods, seem like mere pests compared to his chaotic nature.
"That can't be…," Sarra finally spoke.
"Nostos hasn't been heard from in decades…why would he suddenly reappear in the Human Plane of all places?" Kief asked. "It doesn't make sense…but if his power was as incredible as you said, then it would explain that crazy strength."
"He could've easily ended me but instead he left me on the brink," Rin said with an angry look. "Regardless, I know he's lying…"
Nessa scoffed and said, "And just how do you know he's lying Rin? Have you ever seen this Nostos? No one has seen him and lived to tell about it…What makes you think that demon wasn't him?"
Rin didn't answer and instead stayed silent in thought.
"Rin…are you angry about being defeated by such a powerful foe? Well you shouldn't…it just means training might've been a good idea after all. Because without it, you would've surely died," Kief said placing a hand on Rin's shoulder.
Kief didn't get a response from Rin and cocked his head to the side before speaking again.
"It's…something else?"
Rin sighed and said, "Leah and Zel found out who I am…"
Cura swore under his breath and looked annoyed. Nessa placed a hand over her face and sighed.
"Rin, you just had one job. And that's to conceal your identity. Up until now you've been able to maintain your secret but why not now?" Kief said.
"It's not like I wanted to!! It just happened alright!" Rin shouted. "Leah was in danger. This demon showed up and though it was not as powerful as the second demon, it still was enough to leave me with few options."
"After I saved her, Zel had showed up and I found out he saw the entire fight…It really couldn't be helped," Rin said dejectedly. "They both…didn't react well to finding out."
"Rin, it might not be that bad…,"Kief chimed in.
"Leah left with Zel."
Nessa had the grace to wince at this.
"Well I hate to be the person that says this Rin, but most people wouldn't have a good reaction to this. Besides, this is hardly something you should be worried about at a time like this," Kief said.
"We'll have to create our base of operations out of your home Athan, if you don't mind," Sarra said. Kief nodded his head in acknowledgement.
"I find it difficult to believe that His Majesty hasn't sent anyone yet, but I suppose he's really preoccupied with the war in Demon Plane. We'll at least be able to investigate without interference for a while," Sarra continued before looking to Rin. "Naturally, we'll need your help as well."
"What makes you think I'm willing to help? I don't care one bit about the Heaven Realm's affairs," Rin said angrily.
Sarra looked taken aback. Kief just chuckled, "Sarra, you'll find out just how grouchy Rin can be after a while."
Kief stood up and slapped Rin on the back of the head earning a growl from Rin.
"He'll comply because believe it or not, he quite likes the Human Plane. He even has friends!"
"Had friends," Rin grumbled.
Cura made his way to the door and announced, "I'll be getting your room together Sarra." And with that he left the room.
"I suppose I should leave now. You need some rest Rin," Nessa said as she bent down and ruffled Rin's loose locks. She chuckled as his grumbles and then looked to Sarra and Kief before saying, "You both need to make sure he stays out of trouble."
Rin scoffed as Nessa walked toward the door smiling. After Nessa left, Sarra looked at Rin and found herself staring.
"What?" Rin asked Sarra, as she continued to stare.
"I'm sorry, I guess I just thought you would behave a bit differently, but you seem quite adjusted with Human Plane…even your mannerisms are similar," Sarra said with her cheeks pinkening at being caught staring.
"Well what do you expect when I've been living here for almost two decades," Rin said and then suddenly smiled at Sarra wickedly. "Did you think I would be a ravenous demon attacking the innocent humans here? Well if so, you wouldn't be completely wrong. I've thought about it."
Sarra fiddled with her hands in her lap and looked away from Rin.
"Rin enough!" Kief chastised. "He's just teasing you Sarra, pay him no mind."
Sarra looked at Rin with surprise, then smiled. "I see. Then I'll take my leave now Rin. You do indeed need rest."
Sarra bid Kief and Rin good night and then left the room, leaving only Kief and Rin alone.
They sat in silence for a while before Rin spoke up.
"I'm not mad…anymore."
Kief looked up in surprise. "You're not?"
"No, I get it. But that doesn't explain Ruru and Arty. Are they from Heaven Realm too?"
Kief sighed and contemplated his answer before saying, "No, they are human children. They don't know anything about what's going on."
"So, why did you take them in?" Rin asked. He had been very curious about them since he started living with Kief. But now after everything Kief told Rin tonight, he was even more curious.
Kief looked a bit embarrassed and was struggling to find the words. After a beat he finally looked at Rin and spoke.
"I was the one who killed their parents."
.
.
.
In Heaven Realm, the war gods were preparing for war with Demon Plane. Tasai was going over the first battle plans with his soldiers when his attention was caught by who had just walked into their war council room. It was Heaven Realm's prince, Midus.
"Why aren't the battle plans finalized yet?" Midus asked as he strode into the room.
Everyone stopped what they were doing and bowed to their prince.
"Your Majesty!" They all said in unison.
"Tasai!! What is going on? You are our war general so why are we not already descending into Demon Plane?"
"Preparation takes time, Your Majesty. If we leave now, our soldiers won't be able to successfully pull off the first attack," Tasai said.
"I don't care! Do what needs to be done quickly!" Midus yelled.
"At once Your Majesty. I need to speak with your father about a matter…"Tasai started but was cut off by Midus.
"No! What you need to do is act like a general and fulfill your duties, or I'll find someone who can!"
Lyri and Enis looked purple in the face as they bit their tongue. They had to stand there and listen to the Prince berate their general.
Midus seemed done with his tirade and without another word he abruptly left the war council room with the other soldiers sighing in relief.
"General, you shouldn't have to take that from an insolent brat!" Enis said.
"Calm yourself, Enis. You must not speak of our prince like that. We all must endure in times of war. Remember that. That goes for you as well Lyri," Tasai said as he returned to the war council table drawing battle lines on the map laid in front of him.
Lyri only bowed in response while Enis balled his fist up but said nothing more.
"General, it's odd though. His Majesty should be here, but no one has seen him lately. Where could he be off to at the eve of war?" Lyri spoke.
"I'm not sure either…It's unusual, but he may be making his own preparations. He has his job to do and so do we. So do not lose focus," Tasai answered but not confidently.
Enis whispered so only Lyri could here, "Maybe Sarra was on to something when she left. With the grim reports coming from Human Plane, it seems this war is a little too conveniently timed."
Lyri gasped at this statement but quickly closed her mouth. Just what was really happening here, she thought.
.
.
.
On Demon Plane, Maru had just finished demolishing another human village. Pools of blood created thick puddles in the street while bodies were found in every direction. Maru's destruction and ravenous appetite knew no bounds. And he was only getting started. Over the past couple of days he had destroyed countless villages and devoured all of the people in them. The lords of the local lands had tried to use their military might to attack Maru, but their attacks were only child's play to him. He annihilated the armies that attacked him and devoured the soldiers with quick work.
Maru stood in a field with the severed head of a soldier in his hands. Raising his hand and hovering the head over his mouth he caught the blood that drained out of the head in his mouth. Feeling satisfied with himself, he dropped the severed head and laughed as if taunting the heavens.
"Let's check the damage and cause some more," Maru said on a laugh. He wiped the blood from his mouth with his wrist and headed toward the western region leaving devastation in his wake.