~North Forest- Hackett Town, Tekisu District~
"Are you okay, child?" The voice is gentle, filled with a warmth that cuts through the lingering fear in Caleb's heart. He blinks up at the man approaching him, his form haloed by the sunlight filtering through the trees. With his super pale skin and the light behind him, the man looks almost holy—like an angel descended from the heavens. Caleb is awestruck, unable to find his voice as he stares at the stranger in silent wonder.
The man seems to understand Caleb's shock, and a soft chuckle escapes his lips. "Well, I suppose you've seen more excitement in one day than you're likely to see in your entire life, so I understand. You must have been so scared." He bends down beside Caleb and gently pats his head, the gesture both comforting and paternal.
The touch snaps Caleb out of his daze, and reality comes rushing back. He jerks away from the man, scrambling to his feet. His voice is cautious, bordering on defensive as he demands, "Who are you? Why are you here? What was all of that before?"
The man rises to his full height, a serene smile on his face as he raises his hand in a gesture of peace. "I mean you no harm, so you can relax. Though you are wise to keep your distance." His voice carries a note of respect. "I'm also terribly sorry that I didn't introduce myself sooner. My name is Mikael, son of Lord Cain and Junsui Lord of the Light. As I'm sure you've surmised, I am a Junsui Demon, imbued with the energy of light."
Caleb's blood runs cold at the revelation. The monster he'd always been taught to fear—those bloodthirsty beasts that prey on humans—was standing right in front of him. And odds are, that other man, the one who had just tried to kill him, was also a Junsui Demon. To encounter two of them in one day—Caleb can't decide if he is incredibly lucky or utterly cursed. Yet, unlike the first demon, Mikael doesn't seem hostile. In fact, there's a calm kindness in his demeanor, as though he has no intention of harming Caleb. Still, Caleb knows better than to trust appearances, especially when it comes to demons. His survival instinct kicks in, and without a second thought, he turns and bolts, not daring to look back or hesitate.
Mikael watches him with a lighthearted sigh. "They always run after they hear that. Am I scary?"
"As if," a familiar voice sneers from the shadows. "He's just scared of you because he doesn't understand what you are. That's humans for you. Such weaklings they are." The nature-wielding Junsui, Abduscius, steps out from the trees, a sly grin on his face.
"They may be weak," Mikael responds calmly, his gaze still following the direction in which Caleb fled, "but they are extraordinary, too. Your camp might know that if you took the time to get to know them. Of course, I know that will never happen. Who are you?"
Abduscius grins, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "The name's Abduscius, but most call me Abdul. If you're going to ask about my business here, I'll just say it's confidential. I'm under oath, and if I break it, I'm dead."
Mikael nods, seemingly unperturbed. "Never fear, I won't be interrogating you, as I have other business to attend to. Besides, I probably know more about your business than you do, considering my relation to your master."
"Is that so?" Abduscius' grin widens. "Very well, let's say you do know about our plans. Are you planning to try and stop us? Even with all your righteousness, you usually don't have much interest in saving humans, as you feel it's not your place to interfere with fate. Has that changed?" He smirks, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
"So, you know a bit about me too, do you?" Mikael replies, his tone steady, unaffected by Abduscius' jibes. "Well, no matter. Nothing has changed. I simply couldn't let you kill that one. He's important to the one I've come here for, that's all."
"Hmm, sounds complicated, but whatever! Stay out of our way, and I'll stay out of yours."
Mikael's gaze sharpens as he locks eyes with Abduscius. "I don't intend to repeat myself again, so listen well. I've come to this town for one reason and one reason alone. What happens to this town and its people after that isn't my concern. My heart aches for their coming tragedy, but it's not my place to interfere. I believe that even when cruel, fate knows best, and so I will not interfere. However, there's always a price for every decision one makes. I hope you're prepared for the consequences that will follow this."
"Don't worry about us, pops. We know what to expect. As long as we're in agreement."
"Very well, then we're done here. Give my regards to your master and your other partner."
"I don't need your regards," a sultry voice interrupts from above. A woman in a suggestive red dress and heels drops down from the trees, landing gracefully beside Abduscius. Her hair is the fiery color of a peak sunset, and her eyes glow like embers. Her skin is lighter than Abduscius', but not nearly as pale as Mikael's. "If you're going to give regards, say it to me directly."
"Draconia! Oh, there's my precious girl!" Abduscius exclaims, his grin widening as he steps toward her, arms open for an embrace. Draconia's response is a sharp kick to his shins, sending him crumpling to the ground. "Oh, why are you so cruel, babe? I love you."
"You have no perception of time and place, do you, fool? I should burn you up for that," Draconia snaps, her eyes flashing with irritation.
Abduscius laughs through his pain, glancing back at Mikael, who watches the exchange with mild amusement. "This is my girl, Draconia. She's not just smoking hot, but she's hardcore too. I can't think of anything that could make you love a woman more than watching her burn an entire town simply because they didn't have her shade of lipstick. It was love at first sight. We've been together ever since."
He tries to embrace her again, but she delivers another swift kick, knocking him back. "I said quit it, Abduscius! You keep that up, and you'll find yourself single before the day even begins."
"Yes, dear." Abduscius finally retreats, holding his hands up in surrender, allowing Draconia to return her attention to Mikael.
"As that fool said, we have no intention of getting in your way," Draconia says, her voice smooth but laced with danger. "But if you interfere with us at all, I have no qualms about killing you and the one you've come for. In case you didn't catch it earlier, I act a bit impulsively and with little care for the consequences. Now, please excuse us." She grabs Abduscius by the collar and leaps into the trees, vanishing into the foliage within seconds.
Mikael watches them go, a bemused smile playing on his lips. "What an odd couple." He shakes his head slightly, then glances in the direction Caleb had fled. "Well, I suppose I should get a move on. He should be waking up soon where I left him." With that, he takes off running, his form blurring as he moves with such speed that it seems as though he vanishes into thin air.