The Demon’s Bride

In a surprise, Elise saw the ghoul's teeth right across her face yet rather than fear it was pity that came into her because she knew the ghouls came from resentment of Demons who were killed unjustly by Barner. "I pity you," she whispered because from the corner of her eyes she could see the ghoul's red eyes were wet from tears as if it wanted to stop what it was doing but weren't able to as Barner had taken ahold of its will.

Elise didn't know if it was the ghoul's last resistance that it didn't immediately bite her but instead it stopped. What she didn't know was the black shadowy hands that came out from her shadows which took a capture of the ghoul's legs but as they were all colored in black, it was hard for Elise who was under a black sky to take notice of this.

Reaching out her hand, Elise didn't know if it would work but she placed it on the ghoul's body which consisted of black liquid and with a touch, the ghouls turned stiff. From beneath her fingertips, the place she touched turn stone-ash in color, and the dull color spread in a way watercolor dipped to a clean wet paper. The black droplets of black liquid if the ghouls stopped when it was about to leave the body and fall to the ground, instead it became gray in color, and with the help of the wind, the ghoul turn to fine dust, blowing away behind her.

She then turned to Barner whose eyes were wide in shock as he watched what happened, "I thought at that time it was Adele who had used her power to permanently destroy my fingers."

"It was me," Elise confirmed, and she looked at Barner with a disdain gaze, "I know you are hiding something. How did my father look like? You were my neighbor you must have seen him."

"I am not afraid of you missy," chuckled Barner as if the fear he was instilled had disappeared after seeing Elise alone. "Now without that Demon what you think you could do?"

"What do you think I can't do?" Elise responded to his words with another one and the two black shadows that had been living in her shadow peered with their red eyes in anger. They hissed and instead of making a voice as their mouth was buried under her shadows, causing her shadows to shake. Barner seemed surprised by her words, not expecting Elise to retort as he didn't know how angry she was. "I have done damage to your fingers and I can do more. How does my father look like Barner? I am not questioning you but demanding my answer."

"I doubt you'll be able to do anything," sneered Barner, not believing that such a girl would be able to harm anyone because he had seen her since her childhood. 

"We can try," she offered, "If I don't, I have learned what works," threatened Elise as she lifts her hand, having the shadows under her waving their hands as if agreeing with what she said and cheering for her next action to come.

On another side, Ian ran through the forest, feeling the wind brushing against his face as he had run to chase for the person he sensed to be near them when they had asked Barner of Elise's bloodline.

After a sprint, Ian stopped his long legs and stomped on the ground to dust off the grim that settled on his shoes. "Let's speak Archangel," Ian offered as he looked at his hands that were stained with blood. "Not answering?" Ian questioned when he received no reply, "Fine have it the way you like it. Did Lucifer put you on this? I knew he always toys with Demons by making exchanges from what I have gathered, but I didn't know he could also threaten Archangel."

"You are wrong," said Gabriel after a while, sighing as he knew that this Demon was much stronger than normal as he was a High Demon. Coming toward where Ian was, he appeared with the human appearance of a young man who he met in the inn as the innkeeper with thick brown curls covering his forehead but when he took another step forward, his appearance change into an Angel with golden hair that was cut evenly just above his neck and golden eyes that signify an angel. His features had changed into the paintings of angels that had always been hung around the Church. But this time Gabriel had barely a smile on his face. "We are not of the same clique."

"I didn't know that it was your hobby to peep into someone's business," Ian smiled kindly but it failed to reach his eyes, "Is it nice to meet you? I don't think we have met each other before. What are you doing here— watching Elise and me?"

"Before I answer your question," Gabriel interrupted and his golden eyes narrowed subtly, "Mind replying to mine first? Which one of you is the descendant of Lucifer?"

At the sudden question, Ian narrowed his eyes and it didn't stay long before he smiled, "Well?" Ian sang, "I don't think this is a great offer an Angel could give, is it? Asking me a question without telling the reason why. I heard Lucifer has a bad term with Angels like most Demons are, why do you think I will give an obedient nod to you?"

"A play in word, you are similar to Lucifer, perhaps there is a chance you are his son?" Gabriel remarked with a frown, not liking how there was someone who had similar habits like Lucifer by replying question with a sarcastic remark.

Ian rolled his eyes, "That's the worst comment anyone could have given me for this entire year," he clicked his tongue, seeing that the angel was alone which was strange as earlier he could sense two large presence from afar. The presence only comes in the briefest time but it was enough time for Ian to take immediate notice of it. "What's your purpose of watching Elise and me? By your words could I take it as you watching us from afar to find out if we have a blood relationship to Lucifer?"

Gabriel stared at Ian at a standstill without replying. Both of them had the chance to use their power to attack but none did as they both needed answers. Ian, however, was much more savage than Gabriel. He needed the information from the Archangel, but also didn't fear to kill the Archangel, "Seems like you won't answer me. Has peeking and butting on other's business had become a top secret in Heaven? Or maybe you have become too bored in the mundane life of Heaven that you've come here? But we both know that's not possible after what you've said earlier," he chuckled and his smile slowly left his lips, "I don't have time to waste with you, Gabriel and my patience is running thin. It's better if you tell me what you've come for or something you wouldn't like would occur soon."

"I have to agree with not having time to waste," Gabriel smiled, pulling his hands behind his back. "It doesn't seem like we would be reaching a conclusion any time soon. Maybe you have an idea to decide who would answer the question of the others?"

"That's easy," Ian removed his gaze from his hand, the white part of his eyes dipped to black as his red pupils turn brighter, "Let the winner have the answer, and the loser, lose their life."