The Demon’s Bride

The moment when the demon asked to be killed, Ian looked at him as if he had two heads. "How do you know my name?" Ian questioned the first thing he noticed. Caleb smiled at him.

"I'm a demon, it's come without saying that I know the name of my summoner," Caleb then propped his head over his hand and there Ian noticed that underneath the demon's nonchalant tone and attitude, he appeared tired. He appeared needing some hours of sleep but the depressed look at his face told him that they both cannot sleep at night, haunted by the nightmare of loosing heir precious ones.

"What do you say, can you kill me?" Caleb then took his attention once again.

Ian didn't see how this was a disadvantage for him. Instead, the deal Caleb had offered him was more drawbacks to the demon himself. It was too good of an offer that Ian could tell there was a catch in Caleb's deal, "I assume it's not something anyone could do, not even a demon?" Because if Caleb had been wanting death, he would have asked his peer, the demons who are obviously stronger compared to him who was a human.

"With that head on your shoulders, it makes this talk easier. Correct, the demons cannot kill me as they are... they are not weak, however, those demons around me cannot kill me as it was my punishment." Caleb drawled where his eyes sinking in anger.

"You are punished? For what?" Ian didn't intend to let himself agree at the deal immediately. He had to know what and who he is dealing with as better safety would help him to achieve more success in his act of revenge. He cannot let anyone, not demons, not humans, even angels to stand on his way.

"I stole a book to bring my wife from the dead... Death, Ian, are not something nice. Death steals your precious ones, they separate you from them but in my case, I wish for it. I am tired of roaming in hell or the mortal world, searching for her," Caleb then said. To Ian's eyes, Caleb wasn't a demon. He was simply a man who had lost his true love. The pain that Caleb held was something Ian deeply understand for he too, like Caleb was tired. It was not in Ian's mind to resurrect his mother as although he didn't believe in Heaven, seeing there was demon, he believed now his mothers was in a much better place. 

But there are different way for each person to deal with their grief. Caleb had killed those who had taken his wife's life but now he felt empty. Ian could tell in the future there was a high chance, he would feel as empty as Caleb felt now, but he pushed the thought away as revenge currently riding his head.

"I only wanted to rest, close my eyes from this endless torture," Caleb said where his red eyes turn bleak.

"How?" Ian then questioned him after a while. "How can I kill you?"

"You will kill me?" Caleb looked at him and though he had been the one to propose the deal, now he appeared surprised even hopeful that someone would finally help him to rest.

"I know your pain, Caleb," Ian voiced it his sympathy, "We might have only met fro a few minutes but as a person who is nursing his lost, I understand you, your exhaustion and your desperation. If there are other ways where I don't have to kill you, perhaps I would chose that choice as I sympathize you but I know for certain that you are tired of living and death is your salvation."

"It is my only salvation," agreed Caleb who smiled while looking at Ian. "I would have a son with her if she did not die. She was only three months away. Decades have passed since then but seeing you, I feel a little satisfied. I feel tat if he had grown up, he would have looked like you."

"You wouldn't like having a son like me," answered Ian with a faint smile. He then asked again, "What do I have to do?"

"As you are a human, it is impossible for you to kill me. The only way is for you to become my successor— the third generation of Diablo. In short, for you to kill me you would first need to be a demon. It would be a very painful process and if you do become one, each demons are cursed and I am cursed to live eternity. It would be very difficult for you to escape the eternity and living it—"

"I will be alright," Ian responded to Caleb with an adamant expression, "I am prepared to lose my soul, I can be prepared for the future that won't end as well."

Caleb offered Ian a smile as he walked down, he said, "Then we should write our deal," he snapped his finger for a scroll to appear, "What we have talked earlier had been written here all you need is one touch of your blood."

Ian nodded his head and used the leftover blood from his palms where the wounds were still fresh, letting the blood to fall on the paper as he did so, softly Caleb said, "I am sorry for forcing this to you."

Ian can't help but smirked at the demon, "You know, humans might be eviler than you, a demon. Saying sorry is something very beneath them which they won't do until they face a terrifying death. How was your wife like?" 

"She was beautiful, lovely, and a great singer. She always put me to sleep with her voice and I loved every second of it," uttered Caleb who then scrunched his bow, feeling the stinging pain somewhere intangible inside him. "How was your mother?"

"My mother was similar to an angel. An angel I imagined them to be," Ian answered when he saw Caleb reaching out his hand toward him which he returned. 

"We truly only known each other for a short while but thank you, Ian White. For granting my wish, if there would be an opportunity somewhere on the future, I will be sure to return your kindness," said Caleb with a sincere smile.

"You should hope the future won't ever come so you can have a good rest," responded Ian to him.

"I am glad it was you who had summoned me," Caleb uttered his last words, "Take a deep breath. This will be more painful compared to the tortures Hell ever prepared for."

"I don't think it will be worse then what I felt now," answered Ian when the man chuckled. 

Caleb wondered how could such a young boy have such deep anger and resolution in his heart. Closing his eyes Caleb wholeheartedly whispered, "I wish you the best."