[Kur's POV]

Staring out the window watching the red sunset for the day. "Kur?" I heard Velacera called as I turned around seeing him walk through the door holding a book, "this book should help you control that force shield you managed to manifest last month." That's right it's been a year now since appearing here, in Makai, the year went quickly filled with lasting memories with the hellspawns and relearning new magic as to not harm the others with my purification magic. 

"I see," I set the book I was currently eyeing down as Velacera handed me the book he held, "do you suppose my shield could manifest from the atmosphere in Makai?" I asked opening the hardcover and read the contents before eyeing Velacera again. 

"King Enma may think that it the cause but even he was confused on how well it contained miasma and disputed it from you losing any sanity.... he suspects you might've gained an immunity to the miasma and the effects us hellspawns give off towards non-hellspawns," Velacera sighed before sitting down in the chair in front of me, "there are a few rare cases but he would have never imagined that a Celestial yourself to ever to become one of those cases but he seems like its a good thing you did become immune to the atmosphere of Makai. But he's a little concerned to the 'what if's?' on when anyone that is from your species may notice you are alive and try to take you from the realm of Makai."

"No one knows that I am alive," I sighed as I found this a little sensitive as it felt weird to describe myself as found not alive, "as I spoke before everyone on my star is either dead or believes I became deceased with the destruction of my star... I was a very dimmed star so no one would know if I was dead or alive..... I was distanced very far from the other solar systems so I do not believe anyone would believe a Celestial Star somehow survived the destruction of their star." I flipped the page of the book reading the first contents after the list of contents, "the only one that might know of my status would be 'creator' but they haven't answered me in a long time....."

I could hear the tapping of his gloved finger on the armrest of the chair, looking up I saw that Velacera had closed his eyes and nodded his head, "I see, but now begs the question of how come a scroll came to King Enma addressing you," a scroll, for me? I do know King Enma was absent later on last week to visit his family but I never heard of a scroll.

"Was it given to him on his travels perhaps?" I asked, curious to know how this scroll came to be, "I am quite certain no one else is aware of my status besides 'creator'......... no one else."

"Settle down Kur, it's nothing bad," Velacera opened his eyes shaking his head, "from what King Enma read after he received it from his father, Yog-Sothoth... he suspected the old 1st-century cleric handwriting might be from an older Celestial as you knew the 3rd-century cleric writing," Velacera grabbed the book laying on the table that I had moments set down and turned to a certain page, "it was merely asking how you were and if everything was okay with you and if you are happy away from the harm that was placed on you for merely existing and having masculine features..... could it be the 'creator' you spoke about?" 

I stopped reading and looked up, "they acquired about my wellbeing?" I saw Velacera nod before I looked down again, "yes, it might be them that would inquire about my wellbeing but they would be too massive to move by themselves...... they would be as tall as a greek Titan even larger...... or that was from when I was first created... I was nothing but a mere light source seeing them look down on me." 

"So like a parental figure to you then," Velacera pointed out. I merely nodded as during my time here everyone seemed to understand and try to cheer me up about my upcoming.... some even tried to throw these 'parties' to make me happy. I appreciated their enthusiasm, I really do as it does help as I have been feeling these emotions more pleasantly but it still feels like I am missing or forgetting something.

"How is Fundicarne doing?" I asked as I knew I did do a little damage with my force shield showing out of nowhere, "I am aware I did do a little damage with the manifestation of my force shield." I saw Velacera nod his head.

"He's fine, shocked and dazed but fine, Chuma checked on him earlier this week just in case but Fundicarne is moving around and doing his usual work," Velacera closed the book and set it back on the table, "King Enma even said he's not mad just surprised that Fundicarne offered to be your opponent, to begin with, then again Fundicarne came to your defense of making it more accurate for you to learn combat. So Fundicarne said it was merely a surprise tactic out of instincts."

"He didn't have to do that," I muttered as I turned the page once more, "I was responsible for that surprise as I only thought to shield myself from the ax he held." I turned to the next page, sighing, "so King Enma is not mad at me?"

"Like I said King Enma understood the circumstances and says as long as it is not purification magic then it's a mere training accident so it's okay," Velacera took off his hat to set it aside to fix the little badge that was sitting on his hat loosely. Chuckling I shook my head and flipped the page once more. "So anything that might help you control that force shield?"

"Just the basics and I believe that I could control it better reading this book as it is controlled by concentration and control over emotions. So I just need to concentrate on forming it and holding it," I said without looking up and sighing, "but I have no idea why it decided to appear out of nowhere."

I heard Velacera hum before the sudden pop and confetti falling in front of my face as Velacera's shocked expression, "SURPRISE!" I merely looked up from the book and saw a certain hellspawn to my side. 

"Greetings Peekaboo, how are you today?" I calmly spoke with a slight smile. 

"I have been having a 'surprising' good day, Kur," Peekaboo giggled grabbing a confetti ribbon from the table blowing it the air, "but I thought for sure this one would surprise you," she seemed to frown.

"It did, indeed, surprise me as it got me to look away from my book," I knew she would be upset if her efforts weren't recognized that I had learned from other encounters and Velacera explaining a few things, "the expression of surprise is still new to me," she looked at me, "sorry if it's a little different than everyone else's expressions."

"It's perfectly fine," she smiled once more and grabbed several confetti ribbons out of my hair and went over to grab them off Velacera's hair as well, "besides at least I made you look up!" She was excited to see that she managed to break my line of vision from the book, "you are like a book worm...... no wonder how you go to King Enma's catacombs every week to help reorganize the books with Pinpale and Encre, you three share a weird nack of interests in books."

"Books are what bring forth scenery one cannot see within a day," I chuckled at Peekaboo's antics as yes I hold a great interest in books, reading has always seemed to let me relax and venture with my thoughts of how things appear even though I might have never seen them before, "take a fairytale-like the tale of Snow White, sure it brings forth a lot of negative outcomes but it brings into the light of all the scenes that one goes through to end up in a dire situation that no one can simply control by magic or sheer force. Take it as free experience points without risking your previous points."

She awed before placing the confetti ribbons and the confetti canon back in her box. Which is still a curious thing as it holds so much in it. "Wait for a second," Peekaboo squinted her eyes and came closer to me, "I didn't use glitter....how come there are sparkles in your raven black hair Kur?" So it wasn't just me seeing these.

"I've been noticing that too," Velacera perked up after down his hat on the table, "their physical appearance has been changing but only a little, King Enma is not surprised as Celestials reflect the endless skies above." Velacera stood up and looked over at me, "I'll go fix the tea for the three of us, I'll be back." Velacera walked away as I watched Peekaboo sit down on the ground whistling as she moved the pieces of paper and scattered cards around to make a stacked shape of a building. 

Shaking my head I looked down at my book once more and began to read. A minute or so ticked by before I heard the familiar sound of footsteps entering the room again and the silent thump of clay being set down on the oak surface. Looking up I saw that Velacera had just set down a cup in front of Peekaboo. Before handing me one, "here you go Kur, and Peekaboo," Peekaboo hummed, "please be cautious as it's still hot." 

"I will," she giggled softly before blowing on the top of the cup as the steam blew in the opposite direction, "so what might you be reading Kur?" She asked me as I took a sip off the cup, the liquid bringing a sense of warmth to me.

"Merely studying as it seems I have been gaining unexplained powers that aren't expected to be happening to a Celestial, like myself," I set the teacup down and sighed, "but King Enma may be right Velacera, it might be my immunity to this realm creating these cases of pneumonia changes to me. So," I closed the book and set it on the table while picking up the teacup once more, "I might have to go speak with King Enma tomorrow." I took another sip from the teacup before looking over to the window once more seeing the sunset. 

Several hours have passed as Peekaboo had left for the night and Velacera had made sure to lock the door as Peekaboo is known for random actions and surprises. Grabbing the end of the black silk ribbon, I pulled the end until I felt the release of warmth engulf the nap of my neck. "So are you really going to visit King Enma by yourself tomorrow?" I heard Velacera asked as I turned to face him. 

"Yes," I nodded my head, "I am perfectly comfortable around Makai alone," it was true as I was known throughout Makai as an honored guest and a friend of Velacera's. Though Velacera still worries about me, it's nice but it seems like he's still overprotective especially around certain hellspawns. "It's alright Velacera you and Chuma have done an excellent job at teaching me other forms of magic. It'll only be a quick visit if that eases your worries?" Velacera shifted slightly, I knew he was uncomfortable about me exploring on my own.

"It's fine," Velacera sighed, "I trust King Enma to look after you its just that..." he paused as he took a sip from his teacup, "your right eye still hasn't healed and Chuma has become puzzled by that and it worries me something isn't right... I know Chuma makes that paste every few weeks to try and keep purification magic from leaking out of that wound." That's right, my wound still hasn't healed truly that worrisome but I have been barely using any purification magic so it's a very low chance that any will leak out of my wound as it did a year ago.

"I understand," I spoke gently, "Chuma was here last week as we visited the clinic and he put a new layer of the paste on my wound so it should be fine." Velacera gave a small smile but was still uneasy. I can understand why he's feeling this way. Someone has made it clear in the last few months that a certain someone does not like him. But I have not seen them myself, but from what everyone has told me, they aren't very pleasant. May that be the reason for Velacera's uneasiness?

"Oh okay but just be careful that's all," Velacera sighed heavily. A normal indication of him being upset. Standing up I closed the distance and catching Velacera off guard patted his shoulder.

"Is it the hellspawn that has recently shown displeasure towards you," I watched him tense, "that's worrying you?" He was tense I could feel it where my hand rested on his shoulder. He's trying not to let on his emotions of fear but I can still sense it. 

"It's a possibility that there were mentions on how they are displeased about how you are allowed here when King Enma doesn't really allow others here..... the only ones that are here have a connection to me and they are believing King Enma favors me over them..." Velacera reached up to lightly grasp his hand on my wrist, "I am just worried that you might become a target or Chuma, or Orcus and Futsura becoming targets of another hellspawns personal grudge against me."

So it is about the other hellspawn. I understand, he's worried about my involvement. "Do not fret Velacera," I smiled, "I will be extra careful and stay to the route to the castle and back making sure to not stray in case my safety is a concern." I knew he was worried about the other hellspawn. I saw Velacera smile before nodding.

"Sorry Kur, I am just very worried," He gave a small chuckle. One filled with nervousness, which I can understand as he has warned me before that some hellspawns aren't as pleasant as many others. 

"It is alright as it's very understandable," Velacera sighed as I spoke, "you are concerned and afraid something drastic will happen. Emotions are what describe our cores so worry not I will be cautious on my outing tomorrow." Velacera nodded before yawning a bit and stretched.

"I better go get some rest as of lately I've been feeling quite drained," Velacera turned to face the stairs, "I think after what Vesuvius told me and the whole mistrust thing got me stressed out. Get some rest as well Kur."

"Good night, Velacera, sleep well," I spoke before picking up the books and putting them on the shelf. Cleaning and putting things away always gave me a sense of ease. Fixing the position of the chair lastly the room was but into the state of never looking like it was used hours before. Finally eased myself I also heading up the stairs to the spare bedroom that Velacera gave as my room. It was cozy and medium size as it felt more comfortable than anything else I have seen especially back home. Opening the door to my room I stepped in and closed the door taking off my trench coat and slipping off my shoes along with untieing the jabot laying it on the dresser and taking out the ribbon letting my hair fall freely and sway with every movement I made. Laying down I starred up at the ceiling, I wonder why 'creator' hasn't answered me in so long. I keep reaching out but nothing but a letter made its way to King Enma. What is going on here? Closing my eyes I let myself be embraced the star-filled blackness. 

There was a clatter from down below as I opened my eyes. Sitting up I noticed the red hue of the morning rise. It's morning. Getting up I walked over to the dresser and grabbed my jabot and hand gloves putting them on, before grabbing the ribbon and pulling my hair back tieing it for the day. walking over to the door I grabbed my trench coat from the hook on the back of the door and slid it on while the chains clicked around before finally resting at its default state. Bending down I put on my shoes and opened the door. Walking down the stairs I could see Velacera picking something up. "Is everything alright," I spoke out as I watched Velacera jump at the sound of my voice.

"Oh, it's you Kur," he gave a nervous chuckle, "Sorry if I woke you up I was trying to grab something when it got caught on some other things and brought everything else down with it." I looked towards the mess and saw what Velacera was talking about. 

"I see do need help cleaning it up before I head out?" I asked. Velacera sighed before nodding as I bent down and helped him pick up the rest of the objects that fell. Nothing broke so that was a relief as I dislike it if someone were to get hurt on something shattered. Finishing up I set the other objects back on the shelf while Velacera took the one thing he wanted over to the counter before grabbing the cutting board and a knife. "Is there anything else you might need before I go, Velacera?"

"No it's fine Kur," Velacera set down the knife and turned to me, "I'm just making a few things to bring to Fundicarne as he only likes a certain dish and normally eats it if I had cooked it. So if I'm not here when you return then I am at Fundicarne's." I nodded my head before heading over to the door and waved before seeing Velacera wave turning around to face the cutting board once more. The morning air was a bit warmer than usual but I could only assume the seasons have changed once more. 

Walking down the path I could hear the distance of others and some little disputes happening but nothing too worrisome that involves me. It was certainly much peaceful than what I initially thought back when I first came here. Humming, I walked down the path heading towards the castle when I soon saw someone walking on the same path but coming the opposite way. Being courteous I stayed closest to the edge of the path to give the other the respectable amount of personal space. Keeping my pace as I wish to not worry Velacera in mere seconds I was passing the other but I heard a whistle under their breath. They had stopped walking and just stood there, "from looks alone you are the Celestial everyone has been cheerfully talking about?"

I hummed in response as I stopped as well seeing as they held a hostile atmosphere around them. "Greetings," I said with a slight bow towards this other hellspawn. It must be someone Velacera has not introduced to me yet so I should act respectfully as this is their homeworld and I am merely an honored guest here. "Yes, I am the Celestial Kur, what a fine warm morning it may be today?" They just stared at me. Something seemed off but they huffed before speaking once more.

"You Celestials have no business here in Makai," he was blunt, showing displeasure towards my species, "you are only using Velacera aren't you?" There's that accusation once more. I would never dream of hurting or using Velacera as he was my friend. "Get out of Makai if I see you again I won't hesitate to end you." And with that, they had walked off. The displeasure of outsiders and accusing me of being such ways is absorbed but I could only assume that who I met might be the one Velacera is worried about. Shrugging it off thinking of asking Velacera later I continued walking to the castle. 

Strange but it seems like they just don't trust outsiders. Arriving on the stone pathway Encre walked up to me, "thy's morning light is high and warm. Might we be seeking adventure today?" Her rhythms do not affect me anymore. As I smiled and nodded my head.

"Indeed, I seek audience with thy's King as a mere thought came to mind last evening a day ago," She nodded her head as she waved goodbye and ran off to other places. Chuckling I began my pace once more a few hellspawns in the area called my name and said "good morning" or a simple "hello". It was nice to have friendly greetings all around. I returned much as it has become a habit to be "normal" it felt so natural in all honesty.

Walking through the open gates and asking a creature of the castle they lead me to King Enma's whereabouts. He was in his study today as the creature lead me and let me into the room. "Greetings Kur," I heard the smooth voice of King Enma, "I thought correctly of you coming to visit today. Sit." He gestured to the adjacent to him. Sitting down he merely hummed. "I am assuming Velacera told you about the scroll I received?"

"Yes," I nodded my head, "the only one I can think of that might know of my status would be 'Creator' but they haven't answered me for centuries nor the time I am here So why now?" I watch King Enma set down a scroll he was reading and grabbed an older one before handing it to me. He leaned back sighing.

"Father spoke briefly about them and handed me that scroll, it seems that this corrupted Celestial has caused more destruction in their path and is now hunting everything even down to Eldritch creatures. It seems like they are after the protege that your creator named to take their place once they decide to leave their position and return to the sea of souls," King Enma leaned forward seemingly annoyed at something besides me, "My guess is that your Creator named you their protege and knows that they cannot easily contact you unless putting you in harms way so they instead did it through the back route to find your whereabouts."

"Is Makai in danger if I stay?" I asked hoping I wasn't causing the threat of harm to this realm. King Enma shook his head as he grabbed a different document and opened it.

"No, my father and a few elders made this nearly invisible from the rest of existence only a few know of Makai's existence," he closed the document and set it off to the opposite side, "So it's perfectly fine you bring no immediate danger to Makai but with the rise of the Corrupted Celestials hunt I may have to demand my other hellspawns to return and keep everyone in Makai just for safety reasons. True a hellspawn cannot be killed without destroying their relic but they can be hurt to the point of even their object form cannot move or speak, its best to avoid that and your creator did ask that I take care of you until they are able to make contact with you personally." 

So that's what is happening and the creator trusts King Enma enough to watch everything. So that's why creator hasn't contacted me. They were protecting me and keeping me out of harm's way. "I see do you think there a way to send a message back to them as I wish to-," King Enma nodded his head.

"Yes as I will send it to father and he can send it to your creator as to make it seem like you are non-traceable... but I suggest not signing it as you to throw those who seek harm to you that it isn't you but someone else... father already has a way to throw them off but you can never be so careful," King Enma did have a point but the main concern is what am I going to write. There was a sudden knock before King Enma could speak Dadaki came in holding something glowing.

"King Enma I found this by the creek filled with acid what do you think it is?" Dadaki said with excitement clearly in her voice. "Is it safe for me to keep it?" She was intrigued by it and by her standards she found it to be cute. Looking at it the surface glowed a soft lilac purple. A pinch of pain began to grow the more I looked at it.

"Dadaki I am uncertain of its origins, to begin with, but also it's rude to interrupt others when they are having a private chat," Kind Enma said softly standing up before walking around the desk and taking the glowing rock in his hands seem to look over it. With it, in clear view, there was more pain growing inside my head. "It's certainly strange and does hold power to it... I will watch it for a few days before you can keep it Dadaki now, sorry Kur as we were talking about," my vision hazed as I heard rustling around, "Kur? Kur are you okay?... Dadaki get Chuma and have someone get Velacera, now." I heard the running footsteps as I felt a firm grasp on my shoulder, "Kur can you hear me?... Ku-" Everything went black. I was surrounded by pitch blackness once more.