Devereaux looked at her, their eyes locking in a silent exchange of emotions. "Promise me you wouldn't go down the same path as he is," Ada pleaded, her voice tinged with urgency.

"It's not something in my control," Dev replied, his tone resigned.

"Gibberish! There's nothing unchangeable in this world. Even fate can change. All you need is will," Ada insisted, her voice firm and determined.

The Dark Lord couldn't help but wonder what Lady Moira's face would look like if she ever got to hear what Ada had just spoken. Unless she was her granddaughter, Moira would not have hesitated to put her through hell just to prove how wrong she was. It didn't essentially matter to that old lady whether she was the one writing one's fate, she made sure everyone feared the consequences of interrupting the flow.

"It's not that easy, Ada," he countered, sighing as he tried to get his thoughts collected.

"I didn't say it's easy. And that's why you should try harder. Gan went down because he had no will to survive. He chose his demise. Don't be like him," Ada urged, her tone softening as she pleaded with him. A tear slipped down her warm cheek, reflecting the moonlight. "Please. You promised me to stay by my side."

The Dark Lord enveloped the sobbing girl in his embrace, feeling the weight of her sorrow against his chest. Her tears dampened the fabric of his ebony attire, but he didn't mind. He gently stroked her back, offering silent comfort as she sobbed softly. Resting his head atop hers, he breathed in the scent of jasmine that clung to her. Each inhalation filled him with a sense of calm and familiarity, soothing the turmoil within him.

He gently wiped away Ada's tears, his touch comforting against her skin. "I'll do my best. But we need to be quick."

***

Making a deal with a dark entity was not a game that one would recommend anyone to play. It could cost things that they never wanted to risk in their life. If anything went wrong, regret would be all they were left with.

But if it was the only way it could be done, if she could only stand against Gan with his help, then she was not going to let him suffer because there's some stupid rule saying demons can't do any good, that strictly worked to suffer those infernal beings of his kind. The Dark Side was as terrible as its name. Once you got there, there was no escape. She knew of it. Gan had been there. He still was. So was Devereaux.

"To thee, Deveraux, the demon with whom I strike this accord, I beseech thee to bring forth my brother from wherever he may reside, unharmed and whole. In return, I am prepared to grant thee a boon, to be claimed at thy behest. Know that thou shalt owe me a debt of gratitude, and thy obligations shall be discharged with my heartfelt regards. Upon the fulfillment of my desire, I shall release thee from the constraints of this bond, granting thee freedom for eternity."

As her words died down Devereaux's body started shining brightly, emitting vivid lights of red and gold that illuminated the entire house. His gaze was sharp and firm, the amber flames in his eyes growing higher, engulfing the raven black completely. He resembled a living flame, the heat radiating as if he himself was the fire, intense and consuming.

His unmistakable massive wings unfurled from his back, catching her off guard. She stumbled backward, nearly tripping over her own foolish step, but his hand swiftly snaked around her waist, securing her in place with a firm grip. The contrasting brilliance of the fiery lights against the shadowy backdrop created an ethereal spectacle, casting a surreal glow over the unfolding scene.

"As per the ancient decree, I do hereby accept thy request and bind myself to thee as thy humble servant until thy desire is fulfilled. Though the path may be fraught with challenges and time may test our resolve, I pledge upon my very existence to secure the return of thy brother. Until this task is accomplished, my allegiance to thee shall remain steadfast, even unto the sacrifice of my own existence."

As if on cue a pinprick of a pain made its presence on Ada's left wrist, a soft, luminescent glow emerging from her creamy skin, and lifting itself up to the air, weaving an intricate tapestry with invisible threads of magic. The ethereal dance created a mesmerising sigil, slowly materialising into existence as if painted by the brush of fire. The symbol took shape delicately, pulsating with an otherworldly brilliance that seemed to defy the laws of reality.

It was a convergence of a crescent moon and a flame. Interwoven, they symbolised the union of darkness and fire, an embodiment of the pact they were sealing. The lines glowed softly, creating an enchanting aura around Ada's wrist.

As the symbol manifested, a subtle pain accompanied its birth, each line etching into Ada's skin like the embrace of a thousand whispers. She winced, her eyes reflecting the intensity of the ethereal connection being forged. Tears trickled down her cheeks, mirroring the profound moment of vulnerability. Despite Ada's attempt to retreat her hand, Devereaux held it firmly, the fiery glow in his eyes intensifying. In the reflection of his eyes, Ada could see the flames within, swallowing her fragile form amid the dance of angry licks.

Within minutes the pain reached its zenith, then it began to recede, leaving behind a warm, pulsating energy emanating from the newly sealed symbol on Ada's wrist.

A mirror image of the same symbol had appeared on the Dark Lord's right wrist, glowing softly-a testament to the binding promise they had just forged, that transcended the physical, etched in their intertwined destinies.

For a few more moments, he held her hand, the warmth radiating from his touch as he gently caressed her palms, as if trying to soothe her shocked heart. The sensation of his touch and the soft glow that surrounded them created an otherworldly ambiance, as if they were momentarily suspended in a realm where wishes and promises intertwined.

The fiery wings gracefully disappeared into the air, gradually receding the flame in his eyes. He helped her back to her feet and the two of them stood there, the weight of their agreement hanging in the air like a delicate spell.

"And that's done!" Devereaux sighed contentedly; it was only the beginning, but he thought it would not harm to celebrate every little step of this journey, of this assignment. Because maybe it would be his last.

"For my end of the deal-" Ada started, but the Dark Lord beat her to it.

"Live, Ada. Live a happy life," The Dark Lord smiled. Genuinely. After so long. It was a rare sight for the one who dealt with everything grim and gruesome. "Once we get everything settled, I want you to live. The best life you can have. No regrets. No burdens. Just your smile. That's all I want."