"This dress is too tacky," said Ahsid.

Kayla nodded, throwing it to one side.

"This?"

Ahsid was amazed. It was a beautiful blue and pink, but she stopped at that.

"Umm.. Kayla, how about something more covered? It's a little...well."

Kayla tossed it away.

"Is it alright if I wear something designating my type of magic?"

"Honestly, that concept is a bit old, as it serves a major disadvantage during battle, but we are going to a ball..."

With these words, she pulled out an outfit.

"It's stunning, Kayla, but a bit too blue, don't you think?"

"But you said you wanted something resembling your magic type."

"I... Well, how about a little red or orange with the blue?"

Ahsid realized that she had not told anybody about her conversation with Mana. She had not even attempted to practice fire magic. Yet, she was adamant that Dane should be the first to hear of it.

"Come on Kayla, as in not that blue but a little blue?"

Kayla sighed.

"It's nice, but I am sure it will fall off me."

"It won't fall off you... Where did you get such a ridiculous idea from?"

"It's literally held together by a single strap. What if it tears or worse, what if someone comes at me with scissors?"

Kayla wanted to argue but suddenly stopped. A chill ran down her spine. She saw Ahsid feel it too.

"Dane's here."

Almost the entire Coetus had gathered in the central hall. The air was tense and chilled and Ahsid pondered on Dane's ability to affect the atmosphere. A person who could make his presence felt must be so strong and powerful.

"Ahsid?"

Dane climbed in through a Coetus window, the pale setting sun trying to break through the shadows among which he stood. But when he stepped forward, a hesitant trepidation in his steps, a collective gasp escaped from the inhabitants of the Coetus.

"Dane," whispered Ahsid, disbelief writ in her tone.

His skin was pale, his lips parched. Even though it had been only a week, his beautiful hair had grown unkempt and wild, the reddish ends longer and more prominent. His eyes had dark circles around them as if sucking the shine away from his pupils.

He walked towards Ahsid but Zion and Noah stood in his way.

"Dane, stay back,"they warned.

He simply raised his eyebrows.

"You know you are quite unstable right now," said Noah, eyeing the dried blood on the right side of his white shirt.

"Dane, are you alright," asked Ahsid, concerned.

She wanted to reach out to him, to comfort him, the yellow in his eyes as if pulling her to him.

"You are back."

Ibrahim came out to the front and raised his index finger to Dane's temple. "Let's see if you have followed all the rules."

Ibrahim reached into his mind, browsing through his actions for the past one week, pushing deep into them. He was about to scan his emotions when a jarring clap to his brain brought him back to the Coetus main hall.

"You were only to see my actions, not my emotions with respect to them," snarled Dane, pushing Ibrahim away.

"It is necessary for me to know your intentions regarding..."

"I stayed true to my word," growled Dane, infuriated at Ibrahim's lack of trust in him.
He would have gone further but saw Ahsid's pale face. Sighing, he ran a hand through his hair.

"Why, pray, are you all assembled here? It's definitely not because you all want to welcome me," wherein he gave a pointed glance at Iris, standing quietly in the corner.

She cowered visibly.

"Ahem, well, today is Lucifer's party, remember," asked Dumos, speaking with the slightest bashfulness.

Dane nodded. Did he not remember?

"Ahsid, Zion, Noah, you and I are..supposed to go."

"Well, let's go then," he answered, a faint anger lingering in his tone.

"Certainly not. Lucifer will flip if you do not follow the dress code. And you smell like garbage silly. All the ladies... Oh my! My reputation is at stake here, pal. Let's get you sorted," huffed Dumos, grabbing Dane by his arm and dragging him away, chiding him about hygiene and clothes.

For a while, there was no movement. Then, a sigh of relief from the demons.

"Good that he did not say a word about the outfits that he will need to change into,"said Zion, trying to lighten up.

"He was almost about to refuse... I could see it but having Ahsid here stopped him,"pointed out Noah.

"It's my fault," whispered Ahsid.

Kayla facepalmed. "No, you did not. It's Ibrahim's fault."

"Excuse me?"

"Umm.. I mean.. Yeah, it's my fault. My fault," stammered Kayla, seeing the death glare being sent across by Ibrahim.

She exited the room hurriedly, not waiting for Ahsid to follow her. Even cocky Kayla dared not mess with Ibrahim.

"I should go. Dumos will need my help to get Dane into the clothes we selected for him," informed Janeth, leaving.

"Ahsid, cheer up. Dane is fine. Just let him cool off and he will be back to his boring old self,"said Noah, patting her arm.

"With what I can see, most of you are not concerned about his mental state and rather about the outfit that he has to wear today... What's wrong with you?"

Zion interjected,"That's because making a big deal out of it may only complicate an otherwise harmless situation. It's not the first time for Dane, and neither for us. Keeping his mind away from morbid thoughts by acting silly and making lame jokes actually helps him become calmer."

Ahsid flinched. Zion had never spoke to her so harshly. Even he realized this and awkwardly slunk away, leaving Noah, Ibrahim and Ahsid.

"I have to get it soon,"breathed Ahsid to herself.

Today, she would gather information about the Shale Stone. No more dilly dally! Dane needed her and she would die rather than disappoint him.

"No, Kayla, this won't do,"groaned Ahsid.

Kayla sighed." Ahsid, just wear something within two minutes, okay?"

And grabbing, a dress, she went to a side room to change. Ahsid stared at the dresses around her.

Was she opting for a regal look or a humbler tone?

Was she... How did it matter?

She picked up a dress and went into the other room.

"Dane, you cannot go in this coat and T-shirt," said Dumos.

"I have a fresh pair."

"I don't care if you have a fresh pair or not, just wear this."

Dane nodded his head politely.

"Ahsid is coming with us. If you wear these, Lucifer will not trouble you and this could get her on his good side. Maybe even a potential ally," started Noah.

"Fine, I will not wear my regular clothes but you have to give me the freedom to choose."

"Wow! So you do know about other clothes,"teased Zion.

"You underestimate me, brother," said Dane, a hint of amusement on his face.

"Finally," sighed Dumos happily.

"What happened?"

"You smiled, Dane. Now we will have fun in the party," said Dumos.

"Idiot," muttered Dane, but the friendly punch on Dumos' arm suggested otherwise.

"Gaaahhhh!"

"The hell, Kayla!"

Ahsid stared at Kayla's spectacular ensemble.

Black, blue and orange contrasted with her pinkish horns and long hair falling on her shoulders. The long black sleeves heightened her beauty.

"Ahsid, look at you," hollered Kayla.

Ahsid smiled cautiously. "I hope it's alright?"

"You are so majestic. Hah! We will show the boys that girls don't take long to dress up. It's the exact opposite."

Ahsid nodded enthusiastically and holding hands, the two headed to the third floor.

A/N: Dear Readers, please help me out with Ahsid's dress. After careful finalizing, I chose the peacock feathered one and the other is this one:

I would really appreciate it if you could choose the most appropriate one. If you liked any one of the above rejected ones, please tell me about that too. I am not good at choosing outfits. It took me three weeks to get the right pictures😅.