Why is the rain so cold? Devyn wrapped his arms around his bare chest and rubbed his shivering arms. The human ran through the rain even though he could not see anything until he was right in front of it. The rain was heavy and cold, so he searched for a place to take refuge from the freezing element.

The faint outline of a protruding rock from a mountainside came into view; Devyn raced toward it. He hugged the back of the rock to escape the freezing rain. The rough surface ruthlessly opened the wounds in his back. It did not take long before the blood soaked through the already wet bandages and ran down the human's body.

Devyn leaned his head against the rock and caught his breath. His teeth began to chatter as shivers ran through his numbing body. The human's rest was interrupted when a vague light appeared through the heavy rain. Devyn held his breath as the light grew nearer. The hum of engines let Devyn know it was a moving vehicle. The vehicle hugged the side of the mountain so it would not get lost in the rain and quickly approached the human's resting place.

Devyn left the shelter of the rock and ran into the rain again as the light was about to come upon him. Unfamiliar with the alien planet, Devyn ran in a random direction. He thought he might have been running in the direction of the cave but could not be certain, so he continued.

The human spotted the side of a mountain and ran along it. He ran for about a half mile before another light came into view. Turning around to escape the vehicle, Devyn stopped in his tracks. To his horror, another light approached him.

The heavy downpour masked the sounds of running footsteps. Devyn prepared to leave the mountain as the lights grew closer. He took a step into the downpour as a figure appeared in front of him through the rain. Hands grabbed Devyn's waist and pulled him into a small cut-out he had not noticed that was directly behind where he was standing.

A hand was placed on Devyn's back to protect him from slamming into the rough rock while the other hand was wrapped around his waist securely. Devyn looked up to see grey eyes gazing down at him. A trail of blood stained the side of his face.

"Are you okay?" The man asked.

Devyn found himself holding onto the man's arms. Beads of water dripped from his crimson hair. The lights passed each other outside and continued on their way, leaving the two in the secluded cut-out.

How did he find me?! Devyn's heart pounded in fear as he looked into those cold, icy blue eyes. The human shook his head as his vision focused. The image of Wil slowly faded away leaving a panting Denzyl. Devyn stared up at the demon in surprise, but for a split second, there he was again. He was staring down at him with those piercing eyes and curled lips. "Stay away from me!" The human ripped himself out of Denzyl's arms as he ran from the terrifying man. I can't let him catch me.

"Devyn-"

The human rushed out of the cut-out and back into the rain as fast as his numb legs could take him. He heard Denzyl chase after him, but he continued running. His feet were numb from the wet cold, and his heart was pounding. The human's body grew weak from loss of blood, but he did not stop.

"Devyn! Stop!" Denzyl called after Devyn.

Denzyl's voice brought Devyn out of his shock. He was running from the demon, not that man. He was running from Denzyl. What happened? Why is his face bleeding? Did I do that? A pain struck Devyn's heart as he realized he attacked Denzyl thinking that Wil had found him. What is wrong with me? Why do I actually want to stop and stay with him? He's a demon!! Even if he is not Wil, I have to get away. I have to get back to Borum and find Miren. I have to make sure she is okay. I can't be thinking about a demon right now! Devyn's resolve to continue running even though it was taking his all to keep putting down one foot after another strengthened as he thought about Miren. He had to make sure she was alright.

"Devyn!!" The demon called out again as he saw where the human was running.

Why does he sound so desperate? And why has he not caught up to me? He is a demon. Devyn was confused as to why he was outrunning a demon. He should be a lot faster and stronger. Why is he so weak?...Oh...right....I stabbed him... Devyn's heart hurt as he realized he had injured Denzyl when the demon was trying to keep him from dying. Why...why does it hurt?

Wrapped in his racing thoughts, Devyn did not see the edge until it was too late, and he stumbled off the side of a cliff. The heavy rain beat down on the human as he fell. Devyn let out a surprised yelp as he broke the surface of freezing water. His limbs became stiff as he tried to swim to the surface. He tried and tried, but he could not break through.

A deathly cold seeped under Devyn's skin and crept into his heart. The human's heartbeat slowed, and his eyes closed as his body stiffened until he was silently floating in the water.

Well...I guess this is it. Devyn's heart was at peace as he thought of his parents. He was ready to see them again. However, the human's thoughts of death were interrupted as a hand pressed against his lower back. Another cradled the back of his head.

Devyn opened his eyes to see Denzyl holding him. The demon's grey eyes sparkled in the clear water. A light shined behind him, surrounding the demon in a faint glow.

Wow....he is so...

The demon pulled Devyn closer and pressed his forehead against the human's. Eh? What is he doing? Denzyl closed his eyes, and warmth instantly flooded Devyn's body. The human relaxed, and his eyes closed as Denzyl kicked his legs and began bringing Devyn to the surface of the water.

Devyn was unconscious by the time Denzyl got him to the surface. He brought the human to the shore and carried him through the rainfreeze.

Why does he have to be so strong-headed?

The demon walked along the cliffside until he found an inhabitable hole. After setting Devyn down, Denzyl gathered some twigs and branches brought in by animals and started a fire. The demon then took off his shirt and blew hot air on it to dry it.

He slipped the warmed shirt over Devyn's body and lay down next to him. The demon wrapped the shivering human in his arms and channeled his warmth into him.

Worry took over as Denzyl realized what sea Devyn had fallen into. Hopefully, his soul did not get too cold.

The Soul Sea was a notorious suicide area on Sendrum. Beautiful as it was, the crystal clear water of the sea froze one's soul. The person would then forever be trapped inside their frozen soul never to be released. Demons and slaves often jumped into the sea to escape their torments.

Denzyl held Devyn tighter and gave him more warmth as he continued to shiver. Denzyl's chest ached as he began to feel the effects of the sea, but he continued giving his warmth to Devyn.

The wound on Denzyl's side was nearly healed, but the blood loss was substantial. Hot liquid covered the demon's hands. He pulled them away to see they were covered with blood. Denzyl rolled Devyn over and took off the shirt. The human's wounds oozed blood and pus. Denzyl would have to burn the infection out and cauterize the wounds.

"I'm sorry, Devyn," Denzyl apologized as he placed his hands on the human's back. The demon's hands glowed red as he cauterized Devyn's wounds. The human did not even flinch when his back was burned.

Denzyl slipped the shirt back on after letting the newly cauterized slashes breathe. The demon wrapped one arm around Devyn's lower back and placed the other hand on the back of the human's head before pulling him in and continuing to give him warmth.

Devyn's body eventually dried, but he continued to shake. Denzyl cradled his head and nestled the human into his body. Eventually, the demon fell asleep from lack of blood and exhaustion.

Denzyl woke a few days later. His soul had grown colder, and Devyn was still shaking in his arms. The human's state had worsened, but the constant heat had kept him alive. There was now only one way to save him.

Denzyl peered out of the hole. The rainfreeze had stopped, and dark clouds covered the sky. He cradled Devyn in his arms and exited the hole. The demon walked along the cliffside in search of a secluded cave which neither demons nor animals frequent. He had to make sure his clan would not find them.

Denzyl walked for a day until a small inconsistency in the side of the cliff caught his eye. As he neared, the inconsistency in the cliff's folds and juts revealed itself to be an opening. Relieved to find shelter, Denzyl slipped through the slim gap.

The slit led to a narrow and tall cut-out in the cliff. The demon walked to the back of the slit and set Devyn on the ground. Daylight barely reached the back of the slit.

Denzyl touched Devyn's forehead. The human was growing colder. The demon quickly lay down beside the human and wrapped his arms around Devyn's cold body.

"Okay." Denzyl let out a breath and steadied himself. He closed his eyes and concentrated as he prepared to form a soul crypt.

Denzyl had never made a soul crypt before. He had only heard about them from the elders. Holding Devyn, the demon focused his energy on the human. After a moment, a thin, red-orange crystalline structure began to form around the two.

When the crystalline crypt was halfway formed, a sudden gust of chilled wind blew through the slit, startling Denzyl. He lost his concentration, and the crypt shattered. Denzyl heaved a breath and tried again. This time, the case shattered nearly as soon as it began to form. The demon let out a sigh and retried. It shattered as soon as it established itself.

Denzyl's energy lessened with each failed attempt. The demon looked down to see Devyn still shivering. Desperation filled the demon, and he tried again. Denzyl let out a yell as the crypt shattered over them, punching his fist into the ground.

"Aaaaaghhh!!" Tears filled Denzyl's eyes as he channeled more warmth into Devyn. A tear fell on the human's cheek as Denzyl held him tightly.

"I'm so sorry." Denzyl rested his head on Devyn's forehead. The human's weak breathing sparked a fire of determination in the demon. "No, I can't let you die."

Denzyl shielded Devyn as the fifth attempt shattered. "Argghhh!!" The demon put his head on Devyn's chest and let the tears flow. I have come this far! How can I give up?!

<<<<<<<>>>>>>>

Dripping tears called Devyn back to consciousness. The human opened his eyes to see Denzyl leaning over him. The demon's eyes were closed in deep concentration, and his brows were furrowed. His lips were parted, and small, quiet pants escaped his mouth. Devyn shifted a little to look at his surroundings. He was lying on the ground in what seemed to be a slit in a cliff.

When did he bring me here?

Denzyl felt Devyn shift, and he opened his eyes. They sparkled with tears as he looked down at the human.

Why is he crying? Devyn wondered as he gazed up at the exhausted man above him.

Devyn's body was freezing, but Denzyl's touch took away the cold. The human slowly reached up and wiped a tear from the demon's cheek. He was cold to the touch. Memories of the freezing sea flooded Devyn's head when he wondered why Denzyl was so cold. I did this to him; I do not think demons are supposed to get this cold.

"I'm so sorry," the demon cried softly.

Denzyl's words confused Devyn. Why is he apologizing for saving me? Strange. I do not know what he's trying to do, but it seems to be stressing him.

A lump appeared in Devyn's throat as he watched a tear trickle down Denzyl's face. Something in Devyn did not want to see the demon cry. Wait...why am I thinking this way? He is a demon!! Even though those thoughts ran rampant in Devyn's mind, he did not stop himself from cupping Denzyl's cheek in his hand and rubbing his thumb over the demon's pale skin soothingly. "It's okay," Devyn whispered to the demon. I do not know where that came from, but I want him to know it will be alright.

This caused the demon to release a shaky breath and close his eyes. Devyn watched as an orange crystal started growing around them. The crystal refracted the sparse light beautifully and radiated a comforting warmth, making the human relax as it increased in size. The case began to throb with light and vibrate as it grew over Devyn's head, threatening cracks appearing in the glowing crystal. Denzyl was quick to cover Devyn as the crystal shattered.

"Agh!" The demon cried out desperately and clenched his jaw. The ground surrounding the two was covered in crystal shards, cutting Denzyl's hands as he fisted the ground.

Devyn's breathing suddenly became strained as a freezing pain appeared in his chest. He took a short gasp for air as his chest tightened, his vision blurring from pain and lack of oxygen. The demon looked down at Devyn in worry and placed his hand on the human's chest. Devyn swallowed and caught his breath as the pain slowly resided with Denzyl's touch.

What was that? Was my heart freezing?

"Devyn," Denzyl whimpered as he looked at the dying human with worry.

Why is this demon so emotional? I have never heard of demons being able to care for someone, much less a human. Devyn pondered as his breathing slowly went back to normal. Devyn's vision cleared as his breath came back, and the sight that Devyn saw as his eyes focused took the human's breath away. Denzyl's crimson hair was hanging in his face, and his eyes were glistening. The demon's lips were parted slightly, and his brows were furrowed as he gazed down at the human. Denzyl's sad, grey eyes stirred up something in Devyn. The human reached his arms up and cradled the demon's head, gently pulling him down. Devyn turned on his side as Denzyl lay down beside him. The demon wrapped his arms around the human as Devyn placed his hand on Denzyl's cheek and looked into his eyes.

"I'll save you," Denzyl whispered as he pulled Devyn close to him.

The two kept eye contact as the crystalline structure slowly began growing. The demon's grey eyes portrayed a deep concentration as he continued to develop the case. A single tear escaped Denzyl's eye as the crypt successfully covered them.

"We'll be alright," Denzyl sighed as he closed his eyes.

Devyn's eyes drooped as the case hardened together. Denzyl seemed to be relieved, and his body was relaxed. Devyn reached out and wiped the tear that was trailing down Denzyl's face to find it had turned into a tiny crystal drop. The human also relaxed as the crypt grew stronger, and their souls went to sleep. The crypt emitted a soft glow as the demon and human's souls began to slowly heal. Devyn did not know how long he would be in the crypt, but he strangely felt safe in Denzyl's arms; a safety he had never felt before.