I yawned as I opened my eyes.

Pie was soundly asleep next to me. Thankfully, she had no more nightmares. At least the really bad ones as she hadn't stirred nor groaned. Hopefully, the demons would leave us alone. But a sense of dread boiled in my stomach.

I slowly got up and tipped toed to the bathroom to wash up. Using a hyper ring that Rosa had given me while we were at the mall, I summoned some clothes and a towel. Wonder if she had offered one to Etsuo to put away all those bags he had to carry. While struggling, he hadn't seemed to mind.

Removing my pajamas, I stared at the red sphere embedded halfway into my chest. Having an exposed core was dangerous. Yet, for some reason, my uncle had made Tetsu's into the umbo of his shield. Mine was an artificial heart Aster made for me from the essence Hanketsu had sacrificed to save Tetsuya from dying and becoming part of the abysmal god. If only I could've remembered more about him. All I knew was we Pillars sought to revive him, placing our hopes on him to save the slowly dying Abyssia. But, did Zionia truly have to die to save it? Wasn't there another way?

I turned away from the mirror and entered the shower. The question ran through my head over and over, as did everything I had experienced since coming back to life. The abysmals had been good to me, but this world was also home to big bro and Daddy. I couldn't hurt them.

'You should've killed that grand duke. His power is strong and while corrupted, his light would probably still be a tasty snack for Grandpa,' a voice echoed in my head.

I gripped my core as the cold water hit me. This voice...

"Prime Minister Itou," I mumbled.

He laughed. 'Why use my title? Call me Ifrit.'

I gritted my teeth and put my head into the water. "Leave me alone."

'We're one and the same person. You can't escape me. Nothing can separate us. Why not give in? Join us in the dark. You're one the damned anyway.'

My eyes closed. "I'm not. You're the demon here, not me."

'But, I am a part of you. Come on, your heart is corrupt at its center. You act all nice, but in reality, you're a manipulative boy who plays up his cuteness for what it's worth.'

"I know what I am Ifrit, and I am not you!" I turned around and sliced the air even though nothing was there.

'As I've said before, you're just fooling yourself. That fit of rage right now was proof of that.'

I took a deep breath. "It's natural to get angry, extreme rage isn't. Unchecked anger is destructive. I saw what it did to my parents and I don't want any of it."

'Suit yourself. But remember, the bunny can only outrun the starving lion for so long before it is devoured.'

I smirked. "You sure? Lions are dangerous, especially when hungry, but a threatened rabbit can be more so."

Water splashed against my skin and the tub. Ifrit had gone quiet. For now at least.

I scrubbed hard. It wouldn't get rid of my demon, but I had to do something about the filthy sensation he left behind. The scent of the lavender detergent on my clothes once I got out helped alleviate the dirty sensation too. Come to think of it, weren't demons allergic to wisteria? If I could get some, maybe I could keep Ifrit and Mammon from taking us over. Good thing there was some outside the palace grounds. Although, maybe it was only a superstition. The archdemons and that lady Setty had fought managed to get into the entrance despite it. Or maybe it had to do with their power level.

"Con? He's not here. Was that a dream?" I heard Pie mumble from the bedroom as I changed into my fresh clothes.

"Pie, you're awake!" I yelled rushing out of the bathroom to give her a hug.

Piedad blinked as I tackled her into the bed. "Eh? Con? So, that wasn't a dream after all."

I grinned and let go of her. "Slept well?"

She lowered her gaze and sighed. "Had no dreams can recall, but no dreams are better than bad dreams, right?"

I nodded. Big bro used to say that. He would have nightmares after he killed Ma's jerk boyfriend. I had taken the blame for him, but that didn't do much to help him. If anything, he felt more guilty. But he shouldn't have. All he did was protect Mom when she wouldn't stand up for herself.

Pie smiled as she looked up at me. "Thanks for staying the night, bunny boy."

I rubbed the back of my neck. "I-it was nothing!"

Pie sighed as she grabbed my shirt. "That said, you still don't seem to know how to dress yourself." Her eyes fell on my exposed core. "That thing, isn't it your heart?"

"Yeah. At least the one Grandma Aster made for me. My real core should still be in my grave."

She finished buttoning up my shirt. "I see. Think it would work if you reabsorb it? Maybe you'll regain whatever lost memories remain."

"I thought of it, but I rather not. It's a reminder that I died once. I can't take this new chance at life for granted."

She crossed her arms. "True."

"Plus. Maybe it'll come in handy should that demon take me over again."

Pie tilted her head. "How so?"

"Big bro can use it to call on me. Or maybe even put an end to me if necessary."

She frowned. "You think it might come to that?"

I shrugged. "Not sure, but it's best to make plans. That's what Azar always says."

Pie giggled.

I blinked. "What?"

"Sorry. It's just you sounded almost like a general."

I huffed. "I was taught by one. Plus, one of my past lives was one."

"Right, one of your predecessors was the 'Grim Reaper of the Battlefield'."

I looked down. "Yeah..."

"What's wrong?"

"It's just, I feel weird talking about him. Hanketsu made mistakes but all things considered, he seems to be pretty nice, but the Grim Reaper of the Battlefield wasn't."

She sighed. "Nor was his wife. That's why even those who were meant to protect her turned against her."

My eyes went up as I realized that generation of Seven Hill Knights had used the kids of the general and Queen's past lives against them. It must not have been easy for the guardian angels. At least Aventine didn't have to face that situation. Well, until I fought Serra. But it was a brief skirmish. Nothing compared to the bloodbath that started the Warring States period.

"Do you think that might happen again?" I asked.

"Huh? The Seven Hills turning against their monarch? I don't think so. Unless Osamu lets Mammon corrupt him again."

"I mean, with us."

Pie turned around. "That's what I fear."

Ugh. I probably should've kept that to myself.

"We can keep them at bay! Our archdemons, I mean," I said. "I did that just now."

She gasped. "Wait, Ifrit tried taking you over just now?" She narrowed her eyes at the pen in my shirt pocket. "Azar, why didn't you alert me?"

My red-haired angel friend appeared behind me. "I wanted to see what Conrad could do against Ifrit. We were separated before, so I wanted to know that if that happens again, that he would be alright."

Pie's eyes widened. "Really?" She smiled. "Seems the overprotective guardian is finally growing up."

Azar grumbled. "I would still step in if the situation warrants it. Conrad isn't alone."

I smiled. "Thanks, Azar!"

Pie sighed and smiled.

"Hey, Pie, what would you like for breakfast?" a sing-song voice called out.

"It's Rosa!" Pie said, pushing me down.

"Huh?"

"Hide. She might think wrong."

I blinked. "Wrong about what?"

She sighed. "Just hide!"

I pouted and crawled under the bed. What was Pie worried about?

"Did I wake you up?" Rosa asked as soon as Piedad opened the door.

"N-no, I was already awake," Piedad responded.

"Hmm? Hey, isn't that Con's angel friend?"

"Azar! What are you doing here?"

"We were talking about Ifrit talking to Conrad and how I would protect him," Azar said.

"What? That demon talked to Conrad?" Rosa yelped.

"Conrad? Bunny? Where are you?" Dad called out. "Time for breakfast! I got carrots for you!"

Carrots?

I rushed out from under the bed and rushed past a surprised Rosa. "Carrots!" I yelled, running toward Dad who was looking back and forth in the hallway."

"There you are, Connie. I got worried for a sec," Daddy said.

I frowned. "Where are the carrots?"

He laughed. "Ah, sorry. I don't have them on me."

I pouted. "Daddy tricked me..."

"Well, I figured it would be the fastest way to lure you out of wherever you went. So, where did you go?"

"Seems he was in Pie's room," Rosalba said as she walked up from behind.

Piedad sighed.

Daddy tilted his head. "Piedad's room? Bunny developed bad habits?"

I shook my head. "I was helping Piedad chase away her nightmares."

He smiled. "I see!" He rubbed his chin. "Reminds me of your mom. Except, it was Skah who helped her sleep better. She probably would have kicked me out if I had offered. Probably would've called me a pervert." He laughed.

Rosa patted my head. "What a sweet bunny!"

Pie looked down and laughed.

"Hmm?"

"Seems your family knows you well," Piedad said, chuckling.

I nodded. "Yeah!"

"Anyway, let's hurry up and eat. We are going to set out to Xeleria."

"Thought we were going to stay to protect the palace," I said.

"Yeah, but we're taking a small trip," Rosa said. My cousin sighed. "This will probably be the only trip the reunited Team Tetsu makes."

"Why's that?"

"Eita, Kohri, and I will be staying back here. I'm not sure about Taku and Tere yet. Roa and Etsuo want to go to Xeleria to help their grandfather against Margaret."

"Which team do you belong to, Bunny?"

"Technically the abysmals, but given Roa and Etsuo are part of Team Tetsu, guess I'm part of Team Setty."

Dad frowned. "So, you still are siding with Abyssia?"

I averted my gaze. "For now, at least."

He sighed.

"Sorry," I mumbled, fidgeting.

"It's okay. Your mother is in the same boat."

"This really is a mess. Even if one technically wins the war, will anyone truly win?" Rosa said, sighing. She bit her lip. "Skah said it was fate, but I refuse that."

"It's too late," Azar said, sighing.

She sighed. "Silas said the same thing when Ki brought up the topic of negotiation."

"War is like that. Once the djinn is out of its angel tool, it can be hard to put it back inside," Daddy said. "All we can really do is try to limit casualties and hardship for our citizens."

"That was the case too in the war against Kasai no Ki, wasn't it?" Rosa asked.

He sighed. "Yeah. But your uncle Sebastian was similar to you, seeking a peaceful exit. Alas, it was an elusive dream."

Rosa lowered her head. "Elusive, huh?" She rubbed her belly. "So, history is rhyming once more."

"We can't agonize over that. It will only cloud our judgment," Uncle Osamu said as he walked toward us. He looked fancy today with his white suit and black silk scarf thingy tucked in front of his chest.

Azami shook his head. "Alright."

Uncle furrowed his brow but continued on his way.

"Think he's right," Azar said, crossing her arms.

Piedad nodded. "Overthinking can be dangerous."

Was it, though?