"I'm going to live here with you." Dyrroth declared as he sat opposite from her on the breakfast table.

The demon had suddenly popped back in after three days at four in the morning. He caused quite a ruckus downstairs that Ruby thought that he was a thief, so she went down only in her lavender slip with black laces and nearly sliced him with her scythe but he blocked the blade with his bare hand while eating a leftover sandwich, unfazed by her sudden attack.

"I thought that you're never going to come near me again and what happened to your quest? I thought that you were going to the Abyss." Ruby questioned looking at him with distaste while crossing her arms.

"I didn't really want to but every time I try to leave this territory I always feel a strong force pulling me back. Yesterday I was sleep-flying and I was heading back here so I guessed that because you summoned me something must be anchoring me back to you. You are also responsible if I somehow cause a big mess since you were the one that summoned me so you don't really have a choice in this." Dyrroth reasoned making the witch scoff.

"Fine. You can stay but only until I figure out a way to unbound us."

"Great, now where's my room?"

"You can stay in the guest room for a while, I guess. Just keep it clean and don't make too much noise." Ruby ordered setting the ground rules.

"But you don't even have neighbors, the nearest village was a ten-minute flight or with your short legs about one hour." reasoned the demon.

"It was only a 25-minute walk actually and I'm going back to bed. It's five in the fucking morning. Go to sleep or whatever but just keep it quiet." Ruby left the demon to his own devices and returned back to her room to continue with her much needed sleep.

"Nothing left to do but dream." The witch tucked herself in her white wolf fur comforter and hugged her ice bear stuffed toy to her chest. A soft smile graced her pink lips as she enjoyed the comforts of her quiet life.

"Little witch! Little fat witch! Little witch!" Dyrroth called knocking relentlessly on her door. Ruby's eyes opened and she frowned wanting to murder someone. She instantly got out of bed and stormed to open her door.

"What the hell do you want?!" she screamed at the demon while a purple fire went up her head, literally.

"Wow, you're not flammable. Anyways, I just want to tell you that there's a man wearing black knocking outside your door. I don't like his face so can you get rid of him immediately." Dyrroth informed. A slap suddenly collided with his face leaving him dumbfounded. "What the hell was that for?!"

"If you ever call me fat again I'm going to destroy you. Remember that you are under my roof and I'm feeding you from my hard-earned labor so if you don't want to live in the woods, you better watch your mouth about calling me fat." Ruby threatened in a low terrifying tone.

"Fine, I guess you're just a plus size." Dyrroth concluded before entering the room opposite of Ruby's.

Ruby immediately went downstairs to check out who the demon was referring to. This one must be a really desperate customer to be going in the woods this early. What horrible story could he possibly have to brave the dangers of the forest? Ruby opened the door only to reveal a tall man wearing a black coat carrying a gun and a violin case. The witch's eyes widened due to her unexpected visitor but she immediately composed herself and gave him a sweet smile.

"Good morning, Granger. How may I help you?" Granger is a well-known marksman and an incredible demon hunter, if he went all the way here then he must be after Dyrroth. Ruby cursed the demon for not making sure to cover his trail. How reckless can he be to allow himself to be spotted by a demon hunter heading to the forest? If bad comes to worse she'll get involved in all of this and she might even be forced to hurt Granger, which is such a shame since he's one of the few people that Ruby can tolerate.

"I apologize for disturbing you so early in the morning Miss Butterfly but my friend Harith had been bitten by a poisonous snake monster during a mission and none of the physicians or apothecaries in the town knows how to deal with such poison so I was wondering if you could help him out." Granger answered while not looking at her. Ahh, well much better.

"Uhm, why are you averting your eyes from me?" Ruby asked in curiosity, raising a brow.

"I don't mean to be rude but you're only wearing a slip and I figured that you wouldn't want me staring at your body while it's quite exposed." explained the marksman. A blush suddenly colored the girl's pale cheeks due to her forgetfulness.

"Let me just change and get a few of my stuff for snake poison and I'll see what I can do."

"I'm sorry but there's no time for a dress-up just get your things and let's go now. Harith is dying!" Granger said in what would be frantic for him but for Ruby it was a slight rise in his tone still in his monotonous baritone voice.

"Fine." the witch snapped her fingers and a basket instantly appeared out of nowhere. "I'm ready. Do we walk or what?"

"I have a horse. And here, wear this." Granger took off his coat and wrapped it on the witch's shoulder.

"Oh thanks." she mumbled before following after the marksman towards a black stallion. Granger gestured for her to climb up the horse and Ruby stepped on to the foothold but found herself unable to mount the horse due to its incredible height.

"Uhm, I'm kind of short." she whispered shyly to the marksman.

Granger suddenly grabbed her by the waist and hoisted her up on the horse saddle in one quick lift as if she weighed nothing. He immediately climbed behind her before putting his hands around her waist to grab the reins and keep her from falling off the horse. The marksman whipped the reins making the horse gallop. Ruby was thrown back a little making her back collide with the sturdy chest of the demon hunter who seemed unfazed by it. By now the blush on the witch's cheeks reached the peak of its redness.

She had always harbored a huge crush on Granger because he was so cool and so smooth and so manly. Being a witch living alone in the forest, Ruby would often get scornful looks and disapproving remarks every time she descends to town. She had learned to block out their antics but one time this man was really drunk and really violent he wanted to beat her up because he thought that Ruby hexed his wife to cheat with another man but Granger was there to defend her. She guessed that that was the trigger that sparked her affection for him or was it the fact that he always treats her fairly like she was a noble lady and not a hex-making witch.

Ruby melted into Granger's warmth, relishing in his comfort while it lasts. Right now is a dream come true and if this is really a dream, then she never wants to wake up.

"Hold on tight Miss Butterfly. We're going top speed so this will be a rough ride."

"I love rough rides."

When they reached the heroes' housing unit, Granger immediately led Ruby to Harith's room and informed her of the situation. Ruby found Leonin gasping for breath sitting on a recliner chair. His brown eyes met with her golden ones and he suddenly vomited on a nearby bucket. Lesley was there to rub circles on his back and give him water.

Ruby inspected the Leonin's state and noticed an awful swelling on his leg with two puncture marks exuding a vile purple venom. He was also sweaty and salivating like a dog, or actually, a cat, chained under the sweltering sun. Harith was looking at her with dazed vision like she was an apparition about to collect his soul. His attention suddenly went to the marksman behind Ruby.

"Granger it hurts! I'm going to die."

"Just hold on Harith you'll be fine I brought someone here to help you." Granger reassured taking the small hand of the Leonin on his rough calloused ones.

"I don't like her, she's dangerous. She's scary." Ruby ignored the Leonin and took out a book from her basket.

"Based on the color of the venom, it's a kind of Lamia lady cobra. A very lethal poisonous snake and your friend here is absolutely dead because your physicians did all the no-no in snake bites. Tourniquet, ice, cut across the swelling area, exacerbating the problem." Ruby explained looking mildly amused and speaking as if life is not on the line.

"Then you're no good at all! Do something you witch!" ordered Harley in a very exasperated voice. He's clearly been crying for hours now and his stupidly annoying face is making Ruby laugh.

"Can you identify which snake bit him from this book?" Ruby turned the book towards Granger who pointed at a green snake with purple blotches bordered by black.

"Okay, now everybody leave and let me work my magic. Don't worry it's not necromancy in case he dies since I didn't practice on that art but I'm going to need Granger to hold him down." Ruby ordered clapping her hands.

"You bitch better not kill him or else I'm going to kill you." Harley threatened.

"If I don't kill you first." retaliated the witch who directed him an evil smirk.

"Lesley please take Harley out for a bit while I help Ruby with healing Harith." Granger requested. Ruby noticed the soft gaze the Marksman was directing towards Lesley making her scoff. The assassin complied and guided her brother out of the room leaving the three alone in the room.

Ruby took a dagger and a vial containing a purple liquid from her basket. She bit the cork off of the container and made the marksman hold it. Ruby placed the dagger against her hand and split the skin open drawing out blood. She hissed a little before dropping her blood on the vial. The purple liquid turned gold and shimmered like sunshine when her blood mixed with the substance.

Ruby twirled the tube and retrieved a big syringe from her basket. She pumped the liquid into the syringe and turned towards the marksman nodding for him to hold the humanoid feline down. Granger complied and grabbed Harith's limbs.

"No! I don't want what that witch is doing Granger please stop her! Get away from me!" Harith trashed wildly but Granger held him steady, relentless at keeping him at bay.

Ruby held her index finger out in front of the Leonin's face and purple butterflies made out of light suddenly appeared and fluttered in beautiful patterns. The wild look on Harith's eyes disappeared replaced by the blank look of someone under enchantment as he kept his gaze on the butterflies. The witch carefully stabbed the needle of the syringe into Harith's neck and emptied its contents.

Seconds passed with nothing happening until he started convulsing. A loud scream left his lips as he shook in his chair. Granger looked at the witch with a betrayed look and held his friend's hand in a futile attempt to comfort him but Ruby only retained her passively calm composure. The door burst open and in came the magician crying and cursing. Ruby took the bucket and placed it near the foot of the Leonin.

"What did you do? What did you do you bi-?" before Harley could complete his sentence, Harith pushed him away to puke a purple substance on the bucket spilling some to the magician as well.

"And now he's expelling all the poison out of his system while his blood gets purified." Ruby explained monotonously while applying sanitizer on her hand. "You're all welcome by the way."

"Just always check his vitals especially his blood pressure and give him this the same time tomorrow." Ruby passed Granger a serum, the marksman suddenly engulfed the witch in a tight embrace quite uncharacteristic of him.

"Thank you, Miss Butterfly. You don't know how thankful I am to you for saving my friend. He was like a brother to me." Granger released her from his embrace which quite disappointed Ruby due to how brief it was but something is still better than nothing.

"Well, I'm sure of that but you must be aware that I don't work for free. The payment is also double since you disturbed me early in the morning so it's a sixteen gold." Ruby reluctantly removed Granger's coat from her shoulder and handed it back to the marksman.

"The price is nothing for the service you have done so I'll make it a 30." Granger handed her a small sack filled with golden coins.

"Well thank you, but can you please stop calling me Miss Butterfly? That sounds like an old sugar mommy nickname. Call me Ruby. Now if you don't need anything else, a love potion or my phone number, I'm going home now to get breakfast. Pleasure doing business." Ruby curtsied and started heading towards the door.

"Ruby, you're still only wearing a slip." Granger reminded.

"Oh, am I?" A bright light suddenly encased the witch's body for a second before disappearing again. Her purple slip was replaced by a red and white off-shoulder dress with a black collar. A red cloak was wrapped around her shoulder and the purple butterfly covering her right eyes was replaced by a red one. Her long silver hair was tied in a braid decorated by the same red butterflies. Ruby pulled the hood over her head and winked at the marksman before exiting from the door.

Unbeknownst to the two is another set of ears overhearing their conversation, carefully watching the witch when she mentioned a certain object. The gears in her mind started grinding to machinate a plan that would give her what she wants. Lesley's gaze lingered on the door where Ruby left. By her side is her brother smothering the cat elf in a tight hug and kissing his cheeks.

"A love potion, huh?"

🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀

"Ruby Orchid Butterfly?" the said girl turned around to see who had addressed her and saw her auburn-haired friend waving enthusiastically at her after seeing her face. A smile graced her lips as she waved back to her mage friend.

"Morning, Guin." she greeted as the mage walked closer to her.

"Good morning, what brings you here so early in the morning, darling?"

"Business. Harith got bitten by a Lamia so Granger fetched me at 4 in the morning to heal him." The mage nudged her side giving her a teasing look.

"Did he give you a nice horseback ride?" teased Guinevere.

"Yes, he lifted me on his horse and then climbed behind me, I thought I was going to melt right then and there. His strong arms are wrapped around my waist and he placed his coat over my shoulders. I was blushing so hard Guin." Ruby giggled, nudging her as well.

"Well, you're on base one which is a mysterious visit in the early morning." Guin said conspiratorially. "Base two is a cuddle, base three is a kiss, and home run is..." Guinevere winked making Ruby receive her message clearly.

"I don't play baseball but I'm ready to swing my hips to his bat and hit a home run." Ruby joked and Guinevere joined with her giggling.

"Well, that's not impossible cuz you're the cutest girly girl in here. You two totally have chemistry. He's the mysterious cool guy with a tortured past while you're a little ball of sunshine that brightens up his life. Ohh my Gusion! That's really a clique storyline!"

"That's a really nice thought but I think he likes Lesley and not me. I think he likes stern, tall, big-boobed ladies like her. I can't blame him because Lesley's really nice and cool and smart." Guinevere suddenly grabbed her shoulders, immediately stopping her from walking and making her face him.

"Stop that! Don't underestimate yourself by comparing your totally adorable self to that fuchsia haired bitch! You may not have big boobs sets but you totally have legit ass-sets, which is sexier than Lesley's cuz of your impossibly small waistline. You're also funny, and smart, and sweet, and you make the best tea and coffee in the world that is completely inimitable. You totally rock, Rubabe. And Granger is blinder than Pharsa if he can't see that." Guinevere squished the witch into her chest to comfort her which she returned gratefully.

"Thanks, Guin. You're really the best." mumbled Ruby as she buried her face on her friend's boobs.

"I know. Come, I'll treat you to breakfast and let's catch up on the latest gossip." Guinevere pulled away and took her friend's hand in hers.

Guinevere took her to a cafe and allowed her to order anything she wants which is automatically blueberry cheesecake and a cup of chamomile tea. Guinevere ordered macaroni soup for the both of them saying that a cheesecake with tea is not a substantial meal for the witch's developing body. She ordered some waffles with strawberries for herself as well as some coffee, they chatted while waiting for their meals.

"So, how's business so far? Anyone buying love potion again or is it the usual power potion?" Guinevere started taking a sip of her coffee.

"The usual. Poison, beauty products, and blood mead for Cecilion and Carmilla. Those two are my only real loyal patrons." Ruby answered looking down at her tea.

"Basically uneventful. I wish someone would buy another love potion, the last time someone bought one was Layla on Clint but ended up putting it on Miya who saw Hylos and well you know how that ended." Guinevere had a lewd smirk on her lips as she reminisced about the said event.

"Good for her, I hated that bitch. Feeling all high and mighty because of her bow and being blessed by the "Moon God". Serves her right for being such a whore. She totally humiliated herself." added the mage

"Everybody secretly hates her except for some of the boys I guess, cause they like her loose boobs and flat ass." Ruby smirked. The mage laughed, covering her mouth.

"Oh, Guin. About the Grail War. Do you know if all of the masters are complete already? Do you think maybe there's still a chance for me to join in?"

"Oh that thing. The heads of the magic council forced it to be stopped at the night of the summoning. They sealed the cup from manifesting in this world because they found out that the Grail was corrupted. If one victor emerged to make a wish, the grail would open up to drench the land in all of the world's sins, which they described to be catastrophic like pouring the hellfire into the world." explained the mage.

"That's so terrible. I could have partaken in that blood bath for nothing. Now I have nowhere to start. What other shity things could that shity game have?" Ruby said in frustration.

"Well, you also need to make your servant commit suicide after killing all the others to complete the sacrifice to the Grail so it's a terrible business, I'm sorry for introducing it to you in the first place. Cheer up, at least you didn't use your magic to summon something that's supposed to serve you that you gotta butcher afterward." Guinevere grabbed her hand and rubbed circles on her knuckles to try and comfort her.

"About that. I think I did summon something. Or someone I'm not supposed to." Ruby mouthed shamefully. Guinevere looked around, trying to check if someone was listening in their conversation but when she found no one particularly interested to eavesdrop she turned back to her friend and leaned closer to speak in a hushed voice.

"How is that possible? They sealed the Grail. Anyways what might his or her name be and class affinity? We need to figure something out because if one slips out it might allow the Grail to manifest and cause havoc." Guinevere whispered frantically.

"I don't think that he's involved in the Grail War. Personally, he doesn't know anything about it because I think he's a demon I summoned or freed from the underworld."

"What?!" exclaimed the mage nearly spilling her tea. A waitress came to their table to lay down their orders and both of them stayed silent waiting for her to finish to continue with their conversation.

When the waitress finished unloading their meals from her tray, the two friends thanked her and proceeded with their stories. "I drew the circle four days ago and did the ritual but halfway through the spell the circle I drew started changing. It turned violet and the symbols I drew changed into something sinister. After the chant, I got thrown against the wall and when I opened up my eyes there he was, a demon straight out of hell. With no memories of his pasts." Ruby narrated looking sorrowful at her hands.

"Oh my God, did he hurt you?"

"No, he was just very rude but he didn't touch a strand of my hair or did anything bad, but he did steal one casket of my elf blood mead. He left the same night after I made him dinner and gave him a map to check the Abyss." Ruby reassured smiling at her friend before taking a sip of her macaroni soup.

"Good to hear. Do you know where he is now?" Guinevere inquired, taking a spoon and digging in as well in her soup.

"Well, he came back today at four o'clock and said that he's going to stay in my place for a while. He said that we're bound together because I somehow managed to create a master-servant spell on him and thank the stars I'm the master."

"Well good for you but if he does something bad or acts in a way that you seriously disapprove of like, sexual harassment or anything, give me a call and we'll bust his ass together, okay? Demons are very dangerous even at this age." Guinevere said worriedly to her friend. "What do you call him by the way?"

"His name is Dyrroth and I think he's a demon way back from the Great War that got blasted down to the underworld or something. He said that he got drenched in the waters of Styx forgetting everything about his past so I told him to go back to the Abyss where he might remember something from his past while I want to completely forget about mine." Ruby puffed her cheek in frustration, looking completely like a child throwing a tantrum.

"It's going to be all right. I'll help you figure something out to finally free you from that curse, and once we do I'm going to take you on a trip down south where they have the best beaches. We're gonna have a spa party in Lapu-Lapu's place and makeover at the Enchanted Forest where we can bitch around elves. Yeah?"

"Of course. I love you so much Guin, you're the best best friend ever." The witch smiled in reassurance.

"I always got you, Ruby."