Exiting out of the gym, I’m still holding on to Liana’s hand. We walk a bit faster because of people standing near the gym and around the perimeter. We continue to head further into the school grounds. The interior of the school is locked during these hours, but then I notice the fountain near the courtyard.

Minute later, we reach to the center of the courtyard, a small fountain but around it are wooden benches circling the fountain.

“Why are we in the courtyard?”

“Like I said, a place more secured.” Looking around to spot no one is here; or no one can hear us. I then sit down on one of the benches. I look at Liana and signal her it’s okay if she wants to sit. She agrees and sits right next to me.

“Okay, so what is so important?” She questions.

“I don’t want to threaten you.” I say.

“What you mean ‘threaten’ me?” she ponders.

I look at the fountain to see the water, and then a nice reflective shot of the full moon. The crisp smooth water flowing in a peaceful way; rethinking about the promise I made to Mal. Since he is gone, I feel I need another one who can be by my side. The so-called kiss can be attempted another time. Right now is a matter of knowledge. It is time Liana gets the truth I been keeping by myself.

“You’re ready.” I say.

“Why am I ready because I do not know why I’m here?” She continues, “Caden, tell me this important news because I thought we are here just for the dance.”

“Keep in mind; I don’t want you to be in fear of me.” I say.

“What…” She tries to continue to talk, but I soon place my left pointer finger on her lips to allow her to keep listening to me.

“Just listen.” I continue, “I been keeping this secret away from you and others here for months.”

“Caden, you’re freaking me out.”

Realizing now or never, I think it’s time. “I’m a Devos.”

She reacts baffled. “A Devos?” She continues, “What is this Devos?”

Understanding this part is even harder to tell. However, she knews about the word now for the meaning. “It’s a rare half-human, half-demon.”

“Wait, I’m sorry did you say demon.” She says fremd.

“Yes, I’m a demon.” I say finally saying that way.

However, she still reacts uncertainly about me being a demon. She does not look intrigued, but instead is confused. I think telling her is not enough to convince her. I need to show her. Feeling I might have more than enough control of my summoning, I open up my right hand and then focusing on what I need to focus. I notice the black vine marks are spreading through my arm.

Quickly looking at Liana, she suddenly widens her eyes what could be a sign of horror. However, I look back at my hand as I summon a fireball. The bluish black flames start flickering like a flame on a candle. I then hear her gasps and reacts shockingly; she quickly gets up from the wooden bench and steps back.

“It’s okay!” I yell trying to make her calm.

“How is that okay!?” She shouts, “You have fire coming out of your…your hand!”

“See.” I say as I then open up my left hand and then I summon up a fireball coming out of my left hand. I turn to see Liana’s reaction; and her reaction can only be the type I was not expecting.

“What are you?” She asks totally confused and almost frustrated.

“I told you I’m a Devos.” I continue, “I’m this rare hybrid that other demons are after me.”

“You said other demons?” She asks again.

Before I can talk further, I put out the fireballs as I dump them into the fountain so the water will cool them away. I then rise up to my feet. I try to walk close to her, but she starts to step back definitely afraid.

“Don’t be afraid; I’m still Caden!” I exclaim.

“Yeah, but you’re a demon.” She says.

Pointing at my chest, “I got this demonic essence in me. It’s very unstable. I needed to practice controlling my powers and find a way to keep my other half in control.”

I try getting closer, but Liana suddenly slaps me across the face.

“You get away from me!” She shouts as she points at me while stepping back.

Feeling the slap and the stinginess from it on my face; Liana needs to understand that I’m still her best friend, but just have this demonic side inside me. She needs to know I’m still that nine year old kid we met for the first time fourth grade.

“Please Liana, this is me!” I yell trying to reason with her that I’m not a monster disguised as her friend. I had been there for her just as she has been there for me. “I just lied to you all this time, and I’m sorry.” I state wanting to make the record straight. I’m still Caden, her best buddy. She has to know I would never harm her.

Liana still looks scared with the fact I’m a creature, but truly I’m not a creature just a rare being that has a demonic essence roaming in my body itching to take control. And another fact is that she is truly angry at me. I can respect her anger towards me. I lied to her, but it had to be done. Keeping her and the others I care about out of the crosshairs, but then Asmodeus will try and put them in the crosshairs.

He already tried to kill Oxley and Desmond; Mal got killed because of him; and I have a strange feeling Asmodeus will find a way to hurt my mom and my friends especially Liana. She needs to know that I will protect her.

Right now, I cannot see a reason for her to understand and quickly digest everything she just witnessed.

She hastily turns around, but slightly turns back around to observe me once more. Is she looking at me as a friend or as an enemy? We are not enemies; we are friends, first and foremost.

“I’m your friend, Liana.” I state. “I always been, and I always will.”

I start to see some tears coming down from her eyes. This must be hurting her from within to see her closest friend absolutely lied and is a monster—described by her. I told her about being her friend, but she is not talking anything back. She is hurt, and I wish I could take all of this back, but she had to know this. Not just for mine sake, but for our friendship.

Still quiet not ushering one word, she just walks off. I’m really surprised. “Liana!” I scream out her name, but not hearing me she starts to run away. She cannot see the sight of me right now; finally knowing the truth about me. It is hard to understand, your best friend is a demon.

Not want to feel this was a wasted opportunity; I understand my friend is hugely upset. I want her to take some time to digest everything. However, I hope she would not take about a year to understand who I am. She needs to know no matter what, I will respect her decision. Whatever happens, happen?

Before I can sit down on the bench to refocus on what just went down, I notice a piece of paper. Grabbing hold of it, I notice the page is missing its edges, but only half of a piece. The ripped edges are probably from a book. 

I sit down on the bench to try to survey anything on the ripped piece of paper. Then as I look closely, the only stuff I can see is on the backside of the page. It looks to appear to be some sort of a cryptic symbol. It has a strange curvature S-shape, and looks like the book this half-page came from maybe be from the journal. Before I can even look at it further, I suddenly hear someone screaming.

The loud scream is coming from a female nearby here. I start to think about…Liana.

Wondering it has to be her, I quickly fold the piece in half and put in my pants pocket. Then I start to run to find where the source of the scream is. Running across the breezeway, I begin to hear another scream again. Hearing it clearly, it is Liana. She is in trouble.

“Liana!” I yell out her name.

I run further into the breezeway to yell out her name again; I continue to run until I can hear her, but it seems it is coming nearby the main school building. I finally reach the soccer field where a mile away from the gym I see Liana.

“Liana!” I holler.

She is just standing in the center of the field until she starts to say something. It sounds like she is saying something about a book. As I sprint closer to her, I can hear her once more. This time, she is making much more coherent.

“Look behind you!” She yells.

I turn quickly around until I get sucker punch by someone; I collapse to the ground. I taste something funny on my lip. I use my fingers to touch; when I look at it, there is blood coming out of my mouth. That was a huge shot to my face. I look to Liana to see her terrified and just standing. I look to my right as I see Asmodeus.

He is the monster. He had Mal killed and is trying to take my powers. However, I see him pacing around me. What he want now? He suddenly walks towards Liana.

“Get away from her!” I yell.

Asmodeus ignores me and goes near Liana. He says something like, “My dear, too bad you’re part of this.” I start to get up. I about to get up until I notice him; he is touching Liana’s face with his slithery hand gliding over her skin.

“Leave her alone!” I yell at him.

He looks at me with an evil stare and then back to Liana, where he does something by sliding his hand over her face. She suddenly collapses to the ground.

“Liana!” I shout. I try to run to her, but then Asmodeus throws out his hand to me and opens up his hand. I collapse to the ground to my knees; he is using his torturing power on me once again.  

The pain is hard to get away. I can feel my heart ripping out. The last time I could not stop. It is pure agony. As I scream from within, I glance over to spot Liana unconscious lying on the ground. I will not let him kill her, but my heart is in pain. I need to fight this. When I look at him, he begins to walk towards me while still holding out his arm at me.

“Foolish boy!” He yells, “You think you have what it takes.”

Trying to fight the pain, “I’m going… to stop… you.” Still fighting the pain of my heart being ripped, I hope I can channel into my demonic side and work once again in unison.

Seeing him, he pulls out something. “I wonder if you ever miss this.” He says as he brings out the object I been waiting to find for months. My father’s journal. The suede brown leathered-bound book was in his possession. He was the one who stolen it months ago. I have missed it; and in times I almost forgot about it. If it was not for the journal and what Dantailon written, I would have never known my origins.

I never seen my father, but I got to say he prepared me with the information for what is to come: Asmodeus’ arrival and the trials. When I saw that journal, something in me trigger my demonic side to come out, and I hold out my arm; still feeling the pain, I blast out a telekinetic shield blast that booms at Asmodeus.

He takes the hit pushing him back to the ground. In that moment, I can feel the pain disappearing. I rise up being back on balance. He drops the book when feel to the ground; I try to grab hold of it, but the pain returns. I sink to my knees; glancing up to see Asmodeus torturing me. I almost had my way to stop him, but he took back momentum. He then bends his fingers close to it a fit; once he does that, the pain in my heart increases.

“So let’s play a game.” He says, “Either the journal or the girl.”

I look back at him as if he is really serious.

“Your choice.” He says.

I’m not going to choose my friend’s fate, but then there is the journal. The journal that has much more info I need to learn. Mal is not here anymore; Oxley is missing; the journal is the only reference that can help me understand this “mystical world”. I cannot even stand up because of Asmodeus is still trying to pull my heart.

Looking back at Liana, I want to help her, but I with his hold on me; I suddenly get an idea. He wants me so badly; I need to turn the tables. As the pain continues, I’m able to talk.

“Hey!”

He turns back around to see me. “You made a decision.” He says.

“No, but I got something better.” I continue as he gets intrigued to what I’m about to say. “Leave the girl, you can have me!”

Asmodeus ponders about it. I hope so, because it is the best way to save her life. However, I end up giving him what he wants…me. Seeing no other choice, I half to sacrifice myself for Liana. I do not want her to die because of me.

Asmodeus looks at me still having a hold on me, he glances at the journal and then to Liana. He swiftly looks back at me. Then out of the blue, he smirks off.

“Too late, wrong choice.” He says as he throws the journal to the ground. He walks to the unconscious Liana.

I do not believe it. “No!” I shout still reeling from the pain of my heart. Asmodeus lays his hand on Liana’s side, and then glances over to me. He smirks off again. And just like that, he fades away alongside Liana.

The hold he has on me is released; I stand back up and quickly run to that same spot where they just were. I even touch the ground, and all there was left is just flatten grass. I stand up and go back to get the journal. I take it from the ground, but knowing this was just the constellation prize. Liana is gone.

He has her.

I’m not going to let him win this time. I need to find him to find Liana. I turn around to head back to the gym. Once there, I reenter the building where the dance still continues. Some classmates and their dates are dancing, while others are talking. I try to see if I can find my mom, and before long she catches up to me.

“Sweetie, you’re okay?” She asks.

“Yeah.” I respond.

“Good.” She continues, “Your teachers and I almost heard a scream outside.”

Fearing others could hear our conversation, I pull my back to a wall to talk. “Mom, I have to go.”

“Why?”She asks.

Not want to hesitate, “He has her.” I reply somewhat sounding unclear.

“Who?” She ponders.

“Liana!” I exclaim quietly. “Asmodeus has her.”

“Oh my god!” She says gasping.

“I need to go find her.”I state.

“Caden, please be careful.” She says.

“Mom, if I don’t survive…” I say until I get interrupted.

“Don’t say that!” She says.

“If it don’t, remember I always love you.” I state as I reach forward and gives her a kiss on her cheeks. I then exit out of the gym court. Before I leave, mom stops me.

“Be careful.” She says it again worrying about my welfare; and with good reason. “I will.” I say and as she lets go of my hand. I leave. Exiting out of the gym, I just run and knowing I need help.

***

Back to the Cove, I wanted to head back to the training area, but it reminds me of Mal; the memories of me practicing to control my powers and to fight back as well, which are good. Observing around the Cove, I wonder if Karina has come back. I suddenly close my eyes to think about Karina. Pondering, if I can sync my sensing with hers.

I need you Karina. If you can hear me, I need your help. Please!

Saying that in my mind, I hope she can do something because I fear Liana may have less time to live.  I hope she did not die.

“Karina!” I yell. “Please, help me!”

And as almost a few minutes gone by, I sit on the bean bag chair. Then suddenly a dark cloud forming down; it starts changing to a humanoid form. It’s Karina to my satisfaction.

“What happened?” I ask.

“I been trying to sense you, but I had to stay low because of Asmodeus doubling his hellions everywhere,” she continues, “I know what happened to Mal.” I notice her face becoming saddened, yet I can sense anger from her. Who can blame her.

“And you know Aris did it.” I explain.

“I still can’t believe it. He was like a brother to me.”

“He and Asmodeus are going to pay, but I need your help.”

“Anything!” She exclaims.

Thinking about Liana and what Asmodeus could be doing to her. I give Karina my reply.

“Take me to the Underworld.”