This world continues to shower me in surprises. Never in all my immortal years did I think I'd wake up next to a demon. He was so peaceful when he slept, almost as if he didn't dine on blood soaked battlefields. Of course, the morning's blissful silence wasn't going to last. He could sense me watching him, and naturally, his eyes cracked open to glare at me.

I simply smiled, resting my bare back against the headboard. A small laugh escaped from my lips. Ricky began to pull himself up, snapping at me, "What's so damn funny?"

"Nothing. I just never thought I'd sleep with a power bottom." I replied.

He looked at me strange, "A what?"

How does someone as gay as this little shit not know what a power bottom is? Then, I recalled the moment in the orc village. The ogres they'd kidnapped, they gave no mind to gender, only beauty. And when Yuu and Ezra kissed, there wasn't any shame in it.

"Let me ask you something." I said, "Have people here ever been discriminated on for sleeping with the same sex?"

Ricky scoffed, "No. Why would they be? People sleep with the same sex just as much as they do the opposite sex."

"I think I understand now. There's no religion here, and thus, no sexuality based discrimination. Which means you never developed a gay community, and no gay culture."

He pushed the sheets back and got up out of bed. Ricky grabbed a robe off of a nearby chair, replying, "What does this have to do with anything?"

I shrugged, "I was just trying to figure out why you don't know what a power bottom is. In my world, it's a phrase used among same sex relationships. It refers to someone who's dominant in social situations, but submissive in the bedroom. Of course, power bottoms usually are pretty controlling in the bedroom too, but I wouldn't exactly use that word to describe you."

He sighed, "Don't make me regret this. You've got a good dick but you don't know when to shut up."

All I could do is laugh. He reminded me of a few sassier partners I've had over the years. Despite how I'd butt heads with those types, they always remained in my service the longest. Obedient subs are nice, but they can get boring quite easily. I think Ricky and all his brattiness will prove to be great entertainment. Don't get me wrong—I'm still focused on returning home, but I think we can all agree, that's not coming anytime soon. I might as well enjoy my time here while it lasts.

Ricky's calm energy tensed suddenly. His body became rigid, and he called to the door, "Enter." I hadn't sensed anyone outside, but I suppose he has that kind of domain over his own home.

Ryan stepped through the sliding doors. He gave me a minor glance, then returned his attention to his Master. I had the impression hooking up wasn't exactly normal practice for Ricky, but maybe I'm wrong. Or, more likely, Ryan just couldn't be bothered to give a shit.

"Kuza returned from his recon mission. They caught him. He managed to escape, barely. I put him in his isolation chamber, but he won't last much longer." Ryan said.

"Damn it." Ricky snit under his breath.

He reached into his closet and ripped a shirt off a hanger. Ricky proceeded to rush to get dressed, anger steeping off of him like steam from a boiling kettle. I felt helpless, knowing there was clearly an emergency and having nothing I could do. I still chose to get dressed alongside him because I wasn't going to just lay in bed.

When I saw Kuza last night, he seemed unhappy. I wonder if it had something to do with this mission. The ogres told me, they and the other monster camps nearby never interact with him. Whomever attacked him, I can only assume it wasn't anyone in the forest. I've witnessed the strength of this realm's humans as well. Though Kuza and Ryan can wield powers most humans can't, I don't think magic wielders are common here either. It's got me quite curious as to whom attacked him. Another demon lord, perhaps?

"You're stronger than humans, right?" Ricky addressed me. I confirmed, and he continued frantically, "Follow me. Kuza has a tendency to spawn minor spirits when his mind begins to split."

"Excuse me?" I exclaimed, receiving no proper elaboration. Why would I?

I was led to the main floor, far down a back corridor. At the end of the hallway resided an iron door with several strong locks. With the gesture of one finger, Ricky was able to unlock them. The room looked to be some sort of padded cell. I thought you only saw those in the movies. Thankfully, it was made up of black and grey walls, instead of that blinding white.

A small, fat blue thing with wings started flying at me, cackling creepily. I'll go 'head and assume that's one of the "minor spirits" Ricky was referring to. I was able to grab it and squish it with my hands. It wasn't powerful in the least bit, but I could see how they'd get annoying, especially if you were trying to stabilize a mental patient.

Kuza was curled up in the corner of the room. His physical form was faltering. I'd never seen anything like it before. There were phantom figures of himself occupying the same space. I couldn't really make up which one was really him. It was like his entire existence was splitting into different frames of being.

"Keep your distance. Keep the Master safe." Ryan told me. He had no inflection in his voice, by the way. It was like he was emotionless, and it was starting to creep me out.

Ricky knelt down in front of Kuza. He began performing a very complex looking ritual. I couldn't even begin to describe it. There were all these symbols floating around, a foreign language leaving his mouth, and a light show's worth of theatrics to go along with it. More creatures, not too different from the one I'd squashed, began to prance about. They weren't too big of a deal for Ryan and I.

Well, spoke to soon. After tearing apart what felt like the hundredth chibi looking spirit, a very big, very menacing shadow began to crawl up the wall. As it reached the ceiling, a black ooze started to drip onto the ground. Each drop spawned skinny little demons. We kicked and stamped out several, all the while keeping our eye on their originator.

Before I had a chance to even see it coming, there was a black claw reaching for my face. It would have gotten me too, had it not been for Ricky. He turned on a dime and incinerated the beast. While I'm glad he was there, I have to admit, it scared the shit out of me how that thing got so close to me without me realizing it. That would've never happened to me on Earth. I have yet to decide if I'm weaker here, or if the supernatural creatures are just stronger.

"Thanks." I muttered shamefully.

"He's never spawned anything like that before." Ricky responded, "Someone planted it in his body."

"I'm a little lost, here."

"I know, Chris. I know." He knelt back down, looking upon Kuza with sadness. "I'll explain soon, but right now, I need to focus on him."

All his convulsing had stopped. Those odd ghost manifestations of himself were gone too. Now, he was one whole being again, unconscious on the ground. Ricky pulled him into his arms like a loving mother. I couldn't hear him, but I swear, I heard him whispering "I'm sorry" to Kuza. He seemed genuinely upset over the pain he'd caused his servant. I suppose I really did read him wrong. He's not the cold man he makes himself out to be.

—

a/n

hit me with some good predictions~