"I can tell this wasn't taken forcibly." Iori stated, eyes still transfixed by the simple amulet. Clouded over by memories as he spoke. It sounded warm but Grayfia knew better, the unspoken threat was for all to see. "So explain to me why Takemoto Fuji, a man known for his hatred for Devils above all else, gave this to you?"
Takemoto Fuji was an Ancient Senjutsu Practitioner of great prominence after his master went into seclusion, often going to great lengths to actively push back Devil influence from Japan with nothing but those over-sized fists of his. Blessed with a body above the norm, he single handedly kept their paws off this country for a full generation or two before falling under the endless pursuit of time. All the while spewing out venom more caustic than a viper at the winged creatures that dared to darken 'his' skies. He was a lot of things, being flexible was not one of them.
"He didn't." She knew lying here would completely undo any and all progress made recently, spelling the complete annihilation of her people. "It was passed down from generation to generation until one of his recent descendants, far removed from the family's once great status, traded it away during a contract."
"Fuji must be rolling around in his grave." Despite the laughter evident in his voice, it sounded hollow to her ears. What teacher would genuinely be happy about hearing of the death of his student? Not just that but also to that same student's family throw away the man's legacy so easily. "And I'm guessing my other disciple, Ange, told you how valuable these keepsakes are?"
"Yes." Grayfia wheezed out, a heavy blow to the gut as the value of that amulet truly showed it's hand. Anything that could stay the hand of someone like Iori was truly something that should be considered a national treasure. That foolish descendant truly didn't know the treasure they had so easily traded away.
"Speak your request then." With that, the old monster slipped the amulet in the sleeves of his long robe. Looking down imperiously at the crumpled form of the once proud demon forced to prostrate herself. Those swirling blue eyes taking on a more colder edge, like a metaphorical knife was held at the necks of all Devils that ever would be.
She knew asking him to resend his support given to Yasaka would be a fools' errand, most likely only to infuriate the man to the point of just wiping them off the face of the map. Trying to get him to agree her previous request would also probably only achieve the same thing, he had already stated his unwillingness to debase himself to agree to the new power's accord. There was only a single thing that was already hedging on the edge of being unreasonable, while also staying the wrath of the monster before her.
"I wish for my actions not to affect your perception of Devils. For my attempt on subduing you to not cause the extinction of my people. To, not forget, but instead not use this as the go ahead to wipe us out. To reset our relationship to what it previously was."
This was something carefully curated, a request that both toed the line but also ensuring the safety of her people. And having him somewhat disdainful of them was a lot better than having a powerhouse being innately hostile to them as a whole. This way, there'll be at least a chance to coexist with this walking disaster through their relationship with Yokai in general.
"That sounds acceptable, but…." She fought down the bits of excitement crawling up her chest as he continued to speak. Dread replacing that previously jubilant feeling as her sentence was stated. "That would also mean forgiving you. To not retaliate would make me seem weak in the eyes of all who knew of this ploy, make them assume that I didn't let this go but instead couldn't do anything in response. That I was, for some reason or another, scared of any retribution that might befall me? That your Satans or your pitiful Accord somehow had sway over me. That my threats are nothing but the mere barking of an old dog?"
"No Grayfia Lucifuge." Shaking his head, the Devil felt that dread rear it's ugly head in her direction. Fangs bared and ready to snap a chunk out of her flesh. "This keepsake is not enough to make me appear weak. This shall be a lesson for the world itself. In the Ancient Era, the Heavens would descend on any who would dare to defy it with blind abandon. In this new era, to you people; I am the Heavens."
"I will take what is most precious to you. Strip you of your 'lofty' status among your people as a price for daring to strike me. A price paid."
Just as she prepared to open her mouth, to flee, to form her magic in response, a searing pain that dug from the very bottom of her soul was dragged up to the surface. Collapsing into a mewling heap, the Devil could feel something was missing, something instinctual that was with her since birth. A gift from the Divine, something that should've stayed with her even in death, was ripped out by cruel fingers.
The world swirled around in a blur, acidic bile burned the back of her throat as she tried to fight back. A slight ringing sound echoed through her ears, blocking any of her attempts to gather any degree of focus, growing in intensity as she writhed.
Muscles twitched ineffectually, fingers ripping out grass as tears leak out of those crimson eyes. Her Demonic Energy fluctuated, rising and dropping erratically. Passive spells that she could've kept active indefinitely flickered out of existence, weakness crashing against her body like a rampaging flood. Limps that could once crush stones the size of houses, leap over a dozen feet in the air and carry her through most battles with agility beyond the norm, now seemed oh-so incredibly fragile.
Despite it all, despite feeling that part herself being torn away. Despite looking up at those oh so beautiful wings her husband had once intertwined with his, that her child use to fawn over, that her foes and allies alike used to cower in fear of. Despite the skin searing tears rolling down her battered face, all she could do was turn her gaze to the ground and press her forehead into the dirt wet with her own noble blood.
"Tha-thank you Grandmaster Iori." She might've had her symbol of power violently torn off, blood vessels and all but this hurt more. But for the safety of her child, it was worth it. Any price was. And so, the wingless Devil rubbed her forehead into the mud. "Your mercy knows no bound."