Asia was confused. But surprisingly happy and relaxed. Since she had been kidnapped, she had been well-fed and well-dressed. She even made friends. Azalea was incredibly kind to her. Although Violet was mean to her, she liked to tease her by saying perverted things. Although the others told her it was normal for her.
If Asia had anything to complain about, it would be the sounds at night... they were suspicious. One night, she wandered around the house and found Altair, the boy who rescued her, having indecent relations with Lavender. Asia didn't know if they were married, but considering he was a devil, it was unlikely.
Perhaps she should speak with them and explain that it was wrong and that those actions were reserved for spouses. But she was afraid they would get angry with her and throw her out onto the street.
That wasn't the worst of it. The worst came when she found out that Harley was involved. Asia couldn't quite understand it. But it was their poor souls that had not been guided correctly. That's why she was praying since that moment. She began to pray to God, asking for forgiveness for their sins.
Lavender had been good to her, and she didn't want her to lose herself in sin. However, the devil had already penetrated her.
Asia found it challenging to associate Altair with the horrible creatures she had heard about in church. He was so polite and kind. He helped her when no one else lifted a finger for her and saved her from being sacrificed. Besides, he was very handsome.
She lost her balance for a second while she was going down the mountain. 'No,' she shook her head, trying to get that thought out of her mind. She couldn't allow herself to fall into sin like Lavender.
God has great plans. It was He who gave her the power to heal. It was He who put Altair in her path.
"If your power can heal them, isn't that a sign that God sees everyone as his children?"
Those words had changed her perception of life. God was the father of all. Humans, fallen angels, angels, and devils. It was not her duty to discriminate against them.
God put Altair in her path that day. God led her to his house.
God works in mysterious ways, but he has a great plan. Asia wondered why God had sent her to that house with Altair. They were good kids, but they were corrupted by lust.
That was it!
'My mission is to lead them down the right path, away from lust,' she thought with conviction.
But thinking about it was easier than doing it. She didn't know how to start. Despite her desire to help, she couldn't just intervene and force them. They were her friends, the first ones she had ever had in her entire life.
"Are you Asia Argento?" she heard a sweet, masculine voice ask.
She looked at a handsome, gentle young man with dark blue hair. His expression was kind, and he looked guilty. Asia wondered how he had ended up there. Asia was coming down the mountain where the sanctuary was located. Lavender and the others had invited her to eat in the city. They were supposed to wait for her at the foot of the mountain.
"Uh, hi," she said weakly, confused. Not many people ventured up there. "How do you know my name?" she tilted her head curiously.
"I, uh, I'm..." The boy seemed shy. "Don't you remember me?" he asked, hurt.
Asia frowned in concentration, searching for his face in her memories.
"No, I'm sorry," she said finally.
"Ah, I see. I'm not sure if that's a relief or not. I'm the devil you healed that time," he explained.
She opened her eyes in surprise.
"It's good to see you've recovered well," she smiled genuinely.
"I... wanted to apologize for that night. I know you were excommunicated for healing me. I've felt guilty ever since I discovered the truth. That's why I looked for you, I wanted to thank you in person and offer you a reward," he bowed his head, embarrassed.
"There's no need to apologize," she said. "It was thanks to you that I was excommunicated. Thanks to you, I found new friends and a home," she smiled brightly.
She had been happier since leaving the church. Although it hurt to be excommunicated, Mrs. Lily's words helped her. The woman had treated her with great kindness.
"God is everywhere, Asia. He has many names and many faces. Just because the church says you are no longer part of it, it does not mean that God has stopped loving you; He is your Father. And I can tell that no matter what a child did, their parents will always love them," she felt warm at the woman's words.
"Even so. I wanted to reward you," the boy spoke a little loudly. "I wanted to offer you a place in my nobility. I promise you will never want for anything, and you will be treated like a queen," he offered her his hand.
"Oh, uh..." Asia didn't want to accept. Despite being able to live with devils, she didn't want to become one of them. She didn't want her head to hurt when she thought or said the name of God. "I-"
"I'll take you to the underworld right now and introduce you to my nobility."
"I don't even know your name," Asia began to panic. The young man took her hand. His touch was delicate, but his hands were cold.
"Oh, I'm Diodora Astaroth. It seems I'm late introducing myself," he took Asia's hand in his and smiled at her.
"Nice to meet you," she said nervously. "My friends are waiting for me, I have to go."
"So you reject my offer?" His voice sounded extremely hurt.
Asia felt bad; she didn't want him to think she held a grudge against him or anything like that.
—----
"Asia will be attending Hogwarts starting September 1st, young Astaroth." Lily received a message from Harley telling her that Asia hadn't arrived yet, so she had to go downstairs to investigate.
'Astaroth'—the name sounded familiar. Altair had mentioned it at some point. She just had to remember why.
"My offer comes from my desire to make it up to you," he said, letting go of Asia's hand. He looked at Lily suspiciously.
"I'll talk to Serafall about your presence here," Lily said.
She hadn't drawn her wand yet, but a single movement would be enough to do so. The devil in front of her was a high-class devil. Lily could take him down, even if she were barely mid-class for devil's standards. She had learned holy magic to fight Voldemort. The man, as he became more powerful, had also acquired the inherent weakness of devils to holy magic.
"That... I'm just trying to be nice," he said, lowering his head.
"Lady Lily, please don't cause trouble for him."
"He didn't announce his visit." There was something about the boy she didn't like at all. The magic around him was horrendous.
She had seen traces of heavy magic in Serafall, where the seemingly cheerful and harmless magical girl was stained with blood. She had fought a civil war, so it was not surprising.
The young man in front of her, on the other hand, had a magic aura that was suffering and only suffering. In Serafall, she could see the remnants of her killing, but there was no pride in it. In Astaroth, she could see glee. She didn't want to leave Asia at his mercy. She would force the girl if necessary.
"I'll leave then," he said, seemingly sad. But Lily could see the anger running around him.
He took one last look at Asia, as if waiting for her to say something. The former nun was about to speak, but Lily's gaze made her remain silent.
Finally, Diodora Astaroth left.
"Miss Lily," Asia called after her with concern. "Wasn't that a little rude? I didn't want to go with him. I want to see Hogwarts with you," she said, feeling guilty about the way the devil had left.
Lily cast a spell to prevent anyone from hearing them before speaking. "His intentions were not good, Asia. I'm sorry," Lily said, placing her hand on her shoulder.
"They weren't good?"
"With enough training, a witch or wizard can see people's magic, and in that magic, you can find out a lot about that person. Your magic, Asia, is the purest I've ever seen in my entire life. Only newborn children's magic is like that," the girl blushed when she heard her.
"And his?"
"It's... bad, horrible," she said worriedly.
The Devils were more careless than the Wizards when it came to controlling that aura. A wizard, with enough training, could hide their corrupt magic, as Voldemort did when he was young. But the devils didn't seem to care.
"Is he a bad person?" Asia sounded sad at having been deceived.
"Be careful with him. From now on, don't be alone with anyone. Don't worry, he won't bother you anymore," said Lily. Now that she knew his name, he wouldn't dare try anything more violent to get close to Asia, not when fingers would automatically point in his direction.
"Should we go back then?" The blonde looked toward the sanctuary.
"Harley and the girls are waiting for you. Let's go."
"Won't I put them in danger?" Asia was aware that if someone evil was looking for her, she could endanger the people around her, like Altair that day in the church.
"I'll go with you... I need a break from the lab," Lily smiled at her.
'Astaroth...' Lily thought as she walked down with Asia.
"Miss Lily?" Asia felt her tense up.
"It's nothing," she said.
'Astaroth. Asmodeus gave Altair that name when he attacked him,' Lily remembered.
She sent a message to Serafall.