"Are you willing to become a demon to save him?"
Arthur's voice was cold, echoing through the dim room as he pointed a clawed finger at Alex's chest — the boy's still body rising and falling shallowly with poisoned breaths.
Raphael froze. His eyes widened. The words struck him like lightning.
Demon? His mind reeled. Alex… has something to do with demons?
Arthur tilted his head, studying him with a predator's curiosity. "I expected you to panic. To scream. Yet you're calm." He stroked his chin. "Interesting. But enough stalling. I'll ask again — are you willing?"
Silence thickened between them. Raphael's gaze flicked from Arthur to Alex, then back again. Finally, his jaw tightened. He nodded.
Arthur's eyes glimmered. "Why?"
Raphael fumbled in his pocket, pulling out pen and paper. His hands shook as he scrawled quickly, then lifted the note.
Arthur leaned forward, reading aloud with a curl of amusement on his lips. "The reason isn't necessary." He chuckled. "So be it. Let's begin."
He placed his palm upon Raphael's head. "If I were an ordinary demon, you'd need to be bitten to be turned. But I am no ordinary creature. I am a Lord. My method requires no teeth — only willpower. The process will be excruciating. Stay awake, or you'll die and waste all of this." His grin widened. "Ready?"
Raphael barely had time to inhale before a shard of light flared from Arthur's palm, searing into his skull.
His scream never left his throat. His body arched violently, hurling him backward until he slammed against the wall. Black veins erupted across his face like wildfire, spreading down his neck, chest, arms, until his entire body was laced with them.
Pain scorched every nerve. His muscles spasmed. His head pounded with a thousand hammers. His vision swam.
Stay awake. Don't faint. Don't die.
His nails dug bloody crescents into his palms as he crouched, writhing on the floor. The urge to scream grew unbearable, but he bit down until his jaw ached. His eyes fluttered shut — then snapped open again. I won't die. Not yet.
Arthur sat leisurely on the bed, watching. His smile was cruel, entertained. "Heh. He resists better than most. Perhaps I should reconsider him."
Minutes dragged like hours. Then, at last, the black veins began to recede, peeling back until Raphael's skin cleared once more.
He gasped raggedly, lifting his head. His eyes burned crimson. Before thought could catch him, he lunged toward Alex.
"Hold," Arthur commanded, raising a hand. An invisible barrier shimmered. Raphael slammed against it, snarling, clawing to break through.
"What do you want?" Arthur asked, intrigued.
Raphael's lips trembled. "Blood." The word rasped raw from his throat, yet it was whole, not torn by coughing. His first unbroken speech. "I need… blood."
Arthur arched a brow. "Oh? Your curse has lifted with your rebirth?" He didn't expect an answer — Raphael's red eyes glistened with nothing but hunger. His claws lengthened, scraping against the unseen wall as he groaned again, "Blood!"
Arthur sighed. "This is why I despise turning humans. Always so feral." Still, he dragged a claw across his wrist, crimson welling up. "Drink."
The barrier dropped. Raphael lunged, seizing the arm, his fangs sinking into the wound. His eyes rolled back, body shuddering as the taste of blood filled him. Pleasure flickered across his face, mingling with desperation.
Arthur watched him feed with mild disdain. "Pathetic. Yet… useful."
When at last Raphael pulled away, his claws shrank. His eyes dimmed to normal. Shame flushed through him. He stumbled back and bowed his head. "I… I'm sorry."
Arthur only chuckled. "You'll learn." He rose, brushing his wrist as though nothing had happened. "My role is done."
Alex's head slumped forward. Seconds later, he stirred. His eyes opened — his own again. He blinked, confusion flashing across his face as he noticed the wound on his wrist.
"What happened to me?" His voice was hoarse, audible to Raphael.
Arthur's voice coiled in his mind. "I fed him your blood. Newly turned demons must drink from their creator to survive. Fail to feed him, and he will wither."
Alex frowned, lifting his wrist. "…So that's what this is." He turned toward Raphael, who stood stiff, gaze lowered. "Don't hide. I chose this path, so I'll take responsibility."
"I… I'm sorry." Raphael's voice was unsteady, yet free of its curse.
Alex's brows rose. "You can talk? Freely?"
"Yes," Raphael said, still trembling. "My curse… it's gone. Thanks to you. I'll never forget this debt."
"And you can still use your ability?"
"I believe so."
For the first time, Alex smiled with relief. "Good. Finally, we can talk properly." He reached out, patting Raphael's shoulder.
Raphael flinched at the gesture — then managed a small, grateful nod.
Suddenly, his head whipped toward the door, eyes narrowing, ears twitching. "Someone's coming."
Alex rose from the bed, moving smoothly now that the veins had retreated. "Teachers. No doubt." He fixed Raphael with a steady look. "Don't let anyone know your curse is lifted. Keep it quiet."
Raphael nodded.
The door burst open. Kelvin rushed in, Derek close behind.
"Alex!" Kelvin's voice cracked with anger and relief as he ran to him. "We've been searching everywhere! Don't you ever make me worry like that again!"
"I won't," Alex said simply, placating him.
Derek, silent and sharp-eyed, studied Alex. He checked his arms, neck, searching for the poison. His frown deepened.
"…It's gone," he muttered. "The poison. Vanished."
Alex gave a small shrug. "I woke up and it was gone."
Derek's eyes narrowed, his stare drilling into him. He didn't believe it.
Alex shifted uncomfortably under the scrutiny. "I've told you all I know. Stop looking at me like I'm a criminal."
"You realize you're speaking to your teacher, boy?" Derek's tone cut, heavy with authority.
"I mean no disrespect," Alex said evenly. "But accusing me when I don't have answers won't change anything."
For a long moment, Derek held his gaze. Then he exhaled sharply. "Whatever you say. Since you're alive, my work here is done." Without another word, he turned and strode out.
Kelvin remained by Alex's side, relief softening his face. But Derek's suspicion lingered in the air, heavier than ever. Although he had no evidence, he believed that one day, whatever secret Alex was hiding will eventually be made known.