Please read Author's note at the end!
***
(Third Person)
Makima is a…strange woman.
To someone like Aleks, she was analogous to a puzzle box that was hard to piece together.
Serving dragon meat as a gourmet meal was the last thing he'd expected.
Despite her cruel tendencies…Aleks felt conflicted at the thought of even 'tolerating' her.
He knew if he stayed by her side long enough…the only thing that awaited in this path was ruin.
And yet…
Currently, it was a quarter past three in the night, and still the lights in the living room burned stubbornly against the silence.
Makima was seated on the lavish burgundy sofa, her right hand holding a book, while her left hand clasped Aleks's. He leaned his head on her shoulder, eyes closed.
She put the book down and shifted her gaze to her left…on Aleks. After dinner, he had been quieter than usual. Normally, he would try to flirt with her or crack jokes—which obviously wouldn't make her laugh—but she loved that side of him.
To her, this was a well-thought-out risk. She knew he would react like this,
but she had done it just to fulfill whatever twisted plan she had conjured up…at least that's what she kept saying to herself.
He had always listened to her like a good boy, but right now he wasn't talking to her. And she didn't like being given the silent treatment, it reminded her how isolated she was.
"Are you feeling any better?" Makima asked, her tone suggested concern.
She intertwined her fingers with his, caressing his hand with her other hand.
"….Yes" He said, surprising Makima that he had finally spoken.
"I was just thinking about… stuff. It's not like I was mad or anything," he continued, though his tone betrayed more than his words.
Makima tilted her head slightly, a faint smile curving her lips. "What kind of 'deep thinking' requires you to ignore me? You're a terrible liar, Aleks."
"Oh, really? Maybe you shouldn't have served the meat of an honorable Dragon King for dinner. That's just…" Aleks paused, trailing off.
"…Never mind…I shouldn't complain much. You did put effort into making all those dishes." he sighed, realizing it was useless to call out someone like her. Words are not going to sway her or make her regret her actions.
Makima smiled widely, a faint glint of satisfaction in her eyes. "Good… I am glad you appreciate my efforts."
And then she leaned slightly closer, her voice soft and controlled. "Everything I do is for you. Always remember that."
Aleks met her gaze, and he couldn't help but feel a strange yet warm feeling in his heart. "I will keep that in mind."
Aleks paused, trying to find the right words. "Honestly, I don't have words to describe how lucky I am. Having someone as strong and beautiful as you…looking after me…it feels like I don't deserve it." This time he avoided making eye contact with her.
Makima remained silent. Her golden eyes were locked onto his. Then slowly her hands gripped his shoulders firmly.
"Do you really mean that?"
"…Of course." He replied.
Aleks didn't hesitate; he knew that trying to fight her would be a wasted effort.
His answer was enough. Being told what she wanted to hear always pleased her, and Aleks was no exception.
Her smile widened, as she pinned him down on the sofa. In one fluid motion, she was on top of him, her golden eyes staring deeply into his.
"You're not being honest." Makima whispered, caressing his cheeks with her delicate fingers.
"So let me ask you this properly."
She leaned closer.
"Imagine this, Aleks: one point five million human lives, or me. Which would you deem more valuable?"
What kind of question is that ? Aleks thought. Is she really using trolley problem to test my loyalty?
There is no way I had ever become a mass murderer…but that would mean I can't save Makima.
No Wait…does she even need saving? Or am I the one who needs saving?
Aleks considered his answer carefully, a wrong choice and god forbid he would trigger something in this Yandere devil he wasn't ready to face yet.
Fine, I'll play along. He finally made a decision.
Makima made him look at her again,
"So, have you thought about it yet?"
And then she whispered in his ear, low and smooth, so only he could hear.
"You don't have to think. If you love me…the answer is already within you."
Aleks took a deep breath and then opened his mouth.
"I…choose you." Aleks finally said it, mustering up all the courage he had within himself. He was being careful not to make her suspect him for lying. He had to even monitor his micro expressions. This devil was simply too good at discerning lies.
For the first time in centuries, Makima felt genuinely happy. She could feel Aleks's sincere feelings for her, even though she suspected he might not be speaking the full truth; his racing heartbeat and the flicker in his eyes told her everything.
"That makes me happy." She said as her lips curved into a satisfied smile.
And then, almost suddenly her expression stiffened. Her eyes gleamed with amusement. "But tell me Aleks…how far would you go for me?"
He blinked in surprise. He hadn't expected her to stir away from her happiness so quickly.
"I could ask for anything," she whispered, leaning closer, her voice soft but sharp, "and you would do it…wouldn't you?"
Aleks narrowed his eyes. What is she planning? Why the sudden change? God this woman is too unpredictable. Let's see where this goes.
"What other choice do I have? You have bound me to a contract. I'd die if I disobeyed." He lied yet again.
Makima's eyes were deeply focused on him, unwavering.
"No, Aleks. This isn't about our contract. I don't want our relationship to be based on fear. I want you to see the world like I do."
Disregard for life. Casual cruelty. Finding amusement in suffering. Manipulation. Aleks listed all her villainous traits in his head, the more he thought, the more he felt its weight. I may tolerate it but… I'd never want to become someone like you.
"Makima," He said at last, his voice calm yet serious. "You can't just expect other people to share your worldview. I've seen enough…enough to know how it always ends."
Makima stayed silent, her gaze never left Aleks.
Seeing her smile, Aleks didn't flinch and continued, "People with ambitions like yours…always die." He finished.
To his words, Makima's eyes flickered for a second, almost imperceptible but Aleks caught it.
She was thinking back to her many deaths as Control Devil, however her last death lingered heavier than the rest.
Damn, did I hit a nerve? Aleks thought, wondering why Makima was awfully quiet.
"Death doesn't scare me." Makima began, her voice was colder than usual. "Aleks…you confuse ambition with instinct."
"Think about it this way, trees photosynthesize, fish swim, just like that devils…kill and do as they please. its simply in their nature-"
"Makima." Aleks voice was sharp, cutting her off without hesitation.
Her words still hung in the air but he did not react. "Tell me…what do you really want from me?" He had heard enough of her philosophies. He felt tired already, talking to her always left him mentally exhausted.
If it was anyone else, interrupting her mid-sentence would have resulted in quiet but merciless correction, but she didn't mind if it was Aleks. Makima only tilted her head slightly, while her eyes filled with curiosity. She liked his defiance, letting him believe he had an illusion of freedom, it amused her.
She stared at him for few seconds until she began speaking.
"You must feel it instinctively too right? Hurting people, even if you don't acknowledge it, makes you feel alive."
"Aleks, will you join my side?"
Then she leaned even closer, her lips barely an inch away from touching his. And then she whispered, "We can eat good food, get what we want, rule over beings that don't deserve their freedom, and most importantly…destroy everything that is not to our liking."
"…The world can be ours."
She paused, letting the weight of her words settle, and then she added, "You don't have to answer me now. Think it through …and tell me your answer after the Kyoto mission."
Aleks tensed, he was not expecting this at all. I shouldn't be surprised, she is still the Control devil…at the end nothing will ever change.
Aleks sighed, making a mental note to not continue this conversation.
"Makima…I'm tired, can we just go to sleep?" Aleks spoke, not having enough energy to deal with her at this moment.
She smiled and gave him quick peck on his cheek. Her beautiful eyes met his for a moment before she whispered, "Sleep well, Aleks…and only dream good things~"
***
(First Person)
Seven hours later.
Rainbow Spring Coffee.
"-and then she literally fell flat on her face and started crying! Hahaha, you should have seen Kobeni's expression!~" Reze laughed while taking a sip of her coffee. The sunlight shined on her hair as she leaned back in her chair.
I only smiled faintly, choosing not to say anything. We had just took care of some stray devils around Tokyo, although our main objective was different.
Reze tilted her head, studying me. "You've been wearing that long face since morning. Is everything alright?"
"Yeah," I muttered, "hunky dory."
She blinked at me, clearly not buying it. "Hunky dory? That's all you have to say?" She leaned in a little, . "Come on, Aleks… did Makima do something?"
Hearing that name brought back the memories of last night. I tried my best to forget how Makima had tried to manipulate me into joining her side… but I couldn't shake the thought of the choice she offered.
Her, or the lives of one point five million humans.
"Nah, I'm just exhausted. Been a busy week, you know." I leaned back, trying to make myself comfortable.
It had only been a week since I came to this world. Honestly, this wasn't how I expected my life to turn out. A yandere Control Devil hellbent on breaking my humanity…
…sometimes I wonder if my life would get better if I just killed her. It would be as easy as breathing, a tier 2 character is all it would take….at least that's what I think.
"You sure about that?" This time she was even closer than before, her emerald eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat.
"A hundred percent." I replied firmly, meeting her gaze without hesitation.
"Anyway…Reze, did you get the hang of your sacred gear yet? You did burn down that house accidentally." I asked, curiosity pushing through my words.
She lifted her coffee cup to her lips again, taking a slow, deliberate sip, her eyes narrowing in thought. "Hmm… I wouldn't say I've mastered it yet, but I can control it at an intermediate level. Watch this."
She looked around the café, her gaze landing on a couple holding their paper beverage cups. Then she snapped her fingers and focused her intent.
For a moment, nothing happened… and then…the beverage cups in their hands softened, sagged, and eventually crumbled into ash within seconds, heat radiating only from the focused objects themselves.
"What the….what the fuck is happening?!" the guy yelled, springing up in panic as the heat stinged his hand.
The girl's eyes went wide, her voice shaking. "A-are we being attacked by a g-ghost?!" She stumbled back, clutching her injured hand, trying to blow some air on it desperately.
With that, all heads turned. Murmurs and gasps began rippling through the café as all eyes fell on the scene. Strangely, the surrounding tables and food remained safe from the heat. Only the cups had fallen to Reze's subtle attack.
I couldn't help but grin, impressed by her precise control. In less than a day, she'd managed to gain this much proficiency, which would take most people weeks, maybe even months. And she did not use any of her Bomb devil powers at that.
"Wow," I said, not hiding amusement in my tone. "Localized heat manipulation, huh? That's… a pretty handy power. I'm impressed."
Reze tilted her head, a teasing smile curling her lips. "Fufufu, indeed~ I can even burn people… remotely~" Her tone was calm, and casual, but her playful tone made it clear she was enjoying this. "I'm strong, right?~"
"Yes, yes, you are," I said, smirking. "Careful though… at this rate, you might even be able to beat me someday."
-Scene Change-
Some time later, Reze's apartment.
I stood at her doorstep again. Night had fallen, and despite spending the afternoon and evening training together, it felt like I hadn't accomplished much.
Reze walked inside, glancing back at me with that knowing look. She knew I wasn't planning to stay the night, as usual.
"You know… we should go on another trip," she said, voice light but her eyes narrowing. "Hokkaido was fun, but Hawaii? Perfect. I want another night with you like in Sapporo… not sharing you with that bitch again."
I just listened to her yapping. I do want to go on a trip with her again…but our current circumstances does not support it. Also, I didn't want to waste much time now.
Without much thinking, I stepped inside calmly, catching her off guard.
"Are you going to—" she started.
"No," I cut her off smoothly, my tone calm. "I just realized I forgot to give you something I'd planned for you."
Reze narrowed her eyes, curiosity sparking in her emerald green eyes. She loved gifts, especially mine, and I could tell she was already trying to guess what it was.
"Oh ho, is it related to that?" she teased, a sly grin forming.
I simply nodded. Then, without hesitation, I activated it.
A black halo flickered into existence above my head—its look reminiscent of an Angel's halo, yet the darkness
stood in stark contrast to any divinity an actual halo would radiate.
It remained hovered, impossibly still.
Reze froze mid-breath, her playful smirk vanishing in an instant. Hearing about it and actually seeing it were two very different things—and she was no exception.
She knew what kind of power it was, and yet… instinct alone told her how dangerous it was.
But most importantly…seeing it brought back bad memories from her previous life. Memories she wanted to forget at all cost.
I took a slow, deep breath. I stretched my right hand out, and then, without hesitation, I chanted:
"Usage 1,000 years."
This was not the work of any templates or magic. It was my new sacred gear…
…Fading Angel.
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Author's Note:
My college started so I won't be able to upload new chapters every three days. I will make sure to post at least one chapter a week. I won't keep you guys hanging around! Anyway please vote if you like this chapter!