Asael glanced at the Fiend's clenching and unclenching fists, he had very easily been convinced to come check up on the Vampire. But summoning an Incubus, especially one with madness in their strange colored eyes, he could understand the Fiend's anger for the first time.
He thought the Vampire was strange, but it seemed that wasn't the only affliction he was plagued with. He listened to the Vampire's naive question with a flat look in his eyes, tempted to wring his neck as well.
Ruoxi trailed a finger down the side of Dulce's face, tipping his jaw up slightly. "I'll expend every effort to make sure it doesn't."
Despite just having a fight interrupted, Kath'tan closed the distance and picked the foolish Vampire out of the Incubus' arms. Ever since that wretched summoning circle stole him away from the heat of battle, his luck had taken a dangerous turn for the worse.
"He's too stupid to be eaten," He tossed to the Incubus, who simply watched on, gauging the situation.
Dulce was at a loss, he hadn't at all considered himself being on the menu. "I'm getting eaten?" He mumbled in confusion.
Asael bit back a curse, agreeing with the proud Fiend for the first time. "Did you find the witch?" He asked instead. Things were already complicated, throwing an Incubus in the mix couldn't be further from a solution.
Dulce glanced at Kath'tan, who still had a hold on his arm, contemplating his chances of getting through the tense situation unharmed. "I couldn't find her," He cleared his throat to say, he had promised to undo Kath'tan's summons, and that he would do, even at his own detriment.
"Is she dead?" Asael asked directly, that was his last tether. As soon as it was confirmed that the witch was dead, he would end this mission and leave. The appearance of the Incubus with strange circumstances was something he would rather not have to deal with.
"I highly doubt it," Dulce mused, "I apologize, but we might have to extend our journey."
Kath'tan stared down at the Vampire in disbelief, and then at Asael with shock. "You're going to listen to him?" He asked but didn't wait for an answer, deep down, he already knew it.
The reason why, instead of killing him, the cold-eyed assassin had beaten him up. He was far more shaken up by the experience of a Shadow Demon keeping to their word, than he was by the sheer humiliation of it.
Asael turned away, "You would journey to Alderth for him?" He ignored the Fiend, addressing the Vampire instead. "When you could be rid of him in a moment?"
Dulce nervously touched his hair, the claw wrapped around his upper arm trembled slightly. "I-I don't mind," He forced out, clearly not believing his own words. "I apologize for roping you into the journey."
Ruoxi had heard enough, easily reclaiming the Vampire. "I take it you both want your summons undone by the Vampire," He spoke up, effortlessly catching everyone's attention. "I want to stay, so that's fine by me."
Kath'tan scowled at the smooth-talking Demon, wondering how the Vampire managed to summon a Demon no matter where they were.
Asael shot him a look, "For now, we're still companions." He replied coldly, "Find your food outside."
Ruoxi smoothened his hair back with a hand, powerful horns making an appearance, the glowing mark on his forehead fading away. It caused a jarring shift in his elegant, affable aura, danger twisting the pleasant smile he offered.
"Eager to take the Vampire's place?" He lifted a brow, "You both have your agreements with him, why be an obstacle to mine?"
Asael just watched him, powerful shoulders tense in the anticipation of an attack. "Most Demons wouldn't agree to such summoning terms. Running from something, Incubus?"
Ruoxi kept a straight face, but the glowing mark on his forehead flickered for a brief moment.
Dulce hastily interrupted what seemed like an escalating conversation, "I-I apologize," He said timidly to the Incubus, "But I'm afraid you can't e-eat me. I'll undo the summons immediately you give the word."
Kath'tan shot him a dark look, "Just undo the summons now, you can't discuss with an Incubus."
"Rich words coming from a brainless brute." Ruoxi said with condescension, his sharp senses solely on the Shadow Demon who posed a danger to him.
Kath'tan blinked in surprise, never been referred to by such crass words before. "Who are-"
"I believe I said you should leave," The old man from earlier made a reappearance. He was pointing his crooked staff at Dulce, his face black with anger. "Instead, you add one more."
Dulce wore a contrite expression, he was truly in the wrong here. "I apologize, kind si-"
"You best be on your way while things are still pleasant." The old man interrupted him.
Ruoxi wore a harmless smile the entire time the human chattered on, still keeping the Vampire close. "Should I kill him?" He leaned closer to Dulce to ask lightly.
The old man's hand trembled so hard he had to lower his stick, which hit the ground with a dull thud, taking an unsteady step back.
"N-No, don't," Dulce said hastily, taking a step towards the old man in case he had to protect him.
This only served to spook the elderly human even more, he took several steps back, threatening them from what he deemed was a safe distance. "If y-you don't leave now, I'll... I'll..."
"Why don't we finish our discussion in the carriage?" Dulce turned to the Demons with a nervous smile.
Kath'tan looked like he wanted to say something, but the blustering human was still there, shakily pointing his staff at them and threatening them.
Dulce took the first step, heading for the destroyed door. He grimaced at the sight again, hoping they wouldn't be asked to pay it back. He looked longingly back at the smudged summoning circle and all of the free ritual ingredients.
He knew better than to go back for them, however, even he was starting to realize that he might be terrible at summoning Demons. Not to mention, he doubted Kath'tan would stand by and watch him make another attempt.