Rakon stared at the ceiling while Kalika still slept.
The lock clicked, and Gaz took a step inside, freezing in place. He covered his nose and turned his gaze away.
He glanced again, barely catching a glimpse of Kalika.
"
Rakon growled inwardly as Gaz closed the door and locked it again. Exhausted, Rakon's head sank deeper into his pillow.
********
Rakon squeezed a damp cloth, warm water trailing down into the flower-scented stone tub. He gently scrubbed Kalika's neck and then her chin. All the while, they both remained silent.
"
Rakon cringed. He glanced at his tail, still tightly intertwined with Kalika's.
""
He reached her back and stopped, catching her gaze. He began to pull back, only for Kalika to grab his wrist. Her eyes, flushed, locked onto his. She took the cloth, relieving him of the unwanted task.
Rakon turned his back and leaned against the tub. "Satisfied?"
The silence lingered, broken only by the soft sounds of Kalika washing herself. She hesitated at her stomach, cheeks flushed, then resumed, her motions gentler.
He exhaled at her lack of response. "You can't stay silent forever."
She stood and stepped out of the tub.
Panicked, he covered her with a dry cloth.
"Tch! At least warn me," Rakon scolded.
Kalika held the dry cloth tightly around herself, watching as Rakon prepared a new tub and began washing himself clean.
Her eyes dropped, words still lost to her. Regardless, a faint smile played on her face.
"
"
"
"
Rakon glanced back at Kalika. "What are you so happy about?"
Suddenly, something soft pressed against his back. He froze as Kalika leaned in.
"You."
Before he knew it, she turned and sat against the tub as if nothing had happened. He inhaled deeply, then continued.
Eventually, he dried himself and changed clothes.
Soon after, Kalika's clothes arrived, although they were a couple of sizes bigger than anticipated. He examined the oversized tunic and skirt on her, both bound recklessly with straps from a panicked change. "
"
"
"
The door swung open.
Rakon caught the door.
But it was already too late.
Gaz's eyes lit in surprise, seeing Kalika, tail intertwined with Rakon.
"
"
Kalika turned her head, completely amused at his irritation.
Rakon ate a few black fruits from the plate, then handed the rest to Kalika, surprising her.
"Eat."
Kalika blinked, confused.
"I'm not that hungry," he said, voice flat.
Rakon pulled for his tail. Kalika pulled back, her tail clinging even tighter than before. With a sigh, Rakon took Kalika by the shoulder and led her to his bed, sitting her down.
He sat across from her, waiting and watching with his arms crossed. Eventually, she picked up a piece of meat and ate it clumsily.
One by one, the pieces of meat on the plate dwindled until they were all gone.
Satisfied, she placed the plate by her side.
"You've always been like this," Rakon said, cutting the silence. He lowered his head, closing his eyes. "At least try the fruit too. They're not as bitter as they look. Trust me."
Seeing her not moving, he scoffed and picked out a fruit, peeling it. "Haven't you been in my homeland for almost half a year now?"
He held out a piece of the green fleshy fruit. After some time and reluctance, she took the piece, biting into it.
Creamy sweetness blossomed across her tongue, bright and unexpected.
She hummed, delighted by its unexpected taste.
She took another piece from Rakon, savoring the fruit as he continued to hand her the next piece.
Rakon, seeing her move on to the other fruits on the dish, turned his head, leaning back in his chair with crossed arms. He winced, feeling pain surge briefly in his arm. A flicker of annoyance crossed his face as he squeezed his fingers tightly.
Time passed, and Kalika finally finished. All that remained was a partially nibbled white and red vegetable, along with a few nuts.
"Rakon." Kalika's tail pulled Rakon's.
His lips tightened, and he kept his eyes away from Kalika.
"What is it?"
"About last night…"
"I don't want to talk about it. You got your reckless satisfaction."
"But you got yours too, didn't you?"
Rakon tensed. "That's not the point. You should've left this place long ago. But you stayed. And for what? To prove a point?"
Rakon started as Kalika sat on his leg, pressing herself uncomfortably close.
"I don't have anywhere else to go. And I refuse to let my life become a prison again. I don't care what I have to do… As long as it means I can stay."
"Then give me space."
Kalika pressed in harder. "Why? Because you hate me?"
"Because you made your point!"
Just then, a steady knock came at the door.
Kalika huffed, forced to let Rakon answer the door himself.
"
"
"
""
Gaz nodded. "
"
"
Rakon opened the door and watched Gaz hurry away, determined to complete his task.
Kalika cocked her head. "Made my point?"
Rakon sighed. "Clearly I can't get rid of you, even if I tried." He handed her the red tunic and skirt. "Now hurry and put that on; we're heading to the library."
********
In a newly fitted red tunic and skirt, Kalika walked closely with Rakon as they silently traversed the hall, periodically glancing at Rakon every few seconds.
They quickly arrived at the library, opening the door to a still freshly scorched floor.
Kalika raised a brow. Rakon continued inside, forcing her to follow.
"You can let go of my tail, you know."
"No."
Rakon grimaced, forced to have her by his side as he searched through a catalog of books and scrolls.
Kalika watched on, curious.
Picking a book, pain surged through Rakon. He retched and dropped the book. He furled his fingers in frustration, but before he could bend to pick it up, Kalika took it.
She scrutinized the cover. "The art of war?"
Rakon slipped the book from her grasp and continued making his selections, much to her annoyance.
He continued picking books, each one more different than the last, until he was finally satisfied.
He planted the books on the table, the thud loud and echoing before he could seat himself.
Kalika pulled up a seat, sitting beside him.
She continued reading the titles from a distance.
'Catalog of blood magic'
'History of the Territories'
'Art of contracting volume thirteen'
'Feral cycle'
'The Core of Thezuciu'
Her eyes landed on the last. "A story?" Kalika reached. "What's this about?"
"An old fable. Since you like reading, take it. I won't be needing it."
Predictably, Rakon picked the book of contracting, flipping pages furiously and skimming its text. His eyes narrowed, flashing with already pent-up frustration. It didn't take long for him to stop at a specific section.
He placed the book down. His eyes landed on the text beside the image of a blackened hand, much like his.
Curious, Kalika watched as his mood spiraled from enthusiasm to skepticism to something akin to panic. Eventually he grunted and pushed the book away.
He leaned his face to his fist, pondering to himself.
Sensing Kalika's eyes, he leered her way. "You're bored, aren't you? Then read."
Kalika cracked a smile and looked back at the book.
"If that book doesn't catch your interest, look around for another. Pick anything you want."
"No… I'll read this one."
She opened the book, reading the first page, then moving to the next where the real story begins.
Kalika's tail loosened a little, and her shoulders relaxed.
Rakon sighed in silent relief, watching as her eyes danced over the pages. His brow rose, then softened as she became lost in the story.
Seconds turned to minutes, and minutes turned to hours.
Not even halfway through, the library doors opened. From the hall, Gaz stepped in first, followed by Mae, whose eyes snapped open at the sight of Kalika.
She shot Gaz a stink eye before moving away toward the other servants, who froze in shock.
Rakon glanced their way. "
The servant quickly obeyed, closing the door louder than anticipated.
"
"" Rakon said.
Kalika stopped, raising her head. Her tail tightened around his, forcing an irk from him.
Rakon cleared his throat, glancing in Kalika's direction. "
"
"
"
Rakon remained silent and pensive for some time. ""
"What about that core in Oar?" Kalika suddenly said. "Didn't you plan on using me for that?"
Rakon tensed. Slowly he sank. His palm pressed on his forehead as he groaned.
Gaz straightened. His eyes darted between Kalika and Rakon. "
Kalika continued. "That was the whole reason you wanted me here, isn't it? To attain that stupid black sphere. For more power."
"And what makes you think that?"
"It was a crazy theory from a strange old man. But it looks like he was more right than I cared for."
Rakon broke into a weak laugh. "
"
"Ugh…" Rakon whispered beneath his breath. "
"
"
"
Mae stepped forward. "
"
"
"
Just before Mae could speak, Gaz grabbed her shoulder. "
Mae silently balled her fist in reluctant acceptance, following Gaz's lead out of the library.
Gaz opened the door. "
The servants on the other side closed the door, much softer this time.
Now alone, Rakon turned to Kalika, who returned to reading.
"Tell me." Rakon started. "How did you really find out about the core?"
"You don't believe me?"
Rakon stared at Kalika, pensive.
Kalika peered back and relented, closing the book. Her fingers traced its cover, knowingly.
"Let's just say I was moments away from eating it myself. But someone stopped me before I could… And… Brought me back to my senses."
Rakon raised a brow, taking note of Kalika's sudden shift.
"And as strange as it sounds, I can still hear him calling for me. He wants to escape."
"Who?"
Kalika glanced. "The core." She pushed the book away. "He's dead set on me becoming his vessel so he could supposedly destroy the world and make it new."
"So you're saying that the core is alive?"
"More alive than you'd believe." Her eyes softened. A truth lingering in her mind. "Truth be told, I wouldn't mind seeing this world burn; I hate it so much. But I'm tired. And I'd rather live in peace."
Rakon rose. "And you believe that staying with me will bring you peace."
"I don't care if it does. You…" Nerves pricked at Kalika, forcing her gaze away. "You're the least hateable demon around. And you… seem to care… A little."
"Peh. Right… care… Is that also what you call sneaking into my room?"
Kalika flicked a glare. Indignant, she pompously raised her head, averting her gaze. "I could ask the same of you, with all those years entering unannounced."
Rakon clenched his teeth. "Tch. That's not the same."
"Not the same?" She leered back. " So spying on me with your damned blood magic doesn't matter?"
"That's not what I'm saying!" Rakon's fingers twitched, and Kalika turned, her cheek slightly puffed from annoyance.
Rakon closed his eyes, trying to recompose himself. "Look. If you're so worried about my blood magic, you should consider yourself fortunate then. As it is now, my blood magic is useless."
Kalika glanced back. "What do you mean?"
Rakon hesitated, but then showed his blackened arm to Kalika. "This is the default penalty the contract inflicts. The pain is excruciating and strains the blood… But even if the penalty is lifted, the damage remains for some time." He pulled his arm back around. "In my case, I might not be able to use my blood magic for another half a year."
"And you can't fix it?"
"If I could, I would've done so already. All I can do now is bide my time."
"What about the core?"
"I already told you. That previous plan is a lost cause. At this point everyone in Oars knows my brother lives even if he still wages war in the heavens."
Kalika blurted a chuckle. "I thought that was done too."
Rakon sat, sighing. "It was. And then the Celestine Empire declared war, at least from what I've heard these last months."
"So then get the stupid core," Kalika said. "You make it sound more complicated than it needs to be."
"Because I have to take a lot into consideration. My men. My servants. My reputation. Even my life to a degree and now the fact that this 'core' is supposedly alive-"
"Who cares?" Kalika sighed. "If you're already a dead man and they already think ill of you, what's the point? Maybe I'm missing something, but I think you're overcomplicating this." She stood, approaching Rakon. "What's the point in sitting around and twiddling your thumbs? What happened to the demon that'd do anything and everything to get that power? The one who saw a prime opportunity and took it?"
Kalika circled Rakon, her hair barely brushing against him. "I miss that part of you."
She passed him. Hands reaching. eyes gauging Rakon before reluctantly pulling back as she slowly turned the tables corner.
She turned to the scattered book, then picked up the book of contracts, and read, smirking with mild amusement.
"You never did tell me how many volumes these books had." Kalika asked.
Rakon blinked. "Overcomplicating?" He quietly repeated; his mind was still processing Kalika's previous words as he glanced at her from the book. Staying silent. "Twenty," he said.
"I think we've read volume four and were going to number five some time ago… Do you have it?"
Rakon stood, and moved. "Come." He said.
Kalika listened, leaving the books and followed him back into the trench of shelves. He stopped in one section. And from the group of books, pulled a single copy of the requested book and handed it to Kalika.
"I'm only doing this favor once." he said.
Rakon's eyes raised, and caught sight of a thick white book. He reached. "
Kalika's eyes snapped open, a sensation shooting goosebumps across her neck.
Rakon reach.
"Don't touch it!"
Rakon faltered, then narrowed his eyes at Kalika. "What's the problem?"
She darted an icy glare at the book. Seconds later the book turned to ash, surprising Rakon.
"What the hell?" She breathed. "Th-that book… It felt just like that angel!!"
"[And so… My brother Cassell, has found you.]" Zorbian said.