A Marvelous Devil.
Chapter 29: When a Devil is Born.
The Underworld.
Dante Andromalius.
One week later.
Many things had passed since Red and I finished our deal. As hilarious as the ending had been, and as happy as I was with the result, the world hadn't stopped moving.
It took Serafall less than three days to fulfill her part of the alliance, which was good. She was genuinely useful like that, and it showed that the other Satans were happy with what I offered.
She didn't visit me, though, which was a shame. She merely sent the deed to the territory through a courier of all things, but it was more than enough. With it, I no longer needed permission to enter the heavily warded territory next to the Phenex territory.
I wanted to keep teasing the petite Satan as much as she could, her own fantasies always went wild when she imagined me with Sona.
The territory was locked by a battalion under the Satan Asmodeus, but with the permit, I only had to enter and clean it up at my leisure. And that gave me some ideas.
Tandy wouldn't have fun in the next couple of days, but it was for her own good.
I did have to leave all my stock of leaves with them, which wasn't ideal. Because it brought another problem to the open.
The Dark Force was a whining child, and without its favorite thing to appease it, I had to use my own reserves to keep it satiated.
But not fucking happy.
And it meant that I needed to go back. To make Tandy mine, officially.
Because I couldn't waste my own power like that when I had something objectively better to do with it.
But that was what I told myself. The truth was, I wanted to see her.
Yes, I missed her. A soft, but constant weight in my heart I hadn't felt in… ever.
It was real, it was something foolish and mortal… and it was beautiful.
Just like my light. The mere thought of making her mine forever did something to me I didn't think was possible, and after finishing with most of what I had to do here, it was finally time.
Which was… difficult to say the least. Celestine wasn't as happy, no matter how much I assured her I would be back probably later today. I didn't have much planned to do in my original universe, as Yao and Wong supposedly handled everything, but the scars of my previous 'abandonment' returned viciously in Celestine's heart.
It hurt her, and she feared it. But I? I simply didn't understand it. Not yet, at least, but I hoped that by living longer as a mortal I would understand her better one day.
Mortals could be confusing, and many of them agreed women were the most confusing of all.
One of life's biggest mysteries, I supposed.
"I'll be back later," I did my best to avoid rolling my eyes as I repeated this same sentence for like the tenth time, looking down on the clinging Celestine that simply refused to let me go, "I give you my word, and you know that is all you need, mother."
Her big eyes were filled with unwillingness as a pout grew on her face, "Can't you take me with you, baby?"
And I didn't hide my sigh this time. Genetically speaking, would I turn as thickheaded as her? Did I have it in me to be this way?
Amusing… Maybe I could bother some people like this.
Red came to mind, and I chuckled as I imagined myself acting this way with him.
"It's for the best you don't know where I'm going, I told you already," I patted her silky blond hair, softer than before.
Tandy's leaves were truly miraculous.
"And you have to work," I pointed out, "You wouldn't want the precious Sona to be disappointed after she did all that for you, eh?"
That was another funny thing I came to realize from Celestine. I never explained to her why Sona did so much for our family, and I avoided doing so now because it was hilarious how much Celestine liked the bespectacled girl.
"That's true," she pouted even harder, softly hugging me harder before letting me go, "you'll be safe, right? Promise?"
She even put her pinky in front of my eyes.
Ugh.
"Pinky promise," My digit rested on hers. I didn't bother hiding the embarrassment such an action brought to someone like me. "Think you can prepare something nice for dinner? It will be Tandy's first time here, and I know you want to make a good impression."
That brought life back to Celestine's eyes, which brightened to a point of almost shining.
Damn.
"Grandbabies," she murmured, and I guessed I wasn't supposed to hear it, "sure, baby. I'll go to the store and get the best they have!"
"Have fun," I smiled, seeing her so excited, "I think we'll be a couple of hours after you."
Celestine almost skipped to the door, closing it with a bang. The last thing I saw was the guards hurrying behind her, looking surprised at how peppy she was acting.
That woman. Even as I shook my head, I could feel a smile growing on my face.
One which grew into something a bit more wicked as I palmed Red's scale under my shirt.
It was time I got my first bishop.
Later.
Seeing the cut of reality closing behind me, I grinned excitedly at the empty stones of Kamar-Taj. It was good to be back, if only momentarily.
It was curious. Here, I had a past. Not that anyone but Yao knew of it, but still, it felt different when compared to Red's universe.
I didn't know how to explain it, though, and wasn't interested in wasting my time on something so foolish.
Not when I had a task at hand.
Tease the ever-living shit of Yao.
With a wide grin, I snapped my fingers and created a bouquet of roses plus a small box.
A ring.
An engagement ring.
One that I quickly took out, ensuring that my clan trait was working at full power before I pushed the cosmic power into the open, guiding it gently as I made something good enough that Yao would use despite the shame she would feel.
She loved making sure everyone knew I was her student so much when I came here, now, no one would forget this day.
Not even herself.
A cleansing ring, even if a flawed one. An enchantment that would funnel Dormammu's taint away from her body and soul.
It would do it slowly, and it would only if she wore it. With one single more addition that made it even funnier.
And she had no other option but to wear it. Not proudly, probably not happily, but she would.
Laughing at the absurdity of it, I finished the enchantment and allowed the clan trait to retreat to let her know I was back.
She had gotten better at hiding Dormammu's taint, but with how many times I dealt with the flaming bastard, I didn't have much trouble using it as a ping to know her location.
It was good enough to hide from mortals; I'd give her that. Unless they were his direct underlings, I doubted normal sorcerers would notice.
Shaking my head, I did my best to turn the grin on my face into something innocent. Then walked outside.
Kamar-Taj was just like I remembered. Hot as fuck.
The sun shone from the horizon, bathing the whole training grounds with its light. Tens of sorcerers were training in the open, while Yao and, surprisingly, Wong, talked softly in the highest point.
I felt their attention on me, and I almost grinned seeing Wong's eyebrows twitching.
I hadn't forgotten about his gift, and it was going to be precious.
Why on Seere's name the Satans believed in allowing the devils to sell shit like that was beyond me, but it was hilarious.
It was a bit creepy, but it was perfect for what I wanted.
Then I started walking toward them.
If only things went my way...
Because before I could even pass the halfway mark, an irritating voice broke my musings.
Fucking Mordo.
"Stop."
Damn, even his voice was tight thanks to the stick he had shoved in his ass.
It probably reached all the way to his esophagus.
It came out light, barely above a whisper, but every single apprentice stopped their movements and looked in our direction.
I didn't slow down, ignoring him like I always did.
A sharp gust of wind sent my hair back, and Mordo was suddenly in front of me with a disapproving frown. He was levitating, thanks to his bullshit boots, looking down on me.
And he was blocking my path.
And it annoyed me.
"You left before your training was over, apprentice." He said flatly, "You return unannounced, acting like you own the place."
"Really, Mordo?" I turned my unamused eyes at the man in front of me, "You do know that I'm only under the Ancient One's tutelage, not yours. Is there something you would like to say? Perhaps that you know better than her?"
Whispers grew from the bunch of humans in the yard, looking between Mordo and Yao above.
Yao had her usual small smile on her face, staying silent while Wong was rolling his eyes at me.
"You do know that she picked me, right? She's the only one who has a say in my training," I waved my hand in the air. "So, move. I have better things to do than waste time with you."
Mordo's eyes tightened, "The Ancient One knows what she's doing, but I worry that you don't, apprentice Dante. What about if you spar with someone here? To show how much you have improved."
I chuckled, looking back at the apprentices and even some adepts in the yard.
"Someone?" I asked aloud, enjoying how most of them averted their eyes, "Does anyone want to help master Mordo's demonstration?"
The word master slipped past my mouth filled with derision, and no one failed to notice.
They just looked down.
"Then what do you suggest?" I turned back to him, tilting my head slightly. "That I spar a Master of the Mystic Arts? Perhaps you? Are you really challenging someone like me? I wonder how that will look."
The whispers grew louder this time, and I could see irritation flicker across his composed expression as he realized the mood was not in his favor. He was respected, yes, but not loved, even in a place like this; his rigidity did wonders to isolate him.
I allowed myself a faint smile and glanced up at Yao, giving her a quick wink before shifting my attention back to Mordo.
Then I pumped a bit of my demonic power into Erasure.
But there was a difference this time; it was only focused on a single being.
His glare faltered even as he opened his mouth, a confused look growing on his face for a moment. He blinked once, looking around the yard as if trying to remember why he was standing there in the first place.
I stepped past him calmly, brushing by without resistance, and continued walking toward the stairs that led up to Yao and Wong, leaving him hovering in place, disoriented and momentarily disconnected from the very argument he had tried to start.
The murmurs behind me turned into poorly concealed amusement, and I did not bother to hide my satisfaction as I ascended toward my master.
But I didn't fail to notice how no one told Mordo what he was doing.
"Really, Dante?" Yao asked tiredly as soon as I entered the room, "Why do you bother Master Mordo so much?"
I dropped my concealment on Mordo and heard the irritated whish of wind as he left the yard.
Heh.
"Do you even need to ask, Ancient One?" Wong snorted, "Mordo should have learned by now to ignore the demon."
"Still butthurt, my friend?" I laughed, pulling something out of the Dark Force, "Even when I brought your gift?"
Wong lifted his eyebrow as I threw a plushie at him.
A plushy of Sirzechs Lucifer in all his glory, with his full armored form and a crown, one that had the word Lucifer branded into it.
It was adorable, a toy for kids, and perfect to mess with Wong.
Wong's eye twitched as he grabbed it from the air, openly gaping as he read the word.
"Go on, press the stomach," I said giddily.
Wong looked like he wanted to burn the toy, but he was too curious for his own good.
And he pressed it.
"Fear not the night, little devil! Lucifer is here!" The toy's animated voice came out, the only sound in the room, repeating over and over.
And Wong's reaction was hilarious.
He looked at the toy, then at me, opening and closing his mouth.
Then he sighed.
"Cute," Yao whispered, looking at the toy.
"But let it not be said that I, Dante, forgot to bring something for my dear master," my voice flowed silky smooth as I took a knee.
Did I want to do it in the open? Yes, but Yao would probably vanish me to the void if I tried that.
I knew how hard I could push her. And it wasn't that far.
"First, flowers," I said, grinning, as I pushed the bouquet to her hands, "May they bloom every time you see them, my lady."
Yao's smile froze for a moment before she sighed and accepted them. Her look shouted 'really,' but I kept going on, pulling the box out of my shirt.
"And this, as a gift for you, one that I hope will show you how much I care for you," I concealed a laugh with a cough, not that I was fooling anyone.
Then I opened the box, and Yao facepalmed.
"Look at the enchantments," I winked.
Yao took the ring out of it, her eyes distrustful and tired beyond measure.
Then they widened.
"You are an idiot," she finally said after a minute of silence, yet even she couldn't hide her smile. "Did it really have to be a ring?"
"Of course it did," I stood up, "But it gets even better! Press the diamond."
She deadpanned, looking hesitant before she gave a dry chuckle.
And pressed it.
If the silence from the toy had been loud, I didn't have a word that could name what came after a single glob of shampoo fell onto the floor.
Then I looked at Yao's shiny, bald head.
"I'm sure you'll find it useful, my dear," I did a flourish.
The only sound that registered in my senses was Wong's neck moving between Yao's frozen smile and my grinning face.
Then I was pushed into a portal that appeared without sound.
New York.
I fell with my head against the thankfully clean toilet, but even as my hair was drenched with water, I was grinning.
I knew she loved it.
She knew I was jesting. I genuinely respected Yao, I liked her, and I was grateful for what she had done for me.
She was a nice person in a world filled with assholes. Did she have some bigger plans for me? Absolutely, just as I had with her. It was in our nature, and I didn't think less of her because of it.
Still, I wasn't mad because of her response. I just found it hilarious.
I absolutely deserved it.
A second portal formed, and a very put-out Wong walked out of it as he looked into my eyes.
"Did she put the ring on?" I asked after washing my face in the sink.
"She did," he replied in a dead tone, "How? How did you manage that?"
"I'm just that handsome," I nodded sagely, hiding the truth. It was funnier that way.
Wong looked like he didn't know how to answer.
And I didn't fault him. It was an absurd situation.
"So, why did she send you here?" I asked lightly.
"The Ancient One said she wanted to know what you would do today, and I am still your minder," Wong replied in distaste.
"Huh," I looked at him for a moment, then shrugged.
While Yao couldn't see the future when it came to me, that didn't mean she didn't have an idea of what I wanted. She could have seen something in her own future and inferred from there.
I didn't doubt her capabilities, and while her experience might be lacking compared to what I was used to, it wasn't that big of a stretch.
That being said, I wasn't sure if I wanted Wong to be present when I turned Tandy into a devil.
Then I snorted.
As infuriating as he was no doubt going to be… It could be interesting. If only to see Tandy's resolve.
I could at least promise I wouldn't kill him for the offensive shit he would say to try to change Tandy's mind.
"Then follow me," I said quietly, hearing some footsteps from outside as the door in front of my room closed.
Music soon followed, and I smiled in anticipation.
The soft tapping of her feet on the ground told me she was barefoot, just like she used to before I left. I did my best to hide Wong's and my presence from her.
But the Dark Force was already trembling in anticipation, and I knew that thanks to our connection, she must be feeling something happening.
Maybe not that I was back, or maybe she did, I didn't know.
But I so dearly wanted to.
The closer we walked, just behind the door of my room, the more my own heartbeat increased.
It palpitated harder and faster, and I couldn't help but stop for a moment and marvel in surprise at what I was feeling.
How… delicious.
Tandy's feet already stopped tapping to the music, the song playing at full volume outside, and yet, I already knew she was frozen in her spot.
Without waiting, I opened the door, just as Tandy was turning around.
And she was as beautiful as I remembered.
No… she was even more so.
She looked fuller than before, not like when I fixed her problems, but a result of her own light purifying her own body. That much life force in a single being had to go somewhere, and what better place than her faults?
She blinked hard, almost like she didn't believe what she was seeing.
I smiled, a tiny, almost imperceptible thing, but it was there.
Neither of us looked away, even through her shock, and I watched it change, watched the confusion disappear until only hunger remained… a predatory glint that matched my own.
A month and a bit more. What should have been nothing more than a blink.
And yet, I had missed her as I had never done in my life as Seere. The Dark force hadn't helped, pushing my feelings of hunger as often as it could, hoping I'd finish what Tandy had left for me in the hope I would return faster.
"Took you long enough," she said, but her voice wasn't steady.
"I told you I had things to do, my dear," my voice on the other hand, was.
She huffed out something that might have been a laugh, but it didn't sound happy.
How much I loved that anger… that many feelings for me.
Then she crossed the distance.
It was desperate in the most beautiful way. The way she kissed me was incomparable with the last time, shoving everything as she tried to suck my soul through my mouth.
And here I thought I was the demon.
But I wasn't going to lose, not against Tandy. Not when I felt just as much as she did.
When she finally pulled back, her forehead pressed against mine, breathing heavily.
"You came back faster than I feared," she said.
"Believe me, I had an incentive to do so," My lip quirked.
The Fog threatened to come out there, but I kept the lid closed.
It whined like a baby, but I didn't budge.
"It will be the last time you leave me behind."
"You know I can't promise that." I shook my head gently.
Her jaw tightened, but she didn't cry. This Tandy was not the broken woman I had left behind the last time. I didn't see a single ounce of hesitation in her eyes, her grip tight enough to be felt even with the disparity of strength.
One that was less than before. Good, she kept training while I was gone.
"I will grow strong to force you," she whispered.
"Oh?" I raised my eyebrow, "How do you think you'll do that?"
"You'll train me, right?" she asked softly, "Do I have to convince you?"
The way she bit her lip and smoldered at me with her gaze had to be illegal in some countries on this planet.
Because damn.
"Believe me, there's not much I wouldn't do," she admitted quietly.
"I might change my mind then," I chuckled darkly, grabbing her waist harder than necessary, "You might be capable of that, my dear."
"Say that again," Tandy pouted and blinked those blue eyes twice.
"My dear?"
She looked up at me, a whimper leaving her mouth. "Again."
"What, Tandy? My? You want to hear how you are mine? Or that you are dear to me?"
"Hm," she pressed her chest against mine, "Is it wrong it is both?"
"Heh," I grinned, "You are perfect, my Tandy."
But all good wasn't forever, at least not yet.
A cough interrupted our meeting, and I was glad I wasn't the only one who glared at the plump Asian behind us.
Tandy's eyes almost burnt a hole through his skull, and I wasn't that far behind.
"I thought you would have more class than to interrupt, Wong," I shook my head calmly.
"I don't think you would have stopped from where this was going," he said tightly. "And I believe The Ancient One sent me here for a reason."
"That she did," I cut in, smiling in anticipation. "Since the moment is ruined, I think we could proceed."
"I would appreciate that, Dante," Wong said dryly.
Tandy stepped next to me, snaking her arm around my own waist.
Looking excited beyond belief.
"Did you do it?" she asked.
"I did. Did you doubt me?"
Her dimples appeared as a wide smile grew on her face. "Never in my wildest dreams, Dante."
"And did you change your mind? Will you walk away from me after being apart for so long?"
Tandy smacked my chest softly, "All this time, I just missed you more."
Wong's gaze sharpened. "What is he talking about?"
Tandy's eyes brightened, looking at me to start explaining.
I reached into my coat and pulled them out.
The pieces Red and I worked on together, bar the King piece that was already merged with me.
The power infused into them was something otherworldly for Tandy, and even Wong, who must have seen some shit in the Kamar-Taj library, widened his eyes in surprise.
I caressed the box for a moment, then I opened it. And pulled the bishop out.
"This is a very curious creation back home," I explained for Wong's sake, "It was enhanced by a… friend of mine and me."
"And what do they do?" Wong asked curiously.
"Tandy?" I poked her stomach and smiled.
"They will allow Dante to make me a devil. That way we'll share thousands of years!"
"What?!" Wong shouted, "Tandy, why would you even consider something like that?!"
"Because it is what I want," she said firmly, "And nothing you say will change my mind, master."
"You would be giving your humanity away, Tandy." Wong looked stricken beyond belief. "Would you truly strip away what makes you, you, for something like that? To be with him?"
Rude.
"It is a price I'm willing to pay," she smiled, hugging me tighter, "And as long as I am with my Dante, all will be fine."
Despite the faint amusement I felt toward Wong, hearing Tandy say such things with no hesitation made me forget about it.
I knew Wong would react like this. He was a bit of an idiot, one who didn't understand how big the world truly was.
But I was done waiting.
Seeing me move, Wong tried another venue.
"What if he leaves you again? Do you trust his word?"
That one truly stung. Enough that I felt the Dark Force stir for a moment.
Tandy must have felt it too, because a bit of her light bled out in our intertwined hands, feeding the unruly child until it was satisfied.
"He can try to leave me again," she snorted, "And I'll show him why that's a bad idea. He's mine, just as I will be his."
"Are you ready, my love?" I grinned, palming the bishop for a moment.
Tandy nodded her head eagerly.
And I didn't wait any longer.
The bishop in my hand turned into motes of light as they entered Tandy's body unimpeded, and for a single beat, nothing happened.
Then Tandy's body arched as she began floating, and her light erupted outward in a surge that tore through the apartment with a force the world had never seen before.
I wonder how many people were going to feel it, but that didn't matter as much. If anything, it might make things interesting.
The pure life force of the light force dimension began to be funneled into Tandy's body, as if her own change of race was the catalyst it needed to truly activate.
Her own light didn't vanish, not like I thought it would. Both lights merging into one.
The demonic power then appeared, mixing with both energies as if it were nothing, as if it made sense for the different energies to work for together.
Red's power in the work.
And I grinned. It was beautiful. I watched her soul, her essence, her very being, changing, resembling mine as my own soul intertwined with hers, latching onto each other like they never wanted to let go.
Her light twisted for a bit, growing darker as the potency of the demonic power tried to dominate, before failing.
The pure light won, and it turned out more beautiful than I imagined.
Every wall, every chair, the table, the cabinets, everything that was inanimate burned to cinders in a flash of light, not harming either Wong or me in the slightest.
Wong tried to form a shield, but it was consumed by the pure light before it could finish materializing.
Then Tandy moaned deliriously.
That wasn't part of the plan…
It must have been Red's fault.
Tandy's body lowered to the ground, her cheeks flushed, her hair matted against her forehead with a light sheen of sweat.
And she never looked more alluring.
"You are mine, my love." I caressed her cheek with my thumb. "And you will always be."
She smiled tiredly, her eyes showing devotion, love, and unconditional trust in me.
Tandy opened her mouth to say something, but my thumb slipped past her lips.
Grinning as I felt her togue lather the digit.
"Wong, it's time for you to leave," I said softly, my eyes never leaving Tandy's.
"Because I doubt you'll want to see what will happen now."
I didn't bother waiting, lifting Tandy in a princess carry and marching toward my bedroom, passing through the hole where the door used to be before tossing the giggling Tandy into the air as a soft bed materialized beneath her.
My eyes raked over her, with an intensity she matched.
"And this is a view only I am allowed to see," I grinned darkly, seeing my inhuman reflection from Tandy's eyes.
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