Chapter Text
Grinning at him, Second picked herself up, twisting her wings around her torso in order to cover herself up, even if it was barely enough to be called modest. Oddly enough, she kept the habit on despite tossing the rest of the clothes to the side. The final rays of sunlight slipped below the horizon, leaving the room dark besides the glow of her eyes and tattoo.
“I’ll see you later, Holy Man.” And then, she was gone in a puff of smoke.
Rei sprang up from the ground, but fell to his knees within seconds. His head hurt, and his body felt like pins were pricking every nerve. Every part of him felt sick to his stomach, like he could vomit at any moment.
What… What had he done? Second… his dear Sister Second… was a demon?! And Rei had released it, all because he couldn’t control himself…
How? How could he have fallen into temptation like that? For years, he followed the word of the church, doing everything to lead a sinless life... and all of that was undone in a single moment of weakness.
Just a single moment… after months of being haunted in his dreams…
No, it wasn’t his fault, it was her’s. It was all… Second’s.
……………
……………………
No… not just her fault. There was something in Rei that made those feelings grow, that gave him those urges. The part of him that he had tried to run from his whole life. He had the blood of that bastard… that… rapist king, flowing through his veins.
Yes, that had to be it.
Rei wasn’t one to shift blame, it went against everything he taught, but there was no denying it. Had he been born of a normal modest man, he would have never fallen to a demon like that. But all because of that man, he was cursed to carry a rapist's blood. A rapist’s sin. All those years he had given to the church, was just a futile attempt to patch an open wound that would never heal.
Truly, Rei should have never been a Father to the church. It was just his way of separating himself from his father in any way he could, and it was all for nothing. He just… didn’t want to be like him, for his mother’s sake.
His mother…
How would Rei ever face her? What a horrible cursed child he was, making her suffer from the moment he was born. Even if he never told her about what happened, his soul was tainted, and he could never bear the guilt.
……………
Something…. Rei had to do something.
There was no other choice… otherwise…
Otherwise…
Sobbing into his hand, he could only pathetically wish that he could drain all the blood from his veins, remove his skin, and take on a new form. He was his father, and he couldn’t run away from that. There wasn’t even any way for him to play pretend any more…
If only there was a way, any way to get rid of him… to… get revenge on him. Maybe then Rei could feel like he had done something to make up for the sins of his blood.
Yes…
Revenge.
Rei never thought about such a thing, but, much like the sexual urges that had exploded from him already, these feelings and thoughts began to bubble up from the recesses of his mind. And much like his abominable act, there was no putting a stop to them once they sprouted.
And then, as if guided by something greater, the words of the Knight Durbe appeared amidst the haze in his mind. The King to the south was dying and his bastard children were fighting for his throne. Rei… was one of those bastards. Maybe, it was a sign, a sign that he should try.
………!
No, that was undeniably insane! Rei didn’t have any troops to lead, or any sort of battle prowess. Muchless, he didn’t want to be a ruler; he really did just want to keep his life to the church. More than a way to make himself worthy in his mother’s eyes, it was the only place that ever felt like home.
But once again, he had thrown that life away the moment he violated Second…
Rei felt bile build up in his throat. That name, one he loved not even an hour ago, made him feel violently sick. Yet, another idea started to come to him, something horrible, that truly would seal his fate to hell.
Men had made deals with demons in exchange for power and wealth, and as the Hunter Leon had told him, he knew Second’s name, and therefore, could summon her. Maybe, he could actually use her help.
Such a notion was laughable. To run to the same demon that ruined his life. Yet, no matter how much his brain fought and tousled… there was no other conclusion to come to.
Not one that wouldn’t just hurt his mother more, anyway And that would damn him to Hell all the same.
Eventually, Rei got to his feet, his knees buckling like the weight of the world sat on his shoulders, and in his mind, it did. He walked to a nearby bench, using it for support, and waited for his breath to calm down and return enough strength to his body for him to be able to stand up on his own.
Something… Rei had to try something. Something to get revenge on his father… and… Second, if that was possible.
After all, she did set her sights on him, despite him trying to save her. If he deserved punishment, so did she, no matter how much her demonic existence was already pitiful enough as it was.
The door of the chapel clicked as Rei unlocked it. The halls still lit with candles, as no one had gone through yet to blow them out. Grabbing one, Rei went to his room.
What he needed, he didn’t know. Rei didn’t know a thing about demons besides what Leon had told him, and that they were horrible godless creatures, so he was working on hunches alone.
So he only had one choice, really. Much as he loathed it.
Rei went out the side door of the church, hoping he was discreet enough to not be noticed by any sister who might find herself looking out the window. Only when he got to the forest did he feel like he was safely out of view.
Really it felt unnecessary that he had to leave the church for what he was about to do, but he had already desecrated it enough with raping Second. And there were the sisters who lived there too. No, he couldn’t curse them that way.
When Rei felt that he was far enough away, he finally went to work. He pushed the brush away and took to carving a pentagram in the dirt. A sign of evil, it should be good enough, right? He set a candle in each point and lit them, only leaving one last thing to do.
There was a lump in Rei’s throat as second thoughts started coming to him.
Was this safe? Should he even consider finishing such a task? What if Second didn’t come, or something worse took her place? Was this all really worth it… just for some revenge?
But what else could Rei do then? He had already sinned, he was already going to hell. Why not take that bastard father of his with him?
With doubt still cradling in his heart, Rei held his hand out in the center of the pentagram, and dragged a knife across his hand. It… burned, like a hot flame and not a stinging pain, which was not what he was expecting to feel at all. The blood started beading from the cut, and when he turned his hand over, it began dripping onto the dirt below.
“Second. Demon Second. Come to me…” He whispered. Rei’s words seemed to be carried by the wind, flowing around him, circling each tree in the forest, echoing like a cursed wail of a damned soul.
The air seemed to grow cooler with each passing moment. Each hair on his head standing as goosebumps ran over his skin.
A voice in Rei’s mind screamed at him, telling him to stop before she came. He did his best to ignore it.
Where was that voice when he actually needed it, before he raped Second?
As he started pulling away a glow emitted from the center of the pentagram, twisting and taking shape until Second rose up and grabbed of his bloody hand, keeping him in place.
“I didn’t expect to see you so soon, Holy Man.” Seconds teasing voice rang in his ears like it was the only noise his ears were physically capable of hearing, the rest of the world falling into complete silence. “I just left you, and you’re already calling me back for more fun?” a teasing smile full of sharp teeth, none of the grace he fell in love with to be seen.
Rei didn’t want to look at her, but his eyes simply couldn’t move. Even though he had seen her only hours ago, it felt like it was his first time seeing her again… and he supposes, in a way, it is.
This is the first time he’s seeing the real her from the get go.
At first glance, nothing had changed about her. She was still barely dressed, only using her wings to cover herself. Yet, for some reason, she still kept that damn habit on her head. Was it her way of teasing him? Or was it like a trophy, since she had managed to stay so long in a church?
In the end, those questions didn’t matter; only what he had to gain from her
It took a moment for Rei to find his tongue. “I need your power.”
Second raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by his change of heart. “Oh? And what is it you need my help with?” Her tail flicked behind her, like an excited cat.
It felt too easy, but he supposed he should count his blessings where he could. If one could even call them that. “I told you about my father… I want to take him down. No, I need to.” Rei clenched his fist, feeling his nails pierce the skin of his palm. “But I don’t know anything about war, or fighting… and you might not be a… creature that knows such things like that either. But I’m sure you have ways that could help me.”
Second started laughing. “Such a change from the man I knew only a few hours ago. Maybe I could help you, but what would I get out of it?” she points out with grin, before grabbing hold of her own chin and hovering right over his face. “Especially since you’re so pathetic that you don’t even know the first thing about summoning a demon. Because really, this?”
She spreads her arms, giving Rei a chance to step back and put some much needed distance between them, but not dissuading her from her following mockery in the slightest. “The middle of nowhere, instead of a crossroad. This didn’t ever used to be a crossroad, and do you know how unlikely it is that you didn’t even luck out there? You humans are like rats, leaving traces of yourselves for millennia.” she chuckles at that, but only for a second, before kneeling down and tracing a finger over the ground that Rei had desecrated. “A generic, childish pentagram with no power, instead of even a weak summoning sigil, much less my own. And really, what was that, with the offering of your blood?” she stops as her finger meets some of it, looking up at him with nothing but amused disdain in her eyes. “Do you really think it has any value now, if ever? Don’t make me laugh.”
‘Tainted. You’ve always been tainted and worthless. A blight on the world that should have never been, had it not been for your sinful father.’ rings through his head, in a mix of her and his mother’s voice, yet when he looks at her in shock, she does nothing but smile, letting the silence around them be the answer to his question.
She didn’t say that at all.
Rei’s soul did.
Because it was the truth.
Unable to keep a sharp pain from hitting him right in his heart, Rei can only look away from those horrendous black eyes, wondering how he could ever have looked at them and seen anything but the cruelty that she pelted him with now, even back when they were white. The Demon knew exactly what those words would do to him, and yet… Second hums merrily as she gets up and continues. “So why should I follow a weakling such as yourself?” she asks, adding before Rei even has a chance to retort. “I already got what I wanted from you.”
Fists clenching, Rei almost breaks the skin of his palms in order to keep himself from shaking. “You can have… my fathers soul!” he offers desperately. He’s never wished such a fate on anyone, but that man… he simply didn’t care.
And he has nothing else to offer anyway.
Second’s cackles echoed throughout the forest. “Oh yes, what a wonderful reward. Months of hard work for a king's soul, as if those are worth anything.” she clutched her stomach, unable to contain further laughter. “His soul is probably owned by several other demons already, what’s one more!”
Rei looked at her, still unable to move. Regret was already pouring over him. He really didn’t have anything else to offer her, well, besides his own soul of course.
Which she probably didn’t want either. It was as worthless as the blood he spread on the ground.
There is a long stretch of silence, where Rei’s never go completely awry as he expects a rejection to come, before the vile woman shakes her head. “But, it would be funny to take something right out from other demon’s noses.” Second mused as she regained herself, a teasing smirk tainting her lips. “But I need a bit more than just a single soul, and I think you know that… Rei.” She smiled as she unexpectedly switched to his first name, and it was like venom dripped from her tongue as she said it.
“And my soul too….” Rei said, like it was an afterthought, then forced himself to find something that she could actually want. “And I’ll give you the… energy you need.”
What a foul thing to submit himself to, but… there was no walking back what he had already done anyway, and that included summoning her now. Again, what else could he do at this point?
Second’s body swayed from side to side like a leaf in the wind. “That’s a little better.” she tapped her lips, clearly pleased. “If I’m attached to you, I’m safe from any sort of hunter, and if by chance you do win, I have a whole country to feed off of.” She fantasized out loud, licking her lips, then leaned back and tapped her chin. It sounded like she was weighing her options, even though Rei didn’t say anything. “Plus having the soul of a pious Father clearly is a big trophy itself.”
Though he should be relieved that his soul was of value even now, in reality, hearing those words only made Rei feel even more shame. Not that he had any ground to stand on now, though… and he really should keep his mind on the goal at hand anyway. “So… you’ll help?”
The world seemed to go silent. Second just smiled, like a mix of the sweet Sister and the sinful demon.
But eventually… “Yes, I will.” She stated as she lifted Rei’s hand to her mouth, and lapped up the blood from his cut palm. “You will feed me each night, and I will help you as I can, with my expertises.” Rei struggles to keep himself from revulsing, and once she was ‘satisfied, she finally let go and looked up at him, some of his blood smeared on her lips. “And when you die, regardless if you win or lose, your soul is mine.”
Now it was his turn to become silent as he struggled to come to terms with what was actually happening. “I… understand…” Rei hung his head low, damnation now resting on his back.
Second grabbed hold of his chin, sharp nails digging into skin as she forced him to meet her demonic eyes. “Aw, don’t be so sad. I’ll let you know the pleasures you were so scared of.” She winked, then seemingly stopped to think for a moment. “But I can’t call you a Holy Man anymore, now can i? Oh well, I’ll manage.” She promised with another cackle.
A sudden wind whipped around them, blowing out the candles that surrounded Second. She looked down at them and took her hand away from Rei’s face, expression suddenly serious. “I guess our deal is sealed. I’ll make sure to collect my first payment later.” She whispered as her body seemed to fade away like dust.
It felt more like a threat than anything else.
Once he’s sure that she’s gone for now, Rei began to pat down his face, like he was making sure a piece wasn’t missing. It seemed nothing but a painful scratch was left as punishment for his latest shame.
…………………
………………………….
He… he did it. He contacted a demon. He… made a deal with one.
What an ungodly person Rei was.
But he could no longer dwell on his newly lost faith. He had to go back to the church, gather some supplies that could hopefully last him a few days as he figures out just what he was going to do. And then… go for it, he supposed.
There was also something he had to send off before he started his crusade.
He hurriedly made his way back. The church was silent, of course it was. Not a single soul knew what he had just done, and he was going to keep it like that as long as he could.
Rei went through his room, grabbing only the basics, and anything he thought could be of help. He looked at his desk, paper sitting there as it always had, ready for him to write his next sermon. Rei set his bag down and walked over to it slowly like it was calling for him. He was in a rush, but there was something he had to do.
Grabbing the paper, he started writing a letter. Something he had done hundreds of times in the past, but this time, he knew it was doubly important…
For it could be his last ever.
Dear Mother,
This might be my last letter to you… My life has changed in ways I’ve never wanted it to, but I must heed this call.
I’m going to war with the man who is my father.
I do not know how it will go… truthfully it's a blind and rash decision that I’m choosing to undergo but I must. Maybe one day I'll get to explain my reasoning in full, but for now, all you must know, is that I’m doing this for you.
Because of him your life was cut short. You had to care for me and could never find a husband for yourself… And while I tried everything in my power to not be like him… I still failed.
I love you Mother. You did everything you could to raise me right, and I did all I could to return that love, and maybe… just maybe, I’ll be able to return that to you.
If I never get to see you in this world ever again, know that you were the best mother I could have had, and I’d never regret being your child.
May my next contact with you be in person.
Love, Rei
It was short and simple, and Rei felt like he should write more. But time was slipping out of his hands. He had to be out of town before sun up, and he still had things to prepare. At least he could have some solace that his mother knew what was happening, and he could only hope that he’d see her in person one more time.
After what felt like ages Rei, finally felt like he was ready to leave. Well, not truly, but he had all he could carry, and it was as good as he could get.
One last time, he walked out the front doors of the church. He couldn’t look back, as he’d only regret his decision more. He latched the door behind him and nailed a letter on it, reading;
Dear congregation, I have been called to take care of important matters. I’m sorry I couldn’t say any goodbyes, but please know I will cherish the memories of each and everyone of you.
Rei
That only left one more matter to take care of.
Rei stood in front of the courier's house, the letter to his mother in hand with some gold to pay for its delivery. Written on it were instructions of where it needed to be delivered, and to not mention to the people of the town that Rei had sent it out.
And with that, Rei left, taking the main road out of town. He knew it would eventually meet up with another town, but from there on, he was clueless.
“Busy boy, aren’t you?” A voice whispered from over his shoulder. Of course, Second had already found him.
Rei sighed, not even looking at her. “I had things I wanted to take care of.” he excused.
“Yes yes, spending so much time in that damn church.” Second spat out. Was that a hint of bitterness lacing her tone, or was he just unable to read her now? “Don’t think you can go hiding in those if you want to get away from me now.” she warned. It was like she was scolding him.
Well, there goes that small hope, gone before he could even have the chance to nurture. “I… won’t try to.” he whispered, utterly defeated. His eyes followed the ground as he walked. “So… what should I do first?”
He felt Second leaning her body against him. Somehow, it was heavy, but at the same time, it felt weightless enough that it didn’t hinder his walking. Must be some demonic ability to torture others without the outside world realizing it, he guessed. “Well you need people don’t you? In the first town over, start asking, and maybe you’ll get an idea or two. And I’ll get a meal out of it.” she cackled.
Regret sat in Rei’s stomach as he remembered what he promised her. Hopefully no one else would fall for her…
