VII

Two months later...

Azazel POV

My chest begins to hurt again. It's been a while since the weird night. I don't know what's happened to me. The smell of the blood still lingers around me without a reason. I never told Maverick about it. He is still sad about Serenity. I just don't want to make him worried for me. It's not that bad but quite disturbing my workday. Now, we've been working here for two months. It's all good. Nothing bad happens to us. Our boss is always happy with our work. We didn't seem to end up being the slave at the Shadow Kingdom

"Azazel, are you okay? You know we have a lot of new plants to handle today. So, why you aren't moving?", Sir Rafael.

"Yes, sir. My chest is slightly burning. Maybe due to the weather. But, I'm fine now. Sorry," I replied.

"Oh, I see. You can rest if you need but make sure all the jobs are done today."

I nodded. Sir Rafael then left me to go meet the others workers.

"What's the wrong dude? Lately, you seem weird. I realized it. Almost every day, you almost collapsed once we were home. I didn't think you were overworked since we did the same job. Is anything you hide from me," Maverick asked me.

"Nothing man. It's just because of the weather. Now, let's get back to work," I replied.

We continue our work while I'm trying to hold back the pain. I can't let myself collapse again.

. . . . . ╰──╮╭──╯ . . . . .

"Our jobs are done, Sir Rafael. Any other thing you want us to do?", Maverick asked.

"Erm nope. You can rest first. I'll ask the others workers to continue the next work," said Sir Rafael.

We sit on one of the small balconies. I lay down on my back. I feel relieved that finally, I can rest. I don't know why, but lately, I'm too weak.

Before this, I manage to stay tough until we get back to our house. But, not now. I'm pretty sure Maverick still seeking the answer with me.

"You owe me an explanation, Azazel," he said.

"What explanation?", I asked him.

"You're no longer as strong as I know. You're getting weak. Is it because of the work? Do you not comfortable with this work?"

"How can I'm not comfortable with this job? I love being here. It's just that, I lost my stamina. That's all."

"Lost stamina? Stop joking around. I know you better, idiot!"

I hesitated to continue with this discussion. I lay my body to the side so I don't need to face him.

"You turning pale. There's nothing you can hide now," he said.

Pale? I'm pale? Oh, crap! I felt a hand wrapping around my shoulder, pulling me so I can face him again.

"I know you longer than anyone else. So, stop this joke. Tell me what happen in the past few weeks?", he asked.

I sit in front of him. At first, I still don't want him to know. But, seeing his worried face. I can't just let him feel bad.

"Only because you're my friend," I said.

He nodded. I tell him what happen that night and the effect on me after that night. He listened carefully. Sometimes, I can see his forehead wrinkles. A few minutes later, it all has been revealed. No more secrets.

"So, you must think I'm weird right?" I asked.

"Nope. Cause you're already weird. I just wondered about the blood smell. Is that the only cause of all this?"

"I don't even know. The smell, I still remember it. I felt like my soul is no longer here with me. Only my body wandering around. I'm even too

weak to handle this job. Seems like I already turn into Serenity," I joking around again.

"Hey, don't you dare to say that!", Maverick begins to mad.

"Chill out, dude! I'm joking."

"Please, if something happens to you again, just tell me!"

"Okay. I will."

"Now, I want to see if they need help. You can follow me if you want."

I nodded and begin to follow Maverick. A few steps ahead, the smell. It's back. I looked at Maverick. He didn't seem to smell it. So, it's just me.

"Ma... Maverick," I called him.

"Yes?" he turned around to look at me.

He seems to shock after seeing me. My body started to tremble. I felt some weird desire crawling into my heart. When I see Maverick, my mind seems to be off. I no longer see my best friend. All I see is... food.

. . . . . ╰──╮╭──╯ . . . . .

Serenity POV

"Serenity! Serenity Gloria! Where are you?!", I heard someone call my name in panic.

"Claudia, I'm here! Why?", I stepped here.

"Azazel... Maverick... Maverick... Azazel. They... they… are," Claudia is stutter.

Her body is shaking. Her face is full of trauma and shocked

"Claudia. Breath. It's okay. I'm here. Tell me what happens to them? Did they hurting themselves at the farm?", I asked.

Claudia shook her head. She then looked at me. Her eyes are watery.

"Let's meet them if you can't tell me anything."

I begin to feel worried. Miss Aliah granted me to go.

. . . . . ╰──╮╭──╯ . . . . .

Third Person POV

"Azazel, what's wrong with you?" Maverick was unsure to step close to him.

Azazel's eyes turn purple. His body didn't stop trembling. He wraps his hand around his chest, trying to hold back something. He then kneels with his face down to earth.

"Are... are you okay dude? Tell me what's wrong?"

"Grrr..." Azazel begins to growl.

Everyone around them stops doing anything and watches what happened. Azazel seems not to be himself anymore. He's like a monster, staring at his victim which is Maverick. Maverick can't even control his breath. He lost his chill.

"M... Ma... Maverick? Is that you?", Azazel starts talking.

"Yes. Yes! It's me! Azazel, what's happened to you?"

"Help... me. I can't breathe."

"You, what? Why so sudden?"

Maverick started to walk to Azazel without hesitation. He seems so worried about Azazel since he can't breathe. After what Azazel told him before, he can't just let Azazel handle the pain alone.

"Here, stand up. I'll give you something to drink," Maverick held out his hand for Azazel.

Azazel gently grabs his hand and starts to try to stand up. But, something else happens.

"Well, too bad," he said.

"Why? Something wrong again?"

"Too bad you're too dumb to realize it."

"What? What's wrong? Do I do something?"

"No... but I will."

Maverick confused himself. Before he could think, Azazel starts it first.

Bukk!!

Azazel pushed and slammed Maverick body onto the ground. He holds both of Maverick hands so that he can't do anything. Maverick is not that strong for something like Azazel. He can't easily escape himself. In a few seconds, Azazel's body begins to buff two times bigger than his normal size.

"Eh, what're you doing? Let me go! Are you lost your mind? Azazel! Move away from me!", Maverick struggling, tries to escape from this Azazel.

"Stop moving human! Let me have a taste of your flesh first!"

"What? My flesh? Dude! Are you losing your mind? Since when did you turn into a cannibal?!"

People around try to help. But, they can't even come closer. Azazel quickly pushed everyone who tries to stop him from doing what he wants.

"Don't you dare to come closer! He's mine! My prey!"

"Prey? I'm your friend? What's wrong with you?!"

Azazel didn't care anymore. He begins to bite and rip his friend's shoulder. Maverick's scream echoes around the castle. At this point, no one can help him. No one dares enough to fight this Azazel. Blood splattering everywhere.

"Azazel... why?", he whispered even as he begins to weaken.

"I don't... even have... an answer."

Azazel stopped. He didn't move even an inch. Maverick is losing blood. Just then,

"Oh my god! Azazel Byron?!", Serenity screamed.

Both Serenity and Claudia finally came to see them. But it's too late. Maverick already collapsed with that Azazel on top of him.

"That's not Azazel," said Claudia.