Deal of Devils

High within the air of Valmor, a crimson beast stood upon the clouds, occasionally flapping its wings, bringing about storms with each weep. Large feather searing with the power of the stars radiated out burning air around the divine beast. Yet beneath its power stood a cold beauty pulsing with elegance.

Spreading its crimson wings, the phoenix fell upon the battlefield swallowing the land in an inferno of hell, bringing devastation upon the land. Cor, the Phoenix King, had arrived. With flames searing at the flesh of man, the battle came to a halt as the screams of Valmor roared out.

Pushing a large Arcana barrier up, Innis and Sir Graymore's pale faces covered in sud became visible. A deep trace of fear as they gazed upon the large phoenix screeching with power.

Stepping out of his carriage that had seemed to ignore the flame altogether, Zireael began clapping, observing the flames melting the land. The very city was now on the verge of complete destruction as crimson magma drizzle from the heavens for a brief moment. Hopping over the little puddles of lava, his laughter echoed out, watching the Phoenix begin to shift back into the man he came to know.

"Lord Zireael, I should have known you were the one behind this mess." Said Cor with a half-smile. "But surely a man of your power could have ended this little farce before it grew out of control."

Pointing to the devastation created by the man in question, Zireael smirked, "Your the one who is making the scene. The damage was only within the thousands; now it's around a few million." Said Zireael chuckling in amusement.

Gently coughing, Cor shook his head, "Nonsense, but where is that golden girl? There is talk around town, Lord Zireael. It would seem you are truly raising a wife. The fair lady Aurelia Morningstar, now dubbed the Golden Flame that stole the young duke's cold heart. "

"What kind of horse shit is that?" shouted Zireael.

"Yuke! Aurelia would not fall for Dumb Dumb. " The girl in question suddenly yelled from behind Zireael, not at all bothered by the flames around them.

"Then it would seem the rumors I am making up was wrong." Whispered Cor, "Maybe you need to wait a few more years for puberty to kick in."

Clenching his sword, Cor laughed, flickering away, landing beside the petrified Greymore. Gripping his throat in a profound flash, his eyes glimmered in flaming ferocity, "Sir Greymore, do you want to tell me why the Magistrates dog is within my city?"

Gripping his neck, so hard blood began to gush from his fingers, Sir Greymore struggled, to speak his arms clenching Cors trying to weaken his hold.

"FO... Follow...follow orders... Magistrates." Said Sir Greymore in a forceful tone.

Sneering cor suddenly tore a large chasm into the city as he rammed Sir Greymores entire body into the pavement. Sending ruthless kicks into the knight's face, blood exploded from the back of his head as it slapped over the ground.

"Fucking Valis. That goat fucking asshole. I had heard he became the Knights Imperial Magistrate. How disdainful, that fucker can be bought by just about anyone." Cor muttered, pressing his foot upon the bloody body of Greymore.

"So it seems, but his order is still the real thing." Said Talia, whose body was covered in crimson.

Wiping the fresh wet blood from her face, she bowed towards her lord, "Forgive me, your grace. I should've killed him when you told me to."

"No!!! Aunty did the right thing." Aurelia shouted in tears, " Aurelia doesn't want papa to die."

With the inclination to severTalia's head from her shoulders, Zireael held his arm. Looking down at the tear-eyed girl, he chuckled, turning towards Talia, "I wonder, little princess, was this your plan? Ignore my order and bond with the little girl? Knowing if I killed you, the little trust she has for me would fade."

Turning Ashen in the shadows of her hair, Talia lowered her head, neither confirming nor denying her Lord's theory. However, Lord Zireael was truly not interested in the truth. For whatever he said would be the truth.

"Let's go, " Said Zireael, "and Cor send word to the King. Should this happen once more, I will be getting involved. I do not mind ending my vacation early."

With a graceful bow, Cor cuffed his palms, "By your will Duke Blackwater."

...

...

...

Resting in a relaxed manner, Zireael stared out at the endless snow blanketing the obscure forest just outside the city of Valmor. With his carriage following the dusty trail, Lord Blackwater tapped his fingers upon his window.

"Lord Zireael, "Wispered Talia, "I am..."

"I do not want to hear it, Talia. I am rather impressed you ignored my order, but do you still think it was the right thing to do?" Zireael questioned in a patient tone.

Hesitating for a moment, Talia nodded, "I do, my lord, as strong and powerful you may be. Human interaction is not your forte. You struggle to understand the emotions shared by the common man."

Rising from her seat, Aurelia gripped Zireael's collar, glaring into his indifferent eyes, "Dumb Dumb, Papa has nothing to do with this."

Getting a little annoyed by the word 'papa,' Zireael flicked Aurelia's head, blasting her back into her seat. "Fine, I will drop this, but Aurelia, do you want to make a bet?"

" don't!" Shouted Innis and Talia simultaneously.

Arching his lips, Zireael fixed his collar, awaiting the girl's response. There was no need to urge Aurelia, for her gaze said it all.

"What bet?"

"It's simple, how much do you want to bet that at the end of this little trip of ours, you will be killing your own father?" Said Zireael tapping his fingers upon the windows ledge. Matching the beat of her heart Zireael did not wait for her to answer, as he continued, "Before you say anything, I want you to understand. The Imperial Knights have in their possession your father. They will not torture him or kill him, for he is too valuable right now. No, they will simply offer him a few coin, and he will come looking for you."

Paling both Innis and Talia open their mouths to speak. Yet, no words sounded. Widening their eyes in horror, Zireael shot them an indifferent glance.HIs glace glimmering with a silver arcana.

"So tell me, Aurelia do you want to talk about the term of our bet?"

Without any hesitation, Aurelia lifted her head high, "I want Dumb Dumb, not to bully Aurelia anymore!"

"And I would like for you to enter a special bond with me."

Scrunching her brow, Aurelia frowned, "Like a marriage? Do you want to marry Aurelia? Aurelia knows she is great, but Dumb Dumb is not Aurelia type."

"First off, I am everyone's type, and I am not my brother who fucks everything that walks the earth. I was talking about..."

"Aurelia agrees to marry Dumb Dumb if she loses. But Aurelia will not." Said the girl with a powerful conviction within the depths of her eyes.

Narrowing his gaze at the light that was never present before, Lord Blackwater felt his very blood tremble. As though something within the depts was watching him. Hesitating for a moment, Zireael let it go lifting his hands with his usual expression.

"Deal,"