15. Down the path of fireflies

After agreement for weekend Karis life didn't go back to normal, she felt lingering of Devil ready to kill or hurt anyone. She had to take extra caution not to turn inti evil anime protagonist. At the same time she became more observant too, started watching and reading news to see what is going on. A moral dilemma arose in her mind, she now has a power to destroy and to cure anything. But does she need to start playing god.

She tried to make rhetorical question threads on internet for fun, question her gaming friends, Adora and Freya, but society was too much divided and there were no correct answer. Soon she reached point where the minute she tries to think of it, she would become super lazy ant tired, that helped her to sleep a lot better.

On Friday evening, when they had their little tea time, Karis and Vincent were playing board games with grandma observing them and commenting their moves or choices.

-You know, time flies so fast, here its Monday, you blink and its Friday, Karis, don't forget tomorrow early in the morning i will have to go back home, i have doctors appointment,- she said standing up,- i will premade sandwiches for breakfast.

Azeroth looked at smiling Karis which nodded and looked back at cards, then glanced at him with look that meant she is about to destroy him, and placed her cards proudly wining the game.

When he was leaving, he turned back at Karis and placed his hand on her cheek stroking it lightly. He noticed her being a bit more cold and reserved recently, not wanting to kiss as much.

-Are you ready for tomorrow? I really don't want to push you,- Karis nodded.

-Can you tell exactly what i will need to do?

-You will travel with me to one of my brothers to meet other censers, they will tell you how to use it,- she nodded, this might be her chance to tip her moral scales.

-Azeroth,- she still felt weird saying his real name,- just know, i am not a fighter, i am not fit for something extreme, i really don't want to be involved into all of this, but i will learn how to use it in case i need to protect myself and those i care about,- he nodded.

-I respect that, i will try to keep you out of it as much as i can,- she smiled, nodded and moved away closing and locking the door.

She rested her forehead against wooden door that still smell like forest. She looked at this man, knew how much he wants physical touch, but felt that i was too much for her, if he could, he would fuck her every day, but that's where it started and ended. Her wish not to get involved has opened a gap between them, because other than that, they had nothing else in common apart of physical attraction.

They agreed to meet around 6pm, it was still light, but he didn't want to take her through dark forest due to anyone that might be lurking there, therefore after Karis has done her works, she took a nap.

Its been a while since she had a dream with both of her grandparents in a dream, she felt so happy, that she begged alarm not to ring, she talked with them, received hugs, they praised her for all of the achievements, suddenly she wasnt a grown woman anymore, she was the wild girl, who would hide in hay and fall asleep scaring half of village, she was the girl who rolled downhill into grass getting cows poo all over her long hair, she was the girl who were a hero in her own imaginary world. Just for now she felt bliss of not having weight of the world in her shoulders.

-Karis, we both are proud of you and believe that your judgement will be good,- said one of grandads.

-What ever challenge awaits you, believe in yourself, not what others tells you to do, especially gods, they are not your friends,- said other and they exchanged serious looks. They were drifting, their salutes were dispersing.

-You will have to make hard decisions, don't let them consume you,- they disappeared and she opened her eyes with a gasp. It was already getting dark, she sat down looking at her phone, her alarm was turned off, she triple checked that it would be on.

Waking up from such a long nap made her not really understand what is going on and what day is it, she put her feet on the ground letting cold shock to wake her up and flinched as someone started moving in arm chair. Azeroth in Vincent's body was standing up, stretching causing his joints pop.

-Good morning sleepy head,- he said in tired voice. -I was waiting for you, but guardians said you were having a pleasant dream, so i didn't interfere and turned off the arm clock for you. What kind of dream did you have?-she gave a soft smile chuckling lightly.

-It was my grandparents talking with me. They are most precious people to me,- she said stretching and letting her joints pop even lounder.

Azeroth waited patiently for Karis to get ready and they headed off. She wasnt sure what to do or what to expect. Walking 2 steps behind she leaned towards him bombarding him with questions.

-Where are we going? Will there be water? Bridges? Will we be attacked?- Azeroth chuckled and turned back at her placing soft kiss on her forehead.

-No, if anyone will attack us, i will take care of them, you just hide. But i don't think anyone is stupid enough to attack higher demons. We will first go to my residence, then we will fly to Ullmon palace ruins. Why you ask about bridges?

-Because i am afraid to cross them,- she shrugged, which made Azeroth chuckle even more.

-I will give you a hand, or carry you over,- he smiled to which she replied with vague smile.

With rising anxiety Karis followed him through path in fields, it led to forest, she thought she knew every inch of it, how come she didn't knew there is secret passage to magical dimension. Even the calming smell of forest did not made her feel any better, she followed him silently keeping few steps behind, they took path that her grand dad used to take her and she had to stop.

-This is path me and my grandad used to take when we used to go foraging,- he looked at her and scratched back of his neck.

-Well, i kind of told him, that this area is rather rich in mushroom, at the same time, it was close to the gate so i could help him in need,- she leaned by tree feeling lack of air.

-I cant believe it, how come there was this magical gate, how come is this all real, why did it have to happen to me?-Vincent sighed and came closer.

Demon finally realized, Karis needed space and didn't want intimacy from him, that's why he squatted in front of her and waited for her to calm down keeping his arms open if she needed to. It was hard on her mortal brain.

-Why me?- she whispered looking at him with such big eyes.

-Only explanation i have is bad luck, but thinking of this, you have power to help, wouldn't you want it? Would you pass it to someone else?

-Yes, right now, i could pass it to the good side and let them do what ever they want with it. I am not altruistic as it seems.

-You used to be pharmacist, didn't you became one because you wanted to help?

-No, i became one, because i wanted to earn good money,- she looked surprised, but then it clicked in her brain,- wait, you think everyone is so altruistic and ready to sacrifice themselves for others?-Vincent looked so confused.

-That's what humans used to be, they used to protect each other,- Karis chuckled and shook her head.

-Oh my, no, i am willing to give my present to good guys, but i aint gonna get involved,- Vincent stood up thinking she was feeling better and placed his hand on her shoulder.

-Just know this, i will always stand by your side, i don't care what kind of contract you would put on me, i will never abandon you,- she smiled but her eyes wandered from his face.

The last sun rays has disappeared behind the horizon. The forest became semi dark, but suddenly, along the path, where ferns were growing, little blue and green lights appeared. She carefully tiptoed to one plant with both lights and leaned closer. Green light was emitted by firefly bugs. Blue lights were created by wisps of blue fire floating around. They lined up towards the hazelnut tree that always grew bended over the road like archway. All the bugs suddenly rose up to the sky forming another arch of lights, some of them still floated around her. Vincent reached a hand for her which she did not take and then leaded her towards the ark.

While walking she tried to touch the blue flames, and they felt like ice, at the same time, bugs that she tried to touch landed on her hand, crawling up her hand and then freezing thinking its a good spot.

Crossing archway felt like passing through water, she couldn't breathe for a second but then she ended up in the yard, by a mansion. Ghost was already waiting by the door. He bowed like a proper butler gesturing for her to walk inside.

-Miss Karissa, we welcome you into 8th Raven Demon prince mansion. I hope you will enjoy your stay,- she chuckled petting the rabbit.

-Thank you Ghost,- she walked in looking around.

The interior looked very empty, there were no extra furniture, paintings, vases or anything. Just empty but lighted corridor, that led into main room, which had a big crystal in the corner, sofa, armchair and big crystal. There were also few other door, which purpose she did not knew. She walked towards mirror to look at all these bits of area for surveillance and saw the house she lived as well.

-Are you stalking me inside of house? That's creepy,- Azeroth came closer looking at it with Vincent eyes.

-I only look at the view from top, to see if anything approaches perimeter. I never watched what is going on inside of houses, besides, its not even me, its Ghost that monitors it, as at home i have to put Vincent there,- he pointed at crystal. Karis looked at him with narrow eyes to catch any hints of lie, but decided he was truthful and walked to where it was pointed.

The crystal itself was a size to fit a human, the stone structure caused prisms to appear after catching any glimpse of light, but she could tell that structure itself had a yellow tint itself.

-Do you like it in here?- he said softly. Karis quirked her eyebrow.

-This place doesn't seem to be different from any unnecessary big house. Why you need a mansion when its only you and Ghost?- this question got Azeroth surprised. He glanced at his guardian who hopped closer.

-Well, its calm only now, in past we had to capture trouble makers, and very often we were visited by siblings or other deities. Seasonal fairies also likes to stay over here during seasonal changes and they do require loads of space,- the woman nodded finding the answer somewhat logical and looked through window.

They were still in forest, but in the garden she saw flowers she never seen before and blue wisps played among them, several fireflies glowed on trees, several bats played among trees, if no one told her, she wouldn't think they are in magical dimension.

-When are we going to meet your brother?-Azeroth politely with his palm pointed at the door where a carriage of winged black horses awaited.

-Normally we fly, but for this occasion i want to spoil you a bit,- she stood there frozen for a bit not grasping the reality again.

-I am afraid of heights,- she looked at demon.

-Its all right, it doesn't shake, and i will be there,- he said while getting in and offering his hand to her.