Banished

An incredible surrounding warmth. It seemed to wrap around her, filling her with a sense of security and peace.

Christal heaved a slight sigh. She wanted to curl up in this feeling that repeatedly overwhelmed her. However, her body seemed oddly unwilling to move.

As the sensations returned to her, she began to realize that she was lying on her back. The feeling in her body was returning, and a dull ache accompanied it. Suddenly, she became aware of an extra warmth and physical presence beside her.

*Anyone with me?* Christal thought slowly, the fog in her mind dissipating a bit.

Someone was holding her against him, his arms around and supporting her. Her energy was too weak to sense who it was, but she didn't feel in danger. Whoever it was not an enemy.

She wanted to talk, wanted to ask him who he was, but only managed to let out a low moan.

" It's fine, Christal"

*This voice...A man's voice. I know this voice...but who…?* Her mind lazily searched for the answer.

With a small moan and effort, she gradually opened her eyes slightly.

Her eyes tried to focus as she stared at a blurry face, dark hair, and worried dark eyes.

" Claude?"

" Christal... my sweetheart"

Claude exclaimed, a smile crossing his features as he saw her eyes looking at him again.

" Claude"

Christal repeated slowly, incredulously.

Suddenly, memories flooded Christal's mind.

She was in the forest of nightmares, she was sad and crying because Claude didn't trust her and preferred this woman and her children to her.

He hadn't stopped her when she decided to leave, she was afraid to go back to him after a month and find that he was happy with this woman.

But she had promised him, she had to go no matter what bad news was waiting for her there.

But at the same time, when she was about to leave the forest, she felt a threatening presence behind her, even more terrible than her, and found herself on the ground.

" You have too long done what pleases you, Christal Goldish. You even went so far as to pervert a human... you will have to pay for it with your life."

After that, she just remembers trying to fight for her life but she was far too weak to think she had a chance against one of the four sacred beasts that rule this forest. Very quickly, she found herself on the ground with her belly open losing a lot of blood...

Her mind drifted to a face that tickled her thoughts, beautiful dark locks, an equally dark and bewitching gaze, a magnificent fine, framed face, and that smoldering smile that she loves so much... Claude Von Hosten.

She needed to see him again even if it was the last time

The next second, Christal found herself with a crushed heart and a pair of dazzling eyes.

" What are you doing here?"

Claude quickly brought his hand to his nose, rubbing it regretfully while glaring at her.

" You didn't come back so I came to get you."

" But this forest is forbidden to humans... and how did you manage to find me?"

"Did you expect me to let you die? Plus I'm not fully human anymore"

" How so?"

Claude stayed calm; he didn't know how it worked but he had to try. Christal was contemplative, wanting to know what Claude was talking about when she saw his eyes change color to become a scarlet red and his fangs grow.

" This…"

" Eh yes, my demon, you made me a demon too"

Christal was about to retort when the look in his eyes made her give in. She let out a big sigh.

" THANKS."

Claude watched in bewilderment as Christal managed to get herself into a sitting position, but as she tried to stand, her head spun and she felt herself tumble as a pair of strong arms caught her.

" You're not well ... What made you think you could already stand up?!"

Claude growled with a scowl.

" I'm fine, I just need to get my bearings."

Christal responded with indignation and a groan, wanting the place to stop swaying, then sputtered as she found herself hoisted into Claude's arms, bride-like.

" Claude"

" Come on, let's go home"

" And your wife…"

whispered Christal

" You are my wife."

" I see."

Christal replied with a slight smile, too exhausted to argue any longer.

Claude was about to turn toward the exit of the cave when a feeling of terror came over him. He watched in shock and a moment later, the entire cavern walls exploded into chunks of flying debris behind them, filling the air with dust.

A dark figure passed him, too close for comfort. Claude felt Christal stiffen and assumed she had recognized the figure. Claude turned his head and found himself staring directly into the red eyes of a creature he couldn't describe.

" Master Seiryu…"

Christal seemed on the verge of terror as that name slipped from her lips. Claude Doesn't understand how someone as proud as Christal could be so scared

" Christal, are you okay?"

" Claude go away, don't stay there."

" And you?"

" It will be fine but you have to run away, it's dangerous."

" It's dangerous for you too, so let's go together."

" Damn, you don't understand or you're doing it on purpose... this creature is one of the four guardians of these lands, the sacred beast Seiryu. Even if we try hard we'll never reach him."

" But ... What do you want me to do? That I go and leave my wife behind?"

" But…"

Seiryu sighed and approached even more, his breath invading the entire cave and sending shivers through the bodies of Claude and Christal.

" I see it's this human... well Christal Goldish, for the crime of having brought a human into this forest, I banish you. You can never come back here again and for the crime of having changed a human into a creature of the darkness, your descendants will also be cursed."

Seiryu blew violently around them causing the ground to shake as the wind blew blowing water and rocks here and there obstructing their views.

To protect themselves from the debris, they had no choice but to put their arms against their faces as the whirlwind caused by Seiryu intensified making the scene almost apocalyptic.

Christal was shaking and Claude noticed it quickly taking her against him to reassure her, which would have the merit of calming her down.

They were still in terror when they came to their senses, finding themselves in a quiet and brighter place than this dark cave where they were a few seconds ago.

Claude opened his eyes and saw his horse, which he had left outside the forest, his heart leaping in his chest with immense relief.

" We are safe... Christal."

He turned to her and instead of finding Christal trembling, her eyes were filled with horror.

" That…"

" It's impossible I...I"

" Christal…"

" I became a human...it's not possible Master Seiryu cursed me and made me a vulgar human…"

Christal began to cry while Claude, a little hurt at being only a vulgar human in the eyes of his beloved, bent down to look at her.

" I don't understand everything but even if you are human, you still have me... or is it not enough for you?"

Christal raised her face in Claude's direction and began to cry harder.

" And you, aren't you disappointed to no longer be the lover of a mystical being?"

" I don't care about that Christal, what I want is for you"

Christal smiled before getting up with difficulty but Claude managed to grab her and took her to his horse.

" Let's go home."

"Yes... let's go back"

They galloped calmly. Claude did not want to rush Christal especially when she had holes in her abdomen but had also lost her home.

she

She was on her own in this new world without her abilities and even if that made him a little happy to know that she had become human, it also hurt him to see that she was so sad

" You didn't lose everything that made you a demon...I'm sure that when you go to rest, you'll be able to regain your strength."

Christal smiled and laid her head on Claude's chest, closing her eyes after this tiring period of her life.

She needed it.

The road to his home was quite peaceful. Claude felt happier and fulfilled after finally finding the person he had missed for the past few weeks. He was looking forward to making her his wife and leading a beautiful life with her.

She was even more beautiful than the first time, asleep in his arms...damn he already wanted to be alone with her in their bedroom, and his cock began to squeeze in his pants.

They finally arrived and were received by the servants who recognized Christal raving about her beauty.

" Master, we are going to prepare a room for your guest…"

" It will not be necessary, she will sleep in my room with me."

" But…"

" It's not official yet but I present to you the new hostess of Hosten, she will be the next duchess of Hosten."

After speaking, he went to bed with Christal who was still asleep in his arms, and then went to his office.

A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door and the butler accompanied by Eléonore entered.

" Master, I need to talk to you."

" Come on, I listen to you."

Claude continued to check his papers not looking at the people in front of him.

" Master...it's not a good idea to repudiate Lady Eléonore in this way. I suggest that you make this woman your concubine and…"

" I don't usually share what is mine."

All eyes turned to the door, Christal in her black dress staring coldly at them.

She walked towards Claude's desk and sat on the table vehemently confronting Eléonore who glared at her even if it was accompanied by tears.

" I don't know who you are and where you come from, but you should have a little decency to leave a married man without interfering in his marriage."

Christal smiled at Eléonore before getting up and walking towards her.

" Sorry but we will have a little problem then…because I have no decency and no morals. I am the most perverse and evil person who will ever cross your path. So your remarks, you should keep them for others. "

She put her fingernail under Eleanor's chin and clawed hard enough to leave a mark. The blood ran down her fingernail as she brought her finger to her mouth.

" Your blood is so insipid it's disgusting in the mouth."

She turned around and went to look at Claude, who was watching her curiously.

" Are you doing well?"

"Yes I'm fine...I'm just...very thirsty."

Claude scowled, then seeing in the depths of Christal's gaze, a dancing color between green and gold and he understood...it wasn't over.

" Please leave us alone."

" But my dear."

" Immediately."

The two flinched at the tone and quickly left the office.

But what was that strange thing deep in Christal's gaze?