Chapter 33: Dance with The Devil Prologue

Theriault and Shen Yi stood in the middle of the town square as people were dancing, drinking, and having a good time.

"Glad to see people like this still exist, easy money right here Hunter," Theriault said, smiling at Hunter's reluctance to thievery.

"I still don't think it's necessary, we can always do other things for money couldn't we?" Hunter asked. "Like maybe doing some jobs with the council or something..."

"Sure but why would you want any more trouble when you could make some quick cash now? It's not worth risking your life if someone else does the dirty work," he replied. "Besides I'm sure they're all just regular humans anyway, no magic or monsters around here yet!"

Though Theriault was being quite noisy, none of the drunk partyers paid the three any mind. As Theriault had said, this was his favorite kind of place.

"So you understand the plan? I will walk up to that woman, you'll draw everyone's attention and have your sword in hand, that's when I'll be surprised that you caught me "Cheating" and you'll attack..."

Shen Yi nodded as Theriault sent off Hunter to wait until everyone was distracted.

Theriault walked up to a short amber-haired girl, who was dressed in warm clothing and drinking from a metal canister. "Hey, how's your night?" Theriault asked, smiling kindly before she looked at him in disgust.

"Don't even try it loser," The girl said, scoffing at him as she turned away.

"Pft!" Shen Yi tried holding in her laughter, but she couldn't and ultimately burst out laughing at Theriault's instant rejection. She then stopped herself after realizing what had happened because both of them knew very well where this would lead.

If their plan failed then it meant no distraction, and no distraction meant no money.

"Hey!" Theriault yelled out, grabbing the girl by her wrist. "I was just trying to have a conversation-"

"Hey let go of me!" The girl yelled, tugging her arm away and interrupting Theriault as several of the partygoers glanced over.

"Geez why the hell are you being so-" Theriault tried to say as he started to get annoyed.

"Hey let her go!" A man yelled, rushing toward Theriault with a drunken jog. As he punched at the black-haired boy, Theriault dodged it, letting go of the girl's wrist and grabbing the man's fist.

"Seriously?" He asked, staring down the man before he felt the hairs on the back of his neck rise.

Quickly ducking, Theriault dodged a strike from Shen Yi's sword, the silver blade whistling in the wind.

"How dare you threaten this nice town! Ol evil spawn of Satan!" Shen Yi yelled with a triumphant smile as everyone looked at her in confusion.

"Does she have a sword?"

"Is this a skit?"

"What the actual fuck."

Theriault looked at her with dull eyes. "I don't like this plan anymore..." He muttered as he let go of the confused man and faced Shen Yi.

"Why if it isn't you princess, come to accept my hand in marriage... finally?" Theriault said flatly as Shen Yi raised her sword above her head.

"Never Satan spawn! I have come to slay you and save this fine kingdom!" Her voice rang through the air.

Theriault saw some of the crowd getting into it, so he just shrugged and played along. It may not have been the original plan, but it was good enough.

With an amused smirk, Theriault reached into his pocket and took out a dagger. This one had been sharpened specifically for this occasion. "What did you call me?" He whispered under his breath, taking a step closer and raising the knife up high.

"Satan spawn! I have come to cut out your heart!" She screamed again as she swung downwards, ready to pierce his chest open.

Theriault swiftly ducked past the sword, kicking Shen Yi in her shin and making a grand show of stabbing down with his dagger.

*Clang!*

Shen Yi swung her sword wildly, blocking Theriault's dagger and kicking out, catching him in the stomach as he looked slightly surprised.

"Good job," He said with a smile.

He didn't know she was able to do that, but it wouldn't happen again.

"Now prepare yourself," Theriault began, looking deep into her eye. "This won't kill me, but it will hurt."

Shen Yi faltered slightly before gritting her teeth and stabbing forward, moving fluidly as Theriault dodged, turning on her heel and slashing the blade across Theriault chest and cutting into his loose shirt fabric.

Theriault continued, putting one foot behind him and lifting his leg, sweeping hers out from underneath her and causing her to land hard on her side.

"C'mon, Princess. Let's see what you can do?" Theriault challenged as Shen Yi looked up at him, little drops of blood easing their way out of her scraped elbow.

Shen Yi clenched her jaw and jumped up, her skirt riding up a little as she spun and kicked her leg out straight towards Theriault. His feet slid out beneath her kick however and he easily avoided it by stepping aside.

Shen Yi landed heavily on the ground and rolled backward, coming to her knees quickly. She rushed forward again, her blade forgotten in her hand as she lashed out with her fists.

Theriault weaved through her attacks, breathing sharply as he kicked her in the side.

Shen Yi didn't let up though and sent a heavy blow toward his jaw as he dodged out of the way. The trajectory of the punch changed and hit him in the shoulder, surprising him slightly as she stepped in and thrust her hips to the side, the force sending Theriault skidding back.

"Huh, good one," He said as he smacked her hand off and kicked her away.

Shen Yi was up instantly, rushing him once again with dozens of high-speed punches.

Theriault smiled as he weaved through the vicious punches. "You're doing really well, but what if I do this?"

Theriault slashed upward with his dagger, slicing into Shen Yi's arm and smiling as the crowd cried out in shock.

"Woah!"

"This is crazy! Is that real blood?"

"Going so far for what? I don't have the healing ability like you and Hunter..." Shen Yi said, staring at her wound as Theriault shrugged.

"Don't worry I'm sure Hunter can help you-"

Theriault stopped as Shen Yi's blade slashed across his chest as she smiled brightly. "Yeah I'm sure he can heal me up fine," She said as blood spilled from the one-inch cut.

Theriault looked at the crowd, seeing Hunter standing at the back gesturing for them to leave.

"Ladies and Gentlemen! Thank you for taking the time to watch our performance," Theriault said bowing deeply.

The crowd booed loudly, shouting for blood as Theriault and Shen Yi ran from the scene.

"Dammit! Why'd they stop cheering? This better have been worth it!"

Hunter sighed, walking beside Theriault as the three stopped and walked back toward the cafe. They had managed to collect about twenty bucks; which wasn't bad, but Theriault wanted more...much more.

After entering the shop, Theriault grabbed some cloth towels and wiped himself up, his wound had long closed, but there was still dried blood.

Shen Yi sat down with Hunter, who used the divine fire to heal her long cut. "All that for twenty euros?" Hunter asked, a little disappointed in himself.

"Just the way of the game..." Theriault answered as Uathach walked in, her face flushed but looking much happier than when they'd last seen her.

"I thought you guys might return so I left it unlocked, we don't have a guest room, but feel free to lay in the booths," She said as Theriault stopped her.

"Trust me, that's a better sleeping situation than we've had these past few weeks... But we need to discuss payment for taking care of that devil, I know your husband can do it himself, he's just more brains than brawn so he's having trouble..."

"I am still awake!" Cu yelled from the back room as Uathach let out a lighthearted giggle.

"Well, that's why I think you guys should go find my mother, she's not lost, but getting to the castle at the isle of the Skye is pretty difficult now..."

"I don't care about the task, just the reward..." Theriault said. So they had to travel and then take down some devil? No big deal in his eyes.

Uathach smiled. "My mother Scathach won't come easily, in fact, she may kill you three for daring to ask her for help..."

"Why?" Theriault asked.

Uathach sighed, looking up at Theriault with a look of reluctance. "My husband and I... We attempted to take her life so we could have her grand fortune..."

Theriault stared at her blankly. "That doesn't make sense," He replied simply.

"I understand your assumption, but she's a bit of a bitch, she had vast riches and we decided she definitely deserves to die anyway..." Uathach admitted sadly.

"Uh... What the hell? You tried to kill your mom and you're trying to justify it?" Theriault said with an almost disgusted look on his face.

Uathach nodded, "But as for payment, should you guys survive and convince my mother to help out, she will gladly share her wealth with you... As long as I get nothing she'd give it all to you..."

...

The next morning, Theriault and Cu Chulainn stood outside the cafe, the sun hadn't risen yet but there was the golden purple glow rising up, indicating they'd have some daylight soon.

"Let's go then young Theriault It's time to dance with the devil..."