The Quest for Power

Chapter 33 - Peril.

"What was that about?" I asked cautiously, looking up at Anti. I never imagined the egos could be that intimidating, their normal behavior was so much calmer and friendlier.

"They're not much different from you..." The demon sighed. "All they want is their puppeteer's attention. I can't really blame them..."

"So you're saying... that's jealousy?" I asked.

"Pretty much." He shrugged, removing his arm and getting up. "Alright, you better leave now." He turned to face me. "I wasn't in a good mood to begin with and now I'm even more annoyed..." He smirked but I could tell he was just holding in his emotions.

"And why is that a reason to leave?" I muttered, feeling my eyes stinging from crying so much and overall just feeling exhausted.

"Listen, I don't need your state to get any worse... Go away before I lose my shit." He bit his lip, grabbing my chin and forcing me to look at him.

"I don't mind." I muttered.

"You are putting too much trust in me..." The demon noted. "Is it really worth it?"

My lip trembled as I thought of an answer.

"Why are you puppets willing to sacrifice that much?" His smile became almost soft.

"I don't know." I breathed. "No damn single idea."

"Last chance to leave?" He muttered. I shook my head in response, soon an ear-deafening scream escaped my lips as his knife cut along my forearm. My body started shaking in fear when I realized how deep the cut was. "It'll heal." He whispered, pressing his forehead against mine for a moment and withdrawing only to cut again.

-

I was laying on the couch in Anti's office, staring at the backrest while I isolated myself from the world. I heard the man speak to me once in a while but I was too dazed to even try and answer. I heard Crow enter the office at some point, complaining about something then leaving. I felt a hand placed on my shoulder, shaking me lightly. "...come on..." I forced myself to listen but my ears were ringing from the loss of blood. "Go rest in your room." Anti muttered, I could hear in his voice that he was also exhausted. He pulled my shoulder, forcing me to roll and look at him. I stared blankly at him. "Don't give me that that look." He clicked his tongue. "I warned you, I-... I know I overdid it, fine? You'll be better after a goodnight rest." He rolled his eyes, looking back at me. "Why the fuck are you smiling?"

My eyes widened in surprise, I didn't even realize I was smiling. "...don't know..." I mumbled.

Anti shook his head. "It's late." He sighed, grabbing my hand and forcing me to sit up. "Let's call it a day."

-

"Hey." I smiled, entering our room. Alisia was already fast asleep while Emma was still on her phone.

"Is everything-" She stopped when she saw my bandaged arm. "What happened?"

I shook my head in reply. "It's nothing important." I sat on my bed, looking at Alisia for a moment. Anti's words never left my mind. Final wish... How much longer did the girl even have? How much time did we have until I won't be able to even talk to her anymore...? How many things I will have left that I never said properly? I felt like I had to at least try. "You know, I had a weird dream the other day." I began, smiling somewhat at the lie.

"About?" Emma asked.

"For some reason... you were gone?" I explained. "It was so weird... It felt real and yet... we couldn't believe it."