Chapter 65

“Thank you so much.” She said, again, as Henry stood there, fighting every bit of his nerves as he watched his D.E.D. defeat essence tentacle after essence tentacle. The Greater Rift was another Tier 1 demon, meaning his D.E.D., with their improved levels, passives, and teamwork, had no problem keeping the tendrils at bay.

“Uh huh,” Henry glanced at the speaker for another moment. Her name was Cassie. She was Caleb’s sister and had been the one the Ice Kitsune had been given to. That, particular D.E.D., currently sat back behind Henry’s, lazily licking its paw and shooting the occasional icy blast towards a tendril.

“Really,” Cassie said again, drawing closer to Henry, close enough that her perfume, full of floral hints, could waft into his nose. “Caleb told me you’re the reason he was able to get me my new adorable D.E.D. I, I was so broken up after Flare died.”

“Don’t mention it.” Henry replied. Cassie was, once again, dressed in cosplay. This time Henry actually recognized it. She was dressed as a character named Esdeath from the anime Akame Ga Kill. A brutal, blood-filled anime he’d watched with JJ. Speaking of, he knew JJ was going to freak out when he saw Cassie. JJ loved Esdeath. That being said, Cassie’s cheerful, cute nature, did not fit the character in the slightest.

“Do you,” she continued, “think I can stick with you a bit? Caleb mentioned you were strong, and you’re D.E.D.” she whispered, pointing towards his trio of death and destruction, “are so strong. They’re beating those death tentacles with such ease. If you’re around,” she placed a hand lightly on his arm, “I’m sure I could get stronger.”

Henry flinched at the touch. The way she was acting, the way she looked at him, he was pretty sure she was just trying to use her cuteness to get what she wanted. And, given how she looked, he was pretty confident she was used to making that work. He had a strong feeling she would do the UwU sound over discord too if given the chance.

“Tell you what,” he said as he pulled his arm gently free. “If you’re really looking at someone strong who can protect you, and help you grow. I may have someone in mind.”

“Really?” She practically jumped in happiness. “Who is it? Not that dreadful Reaper I hope. She’s so…cold. And the D.E.D., that zombie thing that follows her, so not cute.”

Henry winced at the mention of Jewel. She was getting better, he knew that, but every time he thought of her, he just replayed the scene with Varkoth in his mind, and it terrified him.

“No, not her.” Henry said after a moment. “A friend of mine. He’s a lot stronger than I am, but uh,” he paused, trying to figure out how to word it. Sure, JJ would probably straight up admit to being a Demon Hunter to Cassie. But, Henry wasn’t going to spill that secret. So he decided on a different approach.

“You’re a fan of anime, yeah?” Cassie’s eyes lit up at that statement, nodding furiously.

“Oh my god. Are you? This is so perfect.” She was vibrating with energy, and not just the energy of the greater rift.

“Ha, well, yeah, I do watch anime, but that’s aside the point. My friend, who could help you out, he’s got a secret identity that needs to be kept under wraps. Sort of like a,” Henry paused, trying to think of a good example. “Sort of like Tatsumi. He uh, has to keep his identity a secret at times, you catching my drift?”

She opened her mouth. Then closed it. Then opened it again. After a moment of silence, she just nodded, though her eyes sparkled. Apparently, talking anime with her was a big, big thing.

“So yeah. I’m sure he can help you out, but only if you promise not to blow his cover. He’s worked hard to keep his secret, well, secret. And surely you don’t want something bad happening to him if he’s helping you, right?”

Cassie shook her head furiously, and Henry offered her a small smile. He was already laughing his ass off mentally about how much trouble this girl was going to give JJ. But hey, his best friend had asked Henry to get her number for him. At the very least, this covered that agreement quite well. And it kept her from trying to linger around Henry. Because he really couldn’t have her just leeching experience from his D.E.D. Not yet. And he really wasn’t sure she would be all that helpful on the ‘save the world’ team. Definitely not as she was now.

“Who is he?” She asked softly. “Do I know him? What Strike Team is he on?” She scanned the scene around them. The movie theater area was crowded, as always, thanks to the Greater Rift. And while the exorcists were blending in well, Henry noticed there seemed to be fewer than normal. He also could tell Afro was gone, meaning that particular exorcist was likely on the Away team.

“He, uh, he’ll be here soon.” After all, JJ was on his way to deal with whatever the hell The Consumer was.

“He’s going to help me out with something, part of his secret mission status…and then he should be available to help you out.”

Her eyes flashed and her smile grew even wider. At the same time, Henry noticed an alert on the phone she was holding. Her Kitsune had just leveled up, though he couldn’t see what level the thing was. It was a Rare D.E.D., and he knew that Kitsune’s could get quite powerful. But, whether or not she would actually bring out its potential, was a completely different story.

Instead, he just smiled at her, and turned his focus back towards the Greater Rift. JJ should be here any moment, and timeline wise, Henry was certain the Away Team would finish off the Larpen soon enough. Meaning, in a short amount of time, Henry would be bait, and he would have to see that monster once again.

Something, he really wasn’t looking forward to. He’d contacted Emelia immediately after his call with JJ, informing her of the situation, and she’d confirmed everything JJ had told him. She’d also told him, quite frankly, that he needed to do whatever JJ told him to, regarding the incident, because the Exorcists currently didn’t have any resources available to help out with this matter. From her tone, he was getting more of a , ‘this is a sensitive matter and you’re on your own’ type of vibe from her. Which, sucked, because Henry had really, really been hoping for someone like Loki to show up and help out. Or, at least Jonathan. Where the hell was his team lead during such a vital time?

“There’s some weird guy coming towards us.” Cassie said at Henry’s side, pulling him from his musings. She was only half watching the crowd, while she did something on her D.E.D. Exorcists app. “Please, tell me that’s not him?”

Her cute tone was gone, and she was glancing at the approaching JJ with apprehension.

“Uh, yeah, that’s him.” Henry said.

“But, like, he’s shorter than I am.” Cassie responded dryly. Henry did his best to stifle a laugh at that. His best friend was, sure enough, on the shorter side. Something that constantly seemed to get in the way of any relationship he tried to pursue. Then again, the fact his best friend kept going after girls taller than him, probably didn’t help.

“Hey now. I never promised you a knight in shining armor. Just a powerful friend to help keep you safe.”

She glanced at him, then at JJ, who was still making his way towards them. “But like, why him? You’re so much more my type.”

“Uh, thanks, I guess?” He said, not really sure how to react to this very forward, blunt statement from her. In a split second though, her attitude changed back to the cute, somewhat ditsy mannerism she’d been holding onto, as JJ reached them.

JJ paused as he looked at the two, before shooting Henry a grin. Henry returned it with a nod, still not having the heart to tell JJ what Cassie had just said about him.

“JJ, this is Cassie.” Henry opened with. “Cassie, this is my best friend JJ.”

“Nice cosplay.” JJ said happily. “Esdeath yeah? Great anime. And you really captured the character.” JJ looked back toward Henry, his smile fading for a moment. “Everything good here so far?”

“For the most part.” Henry replied, a smirk crossing his own face. “A small problem, if you may, but nothing regarding what we chatted about on the phone.”

JJ sighed at the comment. His best friend had picked up on the statement.

“There always is.” He grumbled. “Ah well, hopefully we can overcome it.” He turned and looked at the greater rift, more importantly, Henry’s D.E.D. fighting the tendrils, and the Kitsune sitting behind them.

“Is that cute icy thing yours Cassie? Very fitting, if you ask me. Do you match your cosplays to your D.E.D.”

The way Cassie lit up at that, told Henry that maybe, just maybe, JJ did actually have a chance with her. And, as the conversation started up between the two, it let Henry lose himself, for just a moment, in a sense of normalcy he’d been missing. A moment, he knew, that would soon be over.