Haru appeared between us. His speed was amazing. I didn’t even notice him till my arm made contact with his black sword, the fire reflected off it and back into my face. It didn’t burn me too badly, but it still stung. I looked and saw he had caught Bessel’s outstretched leg with his free hand, holding his foot.

Haru pushed, sending both of us flying. I slammed into the alleywall, but Bessel managed to roll himself free.

“Hey, Kuruhara! Was the big idea??” Bessel screamed.

“What’d you think you’re doing? Both of you!” He said, his demeanor stern. “Fighting in the middle of the city filled with Demon Hunters, releasing Demonic energy like crazy!?”

“You know this demon Haru?” I shouted; arm still ablaze.

“It’s complicated.” Haru said. “But I’ll tell you about it later. We need to leave, right now. I can feel Demon Hunters converging on this position. One of them is a Captain. We need to peace out like yesterday.”

“Allright then.” Bessel said. “Good fight. See you’s in school tomorrow!” Bessel saluted, before backflipping, bounding off the wall up and over the roof.

“Hey! Get back here!” I yelled.

Haru placed a hand on my shoulder, and before I knew it, we were in front of my apartment.

“Get inside.” He ordered. He was being unusually strict, so I obeyed.

We got inside, Haru locking the door behind us. I made my way to my couch. It was still a mess from Haru’s squatting, but I had enough space to sit down. I heard the sound of Haru swinging his claymore through the air, followed by the distinct sound of him sliding it back into his sheath. He appeared in front of me a moment later, crossing his arms like a disappointed parent.

“Explain.” He said.

“He picked a fight with me first. Well, at school, then now. I was just fighting back.” I answered.

“Dammit Bessel.” He sighed. “When I asked you to help this was not what I meant…”

“How do you know a Demon? And why are you on friendly terms with him?”

“He owes me.” Haru said. “I was friends with his dad. Long story short, I’ve been a family friend for years.”

“Friend? With a Demon?"

Every single Demon I’ve encountered from the moment Koryn was killed has mindlessly been trying to kill me, except Bessel. In fact, I was certain the norm was that they were mindless killing machines. Even after hearing Alison’s story, my opinion of Demons was still low. I sympathized more with the Angels if anything.

“Every single Demon you’ve encountered so far was what’s known as an Aberrant.” He said. “They’re Demons who’ve lost control, and have been driven crazy by bloodlust. However, they ain’t the norm. Most Demons are like Bessel.”

“Picking fights with people they barely know?” I said.

“No, that’s just Bessel. Most Demons are regular people. Like actually.” He said.

“So, it’s one of those situations were I sympathize with another race, simply because you turned me into one?”

“No Kid. I mean, most Demons, don’t even know they are Demons.”

“What?”

“After the Creation Wars, Demons hid themselves in the far reaches of the world. For centuries they preyed upon mankind. The only one in their way was the Honor Guard, which will later become known as the Demon Corps. Equipped with Divine Arms made from the essence of both Angels and Demons, they were the first line of defense against both. Now tell me Kid, what’s the state of the Demon Corps now?”

“It’s as large as it’s ever been, with Demon Hunters stationed all over the world.” I said.

“Would you say it’s successful?”

“I guess. I mean, with the number of members it has…”

“Yes. That’s exactly it. It’s too successful.”

“What are you saying?” I said, confused.

“I’m saying, that Demons went extinct about three hundred years ago. True Demons anyway. The ones you see now, are the result of Demons interbreeding with humans. They are called Demon Blooded.”

“Demon Blooded?”

“Of course, humans already have a piece of Demon-kind in them as a result of Anastrid’s power, however interbreeding with demons makes it more so, allowing the traits to manifest. The truth of the manner is, the origin of magic, despite what Demon Hunting Corps says otherwise, is because of people’s demonic heritage.”

My eyes widened. What was he saying? I understood the words, but I couldn’t process it. Wasn’t magic a gift of Anastrid’s? Something she gives freely to a few chosen people in the world.

“However, every once in a while, the Demonic blood within a Demon-Blooded goes crazy, like a cancer. This forces the Demonic heritage to surface, transforming them into Aberrants. Aberrants are blood thirsty beasts, driven only by a deep genetic hatred of Anastrid deep in their being. This hatred manifests itself as a hunger, driving them to consume humans.”

“Does that mean that this?” I looked at my arm. “Makes me an Aberrant?”

“You’re not an Aberrant. There are a few Demon Bloods that are capable of manifesting their Demonic heritage without driving themselves insane. People like Bessel, or like Ozen.”

“Wait, something’s off. If what you’re telling me is true… then I’ve been killing former humans? The Demon Corps has too… and you too.” I said. His eyes were solemn.

“There’s no way for a human to come back from going Aberrant. Trust me. I’ve tried.” Haru said. “They’re more a danger to humanity as a whole if you leave them be.”

“I see. So, the Demon Hunting Corps is still a necessity.”

“For the time being.” He sighed. “Welp, unless you’ve got any more questions, I have a cold one in the fridge waiting for me.”

I went to bed that night thinking about what Haru had told me. It haunted me to my very core, yet, I still resolved myself. The Demons were already extinct, slain hundreds of years ago. However, Aberrants still appeared every once in a while, and it was the duty of a Demon Hunter to exterminate them. I looked at my demonic arm. It was cold to the touch, and I could barely move it now that I was away from Bessel. It was like a dead weight I carried instead of an arm. Incapable of even the simplest of tasks. I sighed. I could still hear Haru laughing at the tv outside. Jeez, how could someone be so carefree, especially knowing what he knew? Plus, it was just a feeling, but there was definitely something he wasn’t telling me…

The next day, I rewrapped my arm in a cast, and back into it’s sling. I met Alison on the way to school. She greeted me with a warm smile. Tsukihi greeted us at the gate, clipboard in hands.

“Good Morning Aidan Crow. Miss Davenport.” She said, checking us off as present.

Just as we walked together to class, something kicked me from behind, knocking me forward. I hit the ground with a thud.

“Heh. Need to work on your balance.” Bessel teased. He was back to looking human. Or what resembled an angry monkey in the shape of a human. I hated his face.

“You’re the new transfer…” Alison said.

“Oh wow. Didn’t know you had such a cute girlfriend Aidan. Bessel Smalls, nice to meet ya.” He grinned.

“I’m not his girlfriend…” Alison blushed meekly.

Wait, what’s that suppose to mean?!

“You!” I said, grabbing the collar of his shirt. “What’s the big idea picking another fight with me?”

“Don’t you get it?” He winked. “Our mutual friend is too blame here. I’m you’re new trainer. Nice to meet ya.” He grinned, holding out his hand. I punched him in the face, hard.

Tsukihi bashed me in the stomach again, fining me hard.