“M’Lord, we just had news about the girl. It seems that they’ve spotted her around Dork’s town.”

“Hmm, It would make sense that she would spawn somewhere on those parts.” responded the Devil. “Get some guards and go capture her. Without her the ritual won’t be possible, and I need her as soon as possible. Get going.”

“Yes sire!” replied the guard. “Ahem, would you mind lending some of your powers so we could make our task easier to accomplish?”

The Devil smiled, a smile that would give you terror for eternities to come; and after an instant the guard vanished. Something like a disintegration. A moment he was there, the next one he wasn't. This seemed to be a habbit.

The Devil proceeded calling someone else and assigned him with the duty.

“They never learn, do they..”

The Devil’s splendor was radiating. His grandeur posture was easily the most charming part of his repertoire. The pointy wings were the second thing that stood out the most, the delicacy and elegance they emit was inimitable. It was also an impossible errand to trick the Devil, many had tried yet no one had succeeded thus far.

***

“Father, why do you keep sending these weaklings out there to fetch such a valuable piece for us. You know they won’t do any good.”

“Oh, you’re finally here I see.” said the Devil. “How’d your training go? Were you capable of holding in the power? You know what I’ve appointed you with, right Nahtee?”

“Dad, that has been long mastered, I’ve been improving other skills in the meantime.” responded Nahtee. “I couldn’t help but eavesdrop the conversation you just had. Why don’t you send me instead? We’ve anticipated her since forever, I wanna finally see what she’s like. I’m more than capable of seizing her, and I would do it better and quicker than those half-arsed wimps.”

“You’ve grown pretty confident I see.” replied the Devil. “But you damn well know I can’t let you go out there. Not yet at least. You more than anyone know how important your development is and we can’t overlook it. What is bound to happen will happen. Inevitably. It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when. That’s why you have to keep training and fully master your abilities.”

“I know, I know; but I promise I’ll be quicker than the wind, you haven’t seen my agility yet. I’ll be back in a blink of an eye. I’m pretty sur—

“STOP CHATTERING!” exclaimed the Devil. “We don’t have time to waste on trivial chats. She can be here at any moment and we have to be prepared. Go back to your training, and don’t be back without your wings.”

“But you know I can’t make em go out, it’s like they’re non-existent.”

“Then practice exactly on this, channel your inner strength and focus on the wings spreading apart. They’ll be tiny at first, but they grow faster than anything else. So you’ll have them mastered by the time they grow. Go on now!”

“Yes, dad..”

“I didn't hear you!”

“YES, My Lord!”

***

It was a strange feeling being looked over. For the majority of my life I had to take care of myself, both in bad and good times. I’m not saying that I minded, cause after some time you get used to it. It’s a pain in the ass, but It’s pretty doable.

This is why it felt weird laying on that bed while someone was mending my wounds. Did I even had wounds? What even happened whilst I was on that barrel? My body feels numb though. And the realest dream ever goes to..

I don’t really know why but I didn’t feel threatened. For the first time ever I felt like I was protected. The place from what I could tell was minuscule and it had the same vibe I’d felt out there, but the warmth it had inside was in a way friendly.

“I’m glad you woke up damsel.” finally said the old man. “We have lots to talk about.”