Their faces are still on the floor, like magnets on to metal, nobody is daring to look me in the eyes.

  Is satisfying but at the same time, I am not feeling that this is the moment to feel good for weird things like that.

  "Hehe, I don’t really get it."

  "You bear the mark of the Chosen One. You are the game changer.”

  Here we go again. They’re saying the similar things of what Azazel told me. All of them keep praising me without stopping.

  "Chosen one, tell us your name."

  "Huh… Elysia."

  The one with red markings on his robe—probably the leader—rises to his feet.

  "Brothers of the New Blood, the Chosen one is here and her name is Elysia! At last, we can free this world from suffering!"

  "Whoa, chill." I wave my hands dismissively. "I mean, I know I’m powerful enough to beat the chupathingy or whatever that was, but world peace? That’s a bit much."

  The crowd stares at me, stunned.

  "You… defeated the Chupacabras?"

  "Oh yeah. Why surprised, didn’t you just say I was the gamechanger?"

  "Among humans… but I never considered creatures beyond this world. You are the real top of the food chain"

  Some of them start trembling, looking at me like I’m the Antichrist.

  "Relax, people, I’m just a simple girl with simple hobbies."

  "And we, too, are simple people with simple hobbies," one of them says, nodding solemnly.

  "Yeah… hobbies that include smelly rooms and questionable decorations."

  They cough awkwardly before the leader finally clears his throat.

  "Forgive us! We didn’t expect you so soon. If this place is not to your liking, would you be willing to meet somewhere else tomorrow?"

  He pulls a small paper from his pocket and hands it to me.

  "Ah… yeah, sure. Same time?"

  They nod in unison.

  I slip out quietly, my mind racing.

  They are now dancing and singing in their rite.

  Feeling uneasy even though I am leaving, and the sound each steps is disappearing but I can clearly hear it in my mind.

  What the hell did I just get myself into?

  As soon as I step outside, I spot Azazel leaning casually against a wall.

  "You kill them all?" he asks, smirking. "Or why do you look so traumatized?"

  "They think I’m the Chosen One."

  Azazel bursts into laughter, trying and failing to cover his mouth.

  "With you, everything is just so much fun, Elysia. Not a single second here has been wasted."

  "Shut up and let’s go before they hear you."

  “But didnt you say you were going to scare them off?”

  “I almost would but I don’t think they are retreating without a fight. “

  “So?”

  “I realized I don’t have the stomach to do it!”

  “Weak, so at the end what happened?”

  “I have a meeting with them tomorrow…”

  “A meeting, huh?”

  “Shut up, and let’s go. I’m getting chills staying here”

  Back at my aunt’s house

  The second I walk in, she’s already waiting.

  Her face screams anger, and next to her Joseph. Getting lost for a few hours, with my supposed gay friend, I don’t think they will see it the way I see this.

  "Where were you?" My aunty chi asks, slow and rigid voice

  Joseph is sitting nearby, arms crossed. Judging by his expression, he already knows most of what happened. At least that means fewer explanations.

  He also walk up to front.

  "Yeah, Elysia, where were you?"

  Before I can answer, Azazel steps closer, tilting Joseph’s chin up with a smirk.

  "You single?"

  Joseph practically jumps back like his innocence is in danger.

  "I-I’m taken!" He coughs.

  Azazel clicks his tongue. "Shame. I know how to treat men like you."

  My aunt chokes on her drink, while I—against my better judgment—feel some weird sense of excitement. I am not even involved in this conversation, so why is this oddly thrilling?

  Joseph, trying to regain his composure, clears his throat. "So, you’re Elysia’s friend? Hello, I’m Joseph, her boyfriend."

  Azazel hums, taking Joseph’s hand with a grip that’s both firm and unsettlingly warm. "I’ve heard about you. So many good things. Always taking care of her." His fingers tighten just slightly. "As a friend, she’s wild and fun. As a partner? I can’t even imagine. Because I can’t" He chuckles, squeezing Joseph’s hand just enough to blur the line between a friendly shake and a silent warning.

  Joseph, visibly nervous, takes a step back. "Ah… but I never heard of you…" His eyes dart to me. "Elysia, let’s go to our room. It’s late."

  "Wait, Broccoli Hair, she didn’t answer me."

  Joseph twitches. "Excuse me? My hair is average length. It’s not an afro! I don’t know who you’re calling Broccoli!"

  Ignoring him, my aunt steps in, pushing Joseph aside.

  "Little Ely, you can’t just go wherever you want. If you get lost, how would I even find you?"

  "You’re right."

  "Don’t worry, Auntie," Azazel chimes in. "I took some judo classes."

  She glares. "I told you—don’t call me Auntie, or you’re sleeping on the floor tonight."

  "Fine, no more Auntie," he says, raising his hands in surrender.

  "Look, Aunt, everyone’s tired. Joseph’s exhausted too."

  "No, I’m not—"

  I quickly latch onto his arm. "Yes, you are. Don’t think I forgive you about today so let’s go to sleep."

  Joseph sighs but doesn’t argue. Azazel just grins like he’s won something.

  I don’t know what kind of mess I’ve gotten into, but I do know that tonight, I need some serious sleep.

  The next morning, I wake up to the sound of Joseph’s scream—sharp, panicked, and utterly unholy. Before I can react, something cold and wet crashes over my body.

  “What—what the hell?!”

  “Wake up, you two! It’s already 7 AM.”

  Blinking through the water dripping from my hair, I glare up at my aunt, who stands over us holding an empty bucket.

  Joseph groans. “Why?! Yesterday, we woke up at 6 AM! Can’t we sleep just a little longer?”

  I grunt in agreement, rubbing my soaked arms. “Yeah, this is torture.”

  My aunt, however, is the real one fuming. “You two are complaining?! I will have to wash two beds!”

  Joseph, ever the smartass, smirks. “Well, if you only set up one bed, you wouldn’t have had to clean two.”

  Her eye twitches. “Not my fault you were dumb enough to sleep on one! I put two beds, but I never said you were allowed to sleep separately.”

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

  Joseph freezes, his face blank in sheer disbelief. Then, sighing in defeat, he mutters, “You know what? I admit it. I can’t win.”

  I have no idea what exactly he’s surrendering to, but judging by his expression, I’m pretty sure he’s never coming back here again.

  Auntie claps her hands together. “Since you’re both leaving today at 6 PM, we should spend the whole day together! In fact, why not stay one more night? Your gray-haired friend just got here—we wouldn’t want to kick him out so soon.”

  “Oh, I don’t know, Auntie…” I force a polite smile. “I have work, and, uh… adult responsibilities.”

  And, more importantly, I need to be gone before that meeting with those strangers tonight. No way am I getting caught up in that mess.

  “What a shame.” She sighs dramatically, then suddenly pinches my cheek. “But I guess adults must be adults… even when they still look like babies.”

  She tugs with unnecessary force, and I swear she’s channeling years of frustration into this one attack.

  I decide to take a shower, telling Joseph that I would take a long so he doesn't have to wait, leaving me alone in the bathroom.

  I let out a long, exhausted sigh, letting the warm water wash away the morning’s chaos. I rub shampoo into my hair, though the soap bubbles trickling down my face make it hard to see. Then the water changes temperature so abruptly.

  “Ugh, cold water—I hate it.” I grope blindly for the shampoo bottle again. “Where the hell is the shampoo…?”

  “Here.”

  “Oh, thanks.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “…?”

  Wait.

  I freeze. Then, slowly—very slowly—I turn my head.

  “Azazel.”

  “Yes?”

  A beat of silence.

  Then—

  “WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE?!”

  “Well,” he says, completely unbothered, “you ignored my greeting this morning, and honestly, it’s getting kind of boring without you.”

  “That’s NOT an excuse to—GET OUT!”

  I splutter, trying to cover myself, my entire soul leaving my body. How long has he been standing there?!

  “Get out I said”

  “Wait-”

  “Gosh at least told me you're running with your eyes closed, you pervert!”

  “It’s not like there’s much to see anyway.”

  “…!!”

  “GET THE FUCK OUT!!”

  I start throwing things in many directions.

  “But-”

  “Get out!”

  Unbelievable, I really have to talk with him.

  As I get out of the bathroom I can see Azazel waiting for me.

  “What”

  “You leaving today, but you made a meeting with them, didnt you?”

  “Yes… but they will forget. In fact, once I am gone they will not find me”

  “ What I mean is that you make a fuss yesterday about they being dangerous but instead you make a meeting with them and overall a meeting that you not even going to attend”

  “ I really thought I could just scare them off and end it right away, but I guess I don’t have the guts to harm them…”

  “Oh. Oh. But everything has consequences Elysia. You don't think they will leave you alone, do you? Didnt you even have the slight thought that maybe in their group there is a powerful person, with a lot of useful contacts?.” He sighs

  “but at least you didn't give them your real name”

  My voice dry

  “Ah…”

  “You did.” His eyes widen and touch his nose “ Sometimes I feel pity for you, just hope that they don't have hackers or detectives looking for you”

  He start leaving but I hold his shoulder

  “What now, Elysia?”

  “Never ever enter the bathroom when I am using it.”

  “Never? “ Azazel smirks

  “I am not kidding, never. Do you understand?”

  “Ah… that expression of yours can be a powerful weapon… fine, but stop, this is becoming painfully awkward.”

  “Just say it simple and direct”

  “I will never enter the bathroom when you are using it”

  “And one thing more”

  “No what?”

  “Never ever, because I am starting to feeling frustrated about it, don’t ever used my stuff without my permission”

  “Oh oh”

  “Did you hear what I said? Listen, my stuff is my stuff, if you want something buy yourself. ”

  “Yes, I do understand I will comply with your demands”

  Wow… I mean… “

  It is such a direct and sincere answer that I almost fall for it. Demons If I am not wrong they are good at acting, so for now I will believe him but I will not let full my guard down. But at least for now based on the fact that I talked to him about it. Somehow I am feeling more powerful and at peace. It was time someone put Azazel in his place.

  “Thanks”

  Everyone is helping for breakfast. Azazel went out to get some condiments leaves in the farm, while I cleaned the table, and also the utensils on the table, and Joseph well…

  “Hurry up, don't you see we are starving, you should have finish that an hour ago, would've been ready by now”

  “Ah.. I don’t think I can't…”

  “You eat chicken in the capital and nuggets , why are you so afraid? In fact you should be happy we will eat a natural nutritious chicken soup.”

  “But- why has to be me that one to kill this poor creature?”

  “Aren’t you supposed to be a man? Don’t be a wuss now.”

  The chicken is fighting for his life. Joseph is making this take longer than it is, making this more painful to watch.

  Joseph fainted as soon he put the knife on the chicken neck.

  “I was expecting more, well take him to the sofa. I have to hurry with the breakfast”

  “Sure.. aunt”

  Taking Joseph to the sofa is a pain.

  He is so heavy.

  “Damn… you don’t seem heavy but you are”

  As I drag his soulless body to the sofa. I hear someone knocking at the door.

  I open it, and when I receive the visit it was Buck

  “Hey, buck”

  “Hi Elysia”

  Without expecting Azazel is also coming from the outside at a slightly different time of few seconds in between.

  “And who is this tank made in flesh?”

  Azazel steps in, measuring with Buck, though Buck is of course more well built.

  “Hello I am Buck”

  “Well Buck I can see it in your face, you want something with Elysia-”

  What did he Just say? He does not have restrictions and that is already burning in me.

  “Chop karate!”

  I am pretty sure I hit, but I miss.

  “Oopss try to never reveal your next move”

  I stumble and fall to the floor, damn it.

  As I look embarrassed on their face. I see Buck and he is also red, that does not make sense.

  “Buck, sweety come in. “ My aunty says

  It seems she invite Buck to the Last breakfast

  At the table My aunty tries to get me to focus on Buck, but Azazel notices it, instead he focuses on my aunt, interrupting her everytime she can. Until of course she explodes.

  “Can you for once shut up!”

  “Sorry, I thought that you like talking so much that you wanted to synchronize with someone.”

  I whisper to Azazel “ Don’t make her mad, she is dynamite when she gets mad”

  “Well that makes me the fire in her fuse, sounds good for me” he whispers back with a smirk

  “Fine you want to show off, then do it” She takes off her sleeve and show her massive arm

  “Come up, square up be a real man”

  “That is offensive” Azazel says while putting a hand on his chest and acts offended.

  But my aunty didn't let that slide so they now are forced to participate.

  They both are in the position of hand wrestling

  Buck is amused and watching like a kid.

  I swear even his eyes are glistening.

  “Ready? Three two one” I count the marks

  As soon as I let go of their hands, I can feel the rush in strength of both of them.

  Both are doing their best

  But my aunt's veins can be seen, she is becoming red, while Azazel is not having difficulties, in fact he is yawning, but this is a surprise, because I never see him doing exercises, I don't know where all this strength is coming from. I wonder if this is due to his human body being better than the average human?

  “ Come on granny, I took out fishes with more guts than you”

  My aunty is losing her breath, all her muscles are tense and her eyes widen, her face is like a tomato red, she is doing her best.

  “Well time to finish it” With a swing he defeats my aunt in arm wrestling

  Her expression of defeat is such a delicious sight for me, even more than Azazel is feeling now.

  “I will bring the soup…” My aunt says disappointed.

  “Wow Azazel” Buck says with admiration

  “Yeah is just a lot of exercise”

  He tries to flex that slim arm of his.

  I can’t but just whisper the word hacker in his ear.

  “I want to try”

  “I don’t know buck, I don’t want you to break me some bones “

  The way he says it, it's so arrogant, he is not even saying it with meaning, he actually thinks he can defeat Buck, but doesn't want to crush Buck ego.

  It seems like buck is begging. Putting his hands together in a plea.

  “He looks interested in you” Azazel whisper to me in a high speed

  “Huh?”

  “You don’t see but he is doing to impress you I guess”

  “Stop whispering.”

  “Please” Again repeats

  “Fine. I don’t see a problem”

  Both in the same table it goes with a wrestle arms, but this time Azazel’s eyes widen as soon I count to three.

  Buck swings with force, Azazel didn't expect such magnitude of force, but it wasn't enough, only slightly centimeters to win for buck, but Azazel reacted fast enough.

  “Not bad” Azazel says while trying to not throw his air out of his lungs.

  The tank human vs the superhuman. Soon Azazel catches up and the weight of the balance is in Azazel's favor. While Buck is sweating

  “Damn this is hard for buck” I mutter

  The chances that he will lose is 100% so is best to give him some courage words

  “Go buck you can do it”

  Like some renew vigor, Buck take energies out nowhere

  “What?” Azazel arm is being push with ease “Can’t be” He seems surprised

  Both hands are in the middle position, none of them is giving up.

  “You are good, Buck. I congratulate you, in fact no one ever gives me this much fun. If you ever die and go to hell, I will make sure you will be treated with the respect you deserve”

  Buck seem confused, but In a few second Azazel is pushing Buck hand to other side and soon he wins

  “Wow…. That was incredible!”

  Azazel is sweating resting on the chair, while Buck leaves the room, his stomach and seems upset after doing so much force.

  “He’s a tank, don’t you think?” I say.

  “Hmm… yes, he is.”

  The way he says it catches my attention. He’s not cocky about winning—he’s aware of something.

  “What’s going on with you?” I ask.

  “Hmm… nothing, it’s just—” He pauses, thoughtful. “As soon as you encouraged him, his strength doubled.”

  “What?”

  “I was pretty sure, judging by his expression and the way he kept straining his arm, that he was at his limit. There was no way he could recover his strength. But somehow, not only did he recover—it actually increased only because he heard your voice.”

  He looks at me and smirks.

  “What?” I ask, wary.

  “Love is fascinating,” he muses. “It can make someone twice as strong.”

  “Love? What are you talking about? I just gave him a little encouragement that’s all.”

  He chuckles. “His intention to impress you was enough. It made me realize that attraction—romantic or physical -- can be a powerful source of strength as well.”

  “Please, stop talking like a mad scientist, giving me creeps.”

  He responds with a smirk, and just like that the breakfast right away goes quickly.

  "How long are you going to stay mad, Elysia?"

  "I have no idea what you're talking about, Joseph."

  "You’re mad. I can tell."

  "Oh? So now the rich boy understands everything?" My voice drips with sarcasm.

  "Stop mocking me. Come on, I apologized all night!"

  "Oh, you did? How wonderful!" I cross my arms and release my tone sharp. "Joseph, after what happened yesterday, you should be sorry. It would be a shame if you weren’t."

  "But she came onto me! I didn’t do anything—don’t you believe me?"

  "Of course I believe you, Joseph! How couldn’t I?" I throw up my hands dramatically. "That drooling, dumbstruck look of yours? Just an act, right? Every single word and action of yours was for some greater good! Joseph, you're a saint!"

  "You don’t have to be so sarcastic…" He sighs.

  "I said I was fine." my voice hardens. "Now, get ready. We're leaving in a few hours."

  I hope he gets different ideas of how to solve this, because no amount of money will ever give me the feeling of forgiving him for yesterday.

  The time goes by and is night already

  Buck sadly left before our farewell, due to having a job but we have a nice chat and beautiful memories with him now.

  “Well aunt is time for me to go”

  She starts crying in annoyance face

  I still can’t believe I never used my triumph cards with her, I was so busy that I forgot.

  But at least the day is over and while I see her face crying, some part of me understands that even with all our differences, she is still family.

  “Don’t worry we will back”

  I hug her back pat her, and clean some of her tears

  I will be back for sure, maybe in a couple of years.

  Joseph gladly accepted to take Azazel with us after he heard how he beat my aunty with the condition to tell him every detail of suffering of my aunty during the match.

  I can't help but look out the windows of the car knowing the days on the farm are over.

  Bye farm.