The mistress approached the scene first on her flying stick and immediately one of the men spotted her. He recognized her and ordered the others to help him kill her. The man seemed to be the leader of this convoy. He hoped that Ciara could manage against a man with years of experience, although maybe his age could work against him, he wouldn't know.

Ciara suddenly cast a spell that transformed Surgat into a lion-esque creature. He looked kinda badass, something he wouldn't expect from the mischievous little feline. Ciara flew off with Surgat, followed by three man, including the elder man. Botis, Lucille and Cherub were left behind with two men and Rico.

"What the hell are you guys doing here?!" Rico asked somewhat frustrated but with a spark of gladness in his eyes.

"We've come to save you honey." Lucille answered as she let the end of her whip drop to the ground.

Botis looked at Cherub. "You sure you're not needed at Ciara's, like don't you have a transformation?" he asked. Cherub only shrugged which made the count roll his eyes.

"Rico, get behind us. We will stop these demons." one of the witch hunters said.

"Make sure not to kill the human though, it might cause trouble for us." the other said.

Botis sprouted his wings once again and ascended into the air, followed by Cherub who apparently wanted to do the same. He looked down to the two witch hunters and a grin appeared on his face. "I have an idea."

He looked at Cherub "Could you be so kind to keep those two busy with Lucille so I can charge up an attack?"

"It would be my pleasure!" Cherub said and dived down to the witch hunters. he circled around them at a rather high speed to they couldn't easily hit him. He was flying around like an annoying mosquito does when you're trying to sleep. Before Botis launched his attack he wanted to sent reinforcements to his mistress, and of course only his best maiden would do.

"Mädchen von Holle, ich rufen sie."

"Mädchen von Ketten."

The coffin once again appeared from the ground and Ketten stepped out of it. She clearly immediately saw what Botis requested of her and fled into the forest, tracking down her higher mistress. Botis sighed in relief, thinking that with some help Ciara would be okay. Botis clapped his hands together to charge up for his attack.

"Schneidende Schwerter des Giftes"

Slowly giant needles began to form around him made out of pure venom. It was an attack used for a wide range, but he wanted to take out the witch hunters as soon as possible. The only problems now were that Rico had to get out of there if he didn't want to get hit... and this attack might possibly require too much mana for his to sustain long on the surface. He needed to land this attack else Ciara wouldn't be able to use any of her magic... and he wouldn't be able to fight anymore.

Ketten rushed through the forest. Though blindfolded she knew exactly where to go, her other senses were much more developed than of regular demons and she used it to advantage. She almost seemed like a bat, sending out sonic waves to see if there was a tree in front of her. She heard rumbling in the distance and eventually reached the place where Ciara and Surgat were facing off against the three witch hunters.

Ketten quickly send out one of her chains and whipped one of the hunter's knees, making him drop to the floor.

"I've come to assist you on behalf of Count Botis." she said in her monotone voice.

Ciara flew and flew through the forest underneat the brances of the many trees that stood around her. She felt the eye's of her persuers in her back as well as the force of blessed arrows being shot at her, wich she skillfully dodged.

''you filthy witch, stop running away and atone for your sins. You killed one of my men that day!'' The elder witch hunter yelled as he shot another arrow at Ciara. Again she dodged it and turned around flying close over the head of the hunters.

''For the record that was not me, and if we are doing this for revenge thatn I hav a few good storis to tell ya all as well. You lot killed my mother, dozens of my fellow witches. I also lost a friend that evening!'' Ciara shouted loosing her cool. She knew better that to go into the taunts of the hunters ,but this time she became a bit to angry.

''ahh yes. That is right. What was her name again. Oh yes, I remember again, Bea. I do believe she burned rather well'' The elder hunted taunted some more and Ciara's eye's seemed to catch fire. She turned around and charched towards the hunter while he grinned, seeming pleased with the fact that his taunt had worked.

''come at me witch'' He said as he pulled another blessed Arrow and aimed.

''basterd!'' Ciara shouted as a black mass gaterd at the tip of her wand.
''Mistress, watch out'' Surgat shouted as Ciara jumped of her staff to aim her spell.

''inane nigrum'' Ciara chanted and at the same time the hunter released his arrow with a grin. It was aimed at her heart, sure to hit. Ciara triend to dodge but she stupidly had let go of the only thing that let her move in midair and now she was an easy target. Just as Ciara closed her eye's apologizing in her head to her demons a chain wrapped itself around her middle pulling her downwards. Ciara's spell misfired and hit a tree wich immediatly witherd away. The arrows hitpoint was changed in just a split of a second and instead of drilling itself into her heart it hit her shoulder making her wimper in pain.

with a loud 'tud' she hit the ground, only to immediatly be pulled away from the hunters towards a maiden clothed in chains.

''ketten, thank you'' Ciara said relieved as she laid her hands on the Arrow. It immediatly reppeled her as it was blessed. Just as Ciara wanted to stand up she felt more than half of what was remainign of her mana dissapead in one bit.
'Botis is doing some great spell' She thought relieved. This ment she only had to distact the hunters here for a bit longer. Ciara as well decided it was time for a bigger spell and raised both her arms, her right shoulder with some trouble for the arrow was still in it but she managed.

''somnum nocte, somnium nocte, non die'' Ciara chandet as the sky seemed to darken for a split second. Then a black fog taking on the form of hounds started to run around the hunters making them close their eye's before falling into a sleep.

''curse you witch. My friend will get you'' The elder hunter said as he feared for his life.

''no worries old men, I don't kill'' She said before the men shut their eyes.

''you will wake up tomorrow or so ''she said

The giant needle-like swords or spears were still hovering behind Botis, ready to rain down on the people down on the ground. He looked Rico in his eyes. The eyes of the boy told him that he shouldn't kill the witch hunters, but he could see a spark there among it that really wanted them to die. Botis closed his eyes and a grin appeared on his face.

"Better get out the way boy." he mumbled to himself.

Botis looked up and Rico immediately dodge rolled out of the way, followed by the needles raining down on the ground. One of the witch hunters got multiple needles pierced right through his body, instantly killing him. The lifeless body fell onto the ground like a ragdoll afterwards, only being supported by the needles in his body.

The other witch hunter however was a little bit more alert and managed to dodge out of the way, only being severely damaged on his right arm by one of the needles. The man grunted and fell to the ground. The area around the wound slowly started to get a purple color and his veins grew thicker.

"Should I finish him off?" Lucille said with her whip ready.

Rico looked at Lucille rather confused "We don't have to kill him, just leave him be." he said with an undertone of anger in his voice as well.

Botis descended from the sky, and Cherub started flying next to him. "We did great didn't we." the little demon said cheerful. "Too bad someone had to die."

The count chuckled. "Don't worry the other one doesn't have long to live either." he looked at the man trying to resist the force of Lucille's foot holding him down to the ground.

"The other one got a good dose of my poison. You see my body is filled with poison. You humans have a majority of water in your body and I have deadly venom. Naturally it also is my specialty." he bragged "So I just transferred the poison into these needles. Botis made the the needles disappear, making the ragdoll fall on the ground.

"I see. How intriguing." Lucille said.

"Now we just have to wait for Ciara and Surgat to return." Rico replied.

Ciara walked through the forest feeling like she was fleeting. Her mana had hit a low point and she was the the verge of sending Botis away. She hold him here for one reason, she did not know if his battle had ended already.

''I hope Rico and Lucille are still there, only humans can touch a blessed arrow'' Surgat said having returned to his smaller form. ''In the end I couldn't be of use again this time as well'' Surgat moped while walking.

''Because I do not want to risk losing you'' Ciara said kneeling down patting his head. The arrow stinged in the flesh of Ciara as she moved making her flinch. Ketten who had silently walked behind them focussed her attention on Ciara's wound before a small snicker caught the attention of the group.

'' well, look at you young mistress. Still not a real witch'' A boy wih blond hair and feathers said. He sat on a tree branch he was swinin his legs back and forward and he had a creepy smile on his face. Ciara looked up seeing the humanid version of her mothers bird.

''Rok'' She mutterd ''why are you here, I saw you before you know?'' Ciara asked of him rather curious about his reason. Just then a man who stood in the shadow's of the tree all this time moved into the light for a bit. Red familiar eye's locked with Ciara's as the man smilled showing his teeth.

Before Ciara could say a word the man shifter forwards ad was infront of her with a flash. He was kneeling, his hand on the holy arrown were small Sparks of lighting could be seen.

'' Ciara, I thought I told you'' The man said while pulling onto the arrow. ''think only of yourself, your kindness will be your death one day''

''Danthalion'' Ciara said slow with her eye's wide open. There he was, kneeling infront of her, holding her body who had fallen to the ground. Ciara looked him into the eye's before leaning into him trying to give a hug. The Arrow blocked that action however, wich annoyed Danthalion a bit. With a firm pull on the arrow it came loos, ripping Ciara's flesh in the process. Ketten who had been watching from a distance decided now was the time to try and interfere but Danthalion was quicker than her and with a snap of his fingers he made her dissapear.

''do not worry my dear, she has mearly gone home'' He said patting the hair of Ciara.
''foolish girl, stay out of the Alruby family's trouble. it is not worth the price of loosing your soul''

''but Rico is my friend'' Ciara said while a tear rolled down her cheek. On one side she was so relieved to see Danthalion again after more than 8 years, on the other side Ciara knew that Danthalion hated Alruby's for killing his mistress and oprhaning his young mistress.

''I recon, you remember what they did to your mother'' He said clenshing her hair.
''auch, Danthalion. That hurt.... and I haven't forgotten'' Ciara said as Danthalion released his grip on her. He sighed as he circled his tumb on Ciara's cheeck, rubing away some of the dird that had mixed with her tear.

Once more Danthalion hugged Ciara cupping the back of her head in his hand.
''say hy to your new little sweetheart for me will you'' Danthalion said as Ciara felt her energy slip. A pang resounded through her body as a unkown engery mixed with her own. It was way to clean of an energy but it became quickly dark and tainted, being absorbed into her own body again.

Ciara fell down like a lifeless puppet as did Surgat after Danthalion puled something through the air.

''what did you..?" Ciara tried to say. Before slipping into a dream.

''lets see how far you can unseal her, master~'' Rok said while looking down.

''just a bit, for now'' Danthalion said playing his wellknown smirk on his face.
''just let us hope that Alruby won't find her, the daughter of Cecille''

After the battle has concluded the four were waiting in the open fields. The other witch hunter already died from the poison in his blood caused by the needle of Count Botis. Lucille kicked the lifeless body.

"Seems like this one isn't go stand up either anymore." she looked down, a little bit skeptic but also with a faint smile of enjoyment.

"Botis, did you really have to kill both of them?! Ciara has a no-killing policy, and yet you did! Can't believe this... you're just a ruthless demon like all the others." he said rolling his eyes and crossing his arms.

Botis let out a huge sigh. "Hey it was either kill or be killed Rico. I came along to save you! And I'm doing that my way. Mistress may not agree with it, but this was the best way, and you got out without a scratch."

"I do must say you were a little bit brutal sir Botis." Cherub mumbled inbetween. Botis acknowledged him, but didn't want to rant to him, after all he was part of his family.

"I'm going to make sure that your contract with Ciara breaks, for sure! And if-" Rico got interrupted by Botis shushing him.

"Don't shush me!" Rico replied in anger. Botis only held up his finger, motioning him to keep quiet for a second. Botis narrowed his eyes before widening them again.

"Ketten has been forced back to the Underworld... and... Cherub do you feel that as well?" Botis asked.

"Yes, yes. Mistress is in trouble!" without saying another single word Botis and Cherub took off into the direction where Ciara was. They were going rather fast, making it hard for Rico and Lucille to keep up with them. Botis and Cherub arrived at the place where Ciara was and saw her lying on the ground like a ragdoll with Surgat looking over her.

"What happened Surgat!" Botis said angered, not specifically towards Surgat but just angered because of the situation. Rico and Lucille would catch up later. Now Botis knelt down over Ciara and waited for Surgat to tell what happened.

Just as Surgat wanted to open his mouth a teasing smirk could be heard from the tree.

''and finaly the knight arrives, what took you so long?'' Danthalion said while looking down from a tree.
''taint her energy a bit will you? she has a tad to much of holy in her right now" Danthalion said jumping down laying his hand on Botis's shoulder. In a spilt second both he and Rok dissapeard, leaving the group alone.

''he happend'' Surgat said glaring at the place Danthalion and rok dissapeared. ''He all of the sudden appeared and did something to mistress''Surgat ranted in panic rubbing his head against his mistress, hoping to wake her up.
''open your eye's, mistress'' He cried out, with avail for Ciara's hand slowly raised itself laying itslef on the black velvet of Surgat's fur.
''I am fine, stop making so much noise'' Ciara grinned as she opend her eye's. Slowly she sat up straight looking aound, as if she was searching for someone. When she couldn't find him she sighed and turned herself towards Botis.

''Are you alright? You used up quite a big chunck of my mana back there'' She joked and tried to stand up. She immediatly slipped, having lost the strenght in her legs.

''are you kidding me'' he mumbled as she called for her staff. Once she had him in her hand she used it to stand up and walk.

''lets go home'' She said with a broken voice. She wanted noting more than to go home and cry. To many thing from her past had come and chased her today. She could not cry right now, not here, not with her demons near her. She had to stay strong.

'' did we succeded, is Rico free?'' Ciara asked at Cherub who looked at her strangly before nodding yes. Ciara rejoiced and walked away, while Cherub flew towards Surgat and Botis.

''What the hell happend to our mistress?'' Cherub asked but Surgat nodded no, he didn't knew.

'' I have seen her like this before, just once'' Surgat said sad. '' and it is not good, mistress has a tendency of pretending to be strong and happy when she is emotionally hurt. I think that getting provoked by Bea's killers and seeing Danthalion and Rok all in one day has brought up some unwanted memories''

''someone has to talk to her'' Surgat said, and with a perfect timing they both looked at Botis.


''we are not good at that stuff, you go'' They both said in choir with a silly look in their eye's

A hand was laid down on the shoulder of Botis, a firm grip was on his shoulder, and he heard familiar voice. It was Dantalion! Botis looked around, but the other demon already had disappeared. He immediately realized that it was him who did this to her and got angered. He balled his fist in response, but had nothing to release his anger to.

Luckily his mistress woke up, although she seemed very tired and perhaps a little bit depressed. He didn't like it. Cherub and Surgat told her it was because of all the memories that resurfaced again and because she used quite a lot of mana. They also insisted on Botis talking to her. He rolled his eyes at the two familiars and approached his mistress.

"I'm the one who should be worried about you." Botis said frustrated. He tried to pick Ciara up, but she quickly called her staff to help her walk.

Rico is safe, don't worry about it." he looked around and noticed three witch hunters passed out on the ground. He shook his head for Ciara not killing them, but also would not speak about him killing the other two.

"I'm fine Ciara, thanks for helping me." Rico replied.

"We will get you home so you can rest. I will return to the Underworld so you'll replenish your mana quicker. Then you can summon me again." Botis suggested. He looked at Rico. "So, whatcha gonna do now hunter?" he glared at him.

"I will probably stay with Lucille for the time being... I can't risk being seen." he said, Botis nodded.

"Then you go on ahead, I'll check on you two before I head to the Underworld." he said. Rico and Lucille did as he said and went ahead to Lucille's cabin. Botis had some private time with Ciara now, with the little ones walking a little distance behind them.

"So... mistress. What is really going on now? What did that demon do to you, and why did he target you?"

Ciara was in her own state of mind and she did not hear Botis ask her about Danthalion. When she did hear him say it she tried to think of an reason herself.

''you know Botis I have no idea why he is showing himself right now. And that twice in a weeks time'' She said lookig at Botis meaningfull.
''I foregive you for lying to me, I have no idea why you did though but it does not matter'' Ciara said with a sigh. ''I realized it was him who attacked me in the treetop just now. The pain I felt was the same one I felt back then'' She paused in her steps and closed her eye's trying to find any changes in her being.

''All cats'N hell'' She mutter without giving the reason to Botis. What she felt within her onw magic desturbed her more than ever. She hadn't run out of mana, it was quite the opposit. She felt like an extra pool of magic had opend within her being, but it was the nature of this magic that disturbed her.

''well look at this, the good witch with a bad demon'' A voice said as the wind blew through the trees.

''Aerl'' The two little ones said out loud as the king of the west wind appeared, kissing Ciara's cheek before getting a safe distance between him and Botis.

''Sweetheart, try to tune down the fighting a bit. My Fae are getting restlles from the constand fighting between you and the hunters...''He said before glaring daggers at Botis.

''And this as well my dear, I do not like the soil of my forest tainted with death'' He said before dissapearing in the wind again.

''like the wind as always'' Ciara smiled a tad to sad before widening her eye's

''but I did not kill anyone,.... unless'' Ciara said turning aound looking at Botis.

''How could you...''

Botis looked kinda surprised "So you knew all along it was Dantalion..." he said before an unfamiliar voice was heard coming from a short distance. The being appeared out of nowhere. It was a tall humanoid looking man, resembling something like an elf. He was informed about such a person before, this must be Aerl, after all they were close to his woods. The ground they were standing on was probably also part of his 'domain', so to speak.

He seemed quite irritated, yet remained very calm like a monk, something Botis himself could not ever do. He however revealed that there was bloodshed on the field, and it sure wasn't Ciara who committed such an act, so the finger would immediately point towards Botis. The mistress asked how he could do such a thing. Although she was his mistress she was still very ignorant about this topic.

"How could I? I carried out my mission like requested. Rico was in trouble and I simply fired my shots at the witch hunters that wanted to take him away. It should be you who has to be more wary about one's actions. You left the witch hunters alive, even the one that participated in the genocide of the witches! He won't have a sudden change of mind about you when he awakens again, y'know."

Botis sighed while stroking his hand across his forehead in frustration.

"I'm bringing you home, take care of a request for Rico and then go back to the Underworld, so you can save up your mana again." he said. "I don't want to hear anything about what is right and what is wrong, I simply did what was best." he turned around and sprouted his wings, ready to take off towards Robur.

On the way home Ciara did not dare to speak, she got scared from the outlash Botis had given her just now. She did not know him good enough to difference between concerned anger or legit anger for judging the way he fights, how he has always fought. Ciara flew behind Botis watching his back as he flew with a quick beat to his wings. Deep inside herself she knew he was right, if left alive witch hunters would continue to kill, regardless of her kindness. Ciara couldn't help but think she wanted to end the circle of hatred between witches and hunters, and she wanted to take the first step. Someone had to.

Ciara sighed deep for her ridiculous thought, a strange goal for a witch to have indeed. She was supposed to fool around, trick them and kill them the moment she could. But if she and Rico could be friends, then why not the rest of them as well.

Once they landed at Robur Botis made sure Ciara got inside without saying a thing. When he wanted to fly away, to go towards Rico, Ciara stopped him by pulling his sleef. She looked at the ground, not even daring to look at Botis before she spoke.

''please come back after you have been to Rico'' She said and released the sleef of his black coat. ''I need you here'' Ciara commented before corecting herself '' I want you here''

Botis didn't reply and took off. He headed towards the cabin of Lucille where she and Rico would be. He landed at a safe distance and pulled back his wings. He approached the entrance and knocked on the door. It didn't take long for Rico to open the door.

"Hey Rico, is Lucille there? I want to speak with her... in private." he said.

Rico looked kinda angered. "What is your business with her? Haven't you done enough damage already?"

"It's okay Rico, please leave us be." Lucille interrupted and motioned her boyfriend back to the living room. "So what's up demon?"

"Look Lucille, I don't know what you are or what your intentions are, but for now I trust you."

"Okay, so you came here just to say that?"

"No, I came with a request. Please venture back to those woods and make short work of the remaining witch hunters, I believe they will be asleep for quite some time."

Lucille looked rather surprised when Botis requested what he did. Botis on the other hand has a serious face throughout the conversation and hoped for Lucille to accept his request.

"Fine. I'll kill those men for you. Now go, Rico might get suspicious." she said. Botis nodded and took off again. He flew towards Robur and landed in front of the tree.

He sighed. On one hand he didn't want to go in and just transport himself back to the Underworld. On the other hand Ciara seemed like she really needed him to be with her, but why? She had Cherub and Surgat... with himself gone she would recover her mana much quicker. He decided to enter the house. Ciara seemed to be upstairs, probably resting in her bed, so he was greeted by Cherub and Surgat.

"Hey guys." Botis knelt down to reach their height. "I'm sorry to say this, but I'm going back to the Underworld. It's the best for Ciara, she may call upon me when she's done recovering." he said. He didn't respond to the two whether they begged for him to stay or not. A pentagram appeared underneath him and he was sucked into it appearing in his manor again.

Ciara laid on her bed after a exhausting day. She had teh feeling however, that her day was far from over. She had a lot to think about, a lot to set straight.

''right what where my goals again'' She said to herself as she rolled of her bed and landed onto the floor.

''one, I am going to be the greatest witch that has ever walked the earth.
Two, I am going to make sure we get an understanding between hunters and witches.
three, Danthalions circle will be added to my grimoire'' Ciara sighed as she slid further on the ground.

''four, I am going to make sure I will become a mistress worthy of Botis's service'' she said, adding another goal to her huge list.

''and five, I am going to find myself an handsome man'' ciara giggled at the thought alone, she was still a girl after all. She dreamt of those kind of things as well. Her giggle soon faded as she felt the precence of Botis near Robur, only to dissapear soon afterwards. The strain of having him around dissapeared with him, wich made Ciara feel lonely. She really wanted to talk to him and Cherub about some past events. Mainly the Midnight rose organization. Surgat had been with her at the time but the other two didn't know a thing about that.

Her peacefull thoughts were heavely interupted by a door slamming open and the two little ones charging in to her room.

''MISTRESSS'' they both cried as they flew into her arms.

''what happend this time'' Ciara said putting on a smile for their sake.

''Botis, that meany. He left even tough we asked him to stay'' Cherub said pouting as Ciara sighed. She had not expected anything els from him, but had secretly hoped he'd stay.

''He also said that he wouldn't return until you could summon him'' Cherub again sniffed. Ciara stiffend at the sound of the words.

''Was that exactly what he said?'' She said concerned as all the white pulled ut of her face. No way that he could leave her...right? Ciara knew that there was a possebilety he had grown tired of her so soon. She was a weak, in constand need of help, no killing, failure of a witch.

''hush now, I am sure he will come by to eat some apple pie or somehting, I doubt that will be the last we'd seen of him'' The though of summoning Botis on her own was nothing more than a far off mere dream right now. It would take a while for her to obtain such a power.
''It will be alright'' Ciara wisperd more to herself than to the little ones.

~one week later~

Ciara sat in the top of Robur practecing her magic spells, she had found out that ever since the battle with the vampire hunters her mana output had increased. Her turned to ash spell wasn't such a strain on her anymore, though she still had a time limit of half an houre to deal with now. The emptyness and silence around the tree had been buggin Ciara for a while now. She had already gotten used to Botis teasing the little ones and having them bicker over an cookie or such. She had still held onto the faint glimmer of hope he'd return to her, hoping that it had been his stubbornes talking again. Ciara sighed and tapped with her feet on the branch of Robur.

sigh
tap tap
tap tap tap
sigh
tap

''cats N'hell'' She said angry rushing down to her Bookshelf. ''like hell you will get out of our contract you idiot'' She yelled to herself while searching for the airbubble spel. This was an spell that formed an bubble of air around the casters head, filtering the air thus making sure the caster always had a fresh supply of air around. The main reason she was searching for this spell was because of the air within the netherworld. It had a time limit but it was all she had for now, it was better than nothing.

''found it'' She exclaimed happily as she started to draw Botis his summonig circle.
''aquafolium'' She chanted before activating the circle. She looked around making sure the little ones were not around, she did not wanted to bring them to any potentional danger. Quickly she jumped into the circle, doing the most stupid or brave thing in her entire life, more stupid actually.

As Ciara slammed through the portal and onto the ground she felt a pressure on her body, unabeling her to move. Her body was pinned to an old rug, that lay on the floor of an long hallway. Ciara's body needed time adjusting to the athmospheer of the plae, but slowly she felt herself being able to move.

She had 40 minutes to find Botis, convince/slamm it back into his head that they had a contract that need to be uphold. Once she was able to move she started to walk around the place.

7 minutes had passed.

After returning to the Underworld, Botis felt kinda guilty for leaving his mistress all alone at the surface, even after he pulled the dick move of asking Lucille to finish off the remaining witch hunters. However Ciara could summon him anytime she could, so there should be no problem there. She just needed to have her mana completely restored, hopefully those little twerps didn't misinterpreted what he said. He could be a little intimidating towards them.

There had been two silent days in the Venom Manor. Botis was just staring into the distance, occasionally playing with the fire in his hand. He stood up and walked through the corridors and went to the basement of his manor. Once downstairs he walked through a door which lead to the only room on that level. There was a plateau with a shiny sword laying on it. Botis walked up to it.

"Such a beautiful blade, it is a waste I cannot use it." he mumbled to himself.

"Oh, and why might that be?" he heard a voice saying from behind. Botis turned around and saw another demon standing behind him. Dressed in a lute suit with a messy beard and his signature weapon the Trumpet Rifle strapped on his back. It was Barbatos, Duke of the Underworld, ruling 30 legions of demons.

"Barbatos... what are you doing here?"

Connir ran into the room, although still with the monotonous look on his face.

"Sorry master, he barged right in." the canine servant reported.

"It's okay." Botis answered. Connir nodded and headed back upstairs.

"To come back to your question. I was just thinking about giving an old friend a visit." the lute answered.

"We aren't friends... not anymore." Botis looked at him quite frustrated, although Barbatos could only throw up a smirk.

"Oh, and though I've heard from a little bird that you and Dantalion have crossed paths several times lately." he grinned.

"All coincidental."

"Okay, next question. So why are you admiring the Venom Blade? What is the reason you can't use it?"

"Simply put, my mistress in contract doesn't have the amount of mana to summon the blade along with me. Hell, I even have to help her summon me... it can be such a drag with her."

"Yet you haven't killed her. That must mean something."

"Shut up. If you have nothing else to ask please leave my estate before I call my maidens." Botis said obviously pissed off at the remark of Barbatos.

"Oeh, we wouln't that. Well say hi to Dantalion next time you see it and expect to see me drop by another time. Cheers!"

And with that the demon was gone again. Barbatos was a real jester, even though he dresses like a regular lute. He wandered from who he get the info that he was having several encounters with Dantailion again. Weird things are happening in both the Underworld and Overworld. Botis took another glance at his Venom Blade before returning upstairs.

The next few days passed by rather quickly. He spend some time with his maidens, them mainly asking questions about their higher mistress, as they were quite interested in Ciara. It was only on the seventh day when he suddenly noticed a disturbance. As if someone was pouring alcohol on a fresh wound. It was a quick and instant feeling, yet seemed to last longer. Only after seven minutes of nothingness the pain started coming back again, this time luckily not as stringy as the first time.

Botis hesitated on grabbing his sword... he almost decided not to but in a quick change of mind took it along anyway. When he stepped outside he couldn't feel at all where the source of this pain was coming from. He did a small patrol around his manor but unfortunately couldn't find it. He sat down at his throne inside again when suddenly the sentences surfaced again from his conversation with Barbatos earlier.

"Yet you haven't killed her."

Ciara snuck around the manor, hiding her precence to the best she could. One slip up and it could mean her certain death. She had no idea if Botis was angry at her, or if he was being to pridefull again. The carped she had landed on seemed to continue forever through the hallways, bringing some more confusion to Ciara as to where she should go. She didn't have the time to seach for him. If he indeed was angry at her they would have a clash, no doubt about it. She had to safe her mana as much as she could, if possible she had to avoid using the airbubble spell again.

If she had to use it again, there would be an opeing for Botis to attack. He would not miss it, not him.

After 15 minutes of wandering around Ciara felt a familiar precence in a room at the end of a hallway. She hesitated to go near it, but decided to go for she had masked herself perfectly.

22 minutes passed, 18 more to go. Ciara calculated to herself. To short, way to short of a time to set up her circle and capture Botis, reason with him and get him to agree that the contract was still in place. Ciara sighed for there was no other option. She refreshed her spell, she gained another 40 minutes.

just 40 minutes....

Ciara laid her hand on the door and pushed it slightly open, she peeked through the opening only to see Botis sitting on his throne. Besides him stood a beautifull yet eerie sword, Ciara wondered why she had never seen it before. She clenched her wand in her hand as she made her plan of attack. She had to use 'that' spell again if she wanted to get close to Botis. She kinda started to like 'turned to ash'by now, but the flames still scard her.

''Calore, combussit, exæstuavit: ad cinerem, et ego ad nihilum deducet. ignis, metus elit. Ipse ad nihilum redigam in profluentem cineres esse venti.
O artificialis vitae, forma ignis meae mihique occurrerit revertenti'' She wrote on the ground with her wand, infusing each stroke of it with magic, making the words appear on the floor. Ciara didn't wanted to rick being found for makinging a sound. Quickly Ciara burned away, entering the room Botis was in ,in the form of ashes. She was going to use her trademark attack again. offence circles.

She took her time drawing this one, making sure Botis did not notice a thing. The circle consisted out of six smaller circles that were drawn around another bigger one. The middle consisted out of multible trianges. Ciara had to be in the middle of the thing to control it, but once she would be in there it was hard to get to her. The outher lines were the ones that attacked, they would shoot out a black flame. The triangles were a barrier, they would protect Ciara from anything. The six circles each had their own special attack. Again this barrier would focus its power on one point, making both the offence as the defence layerd.

Ciara had worked had developing this one. She started working on it even before she had summoned Botis, and she found it about high time she could use it, it was conveniant that her mana outpout had increased, but it still did not explain why Ciara felt some holy magic within her after the first day of discovering it had increased. The circle had no name, no spell, it simply got activated by her blood. As quick as she could she materialized within the cirlce, cut her wrist and turned to ashes, she was gone even before her fallen blood had reached the ground.

She made her way to Botis as soon as she could, and materialized infront of him. One of her knees rested on the stone seat of his throne while her other leg supported her body. The collar of Botis's jacket was in her hand, she squeezed it tight, making sure he could not leave. Her other hand held her wand wich pointed at Botis, her clamore spell ready to be fired.

''Count, care to explain why you disagreed to our contract'' Ciara said, making an attempt to sound treathening. Her voice broken, if possible she wanted to avoid fighting him.

20 minutes left.

Botis was sitting in his throne sunken in thought, wondering when Ciara was gonna summon him again. It's been around roughly a week now, normally she would have already summoned him. The words of Barbatos lingered through his mind at the same time. That trumpet wielding demon was never any good. Just a pied piper who would lead people to hidden treasure of which inside was their own demise.

He felt a change in the air around him. He looked confused and before he knew it a hand was firmly grasped around his collar, so tight it would almost behead him. In reaction he quickly grabbed his sword next to him. He looked up and saw a figure standing beside of him, it was his mistress! Why the hell had she come to the Underworld and what was all this nonsense about disagreeing on the contract?

"What are you babbling about woman! I never disagreed to no contract!" he was getting quite annoyed by his mistress holding him so firmly. She might be the boss of him, but she wasn't the boss of this place and he certainly wasn't going to let himself get thrown around like a little toy.

He grabbed the arm that was holding him and pulled it away from him. He got off his throne, still holding said sword in his hands. "Mistress, care to explain what the hell is going on?"

Botis held onto Ciara's wrist with such a firm grip that it almost hurt her. Ciara put her feet firmly on the stone ground and tried to struggle out of Botis his hand. The sword she'd seen before was now in his other hand, the look of it made Ciara shudder.

''what is there to explain, you left while I asked you to come back to me. I asked you to return and you didn't'' Ciara said while attempting to push Botis his hand of hers, he held strong not even budging

''you only left a message saying that you would leave until I could summon you. You know bloody well I am not capable of that. THAT was breaking our contract'' Ciara yanked and yanked but Botis did not releas his grip, so instead she decided to pull herself out of it instead of pushing. This as well was to no avail, a humans strenght cannot even comprihent the strenght of a demon.

''Well I am not having any of that, if you aren't coming to me then I will come to you'' She said, but she knew it was pure luck she had come here. It was only possible for the fact that she and Botis shared a contract. His demonic energy would not harm her on short term. any other demons area was still of limits to her. Botis his mansion was as far as she could go in the underworld.

'' Just like a demon cares for his contracted witch, so will a witch to her contracted demon. I will NOT stand by and do nothing while one of my own slips through my fingers. We have a contract, and I am not planning on throwing that away that easy''Ciara looked into the green eye's of Botis, her own crimson from using her magic.

''even if all your powers are gone, even if Solomon dropped you from his keys, even if the lord of hell himself would stand against you I will come to your side and remind you that we have a contract''

''that your own little witch will stand at your side as well no matter what'' The last one she wispered. Not sure how to say it. De just rambled and rambled, hoping that he would understand. That Botis meant quite a lot to her, and she was in no way ready to give him up.

The firm grip that was holding Ciara loosened up until Botis let go of her arm. With that hand he rubbed his forehead as he shook his head. "I don't know exactly what you were told. But I went to the Underworld so you could restore mana. And when you had regained your health you could summon me again, like always. I know you can't summon me all by yourself." he said and raised an eyebrow.

"I really care for you mistress. And the things I do are only with good intentions towards you, just like the thing I'm going to say next." he looked her in her eyes "Go back to the surface, out of the Underworld. It was stupid for you to come here, not everyone is as chill and cool as I am. Go back, then call me. I'll come immediately."

Like always Ciara was still a young witch who still had lots to learn. He himself was one of the many keys of Solomon, meaning there were lots and lots more of demons roaming in the Underworld, not all with the best intentions. Someone like Barbatos wouldn't immediately hurt her, but what if someone like Bael were to stroll by? Some just wouldn't let a human pass in the Underworld.

"Promise me you'll go back?"

Ciara fell to her knees, utterly out of words.

''huh'' She said confused

''but Cherub and Surgat they....'' She said slowly. She had misunderstand compleatly. She felt like a big fool to have acted like that.

''Then I have done all this for nothing'' She spoke soft as she released the magic cirlce. The whole floor lighted up and the lines of her spell became visible. The faded from the floor, leaving small flocks of light dancing around the room.

''I spent the past 20 minutes drawing this thing, and I will not even be able to use it'' She said as she stood up. ''I really came here prepared to drag you with me if I had to'' She smiled as she laid her hand on the shoulder of Botis. '' I am sorry for misunderstanding your words, and I am sorry for sneaking into you mansion'' Ciara apologized.

''Well at least I can say have snuck into a demons mansion with succes'' She giggled, before she realized something. She had never ever before done a reverse summoning.

She laughed a bit akward towards Botis
''ehe haha, you will not believe this Count Botis. I actually forgot to look up how to how to reverse summon. So any change you can come to the surface and take me with you''

''and in return you may ask one thing of me and I will do it'' Ciara offerd, after all this was not really a part of their contract.

As Ciara showed her embarrassment, Botis walked past her and looked at the drawing she made on the ground. It was a perfect incarnation circle, a very difficult one as well. He was surprised Ciara was able to sneak into his manor, draw the circle and get close to him unnoticed. Of course Connir probably let her pass because he could feel that she was his master's mistress.

"Mistress, I must say that your spell is very dope. Even though you can't use it now, it will come in handy later. It is perfect so when you use it it will certainly be very... destructive." he chuckled. "But don't worry, you indeed sneaked into my house and got into the Underworld alone. It's an accomplishment."

Botis grabbed the hands of his mistress and looked her in her eyes. "Shall we head upstairs?" he smirked and summoned a pentagram above them. It descended down on them and they appeared from the ground inside of Robur on the surface.

Ciara looked around her as she and Boti resurfaced within the acient trunk of Robur.
''Thank you for taking me back to the surface'' The young witch said thankfull as she walked towards the couch and sat down. ''Again I am sorry. Even though you have assured me more than once that you have no problem with serving me, I still cannot believe it'' She grinned as her eye's still held a red hue. Ciara felt a bit exhausted after using so much magic, but she could still move around. ''I think that after the last battle my mana output increased unnaturaly. All of the sudden I can use more mana than before, I do not know what Danthalion has done to me. It was weird, I kind of felt holy witchhunter energy within my body'' Ciara laughed ad her two little demons came crawling towards her.

''Mistressssss!'' They both screamed and hugged her. '' where did you went'' Surgat asked as Ciara became a tad angry at them. ''I went to get Botis in the underworld cuz two little devils said his word wrong to me, wich made me panic'' Ciara said as the two little onse hanged their heads.
''sorry we did not mean to''