A W A Y BACK H O M E

He had familiarized himself with getting lost, with encountering the unexpected. In a world of magic anything was possible — even this. The throbbing sensation of his nose, mouth and other various parts of his body being inflicted by physical impact. He could taste iron on the roof of his mouth, the swelling that was starting to take place. Legs fumbled to catch balance, staggering backwards into the rigid surface of an alley-wall. The pair of shadows loomed over the smaller, adjusting knuckles and scoffing down at the beaten. How large they were, typical of the beings that were not human. Of all the places he had to stumble into— he'd end up confronting a demon within the realm of all demons. A civilized world that was no different than the original ( in some ways it might have been better... or worse... )

"You come here, an uninvited human in our world, and tell us what to do?" the hand, curled by dagger( like ) claws fisted into the collar of his shirt, forcing him to be lifted up slightly. Golden irises glared into the crimson, "Just be thankful we're not tossing you into the hands of someone that might have done worse. Like eat you, or torture you... turn you into a pet..." the last words were hummed, as if this evil had grown an idea. The other clutched onto his shoulder, disagreeing with the notion that had been caught. Abruptly Theo used this chance to grasp onto the wrist of what had been holding him, forcing a single leg upward to knee the other harshly in the pelvis.

A grunt was merely released from the demon, in-fact he barely moved. Fear was not visible in the features of the injured, though he probably hadn't hoped to receive what had just been attempted. Air was forced from his lungs, endeavoring to choke back what had been lost as he slid downward, the demon lastly releasing his old. Hands clutched onto the stomach, crouched downward and groveling. If it had been another attempt— he might have been close to vomiting. For now the pair seemed done with proving their strength over the more feeble human (?)

"Get back here... you assholes..." he'd mumbled out in-between the few breathy intakes of pain. Thankfully they were at a distance enough where they could barely comprehend the words that slipped past his lips. Quickly he had been isolated in this shadowed crevasse, endeavoring to get comfortable against the wall. His face hurt more than the other injured parts of his form ( there was no rush to get up ), Theo closed his eyes. Perhaps when he awoke, the strings of fate would grant him some sort of mercy in finding a way back to the norm of Earth-land.

ALL I ASK OF YOU IS BELIEVE

Surround yourself with people who can hear the sound of your
soul.

❧

Akuma, a planet unlike others where demons have their own customs completely different than Earthlands. Sketchy figures of all sorts roam around at night and foreigners are ridiculed or beaten up. Shiye was on the rooftop of a house in Akuma, playing an upbeat tune on his guitar. The fingers picking at the guitar strings looked ecstatic but Shiye looked up into the sky expressionless. The pace of his fingers progressively moved faster and faster as the intensity of the tune grew louder. Shiye's guitar strings looked as if they were all about to snap until out of no where Shiye hears commotion in an alleyway in the far off distance. Hopping from rooftop to rooftop, Shiye lands on one close by enough to see what the commotion was about.

A man getting pummeled by two shadowy figures in the alley. As he looked more closely it became clear. The two shadowy figures were demons and the man that was getting his lights punched out was struggling. This was not a battle as Shiye originally had thought, instead it was absolute domination by two lowly demons abusing their physical strength. Shiye watched patiently as the man struggled to fight back but was only met with harsh blunt physical impacts that left him groveling in agonizing pain. Despite being capable of decimating the two demons, he decided he would let them go instead. The poor man that Shiye watched getting tossed around like a chew toy leaned against a wall, groaning in pain. Sounds of the man's gasping echoed in the night.

Shiye jumped down from the rooftop, landing on the grimy rodent-filled alleyway where the man was recuperating from his injuries. The rodents squeaked away as Shiye moved towards the man, and the groans grew louder. Walking up to him as his eyes were closed, as the man is clearly trying to collect himself after that nightmarish event that had just taken place. Shiye decided to figure out why he came to Akuma. "Hello mister, are you okay?!" Shiye exclaimed in a worried tone.

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For awhile there was a silence, far-off sounds of activity playing in the distance. Yet the space between the busy street and the forgotten alley-way was enough to sever the irritation of such noises. He sat there, hunched over on the ground, listening and waiting for the pain to pass. Though he could have forced a wandering limp, unwanted attention from the demons was not welcome. No matter how opposite it may have been to the beating from before. However— the isolation he had been hoping for did not last long. There was a distinct sound of something landing a few feet beside him, golden irises exposing themselves within the shadows as the presence spoke to him. A cheery though, (obviously not) concerned tone laced through the words of the blonde.

Theo observed him for a short while, relieved it wasn't one of those filthy imps back to submerge its fill of sadism. Features burrowed further into the crack of his folded arms, lashes fluttering downward again. Still sensitive to the noise, the voice of some stranger who seemed easily elated, was not helping his current state. "Get lost." the words were grumbled, barely audible in the covering he used to hide his face. Near the temple of the crown, a single sliver of blood was trailing downward. Though unlike the normal shade of crimson, this gave off the complete opposite. As if light itself bled out against the grimy floors, few were left scattered and smeared along his form. The glow only evident in the cast of darkness.

ALL I ASK OF YOU IS BELIEVE

Surround yourself with people who can hear the sound of your
soul.

❧

Shiye's eyes shimmered as he noticed the glowing blood that trailed down the man's face, gently accumulating at the bottom of his chin. The subtle drops of glimmering blood were heard quietly splashing on the hard floor. The man grumbled at Shiye to leave, words filled with hatred and coldness. However, Shiye thought he was something else - something special. Wondering how he would win the weakened man over, he finally decided on what to do next.

Shiye slowly sat himself beside him on the cold floor and in a sympathizing tone he said,"Look mister, you're hurt and you're in pain. I'm just trying to help you and give you the attention that you need." Shiye reached into his pocket and grabbed a pearl white handkerchief with bright yellow polka dots on it. He holds it in his hand and offers it to the bloody man.  "Please... just take it." Going through Shiye's head, however, was something the opposite of kindness. Instead, his kind gestures were simply a facade to lure the interesting man to the point where he would trust Shiye, as he was slowly devising plans on how he would manipulate, use, and exploit him.

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For a short moment he seemed surprised over the distance that was severed between him and the stranger, stiffening to the presence at his side. The gaze casted itself towards the one with golden hair and a perfect example of concern. Feigning worry for others was an easy and everyday lie - one that got those what they wanted. Then again Theo wasn't exactly a mind reader, and at this point he was just being overly cautious. Though it was well deservered in his current state, and he decided to remain so. Until the handkerchief barely crept into the blockage of his arms, examining the colorful fabric in the grasp of such a pale hand. Skin that could have resembled the beauty of an untouched pearl. Few seconds passed as his mind grew lost in the object ( the gesture ), eventually Theo adjusted himself again. Exposing the most of his blood-stained features, perhaps a more appealing shade than the sickening whirl of red.

"Stop calling me that." the voice came again, a bit more clearer than the earlier grumble. He'd already taken the offering, noting its gentle material before kneading it against the temple of his head. "What are you? Some kid addressing an adult? If you're thinking it will make people like you, you're wrong." few remarks were shallow, laced by a venom that seemed unlikely. That had not a single aim. The fabric masked the majority of his expression, "But... thank you." perhaps a bit more gentle, the gratitude was barely audible. He wasn't exactly familiar with interacting with others, let alone expressing appreciation in words. At most it was rarely in actions - the rest a constant demeanour of aloofness or confrontation.

Still did the inside of the skull rattle and throb, the muscles in various placings convulse. Teeth clenched firmly together, mostly praying for the pain in his head to pass. He could push through what other injuries tormented his body. But when even the mind was in harm, it was hard to mentally pursue his journey - one without a destination in sight. "...What's some girly looking guy doing in a realm full of demons anyway?" he'd question abruptly, a bit of annoyance found in his tone of voice. Theo didn't think he was gonna lose to the persistency of this stranger any time soon.

ALL I ASK OF YOU IS BELIEVE

Surround yourself with people who can hear the sound of your
soul.

❧

"Uhhh..." Shiye was speechless at the coldness of this stranger. With further examination, Shiye concluded that the bright blood glistening all over the stranger resembled that of moonlight.

Shiye wasn't sure how to go about his next step of manipulation, whether he should end this poor sap's life now or continue his act was something up in the air. But he couldn't help but continue his facade. I apologize for not introducing myself earlier. My name is Shiye, Shiye Delsin Kiyiya. I'm just a traveling musician hoping to get my big break and become famous one day. I'm on Akuma in search for instruments native to this planet. Shiye paused as he was still a bit unsure as to how his appearance was deemed 'girly looking' as he always thought he looked quite masculine. That insult threw Shiye's thoughts into an absolute rage as to whether or not he should finish what those demon bullies in Akuma started. However, this being before him peaked Shiye's interest and he knew that he had to get more information from him. So... what brings you to Akuma?... and if you don't mind me asking, do you have a name or would you prefer me to still call you 'mister'?"

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The drawl in the tone of the other was enough to proclaim his shock. A fragment within his mind thought that this stranger was simply playing the right cards. One of right mind was ingenious enough not to harm his hands in the act of violence. Especially when he preferred to keep them unscathed for the act of playing an instrument. Or maybe he was the kind that was simply so forgiving to the point it was aggravating to those that lusted for a response, rather than a smile that seemed as fuel for the fire. Theo loathed the forged curl of lips, how those simply forced themselves to act unharmed in the confrontation of one that wanted to fight. He hated those that could not stand up for themselves. Then again, not everyone was as innocent as they played themselves to be. Even this one- the one laced by golden strands, could be wearing a mask to a darker and more manipulative self. To the obscured truth.

"Shiye, huh. What a typical dream, well, at least you have one," he'd pause, still holding the fabric close, "You talk as if I'd find this all interesting." again came the venom. If he had to be honest in regards to something he didn't particularly find enjoyable- this had been the first in a long time he had managed a conversation with someone which didn't engage so quickly in knocking some sense into his toxic mouth. It wasn't as if Theo had not a single note in regards to the fact he behaved so brashly and spoke so forthright. He was stubborn after-all, and simply did as he pleased.

There was a furrow in his brows, as the teasing remark was sensed in the words of Shiye who spoke so willingly. "Theo... you can call me Theo," lastly placing the fabric down, he'd shove it into the right of his coat pocket. A heavy sigh retreated past his lips- why had he come here again? Personally the memory had gone about lost, and with his mind still rattled thinking upon it was an endeavor itself. "I don't remember... I think I was looking for something." the specific target, it was unimportant to him in the present moment. Right now he seemed more keen on shaking off the persistence of this individual named Shiye. "Don't know why I'm talking to you as if you truly find this interesting." the same grumble resonated in his tone. Truthfully he couldn't believe he had so simply let his name slip past the crevasse of his lips.

ALL I ASK OF YOU IS BELIEVE

Surround yourself with people who can hear the sound of your
soul.

❧

"Theo..." Shiye says quietly. Shiye ponders to himself... 'Theo,' an interesting name. Shiye looked closely at Theo, examining more of him. "You don't need to fear me, Theo. I am just a wandering mage and you just happened to be in trouble." Shiye eagerly tries to get on Theo's side. For a split second, Shiye could sense the pain and suffering Theo has gone through and genuinely wanted to help Theo. Something alluring drew Shiye deeper and deeper into getting to know Theo. A strange feeling, surely one that Shiye was not accustomed to.

"What exactly are you looking for? Perhaps I can help you, at least to protect you from any demons or anyone that seeks to hurt you." Shiye's mind switches back into the cold, manipulative, and sadistic mindset. Thinking to himself, Shiye wonders what his next steps. Carefully calculating how he would befriend this strange being named, "Theo." "Perhaps we can explore Akuma together, or find what you're looking for. It's much better to have someone you can trust look out for you, especially on rough planets like these ones." Shiye reaches out his hand, expecting a handshake from Theo. "You can trust me, Theo." Shiye smiles at Theo, trying to hide all suspicious intentions that were going through his mind.

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