Intro to Demons- Training with Johann

Yona Hisamori had returned to Tolgalen and to her bed. It was as if bad luck was drawn to her, as if she had reverse karma in the world: every time she tried to do a good deed, the world bit her on the ass for it. She entered the beautiful training grounds late in the afternoon, having slept in every day for the past few days. Johann had needed some time too, but this time he had made time for her each day. The way he came in, even for just a few minutes to check on her had made her nervous at first, but grateful at the end. The destruction of a dark guild had been dangerous and their lives had been spared. That little goodbye letter she had written Sato had never needed to be given. In fact Sato had kept her spirits up ever since she had returned from Shadow Island, despite the feelings of fear and the tremors of darkness roiling inside of her.

It was a feeling she had never known, and she pondered it as she arrived at the green training grounds. Johann was finally going to give her a full explanation and hopefully help her to understand what to do with this demon inside of her body. Did she fight him? Did she accept him? Did she have to bargain? Would the demon ever take control? Was he something to be wary of or did she still own her own body? And most importantly, Yona had told nobody about the demon inside of her. It was possible Johann had dealt with that aspect, but perhaps he would advise her to keep it secret from the others around her. She had seen how Cirven had nearly killed Johann when his demon broke free and doubted now that hiding it was the smartest idea. She ran a hand through her short green hair and sighed. Johann would help her and he would answer her questions. Soon the worries would leave her mind and maybe, just maybe there was a way to kill the demon inside of her or lock him under so many seals that she never had to worry about his existence again. A dark movement inside her heart made her frown; even the thought of harming or sealing the demon up more than he already was made him stir. Ketsueki, the demon who was sealed within a tree for the Blood Seal for two hundred years, did not like being restrained anymore.

She saw Johann as timely as usual waiting for her and strode up to him with a small smile. "I think after you explain some of these things, we get that drink we promised to get before we left. I need some down time, don't you?" Yona wondered if he would be all business like the ace he was, all careful and parental like a mentor, or if he would be the light hearted man she had gotten to see through the guise and freedom of Onyx Moon.

WC: 508

Johann sat in his same old leather armchair, legs crossed, his eyes firmly locked to the dark ceiling of his office. He had had a lot to think about these past few days, and today hadn't been any different. His office was dark, a single candle shining light on the desk, the curtains closed to block the ever burning summer sun from entering, the only audible sound the scribbling of Artorias' pen on a piece of paper. The falcon had been a true friend and blessing for the VP these past few days, Johann's attention lying anywhere but with official guild business, Artorias helping him out and taking over his share of paperwork as his representative. Everything that Johann had believed for the majority of his life had been a lie, Berith's words still echoing through his head in every wake moment, and he was still in shock. Frankly speaking, the old man had no idea how to deal with any of this. With the knowledge of the demon inside him, with the fact that he had been forced to subject his mentee to the same fate, with the fact that Mars had started to occasionally take over his body using his own energy, though only for short amounts of time. So far he had managed to keep it a secret from his guildmates and, perhaps most importantly, Yona and Artorias, but he wondered how long this could keep going on for, especially considering that Mars had started to get the hang of controlling his human body and managed to stay in control for longer and longer while Johann was locked inside his own body, forced to watch the ancient demon who gleefully performed his shenanigans.

In any case the old man had to take responsibility for his actions, no matter how much guilt he was still feeling from the events that had occured on Shadow Island, lifting himself up from his chair and stretching before turning to his partner "I'll go and take a walk, Artorias. You'll take care of things ?", the knight keeping his eyes on the piece of paper before him "Of course, my lord. It's my pleasure", Johann shaking his head "... Thank you, my friend" before opening the door to the hall in the HQ of the West Fiore Trading Company and walking through. A bit of a walk through this warm summer day later Johann had gotten close to the guilds training grounds, a large portion of forest and bits of other terrain that had been closed off to serve as the guilds outdoor training area. Yona wanted to meet him here, but naturally he had been the first to arrive again, his tendency to be on the minute exactly getting him in similar situations often. Still, luckily, it was only a short wait before he saw the girl approach in the distance, greeting her by raising one hand for a short wave, a weak smile on his lips. Of course, Yona wanted answers. Johann sighed. "I don't know what to tell you, Hisamori, but I'll try my best. Oh and ..." Johann removed one of his gloves, a glowing, runed hand revealed beneath before he used it to draw a circle of runes into the air that flashed with purple light briefly, forming a sort of doorway "... if you want a drink and maybe a little more ... privacy, let's talk in here", stepping through the dimensional gate into the space he had created himself using his magic.

The "Mansion", as the Vice President of the West Fiore Trading Company had ended up calling this pocket dimension, was a space created by runic magic, consisting of a single, rather large square space that was divided into smaller rooms by runed, white walls, the gateway leading directly into the entrance and meeting hall, a circular couch surrounding a table around a fireplace in its middle, Johann, however, making his way over to the small bar area on one of the rooms sides. "It's not the Siren's Song but it'll do. So, Hisamori, what do you want to know, and maybe more importantly, what to you want to drink ?" preparing to hand the girl what she requested while pouring himself a lemonade, cooling down the drinks with an ice rune.

Yona crossed her arms, silently placing a wall up between her and the world, a sure sign that she was uneasy, uncertain, and needed the guidance of her mentor. She had seen the way his demon had ravaged the evil in the world, she had seen the way too that Kyran's demons had killed the enemies they shared. Yona also had seen Johann's demon turn on her and she had seen Kyran's demon turn on those he cared for as well. With something like that inside of her and no idea how to start handling it, she gained an appreciation for them both in their own struggle. Worse, she didn't like the idea of being home with Sato eating breakfast, ruffling his hair, and praising his work work in his little garden beside the guild. One minute she's laughing and passing him bread, and the next minute she could tear out his throat without any ability to stop it. When Johann removed his glove and opened up a purple magical doorway, she followed him inside.

"Privacy and liquor do go well together in my book. I am partial to wine in the confines of my own place." Upon stepping through and seeing the beautiful walls within, Yona smiled. She pointed at the couch and fireplace set up, "I need one of these in my life, shihan." She stepped briskly through the room and took a seat at the rounded couch, finding it comfortable. The green haired girl uncrossed her arms and looked up at Johann as he poured himself what appeared to be lemonade. She looked a bit guilty, wondering if wine in the afternoon was inappropriate or maybe if he avoided alcohol for control's sake. She bit her lip, "Hey, uh whatever you're having looks great too. Actually." Yona made a small connection to the night where she shared drinks with Kyran. He had proclaimed to not drink for personal reasons, perhaps this was the reason. She ran a hand through her green hair and leaned her neck back with a groan. "Damn," She said.

"Based on what you've explained to me since we got back, I guess.. I have a demon in me, right? I suppose I should start off with basic concerns of mine. Who else knows about it? Should I keep it secret? And what I really want to know... can the demon take over my body the way..." She looked at him and was uncertain how to phrase it. Un-delicately, she finally finished, "the way your demon does?" It wasn't pretty but first she needed to really hear that this was true. She had to know and then she needed him to train her and teach her. He had to know enough about his own self to know how she could deal with this. Surely, Johann wouldn't have her deal with it on her own. It was far too risky in the case of his family, her family, the guild.

WC: 508+495= 1004

"Yes, the mansion is pretty amazing, indeed." Johann answered to the green haired girl as he took a seat on the other side of the bar, taking a second to marvel at the sight of this pocket dimension himself, having to remind himself it was something he had created using just simple supplies and magic. The power they all held, magic, was truly capable of performing amazing feats, but, to Johann's dismay, also of terrible atrocities, with one such sin now being locked inside Yona as well. He was nervous. The girl would want answers, and he was very unsure what he should tell her, what he could tell her or if he could even come up with logical and concise answers at all. All of these thoughts rushed through his head while he was still pouring the bitter sweet drink in a tall glass before adding a clear, strongly alcoholic liquid that he had acquired from Pergrande ... with a considerable investment of effort. "So just the lemonade ? Thought you were a little tougher ..." he giggled to himself as he teased a little "... but alright, you just do you", shoving both the cooled bottles of liquid over to her along with another one of the tall glasses for the girl to decide on her own what she wanted to have. A little bit of humor before the serious questions would be asked, he thought, and he would be right.

With a deep and heavy sigh, Johann took a large sip from his drink, the blue rune on the glass flashing briefly before it was cooled once more. "... I guess there is no way around it so ... Yes, Yona, you, unfortunately, have a demon sealed within your body.", the old man averted his gaze. He felt responsible for this situation. If only he hadn't been so selfish, if only he would've looked out for her, would've been there for her when she needed him. He was ashamed of himself. "So far only you, me and Artorias are informed about this whole ... circumstance. I can't really tell you what comes next, but I'll try and be as truthful as possible with you: The demon can and will take over your body eventually. I'm having a hard time fighting off Mars' grip on my mind, and all it takes is a moment of distraction, of weakness, and he will exploit it ruthlessly. He has taken over for short periods of time here and there, but I managed to get back control every time ... just ... it's not getting any better. In fact, the situation is getting worse. I haven't slept for days, his whisper constantly reminds me he's there and it's making me feel sick just thinking about it. In short: I don't think you can keep it secret for long. I will discuss my concerns with the other VP's and Cirven to try and figure out the best course of action and I strongly urge you to do the same ... that being said ..." Johann lifted his glass and drank the rest of it in one big swing "... there is one thing these demons do grant and desire ... Power. And lots of it. Mars might be a revolting excuse for a living creature ...", a chuckle rang through the depths of the old man's mind, causing him to pause and sigh for a second "... but he certainly is powerful. So, I have decided what I will do, Yona ... I will keep Mars and I will try to control him. What do you think ?"

Yona looked taken aback by his teasing with the alcohol. Did it not have much effect after all? Would she drink it and only find delicious relief? Maybe it was his strange otherworldly dimension, taken out of the world so that the demons could not come out or so that alcohol was an illusion only meant to gratify the mind during her stay there at the mansion. "Hey I am plenty tough," Yona answered mixing her own two drinks. She had seen Johann do it: just pour the clear liquid from one bottle into her glass. Without thought to measure it and without knowing just how potent it might be, plus the added knowledge that liquor was possibly just an illusion here, Yona felt unrestrained with pouring as much as she wanted. When she raised her own glass to her lips, however, she made a face. "There is more of that in my drink than anything resembling a lemon! By the gods, you mind telling me what that is?"

Yona took another strong sip and shook her head once. It was delicious, somehow Johann knew his beverages and she was thinking of going to him anytime she wanted a good one. With the second sip came the explanation she so strongly desired but it was not what she wanted to hear. Confirmation that she had a demon in her was anticipated but his truth giving on how he was handling his own demon, Mars, was problematic and lacking in reassurances. The green haired young woman saw the shame in his eyes, the lack of sleep in his face. The demon inside of her, Ketsueki, had been mostly quiet. She nearly forgot his existence, daring to hope that the three mages she had encountered and the horrible sensation of observing her blood draining out of her body was a dream. She touched her chest where the only mark from those daggers had yet to heal over, the runes on her hands and torso were gone after the magical healing she got that night. But the one on her chest just would not heal, would not let her forget.  Every now and then she felt a stirring, but in discussing him specifically it seemed that Ketsueki was stirring inside of her, stretching out his tired limbs, eavesdropping after his long slumber.

Maybe the experience was as draining for him as it was for her. She didn't care much how powerful he was, if the fact was that he would end up taking control of her body. Yona would never dare risk Sato, now that they were finally together. She would not risk harming Ruvel or Cirven or Johann. She would not risk unleashing Ketsueki upon Gaia and Kyran. This was apparently for her to control and not for others to fear. She gnawed the inside of her cheek unknowingly as Johann continued before taking another drink himself. She felt the familiar buzz and tender light headedness from the alcohol, but confused it for the fear and excitement of the situation. "Mars. That's what he's called huh," Yona said softly. "I thought he would have a more powerful name, something evocative of the monster he really is. Don't worry about talking to Cirven or Ruvel for me. I will do so myself, really. You have enough on your plate." Yona sighed, "I didn't think I had a choice in the matter... is there a way to remove Ketsueki without harming me? I don't think it would come easy, I just don't even know if it is possible." Yona took a hearty gulp from her lemonade.

"And you are the expert on what is possible aren't you?" came a voice from within. It was like burning charcoal, gritty and smokey. Yona nearly spat out her drink, choking and then finally swallowing. She felt a sudden urge overriding her systems, a desire for the most incredulous thing: blood. For a single second her eyes turned fluorescent blue, like the spirit fires. will o' wisps or kodama from lore. Images of the dead dark guild, of Anmo lying on the floor with a swollen face, and visions of their blood staining the stone steps outside their own doorway, they flashed through her mind and she felt a strange frustration, an eagerness to touch the wet crimson pools, a desire to smell them, and worst of all, a stomach cringing ache to taste the drained blood upon the stone floors.

She swallowed hard, her throat dry, and took another drink from her glass. She was obviously hearing things, the demon had been silent up until now after all. "How do you keep Mars at bay? He seems so strong... what do you even do to begin controlling something like that?" Yona questioned her mentor. "Something like that? Something like that! As if you don't know- the name Mars echoes amongst..." A growl sounded in her mind, "He is the great lord of war! Mars.. what I wouldn't do to just meet him.." Yona made a face, disapproving and straightened her back. The couch was comfortable, she thought randomly. The fire was warm. The drink was sour and sweet. The more she pointed out things she could sense the more grounded she felt. If this was a test, Ketsueki was not going to win it without a fight.

WC: 891+1004= 1895

With weak, inwardly smile Johann stared into his glass, almost missing the girls question "Oh ? This ? It's a hard alcohol from Pergrande. Clear, sweet, and almost no natural taste of its own. Perfect for mixing.", the old man delighted that this was lifting at least some of the almost tangible tension in the room. He had hoped the alcohol would help with his overwhelming feeling of guilt, but he had found that, perhaps to both his luck and misfortune, his natural, physical healing factor had gotten too strong, his body treating the alcohol like poison and neutralizing it instantly. This, of course, meant that, much to his dismay, his drink had had no effect on him. "I won't go and tell to the other VP's if you don't want me to, Yona, but I really think it's something of a necessity. I know you're not gonna like hearing this ...", the old man felt a sting of pain in his chest just thinking about it "... but I ... we can't really stay here if we can't get the demons under control. I will not allow dangers to my family to thrive in their midst, unseen, with the potential to endanger them all ..." Johann lifted his gaze for the first time to seek eye contact with the green haired girl for the first time since they had started the conversation, a fierce, determined expression on his face "If I can't get Mars under control-", another chuckle echoing through the darkest depths of his consciousness causing him to pause once again, goose bumps spreading across his entire upper body "if I can't get him under control I will leave both the West Fiore Trading Company and Onyx Moon. I know of no other way to ensure the continued safety of Tolgalen. Of the people here. Because as things stand right now ...", the Vice President hated himself for what he would have to tell the girl, but he had to be honest after getting her into this situation ... it was all his fault, after all "... I know of no way to remove Ketsueki from you. As far as I'm concerned his very essence has been merged with your soul. I can try and lock him away deeper and deeper within you, covered by layers and more layers of seals, which would certainly help" Johann sighed "but the more seals I put into place the more energy they will take from your body. It's possible they will drain you of magic energy completely and they're not even guaranteed to work. It's just too risky ..."

Johann was about to open his mouth again to continue but stopped at the sudden burst of scent emitting from his mentee, a subtle smell of burnt matter, sulfur and, strangely blood filling the room explosively. Perhaps it would've gone over other people's heads, but not the old man's, his senses were too sharp, too refined to miss a detail like this. It seemed like already she was having trouble with the demon that the members of Blood Seal had placed inside her. "Are you okay, Hisamori ?", the old man's muscles tensing as he saw the brief flash of blueish energy in her eyes. "How I keep him at bay ?" Johann repeated the question, trying to find an answer, an explanation himself, taking a second to think about it "I don't know, unfortunately. When he isn't repressed by pure force of will he seems unstoppable, doing whatever he wants to satisfy his sick desires" "tssehehe ...", all the talk about demons seemingly having caught Mars' interest as the eerily familiar cackling crept up the back of the VP's mind. "But that doesn't mean you can't do it. Mars listened to me once, when I made him an offer, he is willing to bargain, it seems." "Oh, am I, old man ? This certainly has gotten a lot more interesting ... tssehehe", Johann continuing sharply, the next answer being directed more towards the whisper than the girl sitting on the couch in the mansion "And another time, when you encountered him, I was able to force him out of my head with nothing but a burst of determined resolve, so it seems Mars isn't actually as powerful as he likes to makes himself out to be", a displeased, deep growl remaining his only answer to that comment. He wasn't sure if this was what the girl wanted, needed to hear at all, but Johann, much like Yona, was stumped and overwhelmed by the sudden change, and this, no matter how much he wanted the opposite to be the case, was the most sophisticated advise he could offer ... for the time being.

Yona cradled her glass between her fingers, feeling the cool condensation dampen her hands, using it to try to keep her mind focused on the present and not the sudden excitation of Ketsueki within. It seemed that the demon within was thrilled to hear a familiar demonic name and the provoked interest would not keep him silent and hidden anymore. "I'll handle telling Cirven or Ruvel, maybe Sol when the time is right. I just feel like I have no information for them yet. After I talked to you, I planned to find them anyway, shihan, I mean it." The plant mage listened to her mentor speak about the necessity of leaving the guild to protect Tolgalen and his family from the demon lurking within.  It sounded like he was giving up his family in an effort to protect them and the idea behind it, though sensible, annoyed her. It felt too much like letting the demon win. It felt too much like every thing Johann had worked for, and Yona by extension, were things they would need to give up because of their circumstances.  It sounded like they were without any other options for now; sealing a demon over and over, draining Yona of her magical strength for a shot in the dark attempt to control the demon was no real option. "I agree with you on that much," Yona began staring down at her lemonade. "Leaving the guild, leaving Sato... I can't help but feel like there is another way. I won't lose Sato again, I won't let Ketsueki harm a single hair upon him."

She sounded determined, but deep down she was unsure and Ketsueki, sensing this, chortled out in amusement, "I don't want his hair, just his blood. His blood, and everyone else's." Yona tightened her grip on the glass as he went on, "And the best part is that you've given me the body to do it. You're going to help me." Yona felt anger again and she was surprised by it, in that she had not felt such anger in awhile. Yona quickly finished the lemonade, attempting to literally drown out the demon's words with the drink. If she was unable to control her body through drink, maybe instead, the demon would have no chance in taking control of her either. "To hell with that," She murmured, directing the comment haphazardly at Ketsueki. She looked up at Johann and frowned, "When you say there was no other way, I believe you. My soul has somehow merged, become tainted by his presence, and you're right that if you tried to take him out he would probably just drain my own life to fight back. But you say I should bargain with him?" Yona stood up and poured herself a second tall glass as she continued speaking. "My mouth and my throat have just been so dry lately... anyway. Either that or mentally defend myself?"

The green haired woman returned to her seat holding her glass up to her lips. "I might need some help with that," She admitted taking a drink and letting out a sigh. Yona took another, "All his chatter in my head about blood just makes me so damn angry. Controlling my emotions has never been my strong point, Johann." She looked at her mentor worried and Ketsueki stretched, like the roots of a growing plant, moving through out her whole body and settling into place in her mind. She tried to stuff him in a mental box but her own craving for the scent, the sensation, the taste of blood was heavy inside, too heavy now to just package him away. "Mmmm... give me blood or I'll just take it," Ketsueki crooned. Yona shivered once, the images, the cravings, all of Ketsueki was becoming so overwhelming to her, but still he continued on with his refined dark tone of voice. "First this guy, then your cute little brother, then the whole guild, no... the whole continent." Yona tossed her head back and downed almost her entire drink. She felt his power growing, nearly unstoppable, her eyes glowing blue once more and staying that way.

"Johann, please," Yona whispered. "He's going to take over. We both know I am not strong enough, physically or mentally." She set the drink down and nearly toppled onto her side, having clearly drunk too much now on an empty stomach. She reached out for Johann, extending both of her hands out for him and uttered in a weak voice. "Johann, help me get stronger. Help me get mentally callous and physically tough. I've been brave for a few days now but the thought of him getting his hands on anyone..." Yona shook her head looking straight down, "Just tell me you'll teach me mental strength? You can train me to get tougher for that right?" It was a desperate drunken hope, but faced with the impossible truth of either controlling the demon or leaving the guild and Sato behind, Yona had nothing to lose. And the more she admitted her mental weakness, baring herself vulnerable to Johann like she never had, confessing that she was so confident in all of her work except in this, the more that Ketsueki purred. Her eyes became like little blue flames as he laughed, "This is easier than I thought it would be. Mmmm, yes, I'm winning~"

WC: 1895+894= 2789

"You can always try and control the demon inside you. It's up to you, really ... but be prepared. Ketsueki will try his best to undermine your very being, to break you, to take control so he can what he desires. Staying here will mean you're potentially endangering your brother." The old man grabbed another one of the small bottles of lemonade from the shelf behind him, a small ice blue rune appearing on the outside of the glass that cooled the drink down instantly. It was hard trying to give Yona the information she wanted while simultaneously trying to give her the information she needed, especially since Johann didn't really know much more than the girl at current, Mars remaining an enigma to the Vice President himself as well. He had had little previous experience with demon's before the whole trip to Shadow Island. Unsure how to continue, he took a sip of his drink. "So ... he wants blood ? Your blood ... or just any blood ? And you think this first for blood influences you, huh. Perhaps it would be for the best to try and attempt to train with this newfound ... "companion", to try and control him somehow or strengthen yourself to overcome him. Perhaps he- ... he would accept you as his superior of sorts, his master, maybe, if you were to surpass him in power ? Maybe ...", Johann was surprised he had just thought of this now. Of course, strengthening oneself, training to be stronger than a real demon would be a feat, but not entirely impossible either. Mages of immense power and strength were not unheard of, and what other way to become stronger would there be than training. Naturally, Johann had a hard time estimating both the power level of Mars and Yona's demon alike, but knew that whenever Mars exerted his influence over his body he would become much, much stronger than he had before. The scenes from Shadow Island appeared before his inner eye, pure darkness surrounding his blade of charcoal black that erased half of a mountain in a single sweep. Could he ever hope to even attempt to reach such a level ? How much of that had been his own strength, the strength of his magic and how much had come from Mars ? The answers he sought only brought up more questions.

"Training could be a viable option.", the old man responded, a shimmer of hope in his voice. Maybe this situation would prove to not be entirely negative, after all ? Of course they would have to explore their own and the demons' capabilities first and compare before even attempting to travel down the arduous road that would be taming a demon. In any case, the old man had made his decision, taking one of the hands the girl had extended towards him with his own, gloved right hand "Fine, Yona. I'll train you to try and control this demon. I'll help you become stronger. For your own sake. For the sake of the West Fiore Trading Company and our families. We will try and conquer our demons !", bursting into previously unknown excitement. Maybe, just maybe, they could actually try to coexist with these creatures like Blood Seal had done, somehow, and try to strike a deal with the entities sealed inside them. It would perhaps take months, years, possibly, and they had to figure out some kind of way to approach this colossal task, but there was the possibility they could use Mars and Ketsueki to their advantage. Of course ... Yona would have to agree with this, Johann staring at her after making the proposal, waiting for an answer. If she would accept, he thought, he could take her to the mansions training hall and they could perhaps work out a strategy, devise a plan, find a point from which they could approach the issue and try to find out what exactly they could and should do from now on.

With gleaming blue fire eyes, Yona squeezed the gloved hand Johann had extended to her. "Yes, a thousand times yes," Yona replied, eagerly. Training sounded like the only answer, training and practice, and just maybe she could become strong enough to overcome Ketsueki. Was she going have to remain motionless, without word or expression through anything Johann put out? Was practicing nonchalance the way to mental power? Perhaps, she could be powerful enough to become his master and use his powers for good. "You, my master?" Ketsueki chortled inside of her mind at the idea, "I am more powerful than you could ever be, child. You are mine and your blood will fuel my power if I don't get what I want." To prove his point, Yona felt suddenly drained, just enough to understand that indeed this was something he could do. Her face was so pale and bloodless she looked like a corpse as she sharply took a breath, but that unholy craving for blood was finally gone and the soreness in her throat had left with it.

"He says blood strengthens him. He says if I don't give him blood then he will just use mine," The thought made the woman with blue eyes frown. He wouldn't kill her but if he took her blood, used it, then she would be frailer and easier to conquer. She pulled her hand back from Johann and clenched both of her hands into fists. "I will train with you, with or without him." Johann sounded eager to train and work with his demon as well. Was the power of the demon so great and yet conceivably controlled for her own aims? Her fears began to dwindle and become replaced with interest. Even as she felt weak in her bones from Ketsueki's displays of strength, the fact was that with him, she could discover the shadowed man of her nightmares. She could find the one who had killed her father, burned down her home, and had nearly killed both herself and Sato. She still had a taste for revenge in her, not much diminished by Sato's return.

"So how do we train for this, shihan? How do i maintain control and use his power?" Yona asked looking up at him. She was exerting some level of force, pure mental strength to keep Ketsueki down, but she was reminded of how pathetic that mental shield and force really was. All these years using her emotions to fuel herself, letting them run rampant, letting her pain rule and control her, the woman was only recently practiced in controlling herself never mind a demon entity. "Oho, you want my power? Sure, I'll give you a taste," Ketsueki crooned in her ears. Truth was her mind was like using cardboard to block out the unstoppable force of a hurricane. Without any training, practice or self control, Yona was barely in Ketsueki's way. Her skin became darker, shifting into a twisted and gnarled black wood and through her arms and neck like veins, little blue fires glimmered. Yona felt her mind getting pushed to the side as Ketsueki took control of her body. She beat at him with everything that she had, but dulled by drink Ketsueki only told her, "Relax before you hurt yourself."

Yona's head tilted down as she whispered, "Johann, help." She was more scared than she had ever been. What if Ketsueki took control and she never got it back? What if Ketsueki injured someone? What if he killed? Ketsueki flexed Yona's arms, now in control, now taking the throne of her mind. He gave Johann a horrific smile, Yona's soft pale face warped into a dark bark like skin. "Too easy," Ketsueki said using Yona's own lips to speak. Huge thorns burst from her shoulders, her collar bone, and her head like branches or antlers. Ketsueki looked at Johann and crossed his arms, "Well hey old man, good to meet you. I've got to get going, but thanks for the drink." Ketsueki made no move to go after Johann, as he knew somewhere inside was the infamous Mars. But Ketsueki was there when Yona entered this mansion and knew just what door to take to leave, to go out into the world and stretch his legs. He started walking away from Johann, going around the fireplace and back towards the door from which they had come.

WC: 2789+735= 3524

"Ketsueki will not kill you. He might use you, viewing you as a useful tool but ... he is dependent on you. If you die, so does he, when you are weak, so will he be. He might be strong, yes, and you two might not share a mind, but you do share a body. It's in his own interest to keep you alive, at least for now ." Johann answered to the girl, seeing, once more, the blue flashes in her eyes. "If I can control Mars, at least to an extend, then you can control Ketsueki ! I know it, Yona. It's possible. Think about your friends. Think about the Company, about your brother. Are you really going to let him take all this from you ? No, you're stronger than that !", the old man said that, but he saw that the girl already seemed to be struggling just to keep herself in control. Perhaps Ketsueki was just too hungry for blood, too hungry for power and control whereas Mars ... seemed to, surprisingly, be more tame, more collected, though also more calculating, certainly. In any case ... Yona wouldn't last too much longer, and suddenly, with a flash of energy, she changed, crying out for help. Johann instantly tensed, jumping up and over towards her, but he was too late. her appearance had changed, taking aspects of demon who had taken control. Johann stopped immediately, his eyes widening, staring at the now transformed form of Yona ... "Shit".

Listening carefully, ready to draw his rapier should he try anything funny, Johann couldn't help but sigh at the unholy creature's words. "Yona. I know you're still in there and I know you can hear me. This will be your, no, our first lesson. Banish Ketsueki from your mind. I know you have the power to do so. Be strong. Be fierce, and he will be no match for you. As for you ...", Johann now addressing the demon directly "... there is no way out of this dimension unless I allow you to go, so it looks like you and I are trapped here until we reach a conclusion I'm happy with. Most unfortunate for you, hm ?". The Vice President actually allowed himself the smug grin. "Guess it's my turn then" he sighed, not wanting to be left out. He had promised to try and help Yona, and he would have to further increase his understanding of his own, to put it loosely, "companion", and he had also promised to train alongside her. He'd have to follow up. "Mars", two glowing orbs lighting up inside Mars' cage before Jo's inner eye "I grant you permission to use my body. Come on. Take it", a cackling echoing from Johann's mouth "Alrighty, old man, if you so desperately want me to, tssehehe ..."

Dark, charcoal black hues slowly crept up the man's eyes, the pupils turning glowing red when the lack of colour reached them before ultimately, bloodshot veins became visible in and around them. Johann's mouth changed to a twisted, gleeful, toothy grin that revealed the enlarged canines on each side, something that resembled a dark halo, made of pure negative energy forming around his head. "Helloooo world, tssehehe ... Feels good to get a chance to stretch the old legs a bit again.", his head slowly turning to the other demon in the room "Hm ? Who are you ?", asking as Mars tilted his head to the side

Think about your friends. Think about the Company, about your brother. That's what he said and just as she slipped out of control, that was exactly what was on her mind. Ketsueki was happy to supply her with visions of blood, of Sato and his torn out throat, of Tamaria dead in Adalinda's bleeding arms, and of Kyran with his bright eyes finally closed, having not been enough to handle Ketsueki. She fell into despair with concern, worry and everlasting was this taste for blood. It was repulsing and yet she felt as if her throat was being rubbed raw with razor blades, the tension for such blood unavoidable. You're stronger than that, her mentor had said, but was she really? Could she hope to take on Ketsueki as he was... now? Yona's doubts plagued her captive mind and Ketsueki strode towards the door with giddy eagerness.

Ketsueki heard Johann's attempt to reach Yona and laughed a bit until Johann addressed him personally, snarling back. "Hey old man, you're not wrong. I can't kill her yet, but I can deliver the most fiercesome of tortures, the most blood-worthy of pain and tear her apart piece by piece, at least mentally. You better reconsider keeping the way shut," He turned to face Johann with a dangerous look in his glowing blue eyes. Yona at the least had heard Johann's voice as well, telling her this was lesson one. She was trying not to panic, terrified she would never get control again. Banish him, he said, and be fierce. Yona swallowed hard and tried to focus. She could not let Ketsueki win so easily. This was more than a test, it was more than her first time training, this was day one of the rest of her life. She let out an angry scream and bashed herself against the internal framework where she was kept. Yona found herself locked in a cage of bone and dark miasma, which worked like a poison to keep her subdued. Yona kicked at the cage hard and felt nothing change.

Meanwhile, Ketsueki raised his fist as if to give Johann a hard punch with his ebon barkskin. He stepped forward and swung just as Johann spoke the name of the infamous Lord of War. Ketsueki twisted himself at the last second and swung past Johann's head, just as it had transformed into a toothy demonic face. He couldn't stop himself in time to not swing at all and so Ketsueki got down on one knee before Mars. "My Lord, forgive me. I would never attempt to attack you. I am Ketsueki, a lesser blood demon and I have been sealed within a tree for two hundred years. This is my first time out in the world so I ask instead that you help me to destroy it. I wish to kill in your great name!" Ketsueki knew that the hierarchy of demons was quite important and that looking up at Mars could be interpreted as further blasphemy against the higher demon, but he couldn't not look. Even if it risked him losing a limb or his life, Ketsueki turned his head up to gaze upon Mars with awe. For Ketsueki, offering to spill blood in Mars' name was the highest of honors he could offer, at least besides his own sacrifice.

WC: 3524+5353 4076

Mars tilted his head further, his two ebony eyes and fiery pupils staring down onto the one kneeling before him. Though with one side of him he couldn't help but quite like the gesture, ther other side was in complete and utter revolt, thoroughly offended and about to draw the VP's sword and end the existence of this measly little creature of the dark. Mars had been created specifically to destroy, burn, kill, crush, obliterate, exterminate lowly lifeforms like this one in the hundreds and hundreds of thousands, and his very being, his very nature dictated him to end this one right now. Only with great effort of his demonic side could he stop himself from acting, though his behaviour and appearance reflected nothing of this internal battle, the lord of war only straightening his head, continuing to look down on the other one. But what was he supposed to tell this "Ketsueki" ? That he had no interest in destroying this world ? Well, in truth, he did, but the time for that was not now and not for him to decide. The order would come from above. In a sense, this was more than enough to kill the demon for blasphemy against his creator, but again, he forced himself to calm. "You wish to kill in my name ? you wish to destroy the world ?" Mars himself got down on one knee, seeking Ketsueki's eyes with his own, his stare piercing through the demon "You will have to understand, my dear Ketsueki ...", placing his hand on the other's shoulder, speaking in an almost parental, soothing tone "... that I cannot and will not allow. It is forbidden to me, and so it is to you. This is my order. Do you understand ?", standing back up, taking his hand, that had placed an obvious, glowing rune on the demon's shoulder, back with him.

Truly, pure demons were disgusting creatures, Mars thought to himself. Nothing but blood and slaughter on their minds, doing evil for evil's sake. What were they without purpose ? Moths flying into a flame only to be born anew and repeat the process, pawns in a great game of chess, that he realized. Maybe to this one he could give guidance ? Maybe Ketsueki could go against his nature and ... "behave" himself. It would be most entertaining to Mars to try, at the very least. Tilting his head to the side once more, though with different gesture, this time beckoning the other to come closer, he opened his mouth once more "It is blood you desire, am I correct ? You must be hungry ...", with this, Mars exposed his neck "... please, drink as much as you like, Ketsueki. It will quench your thirst" Mars knew that the other would probably refuse, so quickly added before the demon could say anything "I insist". Mars' blood would regenerate faster than Ketsueki could ever consume it all, and so he had no qualms of making this comparatively small sacrifice. For Mars', it was simply a gesture of good will.

As Mars moved to one knee, resting a hand upon Yona's barkskin shoulder, Ketsueki could barely contain himself. He did so of course, to prevent humiliating himself or destruction from the wrath of Mars, but the lesser demon had not imagined in his four centuries of existence that he would ever be face to face with the Lord of War. He had not fathomed that Mars might speak to him. And he could not have comprehended the greatness of supposing that Mars might rest a hand on his shoulder. Yona's green hair parted around the thorny antlers, as Ketsueki breathed out slowly. He listened to every word uttered by the male before him in complete awe of his power. He would not rise against him, he would not lift a hand to harm him, and even as Mars took his hopes and goals away with a single phrase, speaking that it was forbidden.... Ketsueki merely kept his mouth shut and nodded. If it was an order given from a deity himself, it would not have been as binding as Mars words unto Ketsueki.

"I understand. I wish only to serve you. I will kill for you, but I will do nothing to destroy the world. You have my word as bond," Ketsueki proclaimed as Mars lifted himself upwards. Ketsueki looked at his barkskin shoulder where a glowing rune was left behind, reddish in color, and the power within enough to make Ketsueki fear for just a moment his very life was in danger. Mars looked down on him exposing his neck, beckoning Ketsueki to stand and approach. The thorny demon got to his feet and looked up into the dark eyes of Mars. He craved blood, having gotten none of it in two hundred years, so the very word and implication made him tense up in place. There was nothing he wanted more in that moment than to drink from Mars' veins. "I couldn't, my Lord, you are too far above me." He stared longingly at the place where Mars still exposed and when Mars said that he insisted all other cares vanished. Whether or not this got him killed out of sacrilege and in spite of the mysterious rune Mars had placed upon him, he could not and dared not refuse the Lord of War.

Yona, however, screamed and shouted. She had no interest in drinking blood; she hated the idea of it and she recoiled that it would be Johann's body she was draining. Her power grew and she forced Ketsueki to stop in his tracks, his open mouth just hovering over the neck of Johann's body. "Don't you touch him! Don't!" She was weakened by the blood he was stealing from her, pained by the constant image flow of running streams of blood from her loved ones, but Yona would not budge on this. She grabbed the bone cage, pulling hard, until one of the bones cracked. She was regaining control, she could feel it. It excited her, made her move in haste, desperate to get her body back. Ketsueki however still held the reins and her disturbances within only gave him pause. "Thank you, my Lord," He quipped. He leaned in, bit into Johann's neck, and drank the blood offered. He drank gently at first, wanting to seem respectable. Yet two hundred years of desperation called him to drink more, and more. He drank roughly after but a second, feeling the blood filling him up, his thirst fading away moment by moment as Yona shouted in disgust. It was like nectar from the heavens, and he crooned inside of his head for Yona to hear, "So good, so pure, must drink more.." She broke the bone bar she had only cracked before but Ketsueki's power was growing exponentially with how much blood he was drinking. The plant mage threw the broken bone from the cage onto the floor, though even she had to give pause for the immense power she was witness to.

WC 665+4076= 4741

Mars almost sighed when Ketsueki started drinking. So impatient, so blunt. The demon seemed like a young one. Not too powerful, certainly a lesser demon, and in any case a being lesser to himself, the Lord of War. Though some would consider him letting drink Mars' blood blasphemy, he couldn't care less. He saw the chance to make this lowly creature obedient, obsequious, and took it. Perhaps it was a fascination for the unknown, the desire to know more about that which he had been created to destroy, perhaps it was simply his demonic side trying to gain more power ? In any case, he knew it was morbid intrigue. He would have fun toying with this one, just like he had had his fun toying with the girl before. He kept holding out his neck, the creature that called itself Ketsueki still leeching onto him like a parasite, waiting until he had finally gotten enough and stepped away.

"Now that your hunger is satisfied, young demon, I have but one request to make of you and my wish is for you to follow it. The decision is, of course, in your hands, but know that I have a plan, and anyone who proves a hindrance to me ... I will destroy. I hope you can follow me", the Lord of War smiled, his expression almost sympathetical. Of course he did not follow a plan. He couldn't, getting involved with the mortals too much until the day of apocalypse had come would go against his direct orders, but if this creature would suddenly start rampaging, threatening the beloved innocent children of his father he would see himself forced to wipe Ketsueki out, a thing he wanted to avoid now that he had taken an interest in the creature, if possible. "I need you to lay low, Ketsueki. Do nothing that would draw attention towards the girl or the old man. That means you'll have to postpone the killing to another day, especially if it's innocents.Such a thing would be noticed quickly, you understand. Feel free to drain her enemies of their blood, though. They would perish, anyway.". So far so good. "And don't kill your vessel, or get her in trouble, I still need her and the old man alive and healthy, understood ?" Mars hoped that that explanation would be enough to satisfy Ketsueki. Mars didn't necessarily plan to help the old man out, but he wouldn't cause this "West Fiore Trading Company" or whatever it was called any more trouble than he should. He wasn't even supposed to be awake, but he hadn't received any orders from father, so he could only assume that the time had not yet come, meaning he had a lot of time before himself that he could use for whatever he liked. He wasn't supposed to affect the children too much, but ... while he was here, there was nothing against playing around with demons, right ? He grinned.

"Now that you know, Ketsueki, and now that you have had your fill, sleep, for I will do the same. You understand my orders and know what to do. I'll see you around, tssehehehe ...". With that, the Lord of War retreated back to the old man's subconsciousness, the VP's eyes returning back to their normal, regular heterochromatic colours. Of course Johann had heard everything, and knew that Mars was up to something, but couldn't quite make sense of the other. In any case, he was glad Mars hadn't done anything, well, destructive like the last times he had been free. There was no time to dwell on this however, the old man's eyes immediately falling back on his mentee to see if she was alright, and if Ketsueki had listened to the Lord of War at all.

Word Count: 4,518

Ketsueki was struggling now against Yona, trying to keep control as she nearly broke free. "Just a while longer, just a bit more," He yearned inside her head. He had to hear what the Lord of War would say to him. He had to hear his wish, his desire; with Mars' blood on his lips, an incredible honor as it was, he needed to prove worthy of that honor. "If? If I can? I swear I can follow you." He paused, kicking Yona away in her own mind. Yona shouted and screamed, her rage fueling her. She would not let him have her body, she would not let him hurt anyone. She could taste the blood and it made her sick. Ketsueki waited on baited breath until he heard Mars speak and was surprised and horrified by the request. Keep his host alive, not get her in trouble, don't harm innocents? He hated the idea. What was the point? Wasn't he free now? After two hundred years of waiting, he was bidden to wait even longer?

He growled angrily and then licked his lips. Of course, there was a catch to drinking Mars' blood. And of course, he had to agree. It was clever, manipulative even, and Ketsueki had to admire it even to his own disadvantage that he had been so easy for the lord to control. "I will do my best to heed your wishes, my lord," Ketsueki conceded. With the command to sleep and Mars clearly saying he was going back into slumber, Ketsueki had a choice. Not killing might be his limit and his taste for blood was quenched thoroughly, but being free to live and move was still nice. He was going to just wait it out, moving into a low bow before Mars. Yona however took her body back in a swift strong single move, coming back into her own. The green haired woman grabbed at her arms, and wiped her mouth off with her hand. The mage looked around for the lemonade and the liquor, hurrying towards them and grabbing the lemonade. She pressed her lips to it, drinking it, over and over. She drank until her stomach hurt, and she drank until her eyes watered. She drank when her tongue began to tire and her lips became sore. Once gone, the lemonade bottle was returned to the counter top, but the taste of Mars', of Johann's blood was still fresh on her mind and on her lips, a taste that she could not drink away or forget. At least, she thought, I got control and now I know I can do it.

WC: 4741+440= 5181