54 Safe Haven

"How pathetic. Never show your face in front of us again, do you understand? Lowly mongrel." The woman's vocals cut deep, they were sharp and dark. Her face had crumpled into the expression of a killer. This caused the lanky demon to shriek and release his dagger while turning and running off with his tail between his legs. There had been some onlookers, though the eyes only came from the shadows of the city. Most were minding their own business. The woman would sheath her rapier and release a heavy sigh. Her ruby red orbs looking at Riyku who had taken some time to catch up to the information like some sort of laggy computer. "Like I was saying. Keep your guard up. Crimson Ash is a netherworld run by one of the most powerful Demon Lords in all of the Underworld. He fully believes in the survival of the fittest. If you are not willing to do what needs to be done in order to live you will die. Which is why that lesser demon attacked you. I'll explain more at my establishment. Even if you have good reflexes I doubt you could fend off against stronger foes. Stand by my side for now." The woman would call out as Riyku returned to reality. He had no further words on this matter. Since he thought it to be a waste to toss the dagger he held the hilt firmly in his left hand. Walking on the woman's right side so that his right arm wouldn't come in contact with her.

"Mother, I wanted to ask you something. Why does his arm look like this?" Astraia made her way over to Riyku and grasped hold of his right arm rushing back to place his arm upon the counter. During the short trip, he damn near tripped due to the sudden movement but kept up in the end. "Hm? Arm?" Astraia's mother was confused for a second, but when she saw the arm her eyes went wide. "Isn't that... A contracted entity?" The mother's voice trembled, not out of fear but thrill. Such a wicked and powerful thing was right in front of her. She could feel vile and ruin seeping from it which made her mouth damn near water. The words 'Contracted Entity' caused silence to befall the tavern. Astraia saw the glance her mother had taken and felt the tension in the atmosphere so she released a heavy breath. There was this 'intent' that seeped from around Astraia. It was a beautiful crimson aura; though murderous all the same. Riyku shivered softly when he took note of it. "Now look here. If you dare try and touch him, I'll be sure to toss each of you into the Sea of the Damned. Remember the one rule of this place. That goes for you as well mother!" She would turn to look at her mother who would wipe some drool from her mouth and smile innocently. "I have no idea what you are talking about sweetie." She responded in a nonchalant manner. One could hear the audible gulps of the occupants in the tavern. Another whistled. "Alright, we got it. That's why we are all here. We just want a safe place to enjoy a meal and a drink. However, he is free game outside of the tavern, right?" Another spoke up which caused the young succubus to sigh heavily and caress the bridge of her nose in annoyance. The aura slowly dimming down and clearing out. The intent fading as well. "If you must; however, he is strong." She wasn't lying, but she wasn't being honest either. Riyku was strong, but his ability was only that of a mortal. Riyku would exhale a soft sigh to all of this before looking to Astraia. "Umm... you can let go now." He would comment since Astraia still held onto Riyku's arm which caused her to blink rapidly before releasing his arm suddenly with a deep shade of blush. Her mother giggled softly as did the other occupants when they noticed this, but no one said a thing as to not anger the 'Princess of Slaughter'. Instead, they returned to their meals, drinks, and conversations.

"Why don't you take him upstairs and get him clothed. Your father's old clothes should fit him just fine." The mother would comment which caused Astraia to turn back towards her and clear her throat while doing so. "Of course, come along." She would take hold of Riyku's left arm and drag him behind the counter and up the wooden stairs. There were several doors they passed; however, their destination was the room at the end of the hall. Opening it revealed a lovely master bedroom with a King-sized bed and luxurious furniture fit for someone of high class. "Sit here while I find something for you to cover up in." Astraia would state as she went towards some folding doors which revealed a large closet. While she ventured into the closet, Riyku would sit down on a plush black and blue mat which matched the rest of the furniture in this master bedroom. Including the dark wooden walls, ceiling, and flooring.

Before Riyku's investigation of this large room could continue it seemed Astraia was already coming out of the closet with a pair of black dress pants, a white button-up shirt, a navy blue dress coat, and a navy blue tie. "It should fit just fine. I already got a good look at your build. So try it on. Also here, put these on as well." She had set the articles of clothing upon the bed before offering him a pair of black boxers. "I'll step out, when you are finished meet me downstairs. We have much to talk about." She would state before leaving the room, her face had a tint of blush to it. Riyku would sigh softly, and smile gently as he took the clothing in his hand. Watching her leave before putting the boxers on. He would make his way to the suit laid out on the bed. He would stare at them in silence for a moment.

"I don't know what is going on... I don't know who these people are... or even where I truly am. What I do know is that they have decided to help me for some reason... maybe their own gain... but... at least... they are good people." He was sobbing silently as he eyed the clothing. He had been holding in so much emotion. For some reason his soul did not forget his friends or family, it did not forget who or what he had done. The events that transpired had left a deep emotional scar. He had never truly been alone, but now he was. In a place that he knew nothing of, were apparently killing was okay. Astraia had caught a glimpse of him, having peeked through the cracks of the door she could hear the soft sobbing and words he spoke. His words stung her heart; because she knew from the moment she looked into his eyes that he was pure and innocent. That he had never done anything out of ill intent and that he was probably tossed here because of the 'contracting entity'. Stepping from the door she made her way down the steps, a sorrowful expression upon her face which caught her mother's attention as she descended the stairs. "What's wrong, my child?" The mother inquired softly. "I... I want to ask you something." She would reply and the mother would nod. "Let's go into the back of the house. The kitchen should be free so we can talk there." With that, they made their way into the back of the house to talk.

"Mother, I want him to be a part of our family." Astraia had a serious expression upon her face. Her mother's innocent caring expression crumpled into a serious one as well. Her eyes peering open revealing a soft crimson glow. "You want to bring him into our family? Why?" Her vocals were different, her demeanor had completely shifted into an alter ego. It made Astraia gulp softly. "I've seen his soul. It is pure. He should not be here. Like us, he has been wronged. I can tell just by looking at his body that he did something stupid just to save someone. He isn't bad or evil." Astraia would stand firm with her reply, her mother still peering over her listening to her, and keeping silent as she thought on what to say. "Very well..." Before Astraia's mother could continue, Astraia's expression lit up with joy. "However!" She stopped her daughter with an exclamation. "You are responsible for him. You are to teach him about Crimson Ash, the mannerism, the culture, how things are done. You are to train him and bring him up to par. Remember..."

"Those of the Burning Ash family are not weak."

"Those of the Burning Ash family are not weak."

They both said in sync

For a moment there was a soft silence before the mother's expression returned to her normal caring loving expression and she opened her arms to hug her daughter. "As long as you know. We'll discuss this more after hours, for now, return to him and start teaching him about Crimson Ash." The mother would remark and the daughter would nod softly before releasing her mother and leaving the kitchen. It was there she saw Riyku dressed in the suit sitting on the barstool at the counter. He would have appeared cool and sexy if it weren't for the lost expression upon his face. "Oh my, that suit fits you quite nicely." The mother would call out with a purr when she saw him which caused his cheeks to flare up. Astraia would clear her throat and elbow her mother's side. "Anyways, let's go up to my room. We need to talk." Riyku would blink softly in slight confusion as to why they were going to head upstairs again; although when he looked at Astraia who had a somewhat serious expression upon her face; a nod came from him and he left the barstool and followed up back up the stairs again.

When they entered her room, he took note of how large it was. The color scheme was crimson and black unlike the dark blue and black in the master bedroom. On the far end of the room was a queen-sized bed with a nightstand beside it. Beside that was a computer desk with a laptop set upon it and the accessories to go with it. To the left of him was a nice looking and filled bookshelf. There was a comfy reading chair there along with a small coffee table. To the right side of him happened to be an armory of sorts. Two large blades were hung upon the wall, then five rapiers upon a rack. There were a couple of practice blades as well. There had also been a weight lifting and workout station in that same area. For a moment Riyku thought this room was larger than the master bedroom, but from the time he was in the master bedroom, it was clear to him this room was smaller. Still pretty large though to fit everything and even a study table in the center of the room as well. There had been a few other doors which were probably closets. Not to mention the dressers and body mirror that was in the same area as the bed. "Come, sit." Astraia would motion towards her bed where Riyku would follow and sit upon the soft comfortable fabrics. She would sit in the computer chair and roll over to him. "Now... I am sure you have heard, but first. My name is Astraia BurningAsh. I am the only child of Astrid BurningAsh and Krowth BurningAsh. Before we continue, let's get the introductions out of the way. What is your name?"

Riyku's gaze was shifted from her face to the side as if he didn't wish to answer. It was not that he did not remember his name, but more like saying his name did not feel right. "Riyku..." He finally spoke up, the young succubus would cross one leg over the other as she rested against the chair. "Just Riyku?" She asked after his silence with her eyes peering at him. Riyku would close his eyes and shake his head feeling the intensive gaze. The only reason he did not want to say his full family name was because he felt like he would dirty his family if he used it. He recalled the reason his mother called him LunarFang. He was born on the night where the moon was beautiful. A beautiful and elegant name fit for a beautiful and elegant boy. It was a treasured memory, and being in a place that was deemed filthy... he felt it may dirty such a name. It was then he realized what the Magi had said. That he wasn't using the shadow, but pure darkness. The moonlight could cast shadows, but the darkness generally only showed up during the night. "Riyku DarkFang." He would look up from the ground and reply to her which caused her brow to raise. "DarkFang?" She inquired as to if she were suspicious, which caused some tension to fill the room. Although she gave up on the suspicion and moved on with a shrug. "Fair enough. It fits in this place. Having a strong name can make a difference in this netherworld. Burning Ash was chosen by my mother. It was her full last name because she... well... let's just say she isn't someone you want to make angry." Astraia would look away with a wry expression.

"Anyways." Her face snapped back towards Riyku. "DarkFang should fit just fine. I do not believe anyone else in all of the Underworld has the same last name either. So it is your own unique name." Astraia would smile at him, which caused him to smile lightly even if he had been lying to her. It did sting... creating his first-ever lie. Not once had he told a lie in his entire life, and this one was the first. It did not feel good, the queasiness in his stomach. It made him almost blurt out his own lie. Though he held back because she said DarkFang was a good name. That it fits perfectly for this place. "Now then. I need to ask, have you ever been to school?" Astraia inquired which caused Riyku to give her a puzzled look. "Sssscchh-oooool?" He would try to sound it out. "What is that?" Riyku seemed to have a bit of trouble pronouncing the word as if it were foreign to him. This caused Astraia to blink rapidly in an almost baffled manner. "Umm.. a place of learning, a place where you go to study and train." Astraia would reply to him which caused him to nod in return. "I trained under a Magi. My mother, father, and family taught me everything I needed to know about the world. The Magi trained me in martial arts and how to use my gift. Although, we never called it... umm... school? We just said it was to train or study." Riyku's reply caused Astraia to nod. Although there was something that caught her attention.

"Gift? What kind of gift?" Astraia would ask out of curiosity, the expression upon her face even showed it. "The ability to control the shadow." Riyku would reply; that single phrase caused her eyes to go wide. "C-C-Control the Shadow!?" She exclaimed in surprise. This sudden expression caused Riyku to tilt his head to one side in confusion and innocence. "Umm.. yes. Is that bad or something?" This remark from Riyku alerted Astraia of one thing. Riyku was probably a novice when it came to controlling the shadows. She wasn't wrong in this thought. He did not know the full extent of shadow manipulation. Astraia knew though; someone who mastered the art of the shadow could become a single person army. They could destroy everything in their wake. It was taught in the lessons at school. That sometime during the war between the Overworld and the Underworld a single man emerged alone in the field of battle. He alone fought against the angels and the demons. He alone brought an end to the war; because he was a threat to both of them. That man was known as....