59 The body with three souls

The teleportation took him into the tavern floor where everyone was drinking and eating in such a merry environment. Although they stopped. Not because of the sudden appearance of Riyku and Astraia; but because they felt Pure Diabolical Energy radiating off of Riyku like a fountain of chocolate pouring into a bowl endlessly. The bowl of course was the entire tavern. The tension became increasingly heavy. Astrid who was frozen in fear slowly turned her head to see where all of this pressure was coming from. It was then that she noticed her daughter. Astraia was not only topless but beaten badly. She had yet to realize just whose arm's she was in, but that hadn't mattered right now. The fear she once had was suddenly broken. Maybe it had something to do with a Mother's protective will? It surprised Skeith who happened to arch a brow as Astrid came from around the counter nearly hopping over the corner as she did. "Astra! Astra! Can you hear me!?" Astrid's voice filled with concern and worry caused those looking at Riyku... or well Skeith since they did not know that the person before them was actually someone else; to shift their eyes towards the person in his arms. No one said a word, but they did seem to share in the concern and worry. "I take it this is your daughter. Here, take her." Skeith's rough, deep distorted voice filled with evil perched forth which caused Astrid to look up at him. It was then she noticed that it was Riyku who was holding Astraia, it was also Riyku who was giving off such a powerful and wicked aura; however, it was not Riyku. She did not know that though.

Skeith turned his attention towards the tear-filled eyes of the woman who had just slapped him. It was Astrid. "You return Riyku this instant! I may not know what happened, but I can tell he did something foolish in order to save my daughter. You will bring him out this instant!" Astrid shouted in a bold motherly manner. Skeith who had never once been scolded, slapped, or even hit by a woman in such a fashion became interested. A grin had curved across his lips deviously. "And if I don't?" Skeith would reply in such a wicked manner that those around him started to grimace. They seemed to fully understand that the body before them was not Riyku, but someone else. Perhaps the Contracted Entity? After all the claw was quite visible and far more wicked and powerful looking than before.

A blackish crimson aura seemed to stem from Astrid. Although something was different about the aura. It wasn't surging with power, nor was it flaring out wickedly. Skeith winched in pain when he felt a singe of pain from where Astrid slapped him. The slapped itself did not hurt him, so why was he feeling this pain now? Shifting his eyes towards it, he saw his flesh burning away which caused a snicker to escaped his lips. "A minor demon is capable of this? Beautiful, feisty, and strong. Yes! You are the idle woman!" Skeith would walk past Astrid and set Astraia upon the countertop. Removing his shirt by tearing it off he would lay the fabrics over Astraia to cover her up. It was an odd action for him to take considering what he said moments ago as well as what he had done to the Instructor and the students before coming here. Turning back towards Astrid he would curl the fingers of his left hand which caused the bones to give off a cracking sound. "I'm going to have fun with you." Skeith would remark with a devious grin; however, his plans would not come to fruition.

Just before he started to make his move on Astrid his body suddenly froze up. The shadows around him started to bind him. Wrapping around his arms, legs, joints, ankles, and neck like some kind of chain. "W-What the hell? You!? Stay out of this, bitch!" Skeith shouted while trying to struggle, but not even a muscle would twitch. He was completely frozen with only the ability to speak. Steadily the aura around him started to diminish. "Bitch... you think you can keep me chained up!? You think you can take this body!? Haha, try it! You are still so far away! That's why you are only able to form this connection with him now. Because I have awakened!" Skeith shouted with sinister laughter as if taunting something. No one made a move, no one said a word, they couldn't because they did not know what was truly going on. To them, it looked like something was chaining Riyku's body down. At first, they thought it was Riyku himself, but it seemed like something else. Astrid was able to make the connections even if the others were not. Something else had resided within Riyku's body. Although what it was, was beyond her knowledge. All she knew was that; whatever it was, was keeping her safe for some odd reason.

"This isn't what we agreed upon, Skeith." Riyku's voice peered into his own mind so that Skeith could hear it. He had been ever silent since everything had happened. Skeith's brow arched for a moment in surprise. He had disengaged the connection he formed just after teleporting here since he did not feel Riyku or the other entities' presence. However, it seemed the connection was re-established. "That bitch... she reformed the connection. I see what's going on. Ha, fine. I'll give it back. But just remember, without me you are nothing more than a puny demon. You will continue to lose everything dear to you. Now and in the future to come. So long as you hold onto that pathetic emotion and refuse to kill those in your way." With those words Skeith's aura completely vanished. The chains wrapped around Riyku's seeped into his flesh as a symbol that Skeith had been locked away. Like some kind of invisible tattoo or marking.

Riyku would suddenly stumble forward. Since he had just regained control over his body. It felt weird to him. After all, this was a new feeling. It was like he was thrust into a direction or shoved forward. He clashed right into Astrid who took a step back to hold him up so they wouldn't fall. For a moment she was about to attack him but had stopped when she no longer felt such a presence. She seemed quick to realize that it was Riyku and no longer whatever or whoever it was from before. "I am sorry, Astrid." Riyku would mutter just before seeming to pass out in her arms, using her breast as pillows. The fatigue that Skeith built up when he had control over Riyku's body had hit Riyku all at once which caused him to pass out cold. Astrid looked at Riyku in silence still a bit taken back by everything that just happened. Though she managed a soft smile and started to brush his hair. "At least you came back..." Astrid would whisper.

A few moments would pass before she realized where she was. The patrons still in silence and on edge looking at her as well as Riyku. A blush took over her face before she wiped away the residue of her tears which would follow up with a clearing of her throat. "I'm going to take these two upstairs. When I return I will address you all with a formal apology, please give me a moment." Astrid undoubtingly picked up Riyku in one arm and heft him over her shoulder while doing the same with her daughter. Placing her over her free shoulder as if she were carrying barrels in both arms. The patrons all appeared more awestruck than before. Astrid was far stronger than her appearance led. The slack jaws of the patrons were proof that Astrid had rarely shown her strength. Astrid made her way up the steps and set both Riyku and Astraia in the Master Bedroom, placing them both on the bed. A soft breath escaped her lips as she watched them sleep. She knew she would have to tend to Astraia's wounds soon, so hurried out of the room and down the steps. She was going to formally apologize so she could close up shop and tend to both Astraia and Riyku.

Interestingly though when she reached the end of the stairs the patrons were all bowing to her with respect. It was odd and unbecoming of a demon to do such. Their pride generally would never allow them. Astrid was completely confused and baffled by this. "Thank you for saving Riyku and keeping all of us safe! Safe Haven truly is the best place in all of the Underworld!" Everyone seemed to roar in sync before rising up to look at Astrid who was still awestruck. One of the patrons spoke up, "You need to tend to Astra and Riyku. Don't worry about us. There is no need to apologize either. While we all kept back you stepped forward. You took matters into your own hands and even showed whatever had taken over Riyku's body a thing or two." Another patron would follow up, "We all figured you had some kind of strength, but to think you would slap something that easily struck fear into all of us. You even harmed it." And yet another patron rose up, "Such a badass!" Astrid's cheeks flared and a soft smile would take to her face. "Thank you, everyone! Tomorrow's drinks are on me! So please, take your leave and come back tomorrow!" Astrid would exclaim with a feeling of joy in her heart. Everyone cheered happily before taking their leave. Astrid would quickly close up shop so she could tend to Astraia and Riyku.

"Soo... who are you?" A voice echoed throughout the vast darkness. It was everywhere and nowhere at the same time. The person who asked such a question was none other than Riyku. Another voice followed up within the vast darkness. It only came as a feminine giggle at first, but afterward, sultry words peered forth. "Who I am is of no importance to you. Just know I only helped you this once because your body is mine. I will not have that demon take over. All you need to do is continue to become stronger. Become a body befitting of me." When the voice finished with another giggle, one could hear Riyku release a tense breath. "Take over my body? Become stronger for you? As if. I will become stronger so I can protect those I cherish. I do not know who you are, but you will not have this body! Leave!" Riyku's voice echoed throughout the vast darkness. After a moment of silence, a mocking giggle came from the feminine voice once again. "Whatever you say, boy."

Riyku's eyes would shoot open, a ceiling of familiarity sat above his blurry gaze. He would have shot straight up into a sitting position if his body let him. The pain still lingered after all. However, that wasn't the only reason. He felt a great warmth beside him, someone clinging to his arm and when he looked over he noticed it was a feminine figure. As his eyes adjusted to the dark of the room, he saw it was Astraia. He would attempt to move his left arm since Astraia was clinging to his right arm. Alas, it seemed that he was unable to do even that. Sure his body was exhausted, but he should be able to at least lift his arms right? Turning his head to saw Astrid clinging to his left arm. A heavy blush instantly took to his face now since he realized the gravity of the situation. He had never slept beside another woman, so being in bed with two was.... nerve-wracking. Although his blush started to dim when he noticed how comfortable Astrid appeared. It was the same for Astraia. Both of them seemed at peace with where they were that he refrained from waking them up and instead decided to close his eyes and just lay there in silence. "As long as you are both okay..." Riyku was careful not to wake them so he whispered lightly to himself.

When Riyku woke up again, he would assume it was daybreak since the room was dimly lit compared to the vast darkness it had the night before. Interestingly enough neither Astrid nor Astraia were on either side of him. Slowly he would raise to a sitting position with a soft yawn and a stretch of his arms. Feeling the blanket slide off of his chest he thought it was odd since he remembered that he was wearing a shirt at least. Probably because he had forgotten that Skieth tore his shirt off to layover Astraia in order to cover her up. Deciding to take a glance down his face instantly lit up. He was completely nude. It was then a bit of giggling could be heard from the doorway where Astrid stood leaning against the doorframe with her arms crossed under her bust. "Finally awake, are you. Did you enjoy last night?" Astrid would tease with a playful wink. "Umm... I didn't... We didn't... Uhh... Did we?" Riyku was at a loss for words which caused Astrid to hug her frame and squirm. "You were such a devil last night. You tired both me and Astra out." When Astrid replied with such an embarrassed tone of voice, Riyku's face flared up even more. "I... Oh... Umm... " Riyku was at a loss for words now which Astrid seemed to find cute since she giggled lightly. Astraia who overheard the conversation while coming from the hall would speak up, "She's teasing you, Riy. We did no such thing. There is no need to worry." When Astraia spoke up, Astrid would sigh lightly before nodding in agreement. "Astraia is right. All I did was heal both of you and ended up passing out myself." Astrid would reply with a soft moan since she knew the jig was up.

"Then why am I...." Before Riyku would finish his question, Astraia perked up. Mainly to keep her mother from saying anything else that could give Riyku the wrong idea. "Naked? That is simply because it is more efficient to heal the wounds of another through the skin on skin contact. Believe me... I did not know until my mother explained it." Astraia would shift a slight glare to her mother who gave her a playful and teasing wink. Riyku would sigh lightly with a hand over his chest trying to calm his beating heart. "Anyways. Riyku when you are dressed met us downstairs I have prepared breakfast for all of us. We will go over more in-depth on what happened yesterday as well as... well... your Contracted Entity." Astrid would shift her eyes from Riyku to his right arm which seemed to retain its powerful and wicked appearance. Astraia would nod in the background before heading back downstairs with Astrid who followed shortly after. Riyku would take a glance at his right arm. "Contracted Entity..." Riyku mumbled in thought. "I will not either of you completely take over my body. This is my body... you two are intruders." Riyku would curl the fingers of his right hand into a ball while making a promise to himself. After which he would put on some casual clothing which was black slacks, a black button-up shirt, and black loaves.

Meeting up with both Astrid and Astraia they were already at one of the tables with plates before them. Another plate sat at an empty side of the table where Riyku could take his seat. When he did he would smile at both of them and they would smile back. The atmosphere fell silent afterward before Astrid decided to strike up the conversation since no one else would. "Now then, please tell me everything that happened yesterday. From start to finish if you will." The atmosphere shifted with tension when Astrid spoke. It was then that Astraia and Riyku knew it would be a long morning for them. They knew it wasn't that they were in trouble, but the fact that they needed to retell everything from start to finish was another thing. So they decided to take turns, each telling their own share of the story.