The Shadows Within

Nyla quickly departed to do everything I asked as I headed toward the bathroom. Before entering the shower, I was delighted to see I wasn’t bleeding. No more rags until the next one came. Thanks to being passed out for the worst days, I barely felt anything.

Though staring at myself in the mirror, I saw the mark on my body. Those moments when my arm was ripped off were a blur. All I remember was Finn’s form and how magnificent a beast he was. After that, the pain was too much for me to focus on anything else.

Yet, I don’t mind if this reminds me that I reached you in a state where it shouldn’t have been possible.

A hum left my lips as I washed my body before closing my eyes and allowing the warm water to wash away my worries. Well, until I felt something behind me, yet this time, it wasn’t a presence I had come to know.

Startled, I turned around to see a man I had never seen before. He had two tusks out of his mouth, deep red hair, and big pointy ears that reminded me of an elf. His hazel orbs were studying me, and his appearance was one of an orc, thanks to his light green skin.

Yet what worried me was…

Where’s Solas?

The pup hadn’t said a single thing. Even though my heart was pounding in my ears, I tried to hold in the desire to scream as if this demon wasn’t friendly; my attempt for help would’ve set him off.

“Can I help you?” I mumbled, using one arm to cover my chest as the other reached for the towel nearby, but the orc leaned closer before I could get it.

“Your familiar is taking a nap. Don’t worry about him.” He announced, leaving me shivering when I recognized that voice.

You’re the one who told Finn to eat me!

Forgetting the towel, I pressed my back to the wall, wanting as much distance between him and me as possible. This was no mistake; this demon had come to find me.

“Fi—” I tried to scream, only to feel my voice leave me.

His eyes shimmered, raising his finger to his lips.

“No need for that. I was just jealous that my other fellows got to meet you.” He walked into the stall, grabbing me by my right arm. “Oh, that’s a shame; you’re already damaged. One ritual won’t work.”

A soft smirk rose on his lips as his touch triggered ripples of mana to rush through me. The agony that erupted from my injured arm was overwhelming. I wanted to scream, but the charm he had me under didn’t let me say a single sound.

Instead, tears rolled down my eyes, unable to do anything else to cope with the agony coming in waves. This demon wasn’t like all the others I met. He was colder than ice and didn’t care about what I felt.

However, he wouldn’t shake me.

I won’t bow to a bully ever again!

I glared at the orc through the pain, whose eyes shimmered even brighter.

“This won’t do. If he can’t bend you, then you’re no good. What to do?” he reached for my throat only to stop centimeters away.

Instantly, his charm was undone as a hand was sticking out of his chest. The smirk on his lips grew as blood dripped down from his lips. I gasped, grabbing onto my arm as the pain still rushed through me.

Yet my eyes quickly caught the red aura that erupted from behind him.

“My lord, you’re too vigilant of your saint.” Sebastian sighed, unfazed by the pain.

Soon, an angered Finn launched him into the wall before me. His aura wasn’t as thick as the other day, but it was close. Blood dripped onto the floor from his hand as I struggled to get a grip.

“What the fuck do you think you're doing, Sebastian?!” his voice was colder than a winter storm.

“I just wanted to meet her. She smote Vorex and Vabaru. So, I had to make sure it was true.” The orc sighed, standing up from the floor.

A sharp growl left Finn, obscuring his view of me by standing between me and him.

“Though I have to say they were wrong about this one. Her power’s insignificant enough to do anything. She’s nothing but a waste of—” he continued, triggering Finn’s hand to twitch.

A second later, gargling was the only sound that Sebastian made. The demon lord had cut his throat open without moving an inch. Finn’s magic was extraordinary and chaotic to witness.

“You forget yourself. The only reason you’re here is that you have numerous demons in your domain. Other than that, your opinions are invalid.” The demon king scoffed as Sebastian soon vanished from sight.

Releasing a sigh, Finn turned to me to see me holding onto my arm. It was throbbing so much that I could barely concentrate.

“Sylvia, are you okay?” he shifted gears, cupping my cheeks into his palms.

The warm water washed the blood away. His aura slowly decreased significantly when he touched me.

“It hurts, I can’t move it.” I winced, feeling like my arm was about to fall off.

A growl left his lips, turning off the water before taking off his cloak and covering me with it. My body shivered, resting my forehead on his chest.

“Okay, breathe. This should help.” Finn whispered as a gentle blue light came from the hand hovering over my arm.

It instantly relieved the pain, allowing me to focus on what Sebastian said.

“What did that jerk do to Solas?!” I huffed, grabbing onto Finn’s shirt with my healthy hand.

The other refused to respond to me, leaving it limp on my side.

“He put him in a charm, same as you. However, he’s the one who alerted me. I would’ve known sooner if Vorex and Vabaru hadn’t distracted me with their bickering. I didn’t see him fucking leave.” Finn clicked his tongue as a soft whine came from beside him, bringing me relief.

“Let’s take you back to your room and have Rizak take a look at you.” Finn sighed, leading me out of the bathroom.

The walk to there was a quiet one. However, I still wore Finn’s cloak since I couldn't put on my clothes. Nyla went to fetch Rizak—however, the entire way to my room. Sebastian’s cold eyes remained on my mind.

He’s…

Once in the room, I sat on the bed, snuggling into Finn’s warm coat.

“That man’s full of hate, isn’t he?” I sighed.

Finn sat beside me, allowing me to plop right onto his lap.

“He is, but he hates everyone, so don’t feel bad,” he said, trailing his fingertips in my hair.

It caused me to tingle.

“Why are you so nice to me? Don’t you hate what I am, too?” I mumbled.

A soft hum came from him. “You aren’t like other humans, and you’re crazy enough to call a mad dragon that ripped your arm off a friend.”

I gazed at him to notice a smile on his lips.

“Nyla told you?” I puffed my cheeks, feeling flustered in his gaze.

He nodded, not shifting his blue orbs from me. “She doesn’t have a filter for those things.”

Ah… that makes me want to tease you. Smile more… please…

“You’re more than a friend.” I declared, gazing away from him and towards the door.

A chuckle left him, clearing my hair from my face. “Hm, Am I?”

“Mhm, you’re my savior.” I declared, knowing that wasn’t what he wanted to hear.

A soft sigh left his lips. “Right.”

The tone in his voice triggered my eyes to shift back onto him as I saw a soft frown on his lips.

Giggling, I grabbed onto his shirt. “Hey, Finn, do you think you can ever take me out on a flight in your dragon form?” I asked.

My question left his eyes wide open. “Are you crazy? You aren’t scared of my real self?”

I reached to touch his cheek with my left hand.

“No, I think Sebastian was scarier than you,” I assured him, triggering his eyes to twitch.

“Okay, Sparky, you’re officially insane.” He sighed, shaking his head.

I simpered, “No, I just want to see the world you see.”

Clasping my arm, he leaned into my touch.

“You're really trying to stir me up, aren’t you?” He huffed.

I caressed his cheek with my thumb. His warmth seeped into my skin, making me feel like there were knots in my tummy.

“No, I’m just being truthful to you,” I confessed, tugging away from him.

I don’t know what I’m expecting from you.

I saw his eyes twitch again, though his cheeks were rosy.

“Oi, are you sure that charm didn’t mess with your brain?” he asked, gazing away from me.

Struggling to sit up, I couldn’t stop messing with him, especially when he reacted so cutely.

“Nope, hold me. It’s chilly with no clothes on.” I announced, gazing at the demon lord go stiff.

“S-shouldn’t you p-put some c-clothes on then?” he stuttered, triggering me to smirk.

Of course, I turned away before he saw my sly smile.

Who’s the virgin here? Serah, your brother’s adorable.

I knew he was terrifying when out of control, but even then, he didn’t kill me when he had the chance.

“I can’t move my arm,” I informed, glancing back at him.

That wasn’t a lie; it still refused to move for anything even though I wanted to touch him.

“Should I help you get dressed?” Finn asked, gazing back at me.

“But your coat’s cozy,” I snuggled into it.

It was warmer than my usual clothes. Even though my skin and hair were still slightly damp, I could barely feel the night breeze.

“Oi, you have nothing under it.” He sighed, shaking his head.

I shrugged. “Does that bother you? I mean, I think three people have seen my body. One of them is you. So, I have nothing to hide anymore.”

His eyes twitched, grabbing me by my left arm before pinning me to the bed. Suddenly, he was on me, caging me under him.

“Don’t you remember what I said about playing with fire?” he warned, trailing his hand down the cloak instead of my skin.

Serah... your brother is a gentle giant with me.

I rolled my eyes. “Vaguely. I also remember giving you an in, but you didn’t take it.”

His cheeks turned redder, eyes narrowing.

“Oi, I’m still—” he started for me to reach to his lips with my finger.

It quickly silenced him, especially when my movement exposed part of my chest.

“You wouldn’t be doing anything I didn’t want,” I confessed, simpering.

It almost appeared like something snapped within him when he pressed his forehead against mine.

“By the gods, you’re lucky Rizak is right outside.” He breathed, hovering his lips above mine.

There wasn’t any reason to hold back anymore. However, I wouldn’t let Finn win without pulling out all the stops. Even though he said, he wouldn’t love me. That was something no one could control. I had to make him fall for me before he knew how much I cared.

Easy, right?

“Am I lucky?” I mumbled, leaning into his lips.

Butterflies flew in my stomach, leaving me wanting to give everything to this demon. However, before I touched them, a knock came from the door, stopping our sweet moment from continuing. Finn cleared his throat, speechless, before exiting the bed and heading for the door.

My health was the most important thing to him, making me love him even more.

Can I win your heart, too? Or is all of this only lust for you?