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“Thanks for the offer, but I have other plans.” Said Syrus and denied the demon’s offer.

Suddenly a violent tension filled the space.

Then the demon sighed and shrugged, “Sadly fair, humans are always so busy.”

“And demons not?”

The demon smirked, “You should look at yourselves, running around aimless like ants all the time.”

“Pretty sure that is just a difference in culture.”

The demon smiled provocatively, “I see, still, what a great loss; you could be a lot happier if you followed me. You can join in the brawls of a lifetime.”

Syrus paused, greatly confused at what signals the demon was sending. From everything she knew, demons weren’t attracted to humans of any kind. That still seemed to be the case, but based on the words it said and the very little knowledge she knew about demons, maybe they enjoyed fighting a lot more than she realised.

After a moment of quiet, she answered, “...maybe, but I wouldn’t get the happiness I want most from you.”

The demon’s expression saddened, knowing nothing it would say would convince the human otherwise. In demons’ eyes, humans were the most stubborn creatures.

The demon twirled in the air, ready to fly away, but before she did she turned her back to Anlesa. “But if you ever change your mind, the demon home is always more than welcoming to fun faces.”

“Thanks for the offer. If we meet again, may it be a blast.” Syrus decided to end the sudden encounter on a positive note.

The demon vanished and flew off.

As it did, Syrus went to grab the prey she sniped early.

[...Could we have done something better?] (Eva)

Syrus tied the deer’s legs together before tying it to her backpack's wooden support.

[What do you mean?] (Syrus)

[I…] Eva paused, trying to figure out how to word it. [That was our chance to learn anything from an unknown culture…]

[If you want to, and if we have the free time, we can go visit.] (Syrus)

[That..!] Eva was deeply fascinated. [No, it would be for the best if we didn’t.]

There was no further follow-up, and the trio got ready to go home.

It was a long journey, and it was getting close to the afternoon. They ran the distance, and Syrus was ready to cut up the deer for dinner. Syrus was debating doing it herself or getting a butcher to do it for her.

Before they reached the city itself, but within the small area around it that would be considered its borders.

A speedy puppy ran towards Syrus.

[Is that..?] (Eva)

[Fuck.] (Syrus)

Cobalt ran up to Syrus whimpering.

Anlesas hugged the pup. “Don’t worry, Ethan is going to be safe, but first hide in my backpack.” Syrus quickly understood the possible situation and chose

[W-what are we going to do?!] (Eva)

[Move. I already hear people coming.] (Syrus)

They understood the situation was bad. There were a few different possibilities that could’ve happened, none of them good.

[Where… do you think Ethan would be?] (Eva)

[Ideally, Ash’s place, but that is a mystery.] (Syrus)

[I… should we go there first?] (Eva)

[...no, we will run around the back of town and head for the Brown Oak Guild first; I can peek down all the main streets on the way to it and see if there is anyone moving about. Ethan also knows about that place, considering it is the location where I talk about doing our hunting activities.] (Syrus)

Anlesa got up and moved quickly.

Along the way, she did notice those familiar faces she discovered before frantically searching around.

After going the long way around, she made it to the guild, and they went through the backdoor entrance and dropped off the deer in the holding bay.

The old man who ran the building paused as he saw Syrus through the open doorway from the area behind the front desk. “Oh, Syrus, what are you doing around here?” He appeared a little tired.

“Dropping off dinner for myself; you can have a slice if you want, but don’t cut off the best parts.”

She walked out of the hallway to where he was standing.

Then, Ethan saw Syrus on the opposite side of the counter. “Syrus!” And he leapt over the counter.”

The old man panicked, “Wait, boy!”

“I got this old man. We are going out the back, just keeping managing the front.” Syrus didn’t give the owner time to respond and picked up Ethan and ran into the back room.

Ethan cried, “Syrus–” as she placed him back on the ground.

“–All my fault.”