To recap my first day of being a sophomore in high school, I was attacked by a black-eyed demon that left me and my best friend Harold with injuries that miraculously vanished, as if they were mere daydreams. Then the love of my life had a life-and-death battle with said demon, threatening to turn the whole neighborhood into demon soup. After that, I was whisked away to this opulent mansion filled with dazzling treasures, where I learned that demons are real, and I may or may not have one chilling inside me. Oh, and last but not least, I was invited to join the House of Bathin, which, by the way, is the name of the demon residing inside my crush, Madelyn. So, yeah, calling today a wild day would be the understatement of the century.
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPGvPM4cjW
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpepm1rGiok
"Bathin," I said, looking at Madelyn, who was sitting next to me. I couldn't help but crack a grin, thinking that this was probably the most bizarre plot twist a high school sophomore could ever dream up, and lucky me, it was all mine.
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbzLjmgzXt
"That's the name of my demon," Madelyn admitted with a hint of shame as she looked away from me.
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLsNkfwLtw
"It's this demon that our house is named after," Madelyn's grandfather continued the conversation, his arms crossed, ignoring Madelyn's unease.
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCTkp1kybU
The idea of naming an entire house after a demon didn't sit right with me. It felt like tempting fate, inviting calamity to knock at the door. But maybe that was just my unease speaking.
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqpyHbEp3k
Seemingly able to read my puzzled expressions, Madelyn's grandfather chimed in, "Names have power, especially high-ranking demon names; they convey a sense of power and respect."
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxLaSjE3O1
"I've already mentioned that there are 72 demons sealed away by Solomon himself," the old man further explained.
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthYSFq63JB
"Alongside those 72 demons, there are the 72 Houses of Solomon, each wielding their own demon of incredible power and boasting a pillar to represent their family." The whole concept was starting to sound like some sort of supernatural high-stakes family reunion, and I couldn't help but feel a mix of fascination and trepidation.
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqRUkBPKQF
"This is the 18th house, the House of Bathin," Madelyn's grandfather clarified.
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFeqNu6v7c
As the old man continued to speak, a sense of revulsion crept over me. The notion that there could be more of the monsters like the one that attacked me and Harold was a terrifying thought. It was a disturbing realization, one that cast a shadow over any sense of happiness.
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1loxsAx6lD
"So, what would happen to me if I were to join your house?" I asked cautiously.
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmIV7mrMfd
"You will be protected and trained, and you will also be closely watched and examined," the old man answered with a piercing gaze. "I've already informed the higher-ups about the situation."
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OC0IBqZve
Another unsettling idea popped up. The prospect of being monitored like a lab rat day in and day out. The thought of constantly being under scrutiny didn't sit well with me.
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeGYTAObo3
"You'll pretty much be treated like an ordinary Pillar," Madelyn added, placing her hand on my shoulder.
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiiaS9zG9z
"As my granddaughter says, you will be treated like any other Pillar, and like every Pillar, you'll have certain responsibilities," the old man explained.
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoXUGyQaYR
"Wait, what responsibilities?" I asked, my concern growing, I mean responsibilities of any kind always made me fill uncomfortable.
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGI13bJaKxU
"Pillars have a mission," the old man replied.
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGJ62n2NY0
"It's a pillar's duty to defend the world, hunt, and destroy demons. It's a tremendous responsibility, and any failure is unacceptable," he explained sternly, casting a glance at Madelyn.
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFo6z1pV5fT
"Wait, is that why you hit her? Because she let that demon escape while trying to rescue me and Harold?" I questioned, my anger flaring up once again.
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdwSI5hqDp
The old man remained silent, his gaze fixed on me with a weighty seriousness, that almost made me question, was he going to hit me too.
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMk8lZICdG
"You don't understand the problem this represents," he finally responded with a calm demeanor.
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAh1dZxVVPV
"What problem?" I asked, trying to stay calm myself.
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFltNe8pHo9
Madelyn's grandfather raised three fingers.
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyfGG8hJJV
"There are three recorded levels of demonic possession," he continued.
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HGau2UDvB
"The first is Taoreta, the second is Shoakuma, and the last is Akuma. These are the three stages that a possessed individual goes through," he clarified. The situation was growing even more complex, and I could sense that there was much more to this world of demons and Pillars than I had initially thought.
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdqYsVXS1N
"The reason these levels exist is because it takes time for a human body to adapt to a demon's power," the old man clarified.
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0AWESdy5m
"Taoreta is the lowest level, and possessed humans of this level can only harness about 5 to 29 percent of their demon's power. Shoakuma is the second level, and possessed humans of this rank can access about 30 to 59 percent of their demon's power. Akuma is the final level, and possessed humans at this stage can wield about 60 to around 89 percent of their demon's power," he continued to explain.
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVhiPYb884
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrNu0Ovsnq
I couldn't help but grasp the gravity of the situation; Madelyn's involvement with this demon wasn't just a curious twist, but it was deeply entwined with these stages of possession, and it was all becoming increasingly complicated.
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7rf1YiylI
"O-okay, but how is any of that Madelyn's fault?" I yelled, attempting to process the overwhelming information.
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWqnHWgmFg
The old man let out a long sigh. "There are two reasons why demons crave human souls."
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBungpOeJg
"The first is to boost their individual powers, especially true for minor demons with little strength. The second is to advance the level of possession." His tone grew darker.
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWHvHI56UF
I didn't like where this was heading. "So, you mean—?"
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUf5HmazKmR
"That demon, which my foolish granddaughter let escape, will keep hunting and killing. Once he's fully healed, he'll come for you," the old man finished, his words adding a heavy burden to my already stressed mind.
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wVOrZXe3o
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsVuPfXH2Z
"Oh, man,"
ns3.148.239.85da2
