Chapter Text
„Thank you father, god bless you!“ A little girl said, smiling widely.
“Thank you, little one. The church will protect you.” the padre answered and patted the girls head. Such innocent girls. They probably think being part of a church is something magical. Well, as long as the kids are save, I’ll live up to that fantasy…
“Padre? We have a request for exorcism.” a member of the church whispered.
“Alright. I’m sorry but I’m requested.” the padre said, waving the kid goodbye. “What is it?” he asked.
“Keith, could you be a bit more interested, please? This time it’s serious.” the other guy sighed. This attitude again, I thought he got already used to his work.
“Shiro, you forced me to play the saint for everyone. It’s not like I wanted to take your place.” Keith muttered. Why can’t you stay the padre forever and I’ll achieve my dreams like planned, how about that?
“I know and I’m sorry about that. After the demon attack, I need to investigate the underground. Therefore, I need someone to do my work. As my brother, you know my doing the best and are the most suited successor.” Shiro explained, a hint of guilt in his voice. I’m sorry but this job was passed down for generations…
“Yeah, it’s fine. Whatever, tell me the mission.” Keith shrugged.
“Your friends could see the ‘phantom’ we’ve been chasing. I’ll travel to the said city to exorcise it. In the meantime, I’d like you to find out, who the other troublemaker is. A few people reported a weird demon who is living in the forest. The kids saw him a few times and ran away. He hasn’t exactly chased them but Matt said, the demon guided him back to the city when he was drunk and took a shortcut through the forest. Investigate the case. Nice or not, we need to know the objectives of this guy.” Shiro explained.
“You and Matt surely got close, huh?” Keith teased, laughing as his brother blushed lightly.
Shiro sighed and fixed Keith’s black messy soutane and the dark red mozetta. “I told you to wear the cross, in case you’re attacked.” he added, eying Keith’s row of piercings. “You know, just because you chose a cross as earring, it doesn’t look better.” Shiro judged. He looks like a punk, honestly. I know he’s good at heart and all but the outsiders will criticise him, I don’t like that.
“Come on! These are just four on the right and one on the left, plus the two normal ones on the lower earlobe for each side. Be happy that you recruited me before I pierced my lip. It’s not my fault they don’t match your job.” Keith pouted.
“Fine, fine, you can stop sulking. I’ll be back in a week, be careful.” Shiro smiled. Somehow, he’s still acting like a kid and I’m really glad he is.
“Same goes for you. Please take care of your other arm.” Keith said, looking with slight doubts at Shiro’s mechanic arm. He lost his real one in a fight against a big demon. I never want to see you suffer so badly again…
“Sure. Take care of our friends.” Shiro added, vanishing.
Keith took a look at the data Shiro left behind. “A forest demon, huh?” Keith mumbled, looking at the setting sun. “I should probably go and look for this demon.” he decided, checking if his knife was still held next to his leg. He carried a small, dagger-like knife around. It was held in a scabbard, filled with holy water. In case that Keith would lose his weapon, he could still hurt the demon. He packed his things up and went into the forest.
---
At the same time, a woman was chased. “No! Help!” she screamed. She bumped into a tanned male. “Run! A vampire is here!” she choked out, trembling. Shit, curse their speed! I haven’t even any holy water left!
“Where?” he asked calmly, letting his eyes wander over her wounds. She got hurt badly, it would be inconvenient, if she ran any further.
“He’s coming this way! Run!” she screamed, trying to pull him with her. Why is he so calm?!
“You won’t get away like this.” The man sighed, pulling her in his arms. At least her pulse is still strong. These bloodsuckers, they really have no taste at all…
“Oh? Are you trying to eat my food, demon?” the vampire chuckled.
“Fuck off, Lotor.” the guy growled, scaring the woman even more. Of course it was him, who else would play with his deemed food?!
“D-Demon?!” she asked, gasping as the blue eyes started to glow.
“Don’t worry, I have no interest in eating you or anything.” The guy replied calmly, attacking the vampire with a swift movement. He lashed out, cutting the neck of the other deeply. Hit and strike, very good!
“Shit. You gonna pay for this!” the vampire hissed, vanishing. Just wait, I’ll get you where it hurts!
“Are you okay?” the demon asked, kneeling down. She looks so scared but more composed as the most people I saved before…
“Y-Yeah. T-Thanks, I guess.” she mumbled. What in heavens name happened?!
“May I know your name?” the demon asked.
“Uhm, I’m Allura and you?” she mumbled shyly, unsure how to respond. Is he trying to befriend me? What a human-like way of acting… Strange guy…
“My name is Lance, nice to meet you. You seem to be injured pretty badly. Would you mind telling me, where you live? Or at least where the next hospital is?” he continued, eying the wounds with worry. The vampire blood will get into her system, if we don’t act quickly.
“I think the city is in the south.” she gulped, yelping lightly, as the boy lifted her up.
“Hold your breath for a moment.” he said with a smile, nearly running at the speed of light. “Is it this brightly shining building?” he asked. Woah, it’s been awhile since I visited a city…
“Y-Yes.” Allura confirmed. Wow… This speed is actually nice…
“Great! Excuse me?! This woman was attacked by a vampire, she needs treatment!” the demon called out, vanishing as some nurses ran to Allura.
“Mam? Where is the guy who was with you just now? Is he injured as well?” a nurse asked.
“I guess he is fine, he found me.” Allura mumbled, clearly irritated. I need to report that to the church… If he is this kind of demon, Matt was brought into town by him as well… What a weird guy…
---
Keith was in the forest, getting irritated by a weird smell. As he was about to pull his weapon out, a vampire attacked him from behind, drawing a lot of blood with its claws. “Fuck!” Keith hissed, pushing the vampire away. Shit, I wasn’t careful! How could I miss his presence?!
“That isn’t something you should say, father~” the vampire teased, attacking. He hissed and growled, as holy water was poured over him. He escaped before Keith could kill him.
“Jesus Christ, I feel so dizzy. Damn, I need to be more aware of my surroundings.” Keith mumbled, slumping against a tree.
“Huh? You are the second person who got attacked by a vampire tonight.” a wondering voice said. Keith held his scythe in a tight grip, checking his surroundings. “Uhm, don’t get startled, I’m above you.” the voice added.
Keith’s look shot up, seeing a brown-haired guy sitting on his hunches in the tree. He wore a black waistcoat with a tight blue shirt, his sleeves rolled up to the elbows. It was slightly cropped, revealing a flat stomach. Some tight black jeans were attached to his legs. Keith got blinded from a silver chain, which was paved on two of the boy’s belt loops. It hang loose around his left thigh. A few piercings, nearly identical to Keith’s, were stringed on his ears. Keith immediately understood, that the guy was a demon, since not only his pupils but his whole eyes glowed blue. “Demon.” Keith spat through gritted teethes. Another one?! Come on, gimme a break already!
“Woah there, don’t move so suddenly! You’ll get hurt.” Lance said, dodging the attack with ease. Two little horns were showing, making Keith even more uncomfortable. This guy isn’t very careful at all. He’ll put too much strain on his body…
“Don’t tell me what to do!” Keith yelled, nearly hitting the boy with his scythe. Go to hell!
“Be careful!” Lance called as Keith was about to fall off a ledge. A black tail shot out of his trousers, wrapping itself around a limb, while Lance grabbed the other boy’s hand. He pulled him on the tree, eyeing him worried. “Jeez, you really are something.” he sighed and carefully turned the boy’s face. “Wait, are you perhaps a padre?! Shit, that’s why my hands are burning up like hell!” the boy hissed, jumping back.
“I was trying to exorcise you, what you thought I am?” Keith snorted, holding his bloody neck. Is he an idiot?
“No need to get rude, father. I just saved your live, try at least to fake gratitude.” Lance pouted. A bit less of a sour attitude would be nice, though.
Keith stared at the demon in disbelief. He surely was dangerous but a pouting devil? Keith had to admit that the boy looked very cute. “Well, thanks, demon.” Keith spoke slowly. Wow, I’m apologising to a pouting devil… If this isn’t something, then I don’t know anymore…
“The name is Lance.” the little devil smiled, shooting finger guns at Keith, while a flirty smirk found its way on his lips. I swear he smiled just now!
“Oh my god, you actually are an idiot.” Keith groaned, slightly laughing as the other boy turned around and crossed his arms. “Lance, are you sulking?” Keith snorted, nudging the boy lightly. What kind of demon is he?
“Don’t talk to me. You are too rude for a person from the church.” Lance sobbed. I was just trying to be nice! I want that Allura girl or the Matt boy back, they were nice…
“Jesus Christ, you’re such a drama queen. Are you really a demon? I could kill you right now! You can’t even see me!” Keith complained. He reminds me of a little kid, far too careless.
“I’m sorry for thinking you are a good person.” Lance huffed.
“Exactly! I’m good and you are evil! That’s why I’ll kill you!” Keith yelled, clearly irritated, as the other boy sniffed lightly. "Is he actually hurt right now? Oh god, I hate this kind of situations. Where is Shiro when you need him?! He is good with the feeling stuff!" “My, my, you are a handful one. Look, I’m sorry, okay? My name is Keith. Please turn back around.” Keith sighed.
Lance peeked over his shoulder. His eyes got wide as he saw the others face in the moonlight. “Pretty.” Lance mouthed without a breath. Then, the realization hit him. “Will you get back to your church yourself? I don’t have much time left.” Lance mumbled, his eyes watching the moon in distress. Shit, I don’t want to transform in front of him!
“Of course I will!” Keith huffed, coughing up blood. Very convincing Keith, really, you’re doing amazing, sweetie.
Lance grabbed him without a second thought, ignoring the burning pain in his arms. Lance couldn’t touch Keith for long and he knew it. Still he decided to run at full speed through the forest, until he saw the towers of the church. As he intended to bring Keith inside, he bumped against an invisible wall. “Oh, I’m sorry. I can’t enter the church. See ya!” Lance said hastily, putting the boy down as he ran away.
“What the actual-?!” Keith exclaimed, being more confused than anything. He flinched as his scythe landed next to him. Did he just went off to get my weapon?! What a weirdo… He is definitely not dangerous but I need to find out what he does… And I need to exorcise the vampire!
“Keith! You got your sorry ass hurt again, don’t you?! Of course you have! What else could make such noise!” a woman yelled. Seriously, what is this boy able to do without getting hurt?! He can be glad I like him so much!
“Katie, shut the fuck up! I was attacked by a vampire as I found the demon of the forest! Why are you even here?! Allura told me she would be on duty today! And stop cursing like a sailor!” Keith groaned. This girl… How did she even end up here?!
“You little shit better shut up! Allura was attacked by a vampire as well!” Katie shouted, slapping the boy. I could just hit him again!
“Did you just slap the padre?” Keith gasped, faking an offended expression. I bet she would slap anyone, even god himself.
“Come on, your acting is miserable.” Katie snorted, helping her friend up. This boy…
“Just as bad as yours. But seriously, Allura got attacked?” Keith asked, his face concerned as Katie brought him inside. Allura is a strong and skilled woman. If she isn’t here, it must be serious.
“Yeah. She said she was attacked on her way here. She used holy water but weirdly, it had no effect on the vampire. She said a very odd demon would’ve addressed the vampire with Lotor. The boy itself claimed to be named Lance or something and brought her to a hospital.” Katie reported. God, it sounds weird to tell it like this… must be even worse when you’re the one experiencing it…
Keith froze. “Lotor, like in the stories? The immortal vampire who claims to be a pureblood?” Keith asked. Shiro often read stories about him to me… If this vampire from today was Lotor, it would explain why I couldn’t detect his smell at all…
“Yes, she says even the description was matching his appearance.” Katie responded.
“And the other guy? Did she describe him as well?” Keith asked. It couldn’t be possibly Lance, right?
“Yeah, a tanned teen with blue glowing eyes and brown hair.” Katie replied.
“I think I just met this guy.” Keith admitted. It really is him! He saved my friend as well…
“You did?! Then he is the demon of the forest! Keith, you should’ve exorcised him!” Katie groaned.
“What you think I did out there?! I nearly got the vampire, but he disappeared. Not even a minute later, Lance appeared and told me I was the second person he saw getting attacked by a vampire! Katie, this guy saved Allura and Matt!” Keith said in disbelief. Am I the only one getting worked up on this?!
“Don’t tell me this guy brought you here.” Katie said, staring at the injured guy. “Never mind, I know he did. The skin of his hand is adhered to your scythe.” she sighed, showing Keith the weapon.
“Well, his hand was burned as well when he touched me. I wouldn’t have thought he’d suffer from simple things as that.” Keith admitted. It’s weird. Demons who can withstand the smell of blood are normally resistant against shit like touches of the holy and such…
“But he brought you here, right? That means he hasn’t even skin on his hands, it must hurt.” Katie spoke lost in thoughts, as she wrapped bandages around Keith’s wounds. And he must have known that… Why would he sacrifice himself like that for Keith?
“He had a tail and horns, so he isn’t just an ordinary demon but a devil. Therefore, he needs food. If he isn’t after humans, I wonder what he eats.” Keith mumbled. Maybe animals? But that would make him bloodthirsty… Why did he vanish that fast at all?
“Keith, you will have to kill him either way and you know that. Don’t get yourself too deep involved with him.” Katie warned. As cute as I think this friendship would be, this guy still has his origin in hell…
“Yeah.” Keith sighed. I guess, she’s right.
---
On the next day, Keith woke up with a headache and clothed himself slowly. He hated his job, since he preferred more action. His dream was to become a hunter, a high class of fighters against demons and such. As a padre, he was only allowed to do that partly. “Keith, hurry!” Hunk, one of the voluntary helpers, called and barged into the room.
“What’s up Hunk, is there a demon?!” Keith asked, ready to go in action. You can’t even get breakfast in peace, I’ll slice this little shitty vampire or whatever up!
“No, it’s worse! Two travellers found a guy in the forest, his whole body splattered with blood! They saw a vampire as well!” Hunk said hastily. This poor boy, he must be around our age…
Keith jumped from his chair, hurrying downstairs. His heart stopped, as he saw the boy. “Keith, he is badly injured!” Matt called, not recognising the boy at all. I never saw someone mangled like this… He must’ve fought hard…
“His hands are burned, like someone used acid on him.” Allura confirmed, being released from hospital.
“And his face as well. It seems he got attacked and bitten a few times as well.” Katie added.
“His faces looks so bad, what they’ve done to him?! Fucking bloodsuckers!” Hunk cursed. How can they be so cruel?! Don’t they have any feelings at all?!
“Hunk, language.” Allura reminded him. Even if I understand you… what a brave boy this guy is…
“He is right, though. This boy was massacred. All his wounds seem to be pure anger and hatred.” Katie agreed. And not just a bit… Whoever attacked him wanted to make sure he’ll die…
“And uhm, it looks like there was an attempt for rape as well.” Matt mentioned, pointing on the ripped-up trousers and boxers. God, this boy had a rough morning…
“Okay, enough. Please move, I’ll heal him.” Keith said, kneeling down. How did they got him into the church? Does that mean he’s dead? Are his powers gone? God, I pray for you… Hang on, Lance… please…
“You surely want to use your power like that? You’ll be exhausted.” Allura remembered him. And you haven’t done that as often as Shiro as well… You could get hurt… I guess, you are a caring padre, at least somewhere on your inside…
“I don’t care at all. I won’t let anyone die, who was attacked by this bastard named Lotor.” Keith hissed. Especially not Lance… Not after what he did… for Allura, for Matt, for us… for me…
A shimmery glow escaped Keith’s hands, making Lance’s blood whirl around in the air, before in went back into his body, closing the cuts and wounds slowly. As the boy got healthier, Allura gasped. “This is-!” “I know.” Keith interrupted her, a begging look in his eyes. “I’ll take care of him from now on. Hunk, could you bring him into my secondary room? I need a talk with the guys who found him and Allura first.” Keith ordered, hurrying off.
“Keith, hold on!” Katie said, pushing him against a door. “This reaction and the looks, don’t tell me he is this Lance guy.” Katie spoke quietly. I have a bad feeling about this…
“So what if he is, huh?!” Keith asked, banging his fist against the wall. He couldn’t tell Katie, that he even dreamed of the tanned teen.
“Keith, that’s dangerous.” she sighed.
“I know, really, but please, let him stay. I will even restrain him, but I need to know what this high and mighty acting vampire ass wants from him. There must be a reason why he gets approached and I need to know it. This could be our way to defeat the vampires.” Keith explained, surprised how logic his response sounded. Wow, good work brain!
“Fine then but don’t get too attached to him.” Katie said with a little smile and went off. Even if I know, it’s already too late…