"What?!" Uriel blurted out, staring at the girl in front of him with wide eyes.
"You're... a demon?! You?!"
"Yes. We're demons now," Anubis replied flatly.
"And I'm the new Demon Lord. That's the only reason I was able to help you. Only Demon Lords can do what I did—or so I was told. I took the risk, and it worked."
She narrowed her eyes at him.
"So instead of looking shocked, maybe try being grateful. And don't forget—you swore to keep this a secret. Break that oath, and I'll end you. Without hesitation."
Uriel gave a nervous chuckle.
"Okay, okay... it hasn't gotten to that point. I'm just... surprised, that's all. You're fifteen, right?"
Anubis's expression darkened.
"So what if I am? You want to find out what a fifteen-year-old demon lord can do to you? I'm not a child. I'm your lord now. Acknowledge me as one."
Uriel gulped and quickly corrected himself.
"I'm sorry. I stepped out of line. I was only joking. Honestly—what you did for me... I owe you everything. I don't care what you are, or what we are. The power I feel inside me—I've never felt anything like it. I can't wait to try it out."
Anubis folded her arms.
"Have you thought about how you're going to explain this to the healer? Or Zenel?"
Uriel blinked.
"No... not really. I've got no clue what to say. Do you have an idea?"
She shrugged.
"Figure it out."
Uriel sighed and dropped back onto the infirmary bed.
"Fine, fine. I'll think of something."
Anubis turned to leave.
"And you better think of a way to repay me, too."
Uriel watched her go.
"I will... one day."
---
Later that day...
"Daemon, I need your help." Anubis barged into his office without knocking.
Daemon looked up at her, narrowing his eyes subtly. Something was different. Her aura had changed. Intensified. But he said nothing—choosing instead to watch and wait.
"What is it?" he asked, calmly.
Anubis took a seat across from him.
"Can you speak to the healer? Tell her to discharge Uriel. He's... fine now. He needs to leave the infirmary."
Daemon tilted his head slightly, watching her.
"And why do you think he's fine? Anubis... don't hide things from me. If something's going on, I need to know. It's for your own good."
"I will tell you—just not now. Please, just help me this once."
Without waiting for a reply, she turned and walked out.
Daemon stared after her.
"There's something she's not saying… but I'll wait."
---
On her way to class, Anubis heard a loud commotion. A crowd had gathered. Curious, she might have walked on—until she heard a familiar voice scream.
"Sister... please help me!"
Her heart froze.
Then the world turned red.
Anubis stormed toward the crowd, her fury palpable.
"Who. Touched. My. Sister?!" she shouted.
Students backed away instinctively, the pressure around her too intense to bear.
She knelt beside Telma, quickly scanning her body. No serious bruises, but there was a red slap mark across her cheek.
That was enough.
She rose slowly and turned to face the crowd.
"Who slapped her?"
Silence.
Nobody moved. Nobody spoke.
Her hand began to glow.
"Since no one wants to talk... I'll just destroy everyone here. That should loosen some tongues."
She raised her hand—and was about to release her power—when a hand grabbed her wrist.
"Sis... I started the fight," Telma admitted softly.
Anubis froze.
"You what?"
"I overheard someone from your class talking trash about you. I got angry... I slapped her first. Then she called her friends. They all came after me."
Anubis's fury simmered, but she lowered her hand.
"So... you were fighting for me?" she asked.
Telma nodded.
"And this girl is my classmate?"
Another nod.
Anubis sighed and muttered under her breath.
"Tch. Why won't you let me teach these peasants a lesson? Just a little fun..."
Her pout made some of the students blink in surprise. This girl—who had just radiated hellfire moments ago—was now pouting like a child.
"Wait... wasn't she just about to vaporize us? Why is she acting... cute?"
Before they could process further, Anubis turned back to them—smiling.
But her eyes... were terrifying.
"Don't let the pout fool you. Now, someone be a good soul and tell me the name of the worm who laid hands on my sister."
A hand rose slowly. It was Ramiel.
Anubis held back an eye roll.
"Guess I know who you're looking for," Ramiel said.
"But it's not worth the fight. Your sister's okay, right? Just let it go."
"Spare me the lecture. Just give me the name or stay out of it."
She turned back to Telma.
"Come. Let's go."
"It was Zeel—from your class," Telma said softly. "But her parents... they're big-shot mages in the city. I don't think we can do anything to her."
Anubis's lips curled into a grin.
"Don't worry. I'm not too small to handle them. But you won't understand that just yet."
As she walked past Ramiel, he leaned toward her.
"I'll help you—if you'll be my friend," he offered.
She scoffed.
"If you knew who I was, you'd never offer help in exchange for anything."
Anubis escorted Telma back to her class. As they entered, Zeel and her friends sat lounging—smirking.
Telma gripped Anubis's arm tightly.
Anubis glanced their way, then turned her full attention back to her sister.
"Don't worry. I know who to deal with now."
She sat Telma down and examined her once more for injuries. Then she stood to leave.
But Telma grabbed her wrist.
"Please don't fight them—not here."
"Why?"
"Zeel's parents are powerful... Please, sister, don't get hurt because of me."
Anubis blinked, staring at her.
"You care... about me?"
Telma nodded, tearfully.
"I'm sorry for everything in the past. I never wanted to hurt you. I was pressured—by Dad, Mom, big sis. I tried to be good, remember? But I was punished for it."
Anubis stood silent, frowning as memories surfaced.
That first time Telma gave her food.
The beating that followed.
"I won't fight them here," Anubis finally said.
"But don't think I won't fight them at all. I don't care who her parents are. Anyone who hurts those I care about... pays."
Telma smiled, wiping away tears.
"Thank you, sister."
Anubis nodded and turned to face the girls.
She walked straight to Zeel's desk.
"Which one of you touched my sister?"
The girls burst into laughter.
"Me," Zeel said, rising.
"That stupid weakling needed a slap—"
SLAP!
The class fell silent.
The force of Anubis's blow echoed across the room.
Zeel staggered, holding her cheek, eyes wide in disbelief.
"You dare lay hands on my sister... and then insult her in front of me?"
"You slapped me?! How dare you!"
"Say one more word and I'll do worse. Want a fight? Fine. I'll see you tonight. At your house. I'll show you what happens to anyone who crosses me."
Anubis turned and left the classroom.
Zeel stood frozen.
A strange fear stirred inside her chest.
She didn't know why—but her instincts screamed.
"Don't provoke her again."