No Pov.
"Heyyyy!! Open up!! The fuck man what's this for??". Hades banged at the door. She didn't know how she ended up her but it happened so fast it surprised even her. "What're you trying to hide that i haven't seen?".
"Well i wouldn't know that if you didn't tell me!". Drex shouted while holding the bathroom door shut.
It has been like this for about half an hour —the ridiculous moment Hades revealed that she sees what Drex sees through his eyes.
His own eyes. Meaning...?
You guessed it. She has seen him. All of him. In his 'creation state'.
Led by shame, he dashed into the bathroom and slammed the door shut holding it together with the only fabric of dignity he had left.
"Oh c'mon it isn't that bad. I mean, you got decent size, there's nothing to be ashamed of anyway.."
"You're making it worse!!". He yelled from the other side. Then, softer, he spoke again. "Hades... I beg you with the last bit of manhood I have left, let me take a bath in peace. I promise I won't take too long. Just let me have this moment to myself at least ...".
Knowing what he was in for, he thought he might as well enjoy the last moments of privacy he will ever get. That was all he could do anyway.
With a sigh she sat back down on the bed. "Fine. I suppose i can let you have this. Only because you begged." A pause. "Don't worry i won't take a peek either..."
"Why would you even do that??!!"
Drex could picture it. Clear as day—Hades sitting as though she just let her servant have something he's been dying to get. Expecting some kind of kinky praise in return.
He sighed in exasperation.
'She's supposed to treat me with more care... I'm the host anyway'.
Moments later....
The bathroom door finally opened as Drex walked out in some shorts. Steam filled the room. His body still slightly wet from bath water and a towel around his neck.
Hades gave a teasing smile when she saw him. "Took you long enough"
"Well this will probably be the last time I have my body to myself so i thought I'd make the best of it". He then sat on the bed and sighed. "Phew... After everything that's happened It does feels good to have a warm bath... Ease the stress..."
Hades sat up from her lying position, then knelt behind him. The next moment she took the towel from his neck and placed it on his head.
She was quiet— One knee pressed into the bed, the other folded beneath her, posture steady and grounded, like she was anchoring the space itself. The dark towel rested in her hands as she reached forward, carefully draping it over Drex's head.
"Don't move," she said, calm and firm.
Working with patience rather than force. Her hands guided the towel in small circles, soaking up the water, then squeezing it out at the ends. There was no rush. No tension. Just the soft sound of fabric and the faint creak of the bed beneath them.
She dried his hair slowly, methodically, like the moment mattered more than whatever waited outside the room. Her fingers brushed near his temples through the towel, careful, deliberate. Not crossing a line—just close enough to be felt.
"Your hair's still wet..." Was the only thing she said.
"Can I ask you something". Breaking the silence, Drex spoke up.
"Mhm."
"When we met you said that we had similar goals. But as far as i know my goal's a lot more different than yours..."
Hades let the moment pass in brief silence before answering. "Well... What's your goal?".
"I want to kill the devil that murdered my family... He shouldn't be left to roam free much longer".
"And in doing that, what do you think would happen?"
Drex thought for a moment . "He wouldn't kill anyone anymore"
"See?".
At this point Drex understood. "And you want to stop the eradication of mankind"
"Exactly. You think It ends here but it doesn't."
"But keeping you a secret won't be easy. And my teammates wouldn't be able to help me if things got out of hand with you. So I'm planning to let everyone know about you tonight. Is that okay?"
All this time Hades still worked on his hair. Her mind drifting to the texture of his bangs as if trying to memorize the feel of it.
"Of course. I'm supposed to grant your requests anyway so you don't need to ask me everytime before you do something."
"Ohh. That's great i guess.."
By this time she was done and dropped the towel on the bed.
Drex's face lit up as if he remembered something... The he was turned to Hades. "Hey, you said you would grant my requests right?"
Hades looked at him, her interest piqued. "As long as it's within my capabilities, yes"
"Could you by any chance unseal a devil that has been sealed by another devil?"
Hades looked at him in confusion.
Drex stood from the bed and walked towards the door. "C'mon, I'll explain on the way".
As Drex walked through the corridor, he passed the squad's lab. Peering inside he saw a familiar helmet resting on a stool and on the table was a neatly folded suit, it all looked very similar and he decided to go inside and take a look.
'It does look familiar... Where'd she go? I don't think she's meant to leave this lying around' he thought as he picked up the helmet. Staring at the ash visor he knew this wasn't the type of stuff one would wear due to a simple fashion preference. There must be a reason she wears this...
"Oii what're you doing here Noob?"
"Ohh I was passing by and thought I'd come take—". He paused as he turned around to face the person talking to him.
Average height, red hair and golden eyes wearing a t-shirt and black shorts... He didn't believe that the same impulsive caretaker he knew was standing before him
"My eyes are up here". She said, snapping him out of his daze.
As much as he'd hate to admit it... She was beautiful. If only she would scrap this crappy attitude of hers towards him they would actually get along...
Not that he bothered anyway....
"Oh right, sorry." Awkward silence filled the air. He didn't expect to meet her at all. He knew better than anyone that if he stayed long, she would drop one of those one liners on him so he had to go. He had places to be anyway...
"Ahh there you are." Vaden walked in before turning to Hayley. "Oop didn't recognize you. It's been a while I saw you without the suit. It's like I'm having a new student hehehe"
"Well I'm glad i won't be needing that thing anymore... It barely lets in any air and it gets uncomfortable to move". Hayley replied, rubbing her neck as if it was sore.
This time Drex had to ask... " You've always had that thing on?"
"It's been 9 years...
Of course, there's a reason for that". Hayley replied.
"Indeed. Ever since she made a contract with the Ghost Devil, she developed a condition." Vaden added.
"Condition?"
" Spectral Overlap Syndrome or SOS. As an after effect of Hayley's contract with the Ghost Devil, her consciousness exists in two states at once—partially anchored in the physical world, and partially phased into the Spectral Layer, the realm where ghosts, and other entities exist.
You know it as Limbo—the very doorstep to hell
And at that time, her body could not handle the amount of devil energy surging through."
He paused allowing Drex to digest what he's heard so far before continuing. "So in order to contain that power we created a suit that dislodges rouge energy and distributes it throughout her body. However this was only a temporary solution. Till whenever her body was strong enough to properly contain this power and use it"
"Use it..?"
"Yup. Her abilities are not just healing. If that was the case she wouldn't be captain hahaha."
"It makes sense. It would be weird a non fighter was a captain anyway..." He could see Hayley glare at him.
"Naturally. Although it was a real task containing it.... She summoned the dead hahahaha"
Drex's eyes widened. "The dead? You mean...?"
"When you hear the word 'ghost' what's the first thing you think of?"
"Dead people".
"Exactly. Ghosts, apparitions, zombies. She has control over these. Her ability besides healing is basically summoning them to fight with her."
"Like an army".
"Yes. An army. That is the Ghost Devil's ability. That is Bhuta's ability "
'Bhuta...' Hades' voice rang in his head. It was obvious they potentially knew each other.
Vaden checked the files in his hand before speaking again. "The suit was merely a container made to keep that power in check until her body was strong enough to hold it."
"You better not think of doing anything lewd. I know this is probably your first time seeing someone as beautiful as me." Hayley's voice came with confidence and pride as she trudged towards him.
Drex chose to stay silent. How was he supposed to tell her that he already met two beautiful people who were probably better looking than her? And the fact that he was sharing a body with a more sexy entity would probably make things worse.
The fact still remained. She was indeed beautiful but maybe not the most beautiful person he's seen. He was certain he would meet more beautiful people sooner or later.
For now he decided to fall back.
"Sure sure... Why would i even do that? I'm not a retard." Without waiting to hear a response he left.
Walking through the halls, Drex spoke up.
"Sorry about the delay. We'll be there soon."
"That's fine. At least i know that another one of my kind isn't causing trouble. Bhuta was a real trouble maker. Being able to control summon souls you'd think such a being would live quietly"
Drex didn't quiet understand what she meant but decided to let it pass. "We'll be arriving soon. I'll explain what i need you to do in a bit."
"So, let me get this straight... A devil was sealed by La Muerte Blanc and you want me to unseal it by performing a liberation ritual?"
Drex nodded. "Can you do that?"
Hades crossed her arms over her chest. "I can but it wouldn't be easy since i'm not doing it on you. Strictly speaking, healing and rituals are a lot easier between devils and the ones they are contracted with but it would take more devil energy to perform it on another person. Which is something you lack."
"Did you really need to rub it in?".
"Nothing to worry about. With time your devil energy grow, which is something that's inevitable to all hybrids." She looked up at the evening sky. "I wonder what this person's done for you that'll make you want to help her."
Drex shifted his gaze to the ground. "I guess i just felt sorry for her. She wants to help people but she can't, fearing that she'll only be a burden to the people around her. I can't let her live with that pain..."
Hades stared at him trying to picture what was going on in that head of his. At that moment the door to the rooftop opened revealing Rena as she walked out to the roof, to where Drex was standing.
"You said you wanted to see me?" She spoke.
Drex took a deep breath. "Yeah sorry to call you out like this. You're probably busy."
"No.. it's fine... So what do you need?"
Drex hesitated for a moment —trying to visualize an outcome. He didn't know how she'd react but he had to try.
"Oh okay." She replied, slightly nervous this time.
Then, Drex stepped aside promoting Hades to step forward.
"So this is the girl you wanted me to meet?". She asked.
Rena on the other hand stepped backwards as she trembled. She couldn't believe her eyes, a devil was standing in front of her. Fear gripped her as she knew she had no way to defend herself. Her heart races. She was terrified.
"Wait... She's with me. She won't hurt you." He tried to explain. But Rena didn't listen.
"I'm trying to help you." At this point Rena stopped. She finally looked at him, her body quivering, her breath shaky.
"You said your powers were sealed. She's going to help you out so just trust me..." He spoke again. Though it was as convincing he hoped she would at least listen to what he had to say.
Fortunately Rena slowly began to calm down. Slowly opening her mouth to speak.
"O—okay. I trust you."
Hearing that Hayley stepped forward. "Your fans are probably wondering why you haven't been on the frontline for months. If i succeed, you'll be able to be out there and since you don't want people to know what happened, you could just say you were on hiatus."
Drex stared at her. "How did you know that?"
Conjuring a devil's pentagram on the flow where Rena stood she answered without looking at him. "I see what you see remember?"
He grimaced. "Ohh yeah that's true"
Hades looked at Rena and gave a reassuring smile. "I'll try not to take too long so just relax alright? Remember to take deep breaths too".
Rena nodded. Then, slowly, she began taking slow deep breaths. Soon the pentrgram beneath her emitted a red glow. Then Hades transformed into a black mist floating towards Rena's mouth. Without warning, Rena unknowingly inhaled taking in both air and the black mist.
"Woah." She fell forward, promoting Drex to catch her. She wasn't unconscious. Just dazed. Trying to maintain those deep breaths...
"This must be her mindscape." Hades thought looking around.
She exhaled.
"It's cold... She must be contracted with the Ice Devil". She said looking around.
After some time she saw something. It looked like something bound in chains. His body covered in ice and snow. Its body shaped like a figure carved from an ancient glacier—lean, elongated, and unnaturally precise. Its skin was not a single color, but layers of translucent ice, pale blues and ghostly whites stacked like frozen time. Beneath the surface, fractures glimmered faintly, thin veins of cold light pulsing as though something ancient was sealed inside.
Frost clung to it constantly, drifting from its form like slow-falling snow. With every movement, ice formed and shattered at its feet, the sound sharp yet distant, as if the world itself had been muffled.
Its face was smooth and almost beautiful, disturbingly calm. No rage, no hunger—only stillness. Eyes of luminous silver-blue rested deep within hollow sockets, reflecting the surroundings like frozen mirrors. To meet its gaze was to feel your blood slow, your thoughts stiffen, your fear settle into numb acceptance.
From its back rose jagged structures resembling broken wings or crystalline spires, each edge razor-sharp and refracting light into pale halos. They shifted subtly, grinding against one another with a low, glacial creak. snow
She stepped closer. Her presence making the devil to look up.
"Lord Hades. Is that really you?"
"So you recognize me. My work's a lot easier now..."
"I see you finally got yourself a contract."
"And I see you got yourself sealed." She replied making the devil look down in shame. "I'm surprised a weak devil like La Muerte was able to seal you"
"I am ashamed of this myself... I didn't not expect to be bound nor did i expect to be bound for this long. I fear I have damaged the relationship between me and my host."
Hades blinked. "A damaged relationship means a damaged contract... Don't worry that's why I'm here."
She snapped her fingers. The chains shattered. Falling on the floor in a dull clank.
"I do not plan to stay here more than i already have this was a request from my host. I'm done and I will now take my leave."
The devil fell to his knees. "My deepest gratitude. I am grateful for what you have done for me..."
Walking farther away, she replied. "Raise your head Aspen. I didn't do this of my own will. I am simply granting a request." With that she disappeared as the black mist in which she came.
"Alright I'm done."
After she left, she spoke up behind Drex prompting both him and Rena to look up.
"That was faster than i expected." Drex said after helping Rena back on her feet. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah. I think so just a bit light headed." When she looked at him Drex noticed something. Her eyes were now silver-blue. Her lashes white and her hair at the tips. The ground seemed to freeze up as her body emitted cold steam.
"It worked. Hades you actually did it".
"Of course I did... Nothing is impossible for me". She replied with confidence.
"Thank you so much... You don't know how much this means to me." Rena said, her eyes glimmering with tears of joy.
"It's the least i could do. No need to thank me". He played it off. Staring at his phone he realized it was getting late.
"It time for class. I better hurry it's only my second class I can't be late again. Okay Rena see you later i have to go now". He waved at her before going back inside.
As he walked towards the classroom, he couldn't help but feel a presence. Right behind him creeping closer...
"Drex of squad 7 correct?"
"Uhh yeah. " He looked at the commander standing before him. Her presence slightly intimidating, the way her purple eyes stared at him as if drilling holes in his soul.
She smiled.
"I would like to have a chat with you after your class you think you'd be free?" She asked. Her voice low and predatory.
"Ohh uhmm okay I'll drop by".
"Oh no need for that, I'll be waiting in this very corridor so please be sure to see me." Without waiting for a response, walked past him.
"Have a nice evening."
For some reason, he felt a chill down his spine. His senses were on high alert.
If he didn't know anything he knew one thing: If he wasn't careful, things could go south...
Quick...
To be continued...