The Eighth Sin

The day his family and tribe were ransacked, the day he lost his mother, it was on that day that a void had opened in his heart. This happy new life filled that void even if these two were not his family. He knew they could never replace his family and tribe, but it eased the pain a lot just to know that there was someone who cared about him. That there was someone waiting for him, that there was someone he could talk to and smile with. These two wonderful women were the reason he could smile as he did.

Upon making his way down the stairs and towards the entry/exit of the shop he came across Astrid who had just come inside from flipping the sign to 'open.' She clashed into Riyku and almost fell backward; however, Riyku caught her by the waist to keep her from collapsing upon the flooring. "Are you okay, Astrid?" Riyku asked with a concerned expression; however, At that moment Astrid mistook Riyku's voice for someone else. Her face flushed and her eyes went wide. "Krowth?" She murmured softly. Her husband, Krowth was murdered several years ago; before Safe Haven was a thing. Krowth was a strongwilled, warmhearted, and brave person. He was far too faithful and even when someone tempted him he shut them down. He was more angelic than demonic if one had to put a label to it. Riyku's brow would arch for a moment as he took a moment to realize that Astrid mistook him for her late husband. He heard from Astraia that Krowth died protecting them several years ago from a tier four nether dragon. A soft smile touched his lips and he pulled Astrid into a comforting embrace. "I am sorry. I am not Krowth; however, I am here should you ever need anything." Riyku would respond in a comforting manner. Astrid was a bit shocked by this gesture. Truth be told, Astrid only ever teased and taunted Riyku simply because she enjoyed his reaction and blushing face. It was cute. So to be on the receiving in was another thing entirely, even if Riyku was not teasing or taunting her. He was providing her with care and comfort. She felt her heart skip a beat and ended up holding him back. "Just... for a moment," Astrid spoke softly, not towards Riyku; mainly towards herself.

When the moment was up, Astrid would release him and he did the same before she stepped back with a soft shaky breath. She had done her best to compose herself. "Sorry to keep you, Riy. You need to be off to the Academy." Astrid would comment with a lingering sadness in her eyes. Riyku would shake his head to her comment as if to disagree with her. "Whenever you need someone you can call on me. Be it someone to vent to or just someone to hold." Riyku would smile warmly after replying to her which caused her sadness to fade and a soft smile to form across her lips. "Of course. Thank you." Astrid would reply before stepping past him and smacking him on the back. "Now get going, no need for you to be late!" She exclaimed with a voice filled with joy. Clearly, Riyku was able to cheer her up. Riyku would chuckle lightly and nod before heading out the door. "See you later, Astrid!" Riyku would call out as he made his way down the road, passing up nearby shops and other places. There were so few people out in the mornings. Only the occasional worker or beggar.

Since the Academy was just past the residual area getting there was easy. Many of the students came flying in, putting their wings away as they landed; however, Riyku decided to walk simply because he saw no reason to fly. Walking was a good exercise as well. Although, he could not shake this feeling that a lot of the students were looking him over and gossiping about him. He took a glance at his right arm which looked exactly like the left. 'I hope that seal is working. Astrid and Astraia worked so hard to keep the power suppressed...' He brought his hand up to scratch his cheek as he recalled exactly what they had to do. It was not anything sexual; however, their heated faces and paced breathing made it appear as such. All they did was cling to his arm and absorb the energy while layering their own energy on top of it as a means to keep the energy from leaking. This seemed to cause the arm to look 'normal.'

Riyku awakened from his little daydream when he heard a voice call out to him. "Hey, You!" At first, he thought that the person who called out to him was calling out to someone else so he glanced around him. "You, the one looking around like an idiot!" The person called out again which caused him to recenter his attention. Apparently, the voice was calling out to him. He took note of a black haired pretty boy approach him. Standing beside him happened to be two other figures both male, but not as... interesting as the pretty boy. "Umm... May I help you?" Riyku would inquire with a puzzled expression. "You are not from around here. Are you new? I have not seen your face. Which netherworld did you come from?" Instantly Riyku was bombarded with questions from the pretty boy which caused him to give a wry expression. He brought his hands up as a means to defend himself and tell the guy to take a step back since the guy was getting a bit too close for comfort. "I am new. As for what netherworld..."

Riyku recalled that Astraia told him that some people like to compare their power levels based on the netherworld they grew up in. Since Crimson Ash was a lawless land most figured Crimson Ash was where the evilest showed up. Astraia informed him that such was a misconception and that the most ruthless netherworld in all of the Underworld was none other than... "Oblivion." Riyku would respond in a nonchalant fashion. Astraia even informed him that when he said where he was from that he should say it like it was nothing special. Since it could bring a 'certain' image to the others who inquired about it.

The pretty boy and his companions suddenly began to shiver and step back slowly. "I-I see... Oblivion, is it? W-Well enjoy your stay." The three showed signs of fear as they made their way off to interrogate someone else. Riyku watched them make their way towards another person, someone who looked meek and timid. It was a small boy who looked fragile. Riyku could see how uncomfortable the boy looked which caused him to sigh softly and make his way over to them. "I don't think you three should do this kind of thing." Riyku would call out. The pretty boy would turn around with an annoyed tone of voice, unaware of who it was that called out to him, "And how do you--" He paused when he saw it was Riyku who had approached them. "O-Oh.. you... umm... Is this one already yours?" The pretty boy inquired with a shiver. "Mine?" Riyku would repeat. It was then he remembered something else that Astraia had taught him.

Astraia did say that people in Crimson Ash would often claim others to be their slaves for various purposes. When he heard it back then it set him off. He found the act of slavery disgusting. Though Astraia did say that if he viewed slavery as such, then he should take in slaves as a means to keep them safe since most people would leave those slaves alone. Even then Riyku detested such, but if he could save someone and keep them from getting hurt he would. "Yes. He is mine. So back off." Riyku would glare and darken his tone something which was something Astraia also taught him which sent the three packing leaving to enter the school as if to get as far away from Riyku as possible. Riyku would turn back to the timid and weak boy. "What's your name?" Riyku inquired of the boy who shuffled in place with a downcast gaze. Riyku's voice softened to normalcy along with his glance. The boy had not spoken a word since he was approached by the previous three. "S-Solarus..." The boy would reply softly. Riyku would nod lightly and extend his hand outward. "Nice to meet you Solarus. My name is Riyku." A smile would curve across Riyku's voice which Solarus caught when he looked up. It wasn't like any of the other smiles he had seen. Even when some came rushing to help him out just like Riyku did just now. This smile was different. It was warm. "R-Riyku..." However... Solarus could not easily trust Riyku. It made sense considering Solarus was beaten, bullied, and abused by his peers and others over the course of his life for being timid, meek, and having a 'feminine body'. "Thank you, but I think I will go my own way." Solarus would hurry along, and Riyku would watch the boy runoff, his smile slowly fading away since he caught a glimpse of the look in Solarus' eyes.

Riyku had collected what he needed from the main office and was now waiting outside of his classroom to be introduced. While he may have been composed and collected on the outside he was excited and thrilled. He had never been to a school before. So this was a first for him. On the inside of the classroom, he could hear the Instructor speak. "Alright listen up class! Today we have a new student. He is a transfer, and as per usual I am not allowed to say from where. What I can say is what I will always say. Be careful! Alright, come on in and introduce yourself!" The Instructor was a lovely platinum-haired beauty. The term succubus fits her perfectly. From top to bottom even the uniform complimented her curves. When Riyku heard that he was to come in, he would make his way inside of the classroom. While he overlooked the class filled with at least fifteen individuals they also looked back at him. Some of them had heart eyes, while others looked annoyed. Some just shifted their glance elsewhere. One of those fifteen gave him a smile and wave. It was Astraia, the other had looked down suddenly. It was Solarus. "Introduce yourself." The Instructor would state.

Riyku would recall how Astraia instructed him to introduce himself. Just be yourself, but keep where you came from to yourself. Riyku would bring a hand up to wave at the others, a warm smile curved across his face. "Hello everyone. My name is Riyku DarkFang. It is a pleasure to meet all of you. I hope that we can all get along." With that, the atmosphere in the room shifted. Instantly some viewed him as an easy target. A few of the girls thought he was cute, while some thought he was hot and sexy. Others went on about their day. Riyku saw that the three from earlier were in the same class as him and so they happened to be the only three to actually back down which caused him to scratch his cheek lightly. "Well, with that out of the way take your seat by Little Miss Princess of Slaughter." The Instructor would; well, instruct even if her tone of voice shifted when she mentioned Astraia. Riyku would follow with a nod; though he was concerned and confused by the tone the Instructor took up when she mentioned Astraia. Taking a seat beside Astraia and turning to her with a smile. "So we have the same class as well. How lucky." Riyku would comment with an innocent chuckle. Astraia would giggle wryly as if trying to hide something. In truth, she had something worked out in the background so that he was in the same class as him. After all, she had top ranks in everything so she was given special treatment.

"Alright. As I said last week. We are going to go over how well you all fair when it comes to Black Magic formulations, Black Magic Spells, and the conversion and control of Diabolical Energy. As such..." The Instructor would inform before snapping her fingers. A bright red circle with various formulas and text spread throughout the room and lifted from the ground as if to scan over them. A bright light would encompass the entire class and within a second they were transported outside to some kind of training field where dummy targets were positioned at a great distance from them. The Instructor would make her way in front of them as she explained that this was an evaluation test and that they were going to be graded. Riyku was glancing around almost like some kind of tourist since this sort of thing was a first for him; however, the class was looking at the Instructor. Astraia had caught Riyku looked around in awe so she nudged him. "It is known as Mass Teleportation which teleports several people inside the field to another location. Now pay attention." Riyku would listen to Astraia's explanation with a nod before shifting his attention towards the Instructor.

"Now then... as I call your name line up at the marker. When I tell you to use a certain spell you will fire it at the target. How you do so is entirely up to you. First off... Alex, Rue, Mora, Aria, and Jet. You five are first. Step up." As she called out five students took their place at each marker. Four females and one male. "Hellfire Magic. Go!" The Instructor called out and the five started to chant with incantation before a mixture of purple and crimson flames took over the hand they seemed most dominant in. They tossed the flames at the respective practice target. Jet and Mora seemed to the best, while Rue and Aira did the worst. Alex was in the middle. Jet and Mora hit their target perfectly but only hit one each. Mora and Aira had completely missed their target, in fact, their flames went out midway. Alex barely made it, but the flame had diminished over time as it flew through the field. The Instructor was jotting everything down. "Good job as always Jet and Mora. Rue and Aira you two need to work on how much energy you put into your spell. Shorter incantations are not always better. Alex, your incantation is just fine; but just add a bit more energy into your spell and you will do just as well as Jet and Mora. Alright, dismissed!" After a briefing, the Instructor would send those five back to the rest of the class who would talk amongst themselves for a moment while the Instructor decided who was going to be next.

"Up next! Solarus, Astraia, Yulius, Joon, and Riyku. You five are up next." As the Instructor called the five of them went up to their marker. Everyone was curious about what Riyku was capable of, even Solarus. So all eyes were on him even the Instructor. "Alright. Hellfire Magic. Go!" The Instructor commanded when everyone was in place. Yulius and Joon were the first to chant their incantations as well as the first to release their spell. Yulius was that pretty boy while Joon was one of his followers. Their magic was on par with Jet and Mora's but it split off into two bolts; each smacked into one of the second marks like the head or arm/hand part for example. Solarus was next, but it seemed his magic did not even come out even after his longer incantation. Astraia was next, "Burn my target, Hellfire!" Her incantation was short but powerful. Her flame was a vivid crimson and purple with a hint of black in the middle which split off into three bolts as they were sent at the target. One for the head, one for the body, and one for the leg.

No matter how many times Riyku saw it, it was impressive. Black Magic was similar to Spells back on Gaia. The way of the chant and the visual aspect. The shorter an incantation was; was generally better. An incantation was mainly a means to help one visualize their spell. Astraia usually had short incantations and he found it just as impressive now as he did the first time she showed him. Although now it was his turn to impress her. He had done some training in secret so surely she would be surprised by what he was just about to do. When he found out that using a Spell and using Black Magic was pretty much the same basic concept it made visualizing the magic he wanted to use easier. It was just like how he used his shadow manipulation spells. Bringing his right arm near his heart; he closed his eyes and started to visualize what he wanted his Hellfire to be. He would dive deep down to get the picture of what he wanted it to be and when he found it his eyes would shot open. That was when everything started. The gasps, the surprised looks, and even the looks of those who were impressed.