Raising The Stakes

~Fifteen~

   "I can't believe it! The audacity of that woman after how I freed her!" Komaeda shouts as he paces through the woods, "She made Hajime doubt my intentions! Whatever, see if I ever do them any favours again." 

   He groans, slumping up against a tree and sinking to the forest floor. "Should've eaten her." He mutters. 

   His stomach grumbles, and he sighs. That tiny piece of soul from Hinata wasn't doing as much for him as he honestly hoped it would. Which reminds him to go inquire about more humane feeding from Yumeno-san.

   If he could absorb her power, he'd never have to worry about consuming whole souls again. Life for him and Hinata would be amazing. And then he could make him immortal like himself (if he so wishes. I mean, he's seen Enoshima do it to someone before. Granted, it was so she could torture them for all eternity but still possible.) 

     'I should really go see her soon. It won't be long before Enoshima and Shirogane. . .'

   He sighs, burying his head in his hands. "What a mess this whole situation is. . .Maybe I should have never approached Hajime. . .Ugh, but I truly believe he's the one that will save us all! The One That Will Save Us All. The Chosen One. . .Hinata."

  { "Well, then what do I have to do to get stronger? Is there some way you can help me?"

   Komaeda's eyes flash dangerously. "Are you trying to strike a deal with me?"

   Hinata recoils. "No chance! Ugh, just never mind, leave me alone if you want to stay out from under my blade." He mutters, tugging his weapon out of the tree and sheathing it. "See you around."

   He unwisely turns his back on Komaeda and begins storming off.

   Komaeda smiles, watching the adorable hunter stomp off. "What a hopeful specimen. . ," He muses, "Perhaps he will be the one who saves us all."

   He laughs loudly before turning and proceeding to make his way back to the base. }

   It feels like it was so long ago when in reality, it wasn't. 

   The demon can't help but smile at the memory. He sure loved his adorable, angry hunter. His hopeful, perfect human. 

   "I still think he's going to save us all. . .even if it means getting along with Nanami-san. I promised to support him in any way I could, right? So I should go back and apologize. . .and visit with Yumeno-san. Then, I should go apologize to her and Hajime. . .soon."

-

   "How are you feeling, Hajime?"

   Hinata groans, looking up at Nanami. "Not great. . .Can you explain this whole 'prophecy' thing to me?"

   She shrugs helplessly. "Honestly, I don't know much about it. Something about Despair rising up and a single person rising to triumph over it. Apparently, a certain girl-me I guess, is the one that gives some sort of final support to win, so I assume I was kidnapped by people on the Despair side, so-"

   "So you're pretty sure I'm this 'Chosen One?'" Hinata interrupts. 

   She shrugs. "Honestly, who else is it going to be?"

   "Um. . ." 

   "Anyways, Komaeda probably knows something about it. . .I think. I mean, if Enoshima is Despair and he worked with her, then. . ."

   Hinata groans, flopping backwards. "UGH, I'M SO CONFUSED. I'M, UH, WHAT?! THIS IS. . .THIS IS JUST TOO MUCH!"

   Nanami ruffles his hair. "Okay, Okay, eat some dinner and have some sleep, Hajime. Take some time and process. And. . .I think I'll try and track down Komaeda and apologize. . .I was just really awful to him."