My Fallen Angel (bxb) ✔

Chapter 42 - The Ssshedding

Raziel's POV

I am going to murder Zorander!

Melkopnius releases a low hiss as I use a knife to scrape away their old skin. I gag at the pungent sulphuric smell being emitted from their skin. With each scale that is dislodged, the odor increases tenfold.

Thank you for helping with thisss, Melkopnius hisses in my mind.

I splutter and readjust the goggles on my face. "I was tricked into helping." I tug the knife over their skin which feels like I'm dragging a knife over a huge rock. "Can you even help with the book or did he lie about that?"

I told you I can after my ssshedding. In the visssion, I had enough power to consssume the book after thisss.

In general, Serignipens are low maintenance. They like being around plants, they consume any type of meat and a swim in some fresh water is enough to keep themselves clean. So, if you give them a place with sufficient water and meat, some plants and a dark space where they can hibernate once in a while, they are happy.

Serignipens, however, can choose to go through a shedding. It is a once in a lifetime event, and once they shed their old skin, they can reach their full power and potential. Their visions become more vivid and more accurate, their other abilities become heightened, and they gain the ability to camouflage themselves.

Despite the increased power, most Serignipens opt not to go through the shedding because they need help getting the millennia of scales and skin from their body. The ones who have tried to do it alone have died trying.

"I hate that demon." I gag again and fling the dislodged scales into the bathtub.

He isss not all bad.

"You only think that because he's your master. He tricked me into doing this."

But it isss for your benefit.

I scoff and readjust my thick industrial gloves before continuing to scrape. Melkopnius is right. I'm the one that needs help with destroying the book, but still, Melkopnius is his responsibility.

And he left you the glovesss, masssk and gogglesss.

For heaven's sake, just let me be mad at the demon!

I dig at a scale which seems wedged into Melkopnius' skin and they release a sharp hiss. "Sorry!"

Despite my irritation, I don't want to hurt them, so I switch to a plier which Zorander also provided and wiggle it until it comes free. "Do you miss Hell?"

No. I would be happy never returning. Here, I have a comfortable life and a massster who treatsss me well. I would return if Zorander did, but luckily he prefersss earth.

I hum a response and continue working to remove the scales, being sure not to hurt the snake. Talking to Melkopnius helps distract me from the disgusting and almost tangible smell, so we continue talking about their life. It turns out, they're even older than I am!

By the time I'm finished, Melkopnius' skin looks like that of a newborn baby rat; a reddish pink and very tender. I gently wipe their skin with a soft towel before transferring them to Zorander's hot tub where they can remain underwater for a few hours while their new scales emerge.

The next couple hours are spent with me gathering all the loose scales and dried goop that came off of Melkopnius from the bathtub and floor. Once everything is in the garbage bag, I toss the apron, gloves, mask and goggles into it as well before tying the bag and putting it in the middle of Zorander's bed.