The Fallen Empath - Welcome to the Villain's World

Chapter Six: A Move-In Struggle

 "Wwaaahhh! We gotta get out of here! Before we disappear for good!" The three ghosts yell in unison as they fly down the hallway, fading away.

"Did-did we win?" Grim opens his eyes and looks around.

"Yeah, that was incredible Grim!" I cheer.

"Aw, geez, I was scared out of my—I mean, they didn't faze me one bit! Just a walk in the park for a mage of my caliber! Whaddaya got to say now, ghosties? That's right!" Grim puffs his chest out in pride.

As I chuckle I hear the cloping of heals. I turn my head to see Mr. Crowley holding a dish of food.

"Good evening. In another gesture of my immense kindness, I have brought you dinner." Mr. Crowley smiles.

Oh yeah, I haven't eaten yet, have I?

Mr. Crowley notices Grim next to my leg. "Wait. That's the creature we evicted for causing trouble at orientation! What is it doing here?!"

"Takin' care of your ghost problem, that's what. You're welcome, by the way!" Grim crosses his paws.

"What is the meaning of this, Solace?" Mr. Crowley looks at me.

"Well, he's right. I was looking for some buckets when these three ghosts came out of nowhere, they scared us half to death. We managed to get them to go away with Grim's fire." I summarise what happened.

Mr. Crowley hums. "I do seem to recall that this dorm had a mischievous ghost problem. Ah, yes... That's why it was abandoned, in fact. The ghosts scared away all the students. You're saying you two joined forces to drive them away?"

"'Joined forces' ain't exactly how I'd describe it. More like I drove 'em away, and she watched. I only did it 'cause I wanted some tuna. Hey... Wait a minute! I never got that can of tuna ya promised!" Grim looks up at me.

"Would you two be so kind as to demonstrate your ghost-eradication methods for me?" Mr. Crowley interrupts.

"One, no, 'cause I already wiped 'em all out, and two, no, 'cause where's my tuna?!" Grim glares at me.

"I will play the part of the ghosts, as for the tuna, you'll receive it when you defeat me. Oh, what generosity, Crowley." Mr. Crowley smiles as he pulls out a small vial filled with a purple liquid. "Now to chug this transmutation potion!"

He turns into a ghost that really doesn't look like him. The only telling was his signature raven mask and top hat with the mirror.

"Ah, you gotta be kiddin' me. I gotta work together with the human again?" Grim's ears flatten in discontent.

"Once I can, I'll get you the tuna I owe you. Right now, this could be your chance to enroll!" I whisper to Grim.

Grim grumbles. "Hrmph. Alright, but this is the last time. I better be up to my jaws in tuna afterward."

"Now then! Let us see you expel ME as a ghost." Mr. Crowley appears behind Grim, startling him. "Go on! Don't be shy about striking me. I'm much too kind to be riled over that."

"Okay, but you asked for it! There better be some tuna waitin' for me after this!" Grim gets ready.

"Now, let us commence!" Mr. Crowley says somewhat excited.

"Okay, human! You tell me if he so much as blinks, got it?" Fire builds up in Grim's mouth.

"Okay, you can count on me!" I nod and look for any sign of Mr. Crowley.

I direct Grim where to aim and he follows every command.

I see a flicker of light. "Grim, left!"

"Got it! Taste my flames!" Grim manages to hit Mr. Crowley right when he appears.

As soon as he appears, he disappears again. "My, does that ever smart! You've impressed me. I may have to up the difficulty a smidge." He reappears and flies all over the hallway so fast that it's hard for me to keep track of him.

"Myah?! Why'd he get so fast all of a sudden?!" Grim flails.

"Can you keep up with me NOW?" Mr. Crowley teases.

"Hmph, I can and I will! This is child's play for the great Grim!" He gets ready.

"Grim behind you!" I shout and he shoots a fireball at Mr. Crowley, just barely missing him.

"You're gonna have to be faster at warning me Yuna!" Grim shouts.

"Sorry! Left!" I try to speak faster.

Grim Shoots his fire and hits the headmage.

"That's more like it!" Grim smirks.

"Up, back, right, right!" I shoot out directions as quickly as I can and it works.

Grim hits Mr. Crowley most of the time now.

"I wonder just how many you can elude at once?" Mr. Crowley says as two of the ghosts from before reappear to help him.

"Grim, You know that move you did at the end of the last fight?" I remind him.

"Yeah? OH, I see where you are going with this!" Grim aims down and blasts fire at the floor making it flair out like last time, and like last time it hits all three.

"Well! I'll be." Mr. Crowley says, genuinely impressed.

Grim pants. "I got every last one... Hey, human! You're killin' me here! You don't gotta be so rough, ya know."

"Sorry! Are you okay?" I walk over and crouch down to him.

He nods. "Yeah, nothin' the great Grim can't handle!"

I chuckle and rub in between his ears. "You did amazing. Great job."