Qrow.

Chapter 79 | Harder Than Dying

Ryan's mood fell quickly when he opened his bedroom door. "Why and how are you out of your room?" He asked in a dead tone.

"Master Knight let me out. Don't worry. He fixed my head for a little while, so I won't be doing anything traumatizing to you." Asher replied, "I just came to say goodbye. Even though we didn't get along that well, and I acted like I hated you a lot, I did really enjoy getting to see you every day. In fact, I looked forward to it. I'll miss you when I'm gone."

"I, um... I wasn't expecting that." Ryan rested his arm on his doorway. "Honestly, I probably will miss having you on my rotation everyday. How long will you be gone?"

Asher looked down, seeming much more sheepish than normal. "I most likely won't be coming back. The mission I'm being sent on is not one that I'm strong enough to survive."

Ryan seemed pretty shocked, and honestly hurt, by it. He still thought Asher was insane, but he'd never wish him dead. "But, I thought anyone who bears Jasper's mark can't die?"

He couldn't help but notice the vampire who despised him was actually showing concern for him. Asher wasn't going to complain about that, though. If this was the last time he saw Ryan, he's grateful it was a somewhat calm interaction. He responded, "That's true, but that doesn't apply to me. The type of demon that I am, it's impossible for another demon to brand me or place a pact on me. It's a long story."

"How long do you have until you leave?" He asked.

Asher shrugged, "However long it takes the others to get ready. Maybe an hour, I'm guessing."

He stepped aside from his door. "Why don't you come sit down and we'll talk? It's the least I could do."

The demon was shocked by his hospitality. He was expecting Ryan to be a lot more hostile than this. Their relationship hadn't exactly been healthy. Maybe it helped Ryan be at ease that Asher was more level headed at the moment. His sadistic nature wasn't as active. He stepped into Ryan's room and sat down on the edge of his bed.

Asher's eyes wondered over the photos on the mantel. Ryan had settled into his room a lot more, now having all his belongings from home. All those pictures, he seemed happy. There were so many people Asher didn't recognize in them. He could only assume they were gone now. Ryan sat down next to him. The shift the the mattress brought him back to reality.

"I'm a type of demon that not a lot of people even know exist. They're called cursed prayers. There's only six in existence, and I'm the weakest." He explained, "Jarin was the next strongest after me. When he died, his power was given to his son, Drake. Sixteen, Knox's boyfriend, he's the fourth strongest. The third is a demon named Haven. I'd never heard of him before today, but we're being sent to convince him to help us take down Jupiter.

Jasper is technically the strongest of the cursed prayers, making him the strongest demon alive, but his current body restricts him. So, for the time being, Jupiter is the strongest. The others have a fighting chance against him but I don't. I know there's no way I'll survive this fight."

"Then why is Jasper sending you into it?" He asked.

"Because, it's a matter of pride. We all have a time to go and if I am to die, I want it to at least be at the hands of someone strong enough to beat me. I knew when I decided to join Jasper that he would eventually be the one to bury me, and I'm okay with that. I've come to despise my immortality."

"I can understand how hard it would be to watch so many people you care about grow old around you, but the majority of the people in your life are immortal like you. They care about you, too. Why would you want to throw it all away like that?"