After the End (Julian and MC)

11

Laying back in Julian's arms, I almost slip into sleep. I snap back awake when Scout tugs on my sleeve, and when Julian jumps at my sudden movement, I realise that he must've almost been asleep as well. Scout looks at me with wide eyes, and points down the hall, telling me it's time to keep going. I sit up and stretch, lowering my arms when Julian hugs me around the waist and kisses my neck.

"We've had good luck so far, let's hope it doesn't run out just yet." Salim sighs, getting to his feet before pulling Aisha up as well.

Julian stands up too, holding his hand out for me and grinning down at me. I return his smile and take his hand, letting him help me up. Portia helps herself up, placing her hands on her hips and smiling at us.

"Let's go find milady." She beams, marching ahead to follow Scout.

I start after her, Julian by my side with Asra and his parents close behind. While we walk, I feel a deep sense of unease settling into my stomach. Surely the Devil knows that we're trying to fight him again? Why hasn't he tried to stop us? Does he not think we're a threat? Maybe this is a trap... No, Scout would sense it, she wouldn't lead us astray.

"Julian? Don't you think this is a little too easy?" I ask him nervously, squeezing his hand and looking up at him with a nervous expression.

Julian shrugs and frowns, holding my hand just as tightly as he swallows hard. "Well, the Devil, er... He's not like he was the last time you saw him. Nothing really matters to him, I don't think he sees us as a threat... He's more powerful than he was when we tried to fight him before. Maybe he wants a challenge, maybe he wants us to fight him again. I imagine he's bored." He answers hesitantly, slowly letting go of my hand and wrapping his arm around my waist.

I can tell from the expression on his face that he's worried, and after a moment I realise why. "You don't think we can do it, can you?" I frown, my voice barely more than a whisper.

He turns his head to look at me with widened grey eyes, but quickly calms himself and shrugs. "It's not that, I just... I hope we can do it, and like you said, four magicians are better than two, but... I just don't see how we can win." Julian confesses, his voice so low I barely hear him.

"Julian... We can do it. We can bind the Devil, I know we can. We were close last time, and the only reason we failed was because the Devil tricked us. We won't fail this time, there's nothing the Devil can promise us that we want." I assure him softly, gently taking his chin and guiding his face down to mine.

Pressing a kiss to his lips, I sense the tension in his body leave him, and he slowly relaxes against me. When I move back to look at him, he smiles and rests his forehead against mine.

"I believe you." Julian breathes, briefly closing his eyes before looking ahead and holding me closer as we walk.

I glance back at Asra over my shoulder, and I sigh when I notice the pain in his expression. He loves me, it must hurt him to see me with Julian. I want to say something to him, but what do I say? I'm sorry I love Julian and not you? No, I don't need to apologise for my feelings. Asra's my friend, and I'm grateful to him for everything he's done for me, but I can't help loving Julian instead of him.

I turn my attention back to where we're going when Julian stops and pulls me behind him, and I realise that Scout is growling. In front of us stands pontifex Vulgora, or, rather, what I assume is pontifex Vulgora.

They're twisted and dark, more so than when I last saw them. Vulgora's eyes blaze with fury as they clench their metal fist, their claws digging into their hands as they grin at us with sharpened teeth. They're different than I remember, with the edges on their clothing pointed and dangerous, and the horns on top of their head are twisted and pointed. When they chuckle, a dark rumble sounds in the back of their throat.

"Going somewhere?"