toat narratives :7

Artemis, Drenlox, and I (Part 2)

  [hey guys! finally finished part 2 :7 sorry if it's a bit wonky, but I haven't had decent rest since last thursday, so blame it on that. Also, i think i'm gonna make a part 3?? Anywa y s, enjoy the episode lol]

 Lucas hummed as he walked in front of Artemis, Drenlox weaving through the trees. He put his hands in the pockets of his new trenchcoat, already growing quite an affection for it. Artemis noticed this and decided to drift forward so that he was moving right next to Lucas.

"T...tree.. treeeeeeee" he spoke, looking at Lucas. The demon raised an eyebrow and stared at him in confusion.

"What do you mean, 'tree'?"

Artemis nudged Lucas' coat with his head. Lucas gave him a pleased smirk and straightened up, standing up taller. The boy was no doubt shorter than average, but he made it work with his intimidating complexion. The trio continued walking north, looking around as they came across new and exciting wonders. Drenlox's glares had slowly began turning into friendly stares, and soon enough he was whistling through the trees with Artemis, who was having the time of his life. Who knew life outside the mountains would be so extraordinary!

Lucas watched them as the two spirits weaved through the green, twisted trees. He too had loosened up a bit, his dull red eyes secretly admiring every breathtaking aspect of the dark woods. They came upon a beautiful, glistening river, something completely new to Lucas. He knelt before the body of water, snapping his fingers. Immediately Drenlox left his place besides Artemis and appeared above his master.

"Look at this Drenlox! I've never seen anything quite like this- have you?" Lucas asked, dipping his fingers into the cool, wet water.
"--- -.." Drenlox replied, glaring at the blue-ish liquid in suspicion. he was familiar with the many liquid acids of hell, But it didn't seem to affect Lucas, so this new substance must be okay. Lucas leaned closer to the water, and jumped when his reflection appeared on the water. He quickly stood up into an offensive stance, glaring at the boy in the water, who had done the same.

Artemis watched curiously as his new demon friends quickly became intimidated by the river. He, of course, knew what water was, but decided not to interrupt them. He suppressed a squeaky chuckle as Drenlox began attacking the shiny river reflection of Lucas while the demonic boy was yelling at it. After a while of staring, Artemis finally decided to help them and flung himself over to them. Lucas used this as an opportunity and glared at the water.

"HERE! TAKE HIM INSTEAD!" He shrieked, pushing Artemis at the water. However, his actions backfired badly when he realized Artemis was not in fact a solid. His skinny hands went right through the quirky shadow, and he fell head-first into the cold water. Drenlox's eye blazed with panic, swirling in rapid circles above the spot where Lucas had committed the big splash.

Artemis' eyes widened as he watched it all do down. He wanted to laugh, but before he could prepare himself to do so, Lucas emerged from the water fast, without warning, a blur of red shooting him out of the chilly river. Where small, cherry red cartoon devil wings once were, stood these giant, dark red bony wings, which the demon used to bring himself onto land.

Flabbergasted and awe-struck, Artemis drifted back, bumping into Drenlox, who at the shadow's touch flinched and flew over to Lucas' side like a coward. Lucas' wings had been replaced with the tiny ones once more, and the black-haired boy began coughing up water. His spirit buddy shook by his side, checking for any signs of injury. Once Lucas had finished returning all the water he had swallowed, he stood back up and leaned against a green tree, hiding his trembling. Everyone could silently agree that the entire situation was unexpected. Artemis swung himself forward towards the half-drowned demon boy and mustered out a few words.

"Y..yooou... okayy..?"
Lucas scoffed and quickly snapped his fingers, turning himself dry.
"Of course I am you fool! Why wouldn't I be!? What even was that cold liquid? Fuck you!" he snapped, on the verge of being embarrassed. Confused by his sudden remark, Artemis shrunk down and backed away, feeling like he did something wrong. Drenlox took pity (was it even really pity?), and went to float by his side. The two stared at Lucas expectantly, but the boy just rolled his eyes and continued walking, not realizing he was going in a completely different direction than before. Drenlox nudged the black figure forward, trying to show him that he really didn't have anything to be afraid of. The pair watched silently as Lucas, with his pride remedied, paced in front of them, fussing at how his hair had fluffed up and tried sleeking it back, to no avail.

Artemis hesitatingly moved forward, staying close to the blue one-eyed spirit. The short demon eyed him, already forgetting he had ever barked at him. Instead now he beamed his mildly creepy smile at him, making sarcastic comments and taking in his surroundings as he was doing before. Now at a little more peace, the once again happy Artemis bounced behind Lucas and Drenlox as they resumed their adventure, excited for the next wonder to come. Hopefully it involved less water.. He doesn't want to damage Lucas' pride anymore, as he seems to take it very personally. No matter, onwards we go!

[end of Part 2, don't forget to vote and share! if you want to- aa]