Crimson hues that glistened like precious rubies cast their gaze upon familier yet unfamiliar streets of a town visited long ago. It had been two long years since the owner behind these ruby like pearls had visited the town of Oak. Many memories were held within these streets, memories of terrified screams and the smell of blood filled the air from the relentless wave of slaughter that followed the owner of the crimson hues. But at this moment the streets were filled with an odd joy and laughter that filled the air as the citizens of oak went about their daily business, never knowing that they were being watched by a fearsome predator.

Said predator was that of a young girl perhaps no more than fifteen or even sixteen years of age. She appeared young and innocent with a sweetly smile in those large round crimson hues. To many the young girl was perhaps serene and out of a painting just from her appearance. Alabaster white skin unmarked, flawless and white like snow that seemed otherwordly. Long black hair draped down her back, bangs cut in a princess style that framed and accentuated a heart shaped face, luciscious small red lips and a button nose. Slender white fingers with nails painted the colour of ruby red tapped gently on a tabletop as the owner wore but a ceremonial silk gown of red, purple and gold. Draped around her neck a glistening blue crystal in metal frame.  

Despire the girls appearance of innocence many avoided her and kept a distance. The reason, the deadly looking weapon by her side. Resting against the table by the young girl was a weapon taller than she, a polearm that held a razor sharp and deadly looking axe blade. The bardiche rested against the wood of the table and glistened in the daylight sun revealing its deadly blade. The weapon appeared heavy beyond compare and impossible for such a young girl of such a petite and frail figure to lift, however the ravenette could lift it with ease.

After two long years many had perhaps forgotten just who this young girl was as she had retreated into deep seclusion to meditiate. The woman was a daemon by the name of Yumi Hateshiginai, better known as the Witch of Carnage. A bloodthirsty dark mage and cultist who revelled into death, a murderous creature who slaughtered without care or distinction. Anyone who got in her way would meet the end of her blade as their blood was spilled. Countless bodies had been left in the wake of this demonic being as she had massacred countless villages, towns and cities. The sheer number that had feel beneath her blade and at her hands was insurmountable. Everyone that fell at her feet was a sacrifice to the Dark Evil Demon God she worshipped. It was due to this reputation that Yumi was seen as nothing but a merciless butcher, not even children or the sick were free from her blade. Everyone was the same in Yumi's eyes and she slaughtered freely.

For two years Yumi had retreated deep into the mountains and had not been seen. She had secluded away into a cave and meditated on life. Watching her surroundings Yumi gained a type of enlightenment and underwent a new transformation gaining a new type of magic as her last disappeared. A tyrannical new force was born but at the same time Yumi's connection to her Demonic Deity changed, as for what that change was only time would tell whether it was for the better or for the worst.

For now Yumi sat at the open air cafe, drinking her caramel latte and watched everyone walk by. Perhaps she would find an old ally or enemy, only time would tell if she was fated to see someone she once knew or if someone would even remember her after all these years.

Oak city was, and always had been since Eternal Nightmare's inception, Odin's. He knew the city like the back of his hand, could navigate its streets with the ease of a master, and was always kept abreast of the goings on in his city. If two shopkeepers got into a fight, no matter how insignificant, it became a report on the Eudaemon's desk, just in case the fight became something more, and he would have to step in and keep the peace. Not that peace was always something he protected, perhaps one shopkeeper would pay the guild good money to remove the other, in which case it simply because a matter of business.

But there weren't many things that could prompt the man to make the journey down from his Spire into the city. But more than simply walking, Odin was running to the Oak Streets, not fully believing the report he had received from one of his cultists. There were some mages that were known throughout the country, their fame or infamy making them basically a celebrity in the eyes of the common folk. This woman, the 'child' that had been spotted in Odin's city, was one of those names. But so much had happened since her last appearance that some had began to view her a a myth. A bogeyman to keep children and adults afraid for their lives. Many didn't know her beginnings, but the guild master viewed himself as one of the lucky few. After all, they had served in Grimoire Heart together. Before the transformation.

It didn't take him long to find her, the 'porcelain-skinned little girl with hair as dark as night and a weapon that she shouldn't be able to wield' his reports had spoken of. There could only be one who fit that description, and she was sitting outside in a cafe. Odin didn't know if she would recognise him, he wasn't a skeleton anymore, but Yumi had always been the discerning sort. She hadn't made it to her age in a dark guild without first learning a thing or two about survival.

Approaching the table she sat at, Odin would simply raise his hands by way of nonviolence. Eyes had already been on both of them separately, one for his position in the city and the other for the enigma she was, but together they were truly in the spotlight. Everyone wanted to know their discussion, but none would dare get so close as to eavesdrop.

"First Black returns, and now Carnage herself, we're going to end up with an entire Grimoire Heart reunion at this rate."

The young girl who seemed like a porcelian doll sipped her latte savouring the taste of the sweet drink. Some things had changed, others had not. The daemon had always been a fan of sweets even when she had became an old woman all those years ago. Crimson hues stared into the dark liquid reminicscing of the past. Dainty hands swirled the liquid as Yumi raising the cup to soft lips and took another sip. The hot drink warmed her body on this beautiful spring day. Eyes darted out to examine the streets once more watching the ant's walk back and forth. Human's, they were nothing but ants now to the daemon. She had once been one of them but ever since her transformation, Yumi saw them as insects beneath her. It was funny, her personality had been long twisted before transforming, but it had become more so ever since. The dark influence of the demonic god she had served certainly had affected her mindset.

"Simple ant's that will one day fall to the passing of time. Time cannot be beat, everyone is affected by it, this is one of the world's strongest laws. Time is death itself and death is time. Even this city will one day fall to time and cease to exist. My time has increased by even my new lifespan is limited and I will fall." Yumi couldn't help but think to herself, reflecting on the world entering a type of enlightenment as she watched. The young and old walked past her without a care or worry in life. A sigh escaped the daemons lips as she finished off the last of the latte and sat it down. Legs folded beneath the table and an elbow rested upon it as Yumi placed her chin in her left hand.

The Witch of Carnage soon grew bored however as she watched the people pass by. Sneering inwardly a hand twitched and went towards the giant axe that lay by her side as if it was craving blood. Perhaps she should end the day by going on a rampage and reminding Oak that she existed. Allow everyone to remember the myth that was she. But it seemed the rampage would have to wait as a tall figure came running through the crowd towards her. The person was a man and almost a full foot taller than her with silver hair and red eyes that held a strong magical aura around them, that seemed familiar to her.

Crimson hues narrowed dangerously as the giant axe was taken in hand but not raised, it was left resting by the table. Yumi eyed the man, he was quite youthful somewhere in his twenties, most likely mid to late twenties. The man raised his hands up into the air signalling they were nonviolent. It seemed they wished to talk. The man's appearance had drawn the attention of others as whispers vould soon be heard, but the crowd dared not to approach. It seemed the man held some kind of reputation here in Oak. What followed however surprised her.

"Hoooo." Thin dainty lips parted as a soft gasp of surprise escaped the daemon's lips. Crimson hues glowed with a menacing aura as Yumi examined the man from top to bottom feeling a kinship on more than one level. Her eyes glistened with amusement, "I hadn't realised our kind had multiplied so quickly. Black as he was once called I've already met, yet I didn't expect to meet yet another from the old guild. Now question is who would you be." Her right hand released hold on the axe and rested atop the table, fingers tapping against it. Yumi's fingers were long and sharp, making a loud tapping sound against the hard wood as she inspected the man.

"A familiar magical aura, though it has changed from what I recall, one cannot completely change their magical essence." Yumi's eyes shimmered as a wave of magical energy burst forth from her body, appearing to be inspecting the man. A nostaligic smile before to form on those sinister lips, "Well if it isn't the bag of bones. You certainly have changed. I'd almost hadn't recognised you, but you still retain some of that childish face you had as a child before your change. Should I still call you as a bag of bones, or Lucifer I wonder." Yumi smirked as she eyed the man and gave a soft laugh that was like sweet music. To many the lolita appeared like a finely forged doll, a young girl who was to beautiful for this world.

"My you've certainly grown from that little runt who first joined after being brought in by leader all those years ago. Truly a strange last few days this has been. I've come across to snot nosed runts from the old days." Yumi laughed again as she addressed an old ally as a runt. Compared to her, the youth was but a little child no matter how old he became. Yumi had been a member of Grimoire Heart for close to three decades back then and had seen many guild members grow up within the guild.

"So tell me, what has Lucifer been up to all these years? It's been so long since we've last met. The world certainly has changed since my seclusion. Some have forgotten me, but it seems others haven't." A sweet yet sinister smile appeared on the doll's heart shaped face.

It was no surprise that Yumi worked out who Odin was, despite his new appearance, as the two sat together and discussed the comings and goings of the world. Any question Yumi wished to have answered, the Eudaemon would be happy to do so. They would talk for some time, and Odin would invite the Witch of Carnage into Eternal Nightmare. It made sense to collect all of his old allies from Grimoire Heart into the new guild. After all, they already had experience taking down own King, surely they could do another.

After their talk, Odin would return to the Spire, either with or without Yumi depending on the latter's plans for the evening. He had no doubt they would see each other again at some point soon. After all, they were both infamous names, it was very unlikely either of them could roam around Fiore without someone hearing about them.

-Exit-