Uncanny: Oh yes... I forgot to mention... This is going to hurt.

(Y/n): What?

In a single motion, Uncanny's hand shot out and his pointer finger pierced right through your left eye. A scream of pain obviously followed from your lips as another finger dug into your now profusely bleeding eye socket.

Uncanny: Hold... still! It will only hurt for a moment!

(Y/n): You're ripping out my fucking eye!

Uncanny grunted before he finally seemed to find what he was looking for. He pinched down before ripping out your eye.

Uncanny: Ugh...

Before he simply cast it aside and his fingers returned to their work. Your hands clawed at his legs, slashing and clawing as you struggled through the pain. Uncanny tilted his head to the side for a moment before you could feel his fingers hook under something... before Uncanny proceeded to rip away your voice like he was discarding a mask. The endless abyss that made up Uncanny's face peered down directly at your face or lack of one, staring into the strange abyss that was inside your head. You couldn't understand why you could see him even in this moment but you didn't have much time to really question him before he spoke.

Uncanny: What's the human term? Twins?

(Y/n): I'll... f-fucking kill you...

Your words came out gargled as the pain radiating through your body forced you to stop your endless assault. Uncanny for his part slowly raised a gloved hand and actually reached inside his face, fumbling around in there for a moment before peeling it back out with a small black orb pinched between his pointer finger and thumb.

Uncanny: This is the smallest amount of our original body that I can provide without it outright destroying you. Will you accept this?

(Y/n): What are you... talking about? Of course not!

Uncanny: Hmm. I had to be sure to ask.

In a fluid motion, Uncanny punched his first forward into your face and released his fingers. The orb drifted off into the abyss that was your head. His fist pulled back before he unceremoniously wiped the hand on your right shoulder.

Uncanny: I already told you that this game was over. You're simply lucky I asked. Hate me all you want but this is for the best.

Uncanny lifted out his hand and after a breath... you took it. Uncanny pulled you up to your feet giving you the chance to take a deep breath before your right hand pulled back and you clocked the Uncanny on the jaw with a sharp right punch. The creature let out a grunt as he tumbled backward onto the couch.

(Y/n): Fucker! What did you do?!

Uncanny lifted up his left hand to his jaw but talked with perfect clarity.

Uncanny: I gave you a tiny bead of the power we used to hold. While I carry much more of it than you, The majority of it is locked without you. It is my hope that with this boost you will be able to rejoin the flock and return us to our former glory.

(Y/n): I don't care about our former glory! If I'm here then it clearly means that I wanted to get away!

Uncanny: I will note your criticism but it is too late now. The bead is settling into place and you will soon be overflowing with the abilities of pure primal fear. Of course, your body will go into complete shutdown and your brain will go unconscious to provide the proper environment for the fear to flourish-

(Y/n): You... You didn't say any of this! I wouldn't have agreed otherwise!

Uncanny: Exactly my point. You wouldn't have agreed so I made it sound palatable enough to soothe that rupturing mind of yours. All will return to normal when you finish with your rampage.

(Y/n): Rampage... You better start explaining this stuff in one go or I swear I will rip you apart here and now!

Uncanny tilted his head once more before simply crossing his left leg over his knee. His face shifted slightly before a new mask appeared. It wasn't as extravagant as his last mask but was enough to cover the abyss covering his face. A gold mask with a big grin and a large mustache.

Uncanny: Much better. I hate being exposed.

(Y/n): Less chatting and more answers!

Uncanny: You must come to terms one way or another with the fact you are not a fiend. What you... what we are wouldn't even touch that filthy word with a pole long enough to reach the moon. We are leagues away in a galaxy of our own. That body you are using like a puppet can't handle you now... now imagine if you were to multiply that by thousands. Your body only provides us with one avenue now. It will shut down all functioning including your mind to serve as an incubator.

(Y/n): An incubator... what like in the movies? Are you serious?

Uncanny: Deadly serious. Your body will serve one purpose from this point on. It will dedicate itself to feeding that bead of power till you can achieve a suitable enough form for us to merge into each other. Because if we were to merge now either it would completely fail or in your weakened state... she would interfere. 

(Y/n): What... That red-haired temptress you keep talking about?

Uncanny: Ugh... just describing that manipulative hag sickens me. In this incubation stage... your body will overflow from the abyssal material that made our original body. The substance... It is hard to describe in mortal terms. It simply can't exist in the same state as normal matter. Meaning that if it comes into contact with matter it will simply erase it to continue existing instead.

A grunt escaped your body as your tightly clenched fists unfurled without your command, your arms trembling and growing more numb with each breath.

(Y/n): Ok Ok it's gonna be bad whatever! T-Tell me about the rampage!

Uncanny: Your mind will not be in control while the bead is incubating. Thus, your body in its new hybrid state will fall back on feral instincts intrinsic to all devils. Your body will rampage, destroy, and slaughter everything in your path to ensure the bead grows. It is more than likely you will even eliminate your comrades due to the battle they are waging so openly.

(Y/n): No! You slimy bastard... You have a lot of nerve doing this to me but you will not make me lay a hand on them or my family! What about that choice you gave me earlier, huh?!

Uncanny took a deep breath, or what you could assume was one as his shoulders lifted up slightly before he audibly let out a sigh. He switched his legs to let the right knee rest over his left before he continued speaking with his interlocked fingers resting on his knee.

Uncanny: I didn't give you a choice. I gave you the illusion of choice. Tell me... does a raging bull have a choice in what it does? No. the bull will rampage until it is satisfied and gore anyone it sets its eyes on. Does a sinking ship choose whether it sinks in a moment or takes hours? No. The fate of the ship is sealed and nothing will change it. 

In a blind rage, you stepped forward to charge Uncanny but found your left leg unresponsive as it too had grown numb. While gazing down at your leg you noticed a single droplet of a black gunk drip onto the floor. Using the last of the strength in your arms you lifted up your hands to see another droplet land on your palm... before another... and another until the abyss began to overflow the confines of your face.

Uncanny: We will be reunited in the end and return to normal. Find solace in that when you awaken properly.

(Y/n): I... I... Hah... 

Uncanny: Ah. Last words from your human flesh? I suppose I will allow it.

(Y/n): Fuck. You.

Those words escaped from your maw before your legs finally gave out, forcing you onto your knees as the process of shutting down finally began.

Uncanny: Pleasent. I shouldn't have expected anything less from mortal flesh. Oh, I do have one last reminder... Everything will be perfect and fine. You will live... last moments... but a certain... and throw yourself into her servitude. Don't let her win...

Uncanny's word faded away as your brain finally conceded to the strange power seeping into your body, lulling you into a dreamless sleep before oblivion reached you and you sank into the abyss. In your last moments, a part of you hoped this was just a strange nightmare and you would wake up with Aspa or Power nibbling at your fingers...

BEEP. BEEP. BEEP.

(Y/n): HAH!

Your body sprung forward as you woke up to the sound of a mechanical alarm. Your (E/c) eyes stare around in a panic before falling onto the clock next to your bed. Your hands lift up in front of your face to examine them for gunk before slowly pressing against your neck and face to check for any sign of severe damage. Nope... everything is still there even the crevice. A sigh escaped your lips before you turned your attention to the annoying mechanical clock. Smacking your fingers down onto it seemed to silence it as you stared down at those very fingers in confusion.

(YN): Wasn't I... What? That couldn't have been a dream, right?

You tried to recall your dream but it seemed very fuzzy.... Curse you brain! It was like an epic story but now you could only remember slight bits and pieces. Swinging your legs out from the bed, you let out a gentle yawn before slowly standing up and shuffling over to your wardrobe to pull on your uniform. While you slipped into your clothes, Aspa made his presence known with a meow, the kitty finally having aged enough to be what you could call a cat. Though you knew that he preferred supreme overlord. He rubbed against the back of your legs with another meow as you pulled on your dress shirt and socks.

(Y/n): I understand, I'll open the door now.

Taking wide steps to avoid stepping on Aspa, you pulled open your door and stepped out with the evil overlord to see a familiar site. Aki was idly sipping something at the table while across from him was... Power? At least you thought it was her as her entire head was wrapped in bandages save for her blood-colored horns and her blond hair. Denji was nowhere to be seen but that wasn't super surprising. 

(Y/n): Morning Aki... Power.

Aki nodded into his drink while Power let out some sort of muffled greeting as you took a seat, looking down at your plate to see toast with various spreads assembled.

(Y/n): Hey Aki, have you seen Denji?

Aki: Not this morning, no. Are you doing alright? That bodyguarding job messed us all up pretty badly.

(Y/n): I'm fine for the most part though if I see a puppet show going on at the park or something I might destroy it out of habit.

Power spoke with exaggerated hand movements but honestly, you weren't sure if she was actually trying to give an answer of her own to Aki's question or trying to insult somebody behind her grunts. A yawn escaped from your lips as Aspa high-stepped over your leg to rest in your lap. You couldn't deny the lovely-looking toast any longer and brought it to your lips to take a bite.

Aki: Hey... (Y/n)?

(Y/n): Mhmm?

Aki: When was the last time you were happy?

The question came out of nowhere as you gulped down the first bite of your toast. 

(Y/n): Happy? I dunno... I'm happy with you guys.

Aki: I mean like truly happy? This job of ours is pretty shitty. Day after day on the verge of dying. It's not like this is a dream job and the pay isn't even worth it. 

(Y/n): Aki you're making my head hurt... you know I don't like to get philosophical in the mornings.

Aki opened his mouth to speak again but seemed to bury the question. Taking another sip of whatever drink was in his mug, the three of you sat in silence with only the sound of your bites into toast breaking it. It was after you managed to get in a few more good bites before Aki spoke again.

Aki: Oh yeah... You should probably head out soon.

(Y/n): Hmm?

Aki: Makima was asking for you.

(Y/n): She hmm? Mm hah... She is? Wouldn't she just call us to the office like she usually does?

Aki: She simply said to meet at the first place you truly talked... I don't get paid enough to try and decipher messages.

Another yawn, escaped from your body as you lifted yourself up slowly much to the chagrin of the sleeping Aspa who meowed angrily before taking off to the living room. Your back popped as you stretched before you offered your hand out to Power.

(Y/n): You're not the type to sit around. I know your face is... you know like that but I can give you a piggyback ride if you wanna get some food or something.

Honestly, you were pretty surprised she hadn't been the one to wake you up instead but perhaps with her bandages she simply walked into the wall instead of the door. However, you couldn't help but quirk an eyebrow at her strangeness as she seemed to shy away from your hand almost shuddering at your mere attempt to touch her.

Aki: Makima ordered us to stay inside. Power's face got pretty messed up in that last job and my ribs are still healing. I'll make sure the horny devil doesn't try anything weird.

Power grunted out and thrashed her hands around at Aki's words. If she needed to stay in it would make sense. Maybe something during that last gig with Denji messed her up pretty badly. then again Power is just pretty weird in general.

(Y/n): I'm heading out!

You announced to the room receiving a grunt of acknowledgment from Power and a nod from Aki before walking out of the apartment door. It was thankfully a sunny day though you didn't really want to spend your day off out and about when you could be sleeping... Eh, but when the boss calls you can't exactly say no, especially when her name is Makima.

The streets of Tokyo seemed to be a little less crowded today which was a positive. Each step takes you in the direction that you guessed the ever-cryptic Makima wanted you to go. It was at this time that you realized just how many random cafes Tokyo has on each street as you passed by one only for the glass door to nearly swing out and hit you.

(Y/n): Oi watch... out? H-Himeno?

Something in your mind clicked. An unknown emotion flooded through your system as your eyes met the lone one of the eyepatched older woman. Himeno for her part seemed just as surprised to see you in front of the cafe as well, a box of cigarettes clutched in one hand while the other rested on the handle of the door. She seemed like the same old Himeno but something in your mind simply wouldn't abide by it. Instinct never played fair with devil's but you found your arms wrapped around the older woman and you pulled her into a tight hug.

Himeno: H-Hey cut it out! You're gonna wrinkle my apron!

In your mind, you could see memories of visiting her shop even within the last few days but another part of you didn't understand... shop? What were you thinking? She was... you know...

(Y/n): I... I missed you is all.

Himeno" Pfft hahah~ I just saw you couple of days ago, dummy~

Himeno managed to pry herself away from your grip in time to pull a cigarette from her now-crumpled box. 

Himeno: Sheesh... if you're going to mess up my cigarettes you could at least smoke one with me.

(y/n): Hah, you're a bad influence you know?

Himeno: I'm a professional bad influence~

Behind the shop in a cramped alley, you sat on an old beer crate while Himeno stood next to you. A puff of smoke escaped from her lips as a lit one rested between your lips though you weren't actively puffing on it.

Himeno: Pfft hahah! You're telling me... her whole face?

(Y/n): Yep. She can't even speak. It's just a bunch of weird noises.

Himeno let out another burst of laughter before letting out a sigh, leaning back against the beige wall of the building her cafe occupied.

Himeno: Sometimes I miss running around with you brats. 

(Y/n): You still can. Well I mean maybe not out in the field but... you know.

Himeno: Nice offer but if I'm going to die it's going to be of old age~ Plus, I have the old cafe here to keep me plenty stressed out.

(Y/n): I don't even... when did you even open a cafe?

Himeno: Did you take too many hits to the head? You were there when I opened it!

That memory seemed to escape from your mind at the moment as you lifted yourself up, taking one long drag on the cigarette before tossing it to the side. It didn't really do anything for you considering you were a fiend but hey... it was the thought that counted or something like that?

(Y/n): It was good catching up but Makima is asking for me. I will stop by later, ok?

Himeno: Makima, huh...

You only managed to take a few steps away before Himeno stopped you.

Himeno: Hey (Y/n)~?

(Y/n): Yeah?

Himeno: If you think about it... When was the last time you were truly happy~?

A bit of deja vu due to Aki's similar question this morning. What is it with today and everyone trying to be philosophical way too early in the morning...

(Y/n): Happy? I dunno... I'm just happy to see you, ok?

Himeno: bah... This is the part where you are supposed to sweep me off my feet like, "I'm happiest when I see you Himeno my love~!" Mwah mwah~!

(Y/n): Pfft hahah! OK, fine fine I will give you a serious answer when I visit later, alright?

Himeno: It's a promise. See you later, (Y/n)~

And with that you walked back out onto the street and toward the supposed meeting spot, hoping you weren't heading in the completely wrong direction. But today was a really strange day... All these strange questions and interactions... You lifted a hand and scratched at the back of your head trying to wrap your mind around this morning. At least it seemed to be slowing down since there was barely anyone out this morning.

(Y/n): Everyone must be at work right now thankfully. That will make my trip back easier...

You stopped in your tracks as the opening of a door caught your attention and a figure carrying a tray of three drinks came out. Your tired (E/c) eyes followed the figure's movements over to a table that sat three figures that caused your world to break apart just a tiny bit. That instinct of yours kicked in again as you began to walk closer to them... before breaking out into a sprint. The sound of your running must have alerted them as an elderly gaze lifted and met yours before a smile broke onto her face. She nudged the woman in front of her and soon another younger gaze locked onto yours followed by another world-shaking smile. You could have simply melted into happiness as you vaulted over the cafe's knee-high metal fencing just in time for the brightest smile that was ever shown to greet you. The smallest figure abandoning her newly acquired drink to run at you with wide open arms, happily jumping into your outstretched ones.

Maya: Daddy!