---

(Azazel's POV)

It was New Year's Eve, so this party is gonna be lit. I was at the store, getting everything that I need for the party. The Squid Sisters were also here with me as well.

Azazel: I just hope that we have enough for what we need for this party...

I sighed.

Azazel: (At least Pearl was nice to lend me enough yen to buy everything we need for the party. That necklace I bought for Marie really strained my wallet, but at least I made her happy, and that's all that matters.)

I was approached by Marie.

Marie: You look a little uneasy... is there something wrong?

I turn to face her and I gave her a smile, well at the same time rubbing the back of my neck.

Azazel: Sorry... I was just overthinking myself.

Marie: Don't overthink too much. You don't want to stress yourself out, now would you?

I gave her a nervous laugh.

Azazel: Guess you're right on that one.

While we were talking on the aisle, Callie came up and hugged me from behind.

Callie: What're you guys talking about?

Azazel: Uh... Marie mentioned how I was looking a little uneasy, and I told her that I'm just overthinking.

Callie: Now that you mention it, you have been a little uneasy recently. Was it something we said?

Azazel: It's not something you guys said, but rather what I'm afraid of most.

Marie: (What could possibly be scaring him this much?)

Callie: (I've never seen him this afraid... I'm worried for him.)

Azazel: Can we talk in the car after we get the stuff for the party?

Callie and Marie nodded.

So after we bought everything that we need, we loaded them up into my car, got in and we're driving back to my house.

Callie: So tell us... why are you feeling uneasy?

Azazel: You know how my mother explained that I'm a Darkling prince?

Marie: Yeah?

Azazel: And that the Mafia is after me on behalf of Octavio?

Callie: What about it?

In all of my years, I've never felt this terrified.

Azazel: I'm afraid of them squidnapping you girls... and everyone I care for.

They now understand why I've been feeling so uneasy. I'm worried that they'll take my family away from me.

Marie: We aren't going anywhere, Azazel. I know you'll come and save us.

And with that very saying, I've understood the importance of what it means to fight for; to protect my home, my family. To preserve peace, and give people hope.

Azazel: Thank you all, for being the family I need most in my darkest times.

I feel like I could take on the whole world.

Azazel: I'm all fired up now.

Callie and Marie giggled

Callie: (He's pretty cute when he's determined.)

Marie: (It's what makes him who he is.)

---

(Marina's POV)

Back at my house, everyone was working hard preparing for the party. Everyone was wearing kimonos that Callie and Marie's parents got for us on Squidmas, and the kimonos match their ink color, while mine is white.

Marina: They should be here with the food by now.

Ahato: This year has been interesting, but for the writer, it's been shit to him.

Pearl: Yeah. I mean, a disease that covered most of the planet in his dimension is not a way to celebrate the year that's gone by, yo.

Juvia: But at the same time, we've have many ups and downs.

Bordeaux: I hope we can make new friends in the future.

Diana: That would be a nice change around here. (Should I tell Azazel about my secret?)

The door opened up to reveal myself, Marie, and Callie.

Callie: We're back~

Marie: Can you guys help us out?

They agreed, and after they helped out, we've managed to get everything in the house.

Once we got the food, drinks, video games, movies, blankets, board games, and much more in the TV, room, we had the party of a lifetime.

---

(Marie's POV)

We were all in the TV room watching a movie, as it was a few hours till midnight. We were trying to find many things to do.

Diana was riding on top of a board that was supported by barrels.

Diana: Oh yeah! It's barrel surfin' time!

As she was barrel surfing, she managed to crash into Pearl.

Diana: You better watch where you're going, Miss Flat Tits!

Pearl: And you better stay out of my way, Miss Grumpy Panties!

They got themselves into a cartoonish brawl.

Marina giggles

Marina: Oh my... we all knew this would happened.

Marie: That's them alright.

As we were enjoying the fight that was happening, an empty sake bottle hit Callie in the head.

Callie: Who threw that at me?!

Diana pointed towards Pearl

Pearl: Fuck you! *She gave Diana the finger*

Callie rushed towards Pearl, and got herself into the brawl.

Ahato: Isn't someone gonna stop them?

Bordeaux: But why? It's entertaining.

Jane: She's right. Back in the mess halls in the Octarian Military, brawls like this were frequent.

Ahato: I guess you do have a point there. It was quite fun to witness the brawls, even more fun when you participate.

Marie: I guess it was a great way for Octarians to let off steam, right?

Juvia: Oh, absolutely. In fact, I'm gonna join in for the fun~

Bordeaux: Count me in~

Ahato: Wait for me~

Now the three Octolings willingly participated in the brawl.

Azazel: I take it you're not going to participate in the brawl, Marina?

Marina: Oh, me? No.. I prefer to watch.

Azazel: I much rather not get into the brawl, since it's the girls that are duking it out.

Marina: Aww~ You're such a sweetheart. *She places my head on her boobs as she hugs me*

Azazel: I'm glad you think that, Marina.

Marie could see that the brawling had turned the house into a complete mess. She got up, tapped her bamboo walking stick on the floor quite hard and loud (even though she doesn't need a walking stick), and gave off a terrifying aura.

Marie: Clean this place up! *She said in a cold tone*

Everyone was scared in their tracks, even Marina and myself were scared.

All of us: Yes, ma'am.

We got to work on cleaning up the house, and we did all sorts of activities before midnight arrived... that don't involve making a mess of the house again.

---

(Diana's POV) -11:45-

We were outside, relaxing on the couch and having snacks.

Diana: (I know the Cap'n can be tough, but I never thought Marie would be that scary.)

Pearl: (Note to self: don't piss off Marie.)

Callie was stuffing her face with snacks, as usual, though she did managed to speak up something.

Callie: Hey, Diana.

Diana: Yeah?

Callie: Don't you think it's about time you told Azazel your secret?

Diana grew a large blush on her face.

Diana: R-Right now?!

Marie: We'll give you two some privacy while we watch the ball drop.

They go back inside, leaving us outside.

Azazel: Wonder what that was about.

Diana: Yeah...

She was quite nervous about something, but I can't put my finger on it.

Azazel: You got something on your mind?

Her blush grew even larger.

Diana: Uh... yeah. It's something that I... never told you.

Azazel: I take it that it's something very personal.

Diana: Yeah... you could say that.

Azazel: Alright. Let's hear it.

Diana: Uh... Uh.... *She was trying to form words*

I stayed silent, knowing that I would make her embarrassment worse.

Diana: I'm actually...

Azazel: Oh?

Diana: ....Bisexual.

That gave me a little surprise, I had no idea she was bisexual. Wait... did Callie and Marie knew about this already?

Azazel: Well... that just got interesting.

Diana turns around to look at me in the eyes.

Diana: You're not mad, are you? *She had a worried tone in her voice*

I placed my hand on her shoulder.

Diana: Huh?

Azazel: Whatever your sexual preference is, I'll respect it. And if I have to give you my honest thoughts, I'd say it's okay to have two lovers that are both the same and opposite gender.

Diana: You... really think so?

Azazel: Of course, Diana. After all, it feels wrong to judge you for something personal.

In an act of kindness, she wrapped her arms around me.

Diana: Thank you.

Azazel: I'll always be there to support you all.

She rested her head on my shoulder, and I couldn't say no to that gesture.

---

(Azazel's POV) -11:58-

It was almost the new year, and Diana had accidentally fallen asleep. I nudged her shoulder to wake her up.

Diana: *Yawns* Did I fall asleep?

Azazel: Yeah, you accidentally fell asleep after resting your head on my shoulder.

Diana quickly jerked her head up.

Diana: Is it midnight already?!

Azazel: No, it's going to be in a few seconds.

Diana let out a sigh of relief.

Diana: Thank God I didn't miss the fireworks.

Azazel: Of all the things in the New Year's night, you're the most beautiful.

Diana was blushing quite hard now.

Diana: W-W-Well, you may be an idiot at times, but you're my idiot. *Her blush was now normal*

We looked at each other, smiling.

---

(Callie's POV)

By now, it reached midnight. Fireworks were going off, everyone is excited for the new year, and Callie was looking by where myself and Diana are.

Callie: Marie... you might want to take a look at this.

Marie: Huh?

She walked over to the window by where Callie is, and when she looked through it, she was quite surprised.

Marie: I always knew she had a soft side for him.

Outside, Diana and myself shared a kiss. After we shared it, we headed back inside.

Marie: So how was it, Diana?

Diana covered her face in embarrassment.

Diana: S-Shut up!

Callie: Don't worry, there's nothing wrong with being someone you love.

Diana: ... I guess you do have a point.

She removed her face from her hands.

Marina: So where are we gonna sleep?

Pearl: Why not Azazel's room?

Azazel: Yeah, you guys can sleep in there.

The idols were happy to hear this, and went upstairs. I felt a poke from my arm.

Diana: Hey, Azazel.

Azazel: What's up?

Diana: Is it okay if I... sleep with you for tonight?

I gave her an honest answer.

Azazel: You can sleep with me, Diana. If you girls want to sleep with me, I don't mind.

Diana was relieved to hear that.

Diana: Thanks, Azazel.

We all make their way upstairs to head the bed. Juvia and Bordeaux went into their room, Ahato went into her room, and lastly Diana and I went into my room.

In my room, the idols will already waiting for me. And as to be expected, they're naked. Diana removes her clothes, leaving herself completely naked.

I just went to put on some sweatpants, and after I was done, I climbed into my bed. The girls climbed in the bed, and the only ones that were directly close to me were Diana and Marina, who had their arms wrapped around me and their heads resting on my chest.

Azazel: Goodnight, girls.

The idols + Diana: Goodnight, Azazel.

The lights were turned off, it was quiet, and it took us a while before we can head to sleep.

Happy New Year's

[I recommend listening to this track while you read what I got to say. If you can't listen to it on Wattpad from your phone, you Spotify or whatever music app you use.]

2020 is finally over. This is perhaps one of the most crazy years that has happened in a long time, but at the same time it brought opportunities for people, like myself. 2020 was the year that I started writing Into the Light, during a time where I was isolated from my friends, and had to take online courses for college. And now that 2020 is over, let us see what 2021 has in store for us. If you guys enjoy this chapter and enjoy this series, be sure to show me some love, hit that vote button, follow me to receive news on Into the Light. I appreciate all of the support you guys are giving me, and I want you all to know that. So, continue with the support, it really means a lot. That being said, myself, Setset19GM, and OctoTeen have some awesome ideas that are going to work out in chapters when the Life For One Color, A Ronin's Harem, and Into the Light crossover becomes a reality. Unfortunately, Darkinkling369 will not be joining the crossover, and we accept that decision. It's scary to know that COVID-19 is still around, but hopefully for this year, we will be able to go back outside and interact with our friends once again. Chapter 40 will be coming out on Wednesday, as I am spending time with family as I'm writing this chapter. As always, I'm RaveDogg, and I'll see you in the next chapter.

January 1st, 2021.