The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.
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When I regained consciousness, I was still in the car, Yuki speeding down a windy road. I looked up and saw my head was resting in Annis's lap in the back of the van. Alex and Shadow shared the two middle seats in front of us while Yuki drove and Nozomi got shotgun.

I couldn't move or talk, all I could do look up at Annis. She looked down at me, gently rubbed my hair, then whispered something that made me pass out again, likely some kind of Angel magic.

The second time I woke up, I was being carried into Yuki's mansion. Alex and Nozomi were carrying me up into a bedroom right next to where we had Asuka resting. Before I could see anything more, I passed out again.

My third and final time waking up was much more pleasant. I was laying down in a really comfortable bed in a large bedroom. Finally, I could move again. I sat up and rubbed my throbbing head, remembering how Yuki kicked me.

Draco: "D-Damnit, Yuki"

I slipped out of bed and slowly walked over to the door. I looked over at the clock on table close to the door and saw it was around 10pm. Even so, I heard people talking downstairs. I then left my bedroom, only to be greeted by Shadow's succubus assistants.

Succubus 1:"Good evening, Mr Draco~"

Succubus 2: "Master will be very pleased that you're awake~"

I didn't get a chance to explain what they looked like before, mainly because I was looking the other way. Now I was getting the perfect look at them, despite how much I wish I was looking away.

They were wearing some... revealing clothing, with bat wings on their back, curved horns on their head, and a long, skinny spade tail on their lower back. Their pupils were literal hearts instead of the normal circle. The first one had long purple hair and the other had long red hair. They both had bright pink eyes though.

The two of them got closer to me, which I hate to admit made me blush.

Succubus 1: "How is your body feeling? Do you feel any pain~?"

Succubus 2: "We can assist you with anything your body needs~ Anything~"

I'm not going to lie, part of me was getting a little nervous around them. That's when I suddenly heard Shadow down the hall.

Shadow: "Quit it, you two, or I'm sending you back to the Second Circle"

Succubus 1 & 2: "Sorry Master!~"

The two of them walked away, going into another room. Shadow walked over to me.

Shadow: "Sorry about that... Got them straight from the Second Circle, so they're not the best to be around"

Draco: "Second Circle? Like, Hell?"

Shadow: "Yes, the Circle of Lust. Those who were lustful in life are sent to that circle"

Draco: "What happens?"

Shadow: "You really wanna know?"

Draco: "Yeah, you know what, never mind. If those succubus are from there, I definitely don't want to know"

I could tell he was smirking under his mask.

Shadow: "Come on, the others are planning downstairs. Though Yuki has been keeping me away"

Draco: "I get she's worried, but you're not that bad of a guy"

He blushed a small bit, which I could tell been through his mask.

Shadow: "W-Whatever"

We walked downstairs and saw them gathered in the living room. Nozomi immediately jumped up off of the couch and pulled me into a hug.

Nozomi: "Are you okay? Don't worry me like that!"

She smacked me on the back of my head.

Nozomi: "As your older sister, I can't let that happen again. It's happened twice now. I'm banning you from doing anything that reckless again!"

Draco: "O-Okay, sorry"

She sighed and hugged me again.

I looked over at another couch and saw Asuka was awake. She wasn't wearing any bandages, however she had to wear some of Yuki's clothes since we didn't exactly bring any with. Though from what I later learned, she used her alchemy abilities to make them fit perfectly and change color.

Draco: "Good to see you're back on your feet"

Asuka: "You too, I was worried the whole time you guys were gone"

I noticed Alex and Yuki were being quiet.

Draco: "What's up?"

Alex: "Nothing, man, just... a bit concerned"

Draco: "What do you mean?"

Alex: "After you unlocked your Dragons Bane, you looked like you did back in the House of God. You looked like a Demon"

Draco: "I did?"

Yuki: "Yeah, and you seemed even stronger in that state"

Draco: "I don't really remember..."

Asuka: "Maybe it's a side effect of the Dragons Bane, we don't exactly know much about it"

Alex: "Still... it has us concerned. Don't get the wrong idea, Draco, we still trust you. But... you have to admit that it's a little scary"

Yuki: "We know you aren't a Demon since my sweet Nozomi is human. So maybe you're getting possessed by something, like a Sin"

Remembering what happened when the Sin locator pointed at Nozomi made me doubt everything. It happened again, me turning into something of a Demon. Nozomi being a Sin, that would explain everything. But... come on, there's no way she could be a Sin, right?

Nozomi saw me staring at her.

Nozomi: "You okay? Do you need to sit down?"

Draco: "N-No, I'm okay"

I suddenly heard a voice from behind me.

Annis: "You won't be for long..."

I turned around and saw Annis was floating behind me, a huge angry pout on her face and her hands on her hips.

Draco: "Crap..."

Annis: "You have a lot of explaining to do!!"

Draco: "Okay, yeah, I get that. But quick question, why are you acting so different?"

Annis: "Because back then, I was trying to keep myself composed. But after the problems you've caused, I can't keep it in!!"

She grabbed me by my shirt.

Annis: "You turned your back on God!!! You rejected the task that's been placed upon you by the Holy Father!!!"

Draco: "O-Okay!! I get it!! I'm sorry!!"

Annis: "Sorry doesn't cut it!!"

Draco: "L-Look! We've already taken down the Sin of Sloth! Just c-calm down!"

Annis: "Don't you tell me to calm down!!!!!"

Thankfully, Asuka interrupted.

Asuka: "A-Annis, with all do respect, wasn't it you that chose Draco for the task without talking about it first?"

Annis immediately froze, getting really nervous.

Annis: "W-Well, I-I mean..."

Asuka: "You talk about him not taking responsibility when you forced it on him. Even if he was meant for the task, you volunteered him before he was ready. So yeah, it makes sense that he would reject it. So instead of yelling at him, you should train him so he can fulfill his mission"

Annis let go of me and sighed.

Annis: "I guess you have a point..."

She pouted and looked away from me.

Annis: "Fine, I'll train you. But I won't go easy on you"

Draco: "Fine by me, as long as you don't yell at me like you've been doing"

Annis: "Hmph!"

She vanished in a flash of golden light.

Yuki: "Angels... got to hate them"

I looked back at Asuka.

Draco: "Thanks for helping me take care of Annis, I owe you one"

Asuka: "Guess you're back in my debt~"

She winked at me teasingly.

Yuki: "Listen, we don't have the energy to go after another Sin tonight. So everyone, rest up and be ready for tomorrow"

Alex: "If that's the case, I'm off to bed. Maybe I'll play on my phone a bit before then. Night"

Alex started to walk away when Yuki called out.

Yuki: "Just remember that your room is right next to mine, so keep the volume on your porn down!"

Alex: "I-I'm not going to— Shut it!!!"

Yuki smirked and Nozomi gently jabbed her elbow into Yuki's side.

Nozomi: "Why do you have to be so mean to everyone?"

Yuki: "Because it's fun~"

Nozomi: "Don't make me be mean to you"

Yuki: "You wouldn't dare~"

Draco: "Get a room"

Yuki: "How about your go to your room"

I rolled my eyes.

Draco: "Okay, Mom"

That night, I couldn't sleep, mainly do to stress. We had six more days and only one Sin had been beaten. Not killed, so we aren't sure if we actually beat him or not.

Either way, it just meant more stress for me. Within the next week, I either had to kill Satan or let the world end. I'd like to see you try and sleep with that over your shoulders.

That's when I suddenly heard a scream from next door. I leaped out of bed and ran to the room next to me, which is where Asuka was. I threw open the door and saw Asuka sitting up in bed in a cold sweat. She was panting heavily and had nothing but fear in her eyes. I turned the lights on.

Draco: "Asuka, what's wrong?"

She looked up at me and her breathing steadied a bit.

Asuka: "N-Nothing, just... a bad nightmare"

I could see she was shivering out of fear.

Asuka: "Y-You can go, I'll be alright"

I could tell she was lying.

I turned the lights back off and closed the door behind me before walking up to her bed. I then pulled up a chair and sat right next to her bed.

Draco: "I'll stay here until you fall asleep"

Asuka: "A-Are you sure? I don't want to bother you with something so small—"

Draco: "It's not small, you're still scared about the nightmare. You won't be able to sleep with it on your mind. So I'll stay here and protect you while you sleep, so... maybe that'll give you a bit of comfort or security"

Asuka: "Y-You're so sweet, Draco. T-Thank you!"

Thank god it was dark in the room, because I think I was blushing a bit.

Draco: "I-It's nothing, really. Just try and get some sleep"

She hesitated.

Asuka: "Hey Draco... I'm sorry you've been forced into all of this... I was told what happened back in the fight with the Sin of Sloth. What... do you even think about this fight anymore?"

I took a few seconds to respond, staring up at the ceiling.

Draco: "I guess you can say I've finally accepted what I have to do. I wanted nothing to do with this before, I was so tempted to just give up. But after fighting the Sin earlier, and nearly losing everyone I still care about, I realized what I need to. I have a responsibility now, and I've accepted it. But more than that, I want to keep you all safe, no matter what"

Asuka: "You've also accepted the fact that you may die?"

Draco: "It's either I kill Satan or not. If I die fighting him, I would've died anyways if I failed. But that's not an option for me. I will win. I won't let you guys die, that's a promise"

Asuka smiled in the darkness.

Asuka: "Thanks, Draco. I feel much safer now"

Surprisingly, there wasn't a hint of sarcasm in her voice.

She took a deep breath and laid back down. After a few minutes, she drifted off to sleep. Maybe a few minutes later, she started whimpering in her sleep, tossing and turning. She whispered in her sleep.

Asuka: "N-No.... S...stay away.... Don't... hurt..."

I reached my hand out and held her hand. I gently rubbed the back of her hand with my thumb. She seemed to calm down and go back to normal sleep.

It was a long night, but after maybe an hour, I managed to fall asleep in that chair.

After all the craziness from yesterday, I completely forgot about what Darcel had told me. Whenever I slept, he would be training me.

In my dream, I was back in Darcel's massive throne room. He was sitting atop his throne, drinking some blood red wine out of a glass. He still looked stoned out of his mind, however he seemed a bit more alert this time.

Darcel: "Ah! Draco, good to you!"

He got down from his throne and walked down to me.

Darcel: "Congratulations on beating your first Sin! Even if you didn't kill him, Sins take at least a week or two to escape Hell. By the time Belphegor comes back, Armageddon will have already been stopped"

Draco: "The same thing happened to the Sin of Lust last week. Should we have to worry about him too?"

Darcel: "Oh yes, he's already running rampant"

Draco: "Damn... Guess I couldn't get too greedy"

Darcel put his drink down on a nearby table.

Darcel: "Speaking of, the next closet Sin is Mammon, the Sin of Greed. Quite the powerful Sin indeed"

He turned to me.

Darcel: "In any case, your training must start as soon as possible. So, please take out your Dragons Bane text book and turn to page 666"

Draco: "T-The what?"

The book on the Dragons Bane appeared directly in front of me, floating in the air. The pages turned at rapid speed before stopping on page 666.

Draco: "What— Page 666? Isn't that—"

Darcel: "The Devil's number, yes. Naturally, the Dragons Bane begins on the Devil's number, quite ironic since it's the tool used to kill him"

Draco: "Where should I start?"

Darcel: "Just start reading, then when you think you're ready, we may begin your combat training"

Draco: "H-Huh? Why don't we just start with that"

Darcel: "All in due time. Combat is more than just throwing punches. Analyzing and knowing your enemy's weaknesses are also very important"

Draco: "Shouldn't my main priority be mastering the Dragons Bane? That way, I can take down the Sins or any Demons that get in my way"

Darcel looked at the book.

Darcel: "Let me be clear, Draco. The Dragons Bane isn't what you make it out to be. It is merely the sole power that can defeat Satan, not a trump card against any foe you may come across. While it does indeed give you more power than normal, it merely gives you the strength to outweigh your lack of experience or training"

Draco: "Right..."

I looked up at him as I remembered a huge question I had.

Draco: "How would it be possible to be possessed by a Demon?"

His eyes fixated on me.

Darcel: "What do you mean?"

Draco: "Hypothetically, say I was possessed. What would I look like?"

Darcel: "Why do you ask?"

Draco: "Just curious"

He didn't believe me, but he gave me an answer anyways.

Darcel: "Being possessed isn't as easy to identify as you would think. The body itself doesn't change and the Demon possessing someone would have all of said person's memories. The only way to truly tell is to splash holy water on them and see if they start burning"

Draco: "Got it"

Darcel: "I'll ask again, why do you ask?"

Draco: "Some stuff happened while fighting the Sin earlier today. Don't really want to get into it right now"

Darcel: "Very well, back to reading"

I did as he said and sat down against one of the pillars in the room. I read for what seemed like hours until my eyes started to get sore.

There was so much information that I'm surprised I managed to keep in my head. It was like some kind of photographic memory, but it only seemed to work on this book.

Draco: "I can't read anymore, I may need glasses to keep this up"

I rubbed my eyes.

Darcel: "Very well, we shall begin your combat training immediately"

I stood up and stretched since my back had gotten stiff. I looked over at Darcel and saw he was setting up some kind of weird circle on the ground, kind of like the magic circle we used to locate the Sins.

Draco: "What's that?"

He waved his hand and my sword appeared floating in front of me.

Darcel: "This will be your combat training. Good luck"

The circle on the ground began to glow as a figure began to form out of black smoke.

I saw a weird humanoid creature. It's skin was covered on some kind of shell like armor. It had spikes protruding from its body. It didn't seem to have eyes, only a large mouth with razor sharp teeth. It had a long tail with strong looking legs. It's arms were massive with sharp claws on the end of its fingers.

Draco: "W-What is that?!"

Darcel: "That is what we call a Corrupted Demon. It should've been covered in your book"

Draco: "Wasn't exactly a picture book"

Without any time to think, the Demon slashed its massive claws at me. I just barely managed to duck and roll out of the way, however the Demon stopped before attacking again.

Darcel: "I will not help you, you are on your own. If you die, that's it. Use your wit and cunning to defeat it"

I remembered every word that was in the book about this Demon. They are created when a mortal soul becomes corrupted before they even enter Hell, resulting in this beast. They lack eyes, however their senses of hearing and smell are enhanced greatly.

There was a page on their weaknesses, however very little I could actually exploit. Most were holy spells or purification, none of which I could do. That left me with only two options. Banish it into hell by force or strike it's weak spot, the inside of its mouth.

It's entire body was covered in armor, since the skin itself was the armor. It said that even a bomb couldn't break it. So I had to get creative.

I ran at the Demon, hoping to get its attention on me. Sadly, it worked. It was now chasing me down with blinding speed, running on all fours. Adrenaline kicked in and I ran for my life. I tried to sidestep at a stone pillar, making it crash into it. While it did crash straight into it, the Demon had completely destroyed it and continued running. When it finally stopped, it lost all track of me. I made sure to stay quiet as it could hear me if I was too loud. And my scent was clouded by all of the dust and debris from the pillar.

In order to kill it, I would need to get it to open its mouth and thrust my sword straight into it, cutting it from the inside.

The Demon was walking around slowly, listening for any sign of me. My heart was racing so fast that I could hear it like a loud speaker. I kept my breathing under control and I tried to recall any other weaknesses of the Demon.

Then it clicked.

It was extremely sensitive to sound, so if I could make a noise loud enough, it could leave it open for attack.

I then remembered back in the House of God when I yelled at Arana. I yelled so loud that I somehow cracked one of the pillars holding the roof up. That was my only shot.

Why am I such an idiot...

I sprinted at the Demon, jumping on its back while it was turned and somehow not getting thrown off. I then screamed at the top of my lungs, right into its ears. However when I yelled, it didn't come out like my voice. It was a roar, like that of a dragon.

The Demon screeched, leaving its mouth open. I leaped off of the Demon, and with a surprising amount of accuracy, threw my sword mid air. The blade entered its mouth, cutting it from the inside. After struggling a bit, the Demon fell dead to the ground with the hilt of my sword still poking out.

I grabbed my sword and yanked it out of the Demon's mouth, blood still covering the blade.

Draco: "Thank god this is just a dream...."

Darcel: "Congratulations, Draco my boy! Your training for today is complete"

Draco: "What?! That's it?"

He looked down at me with a weird grin.

Darcel: "Tell me, what kind of training did you think this would be?"

Draco: "I don't know, maybe teach me how to use my powers"

Darcel: "And did you think it would be as simple as showing you how? You can be the most powerful being in existence but not have the knowledge and prowess to wield it"

Draco: "Huh?"

Darcel: "Let me put it this way. Say I had you a sword, and I'm unarmed. Yes, I'm at a disadvantage and you have a deadly weapon, but without the skills to use it, it's useless to you. The same goes for your Dragon Bane. You may have the power to kill Satan, but in combat, you wouldn't be able to wield it properly"

He took another sip from his wine glass.

Darcel: "That's what this exercise was about. You used your intellect to defeat that Demon, rather than rushing in with the little experience you have. You played it cautious, not stupid. That's the first step to improvement, not by being the strongest, but by knowing how to use it"

He waved his hand and my book appeared floating in front of me.

Darcel: "You have memorized everything on Demons in that book, all of their weaknesses and strengths. Use your knowledge to make up for your lack of battle training. Even with so little, you managed to defeat such a powerful Demon by yourself, even without the Dragon Bane"

I looked at him blankly.

Draco: "I'm so lost"

Darcel: "Apologies, what I'm trying to say is that you cannot use your Dragon Bane until you learn the basics. Because what good is a power you can't control and use to your advantage?"

Draco: "I... guess you're right"

He rolled his eyes with a smirk.

Darcel: "You didn't really think I would make you leave with only that, did you? Turn to page 880, you'll see a new form of training I want you to try. Do it in the waking world, where life energy is plentiful"

Draco: "Life energy?"

Darcel: "Oh you will see, for now I must leave. Your next opponent will be quite troublesome, but I have full confidence you will succeed"

Before he could turn away, he stopped himself.

Darcel: "There was also something else to learn from this. There are actually many ways you could've challenged that Demon. You could have taken the lazy route and tried brute force over and over until you died. But you decided to be more strategic about it, you put extra effort into this, even if your life was in danger. You went against Sloth, showing Diligence instead, the polar opposite of Sloth"

Draco: "What does that matter?"

Darcel: "When you nearly gave up in your battle, you chose to not give into the Sin of Sloth. You didn't take the lazy way out and kept fighting diligently. The Sins are mostly immortal, however they can be defeated by their polar opposites. That's the key to success, Himeko. That's also the key to your own inner demon"

Draco: "Inner what?!"

Darcel: "Looks like our time is up. Also, watch your head"

Draco: "Wha—"

I was suddenly yanked out of my dream and I stood up immediately. I suddenly slammed my head against something extremely hard. When I opened my eyes, I saw Asuka was laying on the ground in front of me, rubbing her forehead.

Asuka: "Ow!"

Draco: "A-Asuka?! Are you okay?"

I held my hand out to her and helped her up.

Asuka: "Y-Yeah, you have a really hard head"

Draco: "I'll take that as a compliment"

I remembered the nightmare she had last night.

Draco: "How are you feeling?"

Asuka: "Besides a throbbing headache, pretty good!"

Draco: "That's good"

I suddenly heard the sound of some thud downstairs.

Draco: "What was—"

Asuka: "Yeah— That's why I came to wake you up. Shadow and Yuki aren't getting along very well"

I sighed after I heard the sound of glass breaking.

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Hey everyone, I hope you enjoyed this chapter!!

I know it's been a while since I've posted an update on this, and it's because I've been in a bit of a depressed mood lately— But I'll do my best to get back to it!

See you all next time!!