"What's going on...Miko? What are you doing here...?"

"Just as I said, a new game is about to begin. A battle between 2 demons for a particular soul. It's almost childish." Miko crossed her arms as she looked over the giant manipulated garden maze. "In case you have gathered, Hannah plans to use Jim's soul for this particular game. Although you kept his soul safe and away from Claude, Hannah waited for the perfect opportunity to snatched it from you and use it on the boy who has been inside this estate this whole time."

"Hannah is going to use Alois's soul on Ciel's body as a host."

"Precisely. I'm starting to think the little Sheep had a soft spot for the boy this whole time~" Miko teased. "Hannah has already used the ring on Ciel, so Alois has already taken control over his body. If you still plan to get ahold of Ciel, then you will have some difficulties. While you were away playing 'Housewife', I was off doing my own little research. You bleeding red for the first time, Claude's plan, and Sebastian's whereabouts. The 3 of you are such a big mess all together."

"I never asked you to come looking for me or looking into me."

"No. But you were hoping, no?" Miko smirked, and Mute slumped her shoulders. Deep down she was waiting for Miko to do something. It had felt so long since she saw her trusted friend, and she was grateful that she, once again, came through for her. "Mute, have you discovered what all of this means yet? The Boys? The demons? This game?"

Mute turned her attention to the garden maze again before nodding her head. "I was originally going to keep Alois away from Claude so I can set his soul free when I had the chance. But, with Alois's desire still not fulfilled, and how the circumstances are now, Alois had a whole new desire. One that included both Ciel and Claude, while including Sebastian. I wonder... How long has Alois & Hannah been planning this? To have all the pieces come together?"

"Amazing what a soul can accomplish. But now, we can only sit here and watch the 2 demons fight over their food. I rather you didn't get yourself involved. The demons have agreed to play this little game, but if the sight of you comes along, they'll get distracted and might try to do something. Although, I have no doubt that Sebastian will protect you. Seeing how he has healed the bruises Claude left on you a few nights ago."

"Exactly how long have you been watching me!?" Mute hugged herself tightly as she glared at her friend. She sighed and turned her gaze back to the garden before her eyes shifted upward to the tower where Ciel and Hannah stood. 'Alois has already taken over Ciel's body. I'm too late.' 

"Mute. Do you still wish to save Alois from his fate? If you interfere in this fight, what will happen to you?" Miko said suddenly. Mute turned back to her friend while giving her a questioning look. "You are so quick to help others, but you do not look after yourself. Why do you care so much about others in despair and not yourself?" 

"What are you getting at, Miko?" 

"The night of the Costume Ball when you were bleeding red for the first time. Have you forgotten that night? I went to see an old friend, who has also been keeping a close eye on you ever since your transformation. No doubt Sebastian has figured it out every time he looks at you." Miko walked toward Mute, her arms still crossed, with a suspicious look on her face. 

"Undertaker?" 

"You may have a mutilated form, but that is the likes and thank of your soul for granting you that power. Tell the truth, Mute. Were you once human too? Otherwise, you wouldn't have bled that crimson color..." Miko gently cupped her friend's cheek with her voice soft and tint of hurt. 

Mute's heart pounded against her chest with anxiety. "What-" 

"The more you are around humans, the more you act like them. As if you were embracing a part of yourself that you once cherished. Your changed your heart black, but it still bleeds red deep down. Even Undertaker figured you out back at the Chapel when we were facing that Angel." 

"So the two of you knew?" 

"You gave out hints little by little. " Miko pinched her pointer and thumb finger as if she were holding a grape between her fingers. "You may not have a control over your new form, but you find ways to manage it. Or have you forgotten the riddles that was laid out for you?" Miko teased at the end of her sentence, having Mute recall the times she encountered Undertaker and the conversations she's had with Sebastian and Miko. 

Mute closed her eyes and breathed out a laugh, as if admitting defeat in a game. 'And yet I still don't know anything about the Demon Laws of Mates and Contracts.' 

"So, I ask again, Mute. Do you still plan to save a soul from a demon's grasp? How can you be of any use to this fight?" 

"If it is possible." Mute turned back to the garden maze, then to Ciel and Hannah up on the tower. 'A soul taking over another's body with the help of a demon, and 2 demons chasing after the same soul. But...this is not my game. This garden...is all designed by the soul user itself. So Alois has questions of his own he wants answered.' Mute took a step back and closed her eyes as she replied, "I cannot interfere in this fight, nor can I be of use in this game." 

"Oh? Is your mind curious of something else?" 

"This is not the game I created, nor is it mine to control. It's clear Alois has questions of his own he wants answers to. And I am curious to know what they are myself." Mute opened her eyes and looked down at the garden once more, gazing upon Sebastian. 

"What do you plan to do? You're up to something. Mute?" 

Mute turns to her friend and lightly smirks. "I'm going to dance with the devil." 

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A little short side story of Mute and her purpose :P