Another picture of Ai above.

"Why are we staying at an inn if the house is still here?" Ai asked as they walked down the streets.

"Because I've been around when Abalon fixes the house before, and trust me you won't be able to sleep through that racket. It's best to stay out of his way."

"He's stuck to a wall, how much space could he need..?" Mitsu grumbled.

"You know what I meant!" Kuroyami snapped. She turned into the inn doors, the others following.

Ai gasped quietly clingy to the the other girl's. "Royal Knights." She pointed out.

Sure enough there was a group of Royal knights in the lobby area laughing over glasses full of booze. They were amongst a few other consumers.

"I hope they aren't drunk on duty..." Mitsu stated angrily.

"They don't seem to recognize us, so just act casual." Kuroyami added before walking up to the front desk, Ai still sticking close. "Two rooms please."

"Of course mam, sign in please." The lady replied placing the pen onto the book in front of them. "You'll be in rooms 4 and 5, and I hope you-"

She cut off as a maid suddenly let out a scream.

They all looked over to see that when she'd opened the door to the lobby bathroom a young girl had rolled out. Everyone had stopped what they were doing to notice the scene.

Mitsu hurried over just to realize she was hardly breathing, and had deep cuts covering her wrists that most likely caused her to be bleeding to death. He glared over to Kuroyami, knowing this would happen.

"Oh my!" The maid exclaimed seeming spastic. "You gentleman, do something!" She referred to the Royal Knights.

"Like what?" One of them asked. "If she wants to take the easy way out we can't just change her mind."

Kuroyami looked to him suspiciously, not only because of his cold nonchalant reply, but because she alone had noticed the smile on his lips when he looked away again.

Mitsu widened his eyes, his grip suddenly tightening around the girl as he noticed her slight breathing stopped. "She's dead..." he looked down letting his hair cover his face.

There was another scream this time in the direction of the staircase.

"Lillian!" A woman exclaimed running over to the now dead girl. "No... no... this can't be happening." She began to sob lightly when she saw the cuts as Mitsu let her take the body. "It doesn't make sense."

Kuroyami walked over placing a hand on the woman's shoulder and kneeling down. "I'm sorry... but what do you mean it doesn't make sense?"

"That she'd do this to herself." The woman replied trying to settle herself as much as she could to speak. "We were just talking this morning... she was so happy her boyfriend finally proposed to her. She was going on and on about wedding plans... why would she do this..?"

"I don't know..." Kuroyami replied. "Again, I'm sorry for your loss..."

A man who was in the lobby walked up to the woman as well speaking softly with pity. "Do you know where you want the body? We shouldn't leave her here..."

The woman nodded through her tears. "Yes, I suppose we can't. I'll show you." She stood letting the man take Lillian and they left the building.

Kuroyami looked over to notice Mitsu still sitting on the ground, letting his hair create a shadow across his face. He had a small amount of the girl's blood on his hand.

Ai looked disturbed, but did her best to calm herself before walking over to her companions. "Mitsu... are you okay?"

He was shaking lightly and he sounded like he was speaking through gritted teeth. "Did you hear the way he talked about her?" He kept his voice down, but still hostile. "There was a girl dying in front of him, and yet as a royal knight, he couldn't care less." It was then that they noticed he was shaking in anger.

"It does seem strange that this is now the second group of so called Royal Knights who haven't exactly lived up to their reputation." Kuroyami replied. "There's something that wasn't right about the way they reacted too... like they already knew... and she didn't have a soul either. Which leads me to wonder... are the Royal Knights working with a demon..? Or maybe the Royal family themselves."

"What?!" Ai asked in surprise. "Surely that can't be true."

"Think about it, Mitsu is banished from the Royal Knights for no legitimate reason, seemingly to get rid of him, and then directly after that the Royal Knights start taxing people, drinking in public, and ignoring a request for help? That's something they'd never do at the time Mitsu was a part of them. Not to mention I know they at least knew something about that girl's suicide. The guy wore a smug smile, and their souls felt no distress upon seeing a girl dying." She explained. "And you can accuse me of jumping to hyperbolized conclusions, I've been looking into this for a while, and these occurrences have only convinced me more. There's demon involvement in Vandell's monarchy."

"That's ridiculous." Mitsu snapped. "The royal family and their knights would never align themselves with a demon." He tried to sound determined, but there was a fear of doubt in his voice.

"You don't know that." Kuroyami glared at him. "You've been taught from a young age to always trust and protect the royal family. You can't let your biased opinions get in the way of true facts."

"Well." Ai cut in before the conversation could escalate. "Isn't it possible that the Royal family is victimized. If it's a demon, or demons, they could be being forced against their will."

Kuroyami sighed like she didn't really believe that explanation, but took it into consideration anyway. "That's possible." She then watched as Mitsu stood up.

"Anyway, its late, I'm going to bed." He mumbled.

"We should rest too Ai." Kuroyami replied and they all started making their way to the room as the receptionist continued to try and calm the maid.

Ai yawned going into room 5 immediately, while Kuroyami lingered in the hall a bit. She looked over to Mitsu who was unlocking his own door, a plain expression on his face. She looked closer and noticed the hand that had the small amount of blood on it was clenched in a tight fist. "Mitsu." She addressed him making him freeze mid turn of the knob.

He didn't reply, but stood there to listen.

"There's nothing you could have done." She told him.

He let out a sharp breath at that looking to the side. Then his fist slowly fell flat and he opened the door disappearing into the room.

-&-

"Mitsu!" There was a loud knocking at the former Royal Knight's door the next morning. "Wake up, we've got things to do!"

Mitsu shot up at the loud noise, bit apron realizing it was just Kuroyami he sighed in annoyance. "Alright, alright!"

"Meet us down in the lobby!" She called before he heard her walk away.

"God, can I not just get a break..?" He mumbled to himself before pushing himself off the bed and moving no toward the bathroom.

-&-

Mitsu was walking down the stairs to the lobby when someone ran into him.

"I'm sorry!" The panicky voice stated before looking up. "Oh, it's just you. Good morning Mitsu." Ai smiled happily up at him.

"Good morning Ai." He responded kindly. "Where's the She-devil?"

"Waiting for breakfast. I was actually coming to get you before it ended." She answered casually. "Were sitting over here." Ai started to lead him to their table.

"Geez finally, did you feel like sleeping in?" Kuroyami asked once Mitsu sat down.

"No, I just felt like I deserved a nice bath after everything I've been through." He growled.

"You aren't still sulking are you?" She questioned an annoyed expression taking over her face.

Mitsu looked away resting his chin in the palm of his hand. "No."

"Good because we're going to need you to help find this demon." She stated, folding her napkin.

"Really?" Ai asked as both her and Mitsu perked up to look at her.

"I thought you said you didn't care about this." Mitsu added.

"I don't really, but I do care if there is a demon influence in the royal family. Finding the killer could me finding some crucial information into solving just what is going down in Vandell." She replied.

Mitsu felt a small smile tug at his lips. "Okay, well then how are we supposed to find this killer?"

"Follow the killings of course. Even if the murderer isn't directly with the victim, I wouldn't at all doubt that they were nearby watching. I've never known a killer not to enjoy the rush of seeing their death firsthand." She explained. She then lowered her voice as she referred to the group of Knights behind her. "On the other hand those Royal Knights definitely have some sort of play in this, whether they are directly involved or just know it's happening I don't know, but they are suspects. I want you and Ai to keep and eye on them, follow them if you must, but make sure you inform me of any suspicious activity. I'll handle the killer."

"Alone?" Mitsu questioned.

"I would have the best chance against him if he caught me in a corner." She replied. "It's the best plan we've got."

"Well it's not like I have much of a choice..." Mitsu grumbled.

"Glad it's settled then." She smiled smugly.

-&-

"They aren't doing anything, but drinking..." Ai mumbled as she and Mitsu were still sat in the hotel watching the group of bumbling Royal Knights, who were laughing at one guy's drunken story about how his wife left him.

"Maybe they really are just a bunch of assholes who have nothing to do with it." Mitsu stated.

"It sure seems to be looking that way." Ai sighed.

Just then three of them started to stand.

"You idiots take care." The one who spoke the night before stated dropping an amount of money on the table before he left with the other two.

Ai and Mitsu looked to each other before standing and leaving after them.

-&-

Kuroyami was wondering the streets keeping her eyes peeled and ears open for anything.

"Did you hear there were two more suicides last night?" A woman asked an old shopkeeper.

"Really?" He asked seeming shocked.

"Yes." She replied. "A young girl at the inn, and old man Harvey up on the hill."

"Harvey?" He questioned. "That's strange, I've known the old chap for a long time. He takes pride in his grandchild, and is one of the happiest old men I've ever seen."

"All of this does seem quite suspicious does it not?" The woman sighed. "But the police and even those Royal Knights are saying there's no evidence it's anything other than just suicide."

"I guess our world is just changing..." the old man trailed off sadly.

After hearing the conversation Kuroyami started walking toward the house on the hill.

-&-

"They're separating." Ai whispered as the main Knight and another separated from the third, after a bit of following them.

"Hm... we should split up too. I'll take the two, you follow the other." He stated. "And be careful."

"Okay." She nodded.

"Ai wait." He stopped her from waking off.

"Hm?" She looked back to him.

He took something out of one of his pockets and handed it to her. "I got this for you when we were shopping the other day."

She looked to see it was a small sheath, she opened it to see a long sliver knife, and widened her eyes.

"Just in case." He said.

She frowned, but then nodded returning the weapon to its holder. "Right. Stay safe." She then walked off in the direction of the knight.

-&-

"I'm so sorry, I'm a little flustered." The young girl who sat down across from Kuroyami in her living room stared after handing her some tea.

"That's quite alright." Said demon forced a polite smile. "With what's happened I understand."

The girl let out a breath to calm herself.

"Annabelle." Kuroyami place the tea cup in its saucer. "Where did your grandfather die..?"

She flinched slightly at the question, but answered. "Right here in the house. He poisoned himself."

"Here..?" Kuroyami raised an eyebrow. "Tell me, have you noticed anyone else in the house lately? A break in perhaps?"

"Why?" She asked in confusion. "What does that have to do with his suicide?"

"Well we're looking into the possibility that these deaths weren't actually suicides." Kuroyami explained.

"Oh my..." Annabelle covered her mouth slightly, but then took in another breath. "There was a break in about two days ago when I was out, but they didn't take anything. My grandfather was asleep, but they didn't harm him either."

"You're sure they didn't take anything?" Kuroyami stressed.

"I didn't see anything missing." She replied. "I'm just so confused. Honestly if it was a murder that would make so much more sense. My grandfather was so kind and loving. He was so happy when I moved in and we grew closer. I just can't believe he'd do this to us..."

"I'm sure he's happy now too." Kuroyami told her.

Annabelle smiled for the first time since she'd arrived. "Yes, I hope so... thank you."

-&-

Ai followed the man cautiously making sure to hide and keep enough distance, so not to be seen. She watched from behind a brick wall as the Knight stopped at the police building, to the side door, and knocked.

The police chief from yesterday emerged. They were talking in hushed voices, so Ai couldn't hear them, but the chief looked afraid.

They then exchanged something and they both disappeared into the building.

"What was that about?" Ai wondered to herself.

-&-

Kuroyami was leaving Annabelle house and was halfway down the driveway when she heard a cry. She looked over to see a neighbor staring up in horror at a man dangling from a tree, a rope around his neck.

Kuroyami looked around, she listened.

"This doesn't make sense!" The woman cried out. "This can't make sense!" She sobbed.

Then Kuroyami saw him the man from behind another tree slip into the shadows.

She sprinted in his direction, he was far, but she caught his scent immediately.

-&-

Mitsu followed the two Royal Knights into an abandoned area of the city. And watched as they stood in the middle of an area behind a few buildings, only narrow alleyways leading in and out of it.

If he made the slightest sound he'd be caught.

"Gentlemen." Another man wth black hair, obviously not a knight, walked in from one of the darkened alley's. "So glad you could make it."

"Is the plan working or not?" One of them asked rudely.

"Of course it is, and really dear human you shouldn't talk like that to me." The man smirked walking up to the Knight and tilting his chin up. The man's eyes tinted blood red, and even though his voice was teasing, it still threatened. "No one ever said I had to bring either of you back alive."

He's the demon. Mitsu though clutching his sword in anger, but he knew better to attack three people in such a confined space.

The Knight yanked away, trying to seem angry, but you could almost sense his fear.

"Don't worry men, you'll get your rewards in due time." The demon chuckled. He then froze looking around. "Get out of here!" He yelled at the two of them.

They ran immediately, and none other than Kuroyami shot out from another alley attacking the demon with her sword.

He barely had time to block her blow with his extremely long claws. "Well well if it isn't the infamous Kuroyami."

She widened her eyes and jumped away.

Mitsu found it to be safe to emerge so he came out of his hiding place and stood by her, readying his sword.

She gave him a sideways glance, but that was all.

"Oh and you have a human puppet." The demon chuckled.

"How do you know my name?" Kuroyami asked with a glare.

"I was ordered to learn it." He replied simply. "I know a bit more as well, like you're the one with the rumored disappearing house. Clever invention I must admit. Going between dimensions for faster travel, impressive."

"You're the one who forced us out aren't you? You pulled the house out of the inbetween, and brought us here." She accused.

"Guilty as charged." He replied putting his hands up in fake surrender.

"You're also the once who killed, that girl." Mitsu growled in anger.

"Which one? Oh you mean the pretty little one who wouldn't shut up about wedding plans?" He laughed. "Ah yes, she was one of them. It's so satisfying you know. Creating such irony, making the happiest people end their life, so everyone else is left so confused. Never being able to truly solve the mystery. Mm... yes..." he wrapped his arms around himself shivering in satisfaction. "It's so exhilarating! Feeling their souls die out in your own hands!"

Mitsu grew angrier, and he went to lunge forward, but Kuroyami's scolding voices stopped him.

"Mitsu." She narrowed her eyes. "Not yet." She looked back to the demon in disgust. "Alright you nut job, tell me why? Why bring me here, why learn my name?"

"Why, so you could witness." He replied the crazed smile stretching further across his face.

"Witness what?" She inquired.

"The deaths of course, my killings!" He exclaimed proudly. "To show you what happens when little girls stick their noses in places they shouldn't."

"That makes no sense. Why use the meaningless deaths of random humans to warn me?" She asked.

He chuckled. "Your the only one who knows the answer to that." He then stepped back. "Anyway, sadly my job here is now done, you've been warned, and I'm needed back at headquarters." He pulled out an item from his pocket. "Farewell. I'm sure we'll meet again."

"No! Stop him!" Kuroyami tried to dash forward but it was too late. He'd disappeared in a cloud of strange smoke. She coughed trying to fan it away. "Damn it all to hell!"

"Where did he go?" Mitsu asked.

"Far away from here." She replied still aggravated he got away. "I guess the good news is he won't be killing anymore people in this town." She started to leave the alley. Mitsu trailing behind slightly.

"Guys!" Ai came running up to them when they emerged. She took a second to catch her breath. "You were right, the Royal Knights were paying off and threatening the police force to stay out of the suicide cases. I tried to follow the one more, but it seems they've all skipped out of town."

"That's alright Ai the threats gone." Mitsu assured her.

"Really? What a relief..." she sighed.

"This whole thing was supposed to deter me from learning the truth, but to be honest with you, it's only made me more curious. They've enhanced the mystery. Trying to warn me with deaths... please." She chuckled crossing her arms and looking up to the sky with stars starting to poke through the dimming surface. "We're just getting started."

Sneak peek into the next part:

For as long as I can remember, I've always been familiar with the cold... The white always follows me. I've traveled far on my own to fulfill my mission, and there is no way I will be deterred from this path... My promise shall not be broken, and my will won't die. I couldn't leave this path even if I wanted to... it's too late for me. Even if this lone road must be tainted with crimson, I'll march on to this beat until the day I die.
For as long as I can remember I've always been familiar with the cold... The white always follows me...

Hey guys, and the official adventure begins, I hope you enjoyed this part, and I have to ask are you excited for more? Vote and comment, bye!
~Hannah😋