One thing left to give [Pandemic Thread 4]

So things had finally fallen through the gaps of control. Mo had sensed un-order in his Demon children, but had promised himself long ago that their choices were their own, so long as it didn't affect the other races too heavily. He'd known there were some trouble children out there. Itami, Rurushu. Exitium was an issue Mo didn't know how to handle. The boy had made too many wrong moves for Mo to trust him. Gaining the powers of a God without Mo's permission, letting his foster father die in Sohul, and now was causing more grief than ever. Injuring one of Tenshi's most beloved Guardians. And killing Mo's. Onrah's death had been heavy news, but Mo felt like if the God of Death had let himself die so easily to a pair of nitwits like Itami and Exitium, then perhaps Mo should respect his son's decision to pass on. It did hurt, however, and Mo planned for a memorial outside of his Manor to be made. But this death of a God wasn't like others. Mo couldn't go and pick a new and suitable God to replace the almost irreplaceable Onrah. Itami had committed a terrible sin and stolen his power, and now Mo was really furious at his children. But he'd been through life long enough to be adamant about stopping his misbehaving children. Demons did this kind of thing all of the time, kill one another, search for power. All Mo could do to stop them was defeat them, and Mo refused to return to the old Demon ways of dealing with issues by killing them. 

Sighing, Mo had forgotten how many cups of tea he'd had. Things were heating up down in Sohul, and about an hour ago, Mo felt the headache return to his head. He'd not felt it for thousands of years, but there was no mistaking that power. Nervous, Mo had stayed up in Dranar. He was reluctant, no, he feared going down to Sohul now. Now that HE was released, perhaps even Mo didn't have a chance to stop him. The Demon King wasn't always the omnipotent and loving Demon everyone believed him to be. On many occasions, Mo had played the coward. He was a tiny Demon, always stepped over in his mortal life, and even in his old immortal age, Mo didn't feel much different. 
Swallowing, Mo's purple ears moved around, hearing the hum of magic from outside. Grabbing his poncho, Mo waddled out the front door, summoning his wings to float in the air as he hurried down the hill. He only recognised faces from the Jiko-Jiko festival, but knew Gensho better than the others. Mo glanced at the retreating ship, and then to Gensho and the severely injured Human girl. If he expected Mo to help and heal, then they'd travelled to the wrong side of the clouds. But Mo landed, smiling to his child. Gensho panted, and seemed in a hurry to speak. "M-mo! You must help us father... Akvan, he... he was forced into doing something terrible, and now all of Sohul and Aura is in danger of dying out. Itami plans of killing off all Angels and Humans by a disease. She used Chester.." Gensho stopped, pushing a piece of hair from Chester's face, helping the girl to move. Mo smiled sympathetically to her. Human wounds were untreatable here in Dranar. Only Demon injures could be cured in the Dranar pits, so Mo knew he couldn't help her right now. 
Mo's piercing pink-ish eyes looked over Chester, before looking into her eyes. "My dear... I am sorry for what has happened to you, but I do not see why you've come to me, how could I help?"

Mo didn't like the word favour. Or favours themselves, too troublesome and needy. But he understood the need to help someone in return for giving them problems. And Mo felt like he owed this poor Human girl an awful lot. Seeing Humans move up throughout the year, it was clear to see Mo had a soft spot for them. No matter what they asked for, nothing should be too much for the Demon King. But what Chester asked, wasn't just a huge favour, it was an impossible one. To take a God's power, you had to be compatible, old enough... and a Demon. Chester was none of those things, and yet Mo still didn't want to dismiss her desires. Mo stared long and hard at Chester, before dropping his eyes and sighing. "I've made many mistakes in my old life, some of them I can't take back... and I'm too afraid to try. You kids don't realize what a huge coward I really am, do you?" Turning a Human into a Demon without rebirth was beyond just a sin. It was unforgivable. But what made Mo consider it, was that he'd already betrayed the Sun Goddess once, and he hadn't been punished for that yet. So who was to say she wouldn't overlook more of Mo's meddling. 

Mo glanced to Gensho, sensing something wrong within the boy. He brought a powerful essence within him, but Mo couldn't focus on that just yet. He needed to resolve things with this poor Human girl first. To show his sincerity, Mo even took off his hat, letting his tiny horns and tuft of hair see Dranar light. "Chester, it is the job of Angels and Demons to protect Humans, allow them to live their lives with our guidance. We shouldn't... meddle, in their lives. But for hundreds of years, we have done nothing but a bad service to your kind, and I sincerely apologise. Your entire life as a Human had been stolen from you the moment you were born, and that isn't right. I cannot bring that life back, but if fulfilling your desire is all you want, then I will do all in my tiny powers to make sure it happens." Mo replied. He smiled to Chester. Such a sweet girl, offering to give her life for that of Akvan. Mo refused to comment on that matter, and he didn't know if he could save Akvan, now that HIS powers had been awoken. But Mo would try, for once in his cowardly life. 

Mo smiled. His Demons really didn't deserve the credit this Human child gave them, but the words were sweet nonetheless. Chester didn't know what Mo, and what Demons of the past, had done to this world to make it what it was. Mo's tail flickered back and forth, they needed to treat Chester's wounds soon, but wouldn't be able to do so before starting the favour. There was something that greatly differed Demons from Angels, and what had led to conflict so many years ago. Whilst Angels were direct children of the Sun Goddess, relying on her for power and wishes, Demons were born from something else. They were born from the earth, create by happenstance, and not directly by the Goddess. They created their own paths, their own kind of magic. And because of it, Demon were only 'adopted' by the Sun Goddess. They didn't rely on her power like Angels did. She controlled the existence of Angels, from their light magic to their very lives, but Demons were free to their own choices. The Sun could punish her Demons, but they could choose what to do on their own. Which meant, there was nothing to stop Mo from relying on his own powers, converting a Human into a Demon without allowing the Human to be reborn. Mo smiled to Gensho, who seemed a bit more cheerful in his complexion now that Mo was helping them. He grinned to the pair, before chuckling to Chester. "Of course my daughter, we need to help those wounds before I can do anymore for the favour I owe you." Mo said. He took his hat, moving forward to place it on Chester's head. A click of his finger, and all of the skulls on the hat came to life. They formed a little cloud, carefully forming themselves into a floating chair to support Chester and give Gensho a break from carrying her. "We should head inside, somewhere nice and cosy." Mo stated, walking back up to his manor, Skull familiars following as they delicately transported Chester. Mo lead the two inside, into a nice large spare room. There were so many fake rooms and pranks around the house, Mo made sure to find a room that was exactly as it looked. 
Mo offered Gensho a normal chair, before ordering his skulls to gently set down Chester. Things needed to be done soon, and Mo wasn't about to waste anymore time, he'd done that for the past a thousand years. Mo clapped his hands together, and the skulls returned to the hat. "I've never turned a Human into a Demon like this before, but there should be no reason why this doesn't work." Mo commented quickly, before summoning shadowy ooze to rise from the ground. Engulfing creatures in shadow had been the foundation of creating Demonic creatures since dark magic first appeared. The first Demon to try and use it on a simple land lizard ended up creating great Dragons. Wolves became Ceberus', and the same for others. So there was no logical reason why the same could not be done for Humans. Mo was confident in his skills. However, he was basically creating life with his magic, and so wouldn't get the power back that he was going to give to Chester. It might cut his magic by a bit, but Mo was prepared for that loss, he never got into fights enough to care about losing a portion of his strength. Mo moved his hands around, and the shadows danced, until they almost flowed up into Chester like water absorbed by a sponge. It was done so quickly and simply, it probably didn't even seem real. The conversion would take a little while to settle in, painlessly, but until then Chester would have to hold on. Demon medicine might work on her now, and Mo was open to try, but he wanted to check she was coping with the change first. "Your wings and tail should grow soon, and your teeth will sharpen. And the wounds should become easier to cope with, Demons are adapted to deal with bad wounds quite well... some believe it's because we're a very... boisterous race. But I would still like to treat it, whenever you feel ready."

Mo felt like he'd just completed a work of art. He felt generally happy that his improvised technique had worked as it should. There could be future complications with a Demon created this way, but they could face them as they arrived to them. Gensho looked just as happy to see the conversion as a success, and patted Mo on the fluffy head as he smiled to Chester. "Well, it's looks like we have a new sister." Gensho chirped, sounding back to his usual self. Mo could still feel the dark presence, but Gensho would be asked about that later. For now, Mo had two exhausted children in his care, and aimed to be the masterful Host he was famous for being. Mo chuckled when Chester spoke again, walking closer and wafting his tail over his face. "Nonsense my dear, nothing is your fault. Humans shouldn't have to be burdened with things like fault. Whatever sins you think you've committed, were only due to the manipulation of the one you viewed as family. Itami is at fault, not you. However, all of your previous wrongs have been forgiven now, and I'm sure I'm not the first to say that. But now, make sure to stand on your own two feet, a Demon thinks for themselves and their family, and your decisions should be yours alone." Mo replied, feeling like he was giving a moral lesson he usual gave five year old Demons. Mo smiled at the little red skull, recognising that pattern of skull magic. "That's a rare gift you have, be sure to look after it. I'm sure Onrah put a lot of work into those skulls... Gensho my boy, this is to you as well. Treat them like you would treat your brother if he was here, because those little skulls are more attached to Onrah than you might think." Mo never cried for Onrah's passing. After losing so many favourites in the past. Now, when someone died in Mo's family, he treated it so nonchalantly it almost made it comforting. Gensho moved to Chester, carefully moving her so she wasn't lying flat, perhaps in a more comfortable position. It wasn't hard to see Gensho was already attached to Chester, she was more of a sister now than ever. And Mo knew after everything he'd been through, Gensho would be determined to keep this sibling. 
Mo sighed, "You shall both stay here for as long as I think you need to remain safe... so please make yourselves at home... I cannot complete the rest of my favour quite yet as there are things I must... prepare. But for now, rest up, and I'll get some tea brewing." The spare room they were was pretty big. Mo used it like a spare house for any guests. It had tables, chairs, dressing quarters, beds and a miniature kitchen, all in one room. Mo had enough faith in his Host skills that Gensho and Chester would be comfortable there for now. 

Mo chuckled, smiling sweetly to Chester. She really didn't need to do anything, other than recover. But the information she gave him was humorous at best. "Am I now? Those two have been trouble children from the moment they came here... every family has a few though, don't they? It's not the first time I've had to teach my children a lesson, and it won't be the last." Mo wasn't worried. If it was just Itami and Exitium, even with his magic power dented by helping Chester, Mo was confident that the pair wouldn't hold much of a threat. They'd done a lot of damage to this world, most of it was irreplaceable. Mo was prepared for them to come to him, because it gave him the chance to remove what he should have removed a long time ago. If Exitium and Itami came close enough, the Demon King wouldn't waste his chance, and he'd be forced to remove their powers. He'd granted them, after all, and perhaps the two trouble kids forgot that Mo also had the power to remove them.
Mo looked around his spare room, then back to the pair of Demons. He felt fine leaving them here for now, and started backing towards the door. "The things happening below are out of our control... for now. Demons won't fall sick, but we also can't help the sick. Until I can remove the source, we can only sit around and watch I'm afraid. And the only thing I ask you to do is recover my dear, from all of the hardships you've been through." Mo smiled, going to leave before glancing to Gensho. 
"Gensho, my boy... you look like you have something on your mind?" Mo asked, looking solemnly to his Demon God of Night as Gensho bit his lip. Finally sighing, Gensho looked at his father. "Can you... really save my brother too?" He asked back. Mo sighed, leaning against the door frame. 
He was lost on what to answer for a while, and knew that his late response would dampen spirits. But finally, Mo replied. "There are reasons I cannot explain to you two, why I can only try to save him. But... your brother is special. Akvan is a lot stronger than he's appeared to be for the past seventeen years, as is Shinda. Saving one whilst defeating the other will be difficult, but I will try... there must be a way to reverse the damage I've done." Mo didn't say anymore, smiling brightly before moving to really leave. "I'll be back soon with the tea, try to rest up... and Chester, I may have to take you up on your tea offer later."

Gensho didn't know what he'd expected to find visiting Dranar. The worst thing he could think of was that Chester would die on the way there, or once arriving. And that Gensho would made to be watch someone else die. There weren't enough words to describe how glad he was that that wasn't the case. Gensho was able to light up a bit as Mo decided to help, though the God never would have doubted his father in that respect. But being able to change Chester into a Demon just like that, it just went to show how much power the King had. And it made Gensho grateful, of all the things Mo could do, he chose to use his strength to save someone dear to Gensho. He couldn't ask for more. He thought he could have asked for more, but Gensho was grateful for whatever Mo did. It made Gensho want to break down, after spending so long worrying about Chester and Akvan and his sanity. To have things coated in hope once more made Gensho feel like this world was surreal. He still had to face reality, that the world down below them was dying quickly, Akvan along with it. But for now, Gensho just wanted to sleep, to eat and fill his energetic stomach and talk to Chester. He smiled as Mo left, sighing to himself. He put on a grin for Chester when she asked if he was alright, and wanted to keep up a feint of over-happiness just for her. But if she was open to listening... Gensho played with the front of his shirt, trying to make sure he didn't cry trying to get through it. 
"It's just... hard to accept that things have really happened. Losing Onrah... Akvan being lost to madness... I... just feel like I've let myself be surrounded by all of this, and have done nothing about it." Gensho smiled afterwards, stroking down Chester's hair. "I am glad you are alright, though. Now we can only trust in our father, huh?"

Gensho chuckled, squeezing Chester's hand a bit. He'd cry is he could, but that was all he'd done for the past few days, and Gensho was frankly sick of his tears. His head dropped to the floor as Chester moralised him, glancing to his hand. Funny, he could of sworn he'd broken it in Baransu during the fall, but now it was completely healed. Gensho honestly felt weird inside. He was starving for... something. It was a desire for something unknown. And it frustrated Gensho, like an itch he couldn't reach. He easily hide it from anyone knowing, but he could feel whatever it was increasing. "Thank you Chester... It means a lot to know you think that... I just feel. After l-losing them both so soon, it doesn't feel right for me to be here, alive... whilst they're..." Gensho shook his head. No, if he went any further he'd break down again. Gensho smiled himself out of the depression, stroking Chester's hand. "And it isn't hard to not hate you, my dear. I don't think anyone hates you, you're not that kind of person." The Demon added. 
Trying not to think about his own danger, Gensho couldn't care less about how wanted he was by Exitium and Itami. Not after what they'd done to his dearest brothers. Let them come, Gensho wasn't going to run away from them, not again. Keeping quiet, though not for long, Gensho smirked at the idea of Chester learning to fly. Her wings hadn't grown yet, or at least, were still internally growing. It was almost thrilling to imagine how they'd turn out once done, like a butterfly appearing from it's cocoon. 
Gensho chuckled, "Of course I will... and you'll see a whole new life when a tail is involved, trust me." Gensho said, revealing his tail, brushing the furry tail between his hands. "But you'll be fine, and I want to see Akvan's face when you get your wings and tail." Gensho mused, imagining his little brother being jealous, since he wouldn't be the lift in their relationship anymore. Simple thoughts like that made Gensho feel a little better.