Chapter 4: DAWN OF THE DAMNED
Albuquerque, New Mexico.
That's where Kieran lives, and their current location is Portland, Oregon. The distance between New Mexico and Portland is thousands of miles, a day's flight to Albuquerque.
The journey will be difficult with no money and nothing but clothes and shoes on their backs.
Kieran sat listlessly, leaning against the vending machine like he had lost hope.
Malron looked irritated at Kieran's weak attitude. The young man didn't know what being a demon commander like Malron was like.
Suddenly, "snap" had to live in the human world, with human bodies—through handsome faces—and serve a child-like Kieran. It seemed even more pathetic to Malron.
"How many days will it take us to walk to New Mexico? We have no money to buy food and drink," Kieran complained quietly.
"Robbing people is easier," Malron suggested.
"Robbery is a serious crime. We cannot rob," Kieran objected.
Immediately, Malron felt a hot sting in the palm of his hand. What Kieran said became an order that Malron was not to violate. Thus, robbery was forbidden as long as the demon served Kieran.
Suddenly, the System appeared within Malron.
[Your Chronicle, The Damned One]
[Demonic Power: +999]
[Trident Flame: +999]
[Wrath: +999]
[Temptation: +999]
[Cunning: +999]
[Malice: +998]
[Converted poin]
[Angelic Power: -999]
[Sword Eternity: -999]
[Patience: -999]
[Sincerity: -999]
[Compassion: -999]
[Benevolence: +1]
"What the hell?" muttered Malron.
Kieran looked anxiously at the tall man beside him. "But, sir... robbing is not a good thing."
"I don't care about that!"
"Oh, then why are you angry with me?"
Malron still had enough energy to vent his anger, but he rubbed his face and sighed softly. This was the first time he had a master who was far from unjust, cruel, or greedy, even if most humans were dumb.
Ironically, the boy named Kieran was more stupid than the masters Malron had encountered.
Kieran's heart was like an angel's.
So much so that it made Malron react instantly, shuddering with an allergy at the memory of that name and figure. Malron suddenly sneezed.
"Are you sick, sir?" Kieran asked worriedly.
Malron shook his head. "Allergy."
Kieran fell silent. The atmosphere between them grew quiet. The only sounds were the occasional passing cars on the main road.
"What are we going to do?" muttered Kieran. The young man sighed heavily and clenched both fists. "Whatever happens, we must not beg. We must work hard to achieve our goals if we still have healthy bodies!"
Malron looked skeptical. The demon didn't know if drinking too much soda could cause delusions in humans. Then, he suddenly turned into a motivator.
"What if we busk?" Malron suggested randomly.
"Can you sing, sir?" asked Kieran.
Of course not, idiot! I can only harvest souls with my trident! Malron thought.
"Sir?" Kieran repeated.
Malron, lost in thought for a moment, looked cynically at the young man who kept staring at him without blinking.
"Oh... of course I can sing," Malron nodded.
The demon felt like he had been splashed with water, so he was wet all over.
"That's amazing," Kieran praised sincerely.
Malron couldn't understand why Kieran was innocent enough to trust him. Since when did Malron practice harmony? This time, Malron felt his head throbbing. The risk of being trapped in a human body.
"If you can sing, we can do this. I mean, busking," Kieran said in a cheerful voice. "I can sing too. Besides making money, we can entertain others."
Malron's lips fell silent.
"Especially when we sing hymns, praises to the Almighty. It will touch people's hearts to always remember the Creator," Kieran continued.
"Wait... skip. I don't want to do that!"
"But why?"
"Just you. My voice is hoarse; I think I'm getting the flu." Malron made a casual excuse and faked a sneeze. "Achoo..."
Malron decided to get up and leave quickly. Staying next to the vending machine would only make Kieran dizzy from the CO3 influence. As soon as Malron left, Kieran immediately followed.
Malron knew the human body needed rest, although he didn't care if Kieran got tired and died.
However, due to the agreement, Malron was forced to prevent anything harmful from happening to Kieran, except death, which was already determined by old age.
So, it was pointless for Malron to insist on leading Kieran to his doom.
Kieran ran small steps to catch up with Malron and to match their footsteps. "So, what do you think, sir? Should we busk?"
Malron shook his head. "Better to find a place to rest."
The naive young man suddenly stopped walking, automatically bringing Malron to a halt. The demon turned to Kieran, annoyed.
"What's going on?" Malron asked irritably.
Kieran's eyes seemed to glisten as he stared at Malron. "You are very kind, Sir Malron. I'm truly grateful; you were sent by the Creator to help me."
That was the third time Malron rubbed his face and muttered in his heart, Darn it!
*
Malron and Kieran walked along the sidewalk and crossed the deserted main street. Malron's eyes glanced at the 'Bus Only' sign on the street and the tram tracks they passed.
Their steps slowed as they passed a short pedestrian walkway, quite dark because of the line of trees.
A staircase leading to the pedestrian bridge and an elevator was at the end of the walkway. But Malron's destination was elsewhere.
Across from them was the train station, Portland Union Station.
Their location was behind the main building. The parking lot was almost empty and very quiet. Malron looked at the long red brick building with a brick tower in the middle.
Maybe it was a good idea to take a break at the station.
It was three in the morning when Malron looked up at the large clock tower near the footbridge.
The clock tower had ash-colored walls with a hint of brick color, with the inscription "Union Station" - "Go by Train", on top of the main station building.
"Let's rest here," Malron whispered.
"The station?"
"Yes, you want to sleep on the footbridge?"
Kieran looked at the roofless bridge. Suddenly, the young man felt insecure.
"I think sleeping at the station is better," Kieran replied quietly. "Besides, I'm a little afraid of heights."
One of Malron's eyebrows raised. How could Kieran say that after jumping off the roof earlier?
"Let's go," Malron urged.
"By the way, sir, can we sleep in the station? What if we don't have train tickets? Is that still possible?"
Malron stopped. Why hadn't he thought of that?
"I'll take care of it," Malron replied.
In Malron's heart, he hoped that the station security guard didn't wear colored contact lenses. Malron ran ahead to the station building.
"Hurry, Kieran," he whispered.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone