Chapter 8: MEET YE' OLD FRIEND
After changing trains, Malron and Kieran would arrive in Albuquerque a few hours later. Their journey had been smooth and uneventful for almost 48 hours.
After their last conversation, Malron didn't wonder why Kieran's parents had been killed. According to the demon, it was none of his business.
Malron preferred to lie down on a pile of belongings and keep his distance from Kieran. In return, Kieran didn't bother Malron, neither sleeping nor praying.
The train stopped at one of the stations, and Malron and Kieran got off as soon as the door opened.
After showing the 'golden ticket' from the Portland station master, they were asked to sit in the passenger seats while they waited for another train to Albuquerque, which arrived ten minutes later.
As Malron stepped onto the floor, he felt something strange. The demon scanned the platform; the atmosphere seemed quiet, and everything seemed normal. But there was something supernatural about it. It was suspicious.
"Come on, sir," Kieran urged.
The young man half ran to a row of seats and sat down. But as soon as Malron sat down not far from Kieran, the young man got up.
"I have to go to the bathroom. Would you mind waiting for me here, sir?"
"Do you expect me to accompany you?" Malron asked coldly. Kieran just shook his head. "Then go," Malron continued, waving his hand dismissively.
As Kieran left for the bathroom and the silent platform area, Malron's alert instincts grew stronger.
Suddenly, a trident appeared, and Malron immediately grabbed it. He jumped out of his seat, slammed the trident to the ground, and fire engulfed the trident.
Malron's eyes saw a quick movement, and arrows of greenish fire shot from different directions, attacking the demon.
"Rrrrghh!!" Malron growled.
The demon swung the trident, deflecting the arrows that rained down. Malron dashed, stepping on pillars and jumping from pillar to pillar as the onslaught continued.
The trident spun in Malron's grip, blocking the hot arrows that were unleashed by the hundreds. Malron's legs kicked at the ceiling truss, his eyes searching for the cowardly creature hiding and attacking him.
Two red dots flashed briefly from behind the southeast pillar.
Malron grinned. "Gotcha!"
The demon took aim, then swung his trident at the enemy. "Hellfire Rupture!"
A loud whistle accompanied the gathering fire at the trident's tip, and it burst forward in a massive wave of fire. And, "Thoom!" a loud booming sound echoed.
A body floated down, accompanied by screams of pain, and another thud followed as the body hit the ground, leaving a hole in the ceramic.
"Shit! It hurts, damn it!" the figure howled as it rubbed its butt.
Malron's body casually descended, landing on one knee as he touched the ground. The trident in his hand disappeared as the danger passed. Annoyed, Malron kicked the demon on the ground with his shoe.
Its name was Ugluk.
Small, thin, large red eyes, crooked nose, and shoulder-length fiery red hair. It's not the model for a shampoo or hair dye commercial.
Ugluk was a demon who constantly attacked from a distance, carrying a bow and arrows wherever he went. Exceptionally skilled and agile, but always defeated by Malron.
"What are you doing here, Ugluk?" Malron asked coldly.
The red-haired demon struggled to free himself from Malron's foot.
"Oh, you can't talk, huh?" Malron grinned, then put his foot to the floor.
"Malron?" Ugluk muttered in disbelief.
In a hurry, Ugluk stood up and changed his appearance to that of a station guard.
"You look quite pale. Do you rarely get sunlight? Your dark skin has become rather fair," Ugluk commented.
"By the way, the soles of my shoes still need polishing."
"Then why do you have two hands if you want to shake hands with shoes?"
Malron stared sharply. "It's your fault for attacking me in the first place."
There was a faint chuckle from Ugluk's lips. "I didn't know it was you. Because, well, you look different."
"Hmm..."
"But you're still Malron the Great, among other demons."
"Of course."
They both stepped away from the hole caused by Ugluk's fall. They saw the station staff approaching, amazed at the badly damaged floor for no apparent reason.
"Why are you here?" Malron repeated.
"Oh, someone summoned me. Now it's my time to roam, no duties."
This sounded very strange to Malron. Malron rarely met other summoned demons while performing his duties in the human world.
At least not more than once in a decade, sometimes not within one job. So, how could Malron meet Ugluk within a few days?
"Meeting you here seems strange," Malron muttered.
"Oh, you don't want to meet me?"
"When was the last time we met in the human world? Meeting fellow summoned demons like this is too soon, too suspicious."
Ugluk only nodded briefly. "Well, there have been a lot of summonses in the last year. You may meet others, Malron."
"Is that so?" Malron's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Well, I don't know what's going on. But business seems to be booming."
Malron looked uninterested. "Ugluk, this is not normal."
In the last quarter of a century, there had been many complaints in the demon world, and humans rarely did conjurations. This had a significant effect on business.
It became difficult to get a new enslaved person. The behavior of the humans surpassed even that of the demons; they didn't need any help to commit evil deeds.
And now, last year, there were many summons? Malron's suspicion grew.
Their conversation was interrupted by Kieran, who had just come out of the bathroom. The young man hurried up to Malron, giggling softly. Ugluk looked surprised as he interacted with Kieran, who had given him a sweet smile.
"Good evening, sir," Kieran greeted.
Ugluk looked awkward as he nodded. "Evening."
"Go away. I'm talking to this friendly station officer," Malron ordered.
Immediately, Ugluk's face turned crimson.
Kieran obediently followed Malron's command, moved away from them, and sat on a chair. Malron ensured that the distance between him and Kieran wasn't too close - so the unsuspecting boy couldn't eavesdrop.
Ugluk began to beat his chest as if he were choking. "Who the hell is that boy?" he asked, his eyes wide.
"If I tell you, you have to promise not to tell a single demon about it."
"We're demons, Malron. We don't keep promises."
"I swear I'll drown you in the lake of fire for eternity!"
"Alright..." Ugluk's lips curved downward. "I won't say anything."
Malron sighed heavily. "He's my master."
For a minute, Malron had to endure Ugluk's annoying laughter.
How could Malron not feel insecure and possibly suffer mental anguish when his master was a human-like Kieran? The young man showed no tyrannical traits and had no authority whatsoever.
Malron sighed.
"But how did this boy manage to perform a summoning?" Ugluk seemed impressed. "Someone like Malron the Great... I mean, summoning you is quite difficult."
Ugluk's words made Malron feel a bit pleased. Malron was indeed a chosen demon, exclusive, and not just any human could do it. That was why Malron only visited the human world sometimes.
"Actually, a group of humans were performing a ritual. I came, the agreement was made, and Kieran fell from the roof. His hand and mine, well..." Malron gestured at a handshake. "You know, like that."
Ugluk only nodded briefly. "Well, I think so. You know..."
"I know, yeah."
"Yeah."
They both looked equally confused and embarrassed.
"Oh hell, Malron, that was awful!" Ugluk exclaimed.
"I know!!" Malron felt like leaning on Ugluk's shoulder and crying uncontrollably.
Ugluk could only stare at Malron in confusion; there was nothing he could do to help Malron. Even if he could, Ugluk wouldn't want to. Unless there is something Malron could offer that would benefit Ugluk.
"Find a way for me to get rid of the boy, Ugluk. I'll give you anything you want," Malron whispered.
Ugluk's eyes widened. That was a good deal.
"I could try to kill him," Ugluk suggested.
"Then you'll have to face me."
"Ah, that is horrible luck, Malron!"
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone