A Demon's Tale

At a young age, Chima Verde took pleasure in harming other living beings. As the boy grew older, his subjects of torture would change in size and shape with every few years that passed.

From insects and snails, to frogs and bunnies, dogs and cats, and eventually, once he had grown into a man, people.

Tormenting and harming them, eventually leading to a painful and excruciating death.

It was not long until Chima was labeled as a two bit serial killer.

Though his rise in popularity pleased him, the flamboyant Chima did not enjoy receiving this much spotlight from opposing forces.

Which is why when Chima was enlisted into Nero Virtuoso’s army, he took the opportunity with gratitude as he continued his endless spree of mayhem.

However, in the midst of his carnage, an annoying cat-like pest had gotten in the way. Not once, but twice did this cat appear to cause torment onto Chima instead of the other way around. Their second battle was one that felt far more at home for Chima, as he watched the girl scream and cry, running out of the room as she held her dying companion.

Gifted with a raise in his rank, putting him at the third level, Chima Verde was ready to continue with what he took pleasure in most, at a far more consistent rate thanks to his new status.

That was until… she appeared.

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Standing himself back up after receiving a brutal kick to the jaw, Chima looked on at the familiar yellow cat girl who ignored his presence. Even if he could not see her attack just now, it was a similar sensation to many times before. The cat that was fast enough to where she could not be seen, but if angered, attacked predictably and without much force behind it. Sharpening his claws against each other, he made his way over and spoke to the girl in an annoyed tone.

Chima: [Well, I didn’t think the little crybaby from my last battle would show up again! Tell me, what do you plan on doing this ti–]

Bachi: [Can n’ya shut up? I’m talkin’ to my friend.]

The veins along Chima’s face started to show as the girl continued to ignore him, shutting down any verbal retort he could deliver after her kick. Bachi looked back to her lamia friend she spoke of and continued to talk to the blue-scaled woman.

Bachi: [N’ya all good? Nothin’ hurtin’ too much?]

Poi: [N-no. I’m doing quite fine! Thank you, Bachi!]

Swiping her hand in the air, Bachi tried to play off the thanks as if it did not matter.

Bachi: [S’nothin’, really. Jus’ tryna make sure. If n’yar alright, though, I recommend n’ya get back a few feet. This guy is probably gonna try anythin’ to attack us, so–]

Poi: [Ah! Bachi! Look out!]

Feeling a tingling sensation on her whiskers, Bachi’s face grew frustrated as she slowly turned around and saw Chima’s large figure charging towards her with his claws held to the side.

Bachi: [See, this is the kind of shit I’m talkin’ ‘bout.]

Zipping away instantly, Bachi kicked Chima under his jaw again and started her rush attack. Slashing his right arm, then his left shoulder, then the left side of his abdomen and back to the right thigh. Then–

Chima: [You’ve done this trick before, brat! Your next spot will be–AHACK!]

While Chima struck towards his left foot, his back had suddenly been heavily scratched over multiple times by the mischievous feline. As she came into view again, falling upside down beside Chima’s face, a smug grin could be seen.

Bachi: [What’s wrong, big boy? I’m right here.]

Attempting to slash up at her, Chima cut the sand below him without a cat in sight. Doing as she should have before, Bachi zipped around Chima in a circle and slashed the left foot as he previously expected. Falling to a knee, Bachi kicked him directly in the face and followed it up with a scratch from the same foot.

Chima: [GAHACK! Cocky little… shit!]

As he tried to swipe at Bachi, the girl disappeared and struck him directly in the stomach with a speedy elbow. He attempted to slice her to ribbons again, but was met with nothing but a slash to each shoulder. Frantically, he cut the area around him with a flurry of attacks.

Chima: [Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Hurry up and die, you miserable little shit!]

A cloud of sand had started to form as he sliced a circle around himself, receiving not a single counter attack in retaliation. Waiting for the sand to clear in order to see where he was attacking again, Chima was met with a sign that pleased him very much. On the ground was the same cat girl as before, wincing in pain by a wound presumably on her leg that bled a great deal. Waving her hands towards Chima, Bachi attempted to beg for her life.

Bachi: [Please! Please don’t kill me! I messed up! I don’t wanna die!]

With a grim smile and wide eyes, Chima held his claws back, ready to stab through Bachi’s flesh and cause the greatest pain possible. An ecstasy like no other would soon welcome him, which he would embrace with delight as he hummed music through the crafting of his art. Before he did so, he needed to send this girl into despair with his response.

Chima: [You need not worry, you will not die soon! Instead, I’ll take my time tearing you apart!]

It was only as he thrusted his arms forward that he had realized his mistake. The leg that was injured, the leg that released a hefty amount of blood from Bachi’s body wasn’t as injured as he had thought. In fact, it was hardly injured at all, with only a few small holes from Bachi’s claws being created that were hidden underneath the paw holding the leg. This was then used in tandem with her electricity to force some blood out, making her look far more injured than she was. Her anxious look quickly turned into the same one he saw many times now, a smug grin back to him.

Bachi: [Guess n’yar stupid enough to fall for that, huh?]

Swiping her hand through the air, Bachi sent the blood in her paws towards Chima’s eyes, blinding him as he crashed into the sand with his claws. Standing back up, Chima carefully tried to wipe his eyes to remove the blood. Once he could see, the man searched the area around him for Bachi, only to then see her floating in the air, likely after a jump, with a leg reeled back.

The reason for her leg being in this position was simple. Whilst Chima was blind, Bachi moved under him and then moved back to land a powerful attack on the sadist. Jumping slightly into the air, she reeled her leg back as Chima had seen and threw it forward, her claws on the foot fully jutted out.

Thus, she hit her mark perfectly. Thrusting the foot at her target, Bachi’s foot and claws were planted firmly into Chima’s crotch.

A pain like no other welled up inside Chima. Crossing his legs, he stumbled several feet back with a nauseous feeling filling his throat and an immense pain rattling any thoughts he had in his brain. Bellowing a terrible scream, Chima clutched his crotch as he moved back.

Chima: [AAAAAAAAA! GOHACK—-AAAAAAH! WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU, YOU ARROGANT FUCKING CAT?! GHOHAAAAAA!]

Bachi: [Me?]

Chima: [Hk!]

Despite the unbelievable pain he felt, Chima’s screaming was halted as he bore witness to something he had never seen from the girl. Cold. Her gaze was incredibly cold, without a fragment of arrogance or malice behind it. A gaze that could only be compared to a cat in the wild, ready to go in for the kill.

Bachi: [Did n’ya jus’ ask what’s wrong with me?]

Chima: [GNN–AHACK!]

Adding on to the pain he felt below, Bachi quickly zipped over to Chima and slashed his chest again, only to return to her original position, continuing her slow walk.

Bachi: [N’ya seem to not understand things, so lemme give n’ya a recap on who I am.]

Chima: [GKAAAAAH!]

Zipping over, she slashed the right foot and moved back, continuing her slow walk.

Bachi: [I’m Bachi. Jus’ Bachi.]

Chima: [GHAAA! STOP! STOP IT!]

Slashing into the left and right bicep, Bachi dished out more pain and returned to her slow walk.

Bachi: [The strongest cat in the world and one of six commanders to Lady Shiro’s army.]

Chima: [KAAAHAA!]

Though Chima tried to block the attack with his claws, Bachi only took the opportunity to move past and slash the palms behind them. The distance between them lowered with each return to her slow walk that she made.

Bachi: [Most importantly, I’m the girl who’s gonna do a whole lot more than tearin’ n’ya up.]

Chima: [GHKK!]

A slash to both ankles, far more ruthless in depth compared to her previous attacks.

Bachi: [‘Cause I’m the kind of girl who hates all sorts of scumbags. But out of all the types of scumbags in the world…]

Slamming into Chima’s face with her fist, Bachi’s small body sent the towering man flying through the air from her mighty speed alone.

Bachi: [I despise n’yar kind of scumbag the most.]

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Bachi: [Damn it! I’m still not fast enough!]

Panting while looking at a stopwatch that was handed to her, Bachi grew frustrated over the time she had been given. In order to train herself for the upcoming battle, Bachi had requested the help of Kagami Zennami to time how fast she could lap through the Babylon District. While it was a peculiar request, Kagami wholeheartedly accepted it, assisting the girl with her training. What was truly strange to Kagami was Bachi’s frustrations. The cat girl was incredibly fast, so much so that Kagami could hardly see when she started and was stunned when the girl had returned. Each time, Bachi’s pace of running through the Babylon District had gotten faster and faster. It was now to a point where the girl could run through the entire area in a little over two minutes. Confused by this frustration, Kagami swiftly went to the yellow cat’s side and rubbed her back.

Kagami: [You should get some rest, Bachi. If you push yourself any further, it might be dangerous.]

Clenching her teeth, Bachi gripped at the grass below her as she continued her heavy breathing.

Bachi: [I can’t. If I’m not fast enough, s’all for nothin’.]

Tilting her head, Kagami changed from her crouched position to a seated one beside Bachi.

Kagami: [If you don’t mind me asking, Bachi, why exactly are you pushing yourself this hard? You asked me to help you, and while I don’t mind doing so, I’m still unsure as to why you wish to test how fast you can run this badly.]

Bachi: [... Poi got hurt ‘cause of me, right?]

Surprised by Bachi’s comment, Kagami tried to reassure the girl by saying otherwise, but recalled the events that had transpired shortly after, removing any intention to interject and causing her ears to drop low.

Bachi: [I was thinkin’ ‘bout all the people who helped me, back when it happened and the past few days. There were a bunch who taught me stuff, but ended up dead, and I couldn’t do a damn thing ‘bout it. But now, I have Lady Shiro and I don’t want the same thing happenin’ to her. Same goes for Poi, she doesn’t deserve to get hurt ‘cause of my fuck ups. That’s why I wanna get faster. Fast enough that I can save whoever I need to, whenever I need to.]

From their low position, Kagami’s ears slowly perked back up. A kind smile started to form on her face, which Bachi looked towards in awe.

Kagami: [... I’m glad I’ve assisted you, Bachi. Let’s continue, shall we?]

Standing herself up, Kagami took the stopwatch and reset it, ready to start over from the beginning. Confused by her sudden change, Bachi stood back up and questioned the kitsune.

Bachi: [Wait! Wait! Hold on! What do n’ya mean continue?! Why’d n’ya become all happy after what I said?!]

Kagami: [If I recall correctly, from what I had heard, you’ll be the one in charge of recruiting people into Miss Shiro’s force, right? I believe your motive behind this goal is perfect for that. Much like the light you shall become for Miss Shiro and Miss Poi, you will also become a great light for those who have nowhere to call their own. A guiding bolt of lightning that shall show them the way. Even if you do not understand everything that the world has to offer, you’re willing to provide others with that chance. I find it quite beautiful, Bachi. You’ve created an excellent philosophy for yourself.]

Holding the stopwatch up, the kitsune playfully lifted her eyebrows.

Kagami: [Shall we go again?]

A powerful wave of energy lit up Bachi’s eyes, causing her to jump up and nod back to Kagami profusely.

Bachi: [Yeah! Let’s do it!]

Receiving Kagami’s praise, a new source of power started to develop in the cat girl’s body.

A new record for her sprint was made, that being a minute on the dot. The two celebrated shortly after, before focusing on making that time either better, or the consistent number.

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Watching as Chima exited from the cloud of smoke, Bachi lifted a singular eyebrow at his new appearance. All across his entire body, the sadistic man was now covered in a shiny metal from head to toe. His body kept the same form as before, now with a new coat of metal placed over it. Stomping over with a grand fury, the man sharpened his claws, fueling his spark to torture the girl responsible for his pain.

Chima: [Behold! My advanced ability! Metal Maniac! You’ve forced me to use my ability quite a lot, but it’s thanks to the usage of my original ability that the advancement conditions were met! So long as a great deal of metal takes up my body, and the pieces start to meld together, I’m able to use this to provide myself with an even greater shield of strength! You can’t possibly hit me now!]

Bachi: [Oh? That so?]

Like a flash of lightning, Bachi reached Chima’s shoulder and kicked it with a great deal of force. Not an inch of his body moved nor had a single iota of pain rippled through his flesh. He merely stood there, grinning back at the girl who had lost her grin in favor of a bored look. Making her way back to the ground before Chima could attack her, Bachi looked back at the metal man in front of her.

Bachi: [Damn. I guess n’ya really did become tougher.]

Chima: [Of course I did! This is the greatest advancement of them all! I’m practically invincible now! You might as well beg for your life, as nothing you can do will ever be able to stop me! HAHAHAHAHAHA–]

The insane laughter of the madman had ceased as soon as he felt something new. A new burning pain that entered his body, or rather, a lack of what was on his body. Looking down towards his left arm slowly, he could see an incredible mass of muscle that he often praised himself for training. The problem existed by the lowered end of the arm. His bicep, the place on his arm he enjoyed flaunting the most after brutalizing an opponent, was missing. It was not as simple as a wound or anything of the sort. A hole had replaced where the bicep had been, leaving only the inner meat of Chima’s body and a great spray of his own blood behind.

Chima: [GAAAAHAA!]

Gripping at his arm, Chima slowly turned around and found his culprit. A cat girl who was heavily amplified by her lightning, who threw a slab of flesh to the ground that was no longer metallic. The paw which held it was now dyed red.

Bachi: [I’m not exactly the smartest, but I do know that enough speed hittin’ somethin’ can do some crazy damage. On top of that, heat is also a great way to get extra big damage in, and electricity can make that heat. So if I do both at the same time, wouldn’t that mean I can hit n’ya real hard?]

Bachi’s cat-like eyes turned from her own paw back up to Chima.

Bachi: [Like I said, I may not be the smartest, but did n’ya seriously think that was my full power?]

Screaming his lungs out, an immense hatred for Bachi could be seen behind Chima’s eyes.

Chima: [YOU WORTHLESS LITTLE NOTHING! I’LL MAKE SURE TO KILL THAT HORRID SUCCUBUS YOU SERVE FIRST BEFORE I KILL YOU, JUST SO YOU CAN EXPERIENCE EVERY BIT OF AGONY!]

Bachi’s eyes widened with fury, only to then lower back into her cold stare from before.

Bachi: [... Jus’ for that, I’m definitely not gonna stop until n’ya start cryin’.]

Watching as Bachi made her way over, Chima’s eyes flashed over to Poi’s position, and then circled back to Bachi.

Sprinting towards Bachi, Chima held both arms high as if he desired to cut her in half. Bachi entered a ready stance to counter, but soon watched as Chima shot off the ground and sprung himself towards Poi. Frightened by Chima’s sudden movement, Poi tried to dodge, but knew she had no time left to do so. The only solution now would be if Bachi came to save her.

Chima: [She’s changed since last time, but she’s still the same stupid cat as before! If I aim for that snake girl, the same tactic I used on the kitsune, this brat will probably try to jump in the way and save her. All I need to do is make her think that I’m gonna attack her, and run towards the lamia! Then she’ll have no choice but to eat it for her as she zips over!]

As the sadistic brute charged at his new target, Bachi spoke to the shadowy silhouette of herself within her mind.

???: [Are you going to attack yet?]

Bachi: [No. Not yet. If I hit him now, he’ll still get Poi.]

The space between Poi and Chima was now a few feet apart.

???: [And now?]

Bachi: [He might still get me, or even Poi for that matter. I jus’ need a little bit more.]

Hardly any space was left between the two. Chima would surely pierce through the lamia’s body once again and tear it in two. Despite the situation, the shadow Bachi looked to her real self and smiled.

???: [You’ve done well, Bachi. Lady Shiro would be proud.]

Bachi did not respond. She did not need to. What was more important was the motive she had made for herself, which she would use to conquer the goal she had set. The fastest cat in the world would break through this obstacle without fail.

Extending the nails on her claws as far as she could, Bachi zipped from her position to directly in front of Chima. Flipping through the air only once yet soaring high, she unleashed her attack. A devastating gouge to Chima’s left eye, leading to the man stumbling back and clutching the socket where it had been.

Chima: [GAAAHAAAA!]

Landing back on her feet, Bachi tossed the eyeball to the side and flung some of the blood on her claws to the sand below her. Turning back to stare at Chima, Bachi yawned and wrinkled her nose.

Bachi: [I warned n’ya. I told n’ya before it wasn’t gonna be pretty. Guess n’yar not good at listenin’.]

Chima: [YOU ABOSLUTE WASTE OF AIR! HOW DARE YOU TAKE MY–]

Closing her eyes, Bachi waved her hand in the air, mocking the sadist.

Bachi: [Right, right. Oh no, I took n’yar eye. How terrible. Seein’ as n’ya had no problem stabbin’ Poi, I find it kinda funny that n’ya have a problem when n’yar on the other side of bein’ gashed. Ain’t so fun when s’happenin’ to n’ya, is it? But now n’ya know what it feels like–]

Poi: [Bachi! Look out!]

Opening her eyes, Bachi had seen a similar scene to when the battle started, with Chima’s claw drawing closer and closer to her face. She could have sworn she heard “I’LL TAKE YOURS IN EXCHANGE!” coming from Chima’s mouth, but she didn’t pay the slightest bit of attention to notice or care. Instead, she watched as the attack moved towards her. Though fast, to Bachi, it seemed slower and slower with every second, leading her to look back up at Chima with a cold glare.

Bachi: [N’yar real slow, n’ya know?]

Just like she had done with his bicep, Bachi zipped past Chima’s left arm and cut it off as she went. She then looped back around, slicing a chunk out of the right side of his abdomen. The left cheek on his face was ripped clean off, revealing the teeth underneath, followed by the remaining arm. The left side of his chest was torn into, and then finished with the left leg, causing Chima to fall to the floor. Whilst Bachi zipped by at speeds that neither Chima nor Poi could see, the pathetic scumbag screamed for his life as he fell to the ground, with Bachi kicking into his stomach and standing atop his chest to look down at his damaged face.

Bachi: [‘Cause I’m a real forgivin’ type of karma cat, I’ll ask. N’ya sorry for what n’ya said ‘bout Lady Shiro? If n’yar sorry, I might be willin’ to forgive n’ya.]

Crying tears of blood, Chima profusely nodded his head back to Bachi.

Chima: [Yes! Yes! I’m sorry! I’m incredibly sorry for what I’ve said! I shouldn’t have said anything like that to begin with and I’ll repent for my sins from this day onward! Please forgive me!]

The once hulking figure squirmed as he attempted to rise to a pleading position. He attempted to hold himself up, but what remained of his arms couldn’t muster the leverage. He tried to roll over onto his remaining knee, but he couldn’t as he trembled with the girl on top of him. The strength and body he took so much pride in was thrashed and reduced to nothing as he cowered.

Bachi: [... Nope.]

Chima: [Huh–]

Bachi: [What n’ya said ‘bout Lady Shiro is one thing, but after everythin’ n’ya did to Poi, after the shit n’ya tried to pull there, ain’t no way in hell am I forgivin’ n’ya.]

Chima: [KAAAAAAAAAAAA–aaah…!]

With a quick jab of her claw, Bachi cut into the remaining eye of Chima Verde, sending him off to the next world over screaming in pain like he had done to many others.

Making her way down from the large corpse, Bachi looked down at her figure and winced in disgust over the amount of blood she was covered in. Slithering close to her, Poi held her hands together as she looked on at the girl, who swiftly looked back and smiled.

Bachi: [N’ya okay, Poi?]

Poi: [Perhapssss it issss odd to asssk, but why are you assssking me thissss? I believe I am the one who sssshould–Ouch!]

A gentle fist to the head had stopped Poi’s statement, given by the cat in yellow.

Bachi: [Dummy! A friend always has to ask if their friend is okay!]

Poi: [Friend?! Have you agreed upon my idea that we’re–Ouch!]

Excited to ask another question, Poi was once again stopped by another gentle fist of yellow fur.

Bachi: [Dummy! Friends don’t gotta confirm that they’re friends either!]

Though an odd one, a beautiful friendship between cat and snake was beginning to bloom.

The battle between the ferocious feline and the crazed clawed killer was over. The victor: Bachi.

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Smoking from a gold and red kiseru, the motherly kitsune watched as the battle around her unfolded. Ready to step in when needed, she awaited for the perfect moment to strike before moving any further than she had been. On occasion, soldiers would attempt to rush her, only to be crushed under her geta that she lifted high in the air and slammed back down or stopped by the goddess’ children, who protected their mother with all of their might and defeated the opposing forces with the power of love. Behind the kitsune, a man dressed in a blue button down and black pants slowly approached. His blood red hair danced in the wind as he made his way over. Noticing his presence before he had fully arrived, the kitsune spoke to him.

Kōkatsu: [I don’t suppose Mister Pacifist is gonna get involved with a battle like this, right? Unless ya plan on talkin’ them to death.

???: [I’m not too sure that I’d like to participate. Though, judging by the way some of them act, I think talking to them enough might just kill them as well.]

Kōkatsu: [Yahahaha! Yeah, their brains are a little too small, aren’t they?]

Finishing her mighty laugh, the kitsune inhaled more smoke from her kiseru and released it into the wind. As she did, the man with crimson hair and eyes moved beside her.

Xander: [So? How are things holding up here?]

Kōkatsu: [Honestly? S’way better than our last two battles. We aren’t exactly stompin’ ‘em, but we’re puttin' up a good fight. Besides, yer crew-in-law seem to be gettin’ their fair share of trophies. Helig went on and moved ahead of me. Guess she wants to wait and see if someone fights Nero so she can use her ability or somethin’. Don’t know what it does, but I jus’ know she keeps bringin’ it up in our plans everytime she wants to deal with the guy.]

Crossing his arms, Xander looked on at the battle below with Kōkatsu.

Xander: [That’s good. Luckily, our ace is almost here.]

Kōkatsu: [Oh? Is she now?]

Xander: [Yep. I got a text a few seconds ago. She just woke up and should be here any minute now.]

Kōkatsu: [Very nice! Guess we’ll have to see what excitin’ things happen till then!]

Side by side, the lover of the ace and the closest friend to the ace watched the mighty retaliation against Nero’s army.

Soon, the ultimate weapon would arrive.

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In front of the pair was a being made of a red and black viscous substance fighting multiple soldiers in the distance. Watching him from the trees, the two prepped their weapons, ready to enter battle with the foe. Using the knowledge she had over this type of person, the younger sister of pink spoke to the elder sister of purple.

Tari: [Great. Not only is that guy in the third rank, but he’s also a death slime at that.]

Sena: [I don’t really like the sound of that name. It sounds really scary.]

Tari: [We don’t have time to be getting scared over names, Sena. Let’s go. We need to make Lady Shiro proud.]

Nodding back to her sister, Sena slapped the side of her cheeks and released a deep breath from her nose.

Sena: [Right! We’ll make Lady Shiro the proudest she can be!]

Jumping through the trees and soaring in the air with their wings, the two landed in front of the death slime, gaining its attention as it spoke with multiple voices at once, both masculine and feminine.

Skal: [Who dares interfere with the work of the mighty Skal?]

Raising themselves off the ground, the two gave confident smiles back to the slime in uniform.

Tari: [Beat it, chump. Either you run and we’ll let you live or you die trying to fight us.]

Sena: [It doesn’t matter how strong you are or that Nero guy is!]

In unison, the two spoke the words they both agreed upon and shared in their hearts.

Tari and Sena: [Lady Shiro is far stronger!]

With Tari’s sai in hand and Sena’s flintlock pistols at the ready, the succubi sisters were ready to enact their deadly combo.

The lethal Erozena duo would now begin their battle in hopes of supporting the woman they served.

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