One's willingness to believe their own kind clouded them from the truth.

The man in front of me appeared to be nothing more than a mild-mannered office worker. His hard work stepped on the toes of others, his self-reliance was begging for silence, and his reliability was comparable to a faulty wire.

Humans felt entitled, built with a sense of power over others, but in reality, they were all nothing but specks seeing their own lives as more valuable than even the universe itself. These men, in particular, were a pathetic bunch. The men who felt they deserved to have any woman they even thought about.

Though, I wasn't one to be concerned about another one’s folly; hell, it’s more or less the exact reason I even exist. Despite that, it was different when someone requested my assistance.

Here he kneeled, ready to commit to an act forbidden by his kind. While I didn’t seek him out, this fool had located me and my aid by this world’s “expert” Demon scholars, a.k.a the internet.

Who was I to ignore such easy targets?

“S-so all I have to do is give a little blood…” the man said meekly to himself, “sounds easy enough.”

That wasn’t convincing in the slightest. However, he moved the sharp side of the blade to his hand and, before he knew it, blood trickled down his palm to his wrist and forearm. Thick as it beaded down the blade, it pooled on the ground. Soon, it would be finished.

Watching the blade cut deep into his skin, I hadn’t expected him to stopp prematurely.

“What?”

His head shot in my direction. I wasn’t worried about him seeing me though; unless I wanted it, it just wouldn’t be possible.

“Is anyone out there!” He called out. After no response, he looked to his palm and clicked his tongue. “All this because of her… bitches like her never know what’s good for them!”

Could he have been changing his mind? Even now, he just sat there with the blade resting in the cut he already made. He wasn’t adding it to any of the materials he brought. In my thoughts, I hadn’t realized what was approaching.

Quickly, my gaze snapped and reactively my eyes shut thanks to the appearance of those unnecessarily bright, pearly gates closing. When the night returned, there stood a figure dressed in white. Someone that I considered a scourge.

This is what they considered an Angel. I happened to know this one personally. Ren and I had more history than the universe itself… probably. The years all melded together at some point and I stopped keeping track after the first century passed us by.

As per his usual, he would always try to stop me in nearly everything I did. He probably had nothing else to do but concern about someone he couldn't beat. He was often too late to actually do anything productive though. That meant, no matter how much I wanted to string him by his feet, fighting him would be dumb.

Ren didn’t exactly have good social skills, but even without that, nothing Ren could even say would make a difference now. He knew that greed fused Humans–especially men–were harder to turn once they were bent on their means; his efforts were commendable, but in vain.

Ren hovered down to the ground; the knife was still in the Human’s possession as he looked to Ren with a dumbfounded expression.

“A-a-an…a-angel!” The human stumbled over his words.

I guess seeing an Angel was something new for him; but it couldn't have been that different from a Demon.

“You don’t want to do that Sir!” Ren's loud voice startled the man.

“W-what? W-who are you and where'd you come from?”

“Why do you look so surprised? You’ve seen a Demon so what’s the differ-” Ren stopped himself. “Don’t answer that.” He started over. “You don’t want to do that Sir! I’m an Angel who’s trying to stop you from making a terribly grave mistake!” The man just stared with no real intention to speak—that only made Ren irritated by the look on his face. Priceless. “Since that’s not working, how about I call your mistake stupid, then-” Ren’s irritable banter was cut off.

“I know what you’re saying: I’m making a mistake?” The Human mocked. “I know that you’re gonna say that!”

“Then why do you still have that knife in your hand? Drop it already!” Ren went on to speak about various things, mentioning the beauty of life and how precious it was. How cherishing the time one had on Earth was incomparable to any other feeling, some nonsense like that.

With the way things were going, it didn’t seem like I’d be losing this catch to him. So Ren needed to get out of the way and stop wasting my time!

It would be reasonable to chase him off if he didn't leave soon and right as I went to reveal myself, my eyes were blinded by another light that threatened the darkness.

“Who is it this time?” Being sure they couldn't hear me, I waited for the light to fade again. I couldn’t see them all too well to begin with, having been off in the shadows, but now I couldn’t even see Ren. I got up a bit more and found him on the ground with… a girl on his backside? Now this was hilarious. Whoever she was had fallen on Ren’s back, making her grand entrance a train wreck.

“Cassie?” Ren spoke, moving the girl off of him. “What are you doing here? I told you to wait until I called you if I needed help.”

The one I assumed was Cassie, sat up. She got to her feet before helping Ren to his.

“I-I wanted to h-help.” She stammered. “You were taking a long time and I… I got worried.”

Ren sighed. “Thanks for worrying, but I’m fine.” Ren said nothing else and it seemed as if he were thinking about something. Suddenly, he moved her in front of him—presenting her to the Human like a pretty little prize. “But, since you're here, why not try something on this dude. I’ve tried everything, even the fullest life bit, and nothing’s working.”

Cassie looked at the man.

While she stared, I couldn’t help the funny feeling I got. Perhaps it was just my gut, but it seemed as though I wouldn’t get my dinner like I planned. The Human’s eyes were glossed over, like he had seen an Ang- ugh, never mind. He mindlessly watched Cassie while she stared back at him with a similarly obnoxious expression.

She then composed herself and said, “alright, um, Sir? What you’re doing is wrong. Giving your soul to a Demon isn’t the way out of your problems!”

It was easy enough to tell how rehearsed that was. So I turned my attention to the Human; he blinked several times and his mouth attempted to form words. For a while, I thought he lost the ability to speak, then, he finally did.

“Y-you’re right…”

While that wasn’t surprising to me, Ren and Cassie’s mouths nearly hung open and they turned stiff as a board at the man’s words.

“Huh? I am?”

The man got to his feet and reached for her hands. “I’m serious, you are right!” He repeated.

“How did you-” Ren was flabbergasted.

It was getting ridiculous how oblivious they were being. Either they didn’t know what this guy was planning or they blatantly ignored it.

“I see it now. This…” He looked at the knife. “This isn’t the answer.” The Human threw the knife away, it stuck up like a blossoming flower. “All this for some woman? I know my life is worth something now, much more than her. There are so many other beautiful things in this world!”

Oh, how right he was. One of those ‘beautiful things’ was right in front of him, something he would so desperately want to be his. It was wishful thinking assuming those Angels could see his bullshit—Cassie's face was full of satisfaction even. I guess they really do only see the good in people.

“Wow,” she said with obvious astonishment in her voice, “I’m glad you see the error of your ways. You must live your life to the fullest!”

Mindlessly, the Human agreed and inched closer to Cassie. With their hands still together, Cassie looked down.

“Oh, your hand is cut…can we help him?” Cassie asked Ren.

“Yeah, but neither of us is any good at Healing though. I can still try.” Ren stepped forward.

“No!” They looked at the Human’s loud outburst. “She should do it. I-I just don’t want you to… waste anymore energy on me.”

Yeah right.

“It’s no problem.” Ren attempted to offer his help still.

The Human remained closer to Cassie. “You seem like you work a lot, take a load off for now.”

Ren shrugged. “Alright, just do a good job, Cassie.”

“It won’t hurt, I promise.” She assured.

“I know you wouldn’t.” The Human was nearly drooling at this point.

He inched closer to her—despite not needing to—as soon as she started to heal him. Ren hadn’t minded or noticed that for some reason. As they went about helping the Human, my annoyance only grew. All my hard work had been for nothing… as usual.

Now what?

Outside of killing her, there was nothing to compete against the enticement she brought. This Angel, single handedly, took away what most Demons would work days to accomplish. Eating out of a pretty little silver spoon. It wasn’t always like that though, things weren’t always so easy for our counterparts, but this is the sweet reality they get to live.

I sighed loudly. “Looks like you’ve fulfilled your purpose.”

The trio turned in my direction. I stepped from behind the bushes and upon meeting my eyes, Ren stood in front of Cassie defensively. The Human screamed and fell back as he flailed about, trying to get away.

“Of course it’s you,” Ren said through gritted teeth.

I looked at him. “How long has it been since we’ve last dealt with each other?”

Ren's eyes never left me as he spoke to Cassie. “We need to leave. Now!”

“W-why?”

“Just listen to me! We saved the Human. You go ahead and leave first.”

Cassie's eyes panned between Ren and me. I guess she was worried. What for? Wasn’t she here to ruin my day?

My eyes met Cassie’s while she stared at me. No matter her brother’s words, she just remained there looking at me. With her eyes alone I could tell she somehow knew of me. I knew I wasn’t forgetting someone like her; that kind of energy was unmistakable.

Aside from that, I focused back on Ren. “Mind telling me why you thought it was appropriate to come down for this guy’s salvation when he was already six feet under?”

“We save Humans from evil like you.” Ren declared.

Despite that most likely being what they came here for, Cassie seemed shocked hearing Ren's explanation.

“Evil like me?” I began. “This Human is what you consider good? Don’t you know, fools like him have a willing habit to enact their will upon others. What happened to them all being brothers and sisters?” Ren said nothing. “Is that what took you so long? I did think it was strange you justice bringers didn’t come down here sooner.”

“I’ll admit, it’s impressive you were even able to trick a male, but I knew to show up right at this moment. We were taught it angers Demons.” Ren smirked. “Looks like they’re not wrong.”

I started to get closer. Ren only backed up, keeping Cassie behind him. It was strange that Ren wasn’t fighting me. He didn’t seem equipped for a fight either; usually, Ren carried an assortment of weapons, changing them almost daily in his efforts to find a weapon to his liking. He didn’t have a single item on him right now.

“Look at you! I’m trying to settle this between us; but it looks like you’re finally being the bigger man.”

“I have no reason to fight you!” He yelled.

“And I have no reason to not kill you.”

“Ren… did we really take his food?” Cassie tried—and failed—to whisper to him.

“Now’s not the time Cassie!” I snickered at the sight of the fumbling pair. Ren’s eyes rolled. “Whatever, let’s just ignore him and get out of here!”

Cassie had no time to react verbally, but her expressions were very loud. I knew she wanted to say something; but before she could, they were gone along with the light.

The night returned and it wasn’t as comforting as it was earlier. It only confirmed my indefinite loss, and that’s when the Human started making pathetic moans beside me as he cowered further against a tree.

I scoffed. “I would suggest you take a hike before I try to take your soul by force this time.”

He stumbled to his feet and ran off while screaming something about never trusting the internet again.

And there goes my dinner plans.

I looked at the discarded knife. Picking it up, some of his blood was still on it. I sat on the ground and felt another sigh escape me.