An old stone castle stands on the edge of the vineyard, right on the bank of the Haven River. From the highest floor, a silhouette of a man can be seen leaning on the window, gazing at the grey canvas high above him.

"Ah, look at that sky, isn't it beautiful?" Loki remarks with a mischievous grin on his face and a half-full glass of red wine in his hand.

"Yes, it is," answers the willowy woman standing two meters behind him.

"It's now reflecting the true color of this world," Loki says, swirling the wine. "Night is approaching, and this place will soon be shrouded in darkness. You see, even the sky becomes tainted." His brow furrows and his eyes darken. "Those Aragons are trying so hard. They must understand that while light will eventually fade, darkness will remain."

He finishes his glass of wine and turns to face the trembling young lady. As he looks at her, he leans his elbows against the window sill. One corner of his mouth crooks up when the woman flinches at his gaze.

He enjoys the power he has over the frail human.

However, when Raiden's face appears in his mind, his smile turns into a scowl.

"Humans are a fascinating species, don't you think? They are so desperate to save the world. But I'm also desperate to change the world." He stretches his neck to look up at the ceiling. His thoughts drift towards Raiden. "But I wonder if that kid is even aware."

Loki bursts out laughing before speaking again.

"Humans never cease to entertain me." He locks his gaze on the woman. "Am I right? Humans are both predictable and unpredictable."

Loki smiles as the woman gulps in fear. Not only that, but she has a beauty that is pleasing even to his inhuman eyes. The moonlight slipping through the window behind Loki illuminates her pale skin, accentuating her beauty. She is dressed in a long crimson velvet gown that complements her fair complexion. Her eyes are emerald green, and her dark hair cascades down her well-shaped hips.

Loki's lips curve into a smile, and he takes a step closer to her. "You're such a beautiful human. It's a shame you've ended up in my hands. Consider this a compliment from me, eh?"

When he extends his hand, the woman flinches, and his hand comes to a halt an inch away from her head. He blinks a couple of times before laughing.

"Too scared? I haven't done anything yet," he says as he closes the remaining gap, patting the woman on the head as if she were a dog.

The woman lowers her gaze and bites her bottom lip.

"Now, take this to the table and then come back to me," he orders, handing her the empty wine glass, and the young woman does as she is told.

The room is large, with only the fireplace lighting it up. Despite the dim lighting, Loki can see clearly thanks to his enhanced vision as a Blood Demon. The room has a large carved oak bed, an upholstered bench seat, and a wooden wardrobe next to the door. He stands in front of the gold-plated mirror on the wall adjacent to the window, staring at the woman's reflection as she places the empty wine bottle on the tabletop.

The room is deafeningly quiet. The only sounds are the crackling of flames and the woman's light footsteps.

When she returns, he smiles. "Good girl. So, shall we go on? I'm starving to death. Being with those two Aragons had to have sapped my energy. "But, at the very least, I learned something new from that brief encounter."

The young woman removes the white scarf around her neck with trembling hands and lets it fall to the floor. Loki's face splits into a grin as the human's bare neck reveals itself before his eyes. He licks his lips as hunger consumes him.

Then he leans forward, his mouth close to her neck. "Don't worry, you'll be remembered. I'll make certain that this town hears about your death and falls into despair. Isn't that exciting?"

Tears well up in the woman's eyes, and her lips tremble. Loki's eyes gleam as the smell of despair wafting from her assaults his olfactory. Sobs erupt from her mouth, her tone pleading for mercy. But, as much as she wished to flee, she is unable to do so.

Loki has placed her under his Command - a skill he possesses in which the victim will obey him willingly or unwillingly. Therefore, he owns her.

When Loki's sharp fangs penetrate her frail skin and sink into her flesh, the woman lets out a whimper. He consumes her energy, blood, soul, and life. As the woman's soul slides down his throat, his body swells with pleasure. He can feel the despair in it, and it warms the cockles of his heart.

Not only is it lovely, but it's also delicious. This town doesn't know how to disappoint me.

When he has finished emptying her, he lets go of her arms, and the woman's lifeless body falls to the floor with a thump. He grins as he wipes the blood from the corner of his mouth.

"Thank you," he whispers, and his deep, booming laughter echoes throughout the room. Sighing, he turns to face the window and gazes out at the darkening sky. "Well, let me go see my new friends and see if the Cimmerian here has the Core."

He spins around and walks to the door. But, before he turns the doorknob, he looks over his shoulder at the lone wine bottle on the table.

He scratches his chin. "Hmm."

He finally decided to grab it after a few minutes of contemplation. Then he walks out of the room, holding the bottle of wine and humming gleefully like a child who has been given a box of sweets.

***

"Answer my call, Raphael," Raia says, clutching her silver cross necklace. She leaps off the stair, a flaming longsword in her hand, and lands next to Raiden.

"Outcasts," Raiden confirms.

Raia narrows her eyes as she surveys the crowd. The Outcasts rise from their seats and turn to face them. Raia frowns and clutches the hilt of her sword, settling into a defensive stance, but the Outcasts remain in place.

They're not attacking, Raia thinks. They seemed lost. They are. . .

"They've all been tainted recently," Raia claims, and Raiden looks stunned.

"All?"

"Yeah, so let's not waste time and purify them now before they become complete weapons," Raia answers before leaping on the Outcasts.

Raiden grinds his teeth and finishes the last ones.

"Now it's time for Cleansing," Raia says solemnly, her gaze fixed on the lost spirits hovering over the lifeless bodies. There are around fifteen of them.

"I'll do it," Raiden declares, a look of determination crossing his features. "I'll save them."

Raia looks at him, surprised, but she doesn't ask him any questions. She can see determination and pity on his face as he looks at the poor souls, just as he did last night when he purified the tainted coachman's soul.

She's somehow a bit worried about her comrade's behavior.