"Loki," Chaos says, his voice deep in his throat.

Loki sighs as he sweeps his gaze over Chaos. As he leans against the plush back of the sofa, he begins picking his ear with his pinky and closes his eyes.

"Sorry, not sorry. That girl doesn't know how to shut her mouth," Loki snaps.

Tallulah's face heats up. "I said it's Tally!"

Loki lifts an eyebrow at her and pauses picking his ear. He then lets out a long, frustrated sigh, unable to believe that such a nine hundred-year-old demon still acts like a human child, which is why the urge to tease her is irresistible. He closes his eyes and puts his hands behind his head.

"Sure, Tallulah doll."

Tallulah summons a wooden sword, which she wields and tosses towards him. But Loki catches it without even opening his eyes.

"You know, I can destroy it," he says, aiming one cold eye at her.

Tallulah grits her teeth and glares at him, a vein popping out of her brow. Despite her rage, she remains silent.

Loki's mouth curves into a satisfied grin as he spins the wooden sword in his hand. Of course, he is aware of how much she values that frail object, even more than her own life. He throws the wooden sword at her with such force, all while smiling deviously. Chaos catches it with two fingers before its sharp tip pierces Tallulah's face.

"Enough," Chaos retorts, his placid manner turning grave as he locks one intimidating eye on Loki.

Tallulah takes the wooden sword from Chaos and hugs it tightly against her chest like it's a treasure. She's biting her quivering small lips as if about to burst into tears.

Chaos sighs and walks across the living room toward the man with long blond hair who is standing by the large arched window. The sudden brightness reveals Chaos's face hidden beneath the black hood. He has umber skin and unkempt strands of raven-black hair that fall across his brow. He bows his head slightly.

"I'm sorry for the commotion, Master Karma," Chaos says in a low voice.

Karma's eyes are fixated on the cloudless afternoon sky. The sunlight flowing through the window shines on his face, giving him the impression of a ghostly apparition. He has a serene expression on his face, as if unaware of the conflict that has erupted between the two Blood Demons. A pentacle staff is clenched in his hand, oozing with faint white light.

"Did you bring it?" Karma asks without glancing at him.

"Yes."

Karma's thin lips form an enigmatic smile as he turns around to face him, tailcoat rustling.

Chaos reaches inside his cloak.

Karma's eyes sparkle when Chaos extends his hand. A gleaming silver cross necklace is dangling from his palm. He takes it from him and holds it up to his face, his gaze fixed on the pendant. A six-pointed star within a circle is carved almost imperceptibly in the center of the cross. A hexagram.

"Ah, the ancient power, one of the seals," Karma says, his eyes glinting.

"I sealed it, so the power within that object remained even though the proprietor no longer existed," Chaos explains.

"I knew it," Karma whispers, grinning. "It's a portion of it." A pale red glow emanates from Karma's fist as he closes it. When he opens his palm, the necklace is shattered. Gray dust glistens against the ray of sunlight streaming in through the window.

Chaos, Loki, and Tallulah are all staring at Karma with stern expressions.

Karma wipes the dust from his hands and looks them in the eyes. "Now we know how to put a stop to our enemies and give humans what they truly deserved. Their desires deserved to be heard. Let us give our beloved humans the power they need." He pauses for a few seconds. "Before he returns and destroys humanity."

His eyes flicker to Loki. "Will you do it?" His voice has a savage edge to it, despite the smile on his face. His hand slowly reaches for the upright piano next to him and presses down firmly on the keys. A loud sound reverberates throughout the room.

Loki meets his gaze.

Of course, he will do it. He doesn't have much of a choice. The other four Blood Demons are away from the country, attending to their own responsibilities. Chaos and Tallulah are off to another task, one that piques his interest. They're on their way to Panacea, and there's a good chance they'll run into his two prey: Raiden and Raia. Even after warning his allies not to touch the two lambs, he remains tense. While he has no issues with Chaos, Tallulah is the real pest.

I can't let anyone touch those two. They are my prey. Nobody else should have their souls except me.

Mine alone.

Raia and Raiden, each of whom is an important tool in achieving his ultimate goal. He has a plan for them, and he won't let any demons consume their souls, not even the Great Wizard Karma.

Loki yawns and rises from his seat. "Of course, Master Karma. I'm just teasing our lovely doll."

Tallula's face flushes and her lips tremble, but instead of protesting, she simply gives him a deadly gaze.

"Whatever, Loki. Just do what Master Karma says. And . . ." Tallulah's voice softens and her eyes sparkle as emotion overtakes her features. "It was what Lamia wanted. It was what she desired."

The room falls silent as they all stare at her.

"She wanted them to know what it's like to be free, and that living with darkness isn't as bad as those saints think," Tallulah says, her fists shaking. "Lamia wanted them to understand that they are not the only ones who deserve to live. That is why . . ." She lifts her head and looks them in the eyes. "We must fight for our rights!"

Loki stares at her for a few moments, an enigmatic expression on his face, before sighing.

"Alright, I get it," he says nonchalantly, snuffing out the tension in the air.