Smoke was visible from above the treetops as Corre left the forest, Cymble forced to follow.

  “So, I’m a girl again… What a thrill.” Corre said with no conviction at all, gripping the small of his back to straighten it out, feeling the pain from earlier still tingle in his bones.

  “I know right! So much fun. So much fun to see you so miserable.”

  “I’m not miserable. Okay, maybe a little, but not that miserable. I mean, did you see that blast? That was awesome!”

  “Yeah, real awesome. Now, try to do it again.”

  Corre closed his eyes and focused in the same way he had done minutes ago. Nothing happened, just a fizzle. “What the hell?”

  Cymble doubled over from laughing. “That’s exactly it. Like I said, your soul was overcharged because you never used it a day in your life. Now you burned through all that soul energy in one session.”

  “So, are you changing me back?”

  “Nah.”

  “What do you mean ‘Nah’?”

  Cymble grew a devious smile. “Well last time I accidentally found out, but seeing you like this is pretty funny and I am a sucker for comedy.”

  Corre sighed. “What a bother.” He muttered while moving forward.

  His steps were heavy, partly because everything felt heavier, partly because he was still recovering from getting slapped through multiple trees and falling onto a rock with his back.

  His clothes felt out of place, his shoes were too big, but he had to move. His deadline was only two days away and it took a day to get there. Corre didn’t want to waste time. His feet hurt like they never have before. Normally he would just walk on, but his shoes were too big for him now.

  Man, what if I get blisters? Corre thought. He sat down and began struggling with his shoes, trying to adjust them to his new foot size.

  “Should I change you back? So you fit your shoes again.”

  “Yeah, that’d be nice.” Corre had his eyes closed, expecting something to happen, but nothing did. “I thought you said you were going to change me back!”

  “No I didn’t. I asked you if I should, but I never said I would.”

  “If you never planned to change me, why did you ask the question in the first place!” He started to fumble around with his bag, looking for the rope he packed, nearly letting the egg fall out. “Where is that damn-Ah there it is.” He pulled out a short piece of rope, not nearly long or durable enough to use for survival, making Cymble look at it with a puzzled expression as to why he’d even pack it.

  The movement of grabbing the rope made the bag tip over, causing the egg to roll out.

  “For a ‘strong fighter’, you sure are clumsy.” Cymble teased.

  “I beat you, didn’t I?” He shot back, rolling the egg back into his bag. That shut her up, leaving her to only glare at him like she was planning how to break him without killing him.

  Corre was struggling with the small rope, tying his shoes to his feet. “There, that should do it.” He trudged on. Ah, much better. Just have to hope I don’t get blisters.

  -

  After a while of silent walking Cymble got bored again.

  “So, Corre, where are we going?”

  “You’ll see, stop bothering me. Can’t you just float off or something.”

  “That’s no fun. I want to see where you’re taking my body.”

  Corre groaned. “Such a bother.”

  “What was that!?”

  “That you’re a bother, you annoying low-demon.”

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  “I’ll make you eat those words!”

  “How? Turning me into a guy again?”

  Cymble balled her fist, but didn’t respond immediately. “I have other ways of making your life hell.”

  “No you don’t, you ethereal freak.”

  “Shut up.”

  Corre snapped his head behind him to face her. “No, you shut up. You’re the one who created the contract, live with it. Quit bothering me.”

  “Never. Now tell me where we’re going or I’m getting even more annoying!”

  Corre dragged his hand down his face. “Fine. We’re going to a manor, where I promised I’d deliver that.” He nudged his shoulder to the golden egg in his bag. Man, this thing is heavy. I don’t remember struggling so much earlier.

  Cymble sighed. “You’re risking your life for a promise? You’re not one of those ‘Honour above everything’ types are you?”

  Corre laughed. “That’s what you take me for? I am almost hurt. No. He promised he’d give me something I need. Besides, I can handle it. It would’ve been easier if I didn't have a gash in my side.”

  His hand went to his side, which hasn’t been hurting for some time now. It felt a little weird, especially while it was healing during that fight with the celestial. It had this weird electrifying tingle, way different from when he used Cymble’s lightning.

  Why the hell did that tickle so much? Everything feels so goddamn weird with all that celestial magic crap. Corre thought as scratched where the wound should be. He was sure it would’ve made a scar, but nothing like that formed. It was nothing but normal skin.

  “Surprised? My body uses beyond energy, like every other Beyonder. It heals us, dummy.”

  “I knew that! You explained that already, stupid!” Corre snapped.

  “I know, but you don’t seem to like listening.”

  “Not when it comes to you.”

  “How touching.”

  “The other reason is that he keeps my gear as collateral. I want it back.”

  Cymble looked on amused. “Oh, and what kind of gear would a guy like you need?”

  “Weapons.” Cymble kind of expected that.

  After he mentioned it, she started to think. Weapons huh? What does he use them for? I mean, he’s strong and skilled with fighting barehanded. Why would he go through the trouble of carrying weapons? He doesn’t look like a mercenary, he was too sleek for that. Besides, he doesn't sound like your typical merc. Would he be an assassin? No, he’s too loud, too reckless, too… crazy. If he were an assassin he’d be more careful, more controlled, more precise.

  That’s when it struck her nerves. She needed another look at him, to figure it out.

  She stuck her arm into his chest, grabbing the flow gate in his heart. His body shifted as the energy flowing through his veins dissipated. The ropes around his feet snapped under the sudden pressure. He grew back into his clothes, the softness of his frame becoming more rigid.

  “Oh, so now you change me back, after I tried to make it more comfortable. You’re the worst.”

  Cymble took a better look at him. He has muscles sure, but they are pretty muted for someone who could snap back a Celestial beast with a single kick.

  Corre moved on, his now male body had much less strain carrying his bag. He rolled his shoulders. Ah man, this is much better. He began to pick up his pace, which was slowing down for the last thirty minutes.

  “I thought you demons were supposed to be stronger, demon.”

  “Hey, what’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Oh I don’t know. I was starting to consider a rest, because my bag is so heavy, but now, I don’t think I’ll need it.”

  Cymble’s thoughtful expression changed into a death glare. “What was that?”

  Corre laughed. “You are too easy.”

  “I am not weak.”

  “Oh, is that right?”

  “I mean, I’ve never seen myself pull the amount of power you just pulled on that beast, but that’s only because you have a soul. I fought you, remember.”

  “Yeah, how could I forget? You were losing. I had a giant wound in my side and still overpowered you.”

  “Hmpf.” Cymble pouted, before a devious grin started to appear on her face.

  Cymble reached into his chest again, but the moment she wanted to release the energy, the moment she wanted to turn him into a girl again, he shot away.

  “I might not be able to hit you, but I can still dodge.”

  What the- He’s so fast. What the hell is he?! No human should be that fast, that strong and that stupid! He reminds me of the stories from some of the demons back home. They talked about some orphans, how terrifying they were. What a bunch of bull. What the hell is he? Cymble thought as she corrected her stance. “Well excuse me for trying.”

  Corre laughed. “Never said you couldn’t. I mean, it helps being on your toes I guess, makes sure I don’t slack off.”

  Cymble huffs at the thought of being a game, holding up her middle finger.

  “Or you can also choose to do that. I don’t judge.”

  “Do you ever shut up, human?!”

  “Yeah, but at those times I’m alone.” Something isn’t right here. Corre thought as he stopped.

  “Huh, weird.” He felt the breeze on his skin, and thought he heard something moving toward him at high speed.

  It’s not alone. Not too many either. They’ve surrounded me. Must be a predator. Unlikely to be a beyonder.

  The bushes start to ruffle. “Mmmh?”

  “What? Tell me you stupid human!”

  “Well, shit.”