A Devil of a Plan

Kovash carefully made a running landing on an old, overgrown dirt road a short distance from the main town after being in the air for a short time.

If you are looking for God, you have quite a journey ahead of you. Devil said, his voice echoing into Daiya's mind.

What do you mean? Is she not just hanging about like she normally does, Intent on causing trouble? He replied in his mind, hoping that his words found Devil.

She is around, yes, but not as herself. We do not need to show our true form to be able to use our abilities or travel in this world. He replied.

Daiya understood that well enough from his past meetings with them.

Then where might I find her true form? He asked.

The cold lands to the north. He replied, drawing a frown to Daiya's lips.

He was going to respond, but his train of thought was cut off when Finn gently began rubbing his thumb along Daiya's skin, having seemingly slipped it beneath his wet shirt. It didn't seem like he was trying to get any kind of reaction out of him, though. Daiya knew that crossing his arms and rubbing his thumb along his skin was just a sign of stress for him, but he couldn't help the shiver that ran down his spine at the attention.

Finn will need to remove the barrier he has placed over his land in order for you to travel. If you try to leave without his permission, you will be forever lost in the fog. Devil said.

Daiya looked over his shoulder as Finn hopped off of Kovash's back to stretch.

"Finn, can you remove the barrier you have on this land so that we can find God?" Daiya asked as he slipped from his demon's back, too.

Kovash took that opportunity to shake out his matted coat and run off toward the town, disappearing behind a group of trees a few moments later.

"I can." Finn finally said as he finished stretching out his naked body. "But I don't want you to leave." He added.

Daiya frowned, turning to Finn with his hands on his hips. "Why not? We need to take care of her or things are just going to get worse."

Finn gave a little half smile and settled a hand on Daiya's shoulder.

"Yes, things will get worse. That is why I will be the one leaving to deal with her. I want you nowhere near that creature." He said.

What?

"But I am stronger than you now! I can fight her, too." He said, taking a step closer, only to get pulled into Finn's chest by a strong hug.

"Yes, you are likely stronger than I am now. That does not mean that I want you to get hurt, though." He said, making Daiya's heart stumble a little in his chest.

It made him happy that Finn finally cared, but it really wasn't the time to be stubborn.

"Kovash won't fly without me." He said, pouting a little.

Of course, he wasn't positive about that, but the bat demon did tend to favor him and never seemed to happy to be around Finn. As if speaking about him had summoned him, Kovash came to a stumbling landing a few feet away. He was holding something in his mouth, making Daiya step out of Finn's embrace and walk over, curious.

"A pair of trousers?" He asked as he took the garment from him.

Kovash snorted and jerked his head toward Finn.

I don't want his naked butt on my back again.

Daiya snickered and was about to toss the pants to Finn when he realized something.

"He doesn't want you riding him naked... and I don't want you riding him at all." Daiya said to Finn as he held the pair of pants against his chest tightly.

If Finn wanted to be unreasonable, he could be, too.

"Daiya, give me those and tell him to take me to God. We will bring you back to the keep until things are settled. I'll have my guards watch over you." He said, earning a scowl from Daiya.

"Your guards weren't of much help earlier. I am safer with Kovash." He grumbled right as a black fox wandered out from the overgrown grass to their left.

Might I offer a suggestion? He said as he sat down between them.

Kovash lifted his upper lip in response, letting Daiya know that the thought was likely broadcast to everyone.

"What do you want?" Finn asked, not bothering to hide the dislike in his voice.

I want you to put clothing on. Besides that, though, I'd like to see God be put back in her place.

Finn rolled his eyes and grabbed the pants from Daiya, yanking them on as he replied. "And your actual suggestion?" He said.

The fox twitched its whiskers.

If I saw correctly, Daiya can control the undead, and angels. He thought, then continued. If God's angels are undead, then she, herself, is likely so now.

Daiya was surprised by the information, but was still unsure where he was going with it.

She's a terrible monster and won't hesitate to try and kill either of you if you find her true form. Perhaps if Daiya can control her long enough, Finn can deliver the final blow. Devil said.

Finn crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow.

"And you will do what?" He asked.

The fox twitched its nose and sneezed.

Watch with glee.

Scoffing, Finn walked over to Kovash and began to jump up onto his back. Only, Kovash was clearly not interested in offering his services, because he quickly side-stepped, leaving Finn to stumble forward with a curse.

"I am curious, Devil. Why do you two seem so at-ends?" Daiya asked as he easily hopped up onto Kovash's back.

Devil waited a few moments before sighing and replying.

We were both similar beings at one point. We got along well and took care of the human realm together. He thought to them as his fox slowly began walking about, its tail swishing slowly behind it, as if contemplating his story.

We had an agreement to never reveal ourselves to humans, but God grew to dislike the idea, unbeknownst to me. She began to perform miracles for the humans at an illogical rate. Babies who were to die from disease suddenly became cured. The poorest of beggars found gold beneath their dirty pillows when they awoke the next morning.

People began to take notice of all of the miraculous things and had little evidence of their origins. When we did one or two things here and there, humans tended to allow the memories of them to fade over time.

With so many things going on at once, people began to question what was really happening. That's when God began to make her actual presence known.

They began to worship her and her greed for acknowledgement grew worse with each passing day. I didn't notice until it was too late.

"You were probably too absorbed in yourself to realize it." Finn said before he finally managed to climb up onto Kovash's back, earning a snort from the demon.

Of course. I just love myself so much. Who wouldn't be obsessed with themselves if they were me? Devil replied, clear sarcasm in the tone of his thought as he sauntered over to Kovash and hopped right up onto his head.

Lift the barrier and bring Daiya with you, Finn. You need him for this, and as much as I would rather sit back and watch you two do all of the work, I have decided, grudgingly, to assist you. You are welcome.

"Welcome," Finn muttered as Kovash unfurled his wings and began to take off.

Daiya chuckled and grinned when he felt Finn's arms wrap around his middle and hug him tightly.

"The barrier will be down by the time we fly through it." He said, clearly not happy that he was taking Daiya with him.

"Don't worry, we'll head north and take care of God, then all make it back safely." Daiya said as he reached for Devil.

He tucked the fox against his chest and held on tightly, not wanting him to fall off and die, even if he would just be reincarnated.

Time for some fun. Devil thought to them as they passed through the fog barrier and slipped out into fading, dark blue skies. Be ready come morning. God will not be forgiving to those seeking to harm her. Devil warned.

Daiya licked his lips.

"We'll be ready."