Knights of Hell

Chapter 3

“Azure, are you sure?” Mint asked, looking up at his father, who was looking down at him with a scowl on his face.

“Yes. You both go to school. I’ll come to pick you up and I’ll speak to your teacher.”

Mint looked over at Kai, who was still unconscious on the black couch and then he nodded slowly.

“Okay,” he said, nodding slowly. “Please tell me if anything happens.”

“Bye, Mr Azure, Mr Nether, Mr Feather, Mr Yua and Mr Cedar,” Church said, smiling as he waved.

Mint sighed as he walked over to the door, dragging Church with him. They both heard Azure’s footsteps behind them.

“Be safe,” Azure said, smiling down at them as he patted both boys on the head.

They smiled as they left the apartment.

“Do you want to sneak back in when they’re not there?” Mint asked, looking at Church as he pressed the elevator button.

Church snorted. “Absolutely not, no matter how much I want to spend more time with Mr Nether, but if they see us there, they will walk us to school and that would simply be drawing more attention to ourselves.”

Mint’s eyebrows shot up. “You want to spend more time with Nether?”

Church grinned as they stepped inside the elevator and he pressed the ground floor button. “Oh, absolutely.”

“And he doesn’t scare you?”

Church shrugged. “He did for like the first five minutes. But then he was floating and I used the couch to climb onto him and he didn’t kill me and then I was flying and his skin was red Mint. Red!”

Mint nodded slowly. “Right, so you like him because you can sit on him and fly and his skin is red, right?”

“Yeah!” Church said, grinning as they stepped out of the elevator and they left the apartment complex into the cold winter air.

“Right,” Mint said, slowly comprehending what was coming out of his best friend’s mouth.

The two arrived at the high school ten minutes later and relished the warmth inside the building.

“Oh, look!” Neeve’s high-pitched voice yelled. “The halfie has entered the building.”

Mint tensed, as he ignored the heat creeping up his face in embarrassment and made his way over to his locker. Just one more month and they would be graduating and he would no longer have to deal with any of it anymore.

“Ignore her,” Church deadpanned as he opened his locker beside Mints. “She’s a bitch.”

Mint snorted. “I know.”

The two grabbed their religious studies books and sighed, of course, the one lesson he despised with his entire being he had every day, because it was a ‘necessary’ subject to teach the youth.

Mint ignored the words being thrown his way as he gripped his textbook tighter and followed Church silently. They walked into their large class, covered in portraits of angels looking beautiful, all with golden light surrounding them with long golden swords, bows and arrows and whatever other weapons they held.

The two took a seat in the spots at the back of the class.

There were three portraits of demons, all surprisingly, where Mint and Church sat. But they were shown to be these hideously malformed beings in dark light and flames which Mint knew were meant to represent hell.

Church saw him staring at them and he scowled. “Well, the demon ones are terribly wrong. We’ve seen what Mr Nether looks like, and that man could absolutely rail me into a bed.”

Mint’s mouth dropped open as he looked at Church. “You want to f**k my uncle?”

Church scoffed as he rolled his eyes. “What part of absolutely rail me into a bed do you not understand?”

Mint stared at him with wide eyes. “You want my uncle to f**k you?”

Church grinned. “There you go. But he’s not really your uncle, is he?”

Mint shrugged. “I don’t know, I never got to ask Azure about my dad on the couch after being tortured and the rest panicking and bashing him and then we fell asleep.”

Church rolled his eyes. “Well, then ask him now.”

Mint sighed but nodded.

‘Azure?’

‘What is it, Mint?’

‘Are the knights like my uncles?’ he muttered. He was glad Azure wasn’t here face to face because he would have seen how red his face was.

Azure didn’t reply for a minute. ‘Maybe? It’s complicated. Why?’

Mint wasn’t quite sure how to tell Azure that Church wanted to sleep with Nether. ‘Oh, no reason. Was just curious, really.’

He heard Azure sigh. ‘What did Church say?’

Mint’s face felt like he was on fire. ‘He wants to sleep with Nether.’

‘Absolutely not.’

‘I know. But it’s Church and he never listens to what any of us say, so, are the rest of the knights my uncles because you are technically my dad.”

‘I guess they would be, but not really. It’s a complicated thing really. Now, stop talking down the line and focus on your lesson.’

‘Has Kai woken up?’

‘Not yet, kiddo. But when he does, you’ll be the first person I tell. Okay?’

‘Okay.’ Mint paused for a moment.

‘Azure?’ he said.

‘What is it now, Mint?’

‘I love you. Thank you for being my dad.’

‘No worries, kiddo. I love you too. Now focus on your lesson.’

Mint didn’t know how he should have told Kai that he had religious studies and that he didn’t want to listen because all the teacher would do was bash him and all the demons, and even when students spoke up saying that demons were the bad guys, it didn’t really change the fact.

When the teacher walked in, the class quietened down as they all faced the front. Mint stared at the clock, eagerly waiting for the time to pass so he could move on to maths, his favourite lesson.

“Mint?” Church asked.

The mint-haired boy snapped out of his daze to see all of his classmates standing up. He quickly stood up, ignoring the glare his teacher gave him.

Church leaned in, his dark hair tickling Mint’s face as he whispered. “The Vause twins aren’t in today.”

Mint looked over to their empty seats and frowned. He had never spoken to Xavier and Mercy Vause, but whenever the topic of demons came up, they always sided with the demons. And everyone had always been too scared of them to say anything and it had always comforted Mint in an odd way.

“Now that we’re all standing up,” Mr Nema said, a thin and tall man said, his unkempt beard a mess as he kept running his hands through it. His bald head was shining as if he went out of his way to polish it every day. His eyes landed on Mint, who tensed. “Mint?”

“Yes, sir?”

The man’s eyes narrowed, but he didn’t say anything.

“I’m going to say some statements if you agree you stand on the right and if you disagree, stand on the left.”

Mint already knew he was going to be hated.

“Demons are the bad ones and angels are the good ones.”

Mint, Church and ten other students stood to the left. What surprised Mint was when Michael stood to the left alongside him.

“ Michael?” Mr Nema said, slightly confused.

Michael shrugged. Mint could see why his parents named him after the archangel. He had lovely blonde hair and bright blue eyes.

“I saw my neighbour today,” he said, a frown on his face. “He’s so sweet and quiet. He’s a demon, and he’d been fine when I saw him last, but when I saw him this morning, he had a bright gold scar staring from just above his right eyebrow and ending mid-cheek. An angel blinded him.”

Sara snorted, she was standing across from them. “Your neighbour probably did something.”

Micahel’s nostrils flared. “He did nothing. He said he was walking down the road when an angel attacked him.”

Sara’s eyes narrowed. “And you believe him?”

“Of course, I believe him. He’s never lied to me before.”

“Maybe he’s just lying and the scar is gold paint.”

“It isn’t,” Micahel snapped. “We all know when an angel hurts a demon there’s a bright gold scar, no paint or colour or whatever else can recreate that colour.”

“I’ve seen so many demons with gold scars,” Melissa whispered, she was standing across from the group on the side where everyone agreed with the statement. “But I’ve never seen an angel with a black scar.”

To Mint’s surprise, to everyone’s surprise, Melissa the popular girl walked across the room and stood next to Michael. Mint watched her, her wavy hair flowing behind her, she gave a small smile to Mint.

“This is good,” Church whispered. “There’s never been this many people on this side before.”

“Angels are the good ones,” Randi snapped, as he pointed at the other side of the class. “You are all just too blind to see it.”

“Then why are there so many demons with gold scars?” Church asked, eyes narrowing on Randi. “Why have I never seen an angel with a black scar, but I’ve seen so many demons with gold ones?”

“Because the angels always kill demons.”

“Oh,” Mint said, raising an eyebrow. “So, now you’re saying it’s okay to kill someone? As long as they're a demon?”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying.”

Anger flared through Mint’s body. He moved to the front of the group, his heart in his throat. “Then kill me. You said it’s okay to kill someone as long as they’re a demon. So, come on. Kill me.”

Randi tensed. “You don’t count. You are a half-demon.”

Mint c****d his head. “You said as long as they’re a demon. It doesn’t matter if I am half. I am still a demon. So, come on. Kill me.”

“Mint,” Church snapped, he tried taking a step forward but Micahel grabbed his hand and slowly shook his head. “What the hell are you doing?”

Mint ignored his best friend as his eyes locked on Randi, who was trembling as he took small steps forward. His ginger hair was cut short and his brown eyes were trained on Mint. The sunlight shined down into the classroom and the knife in Randi’s hand glistened.

Pure terror ran down Mint’s spine, but he stood his ground. He would not show an ignorant fool like Randi. He was scared.

When someone knocked on the door, Mint ignored it. He spread his arms further apart as Randi finally stood a couple of feet away from him.

Mint felt everyone’s eyes on him. He looked to see Mr Nema’s eyes trained on him. Mint scoffed, the man could have said he was unbiased as much as he wanted, but Mint could see the satisfied glint in his eyes.

What brought Mint out of his daze was a rough hand grabbing his wrist. He turned around to yell at Church but instead he saw Yua and Nether.

Shit.

“Mint, what the hell are you doing?” Nether snapped, his red skin appearing to turn even redder on his face. Ah, s**t. He was furious.

“Yua,” Mint said, looking down at the wrist where Yua’s dark grey, almost black hand was gripping him. “Yua, it hurts.”

“Blame him,” Church deadpanned, pointing at Mr Nema. “He knew Randi had a knife, he was going to let Randi stab Mint if he had the balls to do it.”

“Why are you two here?” Mint asked, feeling all of the energy leave his body.

Yua stared at him, his dark blue eyes seeming to burn holes in Mint. “I’m fine. But you need to let me go,” he whispered, looking down at his wrist. The silent Knight finally let go of Mint but he pulled him closer and pushed him behind him.

“Azure sent us. Kai was waking up and he didn’t want to overwhelm him, he said the kids at school had been making fun of you. So, we got sent to deal with it. Don’t worry, he said he was going to come later.”

“Mint?” Micahel asked, his eyes landing on Mint.

Mint smiled at him. “Yeah?”

“Why are you with the Knights?”

He shrugged. “One’s my dad.”

Nether was towering over Mr Nema as he hissed something incoherent to him. Mint watched as the blood drained from his face.

“Okay. So,” Mint said, looking around the classroom. “Church and I will take the Knights. And as long as no one panics, we should be good. Nether hates loud noises, Church learned that the hard way.”

Church scowled. “Well, at least Yua saved me.”

“You were going to crash into Feather,” Mint deadpanned, staring at his Church, who shrugged with a broad grin on his face.

“Mint?”

“Yes, Michael?”

“Are you safe?”

Nether whirled around to stare at Micahel, who tensed for a second before relaxing as he locked eyes with Nether. “Don’t suggest something as ridiculous as him or Church not being safe with us,” Nether snapped. “We wouldn’t hurt them.”

“Aww, Mr Nether. I knew you liked me,” Church said, grinning.

“I will throw you out of the window, Church and Yua won’t save you this time,” Nether snapped, his eyes narrowing on Church.

Church, however, seemed completely unfazed as he smiled. “Well, that’s because you would save me.”

Nether scowled as he turned and practically flew out of the room.

“Mint?”

“Yes, Michael?”

Micahel walked over to Mint and he leaned in to whisper something. Mint frowned but nodded. “Yeah, I don’t see why not. Just give me some time and I’ll help you.”

Michael gave a small smile and nodded as he went and stood beside Sara once again.

Yua gently pushed Mint out of the room and Church sighed as he followed after.

‘Mint, Kai’s awake,’ Azure’s voice ran through his mind.

‘Okay. We’ll be home soon.’

Mint found Nether already waiting for the group and the mint-haired boy couldn’t help but eye the shirt Nether was wearing. He always had such peculiar fashion tastes. But this was one of the worst ones he had seen yet. It was a horrible green shirt that did not go well with his blood-red skin.

“Mr Nether, as much as I respect you, what the hell is that shirt?”

Nether grinned. “It’s so ugly. I love it.”

Mint looked up at Yua, who shrugged as he locked eyes with him.

“Mr Nether, maybe we should go shopping.”

“How do you get money?” Mint asked, head c****d, as they began to walk down the empty hallway.

“Oh, that’s simple. Cedar owns a shop, that’s the only way he’ll spend money. But the rest of us, well, Lucifer just sends us money.”

Church frowned. “The devil? How is he relevant to any of this?”

“He's our father-not-father.”

Mint blanked, of course, the devil was their father-not-father. Why wouldn’t he be?

Mint was sure they would be walking right past the offices and out of the double doors, but he frowned when Nether stopped in front of the headmaster’s office. He motioned for Yua to follow him and told Mint and Church to wait.

Church was curious but nodded.

“What do you think they’re doing?” Church asked when the two Knights had been gone for almost two minutes.

After five minutes, Mint took a seat on the chair near the door. Church sighed as he also took a seat beside him.

“It’s oddly quiet in there,” Mint grumbled.

Church nodded. “Should we take a look?”

Mint snorted. “I’d rather not.”

The mint-haired boy watched his best friend shrug before standing up and peeking in through the glass pane. “Oh, that’s not good.”

Mint would not let curiosity get the best of him, so he stayed put. Church let out a little yelp as he moved out of the way as Cedar and Yua came out of the office.

Mint looked up at them, an eyebrow raised. “Everything okay?”

Nether smirked. “Well, I’ve threatened him. And then scared him with Azure, so we’ll see how school goes for you starting tomorrow.”

Mint nodded and followed the two knights out. He and Church walked behind the duo and Mint thought it would be the perfect time to tell him.

“Micahel wants our help,” he said as he eyed the portal that Nether had created.

“Oh, don’t look at me like that. There’s no way I’m walking back to Azure’s apartment.” Nether grabbed Church’s arm, who grinned. Nether rolled his eyes before he dragged Church into it.

But before Mint could walk in, Yua grabbed his arm gently. Mint stopped to look at the demon. “What’s up, Yua?”

“I’m sorry,” he rasped.

Azure had told Mint that Yua didn’t speak, so you could have imagined his surprise when Yua first spoke to him. The duo had been alone and the first thing he had said was that he had been sorry and he had missed him. Mint had been confused, and when he tried to get more answers out of him, Yua had simply acted like he had no clue what he was talking about.

Mint patted his arm and smiled. “Thanks. But it’s fine, it didn’t hurt.”

“You are bruised.”

“I bruise easily.”

“When we get back, ask Cedar to heal you. He will.”

Mint nodded, he gave a small smile to Yua before he stepped into the apartment. Kai’s eyes widened as he whirled around to stare at Azure. “You dragged the boys into this?!”

Azure was sitting across from Kai, on the chair. “They already knew.”

Mint frowned when he heard some muffled yelling in the kitchen. He ignored the Knight’s protests and followed the noises. His eyes widened as he called his best friend over.

“Oh, well, at least we know why they weren’t at school?” Church said, his face contorting a little as the duo stared at the Vause twins tied to chairs, both bound and gagged.

“Azure, what the hell?!” Mint snapped, as he turned around to stare at his father, a scowl on his face. “Untie them.”

“We can’t,” Feather said, as he walked over. Mint eyed the man’s clothing style. The corset and tight leather pants, but he decided he valued his life and didn’t make a comment.

“Untie them!” Mint snapped, pointing at the twins.

“After Nether and Yua left, they saw them portal away. So, we had to yano-”

“You had to tie them to a f*****g chair?” Mint hissed. He raked his hand through his hair as he groaned a little. “No, you know what? I can’t do this. Kai, are you okay?”

“Azure, you’re a demon?” Kai whispered, staring at Kai who had paled.

“Please, hear me out.”

“No, you’re a demon. You lied to me! You f*****g asshole-”

“Oh, shut up, human,” Nether hissed, as he floated over to the sofa where Kai was. “Azure didn’t do any of that. He protected you. He did everything for you.”

“Nether,” Azure rasped. “Stop.”

“No, you need to shut up.”

Mint didn’t know what to do. He didn’t know what to f*****g do. Everything around him was crumbling and he was so scared he would lose his only family.

He simply watched as Azure held onto Kai’s wrist and the two disappeared into his bedroom, despite Kai’s protests.

“So,” Nether said, looking around the room. “That could have been much worse.”

Church groaned. “Not now, Mr Nether.”

~*~