The sun rose over the small countryside, shedding its warmth over the now silent town. Bodies of passed-out demons filled the street.
The smell of liquor drifted through the air like a bed of prey, luring in any sober person that remained.
Back at the chief's homestead, Bael finally woke up.
Shit, my head hurts.
Bael got up, sober but still unable to stand straight. He grabbed his head, his brain pounding against his skull.
He made his way to the chief's house.
"Oh Bael, you're awake. If you don't mind, call Shin and Satel for me," the chief said as he sipped a cup of coffee.
Bael collapsed on the stairs of the porch, his legs shaking as they threatened to give out. Bael looked at the chief with an angry glare.
"Is that how you look at your elders, boy?" the chief asked as he got close to Bael and stared him down.
He threw Bael onto his shoulder.
"My apologies. Forgot what happens to you when you get drunk."
They walked into the house. When they got into Satel's room, they found her leaning on the side of the bed, vomiting into a bucket as Shin pulled her hair back.
"Just a bit more and you should be good," Shin said as he lifted the bucket up again.
Satel winced as she continued vomiting. Then she laid back onto the bed. Shin took a bottle from near the bed.
Shin gently opened her mouth and poured the liquid from the bottle into her mouth. Satel swished it around before spitting it back into the bucket.
"Satel, Shin, my office in twenty minutes," the chief said as he quickly exited the room.
Shin turned around in confusion, then looked at Satel.
"Was that your father?" Shin asked.
Satel nodded. Shin got up and the mask on his face slipped back inside. He lifted Satel once more and carried her out of the room.
They reached the chief's office and entered. They spent a full hour in there before coming out.
"Augh. My head hurts," Satel said as she placed her hand on her forehead.
"Well, one good thing is that your father is fully on board with your plan," Shin said, handing her a bag of ice.
Satel took the bag and pressed it against her forehead. Bael walked out and caught up to Shin and Satel.
"Hey Satel. Didn't you say Shin has the dark magic attribute as well as his wind and fire?" Bael asked.
"Yeah, he does," Satel responded, dismissing him as she walked into her room.
Bael smiled at Shin. Shin side-eyed him, gripping his shoulder.
"Hey, want to learn dark magic?" Bael asked, grinning.
Shin raised an eyebrow, intrigued by his proposal.
"Mmm. A tempting offer. When do we start?" Shin responded.
The pair shook hands.
"Tomorrow, once I get rid of this hangover," Bael said as he left Shin.
Shin shook his head and entered Satel's room.