As they walked off, Loona watched from a distance.
She had never seen Daniel more at ease.
And now, with Duran back in his life—things were about to get interesting.
As the battlefield fell silent, the last remnants of gunfire fading into the air, Daniel and Duran stood amidst the carnage.
Blood pooled at their feet.
The bodies of their enemies lay scattered, motionless.
Yet to them—this was just another job.
Duran cleaned his blade, exhaling sharply.
Duran: “Alright. That was fun. Now tell me—how the hell do I get out of here?”
Daniel leaned against a wrecked wall, reloading his pistols.
His expression darkened slightly.
Daniel: “That… is gonna be complicated.”
Duran raised an eyebrow.
Duran: “Complicated how?”
Daniel looked him in the eye.
Daniel: “Because nobody escapes Hell, Duran.”

The Harsh Truth
For a moment, Duran was silent.
Then, he let out a dry chuckle.
Duran: “I refuse to believe that.”
Daniel sighed, crossing his arms.
Daniel: “Believe whatever you want, but I’m telling you—this place isn’t just a prison. It’s designed to keep people in. No mortal soul has ever escaped Hell.”
Duran narrowed his eyes.
Duran: “Yet you and I both ended up here, body and soul. There has to be a way back.”
Daniel hesitated.
Because Duran had a point.
Most souls that wound up in Hell were just that—souls.
But both he and Duran had been dragged down here with their bodies intact.
Something unnatural was at play.
And if Duran had been sent here, that meant someone had sent him.
And if someone could send him here…
Then maybe, just maybe—he could be sent back.

Daniel’s Promise
Daniel looked at Duran, his expression serious.
Daniel: “Alright. I don’t know how, and I don’t know when. But I swear—I’ll do whatever I can to help you get out of here.”
Duran smirked slightly.
Duran: “You always were the stubborn type.”
Daniel: “Takes one to know one.”
Duran sheathed his blade.
Duran: “Fine. Then let’s start digging. If there’s a way out of Hell, I’ll find it.”
Daniel chuckled, shaking his head.
Daniel: “Then I guess we’re in this together.”
The two assassins clasped hands—an unspoken pact sealed between them.
No matter what it took—they would find a way.
And whoever had sent Duran to Hell…
Would regret it.
Meanwhile a few days later Blitzo Makes an announcement that they are going to the Theme Park int he greed ring known as Loo Loo Land, Duran says “what he fuck is a Loo Loo Land?’ Blitzo says that it's a shitty theme park Owned by Mammon the sin of Greed “ the Job Is simple you see I know this demon Prince who lets us use his book to access the real world to do our Job” Before Blitzo can finish Daniel says “you mean you sleep with said demon prince, and by sleep I mean he likes to choke on your cock from time to time and he lets us use said book to do our job!” Blitzo gives Danie a smirk and a sarcastic remark “ha ha ha hey I can’t help if I got the kinda dick that makes even a demon prince horny anyways, we are gonna be Protecting him and his Daughter while they attend the park, any questions? Rhetorical okay let's get going!! Daniel says that he will stay behind With Loona as the rest go to Loo Loo Land, Blitzo tells them No fucking while they are gone, Danile says they wont leave to many stains this time. Blitzo Just does a facepalm as they Leave, Duran is not unfamiliar with the work of Body guarding, He has done it before, Many times, But this time would be different. As Blitzo Picks up both Sotlas and Octavia, Durans eyes lock onto Octavia. He felt a new emotion growing inside of himself, something he had neve felt in a long time. The last time he had felt this feeling is when he killed his first target, he had a nervous sense of fear, and readiness, But this, this was no life or death situation, at least not yet. What was this feeling he had when he saw Octavia. Octavia glanced at the group of bodyguards with mild disinterest.
Then her eyes landed on Duran.
For a moment, she actually paused.
Something about him felt… different.
Unlike the others.
And not just because he was the only one standing with perfect posture, arms crossed, looking completely unfazed by everything.
There was something colder. Sharper.
Like he didn’t belong here.
Finally, she spoke.
Octavia: “…Who’s the new guy?”
Duran met her gaze, his expression calm, unreadable.
Duran: “Duran. I’m new to I.M.P.”
Octavia raised an eyebrow.
Octavia: “Huh. You don’t look like the type to work with Blitzo.”
Blitzo scoffed.
Blitzo: “Hey! What’s that supposed to mean?!”
Octavia ignored him, her gaze still on Duran.
Duran simply smirked.
Duran: “I guess you could say I’m overqualified.”
Octavia let out a small, barely noticeable chuckle.
It was quick. Subtle.
But Duran noticed it.
And for some reason—it made him want to hear it again.

Remaining Professional – Fighting the Attraction
Duran quickly shut that thought down.
This was a job.
Not a chance to flirt.
Not a chance to get distracted.
Just a job.
But as he walked beside Octavia, keeping his eyes on their surroundings, a single thought lingered in the back of his mind.
Something he couldn’t fully shake.
Something he didn’t want to admit.
He had felt nothing for anyone his entire life.
But in just one glance…
Octavia Goetia had almost made him feel something.
The job at Loo Loo Land had ended.
Duran, Blitzo, Moxxie, and Millie had done their part—keeping Stolas and Octavia safe.
They had fought off mercenaries, ensured no harm came to their clients, and most importantly—gotten paid.
With the mission over, the team was preparing to leave.
Blitzo was arguing with Moxxie about something pointless.
Millie was cleaning her weapons.
And Duran?
Duran was standing off to the side, alone.
Thinking.
Processing.
Something about today felt… different.
And that’s when he heard her voice.
Octavia: “Hey.”
Duran turned—and there she was.
Standing before him.
Expression neutral, yet slightly hesitant.
There was something behind her eyes.
Something uncertain.
And then, she said something that caught him off guard.

Octavia’s Request
Octavia: “I’d like to meet you again.”
Duran blinked.
For a brief second, he didn’t respond.
He had expected her to say something else.
Maybe a halfhearted goodbye.
Maybe nothing at all.
But this?
This was… unexpected.
And before he could even think about his answer—
He heard himself speaking.
Duran: “Alright.”
Octavia’s eyes widened slightly.
She hadn’t expected him to agree so easily.
And honestly—neither had he.

The Moment Between Them
A brief silence passed between them.
Neither of them looked away.
Duran could read people like a book.
He could tell when someone was lying, nervous, hiding something.
But with Octavia?
He wasn’t sure what he was reading.
And for the first time—that didn’t bother him.
Finally, Octavia cleared her throat.
Octavia: “Cool. Uh, guess I’ll… see you around, then?”
Duran nodded.
Duran: “Yeah. See you around.”
Octavia turned, walking back toward her father.
Duran watched her go, his mind racing with questions he didn’t have answers to.
But one thing was certain.
Today had been unexpected.
And for the first time in a long time—
He wasn’t sure how he felt about it.
Duran never expected to hear from Octavia Goetia again.
Yet, only a day after Loo Loo Land, his phone buzzed.
An unknown number.
Duran stared at the screen for a second, debating whether to answer.
Finally, he picked up.
Duran: “Who is this?”
A familiar voice came through the speaker.
Octavia: “Wow. Great way to answer a call.”
Duran raised an eyebrow.
Duran: “Octavia?”
Octavia: “Took you long enough. I had to go through your annoying boss to get your number.”
Duran could only imagine Blitzo’s face when Octavia asked for his contact.
That alone almost made him smile.
Duran: “I assume you had a reason?”
Octavia: “Yeah. I was bored.”
Duran chuckled.
And that’s how it started.
What was meant to be a short call…
Turned into hours of conversation.

Talking for Hours – A Connection Forms
For the first time in a long time, Duran wasn’t talking about assassination contracts or tactics.
Instead, he and Octavia talked about everything else.
Music.
Books.
The most ridiculous places in Hell.
At one point, Octavia even asked about his past.
Duran, usually reserved, found himself answering honestly.
Duran: “I grew up surrounded by assassins. It was all I knew. I was trained to kill before I even understood what life was.”
Octavia: “…That’s fucked up.”
Duran smirked.
Duran: “Yeah. But I was good at it.”
There was a pause.
Then, Octavia said something that threw him off.
Octavia: “Do you ever think about… I don’t know. What your life would’ve been like if you weren’t an assassin?”
Duran hesitated.
Because the truth was—he had never thought about that before.
Not really.
But before he could answer, Octavia spoke again.
Octavia: “You’re stuck in Hell, right? You probably haven’t even seen most of it.”
Duran raised an eyebrow.
Duran: “Not exactly sightseeing material.”
Octavia: “Then let me show you around.”
Duran blinked.
Duran: “You want to meet in person?”
Octavia: “Well, yeah. I mean, you’re an assassin. You can handle yourself. I promise I won’t take you anywhere too dangerous.”
Duran thought for a second.
This wasn’t work-related.
This wasn’t a mission.
This was… something else.
And for some reason, before he could talk himself out of it—
He answered.
Duran: “Alright. I’ll meet you.”
Octavia smirked through the phone.
Octavia: “Cool. Don’t be late.”
And just like that—Duran Abdallah had agreed to his first real date.
A Night Out in Hell – Duran and Octavia’s First Date
Duran wasn’t sure what to expect when he arrived at Octavia’s place.
It wasn’t often that he was invited somewhere without it being for a job or a kill.
Now? He was standing in front of the Goetia estate, waiting for a girl he barely knew.
And for some reason, he wasn’t dreading it.

Meeting at Octavia’s Place
Octavia eventually stepped outside, wearing her usual black-and-red aesthetic, looking just as effortlessly cool as before.
She gave him a once-over.
Octavia: “You don’t clean up much, do you?”
Duran, still in his signature assassin attire, smirked.
Duran: “This is me cleaned up.”
Octavia rolled her eyes but grinned slightly.
Octavia: “Alright, come on. I wanna show you some places.”
They took off on foot, walking side by side through the streets of Hell.

First Stop: Stylish Occult – The Weirdest Store in Hell
Their first stop was Stylish Occult, a bizarre store full of gothic fashion, cursed items, and—as Duran quickly noticed—an unsettling amount of weird taxidermy.
Duran stared at a two-headed ferret sewn together with demon horns.
Duran: “This is the single most disturbing store I’ve ever been in.”
Octavia, clearly entertained, smirked.
Octavia: “It’s great, right?”
Duran turned his gaze to a horrific-looking stuffed owl with human teeth.
Duran: “I’m questioning every life choice that led me here.”
Octavia laughed.
For some reason, that sound didn’t bother him.
In fact, it made him feel… relaxed.
Which was weird.
Because he never relaxed.

Second Stop: The Mall – An Unlikely Adventure
After Stylish Occult, they made their way to a massive, chaotic mall.
Duran hadn’t expected much.
But as they walked through the neon-lit corridors, dodging insane demon shoppers, he actually started to… enjoy himself.
Octavia dragged him into a gothic bookstore, where she picked up a book titled "How to Curse Someone and Make It Last."
They stopped at a vinyl shop, where Duran learned she had amazing taste in music.
At one point, a random vendor tried to sell them demonic soul-binding jewelry.
Duran raised an eyebrow.
Duran: “I’m pretty sure that’s a scam.”
Octavia: “You think?”
Demon Vendor: “It’s totally NOT a scam! Just one drop of blood, and you’ll be eternally bound to your—”
Duran walked away mid-sentence.
Octavia snorted.

A Moment of Peace
Eventually, they found themselves sitting near a quiet balcony area, overlooking the lower levels of the mall.
Octavia leaned against the railing, exhaling.
Octavia: “It’s nice, isn’t it?”
Duran glanced at her.
She wasn’t being sarcastic.
She actually seemed… at ease.
For the first time, Duran realized—this wasn’t just another day for her.
She was enjoying this.
And for some reason, so was he.
He leaned next to her, crossing his arms.
Duran: “It’s not the worst way to spend a night.”
Octavia smirked.
Octavia: “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
And just like that—Duran found himself looking forward to whatever came next.
A Walk Through Hell – Duran and Octavia Open Up
After leaving the mall, the two of them didn’t rush to end the night.
Instead, they just walked.
Through the chaotic, neon-lit streets of Hell, past bars filled with rowdy demons, past dark alleys where fights broke out, and past towering buildings that loomed over the city like ominous titans.
But none of it mattered to them.
For the first time in a long time, Duran wasn’t moving with a mission in mind.
And for the first time in a long time, Octavia was spending time with someone without feeling like she had to pretend to be fine.

Talking About Themselves
As they walked, their conversation started casually.
Music tastes.
Favorite foods (or in Duran’s case, favorite meals he barely had time to enjoy as an assassin).
Weird things they had seen in Hell.
But then, it turned into something deeper.
Octavia glanced at him, her expression curious.
Octavia: "So… what’s it like? Being you?"
Duran raised an eyebrow.
Duran: "Being me?"
Octavia: "Yeah. You were, what? The most feared assassin on Earth? The guy who could kill anyone, anywhere? What was it like?"
Duran thought about that for a moment.
Then, he exhaled.
Duran: "It was… efficient. Cold. Simple."
Octavia tilted her head.
Octavia: "Simple? Killing people is simple?"
Duran smirked.
Duran: "It is when you stop seeing them as people."
Octavia paused.
There was something in his voice.
Something that made her realize—he wasn’t bragging.
He was just stating a fact.
Duran: "I was trained from the time I could walk. I didn’t get to think about right or wrong. I was told who needed to die, and I made sure they died. Simple."
He looked at her.
Duran: "But I guess you wouldn’t understand that world."
Octavia let out a short laugh.
Octavia: "Please. You think I don’t know what it’s like to be trained for something you didn’t ask for?"
Duran raised an eyebrow.
Duran: "You weren’t trained to kill, were you?"
Octavia: "No. But I was trained to be a Goetia. A noble. A piece of my family’s legacy. My whole life was planned before I even knew how to think for myself. And now? I don’t even know what I’m supposed to be."
She kicked a stray rock down the street.
Octavia: "So yeah. Maybe I do get it. In my own way."
Duran was silent for a moment.
Then, he smirked.
Duran: "Didn’t expect you to throw that back at me."
Octavia: "Didn’t expect you to actually listen."
For a moment, they just walked in silence.
But it wasn’t awkward.
It was comfortable.
Like neither of them had to fill the silence with anything unnecessary.

An Unexpected Feeling
Duran had spent his whole life talking only when necessary.
Everything was about efficiency, precision, and control.
But this?
Walking through the streets of Hell, just talking with Octavia?
It felt… different.
Not like a mission.
Not like a means to an end.
Just something real.
And he wasn’t sure how he felt about that.
But for now, he didn’t mind.
Not one bit.
Duran and Octavia continued their walk, their conversation flowing effortlessly as the streets of Hell stretched before them.
For the first time in a long time, neither of them felt alone.
But, of course—Hell never lets moments like these last.

The Ambush – Imp Thugs Strike
As they turned down a quieter street, the neon lights of the city flickering above them, a group of four imp thugs emerged from a nearby alleyway.
Their grins were sleazy. Their weapons cheap.
One of them, a tall imp with scarred horns, stepped forward, flipping a knife between his fingers.
Scarred Imp: "Well, well, what do we have here? A pretty little Goetia and her fancy bodyguard?"
Octavia rolled her eyes.
Octavia: "Oh, for fuck’s sake."
Another imp, short and twitchy, chuckled.
Twitchy Imp: "Looks like they got money. We should—"
Before he could finish, Duran sighed.
Then, he cracked his knuckles.

Duran’s Warning – One Chance to Walk Away
Duran stepped forward slightly, shielding Octavia without thinking.
His voice was calm. Deadly.
Duran: "I’ll give you one chance. Walk away."
The imps hesitated.
There was something off about him.
Something cold. Controlled.
But Scarred Imp just grinned.
Scarred Imp: "You must be new here, pal. In case you didn’t notice—this is Hell. Nobody walks away from free money."
The twitchy imp pulled out a shoddy revolver.
Twitchy Imp: "Now, just hand over whatever you got, and maybe we won’t—"
Duran moved.
And in the next second—the fight was already over.

Duran Makes It Look Easy
The twitchy imp barely had time to blink before Duran grabbed his wrist, twisted it back, and forced him to shoot himself in the leg.
Scarred Imp swung his knife—only for Duran to step inside his guard and elbow him so hard his ribs cracked.
A third imp rushed in, but Duran spun low, swept his legs, and sent him crashing face-first into the pavement.
The last imp tried to run—Duran threw a knife, pinning his sleeve to the wall, leaving him dangling helplessly.
And just like that—it was done.
Duran stood unscathed, barely even breathing hard.
The thugs?
Broken. Moaning. Completely outmatched.
Octavia?
Staring at Duran like he had just pulled off some god-tier action scene from a movie.

Octavia’s Reaction – Thoroughly Impressed
Duran wiped his hands off on his coat, completely unbothered.
Duran: "You were saying?"
Scarred Imp, groaning in pain, wheezed.
Scarred Imp: "W-What the fuck are you?!"
Duran crouched down slightly, tilting his head.
Duran: "I'm the guy you should’ve walked away from."
The imp whimpered.
Duran simply stood back up, turning toward Octavia.
She was still watching him.
Expression unreadable.
Then—she smirked.
Octavia: "Okay. That was kinda badass."
Duran chuckled.
Duran: "Only kinda?"
She rolled her eyes but grinned.
Duran, stepping over the groaning thugs, offered his arm.
Duran: "Shall we keep walking?"
Octavia, still amused, hooked her arm with his.
Octavia: "Lead the way, Mr. Assassin."
And just like that—they kept walking.
Leaving the broken fools behind.
After leaving the beaten thugs behind, Duran and Octavia continued walking through the streets of Hell.
The chaos of the city gradually faded, replaced by something more... serene.
They had wandered into a park.
For Hell, it wasn’t much—a few dead trees, dim streetlights, and a cracked stone path.
But it was quiet.
It was far enough from the city’s madness that they could finally talk without distractions.
Duran and Octavia spotted an old, empty bench near a dried-up fountain and sat down.
For a few moments, neither of them spoke.
They just sat there, listening to the distant hum of Hell's nightlife.
Then—Octavia broke the silence.

A Conversation Between Two Souls
Octavia: “You know, you’re weird.”
Duran smirked, leaning back against the bench.
Duran: “I get that a lot.”
Octavia rolled her eyes.
Octavia: “No, I mean… you don’t act like someone from Hell. But you also don’t act like someone from the Living World either.”
She turned to him, studying his expression.
Octavia: “What were you really like up there?”
Duran exhaled, thinking.
He never really talked about his past.
But something about Octavia made it easy.
Duran: “I was a ghost.”
Octavia raised an eyebrow.
Duran: “Not literally. But… I was never meant to exist in the public eye. People only knew my name if they were about to die.”
His gaze drifted to the distance.
Duran: “I never had a normal life. I was trained to be a killer from the time I could walk. I never went to school, never had friends. My entire world was just the Five Families and the missions they gave me.”
Octavia was silent for a moment.
Then, she sighed.
Octavia: “Sounds kinda miserable.”
Duran chuckled.
Duran: “It was. But I was good at it. And when you’re good at something, you don’t question it. You just do it.”
Octavia leaned forward, resting her arms on her knees.
Octavia: “And then you died.”
Duran nodded.
Duran: “Yeah. One moment, I was on a mission. The next, the ground opened up and swallowed me whole. Now I’m here.”
He glanced at her.
Duran: “And what about you?”
Octavia sighed.
She looked up at the dark, starless sky.
Octavia: “My life was never my own. I was just… the Goetia kid. The one everyone expected to be the perfect little noble. My father—he loves me, I know that, but everything’s always about him. My mother? She never really cared about me at all.”
Duran listened quietly.
Octavia: “I spent my whole life feeling like I was watching from the outside. Like I was stuck in this world that wasn’t mine. And then… everything fell apart.”
Duran didn’t ask for details.
He had already heard about the scandal involving Stolas and Blitzo.
Instead, he just spoke calmly.
Duran: “And now?”
Octavia turned to him, tilting her head.
Duran: “Do you still feel like you’re watching from the outside?”
She hesitated.
Then, after a long pause—she smirked.
Octavia: “Not tonight.”
Duran felt something strange in his chest.
Something he couldn’t quite place.
But for once—he didn’t try to analyze it.
He just let it be.

A Night They Won’t Forget
They sat there for a while longer.
Just two souls from different worlds, sharing a moment in a place that didn’t belong to either of them.
Eventually, Octavia stretched, yawning slightly.
Octavia: “Alright, assassin boy. Walk me home?”
Duran smirked.
Duran: “Sure.”
They stood up, walking together once again.
And for the first time since coming to Hell…
Duran didn’t feel like he was completely alone.
Duran and Octavia walked side by side, making their way back to her estate.
The streets of Hell were quieter now, the chaos of the nightlife settling into a slow, eerie hum.
Neither of them spoke much, but it wasn’t an awkward silence.
It was… comfortable.
Duran, for the first time in a long while, wasn’t thinking about a mission, a target, or survival.
He was just there.
With her.
And somehow, that was enough.

Arriving at the Goetia Estate
They finally reached Octavia’s home, the towering Goetia estate looming under the dim, flickering Hellish sky.
She turned to face him, her expression unreadable.
For a second, Duran expected her to just say goodbye and walk inside.
Instead—she smiled.
Octavia: "I had a great time."
Duran blinked.
He wasn’t used to hearing that.
Especially not about time spent with him.
Still, he smirked slightly, keeping his usual composure.
Duran: "Yeah. Wasn’t the worst way to spend a night."
Octavia rolled her eyes.
Octavia: "I’ll take that as a compliment."
Then, before he could say anything else—she stepped closer.
And gently, she kissed him on the cheek.

Duran’s Reaction – Completely Stunned
The moment her lips brushed his cheek, Duran froze.
His body tensed instinctively.
Not out of fear.
Not out of resistance.
But out of pure shock.
This was not something that happened to him.
People didn’t get close to him.
People didn’t show him affection.
And yet—Octavia had just done it like it was nothing.
She pulled back, grinning at his stunned expression.
Octavia: "Heh. Speechless? That’s a first."
Duran opened his mouth, then closed it again.
For the first time in his life…
He had nothing to say.
Octavia chuckled, stepping back toward the door.
Octavia: "See you around, Duran."
And with that, she headed inside, leaving him standing there—completely thrown off.

Duran Walks Away – Processing Everything
As the doors to the Goetia estate closed behind her, Duran remained rooted in place.
His hand absentmindedly reached up, brushing his cheek where she had kissed him.
Duran: "…Huh."
Then, for some reason he couldn’t explain, a small smirk formed on his lips.
Shaking his head, he turned and walked away.
But this time, as he disappeared into the Hellish streets—
He wasn’t just another assassin blending into the darkness.
For the first time in his life—someone had made him feel something.
And deep down, he knew…
This wasn’t going to be the last time they saw each other.
After that night, things changed.
Duran and Octavia didn’t just meet for dates.
They met because they wanted to.
Because for the first time in their lives…
They had someone who understood.
Someone who didn’t expect anything from them.
Someone who could just be there.

Spending Time Together – More Than Just a Crush
At first, it was simple.
Casual walks through Hell’s chaotic streets.
Spending time in hidden spots Octavia knew where no one would bother them.
Listening to music together, sometimes in complete silence, just enjoying the moment.
But as the days passed, Duran realized something.
Octavia was different.
Not just because she was Goetia nobility, or because she had a sharp wit that kept him on his toes.
But because she made him smile.
And more importantly—she smiled around him.

Octavia’s Happiness – Duran’s Impact on Her Life
Before Duran, Octavia rarely smiled.
Her life had been filled with disappointment, expectations, and loneliness.
Even when she had moments of fun, it never felt real.
But with him?
She laughed.
She grinned.
She rolled her eyes at his cocky remarks, only to end up laughing anyway.
And most importantly—she felt seen.
For the first time, she wasn’t just Stolas’s daughter.
She was just Octavia.
And Duran liked her.
Not her name.
Not her status.
Not what she was expected to be.
Just her.

Duran’s Realization – A Different Kind of Loyalty
For Duran, love was never an option.
His only attachments had ever been to the Five Families.
His training.
His code.
His honor.
Everything in his life had been about duty and survival.
He had never allowed himself to care about something beyond the assassin’s world.
Until Octavia.
Until he saw her smile because of him.
Until he realized that, for the first time in his life…
He wanted something for himself.
He wanted her.

A Love He Never Expected
Duran wasn’t just fascinated by Octavia.
He was falling in love with her.
And that?
That was the most dangerous thing he had ever faced.
Because love?
That was something he didn’t know how to fight.
But for her?
He was willing to learn.
It had been just another evening at the Goetia estate.
Duran and Octavia were in her room, sitting on her balcony, enjoying the rare quiet that Hell had to offer.
They weren’t doing anything scandalous.
Just talking. Laughing.
For once, Octavia looked happy.
For once, Duran wasn’t thinking about his past or his curse.
But then—the door slammed open.
And everything shifted.

Stella’s Fury – Disgust at First Sight
Standing in the doorway was Stella.
Eyes filled with rage and disgust, her white feathers ruffled, her beak curled into a sneer.
Stella: "What in Satan’s name is this?"
Octavia’s smile vanished instantly.
Octavia: "Mom—"
Stella: "Don’t ‘Mom’ me! What the fuck is that doing in your room?!"
Her talon shot out, pointing directly at Duran.
Duran stood up slowly, his expression calm but calculating.
Duran: "That would be me. Name’s Duran—"
Stella: "I don’t care!"
Her voice cut through the air like a blade.
Duran didn’t flinch.
But Octavia did.
Stella’s eyes burned with pure disgust as she turned to her daughter.
Stella: "Out of all the creatures in Hell—a human?!"
Her voice was filled with hatred.
Stella: "This is how low you’ve fallen? Associating with something so disgusting?"
Octavia’s feathers bristled.
For the first time, she didn’t back down.
Octavia: "He’s not disgusting. He’s my friend."
Duran, watching the exchange, remained silent.
But his hands had already subtly curled into fists.
He had dealt with worse insults.
But hearing it directed at Octavia?
That was different.

The Guards Arrive – Duran Stays in Control
Stella, clearly having had enough, waved her hand dramatically.
Stella: "Guards! Get this thing out of my sight!"
Almost immediately, a group of four armored Goetia guards stormed into the room.
Weapons drawn.
Eyes on Duran.
Duran sighed.
Duran: "Figures."
The first guard lunged.
Duran moved like a shadow.
One second, he was standing still—the next, the first guard was on the floor, groaning in pain, disarmed in a single motion.
The second swung a spear.
Duran caught it mid-air, twisted it, and sent the guard crashing into a wall.
The third hesitated—Duran swept his legs, flipping him onto his back in a perfect takedown.
The fourth?
He simply froze.
Duran tilted his head.
Duran: "You sure you want to do this?"
The fourth guard, realizing his entire squad had just been taken down effortlessly, simply shook his head and backed away.
Duran dusted off his coat.
Completely unbothered.
Octavia, watching the entire thing, was impressed.
Again.

Stella’s Final Words – A Mother’s Hatred
Stella, however, looked livid.
She stormed past the unconscious guards, her feathers practically bristling with rage.
Stella: "You’re filth. I don’t know what twisted fascination my daughter has with you, but it ends now."
Duran crossed his arms.
Duran: "And what exactly are you gonna do about it?"
Stella scoffed, disgusted.
Stella: "I won’t waste my time on a cockroach. But mark my words—this is the last time you step foot in this estate."
She then turned to Octavia, venom in her voice.
Stella: "You really have the most disgusting taste in company, Octavia."
With that, she stormed out, slamming the door behind her.
The room fell silent.
The only sounds left were the groans of the defeated guards on the floor.

Octavia’s Reaction – A Moment of Reflection
Octavia sighed, rubbing her temples.
Octavia: "God, she’s exhausting."
Duran, still standing there, exhaled.
Duran: "You alright?"
Octavia looked up at him.
And for a moment—she just stared.
Then, to Duran’s surprise…
She smiled.
Octavia: "You handled that way better than I thought you would."
Duran smirked.
Duran: "What, you thought I’d panic?"
Octavia chuckled.
Octavia: "No, I thought you’d break all their bones."
Duran snorted.
Duran: "Figured I’d show some restraint. Didn’t want to ruin your room."
Octavia rolled her eyes.
But she was still smiling.

A Turning Point
Tonight changed things.
Stella knew.
And she hated it.
But Octavia didn’t care.
Duran had stood his ground.
He had fought, but not killed.
He had protected her without needing to.
And Octavia?
For the first time—she knew she had made the right choice.
Despite Stella’s clear disdain, Duran continued to visit Octavia like nothing had happened.
Every time he arrived at the Goetia estate, the guards barely even tried to stop him anymore.
After how easily he had handled them last time, none of them were in a rush to get their asses handed to them again.
Stella, however, made no attempt to hide her displeasure.
Every time she saw him, she’d cross her arms, sneer, and mutter insults under her breath.
"Disgusting human."
"Pathetic street rat."
"A disgrace to even be standing in my halls."
But that was all she did.
She never actually tried to force him out again.
Because deep down—she knew she couldn’t.

Duran Stands His Ground – Unbothered and Unshaken
Duran, for his part, didn’t react at all.
If anything, he found it amusing.
He knew that Stella was only this bitter because she had never met someone who talked back to her.
Someone who wasn’t afraid of her.
And someone who wasn’t bound by the rules of Hell’s nobility.
One afternoon, when he walked past her, he smirked.
Duran: "Still talking to yourself, Lady Goetia? People might start thinking you’ve lost it."
Stella’s feathers bristled, her eye twitching.
Stella: "Ugh! You are insufferable!"
Duran chuckled.
Duran: "And yet, I’m still here."
Stella turned on her heel, scoffing as she stormed off.
Octavia, who had been watching the entire thing, just rolled her eyes.
Octavia: "She’s really never gonna get over it, huh?"
Duran shrugged.
Duran: "Let her be mad."
And just like that—they went on with their day.

Ignoring Stella – Just Enjoying Each Other’s Company
As time passed, Duran and Octavia continued to hang out like nothing had changed.
They spent time in her room, listening to music and talking about life.
They went out to the streets of Hell, visiting Octavia’s favorite spots.
Sometimes, they just sat together in silence, not needing words to enjoy the moment.
No matter how much Stella tried to act like Duran was beneath her, Octavia simply ignored her.
Her mother’s opinions had stopped mattering a long time ago.
And if Duran was willing to put up with it just to keep seeing her?
That meant more than any insult Stella could throw.

A Relationship That Couldn’t Be Stopped
Stella hated him.
She hated how defiant he was.
She hated how he wouldn’t back down.
But most of all—she hated that Octavia was actually happy with him.
Duran wasn’t just sticking around despite her disapproval.
He was winning.
And Stella couldn’t do a damn thing about it.
Stella, furious that she couldn’t drive Duran away, finally decided to raise the stakes.
One evening, in the presence of the entire Goetia family, she issued a challenge.
Stella: "If you wish to continue seeing my daughter, you must prove your worth."
Duran raised an eyebrow, unfazed.
Duran: "You wanna be more specific, princess?"
Stella’s smirk widened.
Stella: "For the next two weeks, every bounty hunter in Hell will be coming for you. If you survive? The Goetia family will grant you their blessing to continue your pathetic little courtship."
The room fell silent.
The Goetias whispered among themselves.
This was no ordinary test.
This was a death sentence.
Octavia’s eyes widened.
She immediately grabbed Duran’s arm.
Octavia: "Duran, this is stupid, you don’t have to do this—"
But Duran?
He just grinned.
He gently pulled Octavia’s hand away, giving her a confident look.
Duran: "Relax. I’ve dealt with worse."
Stella laughed mockingly.
Stella: "Oh, how quaint. A man so blind with arrogance that he doesn’t even see his own grave being dug!"
Duran simply rolled his shoulders.
Duran: "You done talking?"
Stella’s grin widened.
Stella: "Then it’s settled. The hunt begins… now."

The Hunt Begins – A Bloodbath in Hell
For two weeks, every bounty hunter, mercenary, and assassin in Hell came after Duran.
They ambushed him in dark alleys.
They hunted him in the slums and the high-rise districts alike.
They tried everything—traps, explosives, poisons.
And yet…
Duran killed them all.

A Beast Unleashed
Duran fought like a monster.
He ripped through entire gangs of bounty hunters, his blades and bullets never missing a mark.
He turned the battlefield into his playground, setting up ambushes of his own, forcing his hunters to become the hunted.
He left messages carved into bodies, sending a clear warning—come after him, and you die.
And to insult Stella further…
He sent the corpses of the strongest bounty hunters directly to her doorstep.
A brutal, blood-soaked message.
Duran: "You're gonna have to do better than that, lady."

The Final Day – The Last Hunter Falls
By the end of two weeks, Duran was a mess.
His coat was torn to shreds.
His body was covered in fresh wounds, bruises, and scars.
His blades were drenched in blood.
But he was still standing.
And the last bounty hunter?
Dead at his feet.
Duran, exhaling deeply, lit a cigarette.
He took a slow drag, savoring the taste.
Then, with a confident smirk, he began walking back to the Goetia estate.

Duran’s Victory – A Checkmate in Blood
When he arrived at the Goetia estate, Stella was already waiting.
The moment she saw him alive, her face twisted with rage.
She had expected him to die.
She had wanted him to die.
But he had won.
Duran took another slow drag of his cigarette.
Then, he flicked it.
Directly into Stella’s face.
Duran: "Checkmate."

Stella’s Meltdown – A Noble’s Tantrum
Stella screeched in pure rage.
Stella: "YOU—INSOLENT, FILTHY—!!!"
She stomped, flailed, threw a full tantrum, feathers flying everywhere.
Meanwhile, the rest of the Goetia family?
They watched with new respect.
Duran had survived what should have been impossible.
He had earned his place.
And now?
Even they had to acknowledge it.
One of the older Goetias stepped forward, clearing his throat.
Elder Goetia: "You have proven your worth, human. Against all odds, you have emerged victorious. The Goetia family recognizes your strength."
He nodded, extending a hand.
Elder Goetia: "You may continue to see Octavia without interference."
Duran smirked as he shook the noble’s hand.
Meanwhile, Stella looked ready to explode.
She turned on her heel and stormed off, screaming in frustration.
Stella: "THIS FAMILY IS A JOKE!"
Duran chuckled, watching her go.
Duran: "Poor thing. All that scheming for nothing."

Octavia’s Reaction – More Than Just Admiration
Octavia, who had been terrified the entire two weeks, rushed forward.
She stopped in front of him, taking in the cuts, the bruises, the blood still dripping down his arm.
Octavia: "Duran… you look like shit."
Duran grinned.
Duran: "Feel like shit too."
She let out a breath of relief.
Then, without warning—she hugged him.
Tightly.
Duran’s eyes widened.
For a second, he didn’t react.
Then, slowly… he hugged her back.
Octavia didn’t say anything for a moment.
Then, she whispered.
Octavia: "Don’t ever do something that stupid again."
Duran chuckled, pulling back just enough to look at her.
Duran: "No promises."
Octavia rolled her eyes.
Then, she punched him lightly in the arm.
Octavia: "Idiot."
Duran just smirked.

A Warrior Earns His Place
Duran had been hunted.
He had been pushed to his limits.
But he had won.
And now?
Not only did he have the Goetia family’s recognition…
He had Octavia.
And that was all that mattered.
Duran was still standing there, bloodied, exhausted, but victorious.
He had faced Hell’s deadliest bounty hunters, survived, and thrown it in Stella’s face.
But none of that mattered right now.
Because the only thing he could focus on was Octavia.
And the way she was looking at him.
Her deep red eyes, filled with something he hadn’t seen before.
Something he wasn’t sure he knew how to handle.
Not battle.
Not strategy.
Not another assassination.
But her.
Then—she moved.
Before he could even process it, Octavia grabbed his face—
And kissed him.

A Kiss That Changed Everything
Duran’s eyes widened.
For the first time in his life, he was caught off guard.
Not by an enemy.
Not by a death trap.
But by her lips pressing against his.
It wasn’t hesitant.
It wasn’t soft.
It was raw. Desperate. Like she had been holding this back for far too long.
And after one second of stunned silence…
Duran kissed her back.
Hard.

Losing Themselves in the Moment
Octavia’s arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer.
Duran’s hands, still aching from battle, found her waist, gripping like she was the only thing keeping him standing.
The world around them faded.
The Goetias.
Stella’s tantrum.
The blood still drying on Duran’s skin.
None of it mattered.
All that mattered was this.
Her body pressed against his.
Her fingers tangled in his hair.
The way their breathing mixed as they moved against each other, refusing to let go.

Like There Was No Tomorrow
The kiss turned into something deeper.
Duran bit at her lip, earning a small gasp before she yanked him even closer.
Octavia wasn’t hesitating anymore.
And neither was he.
For so long, Duran had never let himself feel anything.
Everything had been about control. Duty. Survival.
But right now?
Right now, he was just a man kissing the only person who had ever truly meant something to him.
And he wasn’t going to stop.
Not until they were both breathless.
Not until there was nothing left unspoken between them.
Not until she knew—without a doubt—that he was hers.
And that he wasn’t going anywhere.

A Love That Couldn’t Be Stopped
By the time they finally pulled apart, their breathing was ragged.
Octavia’s eyes burned into his.
She had never looked more alive.
Octavia: "You’re mine now."
Duran, smirking, brushed his thumb over her lips.
Duran: "Took you long enough to admit it."
Octavia rolled her eyes—but then kissed him again.
And Duran?
He kissed her right back.
Because for the first time in his life—
He had something worth fighting for.
And nothing in Hell was going to take it away.
The air was thick with the scent of smoke and embers, the distant sounds of Hell’s nightlife echoing in the background. The rooftop was quiet, a rare oasis above the chaos. Duran sat on the edge, cigarette between his fingers, his torn and bloodstained clothes evidence of the hellish two weeks he had just endured. Octavia sat beside him, her wings tucked in as she gazed at him, concern evident in her expression.
For a while, they just sat there, the silence between them comfortable, yet heavy.
“You look like shit,” Octavia finally said, breaking the silence.
Duran let out a dry chuckle. “I feel worse.” He took a drag of his cigarette, the ember at the tip glowing faintly in the dim light. “But I survived. Guess that means I’m officially in.”
Octavia sighed, shaking her head. “You didn’t have to prove anything to them.”
Duran exhaled a stream of smoke, eyes drifting across the skyline. “Didn’t I? If I wanted to be with you, I had to show them I could handle their world.” He glanced at her. “And I did.”
Octavia shifted closer, her voice softer. “You didn’t have to prove anything to me, Duran.”
He looked at her then, really looked at her. The way her violet eyes shimmered in the dim glow of the underworld, the way her wings twitched slightly when she was nervous. For a moment, he forgot where they were, forgot what he was.
“You’re different, you know,” he muttered.
Octavia blinked. “Different how?”
Duran sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “Most people—demons, humans, assassins, whoever—they either fear me, respect me, or want me dead. You…” He paused, as if trying to find the right words. “You just see me.”
Octavia smiled faintly. “That’s because I care about you, idiot.”
Duran tensed slightly, his fingers tightening around his cigarette before he flicked it away. “You shouldn’t care about me, Via. I’m dangerous. I’ve always been dangerous.” He glanced away. “And I hate what I am.”
Octavia frowned. “You mean… being human?”
He nodded. “I was raised to be a killer before I even had a chance to be anything else. I don’t know what it means to be normal, to just… live.” He clenched his fists. “I hate that I was born like this. Weak. Mortal. Flawed.”
Octavia reached out, gently placing a hand over his. “You’re not weak, Duran. And you’re not just a killer.” She gave his hand a squeeze. “You’re you. And I love you for that.”
Duran stiffened, his eyes widening slightly as he turned to look at her. “You… love me?”
Octavia’s cheeks darkened slightly, but she didn’t look away. “Yeah. I do.” She took a deep breath. “I’ve loved you since the moment we met at Loo Loo Land. You were cocky, a little reckless, but you were strong, and you protected me. And ever since then, you’ve always been there.” She gave him a soft smile. “I don’t care if you think you’re dangerous, or broken, or whatever else you tell yourself. I want to be with you, Duran.”
Duran swallowed hard, his usual confidence faltering. He had never let himself believe someone like her could really love him. But here she was, looking at him like he was worth something more than just a blade in the dark.
He hesitated for only a moment before he reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Octavia… are you sure?”
She smiled. “More than anything.”
Duran let out a shaky breath before finally, finally, allowing himself to give in. He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her, slow and deep, as if he had been holding back his entire life. Octavia melted into it, her hands gripping his jacket as she kissed him back.
When they finally pulled away, Octavia rested her forehead against his. “So… does this mean you’re mine now?” she teased.
Duran chuckled, a genuine, rare smile on his lips. “I guess it does.”
Duran leaned back, running a hand through his dark hair before reaching into his jacket. With a flick of his wrist, he pulled out a sleek, black handgun, the metal catching the dim red light of Hell’s skyline. He held it up for Octavia to see, a rare, almost proud glint in his usually cold eyes.