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nI pushed past the opening, but as I did, I saw the red ten-foot cube in the center on a raised dais. I couldn't see into it, but I could see something that I didn't expect; a screen that was displaying a demon running from a tiger that was about eight times as big as it should be.

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"So, you did come, and sooner than I expected!

" I heard a voice to my right exclaim, and I turned to find a pale blue demon with a pair of colossal ram horns sitting on a throne.

nThe chair he sat on was only a throne in its size because there was no grandeur. It was just a big tall wooden chair, but the craftsman did an excellent job of it.

nThe man in the chair had very light blue skin too but looked younger than Mex, who was standing at the bottom of the platform. There were two tough-looking demons behind him, but they would be no match for Mex if he wanted.

nI walked around without saying anything until I was standing in front of Mex. He looked fine, and even his shorts were clean, so I grinned at him.

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"Looks like you got yourself in a bit of a pickle here,

" I said with a chuckle, and Mex smiled back.

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"Better just me here than all the rest, and then girls and take care of themselves. I am just worried about Candace, Jessabell, and now Hanna! I don't suppose you-,

" Mex said and then started to ask, but I nodded, and he stopped with a relieved face.

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"Hold tight, we will be out of here right away, and then I want to show you something I found,

" I said to Mex, and he nodded with a determined look on his face.

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"Oh, aren't you two just too cute! You know that I can hear both of you!

" Dao said as he stood up; his previous calm vanished as he rose.

nI turned and walked up all the way up to the eighteen-year-old-looking Demon that seemed to think he ran the show here now. I walked up to Dao, Demon Lord of all the demons on this island, and now it was time to take the big stick from this kid.

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"So, you wanted to talk; what's up?

" I asked, and god bless his little black soul; Dao looked up and then down again with a scowl.

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"The ceiling, but I want to make a deal with you! Can you get out of my space first?

" Doa asked with irritation as my nose touched his.

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"Nah, I like it here. Speak!

" I said, shouting for him to speak.

nTo his credit, Dao didn't flinch, but he did let out a sigh.

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"I release Mex and all of his people, and you can take them off the island. I will stay here and never bother you again! What do you say? Good deal?

" Dao asked, and I laughed in his face like when Spiderman asked his editor for a job.

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"I was going to do that anyway, but just with two fewer demons on the island. You did half the work for me, so why would I want to let you live?

" I asked, getting severe after my laugh, giving him a curious look.

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"What about if I give you information?

" Dao asked; his expression looked a bit less unsure, and I stepped back and thumbed my chin.

nDao looked slightly relieved, but there was no reason for him to be. Unless he had something that only he would know, but even then, it was not worth leaving him alive.

nit is probably best to just get rid of him before he does something stupid. You're backing the rat into the corner, and he is going to figure it out sooner than later.

nI looked back to Dao, who was glaring at me, and then looked back down at Mex, but he wasn't there. I whipped my head back around at Dao, but she was grinning, and the Demon started to roar again.

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"I figured you wouldn't want to actually make a deal, but this was the best I had! BWAHAHA! Mex should be fine with only one monster, right?

" Dao told me as he laughed, and I stepped up to Dao and grabbed him by the throat in the blink of an eye.

nI could feel his body try to change, but then he started to scream as my fingers burned and caused the pale blue flesh to turn red and bubble. The Demon Lord struggled and screamed as I brought him up to my face.

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"What did you do to Mex?!

" I asked, keeping myself from killing the rat here and now.

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"I-I s-sent him in!

" Dao choked out, and I glared at him and turned to the two mean-looking demons coming up to me, and I let go of his neck and grabbed him by one of his ram horns.

nI pooled energy into my fist like at the beach and then punched forward, causing a blast of fire to shoot forward. The two Demons were incinerated, and I walked down the steps, dragging Dao behind me.

nI don't think this is such a good idea.

nI thought about how Mex treated me the first time that he met me and every day since. The man was rough around the edges, but he gave his right-wing without a thought, just to get to my side when I needed it.

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"What are you doing! We can't go in there, or you will summon more monsters!

" Dao yelled out, but I ignored him and tossed him into the wall of the red cube that he disappeared into.

nI still think that you should consider this before you go in there. He is not lying, and there will be three monsters if you go in.

n'Yeah, I know, but I can't leave Mex in there. You know that I can't.'

nI know that, but I just want to make sure that I have given you the proper warnings so when I tell you that I told you so, it will be more valid.

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