n

n

nI turned around and then ran back down the stairs and outside, turning to the left and heading to my place sprinting, but stopped when I saw a strange-looking woman holding a vicious-looking sword.

n

"Hey! Yes, you! There isn't anyone else out here!

" The woman said to me with a growl.

nShe was short and had teal skin but darker than Mary's, and she had what I would consider being Egyptian features. The sword she was carrying was a scimitar, but the blade was jagged like a saw.

n

"What would you like? Keita? Is that your name? You're the Mad scientist with all the failed creations, right?

" I asked, and then she threw the swords at me.

nInstantly, without warning, my Totem Mark started to glow, and time slowed, and I watched the jagged scimitar fly at me. It was very elegantly crafted for all of the Jigsaw vibes it was throwing off, but I really hoped that Jilly wasn't mad and me for taking so long.

nThe blade still hadn't reached me yet, and I was starting to get worried about the way that I had to leave Mary this morning and the way she had acted towards me. There was also making sure that I spent the night with the Cerberus girls tonight, and I needed to deal with Lidy.

nThen I caught the swords, and the world stepped back into place, and I used my free hand to clutch my head. Holy **, If that blade would have taken any longer, I was about to cross into a place that I didn't want to go to and that I had been ignoring.

n

"Smart-ass! Yes, I am Kieta, the Failed Sphinxlin, that is always left with more questions than answers!

" The woman yelled at me and was about to storm off, but I stopped her.

n

"Wait, sorry, I didn't mean it like that. I am sure that it isn't easy to craft a magical weapon; I was just making sure that you were the right person. I can be a bit of a bonehead sometimes, and I have a lot on my mind right now, so sorry. This is a very nice sword though; I don't know much about them, but I can tell that the balance is perfect, and it is a nice weight,

" I comment, and the woman walked over to me and put out her hand, and I handed her the sword, but Keita would take it.

n

"Take care of me! I have heard from Nushi that you told her that you would take care of her, and now she has special abilities from that! I need that! Tell me what you want… and… I will try to give it to you… But nothing perverted! I am not some sex-crazed demon, nor do I want to make any babies. The world doesn't need any more Demons!

" Kieta declared to me, and I dropped the sword in shock.

n

"Woah, hold on, did you not just hear that I said I had too many things going on right now? I am already taking care of quite a few girls, and I have more on my list!

" I said, putting my hands to my head, rubbing my temples.

n

"I never said that it had to be right now, but I hope you can think about it. The Master takes care of a lot more people than you do, and it seems to work just fine for him,

" Keita explained, and I let out a long sigh; she had a point.

n

"Okay, I will think about it, but I will have to get back to you either tomorrow or the next day. Does that work for you?

" I asked, and Keita just shrugged.

n

"Not like I can say no, you hold the power here. I will just have to wait patiently as I continue to be unsuccessful and will probably be thrown out of the Master's Keep for being useless!

" Kieta said dramatically, and I rolled my eyes and then shook my head with a smile.

n

"I might believe that If I didn't know Mex as well as I do, but there is no way that Mex would kick you out,

" I said, but Kieta glared up at me.

n

"Yes, he would! He threatens me all the time!

" Kieta retorted.

n

"Yes, it's true, I do! Now get back to work and create something magical, you wretch!

" Mex said from behind me and then walked up beside me with a light-lipped face that I knew was holding back a smile.

n

"SEE! He is always threatening me to produce something, or I'm gonna get the boot!

" Kieta complained but then ran away, squealing like a child as Mex chased her, making roaring noises.

nWhat the ** was I watching right now? Was this really happening, but the better question was how the hell she could believe him when he was clearly joking?

n

"She is a good person, but she needs a push, or she will just fall into a slump. She is very book smart, but her emotional intelligence is that of a young child's, so she is very gullible,

" Mex said from behind me, and I wanted to hit him so badly, but then Mex tapped my shoulder.

"You had better train more Water Boy before you try that, but I can understand why you might want to.

"

n

"I bet you can; Nixi must always do it to you, right? Well, I don't care, stop doing it, or I will be taking care of Candice, and you can take care of your wife!

" I said, turning on Mex, and he narrowed his eyes at me.

n

"Those are fighting words, boy,

" Mex said with a low voice, but I glared at him.

n

"Then stop being a jackass and appear in front of me. You aren't fooling me, just annoying, and besides, right now, I think that I have been pretty nice and helpful, so I think we should be on more respectful terms. I don't think we are equals, but I don't want to be just another person that you sneak up on to annoy, alright?

" I said, feeling in a bit of a huff after using the Sphinx Water Totem.

nThat ability has caused me to think about all my problems. The things plaguing me and other things I had forgotten about were way too in-depth, and now I would have to train like that.

nMex was looking at me and then nodded.

n

"Yes, you're right, and we aren't the same. So, let's make a deal, I will pretend to be the Demon Lord, and you can be the real one?

" Mex asked and slapped my hand to my forehead, but he wasn't finished.

"I only have one request, Leave Candice out of your, umm list of girls; she is mine. If you want to have a taste of Sphinx, I can talk to Veronica, but I don't think that one would take much convincing. By the way, good work on making peace with the girls and bringing all three back!

"

n