The Old Guard -open-

The demon was pondering on what needed to be done thinking about getting his dragon for the third circle but that has landed him into some problems. The Queen wanted him to call for help yet he was mostly wanting to do things by himself and maybe that was the problem, he should always do thing by himself really it was causing too much trouble. Queen Mana chose Eric to join Shadowfall because of his dark reputation but perhaps it was that he was once a member of the of the demonic royal families myabe that was a reason to that too. Still Queen Mana doesn't like failure from her group and still the demon of madness had bear some fruit obtaining five of the ancient demonic runes one of them being the best from the other runes. The Damos Rune even though it drains stamina the user of this rune can use enemy attacks of people who are alive or dead just think of the possible things of which can use this rune. The stupid traitor Auro had a chance of collecting the rune from him in Antartica too, Eric was still mad about what he did to him and those banished iramasha they didn't to die like that. "I going to enjoy watching him die by my han.....No, I must learn to trust people Suzu and a few others will help me take that traitor down and HARD oh yes...I'm going to splatter his blood all around that damn city once we've finished Auro" He thought. Better yet, Eric maybe successful in obtaining all seven runes and awakening Lucifer Sinn the ancient dragon from his slumber then the mad demon might be able to move up in the ranks. The goblin demons informed him something was moving around within the realm, Eric was curious to find out what this stranger wanted perhaps a fight or joining Shadow Fall either way this might be good.

This had better be good or this fool was going to get it for coming into ShadowFall territory without an introduction into what he was doing here. The little goblin freaks pointed at the guy who seemed to be looking for something really, Eric needed to calm down for a moment. The mad demon was thinking his approach might not be the right way of doing things tearing shit apart and beating people was his lifestyle. With his sensing powers, Eric felt that the person whoever it was it wasn't strong then his but it was getting their what was this guy doing in a place like this though. "You must be a part of our organization which is Shadow Fall because that is the only reason that an arrancar like yourself is lurking within demonic places" He said. The demon was watching the arrancar from a rocky cliff and then jumped downward and then giving the arrancar a dark look. Eric didn't know if he was a member of Shadow Fall or some spy or assassin of Ashlei Clixx coming to fight him again that last person didn't fair too well. "So If you are a member of our great organization bent on doing the greater good the way Shadowfall sees fit ...Who are you?" He said gently.

Truthfully, Eric believed this guy was lost and trying to find his way back home again, he wasn't one of Lady Ashlei's hired goons. Perhaps if he's looking for assistance, Eric could help him maybe it was time to help somebody again but still the demon couldn't show any weakness.

Eric didn't know what was wrong if this guy the person seemed alright being a member of Shadow Fall but it seemed that he wanted something more. The guy felt down maybe down on his luck or something about his lifestyle within Shadow Fall maybe it was something more but why should the demon care about this thing called feelings. However, Queen Mana didn't like moped people in her organization too much and she'll deal with them with some brutal pain perhaps her should take of this once and for all closing whatever issues that person has. "I dont' know what you are or issues your having but your special to this group a grand duke your knights look up to you...whatever is troubling you keep in check and deal with it at your own time" He said. Something about this warrior didn't feel right saying that he's a shinigami the goblin demons were telling him that was bullcrap they were sensing someone else about this guy. Eric nodded to the goblin demons telling them to go about their business thinking this unknown power coming from this guy was weird saying that he was shinigami. The goblin demons wouldn't like to Eric about something like that but he should drop it and move onto other matter like what this shinigami was doing here in the demon realm with the power he has now. Any demon could come and bitchslap the fuck outta this warrior what was his purpose for coming here they both were grand dukes what needed to be discussed then the demon thought of something.

"Wait a second, I think maybe......What if he's here to take me down all he needs to do is kill me and then he'll be the grand duke of the third circle" He thought. Eric was thinking that might be one of the reasons the shinigami being here then again he might be here reporting back from Queen Mana that might be another possibility. The shinigami seemed like that he was ready to something good or bad, Eric was trying to figure out what it was if this was going to be a fight the demon was ready fir battle. However, Eric thought this shinigami might be looking for advice the demon wasn't reallt good at it but he'll try to do a good job at it seeing that this was his ninth time doing this. "Ok...Baltazar, I know who are you and now onto the others like something simple one really...What is a shinigami doing here in the Demon King's City?" He said. Yet Eric was thinking about things that this guy was evil member of the group yet he couldn't back in the Soul Society or that dreadful Iramasha Island. Really, Bale looked like he was homeless and Shadowfall was he best bet of getting back to something similiar to what he had. All those times, Eric remember helping those fools in the Soul society decades ago doing whatever they wanted him and his friends to do then they stabbed him in the back. Still, Kade Hiroshima was dead, name tarnished, and his friends all destroyed by the Soul society even having to watch the horror of a shinigami killed a demon woman and her child in cold blood after the Devilman army parted ways.

Eric thought it was just a twisted & dark memory of his good heroic past still a shinigami in the demon world meant trouble. The mad demon should explain if the shinigami was going to live here then he'll have to know real quick that demons don't like his shinigami kind for various reasons. The main reason if a demon get caught in Karakura city then their ass in trouble they come to arrest or kill that demon yet some of them are evil sons of bitches. "This guy seemed like he got some power and strength on him but only time will tell if he can hold up in a place like this" He thought.

"Well another member has entered Devil's peak welcome Archduke sir" Eric said.

Eric thought more and more people were coming here a shinigami who wanted to kill and another person which the mad one didn't know things were getting better. This shinigami has forgotten the laws of an shinigami and this was perfect perhaps the demon could actually use this and somehow warp this around but what were these two doing here. The demon might have to convince the shinigami that he had made the right choice either way this can work out good or bad depending on this demon's talking skills. Mostly, Eric wanted a good fight but this might work even better getting this shinigami on his side now all he needed was a good story or something to move this along. Eric's friends didn't believe in this hogwash that he was a shinigami but if he saids he's one then the guy must be one so that ends that discussion about race. However, whoever this guy was he was surely in doubt over what he was doing because if he was a grand duke which was an honor, Queen Mana wouldn't like his attitude one bit.

"You don't know what your doing here????.....our masters have given us a chance at power and your in doubt your a grand duke many people would kill for the position you have know...your purpose??? The only reason your here Baltazar is because someone gave a damn about you and wants to see what your capable of" He said. The heck was going on here this might be a problem if the demon didn't fix this thing right now the shinigami was having a crisis. But something useful could come out of this he did like killing it was in his nature now the demon needed him to focus on that raw emotion. The mad demon was thinking why this and why now but he needed to focus something he wasn't doing being a mad demon and all thinking a different approach might be good. The shinigami had a job within Shadowfall and something of an killer instinct which was good and now the guy was in doubt. Eric was trying to think what else could he say to this guy to get his head out of the gutter and get him back to work on important stuff for Shadow Fall.

"Yet my friend you have a killer instinct which is normal to have yet your a member of dark family...You do well you get respected" He said. Eric doesn't believe in that over those Arrancar attacking him the demon knows damn well Lady Ashlei sent those fools after him to piss him off. However, Eric was going to calm down about that for now and hopefully help this shinigami with his problem.

Cross looked back and forth from the demon and Shinigami. His eyes shifted with each exchange, his neck stayed in the position it was when he arrived. "What this demon is saying is true, ya know. You were given that rank for a reason. Even if you don't know it, others do. You need to find that, and embrace it." Cross paused while he thought about his own rank. "Like mine. i am A Archduke for a reason. I know that reason, and I embrace it. If you don't have Power, You don;t have anything to protect." Cross unfolded his arms, placing them near his blade as he lifted it up slowly. He hated the way his blade dragged against the ground all the time. He tried everything, and every way to get it off. But no, It always hit the ground. Sighing, he looked at the demon.

"Even though you are right. The way you put things. Even to own allies. It needs to calm down slightly. You're not killing one here, so it;s not necessary." Cross said in a mild tone. He wasn't trying to start anything. He just wanted to calm things down slightly. After saying those choice of words, he walked around slowly looking over the demon and shinigami.

"Who are you again?" He said, Pointing towards the demon with a confused look.

The demon was asked who he was didn't this archduke know who he was anyway he was the mad demon of the third circle, Eric was still angry about some things. Still, Eric didn't see the harm of giving out his name this seemed like people he could trust it has been a long time before he has trusted people in the past but it been a very long time. He said looking at the archduke giving a quick bow to him showing a sign of respect to high level warrior then him even though the mad demon was stronger then archduke. "I'm Eric Zarathos, Grand Duke of Third Circle sir" He said calmly. But he seemed a little worried about Baltazar thinking the shinigami's head wasn't on straight maybe someone else can talk to him since the demon didn't know what to do. "Well, Baltazar you made the right decision joining our group your killing instinct is perfect for our group, I guess I'll try to help you with any advice you need in the future" He said.

"I feel a bit calmer now maybe the dark kanji powers are under my control finally without the mad rage inside the kanji" He thought. Eric was thinking this was something his old persona would say to a demon maybe some of Kade Hiroshima was rubbing off on him. Still, Eric was one of many of the strong members of Shadowfall but he just wanted respect trying to be a one man army doing things by himself. At last, Eric could calm down a little without boiling with rage in his heart still the demon had a lot to do gain more respect from the masters of Shadow Fall. The demon wanted to start a family within the demon world, Eric couldn't show any weakness because of this feeling perhaps maybe it was just a pipe dream from the past he once lived. "Then again what woman would love a mad demon like myself who gets beaten maybe after this I'll start training with some volcanic pits within the demon world" He thought.