Renny leaned close, lowering his voice. "You didn't have to scare him like that, you know."

Baro's lips curled into a grin, teeth flashing beneath the fog's dim glow. "But it's the truth, my boy. We are demons. And what did they teach of demons on Earth? That we're monsters. Scary things. Best we keep that perception alive."

His eyes narrowed forward, back to the line.

William leaned back toward his friend, whispering harshly, "They're bluffing. You see it, don't you?" His friend nodded quickly, eyes darting between Baro and Renny. "Yeah… demons don't wait in line. They're just pretending."

He stepped forward again, edging back toward Ol Man Baro. His voice wavered at first, then steadied. "No. I don't believe you. You're no demons."

Baro's brow arched, his grin widening as he muttered, "Ah, you see? What did I tell you?"

William's defiance swelled, bitterness burning in his eyes. "If you were demons, you wouldn't be standing in line like the rest of us. You'd be torturing us, not waiting for food. What business do demons have here, if not to torment?"

"William, basta!" Rocco snapped, desperation in his voice. "Ease up, eh? Don't cause trouble for yourself."

But William only stood taller, his words gaining support as his friend and a few others muttered agreement. "No! I won't ease up! They can't just cut the line, call themselves demons, and expect us to swallow it!"

A soft, exaggerated sigh escaped Renny. He rolled his eyes. "Old man, maybe we should just go back. This isn't worth..."

"Go back?" Baro's voice cut sharp, a whisper that chilled more than a shout. His cane tapped once on the ground. Then...

In a blink, William's back slammed onto the dirt, Baro's stick pressing across his throat. The crowd gasped, frozen.

William's eyes bulged as Baro leaned in, voice low and icy. "You want proof?"

The cane plunged down, piercing through his neck. A wet choke, then silence.

Gasps rippled the line. William's friend barely had time to scream before Baro's stick snapped up again, striking fast. It skewered his throat, his voice dying in a gurgle. Baro yanked it free, flicking the blood with a casual twist.

He leveled his stare at the rest, his words slow, deliberate. "Anyone else care to stand in front of us?"

The line went dead quiet. Some souls averted their eyes, others pressed their lips shut tight, trembling. No one moved.

Baro exhaled through his nose, calm as though nothing had happened, and stepped back into place, leaving the two fallen souls twitching as their bodies began to wither.

Renny's eyes lingered on the husks. "So what happens to them now?" he asked quietly.

Rocco swallowed, his voice low. "Limbomites that die here don't stay gone. They return to the outer gate… crawl their way back. It's an excruciating journey. Most avoid dying for that reason alone. Those who make it tell the tale as if it's worse than the pitters' lash. And some... " he glanced upward, lowering his tone, "...some never make it back. Birds come down from the fog, carry them off into the sky. No one ever sees those souls again."

"Serves them right," Baro muttered, a grin curling across his face.

Renny turned to him, brow furrowing. "So now you decide to use your power? Really?"

Baro snorted. "I hate fair fighters. Look at them... souls in Hell, still whining about justice, still clinging to fairness. That's why they're here. They need to learn to change their ways." His grin widened, teeth flashing in the dim light.

Renny shook his head slowly. "You know what? I'm just glad that even if I'm trapped in this place, at least I'm a demon. Otherwise, I'd probably have your stick lodged in my neck by now."

"Never!" Baro barked, laughter rumbling out of him. "Any form you take, Renny boy, I'll be at your side. Carrying your fragile body along with me." He chuckled, the sound rough and unrepentant.

***

After waiting for a short while, they finally stepped inside. The door creaked shut behind them, and at once the harshness of the fog gave way to startling warmth. The house was neatly kept, almost impossibly so for this place. A thick rug stretched across the floor, dark red with golden threads stitched in curling patterns. A polished table stood at the center, its surface gleaming as though it had been scrubbed only moments before. Soft light pooled from a lantern hanging low above it, casting a homely glow. Ahead, the smell of broth and baked bread drifted from a small kitchen, where a woman's voice called, instructing them to step inside.

They obeyed.

The moment Ol Man Baro's eyes found her, he stopped. The air in his chest seemed to catch. She stood in the kitchen's warmth, her form outlined by steam and lamplight. To him she was stunning, otherworldly... so much so that for a moment, he forgot the purpose of their visit entirely.

Renny cleared his throat, offering a polite bow. "Forgive him. He sometimes gets… distracted."

The woman chuckled, rich and unbothered. "No need to apologize. Many men stumble at the sight of me. It is no great offense." She brushed a lock of hair behind her ear, then smiled. "Now... what food do you desire? Bread? Soup? Meat? Say it, and it is yours."

Renny shook his head lightly. "Actually, we didn't come here for food."

Her smile paused. "No food? Then why have you come?"

"We're demons," Renny said evenly, "and we're here to hand over a soul key for safekeeping. To you."

The warmth in her face stiffened. Her smile remained, but her eyes hardened. "I do not welcome demons into my kitchen," she said softly. Then, with a teasing glance toward Baro, she added, "But since you are very… cute, I will not take offense. I'll still serve you a delicious meal, and forget what your companion has just said."

Renny inclined his head. "We appreciate your kindness and tolerance. Truly. But this is no whim of ours. It is a necessity... you must have the key."

Her laughter cut short. Her voice rose, sharp as breaking glass. "How dare you?" she thundered. The walls shuddered, bowls rattling from their shelves. "You come into my domain, my sanctuary, and tell me what I must do? Who are you to command me? You are but a demon!"

The lantern's flame flared. The very floor quaked beneath them, as though the house itself bristled at her fury.

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