Demons, Witches, and Toads (BoyxBoy) - Chapter 124: Chapter 124

Darkness surrounded Wheeler, wrapping around him like a warm blanket. A familiar figure emerged from it, an unnamable emotion swimming in his deep purple eyes.
"You idiot," Mulock said softly.
Delicate black lines twisted up the demon's throat and down his chest, curling across his pale skin like vines. Silver horns curved from ruffled white hair. Before he could stop himself, Wheeler reached out, fingers brushing up their coarse ridges.
"Well," Wheeler mused, "these are new."
"An unfortunate side effect of becoming the literal embodiment of evil."
"The embodiment of evil?" Wheeler repeated with a laugh. "You?"
Mulock arched a brow. "Why so skeptical?"
Wheeler offered him a smile as his arms wrapped around his waist. "Because even if you keep it a secret, I know you're kind, and loving, and would do anything for the people you care about."
"Careful, Wheeler," Mulock said, voice tight. "Keep talking like that and people will think you're in love with me."
Wheeler answered him by leaning forward, pressing a kiss to his lips. "So," he murmured as he finally drew back, "what happens now?"
"We wait for those assholes to show up."
"What assholes?"
The moment he spoke, the ground beneath them began to violently rumble, nearly sending Wheeler toppling over.
"Well speak of the devil—literally," Mulock muttered under his breath.
Wheeler's eyes widened, terror surging through him as the massive creatures rose around them. They had to be at least a hundred feet tall, their faces so twisted and distorted they were hardly comprehensible. They stared down at him, their massive, insect-like eyes pinning Wheeler in place. He hadn't realized he'd begun to tremble until the warm touch of Mulock's fingers brushed against his.
"It's alright to be frightened," Mulock whispered, fingers entwining with Wheelers'. "No matter what happens, I'll be by your side."
And at last, Wheeler felt his breathing start to calm.
"Mulock," one of the creature's boomed, its voice echoing around them like thousands, "you've done well."
"Agreed," a second said, its volume so loud it sent vibrations through Wheeler's chest. "You've successfully acquired a powerful soul.
"You may now claim your reward."
"The time has come for you to consume him."
Wheeler squeezed his eyes shut, his heart stumbling over its own rhythm. He'd known this was coming. There'd be pain, and then he'd simply cease to exist. As much as it frightened him, Wheeler willingly accepted his fate. He'd made this choice and Mulock had come into his life because of it. For that simple reason alone, he would've chosen this path over and over again, no matter the cost. Somehow sacrificing his soul still seemed like a small price to pay for those few happy years with Mulock.
Wheeler only wished there could have been more.
His shoulders relaxed, letting out a low exhale as he cleared his mind of everything but the familiar warmth of Mulock's hands in his. He was ready. Taking a deep breath, he began to step forward.
"No," Mulock's voice rang out, causing Wheeler's eyes to shoot back open in surprise.
"No?" one of the massive demons repeated, somehow managing to convey an expression of disbelief on its distorted face. "What do you mean, no?"
"I mean," Mulock said, his gaze unflinching, "I refuse to take his soul."
"We both know that's not a possibility. You have a contract. As his demon, you must consume him."
"I've had plenty of time to think this over," Mulock said, a smirk tugging at his lips. Wheeler knew the expression painfully well. Mulock made it whenever he planned to prove he was the smartest in the room—and of course, being Mulock, he almost always succeeded. "As you said, the rules state that because I'm his demon, I need to consume him. But then...doesn't that leave an obvious loophole?" Mulock offered them a wry smile. "If I'm not a demon, then there's no one to claim his soul."
"Mulock," the creature's voice remained low, yet Wheeler felt the ground tremble beneath them as it spoke, "I would highly suggest against this."
Another nodded in agreement. "Do you have any idea what will happen to you if you abandon your demonhood?"
"Trust me," Mulock replied, "I'm well aware."
"And yet you still ask to willingly suffer such a fate?"
"Yes," Mulock answered without missing a beat. "If that's the price for Wheeler to move on to the afterlife, then I'd happily pay it a million times over."
A long pause followed. Then, at last, the massive demon bowed its head. "If that is your final decision, then so be it. It will be done."
The moment the words filled the air, the horns on Mulock's head disintegrated like ash, a pool of ink-black water spreading out before him.
"What's going on?" Wheeler gasped, frantically looking to Mulock. "Mully, I don't understand..."
"Don't worry," Mulock replied softly, "I've planned to do this for years now."
"But what's going to happen to you?" Wheeler asked, terror clawing at his throat. "What's the price for giving up demonhood?"
Mulock's gaze fell to the growing body of pitch-black water, stars reflected across its surface despite there being no sky above.
"Oblivion," Mulock said, voice tight. "Nothingness. An eternity in empty space."
"And you'll be all alone?" Wheeler choked in horror.
Mulock averted his gaze, his silence speaking louder than any answer.
An eternity alone in nothingness. Wheeler couldn't begin to even fathom a more unforgiving fate. And Mulock—his Mulock...was willing to suffer it for him without hesitation.
"Let me come with you," Wheeler blurted.
The attention of the surrounding demons instantly snapped to him.
Mulock shook his head. "Wheeler, that's not possible."
"If I may interject," one of the demons said, its voice vibrating around them, "the human's soul is his own now. While oblivion is considered punishment for demons, there are no rules against a human choosing it over the afterlife. Of course, no one in their right mind ever would." It let out a low chuckle, causing the ground beneath them to sway. "That is, until now."
Mulock turned to Wheeler, his expression desperate. "Don't do this."
"Mully, an eternity of nothingness sounds like a dream if it means I can stay with you."
"You say that now," Mulock whispered hoarsely, "but what about in ten years? A hundred? A thousand. If you come with me, you'll regret it. You'll tire of such an awful life and then you'll tire of..." His gaze flickered away.
"Mully," Wheeler offered him a gentle smile, the dark waters of the pool lapping against their feet, "I promise, not even an eternity could satisfy how long I wish to be with you."
Mulock met his gaze once more, eyes watery. "This is really what you want?"
"With all my heart."
"I'll make you happy there," Mulock choked. "I don't know how, but I'll find a way."
"That shouldn't be too hard," Wheeler replied with a laugh. "Everything you do makes me happy."
"God, you really are a hopeless romantic," Mulock chuckled despite the tears rolling down his cheeks.
"Yeah, and I know you secretly love it."
"Sometimes it's infuriating how well you know me."
"Well," Wheeler said, giving him a playful nudge, "get ready for an eternity of it."
Mulock grinned, the expression brighter than Wheeler had ever seen. "I'm looking forward to it."
With their fingers still entwined, they stared into the black, still waters of the pool, a sea of stars staring back at them instead of their reflections.
"Ready?" Mulock asked.
Wheeler gave his hand a gentle squeeze. "Ready."
"Well then," Mulock said softly, "here's to eternity."
And with that, they fell backwards into oblivion.