Chapter 4
The Devil stood before Reed, red eyes burning bright. With a flick of his fingers, the air around them shifted, and then—
There she was.
Susan Storm.
Reed’s breath hitched. "Susan?"
She was staring at him, her expression twisted in pain and rage. "You left me to die, Reed!"
Reed stumbled back. "No! No, I— Susan, I didn’t mean—"
"You didn’t listen!" she snapped, stepping closer. "I told you this was a bad idea! But no, you had to play the genius! You had to drag Johnny into this!"
Reed flinched, his hands shaking. "Susan, please! I—"
"You’re just like my stupid brother!" she screamed. "Reckless! Arrogant! And now look at what you’ve done!"
Reed fell to his knees, his chest heaving. "I’m sorry!" he choked out. "I— I was wrong! Please, Susan! Please!"
The illusion of Susan glared, her face twisting into something horrific. "Too late, Reed."
And then, she vanished.
Reed’s body trembled. His mind was fractured.
Devil smirked.
"Delicious."
Then, with his claws, he ripped Reed’s soul from his body—agonizingly slow.
Reed screamed until he couldn’t.
And when his soul finally left his body?
Devil devoured him.
The three of them watched, horrified.
Reed was gone. Just like Susan.
Danny’s hands were clammy, Emerald felt her throat tighten, and Kevin? He was silent.
But then, realization hit them all at once.
"We need to be on The Devil’s good side," Emerald whispered.
Danny gulped, nodding slowly. "Yeah… yeah, we do."
Kevin exhaled sharply, crossing his arms. "Man, this is pointless."
Danny turned to him, eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"
Kevin shrugged. "Even if you two sign a contract, Devil will always be ten steps ahead. He’ll find a way to screw you over, just like he did to me."
The next day, Danny and Emerald stood before The Devil, their expressions carefully controlled.
"We want a contract," Danny said. "We’ll bring you more souls. We’ll feed you."
Devil’s grin was sharp. "Oh?" He leaned forward, red eyes gleaming. "How… delicious."
He snapped his fingers, and two contracts appeared before them.
"Sign," he purred. "And seal your fate."*
Danny hesitated for only a second before grabbing the pen.
Emerald did the same.
Their blood stained the paper, and just like that—they were bound to The Devil.
Kevin?
"Oh, Kevin isn’t getting a contract," Devil said with a smirk. "His expired a long time ago. I just keep his soul around for fun."
Kevin clenched his jaw, but he didn’t argue.
Devil chuckled.
Meanwhile, King Dice sat across from Jack and Maddie Fenton, a deck of cards in his hands.
"Alright, lovebirds," Dice said smoothly, dealing out the cards. "Let’s see what you’ve got."
Jack grinned. "Oh-ho! You’re on, dice-man!"
Maddie smirked. "I hope you’re ready to lose."
Dice simply smirked back.
Oh, if only they knew what was happening to their son.