Hannah asked, "How much can we actually trust you? You ARE a demon after all."
Rexie sighed. "I wish I could say that was a unfounded stereotype... but yeah. The overwhelming majority of demons... slavery, imperialism, sadism, communism/capitalism (depending on which one at the time gives more power), and good old 'might makes right' social Darwinism... But I'm a freak. I've never been to Hell. Good thing too, the first thing the other imps would do is 'fix' me. I'm a corruption demon, I used to be human.
"We're supposed to be sent to Hell to remove any pesky traits like empathy, compassion, seeing joy in living... It's called Hell for a reason. But the warlock who corrupted me and corruption succubus, Jack, was the adopted son of Lilith, yes, that Lilith, she's mellowed out since then... mostly. She wanted to see us actually stand up for themselves rather than just bully and backstab as is the demon way.
"Besides... I have a much ... bigger reason for being on Hell's 'correction therapy' list. I'm a familiar. To my niece of when I was still human. The only family I loved... And I HAVEN'T been corrupting her all these years into a self-serving sociopath as a demon familiar is SUPPOSED TO. So yeah, the other imps would be eager to 'fix' me the moment they could... And that's way more information than I intended to give... wait... Ah... You used the rings didn't you to make me honest and forward with you?"
"I trust Hannah with them," Darren said. "I just thought about it, and it's like I gave her access to them through me... So I guess she wanted to be sure. YOU DID SAY I should listen to her."
"Dang, so I did! That's on me I guess." The cat shrugged.
"So can we trust you friends?" Darren asked.
"Oh totally! They've protected two timelines from a time-traveling reality-jumping demon-kitesune warlord who he and his minions have murdered several timelines before. And a government conspiracy or two. They are a LOT OF THEM! More than I can count. And allies with folklore status. And that's not counting the horde of allies in the OTHER timeline. So yeah, they pack a LOT OF PUNCH! And there's still bigger boys and girls waiting in the wings. So yeah, even with your new toys, I hope you're not thinking of starting a fight."
"Would they notice if Darren changed reality?" Hannah asked.
"Usually, yes. We have a bajillion 'detect changes in reality'... but... that doesn't always mean a thing if that change comes from a high enough position. If you're really the Catalyst for this timeline, then you can likely sneak stuff past almost all of them except for the class-C and above deities and the owner of the Spells R Us shop whom is granted special immunity."
"Catalyst for what?" Darren asked.
"Dang. You really made me honest with you. Fine. The Catalyst is the guy who in each timeline Spells R Us shop (that's the shop those rings came from BTW) exists in, remakes humanity somehow. Usually with some weirdo twists and quirks involved! Polka loving platypi, cyborg fairies, cat-girl maids (and cat-guy butlers), all kinds. For some nuts reason, this ultimately results in everyone getting along well enough that war and prejudice go bye-bye. Ones that try to crown themselves king of their new world either end up pets of their own society, or die of old age and then their new civilization carries on without them. If you AREN'T the Catalyst though, then yeah, a metric ton of my buddies will notice! And they aren't likely to be happy."
Hannah asked. "You said demons exist... so do angels?"
"Yeah. But the whole 'Do not screw with the free-will of mortals' oath means most do a 'hands off!' Policy."
"Is there any kind of law that prevents them from associating with corruption demons?"
"Actually, in the case of corruption demons, it's considered 'trying to get them to change sides'. But since "bullying never solves anything" by their creed, there's no time limit on how long they can wait for them to change their mind."
"Is there an angel equivalent to a succubus?"
"Oh! Totally! But their domain is marital sex, and they also serve as marriage counselors, help women through pregnancy, child rearing, you get the idea."
"Could you still be a familiar if you were the opposite of an imp?" Hannah again asked.
Rexie had been right... she was smart. Rexie answered without thinking about it. "I could... my niece would be a sorceress, or a white witch rather than a black witch or demomancer, since her familiar wasn't a demon, but she'd still be a spell caster."
"Does she have any friends she couldn't have now?"
"You'd be really, REALLY surprised how much that 'power of friendship' jargon is NOT exaggeration. Friendship has a stunning ability to find common ground."
"Would Angels be just as fixated on 'fixing' you as much as the demons?"
Rexie rolled her eyes. "Heaven's a paradox: fixated on keeping things 'nice and orderly'... but also staunchly believing in free will. That's why fallen angels are kicked out rather than 'corrected' like Hell does with demons. Waiting for the bad little boys to say they're sorry and would like to come back in now. Oh, and real angels look a LOT freakier than how they look on greeting-cards, read the bible sometime."
"If Darren is this 'Catalyst' thing. Wouldn't it be better to find out sooner than later? Since you've made clear we're screwed if Darren tries to start a fight. Are there any limits on that Catalyst thing?"
"Well... crowning yourself emperor of the world always backfires, but there have been plenty who have made their new lives very comfortable. Sadistically turning someone into say a mermaid and leaving them in the desert is another no no. The golden rule is whatever you turn someone into, from a maid, a statue, a door-to-door delivery bunny, is that either be happier, or have a stronger sense of fulfillment or satisfaction with their new existence, even they don't remember their old lives."
Steven was overwhelmed... Darren was now bonded with a power meant to remake the world? Darren? Well... at least if it was true, Steven could be comforted that there was a universe out there where Steven had that job right? Or did that make it scarier?
Darren finally asked himself instead of Hannah doing all the asking. "So the best way to test if I'm the Catalyst or whatever, is to see if most of your friends notice a change or not? If they get mad, can I just undo it, and say I'm sorry?"
"That sums it up." Rexie nodded.
"That holy light show you hit us with last night was freaky by the way, it's a wonder we didn't break our necks trying to run away from you!"
"Well you did kick me, I'm sorry. I was just trying to warn you that you were surrounded by artifacts that were better left in dimwit hands... but now they are, and we all have to make due," Said the white cat with shimmering blue eyes.
"You're pretty snarky for a cherub," Steven said.
"I have a succubus for a best friend. And she thinks its cute... most of the time."
+++
Ayami hoped Rexie was okay in there... if they did anything nasty to her favorite little angel there'd be Hell too pay. But she knew she was worried over nothing, Rexie could take care of herself.
A sorceress and a werewolf also hoping their angelic familiar was fine.