They stood in the middle of a field, away from buildings and people, so not to hurt anyone or anything. "Alright, here are the rules," (Y/n) started as he looked at the eyeball on his hand and Grim. "You are to not hurt or kill each other, I will judge who wins each round and tell you what to do for each round. If any other human or creature comes along you are to stop. If you break any of these rules, you are automatically disqualified, got it?" (Y/n) asked in a demanding tone.

Sukuna only grunts in irritation as his response, that he understood the rules. "Alright, first, we will do the basics of showing off your strength," (Y/n) started as he gestured to a tree. "Hey! You're just going based on your own techniques! That's cheating!" Grim remarked unhappily. "What? The great mage can't do a simple strength spell?" Sukuna mocked as he took over (Y/n)'s body.

"I- Excuse you?! I can do that easily! Just watch and see!" Grim boasted as he walked up to a tree. The issue is, the only thing he knows is fire magic. So, as a result, he tried his raw strength to pick up the tree, which didn't even budge. Sukuna cackled and waited for Grim to humiliate himself further. "Perhaps this was a bad idea..." (Y/n) mumbled, sounding a bit disappointed in Grim. "You know what, I got this in my arsenal!" Grim said as he pulled out a potion he created. Popping the cork, Grim chugged the potion, expecting to gain strength. But, instead, it turned Grim purple.

"Wow, that's some great potion rat," Sukuna said, smirking. "I'd like you to make a better potion!" Grim huffed as he tossed the glass bottle to the side. "That's a great idea! Come on, let's go to the potion's room. Whoever makes the best potion wins that round!" (Y/n) chirped as he took back over, already heading towards the school.

Standing in front of the cauldron, (Y/n) had grabbed some ingredients for them. With the teacher's permission, of course. "Alright, so, for this test, I want you both to make a potion that would let you create ice," he told the two with a pleased expression. "What? Why would I do that? Ice is weak against fire," Sukuna said, scoffing.

"That's the point, I don't want either of you cheating," (Y/n) said with crossed arms. "I do not cheat, a great mage is beyond cheating," Grim said with an offended look. "When have I ever cheated?" Sukuna asked, chuckling. "I can name a few, plus I'm the judge so get to making that potion," (Y/n) demanded the two. "This is ridiculous, I don't need to make a potion," Sukuna grumbles as he randomly mixes potions together.

"You can quit, that would make me the winner, meaning you'd have to respect me," Grim said with a grin as he picked up bottles, trying to look like he knew what he was doing. Sukuna ignores him, looking at the instructions. Instead of reading them, he mixed colors together. The mixture exploded into a green cloud that didn't look right. (Y/n) was starting to get nervous as Grim's mixture had a similar cloud. Sukuna shook the glass container, the color turning to blue. "Hm, I think I'm on the right path," Sukuna said as he added an herb to the potion.

"I swear, if you kill me with this, I will haunt you," (Y/n) said in their shared mind space. "Like your dumbass hasn't haunted me enough as is," Sukuna replies in his mind. "I'm done," Grim announced with a confident look. With one last pour, Sukuna also finished his potion. "I'm done as well," Sukuna said, confident.

"Alright, you both are to drink the potions, if you create ice you win this round," (Y/n) informed the two. Sukuna drinks the potion he created and waits for the result. He held out his hand to create some sort of ice, but nothing comes out. Sukuna frowns and looks at his palm. Did he make a mistake in creating the potion? "What the fuck?!" Grim exclaimed in alarm. Confused, Sukuna turned towards Grim and noticed that he can see the feline face to face.

"What nonsense is this?!" Sukuna exclaimed as he looked at his body. Why is he this tiny?! Why is there a tail attached to him?! "Bahaha! You turned into a cat! Hahahaa!" Grim laughed as he pointed at Sukuna. Without hesitation, Sukuna launches at Grim and starts choking the hell out of the repulsive feline. "Gha!" Grim cried as he clawed at Sukuna's hands. As Grim fought for his life, Sukuna waited for (Y/n) to tell him to stop, but strangely he was silent.

Despite having the chance to kill this cat once and for all, Sukuna dropped Grim, who slammed on the floor, in a panic. "Oi, brat answer me!" Sukuna demanded. "You fucking asshole! You nearly killed me!" Grim said in a hoarse voice. "Shut up!" Sukuna commanded in a harsh and yet authoritative tone that even Grim shut up. "This is a stupid brat, hurry up and answer me or I will skin this cat alive!" Sukuan threatened as he knows (Y/n) values life for some reason.

Still nothing, getting worried Sukuna focused on finding (Y/n) within his innate domain. It wasn't until he heard a small snicker in the back of his head that he realized (Y/n) tricked him. "You little shit, I ought to rip your limbs off!" Sukuna hissed, going into his domain to strangle (Y/n). "Wait! Wait! It was a joke!" (Y/n) said with his hands up in surrender. Sukuna did not back up and his hands grasped around (Y/n)'s neck. "That's it, I'm killing you and taking over your body!" Sukuna yelled, shaking (Y/n) back and forth. "Gah! Stop! I'm sorry!" (Y/n) panicked as he struggled to get out of Sukuna's surprisingly gentle hold.

"Hey, why is there a weird cat on the floor?" Ace asked, causing the two to freeze. Shit, someone had found them. Sukuna thought, fuck this, and let (Y/n) take over in this newfound body. "Woah! What the hell?! AH!" (Y/n) screamed as he was lifted by Ace. "Ace it's me! It's (Y/n)!" (Y/n) frantically said as he was face to face with his friend. "What? (Y/n)? Why are you a cat? Wait, if you're the cat, then who's the toad?!" Ace asked as he pointed to the strange toad on the ground. Sukuna cackled in (Y/n)'s mind as Ace pointed at the toad, instantly knowing it was Grim.

Meanwhile, (Y/n) began yowling as he tried to quickly explain the whole potion contest and how poorly it went. "Sukuna couldn't create a simple ice potion? The Sukuna? Are we talking about the same person?" Ace asked trying not to laugh. Sukuna takes over and immediately hisses, throwing his cat's body at Ace, trying to claw Ace's eyes out. "AH! Get him off! Get him off!!" Ace yelled as he struggled to stop Sukuna.

It only stopped when Ace's balance was thrown off as the weight on his face got heavier. Ace flopped to the floor as (Y/n)'s body is back to his human self, with Sukuna glaring down at Ace. "I will not hesitate to gut you on this floor," Sukuna growled. Before Sukuna could kill Ace, (Y/n) took over. "You are not killing my friends!" (Y/n) remarked as he smacked his hand, in a way trying to smack Sukuna. "Friends? These people are worthless, at least your other friends had potential," Sukuna grumbles before disappearing into his domain.

"So wait, who won?" Grim interrupted them. "Neither of you," (Y/n) answered bluntly. "What? Come on, at least I became smaller than him. That should count for something!"Grim complained. "I won," Sukuna argued. "Neither of you won! Deal with it, you both suck at potions and are both competitive assholes," (Y/n) said, sounding fed up. Sukuna grumbled but didn't say anything else.

"Woah, why are you so mad?" Ace asked, taking a step back so he didn't fight his friend. "I'm not, I just... I thought the competition would be a fun idea. To get away from the constant arguing, fighting, and the thought of someone trying to kill me. It's just, that this was stupid," (Y/n) muttered, as he rubbed the back of his neck. Sukuna lets out a sigh and pops out on his cheek. "Look (Y/n), but your friends and I? We hate each other, I despise others, and I don't think you'll find me getting along with anyone else besides my servant," he apologized to the best of his abilities.

"You have a servant?" Ace asked with a surprised look. "Of course, he has a servant, he was a king once upon a time," (Y/n) said with a roll of his eyes. "I am still a king, brat," Sukuna corrected proudly. "We get it, you're a powerful asshole," Grim huffed with crossed arms. "A powerful asshole who's still my... brother?" (Y/n) questioned, unsure what their relationship was. "Hmph, you are a pain in my ass sometimes, fine, I'm your..." Sukuna had a look of disgust, despite only having an eye and mouth on (Y/n)'s face. "Brother," Sukuna finishes with a disgusted tone.

"How convincing," Grim said sarcastically. "I think he dislikes you," Ace points out to (Y/n). "He doesn't, he's just... What's the word?" (Y/n) hummed, tapping his chin. "A creep who's interested in minors?" Grim said, sarcastically and viciously. "Uh..." (Y/n) wanted to defend Sukuna but then remembered Sukuna's weird fixation on his friend Megumi. (Y/n) quickly shook his head, getting rid of the thought. "No, he's not a pedophile. Sure, he's weirdly creepy around Megumi, but surely it's not like that," (Y/n) insisted, wanting to believe Sukuna wouldn't stoop that low. "I'm not interested in that brat, it's his power," Sukuna huffed, offended (Y/n) would think otherwise.

"See? Sukuna isn't into kids, he's just into their powers," (Y/n) said innocently, while Grim gave a look of disgust. "That's even weirder, tell that thing to never go near me," Ace said as he backed up more. "There is no point in going after such a weak, useless, and lack of brain cell maggots. You're both uninteresting and not worthy," Sukuna remarks, insulting Grim and Ace. "Excuse you?! I am very powerful!" Grim argued with a puffed chest. "You're weak and worthless, even the weakest worm in the entire world is stronger than you," Sukuna said, snickering.

"You calling me a worm you ugly mouth?!" Grim asked as he glared at the eyeball. "Can you shut the fuck up for once?!" (Y/n) asked, now completely done. "You and him argue all the time and most of the time, and it's because of you," he said as he jabbed a finger at Grim. The two were speechless as (Y/n) marched out of the room to cool off. Even Sukuna looked taken aback, but he knew that (Y/n) lost his cool.

~~~

(Y/n) sat on top of a roof, looking out at the school, with his chin on his knees. It was silent aside from the sound of kids chatting amongst themselves down below. "I remember when you would sneak out onto the roof after you first died," Sukuna mumbles. "I thought you were mostly asleep during those days," (Y/n) mumbled back, eyes glancing down towards his hand that had a mouth and eyeball on it. "Some nights I would stay awake, mostly to figure out how evolved the world was," Sukuna explained. Was it a total lie? No, but the brat didn't need to know Sukuna liked to look at the stars too.

"Is that why you always asked me about the stars?" (Y/n) asked in a teasing tone. "I don't know what you're talking about, I never asked you about anything," Sukuna waves off, lying. (Y/n) rolled his eyes with a slight smirk, knowing Sukuna was lying. "In any case, if we're going to be here for a while, can you at least tolerate people? I know you'll never like them, but we can't keep making enemies here either," (Y/n) suggested to the curse. "Fine," Sukuna grumbles. "I still say you need to get better friends."

(Y/n) rolled his eyes at Sukuna's words. "Even if they weren't my friends they are still my classmates. I don't need you fighting classmates and getting me executed again," he scolded the curse. "That was not my fault," Sukuna hissed. "It's not my fault my existence made those old farts so scared that they would execute a child."

"I wasn't blaming you, I was just saying I don't need two executions, you old bum!" (Y/n) quickly defended himself. "Old bum?!" Sukuna yelled. Taking over (Y/n)'s hand, Sukuna pulled at (Y/n)'s cheek. "Ow! Ow! Let go!" (Y/n) demanded as he used his other hand to pull his controlled hand away. But, it only made his cheek stretch more. "Apologize you little shit!" Sukuna said, pulling harder.

"No way! It's not my fault you're an old man!" (Y/n) remarked as he wrestled with his hand. As he wrestled on the roof, he did not notice his body rolling towards the edge until it was too late. Sukuna took over (Y/n)'s body and quickly grabbed onto the roof's ledge before the two fell. With ease, Sukuna pulls himself up and walks back to their spot on the roof. "You dumbass, if it wasn't for me you would have many broken bones," Sukuna said, sighing.

"I am able to land on the ground just fine without breaking something. I did it back with that asshole back in Shibuya," (Y/n) retorted as he took back over. Sukuna rolls his eyes. "I can handle a lot of injuries as well, but that doesn't mean you should take hits like it's nothing," Sukuna lectured (Y/n). "Yeah, yeah, whatev-" (Y/n) stopped himself as he turned around, coming face to face with the mysterious, powerful, person he hadn't seen in a while.

"You had quite the fall, child of man," Malleus, who (Y/n) knows as "Goat" commented. Sukuna was immediately on guard, not uttering a word as he kept his gaze on Mallus. "Oh! It's you! It's been a while," (Y/n) chirped casually. Malleus' snake-like gaze stared at (Y/n), almost as if he was trying to stare into his soul to look at Sukuna. 'Careful brat,' Sukuna warns as he narrows his eyes at the man.

"I know, I'm-" (Y/n)'s thoughts go blank as Malleus reaches out and touches his face. Confused, (Y/n) watched as a tingle of magic covered his cheek, feeling the familiar sensation of his skin repairing itself. Quickly, Sukuna's mouth forms and he tries biting Malleus' fingers. Malleus was quick though, pulling his hand back as Sukuna's razor-sharp teeth nearly took his fingers.

"No need to be feisty small thing. I was only helping," Mallus assured, unbothered by the attack. "Let's fight right here and I'll show you small," Sukuna said, grinning maliciously and ready for a fight. "Wait, Sukuna," (Y/n) said as he curiously touched below the extra mouth, at the spot Malleus touched. "I think... He healed me," he mumbled, looking a bit unsure.

"Why?" Sukuna asked Malleus, in an accusing tone. "Our motives are no different from each other. Perhaps if you ask yourself that question you'd find your answer," Malleus said a bit cryptically. (Y/n) tilts his head to the side, confused by Mallius' words. Does that mean Mallius wants to help him get home? But how? Sukuna, though, knew what Malleus' words meant. The snake man has taken a liking to (Y/n), just as Sukuna has taken a liking to his vessel as well.

While Sukuna views (Y/n) as an idiot he needs to protect, what does Malleus' affection stand for? Malleus smiled at Sukuna as if he knew what Sukuna was thinking. "How come you are on the roof?" Malleus asked (Y/n). "Ah... That's a long story," (Y/n) chuckled nervously. "I just wanted to see the stars, that's all," Sukuna lies easily, his mouth popping out on (Y/n)'s cheek. "It is day, you can see the stars past the bright sky?" Malleus muses, not easily tricked. "You don't know what I can see, snake," Sukuna retorts. "For all you know, I can see the tiniest particles in this world."

"You can? Can you see people on this dirt speck?" (Y/n) asked innocently as he swiped some dirt off the roof to show to Sukuna. "Yes, idiot," Sukuna said sarcastically, rolling his eye. "Wait, really?!" (Y/n) exclaimed as he looked at the speck, horrified. Malleus couldn't help but chuckle at (Y/n)'s stupidity. Meanwhile, (Y/n) is freaking out over the fact he probably killed thousands of speck people and how he should help them.

"Oh put the speck down, I can only see bacteria there are no live people on there," Sukuna groaned. (Y/n) sighs in relief and wipes the speck away. "Then why did you tell me there were people? Don't do that," (Y/n) scolded the curse. Sukuna just snickers before going away into his domain.

(Y/n) scowled at his cheek then turned his attention to Malleus. "So what brings you here?" (Y/n) asked the man curiously. "Simple, I saw you fall, got concerned, and thus here I am," Malleus said casually. (Y/n) nodded as he debated, asking his next question. He knows the guy is powerful, but he doesn't know how powerful and if said power can help him get home. If not, maybe he can figure out how to get Sukuna a separate body.

'Hold his hand,' Sukuna ordered. He was going to bite this sleazy bastard just to get him to go away. (Y/n) felt hesitant, he knew not to trust anyone anymore, in this strange place, but he knew Malleus could help somehow. Slowly, (Y/n) nervously snatched Malleus' hand. The stranger did nothing to stop him, simply giving (Y/n) a closed-eyed smile.

Before Sukuna could latch onto Malleus's hand, a surge of energy shot up (Y/n)i's body as Malleus entered Sukuna's innate domain. When Malleus entered Sukuna's territory, he was not expecting this. The way he stands in a pool of blood, smells like decaying corpses in here, along with a huge ominous feeling.

He knew Sukuna was a ruthless being, the curse made it adamantly clear he was not nice. But this place, this hell feels overwhelming. It feels like he's standing in pure evil. "You have some nerve coming in here," Sukuna's voice echoed in the area. Malleus slowly looks up and sees Sukuna sitting on a throne of skulls. He leans into his hand as he looks down at Malleus. Despite the glow coming from the pool of blood below them, Malleus can only see four red glowing eyes staring down at him, Sukuna's entire face shadowed out.

Malleus gripped his chin to get his bearings. He cannot feel fear, especially not in front of a being derived from his fear. He needs to play it cool to get his way. "How interesting, even when I present myself your image is clouded," Malleus noted, sounding curious and intrigued.

Sukuna has to refrain from killing this man. (Y/n) is counting on him to try and stop picking fights with others and to not cause him so much stress. "Why are you here?" Sukuna questions, looking at this man like he is nothing but an insect. "Simply curious, I heard you were powerful and evil. So I wanted some insight into what you were," Malleus said honestly.

"I also wanted to talk, I imagine you prioritize the human's well-being, yes?" He asked the curse. "And what if I do?" Sukuna questions, narrowing his eyes. "I offer a truce, for the human's sake," Malleus offers. It wasn't an extension of friendship, but an equal understanding. "For (Y/n)'s sake? Why do you care about the brat?" It was obvious to Malleus that Sukuna is not willing to budge without proper answers.

"Not many people enjoy my presence, it gets rather lonely. (Y/n) is the first to treat me like a human being and I respect that. I can tell he's an honest and kind person, and I want to protect that," Malleus spoke honestly. Sukuna can sense that Malleus is telling the truth. "And what kind of truce do you have in mind?" Sukuna questioned.

"Nothing too outrageous, I intend to befriend the human. All you have to do is tolerate me," Malleus assured the curse. "Well, you're smart for not asking me to be your friend," Sukuna retorts. Malleus let out a snort. "Friends with someone like you? I've doubted you would've entertained the thought" Malleus said, looking amused. "Now that we got this out of the way, get out of my domain," Sukuna said, glaring at Malleus. "You're lucky the brat pleaded with me to stop picking fights or else I would've killed your soul for trespassing."

Speaking of trespassing, Sukuna can feel (Y/n)'s soul approaching. As he had shoved the brat to the far back so as not to hear the interaction. He needs to kick this stranger out before (Y/n) asks any questions. Sukuna forces Malleus out of his domain just as (Y/n) pops in. "What brat?" Sukuna asked, appearing behind (Y/n). This scared the crap out of (Y/n) because he expected Sukuna to be on his throne.

"First, don't do that. Second, why is your face all shaded?" (Y/n) asked, trying to see Sukuna's face behind the shadow. Sukuna looked annoyed and took a step forward and his face was fully shown. All because he is now standing above the brightest spot in the blood pool below them. "It's called light, dumbass," Sukuna retorts.

"Oh," (Y/n) said with a dumbfounded expression. "Then who were you talking to?" He asked as he looked around. "No one," Sukuna said, walking around (Y/n) to head back to his throne. "No one, my ass, we were just talking to that guy and then I'm yanked here. Surely there was someone here," (Y/n) said, not convinced by Sukuna's words. "Have you ever thought that maybe you missed me too much and wanted to see me?" Sukuna mocked, smirking at (Y/n).

(Y/n) deadpanned as he left the domain. As he woke, he found himself in his room. When did he get here? Did Malleus bring him here? "Oh shit! I forgot to ask him if he is able to send me home!" (Y/n) exclaimed as he gripped his hair. "I'm sure you will see him soon, you can ask him when you see him again," Sukuna said, calmly. "How do you know?" (Y/n) asked curiously. "I just do," Sukuna mutters as he glares to the side. He still doesn't like Malleus, but he knows the snake man is genuine in wanting to be (Y/n)'s friend.