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It has been hundreds of years since the war between the angels and demons. A clash that brought cataclysm to the world around it. Flatlands became mountain ranges, oceans to deserts, and so forth. The people, the anthros, were in the midst of it all, cowering from the thunderous blows that shook the world and threatened to tear the world apart. And yet, by some miracle, the world remained as one.

That is, at least, what Alto read in a summary article. He's been cramming for a test that's coming around after a field trip to a museum of magic history and research as a sort of extracurricular study session for the test itself. Alto saw the reason in it. If he's gonna take a test on magic, he might as well learn it from a museum. But it's a shame that tests are lame, even for magic. It's still a paper test, nothing involving the use of magic itself.

"Everyone!" The wolfen teacher announced. "Please make sure to stay close to your group at all times and set a reminder to meet back at the entrance at 4 o'clock. And be sure to take notes."

It's a shame that Alto doesn't actually know anyone in his group. Well...to be fair, he doesn't have any friends in his magic class anyway. He shuffles with the group as they take recordings and text notes on their phones on the various timetables of magic history. But Alto? The gray wolf just didn't feel like taking class too seriously right now. Being stressed to the point of emotional apathy tends to do that to a person.

He sighs and selects a pre-recorded segment of audio where a male voice narrates.

"It is to be believed that in previous eras of anthro history that the concept of real world magic was completely foreign to our ancestors. In their studies of science and the nature of the universe, they have developed societies that are capable of feats we can do today, but at a slower pace. These..."

Alto tunes out the rest of the recording due to losing interest. He sees his group still recording notes and talking to one another in casual conversation. And Alto is all alone. He curses under his breath. Why should he wait for them to finish notes? They have a whole museum to go through! The spark of passion suddenly blazed inside of him. If he's gonna cram for the test, then he's going to study what he wants to learn!

The gray wolf makes sure none of the group's eyes move in his general direction before making his escape. Through the bustling crowds and families he went, heading towards the upper floors. He suspects no one is currently at the upper levels just yet, so he might as well be the first one up there. He travels up the wide spiral staircase that surrounds the giant magic crystal in the center of the museum hub. His eyes scan through different rooms and he judges them in his interests.

Intertwining magic and science? Interesting, yes, but Alto isn't up for that one right now.

The ether? He thinks he knows enough to pass that section of the test.

Magic and side effects? He's heard about it from a long lost friend. He came his brains out for an hour straight from the magical whiplash of a failed spell.

Room after room after room he doesn't find interest in any of the topics. And each one he passes by adds a sliver of frustration. Is there anything he's going to find interesting at all? The bright shine of the sun pouring from the glass ceiling as the wolf covers his eyes in response. As his eyes adjust he sees that he's arrived at the topmost room. An entire section of the museum is dedicated to it. The angelology section.

Statues of creatures beyond the imagination sit before him. Wheels within wheels. A minotaur-like beast with four heads that change between species every time he looks away for a split second. Draconic creatures with burning wings. These three are the most noteworthy to Alto. And yet there is a ring of statues within the section of the top dome, each statue belonging to a unique angel within their hierarchy. And around those statues are signs and walls of descriptions that theorize their existence and purpose.

Alto smiles a little. Now this is something interesting. He starts taking pictures of the statues and the descriptions. They'll be useful later when he gets back to his group...who probably knows he ditched them right now. Alto bit his lip. If he suddenly reappears in the group he might be snitched by the three. If he's gonna make it out with as little punishment as possible he's gotta make it up with a lot of notes. And for him, that's pictures. He took as many pictures as he could. The statues and the printed descriptions and all associated texts related to them. With that part done rather quickly, he decided to move over to another section of the museum.

Alto originally wanted to take the stairs back down. He did a double take and hid when he caught the glance of his teacher out of the corner of his eye. He cursed, they're already coming up here so quickly? Alto immediately searched for any other exit. There's only one staircase that leads to the top floor. However, he noticed a pair of doors with a sign for employees only. His mind races on the choices but there isn't any debate on what he wanted to do. He'd rather risk getting caught by the staff of the museum than the teacher himself. He rushed through the double doors and went down the stairs while silently praying none of the staff saw him or are currently using this particular staircase. Fast-paced paws glide down the stairs. Alto's thoughts were too preoccupied with the thought of getting caught that he stumbled and found himself at the very bottom of the staircase. Looking forward, he is greeted by another set of double doors. But this time they had a different label.

DEMONOLOGY SECTOR

WARNING: COGNITOHAZARD MATERIALS LOCATED WITHIN THIS SECTOR. PROCEED WITH CAUTION. ALL STAFF MEMBERS OR PREMIUM MEMBERS ARE TO BE GIVEN A LEVEL 1 PSYCHO-STABILITY ENCHANTMENT ITEM BEFORE ENTERING

Demonology? The study of demons. Alto knows this one in particular is going to be on the test. However, the academy didn't raise enough money for the field trip for a premium membership bundle for the students. If he goes in there, he's going to get a premium scoop of knowledge and information that none of the students will have when the field trip is done. But he hesitated, the sign is the reason. A psycho-stability enchantment item is a small device or object enchanted with a rune to protect a person from cognition alteration. Should he go inside that sector without that kind of protection he could have damage done to his mind, or worse.

Alto backs away from the doors but suddenly freezes as his ears twitch. Footsteps. Coming from the staircase. A staff member is using the staircase. And they sound pretty close. Alto cursed once again. If he goes up he could get caught right then and there. Having no other choice the gray wolf gently opened the double doors and soon found himself merging with a small group. Looks like they're another school group.

"Please don't take any pictures. Many of these demon artifacts are cognitive hazards. The protection runes are to ensure your mental safety. However, taking pictures will replicate the effect. You can put others in danger if the pictures of these artifacts are made public." One of the tourist leaders said.

Alto cursed again. He can't make it up to his group or the teacher if he doesn't end up with more pictures. If he could just-

"You."

He froze. He heard something as he turns his head around to see if anyone is talking to him. It appears no one is so much as looking at him. Then where did the voice come from? It sounded youthful but there's a sense of age to it.

"You're a rule breaker, aren't you?"

Alto really didn't like how spot on the voice is. "What is it that makes my life your concern?" He replied, mentally.

"Not much. But...just enough. You and I? We're not so different."

"You know nothing about me." Alto retorted.

"That you didn't come in here with a protection rune? That told me more than enough that you're the kind of person who doesn't like authority."

"I didn't come here on purpose you know! I was-"

"Avoiding getting caught snooping around on your own. So you entered here, knowing fully well what you were getting yourself into."

The grey wolf growled. "So? Just because we're similar doesn't mean we're exactly the same."

"Similar is good enough for me." The voice said. "Now, I think it's time we met face to face, shall we?"

His brain suddenly aches as directions are sent straight into his mind. He had to go to the right. There's a big room there, bigger than all of the current rooms combined. That's where it is. That's where the voice lives. His legs began to move but he suddenly felt other forces invading his mind, only to be brushed away with ease.

"Don't worry about them. They won't hurt you, now that I am here. My little rule breaker." The voice had a hint of amusement, like he's their toy.

"Don't give me names." Alto growled, mentally.

"Whatever you say." The voice teased.

Alto continued his walk through the halls, looking at the various artifacts that lay inside the rooms. Some of the artifacts look rather gross. Others are simple. Some of them are twisted machinations of things he seem familiar with. But he soon made his way to the biggest room in the hall. And he could see why.

They're keeping a living demon in here. Or...at least the remnants of a living one. Inside a shimmering iridescent crystal lies what looks like to be a deer. It had no antlers but the features of what remains of its body are distinctly male. The demon has a rather thin form but it still has muscles. White messy hair is in the place of its antlers, and it has some rather big ears. The fur it holds has a peach color, covered by a simple looking tank top. Who would've thought demons had modern clothing?

However, that body is badly damaged. Any normal person would have been dead. Their lower half is gone, along with their forearms. Their head is split open like someone scooped part of their head off like a spoon through ice cream. Alto looked at the various writings from the scientists. This project in particular is ongoing. A live demon specimen is rare in its own right. The museum is an active contributor to demonology research, so this demon is a holy grail for their magical discoveries.

"You're finally here. It's nice to meet you, Alto." Said the demonic deer, telepathically.

"What do you want?" Alto questioned.

"Such a rude voice, even after knowing each other for so long." The deer sighs.

"I don't even know who you are." Said Alto. "And I'm not obligated in helping you."

Alto turned to take his leave but suddenly froze when hearing what the demon says. "I think you are. If you go back now, you know what will happen to you."

"..."

"I'm not wrong, am I?"

"How do you know?" Asked Alto.

"You lack the enchantment. This place is full of runes to keep me in check. But I still have enough power to at least peer through your mind on recent events."

"..."

"Tell you what. How about I help you out? Name your deal, and I'll help you with it."

"No way. I don't want to make a deal with demons. That's elementary school stuff." Said Alto.

"But you already have paid the price, my little rule breaker." The demon mused.

Alto's heart ran cold. He did? Since when? "But-"

"Check the time rule breaker," he advised.

He brought out his phone. It's 3:58, just two minutes before everyone regroups. His heart spiked with anxiety as the thought of getting in trouble turned into the breaking point. "F-Fine! Deal!"

"Good." The demon's voice has a sound of relief and gratitude mixed underneath the amusement that is prominent. "I'll be talking to you soon rule breaker. I think we're going to be the best of friends."

The crystal's iridescence suddenly faded, losing its color and shine. The demon's body contained in the crystal suddenly seemed much paler, more lifeless. Then right after, a wave of alerting sirens went off as Alto hears an announcement.

"WARNING. ALL DEMONOLOGY TOURISTS ARE TO EVACUATE THE SECTOR IMMEDIATELY. ALL STAFF ARE TO ASSIST IN THE EVACUATION OF TOURISTS BEFORE UNDERGOING MAGIC SECURITY PROTOCOLS. REPEAT-"

Alto didn't need to hear the blaring sirens a second time as he bolted with the other museum tourists as they made their way to the exit stairway. But amidst the chaos, he swears he hears the demon's chuckle in his ears.