The cold, damp stone of the cavern floor pressed against my back as I leaned against the wall, my heart pounding. The air was thick with the scent of blood and sweat, a stark reminder of the battle that raged before me. My breath came in quick, shallow gasps, my chest aching with the weight of memories long buried.
Sara knelt on the cold stone floor, frozen in terror, her eyes wide with fear. I couldn't blame her. The Dogheaded Demon Lord loomed over her, his violet fur bristling, cane raised menacingly. I pushed off the wall, adrenaline surging through my veins as I leapt in front of Sara, a shield between her and the demon. But someone was faster. Kura. I see her blood cover Sara. Her body drops as the demon lord pulls his fist out of her.
"K-Kura!" Sara stared at the blood, then at Kura's limp figure, her eyes filling with tears. "Kura!"
I don't think. Before I knew it, I was right next to the Demon Lord. I had my sword out, but he barely noticed me. He was too focused on Kura, a sick smile playing on his lips.
"Such a heroic little thing," he said, his voice like gravel. "But heroes are so easy to break."
Sara's scream pierced the air, echoing off the cavern walls. It was a sound of pure, raw anguish. She was cradling Kura's head in her lap, her hands slick with blood. I gritted my teeth, my vision narrowing. I try to cut him down, but he effortlessly deflected my attack.
"So, you want to die too, rabbit?" He sneered, still grinning. "Very well."
Suddenly, a small, cold hand pressed against my forehead. I looked up, blinking away tears, to see Mia standing over me. Her turquoise hair was dishevelled, her emerald eyes burning with an intensity I'd never seen before. She held a dagger in her other hand, its blade gleaming in the dim light of the cavern.
Suddenly, a small, cold hand pressed against my forehead. I looked up, blinking away tears, to see Mia standing over me. Her turquoise hair was dishevelled, her emerald eyes burning with an intensity I'd never seen before. She held a dagger in her other hand, its blade gleaming in the dim light of the cavern.
"Mia?" I gasped, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Stay," she commanded, her voice flat yet firm.
She started chanting a healing spell in a soft, sing-song voice that seemed to echo around us. I felt a warmth spread through me, knitting my insides back together. When she finished, I took a deep breath, the pain in my stomach subsiding. I pushed myself to my feet, feeling stronger but still wobbly.
"Thanks," I muttered, looking at Mia with newfound appreciation.
She just nodded, her gaze flicking back to the Demon Lord.
"Face me, so I challenge," Nana was standing next to the Demon Lord, her honey-colored hair trailing behind her like a tail of a star falling.
She readied her shield and raised her sword as her 'Taunt' skill got the Demon Lord's attention.
"Oh, look, another foolish one," the Demon Lord growled, turning his violet gaze on Nana. "So be it, let's make this quick."
He swung his cane, a blur of movement, but Nana was ready. She blocked the attack with her shield, the blow sending her sliding back a few steps, denting her shield and causing her to grunt in pain. But she didn't falter. She steadied herself and attacked again, her sword flashing in the dim light.
The Demon Lord scoffed, easily deflecting her strikes. "You're an annoyance, child. But you'll learn your place soon enough."
I looked at Sara, still cradling Kura's head, tears streaming down her face as she cast a healing spell repeatedly. But Kura didn't move. She didn't stir. My heart clenched, and I felt a surge of anger. I couldn't let this bastard win. I could hear Nana's shield cracking as I rushed towards the Demon Lord, my sword raised. He turned to face me, a smirk on his dog-like mouth.
"You again?" he sneered.
I didn't respond, just attacked. I swung my sword, putting all my strength and anger behind it. But he was quick, deflecting my blow with his cane, knocking me back. I stumbled, but didn't fall. I gritted my teeth and attacked again, determined to keep him occupied. My sword glowed blue with bright sparks as I poured more magic into the blade. I even use 'Body Strengthening', but it isn't enough. Time and time again, when my sword meets his cane, I am the one who is sent flying, crashing into walls or the ground. My breath comes in ragged gasps, my body aches and my vision swims. But I don't stop. I can't. Kura needs me. She needs all of us.
Nana is doing her best, too, but her shield is starting to crumble, the metal bending and breaking with each of the Demon Lord's strikes. Blood is dripping from her arm as she tries to hold him off. I can see her knuckles are white from gripping her sword so tightly.
"Mia! Use spells that will mess with his balance or vision!" I shouted, my voice echoing through the cavern.
I needed to buy Nana some time. The Demon Lord was too fast, too strong. But if we could disrupt his senses, maybe, just maybe, we could land a hit. Mia nodded, her eyes narrowing as she focused on the Demon Lord. She began to chant again, her voice rising and falling like a dark melody. I watched as the Demon Lord's steps faltered, his movements becoming less fluid. He growled in frustration, trying to regain his balance.
I seized the opportunity, lunging at him once more. But before I can reach him, I feel his finger squeezing around my throat, lifting me off the ground. I can't breathe. Panic surges through me as I claw at his hand, my vision swimming. But it doesn't last long before I feel my body slamming into Nana's, the metal of her breastplate digging into my back. She grunted, knocked onto her back, and before any of us could stand, the Demon Lord's foot was on my chest, pinning both Nana and me down.
"You're all so pathetic," he growls, his violet fur bristling. "You can't even put up a proper fight."
I try to speak, to retort, but all that comes out is a gurgled noise as electricity shoots from the Demon Lord's foot and into Nana and me. We both convulse, our muscles seizing as pain rips through our bodies like wildfire. I can't move, breathe, or do anything but endure. The cavern spins around me, my vision blurring.
Every nerve in my body is on fire, every muscle locked in place. The Demon Lord's foot is a vice on my chest, stealing my breath, my life. I can't move. I'm drowning, suffocating, burning. I hear a distant scream, a voice crying out in pain and anguish. It takes me a moment to realise it's mine. The sound is raw, primal, a plea for help, for mercy. But there's none. There's only the Demon Lord, his violet eyes gleaming with malice, his lips curled in a cruel smile.
When it's over and the Demon Lord steps off me, I can't move. I can't speak. I can only watch as he turns towards Sara, a dark grin on his face. She's still cradling Kura, her eyes wide and terrified, tears streaming down her face. The Demon Lord lifts his cane, the air around it shimmering as he summons dark magic, but a ball of water hits him. Mia. She launches a water spell that burns and boils the back of the Demon Lord's head, but he doesn't seem hurt. When he turns to face her, his eyes are narrowed, his grin is gone.
"You're a feisty one, aren't you?" he growls. "I like that."
He raised his hand. Clenched his fist. I didn't realise what was happening until I heard Mia cry out and saw her hands caught in a giant hand made of shadows. He picks her up before slamming her into the wall. The impact sent a tremor through the cavern, and a cloud of dust and debris filled the air. I watched in horror as Mia's body crumpled against the stone, her turquoise hair fanning out around her like a halo.
"Mia!" I tried to scream, but my voice was nothing more than a hoarse whisper.
I couldn't move, couldn't stand, couldn't do anything but watch as the Demon Lord picked her up again and sent her crashing into the wall once more. And again. And again. With each impact, a piece of me broke. A piece of us broke. Mia. Her small body was getting bloodied with each impact. I try to get up to stop him, but my muscles refuse to obey. Nana lies beside me, her chest rising and falling in shallow breaths. We're both broken, beaten. Useless.
Mia can only groan and barely keep her eyes open as the Demon Lord finally stops and tosses her body onto mine. Her blood is wet against my skin, and I can feel her ragged breaths against my chest. I grip her shoulders, trying to comfort her, to keep her aware.
"Mia," I whisper, my voice rough and raw. "Stay with me. Stay awake."
She whimpers in response, her emerald eyes fluttering closed. I can't help but feel a surge of despair. We're losing. Kura is hurt, maybe even dead. Nana and I are broken. And Mia... Mia is barely conscious.
"Unless you three want to die, I suggest you stop struggling," the Demon Lord says. "It's quite tiresome to deal with you all, and all I want is to kill that priestess over there."
Sara's sobs echo through the cavern, her body shaking as she tries to keep casting a healing spell on Kura, but it doesn't seem to have any effect. Kura's body remains still, her breathing shallow and weak.
"Please," Sara begs, her voice barely a whisper. "Please don't hurt her. Please."
The Demon Lord scoffs.
"You beg for the life of your friend, yet your god does nothing to save her. They abandon you all." His violet eyes flick towards Kura, "And now, you'll watch as I end her life."
He takes a step towards Sara, his cane raised. I grit my teeth, my heart pounding in my chest. I won't let him. But what can I do? I'm barely conscious, my body aching, my muscles weak. I look at Nana, her honey-colored hair fanned out around her, her breath shallow. She's in no better shape than I am. My gaze shifts to her, her turquoise hair matted with blood, her emerald eyes closed. I can feel her heartbeat against my chest, slow and steady, but it's not enough. I need her to fight. I need her to wake up.
"Mia," I whisper, shaking her gently. "Wake up, Mia. You have to wake up."
She groans, her eyes fluttering open. "P-Pearl?" she asks, her voice barely audible.
"Yeah, it's me," I say, relief flooding through me. "Can you heal me?"
She weakly nods. "Y-Yes."
I feel her hand, cold and trembling, touch my forehead. She closes her eyes, her lips moving silently as she begins to chant. A warmth spreads through me, starting at my forehead and moving down my body like a gentle wave. The muscle pain begins to subside, and I feel my strength slowly returning.
"Thanks," I murmur, my voice a little stronger now. I take out a potion and give it to her. "Drink this, then take care of Nana."
I grab my sword and turn to see Sara. Held in the air by her limbs with those shadow hands gripping her tightly enough to bruise her skin. The Demon Lord is pulling her apart. Sara's limbs were stretched taut, her body a twisted, agonised shape. Her eyes were screwed shut, tears leaking out, a silent scream contorting her face. The sight of her suffering sent a surge of adrenaline coursing through my veins, banishing the last vestiges of pain and weakness. I had to act now, or it would be too late.
"Where are your gods now..."
I cut into his back before he could finish, but the wound healed instantly. At least I got him to drop Sara. She hit the ground with a thud, her body curling in on itself as she cried out in pain. I couldn't look away, couldn't do anything but watch as she struggled to breathe, her chest heaving. But at least she was alive for now. The Demon Lord turned to face me, a snarl curling his lips.
"You're a persistent one, aren't you, rabbit?" he growled. "But you're no match for me."
He lunged at me, his cane sweeping towards my head. I ducked just in time, the wind from the strike ruffling my hair. I couldn't match his speed, but I could predict his movements. I'd been fighting him long enough to know his patterns, his tells. I just had to be quicker.
"That doesn't mean I can't win," I retorted, circling him, my sword at the ready.
He scoffed, "You're delusional, rabbit. But I admire your spirit."
I saw his cane twitch, a tell I knew well by now. I dove to the side, his strike missing me by inches. I could feel the wind of it, the shiver of the magic it carried. It cracked the ground where it struck. I used the opportunity to attack, slashing at him with everything I had. My sword left a trail of blue fire as it sliced through the air, but the Demon Lord was never where I expected him to be. He was always a step ahead, always ready.
"This is tiresome," he growled, his lips curling into a cruel smile. "But I suppose I should thank you for the workout."
I didn't respond. I couldn't. All my breath was focused on my movements, on staying alive. I could feel the sweat dripping down my back, my heart pounding like a drum.
"I will fight too, I declare," Nana ran to my side, raising her busted shield.
"Me, too," Mia's voice came from behind before she started to chant.
"Then... then I'll fight too,"
Even Sara joined in and started to chant.
"What about Kura?" I asked.
"I healed her, but she still hasn't woken up."
We have to hold out until...
"I see, I see," The Demon Lord nodded. "Then you all have chosen to die together. How touching."
The Demon Lord sneered, his violet eyes glinting with amusement. He swept his cane, a dark wave of magic surging outwards. We braced ourselves, our bodies tensing as the wave hit us, sending us flying backwards.
I hit the ground hard; the wind knocked me out. I lay there for a moment, gasping, my vision swimming. When I finally managed to sit up, I saw that the others were in the same state. Nana was sprawled on her back, her shield discarded, her sword a few feet away. Shadow hands reached out from the ground, grabbing all of us and pulling us towards the Demon Lord. He stood in the cavern's centre, his violet fur bristling, his eyes gleaming with a cruel triumph.
"You fought well," he said, echoing through the cavern. "But it was never going to be enough."
I gritted my teeth, struggling against the shadows that held me. They burned like acid, eating away at my strength, my will. But I refused to give in. I refused to surrender.
"We're not done yet," I growled, my voice raw and ragged.
I could feel the shadows tightening around me, their acidic touch burning my skin, sapping my strength. But I refused to let go, refused to give in. They wrapped around our necks and slowly squeezed despite our struggles. Panic surged through me as my vision began to blur, my breath coming in shallow gasps. I could hear Nana's muffled cries, Mia's feeble attempts to break free, and Sara's desperate pleas for help. Our bodies convulsed, our limbs flailed, but it was all in vain. The shadows were too strong, their hold too firm. I could feel the life being choked out of us, our strength waning with each passing second.
The golems' futile resistance gives me a brief reprieve from my impending doom. Then, suddenly, a blinding light pierces the darkness, a glow that sears my retinas and forces me to shield my eyes. The shadows that had been our prison dissipate, their acidic touch disappearing as quickly as it had come. I blink, trying to see through the brightness, my vision slowly adjusting to the intense light.
She stands in the centre of the cavern, her body bathed in a radiant glow that seems to come from within her. Her black hair shimmers like silk, her dark eyes gleaming with an otherworldly light. Her sword is raised, her stance confident, her presence commanding. But there's something off, something not quite right. Her movements are too fluid, too graceful. Her eyes... they're not Kura's eyes.
"Thou dost move like a snail, demon. Prepare to meet thy end!" she exclaims, her sword a blur as she strikes, the Demon Lord barely managing to block her attack. "Hah! A worthy opponent, indeed!" she chuckles, her eyes gleaming with amusement and excitement. "But it matters not. For I, Akon Kagura, the Dragoness of Gods, shall smite thee like the insect thou art!"
I watch in awe as she dances around the Demon Lord, her sword a whirlwind of steel and magic. Her movements are fluid, graceful, and precise, each strike calculated, each parry perfectly timed. She's a stark contrast to the Demon Lord, who, despite his strength and speed, seems clumsy and slow compared to her.
"Hark! Receive this, O Dragon's Slice!"
Kura, or whatever is controlling her, strikes with her hand, hitting the Demon Lord so hard he crashes through the wall and knocks him into the desert above. She follows, leaping up after him, her body a blur of black hair and steel. The cavern shakes, dust and debris raining down on us as she disappears through the hole she created.
I cough, my lungs burning, my throat raw. I look around, blinking away the grit in my eyes. Mia, Nana, and Sara also coughed, trying to clear their throats. We're all battered and bruised, our bodies aching with pain. But we're alive.
"What... what was that?" Sara asks, her voice hoarse.
<0>
Dragon God's POV
Lo, the Dark Lord dost still regain his footing as I emerge upon the earth's visage. Mine selected champion's form requires some acclimatisation, yet it shall suffice for the present.
The sun, a fiery sphere, does smite the land with relentless force. A barren wasteland extends endlessly, its sands stirring and whispering like a drowsy creature. The heat is oppressive, a tangible weight that clings to the flesh and infiltrates the bones' core.
I doth behold mine foe, the Dogheaded Demon Lord, and he presenteth unto me a bow, his violet fur glistening beneath the sun's fierce gaze. He is adorned in a three-piece raiment, boldly contrasting the desolate expanse surrounding us. His sceptre, a gnarled ebony staff, doth rest upon his leg, as though 'twere but a folly, rather than the dread armament it truly is. I still recall when he smited both Zaicuon and Parion with it. But a modest flick of his wrist, they were mere ashes.
My valiant champion and her noble comrades are fortunate that this Demon Lord tempered his might in their clash. Verily, he might have vanquished them in but an instant. Yet here I stand, the visage of Kura already well-known 'neath the sun's fierce glare. I doth flex my fingers, sensing the might within her surging through my being—my locks transition from golden hue to regal violet, a merry salute to the trial before me.
He doth chuckle, a deep and rumbling sound that echoes across the arid sands. "Akon, ever the playful one. I see you still haven't learned the value of subtlety."
I humbly shrug, as my tresses shift to a merry hue of pink.
"And which rogue dost declare that subtlety is ever the wisest path?" I don't jest, revelling in the graceful ballet of our discourse. "Moreover, wherefore lies the joy in such a restrained affair?"
The Houndheaded Demon Lord does raise his staff, the tip shimmering in the rays of yonder sun.
"You're right, Akon. Let's not bore ourselves." He doth advance a pace, his gaze becoming keen. "Very well, let's play."
I do reflect his motions, my heart doth thrum with fervour. Verily, I do not falter before a challenge; this encounter is no exception. Kura's form is a wonder, supple and robust, her senses keenly attuned. I sense the zephyr's change, the grains of sand whispering beneath my feet. I find myself in my prime element.
"Then partake of mine Spinning Kick!" I do proclaim, raising one of Kura's limbs aloft.
I doth whirl about, the vigour of the motion casting my hair into a golden tempest. The wind doth howl, sand swirling 'round me like a minuscule tempest."
The hellish Dogheaded Demon Lord art cast away unto yon dune, yet I must first mend fair Kura's leg ere I pursue. That kick has transformed hers into a crimson mist. Too much, perchance? Yet, in verity, I yearned to assay this mortal guise's bounds. 'Tis a rarity for me to dwell within the form of man, and mine curiosity is unquenchable.
Brandishing his staff like a sword, the Demon Lord doth surge forth with a swiftness that belies his girth. I do hastily evade, my heart afire with fervour. The sand doth erupt beneath his might, a tempest of dust ascending high. He doth pivot, his violet orbs narrowing as he scans the realm, to be met with my clenched fist.
"Hark! 'Tis the might of mine own 'Akon's Full Power Blow!" I proclaim, cherishing this hour as my tresses become fiery crimson.
His form is cast back, gliding upon the sands like a stone a-skip upon the waters. The might of the blow doth unleash a tempest through the air, trembling the parched dunes surrounding us. I cannot suppress a hearty chuckle at the spectacle, my locks transforming to a vibrant green as I regrow the hand that was thus shattered by that strike. The Hound-headed Demon Lord, ever the gallant sir, doth cleanse the crimson from his visage with a cloth that doth appear from nought.
<0>
Kura's POV
Everything is so dark. Even darker than I thought. I open my eyes, and the abyssal darkness of the Demon Lord's mind envelops me. Shadows twist and contort, a labyrinthine nightmare that pulses with malice. I stumble, my footsteps echoing in the void, and I remember my promise. My vow to the goddess was to free him from his curse in exchange for the Dragon God saving my friends. The air crackles with a palpable sense of dread. I clutch the hilt of my holy swords, the cold metal a small comfort in this oppressive landscape.
"Hello?" I call out, my voice swallowed by the darkness. "Demon Lord? Can you hear me? I'm here to help."
Only a low growl answers me, a sound that seems to emanate from the very fabric of this dreadful place. I take a tentative step forward, then another, my eyes straining to pierce the gloom. An image appears before me, of priests burning people while more on flying islands fire cannons on the people below. When I touch it, something pulls me inside.
"Kill the Heretics!"
"Burn the Unclean!"
"In the name of the gods we shall purge this land!"
The chanting roars around me, a cacophony of fanaticism. I'm standing in the middle of a town square, cobblestones stained crimson. A pyre blazes, consuming a figure bound to a stake. The air is thick with the smell of burning flesh and righteous zealotry. I recognise the violet fur, the agonised snarl twisting his features. It's the Demon Lord, but younger, smaller, his eyes filled with a raw, desperate pain that cuts me to the core.
He's just a child, a boy, bound and condemned by these self-proclaimed servants of the gods. He screams, a sound that tears through the air, a primal cry of injustice that is quickly swallowed by the crowd's chanting. My heart clenches, a wave of nausea washing over me. This…this is where it began. This is the seed of his hatred.
Before I can process the horror, the scene dissolves, and I'm falling, tumbling through the abyss of his mind. Another image flares to life – a lush forest, vibrant with life, teeming with creatures I've only seen in bestiaries. A young dogfolk, the same boy from before, is playing with other children, their laughter echoing through the woods. He's carefree, joyous, and a far cry from the menacing figure I faced. Wait. Reiaane is with him. Playing a laughing hand in hand with the future Demon Lord. She looks so happy.
"Come on, Crow! This way! Hurry! Hurry!" Reiaane's light and bubbly voice rings out, pulling me further into the memory.
The scene is bathed in golden sunlight, filtering through the canopy and illuminating the children as they chase each other through the undergrowth. I watch, transfixed, as the young Crow bursts into laughter, his violet fur gleaming, his eyes bright with innocent joy. This starkly contrasts with the twisted malice I saw in the Demon Lord's eyes.
Suddenly, the forest floor trembles. The sky darkens, and shadows stretch long and menacing across the idyllic scene. The happy shouts of the children turn into cries of terror as armoured figures, radiating divine power, burst from the trees. They wield swords emblazoned with holy symbols, their faces grim and unforgiving.
"Princess Reiaane. Please return to the heavens willingly." One of the armoured figures states.
"Leave us alone!" Crow shouts, stepping in front of her. "Leave Reiaane alone!"
The armoured figure scoffs, shoving Crow aside with ease.
"Insolent mutt!" The armoured figure sneers, raising his sword. "You dare defy the will of the heavens?"
The sword flashes before I react, and Crow can even cry out. I wince, bracing myself for the inevitable, but the blow never lands. Instead, a wave of blinding light erupts from Reiaane.
"STOP!" She screams, her voice resonating with otherworldly power.
The armoured figures freeze, their faces etched with confusion and a hint of fear.
"Princess Reiaane, what are you doing? These…beasts are not worthy of your protection!" The armoured figure protests, but his voice lacks conviction.
Reiaane stands tall, her eyes blazing with righteous fury. "They are my friends! And I will not allow you to harm them!"
A tense silence hangs in the air, broken only by the rustling of leaves and the ragged breaths of the children. Then, slowly, reluctantly, the armoured figures lower their weapons.
"Very well, Princess. But know this, you are making a grave mistake. These creatures are inherently evil. They will only bring you pain and sorrow."
With a final, ominous glare, the armoured figures turn and vanish into the forest, taking Reiaane with them. I thought that was the end of it, but someone... I can't help thinking I have seen them before. Their face is hidden, but the way they stand and move is so familiar. This person approaches Crow.
"The gods are cruel, " he says, handing Crow a bundle of items—no Gift Orbs. I can't tell what skills they will bestow. You must become strong so you can protect yourself, " he continues. Here, this will help you."
Crow looks up at the figure, confusion clouding his youthful features. "Who…who are you?"
The figure smiles, a sad, knowing smile that sends a chill down my spine. "Someone who understands your pain. Someone who wants to see you rise above it."
Then, just as quickly as he appeared, he disappears, leaving Crow alone in the darkening forest, clutching the Gift Orbs like a lifeline.
"W-who are you?" I jump, hearing a voice as the memory spits me out.
I whirl around, my hand instinctively flying to the hilt of my sword. Standing before me is a child. A boy, no older than ten, with violet fur and wide, frightened eyes. It's Crow, but… younger than I ever imagined him. This must be his core, his true self, the innocent soul buried beneath layers of rage and resentment.
"Who are you?" he asks again, his voice trembling.
"I'm Kura," I say softly, sheathing my sword, trying to project a sense of calm. "I'm here to help you."
He eyes me warily, taking a step back. "Help me? Why? Everyone always leaves."
I kneel, bringing myself down to his level. "I know you've been hurt, Crow. I saw what happened. I saw what they did to you."
"Then you will agree to destroy the Gods?" I am taken aback by the question, almost feeling the malice and hate emanating from the Child.
Another memory takes over. I find myself standing within a grand hall, its walls adorned with intricate tapestries depicting heroic deeds and divine blessings. A feast is in full swing, nobles stuffing themselves while animal-eared people in chains are forced to serve them tirelessly. A familiar violet-furred figure, now a young man, stands amidst the revelry, his face a mask of barely-concealed disgust. Crow raises his hand, and in the blink of an eye, spears of shadows strike every noble in the room. Everyone is dead. But Crow does not look happy; instead, he looks in pain.
"We gained strength that day. We gained more power... but was it worth it?" I hear him mutter, and an oddly familiar voice rings out.
"Yes, my son, all power comes with a price." The voice states.
"Reiaane is scared of me now. She probably hates me. She won't even look me in the eye. I just wanted to protect her!" Crow shouts in pain.
"I understand how you feel." The figure says. "But you should use this power to get revenge on those who wronged you. They are the ones who turned her against you with their deceit and lies!"
The scene shifts again. This time, I'm in a slave market where individuals with animal features are being traded like cattle. Crow is killing the slavers and freeing the enslaved people. The man is right behind him, whispering.
"See how they suffer, my son? How The Gods pay no heed to their pain! You must become their saviour, their champion! Only then will they understand the error of their ways!"
I am pulled back to the void with the child.
"Yes," I say, meeting his gaze. "They hurt you. They betrayed you. They took everything from you. But revenge… revenge won't bring any of that back. It won't heal your pain. It will only create more pain, more suffering. Is that what you really want?"
"Reiaane?" I ask, searching my memory for the name. It rings a faint bell, something I heard in passing during my research. "Who is Reiaane to you?"
The child looks down, scuffing his paw against the ground. "She's… she was my best friend. We grew up together. We promised always to protect each other."
Another memory floods my senses. Crow was creating monsters: the Fire Lord, Sky Lord, Earth Lord, and the strongest of his creations, the Sea Lord. Sacrificing his followers, he grew the monsters' strength with each kill while the man guided his actions.
"Will it be enough?" Crow asks, his voice laced with doubt. "What if...what if it's not enough? What if they hurt her again?"
"Then you will be strong enough to protect her," the man assures him, his voice dripping with honeyed poison. You will become a god yourself, and no one will ever dare to harm her again." He holds out a dark crystal heart with a black haze. "Take it, my son. It is the last piece to becoming a true God."
Back in the void, the child Crow is sobbing. "I just wanted to save her! I just wanted us to be together again!"
"I understand, Crow," I say, my voice filled with genuine sympathy. "But you can't save her by destroying the world. Reiaane wouldn't want that. Is this man really helping you?"
He looks up at me, his eyes red and swollen. "How do you know what Reiaane wants? You don't know her!"
"Crow, I met Reiaane. She said something to me the last time we spoke. 'I wonder if you're still suffering, longing for freedom... Cr...'"
The child's eyes widen, a flicker of recognition sparking within them. "She... she said my name?" he whispers, his voice barely audible. "But... how? Where did you see her?"
"She lives with her sister on the island of Lalakie," I told him. She wants you to be free from this hate. She told me she believes in you—that you will come back, that you can be saved."
The child's face crumples, tears streaming down his violet fur. "She... she remembers me? After all this time? After everything I've done?"
"Yes, Crow. She remembers you. And she believes in the good person you used to be, the person you still are deep down inside." I say, reaching out and gently wiping away his tears. "But you need to choose. You can continue down this path of revenge, fueled by hatred and guided by this man, or choose to forgive, heal, and find your way back to Reiaane."
He looks at me, his eyes filled with conflict.
"I... I don't know what to do," he whispers, his voice trembling. "He says they took her from me! That they imprisoned her! That I need to be strong enough to save her!"
I clench my fist, anger rising within me. That manipulative voice, preying on his vulnerability, twisting his love into a warped desire for vengeance. "He's lying to you, Crow. Reiaane is not imprisoned. She is living her life, hoping that one day, you will choose to join her."
"But I killed so many people, I hurt so many people. Can I change? Can I still see her?" He continues.
Another memory assaults me. I see Crow standing before a towering altar, bathed in the eerie glow of a blood moon. Sacrificial victims are everywhere, crying and begging for forgiveness. Their pleas were muted as the man was behind him.
"The gods are not going to accept this, you know?" Crow states.
"They are just jealous," The man says. "They see your potential, your power. They fear what you will become. That's why they try to hold you back, to control you. But you are stronger than they, Crow. You are destined for greatness. Your path is righteous. The gods will see your value."
"But are we doing the right thing?" Crow asks, his voice filled with doubt. "Is this what Reiaane would want?"
The man laughs, a cold, chilling sound that echoes through the chamber. "Reiaane would want you to be strong, to protect her from those who would harm her. And that is exactly what you're doing. Sacrifice these people to achieve your goals. You must push forward, no matter the cost. The ends justify the means, my son."
Crow hesitates, his face etched with conflict. But the man's words have taken root, poisoning his mind with a twisted sense of purpose. With a sigh, he raises his hand, and the altar erupts in a torrent of dark energy, consuming the sacrifices in a flash of violet light.
We are back in the void.
"It's not too late, Crow," I say, my voice filled with conviction. "No matter what you've done, you can still change. You can still choose a different path. You can still be the person Reiaane believes you can be."
"B-but how?" he stammers, his eyes wide with fear and uncertainty. "How can I undo all the damage I've caused? How can I ever face her again?"
"You can start by letting go of this hatred, this desire for revenge," I say, reaching out and taking his small, trembling hand. You can start by forgiving yourself. And then, you should apologise to Reiaane. I can help you find her. She can help you find yourself again. You no longer have to live in this hatred."
Another flash, another memory. Crow is standing on a cliff edge, overlooking a devastated battlefield. Smoke rises from the ruined landscape, and the air is thick with the stench of death. The man stands beside him, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction.
"Look at what you've accomplished, Crow," the man says, his voice filled with pride. "You have shown them your power. You have made them fear you. Now, no one will ever dare to stand in your way."
Crow stares at the carnage, his face pale and drawn. "But... at what cost?" he whispers, his voice barely audible. "How many innocent lives have been lost? How much suffering have I caused?"
The man shrugs, his expression indifferent. "These are merely sacrifices, Crow—necessary steps on the path to greatness. Don't let sentimentality cloud your judgment. Remember, you are doing this for Reiaane. You are protecting her from the gods and their followers."
Crow closes his eyes, his face contorted with pain. "But is this really what she would want?" he asks, his voice trembling. "Would she want me to become a monster?"
The man places a hand on Crow's shoulder, his grip tight and possessive. "Don't listen to these doubts, Crow. They are the whispers of your enemies, trying to weaken you. You must stay strong and focused. Reiaane needs you. The world needs you."
Back in the void, the child Crow is sobbing uncontrollably. "I didn't want to be a monster! I just wanted to protect her! But he made me do all these terrible things!"
"He manipulated you, Crow," I say, my voice filled with compassion. "He preyed on your love for Reiaane, twisting it into a weapon of destruction. He used you to achieve his own selfish goals."
"But why?" Crow asks, his voice choked with tears. "Why would he do that to me? Why would he hurt Reiaane?"
"I don't know all the answers, Crow," I say, "but I believe this man is using you to get revenge against the gods. Now he is using you to hurt Sara so he can hurt them more."
The child Crow looks up at me, his eyes filled with confusion and disbelief. "Revenge? Against the gods? But why?"
"I'm not sure," I admit. "But I know he's been filling your head with lies and manipulating you to do his bidding. He doesn't care about you, Crow. He only cares about achieving his own twisted goals."
I gently cup his face, wiping away his tears with my thumbs. "You have the power to break free from his control, Crow. You have the strength to choose your path. You don't have to be a monster anymore. You can be the person Reiaane always believed you could be."
He looks at me, his eyes searching mine, as if trying to find some glimmer of hope in the darkness. "Do you think so?" he whispers, his voice barely audible.
"Do you think I can change?"
"I know you can, Crow," I say, my voice filled with conviction. "I believe in you. Reiaane believes in you. And together, we can help you find your way back to the light."
"I... I... Agg!" Suddenly, Crow clutches his chest.
"A tool shouldn't forget its purpose," That voice. I can hear it now outside of the memories.
Crow falls to his knees.
"No! Crow, fight it!" I yell, grabbing his shoulders. Once filled with a glimmer of hope, the child's eyes are now clouded with a dark, violet energy. He trembles violently, his small body wracked with conflict.
"I... I can't..." he gasps, his voice strained. "He's too strong... he won't let me..."
"Yes, you can, Crow!" I insist, shaking him gently. "You're stronger than you think. You have to fight him! Remember Reiaane! Remember the person you want to be!"
"Please destroy it! Destroy the crystal! I can't!"
His eyes begin to glow with that violet light, and his features distort, hardening into a cruel mockery of the innocent child he was just moments ago.
"Foolish girl," he growls, his voice chilling between Crow's and the man's. "Did you think you could break my hold on him? He is mine and will serve my purpose, whether he wants to or not."
He pushes me away with surprising force, sending me staggering back.
"Crow is not your tool!" I shout, my anger burning away the fear that had begun to creep into my heart. "He is a person, with his thoughts, feelings, and desires! You can't control him!"
"Oh, but I can," the Demon Lord sneers, his violet eyes gleaming with malice. "I have shaped, moulded, and filled him with power. He is nothing without me. And soon, you will all understand the true extent of my power."
He raises his hand, and the void around us begins to crackle with dark energy. I am thrown out of his mind and back into my body, which, for some reason, has the Demon Lord in a position that looks like I performed a German suplex on him. What was the Dragon God doing?
"Kura," Mia called out.
I quickly jump back as the Demon Lord gets free.
"Are you guys okay?" I ask.
"Tied, but our injuries have healed," Pearl responded. Sara, next to her, nodded in agreement, her platinum blonde hair swaying.
Ever stoic, Nana stated, "The integrity of our physical forms has been restored. So I declare."
The Dogheaded Demon Lord straightened his suit, a disturbingly casual gesture considering the dust and chaos swirling around us. His violet fur rippled slightly in the desert wind.
"Such tenaciousness," he mused, his voice a low growl laced with amusement. "I commend your efforts, little heroes. But alas, your interference is…unwarranted."
He tapped his cane against the sand, and the ground trembled. A wave of violet energy pulsed outwards, forcing us to brace ourselves. A tingling sensation spread through my skin, a disturbing vibration resonating deep within my bones.
"We are going to save him," I tell my group, getting shocked looks. "Forget about what has happened and trust me. I'll explain everything later."
A flicker of doubt crossed Sara's face, but she quickly replaced it with a resolute nod. Pearl, ever loyal, tightened her grip on her sword. Mia, as always, remained an enigma, her emerald eyes fixed on the Demon Lord, unreadable.
Nana, predictably, followed suit, "Affirmative. We shall execute your directives. So I declare."
The Demon Lord chuckled, a dry, rasping sound.
"Save me? From what, pray tell? From the divine mandate etched into my very being? From the exquisite pleasure of righteous vengeance?" He raised his cane, and the air crackled with violet energy. "You misunderstand the nature of this game, little heroes."
I ignored his words, focusing on my next move. "Pearl, you and Nana will attack with me. Sara and Mia focus on interfering with your spells."
I drew my holy swords; they were a familiar weight, grounding me amidst the swirling chaos. The desert wind whipped my hair around my face, stinging my eyes, but I didn't waver. We had a plan, a desperate one, but a plan nonetheless. Pearl readied her sword, and Nana raised what was left of her shield. Sara and Mia moved to the side, creating a small distance from us. Sara started chanting in a language I didn't recognise, but I knew it was holy magic that might be able to interfere with the Demon Lord's powers. Mia, on the other hand, just stared at the Demon Lord.
"Let's go!" I yelled, and we charged.
The sand flew beneath our feet as we closed the distance. Pearl, a blur of white fur and steel, moved with an agility that belied her tall frame. Nana, her honey-colored hair strangely luminous in the harsh sunlight, advanced mechanically, her shield held high. The Demon Lord watched our approach with something akin to detached amusement.
As we neared, he flicked his wrist, and the cane blurred into motion. Violet energy solidified into razor-sharp projectiles that sliced through the air, forcing us to weave and dodge. Pearl managed to deflect one with her sword, the impact sending a shockwave up her arm. Nana's shield, however, absorbed the blows with eerie silence, the violet energy dissipating harmlessly against its surface.
I focused, channelling my energy into my holy swords. They pulsed with a warm light, a beacon of defiance against the encroaching darkness. I aimed for his legs, hoping to cripple his movement, while Pearl aimed for his torso. Nana provided cover, her shield a mobile fortress against his attacks.
The clash was immediate and brutal. The Demon Lord's cane moved with impossible speed, deflecting Pearl's strikes easily and countering with brutal force. The ground around us erupted in miniature explosions as violet energy met holy power. I scored a glancing blow on his arm, drawing a hiss of pain, but he retaliated with a swift kick that sent me sprawling back several feet.
I scrambled to my feet, spitting out sand. The Demon Lord was impossibly strong, his movements too fast, his power too overwhelming. I risked a glance at Sara and Mia. Sara was still chanting, her face pale with concentration, the air around her shimmering with holy energy. Mia, however, remained motionless, her emerald eyes locked on the Demon Lord, her expression unreadable.
"It's not working!" Sara cried out, her voice strained. "His power…it's too strong! My spells can't penetrate his defences!"
The Demon Lord chuckled, a sound that grated on my nerves. "Did you truly believe your pathetic attempts at divine intervention would be effective, little priestess? The gods have abandoned this world. Their power is waning."
He slammed his cane into the ground, and a wave of violet energy washed over Sara, silencing her chanting. She stumbled back, clutching her chest, her face contorted with pain.
"Sara!" I yelled, my heart clenching with fear.
"I am fine," Sara said, but she was breathing heavily. "Focus."
"Endurance at maximum. So I declare," Nana said. Her voice was even, but the shield, already badly damaged, was starting to break apart.
I grit my teeth, rage surging through me. We were losing, and fast. The Demon Lord was toying with us, revelling in our struggle. But I couldn't give up. Not now. Not ever. I focused on his movements, trying to anticipate his attacks. His cane danced around him, a whirlwind of violet energy, deflecting our blows easily. He moved with a grace that was both terrifying and mesmerising. It was like fighting a storm.
"Pearl, try to flank him!" I yelled, hoping to create an opening. "Nana, keep the pressure on!"
Despite her exhaustion, Pearl nodded and darted to the side, her sword glinting in the sunlight. Nana's expression was unchanging, and she continued her relentless advance, her shield taking the brunt of the Demon Lord's attacks.
I lunged forward, feinting high before slashing low, aiming for his exposed legs. He anticipated my move, however, and sidestepped with impossible speed, bringing his cane down in a crushing blow. I barely managed to block it with my weapons, the impact sending tremors up my arms.
"Dance Claidheamh Soluis," Claidheamh Soluis split into multiple flying blades and stabbed at the Demon Lord.
The unexpected barrage of ethereal blades caught the Demon Lord off guard. He stumbled back, his violet eyes widening in surprise as the blades, shimmering with holy light, pierced his shoulder and tore at his coat. He roared in frustration, swatting at the remaining blades with his cane, but they were too fast, too numerous.
"Interesting," he growled, pulling a blade from his shoulder. A wisp of violet smoke curled from the wound, quickly healing the damage. "A trick, perhaps? Or a sign of desperation?" He turned his gaze back to me, his eyes narrowed with renewed intensity. "Such…resourcefulness. It almost pains me to crush you."
He raised his cane, and the ground beneath us began to tremble violently. Cracks spiderwebbed across the sand, and a low, guttural hum filled the air. The sky above us darkened, as if a storm was brewing, even though not a single cloud was in sight.
"This ends now," he declared, his voice resonating with power. "Prepare to face the consequences of your defiance!"
Violet energy coalesced around him, forming a swirling vortex of raw power. I knew, instinctively, that this was it. This was his ultimate attack, a blast of energy that would obliterate everything in its path.
Panic threatened to overwhelm me, but I pushed it down, forcing myself to focus. We were outmatched, outpowered, but we weren't defeated yet. I looked at my companions, their faces etched with determination, their bodies weary but unyielding.
"We have to distract him," I yelled over the growing roar of the energy vortex. "Give me a chance to…to do something!"
I had no idea what that something was, but I knew I had to buy some time. Pearl and Nana exchanged glances and charged forward, their blades flashing in dimmed light. They attacked with a desperate ferocity, forcing the Demon Lord to focus his attention on them.
Despite her earlier setback, Sara began chanting again, her voice strained but resolute. Mia, however, finally made her move. She must have been recovering her mana because a Behemoth appeared before her. A cross between an elephant and a hippopotamus. It charged.
The Demon Lord's eyes widened in surprise as the Behemoth thundered towards him, its massive form shaking the ground. He hesitated for a fraction of a second, torn between unleashing his attack and dealing with this unexpected threat. That hesitation was all I needed.
Closing my eyes, I reached deep inside, searching for the connection I had felt earlier—the connection to the Demon Lord. It was faint, almost imperceptible, but it was there, a fragile thread of shared energy woven into the fabric of our beings. Ignoring the chaos around me—the roar of the vortex, the clang of steel, the desperate chanting—I rushed forward, timing my arrival to match the Behemoth's.
I had my opening. Imbuing my hand with 'Spell Blade', I plunged it into the Demon Lord's chest, grasping that crystal—the source of his curse. The world seemed to slow down to crawl. The roar of the vortex faded to a dull hum. The pain searing through my hand as it plunged into the Demon Lord's chest was almost unbearable, but I ignored it, focusing on the crystal nestled within. It pulsed with a dark, malevolent energy, a tangible embodiment of the curse that had consumed him. He gasped, his violet eyes widening in shock and disbelief. His hand, no longer wielding the cane, weakly reached for mine, his fingers brushing against mine.
"What...what are you doing?" he rasped, his voice weak and confused.
I didn't answer. With a surge of strength, I ripped the crystal from his chest. The violet energy around him dissipated like smoke in the wind, replaced by an unsettling silence. The vortex vanished, the sky above us lightening to its normal, harsh blue.
The Demon Lord stumbled backwards, his hand clutching his chest. He looked down at the wound with a look of bewilderment. The wound, instead of bleeding, was now glowing with a golden light, rapidly closing as his body shrank down to the size of a young child, his clothing far too big for him.
He looked up at me, his violet eyes filled with confusion and…fear? The cane clattered to the ground, forgotten. He reached out a trembling hand towards me.
"Who… am I?" he whispered, his voice thin and fragile.
The crystal crumbled to dust, and its dark energy was finally extinguished. The final vestiges of the curse were gone. The little boy stared at the dust and then back at me, his eyes wide and lost.
"I…I don't understand," he whimpered, tears filling his eyes. "Where am I? What happened?"
The Behemoth slowly faded away. Mia walked toward me.
"The curse is gone," I said, my voice hoarse. "You're free."
Pearl rushed over, her face a mixture of relief and concern. Even Sara, still pale and shaken, managed a weak smile.
"Larval!" Nana instantly took the child in her arms. Nana cradled the boy gently, humming a soft, soothing tune. He clung to her, burying his face in her shoulder, his small body trembling. "He's scared," she said, her voice softening. "He needs comfort, I inform."
"What do we do now?" Pearl asked, cautiously approaching the child-like form of the fallen Demon Lord.
"We take him to Rei," I said, watching Nana pamper him.
Nana is something. A few minutes ago, she was fighting this child to the death, and now she is playing with him.
"Hey," I smile, dropping to my knees. "Do you remember your name?"
"C-Crow, Crow," he repeated, his voice barely a whisper. He looked up at me, his violet eyes, now devoid of malice, filled with a child's innocent confusion. "Is that...is that me?"
"Yes," I nodded. "I'm going to take you to your friend. Do you remember Reiaane?"
Crow squinted, his brow furrowed in concentration.
"Rei...aaaanneee," he struggled, the name a foreign word on his tongue. He looked to Nana for reassurance, who gently nodded and squeezed him tighter. "Reiaane...yes! I think...I think I remember. Yes! She's my friend! We play in the fields of lilies. She picks flowers."
Crow's voice strengthened a bit, a flicker of memory igniting in his eyes.
"That's right," I smiled, relieved. The connection, however faint, was there. It was a starting point. "We'll take you to her then, okay?"
He nodded, clutching Nana's clothes, his gaze darting nervously between us. Crow was scared and vulnerable. The potent Demon Lord was reduced to a scared child. I could only imagine the turmoil raging within his little, now curse-free, mind.
"Does anyone have any injuries we must take care of first?"
"Just tired," Sara mumbled, leaning heavily on Pearl. "Mostly exhausted from that…chanting."
Pearl nodded, her hand resting on Sara's arm. "I'm fine, just a few scratches. Nana?"
"I inform that I am well," Nana said, adjusting Crow in her arms. "But we must be careful. He is fragile now, I inform." She looked at me, her expression serious. "We must get him to Reiaane quickly. He needs her. And perhaps we bath him. He smells bad."
"Tied," Mia said as well.
"Then let's rest at Paradise Island. I'm sure Rei and Yuuneia would enjoy the company."
<0>
"Crow!"
Rei's eyes widened in disbelief, her hand flying to her mouth. She stumbled back, her gaze fixed on the small, trembling figure clutching Nana's robes. Yuuneia, standing beside her, gasped softly, her normally composed demeanour faltering for a moment. We arrived at their cabin just before sunset and found them watching it on the beach.
"Crow?" Rei repeated, her voice a breathless whisper. She took a tentative step forward, then another, her eyes searching his, her expression a mixture of hope and disbelief. "Crow, is that really you?"
Crow, startled by the sudden recognition, hid his face deeper into Nana's shoulder, whimpering softly.
"Rei...aaaanneee?" he mumbled, his voice muffled.
Nana gently nudged his head up, her touch reassuring.
"It is Reiaane, Crow," she said softly. "She is your friend, I inform."
With Nana's encouragement, Crow hesitantly peeked out from behind her, his violet eyes meeting Rei's. A flicker of recognition sparked in his gaze, followed by a wave of confusion and fear. He reached out a trembling hand towards her, his fingers brushing against hers.
"Rei...Reiaane?" he whispered, his voice barely audible.
"He lost most of his memories," I explained gently, stepping forward. "We removed the curse, but it…changed him. He's just a child now, Rei. He needs your help to remember who he once was."
Rei rushed forward, falling to her knees before Crow and Nana. Her eyes filled with tears as she reached out, cupping Crow's face in her hands. Her touch was gentle, her gaze unwavering.
"Crow," she repeated, her voice shaking with emotion. "It's me, Rei. I'm here. I'm not going anywhere."
Crow stared at her, his expression a mixture of confusion and wonder. He reached up, tracing the outline of her face with a hesitant finger.
"Rei…Reiaane," he mumbled, the name now clearer on his tongue. "Lilies. We pick lilies."
A sob escaped Rei's lips as she pulled him into a tight embrace. She held him close, burying her face in his hair, her body trembling with emotion.
"Yes, Crow," she whispered, her voice muffled by his hair. "We pick lilies. We always pick lilies."
Yuuneia stepped forward, placing a comforting hand on Rei's shoulder. Her expression was soft, her eyes filled with understanding.
"He needs time, Rei," she said gently. "Time to heal, time to remember. We'll help him. We'll both help him."
We left Nana and Crow to talk with Rie and Yuuneia. In the meantime, Sara and I cooked dinner, and Pearl and Mia prepared the table. It was not long after that that I got a call from Satou.
"Are you okay? The Demon Lord put up a barrier, stopping me from helping you." He seemed panicked.
"I'm fine. We all are," I quickly assure him. "But a lot has happened."
So, as the meal is served, I tell Satou about what happened with the Demon Lord.