Shallow Blood ™ Chapter: A Deal with the Devil
In a world teetering on the edge of light and shadow, the balance between good and evil is a fragile thing—like a coin poised on its edge, ready to tip. My name is Axel Spade, and I live in the prosperous land of the Infernals, a realm of towering medieval spires and bustling streets, split from the desolate wastelands of the Espada after a devastating war. Long ago, a demon named Lord Jitara, whose name was scrawled in ancient Pahlavi during the time of the Valaryan Empire, unleashed a force so terrible it nearly consumed half the world, leaving a scar upon the earth. The war, sparked by King Mórrígan, a disciple of Jitara and the god of the Espada, fractured the land and its people. Now, the Infernals thrive under the rule of the Council of the Ring, led by the formidable Jack Murphy, known as Purge Kia, a man who bends gravity itself—a divine feat he mastered at just fifteen.
I was adopted by Murphy, alongside my brother Dylan Plane, a blond-haired, fair-skinned prodigy who can coax life from plants with a whisper of magical energy. At twenty, Dylan is everything I'm not—gifted, celebrated, chosen. I, on the other hand, am magicless in a world where magic is everything. Tall, slim but muscular, with dreadlocks framing my dark complexion, I stand out for all the wrong reasons. No matter how hard I try, my power refuses to awaken, leaving me to face the whispers and mocking glances of those who see me as a failure.
The Training Ground
The evening sky bled hues of orange and purple as I stood before a battered training dummy, sweat dripping from my brow, fists clenched in frustration. My punches were futile, each strike a reminder of my inadequacy. A small crowd of passersby lingered, their whispers cutting deeper than any blade.
"Look at him, still trying to unlock his powers," one sneered, laughter in his voice. "Doesn't he know it's hopeless?"
"A magicless boy in a world of magic?" another mocked. "He's wasting his time."
I heard them, but I refused to break. Taking a deep breath, I muttered to myself, "Not yet. I can't give up. Not now."
My movements were slow, labored, each swing heavier than the last. Just as my frustration peaked, two familiar voices broke through the haze.
"Yo, Axel! Still at it, huh?" Miguel Hakari sauntered over, his slicked-back hair gleaming in the fading light, his fashionable clothes practically screaming confidence. At twenty-one, Hakari was an enigma, the last son of the Kinji clan who'd abandoned his heritage for reasons he never shared. His abilities were a closely guarded secret, revealed only in the heat of battle. "You've got some serious dedication, man. I'll give you that."
Beside him, John Stones approached, his quiet demeanor a stark contrast to Hakari's swagger. At nineteen, John carried the weight of loss—his parents gone two years ago. His ice magic was weak, but his rare ability to revive corpses for brief moments and heal others made him extraordinary. "Yeah, Axel," he said softly, offering a supportive nod. "We know how hard you're working. Maybe it's time for a break? Rest is important too."
Wiping the sweat from my brow, I forced a smile, though my eyes betrayed the strain. "Thanks, guys. But I can't rest. Not until I unlock my powers. I need to prove… something to myself."
Hakari raised an eyebrow, his usual playfulness giving way to a rare seriousness. "Prove what? That you can keep up with us? Man, you've got nothing to prove. We're your friends, magic or not."
John's gaze softened, his voice heavy with empathy. "I know what it's like to feel weak, Axel. After losing my parents… magic isn't everything. But we're here for you, no matter what."
Before I could respond, Dylan appeared, his blond hair catching the last rays of sunlight as he flashed a bright smile. "Hey, Axel! Hakari, John—good to see you all. What's going on?"
Hakari smirked, glancing at me with a teasing glint. "Just the usual. Axel's trying to outwork us all. But we're thinking he needs a break."
Dylan chuckled, clapping a hand on my shoulder. "He's got that Spade determination, that's for sure. But Hakari's right, Axel. Don't push yourself too hard. You're already doing great."
I nodded, but my eyes drifted to the training grounds where Jack Murphy and the Council of the Ring stood, their gazes fixed on Dylan. "Dylan!" Murphy's commanding voice boomed across the field. "Time to train. Let's see if you've improved."
Dylan shot me an encouraging smile before jogging off to join them. I watched him go, envy tightening my chest. I wish I could be like you, Dylan… the chosen one.
Hakari noticed my expression, his tone softening. "Hey, don't sweat it, Axel. You're on your own path. Just because it's different doesn't mean it's less important."
John nodded, his voice gentle but firm. "We believe in you, Axel. You'll find your way."
"Thanks, guys," I said, forcing another smile. "I… appreciate it." But as I stood there, my friends at my side, I couldn't shake the hollow ache in my chest—a yearning for something I couldn't yet grasp.
Dinner with Friends
Later that evening, we gathered in a cozy dining room, the warm glow of a fireplace casting flickering shadows across the table. A feast of roasted beef sat beside a bowl of fufu, swimming in a rich sea of egusi soup that looked like an island adrift. The air was relaxed, but an undercurrent of tension lingered as Hakari, Dylan, and I dug into the meal.
Hakari leaned back, smirking as he took a bite. "So, Axel, still no luck with the magic, huh? Man, if I were you, I wouldn't be freaking out. The world doesn't run on magic, after all."
I frowned, keeping my tone light despite the sting. "Yeah, well, not everyone gets to be a prodigy like you, Hakari. Besides, who needs magic when you've got determination?"
Dylan chuckled, his blond hair glowing in the firelight as he looked at me with sympathy. "Don't sweat it, Axel. Everyone's got their own path, right? You'll find yours."
I stabbed my fork into my food a bit too forcefully, forcing a smile that felt hollow. "Yeah… my own path."
Hakari leaned back, eyeing me with curiosity. "You know, maybe you just need to get out of your own head. Relax a little. Not everything has to be so serious."
A flicker of frustration sparked in my chest. "Easy for you to say," I muttered.
Sensing the tension, Dylan shifted the conversation, glancing at Hakari. "Hakari, what's the deal with your ability anyway? You're always so secretive about it."
Hakari's grin widened, clearly relishing the mystery. "Let's just say I like to keep my cards close. You'll see it when the time's right."
I looked between my friends, grateful for their presence but unable to shake the weight of my own shortcomings. As the fire crackled and the night deepened, I wondered if I'd ever find my place in a world where magic defined worth—and whether determination alone would be enough.