-Katsu: "
The demon race is an awe-inspiring sight to behold. Unlike mere humans, they do not require the union of parents to be brought into this world. They get into a peaceful slumber when their magical energy gets drained not only to rest but also to refill their magic. A severed limb, grievous wounds, and even a blow to the heart will not slay them. Even without regenerative abilities, demons possess unmatched resilience. The only way to dispatch them is to locate their 'core' - a shimmering, purplish shard - and shatter it, causing the demon's physical form to dissipate.
In the demon realm, where the very fabric of reality is shaped by the sheer force of demonic power, new bodies can spontaneously emerge from nothingness. Bones and flesh materialize, gradually forming into fully-fledged demons. However, this is not the only way for demons to come into being.
The demon realm is a perilous place, and those who venture inside do so at their own risk. For even the bravest and most skilled of warriors, there is a price to be paid for crossing into the abyss if you're a human. Once a person - whether they be a man or woman - enters the demon realm and, somehow, survives, a terrible curse is placed upon them.
A tiny shard of demonic energy enters their body, and slowly but surely, it begins to grow, draining the magical energies possessed by the unfortunate victim. As the demonic energy saps away their power, the cursed individual becomes weaker and weaker until their magic is entirely depleted. At that point, the demonic energy explodes out of their body, forming a shimmering sphere the size of a baby.
The sphere floats in the air, pulsating with dark energy, and crackling with power. And then, with a sudden burst of energy, the sphere shatters, and a demon is born in the human realm. The creature emerges, fully formed, from the shattered remains of the sphere, fueled by the dark energies that once consumed its host.
There was a woman who traversed the underworld countless times, defying the odds and evading the dangers that awaited her. They called her the human devil, for she was able to move through the demonic dimension unscathed, never once falling prey to the terrible curses that befell so many others. Her name was Nana, and she was a member of the elite military tasked with shutting the portals that connected our world to the underworld.
But one day, Nana disappeared. Her absence was felt deeply by those who knew her, and rumors began to spread that something terrible had befallen her. And indeed, something had - for Nana had discovered a terrible truth. A demon had been draining her magical energy, sapping away her power with every trip she took to the underworld.
She knew that she could not continue like this, and so she vanished, seeking a way to sever the connection between herself and the demon. But it was too late - her magical energy had been depleted, and the demon within her had grown too strong. And so, with a final burst of power, every last drop of her magic burst forth from her body, forming an object in the shape of an orb.
The orb crackled with dark energy, and those who witnessed it shuddered in fear. And then, with a sudden burst of power, the orb shattered, and a demon was born into the world. Its skin was grey and scaly, its appearance frightening and alien.
As Nana held her newborn son in her arms, she couldn't help but feel a sense of fear wash over her. She knew that the child she had given birth to was not like any other, with his scaly skin and glowing eyes. And she knew that the world would not accept him for who he was - a demon born into the human realm.
At that moment, Nana made a choice that would shape the rest of their lives. She chose to prioritize the fact that he was a demon over the fact that he was her child, not out of love or protection, but out of self-preservation. She knew that if anyone found out about Ash's true nature, they would both be in danger.
"From now on, your name will be Ash, okay?" She named him referring to the color of his skin, not even interested in giving him a proper name.
As Ash grew older, he began to realize that his mother didn't truly care for him. Despite being her son, Nana refused to accept him for who he was, and Ash could feel the coldness in her actions towards him.
But over time, something unexpected happened - Ash started to lose his demonic traits. His skin became more like that of a human, and though his eyes remained red and some of his teeth remained sharp, he looked less and less like the demon he was born as.
It was only then that Nana began to see her son in a different light. She started using her powers to attract wealthy men with castles, making them fall for her and her alone. And then, she would use Ash as a reason why she needed someone to take care of her.
"I'm only doing it for my son," she would say, her voice dripping with honeyed words. "I don't want him to be homeless. Unlike me, he will have a great future. Will you take care of him for me?"
For Ash, it was a bitter pill to swallow. He couldn't help but feel used by his own mother.
As Nana continued to use her son Ash as a tool to get what she wanted, she realized that no man with a kind heart would take care of a son without his mother. So she resorted to seduction and deception, using her beauty and charm to steal as much money as she could from wealthy men with castles and estates. Her sole interest in this world is money, and she will stop at nothing to get it.
But her schemes always come with consequences. When her true identity is discovered, she is attacked and insulted by those she has deceived. Her charming appearance only goes so far in protecting her from the wrath of those she has wronged. And yet, she continued on her path of greed and deception, always seeking to satisfy her insatiable desire for wealth.
One day, a divorced and wealthy man from the Enchantica family fell in love with Nana. They married, and Nana wasted no time in using his vast resources to fuel her extravagant lifestyle. She spent his money on designer clothes, luxurious vacations, and expensive jewelry, all the while keeping up the façade of a devoted wife. But in reality, she was only interested in his wealth.
The man's daughter, Mina Enchantica, was a truly delightful girl. She was two years older than Ash. With her yellow eyes and wavy brown hair that cascaded down her back, she was a vision of beauty. Her skin was smooth and creamy, and her smile lit up any room she entered. Mina possessed a kind and gentle nature, always willing to lend a helping hand or offer a comforting word. It was no wonder that most people found her to be lovable and endearing. She was like a pure angel among mortals.
As soon as Mina met Ash, she accepted him with open arms, treating him as if he were a member of her own family. The warmth and happiness he felt around her were like nothing he had ever experienced before. But neither Mina nor her father knew the truth about Ash's demonic origins.
Despite this, Mina's kind and loving nature made Ash feel at ease. Whenever they played together, Mina's emotional magic would heal his wounded soul and make him laugh. As time went on, their bond grew stronger and they became more than just friends - they loved each other like brother and sister.
Ash finally experienced the peaceful and enjoyable life that any child deserves, being embraced by his big sister's love and care. However, after he turned 12 years old, something unexpected happened. His demonic powers suddenly emerged from his body, completely out of his control. Mina's father noticed the dark energy and immediately went to Nana to inform her of the situation.
The father's eyes bulged with anger and disgust as Nana slowly approached him, her tears flowing down her face like a river. He griped Ash by the neck and threw him to the ground, causing Mina to rush over to him in concern.
"You owe me an explanation, Nana! A demon is your son? What the hell are you doing?!" he roared.
Nana sobbed uncontrollably as she took her husband's hand, trying to plead with him. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier! I was so scared!" she cried.
"Scared?!" the father sneered, his voice rising to a yell. "You were scared of what?"
"He's not my son," Nana continued, her voice dripping with false sincerity as Mina got taken aback by that line, "He came to me one day and drained all of my magic energy. Then he threatened to kill me if I didn't help him. Can you believe that all those innocent men were robbed by this dirty demon?"
As Ash listened to Nana's lies, he felt his whole world shatter around him. Tears welled up in his eyes as he realized that the woman who he thought was his mother would deceive everyone like this. He stumbled backward, unable to comprehend the depth of her betrayal.
Mina stuck to Ash's side, trying to comfort him as he sobbed. While the father glared at Ash, his face twisted with anger and disgust.
"How... How could you do this to your own son?!" Yelled Mina, shaking with rage as Ash got dominated by sorrow.
Nana hung her head, pretending to be fearful, but Ash could see the malice in her eyes as she threw herself into her husband's embrace. He knew now that he had to escape from her grasp before it was too late. The thought of being used as a tool for her wicked schemes filled him with dread.
Unfortunately, Ash didn't have time to think about an escape plan after the cruel and greedy words of Nana's confession. The father grabbed Ash and beat him mercilessly, while Mina cried out in horror and helplessness. Ash was then wrongly accused of being the thief and thrown into prison, simply because he was a demon. Meanwhile, Nana continued to live a lavish life, becoming even more heartless after betraying her own son.
Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months. For two whole years, Ash endured endless torture at the hands of the prison guards, who relished in his pain and suffering. They whipped him with their leather belts until he bled, and burned him with hot irons until his skin blistered. They poured boiling water on him, leaving him screaming in agony. They even made him eat rotten food and drink dirty water, causing him to become seriously ill.
Ash's body had become a vessel for pain, a shell that no longer felt the agony inflicted upon it. His mind got trained to retreat into a deep corner, far away from the physical sensations. He no longer screamed or cried, nor did he feel any sensation other than the dull ache that remained constant.
The constant torture had left him feeling like a lifeless husk, a mere shadow of his former self. His spirit had been broken, and he was left with nothing but the memories of his past life before this nightmare began.
As the soldiers struck him with their fists and clubs, he could see the enjoyment on their faces, reveling in his pain and suffering. But to Ash, they were nothing more than blurred shapes, their laughter and taunts fading into the background like distant echoes.
The numbness that had taken over him had become a refuge, a way for him to survive in this brutal environment. He knew that he had to keep going, to endure the pain and punishment until the day he would wake up from this living nightmare.
Then, one day, a fine beautiful young girl appeared at the prison gates and asked to see Ash. The guards hesitated at first, but seeing the desperation in her eyes, they allowed her to enter. As she made her way through the dark and filthy halls of the prison, her heart filled with dread and sadness at the thought of seeing her dear friend in such a terrible state.
Finally, she reached his cell and saw him hanging from his cuffed hands, his shirtless body covered in bruises and cuts. A tear rolled down her cheek as she approached him, feeling a deep sense of guilt and pain for not being able to help him sooner as she hesitated to put her gentle touch on his bloody body.
But as she gazed into his closed eyes, she saw a small smile on his lips that revealed his sharp teeth as he recognized her. It was a smile of relief and gratitude, knowing that someone still cared for him despite his condition, "Big sis..." Whispered Ash at her arrival, his voice weak yet filled with the once-buried happiness, "It's so good to see you safe and sane..."
Ash's voice had grown hoarse from the lack of use, but he tried his best to sound cheerful and reassuring. "There was no need to cry, Big sis," he reassured her, some of his fresh bruises still visible, "It wasn't your fault, really! You must understand that I would never hate you for something so trivial. I could never hate someone who accepted me and tried to protect me, even though I am a demon!"
Mina's tears continued to stream down her cheeks as she gazed at her friend, his hands shackled to the wall. "Even though I hadn't visited you all that time?" she inquired, clasping her hands tightly to her chest. "It had been two whole years, Ash! Two long years without seeing you! And yet, you aren't holding any negative feelings against me?" she spoke with a remorseful voice.
"Say it, just say it already!" She continued as she dropped to her knees on the ground, her once white dress sucking the blood on the floor, "Tell me to leave your sight! Say that you don't need someone like me, hate me until you get healed from all the pain you endured on your own..."
"Why should I?" Ash interrupted, his smile grateful. "Why should I push away the only person who remembered me? How can I hate someone who's suffering just after seeing my bruised body, as if they were the one who treated me badly?" His words brought light to the dark room, a glimmer of hope shining amid their despair.
Ash's words were heavy with the weight of a lifetime of disappointment and betrayal. As he slightly shifted, trying to ease the tightness of the cuffs around his neck, he continued speaking.
"It's like every aspect of my life has been a carefully crafted illusion," he said, his voice strained. "My mother only ever cared about using me to further her own interests, regardless of how it affected me. And people talk about seeking justice, but what they really want is to punish me for being different."
He shook his head lightly, his lips shaking with emotions. "And then there's the prison. I was put through so much needless suffering because of someone else's lie. It's not fair, none of it is."
"However," his voice softened, and a small smile played on his lips as he spoke. "Amidst all those lies and masked feelings, a beautiful truth was wandering around, easing my life," he said. Mina looked up, meeting his gaze, and saw the warmth and gratitude in his eyes.
"It was you, big sis," he continued, his smile growing wider. "You loved me despite my demon heritage, and I know that you've been trying your best to visit me in the last two years. Even if I wanted to hate you, I could never direct those feelings toward you. You don't deserve to be the target of such negativity."
Ash's words were filled with sincerity and appreciation, and Mina felt a sense of warmth spread through her chest. She knew that her brother had been through so much, and the fact that she had been able to offer him even a small comfort meant the world to him.
"So..." Ash said, his eyes shining with affection, "Thank you for remembering me, big sis," Ash said, holding Mina's gaze for a moment before his attention was drawn to the tears that were welling up in her eyes. He felt a pang of guilt - he didn't want to make her cry - but he also knew that these tears were a testament to the depth of her love and care for him.
"Thank you for loving me," he continued, his voice soft and gentle. "Just seeing you is enough to heal all of these wounds." As he spoke, Ash felt a sense of peace settling over him. He knew that life was far from perfect and that there would be more challenges and obstacles in the future, but having Mina by his side made it all feel more manageable.
And then, unexpectedly, he chuckled. The sound was low and rumbling, and it took Mina by surprise. For a moment, she wondered if he had lost his mind - after all, they were in a prison cell, surrounded by danger and uncertainty. But then Ash looked at her, and his smile was infectious.
"I'm sorry," he said, still chuckling. "I didn't mean to shock you. It's just... well, I'm feeling grateful, and happy, and... I don't know. It's just good to see you, that's all."
Mina's eyes blazed with determination as she got a magic tool out of her purse, charged it with her mana, and destroyed the bars of the prison cell in a single, powerful blast. She rushed towards Ash, helping him to stand up after the explosion before the soldiers could gather around the commotion caused by the explosion.
"Ash!" she exclaimed, ignoring his protests. "I'm getting you out of here, and I'm going to make sure you stay alive!"
Ash looked at her, his expression a mix of gratitude and concern. "Mina, you can't do this," he said, shaking his head. "You'll get yourself into trouble."
But Mina was undeterred. "They were going to execute you in a week," she said, her voice trembling with anger and fear as she destroyed the chains immobilizing him. "That's why they let me visit you - they thought I was going to say farewell! I couldn't just stand by and watch them take you away from me forever."
"They gave you those two years of prison just to make you suffer even more. And I'll make sure that this is as far as they'll go," She took his hand, leading him towards the exit of the prison. "Come on," she said, her voice urgent. "We have to get out of here, and we have to do it now."
Ash's heart raced as Mina pulled him by the hand, urging him to run with her as they dodged soldiers in pursuit. After spending two years in prison, enduring countless attacks, and learning of the plan to execute him in just one week, his sorrow and frustration boiled over. All of it was because of Nana, his mother.
He gritted his teeth and swallowed the lump in his throat, trying to keep his emotions in check. "I'm getting out of here," he said firmly, "but I have one condition."
Mina looked at him, her eyes searching his face for a moment before nodding. "What is it?" she asked.
"I need to meet my mother," Ash replied, his voice heavy with emotion. "Just once. I need to confront her, to understand why she did what she did to me. I need closure, Mina. And I need to know if she still loves me... If she actually loved me, even after everything that's happened."
Mina hesitated, her heart aching for her brother. She knew how much pain he had suffered because of his mother's actions. But she also knew that he needed this, for his own sake.
"Okay," she said, at last, taking his hand in hers. "We'll make it happen. Together."