In a world where demons, angels, and humans coexist, secrecy was paramount. Those who were not humans had to conceal their true nature to maintain balance and order. The inherent darkness of demons often made it difficult for them to blend in, which was why their presence in the human world was heavily restricted.
To maintain peace, angels and demons were barred from contact, as their meetings could provoke violence due to their opposite nature.m
To humans, these beings have faded into mere myth. I've heard tales of an era when they all lived and celebrated together in festivals, united across realms. Yet the Creation Records offered no explanation for how we arrived at this point of segregation. It's infuriating that the very book meant to enlighten only left me with more questions.
What events drove the three realms apart? The more time I spent here, the more I wanted answers, looking for clues. Knowledge seemed scarce, and the King of Earth was nowhere to be found.
I was currently in the human realm with the task of finding something. I didn't even know what I was searching for. I was told I'd know once I found it, yet I remain empty-handed. The very thing I was searching for was a secret even to me.
Lucien assigned me this task. He was something of a mentor, but often a nuisance. I sometimes acted as his errand boy, but it gave me access to the human realm, where I preferred to spend my time.
Lucien was a strong and powerful demon, surpassing any I'd encountered. He held a position similar to a high leader in the underworld and commanded great respect.
I was always on edge around him though. His conniving nature unsettled me, even for a demon. Sometimes, I felt compelled to listen to him, and I hated it. One less person to respect him.
I sighed, my mind drifting to Reiki. There was something about him that filled me with anxiety as well. His spirit felt divine, but it wasn't like any angel or demon I encountered. Was he a type of being entirely new to me?
I hated being in the dark about things. Things unseen made me wary. I just hoped I'd never see him again.
Soon, I was pulled back from my thoughts as Lucien, who was now in front of me, clicked his tongue.
"You're taking quite a while. I would've thought you'd have found something by now. It should've been around here.."
The demon stood tall, arms crossed, gazing down at me. His long braided hair draped elegantly across his shoulder, matching his usual dramatic attire. He looked completely out of place in such a mundane world.
I felt exhausted listening to his words. His words began to sound as if he were lecturing a child.
"What exactly am I supposed to be finding? You never told me."
This back and forth game was beginning to wear on me. If he just told me why I was here, it would skip all the hassle.
"I told you you'd know when you found it.. I'll give you a hint; it's not on the outside. You have to look within."
Oh, great, he pointed to his heart. How original. This didn't clarify anything. Was I really expected to decipher the meaning behind this metaphorical nonsense? It left me to wonder how he was a high leader.
I sighed and crossed my arms. He annoyed me to no end, and I could feel my intolerance for him rising.
"You'll know. Just keep looking."
I rolled my eyes. How did he even know I was actually looking?
"Whatever. I'm getting tired of looking for this dumb— whatever it is."
"Watch it. What you're looking for is of utmost importance. It has a lot of value that would greatly contribute to the underworld. To me. You won't understand yet, but soon."
I scoffed, clearly annoyed.
"Why am I always running your errands? If you want it so badly, search for it yourself. I'm sick of your laziness."
A hand closed around my throat, slamming me against the brick wall. My careless words had ignited Lucien's temper. Where did this boldness come from? I knew better than to provoke Lucien.
"You better choose your words wisely when speaking to me. I thought sending you here would be a good idea." Lucien's words held venom as his eyes glowed red in the dark alley.
He applied pressure, his nails biting into my skin as he lifted me off the ground. I was exhausted by his behavior. Even demons had limits, and I was nearing mine.
"F-Fuck you."
Look at me, being cocky. I knew it would spell trouble in the long run, but for now, this felt good.
He stared at me but finally let me go, and I fell to the ground, struggling to breathe. He then kneeled beside me, tilting his head. A softness filled his eyes, a look that caught me off guard and left me feeling uneasy.
"I'm trying to help you. I'm doing this for you.. You—"
He hand neared my face, but paused at the sound of a familiar voice.
"Eve…?"
Those words did not come from Lucien. I leaned my head back to see the blonde from yesterday standing in the alleyway.
Lucien opened his mouth to continue, but paused. A hint of a smirk played on his lips as if something had caught his interest.
Oh…Oh no.
If that human got any closer, he would surely die.
Reiki watched from the alleyway, a mix of confusion and caution on his face. How did he know it was me? My appearance had changed significantly since yesterday.
"Hmm… interesting.." I heard Lucien speak from above me, and I felt my heart rate increase.
Lucien would kill him. This innocent human who had foolishly helped me the day before would die because of me.
"Reik—"
A hand clamped over my mouth, silencing my warning to Reiki. The demon knew I valued human life; this was his twisted form of torture. I gritted my teeth in frustration.
"Oi, what are you doing?! Get off him!"
Reiki charged at Lucien, fist raised, but he dodged the punch and caught Reiki's fist with a smug grin.
"Oops〜"
The human must've not seen it before because the moment Reiki looked up and saw the horns on Lucien, he gasped.
"A demon?!"
Suddenly, a golden light enveloped Reiki's hand. Lucien recoiled, releasing him and backing away with a growl.
"An exorcist.."
He stood there for a second before taking a few more steps back.
"This is getting troublesome."
He made a quick glance at me and, with a way of his hand, caused a rift to form behind him.
"Well, Eve, it looks like we'll have to continue our discussion later. See you〜"
His tone was mocking as Reiki ran forward and reached his hand out.
"Wait..!"
Lucien vanished through the portal, leaving me alone with Reiki. Dealing with the human was bad enough, but now I'd have to contend with Lucien's anger later. I was at my limit.
I sat up and began to wipe the blood off my neck before hearing a few steps in my direction and a figure crouching in front of me.
"Eve, are you okay? What happened?"
Reiki reached out, only to freeze when he noticed my injuries closing. I rose to my feet, smoothing my clothes; his eyes widened as he took in my increased height.
"You're one too..?"
I'd be shocked too if the kid I helped just the day before turned out to be a demon. What a crazy world we live in.
This wasn't a favorable situation for me. An exorcist who probably wanted to kill me and me who didn't want to kill.
Before I could open my mouth to speak, I was cut off as Reiki pushed me against the alley wall behind me, pinning me with an arm across my throat.
"You shapeshifted.. why couldn't I detect it?"
His question wasn't directed at me, but a vocalized worry. I had to keep my nature a secret or risk attracting unwanted attention such as this. The last thing I needed was for exorcists trying to kill me everyday.
"Oh, come on. I didn't do anything wrong… Besides stealing bread."
The blonde was not happy with that answer. It seemed he wanted to make quick work with me as he had attempted with Lucien.
A glowing hand caught my attention as it came towards my head. I brought my hand up but I was too slow; his hand made contact with my chest and I felt like lightning at gone through me.
My heart began to race, and a ringing filled my ears. Reiki's hold on me also loosened and he staggered back. As I doubled over, vision blurring at the edges and feeling a sharp pain pounding in my head, I noticed that whatever he had done was effecting him too.
What was happening? The golden light... Was it the cause? But Reiki's own power shouldn't be affecting him too, should it? He looked just as confused.
As I felt myself fading, I saw Reiki on his hands and knees, clutching at his chest as if he had been hit. My fading vision distorted him, replacing him with a figure of long blonde hair and...
Before I could take in the details, my eyes fluttered closed, and I faded into darkness.