As Kaz opened the door, he found it met with three very different expressions.
Kana stood there with an air of regal seriousness, her eyes narrowed and focused.
Mizuki looked drained of energy, her arms crossed to hold herself up.
And Freya... well, she looked rather panicked, her fingers clenching and unclenching nervously.
"Well, it seems you've brought quite the gathering here," Kaz said, crossing his arms and leaning against the door frame.
"What can I help you with, ladies?"
"Quiet Father! We want to talk to Yuto," Kana stated while crossing her arms.
Kaz raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
"And what exactly do you need to talk to Yuto about?" He asked, his tone laced with a touch of amusement.
Freya stepped forward, her voice firm and steady, "We need to speak with Yuto before he leaves on his solo journey."
Kana nodded in agreement, her eyes fixed on Kaz, "It's important, Father. We just want a few moments of his time"
Kaz's playful demeanor faded slightly as he saw the determination in their eyes. He knew better than to underestimate the resolve of these three.
'Mizuki is one thing, but I don't want to get on my daughter or the elven hero's bad side'
"Very well. But keep it brief. He needs to prepare for his journey"
Kaz let the three girls in as he walked out of the room, closing the door behind him.
As they entered, Yuto, sitting on the edge of his bed, looked up expectantly.
"You wanted to see me?" He asked, his eyes shifting from one girl to another.
Kana was the first to speak up, her voice serious.
"Yes, we did"
Freya fidgeted nervously, her hands clenching and unclenching at her sides.
Mizuki sat down on the chair, already knowing the situation, and was letting the other two girls have their moment with Yuto.
"We wanted to talk to you about your upcoming journey," Kana continued.
"We are... concerned"
"How so?" Yuto tilted his head.
"We worry for your safety," Freya admitted.
"Going on a solo journey... It's dangerous. You'll be all alone out there"
Kana and Mizuki exchanged glances, then nodded in unison.
"We're all worried, Yuto," Kana said, her voice expressing genuine concern.
"..."
Mizuki stepped forward, her hands clasped together.
"Yuto, tell them the reason why you're going, the true reason"
"Mizuki, you know that this isn't pleasant to discuss"
Mizuki's voice was firm, "They deserve to know, Yuto. If you're going on this journey, they deserve to know why"
"... Kana, Freya, do you want to know the truth, the real reason as to why me and Mizuki have been on this long journey?"
"Yes," Kana and Freya said in unison, their eyes filled with curiosity and anticipation.
"..."
"Fine, get comfortable, this is a long story"
The girls sat down on the chairs nearby, their eyes fixed intently on Yuto, waiting for him to begin.
"No interruptions unless it's a question, okay?"
The girls nodded intently, promising silence.
"When I was about 14, I began to have dreams about my family dying in the most painful ways"
Freya's eyes widened in shock, her grip on the armrests of the chair tightening.
Even Kana seemed taken aback, her usually stoic expression faltering.
Mizuki stayed silent, knowing how hard this story was for Yuto to retell.
"The dreams would continue for three years, they would get worse with each night, eventually it also led to me being ripped apart"
"Eaten, Stabbed, Mutilated, anything you can imagine is how I would die"
Freya covered her mouth, her face turning pale as Yuto described the horrific dreams.
Kana, though visibly shaken by the tale, tried to keep her composure, "How did you cope with something like that?"
Yuto gave Kana a soft smile, "I broke down constantly, eventually leading to me finally just walking through the dreamland and killing said creatures"
"So the dreams eventually... stopped?" Freya asked, her voice trembling slightly.
Yuto shook his head, "No, even now I still have them"
Mizuki clenched her fists, her worry and sympathy for Yuto evident.
"That sounds... unbearable," Freya murmured.
Yuto continued, "Eventually at 17 I had my awakening, remember Freya what I said? Humans tend to awaken at 14 but I was a late bloomer"
"Yes, you mentioned that before," she confirmed, her expression still one of empathy.
"Do you know why?"
Freya shook her head. "No," she responded, her voice soft.
"Why did you awaken so late?"
Yuto turned to Kana and Mizuki, "You girls saw my recent fight with Kaz right?"
Both girls nodded, their eyes fixed on Yuto, quietly listening.
He turned his attention back to Freya, "I awakened so late because I… am not what most would consider a human"
Kana and Freya's expression turned dark, Mizuki stayed quiet as she knew it was time to tell them the truth.
"Yuto," Kana said, her voice unusually shaky.
"What are you trying to say?"
Yuto closed his eyes, a red glow began to shine from them.
<- System ->
[ Transformation at 15% ]
His horns grew from his head, red marks like blood, and dark colors that looked like the abyss.
His hair was of silver color and his eyes were as dark as the night sky.
"I am… The first hero, the demon prince who participated in the old war, a soul from 3,000 years ago"
Freya gasped, her eyes widened in surprise at the sudden transformation.
Kana's mouth hung agape, stunned by the revelation.
"Wait," Kana managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper.
"You're... you're the first hero?"
"The demon prince from the ancient war? But that's... that's impossible, that would make you—"
"A Demon..." Mizuki finished.
The room was engulfed in silence, as the reality of Yuto's words sunk in.
"A... a demon," Freya repeated, her voice filled with fear and disbelief.
The same type that attacked Freya's people, the Demolisher was a high-ranking demon so what would that make Yuto?
A man who was holding his own against such a beast.
A demon?
A monster?
Each girl was lost in thought, grappling with the implications of Yuto's revelation. Kana's usually strong exterior crumbled for a brief moment, replaced by a mix of shock and confusion.
"But... how can you be...?" Kana trailed off, her brain struggling to process the information.
Freya's voice quivered as she spoke up. "Does that mean... you're evil?"
Mizuki got up from her chair to slap Freya when Yuto stopped her.
"No, Mizuki, Don't hit her"
"But Yuto!"
Mizuki protested, her voice filled with protectiveness.
Kana held up a hand to stop her, silently signaling that she understood the situation.
Freya, noticing Mizuki's protective behavior, looked visibly remorseful.
"I...I'm sorry," she murmured, clearly realizing her mistake.
Yuto shook his head as he let go of Mizuki's hand and kneeled before Freya, kissing her hand.
"Freya, my lovely Freya, do I seem evil?"
Freya looked down at Yuto, her fear slowly giving way to uncertainty.
"No, you've never been evil to me, not for a moment," she admitted, her voice soft and sincere.
"Are you… afraid of me?"
Freya hesitated momentarily, her gaze wavering, but then she shook her head, "No," she replied quietly, her voice gaining strength.
"I'm not afraid of you, Yuto. I trust you"
Yuto gave her a soft smile before standing up and walking towards Kana.
He took her hands in his and looked her in the eyes, "Kana"
"Although you are a dragon, there are cases where high ranking demons who have been known for killing dragons, correct?"
Kana nodded, her expression turning serious.
"Yes, high-ranking demons have often targeted dragons. It has been a historical rivalry between our species"
"And… you saw how I almost killed your father in my demonic transformation, right?"
Kana let out a shaky exhale, the memory still fresh in her mind, "Yes, I saw your fight. You almost killed him"
Mizuki and Freya were silent, watching the exchange between Yuto and Kana with bated breath.
"Are you afraid of me?"
There was a long pause, and for a moment, it felt like time had frozen.
Kana looked into Yuto's eyes, seemingly wrestling with her emotions.
But then, she spoke, her voice firm and steady.
"No," she said. "I'm not afraid of you, Yuto"
Mizuki and Freya let out a collective sigh of relief, their tension visibly easing.
Yuto smiled as he gave her a soft peck on the cheek, undoing his transformation as he sat down on the bed.
Kana's face flushed at the unexpected gesture, and she brought a hand up to touch the place where Yuto had kissed her.
The atmosphere in the room became noticeably lighter, the initial shock and confusion giving way to a sense of understanding and acceptance.
"Yuto," Freya broke the silence, her voice steadier now.
"You... you haven't changed at all, have you? I mean... you're still the same person we've come to know and care for, right?"
"..."
There was a short pause in the conversation as Yuto considered his answer.
His expression softened, and he nodded gently.
"Yes, I'm still me, the same guy who fought, slept, eaten, argued, and laughed with"
Relief was palpable, their worries somewhat eased by Yuto's assurance.
Kana spoke up next, her voice calm and composed. "Yuto," she began.
"I have a question for you"
"Yes?"
Kana leaned forward, her tone serious, "Why are you going on this solo journey? What's the real reason behind it?"
"..."
The room fell silent again as Yuto closed his eyes, visibly struggling with his words.
The air was heavy with tension, as everyone waited for his response.
"To stop the consequences of the demonic transformation"
The girls exchanged glances, not quite understanding the meaning behind Yuto's words.
"Consequences?" Freya asked, confusion evident in her voice.
The statement was like a cold shock to Kana, Freya, and Mizuki.
Kana, her voice barely above a whisper, voiced what was on everyone's mind. "What...what do you mean, disappearing?"
"What you heard, which goes to the next topic I wanted to discuss, Mizuki, let's tell them about the Fragments"
Mizuki's expression turned serious as she nodded, clearly understanding where the conversation was headed.
"Yes," she said, her voice solemn.
"We'd better discuss the Fragments"
The other two girls looked puzzled, but they paid close attention, recognizing the serious tone.
"Fragments?" they echoed.
Mizuki nodded as she lay down on the bed, "15 pieces of me have been spread across the world, those 15 pieces hold some of my power along with memories of the past which is how Yuto found out he was the demon prince"
"We currently only found 3 so far and it's been about 4 years since we started looking for them," Yuto said as he took a seat on the chair.
The revelation sunk in, and silence filled the room once more.
The thought of Mizuki's essence being scattered across the world was daunting, and it was clear that the journey to find these Fragments was serious business.
Kana was equally stunned, echoing Freya's surprise. "And you remember the past through these fragments? Is that how Yuto remembered his past life?"
Mizuki let out a soft chuckle, "Yeah Yuto, how did you find out?"
Yuto chuckled as he answered, "Well thanks to your dad Kana, I met the Goddess Elise"
Kana's eyes widened in surprise, "The... the Goddess Elise?"
Freya and Mizuki seemed intrigued, having not heard this part of the story before.
"The one and only"
The thought of Yuto having met the Goddess sent chills down Kana's spine.
"What did she say?" she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.
"Well hehe," He had his signature stupid grin as his eyes sparkled, all three girls had the same thought.
'This mother fucker did something with her'
Kana was the one to voice it first, "You... you did something with her, didn't you Yuto?"
"W-what makes you say that love?"
"You have a stupid grin on your face, idiot," Mizuki chided him, a smirk playing on her lips.
Freya, catching on, teased, "And your eyes are sparkling like a kid in a candy shop. Spill it, Yuto, it's obvious something happened between you two"
Yuto was pressed against the wall, "I'm being framed!"
They encircled him, their eyes filled with both annoyance and curiosity.
"Just tell us, Yuto," Kana demanded, crossing her arms.
"What happened with the goddess?"
Freya, unable to hide her smirk, added, "Yeah, don't keep us in suspense. Spill the beans"
Mizuki chuckled, joining in on the fun. "Come on, did you flirt with her or something? You can tell us"
"I won't die, right?"
"Not if you tell us the truth," replied Mizuki, her tone half-joking and half-serious.
Yuto gave a soft cough, "W-what I do with every single one of you… every night"
All three girls blushed furiously.
"Y-you... you didn't," Kana stammered, her face turning bright red.
Freya and Mizuki were equally shocked, their teasing grins instantly replaced by a mix of surprise and disbelief.
"W-wait," Freya blurted out.
"Are you saying you did… ahem... with the goddess?"
"Y-you're not trying to say that you-" Kana began, her voice trembling.
Mizuki interrupted, "That you had-" but stopped herself, her face now as red as a tomato.
The air in the room was thick with tension as they waited for Yuto's response.
"Yup, I fucked a Goddess"
The room fell silent for a split second, then erupted in a chorus of shocked gasps.
"W-what?" Was all that Kana managed to stammer out, her face burning bright red.
Freya looked dumbfounded, her mouth hanging open.
Mizuki was the only one who recovered quickly enough to speak. "You WHAT!?"
"Ehehe"
The girls were at a loss for words, their minds struggling to process Yuto's bold declaration.
"How… is that even… possible?" Freya repeated, her voice trembling.
Kana, still blushing furiously, managed to find her voice again, "Why... why would you... y-you-"
Mizuki was the one to pose the daring question they were all thinking.
"How was it?"
Both girls shot a glance at Mizuki, having the same thought.
'Girl what?'
Yuto chuckled, trying to keep his composure despite the girls' reactions.
"It was... an experience," he said, his voice dripping with longing.
Freya's face was still a picture of disbelief, "But... but she's a goddess!"
Mizuki was the only one still looking interested, a small smile on her face, "So... was she as goddess-like as they say?"
Once again the girls looked at Mizuki with disbelief.
"Mizuki!" Gasped Kana and Freya simultaneously.
Mizuki chuckled, her smirk growing wider, "What? I'm curious!"
Kana's face was still hot, unable to believe that Yuto had such an intimate encounter with a celestial being.
Yuto chuckled as he raised his hands, "Why so embarrassed the things we do in bed are far more-"
The girls quickly shushed him, their faces now beet red.
"S-shut up!" Kana exclaimed, her voice slightly shaky.
Freya was covering her face with her hands, trying to hide her blush.
Mizuki was trying her hardest not to burst out laughing.
The room was filled with stifled giggles and embarrassed silence.
Kana was the first to speak once again, "Can we... Can we talk about something else, please?"
Freya nodded in agreement, still trying to compose herself.
"You're so embarrassing, Yuto," she muttered.
Yuto chuckled at their reactions, enjoying their embarrassed faces.
"Fine, fine," he said, trying to look innocent.
"We can talk about something else. What do you want to talk about now?"
Kana, still blushing, took a deep breath to calm herself down.
"What... What was the reason you met the goddess?" She asked, steering the conversation back to the main topic.
Yuto still kept his smile as he began to speak again, "To know the truth of my existence, more accurately to say, who am I?"
"I have been confused as to why the fragments were necessary and I found the answer, to keep my humanity from my demonic transformation"
"As well as mine and Mizuki's past, our relationship, our past"
The girls listened intently, hanging onto every word. Kana's blush was slowly fading away as curiosity took over.
Freya, intrigued, spoke up next, "So, the fragments are a way to keep your humanity intact? Do they... have the missing pieces of your memory?"
Yuto snapped his fingers, "Correct"
Kana was the next one to ask a question, not even bothering to hide her interest.
"And what was the truth, Yuto? Who are you truly?"
Mizuki and Freya turned to Yuto, waiting for his answer, their eyes filled with anticipation.
"I am… Yuto Akimitsu, the son of Cara and Ryoko, the older brother to Cynthia, the lover of you three"
There was a pause as the girls absorbed the information.
Then, slowly, smiles appeared on their faces, their expressions softer and warmer.
Freya, her voice filled with affection, spoke first. "Yuto," she murmured.
"You're... you're our Yuto"
Mizuki's face broke into a wide grin, "And we love you, Yuto"
Kana's blush had faded completely, replaced by a tender smile, "Yes," she agreed quietly.
"You're our Yuto. Nothing's going to change that"
She walked over and pressed a kiss that Yuto happily reciprocated, it was supposed to be a small kiss till Kana stuck her tongue in his mouth.
The kiss deepened, and Yuto's hands found their way into Kana's silky black hair, pulling her closer.
Mizuki and Freya looked in shook as they gently pushed Kana, "Make some room"
Kana, still locked in the kiss, allowed herself to be pushed back slightly, making room for them.
Freya immediately took the opportunity to join in, capturing Yuto's lips in a passionate kiss of her own.
Mizuki, not one to be left out, moved around to Yuto's other side, placing a row of kisses down his neck.
The trio surrounded Yuto, their kisses and touches a mix of love, passion, and possessiveness.
They continued their affectionate barrage, their touches becoming bolder as they explored Yuto's body.
Yuto crawled back onto the bed, he gave them a soft chuckle, "One round for the night?"
The girls exchanged smiles, their eyes sparkling with anticipation.
"Why just one?" Mizuki asked, her voice laced with suggestion.
Freya added, "We're not done with you yet, Yuto"
Kana, the most assertive, gave Yuto a sly grin.
"You're not getting out of this that easily," she murmured, her hand tracing the contour of his chest.
- 1 Hour Later -
Exhausted and satisfied, the four of them lay on the bed, with entangled limbs and ragged breaths.
Kana was snuggled closely against Yuto's chest, her head resting on his shoulder.
Freya was curled up on his other side, her arm draped over his stomach.
Mizuki was on her stomach, her cheek pressed against his thigh.
Yuto slid from the bed and put on a robe as he walked out to the balcony, he made himself some green tea as he looked at the beautiful kingdom of Drakona.
Mizuki, wrapped in a silken robe, stepped out onto the balcony to find Yuto standing near the edge, sipping on a cup of tea.
She walked over without a word, leaning on the balcony railing beside him.
The night sky was a canvas of stars, their brightness reflected on the tranquil waters below.
A gentle breeze carried the scent of the sea, its cool touch brushing against the two.
Yuto didn't speak, sipping his tea quietly, but the moment was comfortable between them.
Mizuki broke the silence, her voice soft and contemplative.
"Can't sleep again?" she inquired, her gaze still on the star-filled sky.
Yuto chuckled as he put his cup down, "I'm scared Mizuki"
Mizuki, surprised by his honest confession, turned to look at him.
"Scared?" she repeated, her gaze searching his face.
He nodded, "I haven't been alone for these past four years because you've been by my side"
Mizuki felt her chest tighten as Yuto's words sank in.
She'd known he was struggling with something else, but hearing him admit his fear out loud was like a dagger to her heart.
"Yuto..." she whispered, her voice cracking slightly.
He gave her a soft chuckle, kissing her before letting go, "I'll be fine, Mizuki when I return, we can continue our journey"
As Yuto moved to walk back inside, Mizuki's hand shot out, grabbing his wrist.
"Don't," she said, her voice tinged with desperation.
"Don't just dismiss it as if it's nothing, Yuto"
Yuto looked back, his eyes meeting hers. She could see the turmoil behind that soft smile he put on.
"It is fine though," he insisted, though his words sounded more like he was trying to convince himself rather than her.
"No, it's not." Mizuki's voice was firm.
She pulled on his wrist, making him turn back to face her.
"Yuto, you can't keep bottling up your feelings like this. It's not healthy, and it's definitely not fine"
"Mizuki, when I finish this, I promise to be more honest"
She stared at him for a moment, her eyes searching his face.
His answer wasn't enough, but she also knew better than to push him when he was like this.
"Promise?" she asked quietly.
He held her hand and kissed its back, "I swear it"
She closed her eyes, feeling the softness of his lips against her skin.
When she opened them again, there was a steely resolve in her gaze.
"I'm holding you to that. You better come back, Yuto," her voice firm yet tinged with worry.
He turned back to the kingdom, "We have a week together before I leave"
A week.
Seven days.
That's all they had before the journey that would separate them once more.
The thought was enough to make Mizuki's heartache.
"A week," she repeated softly, her eyes following his gaze out towards the kingdom.
"Kaz's agreed to train the three of you while I'm gone, do your best"
Mizuki took a deep breath, "We will," she said, her voice steady with determination.
"We'll train hard, get stronger, so when you come back..."
She swallowed, unable to say the words, though she knew he understood.
They stood there in silence for a few moments more, each lost in their thoughts. Then, Yuto spoke again, his voice softer than before.
"Thank you," he murmured, his eyes never leaving the breathtaking view before them.
Mizuki looked at him, seeing the weight he was carrying on his shoulders. She reached out, gently placing her hand on his back.
"You're welcome, Yuto," she replied, her voice just as soft as his.
"Just... come back to us, okay?"
He gave her his signature stupid grin, "Of course!"
Mizuki rolled her eyes, but a small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth despite herself.
"You're an idiot," she said affectionately.
They went back to the room and had a good sleep with the rest of their group.
- Throughout the Week -
The days that followed were a whirlwind of activity.
Yuto made sure to show the girls every possible corner of Drakona, from the ancient libraries to the vibrant markets, the exotic beast stables to the breathtaking cliffs.
They had picnics on the beach, competed in games that only the citizens of Drakona knew, and laughed till they were breathless.
Every night, they'd make their way back to the palace, their limbs aching from the day's activities but their hearts full of joy.
And each night, they'd retire to Yuto's room, entangled in each other's embrace, desperately trying to make the most of the time they had left.
Mizuki, Kana, and Freya knew they had to make the most of the one week they still had with Yuto.
So, every day was a new adventure – a hike through the mountains to reach the top, a tour of the city's most interesting sights, and a day spent at the beach building sandcastles.
Every moment was filled with laughter, love, and the knowledge that this week, like all things, was fleeting.
And finally, the day of Yuto's departure.
They stood at the entrance as Yuto had his bag ready, Mizuki, Kana, Freya, and Kaz all looked at him.
"You're sure you have everything you need?" Freya said, her voice betraying her worry.
Yuto grinned, trying to put on a brave front. "Of course. I'm all set"
"Be careful, okay?" Mizuki chimed in, her eyes pleading.
"Don't do anything stupid"
"And don't forget about us, damn it," Kana added, her tone gruff but her eyes showing the same concern.
Yuto chuckled, his hand patting Kana's shoulder, "Never"
Kaz stepped forward, his arms crossed over his chest.
"You better stay alive," he said gruffly.
"I haven't finished training the three of them yet"
Yuto nodded, "I'll be back before you know it, Kaz. I promise"
Yuto gave each girl a quick kiss before turning around.
Skill: Dash x Accelerate
In an instant, Yuto vanished into a blur of speed, leaving the group stunned in his wake.
"Show-off..." Kaz grumbled under his breath, shaking his head slightly.
The girls stood there, watching the spot where Yuto had been just moments before.
Silence hung heavily in the air, the absence of Yuto's presence leaving a void that seemed to echo the emptiness in their hearts.
"Come now, I have to keep the promise I made him"
The three girls looked at Kaz, their eyes still a bit misty, but they nodded in understanding.
They followed Kaz back inside and closed the gates. It would be a year before they saw Yuto again but they were willing to wait for him.
- 10 Hours Later -
Yuto had been running for hours when he heard a woman's scream.
Instinctively, he veered towards the source of the sound, following it into the cover of trees.
As he approached, he saw a young blonde woman cornered by a group of bandits.
A man, sporting a gruff beard and clad in armor, stood protectively in front of her.
Yuto quickly jumped down and beheaded the three of them, it was like a river of blood mid-air
Not much blood was sippled as his slash was clean and on point, Yuto looked at the girl and asked, "Are you okay?"
The girl's eyes were wide as she looked at Yuto, shock and awe mixing on her face.
"I-I think so..." she stuttered.
The man, meanwhile, was watching Yuto with a critical eye, "Who are you?" he asked, his voice guarded.
"Me?" Yuto gave him a grin, "Yuto Akimitsu, at your service"