Eula stood in front of the Young's Martial Art Academy, taking in the sight of the building before her. It was a sunny winter day, and a light breeze played with the loose strands of her hair. Her first day at the academy was supposed to be uneventful—no teaching, just introductions. She was scheduled to take over the classes tomorrow, after the previous instructor finished his final goodbyes and packed his things.
As she entered the academy, the faint sounds of training echoed through the halls—students practicing their forms, punching bags being struck with precision. The energy of the place was vibrant, alive with discipline and determination. She smiled, looking forward to joining the team.
Inside, Eula made her way to the dean's office, her new boss, who had asked to meet with her before the transition. The office was a cozy, neat space, the scent of old books and fresh tea hanging in the air. A large window looked out onto the training grounds, and a black cat lounged lazily by the sill, its tail flicking occasionally.
"Take a seat," the dean said with a warm smile. "I'll be back in a minute. Need to make a quick trip to the bathroom."
Eula nodded politely and watched him disappear down the hall. She turned her attention to the room, but as soon as she was alone, her instincts flared. A strange, unsettling presence tugged at the edge of her consciousness, making the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. Her eyes shifted back to the window, and her gaze locked onto the black cat.
Her senses sharpened, the world around her growing distant as she focused. She could feel it—the demonic energy radiating from the cat, subtle but unmistakable. It was hiding in plain sight.
"A demon?" Eula whispered to herself. She knew demons often took different forms to mask their presence in the human world, but it was rare to encounter one here, especially so brazenly in the open.
As if hearing her thoughts, the cat's head tilted, and its eyes, once dull and bored, suddenly gleamed with something malevolent. A low, guttural growl emerged from its throat, and before Eula's eyes, the creature began to change. Its fur darkened to a slick, oily black, and its limbs elongated grotesquely. The transformation was quick but hideous—the once small, unassuming cat became a twisted, nightmarish thing. Its eyes glowed red, teeth jagged and far too long for its face, with its body contorting into something both animalistic and demonic.
The demon lunged at her without hesitation, its mouth wide open, revealing rows of sharp fangs, dripping with venomous intent. Eula reacted instantly. She locks eyes with the demon,her body relaxes, feeling the familiar surge of energy course through her. Her unique ability allowed her to control weaker demons, but it was always a risk—if the demon was too strong, the possession could backfire.
Fortunately, this one was weak.
She focused, locking her will onto the creature's twisted form. Its momentum slowed mid-air, its body convulsing as she took control. The demon's eyes went wide in a mix of confusion and fury as it found its body no longer under its own command.
Eula could feel it now—the demon's memories, flooding into her mind like a torrent of dark water. It was chaotic, fragmented, but one moment stood out with terrifying clarity. She saw it as the demon did, from its perspective: stepping through a shimmering, blackened rift, clawing its way out of a place filled with despair and shadow—the Nyalkabia.
The vision flashed—a cold, empty landscape filled with cursed souls and creatures far worse than the one before her. In the memory, the demon laughed maniacally, triumphant as it broke free from the confines of the Nyalkabia and stepped into the human world, hungry for chaos and destruction. The rift closed behind it, leaving the creature grinning with excitement.
Eula's head throbbed as the vision faded. She quickly released the demon's mind, forcing it out of its temporary paralysis. The demon howled in frustration as it stumbled backward, disoriented by the brief possession. But before Eula could act further, the demon disappeared into thin air.
Eula stood still for a moment, catching her breath, the room unnaturally quiet once more.
Just then, the door to the office swung open, and the dean reentered, wiping his hands on a towel. He glanced around, noticing nothing out of place.
Eula quickly composed herself, her face calm, but her mind raced with the demon's final memory.
"Sorry for the wait," the dean said, stepping into the office with a casual smile. His footsteps were soft, but the creak of his old leather chair filled the room as he took a seat behind the large oak desk.
Eula returned his smile, though her thoughts were elsewhere, her mind still processing the eerie encounter she had just experienced with the demon in the form of a cat.
The dean, Mr. William Young, folded his hands neatly in front of him, his eyes warm and welcoming. "Ms. Fujioka," he began, his tone filled with genuine enthusiasm, "it's a pleasure to have you join our small family here at Young's Martial Arts Academy. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to ask. I'll have one of my staff show you around the academy later today." He paused, his smile never faltering. "Do you have any questions or concerns before we begin?"
Eula hesitated, her gaze drifting toward the window where the cat had once sat. The lingering memory of its transformation still made her skin crawl. She opened her mouth to respond, but the words came out in a way she hadn't fully expected.
"I'm sorry, Mr. William, but... I'm not here to report. I'm here to resign."
The smile on the dean's face faltered for just a second, his brow furrowing in surprise. He stared at her, processing what she had just said, as though the words didn't quite make sense.
"You haven't even started working yet," he replied, his voice tinged with confusion and concern. "Was there something not to your liking? Or... has an emergency come up? If it's a matter of timing, I can arrange for someone to substitute until you're ready. There's no rush."
Eula's expression softened, but she remained firm. "No, Mr. William. It's not about the academy. I'm very sorry, but I just can't stay. I understand this is sudden, and I'm willing to compensate for any inconvenience. I can even introduce someone to take my place."
The dean leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his graying hair, his fingers lingering on his temple. He sighed deeply, the weight of her words settling heavily on his shoulders. He looked at her, a mix of regret and something else, something deeper, flickering in his eyes. He couldn't push her, he knew that much. Yet, he felt trapped. Unbeknownst to Eula, her parents were silent shareholders in the academy, a secret he had sworn to keep. What was he going to tell them? They'd entrusted him with watching over her without her knowledge, and now she was about to walk away before even beginning.
"Ms. Fujioka," he said slowly, measuring his words carefully, "I understand that you must have your reasons, and I won't pry. But... if there's anything that can be done to change your mind, anything at all, we're here to support you. This academy would benefit greatly from your expertise, and the students—"
"I appreciate that," Eula interrupted gently, her voice soft but resolute. "But my decision is final. It's not something I can explain easily, but I have to leave."
The cryptic tone in her words didn't go unnoticed by Mr. William, but he knew better than to push further. The tension in the room was palpable, though Eula remained calm, composed.
The dean sighed again, this time longer, heavier. He was trapped between a responsibility to the academy and to her parents' wishes. But in the end, he couldn't force her to stay.
"I understand," he said at last, though the disappointment in his voice was clear. "Please, if you ever reconsider, know that the door will always be open for you here. And... thank you for offering to find a replacement. I'll let you handle that in your own time."
Eula gave a small nod, appreciating his understanding.
As she turned and left the office, the air outside felt colder, sharper, as though the very world was waiting for something to break. Eula pulled her jacket tighter around her, her mind racing with thoughts of the demon, the Nyalkabia, and the inevitable darkness that was creeping closer.
She had hoped for a quiet life in this new city, a fresh start. But now she knew better.
This was only the beginning.