The first light of dawn seeped into my room, gently pulling me from sleep. I opened my eyes, fully awake—no grogginess, no need to rub sleep from my eyes. I sat up, glanced around the dim room, then stood. Today would be just like any other.
I walked to the mirror, staring at my reflection: black hair, red eyes, and skin so pale it seemed to glow in the faint morning light. Though only seven and a half years old, my body was lean and defined, the result of training most would consider too intense for a child. Some of that was my fault—I never rested. My features were sharp, and in this world, I was handsome in an ethereal, almost dangerous way. There was no trace of the child I used to be. Ashima Hito was gone. I was Aiden now, and this face was mine.
I dressed quickly, choosing my usual attire—simple, comfortable clothes that allowed for movement. As I made my way through the castle's corridors, a sense of foreboding lingered in my mind, like the whisper of a storm on the horizon. Servants bowed as I passed, their fear palpable. They kept their distance, which I preferred—it made me feel powerful.
My routine was the same: breakfast alone, followed by training. Larina was already waiting when I arrived. We moved through the exercises, mastering control over the elements. Fire roared to life at the flick of my fingers; water bent to my will, forming intricate patterns with a thought. Earth, wind, lightning—none of it required effort.
I felt no strain, no fatigue. Power came to me like a natural extension of myself. Even Larina, who had seen my progress firsthand, often watched with a mixture of awe and unease.
"You're distracted," Larina observed as I stood in the midst of a swirling vortex of fire and wind.
I dismissed the elements with a wave, the air stilling instantly. "It's nothing," I replied, though I knew it wasn't. Something flickered in the back of my mind, like a premonition.
After training, I headed to the abandoned library—my sanctuary. A place where I could escape the watchful eyes of the castle. Moving swiftly through the hidden paths I'd memorized, I soon reached the library. The door creaked open, and the familiar scent of old parchment and dust greeted me.
I walked toward the back, where the oldest books were kept. Just as I reached for a tome, a sudden vision flashed before my eyes—foresight. I saw a figure moving in the shadows, the glint of metal, the swift motion of an attack. I blinked, and the vision was gone. I had seconds, maybe less.
"Step out," I commanded, my voice cutting through the silence of the library. Slowly, I turned to face the figure emerging from the shadows. A man, cloaked and hooded, his face hidden.
My gaze stayed fixed on him, my mind calm despite the danger. My foresight continued to feed me glimpses of his movements, his intent. "Who are you?" I demanded, though I already knew.
"Just a traveler," he said smoothly, his voice calm, though the lie was obvious. "I lost my way. Didn't mean to intrude."
"Do I look stupid?" I shot back, unimpressed by his weak deception. "What are you really doing here?"
His eyes flashed with irritation and cold amusement. He hesitated, then straightened. "Very well. I suppose there's no point in hiding the truth from you—you'll be dead soon."
He pulled down his hood, revealing an ordinary face with brown eyes—no demon's red. I studied him critically. His calm demeanor was unsettling for someone just caught intruding.
"I'm a spy from Azure," he declared, his voice steady, almost proud. "I was sent here to retrieve something of great importance."
"What are you after?" I asked, curious despite myself. "And why here?"
The spy's expression turned cold, a sneer tugging at his lips. "We believe there's a particular scroll hidden in this library. Something that could give us a significant advantage."
"Advantage?" I repeated, my interest sharpening. "An advantage for what?"
He chuckled darkly, his eyes gleaming with malevolence. "Azure's agenda isn't about minor skirmishes or political games. We aim to eradicate demons from this world completely. You are the purest manifestation of evil."
His words were laced with a deep hatred, almost tangible. Azure's animosity toward demons wasn't just strategic—it was personal.
"And you think some old library holds the key to that?" I asked, a hint of skepticism in my voice.
The spy's eyes narrowed, and he shrugged dismissively. "In our line of work, we leave no stone unturned. If there's even a chance this place holds something useful for our cause, it's worth the risk."
"You're wasting your time," I said flatly. "Whatever you're looking for isn't here. And if you think you can just take it, you're sorely mistaken."
The spy sneered. "You think you can stop me? A mere child? Azure's reach is far beyond your understanding. Our plans are already in motion, and nothing you do will change that."
His words dripped with venom, revealing Azure's fanatical determination. It was clear he wasn't just here for reconnaissance—he was driven by a dangerous zeal.
"Enough talk," the spy said, his voice hardening with hostility. He drew a dagger from beneath his cloak, moving swiftly, practiced. "If you're going to stop me, you'll have to do it by force."
As he lunged, my foresight activated, giving me a clear view of his attack. His strike was fast, but I was faster. A simple gesture raised a barrier of earth between us, deflecting his blade with a clang that sent sparks flying.
"Is that the best you've got?" I taunted, my voice steady as I stepped back. "You're no match for me."
The spy's face twisted with frustration. He attacked again, each strike more desperate than the last, but I countered easily. A burst of wind sent him stumbling, and a flick of fire forced him to retreat.
"You think you're invincible, don't you?" he spat, seething with rage. "You're just a child playing with powers you barely understand."
I waved off his words. "I may be young, but I'm more than capable of dealing with fools like you."
The spy's frustration was palpable. He knew he was outmatched, yet his determination to complete his mission didn't waver. "You may have won today," he sneered, "but know this: Azure will not be stopped. We will find a way, no matter what."
His words were a grim reminder of the threat Azure posed. Just as I considered my next move, the library door creaked open behind me. I turned to see my father, Xedeth, standing in the doorway. His eyes, usually warm, were cold and calculating as they took in the scene.
"Well," Xedeth said, his voice heavy with authority. "It seems we have an uninvited guest."