Kikidori stood in the expansive courtyard of Flame Island, the oppressive heat of the volcanic lands swirling around him. His obsidian castle loomed in the background, its black spires piercing the sky like jagged teeth. The ground beneath his feet was cracked and uneven, crisscrossed with lines of glowing magma that bled through the earth's surface like veins of fire. The air, thick with the acrid scent of sulfur and smoke, was strangely calming for him. This was his home, and in some twisted way, it felt comforting.
Cerberus, the little Chihuahua that had somehow become his companion, was happily trotting around the courtyard, barking excitedly. His small form darted between the volcanic rocks, his tail wagging furiously as he searched for something to play with. Kikidori chuckled, shaking his head as he crouched down to scoop the dog into his arms. Despite his intimidating appearance—his horns, his dark wings, the almost godlike aura that radiated from him—Cerberus was a reminder that there were things in life, even in a place like this, that could bring a smile to his face.
"Alright, Cerberus, I know you're hungry," Kikidori muttered, walking toward the large stone bowl where he kept the dog's food. He placed the Chihuahua gently on the ground and reached for a bag of meat treats. As he poured the food into the bowl, the dog eagerly began munching away, barking happily between bites. Kikidori leaned back against the castle wall, his arms crossed as he watched his tiny companion devour the meal.
It was moments like these, these simple, mundane moments, that reminded him of how different his life had become. He wasn't the monster everyone seemed to think he was. Sure, he had made mistakes—huge, catastrophic mistakes—but in the quiet of Flame Island, away from the judgmental eyes of Heaven and Hell, he could almost convince himself that he had some measure of peace.
Just as he was lost in thought, the familiar ping of his phone broke through the silence.
Kikidori raised an eyebrow, pulling the phone out of his pocket and unlocking it. The screen flashed with a notification—a text message. He stared at the sender's name, his heart skipping a beat when he saw it was from Ere'ana.
Ere'ana: "Hey Kikidori, just checking in. I know you don't like to talk much, but I hope you're doing alright. You're always welcome in Heaven, you know."
Kikidori sighed, his fingers hovering over the screen. It wasn't that he didn't appreciate her concern; it was just… complicated. The last time he'd been to Heaven, the tension had been unbearable. He could feel the eyes of the angels on him, whispering about how dangerous he was, about how his very existence was a threat. Even Ere'ana, though she defended him, seemed to be walking a fine line between Heaven's rules and her loyalty to him.
Still, the sincerity in her message made his chest tighten. Kikidori leaned back against the wall, staring at the message for a few moments before typing a response.
Kikidori: "I'm fine. Cerberus is still alive, if you're wondering. Flame Island's been quiet… too quiet, actually."
He paused before hitting send. He didn't want to worry her, but he was starting to feel a strange restlessness. He wasn't exactly a stranger to chaos—hell, his entire existence had been one long battle—but there was something about the calm that was beginning to unsettle him.
He hit send, then glanced down at Cerberus, who was now rolling on his back, paws flailing in the air, thoroughly entertained by his own antics. Kikidori smiled faintly, his heart a little lighter in the presence of his small companion.
But then his phone buzzed again. Another message from Ere'ana.
Ere'ana: "I miss you, Kikidori. We haven't had a chance to talk in a while. I know things are tough, but… I'm here for you, no matter what. Always."
Kikidori's heart skipped a beat. He read the message a few more times, her words ringing in his ears. He wasn't used to this kind of attention. In the past, his existence had been defined by conflict, by being feared and misunderstood. The idea that someone, let alone an archangel like Ere'ana, could miss him, care about him in such a way, was foreign.
He stared at the screen for a long while. He knew he should reply, but the words never seemed right. Instead, he just watched as the seconds ticked by, each one making him feel more and more uncertain. He could feel the weight of his own feelings bearing down on him.
Finally, he typed a simple reply.
Kikidori: "I miss you too."
He didn't need to say more. He didn't have to explain. There was a certain comfort in their silence, in the unspoken understanding they shared. He closed the text thread, tucking his phone back into his pocket.
Just as he did, Cerberus let out a small whimper, trotting over to Kikidori and nudging at his leg with his small, wet nose. Kikidori looked down, raising an eyebrow. The dog's eyes were wide and pleading, and Kikidori couldn't help but laugh.
"Alright, alright," he muttered, scratching behind Cerberus's ears. "What is it, little guy?"
The dog barked once, then turned and started trotting toward the castle entrance, looking back at Kikidori as if to say, Come on, I'm waiting!
Kikidori rolled his eyes, but a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Fine. Lead the way, Cerberus."
He followed the dog inside, the sounds of Cerberus's paws echoing through the stone corridors. As they entered his personal chambers, Kikidori noticed something unusual. The air felt heavier. His senses, honed over centuries of living in both Heaven and Hell, tingled with the faintest trace of something… off.
He paused in the doorway, staring into the room. The curtains billowed slightly, but there was no breeze. The candle flames flickered unnaturally, casting long shadows on the walls. Something was different.
His phone buzzed again. He hesitated, then pulled it from his pocket, his gaze snapping to the screen. This time, it was a notification from a news app. A headline flashed across the screen: "Unusual Activity in the Skies Above Flame Island. Unknown Entities Sighted."
Kikidori's heart raced. He felt the weight of the message settle heavily in his chest. This wasn't good.
He turned to Cerberus, who had stopped at the foot of his bed, tilting his head in confusion. "Stay here, buddy," Kikidori said softly, his voice unusually serious. "I'll be right back."
Kikidori stepped toward the window, pulling back the curtains, and stared into the distance. The sky was darker than usual, clouds swirling in unnatural patterns. The distant rumble of thunder echoed in the distance, but there was no storm on the horizon.
Kikidori's fingers tightened around the windowsill. The atmosphere around Flame Island was changing. Something was coming, and it wasn't going to be peaceful.
He turned back to the room, a determined look on his face. "I need to figure out what's going on…"
As he walked toward the door, he sent one last message to Ere'ana, his fingers typing quickly.
Kikidori: "Something's happening here. I don't know what yet, but I'll keep you posted. Be safe."
He hit send, slipping his phone back into his pocket. As he opened the door, a loud, echoing boom sounded in the distance, and for the first time in a long time, Kikidori felt a twinge of dread.
Flame Island had always been chaotic, but this felt different. Something was stirring in the depths of the land, and Kikidori couldn't shake the feeling that it was only the beginning.
And for the first time in a long time, he wasn't sure if he was ready for whatever was about to happen.
The End of Chapter 47