Yumi slipped through the castle gates, the cool night air brushing against her face. Her black hoodie and ripped jeans blended into the shadows as she adjusted her pentagram necklace. She had been planning this for weeks—a party in the depths of Hell, where all the popular demons, imps, and damned souls gathered to unwind. She had to sneak out; her parents would freak if they knew.
Walking through the streets of Hell, Yumi passed the usual sights: rivers of fire, skeletons rattling in their chains, and demons brawling in the alleyways. She wasn't fazed. Hell was her home, and she had grown used to its chaos.
As she turned down a dimly lit street, she accidentally bumped into someone. "Hey, watch it," she muttered, not even looking up.
"Who the fuck do you think you're talking to?" a low, menacing voice growled.
Yumi froze. She looked up and immediately regretted it. A gang of demons surrounded her, their horns glinting in the faint red light. She recognized them immediately—the same gang that had beaten her dad years ago when he was still trying to prove himself as Prince of Hell.
"Oh, shit," Yumi whispered, taking a step back.
The gang leader sneered, his sharp teeth gleaming. "Well, well, if it isn't the little princess of Hell. Looks like Daddy's reputation isn't enough to keep you safe out here."
"Look, I don't want any trouble," Yumi said, raising her hands.
"Too late for that," another demon snarled, stepping closer.
Yumi backed away, her heart pounding. She was tough—she had to be to survive high school in Hell—but this was different. These weren't just bullies; these were killers.
"You've got a lot of nerve sneaking around our turf," the leader said, pulling out a jagged knife.
The rest of the gang followed suit, weapons appearing in their hands. Guns, blades, chains—Yumi's breath hitched as they closed in on her.
"Let's see how much of that sass you've got when you're six feet under," one of them sneered, cocking a pistol and pointing it at her head.
Yumi's back hit the wall, her mind racing. She didn't want to die. She was too young, too full of life, too... terrified.
The gang leader raised his knife, a cruel grin spreading across his face. "Say goodbye, princess."
Suddenly, a deafening roar filled the air, and before Yumi could process what was happening, a shadow swept past her. In an instant, the demon closest to her was sliced clean in half, his body falling to the ground in a pool of black blood.
"What the fuck?!" another gang member yelled, turning to face the attacker.
Standing there, his scythe dripping with blood, was Kikidori. His eyes burned with fury, his wings unfurled to their full, menacing span.
"You picked the wrong daughter to mess with," Kikidori growled, his voice low and deadly.
The gang hesitated for a moment, but their leader snarled, "Kill him!"
They charged at Kikidori, but it was over before it even began. Kikidori moved like a force of nature, his scythe slicing through the air with lethal precision. One by one, the demons fell, their screams echoing through the empty street.
Yumi watched in stunned silence, her heart pounding in her chest. She had seen her dad fight before, but never like this. This wasn't just a battle; it was a massacre.
Within minutes, the entire gang lay in pieces around them, the ground slick with their blood. Kikidori stood in the center of the carnage, his chest heaving as he lowered his scythe.
He turned to Yumi, his expression hard. "What the hell were you thinking, sneaking out like that?"
Yumi opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out.
Kikidori sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Let's go. Now."
Yumi nodded silently, following her father as he led her back to the castle.
When they got home, Ere'ana was waiting in the living room, her arms crossed. "Where have you two been?" she demanded, her angelic glow intensifying as she noticed the blood splattered across Kikidori's clothes.
"Ask your daughter," Kikidori muttered, collapsing onto the couch.
Ere'ana turned to Yumi, her golden eyes narrowing. "Yumi, what happened?"
Yumi hesitated, her voice barely above a whisper. "I... I snuck out to go to a party, and I ran into a gang of demons. They almost killed me, but Dad saved me."
Ere'ana's expression softened, and she pulled Yumi into a tight hug. "You scared me, Yumi. Do you have any idea what could have happened to you?"
"I know," Yumi said, her voice trembling. "I'm sorry, Mom."
Ere'ana pulled back, brushing a strand of black hair out of Yumi's face. "Just promise me you'll be more careful. Please."
Yumi nodded, her eyes welling up with tears. "I promise."
Kikidori leaned back, closing his eyes. "And next time someone gives you shit, just remember—you're my daughter. You don't need to prove anything to anyone. Got it?"
Yumi managed a small smile. "Got it."
As the adrenaline began to fade, Yumi realized just how lucky she was to have parents like them. They might have been from two different worlds, but they had her back no matter what.
Cerberus trotted over, wagging his tail as he jumped onto Yumi's lap. She stroked his tiny head, her heart finally starting to calm down.
"Thanks, Dad," she said softly, glancing at Kikidori.
"Don't mention it," he muttered. "Just... don't make me do it again."
Ere'ana smiled faintly, sitting down beside Kikidori and resting her head on his shoulder. For now, their family was safe, and that was all that mattered.
The End of Chapter 12