Morning came faster than I expected. I stood up and navigated to the bathroom, gazing into the mirror at my own reflection. My face had changed drastically in the three weeks I spent within the Runes. The boyish softness was gone, replaced by sharper angles and an intensity I didn't recognize. I guess it was just another thing to worry about.
"Justin?!!" Himori's shout shattered the morning silence.
I rushed from the bathroom into the living room, finding her standing there in a state of clear distress.
"I was looking around, and I think I touched something I wasn't supposed to touch," she said, her voice trembling as she handed me a weathered letter.
I opened the parchment with caution. My heart skipped a beat as I recognized the elegant, flowing script. It was Alicia's writing.
'Justin, I may not have told you everything yet, but I'll give you something to work with. I can't leave the whole truth in this house,'
the letter read. I turned it over to find more scribbled notes on the back. 'In the Dragon Castle, the Lord's Room holds all the records of how you were born. Just don't get mad at me once you see it. I promised I wouldn't tell.'
How strange. First Violet, now Alicia something was deeply wrong. I needed to get to the Dragon Castle, but it seemed impossible. If I opened a gate now, I'd be captured and executed before I even reached the courtyard.
"It's not just the letter I'm talking about... it's this," Himori added. She held out a bundle wrapped in heavy cloth and placed it in my hands.
I slowly unwrapped it, revealing a sleek hilt. A crimson crystal embedded in the guard glowed with a faint, rhythmic light, and a deep shade of scarlet ran along the edges of the blade. It was a twin to the cursed blade Kiyomi had given me. Strangely, as I held it, I couldn't see the spectral blood that used to coat the steel. I must have grown significantly stronger if the curse no longer clouded my vision.
"Well, this is one of the cursed blades that came with Esta," I said, turning to Himori.
She was trembling, her breaths coming in shallow, ragged hitches.
"What's wrong, Himori?" I asked, stepping closer.
"I... I saw..." she stammered.
"Okay, breathe. Tell me what's the matter," I said softly, placing my hands on her shoulders to steady her.
"I saw my... my head. Alone," she whispered, her eyes wide with terror. "No body. Just my head." She collapsed to her knees, her strength failing.
Without thinking, I dropped down and wrapped my arms around her. I could hear her heart drumming against her ribs, echoing my own.
"No, it's not true. Don't believe it," I whispered into her ear, my voice firm.
"But what if it's a vision? What if it's going to happen?" she sobbed, tears staining my shirt.
"It won't happen while I'm around. That, I promise you," I responded.
She looked up at me, her grey eyes shimmering with a fragile hope. "Do you actually promise that?"
"Yes. I promise. Now, wipe away your tears and let me tell you something."
I guided her to the couch, sitting beside her as her hands continued to shake.
"Well? Are you going to tell me?" she asked with a broken, watery smile.
"I will," I said with a grin. "The first time I touched a cursed blade, I saw my own hands stained in blood. I saw myself as a monster with no soul. For a long time, I thought I was destined to be a killer. But look at me now I'm still here, and I'm not that monster. The blades show you your fears, not necessarily your future."
"So... it's possible the vision is wrong?" she asked, her breathing finally leveling out.
"Yes. It won't happen. I'll protect you."
I never imagined I'd find myself in a position like this. Why did I feel so protective of her? We had only known each other for a few days even if those days felt like years. It was terrifying and exhilarating all at once.
"Well, let's ask the blade itself what its power is. I think, just like Esta, it might have a human form," I said, picking up the scarlet sword.
"You think so, Justin?"
"Let's find out."
Just like Esta, this was a sentient cursed blade. It needed a massive influx of mana to manifest. I removed my ring, allowing my body to overflow with a terrifying, unchecked power. I channeled the energy into the hilt. I felt the strength being siphoned out of me, my skin growing pale as I hit my knees. The sword clattered to the floor with a sharp cling. I quickly replaced my ring and stood up, panting.
"That should do it." I gripped the blade with my left hand. "Transform!"
My hand was instantly engulfed in a brilliant crimson glow. When the light died down, I wasn't looking at a warrior. Standing before me was a toddler a little girl with messy crimson hair, ruby-red eyes, and a small red dress that suited her perfectly. She blinked, rubbing her eyes sleepily.
"Master?" she chirped in a tiny, adorable voice.
What in the hell? Why was she so young? Esta was a mature woman. Had I not given her enough mana? Or was this her true, unadulterated form?
The girl smiled brightly, her eyes widening as she lunged forward to hug my leg. I instinctively placed a hand on her head, a smile tugging at my lips.
"Ohhh, that's so cute!" Himori squealed, snapping me out of my trance.
"You think?"
"Yes, she's precious!" Himori knelt down, reaching out toward the girl.
I knelt as well, taking the girl's small hands in mine. "Do you know your name?"
"No. Master no give name," she responded.
"Why don't you name her, Justin?" Himori suggested.
"I'm not great at this... how about Lily?"
"No, that's too boring," Himori said, her eyes sparking. "How about Lilith? It suits her perfectly, and she's so cute!"
"Lilith, huh?" I whispered. "Perfect. Well, little one, your name is Lilith from now on."
"Thank you, Master! My name is Lilith!" She grabbed my cheeks with her tiny hands and pulled me forward until our foreheads touched.
"What was that?" I asked, startled.
"She's showing her gratitude," Himori laughed, sitting back on the couch. "That's how she accepts her name."
It was impressive how quickly Himori's mood had shifted from sheer terror to joy.
"Well, we can't stay here. It's time to head out," I said, walking toward the door.
"Why not let Lilith back into her blade form?" Himori asked.
" Well I still need to ask her about her power" I said as I looked at her
"Lilith what's your power" I asked as I grabbed her tiny hands
"Lilith don't know" the little girl replied as she looked down
"Well that's a problem but don't worry about it I said as I placed my hand on her head and smiled
She smiled back at me and giving me a tight hug ,well this is a first this blade is acting like a natural little girl who is happy to see her father I let out a sigh as I carried her up into my hand
"I used the last of my excess power to summon her. It'll take me a week to be strong enough to force a transformation again," I explained. "We're heading West through the market. Let's move."
I placed Lilith on her feet and went back into my room placing my jacket over my body moving my messy hair out of my face and I wore boots that clicked to the floor with every step I walked out of my room and into the living room where chuckles erupted from himori and the little girl,I took Lilith's small hand in mine. As we walked out the door and closing the door as Himori followed, I watched Himori try to chat with the little girl on our way to the market. It was strange seeing a Human so at ease in the heart of the Demon Realm. I'd have to ask her more about that later.
Eventually, we reached the lively market, a sprawling hub of merchants selling magical artifacts, jewelry, and exotic silks.
"What a beautiful family you have there, sir!" a merchant called out, holding up a shimmering necklace. "Would you like to buy this for your wife?"
Family. The merchant saw Himori as my wife and Lilith as our daughter. It was the perfect cover. Justin voidborn Khoas was supposed to be dead, and the boy who entered the Runes looked nothing like the man standing here now.
"Oh, yes, I'd like to see what you have," I said with a practiced smile.
I looked over his wares until a specific piece caught my eye a diamond-shaped pendant with a swirling core of black and white light.
"I'll take that one," I said.
"That'll be five gold coins, sir," the merchant said, rubbing his hands together.
I didn't have gold, but I had the crystals Alicia had given me. I pulled a brilliant blue crystal from my pocket. The merchant's eyes nearly bulged out of his head.
"Sir, this is far too much! I don't have enough change for a crystal of this quality!"
"Keep it," I said. "Consider it a tip."
I turned to Himori, her face turning a deep shade of red. "Darling, mind if I put this around your neck?"
I stepped behind her and fastened the necklace. She touched the crystal, a shy smile gracing her lips.
"Why not let her take off that heavy coat so the jewelry is visible, sir?" the merchant suggested.
"No need. We're in a bit of a hurry," I replied.
He looked at us in question as we walked away from his stall, Lilith skipped beside me while Himori toyed with her new necklace.
"I've been thinking," I said to Himori breaking her out of her trance.
"Everyone thinks I'm dead,no Justin the little boy who entered the ruins is dead. If we're going to move through the city, we should stick to this 'family' story. It's the best way to blend in."
"You want me to pretend to be your wife?" she asked, her voice hitching.
"Just for now. Until we get to the bottom of this."
"I don't have a problem with it, Justin... or should I say, husband?" she teased.
"Thank you. I know it's a lot to ask."
I looked down at Lilith. "Lilith, for now, I want you to call me 'Father' or 'Dad.' And Himori is 'Mama,' okay?"
"Yes, Master! Dada and Himo-Mama! Lilith got it!"
Himori exploded as she held her cheeks and looked at Lilith who looked her in question"what did you call me" she asked with great joy
"Himo mama "Lilith responded with a smile a smile too cute to resist
Himori went down as she hugged Lilith and moved back and looked at her eyes sparkling"it's so cute what she calls me" she added as she stood up and held her cheeks
"Well I guess so" I respond bewildered of her action
"Well I think it's time we move" I cut my voice through her trance
"Ohhh yea got caught up in the moment let's go" Himori said as she smiled at Lilith and grabbed her hands softly Lilith responded with a smile as they walked together
We continued through the market, receiving congratulations from demons on our "new family," until we reached the gates of a towering, palatial estate.
"Who lives here, Justin?" Himori asked.
"A friend. I hope."
A maid in a crisp uniform appeared at the gate, her blue eyes widening as she saw us.
"Can I help you, sir?"
"Is this the Valerius estate?" I asked.
"Yes, sir."
"Hmmm am close friend of Alana. I need to speak with her," I said, my tone turning serious.
"I am terribly sorry, sir... but Lady Alana is quite ill.and she's bedridden as she can not move"
Ill? My heart sank. Alana was one of the strongest people I knew. If she was bedridden, something was seriously wrong.