We took to the skies, soaring away from the jagged, reality-warping edges of the Runes toward the emerald canopy of the forest where my home resided.
After a long journey the biting wind whipping against my face and the constant chattering of the others providing a backdrop to my own silence we finally arrived. I basked in the feeling of the "normal" air, thick with the scent of pine and damp demon realm, a stark contrast to the sulfur of the battlefield.
As I floated down to the porch, I moved to give the front door a firm knock, but it swung inward at the lightest touch. I stepped inside, my senses on high alert.
The house was cold. Silent. Empty.
I walked into the living room, dragging a finger across the surface of the wooden table. I looked at the thick layer of grey dust on my fingertip. This place looked like it had been abandoned for years, not weeks.
Where is Alicia?
"Demon?" Yuri's voice cut through the fog of my thoughts.
"Yes," I responded, my voice hollow.
"What's the plan now?" she asked, crossing her arms and leaning against the doorframe.
"Let's just get the job done and get out of here," Akari added, her tone clipped and professional.
How does she know about what I want to do ,of course it makes sense Yuri had already told them what I want to do
"I have to be patient," I replied, turning to face them. "I can't just spark a war this second. I'm low on mana, and it'll take at least a week to recover my full power."
"So, what do we do in the meantime, Justin?" Himori asked, her grey eyes searching mine for direction.
"Follow me."
I led them down into the dim light of the basement. I reached for the concealed lever, my hand hesitating for a fraction of a second.
Just do it.
I threw the lever down. The stone walls roared as they slid apart, revealing a heavy iron gate etched with the snarling visages of demons and the bleached skulls of forgotten monsters.
I held out my hand, and a vibrant purple magic circle flared into existence. The gate groaned open, revealing a swirling blue vortex a gateway between worlds.
"This is a gate to the Human Realm," I shouted over the rising howl of the portal's winds. "Leave now, if you wish."
"I'm grateful you saved my sister," Akari said, her expression softening into something resembling respect. "But are you sure about this choice, demon?"
"I don't want to drag you into my personal vendetta," I replied. "This is my war alone."
"Fine. Liora and I will take our leave." I watched Akari step into the shimmering blue light. Liora lingered for a moment, throwing her arms around me in a sudden, tight hug.
"See you later, my future husband!" she chirped before vanishing into the vortex.
She's all kinds of weird all I did was save her now she wants to marry me?? utterly absurd
I turned back to the remaining two. "And you?"
"I suppose I'll head back as well," Yuri said, looking at her sister. "What about you, Himori?"
"I think I'll stay here," Himori responded, her voice quiet but firm. "I want to study demons further."
I watched the sisters share a final, bracing hug before Yuri stepped through. The gate collapsed into a single point of light and vanished. I looked at Himori, who was surreptitiously wiping a stray tear from her cheek.
"Why stay?" I asked bewildered. "You could have gone back to a normal life."
"Living a normal life is boring," she said, looking around the dusty basement. "I'd much rather be here, learning the truth about demons and you did promise we would go see Kiyomi together."
"Fair enough," I muttered. "Let's head back up. I need to clean this place. I can't live in a tomb."
I made my way up the stairs and sank into the living room couch, a plume of dust rising around me. As I sat there, something caught the glint of the fading light. I leaned forward and picked it up.
It was Alana's ring. She had been here. If this was still here, then what happened to her? I stared at it until Himori's voice snapped me back to reality.
"What a beautiful ring. Is it a gift?" she asked, leaning over the back of the sofa.
"You think so?"
"Yes. I like the soft, ethereal glow of the flower setting," she noted.
I let out a dry, short laugh. "Funny story I was forced to make this. It was almost pathetic watching her try so hard to keep up the fake relationship."
"Must have been fun regardless," she said with a gentle smile. "So, you lived here alone?"
"Yeah. It was peaceful while it lasted,and no I dont live alone Alicia lives with me but as you can see she's not here" I replied.
"Well that must be harsh but the house is dirty it's like it's been empty for years"
"Yes that I noticed but Alicia is strong so I think she's fine she's lord 4th's servant" I added with a chuckle
I looked down on the ring as I turned it around slowly as memories flood my mind and I let out a little laugh
"Do you really love that girl?" she asked, her voice suddenly nervous.
"Not really. I just wanted a quiet life,but she really did ruin it but good came out of it as she was my ticket to the Queen," I responded, my gaze fixed on the ring. "But I still don't have the truth. I don't know why Violet called me her son, or why she was trapped in the Runes." I shook my head, stowing the ring away. "Enough of that."
I shrugged, but a knot was forming in my stomach. Alicia was meticulous; she would never have left the house in this state of disarray.
"Well, let's clean up and then find some answers. Alana might know what happened to Alicia," I said, standing up.
I headed to the kitchen and returned with some supplies. "If you don't want to help, you can wait outside. I'll be out in a bit."
Himori nodded and wandered into the study. She emerged a few moments later with a stack of old books and headed outside to sit under the sprawling shade of the Great Tree.
After an hour of back-breaking cleaning, I stepped out onto the porch. The sun was beginning to dip below the horizon,painting the sky in shades of bruised purple and gold. I found Himori fast asleep under the tree, her books scattered in the grass. I walked over and lightly tapped her shoulder.
"Wake up."
She startled awake, stretching her arms and looking up at me with sleepy eyes.
"Hey, why don't you change into something more comfortable?" I suggested, sitting down in the grass beside her. "That lab coat is a bit oversized for your figure."
"Maybe. But not today," she replied, clutching the fabric. "I like this coat."
"Suit yourself."
We sat in silence for a long time gazing at the horizon,as the shadows lengthened.thd gentle breeze moving thr tree back and forth
"Justin... what drives you to get stronger?" she asked suddenly.
"I just want to restore glory to the demons and clear my father's name," I replied, leaning my head back against the rough bark of the tree.
"I see. So, you aren't even sure of your own path," she noted.
"What do you mean by that?" I asked, looking at her.
"Put it this way: what happens after you restore glory?"
"I haven't thought that far," I admitted. "Maybe just... live a calm life. Start a family. Be there for my kids in a way my father never was for me." I offered a faint, genuine grin.
"I never knew you were capable of such dreams," she whispered, resting her head on my shoulder.
"Believe it or not, I hate this life of constant slaughter. I wish I was back in the Human Realm, just sparring with my big sister." I felt a pang of longing. "I really miss her hugs the most."
"And what about your dreams?" I asked, turning the question back on her.
"When I was a kid, I watched my older sister become a bride, she was so beautiful and elegant. I wanted that a family, a normal life. But I was chosen for the Great War instead. I grew up believing a normal life was impossible for someone like me."
"Well, once this ordeal is finished, we should pursue those dreams," I said, flashing her a wide smile.
Himori's face turned bright red. She pulled back slightly, looking me in the eye. "Wait... do you mean... you and me?"
I blinked, momentarily taken aback. "I didn't mean specifically us. You should marry someone you love. That's how it works, right?"
"Well... who do you love, Justin?" she asked, her voice barely audible.
"At this point, I'm driven by so much hatred that it's hard to find other emotions," I replied, looking back at the darkening forest. "I don't even know who I am anymore. Maybe I'll find love after all this is over."
"When you do fall in love with someone... make sure you tell me, alright?" she said, returning my smile with one of her own.
"Why are you so nice to me?" I asked, my voice dropping back into a cold, curious tone.
"Because I believe every being should be treated the same. Demon or not, we should be able to live in peace," she said, standing up and brushing the grass from her coat. Those words are the same words sister kiyomi always say "Isn't it time for dinner?"
"I totally forgot. I got caught in the moment, but let me"
She interrupted me, grabbing my hand to pull me to my feet.
"How about we make dinner together?" she suggested, her eyes sparkling, her cheeks still tinged with pink.
She seemed so genuinely happy a person who was trained to be a demon-slayer, yet here she was, using my name instead of a slur. I wondered what her true story was.
"What are you waiting for, Justin? Let's go!" she laughed, dragging me toward the house.
As I followed her inside, a strange warmth settled in my chest. I wondered if this was what peace felt like just living, without the weight of the realms or the expectations of others. It was a life I hoped to claim once I took back the throne.
The kitchen was filled with the rhythmic sound of chopping and the savory aroma of spices as we worked in a rare, comfortable silence. For a moment, the blood-soaked memories of the Runes and the looming threat of the Demon Throne felt like a lifetime away.
Himori proved to be surprisingly adept in the kitchen. She moved with a grace that was less like a warrior and more like someone who truly cherished the domestic life she'd been denied. Every so often, I'd catch her humming a soft tune, her light blue hair swaying as she stirred the pot.
"You know," I said, breaking the silence as I set the table, "I never pictured a High Human knowing how to season a stew this well."
She giggled, a light, musical sound. "We aren't all just weapons, Justin. Some of us had lives before the war began."
We sat down to eat, the warm glow of the lanterns casting long shadows against the newly cleaned walls. The meal was simple, but after weeks of eating dry rations and metallic-tasting mana-recovery herbs, it tasted like a feast.