*Years later, in a grand hall of the demon palace, Ares stands tall and proud beside Siara, their three children gathered around them. Redemption, now six, towers over his younger siblings, his red hair gleaming in the torchlight. Mercy clings to Siara's skirts, his blue eyes wide and uncertain. Conviction, despite her youth and taking after Siara's holy appearance, holds herself with the poise of a queen, her gaze sharp and assessing.*
"Are you sure Reed that we should be sneaking out without Fathers approval?" Little Mercy said with a worrying tone as he held his older brother's sleeve.
"Of course Meer! We've already ventured every single corner of Dad's dusty musky palace that even the rats moved out from the dungeon Dad let us play in.." Redemption said as he reassured his little brother with a cheesy trademark smile.
"Your lying Reed, and you know Daddy doesn't let us out of the Palace walls is because it's dangerous.." Little Convection said with a flat tone not impressed by her older brothers reckless decision.
"Oh hush Vicky! This is why I told you to not follow us because your going to get us caught-" Redemption said before he bumped into someone as he looked up to see a kid who clearly was up to no good.
*A group of rough-looking demon youths, perhaps a year or two older than Redemption, saunter into view. Their leader, a lanky boy with a sneer twisting his features, fixes the trio with a mocking grin.*
*"Strays," he repeats, his voice dripping with derision.*
Redemption shielded Mercy behind him as he tried walking around the group of three but one of them blocked their path as the other grabbed Comviction, who she glared at the kids who only laughed.
"Well well well, look at what we have here? Fiesty aren't we?" One of the three boys said as he pulled on Convection's arm but she stepped on his foot making him cry out and letting her go as she took Redemptions side
"Mind your manners pathetic weaklings.." Redemption shushed his sister but it was too late as the trio of demon boys glared at them
"Weaklings? How cute? The strays think we are weak- we ought to show them in there place then." The lanky leader said as he grabbed Mercy from Redemption as the other grabbed Conviction more securely leaving Redemption to yell at them next.
"Leave us alone! We are just passing by!" He said before he was pushed to the ground by the last one as he laughed at Redemption
"Or what? Your gonna cry? Please- your nothing! You don't even have parents you disgusting runts!" He kicked Redemption in the gut as Mercy and Comviction coiled and thrashed in the others arms
"Leave him alone! Please!" Mercy cried out, as Comviction snarled "We do have parents you dumbasses!"
Finally the kid who was kicking Redemption stopped as he turned to Conviction. "Is that so? Then tell me who are they? And where are they?"
Conviction held her chin high then as she said next "We have parents who will not take kindly to this behavior. As for where they are… that's none of your business."
The lanky demon's sneer twisted into something darker as he loomed over Conviction. "Oh, a little sprite I see… let's see if that mouth of yours stays that cocky after what I'm going to do to you." His hand shot forward, grabbing at her shirt.
Conviction didn't flinch. Her eyes, sharp and unwavering, met his. "I warned you," she said, her voice cold as ice.
Something inside Redemption snapped. His stomach churned, bile rising, his face turning pale. The disgust, the rage, the fear of his sister being violated—it all hit at once. Ignoring the pain from his injuries, he pushed himself up.
"Leave her alone!" he roared, and before the bully could react, Redemption's fist connected with a killer hook. The boy crumpled, unconscious, before he even hit the ground.
The other two demon kids froze, eyes wide. "M-Mom!" one screamed, the other followed, and both scattered, leaving Mercy and Conviction trembling but safe.
Redemption staggered, chest heaving, unsure why the others fled. He crouched beside Conviction. "Are you okay?" he asked, voice hoarse.
Softly, Mercy pointed to his hand. "Reed… your hand…"
Redemption looked. Blue flames danced along his knuckles, flickering and then vanishing. "Woah…" he whispered, stunned.