The dark figure took a step out from the shadows to reveal someone that was similarly attired like Damien. A long black cloak covered the entire body while an odd decorated mask hid the face. The only visible feature anyone could see was the shoulder height hair that was deep red. A red so deep it was like it was formed directly by blood. The color gave it a natural bold sheen that took away all of one’s attention.

The figure squatted down to check the vitals of the being before it. Seeing that Damien was still alive caused the figure to become more cautious. It was ready to dispose of Damien without any remorse just to protect its own interest. The figure’s hand assumed a claw form to instantly rip him apart. Right as the blow was coming down, Damien shifted over. This action moved his face garb just enough to show he was just a child. The claw strike just stopped above his innocent looking face and the stranger could no longer continue its action. Instead with their shaking hand, it grabbed the garb and removed it entirely. Damien’s face was in full view along with his practically glowing white hair. Once the stranger saw the hair color, there was an audible gasp followed by a raspy but feminine voice.

“He’s like me? Wait, something is off.”

The stranger proceeded to remove the mask that was hiding a face that could he said to be the epitome of beauty. Every single aspect was perfectly formed as if decreed by the heavens. She would be the desire of every man or woman and cause countless disasters with her looks alone. That is why she covered herself and traveled alone in isolated places like where they were now. She then brought that perfect face of hers down to Damien’s body and started sniffing him up and down. It only took a moment before she became quite confused about what was going on.

“How can he be like me if his hair is still pure? It would make no sense since I smell the blood of the foes that fell before him. He would at least have a tinge of red. Odd, very odd.”

Now that she couldn’t find the answer she was looking for she finally noticed that Damien was in dire straits. His body continued to heat up like a stove and he was radiating heat that started to cause negative effects to the outside world. She now felt obligated to take him in for now since she also was very interested in his origins. She picked him up by his clothes and had him hanging to her side. One moment she stood there and in the next she vanished. There was no blur or sign that would lead one to believe she was even there in the first place.

Damien had a long internal struggle that he could not dictate. Luckily for him, the Flame Core was able to hold off the advances of the lurking parasite within him. By the time he woke up he heard the sound of wood crackling and the smell of smoke. For a moment he couldn’t remember what had happened and why his body was so sore he could hardly move. Nothing felt out of place until he managed to roll over to his side in direct view of the person who took him in. Illuminated by the dancing fire, her attire was given a deeper shade of black. Her hair was straight from a demon’s inferno and the mask did not help her case from Damien’s perspective. All of his alarm bells were ringing incessantly as he tried to get up to escape.

The masked woman watched on in amusement while Damien came to find out he was as immobilized. Damien laid there trying to come up with something he could do but then he made sense of the situation.

‘I ran away from Lias and I must’ve passed out somewhere. This person found me and brought me here. I would be dead right now if that’s what this person wanted.’

Damien relaxed away from his tenseness since he was still alive and there was nothing he could do. The woman watched his struggle from the beginning and was able to surmise what his thoughts were. She stood up and walked over in a menacing way in the eyes of Damien. She crouched down and poked around his body in a strange rhythmic manner. When she poked at the final spot in between his eyes, Damien felt all of his soreness disappear. He was quite apprehensive to make any sudden moves but he didn’t feel danger nor any strength come from the person in front of him. As he was trying to gauge what he should do, he was surprised to hear the sound of the voice that came out.

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“You aren’t a stupid kid. You already figured out if I wanted to kill you then you wouldn’t even be here. I have an interest in you so you are going to answer some of my questions. First of all, what is your name?”

Damien continued to analyze her, believing that she had no strength. His confidence rose as he thought he could easily be the one in control. With a smug face that would irk anyone he replied.

“What if I don’t want to answer your questions?

Right as he spit out his last word, the mood in the air violently changed. A deep and intense bloodlust surged throughout, making Damien almost vomit. Flocks of birds escaped from the nestled homes and the calls of various beasts rang out in submission. Damien could barely keep his eyes open but what he saw made him wish he kept them closed. He saw an illusion of thousands upon thousands of dead behind the masked woman. The dead continued to pop up without end and the earth trembled like it was trying to retreat itself. Everything was like hell and she was the devil herself.

“Do not think I spared you out of pity or that I am some weak wanderer. Your thoughts are easy to read, kid. Now answer my questions and everything will be okay.”

Damien regretted trying to be a smug smartass at this point. He could hardly breathe and he almost couldn’t control his bladder. Seeing that the bloodlust wouldn't disappear without first answering the question, Damien yelled out at the top of his lungs.

“MY NAME IS DAMIEN!”

It took all of his energy to just say a simple sentence but it paid off in the end. The bloodlust vanished without a trace and he was finally able to breathe normally again. As for the masked woman, she was stuck in a contemplative state.

“What is your last name kid?”

This time Damien answered without hesitation.

“I don’t have a last name or as a matter of fact, I don’t know it.”

When the masked woman heard his response she couldn’t help but laugh. She took off her mask which caused Damien to lose all mental functions. He had seen graceful beauty like Nora and irresistible beauty like Izil, but never anything like this. It was a perfection that made someone lose themself. She was all too used to these reactions but most of all she didn’t care about the thoughts of a child.

“I am Aya. I too have no last name. Kid, do you know of the Combat God race?”

Damien meekly nodded his head as he remembered something about an ancient race that dominated others. Sadly, there were too few of them and eventually died out from being hunted down.

“All I know is that they were a race that were born with perfect bodies and used them for close combat. Besides that, they should be extinct.”

Aya spat out in disgust from Damien’s answer.

“Forget about it, you know nothing about the Combat God race. What do you know about your parents? Did they have hair like you or me?”

“I don’t know. I never met my parents or know much about them.”

“Shame.”

An awkward silence came about as they both mulled over the conversation. Damien was saddened by the mentioning of his parents but it was something he had been conscious about. Instead he was thinking more about why she brought up the Combat God race.

‘Is she one of them or suspects me of being one? I should ask her. It doesn’t matter what I do anyway, she can easily take me down.’

“Are you asking because you're from that legendary race and you believe I am as well?”

Aya snorted in response as she did not care to hide any information.

“Well I did say you weren’t stupid kid. That’s right, I am from the Combat God race and you have characteristics that make me believe you are too. At least partially, so if you don’t turn up, then I might have to silence you.”

Damien didn’t even register the threat at the end since he was still reeling from meeting a legendary being. It was just like when he met Yuki's father. Even though he expected what the answer was, it was still too surprising for him. After his quick awe vanished, he finally realized what was said to him and his smile quickly faded.

“I'm just a child but I can keep a secret, I promise! So don’t be disappointed when I don’t turn out.”

Damien pleaded with watery eyes that somehow seemed to work out in the end. Aya softened up her stance when she saw those eyes.

“That’s right, I can just keep you close. That way you can’t do anything behind my back.”