The sunset slowly dissolved into night, and the night breeze reminded Ain of a different time, and a different place. And although the stars were strewn across the night sky, tangled in nebulae and strange, Exo-Plane-like colorful swirls, he could not bear to look at them. He knew the blessings of the stellar dynamos of power far too well. As a being that internalized their Principles, he knew better than anyone that beyond the beauty of the stellar manifestations, and the majesty and awe they inspired, at the core was just loneliness.

Although he did not think about it often, or let it affect his decisions, Ain was lonely. When he reached the pinnacle, in another life, he did so for his friends; for his loved ones; for his race. Scattered in the world, all the innocents and all those that suffered were hoping for a savior, and Ain -- Ain the Conqueror -- wanted to become their savior -- Ain the Savior. But that was the crux of the irony.

When he reached the pinnacle, who could stand at his side? Who could look at the blazing splendor of his form and not become blind?

The stars were a source of his power, but also the source of his ultimate loneliness. And it was not just an emotional thing. His loneliness was woven into his Fate now. His fable was that of a lonely wanderer, and if he ever chose to defy its script, the world would arrange itself to prevent it -- this was the doing of the Logos and the Radix.

A soft knock on the door tore Ain from his thoughts, and he glanced at the door. The warrior in him briefly usurped his control, and it took no small amount of willpower to tame his reflexive action -- releasing his breath and preparing for combat.

It was not a simple matter to surprise Ain -- not at all -- but in this instance, he did not sense a presence approach the door before the knock. He blamed his own lack of attention, focused, and indeed could feel the lifeforce of a creature standing there.

Perhaps it was his imagination, then? Or perhaps the individual at the door dropped his stealth technique. If it was the latter, they must've been an amazing practitioner of the secret arts.

"Enter," Ain called out.

The door opened, revealing a young man with black hair and dark red eyes. At first, Ain thought the individual was a demon, because of his eyes, but he could sense no such influence in the man's spirit.

It was not strange for humans to have unusual eye colors; things like these often appeared due to practicing certain Methods, or forging the body in certain ways.

He seemed to be the same age as Ain, and his good looks and handsome appearance made it clear to Ain that he was practicing a Method, or less likely have been blessed with such an appearance naturally. Generally, those that practiced Methods most often obtained flawless skin, facial features, and build, and this man was no different.

"Lord Ain," he spoke, "I am to change your bandages and obey your will. May I enter?"

Ain had almost forgotten the shape he was in. In fact, being reminded of it brought a tracery of pain to course through his body. It wasn't the damage to his body that caused him pain -- he could hardly feel such a thing anymore -- it was his Circuits that were the cause. While they were connected to Excidium it felt as if the left side of his body was on fire, and the right side was submerged in ice. It was pure agony, but his face showed none of it. He was stoic to the end.

Stolen novel; please report.

"A glass of water, then, if you don't mind," Ain said, the usual politeness prevalent in his tone.

The man nodded and moved towards the table in the room, pouring a glass of water from the pitcher. "Are you the Lord Ain?" he asked.

"Depends on what you mean by that," Ain said, looking away from the man. He no longer considered the man to be a threat. What happened with his internal senses must've been a result of his Circuits, or his distraction.

"Ain the Traitor." The man handed the glass to Ain and smiled. "That Lord Ain?"

Ain held the glass in his left hand for a long time, not speaking a word. The water's icy coldness spread through his burning veins and Circuits, but it made no positive difference. If anything, his hand was going number from the cold, while still feeling as if it was on fire.

"I suppose you are correct. I am that Lord Ain," he said, taking a sip and putting the glass away.

The man's smile remained in place, despite confirming his suspicions. "Why did you leave the Human Realm? Weren't you supposed to be the hero of the Human Realm?"

Ain narrowed his eyes at the latter question. "Why must the two be exclusive? Perhaps to be the hero, I had to leave."

The man straightened up and chuckled. "Perhaps so, but you haven't killed the Calamity Lord, or done anything in the Demon Realm that benefited Humanity. Instead you left during the succession wars. It was the will of Humanity that you take the throne and lead them into the future."

"To usurp the throne would've been the true act of treason," Ain said. "I have no desire to lead, and even if I did, there are none who can come on the path I walk."

"None? What about your companions?" the man asked as he reached forward with his hand to grasp Ain's bandage, starting at his shoulder.

"My role is that of a guide, not a leader," Ain said.

"Then by that logic, you could've been the guide of Hu--"

"Enough," Ain said, interrupting the man.

The man nodded, undoing Ain's bandages in silence. He didn't stop smiling, despite Ain's rebuking tone. He didn't seem afraid of Ain either, as would've been natural for Demons.

The will of Humanity...

Ain thought about the events that preceded his arrival to the Demon Realm. The thought of being thrust into war again disgusted him, and against his own kind, no less. It was wrong. Ain knew that coexistence, not just with each other, but with other races, was possible. It happened before. Until the Great Realm War.

The will of Humanity ruined that coexistence. The fight for the Edict brought the era of prosperity to an end.

"It seems like you don't need bandages anymore," the man said, looking at Ain. "I can't see any internal damage or mana reversion. Your organs also appear to be fine." A blue flame burned in his eyes as he spoke the words. "Your Circuits will need some time to adjust though."

Ain, in all his years, had never seen a blue flame inside someone's eye. This was a significant point because all Methods could be said to be derived from some type of original, and Ain had seen so many Methods that it could be said that he could recognize any Method in existence by its original's second or third generation derivative.

In terms of strange physical effects, Ain had seen practitioner's eyes embody swords, pupils become stars, and all sorts of manifestations - but a blue flame was completely alien to him.

That is when Ain realized something important that has been gnawing on the back of his consciousness for a while now.

There was something familiar about the man. Something Ain encountered in his previous life.

"Who are you?" Ain asked.

The man thought about it for a moment. "Aster Ren," he said. "Anyway, the Queen would like to meet you when you are ready."

Ain tilted his head. "The Queen is here?"

Aster nodded. "Indeed. She is looking forward to seeing you again."