Shien begins his story…

"Thousands of years ago, this world was ruled by two supreme races: the Demons and the Angels. The Demons, ancient and powerful, held dominion over the forests and creatures, maintaining the delicate balance of 'Aether Lumirith' across the land. They saw themselves as guardians of nature, working tirelessly to sustain life for all beings. The Angels, luminous and wise, took responsibility for humanity, nurturing the harmony of 'Celest Lumirith,' the light that connected humans to the divine essence.

In those ancient times, humans and forest creatures rarely fought without cause. Battles arose only when food was scarce; however, these conflicts remained rare, as the forests yielded a plentiful bounty, shared freely by the Demons to preserve peace.

This fragile harmony lasted for centuries. However, as humans grew more ambitious and curious, they sought leaders who could guide them to a greater understanding of the world. They turned to the Angels, admiring their wisdom and purity. Yet, the Angels declined, insisting they were not meant to control humanity but only to protect and guide them. Instead, they suggested the Elves—beings of celestial origin, born from the Angels’ own essence and shaped by their light. In this way, the Angels believed the Elves would share their values and serve humanity faithfully.

The humans accepted, and the Elves took their place as rulers. However, the Elves were not immune to mortal desires. Unlike the Angels, they were bound by both divine and earthly nature, carrying a blend of purity and ambition. As time passed, the Elves began to yearn for more power and wealth, traits that mirrored the very humans they ruled. Driven by pride and rivalry, they divided their rule into four grand kingdoms: Ironvale, Lunaria, Shinsei, and Kazehana.

Each kingdom bore a unique identity and allegiance, influenced by the regions they governed. Ironvale, known for its might and resource-rich lands, valued strength above all. Lunaria, a kingdom shrouded in mysticism, held secrets and sorcery. Shinsei, the kingdom of scholars, prized knowledge and wisdom, while Kazehana, blessed by the wind and vast fields, sought freedom and independence. Thus, the Elves became less like Angels and more like men, bound to the desires that eroded the peace they once promised.

As years passed, the Angels and we Demons began to sense something—an unsettling disturbance in the fabric of nature itself. The world was calm and peaceful, but a shadow grew beneath it, like the silence before a storm."

He pauses, looking into the distance as if remembering. "There was an eerie stillness that seemed to grip the land. Birds veered in strange patterns, animals grew tense and watchful, and even the Aether Lumirith felt… wrong, like a thread stretched too thin.”

A shudder crosses his expression. "Then came the news: an entire village of goblins was killed in Ironvale. It surprised us because goblins, though humble, are peaceful creatures. They use Aether Lumirith to survive, to grow, and to keep balance. They don't attack anyone without reason."

The story grows darker as Shien continues. "Our scouts went to see what happened, and what we found shocked us. The goblins hadn’t tried to escape whatever attacked them. Their bodies lay frozen, almost as if something had drained their spirit before they had the chance to run.

"As we examined them, we found no sword marks, no claws—nothing that could explain their wounds. But then, on the backs of most goblins' necks, we discovered strange, spider-like creatures latched onto their skin. Small and black, with legs as thin as strands of hair yet sharp as needles. They had no trace of Aether Lumirith, nor any other energy we could recognize. It was as though they came from another realm entirely.” Shien’s voice grows distant as he recalls the sight. "We could only assume they had died from the venom of these creatures.”

He falls silent for a moment, gathering his thoughts. His gaze sharpens. "But that wasn’t the end of it. A few months later, out of nowhere, humans in Ironvale began fighting among themselves. Civil war erupted as if some dark seed had sprouted in their hearts. They declared they no longer needed guidance from Angels or Elves. In just days, they stormed the Ironvale palace and seized the crown themselves.

"Elves who escaped the carnage fled into the forests, seeking refuge among us. Soon, humans in the other kingdoms rose in their own rebellions, each declaring independence from the Angels and Elves, rejecting our help. It was as if the land itself had poisoned their minds.”

Shien’s eyes grow grim. "We Demons knew the balance had shattered. Fearing what might come, we fortified our territory, making the heart of the forest—situated at the crossroads of the four kingdoms—treacherous to any outsider. We urged the Angels to seek safety within our borders, but they refused. They believed, even if humans rejected them, they were still bound to help."

With a deep breath, Shien’s gaze meets Haruto’s, his voice heavy with sorrow. “That day, something fundamental in our world shifted. We, the keepers of balance, could only watch as harmony slipped further and further from our grasp. Soon after, the kings of the four kingdoms declared open war on Demons and Angels alike. At first, we almost laughed. How could mere humans hope to kill a supreme being? But then… we received unthinkable news: humans had slain an Angel. The shock rippled through us. How had humans gained such strength?”

Shien’s expression darkens. "Years passed, and war reached the edge of our territory. We fought to protect everyone who sought refuge in the forests, but it was no use. We soon discovered their terrible advantage: special weapons that emitted a strange, unnatural power—power that could wound us. One of them was your own Reikizuna.”

I freeze, the name ringing like a curse in my ears. Reikizuna… my Reikizuna was once used to kill Angels and Demons.

“We tried as hard as we could to hold them off, but their forces kept breaching through. I watched my kin fall before me, one by one. It was then I knew I had no choice. I unleashed my Hellfire beyond its limits. The flames consumed waves of soldiers, leaving nothing but charred remains. Then, weakened from that effort, I fled, hiding away in that cave we battled in. I believed others of my kind might have survived, might have escaped the slaughter. But now…” He trails off, a faint tremor in his voice, “now I believe I am the last Demon in this world.”

A heavy silence hangs in the air, and Shien’s glance meets mine with a gravity I cannot ignore. “And now, from that day forward, humans still hunt ‘monsters’ without reason. What became of the Angels, I don’t know. But if I am truly the last, and I were to die…” He pauses, his gaze like steel, “this world may very well turn upside down.”

Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

His words sink in, weighing on my mind and heart. What have I done? The thought is like a blade twisting in my chest. What if Shien had truly died in that cave? What would become of that village… of Emiko? My mind races with guilt and resolve, each thought sharper than the last.

I look at Shien, determination hardening within me. I have to help him. After all,… I am responsible for what happened.

"Shien," I murmur, still feeling the weight of his story in my heart. “I finally understand the consequences of what I’ve done. If something terrible happens to this world because of my actions, it’s on me. So, Shien… you might laugh at me for saying this, but…” I stand up, clenching my fists. “Let me help you. There must be something I can do to make things right.”

Shien’s gaze softens, a faint smile touching his lips. “Alright, Haruto. I don’t know what lies ahead, but first, you’ll need to recover your strength. You’ll need to train your body to handle Lumirith—especially Aether Lumirith—since my abilities rely on it, and using them will require more than just willpower.”

“Thank you, Shien! I’ll do my best,” I say, bowing deeply, hoping he senses my gratitude.

When I sit back down, a lingering thought pulls at me. “Shien, there’s something that doesn’t add up in your story,” I say, my brow furrowing. “You mentioned the civil war in Ironvale started just after the goblin massacre. Doesn’t that seem… strange? If humans lived with Angels and Elves for so long, what suddenly made them want to break away? There are parts of this story that don’t make sense.”

Shien’s face darkens slightly, a hint of frustration there. “I agree. There are pieces that don’t fit. But even if I could figure it out, what then? What difference could I make after all that’s happened?” he asks, his voice carrying a note of defeat.

“We’ll find those answers, Shien. Together, we’ll uncover what’s behind all of this—this war, these massacres… everything. I’ll help you keep Lumirith in balance,” I say, letting hope and resolve color my words.

Shien nods slowly, his eyes narrowing in thought. “Very well, I’ll trust in this journey. But know this: your path ahead will be fraught with danger. Your choice to help me might invite darkness into your life—a darkness that could swallow you whole. Are you prepared for that?”

A shiver runs down my spine, but I steel myself. “I have to be prepared. It’s my responsibility now.”

“Then let’s begin your training. Once you wake up from this state, you’ll learn to harness the Aether Lumirith within me,” Shien’s voice echoes in my mind, calm and unwavering.

A strange sensation washes over me. I look down, watching as my body seems to fade away. Startled, I glance at Shien, but he remains calm, as if this is expected.

“Don’t worry!” he reassures me, his voice steady. “Your regeneration is complete, Haruto. Now, your soul is establishing itself fully within your body. And by the way,” he adds, his voice almost playful, “you can communicate with me through your thoughts from now on.”

As his figure fades from view, my awareness sharpens. A cold sensation presses against my back, and I slowly regain feeling in my limbs. Realizing I’m lying down, I open my eyes, expecting to see the familiar forest. Instead, I find myself in a small, dimly lit cave. I’m lying on a smooth, flat rock that feels almost like a bed, and the walls are adorned with strange, luminous crystals casting a soft glow.

Slowly, I push myself up, taking in the surroundings. The crystals, unlike any I’ve seen, emit an otherworldly light that makes the cave feel almost… welcoming.

Just then, I hear a faint scraping sound coming from the entrance. It’s a sharp noise, like claws tapping against stone. As the light from the crystals illuminates the entrance, I see them—a pack of wolves led by a massive, imposing figure.

The lead wolf, nearly as large as the wolf king I had once defeated, approaches with a steady, unhurried stride. Its eyes glow with an intelligence that surprises me, and there’s a calmness in its expression, free of any hostility. When it stops in front of me, it bows low, lowering its head in a gesture of respect.

I stare, perplexed, until my gaze catches on a yellow crescent-shaped crystal embedded in its forehead—a symbol of its rank. It’s the new wolf king.

“You… you’re the same wolf I met in the forest, aren’t you?” I ask, a hint of uncertainty creeping into my voice.

The wolf’s response is immediate, and, to my surprise, articulate. “Yes, my lord, I am that wolf. Now, I am the leader of the pack.”

His words are respectful, his posture submissive. “How was your rest, my lord? I hope you were comfortable.”

The formality in his voice unsettles me, reminding me too much of the villagers back home—the way they used to look at me as if I were something far above them. But I’m not… not even close.

A pang of guilt tugs at me as I remember the fallen wolf king. I take a breath, meeting the wolf’s gaze. “You’re a leader,” I say firmly, “you don’t need to bow to me. And please, stop calling me ‘my lord.’ I’m not used to it. Just call me Haruto.”

The wolf king seems to hesitate, glancing at me with a slight tilt of his head, his glowing eyes reflecting understanding.

“And… the blood of your previous leader is still on my hands,” I add, feeling a shadow of regret pass over me. “I don’t deserve to be bowed to.”

“I see…” the wolf king nods solemnly. “But as I said in the forest, Lord Shien never grants an ordinary human permission to use his powers—not even if he were left with no other choice. You know how vital Lord Shien is to this world,” he says, glancing down respectfully.

“So, as long as you continue Lord Shien’s work, we owe you our respect, Lord Haruto!” he declares, bowing his head once more.

“Oh! I nearly forgot, Lord Haruto,” he adds, lifting his head slightly. “We brought some food for you. You must be starving after nearly five days of rest!”

“Five days!?” My voice practically echoes through the cave. "But… but it felt like only a few hours with Shien!"

“Yes,” the wolf king confirms, his tone matter-of-fact. “From the moment you named me the new leader, you’ve been asleep.”

I point to a corner of the cave. “Alright, put the meat over there.” A few wolves step forward, dropping bundles of raw meat at the spot I indicated. I stare at the piles, trying not to let disappointment show—of course, they’re raw.

With little choice, I call out in my mind, “Shien! Can you hear me?”

“Yes, Haruto. What’s the issue?” Shien responds, and I sense a hint of amusement in his voice.

“Can you make a fire on the ground for me?” I pause, swallowing my pride. “Please. I can’t eat raw meat!”

Shien’s laughter fills my mind, each echo ringing with smugness. “You want me, a demon, to make a fire… just to cook meat?”

His mockery is thick, but I have no other options. I clench my jaw, swallowing my irritation. “Yes, I do.”

“Fine, fine, I’ll help. Draw a square with your finger on the ground where you want the fire to stay. Place your hand in the center, and I’ll handle the rest. But remember,” he warns, “my black flames are far stronger than any ordinary fire. If you don’t time it right, your food might end up as ashes.”

I follow his instructions, drawing a square on the ground and pressing my hand at its center. Almost immediately, small black flames rise from the earth. I work carefully, roasting the meat bit by bit, though I burn more pieces than I’d like. But hunger has me eating them anyway, barely noticing the taste.

Once I’m done, I decide to step outside the cave, needing to stretch my legs. The sight before me takes me by surprise. This cave is like a massive den, almost a village in itself. The main chamber is vast, with smaller caves lining the walls, each a personal den for a different wolf. Wolves are scattered around, going about their daily lives—some sleeping, others playing or watching over their young.

Cubs dart around, tumbling and chasing each other, occasionally pausing to glance at me with innocent curiosity. The older wolves, likely guards, sit at various points near the cave’s entrance, their eyes sharp and vigilant.

Soft light fills the space, emitted by the strange crystals that line the walls. They cast a calming glow over everything, creating an almost serene atmosphere, even amidst the activity. It's an organized, lively place—like a Wolf Village.

“Guess I’m living with wolves now,” I murmur to myself, a reluctant smile creeping onto my face.