"That's.. horrible," remarked Kieri.

"I can't believe this," mouthed Hirishima, distressed.

"That innocent girl didn't deserve this!" angered Subaru.

"It was all my fault, my weak body and unstable emotions led to her death," lamented Tamura.

"Don't blame yourself, blame that heartless asshole," stated Erashi.

"If only my perception of the world was different, things wouldn't have gone this way. It's the way I reacted. That fulfilled the requirements of a perfect vessel." Sighed Tamura.

"What do you mean?" questioned Erashi.

"A few days later that same bearded man came to me and explained more than I could chew. At first, I thought he was talking in riddles just for the fun of it. But in reality he was being quite straightforward," continued Tamura.

"You! How dare you muster up the courage to come face me again!" fumed Tamura as he pulled the ropes on his wrist.

"I gave you a few days to come at peace with yourself but clearly you need more time," the bearded man chatted.

"You really think I will come at peace after what you have done to Hoshiko!" exploded Tamura.

"Relax, it was never personal." The man placed a seat right in front of Tamura and sat down.

"Where is she!?"

"Her body has been buried right next to her father. You and she deserved that at least," the man responded.

"I don't believe you. And even if you did, don't expect my gratitude! She wouldn't be buried right now at all if it weren't for you!" Raged Tamura.

"It's unfortunate such a beautiful young soul had to be sacrificed for rejuvenation. But it will all be worth it I promise you!" the man emphasized.

"What sacrifice? What rejuvenation? I don't understand a word that comes out of your filthy mouth!"

"Ahh yes, you are indeed like a toddler who is still learning to walk. Now listen carefully, I only have time to explain this one time," the man conversed.

"I ain't listening shit from your mouth!"

"You have no means of plugging your ears so you have no choice. Do you know anything about an elite demon's Ijõna Koa?" the man inquired.

"I have never heard such words," Tamura calmed down a bit and replied.

"So I have to explain what that is as well? What a pain. Come on, you at least know that all demons were created by our Lord Xander right?" the man complained.

"Yes, what about it!?"

"He didn't just create the demons, that would have rendered him so weak he wouldn't be able to move let alone fight. So how did he conserve that much strength during the second great war? He created demon cores instead that needed a soul to manifest into transformation. Now there are several classes of cores and one of the strongest ones are called Ijõna Koa. You warriors like to call souls merged with that core as Elite Demons. There are even further divisions of that according to its abilities and the requirements of transfusion. Some examples are Abatu, the demon of strength, Verdin, the demon of redemption and Pruflas, the demon of jubilation," the man explained.

"Why are you telling me all this? Who are you anyways?" questioned Tamura.

"I am a human who is currently holding the Ijõna Koa of Pruflas but since this body is less proficient, I am almost out of time to transfer it to a much more fitting host. That host is none other than you!" the man disclosed.

"Me? A fitting host for a demon core? Why is that? I don't believe you," doubted Tamura.

"In order for the birth of the true Pruflas, there are two requirements. One, a host with high affinity with the core which means a person whose personality and ideals match the demon's. Secondly, certain required emotions have to be harnessed and taken control of at least once. You see, Pruflas requires four emotions, Fear, Sorrow, Regret and Anger, all that you have experienced until now," the man explained.

"I don't get it, so you are saying you purposely made me experience those emotions?"

"Me and my followers made sure you eventually experienced all four of those emotions as soon as possible. So we had set up events accordingly. I was aiming for all four but it seemed that you already had awakened fear and sorrow before the core was passed on to me two years back," the man began.

"What? When?"

"Coming in contact with the previous core holder's memories, I was able to see him taking control of your body when you were still young. You remember that time when your bullies went too far and were about to test different lethal weapons on you? At that time you were too miserable to do anything about it and were genuinely scared for your life. That's when he took control of your fear and killed each one of them," the man disclosed.

"You're wrong! They went missing, not killed. Their bodies were never found lying around there," rejected Tamura.

"That's because Pruflas ate them and sent their blood to the pit."

"What pit?"

"I'm afraid even elite cores aren't allowed much insight on everything but whatever I just said is true," the man spoke with confidence.

"It can't be. Then what about sorrow huh? When did he take control of that?"

"That emotion reached its maximum value when you experienced the loss of your mother, even though you were not there when she died."

"She purposely sent me away to an errand in the marketplace at that time, but I don't remember getting possessed at all," recalled Tamura.

"When I was passed on this core I also came to know that this emotion was already fulfilled as well and was stored deep inside your soul. Unfortunately you joined The Warriors, so I had to devise a plan to get you away from them. I decided to allow possession when you returned from a taxing mission," the man mentioned.

"Don't tell me. The warriors I killed that day was you allowing your stupid demon to take control of my body?" questioned Tamura.

"Yes, with that you and I proceeded to the final plan which was set up here in this very forest and village."

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

"What utter rubbish! How exactly does a core take control of a person!?"

"Whenever a key emotion is triggered to its full extent only then the elite core can tether to the host with high affinity for a single time. This possession is only possible because the soul of that person and the elite demon's core lie exactly parallel. The emotion acts as a diverticulum that allows both to cross," the man explained.

"So it wasn't me! It's was all because of you and that previous bastard, staging all of this from the very start! Even the old man's death, me meeting and falling in love with Hoshiko? Was that all part of your sick plan!?" fumed Tamura.

"Indeed. My followers were the ones who informed the old man to go save your life in the forest before you met him. I also arranged a private meeting with him to tell him about your qualifications. After that, posting that contract of the Alpha Kemono steered everything to exactly the path I desired," the man imparted.

"You posted the contract? That could only mean." Tamura calmed down as a wave of familiarity struck him.

"Yes, I am none other than." The man removed his cloak and revealed himself as the collector who received the trophy from Tamura earlier.

"The collector? So It was you! You spineless Bastard!"

"Calm down, I'm not done. (Didn't expect him to be this shocked. I guess the beard I grew threw him off)," muttered the collector.

"The third emotion of regret was triggered after you were almost devoured by the Alpha Kemono. That time, Pruflas again took control and defeated the beast along with all the other wolves. Finally, the emotion of severe anger was triggered when you witnessed the death of your beloved, Hoshiko."

"How can you talk about that so casually!? You and that bastard demon will not get away with this!" Tamura caterwauled.

"Now since all four emotions have been acquired and embedded deep inside your soul, I can fully transfer Pruflas to you according to his original order! You just need to pour a bit of your blood into mine and drink the mixed fluid in this special chalice while fully having the consent in your mind and heart." The collector picked up a black chalice with cracked edges and a demonic sigil carved on it.

"What makes you think I will agree to that? I'm not stupid enough to merge my soul with some demon's!" denied Tamura.

"We are out of time and I wasn't asking. Comply or else!" The collector raised his voice.

"Never! You hear me! Never!" exploded Tamura.

"I had a feeling you would resist like this. It's only natural. That's why let me ask you this, do you remember Erashi?" The collector closed in Tamura's face and solemnly asked.

"How dare you speak his name from your filthy mouth!" fumed Tamura.

"If you don't agree I will just allow Pruflas to tether with your last emotion and utilise your enhanced body to kill Erashi," the collector threatened.

"You underestimate his strength, a half baked demon doesn't stand a chance against him," stated Tamura.

"The power of a possessed soul drastically increases with each emotion acquired and I have no doubt now it will be enough to kill him."

"What if it's not enough?"

"What if it is? Are you willing to take that chance? Besides, you will be the one confronting him. His hands will loosen up after one long look, being brothers and all."

"Damn it, don't lay a single finger on him!" Tamura raged.

"Let's make a contract then. You agree to lend Pruflas your body and he will promise not to kill Erashi," offered the collector.

"What will keep you or him from breaking your end of the contract?" demurred Tamura.

"Once a contract has been made with a demon if one side breaks it the other will be allowed to completely take over the body for some time and in that time you have the opportunity to kill yourself and ultimately end Pruflas's Ijõna Koa," the collector ensured.

"Is that right? (Damn it! Looks like I have no other choice left to ensure my brother's survival. But I can't have him killing in my body again.) Then I have one other condition," Tamura spoke, solemnly.

"Let's hear it."

"Add in to the contract that he can't kill anyone else either," demanded Tamura.

"That's all? It seems fair to me," the collector agreed without hesitation.

"After that, I followed his instructions and drank the fluid we created with our blood. Once I made the vow and accepted my fate with my heart, blue flames ignited in the chalice which accompanied a burning sensation throughout my gastrointestinal tract. Pruflas was born in my mind and my soul merged with the core of an elite demon. The muscle mass of my body grew significantly as a strange yet intimate aura filled around me. My face was still the same yet my expression and emotions switched to much more heartless and prideful. That whole experience was surprisingly painless," narrated Tamura.

"Finally! I have been resurrected!" Pruflas broke free of the ropes with just the flick of his hands and feet.

"There he is, in all his glory. Now I can rest in peace and meet my family. Or I do hope as such because a sinner like me has no place awaiting him other than hell. Seriously, what have I done? Those children, those warriors and that young girl.... deserved better." The collector's body began to crumble as he witnessed the rise of a powerful being while a ray of regret crossed his mind.

"Don't fret, you did good. The demons are the ultimate race afterall. Now I can go meet up with Abatu and proceed with Xander's plans. But first, let's kill all those in that village to fill my long suppressed bloodlust!" Pruflas had a quick but deep echoing voice that was audible without Tamura's lips moving.

"(Don't forget our contract! Kill a single person and I will take control to end you in a flash!)" Tamura's voice dominated the combined brain.

"Fine, I will not kill anyone until I find a way to fully repress your consciousness. Until then why don't I order others to kill in my stead?" Pruflas moved through the underground prison and exited through a mildly collapsed gate into a familiar forest just near the village.

"(Say what? You can't do that!)"

"Of course I can. You should've been more specific." Pruflas halted in front of dozens of cloaked men and women arranged in rows next to the exit, awaiting orders from the demon.

"The demon was not only stronger than me but also had me beat in wit. He used his followers to kill every single person in the village." Sighed Tamura.

"Who were these people?" questioned Kieri.

"They belonged to a long line of demon worshippers and only increased in numbers because of the influence of the previous vessels. Even though those vessels weren't of high affinity, they still took minor advancements in both their strength and intelligence. That allowed them to gather a small army of deprived people with their fake hope," explained Tamura.

"Wait, if killing was against your contract then why didn't you take control of Pruflas after he ripped a guard's arm off before? The blood loss must've killed that guy!" interjected Subaru.

"I tried to, but there is a certain time delay before I can completely regain control. He knocked you and Hirishima out quickly before I was finished and threatened me that he would kill you two if I didn't stand down," answered Tamura.

"I see, what happened then? How did he become acquainted with the king?" asked Hirishima.

"He joined the king's guard along with his followers immediately afterwards but kept the reason hidden even from me. All I know is that ever since then, most of the old guards were replaced by his ruthless followers while he remained second in command to the king."

"That explains the sudden change in behaviour of the guards," commented Subaru.

"I am sure you can make out the rest of the story. He tried to kill you and it violated our contract. That's how I took back control of my body for this short amount of time." Tamura looked at Erashi and concluded.

"So it was a demon all along. We should've known," cursed Hirishima.

"Forgive me for being so harsh on you. That is pretty messed up how much you had to suffer," apologised Subaru.

"What happened to that poor village, Hoshiko and her father is absolutely dreadful." Disheartened Kieri.

"Screw this world. Compared to him my condition is tolerable, at least I wasn't possessed by a demon or forced to kill," mouthed Xiang.

"It's not all his fault. My weak resolve and emotional state are also to blame," lamented Tamura.

"Don't say that brother. This is all my fault. If I hadn't forced you into joining the warriors this wouldn't have happened. I just wanted you to become stronger and stand up with pride to those who only wanted to hurt you," grieved Erashi. Most of his wounds were tended by bandages and medicinal water used by Kieri during the course of Tamura's narration.

"That's not it! If there is someone to blame it is Pruflas!" After raising his voice, Tamura suddenly coughed up a considerable amount of blood and fell low on the ground.

"Brother!?" concerned Erashi.

"He is trying to take back control! We are out of time! Hurry! You have to end my life now!" stammered Tamura.

"Are you serious?" asked Subaru.

"There must be another way!" said Hirishima.

"After what happened to you, you deserve a better life!" added Kieri.

"I can't, it's my fault you had to live such a miserable life. But I promise you this time I will never doubt you again! So that's why you have to live, by my side!" emphasized Erashi.

"This is the only way of eradicating this demon's core for good! Hurry Erashi, we have no time! If he takes back control now he will be allowed to kill without any restrictions! Then he will be totally unstoppable! Many will die by his, my hand! I don't want that! Please put me to rest!" Tamura hysterically requested.

"After a brief pause, Erashi's expression was brimming with resolve as he lifted his face for a firm response.

"I'll do it."

The three elite warriors, along with Xiang who was listening to the complete story, were shocked by this sudden decision.

End of chapter twenty-two.