-Day 1-

In the mansion of Dharma, a demon kid was lying on the ground completely still. Half a day passed with not even a single soul passing near the cursed mansion, as her eyes slowly opened from her dream-less sleep. She looked around herself while lying face first on the floor, looking around to figure out her surroundings. With a few coughs she finally got the will to sit herself up.

(Demon kid) "I'm... still alive?"

The last thing she remembered was the incredible pain the summoners wrought upon her. Many bad things had happened so far, but nothing quite like this. And yet... Everything felt fine all of a sudden? The humans had seemingly left her alone, with nobody in sight or sound.

(Demon) "Ow, ow, ow."

At least it felt fine, until she felt the stinging pain in her hands and shoulder. She looked down on her hands and found it hard to move her fingers. Someone must have crushed her hands while passed out. It didn't feel permanent and would likely heal over time. Her light magic could accelerate it slightly and make it more comfortable, but the stab wound on her shoulder was more serious.

Without thinking about it for more than a few seconds, the demon kid applied a ray of comforting light from her palms to soothe the pain of her own shoulder. Something must have happened. That was the obvious conclusion she would draw looking around the room. And she quickly noticed how two of the three that had held her captive were dead, one leaving behind quite a gruesome visual impact on a wall.

An incredibly strong being must have saved her somehow. She is lucky to be alive at all and would want to thank whoever helped her.

But...

(Demon) "This feels weird. Am I getting sick?"

Her thought process was entirely different. She wanted to thank someone? Why? What was that feeling she suddenly felt? And she was glad that she was still alive? Survival had felt like a natural course of action, not a privilege. She racked her head but couldn't figure out what to do with those thoughts. Those weren't natural thoughts and had only now come to her for whatever reason.

After soothing the pain to herself, she stood up to leave this accursed building of humans. Her deep red and white striped hair was fluttering by a breeze from the corridor just outside the door. The last thing she would want now was to be captured again.

Carefully, she moved towards where the breeze came from. It had to lead to the outside. She wasn't confident in knowing the proper way out, and a brief look out of the window told her that this was the second floor.

But there wasn't anyone here. It felt like a ghost house. The only trace of human activity were the two dead summoners from where she left. She was sure there was a third one, but maybe he fled from whatever saved her? Or was he the one who saved her?

The door to the outside stood wide open as she moved down the stairs. A large hall, what looked like a human banquet ball similar to the one she had seen when the humans captured her. A large entrance that looked extravagant if anything. Hm? A human banquet hall? She racked her head again on how she knew that. She was positive she had never heard of that word nor seen anything like it previously...

There wasn't much in terms of clothes on her. A rag and some pants, but enough for a demon to live in the outside world. The scales that adorned her hands, face, legs and waist where not just for show. Recently they had changed colors as of her coming of age. When a demon turns 10 years old, the element that they are attuned to changes the skin and scales they have.

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But light colors were a blight upon demon society. If you could even call it a society. The deep red tones she previously bore were now changing to a color similar to the sweet berries she could find in the wild.

Her proud blood colored hair was also being affected. White stripes were all over it, and it hurt her pride to turn into something that couldn't fit in with others. She had many times considered simply ending herself or devoting her life to a human in shame of herself, whether they accept her or not. But the recent events made her rethink this. If there was anyone who would save a worthless being like her, then that being would be worth devoting herself to. A being of overwhelming might was the image in her head, but she couldn't visually think of anything really impressive.

Getting to the outside was easier than she thought. Even a human woman would be able to overwhelm the demon kid, so fortune truly favored her currently. The road outside the entrance would undoubtedly lead straight to a human settlement; the last place she wanted to go right now. She saw smoke very far in the distance and knew it was a sign of human settlements.

The opposite direction lead into a lush forest. But would she really be fine by herself? Nothing in the primitive wilderness would remind her of home. But after a second thought, that was only a good thing. Maybe she would find the being that saved her in this forest. Maybe she would find her end. Either way, better than being subject to the summoner's plan for her.

She hurried getting away from the building she had been held in. Finally free of human and demon hands. But she was hungry. The demon kid was not versed in the basics of survival, so the only thing that came to mind were naturally growing fruit and berries. Were those even common in the wild? Guardian had a tree back home, but it was a burnt one. Nothing like that grows here.

Her magic wouldn't be of help. If only she wasn't cursed with the light. Nature or water magic would let her make food or drink, but the light gave her nothing. Just the luxury of not needing a campfire or light to illuminate the dark.

(Demon) "Oh!"

Berries were hanging from a bush! And they looked mature too! There were not many, and they could be poisonous. But demons were naturally resistant against poisonous food, so it should be okay. Many berries looked edible, and she ate most on the spot.

After wandering aimlessly, it was already starting to get dark. Small puddles of water could be found here and there, and she was compelled to drink it. Demons typically needed to take in a lot of fluids, more so than humans, Guardian had said. And she felt it now that she hadn't had a tear of water for a long time.

No rivers were in sight and the muddied water tasted horrible. If she went in further, maybe she could find a river.

After hours of search, the sun had set. Her light magic was finally of some use, even though she wouldn't want to admit it deep down. Predators would roam now, so she had to find a safe spot.

It was fully dark. the light in her palm illuminated a strong shadow of herself. There were trees everywhere. There was one very large tree that looked cozy and safe.

She had no sheets and the night was cold. The only thing to warm her was the light she could shine from within, creating warmth to sustain herself. The light grew stronger during the night when it was dark, and as such she at least felt comfortable to a degree. The demons she knew weren't good with cold environments, so for once this light would help her.

She was exhausted, hungry and thirsty. If there was nothing to drink tomorrow, she realized she wouldn't hold out long. But her exhaustion eventually got the better of her. After finding a just slightly comfortable spot, she was compelled to eventually just lie down and rest.

...

...

(Draven) «Oi!»

(Demon) "Mhmm..."

(Draven) «Girl! Do you even have ears?»

The sound of... Someone was here.

A human? She perked up immediately and looked around herself fanatically. A small beam of light from the rising sun hit her through the leaves. It had become morning. Nobody was to be seen. But then, who was calling?

(Draven) «Look down!»

The voice felt like it rang from all sides, as if it was in her head. And it was a terrifyingly low and creepy voice as well. Was... this person talking to her? Another look around and nobody was there.

(Draven) «Do you have issues or something?! Just look down already!»

Down? But there was nothing there except earth and... her shadow.

(Demon) "Hu-Huh?!"

Her own shadow was looking at her. Glowing red eyes directed at her. In response she could only gasp at the hellish being looking at her as she backed into the tree she slept under.

(Draven) «You can see me? Finally! Now tell me what the hell is going on here!»