INTRODUCTION

In the beginning is how most solemn tales like to start but here there are no beginnings, no remorse, and no happiness, only endings and tales of slaughter, no one is safe. We all would like to say that a happy ending is how most stories should end but most of us don’t like to see the other side of the spectrum. With this story I plan to accomplish a sad understanding of a true reality. Insert yourself as if you were any of the Main characters and understand how they must feel going through this horrible, shitty life.

Chapter 1

Silence Among a Brewing Storm

Kaito was a young boy with long, dirty, light brown almost orange hair and two different colored eyes; one bright orange, and the other a brilliant blue. He had a strong stature and wore it well. He was around the age of 9 when he stopped being so clumsy and more or less matured into a very diligent and respectful child. However, many of the other kids in this village didn’t exactly get along well with Kaito, they believed due to his “royal charisma” he was unfit to be around. Not only that, he was born a hybrid to a human and a demon, born with horns and a tail, he only had the figure and soft facial features of his late father. His mother Vermeil was a nice lady who wore black quite often and expelled this depressing aura wherever she went. She was tall, with two long black horns on her head, with dark black hair that hung just beyond her shoulders. She was strong, and anyone could see that just by glancing at her but beyond that she was beautiful. “Kaito dear,” she said in a soft, low voice, “you must finish your training and come sit and eat lunch.” The training she was referring to was Kaito’s sword training sessions he did everyday. His dream was to make it as a royal soldier in the Kohesian Military. “I’ll be done in just a few minutes, mother,” he replied.

He dropped the wooden sword he was swinging around, his hands covered in bruises and scratch marks from where the wooden sword would scrape him. Kaito sat and they ate, quietly and in the serenity they felt warm. It hasn’t been a long time since his father passed but he really never met the true him. He was too young to have even a real conversation with his father, not to mention he was never home due to him being a traveler. Late into the afternoon, Kaito by himself goes to explore the Abrovian woods like he has done many nights before. As he travels through the thick forest covered with tall spruce trees and many exotic plants that normally don’t grow anywhere else, he goes to his usual safe haven. He calls it the “concave” as its the

only area in the entire forest where there is absolutely nothing but grass and flowers, bright blue and orange flowers that match the color of his eyes. He sits and watches as the stars pass in the sky and he listens to the surrounding sounds though not much can be heard other than a few grasshoppers and crickets. Kaito says out loud “When the nights of earthia rise the seconds tick upon the clock, no matter where you are, you are guided under my watch.” His mother used to say this to him every night before she tucked him in bed. It made him feel safe and comforted like someone was always by his shoulder. Suddenly he heard a crackle and then he saw flames. The village he has lived in all his life is bright as if it was

on fire, he was confused at first, he thought “maybe they are making a bonfire?” But it couldn’t be, the flames were too widespread. So he ran fast, faster than he had ever run before. He almost fell a couple of times running over branches and past

tree by tree, and he saw it, the village up in flames. He scurried around to find his mother but no matter how hard he looked around the village's safe areas he couldn’t find her, so he went back to the one place where he knew she could be, … Home.

He ran inside to find something that almost made him gouge his eyes out. The village chief, a former soldier of the Kohesian military, killed his mother. She had a giant stake running through her chest and blood pouring everywhere.

“…mom……” he said with tears falling from his eyes. “Oh my dear son Kaito….. Please live on… for me…” she said as her final words before her head slumped and she no longer drew breath. “I swear I’ll kill all you retched humans,… we lived in peace and

did no harm to you but you repay us with deceit and spite,” He screamed out. The village chief gave a cold stare and responded, “unless you know what's good for you, shut your mouth boy, less you want a stake through you too.”. As soon as he killed his mother he was gone, he left silently as if nothing had ever happened. Kaito sat there by his mothers side, lost and deep in anger and rage. He sat in his own mothers blood, tears running down his brittle face and holding his wooden sword close “kill,… revenge, death….”“You should kill them all, I can give you power,” a mysterious voice says to Kaito. “But

at what cost, would it even give me satisfaction for the murder of my mother?” He replies insistently. “The cost is your eye, you will have sight but no longer see color, only souls of the wretched through this eye.” “Your family has already paid the debt

that once was” the mysterious voice gives a little sinister laugh at his statement. “Take my eye then, I want my REVENGE.” “We have a deal then,” the voice dissipates into nothingness. He whispers to himself , having a grin shed with tears on his face.

“Just as you have done to us, I swear on the death of my mother I shall do upon you, …shi eien ni.”

Throughout the night Kaito spent his time roaming through the Abrovian woods till he reached the “concave.” No place ever made him feel more safe, and more sane than the concave. It was tranquil and even calming to the point where he fell into slumber. And as the day broke, he awoke into a frenzy. His vision in his right eye was fading and all he could see was darkness. This was the price for power and he had paid it. “I must get stronger, humans aren’t deserving of life, they all deserve to perish for their sins.” Kaito stated loudly, with his fist clenched over his heart. From now on he would have to train like no other before, and become the strongest for none would be able to rival him. He ripped bits and pieces of his already torn shirt, wrapped it around his fists, and grabbed the hard wooden sword he always kept on him, and swung. He struck tree after tree, sweat raining down and blood from cuts on his hands and arms. He repeated this day by day and even into the nights till he could no longer hold a sword for his hands became too sore. This cycle repeated for 7 continuous, dreadful months, through winter far into the late summer.

Thud…the sound of a sword hitting the ground as Kaito gasps for relief after his intense training. His hands, covered in bruises and scratches, and the same for his arms. His face almost war torn and exasperated as he lay on the ground tired and exhausted. “I’ve trained and trained but I feel no stronger than I was before,” he says out of breath. As he is laying in the field of orange and blue flowers he hears a crumple and then a snap as branches and grass are being stepped on nearby. The sound is coming closer and closer, as he rises to a sitting position to see who the unexpected visitor may be. They are wearing a cloak covering their body from head to foot, and have a long sheath of sorts wrapped on their hip. They encroach closer and closer to him, with each step they take stepping on branches and leaves, fallen from the large spruce trees. “Kaito,” the mysterious person in the cloak says,”I know I’ve been gone awhile, but come with me… there is a place I must take you.” “Why would I follow you if I don’t even know who you are?” he states with a serious expression. The mysterious person reaches to take off the cloak, slowly, as to not alert Kaito of any bad intentions or ill will. As the mysterious person takes off the cloak they reveal themselves to be a young, tall, malnourished, beautiful woman with long red-orange hair that hangs to her shoulders and deep scarlet red eyes. As it turns out, she happens to be his sister, a half-demon just like him, however at a young age she was considered a prodigy, sent out to study abroad. “Why are you here Konya??”Kaito said, shocked and puzzled.

“I already know what happened in the village, we must leave quickly though, they are searching for you…” “Who, …who is searching for me and why?” Konya grabbed his arm and dragged him quickly through the dense forest away from the concave. Running past each tree, stepping on branches and leaves, they could hear the shouts of villagers and soldiers behind them. “Where are they!!? They had to be here!??” They kept running, not looking back, stumbling over their feet a couple of times, till eventually they made it out the Abrovian woods and into the plains. The plains are considered a hazardous area to anyone without magic or some sort of power to help them fight off the dangerous creatures and the dreadful environment. “Just close your eyes and hold on to my hand tight Kaito,” Konya said in a calm tone. They kept running until they reached a small cave entrance close by to the Abrovian woods, a small cave just at the end of the long stretch of trees. The pair enter the cave, finding a place to rest from their pursuers. Kaito, utterly dumbfounded and in a quiet voice asks “Why are you here? Aren’t you supposed to be at the capital studying alchemy?” As a young girl Konya was always fascinated by the alchemists who used to pass by and help the village. She found their craft enchanting and mesmerizing. She enjoyed the wonderful color of the potions, and the interesting materials used in their creation. “I’ve come back because of a promise I made to our father. When you turned 10 years of age I was meant to come back and take you to the capital for training,” Konya replied. “How did you know mother was dead? Why was I being pursued??” He kept asking question after question needing an answer to let him understand the current situation. “Kaito, maybe you’ll understand one day but for now focus on your training. Remember what you are training for.” He shook his head in disappointment for the lack of an answer she gave him. They were being pursued for so long that night started to fall. Their pursuers had left them, as they were scared of venturing further than the Abrovian wood’s protection could offer. “There are white orbs floating all around us Konya, what are they?” Kaito asked, concerned for his safety. “So you can finally see them, these are the souls visible through your cursed eye, when push comes to shove they will provide you with aid on the condition you let them move on from their accursed states.” This is a method known explicitly to demon kind, called Envorthia. It's the process of extraction originated from a whim of the demon lord Averbius. In return for the unrivaled power you must sacrifice a body part and the power will adapt accordingly. Kaito sat against the cold cave wall, his gaze fixated on the glowing white orbs floating around the cave. The souls flickered like passing embers, casting an eerie glow over the cave walls that gave off a ghostly presence. Konya’s eyes were hard focused on him, watching him closely, as a bird would do to its children. “Konya…” he began, his voice low and trembling. “Why? Why do they hate us so much? We did nothing but live our lives peacefully, respectfully abiding by their laws, yet they took everything away from me.” Konya walked from the other side of the cave towards Kaito and knelt down beside him, her scarlet eyes softening. “Hatred is a poison, Kaito… They perceive us as monsters, creatures needing to be purged from existence. Even if we try to live our lives in peace among them, fear and ignorance come to get the better of these feeble minded humans.” Kaito’s grip on his sword tightened, anger and despair churning within him. “They all deserve no more than death… they killed my mother, they took away my home…our home” Tears streamed down from his eyes to his cheeks as he reminisced the tragic events of what had occurred 7 months ago. “Get some rest Kaito, tomorrow we will travel to the capital to get you registered as a knight, but I also need to teach you concealing magic to hide those horns of your’s.” She walks further into the cave, into the darkness to go find a place to rest and also to give Kaito some space to process everything he just heard. They slept the night away in the cold, dark, cave, away from any civilization. As dawn broke, the cool morning light filtered and seeped through cracks in the cave walls, casting a faint glow over Kaito’s face. A few feet away Konya came out from the dark side of the cave, her hair scraggly and tangled. “Kaito,” she said in a groggy voice, “ I'll teach you how to use concealment to hide those horns.” He rose from his resting place, dusting off loose dirt and sediment from his clothes, and joined Konya in walking towards the mouth of the cave. As they exited the cave Konya looked at Kaito with her large, soft, scarlet red eyes and placed her hand on his shoulder. “This spell requires a focused mind, Kaito, once you master it, it will be second nature to you.” “Emotions will disrupt your conscience and make you easy to detect and detain.”

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Kaito swallowed hard, doing his best to steady his breathing and calm himself, anything to loosen his emotions. She guided him to sit cross-legged in a grassy patch just nearby the cave entrance, where a faint mist clung to the morning air, veiling the surroundings in a muted calmness. Kaito closed his eyes, inhaling deeply as he centered himself, listening to the soft rustling of the large spruce trees, the distant sounds of birds chirping, it was soothing. It reminded him once again of the saying his mother always told him "When the nights of earthia rise the seconds tick upon the clock, no matter where you are, you are guided under my watch.” His heart was slowly growing still, adapting to the environment around him, the faint heat of the sun beaming down on him. “Now, feel the energy within you. Visualize it as a thread, something you can wrap around yourself like a cloak, binding you from sight and sense.” she reached over, placing her hand over his forehead. “Listen to my words and repeat them with me: Sekoru no Hakushi, envelop my body, and hide me from all that wish to see.”

Kaito took a slow, shaky breath and repeated after Konya’s words. “Sekoru no Hakushi, envelop my body and hide me from all that wish to see.” He felt a weird, wet like substance slowly flow over his body, covering his horns and hiding them from the naked eye. It was powerful magic that he never knew he could do before, all he cared about was the way of the sword. “Come Kaito, we must be on our way to the capital. Try to maintain that spell the entire way there. It will give you ample time to practice the spell and keep it whilst walking in the city,” Konya stated whilst getting up from her position. As they both grabbed their items; a wooden sword and a sheath wrapped in cloth; they set off for the capital, sun on their backs traveling through the intense plains area. 2 days had passed since they left the cave, left the Abrovian woods, the concave and more, yet the capital still wasn’t in sight. The plains stretched what seemed to be endlessly, swallowing up their footsteps in its quiet expanse, no creatures and beasts in sight due to the exceedingly beautiful weather. The golden sunlight glinted off dried grass and weathered down rocks, casting their shadows long and strange upon the path they traveled on. “We’re close, Kaito. The capital is just beyond the next rise,” she murmured, her voice soft but firm. “When we arrive, stay by my side and keep your spell steady. The people of the capital… they’re not like those from Ruvia. They are disciplined, humble, but clever and crafty. You must blend in; make no mistakes.”

Kaito nodded in understanding, his gaze fixated on the horizon. The capital… the seat of power, the place that governed Kohesia with cold precision and welcoming animosity. A place where he might finally find a way to wield his rage as a weapon, a place where he could train and grow stronger, strong enough to kill the humans who had wronged him. As they reached the rise, the landscape began to shift. The barren plains gave way to the edges of civilization; small villages on the outskirts, humble houses with thatched roofs, and fields of crops tended by various farmers. In the distance, the massive stone walls of the capital loomed, the high towers and ramparts cutting a jagged line against the evening sky. Kaito took a deep breath as they continued walking on their way towards the large fortress. Konya kept guiding him down till they reached the winding road that led to the city gates. “Once we’re inside, we’ll need to register you as a candidate for the military training program,” she explained, whispering to him, her tone steady. “It’s not an easy feat for anyone to make it, they’ll test you, prove your weaknesses. But remember why you are here; to get stronger and avenge our mother.” The gates of the capital were towering and imposing, forged from dark iron, reinforced with spells meant to ward off creatures with ill intent. Guards clad in black and green armor stood vigilant, their eyes scanning the newcomers with practiced suspicion. As Kaito and Konya approached, one of the guards held up his hand, stopping them from entering the open gates. “State your names and purpose for entering the capital,” he demanded, his voice echoing against the stone walls. Konya stepped forward, her expression calm and unreadable. “My name is Konya Aoki, and this is my younger brother, Kaito. We seek entry to enroll him in the training grounds as a candidate for the royal guard.”

The guard's eyes narrowed, glancing over and over at the pair. “A candidate you say? Doesn't look like he's seen a day of battle in his life,” he scoffed, glancing dismissively at Kaito’s wooden sword. “What kind of weapon is that?” Kaito clenched his fists, feeling rage swell within him, but Konya shot him a warning look, her eyes flashing with an unspoken command to remain silent. She bowed her head slightly, a gesture of deference that was out of character for her, but necessary to avoid suspicion. “The boy is young,” she replied smoothly, “but he is determined. He has the spirit of a fighter and a strong warrior, and under proper training he will serve the crown well. He is already at a young age proficient in the sword but with proper care he may exceed all expectations.” The guard regarded them both for a long moment before waving them through. “Fine. Go on, but don’t cause any trouble. The city has enough problems without street rats running amok.” He muttered under his breath as they passed, the brath insult lingering in the air like a foul taste.

Once they were inside, the noise and the bustle of the capital hit them like a wave. Merchants hawking their wares, their voices rising above the clamor of the crowd; blacksmiths hammered away at forges, the ringing of metal echoing throughout the streets. Kaito glanced around, feeling both awe and unease at the sheer energy and environment of the city. The capital was a stark contrast to the quiet, peaceful forests and fields he had known in Ruvia, and yet he could still feel nothing more than unpleasant memories plaguing his mind. “Keep up,” Konya murmured, leading him through the bustling streets, her steps quick and purposeful. They passed through a series of checkpoints, each manned by guards in armor, their eyes watchful. And at last, they arrived at a grand stone building, Its facade decorated with the symbols of the Kohesian military, a place of power and authority, radiating a sense of order and discipline.

Inside, the air was thick with the scent of ink and parchment. Rows of tables filled the main hall where soldiers and clerks went about their business. Konya approached one of the clerks, a stern-looking man with graying hair and tired eyes.

“We’re here to register my brother, Kaito Mari, for the military training program,” she said, her tone formal. The clerk glanced up at Konya, his eyes dull but piercing. “You understand, of course, the training is rigorous and not suited for the faint-hearted?” He looked Kaito over, his gaze lingering on the boy’s thin frame and bruised hands. “He may find himself wishing he never applied.” Kaito met the man’s gaze, his jaw set as he said in a serious tone. “I’ll do whatever it takes, I’m not afraid of hard work.” The clerk raised his eyebrow, a hint of skepticism in his expression, but he simply nodded and handed Kaito a form. “Fill this out. Training begins tomorrow at dawn. You’re expected to show up prepared and ready to endure whatever is thrown at you.” Konya placed a hand on Kaito’s shoulder as they left the stone building, her voice low and steady. “This is just the beginning, Kaito. The path you’ve chosen will test you in ways you cannot yet imagine. But remember strength is not everything you need to survive in this world; it's the endurance and willpower to keep going, even if the whole world were against you.” Kaito nodded as he looked down at the form in his hands. Tomorrow, he would begin his training. Tomorrow, he would take the first step toward avenging his mother, toward proving his worth. The night fell over the capital as they made their way towards a small inn just around the corner, where they could finally have a safe place to rest for the night; not in a cave, nor in the middle of grassy fields.

As Kaito lay on the narrow cot, his mind drifted to the village of Ruvia, the warmth of his mother’s embrace, the cold finality of her death. His eyes burned, and he clenched his fists beneath the thin blanket. He would not forget. He would grow stronger, no matter the cost. The inn was quiet as the first light of dawn crept through the cracks in the wooden shutters. Kaito blinked his eyes open, momentarily disoriented by the unfamiliar surroundings. The events of the last few days rushed back to him, a mix of pain and anger settling into something sharper… a purpose. Across the room, Konya was still asleep, her form barely visible under the thin blanket. Kaito rose carefully, trying not to wake her, and stretched his sore limbs. His hands were still bruised from the days of relentless training in the Abrovian woods, but he clenched them, feeling the roughness of his calloused skin. He whispered his mother’s saying, “When the nights of Earthia rise, the seconds tick upon the clock… no matter where you are, you are guided under my watch.” It brought him a fleeting moment of comfort, but his mind quickly returned to the task ahead. He moved to the window, peeking through the slats. Outside, the city was already stirring awake. Merchants began setting up their carts, and townspeople shuffled throughout the streets. Everything felt foreign yet alive, buzzing with a kind of energy he hadn’t known before in Ruvia. A soft voice broke the silence. “Kaito.” Konya sat up, rubbing her eyes, her usual serious expression slightly softened by her sleep. “Did you get any rest?” He nodded. “Barely enough.” She rose and walked over to him, peering out the window as well. “Good enough, because for you today’s going to be a challenge.” She met his gaze, her scarlet eyes brightening as the sun fell over her body. “You will need to go to the recruitment center on your own, I have a few errands I need to run.” Kaito, fists still clenched, determination flashing through his multicolored eyes. “What do I need to do to prove myself?”

“Keep that fire and rage inside you,” she said, her voice low and serious. “You have discipline and focus but you must show strength. The captains here won’t accept someone who lets their emotions control them.” She placed a hand on his shoulder, grounding him. “Remember, conceal your nature as best you can. Today, you’re just another human wanting to join the Kohesian military. Keep the spell on your horns strong.” They quickly prepared themselves, Konya helping him wrap his wrists with fresh cloth to cover the marks from his intense training. After a simple breakfast, they left the inn and into the bustling streets. The city was as loud as it was when they first arrived, keeping that energetic spirit that made Kaito anxious and weary. He kept his head down, not wanting to draw any unnecessary attention. As he reached the central plaza, in sight just a few blocks further was the registration office, with a long line of recruits who were also there to join the army.

“This is my chance,” Kaito whispered to himself. He joined the line and waited till he finally reached the front.

“Name?” a soldier asked. “Kaito,” he replied, standing as tall as he could. The soldier raised an eyebrow at the lack of a surname but didn’t question it further. “Purpose for enlistment?” Kaito’s eyes hardened. “To get stronger… to serve in the Kohesian military.” The soldier gave a nod to one of the clerks nearby and showed him to the clerk. The clerk was a young woman with short brown hair, wearing an all green and black outfit. “You’ll begin with the aptitude tests. Follow me to the training grounds.” She gestured towards a side door, leading to a vast open yard where several recruits were already sparring with wooden swords, running obstacle courses, and lifting weights. Kaito joined the group,

grabbing a perfect wooden sword from a barrel nearby, feeling the familiar weight of the wooden practice sword in his hands. The morning passed in a blur of exercises, each more grueling than the last. Sweat poured down his face as he pushed himself, ignoring the pain in his muscles and the soreness in his hands. He was driven by something far beyond the desire for more physical strength; he needed to prove himself, to become someone worthy of carrying out his vow for vengeance. After a while, it was finally his turn for a sparring match, a one on one bout to assess combat skills. His opponent was a tall boy with a muscular build, wielding his practice sword with the utmost confidence. As they stepped into the ring, the instructor gave the signal to begin, and the boy lunged forward with a powerful swing. Kaito sidestepped, his body reacting instinctively. He dodge, blocked, and parried, his movements quick and fluid despite his exhaustion. But he couldn’t rely solely on instinct alone. His opponent was skilled and relentless, pressing forward with brutal strikes. Kaito’s focus wavered for a few seconds, distracted by his opponent's strength and precision. In that moment of distraction, his opponent’s sword struck his shoulder, sending him stumbling back. Kaito gritted his teeth against the pain, anger flashing within him, but he forced himself to stay calm. He steadied his grip on the sword, his gaze hardening. He took a deep breath, hearing Konya’s advice echoing in his mind: Focus, Control, Discipline.

His opponent charged at him, but this time Kaito was prepared for his attacks. He sidestepped and swept his opponent’s legs out from under him, sending him sprawling to the ground. Without hesitation, Kaito pressed his sword to the boy’s chest, signaling his victory. The instructor stepped forward into the arena, his expression neutral but a hint of surprise in his eyes. “Good work, Kaito. That concludes your assessment.” He motioned for Kaito to join the other recruits, who had finished their sparring matches. His body ached all over after the brutal training and the hit he sustained after his sparring session, but he decided to head out to find Konya all the same. However, he didn’t need to do much traveling as she came to meet him at the city plaza. “So how was it, did you impress the inspectors?” Konya asked, a puzzled look on face. “Not sure, but I won my sparring match,” he said with a large grin on his face. Konya’s lips feigned in a faint smile, her eyes softening slightly with pride. “Good. Don’t ever forget the feeling, you should experience this feeling a lot from now on.” She gestured for him to follow her, weaving through the busy streets as they headed back toward the inn. As they walked, Kaito felt the weight of the morning’s events settle on him. His body was bruised, his muscles were sore, and the echoes of the sparring match still played in his mind. Back at the inn, Konya laid out a small meal for them; a bowl of stew with thick slices of bread. She watched him eat, her gaze thoughtful. “Once the formal training starts, I will no longer be there to guide you.” she said quietly, breaking the silence. “They'll push you, try to break you. That’s how the military in this city works. But you’re stronger than they will ever realize.” She paused, as if weighing her words. “In the end, this is still about more than vengeance for you. It’s to find your purpose.”

He swallowed his food, before taking another bite, “I already have my purpose. To kill any and all humans…they’ve wronged me and ruined my home. They had this coming…”