The ache that had once plagued her joints seemed to subside as Ellie felt as if she was floating. She tried to look around, but all that existed was a black void.

“Ah, so this must be what happens to demons after they die….”

She remembered stories of demons going to the ‘nether’ after they had died. Seeing how they did not have souls, they couldn’t be reborn. And seeing how they did not have the favors of the gods, here she existed. She wrapped her arms around her legs as she could feel a dull warmth in her body.

Ellie was never a religious person, even if she was a demon. How could one praise the greatness of gods when they simply stood back and sent fools to do their demands? Men were blessed with the holy gifts of the gods and there were angels.

In comparison, demons were said to once be those that were deeply loved by the gods. Yet the demons grew to covet the love, saying that they were the only ones worthy of such blessings. Because of this, they were cast out of the heavens to the underworld. Shortly after they were cast out, the gods demanded that they were to be ‘hunted’. If one were to kill many demons, they would be promoted in the gods favor.

The demons, unsure what they had done to deserve such treatment, turned violent and spiteful. They turned their attention to men and angels. If they were to suffer, everyone should suffer as well. Demons forced their place among the daily lives of men, with angels only stepping in when a demon would truly threaten their power.

Demons, while selfish and jealous creatures by heart, decided it was best to blend into the shadows of society. Those that were foolish to stand out, would be squashed like a bug. They hid their talents that their bodies possessed, some even locking their powers away so they could move on with their lives.

As time passed, demons began to blend in with everyday people, disguising themselves as regular humans and monsters to gain tools to climb the social strata. Fortunately for them, the humans were dumb, falling simply for their beauty. Demons were said that they could be identified by their allergy to silver and certain spices. As time continued, eventually demons were turned into boogie men and scary stories parents would tell their children to behave.

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“If you leave a light on in your room at night, the demons won’t get you.”

“You better listen to your parents, or you’ll be kidnapped and eaten by a demon.”

“If you covet too much power, a demon will come and steal from you.”

A sigh came from her as she could feel the warmth continue to grow in her body. She didn’t ask to be born as a demon. If she could, she would’ve run away with Cale. The two of them finding a home in a small town where they could live every day lives. While Cale would certainly complain for a bit about not having the fashion that existed in their current lives, he was sure to get used to it.

Tears began to well up in her eyes again as she nuzzled against her knees.

What was the name of the goddess that Cale had told her about when she was a child? She had remembered her due to the fact that, as Cale told her, she was the one goddess who had taken pity on the demons. She stated that the demons were only like this due to the gods favoritism.

What was her name? Diana…? Lizabeth…? Her brow furrowed as she tried to think of what her name was.

“Diazelle!”

She closed her eyes as for the first time in her life, she prayed.

“Please, goddess Diazelle. I am not worthy of your gifts, and I have no offering. Yet please, listen to my prayer. My brother and I were dealt a poor hand in this life. We do not deserve this. Please, almighty goddess. I beg of you. I will do whatever I can to receive your blessing. I will be your humble servant. So please: let my brother and I be reborn into another life, where we will be by each other's sides again.”

She sat there for a moment. Hearing nothing as she continued to float. She peeked one of her eyes open, wondering if anything was happening. Nothing.

A pang shot through her heart as she bitterly gulped. A crooked smile tugging at her lips.

“Of course. I am just a demon after all.”

Yet, her body continued to grow warmer. It wasn’t like the flames that had touched hers and her brother's skin. No, this was foreign. The only time she had felt something similar, was when she and her brother would hug. Her chest started to feel light as tears rushed forth. She clasped her arms around herself as she dug towards this feeling.

As she embraced herself, she was sure that she saw a light. It was dim. Something similar to where you close your eyes after looking at the sun and seeing sun spots. Her heart jumped. She held herself firmer as the light continued to grow. She didn’t care if she was going to cry blood at this point, she just needed to get towards that light.

The light flickered, growing larger. It began to speed towards her as she covered her eyes, blinded by what was before her. It sped towards her, soon, engulfing her in the pool of light. Her body felt weightless as she could hear a faint voice.

“I have heard you my child. Please do not cry any more. You will be blessed with much love.”

Blessed with love? Ellie could only assume that this was the voice of the goddess herself. Before she was able to speak. It felt like she was unable to breathe. She grabbed at her throat as she thrashed, trying her best to gasp. Her eyes squeezed shut before she lost consciousness.