“Ha, ha, ha!” Roars of laughter rang loudly, blocking out my cries for help.

*Thump* *Thump* *Thump*

They stepped, kicked, and jeered at me, who was curled up on the ground to protect myself.

“Ugh…Nrgh…”

The only sound my voice can make.

“Ha, I’ve had enough fun, let’s go grab some food to eat.” The voice of the person I hated the most said.

I watched as they turned away. My body hurts like hell. The blood flowed from my head to my eyes, blocking out part of my vision in colors of blue. My already tattered clothes covered in dirt and footprints. My arms bruised from all the injuries they’ve inflicted on me. Laying with my back on the ground staring at the sky, I tried to recover my breath and ignore the pain I’m feeling.

Sometimes, I wondered why I was even born. Because my Mother was human, I was born a half-blood. Although blood of a Demon flows through my body, I am different from others. My skin isn’t blue like the others and my eyes were a deep shade of black. Most Demons have fierce purple looking eyes but not me. This is the reason why I am an outcast. This is the reason why I am picked on.

My Mother died giving birth to me. From what my Father said, my Mother was too weak from the start. I have never seen her face nor heard her voice even once. When I was three years old, my Father never returned from his battle. At my age, I didn’t even cry when he died. When I was of age to learn, I’ve mostly forgot my Father’s face and voice, just like my Mother. To me, that became the norm.

I was raised by my Grandfather instead. Once I’ve reached the age of six, my Grandfather wanted me to enroll in school to learn. He believed that as a male Demon, I must learn how to fight, how to be strong, and how to lead troops like he used to. He used to be the Commander of the 1st Demon Army. And so, I started my school life.

Everything went well until I reached the age of eight. My Grandfather died of old age. People started to stare at me with eyes of envy, jealousy, greed, and contempt. Even at my age, I knew what was going on in their minds. They wanted the territories that was passed down to me. They wanted the fortune I held. That’s when the bullying started.

Khevstin Galark, he was the same age as me and his Father was the nemesis of my Grandfather. My Grandfather had told me many times before, to watch out for the Galark Family. He’d drilled it many times into my head and now I can see why. When I still had the protection of my Grandfather, no one bothered me even when I was a half-blood. But when he was gone, everyone acted differently.

“Hey look, it’s the half-blood.” They whispered.

“Look at that fake Demon strutting around.” They jeered.

“I bet his blood’s been faked this whole time.” They mocked.

“You don’t belong here, we should just executed an abomination like you.” They barked.

When my Grandfather died, he told me one last thing.

“Dux, don’t hate yourself, you are you. Let people say what they want, let people do what they do, you are strong so don’t fall to their level. Keep your head held high and you will be graced with success.” He said.

I’ve always wondered why I’ve never cried once for my relatives who died. Was I just born with the lack of tears? Was I just a heartless person? Do I not feel anything for those close to me? I think about it all the time.

***

I closed my eyes and slowly, I inhale and exhale the cold air around me. The pain have finally subdue. I opened my eyes again and the skies were already starting to get dark. “For how long have I laid on this cold dirt ground?” I wondered.

Carefully, I used my hands to push against the ground to leverage myself up. Although the pain had already greatly diminished, it doesn’t mean the pain isn’t there. Using my arm to leverage myself from tree to tree, I wobbled back to my own exclusive cabin.

The cabin wasn’t very big. It was one story high with the necessary bathroom, cooking facility, and living room. I had this built so I can stay away from all the other people. At first, my caretakers was against it, but for some reason, they finally accepted it. I already know the reason why. Without me there, they can splurge all they want using my fortune. I couldn’t care less of what they do. I have no use for the fortune I hold. On the bright side, it’s taking a load off my shoulders. I don’t have to worry about people coming after my fortune with me in the way.

Wounded as I was, I laid down on my bed. The moonlight shone through the window and into the lonesome cabin. It’s very quiet. It was too quiet. It was quiet to the point that I can hear myself breathe. But I was too tired. My conscious started to fade. My eyes were very heavy. My vision started to blur. Without me knowing when, I fell asleep.

***

I had a dream. It was a very vivid dream. I know this is a dream because I dreamt of it many times. It was the same dream over and over again. In this dream, I have a Mother. In this dream, I have a Father. In this dream, I was very happy. Every day was filled with laughter, happiness, and warmth. Although it is a dream, I could feel the warmth of my parents. I can feel a type of love that they have. I can feel their protection over me. It was a dream that I wished would continue forever.

But like every dream, there is an end. This dream continues to follow the same pattern every time. We wake up and eat breakfast. We go out to work the farms. My Father would teach me how to fight during break times. My Mother would sit at the porch to watch us smiling. During lunch time, my Mother would bring out packaged food for us to eat.

Before the sun fall, we would start to tread back home. My Mother would prepare dinner and my Father would sit down to relax. I would head straight to take a shower. After eating dinner, we would sit by a tea table to play board games and chat. Once night fell, we would all head to bed. My Mother and Father would sleep on the left and right side while I would sleep in between them. It was the most happiness filled day that I’ve seen. But when I close my eyes to sleep in the dream, I would always wake up in the real world.

Same as every other day I have the dream, I would wake up to a dark ceiling. The silent but lonely cabin was the only one keeping me accompanied. This have happened many more times than I can count on all my fingers. Looking out the window, it was the same view I’ve always seen. Except this time, instead of the pitch black night only shone by the moonlight, there were floating flames wandering the night. No, to be more specific, they were torches lighting up the woods in the night.

“GET OUT HERE YOU FAKE!” A voice sounded. It’s that hateful voice again.

I got up, still hurt from the afternoon, and struggled to walk outside. Pushing the door open with the little strength I have, what appeared in my vision were many of the townsfolk surrounding my cabin. Not trying to seem weak, I stood upright and faced the crowd.

With my heart beating quickly, I asked the crowd.

“Can I help you?”

“Yes you can, by getting out of everyone’s sight.” That annoying voice from Khevstin sounded out again.

“But this is my home…” I tried to fight back.

“This is OUR land; it’s not for someone like you to be in…” He smirked.

“I was also born and raised on this land…” Steadily I tried to rebuke him.

*Swoosh* A rock flew through the air.

*Thump* It smashed onto my head.

Looking at the direction, it was tossed it by a small girl. She was hiding behind her Mother like she was scared.

“It really hurts…” I mumbled.

The wound from this morning was cut opened again and blue blood flowed the side of my cheeks.

It’s not the wound that hurts, it’s my heart. The small girl was someone who I’ve seen was the most graceful and loving girl that I’ve met. I even fell in love with her. She was the only one who offered a hand to help me when I just started school. Even when I turned eleven this year, she was only two years younger, at the age of nine. She was known to be the kindest and loving girl in town. Yet, she was the one who threw that rock at me.

“Do you get it now? None of us wants you here.” Khevstin smiled.

“YEAH! GET OUT! WE DON’T WANT AN ABOMINATION LIKE YOU!” The crowd started.

Some started throwing out more rocks. I stood there, taking in all the injury that they threw at me.

“This really hurts…” I whispered to myself.

Everyone who I knew, everyone who I don’t know, those who never cared, those who used to care, they were all here. I recognize these faces. Yet, here they all are, pushing me to leave, to leave my home in this freezing cold winter season. They are asking me to disappear, to die, all because I am different.

The rocks continue to hit me. I lost count of how many times I was hit. I lost count of who threw what rock at me.

“Why only me…” I thought to myself.

Looking at the crowd, every kid had someone adult with them. Be it either their parents, aunts, uncles, brothers, or sisters, there was someone protecting them. I am here alone, hurt, and weakened. I looked at the person in front of me. He picked up another rock. Swinging his arm back, he let go of the rock and it flew at my face. I closed my eyes and bit my lips. I awaited the pain that would follow.

“…”

The pain did not come. Instead, in this cold night, I felt warmth. Something that I’ve not felt in a long time. Slowly opening my eyes to take a peek, he held me in his arms. A young man with a sharp looking face endowed with slightly brownish-red hair and a small tail tied at the back. Pearl black eyes which seems to shine like the night sky. He held me in his arms and blocked all the rocks flying towards me.

“Why…?” I asked in a quiet voice.

“Because…hm…let’s see…you feel similar to me…” He said while ignoring the rocks hitting him.

He appeared out of the blue. The townsfolk stopped throwing rocks after seeing that it was ineffective. Looking at his figure, the warmth I feel, the protection I wished for, the indifference that he showed even when I’m different, some moisture leaked from my eyes and flow along my cheeks.

“This…is tears?” I mumbled.

This is the first time that I cried. Even when my Mother was not there, even when my Father died, even when my Grandfather died, I did not cry. Yet, I am now crying. Everything I bottled up for the past seven years finally have somewhere to go. I held tightly onto the stranger and voiced the frustration, the pain, the feelings, the hurtfulness that my heart feels, and all the things I’ve been through by crying it all out. He just lightly patted my head while I cried.

“Who are you?” Khevstin carefully asked.

Turning around, the young man smile and replied back.

“Ask the person who is now running here.”

The crowd turned to look behind them. Running towards them was a man. Blue scaled with deep violet eyes. His hair was dark blue, running down to his shoulders. His pointy ears pointing out from his gloomy and old looking face. With shadows under his eyes, it seems as if he was struggling over something all night. He was wearing a leather top with a jacket and leather pants with a pair of black boots on. It seems he was in a rush to get dressed for outdoor.

“DAD!” Khevstin shouted in surprise.

*Pant* *Pant* *Pant*

“S-Sir, please let me know next time you decide to run off…” The man known as Khevstin’s Father, Renard Galark, said while catching his breath.

“No one was in town and I sensed something fun happening so I just decided to take a look.” The young man said with a shrug.

Renard’s face darkened at that remark.

The young man turned to look at me. He then turned to look at the crowd. With a smile, he said,

“Since you guys don’t want this boy, how about I take him with me?”

The crowd was astonished. The same with me, I was surprise.

“Hmph, take him away then, I don’t ever want to see him again.” Khevstin sneered.

The young man then asked me a question.

“How about it? Do you want to travel with me?”

With a moment of silence, I finally responded.

“MhM, please…let me go with you…” I quietly mumbled.

The young man turned towards the crowd once again.

“There you have it, he will be going with me.” He proclaimed.

“Also, since I have nothing else to do here, I will be setting out now.” The young man said.

Grabbing onto my hand, he told me to hold on tightly and with that, I felt as light as a feather while we flew in the sky. It was my first time coming in contact with magic. With a laughter for the first time in my life, I screamed my lungs out.

***

In our journey, I once asked the young man for his name.

“Hm…this time I’m going by the name of Imatin therefore, you can call me by that name.” He said with a carefree attitude.

“Imatin…” I mumbled. I will never forget this name in my life.

Imatin showed me how big the world was. There were so many race. Humans, Demons, Elves, Dwarfs, Beasts, and others which are living under the radar. I never knew the world was this big. He taught me how to read, how to write, and how to survive. This world called Eden was a vast and majestic world that I’ve never knew. On the East Continent was where we currently are, the Demon Territories. In the West Continent, the majority of the race was the Humans. In the South, the Dwarfs and others that can survive the cold lives there. In the North, it was always much warmer and filled with life so the Elves, Beasts, and other nature loving ones lives there.

We hunted Demon Beasts, we enjoyed ourselves in different towns, we camped out in the mountains, we built a house near a river, and we even got involved with a war.

I watched Imatin fight. It was beautiful, like an art. He was overwhelmingly strong. Anywhere he went, everyone kneeled to his power. He single-handily overturned the tides of a war because he felt bored.

He fought an old dragon. The battle lasted three days and two nights. I’ve had the taste of dragon meat for the first time in my life that night. It was hard to chew, thick, and not juicy, but eating with Imatin made the meal very delicious I thought.

We traveled around the Demon Territories for more than eight years. During that time, I learned how to fight, how defend myself, how to use my fists since I seem to don’t have the talent for magic.

I thought back to what my Grandfather told me before he died, and I finally believed his words. I am finally graced.

When I turned twenty, everything changed again. When I returned from a hunt, Imatin has disappeared. The only thing he left in the house was a letter.

“To Dux,

I’ve traveled with you for eight years. You are now twenty years old this year. You are now a grown man in the Human Culture. I know you are a Demon and Demons will live on much longer than a Human. Although I am considered not to be a Human also, there have been some issues which I cannot bring you along. I’ve left you with some money and a token. You can use that token to sign up for the military in the 1st Demon Army Division. You can decide to follow in your Father’s and Grandfather’s footstep to rise in power. Once you reach high enough, we may have a chance to meet again. The Demon Army will not ignore that token as there is only one that exist in this world. It will grant you one chance, but it is up for you to take it. May we meet again in the future boy…No, young man.

- Imatin”

Although I knew it would come a time when we would part ways, when it does come, it still leaves a bitter taste. I can still vividly remember the night we spent under the stars.

“Imatin, why did you pick me up that time?” I asked.

“When I saw the situation, I had a similar feeling…”

“A similar feeling?”

“You were an outcast in that town. You excluded and picked on because you were different.”

“Were you also the same Imatin?”

“For me?...Hm…In my case, I did not know who I was or why everyone hated me…”

“Gradually, I got used it…”

“…” I was silent.

“But because I saw the face you had, it reminded me of how I use to feel.”

“It’s a bitter feeling, to feel like you are useless and have no reason to be born in this world.” Imatin continued.

“I use to curse the world, hated it, and wanted to destroy it, so I searched for power.”

“When I find out about my own powers, I’ve already lost the motivation I had before.”

“So that’s why I took you with me.”

“Why?” I questioned.

“So you can find out about your very own power, about why you exist.” He smiled.

“I…see…” I mumbled

***

It was an enjoyable memory for me. All these time I’ve spent with Imatin was the best of my life. Therefore, I will be strong. I will grow stronger. I will become someone that you can be proud of. I will become someone who reached for the top.

I reached out to grab the token and the money Imatin left me. Walking towards the Capital of the Demon Kingdom, Narseilivia, I started my own journey.

In front of the Instructor recruiting people for the 1st Demon Army, I made my way in line. There were whispers and comments on my half-blood but I am already used to it over the years.

“Next!” The recruiter yelled.

I walked up to the recruiter sitting behind a table. The recruiter scanned my body with his eyes. With a look of contempt, he questioned me.

“What are you doing here half-blood?” He asked.

“I want to try out for the Army.” I boldly stated.

I was met with jeers and laughter but I ignored them.

“Why should we recruit a half-blood like you?” The recruiter interrogated.

I reached into my pocket and pulled out a token. Lightly putting it on the table, the token became visible for everyone to see. The recruiter’s face changed color at the sight of the token.

“W-W-What’s your name?” The recruiter asked.

“Dux Lauriael Imatin!” I stated proudly.

Dux for my given name. Lauriael is my family name. Imatin for the person who showed me the world.

“W-W-Welcome to the 1st Demon Army!” The recruiter saluted and said.

***

Many years flew by, close to 75 years to be exact. While serving in the military, I secretly searched for information on Imatin. Although he said that was not his real name, I still searched. Finally, I’ve got a lead. Someone with similar frame, build, hairstyle, hair color, similar overwhelming power, and similar attitude matched my search. He went by the name of Yseif Deucar Kadrille.

The Demon God assigned me to the Demon’s Territorial Barriers to seek out that man. It was a blessing in disguise. Without showing my smile, I nodded and upheld this task that I was given. I was told that he has a daughter, who was still very young. Because of that, I decided to bring only my trusted maids.

“Aleena, Trushia, Luli, and Feniel, follow me!” I commanded.

“Yes Sire!” They bowed and obliged.

***

In the forest, we found a wooden cabin. I was met with a black dog. That dog was very strong. Even after growing as strong as I am, the dog was a tough opponent. I smiled. Of course, even something like a dog being with Imatin must be special.

“Hoho, I wasn’t expecting this when I was just surveying.” I said.

“To survive this long against me, you must have a strong master, as you are a Nightstalking Hound.”

“Grrr.” The black dog growled.

“Don’t be mad at me; this is my hunting grounds and you’re the intruder here” I commented while lightly stretching.

“Come! Let’s go another round!” I demanded.

The black dog pulled itself together and leapt towards me once again.

“Too slow…” I sighed.

With a wide sweep of my arm, the backhand attack of my arm slammed into the black dog’s head and sent it flying. The black dog smashed into the trees and it seems to be having trouble breathing and getting back up.

“You gave a good fight, but it isn’t enough.” I gave one last look at the black dog laying by the tree.

Slowly, I treaded towards the cabin. The black dog was still struggling to get back up and stop me.

“How loyal it is…” I thought.

Without any strength, it tried to drag itself on the ground. Ignoring the black dog, I stopped 25 ft. away from the cabin and noticed the irregularity around the cabin.

“A magical barrier…a strong one at it too…”

I then took in a deep breathe. I drew power into my arms and smashed down at the barrier.

*Crash*

The barrier broke down.

“It took quite a bit of power to break that barrier down, let’s see what’s so important to be protected by it.” I pondered.

Walking into the cabin, I saw a small girl sleeping by the bedside window. She was snuggling closely in her blanket without a care in the world.

“Maids!” I called.

“Yes Sire!” They responded.

“Take care of this little princess. No harm must come to her. If she is in any way injured, I will deal with you myself! Treat her as you would treat me.” I threatened.

“Yes Sire!” The Maids replied without asking any questions.

Like how Imatin raised me, I picked these Demon Maids up and raised them. They are dutifully loyal to me even if I am a half-blood.

“Take her somewhere safe. Once you feel my aura, send her back here immediately.” I commanded.

“We will take upmost care Sire!” The Maids said in unison.

After that, I left a letter on the dinner table in the cabin and left.

***

While I was waiting around, I felt the Demon Barrier break. I knew he had arrived.

“Let’s go meet him.” I smiled.

“I didn’t expect that quick of a reaction when I just got back” I appeared before the young man.

“Just got back?” the young man questioned.

“Ah, right, right...I just came back from exploring the forest, found a pretty neat cabin by the way” I said while smiling.

From my remark, the young man’s aura of darkness intensified.

“That’s…some pretty looking stuff you got going on” I praised.

I knew he was strong already, but it seems he got even stronger since we’ve last seen each other.

“My name is Dux Imatin, General of the 1st Squadron Demon Army. I command everyone within the limits of this border” I decided to introduce myself without my family name. I wanted to respect the name that I’ve borrowed from him.

“And you are?” I asked.

“…”

“Yseif…” He replied.

“Where is the girl from the cabin?” He questioned with a dark frown.

“Hm, ah, that girl, she’s probably being thrown somewhere to be sold as a slave” I grinned and told a lie.

*Swoosh*

“If you ca—“

*Kaboom* before I finished my words, my head got slammed onto the ground. I felt the ground shatter and break into cobwebs.

“I’ve no time to play with you.” I heard him say in a deep voice.

“That’s more like it!” I laughed and complimented under his hand.

“That way it’ll be fun!” I excitedly proclaimed.

With that, I released the Demon aura that I’ve trained over the years, blowing him away 15 meters into the air. This was the power that I found after many years of training and practice. This was the power that I obtained following your words.

He adjust himself and landed on the ground. Although he was sent flying by the force, he didn’t seem injured whatsoever. I stood up from the ground and patted the dirt off my armor.

“That was a hit that I wasn’t prepared for at all.” I said.

“…” He kept quiet.

“Let’s try this one more time” I prepared myself once again.

I release the force that pushed him again. The force turned from something transparent to a purple-red color around me. Covering my body like a bubble, I condensed aura making feel seem like a sharpened sword prepared to kill.

“Here I come!” I proclaimed.

*Swoosh* I swiftly moved from my position.

Quickly, he ducted and dodged my attack over his head. The pressure pushed past him and destroyed the huge rock 15 meters away. While dodging, he countered with a rotating kick. On reflex, I parried the incoming kick towards the ground and shoulder charged him from my stance. Using the momentum of the downward parry, he reacted by using my shoulders as leverage to flip over to my backside. Facing back to back with him, I felt his hands on my shoulders. He then gripped and tossed me over his head.

*Swooosh* *Thump* *Thump* *Thump* I flew across the ground. I tossed and turned, bouncing up and down. While the dust cloud formed, I used that advantage to jump up.

*Boom* another explosion happened.

My arms were pushing downwards towards his. He was pushed to one knee with his arms crossed over his head. The ground was depressed further into the Earth, causing a crater.

“He is still very good at fighting.” I thought.

My left shoulder pad was shattered from being tossed and it showed my conditioned muscle. My cape was torn and ragged. He kicked at me, pushing himself away. I also used the force to push myself back.

“What a great fighter you are.” I complimented.

“No one had ever survive in a hand to hand combat with me.” I said satisfied.

Taking off my broken armor, I dropped the armor onto the ground.

*Boom* the armor caused a loud noise.

These armor were for me to use while training to improve my strength.

“That armor weighed me down a lot.” I commented.

I held my hands up into a fighting position. My hands covered part of my face and guarded my chin.

“Again!” I yelled.

Although I am almost exhausted just from that earlier bout, I have to give my all.

*Ziinnng* I made the first move again.

This time I fought head on. With part of my armor off, I was now faster than I was before. Instead of dodging, he dashed towards me. He swung his fist in a straight punch against me. With a smile, I reciprocated by also sending a straight punch. Infused on his punch was a lingering dark energy.

I already knew what that power is. I already knew I will not survive the hit. But since the Demon Barrier was already broken, if I went back, I would have to pay the price. If I was to die anyways, I’d rather it be in his hands.

*Bang* our two fist collided.

A blast of energy shot past my face. It was a wave of pitch black energy.

The dawn of sunlight speckled onto the battlefield. With my back facing the first light of sunrise, he stood in front of me. I can feel the warmth again pulsating from my back.

Kneeling on one knee, half left of my body was totally destroyed. Blood rapidly streaming out of my body.

“You are good…No, you are great!” I laughed.

“Where is the girl?” He questioned me again.

“She should still be at the cabin.” I said.

“I’ve never done anything to her, I just sent her away with some of my maids until you arrive here.”

“Once you arrive, my aura was the signal for my maid to bring her back.” I continued to explain to him.

“I just wanted to fight you again.” I lightly said while smiling.

“Again?” He asked seeming confused.

“Hahaha, you should get going.” I pushed on. It’s better if he forgot me. He has a daughter. It’s been many years since I’ve have the same feeling when I’m with him.

He looked at me carefully. After a pause, He looked at me for one more time, and then turned around.

*Swish* he disappeared from my sight.

*Thump* I fell onto my back, sprawled on the ground.

The morning sunrays shone onto my face. The battlefield very quiet. The morning breeze blew across my face. It was pretty cold this morning I lamented.

“I was glad to have met you again, Father.” I struggled to whisper.

“You were very much like a Father figure to me.”

“To die, to be killed by your hands is not something I regret. It is my blessing for having to be able to meet you one more time.”

“I really loved you. I really cherished all the things you’ve shown me.”

“I really missed you when you left. I really really…”

I paused to catch my last breath. I already know this will be the end.

“I will be going first to meet the Madam of that child Father. I will tell Madam the stories of our adventures when we meet.“

With that, my heavy eyes closed. I showed and gave him the best smile I could as a goodbye gift. Even though you don’t remember me, I will always remember you. Those Maids would be fine without me as I use to be like them. They will grow up, beautiful and graceful, like that girl use to be.

Remember world, I am……No my name is…

“Dux Lauriael Imatin”