Demon Sovereignty: Retake Our Freedom

[Era of Downfall] Part 17: Harakiri Azrael

NOTE THAT PARTS 1-24 ARE JUST AN INTRODUCTION TO
THE MAIN STORY.

The demon gazed out at the world with an unrelenting sense of nostalgia. It seemed as though everything around him was just a fleeting moment, a mere shadow of a reality that had already passed. He saw no purpose in anything, for he knew that everything would inevitably fade away into nothingness. To him, life was a meaningless journey that led to an inevitable end. It was a bleak existence and one that filled him with an overwhelming sense of sadness and despair. Despite this, he continued to exist, clinging to his memories of a world that was no more, and hoping against hope that someday, somehow, he might find a way to escape the void that consumed him.

The God Demon Powers shimmer in space, their spherical forms a tapestry of mystery. On their surface, patterns of three half-moons emerge, alight with hues that dance in celestial patterns. These carvings are no mere happenstance; the patterns mirror demons' emotions when they become God Demons, where red, blue, and green hues ignite the core feelings of anger, sadness, and fear.

In fleeting moments, these ancient stones reveal more. Five colors awaken, adding yellow and orange to the powers, indicating the emotions of love and joy respectively. Yet, legends whisper of those rare few who've unlocked a sixth half-moon, an elusive symbol hinting at a realm beyond comprehension.

Harakiri Azrael, a name that could shatter spirits with its mere utterance—a God Demon of unparalleled renown across the cosmos. His reputation was built upon unmatched intellect and physical might, capable of effortlessly annihilating anything that crossed his path. As the progenitor of the Shadow Demons, he held an esteemed position within the formidable Judgement, a commanding organization within the vast expanse of space. Azrael possessed mastery over three of the four S Abilities: Anti-matter, God's Eye, and the five God Blades.

A scion of the formidable Harakiri clan, known for their blend of sagacity and raw power, Azrael boasted the terrifying ability to absorb and assimilate the souls of both demons and humans, each soul consumed further amplifying his formidable strength. His power, in essence, was boundless, forever expanding in tandem with the existence of living beings. Yet, even his powers were powerless before the formidable souls of beings of great might.

MEANWHILE—POWERFUL MILITARY BASE

As the shadow demon vanished from their sight, the soldiers sprinted toward Amato, who stood transfixed, his gaze locked upon the Heavens.

"Captain Amato! Wasn't that the demon we had captured? W—Why on earth did you release it?!"

Amato held his silence for a contemplative moment, his voice measured and composed when he finally spoke. "It possesses a power beyond reckoning. That demon is not a creature of weakness; it is, in fact, a formidable force. It allowed itself to be captured for the sheer amusement of it." A peculiar tension hung in the air as Amato continued, nervously punctuating his words with a strained chuckle, his eyes betraying a glistening hint of tears. It has no malice!

WORLD—ABOUT A MONTH LATER

The world was plunged into utter chaos on the first day when Harakiri Azrael embarked on a mission to annihilate humanity. His destructive rampage left cities in ruins, and as the days went by, the survivors became increasingly desperate.

Inner conflict was uncontrolled as people turned on each other in a desperate struggle for resources. Many were forced to flee their homes, only to find themselves wandering aimlessly without food or shelter.