Book 2: Seven Demon's Hearts

Episode 79: The Letter

Episode 79: T h e  L e t t e r

Just like that, the battle was over. 

With Satan's sacrifice, he had saved all three realms from the destruction his son was close to causing, but at the cost of his own life.

Jimin looked at the orbs, slowly picking them up and holding them in his palm. Something so tiny was capable of great disaster. And so the more he stared, the more everything that had happened in his whole life seemed unreal. 

"Is...is it over?" Someone from the crowd hesitantly spoke up. 

"Did he beat him? Are we saved now?!" A few cheers began to stir before the entire space was overtaken by joyful screams and cries. 

Demon, Angel, Vampire, or Witch--none of that mattered. Everyone jumped at each other with hugs and tears, celebrating in unity. 

The coven ran over to Sera and Aiko shouting and crying as they hugged the dazed kids. The vampires, with Natella, went to celebrate Damien's last efforts and shower him with increasing respect. 

Jimin sat still on the ground unphased, staring back at the tree with his palm semi-enclosed around the orbs. "So this was your plan all along, Father?" He mumbled, feeling the heat well up to his eyes but he couldn't manage to let any tears slip out. All that was left was a bittersweet feeling inside him.

Aiko stood up suddenly, a feeling of unease settling within him. His torn arm had rematerialized back to its original form thanks to Satan salvaging it before he had jumped into Damien's Wiska. But as he flexed it, Sera quickly noticed the fearful expression taking place on his traumatized face.

"What's wrong?" She paused her joyful celebration with the coven, quickly alerting her surroundings. 

"I..." Aiko looked around with paranoia, "I'm not sure if this is really over." 

"What?! What are you saying!" Qiang celebrated with excitement. "I completely understand that it all seems too good to be true, but everyone here saw it, right?" 

They all nodded. 

"I think he just needs some time guys. He's been through a lot." Sera quickly intervened, holding Aiko's hand and distancing them from the crowd. "What happened? You said something earlier when Satan pulled you out of J-hope's grip."

"He's--" Aiko was about to start, but when he looked back at Sera's weary and anxious face he forced on a smile. "Actually, it's nothing."

She furrowed her brow at him. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah." He nodded confidently, "it's all over anyway. Right?" 

He stared back at the view ahead of him with an unconvinced smile, but his body quickly tensed up as Sera snuggled into his side and embraced him. "I'm sorry."

Aiko narrowed his eyes warmly, wrapping an arm around her. "Why would you be sorry?" 

She glanced down bashfully before looking back up at his face. "I don't know okay. I just am. Don't ask." 

"Well, none of it was your fault to start with. So don't go off again about that again--"

"AHHH! I can't hear youuuu." She childishly pushed him away and began to cover her ears. But when she noticed him tip over and fall down to the floor, she gasped and rushed over. "Aiko! I'm sorry! I didn't think I used much force..."

His chest raced up and down. The stress and exhaustion finally caught up to him as the last bits of his powers drained away to revert him back into his vulnerable mundane form. With a closer look, Sera bent down and pushed the bangs away, watching his sleeping face in awe.