A Hero's Demon

Struck down

Coda's POV:
The sun beat down mercilessly, casting shimmering waves of heat across the bustling streets of Tokyo. It was a scorching summer day, the kind that made the air feel thick and heavy, but I remained undeterred. With determination in my heart and a pitcher of ice-cold lemonade in hand, I set up my stand hoping to make a quick buck at this lemonade stand mostly because I was bored and there was no school today.

As I arranged my cups and counted my coins, a figure caught my eye. A man emerged from the sea of pedestrians, his striking blue hair standing out like a beacon amidst the mundane backdrop of the city. He wore sunglasses that obscured his eyes, and his tailored business suit seemed out of place in the sweltering heat. Something about him seemed off, and a prickling sensation of unease crept over me.

Mitsuki: Well, what do we have here? You selling lemonade?

His voice was smooth, almost too smooth, and I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to him than met the eye.

Coda: Yup, for 133.99 yen.

I handed him a cup of lemonade, my eyes warily studying his every move. He took a sip, his lips curling into a satisfied smile.

Mitsuki: Such a low price. I'll take a cup.

I accepted his payment, trying to ignore the nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach. His next words sent a chill down my spine.

Mitsuki: You don't seem like a normal kid. Are you from around here?

I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. But before I could gather my thoughts, he continued.

Mitsuki: I bet you miss your home, don't you? Bet you would love to go back from whence you came, yes?

His words hung in the air, heavy with implication. I could feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, and I knew it was time to end the conversation.

Coda: Y-yeah, well, you have a nice day.

With a forced smile, I began packing up my stand, eager to put some distance between myself and the mysterious stranger. As I made my way home, the encounter lingered in my mind, a nagging feeling of unease refusing to dissipate.

When I arrived home, however, I found my mom, Emi, conspicuously absent. Concern gnawed at my insides, and I quickly dialed her number, hoping for some reassurance.

Coda: Something wrong, Mom?

Emi: Yeah, sorry, I'm currently leaving your brother's place. I'm stopping at the convenience store. We can meet up there, but be safe on the way there, okay?

Her words did little to quell my anxiety, but I forced a nod nonetheless. With a heavy heart, I set off towards the convenience store, the feeling of being watched never quite leaving me.

When I finally arrived, relief flooded through me as I spotted Emi at the checkout counter. I hurried over to her, eager for the comfort of her presence.

Coda: Mom, is everything okay?

Emi: Yeah, of course. Except I fell down the stairs again.

Her words were tinged with resignation, a reminder of her tendency towards clumsiness. But before we could leave, chaos erupted in the form of a masked assailant brandishing a deadly scythe and unleashing ominous purple magic.

Emi: Whether you are demon or human, you should be ashamed to attack us with other humans around.

I braced myself for a fight, adrenaline coursing through my veins. But despite our best efforts, the assailant's magic proved too powerful. As I collapsed from a wound on my arm, Emi's cry of anguish filled the air.

Emi: Coda!

Just when it seemed all hope was lost, the store clerk intervened, driving the assailant away and ensuring our safety.

Clerk: Are you two okay?

Emi: Yeah, are you? I just gotta get my son checked at the hospital.

Clerk: I'm fine, just hit my head. I'll explain to the police. Go to the hospital.

Emi wasted no time in rushing me to the hospital, her concern and love a comforting presence in the midst of chaos. And as the doctors tended to my wounds, I couldn't help but feel like this was only the beginning of what's to come next.