Demonic Red

9: Truth

I wasn't sure what to make of Ingrisendy Sanaburg's sudden storytelling. It was hard enough to stomach not even being allowed to become what I had worked for so long to be, but now a story? What is going on through this woman's mind?!

"I'm sure you're confused. Your face says it all." Ingrisendy giggled.

I looked away in embarrassment.

After a little silence, I asked, "...Is it that easy to tell what I'm thinking about?"

"It always has been."

"Always...? I just met you today?" I looked back at her tilted my head.

She just smiled at that comment. I could tell she was sad, but why?

"I can tell this will go on if I don't start."

I opened my mouth, but Ingrisendy started telling this story she so wanted me to hear.

"There was once a girl named Ookami Koasa. She came from a long line of prestigious Demon Slayers. However, her dream, unlike the rest of her clan, wasn't to eradicate Demons, but to befriend Demons. Thus, she was ostracized by her clan.

"However, the Ookami clan couldn't ignore Koasa's talent. In every battle, she was as strong as iron and yet graceful like a flower. With each triumph, she solidified herself among the clan's best of all time and became known as 'The Iron Flower.'

"On Koasa's 24th birthday, though, her parents were killed by a Demon. And not just any Demon, either: the Demon God Destyro is the one who killed them. He was known as the greatest Demon God of all. Once Koasa heard of her parents' death, she vowed revenge on Destyro, destroying her dream of befriending Demons.

"Ookami Koasa took to the battlefield in icy rage. She killed Demons out of cold blood to lure Destyro to her so she could deal the final blow. It took six years to finally lure him out of hiding, and by that time, she had all but forgotten her original dream.

"When Destyro showed himself on a fiery battlefield, however, Koasa's revenge turned into a different emotion: love. Yes, the Iron Flower fell in love with the God of Demons. It wasn't long before they disappeared in flames, leaving no trace of either of them.

"It wasn't until four years later Koasa returned. She was unharmed, but she carried a child, two years of age. And that, was you."

Ingrisendy looked down, "I'm sure you know now... why you can't be a Demon Slayer."

I tried to speak. Partially because of this revelation and partially because of my hunger, no words came out. It was difficult to wrap my head around this story, but it was even more difficult to realize that everyone knew about me when I had no clue about anything— about myself, or about the world.

Ingrisendy sighed, "Akahi-chan, I'm going to have to take you out of the barrier. You must not come back here. If you do..."

Somehow, I couldn't hear what she said after that, but I did have a guess.

Ingrisendy Sanaburg put her hand over my eyes.

"I hope I won't see you again. I don't want to kill my best friend's daughter..."

That was the last thing I heard before I blacked out.

I woke up back home in my bed. I looked at the alarm clock. It was... 7:00 AM? I couldn't remember anything from the night before. I saw the calendar, and it was the day of the exam.

I started to get ready when I saw a note on my desk.

"I turned back time for you." It said.

Everything from the exam came back to me after I finished reading the note. From the happy beginning to the lonely end, I remembered it all, but I breathed a sigh of relief. I didn't break any bones and I didn't scare anyone. I realized could go again and be better this time, not scaring anyone or hurting people, but I also remembered the story that Ingrisendy Sanaburg told me. I remembered her words, as well, so I knew deep down inside that I shouldn't go back, or else the bad things would happen all over again.

Despite someone leaving a note that said they  turned back time, the truth from the now non-existent exam remained that I was not welcome anywhere in this world.