Demon Heart ~ Rebirth of a Slayer

Echoes of a New Fate

What did she mean by that? Did she really think I killed him? Her words keep pounding in my head, each one like a hammer shattering any remaining peace. Now... what do I do? The village... it's lost to me. My only home, ripped away in a single moment. I'm alone in this world now. No path, no purpose, only questions that echo back without answers.

I don't even know where my legs are carrying me. The ground blurs underfoot as I push forward, letting my thoughts drown in the rhythm of each step. How far have I come? I'm not sure. But at some point, my legs start to numb. And then—nothing. A heartbeat later, I collapse, my body hitting the earth, surrendering. Every ounce of energy drained, I lay there as if my very spirit has given up.

"Hmm, you had a strong heart, Haruto. Now it crumbles like a stone!"

The voice reverberates in my mind, familiar yet twisted with malice. I freeze, recognition hitting me like a punch to the gut.

"You are that demon I killed, aren't you?"

"Argh, you finally got it! Let me introduce myself. I am Shien, one of the last demons living in this world."

My heart races, a mix of anger and confusion swirling within me.

"So, you're the one who did this to me! You turned me into a monster! Is this how you take your revenge? And why are you in my mind? I thought I killed you!" I struggle to push myself up, fueled by the rage boiling inside.

"Hmm, so all humans just believe what they see, huh? Revenge? This is not revenge. Let's say it like this: we're both helping each other to live!"

What does he mean by that? 'Helping each other to live'? Confusion clouds my thoughts. "I don't need your help! I can survive on my own! So, turn me back into a human and leave my body!" My voice shakes with desperation, each word a plea mingled with defiance.

"Ha ha ha... Do you think I like living here? I'm here because I have no other options." His laughter echoes in the depths of my mind, a bitter sound that sends chills down my spine. Silence hangs heavily between us, thick with tension.

"Hmm, if we coexist, you need to know what happened. This is all because you used Reikizuna back there!"

Reikizuna? The name sends a shiver through me. I recall its fiery blade, the power coursing through my veins. "What? You knew about the sword?"

"You said something just before I lost consciousness. You claimed that Reikizuna is the one who killed me. What does that mean? How did Reikizuna kill you?"

"First, let me tell you about Reikizuna. It is a powerful weapon used by humans for generations. Many warriors wielded this flaming blade, but no one knows the truth behind it. Reikizuna grants the wielder the power to defeat their opponent, but it demands a price. Its deal is power for soul! The more you use Reikizuna's power, the more of your soul you lose." Shien's voice drips with an unsettling mix of disdain and sympathy.

"So, you mean... my soul?"

"Yes. The blade burns with the wielder's emotions. Orange flames represent courage and determination; red signifies anger; blue means fear; yellow stands for joy; purple represents sadness; white symbolizes purity; and black represents despair. I've seen every single flame in my life, but you... you are the one who combines them all."

A wave of realization washes over me. The memory of the battle flashes in my mind—the blade igniting with red and orange flames, raging in tandem.

"So, you mean it damaged my soul?"

"It's not just damaged; you lost it. Not entirely, but half of it. If you were a normal human, you would perish as soon as Reikizuna flares to life. But you! You are different. Your body belongs to this world, but not your soul. With your steel heart, Reikizuna only takes half of your soul. A body needs a full soul to function."