Demon Heart ~ Rebirth of a Slayer

The Last Ember's Memory

Shien begins his story...

"Thousands of years ago, this world was ruled by two supreme races: the Demons and the Angels. The Demons, ancient and powerful, held dominion over the forests and creatures, maintaining the delicate balance of 'Aether Lumirith' across the land. They saw themselves as guardians of nature, working tirelessly to sustain life for all beings. The Angels, luminous and wise, took responsibility for humanity, nurturing the harmony of 'Celest Lumirith,' the light that connected humans to the divine essence.

In those ancient times, humans and forest creatures rarely fought without cause. Battles arose only when food was scarce; however, these conflicts remained rare, as the forests yielded a plentiful bounty, shared freely by the Demons to preserve peace.

This fragile harmony lasted for centuries. However, as humans grew more ambitious and curious, they sought leaders who could guide them to a greater understanding of the world. They turned to the Angels, admiring their wisdom and purity. Yet, the Angels declined, insisting they were not meant to control humanity but only to protect and guide them. Instead, they suggested the Elves—beings of celestial origin, born from the Angels' own essence and shaped by their light. In this way, the Angels believed the Elves would share their values and serve humanity faithfully.

The humans accepted, and the Elves took their place as rulers. However, the Elves were not immune to mortal desires. Unlike the Angels, they were bound by both divine and earthly nature, carrying a blend of purity and ambition. As time passed, the Elves began to yearn for more power and wealth, traits that mirrored the very humans they ruled. Driven by pride and rivalry, they divided their rule into four grand kingdoms: Ironvale, Lunaria, Shinsei, and Kazehana.

Each kingdom bore a unique identity and allegiance, influenced by the regions they governed. Ironvale, known for its might and resource-rich lands, valued strength above all. Lunaria, a kingdom shrouded in mysticism, held secrets and sorcery. Shinsei, the kingdom of scholars, prized knowledge and wisdom, while Kazehana, blessed by the wind and vast fields, sought freedom and independence. Thus, the Elves became less like Angels and more like men, bound to the desires that eroded the peace they once promised.

As years passed, the Angels and we Demons began to sense something—an unsettling disturbance in the fabric of nature itself. The world was calm and peaceful, but a shadow grew beneath it, like the silence before a storm."

He pauses, looking into the distance as if remembering. "There was an eerie stillness that seemed to grip the land. Birds veered in strange patterns, animals grew tense and watchful, and even the Aether Lumirith felt... wrong, like a thread stretched too thin."

A shudder crosses his expression. "Then came the news: an entire village of goblins was killed in Ironvale. It surprised us because goblins, though humble, are peaceful creatures. They use Aether Lumirith to survive, to grow, and to keep balance. They don't attack anyone without reason."

The story grows darker as Shien continues. "Our scouts went to see what happened, and what we found shocked us. The goblins hadn't tried to escape whatever attacked them. Their bodies lay frozen, almost as if something had drained their spirit before they had the chance to run.

"As we examined them, we found no sword marks, no claws—nothing that could explain their wounds. But then, on the backs of most goblins' necks, we discovered strange, spider-like creatures latched onto their skin. Small and black, with legs as thin as strands of hair yet sharp as needles. They had no trace of Aether Lumirith, nor any other energy we could recognize. It was as though they came from another realm entirely." Shien's voice grows distant as he recalls the sight. "We could only assume they had died from the venom of these creatures."