Demon Heart ~ Rebirth of a Slayer

Into the Heart of the Wild

All the wolves, including the Wolf King, raise their voices to the sky in a haunting, unified howl as I stagger to my feet, Hikariken held in one hand. I lift the blade with both arms, expecting its usual heaviness, but it surprises me. Somehow, it feels lighter—a part of me, almost. Even so, I keep both hands on the hilt, steadying myself.

"It seems your heart is more powerful than Lumirith itself," the Wolf King growls, his tone holding unexpected respect. "This blade suits you."

Just as his words sink in, a low growl from the wolves guarding the crater's edge breaks the silence. Their eyes are fixed on the shadowed line of trees on the far side, where faint, steady footsteps echo through the forest. My pulse quickens. Those are human footsteps, several of them. Could it be... the villagers? Has news of my demon half spread even here?

I look up as three figures appear at the edge of the crater. Their eyes widen when they see my hands gripping the hilt of the blade they are looking for. But despite the massive Wolf King looming behind me, they begin to climb down into the crater, their expressions hardening with determination.

The man in the center, his voice full of scorn, calls out, "Hey, kiddo! That blade is mine! Drop it and go home. And while you're at it, stop with your 'mirage'—we're not afraid of tricks."

Mirage? What is he talking about? I narrow my eyes, studying them. One of them is cloaked, gripping a staff—a mage. Another, dressed in lighter armor, has a bow slung over his shoulder and is glancing around warily. The man with the sword, clearly their leader, wears battered armor and holds his weapon with confidence. These aren't villagers.

"Didn't you hear me, kid?" The swordsman's voice rises, a twisted smirk forming on his face. "If you want to leave unharmed, hand over Hikariken."

So that's the blade's name. My grip tightens on its hilt, the weight somehow reassuring.

Wolf King's growl rumbles like distant thunder, his gaze locked on the intruders. I raise a hand, signaling him to hold back, even though I feel his eagerness to attack.

"So, this blade's name is Hikariken," I say, my voice cold. "If you value your lives, turn back now."

The men burst out laughing, a harsh, mocking sound. Their laughter bounces off the crater walls, ringing in my ears. Can't they see my half-demon form? Or the towering, fanged beast behind me?

"Oh, really, kiddo!" the swordsman jeers. "You think a wolf 'illusion' can scare us?" He gestures to his companions, and in one smooth motion, they draw their weapons.

The mage's staff hums with a faint blue glow as he mutters an incantation, while the archer's fingers hover near his bowstring, his eyes scanning for an opening. The swordsman raises his blade, his sneer widening.

"Fine," he says, his voice dripping with confidence. "If you want to fight, we'll make quick work of you."

I grip Hikariken's hilt tightly, feeling its energy pulse through me like a second heartbeat. I plant my feet, taking a step back for balance. The last rays of sunlight slip below the horizon, casting the crater in shadow. The silence stretches between us, thick with tension. And then, without warning, they attack.

The swordsman lunges forward, a flash of metal and fury, while the archer releases an arrow straight for my chest. Instinct takes over. I drop to one knee, angling Hikariken's blade to deflect the arrow. The arrow shatters against the blade, and an instant later, the swordsman's strike slams down on Hikariken's wide blade. The force rattles through my bones, but I hold firm, bracing myself.

The swordsman stumbles back, startled by the strength of the impact. I seize the moment, stepping forward and raising Hikariken high. I feel the rush of Lumirith flowing through me, filling every nerve with wild, primal energy.