Heroes Behind Shadows

I: Ouma Azelus

HEROES BEHIND SHADOWS

Sometimes.. villains are actually heroes behind shadows.

Sometimes, they are angels in a demon's disguise.
 I. Ouma Azelus: Blessed With A Curse

I

"You know the feeling of watching a movie..
..even though you know how it's going to end?"
the blurred face of that man I once knew flashed inside my head.
He was smiling.. and yet it felt like it was half-meant.

I had only just realized that until now.

His hair was as dark as a raven's. He had long bangs..
He had gentle looking eyes.. despite its unusual color of crimson.
Whenever he smiled, it felt like the world was in slow motion.

The memories of the past replayed in the color of sepia.
I could hardly remember his face anymore.

I don't remember.

My name is Titania. I was born in the midst of a cold war between
my country of Ulvynix and the country of Shinigami. Yes, their
country was named after "god of death". They spoke a different
language from us.. and the source of the dispute between the
two countries remain unknown.

I was still young that time..
..when my mother and father, the rulers of our country,
decided to personally visit the land of the god of death.
I was just a young princess.
I didn't know anything about political wars.

I knew nothing.
I couldn't do anything.

I face the mirror now.. while I'm replaying the past.
My silver hair had grown long when it used to be blond before.
They believed we were a family of witches.
I stared back at myself, looking at my own eyes that resembled
the color of the ocean. It was as blue as its water.

During our time in the Shinigami country,
I met a boy.. whose eyes were the color of blood.
It was a bright and fierce crimson. He seemed a bit older than me
and taller than me, too. His hair was pitch black.

"Who are you?" I asked with my eyes wide open, his appearance
that seemed foreign to me triggered my curiosity, I wanted to know
who he was. My hair was still a lively color of yellow, like the sun
back then. I wore a pink dress, typical for a little princess.

I found him behind the garden of the castle.
The country of Shinigami allowed our royal family to stay in their castle.
And apparently, it was only the two of us. The afternoon sun kisses my white
skin.. while the boy remained under the shade.. yet his eyes seemed to glow
even in the darkest places. I thought he was inhumane.

Without answering me yet, the mysterious boy smiled.

He wore simple clothes, long sleeves and shorts that seemed a bit dirty.
In my country, I've never seen anyone wear clothes tainted with even the
tiniest bit of dirt. Seeing his appearance and his outfit made me feel a little
bit more curious than ever.

The boy spoke.. but in a language that I didn't know.
They said the Shinigami language is called "Japanese".
I was unable to understand what he said so I just stared at him in silence.

"I will talk to you once I perfect my English" ...was what that boy actually
told me back then. I seem to perfectly remember it.

Right after saying that, the boy ran away and since I was wearing such
difficult clothes, I found it hard to catch up to him. He vanished into
the corner and left without a trace. I was left by myself, asking,
who was that boy?

After that, I went back inside the castle.
I then asked my personal servant to sit with me and teach me
the Japanese language until dinner and before going to bed.