Legend of the Misfit

"That was impressive, Killian." Lucid applauded me.

"I wasn't expecting that at all."

"No, no, I had no idea what just happened. It feels good, alright, but it is confusing. What happened?"

"Take a break. I will tell you later."

Killian wanted immediate explanation, but let out a sigh and he agreed to take a break anyway.

He tilted slightly to his left, and there was Raiden, approaching him as he patted him on the shoulder.

He suggested they take a bath, "It might help you cool down."

[Whoa… He's back to himself.]

Killian gave a firm nod.

They made their way to the bathroom.

Killian soaked himself deep inside the pool, and his mind began to wander.

[Is there something within my gut? How did I do that?]

A part of him was glad for his newfound ability, but the lingering desire to understand it remained.

But his thoughts were interrupted.

"I can't shake the feeling; this place is making us forget about ourselves. It's too comforting." Raiden murmured as he relaxed opposite him.

"Lucid seems to know a lot of things. Is there an artifact that can help you recover your lost memory?"

He shook his head. "I haven't asked yet."

Killian blew bubbles in the pool and relaxed for a moment.

"It's okay, Kill. Let's go hear him out." He said and left the pool.

But Killian relaxed a bit before joining him.

"On the contrary, devil mana cores are meant to be satisfied, unsatisfied, or reject a demon. The violence, chaos, and bloodshed they crave are the only things they truly need." He relaxed on his sofa.

"But your case is different, Killian. It's safe to say your core experiences everything you feel."

He paused for a moment and looked at Killian's confused expression.

"In certain cases, such as with dragons, the demands of their devil mana core vary.

Dragons require three times the substance needed for an average demon to satisfy their core. However, once satisfied, their core will remain so indefinitely. Regardless of this, the core would still require the substance but would remain dormant in their day-to-day lives.

"But yours does the exact opposite. It's not verified, but your core is one with you. When you're hurt, happy, sad, or angry—it feels it too."

"Why is that so? Am I a unique case like you?"

He leaned forward, "That's an interesting question, Killian. And I bet there are more to your core that will fascinate me. I would be glad if you two stayed a little longer so I could take a look at its progression."

Raiden and Killian exchanged glances. 

"I will train you, take care of you, and enroll you two at a prestigious academy in the circuit once you turn black."

Killian gestured at Raiden, "You see, Raid here needs—

"Can you help me recover my lost memories?" Raiden hurried.

[Dude…] His pride wounded as he leaned backwards.

" You've lost your memories, huh? Yes, I can help, but I don't have any artifact for that on me.

In that case, you two would have to retrieve one, and then I'll help you recover your memory."

[He seems desperate.]

"I can't go by myself. As odd as it may seem, I can't go much further from this mansion. So unless I show you—

"We will go. We will go, right? Kill?"

Killian gave a firm nod. "Yeah, we will."

[I'll surely help out Raid, but there's something in it for Lucid for sure.]

Lucid brought out a map and showed them where the artifact was—over five days away—he handed it over to Raiden. 

The artifact was deep within the wildlands, between the border of the cursed and forbidden forests. The structure of the artifact was unknown, but the map would indicate to them once found. 

Before long, they had to leave in search of the artifact. Raiden was given a spatial bracelet, which contained storage space for food, supplies, and spare clothes for their journey.

They set off toward the eastern mountain.

"What are the 'X' signs for?"

"It indicates the dangerous lands. We must avoid them."

"What will be the fun in that? You requested a little break from royal life, huh? Let's have fun." Killian grinned with his hands crossed behind his head.

Raiden took a brief moment, took a deep breath, and grinned, "Yes. Let's have fun."

They hurried to the nearest dangerous land. Land of the ages, they called it. A green, smoky cloud flooded the forest, moving perfectly along its edges as if confined within an invisible cage.

To test what the land could do, Killian extended his hand into the cloud. Before his eyes, it aged rapidly. Instinctively, he pulled it, and it slowly began turning to its original state.

"We are not entering that."

"I completely agree." 

They backed off without hesitation and strode to the next land.

The map gave information on this specific land, the Land of Nightmares. Stepping onto the land would trap you in an eternal slumber.

Unless pulled out, you would perish there, your body consumed by the land itself. But at its center lay an artifact of nightmares. It was advised not to visit it alone.

"I'm glad we are two." 

"Me too."

They stood an arm's length away from the land, wondering how they would enter. Raiden pulled a rope from the spatial bracelet and tied it around his waist.

"Hold this; pull me if I fall into a nightmare."

Killian nodded.

Raiden surprisingly made over five steps on the land but collapsed on his sixth attempt. 

"I think it doesn't affect dragons as much."

Killian pulled him out, and Raiden instantly gained consciousness.

He coughed, "It's not about the steps; it's about breathing and seeing. I closed my eyes and held my breath, and the next thing I saw when I opened them was you."

It was a good discovery, but Killian wasn't going to try—he had no desire to die over a nightmare crystal.

Raiden kept coughing repeatedly, so Killian suggested he drink some water. He took a sip, but the coughing persisted.

"I think it's a side effect; I will be okay." 

Killian nodded, and they continued their journey, ceasing from any exploring in the meantime.

For the next three days, they ceased from all dangerous lands. But the three days came with challenges. They fought off a few snarlers, got into trouble with lower demons who surprisingly seemed weird and begged them for blood, more snarlers, and fled from upper demons.

After barely defeating an army of snarlers, they retreated to a safe distance to rest. Sitting on the ground, they attempted to eat something before continuing the journey.

A large sphere of shadow formed into a portal on the ground. Panic set in as they quickly got to their feet. Before they could react, the portal expanded and surrounded them.

"Kill, do not move. They might attack us."

"You don't have to tell me twice."

They were surrounded by dozens of shadows: living shadows and featureless humanoids. Yet, they neither attacked nor fled.

They stood there with their backs against each other. Their faces were etched with fear but determined to fight.

"I think they are here for you, Kill."

They swirled before Killian, and a smaller spherical portal formed on the ground. From it, a living shadow emerged, holding a girl who appeared to be their age.

As soon as he appeared, all the shadows bowed. It gently placed the girl on the ground before bowing.

Raiden and Killian exchanged glances in confusion.

The shadow began speaking in a completely different language; it was clear it was addressing Killian, but he could hardly understand its words—every word sounded like a glitch.

"** saved**** **** ******** you ***ter."

Their faces were etched with confusion as they glanced at each other.

"Did you understand anything he said?"

"Nope, not a—Oh… Saved, you, ter. That's what I heard."

After a few minutes on their knees, they vanished into the darkness. 

Raiden hurried to the girl to check on it. "I'm sure she's their master, and she's injured or something, and they need our help."

"Yeah, possible."

The girl's body was cold, her face was pale, and her neck bruised. Raiden applied heat to her body while Killian remained alert for the shadows' return.

Before long, the girl woke up. She could neither talk nor stand; Raiden gave her water to drink, but after hours of attending to her, she was unable to move. 

"We can't stay here all day and can't leave her either. We will have to carry her—and we'll take turns."

"Huh?"

Raiden carried him on his back and continued they journey. Killian took a good look at the girl as they walked.

"This girl sure seems weird for a demon."

"Yeah, I noticed that, but she has an ink. She is possibly from a strange clan."

The girl's aura and scent seemed weird for a demon. She had no horns or a tail, so they couldn't say she was a demon who couldn't hide them at will. But the ink on her left wrist gave them less to worry about.

After hours of walking and taking turns carrying the girl, it was finally Killian's turn. He took careful steps, pretending to be more exhausted than he actually was, hoping Raiden would offer to help. Suddenly, the girl hopped off his back and puked.

They both turned to her in shock.

"She could walk?"

She gestured at Raiden to give her water, and he immediately handed her a flask.

They stood by and watched as she rinsed her mouth and washed her face.

Their eyes lazily followed the girl's actions as if she was speaking an entirely different language.

She turned to them and bowed her head, "I'm Ahvi, and I'm sorry for bothering you this much."

They both gave a firm nod, still confused.

"By the way, I am a hybrid."