A Demon's Tale

Daroma: [There is a matter within your party that I must handle. Rather, an individual I must remove at all costs.]

His words sent chills down the spines of the two girls. The armor that sat across from them gave a statement that they could not fully comprehend nor believe.

Shiro: [Wh-What do you…No. There’s no reason I should believe your words.]

Shiro quickly washed away the shocked feeling that filled her, and moved her hand towards her side. A sheathed sword appeared out of a cloud of thin smoke as she started to grasp the hilt.

Shiro: [From the very beginning, our plan was to come here and take you down regardless of whatever tactics you may have. I’m going to make sure I fulfill my duty.]

Daroma: [The matter of dealing with a being such as I is trivial compared to the much larger threat at hand.]

More words were echoed through the shining armor in front of her. Following those very words, Kaoru began to tug on the side of Shiro’s clothes. She did not move her view away from Daroma, but still focused on replying to her.

Shiro: [Don’t worry, Kaoru. We can beat him.]

Kaoru: [That is not why I am worried, Miss Shiro…What he said, from earlier…]

Shiro: [He’s just using lies to put us off guard. That’s all.]

Daroma: [There is certainly something to be said about not believing one’s opponent. However, should a threat not present itself, it is wise to listen to the words of that being.]

Shiro: [You haven’t given me a reason to do so yet.]

For the first time since they had entered the room, the girls witnessed Daroma change his position. His clenched fist that once provided a space for his head to rest began to make contact with the opposite hand and clenched together, resting firmly on his lap.

Daroma: [Our history within this world has received documentation that was altered greatly than one would likely expect. If a world were to grow as time moves forward, you would find that the inhabitants would subsequently grow alongside it. This is not the case for the very history of our own world. A merge between the worlds was formed several centuries ago, and thus, a difference in development was created. What was once thought as a simple process for the lives of many slowly began to change and form into something entirely new. As such–]

Shiro: [You’re still not giving me a reason to listen! What does any of this have to do with our group?!]

Silence filled the cold air in the room. Daroma began to tilt his head upward, as if trying to look down at Shiro.

Daroma: [A far more dangerous change than one could imagine has occurred. The unfortunate reality of this situation is that proof cannot be provided for such a matter. However, the clear path of what shall come of it has already made its presence known. In order to remove this problem from the face of history, I will deal with the matter myself.]

Kaoru: [R-Remove…? Does that mean that one of us–]

Shiro: [Enough of this bull.]

Kaoru: [Ah! Miss Shiro! Please wait!]

Slipping past the soft grip that Kaoru had on her clothes, Shiro quickly moved close to Daroma, attempting to slash him. Before her blade could even touch the gleaming white armor that adorned his body, she was stopped by a blue wall of fire. The force of which was enough to catch Shiro’s Storm, and repel both her and the sword back to where Kaoru had stood. Grinding her teeth in frustration, she flipped backward before regaining her balance with her hand dragging across the floor.

Shiro: [Hk! Damn it!]

Kaoru: [Miss Shiro, please wait.]

Shiro: [That was my bad, Kaoru. I thought an attack like that might work, but I wasn’t thinking enough. This time I got it!]

Kaoru: [Miss Shiro, please!]

Zipping towards Daroma again, Shiro attempted to attack him from the left side. As the flames began to form, she quickly moved over to the right, slashing down towards his chest.

Shiro: [This time I–]

Her words could not be finished, as the flames had moved toward her once again to stop the oncoming attack. Shiro jumped high up into the air, allowing her wings to appear as she once again moved to where Kaoru had been.

Shiro: [A little more strategy then.]

Kaoru: [Miss Shiro!]

Shiro: [It’s fine, Kaoru! I’ve got this!]

Kaoru: [I am able to detect how you feel, Miss Shiro!]

She looked back to face the little kitsune girl. Shock filled Shiro’s face as she had learned what Kaoru was capable of. She did not utter a single word towards her, and instead allowed for Kaoru to continue speaking.

Kaoru: [I’m not very strong at the moment…My skills are really only aimed towards support…I’d like to be stronger, especially for Lady Kōkatsu…However, because of the skills I am good at, I’m able to see things in your body. I’m aware of how you feel right now and–]

Shiro: [I’m fine, Kaoru. I’m perfectly–]

Kaoru: [I understand why you would like to say this, Miss Shiro. But I can see–]

Shiro: [I SAID I’M FINE, KAORU!]

Shiro’s words erupted as her face changed to a heated expression. It had been the first time Kaoru had ever been yelled at by the group, and was also the first time she had seen Shiro this angry. Her eyes trembled in fear, her ears lowered with worry, and yet, she had not been the only person who was trembling. The very girl in front of her, the same one who had yelled at her, now casted her eyes downward. Her entire body shook in anger, her teeth grinded together, the hilt of her unsheathed sword tapped against the metal scabbard that had once held it.

Shiro: [Nothing about what he said is true.]

Kaoru: [Miss Shiro…]

Daroma lifted one of his hands to allow his head to rest, allowing his thumb to hold his chin while the index finger pushed against the top of the headpiece.

Daroma: [I see. Even without enough information to be provided in order to learn a greater truth, your very own mental state has been crushed at the thought of the words provided.]

Shiro: [Shut your mouth…]

Daroma: [A quarrel regarding one’s own group would likely lead to such a scenario. Many who–]

Shiro: [SHUT UP!]

Shiro roared out in anger. Her matōki built up into a sharp aura around her in an instant. Her horns pushed past the hair that concealed their location. Her tail shot out through the back of her clothes. Her wings spread out above her into a much more intimidating form. The demonic markings of a succubus began to take form around her skin to finish off her wrathful transformation.

Shiro: [You’ll just say whatever you feel like saying in order to give yourself an advantage. I don’t need to listen to a single damn word. The only thing I have to care about is dealing with you. Right here, right now.]

Daroma: [You don’t seem to understand the meaning behind the words I have spoken–]

Shiro: [YOU DON’T SEEM TO UNDERSTAND WHAT SHUT UP MEANS!]

For a third time, Shiro charged towards Daroma with a flurry of slashes accompanying her. It was not a form that mimicked beauty nor nobility, but merely a form of rage that filled the very blade she held. Repeatedly, she attacked the blue flames that spread out in front of her without a single thought lingering in her mind. There was only one goal. Attack Daroma.

Daroma: [By now you must know that this is futile.]

She did not respond, but to some degree, she knew there was truth to his words. She could feel the everlasting heat that came with each attack. She felt as though her body would burn into ash if she continued any longer. But there was something that burned far greater than the immortal fire before her. The rage that had filled her soul.

She did not believe Daroma’s words, nor did she want to. It was clear what the intention of his words were. Someone within Shiro’s own group was a problem, or would become one. She did not understand the meaning behind it, but she did not desire knowing what it would mean. The idea of attacking one of her own allies had sickened her. There was something to be said about the training she had undergone with Kōkatsu, along with the occasional punch she would deliver towards others for comments or actions they made. These were all playful scenarios, or rather, scenarios in which she had still trusted those around her.

What was spoken however, was far different. Either Daroma would need to kill one of her many beloved friends, or something far more disastrous than Daroma himself would take his place.

Shiro was unaware about many things regarding Daroma himself. But her friends had made it clear on what he was likely capable of.

Thus, if someone were to replace him, someone far more dangerous, it would likely be a greater challenge than the battle at hand.

However, this was not the problem.

Regardless of who it would be, Shiro would be ready to challenge them with her full strength.

But a friend of hers being the very person to possibly replace him was a situation she was not prepared for.

She did not wish to ever harm her friends.

In fact, if this problem were to present itself, she would likely be unable to fight.

She felt like a coward at the thought of it.

Regardless–

No.

None of this mattered.

Everything he had spoken was without a single piece of proof to it.

Shiro: [Ghh….hhk!...]

Her arms felt tired, her teeth clattered together as she continued to slash the barrier around Daroma. She was disappointed in how quickly she was losing energy. There were still other options she had in case she needed to continue her battle, but she did not want to waste them without thinking.

Daroma: [There is no reason to continue this futile act.]

Shiro: [I told you…to shut your damn mouth!]

Through her irritated brain formed a reckless plan that had no guarantee of succeeding. From within Daroma’s wall of fire was Shiro, her aura of matōki providing a thin barrier around her. She could feel the heat around her increase as she moved, but she continued to push through.

Daroma: [She’s using her matōki to push through the flames?]

Bursting through the other side, Shiro was now within range to strike at Daroma. Her rage however clouded her choice of an attack as she sent her sword towards his left arm.

Shiro: [I’ve got you now!]

With a loud buzz, Daroma’s arm was cleanly separated from the rest of his body. The shock of which had likely been the reason towards his wall now dispersing. Shiro had taken this opportunity to attack the head, but had paused at the sight of something far more disturbing.

Shiro: [The…arm…]

She looked towards the severed arm. Not a trace of blood or flesh existed within it. From the beginning, she did not want to cause such an injury, but her rage had completely consumed her. However, there was now a much more confusing scene that had been playing out in front of her.

Daroma: [I shall commend you for your reckless, but rather intelligent plan. However, there were several flaws from the very start of it. One of those things had been the rage that consumed your mind, but there was another piece of information you should have considered. The details regarding your opponent.]

Shiro: [What…AAH!]

Flames grew out from beneath her, causing Shiro to fly backwards in response to the burning pain that now struck her. Kaoru moved beside her in order to heal any injuries provided. As Shiro moved back, the wall of flames moved into a tornado around Daroma, with his arm now reattached to his body.

Kaoru: [Miss Shiro! Let me heal you!]

Shiro: [Hk! The hell was that?!]

Kaoru: [Your injuries don’t seem that bad, but they should still be treated.]

Shiro looked back to face Kaoru, lowering her gaze shortly after.

Shiro: [I’m sorry, Kaoru. I shouldn’t have done any of that.]

Kaoru: [It is alright, Miss Shiro. As an apology, would you allow me to heal you?]

Shiro: [...Yeah. It’s the least I can do I guess.]

A yellow circle formed from Kaoru’s hands as she had begun to heal Shiro. The two of them began to set their eyes towards Daroma at the same moment.

Shiro: [I cut off his arm. I didn’t really want to do that to begin with, but there’s a new problem now.]

Kaoru: [Him, correct?]

Shiro: [I don’t get it. I removed it but there was nothing inside of it. He made a big tornado thing, but all that ended up doing is giving him his arm back.]

Kaoru: [What do you think our next course of action should be, Miss Shiro?]

Shiro: [In the best case scenario, I’d like to get a good clean hit on him. There’s just a problem of getting past his fire now.]

Kaoru: [He would likely expect an attack like that now that you have already done it once.]

Shiro: [Yeah, that’s where my real problem is coming in…]

Formulating strategies in her head, Shiro questioned how she could possibly beat such a foe. As she did so, Kaoru averted her eyes away from her, to which Shiro took quick notice of.

Shiro: [What is it, Kaoru?]

Kaoru: [I have…an idea. Unfortunately, I’m unsure if it would work. I do not want to cause you any harm because of my own actions.]

Shiro: [Kaoru.]

Kaoru: [Hm?]

Shiro: [If I get hurt, that’s my bad. When it comes to a collective team effort, it’s a matter of each person having their own duties. You don’t need to be worried about something like this. Hell, I’ve worked together with your mom, and she’s all kinds of crazy when it comes to ideas!]

With an encouraging smile now forming on Shiro’s face, Kaoru’s own face began to light up as she prepared to tell Shiro her plan.

Kaoru: [R-Right! Thank you, Miss Shiro! Although I’m not sure how I should perceive the comment about Lady Kōkatsu. Regarding my plan, you created a barrier to move through the flames he had provided, correct? Well, I–]

Shiro put a finger over her mouth, trying to silence the little kitsune girl that stood beside her.

Shiro: [I see what you’re getting at. Let’s not say it outloud though. Otherwise we might have a problem.]

Kaoru: [Y-You do?]

She did not give an audible response, but instead showed her hands on top of each other in a triangle shape to Kaoru. Seeing her perform this action had caused Kaoru’s smile to form into a much larger smile with her mouth open. Her adorable small teeth shining at the sight of Shiro performing what she had thought of.

Kaoru: [R-Right! Let us try it then!]

Shiro: [Hehe! Of course!]

Shiro began to stand, once again preparing herself for another attack. While she did so, Kaoru put on a brave face with her cheeks puffed out while looking at Daroma.

Shiro: [I hope you’re ready for what comes next.]

Daroma: [Using the same strategy again will get you nowhere.]

Shiro made a full frontal charge towards Daroma, and the same result that was always produced was created once more. A wall of fire blocked the path in front of her. However, something had felt off to Daroma. This fire was his very own, and therefore he would know if a change had occurred from within it along with what the change had been. With the current change, it had felt as though an object of some sort was moving through the flames.

From his side of the fire came a fast slash from the side that cleaved off the neck of his headpiece without any resistance. A loud echoing thud was made as it hit the floor.

Shiro: [What do you think of that, huh?! Shiro and Kaoru’s Zenko Barrier Combination Atta–AAAAAAAH!]

Kaoru: [Micro Zenko Barrier to be specifi–AH! MISS SHIRO!]

Shiro: [I SWEAR! I DIDN’T MEAN TO CUT OFF HIS HEAD! I COULDN’T SEE ANYTHING IN THAT FIRE! Oh…Oh man…I think I’m gonna be sick…I really didn’t mean to do–]

Kaoru: [MISS SHIRO!]

Shiro: [Huh?...WHA–]

She turned to face Kaoru, who she had assumed was disturbed by what Shiro had done. Instead, the girl was looking at the opponent in front of her. As she turned her head back to face the once mighty foe, who she had now slain, a shocking truth had taken form.

Shiro: [The fire is still–]

Daroma: [Once again, knowing about your opponent is one of the most vital areas to a fight.]

Shiro jumped back to Kaoru’s position, comforting the scared girl. She herself had been in a slight state of fear, but remained cautious of what would happen next.

Shiro: [You should be dead…What the hell are you…]

Daroma: [I am a being that cannot be taken out so easily. That is the only information that I will provide.]

His words only caused a greater sense of confusion for the two. Kaoru slowly began to hide behind Shiro’s clothes as she questioned the man in front of them.

Kaoru: [Do you have any ideas on what he might be, Miss Shiro?]

Shiro: [I’m not sure…There’s no reason that he should still even be living at this moment. I cut off his head, and his arm, yet nothing is inside either. Meanwhile there’s just a flame that’s floating in the air. None of this makes any sense.]

Daroma: [If you are finished with your attacks, allow me to continue what I had mentioned before. This fight is pointless, as there is a much greater problem at hand.]

Shiro: [...I have a question for you then. I just want to make it clear right now, neither of us are the problem, right?]

Daroma: [I am aware of who it is. Therefore I am able to confirm that neither of you are the problem.]

Shiro: [I see, then that only leaves the other four.]

Kaoru: [Lady Kōkatsu…]

Shiro: [Don’t worry, Kaoru. There’s not a chance she would become a problem.]

She had said this, but there was a thought that began to take its place in her mind.

Should a scenario arise, where Kōkatsu would lose her entire family, would she still act the same as she had now?

Silvia. She believed in her, and Silvia believed in Shiro. However, there were many who did not enjoy Silvia’s existence from what she had been told. There was certainly a possibility that this could lead to a far greater problem.

Yoro. She had only met Yoro a few days ago, but she believed that Yoro was just misunderstood. She was once what one would consider evil, and her hesitancy towards killing others was nonexistent. But there was no guarantee that she would move down this path once again. What would even lead Yoro to once again falling into despair?

While she thought of Yoro, she began to think about her very image. As Yoro’s appearance came into Shiro’s head, a choked up feeling of shock occurred within her mind.

Shiro: [...No…]

Kaoru: [Miss Shiro?]

Hair.

Red hair.

Red like blood.

Shiro: [...Those visions…They weren’t about…]

Daroma: [I see. So you are a child gifted with visions as well.]

At the sound of his words, Shiro’s eyes raised her eyes towards the fire in terror.

Visions.

What he had just said gave her what she had wanted from the start.

Proof.

Proof that what he had spoken about would come.

Shiro: [...Vis…Visions…?]

Daroma: [The information I have was all provided via visions that were gifted to me. To put it as gifted however is a rather incorrect way of stating it. A curse is a much more fitting term for them.]

She did not respond. She could not. Her throat prevented her from doing so. Her fear overwhelmed her body. She could not even move.

Yoro.

Was it Yoro?

She was unsure of what the person had been wearing.

She only knew that they had red hair.

However, she had thought back to what she had seen.

The rest of their body was covered in black.

Their hair and head had been the same once, but what if the rest of their body was correct?

Yoro wore clothing that was all shaded in black. There wasn’t a single trace of a different color on her clothes.

When she had tried different hairstyles with her, her hair was long enough.

The only difference had been that Yoro was short.

But regardless of that fact, everything else had matched perfectly.

Long blood red hair.

Blood red eyes.

Black clothes.

It was all too perfect.

If there was a means to change the height she had, that would be all it would take.

Shiro: [...No…Please no….There has to be some mistake…]

Daroma: [It is unfortunate, but this is the reality that time has presented us with.]

Kaoru: [Miss Shiro?! What’s wrong?!]

Shaking with her eyes casted towards the floor, the same place her hands had rested, Shiro feared what she was starting to realize.

Shiro: [...She’s so nice…I don’t want….I don’t want that to happen…]

Kaoru: [Miss Shiro!]

She felt horrible.

She did not want such a thing to be true.

If she could say something to prevent it, she would say whatever would be required to change Yoro’s mind.

She enjoyed Yoro’s company.

She enjoyed seeing the loving interactions between her and Nero.

She did not want to lose these things.

Most of all, she did not want to lose Yoro.

As everything began to flood her mind, Daroma uttered another frightening statement.

Daroma: [I believe there is a misunderstanding between what we have both seen.]

Shiro raised her eyes to gaze upon the fire once more.

Shiro: [...What….What do you mean…a misundestan–]

Before she could finish, a frisbee-like weapon entered the room. Around it were scythes implanted into the weapon itself, creating a scythe-styled buzzsaw. Daroma quickly created another wall of fire to prevent it from making contact, and the scythes retracted back into the frisbee before returning to the doors behind Shiro. For the first time, Daroma put his hands by the armrests of his throne.

Kōkatsu: [Heh…Ya almost got ‘im…Glad it at least works though…]

Nero: [I believe I missed the mark quite severely. I might need more practice with this.]

Yoro: [Don’t worry, Nene! I think you did great!♥]

From behind Shiro came a group of five. One of those five had been the gatekeeper they had encountered before, but along with them, were the many friends Shiro had.

Kaoru: [Lady Kōkatsu!]

Kaoru had run over to Kōkatsu, making sure to treat her immediately.

Kiyomi: [Are you the girl named Kaoru–]

Kaoru: [Yes! Please set her down gently, sister.]

Kiyomi: [R-Right! Wait, sister? You mean you already–]

Kaoru: [If you were carrying Lady Kōkatsu, then that means she has allowed you to join her family. Please, sister!]

Kiyomi: [Ah! Right!]

Kiyomi gently set Kōkatsu down, and Kaoru began to heal her injured lady.

While this occurred, Shiro continued to sit on the floor in confusion and fear. Concerned with her current state, Silvia spoke to her.

Silvia: [Sssshiro? Are you alright?]

Shiro: [...Misunderstanding…What does he mean by…]

A misunderstanding had occurred within her own thought process. The answer to which had been completely unknown.

In the first place, how had Daroma gauged such a detail from her.

Was it something she had said?

She mentioned not wanting to lose Yoro.

Was it perhaps something different than what was once thought?

Maybe Yoro would not turn into a problem for the world, but a different matter entirely.

Perhaps she would not even have to lose her.

After all, she had said that she did not want to lose her.

Lose her.

Her.

Her.

Her ears began to stiffen, her mouth slowly opened, an even greater fear filled her body.

For the first time since this fear had struck her, Shiro moved.

She moved her head to face the friends behind her.

Kōkatsu: [Oi…Shiro…Ya okay?]

Kaoru: [I’m not sure what has happened, but Miss Shiro ended up like this following some words that…fire person had said.]

Silvia: [I ssssee. Perhapssss a divine punisssshment issss in order then.]

While they spoke, Yoro looked at the terrified eyes that faced her.

Yoro: [Shiro? You alright? What’s wrong? Is there something on me?]

Yoro began to move towards Shiro, but Shiro’s eyes did not change.

In fact, her eyes did not move.

Yoro: [Shiro?! Hey, are you okay?! Kaoru! Was she attacked or anything of the sort?!]

Kaoru: [She was hit by some fire, but nothing happened as soon as she went motionless.]

Yoro: [Damn! Alright, we need to move her back for the time being. Nene, please lend me a hand!]

Nero: [Right!]

Nero then began to move to the other side of Shiro.

As he did.

It occurred.

A difference.

Yoro: [Huh?]

Nero: [What’s wrong, Yoyo?]

Yoro: [No…It’s…Well, Shiro’s eyes moved.]

Nero: [They did?]

He looked back at Shiro.

Her eyes were now directed at him.

There was one extra thing she had remembered.

There was an extra piece to her visions.

Yoro: [Huh? Hey, Nene! We’ve got a problem!]

Nero: [There’s something else?]

Yoro pointed past the two of them, focusing on the man on the throne.

Nero began to turn to face what Yoro was pointing towards.

Shiro had noticed what word was said.

Yoro.

Yoro was never part of this.

Rather, she could have been, but it was never her.

Shiro finally moved once more, attempting to face the person she was once fighting.

She needed to confirm her very thoughts.

Her confirmation…was there.

Across the room, Daroma pointed towards Nero.

Daroma: [You. You are the one I must rid of this world.]

Everything Shiro had needed as proof was right in front of her.

Her fear built up faster and faster, until eventually…

Yoro: [...Hey, Shiro? You okay? You’re shaking really hard right now and I’m kinda worried about–]

Shiro: [AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!]

A scream of fear filled the room as tears burst forth from Shiro’s eyes.

Daroma’s words had no longer felt like a lie.

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