A Demon's Tale

In a nicely furnished house was a couch of red and white. Along that couch sat a goddess of white, who was currently away from work after her assistants and friends begged her to take the next few months off.

She sat by herself, playing with her hair and pouting to the empty room around her. The feeling of being alone was one that she did not enjoy, and thus, this scenario was a nightmare for her.

Shiro: [This sucks! Asher and Lily wanted me to stay home but I kept refusing. Then Kō comes along and she’s all like “Yaargh! I can handle things at ye office, Shiro! Don’t worry ‘bout a thing! Ararararar!” and now I’m here! Normally I would have liked this kind of downtime, but sadly, I am BY MYSELF, BECAUSE EVERY–]

A sharp reminder was put into her head as to why she was home and her voice shrank to a much lower pitch. Her rage was now far more quiet than before.

Shiro: [--Because everyone is busy with stuff today. I want to be busy too… but I can’t. I guess it’s a good thing when I really think about it, but I don’t know that I like this. I’ve already folded the laundry, swept the house and did the dishes. There’s nothing left to do…]

Shiro rested her head against her hands as she let her eyes dance around the room. She looked towards the windows, the kitchen, the dining room, the living room that she sat in and all that was placed within it.

She then looked at the table in front of her. A cup of tea and some crackers were laid out, along with a TV remote.

Shiro: [Ah! That’s it! I might not be able to keep myself busy with work, but I can keep myself busy with other things! That’s the healthy option, after all!]

Picking up the remote, Shiro pressed a single long, black fingernail onto the power button and started surfing through the channels.

Shiro: [Let’s see… Not really interested in cooking anything right now, so I don’t want to watch that food channel. I don’t necessarily need to shop for anything, so not that either. There’s some old shows but I don’t know that I want to watch those right now. Oh! Kō told me about this one!... But maybe not right now. Hm. There’s nothing I really wanna watch.]

She then placed the remote down, only to notice a magazine right beside it.

Shiro: [Ah! A magazine! Perfect! I can waste some time reading through this!]

Spreading herself out across the coach, Shiro started flipping through the magazine she intended to read. Her focus should have been taking the time to read each page, but instead–

Shiro: [Nope. Nope. Nope. Don’t really care about that. Not interested. Nope. Nope. I don’t think this is gonna do it for me… Ah! How about a nap? That should pass the time without a problem at all!]

Shiro placed her unread magazine down and picked up her phone. An alarm was set and the phone was put down beside the magazine. With her head laid back against the soft cushion of the couch, Shiro started to gleefully whisk herself away into the land of her dreams–

Shiro: [Is there an improper way to sleep like this? I… never really had to take a nap last time. I guess I got tired but I never passed out on the couch. I should be fine… No! Damn it! Now I’m paranoid! I need to find something else to do!]

Her eyes quickly opened with a sense of danger and her merciless pouting from before continued.

Shiro: [A hobby! That’s what I need! If I’ll be out of the office for a while, I should pick up a hobby! I just need to find what kind of hobby!]

With a finger pointed in the air, Shiro searched the room for her new passtime. The first item she focused on was the cup in front of her.

Shiro: [I don’t think tea making is a hobby… or is it? Regardless, I don’t wanna waste perfectly good tea that I can’t finish and then have it get cold. What else is there… Oh! Yoro got me a knitting kit a while back for my birthday! I mentioned to her that I wanted to learn how to make clothes and then boom! There it was! Alright, let me see if I can find it. I think I left it in my closet somewhere.]

Shiro slowly rose from off the couch and moved towards her bedroom. As she entered the room, she took note of something beside the king sized bed. And like that, all her interest in knitting was sucked out of her.

Shiro: [Hmmm… a bongo… You know what, I guess I'll use this for a bit.]

A single bongo was seen by the side, which Shiro then picked up and brought back into the living room. Tracing the bongo with her palms, she adjusted her body before starting to beat the top of it.

A calm but enthusiastic rhythm echoed into the silent room. The music formed caused Shiro to smile in pure joy as her ears were pleasured with every sound the bongo produced.

Shiro: [Hahaha! This is really fun! I’m like a god of thunder!]

Suddenly, her drumming stopped.

Shiro: [Now that I think about it… this kinda gives me an idea. I think they would like it too…]

Shiro slapped the bongo one final time. The very thing she took notice of occurred again.

Shiro: [That settles it then! I know what I now have to do! It’s time for some more work!]

A brand new idea was hatched within Shiro’s brain.

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In a barren wasteland, a massive pillar of lightning was let loose against the sand covered rocks. From afar were three individuals that watched the scene unfold, two of which had safety goggles equipped. A human man, a snake woman, and finally, a goddess in white.

Dusting off her clothes, the goddess turned to the two to speak with them.

Shiro: [So? What do the two of you think?]

Asher: [That was incredible, Lady Shiro!]

Hearing the excited eruption from Asher, Shiro could not help but smile.

Shiro: [Perfect! I knew this was a good idea!]

Lily: [I musssst assssk, when did you come up with ssssuch a powerful move, Lady Sssshiro?]

Shiro: [Hm? Oh. I’d say…a few months ago? Something around that.]

Lily: [I ssssee. In only a few monthssss, that issss very impre–]

Lily’s sentence was stopped by her own mind. The two assistants had already reached the same conclusion.

Asher: [L-Lady Shiro… when you say a few months ago…]

Lily: [You don’t mean…]

Shiro: [Hm? Oh. Yeah. Right around then.]

Their mouths were left agape at the monotone confirmation of what they did not want to believe.

Asher: [We told you to stop working around that time for a reason, Lady Shiro!]

Shiro: [I was just fine, Asher! Don’t worry!]

Lily: [But the ussssage of matōki or an element hassss never been tessssted for ssssuch a ssssituation!]

Shiro: [That’s how I knew it was a good idea!]

Asher and Lily: [That doesn’t make any sense!]

A brief pause had occurred following the explosive shout from the two. As Shiro’s eyes started to calm after being widened with shock, she continued to elaborate to them.

Shiro: [Look, it might not make sense to the two of you, but it makes a whole lot of sense to me! I got a thumbs up on it, and as you can see, it clearly works!]

Asher: [I… I understand that Lady Shiro…]

Lily: [But nexsssst time… pleasssse try ssssomething lessss dangeroussss…]

A deep sigh was given, followed by a single hand to be placed on Shiro’s chest while the other was raised in the air.

Shiro: [Fine. I swear that if there is a next time, I will be a whole lot more cautious and only focus on less potentially dangerous activities. Good?]

Asher and Lily: [Thank you.]

Shiro: [Besides… I guess the only way to see if it works is in battle.]

Thus, a brand new technique was officially formed.

One that Shiro considered to be her ace in the hole.

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Amongst the battlefield, a single beat of a drum was the sound that stood out the most. The origin of the sound belonged to a succubus who stood high up in the air, Shiro Fuloreen. Behind her snow colored clothing was eight den-den daiko drums made of electricity. Only a single drum however was repeatedly beaten in a slow rhythm.

On the ground below was the former ruler of the world, Devi Bloodfire. Her blood red hair continued to provide a radiant look as she performed her dance of battle. Her pace was incredible, her bravery was unmatched, and she continued to stand before an opponent she could not break through. The man who started the war along with a former member of the eight gods of the world, Nero Virtuoso.

With every passing second, Devi’s speed increased ever so slightly. This allowed for her dance to quicken in pace along with her ability to dodge growing stronger. She repeatedly tried to strike Nero’s defenses, but remained cautious of what may come next.

The mysterious power behind his sword was still unknown. Not a single one of his attacks made contact with any of those he had fought, with one exception. The woman who once served Devi, and no longer existed in this world, Sol. Her chest was pierced by the very same blade, yet not an ounce of information regarding it

could be deciphered nor given.

It was rare that Devi performed such a risky tactic. She was a woman who often calculated every move she made and would often choose a much more slow dance that she would speed up with time after she deduced what her opponent was capable of. This was a strategy she performed when fighting the oni, Ryuusei Ryoma, prior to her fight with Nero.

However, that option no longer existed. While Ryuusei was excellent in battle, there were areas in which he was still green.

Nero had seemed flawless. His moves were calculated and vicious. There were little to no openings in his defense, while his offense rarely allowed for the time to counter. He did not reveal a single thing about his abilities, but also made sure to observe what his opponents were capable of.

He was a man worthy of having the title of a god. The only problem was the very reason that he was here. The death of not only Devi Bloodfire, but all of those who did not comply with his new world order.

Devi used the most of her strengths as she could. With a fierce kick, she pushed Nero’s sword out of the way and attempted to strike his chest to weaken him. However, he repelled the blade with a single knee and placed the sword over his shoulder for another heavy swing at her head. Devi used the advantage of her speed to dash away from him quickly, only to see something far more horrifying than her potential death.

A set of three mountains that were far off in the distance. A few seconds after Nero released his swing, all three were simultaneously cut in half and slid along the side of what remained.

Devi could not help but think back to the man’s wife.

She had heard about Deathly Sweet, Yoro of the Sands. According to her reports, Yoro was a girl who was gifted with many things in terms of strength. There was a reason as to why she had ruled over such a large area for so long.

With all of the reports she received, with all the information she had pieced together, there was only one thing she could say to herself.

In terms of what one was capable of, Yoro Kobi was nothing compared to the man in front of her.

A fight was not decided as soon as it began. Only when it concluded was when the results were known. It was well known and obvious logic, but there was an extra meaning to it. Nobody was born weak, and thus, many were capable of achieving victory in a battle that was above them. This was the belief that Devi held true in her heart. No matter the opponent, anyone could present a threat with what they were capable of.

This man… had no need for such a thing.

If he were to enter combat with another, the fight was likely decided then and there. Nobody was born weak, but in comparison to him, they were. Anyone could present a threat. There were many fish in the sea after all. This man, however, was the largest fish that could be found.

Devi had already taken note of those around her. Shiro, Kōkatsu, Silvia, Helig, hundreds upon thousands were subconsciously studied in her mind. However, not a single one reached the same level as Nero.

How long were they aware of this? Did they know his might expanded this far? Were they oblivious to it or did they choose to ignore it?

Several questions popped into the mind of the braveheart, who now had a cracked confident appearance as sweat dropped down the side of her face. The teeth inside her mouth refused to be unclenched.

Devi continued her charge and attempted to strike Nero from both sides, with a follow up kick above his head. Both attacks from her blade were sent into separate directions. When faced with the kick, Nero grabbed ahold of Devi’s leg and chucked her at the incoming, rapid arrows.

Devi and Tequi: [Tch!]

Stomping her feet against the ground, Devi gave a swift spin and jumped to the side, before moving back towards Nero. At the same time, Tequi redirected her arrows into the air, and moved them back towards the target. Due to the increased speed she provided to her arrows, a great loss in energy was beginning to take effect in Tequi’s body. Heavy panting was released from her open mouth while she continued her onslaught.

Tequi: [I really hope this attack doesn’t take too long, Roro!]

While Nero continued to dodge the speedy arrows, Devi rushed in and provided a flurry of her own. She focused her attacks on the sides in which Nero was both defenseless and had yet to counter. Once a counter was provided, she would switch sides and attack from another.

However, an oddity in sound was quietly playing out to her ears. A sound comparable to glass being touched, but not quite the same as glass.

Allowing her mind to ignore it for the time being, she continued her rush while Tequi provided back up. She focused on each of the blaring lights that passed by to remember the multiple directions where the arrows would likely come from. She noticed them in the air, along the same level as her and even below. An additional blue light was also provided to the ground–

Devi: [Hk!]

At the sight of the blue lights, Devi dashed along the ground in the opposite direction. She could immediately tell what they were at first glance. They weren’t just any lights, they were flowers. Flowers made of ice. A large array of flowers that painted the field behind and in front of Nero. Devi’s skipping along the ground provided such a quick speed that a small afterimage could occasionally be seen. As Devi started to gain some distance, the flowers were finally activated with a snap of Nero’s fingers.

Nero: [Ice Maiden.]

Without warning, several soldiers from both sides were ruthlessly pierced by large spikes of ice. Their blood now painted both ends of the cold weapons. Among those who were in the path of it, only one remained unharmed. Devi Bloodfire, who had just barely gotten enough distance from the very tips of the ice.

Nero: [This is a technique I’ve not used for some time now. A memento for my wife if you will.]

The single, free hand of Nero was then raised as he fixed the front of his hair. WIth a cold stare back to Devi, he spoke again.

Nero: [Your death will serve as the incense I shall light for her.]

As Nero quickly approached, Devi provided a tiny smile between the corners of her lips as her flames surrounded her blade like a tornado.

Devi: [I must thank you, to some degree. It has been quite some time since I was pushed back this much.]

Watching as the two continued their battle below her, Shiro continued the beat of her drums. The quantity in which she struck now increased to three of eight.

Shiro: [Just a little longer, you two! That’s all I need!]

Her technique required that of a specific rhythm in her song. Should the song be performed correctly, Shiro’s technique would be completed. However, that very rhythm was something that took time to build. On top of this, it was still only a gamble on whether or not it would work as well as she wanted it to. This was her first attempt in battle, after all.

With a quick wave of Tequi’s fingers, each of her arrows were redirected to a singular point below Nero. Taking quick notice of it, Nero performed a leap in the air to avoid them. This however, worked to Tequi’s advantage, as she knew he would perform something along those lines. All ten of her fingers were thrusted up, causing the arrows to change course and shoot towards Nero once again. Raising a single arm, Nero provided a matōki blast to his side that pushed him out of the way and towards Devi, who he then attempted to strike downward at. A quick dodge was given, but the result of his strike startled her.

A long, cracked line in the ground was created in front of him. The damage extended all the way to where their medical camps had been set up. It did not cause any disturbance to their work, however they too were startled by what had unfolded.

As Devi readied herself to charge in once again, a dark circle filled the ground below Nero at an absurdly fast rate. With a single kick, Devi lifted off the ground and flipped high up in the air to gain distance from it. What followed, just like the Ice Maiden from before…

Nero: [Bloodbath.]

…was a series of dark spikes that erupted from the ground that stabbed nearby medical units who rushed in to possibly save their allies. Along with them were the very same allies they wished to save. All of which were then consumed by a dark hole that erupted their blood into the air like a volcano. A barrier of matōki was formed around Nero as the blood fell, preventing a single drop from touching him.

To Devi and Tequi, this was merely just another showcase of what Nero could do.

To Shiro, she did not understand a single thing.

Darkness.

Nero had used the power of darkness.

Shiro had known him for many years, ten to be exact.

Yet not a single time did he ever mention he was capable of using such a thing.

His element had always been ice, at least to Shiro’s knowledge it was.

Perhaps he hid the other all this time?

But he had no reason to. It was not as though darkness was a taboo to use nor did it only bring death and misery onto others.

It was the same as the rest. But why was it used only now?

While Shiro was lost in thought, the battle on the ground continued.

Devi formed a barrier of fire around herself to guard against Nero’s attacks. However, in the same fashion as the cube she had made before, it was effortlessly cut through by Nero’s sword. With another attack soon to follow, Devi jumped over Nero and attempted to kick his head from the side. A block from his free hand was given, but nothing further as Devi danced along the ground over to Tequi’s position.

The rate at which sweat fell down their faces had severely increased compared to earlier in the fight.

Devi: [Tequi, we need to come up with something immediately to keep him occupied while also keeping Shiro safe. Do you have any ideas?]

Tequi: [Hah… I’m not too sure right now… For the time being, I’ll attack from the front and you stay close behind… Before that though, treat your wound…]

Devi: [Wound? I didn’t receive a…]

Glancing down at her body, Devi noticed something that she did not understand. From the lower end of her right hip all the way to the left side of her upper chest was a shallow wound that had blood exiting from it at a slow rate. The pieces of cloth between it were seamlessly cut through.

Devi: [When did I… I don’t understand.]

Moving her eyes up to the air, Devi watched as now six of Shiro’s eight drums were being beaten.

Devi: [Our time is almost up. Let us finish this.]

With a quick burn to her wound, Devi shifted back into battle.

Before Nero could jump towards them, Tequi redirected her arrows forward, aiming at him from head on. Running behind them by only a few inches was Devi, who then slid on the ground as a slash from the side approached following Nero’s quick dodges against the arrows. His attack was then put into reverse and Devi used the strength in her legs to send herself over the blade and towards his head. Her overhead strike blocked, Devi released the grip on her sword and fell to the ground before picking it up again and aiming for Nero’s legs. His blade was shifted once more and blocked the attack again. He then took notice of the arrows behind him and attempted to shift Devi’s blade over so her body would collide with them. The arrows were redirected into the air, and aimed down at Nero. A jump was given by both Devi and Nero, who avoided the small explosion that was caused after all ten arrows hit the ground. Nero set his sights on Tequi, who was in the process of preparing a new batch of tools. However…

Shiro: [Both of you, get out of the way!]

The three on the ground raised their eyes to the air along with many around them. Shiro remained in the same position as before, but she was different. The sides of her eyes along with her eyelashes were electrified. The eight drums behind were beaten into a perfect rhythm. In both of her hands sat two large thunderbolts, that when clapped together, created a much grander spear in her right hand.

Tequi: [Devi!]

Devi: [Right!]

Both Devi and Tequi’s wings were formed as they flew back. Nero watched as the two left, before moving his gaze back to Shiro. Not a word was given. Not a single movement of his own was made. He merely looked up at her.

With her left arm extended towards him, and her right arm holding the bolt reeled behind her, Shiro gave a mighty roar as she performed her attack.

Shiro: [Great Raijin Wrath!]

In less than a second, the bolt of lightning was thrown towards Nero. Only when the second passed however did the attack land.

With the heavy bolt striking the ground, an immense pillar of lightning erupted from the ground and reached as far as the heavens above. An unstoppable wind had naturally followed, along with the singeing of the grass around it.

Though she was worried if the result of the attack would change in battle, it produced the same effect as she had practiced before.

The ferocious pillar of electricity was the essence of what Shiro Fuloreen was capable of.

8 minutes until the clock strikes 5:30 PM.

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