In a forest surrounding a great city, Renkai Creatures wandered about, searching for their main source of food: humans.
One of those demonic beings was devouring the corpse of a man who hadn't been very lucky. It was unsettling to think that this same Renkai Creature had once been human.
But suddenly, that same being was attacked by a… girl? That in itself wasn't strange, but what was she?
Her body was covered in fur, like an animal, her nudity easily hidden by her black coat. She was also a demon, but strangely human and self-aware.
She ran through the forest, eliminating and consuming all the other demonic creatures she came across. Then, holding the paw of one of the demons she had killed earlier between her teeth, her orange eyes gleamed as she saw a… library? Isolated? Well, that "girl" seemed to recognize the structure from afar.
She walked through the library's entrance, whose doors stood open. At the front desk sat a man:
He had long dark hair; one of his eyes was covered by some kind of eyepatch, while the other gleamed silver. One of his arms was a bionic prototype (busy writing something in a small notebook) while his other, flesh hand rested beneath his chin.
He wore a black overcoat, a dark red shirt, and black pants. Judging by his appearance, he looked to be about twenty to twenty-five years old.
Sensing the girl's presence, he lifted his head, gazing at her with no emotion on his face, stopping his writing and asking in a neutral tone:
"Shaphira, did you finish your hunt?"
The girl, now recognized as Shaphira, sat down on the floor, placing the demon's paw on the ground as if offering a gift.
"Yes, Master. I've trained and completed my hunt!"
Her tail wagged; she seemed excited to be in the man's presence. It was strange enough that this Renkai creature looked so human, but to be so… obedient and submissive?
The man didn't seem to mind. He stood up and approached Shaphira, who looked to be around eighteen.
"Good job. You've brought us meat and fed yourself as well. You deserve a bath."
He placed a hand on her head, gently stroking it. Though his expression was emotionless, there was a quiet affection in the gesture, even if he himself didn't understand it.
"Hmmm… Can you give me a bath today?"
She rubbed her face against the man's mechanical hand. He didn't oppose the idea, it seemed normal to him.
"No problem."
Shaphira brightened, her tail wagging happily as she followed the man out of the library. They approached a nearby river, where he began removing his clothes. Shaphira watched him undress without shame or malice.
"Master, do you want me to bathe you too?"
"That won't be necessary."
Once undressed, his body was revealed, toned and covered with scars tracing across his frame.
He entered the river, while Shaphira sat beside him, resting her head on his chest, looking completely at peace.
"This feels so nice…"
"…"
The man simply closed his eyes and began gently stroking Shaphira's head with near paternal care, like a father comforting his daughter.
The demon girl purred softly against his chest, her tail curling around his mechanical hand as if wanting to maintain contact.
"I didn't realize how much I needed this…"
Her ears twitched lightly against his face, nearly drifting off to sleep in that quiet, intimate, yet strangely familiar moment between them.
***
After several minutes, the man emerged from the river, letting the sunlight dry his now-clothed body. Shaphira came out as well, standing beside him and shaking the moisture from her fur.
"It's much better to bathe in the river than in the library, isn't it, Master?"
"I prefer the library… it's warmer."
"Right… you've got a point."
She crossed her arms in mild defeat. The man said nothing more, only nodding, content to enjoy the moment of peace. They stood in silence for a few more minutes… until Shaphira looked up at him sleepily.
"I trained so much today, Master. Can I sleep?"
"Have a good rest."
He placed his hand on the demon girl's head, stroking her soft ears. She closed her eyes, savoring the affection.
"I'll return to my true form and rest for a bit."
She stepped away, and her body began to shift, as though manipulating her own Renkai Energy… A fox? Well, she still had her black fur and bright orange eyes. She looked larger, stronger, and far more lethal than any ordinary fox.
She turned toward the library, her tail brushing the man's face and making him let out a quiet sneeze before he began following her. Inside, Shaphira carefully climbed the stairs to the second floor, leading to the bedroom where the two usually slept.
The room was simple: a bed large enough for two or more, a few books, and some things Shaphira dared not touch. She curled up on the bed, wrapping her tail over her eyes, finally able to rest.
The man, now alone, took a book from the shelf, sat at the desk, and began reading and taking notes.
Hours passed. Night fell, and rain began to pour. The man closed the book and his notebook, grabbed an umbrella, and cast one last look toward the bedroom, watching over Shaphira from afar.
He opened the library door, feeling the wind and cold raindrops against his face and hair. Then he closed the door behind him, walking into the forest through the rain. As if it brought him peace… for now.
Suddenly, a portal opened right in front of him, causing him to stumble and fall into another dimension…