The training progressed faster than Valroth had expected. After just three days, Aeris had grown accustomed to his brutal beatings, able to roll away from his attacks and stand again almost instantly. After another week, the spear in her hand felt like an extension of her body. Pleased with her progress, Valroth took Aeris and Ember to the edge of a vast forest.
Parting the dense foliage, they stepped into a meadow bathed in sunlight. Wildflowers swayed gently in the breeze. Ember broke free from Aeris' arms, happily bounding across the grass. After the devastation of the war, places like this—untouched by destruction—were rare.
"Sorry, your body must be hurt badly." Valroth saw the bruises on everywhere of Aeris's body. Aeris shook her head with guilt like it was her fault to make Valroth feel bad, although her body was feeling like it was going to fall apart.
"Do you like it here?" Valroth plucked a small white flower, holding it between his thumb and forefinger, gently rubbing the stem as the petals spun.
"I do," Aeris nodded eagerly while watching the flower twirl. "It is pretty here."
"What else do you like?" Valroth shifted his gaze from the flower to Aeris' face. Since she had started following him, her once gaunt face had begun to fill out, and a healthy flush of color appeared on her cheeks. Her dark eyes gleamed with a spark of life, and she smiled with her eyes even before her lips followed.
"As your owner, I need to know you better than you know yourself."
"I like the berries, meat, and Ember..." Aeris' voice trailed off as she furrowed her brow, and fell deep in thought. She could only recall the things she'd enjoyed after meeting Valroth. Everything since then had made her happy enough to roll in the grass with joy. But when pressed to define what she truly liked, she found herself struggling to answer.
Valroth's gaze burned as hot as the heat radiating from his body, ever-present.
"And you," Aeris said, her eyes sparkling as she met Valroth's stare, unflinching.
"Me what?" Valroth raised his left eyebrow.
"I like you." Aeris made her answer clearer. Valroth nodded as if he had expected that answer. If anyone was there watching, could see the innocent, childlike adoration in Aeris' eyes and her complete reliance on him. To Valroth, this meant that his training was halfway complete.
Love was the easiest tool to manipulate.
"I like you too," Valroth replied, ruffling her hair with one hand. Aeris smiled so widely that her eyes almost closed, completely missing the coldness in his eyes and voice. She cautiously raised a hand and said, "Ember likes to be held. I think I'd like to hold you too."
Her gaze held a hint of pleading.
Valroth shook his head while stepping back with a cryptic smile. "When you've completed your training—when you truly belong to me."
"Keep working hard. Maybe one day."
Valroth sat on a grassy hill, watching Aeris and Ember tumble and play below. Their laughter echoed up the slope, occasionally pulling him from his thoughts. He glanced at them now and then, but only briefly before returning to his musings.
The clouds in the sky, like fish scales, were painted a deep orange-red by the setting sun. The sea mirrored the same breathtaking colors, blending seamlessly with the sky at some unknown point. In that fleeting moment, it felt as if the entire world had been set ablaze by the sun's final glow.
A small boy with neatly trimmed short hair sat on the beach, wearing simple linen clothing. His thin arms and legs peeked out from his clothes. He gazed into the distance, this was the only time he liked the ocean. The red glow that engulfed the world always stirred something deep in his heart.
"Val, come on, let's go home."
A woman in her thirties called out to him, waving as she walked in his direction. The boy jumped up from the ground and happily ran to her, grabbing her hand and taking the linen clothes she carried.
"Mother, did the clothes still not sell?" The boy's small brows furrowed tightly, like a knot that wouldn't come undone. "When I grow up a little more, Roy said I can go out to sea with his fishing boat and start earning money!"
"Alright. When Val grows up a little more," the woman said gently, stroking his head. "But I wish you would never grow up, so I could always stay by your side."
She brushed aside the loose strands of hair on her face, reached into the pouch at her waist, and crouched down in front of the boy. She kissed his slightly damp cheek.
"Happy birthday, Val."
From the pouch, she took out a necklace and placed it around his neck. The chain was long, seemingly made for an adult. The transparent, diamond-shaped stone at the pendant's center refracted the sunset's golden light. The boy clutched the pendant tightly in his small hand, but instead of joy, his eyes showed hesitation. He was just about to say something when he noticed a man walking slowly toward them from behind his mother.
"Roy!" The boy shouted excitedly, holding up his new pendant for Roy to see. However, when the woman heard the name, her whole body tensed. She forced a smile before turning around.
Roy approached, his gaze sweeping over the woman before he crouched down and ruffled the boy's short hair.
As night deepened, the waves crashed wildly against the shore. The boy eagerly waited for his mother to finish cooking their dinner, the salted fish with flour dough. His eyes lingered on the two small candies placed on the table, the only sweetness he would have on his birthday. Unable to resist, he wanted to ask his mother if he could eat one before dinner, but as he turned toward the kitchen, he saw her standing motionless by the window.
Her hands, still dusted with flour, trembled midair.
He followed her gaze out toward the sea. A ball of fire streaked across the water, rushing toward the shore. In the blink of an eye, it arrived. But as it neared, he realized it wasn't fire at all.
Two figures emerged, their bodies wrapped in flames. They had wings and curved horns upon their heads. As they stepped onto land, the fire slowly died out.
"It's Asmodeus! Just like Roy described!" The boy pointed at them, eyes filled with awe and excitement.
But his mother covered his mouth in an instant, pulling him down to hide beneath the window. The damp flour on her hands stuck to his face, and the smell of salted fish filled his nostrils. He squirmed, trying to escape her grip, but when he looked into her eyes, he saw only fear.
Flames that burn away reason will shine as the holiest light, seizing dominion over the continent.
This fire does not consume bodies, it devours the will, which eventually submits, and the hearts that will be reduced to ashes.
This is Asmodeus.
The boy suddenly recalled the way Roy had spoken those words, his eyes filled with admiration and longing. Confused, he turned back to his mother, who trembled violently in terror.
He wanted to look up again, to see where the two-horned figures had gone, but suddenly, everything fell into silence. Even the sea breeze had vanished.
Two shadowy figures with horns appeared before him…