The sky was black, devoid of moon or stars. Heavy, purplish clouds swirled above a field of devastated ruins. The ground, cracked like shattered glass, still smoldered from the blows of a battle that defied the laws of the world. Trees were charred, distant mountains ripped open by magical blasts of inconceivable power.
At the center of this chaos, two figures faced each other.
One, gigantic, with skin as black as nothingness, wings of shadow spread across the sky, blood-red eyes, and a crown of black flames on his head. Zephyr, the demon god, master of chaos, embodied the end of the world.
The other, standing despite his wounds, his tattered cape billowing in the scorching wind, his golden eyes pulsing with a dying light: Rhinichiro Silva, the 24th God of this world.
"You're out of breath, Rhinichiro," Zephyr growled, his deep voice echoing in the air like a death knell. "You thought you could stop me all by yourself? Pathetic. Even your divine power is but a flash in the pan against the eternity of chaos."
Rhinichiro clenched his fists, blood trickling down his arms.
"Perhaps… but I don't need to stop you forever… just long enough for him to be ready."
Zephyr tilted his head slightly, curious.
"You're talking about your son… That weakling? The one who screams every night because of the creature he carries? You think he'll become your heir? Your worthy successor? He's nothing but an unstable vessel. A ticking time bomb."
"He has what I never had…" Rhinichiro murmured, closing his eyes for a second. A tear slid from his eye. "…The most powerful demon in the world within him, and a human heart. He can still do what we failed to do. Create a world where the gods no longer rule through fear…"
Zephyr raised his hand, a black sphere forming in his palm.
"Enough talk. Die knowing that your son will be the next to fall."
The sphere exploded in a burst of dark lightning. Rhinichiro raised his arms, clasping his wrists, and a golden barrier rose before him. It trembled, creaked, then cracked.
Rhinichiro took a step back, panting. His knees buckled.
"Not yet… not now…"
Memories flashed through his mind.
His son's smile.
The worried look on his wife's face, that gentle demi-human.
Stolen laughter between training sessions.
Rial's cries of pain on the nights when Zuma awoke within him…
He couldn't fail now.
In a final effort, Rhinichiro raised his arms to the sky. A golden light exploded from his body, tearing through the darkness.
"By the pact of the gods, by the blood of the chosen… Sanctis Ultima!"
A pillar of light crashed down upon Zephyr. The demon god screamed, trapped in an ancient seal, his wings burning with divine power.
But he smiled.
Even in pain… he smiled.
"You think you can seal me? You sacrifice your soul for a few years' reprieve? This world will fall, no matter how long it takes!"
The ground exploded. A shockwave ripped through the battlefield.
And then… silence.
A young boy ran through the rubble. His breathing came in ragged gasps, his heart pounding like a drum. He stumbled over a rock, got back up, his face covered in dust and tears.
Rial. Fifteen years old.
He reached the top of a hill, just in time to see his father collapse to the ground. The light in his eyes went out. His divine armor was shattered, his body charred.
Near him… lay a female figure. His mother.
No… not her too…
"Mom!! Dad!!!"
He ran, screamed, until he fell to his knees before them.
Rhinichiro raised his hand slightly. A final spark of magic still burned within him.
"Rial… listen to me carefully…"
"Dad, no, don't speak… I'm going to heal you… I'm going to—"
"It's too late for me." And for her too… Zuma… is already beginning to awaken, isn't he?"
Rial gritted his teeth, his throat tight.
"I… yes. I'm in pain. All the time. But I can contain it. I will—"
"You mustn't contain it… you must master it. This is your path. This world… needs you. You are… the heir…"
His fingers fell slowly into the dust.
"Dad?"
Rhinichiro's body became light… then vanished into the wind.Suddenly, a cold voice echoed in Rial's mind. An ancient, deep voice… demonic.
"So… you're finally alone."
Rial froze.
"Your father is dead. Your mother too. Now it's just the two of us. You can cry… or you can use me."
"Zuma…"
"We have a pact, you and I. You will suffer. You will fall. But if you survive… you will become stronger than any god. Are you ready to lose everything… to gain everything?"
Rial clenched his fists. Tears were still flowing, but his gaze hardened.
"I will not fall. I will rise again. And I will avenge them all. You included, you old demon."
"Heh… amusing. You're starting to talk like a king."
The earth trembled beneath his feet. Zuma's aura briefly emerged around him: black, burning, swirling.
Rial stood up.
And so, the demon's heir was born.