-Thomas
This small lake, on an ordinary quiet day, with the gentle breeze whispering through the leaves… it felt as if today would be no different from yesterday. I was lying on the surface of the lake, letting myself sink into the calmness of the water, as I always did. This lake alone was enough for me; there was no need to go to the city, no need to collect anything from the forest. The simplicity of it soothed me. The lake was my sanctuary, my quiet refuge, untouched and peaceful.
There is something inherent in demons, something intrinsic to our nature. Unlike humans, demons, thanks to the blood coursing through our veins, do not require many of the things humans do. We need only what replenishes the energy derived from our blood, and that depends largely on our strength. For those considered “average,” this is enough. But if you are a strong demon, you act to prevent your power from diminishing, and if not, you remain no different than the so-called average demons. Weak demons, on the other hand, possess bodies too frail to utilize the power within their blood. Even if they try, they cannot use it effectively, or their healing process becomes impossibly slow and agonizing. The pain that accompanies it is unrelenting. Until now, I have not encountered a demon either weak or strong. Strong demons often establish themselves in high society, living in prestigious positions within cities. Weak demons are rare, and if not killed, they are usually sold as slaves, their lives dictated by the whims of those stronger than them.
I shifted my position and allowed the lake to pull me slightly beneath the surface. There was a strange comfort in surrendering to the water, letting it cradle me gently. Odd as it may seem, I might have claimed this place as my own. Generally, I do not allow any human to approach this area. Humans are not my preference; they are inherently greedy, selfish. At first, they approach with a semblance of normality, and you may believe a connection forms, a trust, a bond—but then their true colors emerge, like ink spreading through water. Before you know it, everything you value is taken, leaving nothing but emptiness behind. It is a risk, showing vulnerability, one I refuse to take again.
Being a sea demon, unlike many others of my kind, I do not possess the “uvuzl” traits most demons have. My body bears only the scales that appear when I touch water; otherwise, I resemble a human in appearance. The only giveaway of my demonic nature lies in my eyes. They hold a depth and an intensity that betray the power and heritage within me.
After lingering at the bottom of the lake a little longer, I surfaced, feeling my tightly braided hair loosening, strands falling gently over my shoulders. The sun’s rays filtered through the trees, warm and soft against my face, and for a moment, I closed my eyes, letting the light and the faint rustle of leaves calm me. That is, until I heard sounds approaching from the underbrush. Normally, I would have ignored it, letting curiosity fade. But curiosity prevailed this time, and I moved to a rock, climbing onto it to observe.
It did not take long for a figure to emerge. From what I could see, they wore an old, oversized black jacket, the kind that seemed too big for their frame. Their hair was a messy, deep red, cascading just past their shoulders. Their demonic nature was evident from the black horns protruding from their head, and a tail, partially hidden behind the jacket, marked them unmistakably. As I moved closer, I noticed something surprising.
I was naked. Quickly, I grabbed the two pieces of clothing hidden behind the rock. Simple, pale gray—a sleeveless top and bottoms that reached my knees—enough to cover myself. Thank you, Leif.
Dressed, I approached the figure, who seemed distracted, lost in thought. My presence did not immediately register. When it did, they flinched slightly, as if startled by the sudden intrusion.
“Uh, pardon me, I didn’t notice you there,” he said, his voice quiet, hesitant.
“It’s okay, perhaps I approached too quietly, huh?”i said
“No problem,” he replied, but there was more in their voice than mere shyness; something timid, almost wary.
“So… um, why are you here?”
His shifted uneasily, their gaze drifting to their hands for a moment. I took the opportunity to examine them more closely, and for the first time, something I had missed initially caught my attention.
He had no wings.
But my thoughts were interrupted as he began speaking again.
“I was just wandering around. I didn’t even know a place like this existed. I’m really sorry if I disturbed you.”
“No, no. Actually, your coming is a change. My days usually pass in the same way,” I reassured them.
Still, he did not maintain proper eye contact. I could not tell why, but perhaps their gaze had been drawn to where his wings should have been.
“Ah… well, I mean… my wings are under my jacket. I didn’t want to tear it, you know. It would be ruined otherwise,” they explained.
His reasoning made sense, though the way he said it seemed almost disbelieving, as if even he did not fully trust his own explanation. I decided not to react, for now.
“Then I think it’s time we introduce ourselves. I’m Thomas, though you can call me Tom if you prefer.”
Finally, his met my gaze directly.
“Ash,” they said simply.
I smiled.
I was pleased to meet Ash, the wingless demon.
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1gHhTR5q0
(I'm sorry for making you all wait. I've been a bit lazy lately. But I plan to release the next few chapters in succession to make up for it. And I'm eagerly awaiting your comments about the characters' appearances, attitudes, or stories in the comments.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdXAxKZ78G
next chapter will be published tomorow ot 15.00)278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjP0ZCwLDsp
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