The air in the Demon Woods hung heavy with an unsettling stillness, broken only by the crunch of brittle leaves beneath worn boots. Shadows stretched, twisting like skeletal fingers, as the ragged group of adventurers pushed deeper into the thicket. Ken Light trudged at the rear, his heart pounding not from fear, but from the thrill of the hunt. Each step pulled him closer to the darkness he both loathed and craved.
Elric, a brash swordsman with a mop of unruly hair, turned back to Ken. "You sure you're up for this? You look like you've seen a ghost."
Ken's lips curled into a ghost of a smile, a mere flicker. "I've seen worse."
"Right." Elric's brow furrowed, but he shrugged and turned back, his gaze scanning the gnarled trees. "Just don't fall behind. We can't afford to lose anyone in here."
The group pressed onward, a motley crew of hopefuls and hardened fighters. A mage, a rogue, and a brawny tank formed the core, each with their own reason for hunting low-class demons. Ken's reason, however, was shrouded in secrecy. He was not just hunting demons; he was hunting himself.
As they moved deeper, the atmosphere shifted. A low growl echoed through the trees, sending a shiver down Ken's spine. He straightened, senses heightened.
"Did you hear that?" the rogue whispered, her eyes wide.
Elric nodded, gripping the hilt of his sword. "Stay sharp. It could be close."
Ken focused, feeling the familiar thrumming of power within him. A power he despised yet needed. He clenched his fists, willing himself to keep control. The last thing he wanted was to reveal his true nature.
Suddenly, a demon lunged from the underbrush, its grotesque form a blur of teeth and claws. Ken's heart raced—not with fear, but with a surge of adrenaline.
"Watch out!" the mage shouted, but it was too late.
The demon barreled toward Elric, who barely sidestepped in time. Ken moved instinctively, his hands igniting with a forbidden flame that flickered darkly, a twisted mockery of his humanity.
"Get back!" he shouted, voice low and commanding.
With a flick of his wrist, tendrils of fire shot forward, a blaze that consumed the demon in an instant. The creature screeched, a horrific sound that echoed through the woods, before turning to ash.
The group stood in stunned silence, eyes wide and breaths held.
"Nice work, Ken!" Elric exclaimed, breaking the tension. "That was some fine fire magic!"
Ken forced a chuckle, hiding his racing heart behind a mask of nonchalance. "Just a lucky shot."
The rogue eyed him suspiciously, her brow furrowing. "It didn't look like ordinary fire. Where did you learn magic like that?"
Ken's stomach twisted, but he kept his expression neutral. "I picked up a few things along the way. It's not hard if you've got the will."
"Will, huh?" Elric clapped Ken on the back, laughter bubbling forth. "Just make sure you don't burn down the whole forest next time, or we'll be the ones in trouble."
They continued deeper into the woods, but Ken couldn't shake the feeling that Elric's gaze lingered a moment too long. Doubt gnawed at him, though he buried it beneath layers of self-control.
As night fell, the shadows deepened, and the group set up camp in a small clearing. The flickering fire cast dancing shadows against the trees, a stark contrast to the darkness lurking just beyond the light.
"Tell us a story, Ken," Elric said, leaning forward, curiosity glinting in his eyes.
Ken hesitated, words dancing on the tip of his tongue. What could he share that wouldn't reveal the monster within? "Once, I hunted beasts in the mountains," he began, his voice a low rumble. "It taught me to respect the hunt. To know my prey."
"And what did you do with them?" the rogue asked, her interest piqued.
Ken's smile was cold, a flicker of something darker. "I took their heads as trophies."
Laughter erupted among the group, but it felt hollow to Ken. They saw him as a brave warrior, a protector. They didn't know the truth of his past, nor the depths of his hatred.
As the fire crackled, Ken slipped away from the group, drawn by an invisible thread deeper into the woods. He found a secluded spot, away from prying eyes, and whispered into the stillness. "I'll wipe your kind out… even if it means wiping out myself."
The words hung in the air, a promise to the shadows that enveloped him. He could feel the magic thrumming in his veins, hungry and eager. It would be so easy to let it loose, to embrace the darkness and extinguish every last demon. But that would mean losing himself.
He turned back to the camp, the flickering firelight guiding him home.
"Where'd you run off to?" Elric asked, feigning nonchalance, yet the edge in his voice betrayed his suspicion.
"Just gathering my thoughts," Ken replied, forcing calm into his tone.
"Right." Elric narrowed his eyes, but the moment passed as the others resumed their lighthearted banter.
As the night wore on, Ken's mind raced. He had managed to maintain his façade, but the unease was growing. Elric's watchful gaze haunted him, and the thrill of the hunt was tinged with dread.
"What happens if they find out?" he whispered to himself, the question echoing in the silence.
Unbeknownst to him, far away in the Demon Capital, a powerful demon lord stirred. The air crackled with energy, and a sinister smile crept across his face as he sensed the strange magical signature emanating from the woods.
"Interesting," he murmured, eyes gleaming with curiosity and malice. "A half-demon in the Sanctified Kingdoms, playing the hero. How delightful."
Back in the woods, Ken was oblivious, lost in the turmoil of his own thoughts. The conflict within him surged, a reminder of the duality that defined his existence.
The next day, they resumed their hunt, but the tension was palpable. Elric's questions grew bolder, each one pricking at Ken's carefully constructed armor.
"Have you ever met a demon face to face?" Elric asked, his tone casual but probing.
Ken's heart raced. "No. Just the low-class ones."
"Lucky you. I've heard tales of powerful demons. They're cunning, ruthless. You have to watch your back."
Ken gritted his teeth, fighting the urge to reveal the truth. "I can handle myself."
"Sure you can," Elric said, a hint of doubt creeping into his voice. "But can you handle what you really are?"
The words struck like a dagger, slicing through Ken's defenses. He forced a laugh, but it felt hollow. "Just another day in the woods, right?"
Elric's frown deepened, but before he could press further, a rustle echoed nearby, drawing their attention.
"Demon!" the rogue hissed, her eyes wide as she pointed toward the underbrush.
A low growl reverberated through the trees, and Ken felt the familiar rush of power within him. The whispers of vengeance curled like smoke in his mind.
"Get ready!" Elric shouted, drawing his sword.
Ken stepped forward, the darkness within him awakening, but this time, he hesitated. The weight of his duality bore down on him.
"Ken!" Elric shouted, urgency lacing his voice.
With a surge of will, Ken unleashed a blast of fire, masking the darker energy that threatened to escape. The demon screeched, consumed by flames, and the group erupted into cheers.
But Ken's heart was heavy. He had won the battle, yet lost a piece of himself in the process.
As they celebrated, Elric's eyes lingered on him, suspicion brewing beneath the surface. Every cheer felt like a countdown, a reminder that the truth could unravel at any moment.
With each victory, Ken drew closer to the edge of madness, and the demons he sought to destroy were not just the ones lurking in the shadows.
In that moment, beneath the fading light of day, Ken Light knew the real battle was just beginning.