The Demon Within Us

In a world where justice held no ground, wars ignited over nothing, and people were ensnared by their sins, chaos reigned. A brutal war raged—soldiers screamed for their lives, people prayed to their gods—but the only thing that remained was the blood, painting the earth red with despair. Yet, in the middle of this carnage stood a teenager. He knew no fear. He kept fighting despite being outnumbered and overwhelmed, with his country and family etched into his mind. Enemy after enemy fell before him, their corpses raining onto the battlefield like crimson tears.

Inspired by the boy's unbreakable spirit, the rest of the army found their courage. And in the end, they won. They called it The Red Moon—a name earned from the rivers of blood and the scarlet plants that grew where the dead had fallen.

As they marched home from the madness, the soldiers talked of families, of futures yet to be written. Captain Yuri approached the boy with pride and admiration in his eyes.

"What's your name, boy?" the captain asked.

"Shizui, sir," he replied.

"Shizui... You saved this battle. You carved your name into history. Your will to protect your homeland lit a fire in all of us—even me."Yuri grinned, proud.

Shizui, calm and resolute, responded, "I only fought for my future—and for my family."

A soldier nearby overheard, ran up, and threw his arms around Shizui."Don't be so modest! You're the hero of this country!"They all laughed together.

"What matters now is that we're going back to our families," said Shizui, his heart filled with hope.

This world was divided into four nations: Elvard, the realm of elves. The Dragon Realm, home of the humans. The Underworld, ruled by monsters. And The Big World Tree, a divine land rooted in legend. In the wake of the war between gods and demons, these nations were born thousands of years ago when angels descended and planted the World Tree to bring balance.

Shizui thought of the day he left for war. He was twenty, and Diana—his beloved—was pregnant. He had left her behind, a promise burning in his heart. Now, after two painful years of blood and death, he was finally going to meet his child. Tears welled up as he realized: those years weren't lost.

"I see the gates!" a soldier shouted. Cheers erupted. Tears fell. They began carrying the wounded toward salvation.

At the gate, Captain Yuri spoke with the guards. He laughed—but there was something wrong. Shizui caught a glimpse of his eyes—twisted, full of something... darker. Then the gates slammed shut.

BAM!

"What is the meaning of this, YURI?!" Shizui roared.

Yuri turned, smiling cruelly."Sorry, boys... I'll see you in hell."

And that...is where everything began.