CH - 3 ~ ' The resurgence of the Phoenix'

~Strength born from the ashes of fear.

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Karna's POV;

"Umm, so... what you're saying is that your name is Deviltor-"

"DEVILSTER!!!! D.E.V.I.L.S.T.E.R!"

The beggar in front of me retorted, still kneeling, hands too still clasped.

"Yeah, Devilster, so what you are saying is that you are a soul that is traveling world to world in search of a person who can become 'you' but the person still be 'themselves', just the form of 'you', but still be 'them', but it doesn't mean the outer will be you as the 'you' body becomes 'them', so they will be 'you' for the outside world, but they will actually be 'them' in reality... Is that it?"

"You're making it a bit confusing, but yeah... you got the idea."

"A bit too confusing indeed."

He also sighed,

"*sigh* yeah,A bit too confusing, indeed."

His constant rambling was getting on my nerves, so I decided to back away a bit.

  As I approached him, I had an odd idea to knock him down and get some answers. However, when my hand made contact,instead of feeling his body, I felt like I was catching air. 

My hand was actually inside his bod– ahem, I mean, my hand was through his body

"W-what the hell are you doing, man!! I-I don't swing that way!! Not that I confirmed..."

He screamed, leaning backward and covering his chest like a little maiden whose innocence was being taken by a villain, but murmuring something in the end in a low voice, unable to understand.

Ignoring his useless babble, I sat down still a bit further away from him, his last words still giving me shivers in creep, as i tried to confirm,

"phew.... so you really are a ghost ,huh?"

"SOUL!!- not ghost you motherf-Ahem ,i mean soul kind sir"

A vein popped on my forehead as I realized he thought I was an idiot. 

I brushed it off and proceeded with my questions, 

"Why is your name so weird, Dovil- whatever? And more importantly, what are you?

  Are ghosts really real? 

How and why am I here?

  Why does it feel like you're speaking in a different language inside my head, even though your lips are moving?

  And what's this about 'traveling worlds'? Are there really different worlds out there?"

He stared at me for a moment,like i am some sort of weird creature?,and with a thug like  face,he spoke or demanded ,

"Can't you just ask one question at a time?"

I *sighed*,

"Alright, I'll go in order."

Again with fake coughs, he continued while sitting down on his knee again.

Clearing his throat dramatically, he began,

"First of all, my name is Devilster, but my real name is Kaal Crimson, 'the Curse of the Crimson Family.'"

I remarked, "Cool title."

"cool? heh.. i hope it was ....cough ,So, I will try to make it as short as possible"

Cutting him in middle, I spoke,

  " Small like your 'wiener'? HAHAHAHAHA!!...HAHA!!...hahha..hhha.... hah..AHEM, please continue " 

"Now i understand why your soldiesrs were freaking out ,when you said about your jokes as punishment" 

He spoke with an expression filled with sorrow and sympathy for those unfortunate souls.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes as I witnessed this, and a metaphorical "are you kidding me?" vein practically did a tap dance on my forehead. 

"You actually wanted assistance from yours truly?" 

I emphasized, my tone dripping with annoyance.

I swear he must've had a case of temporary amnesia because just a moment ago, he was practically begging. hmph.

Suddenly, his whole body froze, as if he'd been struck by lightning. He sprang to his feet and bowed dramatically, placing his hand on his chest like a loyal servant groveling before a master.

"I apologize for my impudence, great sir."

so,he says before continuing,

"Ahem... My name is Kaal Crimson. I am a vampire and the fourth son of the great duchy of the Crimson family, or so I was... until I was disowned by my family because I wasn't strong or talented enough. I didn't even have the guts nor the brain to be a part of the political world. So, I was abandoned by them, and to make it worse, my brothers accused me of treason.

So, I was 'punished' by the family, which is, believe me, too much of a sugar-coated word. I was thrown into a place called 'quasi abyss,' a hell that was terrifying more than the literal 'hell.' You are tortured until you die every single day for 20 hours, and they give healing potions every time so that you don't die from wounds nor do you lose your mind. The only way for you to die is either telling them the truth and giving them some valuable info or dying from the end of life span.

We vampires are practically immortal, but how we die from old age, that's a long story. But let's continue... I was trapped there for 53 years until, because of some accident, I was able to run away.

I ran away as far as I could.

I couldn't find the strength to face my mother and sister, who were among the few who truly cared for me, despite being my stepmother and half-sister. My true mother, as I was told, had passed away during my birth.

So, I ran away, somehow discovering a strange power that could suck knowledge and strength out of people i killed . I survived by wandering from place to place, amassing power over a century and changing my name to "Devilster" as i didn't have the guts nor the will to call myself "kaal" again ,I was embarrassed to even called by that name ,I  secluded myself for another three centuries.

Upon my return to the world, I found my resentful family no longer existed. They had been destroyed, stripped of their proud titles, and even my neutral relationship with my father and the matriarch who threw me, had ended with their assassination.

My mother and sister, though, were enslaved, choosing to end their own lives in the end, trapped in misery.

Don't misunderstand me; I cared little for that family. To me, their fate meant nothing. But my mother and sister, who had shown me kindness, their suffering tore at my heart. I contemplated revenge against those who had enslaved and killed my family.

I eliminated those who tried to enslave my mother and sister, but I soon realized the issue was more complex and beyond my power than it appeared. When I returned after 7,500 years of seclusion, hoping to uncover the truth, I was attacked by unknown assailants.Even in my last breadth, All I remembered were their mocking words, 

"The curse of the Crimson family is trully a curse, heh?"

Regret gnawed at me. I regretted not saving my family, running away, and being too weak. But just as I thought everything was over, something strange happened. Mysterious patterns on my back, and my left hand that were there began to shine.

A beautiful voice whispered, 

"Do your part." 

I didn't understand her words, but when I opened my eyes, I was a soul , floating in terror. I spent days pondering what to do? later ,realizing I still had my powers, even if I couldn't physically harm anyone.

So, I kept looking, hoping to find a way. Then, I discovered that I could combine my soul with someone else's. But there was a catch – their soul had to be really strong. I could only merge a small part, like 10% or even less, of my soul with theirs. But I didn't mind. All I cared about was making sure my family would be safe. I didn't care what happened to me. I traveled all over the Azure Sea, searching for someone strong enough, someone who could protect my family.I was disheartened until I discovered the ability to traverse different worlds. I roamed across countless realms until I found you.

You, my friend, surpassed all my expectations. You're not just a fearless warrior; you're a shining example of valor and bravery. But what truly left me astounded, and I can't stress this enough, was your incredible heroic spirit, that unwavering smile of yours, and your deep commitment to protecting your people. Frankly, at first, I thought you were a bit crazy, willing to lay down your life for the one who took it from you.That was until I heard the last words from you for the child.

From the moment I laid eyes on you to the very instant you drew your final breath, I couldn't help but be in complete awe of your unwavering resolve. You gave me a glimmer of hope, and that's why I trapped your soul, so you wouldn't face a true demise, and forced my way into your 'mind sea.' And here we are, having this conversation."

I was left in a daze for a few moments, a rarity since meeting him. I had never seen such a serious expression on his face. I saw pain, sorrow, happiness, hope, and most strikingly, regret.

Finally, I spoke, 

"You called yourself a coward who ran away,that, you are....'

Hearing this, Devilster clenched his fist, with a bitter smile. 

"However... that was until you started fighting for your family. The determination to make things right, the will for revenge, and your unwavering efforts, it takes a level of resolve I could never fathom. You say you were in awe of my warrior spirit, but hearing your story, I'm the one in awe. You were never a coward; you're a true warrior."

Speaking all of that, I focused on his face.

"Sniff... sniff... my brawadarrrr!!!!!... UWAHHHHHH!!"

He was about to hug or jump on me with tears in his eyes and snot running down his nose when I kicked him, accidentally, of course.

"Ow... ow... you sure are a 'tsundere'... *sniff*, *sniff*."

"What the heck does that mean?"

"Well, that's a word from anime... from world no. 654... you won't understand, forget it – forget it."

He waved me off like I was some country bumpkin. Ignoring that, I spoke.

"I still don't get what you want from me?"

He spoke enthusiastically, immediately.

"Let's merge souls with each other!!!"

Hearing this, just like my leg, my face formed an expression I didn't know it could, like seeing the most disgusting thing in the world.

"ahem... I mean... you, go back in time and become me and help my family. And don't get me wrong when I say 'family'; to me, family are not the people we're born with, it's those who we'd die for. So, I want you to protect my people, who I consider family, and take care of them. Also, it's not a good thing, but I heard of your dying regrets of not having a family and.... "

He looked at me with burning eyes and spoke.

"To become a 'Monarch,' which coincides with my wish. I want you to kill all the people who tried to destroy my family and hurt them. In return, you will have a new life to fulfill all those wishes you had dying... So, do you accept it?"

Speaking that, he raised his hand towards me for a handshake to seal the deal.

I was in a daze for a few moments before shaking his hand and speaking.

"I accept."

Although it's a bit hard to believe and too much to take, it's still a good deal for me.

Hearing this, he rejoiced and was going to hug me when I spoke.

"However..."

"Tsk, there is always a 'however.'"

He spoke in a low voice, ignoring , I continued.

"How should I believe you won't dominate my soul when I go back in time and take the body for yourself?"

"You paranoid bas-"

Before he could curse me, we both heard an UNKNOWN but strong and authoritative voice, yet beautiful and calming.

"I will take care of that."

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In a dimly lit chamber,

*Gasping for breath...*

"HUFF..!!...HUFF..!!"

"My head! ...AGHHH!... This pain!"

"Where on earth am I?"

*The ominous sound of chains...

*CLANK*CLANK*

"These restraints?"

"Heh... Have I really stumbled into the abyss?"