Uncontrollable Pain

It was well past midnight when Azrael and Gabriel made the decision to venture out into the city, determined to uncover the root cause of the ongoing crisis plaguing the women of their urban haven. Their resolve was unwavering as they readied themselves for the daunting task that lay ahead. However, just as they were about to embark on their mission, they crossed paths with Mirai, who was inexplicably navigating their residence during the late hour. Her countenance bore the weight of concern, and it was evident that something of great import had transpired.

Azrael, his expression filled with solicitude, inquired, "Mirai, why are you awake at this late hour? Is there a matter of urgency?"

Mirai pivoted to face her comrades, her demeanor grave and resolute.

"No," she replied, her voice carrying a gravity that matched her solemn gaze. "Everything is far from alright. I've just had a face-off with an Incubus, and it seems this demon is the source of the ongoing crisis affecting the women in our city."

Gabriel, known for his unwavering dedication to their mission, expressed immediate concern.

"An Incubus," he muttered, his tone laced with unease. "Those beings are far from harmless. We need to find and apprehend it before it inflicts further harm."

Azrael chimed in, pledging their assistance.

"We had planned to investigate this very matter," he said, a steely determination in his eyes. "We shall join forces, Mirai, and ensure that this Incubus is dealt with swiftly, safeguarding our city from its sinister influence."

Mirai appeared profoundly disheartened, a stark contrast to her usual demeanor characterized by cheerfulness and warm smiles. Azrael, noticing the evident change in her disposition, was quick to express concern and inquire about her well-being.

"Mirai," he gently queried, "what has transpired to cast such a shadow over you? Is everything alright? Please, do not hesitate to confide in us."

Mirai offered little more than a subdued nod in response, her gaze lowered as she continued her solemn traversal through her room. The weight of her unspoken concerns hung heavily in the air, a palpable sense of sorrow and preoccupation clinging to her presence. Azrael and Gabriel exchanged meaningful glances, silently acknowledging the depths of their companion's emotional turmoil, and resolved to stand by her side, ready to offer their support when she was ready to share her burdens.

Gabriel and Azrael observed Mirai's troubled demeanor, both sensing that her distress was not a physical ailment but an emotional burden she carried within. Concern etched upon their faces, they exchanged words in a hushed tone, attempting to unravel the mystery of her melancholy.

Gabriel, perplexed, voiced his uncertainty, "What happened, Azrael? She doesn't appear to be physically injured, but it's evident she's grappling with something internally."

Azrael, his gaze never wavering from Mirai, responded with a shared sense of perplexity, "I cannot say for certain, Gabriel. Yet, it is clear that her anguish resides not in her body but deep within her heart."

Their shared concern for their dear friend bound them together in their resolve to understand and offer solace to Mirai, whatever her pain may be.

With concern still lingering in their hearts, Azrael and Gabriel retreated inside the house, opting to give Mirai the space she might need to process her emotions. They understood that sometimes, solitude could be a balm for a troubled soul.

As they settled in to wait for Mirai's eventual return or desire to confide in them, exhaustion from the day's events began to weigh heavily upon their shoulders

As Azrael stood before Mirai's door, concern etched into his voice, he rapped gently on the wooden surface. "Mirai? Are you OK now? If you have any problems going through your mind, please tell me, and I'll do my best to help you."

He waited in the hush of the night, hoping for a response from his dear friend, a sign that she was willing to share her burdens with him.

Azrael turned at the sound of the door creaking open, and there stood Mirai, her face still etched with the weight of her troubles. She silently gestured for him to enter her room, an unspoken invitation.

Without a word, Azrael stepped inside, concern evident in his eyes as he awaited Mirai's explanation for her sorrow.

As Azrael stepped into Mirai's dimly lit room, its ambiance mirroring the solemnity that hung in the air. Mirai's eyes, once filled with warmth and cheerfulness, were now heavy with sorrow. Her voice trembled as she struggled to find the right words.

"Mirai, why are you so sad? What's going on?" Azrael inquired gently, his eyes searching hers for answers.

Her response came as a whispered admission, as if she were confessing a grave sin. "I... I... I'm sorry."

The perplexed look on Azrael's face deepened. "Why are you saying sorry? I can't understand."

Mirai's voice quivered, barely audible as she tried to articulate the heavy burden on her soul. "Last night, I killed a boy."

Azrael was taken aback, his eyes widening with shock. "Huh? What did you say?"

Her tears began to flow freely as she confessed the unthinkable. "I killed a boy with my own hands. And I'm very sorry." The weight of her confession hung heavily in the room, casting a shadow over their hearts.

Tears streamed down Mirai's face as her voice cracked with sorrow. Azrael, his concern deepening, stepped closer to her, his presence offering a glimmer of solace in her darkest moment.

"Tell me what happened," he implored gently, "Is it an accident? Because I know that you will not be going to do that without any reason."

Mirai's voice quivered as she recounted the haunting events of the previous night. "The boy I killed last night was an Incubus."

Azrael's eyes widened with surprise, and a myriad of emotions washed over him – confusion, concern, and the need to understand. He remained silent, urging her to continue her painful confession.

Azrael's face contorted with a mix of astonishment and concern. "What??? So, you've encountered the Incubus terrifying the women in this city?"

Mirai, her voice shaky and her eyes swollen from crying, nodded in response. "Yes. He tried to get me and make me one of his victims, so I fought with him. At first, I thought it was just a usual demon trying to devour a human soul, but when I'm fighting with him, it feels like I'm fighting with a child who doesn't know about combat."

Her words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of regret and sadness. "Then I finished him with my dagger, and he suddenly turned out to be a human. A small boy who was just deceived by a demon."

Mirai's tears flowed uncontrollably, and Azrael, moved by her grief, embraced her in a comforting embrace, offering his silent support in her moment of anguish.