The Damned Demon

Rowena’s eyes softened as she slowly looked at Ravina, her usually reserved expression mingling with a gentle sadness.

She tenderly cupped her daughter’s small, pale cheeks and said softly, “Ravina, your father… he is temporarily in a faraway place. He’s trying very hard to find a way to protect us all, including you.”

Ravina’s dark golden eyes widened in surprise, her little lips parting in a gentle gasp.

But soon, the spark of excitement faded into a saddened pout, and she lowered her gaze, her voice trembling softly as she asked, “Does that mean Ravina… won’t see Papa for a long time?”

Seeing her daughter’s disheartened expression made Rowena’s heart tighten painfully. She brushed back Ravina’s soft, dark locks gently, offering a reassuring smile despite the ache in her chest. “Don’t worry, little one. Your father is stronger than anyone I know. He’ll do everything in his power to return to you as quickly as he can.”

Ravina suddenly brightened, determination flickering across her innocent features as she exclaimed eagerly, “Then, Mama should bring Papa back! Once Papa is home, Ravina will become strong and protect Mama and Papa, so Papa can always stay with Ravina!”

Rowena couldn’t help but softly smile, though her smile was tinged with bittersweet melancholy. Her daughter’s innocence was heartwarming yet painful, reminding her of everything they had lost, everything they still had to fight for.

She nodded gently, softly replying, “I know, my brave little girl. But don’t worry. He will return soon. He would never leave us alone forever.”

Ravina smiled happily again, excitement sparkling in her dark golden eyes as she tugged at her mother’s sleeve, “Mama, what does Papa look like? Can you tell Ravina?”

Rowena paused, momentarily lost in the comforting yet melancholic memory of his face—those powerful, piercing eyes and sharp, ethereal features etched forever in her heart.

Her voice softened into a gentle murmur as she replied, “Your Papa…has eyes just like yours. Beautiful and fierce, shining like dark gold. His ears are like yours too, graceful and elegant, and his appearance is… something that does not seem to belong in this world.”

She caressed Ravina’s cheek tenderly, adding with a quiet confidence, “You’ll recognize him instantly, my love. There’s no one else in this world like your Papa. Even his strength and bloodline are beyond anything this world has ever known.”

Ravina’s face glowed with fascination and awe, her tiny body practically bouncing with excitement, “Then…can Ravina go to Papa now? Ravina doesn’t want to wait for Papa to come!”

Rowena let out a soft sigh, her smile gently dimming. She tenderly shook her head, explaining softly yet firmly, “Your Papa is in a very dangerous place, Ravina—a place only powerful people should go. You’re still too small to face such dangers.”

Ravina’s shoulders slumped sadly, her head lowering into a disappointed pout, wishing she could become big already.

Seeing her daughter saddened, Rowena pulled her closer into a warm, protective embrace, gently reassuring her, “Don’t be sad, little one. You’ll see your Papa sooner than you think. Until then, we have to remain strong, okay?”

“Okay…” Ravina murmured quietly, nestling into her mother’s comforting warmth, finding solace in the gentle rhythm of her heartbeat.

Yet deep down, Rowena’s heart tightened, burdened by the uncertainty of her own words. She had no idea when Asher would truly return, or even if he was safe. The helplessness she felt, having to lie to Ravina, caused an ache deeper than any wound.

She now understood more why Asher had to tell so many lies to her. It was more than just protecting himself. It was to protect her heart.

The two then remained nestled in each other’s embrace, though Rowena’s eyes showed some fatigue as she hadn’t properly quenched her thirst or hunger after constantly keeping an eye on Ravina ever since she was born.

Merina, who had been watching them from afar, could see how tired the queen was and felt the need to relieve her for a while.

Merina entered quietly, a soft smile gracing her gentle face, “Your Majesty, forgive me for disturbing your rest. Allow me to take care of the princess for a while. You’ve hardly had a chance to recover. I will feed her in the meantime.”

Rowena felt that maybe it would be better to regain some energy rather than stay hungry like this. She had to consider any worst-case scenario of having full strength to protect everyone.

And so she nodded slowly, deeply grateful for Merina’s ever-consistent care, “Thank you, Merina. Truly, I appreciate all that you do.”

Merina bowed softly, “It is my honor, Your Majesty.”

As Rowena left the place to hunt for some blood to ease her growing hunger, Merina turned towards Ravina, holding out her gentle hands.

The young princess eagerly grasped them, her sorrow immediately replaced by a burst of youthful exuberance, “Mimi! Will you race with Ravina today? Ravina is really fast now! Even more than yesterday! I want to show Mimi how fast I am!”

Merina had now gotten used to the cute nickname this little girl had given her.

Merina chuckled softly, shaking her head affectionately, “Ah, little princess, Mimi isn’t as swift as you. I’m sure you’ll leave me far behind.”

Ravina giggled sheepishly, her eyes sparkling mischievously, “Then Ravina promises to slow down and let Mimi win if Mimi agrees to play!”

Merina laughed softly at Ravina’s adorable cunning, scooping the little princess lovingly into her arms, “Alright, Mimi will play with you, but only after you’ve eaten properly. You need to be healthy and strong to play, princess.”

Ravina grinned happily, clapping her tiny hands in excitement. But Merina’s gentle smile suddenly faltered, and she winced sharply, pressing a palm to her forehead as a wave of pain flashed across her face.

Noticing immediately, Ravina’s cheerful expression faded into one of concern, her small hand gently touching Merina’s cheek, “Mimi, what’s wrong? Are you okay?”

But as suddenly as it appeared, the pain vanished from Merina’s face though a dark glint briefly flashed past her eyes.

She gently took Ravina’s small hand, lowering it softly with a reassuring smile, “It’s nothing, princess. Mimi is just feeling hungry too. Let’s go to a special place where there’s good food for both of us.”

Ravina’s eyes lit up with newfound excitement, her innocent worry fading instantly, “Special food! Yay! Let’s go, Mimi!”

Merina nodded softly, casting a brief, cautious glance around to ensure no one noticed them.

Upon getting a split-second where no eyes were on her, she, holding Ravina securely, silently and swiftly slipped away from the safety of the camp, entering a secluded, shadowy section of the dark forest.

Ravina, fascinated by the unfamiliar surroundings, looked around with wide eyes, her tiny voice filled with curiosity and a hint of confusion, “Mimi, is this place safe? Mama said never wander outside where monsters live.”

Merina’s expression darkened subtly, a brief flicker of emotion passing through her usually gentle gaze. However, she quickly forced a calm, reassuring smile, her voice gentle yet carrying a mysterious undertone, “Don’t worry, princess. Mimi wouldn’t take you anywhere unsafe. There are no monsters here.”

Ravina’s curious innocence immediately trusted Merina’s comforting words, though the little princess felt the surrounding darkness oddly unsettling. She snuggled closer into Merina’s warm embrace, murmuring softly, “Okay, Mimi. Ravina trusts Mimi.”

Merina softly patted the child’s head, her gaze briefly darkening once more. She carried the unsuspecting princess deeper into the shadows, the dense trees slowly swallowing their silhouettes.

As their figures faded into the darkened forest, silence settled behind them—heavy and ominous—as though fate itself held its breath, watching closely over them.

A gray mist seemed to slowly envelop around them.

Ravina wrinkled her small nose, furrowing her brows with a faint grimace, “Mimi, something feels funny here…”

She waited for Merina’s gentle response, but was met with nothing but an eerie silence. A shiver trickled down her spine, and Ravina’s golden eyes slowly lifted upward, confusion etched on her tiny face.

“Mimi?” Her voice quivered gently, heart skipping in worry upon seeing Merina’s pale face, her eyelids drooping heavily, almost closed. Panic bloomed instantly within Ravina’s tiny chest as she cupped Merina’s soft cheeks urgently. “Mimi! Mimi, what’s wrong? Please talk to Ravina!”

Merina’s eyelids fluttered weakly, her usually warm, caring gaze now unfocused and filled with confusion and fear.

She weakly parted her lips, forcing out a trembling whisper, “Ra…vina…” Her eyes briefly sparked with desperate worry, before they rolled back, finally closing shut entirely.

Merina collapsed to the ground, her frame falling gracefully yet heavily onto the dark forest floor.

Despite her fading consciousness, her arms protectively and instinctively wrapped around Ravina, holding her securely against her chest even as darkness claimed her senses.

“Mimi!” Ravina cried out, tears filling her wide, dark golden eyes. She tugged frantically at Merina’s limp form, desperation coloring her voice. “Mimi, wake up! Mimi!”

Her small hands continued shaking Merina’s body, tiny heart hammering in panic and confusion. The warmth that usually comforted her was quickly fading, replaced with a chilling realization—Merina was not waking up.

Ravina slowly lifted her tearful gaze, looking around fearfully. The surrounding darkness felt colder, heavier, and frighteningly ominous.

She knew instinctively she couldn’t remain here, in this unsettling place. But she could never leave Mimi behind.

Sniffling, she quickly wiped her eyes, determination battling fear in her gaze. “Don’t worry, Mimi. Ravina…will bring Mimi to safety,” she whispered firmly, her little voice trembling slightly, yet filled with a surprising strength.

Despite her delicate size, Ravina effortlessly lifted Merina’s upper torso onto her tiny back, carefully balancing the unconscious woman’s weight.

Her small face scrunched with focus and effort as she bravely took a shaky step forward, recalling the way back through the forest.

But the strange, heavy mist thickened, clouding her senses. Her tiny body swayed slightly, her eyes growing heavier with each passing moment.

She mumbled softly, her words increasingly lethargic, “Mimi…please wake up… Ravina is starting…to feel sleepy…”

Her eyelids fluttered, exhaustion and drowsiness pulling at her fiercely.

Her small body stumbled gently forward, struggling valiantly to remain awake. “Ravina…can’t…sleep…” she whispered weakly, desperation tinging her voice, yet her strength rapidly draining, “Ravina…can’t…”

Finally, unable to resist any longer, Ravina’s small form gently sank to the ground, Merina’s unconscious body sliding beside her.

Her eyelids fluttered closed, her tiny breaths turning slow and peaceful, as she succumbed to unconsciousness.

Silence reclaimed the dark forest once more, broken only by the distant rustle of leaves in the chilling wind.

Then, from the darkness, shadows silently twisted and coiled, forming into the shape of a cloaked figure. The mysterious figure stepped forward, his sharp eyes glinting ominously as he surveyed the two unconscious forms sprawled vulnerably on the ground.

Slowly, he removed the hood covering his head, revealing a pair of dark gray sinister eyes. Orbos gazed down with disbelief and dark curiosity at the tiny child before him, a mixture of awe and intrigue on his shadowed face.

He leaned down and gently lifted Ravina’s small, unconscious body, feeling the potent, raw strength hidden within her fragile-looking form.

His lips twisted into a cold smirk as he muttered softly, voice tinged with dark amusement and wonder, “You little monster… I can’t believe a little thing like you can be this strong already. This is much more interesting than I thought.”

His smirk widened, revealing a flash of teeth as he spoke aloud, almost amusedly, “Does Drakar really deserve you? No…A brutish fool like him will just waste you or, worse, kill you. Maybe you deserve to enter our fold as our loyal servant. You might be the key to regaining what we lost. What we rightfully deserve.”

He cast one last indifferent glance towards Merina’s unconscious body, discarded and forgotten on the cold forest floor.

Then, cloaking himself and the child in shadows, Orbos effortlessly vanished into darkness, leaving behind nothing but an eerie, oppressive silence as the forest seemed to shiver from the sinister presence that had just passed through.

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