Era of the Demon And Angels

"Mmm..." Miru stirred awake, her small fingers clutching Nimfa's dress as she blinked groggily.

"Ah!" Nimfa gasped, startled, fearing she had disturbed Miru's rest.

Recovering quickly, she smiled gently. "Good morning! How did you sleep?" she asked, her voice warm.

Miru hesitated, still feeling shy around Nimfa. She lowered her head, her thoughts drifting to memories of her mother. It had been so long since she had woken up to kindness.

Noticing her silence, Nimfa tilted her head. "Hmmm..." Without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around Miru, pulling her into a comforting embrace. "I said, good morning!" she repeated with playful insistence. "You have to reply with 'good morning' too, okay?" Her voice was gentle but firm, guiding Miru rather than scolding her.

Miru tensed slightly before nodding, her small voice barely above a whisper. "G-Good morning..." she murmured, her words carrying both shyness and warmth.

Nimfa's smile widened. "That's better!" she said, holding Miru close, feeling the child slowly relax in her embrace.

Suddenly, a deafening noise echoed through the forest.

BOOM! BOOM!

It rumbled like a shooting star crashing into the earth, shaking the ground beneath them.

Miru jolted awake, her small body trembling as she clung tightly to Nimfa. Panic filled her wide amber eyes.

"There, there, I'm here," Nimfa whispered, gently stroking Miru's hair. "I'll protect you, so stay close, okay?"

But her own voice wavered. Something about that sound was wrong.

"What was that?" Nimfa turned to Noir, seeking answers. But when she saw his face, her breath caught in her throat.

Noir's crimson eyes were locked on the darkened forest, his pupils dilating. His hands clenched into fists, and for the first time, they shook.

"Noir?" Nimfa's concern deepened. "What's wrong?"

Noir barely seemed to hear her. Then, without warning—

"Let's go! We need to get out of here!"

Before Nimfa could react, Noir scooped up both her and Miru and bolted.

The wind howled past them as Noir dashed through the trees at impossible speed. He moved like a shadow, weaving through the dense forest with precision, his grip firm yet careful.

Why now?! Why are they showing up now?!

His thoughts raced as his jaw tightened. Did they pick up my scent from the village?

"Noir! What is happening?" Nimfa's voice was urgent, fear laced in her words.

"We need to leave the forest. Don't concern yourself!" Noir snapped, his tone sharp but focused.

Despite his cryptic answer, Nimfa could hear something in his voice—

Fear.

The forest seemed endless, the darkness stretching on as if swallowing them whole. But then—

"Ke, ke, ke…"

A chilling, raspy laugh slithered through the trees, distant yet creeping closer.

Noir's body tensed.

From deep within the forest, unseen figures lurked.

"He's here, alright."

A deep inhale. A sniff. Then—

"Hmmm… what's this?" The unknown figure's voice was laced with amusement, and something worse—hunger.

Shadows shifted between the trees, their presence lingering just out of sight. Watching. Waiting.

"This smell… an Angel?"

Another voice, twisted with malice, echoed through the void.

"An Angel? Are you sure?"

Then, the laughter returned—low, cruel, mocking, reverberating through the forest like a whispering curse.

"Kekeke… An Angel? Do we need to kill that too?"

"Isn't that supposed to be asked?" the shadowy figure sneered.

"We're here to retrieve our lord's son. Take your mission seriously," commanded another, his deep voice laced with authority.

"Fine, kekeke," the first figure cackled, accepting the order.

Meanwhile—

"I think we're far enough from the forest now, Noir?" Nimfa asked, squinting against the rushing wind as they sped forward.

"No, we're not stopping. We're bypassing the inspection," Noir replied sharply, his eyes locked ahead.

As they neared the towering city walls, Nimfa spotted the gate—long lines of people waiting for entry, guards patrolling the perimeter.

"Why are there so many people lined up?" she murmured.

But before she could get an answer, Noir picked up speed.

A sudden gust of wind howled past the guards as the trio blurred through the air, bypassing the wall entirely.

"Whoosh—"

"...Huh?" One of the guards frowned, gripping his spear. "Did you feel that just now?"

"I think you're still drunk, brother," his companion snickered, clapping him on the back. "You had enough ale last night to drown an ox."

"Heh, yeah," another guard chimed in. "That was a sight to see, hahaha."

The first guard groaned, rubbing his forehead. "Ugh… I don't even remember what happened after that."

Beyond the city gates, Noir skidded to a stop.

"We're here," he murmured. "Jinglin."

The scent of sea salt and distant spices drifted on the wind, the city stretching before them in a mix of bustling streets and towering stone buildings.

Noir carefully lowered Nimfa and Miru to the ground. But Miru didn't let go.

Her tiny hands clutched his cloak even tighter.

"Pwease… don't lweave me all alone…" she whimpered, her small voice trembling. Her amber eyes shimmered with unshed tears, her body shaking against him.

Noir stiffened.

A moment of silence passed before Nimfa's gentle touch reached Miru's back. She patted her head softly.

Miru hesitated, her teary gaze lifting toward Nimfa's radiant, reassuring expression.

A small, shaky nod. "Hnnn…"

She sniffled, rubbing her damp cheeks against Noir's chest.

Noir's grip on her tightened slightly—but remained gentle.

"We're staying here for a while," he said, changing the subject. His voice was firm, yet something in it wavered.

"I need to gather information. About what happened ten years ago… and where my second sword is."

Noir's jaw clenched slightly as the weight of that thought pressed against him. That sword isn't just a weapon—it's a part of me. A piece of my past, my strength. If they found my presence in the forest, then it won't be long before they start hunting in the cities.

His crimson eyes darkened as he recalled the feeling from the woods—the presence that sent chills down his spine. They were looking for me. And if they sensed me, they might also sense the sword.

I have to find it before they do.

For a decade, he had left that part of himself behind, buried under the weight of war and bloodshed. But now… now, he could feel its call. If I don't retrieve it soon, I won't be the only one in danger.

His grip on Miru remained steady, his mind already calculating his next steps. He couldn't afford to wait.

As they moved through the bustling streets of Jinglin, the city's harsh reality became clear. Slaves in tattered clothing obeyed their masters without question, their hollow eyes fixed on the ground. Nimfa's heart clenched at the sight. Is this how mortals treat their own?

Her thoughts were interrupted as someone crashed into her.

"Ah—!" She stumbled back, barely catching her balance.

"Watch where you're going," a rough voice growled.

She looked up to see a man, his clothes worn but his stance aggressive. His eyes narrowed as he took in her concealed form. "You're not from around here, are you?"

Nimfa tensed as he leaned in, trying to get a better look beneath her hood. There was something unsettling about his gaze—a mix of curiosity and something darker.

Before she could react, a cold presence filled the air.

Shhkt.

Noir's blade was at the man's throat in an instant.

"You," Noir's voice was devoid of warmth. "Do you want your head to roll?"

The man's face drained of color. "Hiiik—! I-I'm sorry!" He stumbled back, then bolted, disappearing into the crowded streets.

Noir clicked his tongue, sheathing his sword. "Tch. Don't lower your head like that. In a place like this, they'll see it as weakness—and they'll trample you for it."

Nimfa swallowed, absorbing his words. Is this truly how this world operates? She cast one last glance at the suffering slaves before following Noir.

Inside the tavern, the air was thick with the scent of roasted meat and ale. The noise was a mix of clanking mugs, laughter, and heated arm-wrestling matches.

Noir approached the counter, pulling out a gold coin. "One room. Meals delivered to the room."

The tavern keeper, a broad-shouldered man, wiped a glass with a rag before calling over his shoulder, "Lean! Show them to their room."

As they waited, Nimfa's ears caught snippets of conversation from a nearby table where a group of adventurers sat nursing their drinks.

"Did you hear?" a bearded man muttered, setting his ale down. "A demon appeared in Yeeho Village—wiped out everyone."

Another man exhaled heavily. "Damn… I heard the same. Some poor bastard made it out alive to spread the news."

A third, older man grunted, swirling his drink. "Three demons, they said. Took the whole village apart like it was nothing."

The table fell into silence for a moment before one of them let out a dry chuckle. "Tch. Demons… once you see one, you're as good as dead."

Noir's fingers twitched at his side. His crimson eyes flickered toward them, sharp and unreadable.

Three demons.

His stomach tightened. He knew exactly who they were.

They're already here.

"Your room is ready."

A young girl in a maid's uniform appeared, her smile warm and welcoming. "I'll lead you there. Also, should I prepare two or three meals?" she asked, her eyes flicking toward the small figure in Noir's arms.

"Three," Noir answered immediately.

As they followed Lean up the stairs, Nimfa glanced back one last time at the adventurers still speaking in hushed tones.

The storm was coming. And they were already in its path.