One day, in the Village of Hoshi, during the era known as Tensei Jidai, a boy was born. His name was Akima.

  He was born into a middle-class family, simple people, but people who loved him deeply.

  Nurse: Welcome to the world, little Akima.

  Akima’s Mother: He’s so beautiful… How is he?

  Nurse: He’s healthy and strong. Congratulations. You have a wonderful baby.

  Doctor: Father, you may come in.

  Akima’s father smiled as he entered the room, his eyes filled with love and expectation as he looked at the newborn.

  Akima’s Father: Finally… I get to meet my son.

  Akima’s Mother (smiling): Come closer. Look how beautiful he is.

  The father approached the bed and stared at Akima, his smile trembling with emotion.

  “He’s perfect,” he whispered.

  Doctor: You’ll be free to go home soon, along with the baby.

  Akima’s Mother: Thank you so much, doctor.

  Time passed.

  Akura, Akima’s father, and Ayane, his mother, returned home and began their life as a family.

  Five years later, Akima had grown into a quiet child. His parents had started discussing enrolling him in a school to learn about powers.

  That was when an unexpected visitor arrived.

  Akura walked to the door.

  Akura: Who is it?

  Voice: My name is Khaos. I would like to speak with Mr. and Mrs. Northen.

  Akura frowned.

  Akura: Is this important?

  Khaos: Extremely.

  Akura allowed him inside. They sat at the table.

  Khaos: I came to talk about your son’s future.

  Ayane: Our son… Akima?

  Khaos: Yes. I am a prophet. And that boy will become the future of this village.

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  Akura: We’ve never heard of you.

  Khaos: That doesn’t matter. What matters is your son.

  Khaos: He has the potential to become incredibly powerful, if you allow it.

  Akura: We want him to be strong. But what do you mean?

  Khaos: He must learn about dark magic, seals, and curses. Things I know you fear.

  Khaos glanced at Ayane.

  Ayane hesitated, then nodded.

  Ayane: I am afraid… but if you say it’s necessary, then so be it.

  Khaos smiled faintly.

  Khaos: Thank you. May I speak to the boy?

  Akura: Of course.

  Khaos approached Akima.

  Khaos: Hello, little Akima.

  Akima: Who are you, mister?

  Khaos: Just an uncle who came to give you a little power.

  Akima: Power…?

  Khaos placed his hand on Akima’s chest and twisted it slightly.

  Akima: Ngh…

  Khaos stepped back, waved to the family, and spoke calmly.

  Khaos: For the next two days, do not touch the boy. Do not feed him. Only guide him with your voice.

  With that, Khaos vanished into a mass of black shadow.

  Akura: What kind of nonsense is that? He wants us not to feed our own son?

  Ayane: Two days alone? Absolutely not.

  Akura moved toward Akima.

  The moment he got close, Akima began to cry uncontrollably.

  Ayane rushed over and lifted him into her arms.

  Ayane: It’s okay. Mommy’s here.

  Akura: Did something happen?

  Akima: D-dad…

  Akura: What is it, son?

  Akima: There’s a scary man behind you.

  Akura laughed nervously.

  Akura: There’s no one there, Akima. You imagined it.

  Akima shook his head violently.

  Akima: No… I saw him. He was tall. Black. Watching me. It wasn’t Khaos… it was something else. A demon.

  Akura looked around the room. Nothing.

  Akura: You must have dreamed, son. There’s nothing here.

  But Akima couldn’t shake the feeling. His body trembled as he kept glancing behind his father.

  Akima: I swear, dad… I saw him.

  Suddenly, Akura noticed Ayane wasn’t responding.

  Akura: Honey? Did you see something… honey?

  Ayane was staring into empty space, tears streaming down her face.

  Akura: What are you seeing?

  She didn’t answer.

  Akura gently shook her.

  Akura: Please, talk to me.

  Ayane suddenly whispered, her voice breaking.

  Ayane: He’s here… the demon is here.

  Akura spun around. Nothing.

  Akura: There’s no one here. You’re safe.

  But Ayane backed away, as if pulled by an invisible force.

  Ayane: No… no…

  She screamed, staring at something only she could see.

  Akura tried to hold her, but she pushed him away.

  Ayane: He’s calling me…

  Her voice no longer sounded human.

  Akura pulled Akima behind him.

  Ayane suddenly stopped struggling. Her eyes went empty.

  Ayane: I’ll go.

  She began walking toward the door.

  Akura screamed with everything he had.

  Akura: TAKE ME IN HER PLACE!!!

  The air twisted.

  Ayane’s body began to melt, then suddenly stopped. She returned to normal, smiling gently, as if nothing had happened.

  Akura collapsed to his knees.

  Akura: Thank God…

  Akima ran to her.

  Akima: Mom… are you okay?

  Ayane hugged them both.

  Ayane: I’m fine, sweetheart. What happened?

  Akura stared at her, confused.

  Akura: I think you were… influenced by something.

  Ayane smiled softly.

  Ayane: I don’t remember anything. Let’s just move on.

  Suddenly, Akura felt a sharp pain in his stomach.

  He looked down.

  There was a hole in his abdomen. Blood poured out.

  Akima screamed.

  Akima: DAD!

  Ayane screamed for help, pressing her hands against the wound.

  Akura tried to speak, but collapsed, unconscious.

  He never woke up.

  Days later, Akura was buried.

  Akima stood beside the coffin, staring at his father’s pale, peaceful face.

  The house felt empty after that.

  Ayane hugged Akima tightly.

  Ayane: We’ll get through this together.

  Akima cried silently.

  He knew, even at that age, that his life would never be the same.