What is humanity?

  There are many definitions of what it means to be a mortal human.

  We are forced onto the march of time, unable to stop the flow until the end.

  We are aware of good and evil, to know what is right and wrong.

  We connect to all kinds of people and races. Yet our views varied based on our values and religion.

  However, I see their ability to adapt and embrace benevolence in humanity.

  Yet as I saw in this world, there isn't much benevolence left in the world. Anyone who showed kindness is met with death and the visitors learned nothing but the survival of the fittest and you can see nothing but discrimination in all lands.

  In this world of black and white, they lost the meaning of humanity. They learn only through sycophancy and corruption through wars and slavery. Not even the gods could intervene as they simply took the people away from their homes and drafted them into a never-ending life of death and despair.

  This world is heading into ruin as they treat all of the corruption as the common sense of normalcy with no plans to change soon. Anyone who would dare to do so is met with a fate worse than death.

  However, I believe there is no such thing as impossible. It is possible to overturn normalcy back on track. They simply have no motivation to rebel against the system. If someone could show them how one simple defiance can change the world, then it would be possible to return to the true meaning of humanity.

  Yet a rebel isn't enough. No, a rebel with a flexible mind and no boundaries of individuality is needed to make a huge change.

  Unfortunately, it's too late for me to act with my condition as a trump card.

  However, you, my apprentices might be the ones who can ignite that change.

  There is still a price to pay if you wish to defy the system. But it's worth the risk to bring back true humanity...

  Vander.

  "GRAAAAAAGGGGHHHHH!!!!"

  I screamed as I fired several fireballs toward the chimera. However, he responded by throwing every Wild Demon who was following him to attack me. Heh... It's only been a few seconds since I made my declaration and that guy is having a bad case of a temper tantrum. Either way, it looks like it's doing everything to stop me from eliminating him from this world and I can't blame him for his violent reaction. I wish there were other ways to help him. But I know he's too far gone and he already forced my hand to save this side from his rage.

  "Mr. Val! Mr. Thurkith!" I called out as I prepared my next fire spell.

  "Yes, sir!"

  Vines and a bolt of lightning flew past me as they struck down most of the demons about to maul me. It's thanks to them that my spell preparation is complete as I aim the large fireball towards the chimera. "Burn it all who would harm us! [Blazing Inferno]!"

  I tossed the ball to the Wild Demon and quickly flew away before it exploded upon contact. It would burn its skin enough to expose his weak point. But knowing from several spells I used on that kid so far, I knew it wasn't enough to put a dent on him. So I had to use every spell I had on my belt from my blessing and rely on Casia's friends to use ones I could not learn. It took about 14 spells and more than 20 attacks to take down this bastard. But after seeing most of them exhausted, I noticed the demon's body was now covered in bruises and burns with cuts big enough to expose its muscles. There was still his healing factor repairing all of the damage, but the process slowed down enough to have the wounds linger a bit longer.

  That's good to hear. But we may have another issue at hand.

  Another issue? What a-

  BOOM!

  To my shock. I looked up and saw several demons dove down towards us and explode when they hit the ground. Crap... I can't believe that guy was using the smaller demons as suicide bombers! And he didn't care or notice how they recklessly dove down and used some kind of magic to explode themselves to kill us! Dammit... I know this guy was desperate, but not this kind of desperation enough to topple a castle!

  "Casia!" I called out. "Can you cast a barrier spell big enough for the whole city?"

  "I can try, but I'm not sure with my current Mana right now," Casia answered. "I suggest you need to end this fight right now! Otherwise, I'm not sure how many casualties even with my spell!"

  Then that confirms my suspicions. The question is how should we incapacitate the demon if he keeps throwing smaller Wild Demons as missiles?

  Then what about incapacitating him in a different matter?

  Different how?

  This guy still has some sentience underneath his demonic body. If we can block it long enough for us to cast a spell...

  Then it will be checkmate. Let's hope your idea might be enough to save the human kingdom. As for the spell in question, I haven't mastered it yet from my master's journals and there's a chance he's immune to this spell, but I hope my blessings will help me cast it successfully if only for a while.

  "Poor, pitiful soul... Look into my eyes and let me peek into your heart."

  I waved my hand and pointed my finger towards the demon with all of my Mana I have. The demon suddenly flinched as he clutched his head with his front paws.

  "W-WhA7 tH3 HeLL a-Are y0u d01nG?! S70p tH1S insT@n7!"

  Tch... I was starting to recite the incantation and he's already resisting it. I barely knew this kid and yet, he had a high mental resistance both as a Human and a Demon. However, I possess the blessings of the true Goddess and whoever converted him into a chimera, pales in comparison to Miss Umbraria.

  "Your suffering and doubt have blinded your path. Denial and despair have taken over your life and disregard the puppet strings wring around your neck. But I will cut them apart..."

  "S-StOP!!!"

  "I will set you free."

  "I w1LL k111 y0u iF Y0u dOn'T s70P th1S!"

  "All I ask for you..."

  "d0N'7 Do 17!!!"

  "...IS TO SUBMIT."

  With a burst of dark Mana towards the demon, his voice became silent and his large body slumped down just as the smaller ones were about to take off. They looked around in confusion as if they had no idea how they got there.

  If I have to guess, they must have lost control of themselves thanks to that chimera and ended up as his brainwashed minions. He was supposed to be a newly converted demon. There's no way he should have possessed that power immediately.

  I would chalk up to the circumstances behind his conversion. However, I have a feeling this is more than a monster born from a bad environment. Unfortunately, it's too late to change my mind.

  "Everyone, this is your chance!"

  My call is enough to give Casia, Val, and Thurkith the signal. I quickly flew away just as Val and Thurkith's vines and thunderbolts resumed their assault they flew passed me and hit every part of the chimera's body and bound his limbs. This time, there was nothing to impede our progress as Casia silently cast a barrier spell around the demon after he made one around the city.

  With his legs, arms, and wings bound, he won't be able to counter our attacks. With most of our spells weakening him, it would take a while for him to recover with his Healing Factor. And with him trapped by Casia's powerful barrier, he won't escape.

  All the pieces are in place. Let's finish this, Vander.

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  Good. Let's not waste any more time.

  I took a deep breath and raised my arms as I let the darkness in both the light and dark worlds gather in my hands.

  "Pitiful shadow who lost his way..."

  I then stared at the demon's empty eyes as I raised the ever-growing dark orb above me.

  "I see nothing but destruction and despair in your soul and mind that spells the end of our world."

  I wish things went differently.

  "Your actions and motives have been deemed unforgivable in both light and dark."

  I wish I could meet you sooner.

  "In the name of the Goddess Umbaria, it's with a heavy heart that you cannot exist in this world any longer."

  I wish I could give you a home in our mansion, to be friends with me and Gabriel.

  "So all I ask for you..."

  Maybe... in another lifetime... You would become the second human who would become a resident of the Lavender Mansion.

  "PERISH."

  But alas...

  "[VOID OF EXECUTION]."

  That day will never come.

  I closed my eyes and released the black orb towards the chimera.

  "Hey, mama, papa! Can you tell me a story?"

  "Oh, sure! What kind of story do you want to hear?"

  "Hmmm... Maybe a story about a boy like me?"

  "Haha... Very well... Then what about the story of a boy lost in the woods?"

  "Ooh~ What's it all about?"

  "It's just like I said. It's about a boy who explored dark woods where the sun doesn't exist and there is nothing but black skies and a red moon. There is no one but monsters called demons living there and no one knows where the boy is."

  "Wow... That's scary..."

  "However, the young boy who was lost didn't come here by accident. Rather, he was abandoned by the family and villagers who never saw him as one of them."

  "No, that's horrible! Why did they do that?!"

  "Because he's not like all the other kids in his village. He is different and cannot fit into the traditions that his home has. To them, being different is against the rules in their home. The boy did try everything to follow them. Yet his radical ideas and ability were seen as taboos and neither of the children would accept him as friends for many reasons. In the end, no one accepted him as equal and he was left alone to appease the gods."

  "How cruel... He shouldn't be treated like that. Plus, there is no way for him to survive in the woods without food and water. And what about the monsters you called "demons"?! Will he die there?"

  "Not exactly. Because there is a twist in this tale. He was found by demons, sure. But the ones were kind and welcoming to the young boy."

  "R-Really? T-They didn't eat him."

  "Of course not. Rather, they offered him a warm home, a meal, and a cold drink to regain his strength. He was given a bed and toys to play and the demons acted as his parents who would really seehim as his son. Despite their rocky first impressions, the boy became comfortable with his new family in his new home within the woods."

  "Amazing... A family of demons... I can't believe they took him in as part of them. Did that ever happen in real life?"

  "Haha... Who knows? You would be surprised how true it is."

  "...Dad, why are you crying?"

  "I don't know... Maybe..."

  "I should have met him and his demon family."

  "I wish I could say the same."

  I smiled as I opened my eyes to see the chimera demon. Or rather, the young boy who was converted into one. Compared to his lupine appearance, he has light blue eyes and brown short hair like a chestnut. His smile was genuine compared to his fanged grin and I didn't sense one once of hostility and corruption around him.

  "So... This is it, huh?" The boy said. "I was wondering what I saw there was a dream, right? Besides, how does someone who everyone hates like trash like me have a future at all? After everything I did for vengeance, I don't deserve it."

  I sighed. What we witnessed wasn't just his dream. Rather, a future where he conquered the discrimination and found a future with a family that he vowed to care unlike his own. He should have that kind of future in his hands. Alas, he couldn't overcome his weakness and obstacles in the end. I was too late to save him from his fate. There is nothing I can do to change that. However...

  "You are right. You have a choice to back out many times and in the end, I have to do the deed to save both worlds," I said. "But that doesn't mean you don't deserve a bright future."

  "Yes, I do! I was blinded by my anger... Too stubborn to get back on those jerks who were my parents!" He shouted. "I tried and tried to change everything! To escape that horrifying ritual! But I was too weak... I couldn't escape in the end and abandoned me in that horrible forest! So I had to accept that deal. I want to leave everything behind to get the same love and care I so cherished there. But not before ruining those jerks for abandoning me! I've admitted it, I threw everything for revenge. My future, my kindness... Everything to make my parents, those bullies, and everyone else pays for throwing me like trash!"

  I quickly put up my guard when he shouted that last word. But then, he collapsed on his knees and sniffled. "But I messed up, huh? I ended up destroying everything and almost destroyed everything else. I'm not as different as my bullies and parents, do I? I don't have a right to see me like this."

  I took a deep breath after hearing everything. I have a lot in mind, but I can't just keep it all to myself. "Yeah, you screwed up. But that doesn't mean you deserved worse than death. You will be punished for your transgressions, but you're still a victim of abuse. I know because I was like you. A boy who was thrown away like trash."

  The boy's eyes widened as soon as I declared this. "R-Really? You're not lying to make me feel sorry, do you?"

  I shake my head. "It's really true. My parents treated me nothing more than an afterthought and my older siblings treated me like a training dummy every day. Not even the kids from the village treated me as their friends. I was also lonely like you and was thrown into that dark place as well. But, I managed to find a real family there and people who can see my worth as a living being, an individual. If you could have found people like Casia and Mr. Hyde, then you can still have a future."

  The boy stared at me for a while. Then, he hung his head with a melancholic smile. "But it's still too late for me, huh?"

  "Well, I can't make any promises. But the Goddess will make sure your punishment will be light. Considering you were only a pawn to a bigger scheme, I won't go against you."

  "Right... Thank you, Vander."

  I shake my head ahead. "Right now, you can call me "Aster"."

  "Okay, Aster. Then you can call me "Vic"."

  What a great kid. Tragically, he had to go out like this. I can see his body start to fade into white light. I guess it's almost time.

  "One more thing, Vic. Did you recall anything before you were turned into a Demon?" I asked. "Like someone who made you the deal before your conversion?"

  I was hoping he might tell me more about his strange conversion into a Chimeric Wild Demon, but he responded by shaking his head and answered, "I don't know. I do remember I made a deal to get revenge, but I never remember who it was or what they looked like. I'm sorry if that's not the answer you're looking for."

  "No, that's all I need to confirm my suspicions. You might be the one who rampaged for revenge, but you were nothing more than a victim in all of this. I suspect someone manipulated your despair and turned you into a weapon. I can't say much since they were nothing more than mere speculations. But I fear this isn't the end of our troubles."

  "I-I see. Then can I have one last request?"

  I nod. "Sure. What is it?"

  "...Can we be friends? I don't know if it's possible now, but..."

  I take his hand before he can finish. "Of course. It might be too late for the current us, but we can still be friends in another life. That's a promise."

  "A promise, huh..." Vic slowly approached me and showed his pinky finger to me. "I don't want that. I want it to be a pinky promise. Nobody made a pinky promise and... I want it to be me and you. Is that okay?"

  I see. He really is a nice kid deep down. I'm just glad I reached him in time. I pull out my pinky and lock them together with Vic's. "Yep. If I break it, I will swallow a thousand needles."

  Vic chuckled at my response. "What kind of answer is that? You're just going to say, "Promise" after that."

  I also chuckle, realizing it might be a bit different here. "Right. Sorry about that," I apologized. "I promised and I will not break it no matter how many adversaries and obstacles I'll face." We tightened our pinkies together to strengthen our promises and vows together. Then, I let it go once I couldn't feel his pinky anymore. "Goodbye, Vic. I hope we'll meet each other again."

  Vic nodded with a smile. "Not a goodbye, "see you later". I'm not going away forever. I know we will."

  He's right. We will meet again. And once I figure out how we will be friends for real.

  "Tell those demons "I'm sorry" for me. I don't know if they forgive me, but..." Vic's whole body started to glow brighter. "Don't forget our promise, Aster! Vander! We'll meet again! This isn't forever!"

  With those last words, Vic disappeared in the bright white light. This was the first and last time I met the real boy underneath the demon and all I could do was to grasp at one of the remaining lights as they disappeared.

  A young boy with a bright future cut short by the people who pushed him to the brink of despair. A demon who was nothing more than a puppet for their twisted machinations.

  I'll never forgive them for harming an innocent soul and turning him into a weapon against all humanity and the demonic.

  Still, it's too early to call out names on who did it. In fact, we have no idea if this is more than a simple manipulation plot from a demon or a human criminal.

  You're right. There's also a chance there is also a conspiracy behind all of this. I'm not sure about everything yet, but they have made a mistake in crossing our territory and messing with the victims of abuse.

  We will enact justice on the culprits in time, Aster. Right now, I'm exhausted...

  Yeah, it seems like Umbaria's blessing took a lot out of us. I hope...we did well this time.

  "Vander, what's wrong?"

  You're wrong. We did a lot for everyone. Thurkith, Casia, Casia's friend, Gabriel, and Vic... We helped our true family and worked together on protecting our new home.

  Our new home, huh? Guess I can agree to that. For us, the Demon Territory is our home, and Casia and Gabriel are our new family. That's...our new identities...as a Master...of Lavender...

  "Aster? Aster! Oh, no!"

  We're not just the Master, Aster. We're much more than that. It's something Our Goddess... Our Mistress wanted...

  Yeah...

  "Can y...u...e...r...e?!"

  This is what we want as well...

  As her chosen...