"Demons are creatures born from pure mana. Naturally, theyâre one of the weakest races at birth. But what terrifies others is their potential. Their growth is⦠limitless. A demon that might take ten years to become a proper soldier can do so in a fraction of that time by hunting smaller creatures and absorbing their mana."
Mother tried to keep her face composed as she explained, but I could sense the weight behind her words. "That fear led to a thousand-year war. Not because demons were born evil, but because others feared what they might become."
Silence fell, thick and awkward, until my older sister piped up like a tiny revolutionary.
"Albe Moma za zen! Moma vi khai amu!" she said, inching closer to our mother with a determined pout.
Mother smiled warmly, kissing her on the forehead.
"Listen, Aspher, dear. Itâs trueâIâm not evil. No one is born that way. But the world we grow up in... it can change us. There are good demons, and there are bad onesâjust like there are good and bad humans."
She pulled both of usâme and this little sister of mineâinto a gentle hug. I assumed her name really was Aspher. Strange name. I wondered what it meant, though it probably didnât mean chaotic tiny hug-missile... even if it should.
"Oh my, we almost forgot to feed our newest little family member!" Mother exclaimed suddenly.
Then she presented me with one of her... mountains.
NO.
Realizing what was about to happen, I tried to protest. I flailed. I squeaked. I summoned every ounce of pride I had left as a former adult.
"Come now, little girl. If you want to be as beautiful as Mommy, you need to eat properly!"
I donât want to be beautiful! Beauty is a liability! I screamed in my head. No matter what, I will not drink from your breast! I have dignity!
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â¦
"Thatâs it, good girl," she cooed, patting my head as I latched on.
GnghâDonât be so forceful! I was sucking like my life depended on it. Because, well⦠it kind of did.
Where did my pride go? I asked myself mid-suckle. Whatâs pride compared to momâs milk? Also, can we prove I was even an adult? No? Then Iâm innocent.
Iâd fallen to the dark side faster than expected.
After drinking my fill (which wasnât much, but felt like a feast), my consciousness faded once again. I went peacefully into Dreamland.
I A V A I
I opened my eyes to a familiar wooden ceiling.
Yep. Not a dream. I sighed and stared at my tiny, chubby, entirely useless hands.
â¦
So~~ what now?
Boredom set in like a creeping fog.
Then came the pressure. The urge. My first pee session was closing in fast.
I canât get to the bathroom. I donât even know if bathrooms exist here.
Trapped in a crib. No control. No backup plan.
So, I did what any reasonable baby would do.
I wailed.
Heed my call, loyal servant!
Within seconds, I heard hurried footsteps. Mom burst in with concern plastered all over her face.
"What is it, dear? Did you have a bad dream? Or are you hungry?"
Damn it, woman! Iâm trying to NOT pee myself hereâhelp me out!
Instead, she picked me up and shook me gently. Calming, I guess. To her. Not to my bladder.
Then came the sniffing.
sniff sniff
"Ah, my little girl made a mess of herself."
DONâT SAY IT LIKE THAT! I shrieked internally. You failed your one job. Congrats!
I A V A I
After enduring the mortifying process of being wiped and changedâughâI found myself lying in my crib again, watching the ceiling.
Mom finished tidying up and turned to me with her radiant smile.
"Want to go see what your father and big sister are up to?"
Well, I had no plans. Might as well.
She took my silence as a yes, scooped me up, and left the room.
From her arms, I could see the house layout: four rooms and a big central living area. Modest. Clean. Kind of cozy.
She slowly opened the door, and a brilliant ray of sunlight pierced the room like a divine flashlight.
I squinted. And when my eyes adjustedâ¦
I saw her. My sister. Swinging a spear with a grin on her face and sweat trickling down her forehead. It wasnât graceful. It wasnât powerful. But it was full of heart.
Dad stood nearby, correcting her form with an approving smile. She eagerly tried again.
I donât know how long I sat there watching.
But something about it was⦠mesmerizing.