The Demon Within

The night was heavy with silence, yet Nero’s mind screamed. The cursed blood inside him pulsed like a second heartbeat, burning through his veins. He sat in his darkened room, staring at his reflection — those blood-red pupils staring back. No one knew. No one could know.

“I need answers… before it’s too late.”

He stood, wrapping himself in his cloak. The academy’s library was vast, ancient — filled with knowledge forbidden to most. But Nero had no choice. Every second, the curse dug deeper into his soul.

Slipping past the empty halls, he reached the grand library doors and forced them open. The scent of old paper and ink filled the air. Moonlight pierced through cracked windows, illuminating rows of dusty tomes.

Nero scanned every shelf, every old scroll until his eyes landed on a blackened book with a crimson seal — “The Blood of Demons: A Mortal’s Curse.”

Hands trembling, he opened it. Pages upon pages detailed horrific tales — mortals consumed by demonic blood, bodies twisted into monsters. But one passage caught his attention:

“If a mortal is strong enough, they may suppress the curse. But the price is steep — eternal suffering, loss of humanity, and a life forever hunted.”

Nero swallowed hard. “I… I have to try.”

Suddenly, a voice echoed behind him. “What are you doing here… Nero?”

Kain.

Nero froze. His body screamed to lie, but his blood… his blood boiled for a fight.

“I… couldn’t sleep,” Nero muttered, shoving the book under his cloak. “I needed… answers about… Igris.”

Kain’s eyes narrowed. “We’ve all been restless… I get it. But don’t disappear like that.” He sighed, resting a hand on Nero’s shoulder. “You know we’re a team… right?”

Nero forced a nod, biting down the urge to scream. “Yeah… we’re a team.”

Kain smiled faintly, oblivious to the crimson flicker in Nero’s eyes. “Come on… let’s head back. We’ve got a mission tomorrow… They’re sending us after the Demon King’s lowest disciple.”

Those words hit Nero like ice. “Another demon?”

The next morning came fast. Tension filled the air as Nero, Kain, Ezren, and Lena gathered. The academy instructor addressed them. “This mission… will be dangerous. You’ve proven yourselves, but this is different. You’ll be facing a direct servant of the Demon King. This is your chance… to rise or fall.”

They nodded. Nero remained silent, his mind torn between fear and rage. “If I lose control… they’ll all die.”

Hours later, they reached the dark forest — the demon’s lair. The sky above was crimson, and the air thick with malevolence.

The fight began without warning. The demon — a hulking beast clad in crimson armor — roared, sending waves of dark energy toward them.

Kain charged first, blade gleaming. “Stay sharp!”

Ezren followed, blood spears forming mid-air. Lena summoned her barriers, shielding them from the demon’s attacks.

Nero hung back — his body trembling. The cursed blood inside him wanted to fight, to kill.

As the battle raged, Nero’s eyes flared red. A voice whispered in his mind — Igris’s voice. “Use it… embrace me… and you’ll win.”

“No…” Nero growled, forcing himself forward. He fought alongside his team, but every strike felt heavier, every movement harder. The blood curse clawed at his soul.

The demon snarled, targeting Lena. “You’re weak!” It lunged, claws aiming for her throat.

Nero didn’t think. He moved faster than ever, shoving Lena aside. The demon’s claws raked across Nero’s chest, but something snapped inside him.

Crimson energy exploded from Nero’s body, sending the demon flying. For a brief second, everyone stared — Nero’s eyes burned bright red, his aura monstrous.

Kain’s voice cracked, “N-Nero?”

The demon grinned, licking its lips. “I smell it… demon blood.”

“No…” Nero panted. “I’m still human…”

The beast laughed. “We’ll see.”

The fight continued, brutal and bloody. Nero unleashed power he didn’t know he had, striking the demon hard enough to crack its armor.

But the curse grew stronger. Every attack drained his mind, pulling him closer to the edge. “I can’t… lose myself.”

With one final roar, Nero gathered everything and struck — piercing the demon’s heart.

The battlefield fell silent. The demon’s body crumbled into ash.

But just as relief washed over them… the demon’s hand shot forward, slamming into Nero’s chest — right where Igris’s blood had settled.

Blood splattered.

“NERO!” Kain screamed.

The demon grinned. “Let’s see… if you’re strong enough to carry us both.”