THE DEMON'S PRAY

Yuzuru got up. He walked closer to Alexander and began examining him. "You still look the same."

Alexander looked down at himself. "Ah yes, demons and devils don't have any proper physical being; they can take the form of anything, so I took my human form."

Yuzuru looked up at the sky and saw many flying creatures. He sighed, "You said 'devil' as if they are different from demons."

Alexander sighed, patting Yuzuru. "You truly are ignorant. Demons are beings that feed on temptations, while devils induce them."

Yuzuru looked at him with tired eyes. "Do I look like the sort to be interested?"

Alexander smiled. "And do I look like the type to let you go without a proper lecture?"

Yuzuru sighed, "Man, I hate you. Go on, explain."

"Most certainly," Alexander gleamed, "demons feed on soul, body, feelings, and sins."

Yuzuru felt a little uneasy. "Great, hungry morons."

"Ah, yes, while devils induce the temptation of sins, creating a perfect meal, though at times we prefer purity too."

"Does this have anything to do with why you called me here?" Yuzuru snarled. He neared the man but then took a step back.

Alexander narrowed his eyes, smiling with his teeth. His sharp canines shone, sending shivers down the boy.

He raised his hand slowly. Yuzuru clenched his fists. He gestured for Yuzuru to come closer; his body was dragged in without his will. He tried using his powers on Alexander. "Burn already," he wailed.

But nothing happened.

Alexander grabbed him by his shoulders.

Sweat popped on his face as he struggled in the man's grip.

"yuzuru"

His body shivered.

"You fell prey to the Devil's temptation, and that makes you a perfect meal."

"I—" Yuzuru stared. Darkness engulfed him. His vision flickered. Within the corridors of Star Awesome, he went past Toby and slapped him from behind. He turned to face the shivering boy. His lively eyes glistening with tears.

Yuzuru reached out to him, but Toby liquefied. Leaving him in the darkness.

Echoes of his voice resonated:

"Come on, participate in the fighting tournament."

"You stole my shirt; it was in your room."

"loser, loner"

"Pick me, boy."

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Everything became silent.

"You truly aren't the thinking type?"

Alexander's voice was followed by the loud voices of other Star Awesome members.

.

"I saw his dead body in his room; he had undone himself."

"You made him do it."

"It's all your fault."

"I COULDN'T FIND HIM IN THE DEAD LAND."

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Yuzuru stood in the emptiness.

He hung his head.

"Did anyone even see the body?" Alexander's voice called out.

Yuzuru looked up, and the darkness was replaced with the forest.

Alexander stood in front of him, smiling.

"Sen did," Yuzuru mumbled.

"Sen... can you even trust him?"

Yuzuru remained silent.

Alexander backed away from him. "But that doesn't matter for now; I want you to do something for me."

"Why should I? " Yuzuru cried out, a tear rolling down his cheek, "You are weirding me out."

"Now, now, Yuzuru, why are you acting like he was the only one you unintentionally killed?"

It became quiet.

"You killed Sen, Mia, and Nami."

Yuzuru tried keeping firm eye contact, but his eyes kept drifting away. Anxiety took over.

"I won't tell them, so you have to keep me informed about everything that happens in Star Awesome."

Alexander turned into darkness and disappeared. Yuzuru stood there for some time.

He went back to the hut.

Rubbed his finger onto the golden brick.

He vanished back to Star Awesome.

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He ran as fast as he could, almost bumping into a green-headed girl. He ran down the corridor and swung open his room. He entered, shutting the door behind him.

"Where were you, Yuzuru?"

His heart raced, and he looked at Sen, who sat on his bed. Sen got up. "Are you okay? You don't look too good."

Yuzuru couldn't make eye contact. "I—I went out."

"Why?" Sen reached out to him.

"Why are you here?" Yuzuru almost shouted, This is the last person I want to meet.

Sen pointed at the mirror. "I guess you stood in front of it for more than twenty minutes, so the mirror Yuzuru was calling for help." He sighed, "My room is next door, so I heard the cries. I thought you needed help."

Yuzuru stood blankly. "I covered it."

"Yeah, the cover had fallen off; you need to properly cover it for five minutes so the mirror magic wears off." Sen smiled at him before making a disgusted face. "And I hate that mirror, you. It made awful bromantic jokes at me."

Yuzuru let out a laugh. "Sorry, well, I was out for a walk; I couldn't sleep."

Sen hugged him, shocking the other. "Honestly, I swear I don't feel the way the mirror said."

"That's not it. I am sorry for blaming you the other day." Sen backed away; he went back to the door. "I know it must have hurt you; I am sorry."

Yuzuru noticed his ear was red when he went out; it must have taken a lot of courage for him to talk about his feelings. It was always hard for him.

Yuzuru collapsed on the floor crying, "I am sorry, Sen, I am sorry."

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Sun rays fell on the golden land as if frying it. Heaps of sand extended along the horizon. Hot winds brushed against the sand grains. Alexander strolled as he hummed. Despite the overwhelming heat, he seemed to be enjoying himself.

"Now you know why demons' favourite meal is humans." A voice called out to him.

"Well, most certainly, humans are so full of emotional reactions to their feelings." Alexander turned to greet the golden-eyed demon. "Ralph, good to see you here." The latter didn't reply. The two began walking. Alexander looked up at the sun. "Well, I was the same too." He turned to Ralph. "But it is emptier now."

Ralph eyes him momentarily. "You were a human, so you still have feelings. The other demon lacks it completely."

 "No wonder demons eat humans. It fills the emptiness. I simply enjoyed tormenting Yuzuru; it truly satisfied my hunger." Alexander smiled at Ralph.

"I bet deep down you definitely felt a little perplexed."

Alexander smiled, "But as I said, my feelings are vague."

"Do you regret turning into a demon?" 

"Not at all, to avenge my family for sacrificing me to that being they worshipped. I needed to travel through dimensions." Alexander spoke louder than his usual tone.

Ralph smirked.