Inner Demons

“You can’t honestly tell me that you don’t see this... this... monster!” Kairo exclaimed. “Look, whether you believe me or not, you have to get out of here! Please!”

Giving them a quick glance, he noticed the difference between the pair. The man looked soft and the girl looked tough. He could tell that they were capable fighters.

The guy casually responded, “Say I believe you, how do I know you aren’t just insane?”

You’ve got to be kidding me!

“You think I’m insane?!”

The pair shot him looks that all but verbally said “You are absolutely the most insane person I’ve ever met”.

Kairo desperately tried to think of an answer, but nothing came to him. How would he even begin to convince them?

“I uh... hmm,” he stammered. “I guess, this scratch on my shoulder proves it? I mean, I couldn’t do this to myself!”

The pair’s eyes got wide, and the girl scowled.

What is wrong with these people?

Can’t they see I’m the one who is hurt?

Kairo rubbed his shoulder and looked back at the monster.

“Yeah, that's right. You better stay put!” he muttered.

“Takada... Do you know what this means?” the girl asked.

The ninja-looking guy nodded slowly.

“Hey kid,” he started, “Can you describe what you see? No need to be afraid.”

Kairo instantly beamed.

Do they believe me?!

He then turned around and looked at the beast.

“Okay. So, it has red eyes, white hair, grey skin, vaguely looks like a person? Kind of?” he said, half asking. “Maybe more like a thin, walking corpse? It’s freaky!”

That thing has been awfully quiet.

I really hope it stays that way.

Despite the creature staying still, the tension in the air was palpable.

“Okay... That’s not good,” The man said. “I’m sorry to tell you this, but you aren’t a normal person an—”

“YES!” Kairo interjected. “I knew I was in another world! I’m the chosen hero!”

Tears of joy almost streamed down his face.

Finally!

After the suffering I’ve been through—I finally will get the life I deserve!

“Does this mean that I’m a hero in this world?”

An eager smile stretched itself across his face.

The kunoichi sighed and shook her head. 

"Oh god... Something is seriously wrong with this kid... Brother? Please tell him.” 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about... But you were either born special, or you have a disease.” the ninja explained.

“...”

They were clearly serious, but Kairo couldn’t fathom what they were saying.

“Diseased? Impossible... But still, I wasn’t born here.”

The girl tilted her head, then her brother replied, “I’m sorry, but either you can come with us, or you can die here. There is no other alternative.”

“Huh?!” Kairo exclaimed. “Wait a minute! So you CAN see it! Why did you—”

They turned to see the monster had started running at them, galloping on all fours. 

“Shrieeek!”

* * *

Takada drew his katana, taking a stance. The creature got close, then there was a thud. 

The evil creature’s arm shot out blood. Its entire forearm fell to the grass, dying it a bluish purple.

“Woah! Incredible! Why didn’t you do that sooner?!” the boy blurted.

Takada simply shrugged.

“Does it really matter now?” 

Takada knew something was off. He tried to ignore it, but he couldn’t.

Why is he out here?  he asked himself. 

Why aren’t there more?

How can he see it?

Questions raced across his mind as he stood there. He turned his head to look at him again.

“Look out!” the boy yelled.

Takada quickly looked back at his foe. It began to attack with its other hand.

“What a pitiful creature... Die peacefully.”

Fwoosh!!

Thud!!

Now the other arm was soaking the grass indigo.

“Psychos really are pitiful creatures.”

Was this one once human?

Takada drew his sword back, staring the beast in the eyes. Nothing but empty hatred radiated back. He frowned.

“May eternal peace find you,” Takada whispered gently.

A blue light suddenly bathed him, and he closed his eyes. The tip of the katana began to glow faintly. 

The creature slowly backed away, right before his arm shot forward, straight at its throat.

“SKREEEEEEEEE!!!”

The monster screamed as loud as it could. 

With non-existent hands, it tried to cover its neck. But to no avail. It collapsed to the ground, writhing in pain. 

Takada wiped the blood off his sword, carefully sheathing it once more.

“Woah!” the boy exclaimed.

His constant outbursts started to become irritating.

“What is it?” 

Takada turned and looked at him—certain the psycho was dead this time.

“That thing is turning to dust! So it’s a vampire?!”

This caught him by surprise.

How does this boy know about vampires?

I have so many questions for him.

The wind gently blew, scattering the ashes throughout the open field.

Farewell.

I hope you find peace beyond this world...

“Not quite. How do you even know all this?” Takada stepped closer to the kid. “I mean, you act like this was the first time you saw a psycho.”

The kid scratched his head.

“I mean... yeah? I just got here a couple of hours ago.”

Just got here?

What does that even mean?

Takada stood there silently thinking. The grass rustled gently, and the scene was surreal once more.

Wait a minute—didn’t he say he was wounded?!

Oh no...

Zashi stepped forward and cleared her throat. 

“What my useless brother is trying to say is, most people can’t see the supernatural. Either you were born this way or got bit. So I guess that mean—”

“This is really bad,” Takada interrupted. “I was more focused on exercising the thing, it didn’t register in my mind...”

The boy and Zashi looked at him with confused faces. Takada shifted his stance, gazing up at the stars. 

"Whether you could see them before or not doesn’t matter. You’re going to become a psycho yourself and—”

The boy shouted.

“Whaaaaaat?! Become one of THOSE things?!”

I’m sorry.

I really am.

These words played loudly in Takada’s mind. But could he say them aloud?

“Kid, listen. I’m... I’m really sorry. But you can’t live a normal life anymore. You’ll have to come with us.”

The boy began taking a few steps backwards.

“N-no... No. No, no, no. No!” he shook his head. “I am NOT going with two strangers I just met! What’s going on here?!”

We’re going to execute you.

You aren’t normal.

“We just want to protect you!” Takada smiled softly.

We have to find out why.

Why are you different?

“I mean, you don’t want those monsters to hurt you, right?”

And if you turn out to be one of THEM, I WILL exorcise you!

“So, please... Come with us.”

* * * 

Kairo shivered as he backed away.

Something is seriously wrong here, he thought.

All my senses are screaming to run away!

“It doesn’t seem like you’re giving me a choice,” he sneered.

The ninja’s smile faded. 

“You’re right. We aren’t giving you a choice.”

“Yeah, real sweet. So I noticed you two are dressed up like ninjas. I take it you kill people?”

The breeze blew gently, the ninja’s scarf blowing along with it.

“... Yes. We are assassins. But we just protected you, didn’t we?”

Damn!

This guy is persistent!

I‘ve got to get out of here before they try to kill me!

“I’m still not going anywhere with you!” Kairo snapped. “You never even mentioned your name or where you plan to take me!”

“My name is Takada, and she is Zashi. All you need to know is that you need to come with us.” 

“...”

I didn’t come this far just to be kidnapped.

There’s no way in hell I’m going to die here!

“Keep the heck away from meeee!” Kairo yelled.

Suddenly, all eyes were on his shadow. Another psycho was crawling out of it.

Shoot!

This is bad!

“But maybe it can distract them!”

Takada gritted his teeth, running towards the beast. 

“Damn it... This is bad news.”

I hope that thing tries to kill HIM and not me!

“Shrieeeeek!!”

“Kid, I need you to listen to me, right now!” Takada began to lose his cool. “I have to kill you right here and now! I—”

“Aha! I knew it!” Kairo shouted.

“Listen—You just summoned a psycho. I must exercise you now, for the sake of humanity.” 

I hope you enjoyed this chapter! 

If you have any thoughts, theories, or feedback, I'd love to hear them in the comments!