TWICE GIVEN, TWICE LOVED

THE LITTLE DEMON

"Dreams are not reality. Promises are meant to be broken."

These phrases are often uttered in daily life. Yet, despite such cynicism, why do people continue to dream of the future, striving to make those dreams a reality through hard work? Why do they still make promises, placing their faith in words rather than binding contracts? Have humans always been so careless with their words and actions, or is this a recent phenomenon?

How I wish I could escape from my promises and simply dream of a perfect life. If only the Gods weren’t involved. They have a way of bending people to their whims, according to a rulebook no creature that they’ve designed knows. What were the exact rules again?

Iona

She is the Goddess of Heaven, ruler over all the seven realms of existence in this universe. Her golden aura radiates from her, justifying her majestic persona, while her golden eyes and serene, everlasting smile offer the calmness one finds in the embrace of a mother.

It is said that ages ago, the Ultimate Creator of the Universe destroyed all life when the Gods began to misuse their power, belittling every creature and using them to mask their misdeeds. In response, Demons began to protect the souls of those who chose to believe in them. This sparked widespread worship of Demons, which led to an epic conflict between the Gods and Demons. They laid waste to the beautiful creations of the Ultimate Creator, reducing his masterpieces to ashes. Disappointed by his creations, the Ultimate Creator opted to start anew. Yet, time after time, he hoped that this new beginning would yield different results, believing that maybe—just maybe—his creations would not disappoint him again. Alas, power makes every being blind.

That is why it is said the universe has neither a beginning nor an end.

One tale that many creatures hold dear is the story of the Queen of Heaven and the Prince of Hell. In an era long past, an alliance was forged between the Gods and the Demons to maintain peace and prevent destruction. It was stipulated that the Prince of Hell must marry the Queen of Heaven. The realms rejoiced and celebrated this union—everyone, that is, except for two: the Prince and his beloved.

The Prince sought a dialogue with the Queen of Heaven, but his words fell on deaf ears. She desired the alliance for her own gain, yearning to occupy a throne that spanned both Heaven and Hell. What more could anyone ask for?

Seeing her selfish ambitions, the Prince's dislike for the Queen grew. Seeing the prince so determined to thwart the alliance, she devised a scheme to frame the Prince's lover, casting her out from both realms and stripping her of her body, rendering her an unmoored soul. How could the illustrious Queen of Heaven be thwarted by an ordinary Demon?

In the end, the little Demon was accused of attempting to corrupt the Prince's mind against his people. Abandoned by her own kind and the entire universe, the Prince descended into madness upon losing his lover. In his wrath, he obliterated both Heaven and Hell, leaving destruction in his wake. The almighty creator sighed knowing it was the end again. Consumed by hatred for the little Demon, the Queen cursed her soul to remain forever separated from her love, regardless of when or where she might be reborn.

The Demon couldn’t help but laugh, her mirth tinged with bitterness. She challenged the Ultimate Creator, questioning her fate. Was her love for the Prince a crime? Did she conspire to distance the queen from him upon learning of the alliance? She didn’t desire to be the co-wife of a Queen or disrupt the peace of the universe. It wasn't her fault that the prince didn't love the queen. She couldn't force the prince to love the queen. It wasn't her fault that the queen wanted the marriage for more power, even when she knew that the marriage was going to be a marriage without love. Why did she have to be dragged into the power struggle of the hell and heaven? All she wished for was a simple life spent with the one she loved. Was that too much to ask?

Standing in front of the Ultimate Creator, her accusations echoed in the silent void. The Creator felt the weight of her bitterness and disappointment but was bound by the rules of the universe. Though he could not break the law, he offered her a blessing: her soul would be born again, resurrected across several lifetimes until she finally found the love she truly deserved. At that time, the moon would weep tears of blood, witnessing the reunion of their souls. The sky would laugh, and the wind would dance in joy.

But, as with all blessings, there came a curse.

"Blood will be rained, blood will be bathed.

A blood will kill a blood, a blood will birth a blood.

A blood will betray a blood, a blood will support a blood.

Blood will strengthen with another blood, a blood will weaken its own blood.

Everywhere there will be blood because everything is a game of blood."

“Emily, what’s your decision? Are you sure?”

The eyes of several angels and Gods bore down on me as I stood in the court of life and death.

“Yes, I am sure,” I replied, my gaze fixed on the little energy ball cradled in my hand. When I raised my eyes, I met Iona’s stare. Her fists were clenched, jaw tight, and the surrounding aura shimmered with crimson rage as tears of blood streamed down her cheeks.

My knees buckled as I absorbed the energy ball, pressing it against my chest, where my heart no longer beat. A torrent of emotions—hate, sorrow, love, fear, and rage—hit me with a monumental force.

“It hurts,” I whispered, though the words were not truly mine to speak.