Reincarnated As A Demon

Chapter 13 Another Soul?

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“Wake up!”

A mysterious sharp voice pierced through the heavy fog clouding Zerha’s mind. Distant at first, almost like a dream.

“Wake up.”

Then the voice was growing impatient, louder. Urgent.

“HEY! WAKE UP!!”

With a sudden jolt, Zerha’s eyes flew open. “H-Huh?!” Her body tensed, a sharp bolt of pain shooting down her spine as she tried to move. Her vision swam with dizzying blurs of green, brown, and sunlight streaming through a broken canopy above her.

“Master! Are you okay?” Garren asked, his voice filled with concern.

“Master…” Foxy’s voice was also laced with worry.

Zerha groaned, pressing a hand against her aching temple. “What the hell… just happened?”

She sat up slowly, far too slowly for her usual bounce, and winced at the searing pain in her back. “Ugh… my back feels like it got hit by a truck. Did someone roll a boulder over me?”

“One of the demons earlier attacked you,” Foxy explained.

“But don’t worry! I already killed that freakin’ demon!” Ecanus announced proudly, puffing out his chest and striking a victory pose as if he'd just saved the world.

“You did?” Zerha blinked, eyeing him with skepticism.

“Of course!” Ecanus flashed a confident grin. “It stood no chance against my divine light!” he then laughed arrogantly.

“You mean Sage killed the demon,” Garren corrected, making Ecanus freeze.

“W-What? I-I helped him!” Ecanus stammered.

“Yeah, right. You were the bait. That’s a big help. Pffft,” Garren said mockingly.

Ecanus’ face turned red with embarrassment. “You… I’ll kill you!” he yelled, launching an attack. Ecanus cast his light magic toward Garren, who dodged easily.

“Oh? Try to hit me with your light magic if you can!” Garren taunted.

“Don’t dodge it!” Ecanus shouted, frustrated.

“Are you dumb? Of course I’ll dodge it. Do you want my body to have full of holes?”

“Then that’s even better!” Ecanus hurled another light spell, but this time Garren did not just dodge, he countered with a fireball. Ecanus’ eyes widened as the fireball came at him.

“Aaahhhh!!” he screamed, narrowly avoiding it.

Garren burst into laughter. “Pfft! BWAHAHAHA!”

"I swear I'm going to hit you this time!!" Ecanus shouted in desperation.

Zerha and Foxy sighed in disbelief, watching them like exhausted parents.

“Foxy, how long was I out?” Zerha asked, massaging her right temple, where pain suddenly pulsed.

“Twenty minutes, Master.”

“Oh... Where’s Sage? And the kid! Is she safe?” Zerha asked urgently, as the image of the little girl flashing through her mind.

“Yes, she’s fine. Demon hunter Aiden brought her back home after we defeated the demons. As for Sage…” Foxy pointed to a nearby tree. “He’s right over there.”

And there, beneath the gnarled roots of a massive tree, Sage sat, knees drawn to his chest, wings drooped low. His dark hair, usually so pristine, was disheveled and clinging to his face. His eyes, glowing faintly red, were darkened with anguish as he stared blankly at the ground.

“W-What happened to him?” Zerha asked. He looked so pitiful, like he was carrying the weight of the world.

“He is blaming himself for what happened to you, Master,” Foxy replied. “He kept saying, ‘Don’t die in front of me, Milady’ and ‘Please don’t die.’ He was surprisingly panicked, which is rare for him. He’s usually cold and composed.” I didn't expect demons like him can have those emotions, or was it just an act to lower our guard? We really can't trust this demon yet. Foxy thought eyeing suspiciously at Sage.

“I will kill you!” Ecanus shouted as he launched another attack.

“What a pathetic angel! You didn’t even land a hit! Wahaha!”

“You f***ng bastard!”

Ecanus and Garren were still fighting. But this time when Garren dodged another of Ecanus’ light spells, the light magic is heading straight for Sage!

“Light magic from archangels can kill a demon instantly,” Foxy said.

Even though a large portion of Ecanus’ power had been sealed by higher-ranking angels, his light magic could still cause devastating damage to demons.

“What?! We have to warn Sage!” Zerha shouted ready to ran to Sage to protect him.

“I-It’s too late,” Ecanus stammered, unexpectedly, he was panicking as the light sped toward Sage. Even though Sage is a demon, he doesn't know why but Ecanus doesn't want him to get hurt.

While the incoming light magic from Ecanus sped toward Sage, he didn’t even turn around. Instead, he extended his black wings behind him, shielding himself, as if he knew something is coming at him. Everyone froze in awe, especially Ecanus. It was his first time witnessing a demon completely unaffected by light magic. Is it because he is an archdemon? Ecanus thought. That must be it. Archdemons are naturally powerful.

“Are you okay, Sage?” Zerha called out, running to him.

He flinched at the sound of her voice. All of a sudden, tears began to stream down his cheeks as he turned to face her.

Everyone was stunned that Sage was crying.

“Milady! It’s all my fault!” he sobbed. “I deeply apologize for failing to protect you!”

“I-It’s alright. It’s not your fault…” Zerha replied, stunned by his emotional display. Cold, composed Sage, crying like a child. He’s actually... kind of cute. Zerha wrapped her arms around him gently.

“It’s alright. I’m not hurt anymore. Stop crying.” I feel like I’m consoling a little brother…

“Hmph! Now he’s acting like a weak demon,” Ecanus scoffed.

“Bwahaha!” Garren suddenly burst into laughter.

“Why the hell are you laughing?!” Ecanus snapped glaring at Garren as if he could kill by just glaring at him.

“Are you jealous that the Master is hugging Sage?” Garren teased.

Ecanus froze. “W-What? Who’s jealous? I’m not jealous!” Ecanus’ face turned red as he stormed off.

“Shut it,” Foxy muttered to Garren who was just holding his laughter. “I think we should head back now, Master,” Foxy suggested.

“Yeah, I think we should. Sage, get up. Let’s go.”

Sage didn’t say anything and quietly followed them. But deep inside, his earlier reaction wasn’t just panic, it was real fear. He never wanted to witness someone collapse in front of him again, not after what he’d been through.

As they made their way back to the guesthouse… “Hey!” Ecanus shouted, jogging beside Sage. “Why didn’t my light magic hurt you earlier?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” Garren snorted. “It’s because you’re just too weak.”

“Shut up, you f***g useless dragon!”

“My wings are special,” Sage replied calmly. “They can dispel light magic from angels.”

“I’ve never heard of that. Can all archdemons do it?”

“No. I’m the only one.”

“Hm…” Ecanus was confused. He had never heard of any demon who could dispel light magic from an archangel. Even though half of his power was sealed, at least it should leave a scratch but Sage is completely fine.

When they arrived, the landowner bowed before them. “Thank you. Thank you so much for saving my daughter.”

“How is she?” Zerha asked.

“She’s fine. She’s resting in my room.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

“I’ve prepared your meal. Please, follow me to the dining room.”

“Yes! I’m starving!” Ecanus ran off excitedly, already forgetting about his magic failing against Sage.

Inside the dining area, Aiden was already eating. As Zerha sat down, he watched her intently.

Now I’m sure these two are demons. That man used dark magic earlier. But this girl… She’s different. I’m sure she is a demon but why does her magic isn't like them? Or is she just using an item? I heard demons now uses those kind of things like human does. But then she’s dangerous. I should kill her before she hurts anyone.

“I do not like the way you’re staring at my lady,” Sage said coldly, catching Aiden in the act.

“Tsk,” Aiden clicked his tongue. He's suspicious of me. Maybe I will kill him first.

After dinner, Zerha stood up. “I’ll head to my room now.” After what happened earlier, I feel so tired.

The others nodded. Sage, however, quietly followed her.

“You can stay here with the others, Sage,” she told him as they are currently in the living room.

“No. I’ll guard you, Milady.”

Zerha sighed. “Alright.”

“Hey! Just stay outside her room and don’t disturb Master! Let her rest!” Garren shouted as he hold Ecanus head to stop from punching him.

“I know,” Sage responded.

Inside her room, Zerha collapsed onto the bed. My back doesn’t hurt anymore. Is it because of my healing powers? Does my body just heal itself? I must be invincible! Mwehehe! She let out a maniacal laugh.

“Stop laughing like an evil witch.”

Zerha froze after hearing a voice, as far as she can remember she’s alone in the room.

“W-Who said that?!”

“You can’t see me.” the voice said mysteriously.

Is it a ghost?!

“W-Who are you?” she asked nervously.

“A weakling has no right to know my name.”

“What? Show yourself! Wait, don’t! Not if you’re a ghost!”

“I’m not a ghost, stupid. I’m a soul residing inside your body.”

“What?! Then get out of me!”

Oh my gosh! She’s really a ghost! And she’s possessing my body, because she’s gonna use my body to do her unfinish business in this world?! I can't believe ghosts are real! And can even possessed someone! What the f**k should I do? There might be an exorcists in this world as well. That's right, I'm in this magical world so maybe looking for someone who can do exorcism isn't that hard find.

“You dare raise your voice at me, the Great Demon Queen?! Insolent little demon! You must be punished!”

“D-Demon Queen…?”

A demon ghost?! I really should find an exorcist this instant to get rid of this demon ghost!

“Huh? How did you know?” the voice asked in surprised.

Zerha stared blankly. “You literally just said it.”

“Oh. Ahem. Since my soul is in this body, you need to become stronger! I refuse to stay in a weak vessel!”

“What?! This is my body, not yours!”

“It is my body as well since my soul is in here!”

“Why is your soul in my body anyway?!”

“If I remember right… My father killed me. I don’t know why my soul ended up here though.”

“W-What? Your own father?” How can a father do that?!

“Hmm… I forgot the reason.”

“What?! Then when did you enter my body?!”

“Hmm… I think...I think 99,999 years have passed since I died. And I do not know why I am in this weak body.” The soul spoke calmly.

Noticing that, Zerha asked, “But don’t you feel angry about your father...but wait, 99,999 YEARS?!” she shouted all of a sudden. Is that even possible?! That long?! And her soul didn't even perish?! Is this ghost trying to fool me?

“Shut up. Of course, I still hate him. And everyone who betrayed me. I don’t understand why they did it… but I will take revenge. One day, I’ll destroy them all.”

Zerha’s heart raced. She could feel the soul’s fury, and it scared her. “Um… so, you want revenge. But how? You’re just a soul. And if it’s been 99,999 years, they’re probably dead. Right?”

“Demons live longer than humans. Especially royals and nobles. Are you even a real demon? A five-year-old would know this.”

Demons live that long? Zerha thought, feeling overwhelmed.

“What’s your name, weakling?”

“I’m Zerha, and I’m not weak!"

“Well then, Zerha, I, Demon Queen Alice, appoint you as my knight! You will become stronger and help me take revenge!”

“Wait, what?!” Zerha panicked. No! I don’t want to be in danger again! This world is full of beasts, demons and humans with superpowers. Not some kind of gangsters I fought in the past! I already risked my life earlier for that kid! I’m not saying I regret helping them save the child but I should stay away from dangers from this day on! What if I don't have a second chance to live anymore so I should cherish this second life that has been given to me!

Though Zerha still hesitated. This world is too dangerous even for her, who has gained strange abilities. And Zerha still didn’t know if this soul could be trusted. Also she’s a damn Demon Queen, she’s dangerous!

“What if… what if I don’t help you?” Zerha asked nervously.

“Then I’ll take over this body and erase your soul. Or maybe I’ll be better if I just devour it.”

Zerha gulped. She could feel the soul smiling wickedly. “A-Are you able to possess this body and r-remove my soul?”

The soul didn’t answer, instead, her body shifted. The soul took over her body and a terrifying grin spread across her face…