Logan and Isla, overwhelmed by the torrent of revelations, found themselves instinctively snapping two sofas into the room. They needed to sit, to anchor themselves in something tangible as they grappled with the profound and unsettling truths Asher had laid bare, especially after what happened after he died as Cedric.
"So… you are saying reincarnation exists and that you are the living proof? All those theories of reincarnation existing were right? But how can a human become a demon in his next life while retaining his past life memories? That's...terrifying to think of...Why would the angels allow something like that? Even if they might do so to punish someone, you never deserved it," Logan's voice carried a mix of pain and a desperate need for understanding, his eyes locked onto Asher with an intensity born of both confusion and wonder.
"No. It's not really reincarnation. I am not sure, but I found myself waking up in an empty demon body. I wasn't born, nor do I remember growing up. That body was soulless, as demons called it. Then I found myself waking up in that 19-year-old body, and I happened to be married to the demon queen," Asher clarified, settling into a seat, his demeanor calm despite the storm of emotions swirling around him. Amelia, sitting beside him, was still reeling from her relief after Asher suddenly revealed the truth to her parents. Things could have gone wrong in more than a dozen ways but fortunately it didn't.
Logan and Isla exchanged a glance, their faces mirroring the bewilderment that Asher's explanation stirred within them. Isla, her voice tinged with concern and a mother's protective instinct, pressed further, "So… you really see her as your wife? You already know that the demon queen will one day try to destroy our world just like her father and her forefathers tried to. Even if she does not succeed, our world will suffer a lot. If it were not for you, her father could have destroyed so much. It is like a ritual for them at this point."
"I love her more than anything," Asher abruptly declared firmly, the simplicity of his statement taking Logan and Isla by surprise.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64ce79d606107d003c23ea27", id: "pf-5140-1"})The room seemed to contract at his words, as Logan and Isla's expressions froze while Amelia held her breath, wondering how her parents would process this.
"So the rumors of the new demon king willing to swim through oceans of lava and walk through thunderstorms for the sake of his queen were true. But why? How could you forget what she really is and what we said she will do in the future? Even if you are a demon now, how can you forget the world that gave birth to you first? Your mother was also a human, and we, the people who love you, are humans as well. Are you really going to stand by the demon queen's side and watch her try to burn our world to ashes?" Logan's voice cracked with emotional strain, unable to predict what Asher's motives and ideals were after everything he suffered.
No man could have survived from breaking down after all that. And yet, for someone so pure and strong-willed like Cedric to turn into this demon sitting before him only spoke even more of the ordeals he endured.
They could only guess what kind of man he has become now since they definitely could see that even if fragments of Cedric still existed in him, he was far too different from who he once was.
But the question he and Isla shared as they glanced at each other in worry was whether they can forget the vows they took as Hunters and their beliefs to protect this world for the sake of someone they loved like their son.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64cc9e79c7059f003e4ad4b0", id: "pf-5109-1"})Would they be able to forsake their home, their world and all the innocent people they vowed to protect?
Asher noticed the anxious expressions of Logan and Isla and addressed their deepest fears,
"You two don't have to worry. Rowena, the demon queen, isn't some bloodthirsty demon who only thinks about slaughtering humans or taking over our world for sadistic purposes. All she wants is to protect her kingdom, look after her people, and ensure a better future for them. She is not only strong but benevolent and loyal to those she loves, more than most humans I know," Asher explained, his voice carrying a conviction that seemed to momentarily bridge the vast gulf between his reality and theirs.
Isla and Logan exchanged a glance, their expressions a mix of skepticism and the dawning realization that the demoness Asher spoke of was far removed from the nightmarish figure they had envisioned. The dissonance between their preconceptions and Asher's descriptions left them grappling with their biases.
Amelia had heard enough stories of what kind of demoness Rowena was from Asher, and thus, she didn't find it hard to digest. But she also had the same reaction as her parents the first time she heard those stories.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "663633fa8ebf7442f0652b33", id: "pf-8817-1"})Were demons really capable of such love after being born in their nightmarish world?
"Our world is a cruel place to live. Only when you live there as a demon, you will understand. So the only reason the past demon kings tried to attack this world was for a chance to live in a better world," Asher added, his face shadowed by the gravity of his words.
Logan's response was tinted with the harsh realities of their own world, "We know that as well. Obviously, our air is rich with nourishing energy, and our lands are filled with resources. But does that mean we should allow ourselves to perish to let these demons live in a world that never was theirs? As you said, your wife will do anything to look after her kingdom, including trying to destroy our world. Even if we don't take her into account, most of them only want to shed blood and reap life crystals by turning us into corpses. They wouldn't stop at anything until they get what they desire. They only act on their crude instincts and plunder what's not theirs," he argued, his voice strained with the weight of his duty to protect and memories of everything he and his family suffered at the hands of demons.
Asher's reply was measured, his tone imbued with a broader vision, "Who said this world has to perish for there to be peace? Our worlds have been at war for thousands of years, ever since the demons arrived. Since you guys truly care about this world, ask yourselves if you want to let this war go on for eternity? Imagine the number of lives being lost and will be lost from both sides. What if, in the future, Earth cannot endure any more of this war and gives in? Do you guys really want to take that chance and let your descendants suffer for it?"
Isla, her eyes widening, leaned forward, a spark of hope flickering in her gaze, "What are you saying, son? Are you hinting that you can stop this war for good?" Isla knew what she asked was unbelievable, but since Asher was now the demon king, she still held a sliver of hope.
Asher nodded, his eyes alight with a fierce determination that seemed to ignite a similar fire in Amelia's heart, "Ever since I regained my sanity and realized my purpose in this life, I knew what I had to do. To save both our worlds from destroying each other. But that can only happen with the destruction of the WHA, freeing this world from its control and creating something new that will truly look after this world instead of their own self-interests. We can bring about a day where demons will have no need to kill humans for life crystals, and you humans will have no need to kill us to protect this world."
Logan and Isla were stumped upon hearing Asher's words. Such bold ambitions…how was he this confident?
Logan then shook his head, his voice thick with the burden of their history, "How do you plan to accomplish such a plan when both of our sides have failed to destroy each other for all these years? Achieving peace for both will be even harder and can't be accomplished without bloodshed, more than ever in a long time."
Asher's response was somber, yet resolute, "I know. But you guys must understand that peace can never be achieved without sacrifices and bloodshed. We do not live in ideal worlds. Our history has proved that in many ways. But...if you guys help me, then more lives can be saved. I promise that. We can open the eyes of the people to what kind of man Derek is and the organization he is using to control this world within his palm. I fear Derek is up to no good. Otherwise, he would never scheme to kill me when I posed no threat to him, even career-wise."
Amelia interjected passionately, her voice echoing around the stately room, "Dad, Mom, you two have to believe Asher. Derek and his people shouldn't be allowed to be responsible for our world and our people. They hold too much power and should be gotten rid of as soon as possible. But if Asher doesn't get our help, it will be harder to do it. Can we really sit by and let Derek and the WHA sabotage our world? Asher is getting stronger in his own world and one day might be able to make all the demons listen to him. We will never get a chance like this again. We owe him this much, right?"
Logan and Isla shared a long, fraught look, the weight of their lineage and responsibility heavy upon them. Finally, Logan spoke, his voice tinged with a weary resolve, "There is a lot of 'ifs' and 'might' here. Our family has dedicated their lives and resources to protecting this world for centuries. We also have taken the same vow our forefathers did to safeguard this world, and we will never break it."
Asher slowly nodded as he lowered his gaze, his expression heavy.
Amelia's expression dimmed, her hope fading into disappointment, but before the silence could settle, Isla's voice broke through, strong and clear, "But our vows don't mention anything about not working with a demon to protect our world. We never follow or support anything blindly but understand what we are fighting for and do whatever's necessary to follow through."
Relief and renewed hope brightened Amelia's face, a smile breaking through as Asher looked up, visibly moved by Isla's words.
Logan, his own resolve strengthened by his wife's insight, extended his hand towards Asher, "We might preach about vows and all, but we broke the most important vow of looking after our own family, which includes you. We knew in our hearts that what the world was telling us about you couldn't be true. But we couldn't do anything to clear your name or protect your legacy and our friends despite your sacrifices. We have always felt unworthy of the Von Haughton name ever since that day. So Amelia is right. We have to do everything we can to not break the same vow twice, even if it means sacrificing a part of ourselves."
Tears welled in Isla's eyes as she nodded in agreement, her chin quivering with the emotion of the moment.
"Uncle..." Asher's voice was thick with emotion as he firmly gripped Logan's hand, "Don't worry. I will protect our family from any harm and make sure you guys never have to sacrifice anything. That's the least I can do for believing in me despite everything."
