(A/N: TW: Non graphic rape scene, blood, & violence)

Kill the Beast Within

The sun was setting slowly in the west. The multiple colors in the sky were a myriad of happiness in the boy's eyes. Every spec of color was something new and fascinating every day. He'd never get tired of it. It was really one of the greatest things this village got to see.

The red haired boy blinked his green eyes when he saw a reddish-golden bird a few ways ahead of him. He'd never seen a bird like this before. He walked slowly up to it, holding out his hand. The bird shifted towards the sound of his feet hitting the dirt and stared at the approaching hand.

He smiled kindly, "Hello. Aren't you a pretty bird?" He let the bird stare and nip at his hand a little before it finally let him pet it. He ran his fingers through the soft feathers, "That's a nice color you got there."

He ripped his hand away when an explosion roared ways behind him. His heart stopped when he saw smoke arise from where his village was. He turned back to the bird only to find it gone from its perch in front of him. He didn't think twice on it before he ran off towards his village.

He could hear screams and cries coming from the villagers. They pleaded with the soldiers before them only to have the men brutally kill them. His eyes stung with tears and his heart seized when he heard his mother call to his brother.

His brother was thrown on the floor by a woman who had a chain around his neck. The older male glanced to side and stiffened, "Minosha, what are you doing here? Run! Run away!"

The blue haired woman smirked amusedly, turning to Minosha as well, "And where have you been, boy? It's a good thing you showed up at this time. This is where the fun starts."

Minosha stared wide eyed from his spot, frozen in place. The woman suddenly produced some kind of ice from her hand, making it look like a long sword, and shoved it into the back of his brother's head. The blood that flowed from his head darkened his already red hair.

"NO!" His mother cried in despair, struggling in the arms of the soldier who held her. "Not my son!"

The woman got up from his brother and unsheathed her rapier. She pointed it to the unmoving Minosha, "Minosha, was it? Do you know why your brother died?" He continued to stay silent. She continued on, "It's because he was weak; just like everyone else in your village. The strong survive and the weak di-"

The sudden glob of spit that landed on her face stopped her speech. "General Esdeath!" One soldier called out, turning to Minosha and snarling, "Why you little-"

The woman, Esdeath, wiped her face before holding up her hand to her subordinate. Minosha barely had time to blink before her rapier suddenly slashed his face. Blood poured out of the wound over his left eye. He held in his scream of pain as he fell to the floor, holding onto his face.

"Minosha!" His mother screamed through her tears. "Please, not my son. He didn't mean it. Please just leave him alone."

Esdeath chuckled sardonically, "Oh he meant it, and he's got bravery, I'll give him that. But such a crime will not go unpunished. Boys." She snapped her fingers. Two men appeared at her side. "Tie him to the tree and let him suffer as he watches his village perish."

Minosha was hauled to his feet roughly. They shoved him against a tree before wrapping a rope tightly around him and the tree. "Minosha!" His mother cried in fright. He couldn't speak; the rope pressed too hard on his lungs. Each breath was short and sharp.

Esdeath walked up to him, gripping his red hair tightly and bringing him close to her face, "Just watch, Little Mini. Don't close your eyes. That will ruin all of my fun."

She walked back with her soldiers and one by one the villagers were tortured through slow death, by sword or ice, raped and beheaded. Esdeath grabbed his mother last, giving the woman to one of her soldiers.

Minosha watched in agony as they tore off her clothes and threw her to the ground before they piled on, each raping her in front of him. He struggled against the ropes that now dug harshly into his skin and the pain in his eye as he shouted, "STOP! STOP! LEAVE HER ALONE! STOP!"

His cries landed on deaf ears as they continued on mercilessly. By the time it was done, he had screamed himself hoarse and his mother laid bloody and lifeless on the ground.

He shook tremendously when Esdeath approached him with a smile. She caressed his face with a cold finger, "Remember, Little Mini; this is the natural state of the weak. If you don't like it, just become stronger."

She cut the ropes, freeing him. He landed on the ground heavily, his mind, body, and soul numb from the watching the horrifying scene before him. "Goodbye, Little Mini."

"General Esdeath," A soldier spoke up, glancing at the unmoving boy. "Are you sure we should just leave him here alive? Why not kill him?"

Esdeath laughed airily as she mounted her horse, "I have a feeling I'm going to see him again in the future. Just leave him be. It's not like he can do anything now. Move out, boys."

The soldiers glanced at him once more before following her order. Minutes later, the pounding of hooves couldn't be heard anymore. Minosha moved his head slowly, trying to find his mother's face.

He sobbed into the ground when his uninjured eye landed on her bloody, beaten face. "Momma," He whimpered, trying to bring his heavy hand up to grab hers. His hand fell limply only inches from hers. He choked on his sob, screaming to the night sky, "MOMMA! BIG BROTHER!"

You poor little boy. He stiffened at the woman's voice that echoed in his head. He moved his uninjured eye cautiously before gasping in shock at the bird he had seen before. It bowed its head to him, I cannot say how sorry I am for what has happened to your family and your village.

"Who…?" He barely got the word out before he winced. He made the mistake of trying to open both of his eyes.

The bird approached him slowly, rubbing its head on his outstretched hand, I am an angel named Evangeline though I have had to take the form of a phoenix. The woman who raided your village has the blood of a demon flowing through her; a demon named Azazel. I have been sent here to find him, but it seems he has been killed and thrown into a host.

Minosha huffed weakly, moving his good eye towards her, "What does that have to do with me? I just want my village back. I want that woman dead."

Evangeline nodded, I know, and that is why I will help you. She gave a small nod when Minosha stared at her in disbelief. Yes, I will. You see; Azazel escaped from the heavens to cause rampage and death on earth. He took on the form of a beast that was soon killed. I have come here to stop him which is why I will help you. I believe you have the spirit to host me just as that woman has the spirit to hold Azazel. Do you accept?

Minosha stared at his mother's lifeless form then gazed at the remains of his village. He turned his gaze back to Evangeline, nodding, "I'll help you as long I can kill that woman for what she has done to my village."

As you wish. Evangeline suddenly turned into pure fire, diving into his wounded left eye. He felt his insides heat up as it took in the phoenix. The bruises around his torso and arms soon healed. The wound over his eye closed, leaving a vertical scar.

He could feel every ounce of power she had radiating from his skin and every beat of his heart. Everything seemed so much different, like his senses were suddenly heighted giving him a new view of the world.

He stood, going back into the woods and soon finding the river. He splashed his face, hoping the cool water would give him the evidence that this was not a dream or nightmare. Though a part of him just wanted to die with his family. Knowing he would never see his mother's bright face or his brother's proud grin was a fate worse than death.

We must go; Evangeline spoke, her voice surrounding his mind. It may take a while, but you must train your body. If you wish to defeat that woman, you must train to be able to control my powers. Take this.

A small fire appeared next him. When it died away, a sword sheathed in its holder was next to him. It is a sword from the heavens. I'm sure you will be able to wield it. Only a holy spirit may be able to. With this, you will be able to take her on.

Minosha stared at his reflection in the water, slowly opening his left eye. His right eye shone green while his newly healed left eye was gold with a slit pupil. He took the sword, nodding firmly, "I'll do whatever it takes."

3 years later…

The hooded figure atop the rooftop listened to the pedestrians bellow. He could hear everyone within the capital clearly from his perch on the town bookstore. He waited patiently like he did for months for something. Anything regarding a certain woman.

"Did you hear about the Jaegers?"

"I heard they're a group of assassins."

"They're going to protect us, right?"

"General Esdeath is the commander. She's the best around. Those assassins are going to be the strongest in the Capital."

The hooded figure smirked wolfishly, "Ah, my scar is burning." He fingered the black headband that was over his left eye. "General Esdeath. Jaegers. I can't wait to see you again and finally kill you." His pupil on his right eye became a slit as he brought his hand to his face, feeling his body shake anxiously at the thought of seeing the woman who had destroyed his village again.