"Well, well...Look what we have here."

Demons rarely ventured into our villages anymore. They made a deal with people like my father, to no longer terrorize our homes and families. That was how I lost him, but I was almost too little to remember it.

Two large figures, one with pink hair and the other with short, silvery blonde, stepped from the shadows, looming tall like the trees themselves. I shrank back as they came closer, retreating until my back met the base of an old oak tree.

"A boy I see. About time. Last meal I had was that miserable, squealing little girl."

The blonde rolled his eyes. "Dramatic as ever, Marluxia. At least you've eaten recently. I haven't had so much as a mouthful in ages." He looked at me and licked his lips. "He looks nice and tender."

"I have it! We'll share him!" The pink one smiled too sweetly, his eyes raking over me. "Tell me, child, what's your name?"

Mother used to tell me stories of monsters; that they liked to catch naughty children and take them away from their families forever. That they would eat them. I believed those stories for a good many years, but they didn't stop me from being curious. Maybe it was curiosity that led me to wander the woods that day, all those years ago.

...No...Not quite. My ball had rolled into the forest. I had to get it back.

"R-R-Roxas." My voice shook as tears spilled down my cheeks.

"I do wish they wouldn't cry so much," the blonde one said irritably, his expression forming a scowl. "Makes them too salty."

"Well, you can't expect them to be happy to see us, now can you? They'd be stupid as cattle, wouldn't they?" Marluxia said with a laugh. "Don't worry. I can fix that right up."

Too frightened to run or beg or even think, I fainted. Or maybe he just moved so fast.

Before I was born, the land was locked in chaos. Men fought against men, and against monsters, struggling for many years to earn their freedom. It eventually came, by blood and sacrifice, but then done, demons grudgingly left the towns and villages, trudging deep into the woods for a kingdom of their own. The feudal lands fell into a tentative peace.

No one thought it would have lasted so long.

"Marluxia, Luxord."

The pink-haired demon looked up from the fire, as a new figure entered the clearing, cloaked and speaking in a strong, commanding tone. I curled further in on myself on the cold ground, whimpering. It was another demon...

"Welcome My Lord. To what do we owe the pleasure of-"

The man lunged without warning, brandishing claws that sliced the pink demon's face as neatly as a knife. He howled in pain as he was forced to the ground and punched again and again, the other creature moving so fast that I couldn't see. Marluxia was beaten and thrown this way and that, as if he weighed nothing at all. He looked like a rag doll.

"Enough!" Luxord turned away from guarding me and ran to his companion, but he was thrown into a tree nearby, shattering and splintering the trunk in his wake.

I closed my eyes and tried to disappear as they fought tooth and nail, crashing into the trees and bushes all around, tearing at each other violently, wildly. It raised an unholy racket, accented with vicious snarls and yips. Like wolves fighting.

Finally cast down, writhing and groaning in the dirt, Marluxia and Luxord cowered before the one they called 'my lord.'

"Now get out."

I never knew just why he chose me that day. I was, and still am, a nobody.

I started when I felt a smooth, cool hand on my bare shoulder. I was still shaking and crying, too afraid to look, to face the pain I knew was coming, but I could feel the cords around me loosening, until they finally fell away.

"Don't be frightened, child. You are safe now."

I opened my eyes wide as this strange demon gently took my hands in his and pulled me to sit up. Our eyes met, and I saw the most beautiful emeralds sparkling softly. Otherworldly, but surprisingly kind.

I could not look away.

I don't believe in destiny...

"My name is Axel. What may I call you?"

But there he was. The true terror of the dark forest, the sovereign of all monsters that walk in the guises of men.

The Demon King.