Chapter 40: True Demon, Umbriel
Witch's Tomb
Everyone stood still. Not even moving an inch. The villagers and demi-humans stood stiff in fear and confusion as they didn't understand what was happening. The only people who had the faintest idea of what is going on are the ones close to Kaoi.
The oni maid who still carries her sister in her arms looks on in anticipation.
Rem: Who is that person?
Roswaal couldn't believe what he was seeing as Kaoi told him the truth of this person's existence.
Roswaal: The third assailant…
Meanwhile, the trio of Kaoi, Beatrice and Emilia watches as the newly arrived Demon transforms her water tentacle arms into its regular appearance of a human arm.
Emilia: Kaoi? What do you mean she is a demon?
Beatrice: Do you mean like the ones from your world? I suppose.
Kaoi: I didn't want to believe it but there is no mistaking it. I recognize the signs anywhere.
?: You know It's rude to talk about a person right in front of them.
Emilia: Oh I'm sorry but who are you? And what do you want?
Umbriel: My name is Umbriel and as for what I want…
Umbriel dashes at Emilia. Her fingers encrusted with ice formed freezing cold claws.
AN: Think like Mr.1's finger blades from One Piece
Umbriel: Is your flesh between my teeth!
[Clang!]
Kaoi: Not on my watch!
The demon slayer mangages to intercept the attack before it could get close to his friend. His sword blocking the ice claws that are hard as steel.
Umbriel disengages as she leaps away.
Umbriel: I was only here for the half-elf but if you insist on getting in my way…
Kaoi: I do! And now you'll answer to me. Tell me, Umbriel, whose blood did you consume to achieve this transformation? Who is your master?
Umbriel: So you know about that.
Kaoi: I know everything there is to know, Demon!
Suddenly Umbriel hears a voice in her head.
You can tell him
Umbriel: Well if you must know. The name of the person who gave me this gift is… Ouranos.
End OST
Over 400 Years Ago
A golden haired and golden eyed noble is lying in bed.
[coughs]
The man struggles with this cough as it has been a part of a sickly illness that has plagued him for a majority of his life.
[coughs]
Blood is spattered upon the sheets from this recent fit.
Soon the noble hears a knock on his door. The voice of his faithful servant, Metphies
Metphies: My lord!
Zmei: Yes, Metphies?
Metphies: I did it, my lord! I found her for you! You're going to be okay!
Zmei: That's great, Metphies. Send her in.
The door opens and a white haired woman in a black dress walks in the room.
Echidna: Why hello there. My name is Echidna, the Witch of Greed. It is a pleasure to meet you, Lord Zmei.
Zmei: Let's skip the pleasantries, Witch. I assume my servant has already told you.
Echidna: About your condition? Yes, quite a shame for something so horrible to be inflicted upon someone so young. But are you sure you want my help? I am a greedy witch after all.
Zmei: Let me make this clear to you. I don't care what you do to me. This weakness has haunted me and is now threatening to cut my life short. As long as you provide the solution, I am willing to pay any price.
Echidna: Any price?
The sickly noble sternly replies.
Zmei: Any price.
Echidna: [chuckles] Very well.
Present Time - Sanctuary Forest
Now the face of Zmei now Ouranos once at last meets the Witch of Greed again after 400 years.
Zmei: It certainly has Echidna. It certainly has…
Omega: … The Witch known as Echidna is currently lying in her coffin back in her tomb. I am Omega.
Zmei: You can call yourself anything you want. I can still tell it's you.
Omega: By my miasma, I suppose.
The demon smugly taps his nose.
Zmei: Even after all these years, I can still recognize your scent and… so much more.
Omega gets momentarily annoyed but not at Zmei. At herself? It was like she was being forced to listen to voices that Zmei cannot hear.
Ouranos aka Zmei: But if you're going to be that way then I want you to call me by my new name, Ouranos. I've been going by it for well over four centuries now.
Omega: Very well, why are you here, Ouranos?
Ouranos: What? Can't an old friend visit? Granted it was difficult to schedule when I heard you were dead but I did come to visit. And you were going to leave.
The demon feigns disappointment in his tone of voice as he said that last part.
Omega: …
Ouranos: Okay, fine! You got me! I had one of my people watching this place for sometime now. Keeping tabs and stuff. So when I heard that several people were heading to Sanctuary, The last place I've heard you been around. I've gained a more vested interest. Then I learned that a certain swordsman had entered your tomb twice in one night…
Omega: Kaoi….
Ouranos: Yes! Kaoi! The swordsman from another world! Who-
Closing his eyes, Zmei sees through the eyes of his subordinate through his blood in her veins.
Ouranos: Seems to know a lot about us despite my kind never making ourselves known.
Omega: The creation of demons is either a coincidence or perhaps a preordained event in our worlds.
Ouranos: Demons?
Omega: That is what you are called back in his world. Transformed humans through the exposure of blood of a progenitor who can develop supernatural power called Demon Blood Arts.
Ouranos: Demon blood art, I like the sound of that. But you have to admit, it's pretty unbelievable to think that someone in another world could replicate your experiment.
Omega: Or perhaps I replicated theirs.
Ouranos: What?
Omega: Oh nothing… This has been a surprisingly pleasant chat.
Ouranos: Did ya think I was gonna be mad or something? For what? Not being able to walk in the sun? Please. Like I told you years ago. I don't care about that as long as I live my life.
The pink haired girl turns away.
Omega: Very well. I must be on my way now.
Ouranos: Oh you're leaving? Well that's no fun! Wait! How about I invite you to my mountain! It's pretty sweet!
Suddenly Omega clutches her head as if a little girl was shouting at her to accept his offer.
Omega: No thanks. I prefer to enjoy my walk. I plan on seeing the sunrise later.
Ouranos: [scoffs] Sunrise. Oh well until next time, Omega.
Like that the Prime Demon that is Ouranos disappears as when Omega turns around, she sees no traces of him.
Omega: Ahhh, why does love fade so…?
Back with Kaoi and Umbriel
Kaoi: Ouranos… was he the first or did he consume the blood of someone else?
Umbriel: If he did. I never met the guy. But as far as I know, only he has the ability to give the chosen ones this gift.
Kaoi: I see…
Umbriel: Now would you please get out of the way. I have a half-elf to tear open.
Emilia: But why?! I never even met you before.
Kaoi senses a rage building up within the demon as she scowls at Emilia.
Umbriel: You have some nerve to ask that!
Emilia: Huh?
Kaoi: Like I said before, I won't let you do that. It is my duty as a demon slayer. No… as a Hashira! I will not let you harm anyone! Your terror ends here, Umbriel!
Umbriel: Fine.
Umbriel transforms her left arm into three tendrill made of water with ice spear-like tips at the ends.
Umbriel: I'll just kill you first and then the half-elf!
Kaoi: Emi, I want you to take care of Beatrice.
Emilia: Wait!
Beatrice: What are you talking about, I suppose?!
Just as Beatrice was about to move, she fell to her knees due to exhaustion. Emilia rushes to the spirit's side.
Kaoi: Beatrice, Emi, both of you have used up so much mana ending the White Rabbit. This demon… she has the strength of a lower moon…
Emilia: Kaoi…
Beatrice: Betty's student…
The demon slayer turns his head to show his friends a reassuring smile.
Kaoi: Don't worry… I won't die here. I promise you that.
He then turns towards Umbriel.
Kaoi: Everyone has done their parts well. Now it is time to do mine… Flame Breathing, Seventh Form!
Kaoi dashes forward.
Umbriel: Take this!
The demon screams as she thrust her tendrill forward to skewer the demon slayer. But he moves out of the way of the first two and then-
Kaoi: Ring of Inferno!
[Slash!]
Slices all three at once, making them lose their shape and splash on the snow.
Kaoi got in close and was about to slice at her neck.
[clang!]
When Umbriel uses her other hand to block Kaoi's attack with Ice claws.
Umbriel: Like I'll make it that easy!
She then quickly transforms her left leg into a water tendril and then freezes it into an ice blade!
Kicking upward towards Kaoi.
[Slash!]
Who then manages to jump back but still takes a vertical slash on the right side of his chest. His blood splatters on the snow.
Kaoi: Arg!
Emilia: Kaoi!
Kaoi: Stay there! This is nothing that I have not gotten before.
The demon smirks as her body gets to work regenerating her lost arm. She shows off her ice leg blade.
Umbriel: Like that? I can shift my body into water and I can control the temperature to create stuff like this!
She then unfreezes her legs and shifts it back to its normal appearance. Her arm finishes regenerating.
Umbriel: I usually prefer killing with my whips but if you want to get close and personal.
She manically smiles as she forms her ice claw on the regenerated hand.
Umbriel: I can satisfy that need!
[clang!] [clang!] [clang!]
The sound of steel hitting ice can be heard as Umbriel slashes at Kaoi who blocks each attack.
Kaoi: Flame Breathing, Third Form: Blazing Universe!
Slashing downward, Kaoi manages to slice off her right hand and her chest. Umbriel uses this opportunity to thrust her claws at Kaoi's head.
Moving his head out of the way. Kaoi receives a slash on his cheek.
Backing up a bit, Kaoi makes another move at her neck but she leaps away..
Umbriel: Let's see you handle this! Glacier Dragon!
Umbriel transforms both her arms into water tendrill that she puts together, freezing the end to form the shape of a dragon.
Kaoi: Flame Breathing - Fire Magic, Fifth Form!
Kaoi's blades spews flames as he performs a series of slashes together to form a flaming tiger.
Kaoi:Flame TIger!
Their attacks meet-
[BOOM!]
Resulting in a clash that kicked up the surrounding snow.
Emilia and Beatrice brace themselves at the blasting snow.
As the snow settles, Everyone looks on in worry.
Kaoi is standing there, heavily breathing and worn from the injuries he receives.
While Umbriel stands there regenerating her arms. Onced finished it was like nothing had ever happened.
Emilia: I don't believe it.
Beatrice: Even the greatest healers couldn't perform that fast or that effectively. These demons are something else, I suppose.
Umbriel: I'm really impressed with you. Out of all the knights, warriors and whoever else I fought. You are the most fun but I think its time to end this.
Kaoi: Agreed.
Flaming blade in hand, Kaoi runs towards Umbriel.
Who then transforms both her arms into six water tendrils. Three on each side. Then she starts freezing them to form and sort of spiked ice chain whip with an ice spear head at the tips.
Umbriel: I noticed how you seemed to have a hard time cutting my ice.
Having full autonomous control Umbriel manipulates her ice whips to pierce Kaoi at all sides
Emilia: KAOI!
Beatrice: KAOI!
Rem: KAOI!
The cries of his friends are not heard by Kaoi as he faces his demise. The ice spike whip gets ever closer, Kaoi thinks in despair.
Kaoi: No! This can't be the end! Not after all that! Am I doomed to repeat this loop forever for eternity?!
It was at that moment that his mind did something it did not do during his other deaths.
The Demon Slayer's vision turns white as he reflects upon his memories.
Banishing the White Rabbit.
Saving the inhabitants of the mansion from Elsa and Meili.
Arriving at the Sanctuary.
Riding Raiju to save Emilia from the fire stone bomb.
Fighting Sloth alongside Julius.
The Subjugation to the White Whale.
Ram's words of encouragement.
Arguing with Emilia after the Royal Selection Meeting.
Fighting the Wolgram from Meili's first attack.
Fighting Rem.
Fighting Elsa.
Helping that little girl find her parents
His first encounter with Emilia.
His last meeting with Rengoku.
The countless missions he did before he arrived in this world.
When he received his uniform and nichirin blade.
Meeting Teruo.
His Final Selection Exam.
Training in Flame Breathing.
Meeting Rengoku for the first time.
Play Tanjiro no Uta
Invoke…
Kaoi: Who said that?
Remember… to invoke…
Kaoi: That voice… it sounds familiar…
Remember, Kaoi to invoke his name…
Kaoi: Father…
Kaoi's Father: Remember, Kaoi to invoke the name of the Great Dragon so that he may lend you his strength.
Kaoi's mind flashes back. Way back to before he had even seen a demon.
It was when Kaoi was a child back on Odo island many years ago.
Kaoi: It was the night of a yearly ritual. We had a difficult year. So tonight while six men dressed in ceremonial garb perform a dance. We would each offer a prayer to the Great Dragon. In hopes that he will lend us strength to persevere.
He remembers being in the front next to his sister and grandmother. His father was one of the six men to perform the dance. He remembers watching in awe as he moves thinking it was the most incredible thing he would see.
Kaoi's Father: Remember son, in times of great need or despair, invoke his name for he will lend you the strength you need.
Kaoi's Father: Remember this prayer…
[1:36]
Kaoi: [Focused Breathing]
Snapping back into reality, he recites the prayer in his head as he musters all of his strength.
Kaoi: Oh Great Dragon. Hear me invoke your name…
The orange flames from his sword turns into a purple color.
Kaoi: and lend me your strength!
In a single swing of the blade, Kaoi slashes through the ice whips!
Kaoi: Gojira!
Umbriel: Is that Yin Magic?!
Shocked at what Kaoi did. Umbriel reforms her whips using the strongest ice she can make.
The half-elf close by cheers in joy!
Emilia: He broke the ice!
Beatrice: This is bad, I suppose.
Looking down, Emilia looks at Beatrice with confusion.
Emilia: Why?
Roswaal who saw this, immediately recognizes what Kaoi managed to accomplish.
Roswaal: He combined his affinities. It took me years to accomplish that and he did on instinct. However…
Beatrice: The way he is doing that. He is recklessly using double the amount of mana. At this rate he'll soon be render immobile.
The demon slayer can feel that but does not care.
[2:21]
Kaoi: [yells]
Umbriel tries to get away as Kaoi gets close. However the Demon Slayer did not relent. Chasing her around the battlefield and destroying any ice whips that came at him with his flames of yin.
Kaoi finally sees an opening.
Kaoi: There it is!
With one last push, Kaoi swings his blade at Umbriel.
Kaoi: I have to take her down now!
Seeing Kaoi bringing the purple flames to her. Umbrella thinks
Umbriel: I have to take him down!
The demon thinks there is no way can avoid her ice tendrils at this range. However!
[3:18]
Two magic shields of ice quickly form at Kaoi's side! Her ice whips ricocheting off them.
Umbriel: Where did that come from! No, I couldn't be!
Looking over Umbriel can see a struggling Emilia with her hand raised at them.
Umbriel: That bitch!
Kaoi: [yells]
[Bam!]
Kaoi's blade struck Umbriel's neck!
https/tokujensen/art/1125881886
Purple sparks fly everywhere!
Kaoi: The bonds that I share with those important to me shall fuel my resolve! Yin Flame Breathing - Gojira's Claw!
With all of his strength, Kaoi runs his blade through Umbriel's neck and sends her head flying
[End OST]
Kaoi: Ugh!
Kaoi falls to the ground on his stomach. His glasses falling off his head and into the snow.
Emilia: Kaoi!
Beatrice: Betty's Student!
The half-elf and spirit quickly run to him. Very concerned for his well being.
Emilia: Are you okay?
Beatrice: Does he look okay?
At the Tomb itself, the bystanders talk to themselves as they worry about their hero.
Villager: Who was that woman?
Villager: Is Kaoi going to be okay?
Villager: What was up with those purple flames?
Rem looks at the scene with worry. She wants to run over but someone has to watch over the villagers and look after Ram.
However, before she could make a choice the person next to her began to walk.
Back with Kaoi, Emilia tries to use her magic to heal him but at this point she is running on fumes.
Roswaal: Save your energy Miss Emilia.
Startled, Emilia and Beatrice look up and see Roswaal as he kneels down. He places a hand forward and starts using his magic on the demon slayer.
Kaoi: Roswaal…
Beatrice: You're healing him?
Roswaal: Take this as my admission of defeat, Young Kaoi. You have won our wager.
Kaoi: Heh… good to see you're a graceful loser.
While Roswaal heals Kaoi.
Umbriel: Damn it!
Emilia: Huh?!
Looking over everyone sees the head of Umbriel as she cries in anger.
Umbriel: Damn it! Why won't my body move! I've done this before! Why won't-
Then she felt it. Piece of her turning into dust a flyinging away. She knew right then and there that she was dying.
Umbriel: Why…. Why is this happening to me?
She stopped her questioning when she heard the crunching of snow. Someone was coming to her but who?
She got her answer when Emilia picked up her head.
Umbriel: Let me go! Let me go you half-devil!
Emilia: … why do you call me that when you are also a-
Umbriel: Shut Up! I am not a half-devil! Not anymore!
The silver haired girl stayed silent for a moment before speaking again.
Emilia: You… must have suffered a lot like I have. Even though you don't have silver hair or purple eyes-
Umbriel: Suffered?! Like you have! What would you know of suffering?!
Emilia: Huh?
Emilia stares in confusion as Umbriel's eyes start letting out a stream of tears.
Umbriel: Those suffering don't have Great Spirits as adoptive fathers protecting them! They don't live in a mansion where they are served by the Margrave! They certainly don't have a chance at becoming king of the country!
Emilia: I see…
Umbriel expected for the half-elf to refute those claims. To naively say she had suffered like her but she did not do that. Instead she kneels on the snow as she cradles Umbriel's head in her arms.
Emilia: I will admit that Puck had protected me from many things that harmed others but I won't apologize for having someone who cared about me to protect me… I apologize to you that you didn't have someone do the same for you. For that, I am sorry.
Umbriel: What?
Emilia: I'm sorry you had to suffer such pain that you've become like this. What I do know is for being just a half-elf this is not the life you deserved…
Umbriel: The life I deserved…
Young man: This is not the life you deserved
Flashback
Umbriel's mind flashes back to before she was a demon. When she was a half-elf slave with no name. This young human man came to her cage.
Young Man: A beautiful girl like you shouldn't be in chains.
Girl…
It was the first time someone ever called her that.
Not Half-Devil or Half-Elf…
This strange boy called her a girl.
Squeezing his hand through the cage bar, the Young Man takes her hand.
Young Stranger: I promise you. I will get you out of here.
By some miracle he did.
He managed to get her out of her cage. Took her hand and together the two ran under the moonlight.
She thought this was some sort of reward for enduring the pain in her life. That her life was finally turning around…
But it was not meant to be.
Slave Trader: Can you believe this guy?
Slave Trader: I know right!
Somehow the slave traders manage to catch up to them. The half-elf with no name was forced to watch as the only person who tried to save her get beaten to death.
Umbriel: Stop! Please! Stop! You're killing him!
After that, they left her in a cage for the next couple of nights. Barely feeding her the scraps. Until the night he came to her…
Ouranos: You a poor thing.
This man with golden hair, plum red eyes and pale skin stands outside her cage. Judging by his clothes, she thought he was a noble that had just become her latest owner.
Ouranos: I've heard what happened, you know. About that kid that tried to rescue you. Poor guy and right after he managed to get you out of that cage.
The man then crouched down to her eye level and widely grins. Showing off his fanged teeth.
Ouranos: So how about I help you get out and make sure you're never in chains again?
He must be trying to trick her. That was her thought but then he did something unexpected. He grabs the bars of her cage and with minimal effort on his part bends them to create an opening.
Umbriel: Who… who are you?
Ouranos: You may call me Ouranos, girl and I offer you the power to live the life you deserve to live.
Umbriel: Offer… me…power…?
Ouranos: Yes…
He then reached out his hand to her and-
[shick!]
Stabs his hand with the sharp nails of his fingers. Letting his blood drip to the floor of the cage.
Ouranos: All you need to do is drink my blood to receive this power.
The light blue haired half-elf stared at the blood before moving her weak body. Cupping her hands together to hold the red liquid and then finally taking a sip.
Umbriel: The next thing I knew. I was standing over the bloody corpses of my captors with their flesh still in my mouth.
Flashback End
Emilia: There's not much I can do for you but promise you this… When I become king… I'll create a nation…
Umbriel half expected her to say where everyone is equal or some crap like that.
Emilia: Where we aren't judged by our race or our appearance… a society where it is our actions that defines us… a world we you and I…
Umbriel's eyes turn to Emilia's tearful look.
Emilia: could have been friends….
Umbriel: …[crying]
The demon cries as her tears stain Emilia's dress and as more and more of herself turn to dust.
While the caring half-elf caresses what was left of her head until the final remnants fly into the sky.
The sun rises, its rays of light shining upon the white snow. Illuminating on Emilia and her beauty.
Kaoi: So kind… even… to her… enemies…
With those words, Demon Slayer Kaoi rests his eyes.
Sanctuary Village
While the sun slowly rises, Ouranos sits safely in the shadows of the now abandoned home of some demi-human.
Ouranos: You've done well… Kaoi of another world. Okay, Metphies! You can let me back in now!
Metphies: Very well, my lord.
The rim of the closed door behind him glows a white light. Ouranos opens the door to reveal his domain.
Ouranos: Until the time comes for us to meet. You better get strong, swordsman.
The primeval demons walk through and close the door.
Author's Note
Wow! I did not expect to write 18 pages worth of writing. I kinda worried I didn't come up with enough material to cover the minimum pages of my other chapters. Well I hope you all enjoyed it.
Reminder that all of my art can be found in my deviantart of the same name.
News for the next chapter. I'm going to try and get it released before Thanksgiving but if not then it will be released after the weekend of.
Like always, feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments or reviews. Feedback for these chapters are appreciated and I love to hear what you guys think. Have a good day!
Play Next Time on One Piece
Now that the disaster of the Sanctuary and the Massacre of Mathers Mansion are stopped. But what is to be done with Roswaal? What is the fate of the little assassin, Meili? Where are our heroes going to live?
WIth the reveal that demons exist in this world. What will Kaoi do next?
All this and more
Kaoi: Next Time on Re: Slayer - The Flame Tsuguko in Another World, Chapter 41: Good-Byes for Now. See you there!