Chapter 3: The True Demon

  The two lurched at each other, the ground shaking beneath their feet, and their fists collided with a thunderous crack that sent a tremor through the air. A shockwave burst outward, scattering leaves and making the wind recoil. The creature snarled, its breath hot and rancid, and hurled its other hand toward her. Viola twisted aside, the rush of air grazing her ear, and caught its wrist mid-swing. Her fingers dug into its flesh as she spun the beast around in a dizzying arc before slamming it into a tree hard enough to send splinters flying.

  Its roar rattled the branches before lunging again. But she met its fury with precise and calculated motions. Each strike from her was a burst of compressed force—bone meeting bone, the ground rippling from the pressure. Her movements were fluid and unhurried, the cold precision of someone who had long since learned to kill without hesitation. The creature’s attacks grew clumsy, desperate. At one point, Viola’s punch grazed its cheek, and black blood splashed across her arm.

  “So even something like you can bleed.”

  She dropped low and drove an upward kick square into the creature’s jaw. The impact cracked like thunder — enough force to rip its neck apart. Its head snapped free, spinning into the air before crashing into the grass. Black blood gushed out like a fountain, spattering all over Viola. She wiped it off her face with the back of her hand, grimacing at the stench that burned her nose.

  But the thing didn’t fall. The stump of its neck pulsed, the flesh twitching and bubbling like molten tar before stretching outward. Veins of shadow threaded through it as another head slowly formed, while the discarded one crumbled to dust, vanishing into the dirt. Viola flinched for a second, but wasn't surprised much; the monster had already defied too many rules of the natural world.

  It lunged again, fist flying downward. Viola sprang backwards, the blow slamming into the ground where she’d been, shattering the earth into a spiderweb of cracks. She twisted mid-air, spun around and brought her heel crashing into the side of its skull. The creature’s neck split again, head flying off with a snap that echoed through the forest.

  “Again?” She growled with annoyance when the creature regrew its head a second time. “You dare persist?” They stared death daggers at each other. “Fine then,” she declared coldly.

  “I’ll just keep removing you piece by piece until you stop existing.”

  A duel between the demon and the monster. Both out for each other’s blood. Both unwilling to give up until the other is no more.

  Viola never knew the full extent of her power, for she'd never gone all out in any situation before. Even against an otherworldly being, back then, she pulled her punches. Losing one of the few that mattered to her.

  But now, it was different.

  All the anger and pain welling up inside of her ever since that day, all the regret in her heart after imagining the ways that bloody scene could’ve ended differently, all the tears she let out after waking up from nightmares recreating that painful memory, all the things she heard that led her to blame herself for multiple reasons. These emotions clogged up inside her, taking away the light in her eyes, dragging her lower and lower every day into the bottomless black void.

  She saw Bonn in the girl’s fearful eyes when the very being that tainted her happiness was about to take someone else right in front of her. It sparked a fire inside her, bursting out the emotions in chaotic flames that would consume not only the monster, but the demon herself, too.

  Viola saw an opening and drove her fist into the creature’s chest. The blow hurled it backwards, splintering a tree several feet away. Before the creature could rise, wind coiled around Viola like a whip and, in a heartbeat, she vanished from sight. She reappeared beside it in a blur, her arrival stirring a small cyclone of dust and leaves. Grabbing its neck in a vice-like grip, she leaned close enough for their breaths to mix — hers steady and cold, its own ragged and animal. Her voice dropped low into a growl.

  “I suppose we can get a little more…violent.”

  With a roar of force, she shoved the creature backwards, driving it through tree after tree. Each trunk shattered under the sheer velocity, echoing like thunderclaps through the forest. She released it mid-flight, sending it crashing further away until the sound of breaking wood finally faded.

  The monster dragged itself upright, screeching into the air. But before it could fully lift its head, Viola descended from above like a falling blade. Her foot made contact with the top of its head, slamming it into the ground. The earth split open beneath the impact, forming a spiderweb of cracks, wider and deeper than the ones it had made before.

  “Get up, we’re not done.”

  It twitched, trembled, then began to rise again. Viola snapped her leg upward, catching its jaw with a swift kick that brought its head back to her level. For a fraction of a second, its gaze locked with hers, and what it saw froze it solid. In those bloodshot violet eyes, there was no mercy, no hesitation — only the silent, suffocating promise of death.

  Her next punch sent it crashing into yet another tree, the impact ringing like a gunshot. The creature slumped to the ground, limbs quivering and too exhausted to continue.

  “Giving up already?”

  Viola stepped closer, slowly and menacingly. The glare it gave turned to fear. What the creature saw was no longer the cowardly girl, too shaken with fear to even move. What it saw was a dark shadow emanating a vicious aura, with bloodshot violet eyes that harboured chaos. A monster. The true demon.

  Nothing can be truly invincible in the world. There will always be someone or something to keep the balance.

  The girl continued, and all the creature could hear were grassy footsteps. It blinked, and she got close. It blinked again, and she appeared even closer. It blinked a third time, and she stood towering over it, inches away. The creature had red eyes, but the blood was denser on Viola’s.

  “Then die quick.” She lifted her hand and aimed her fist at it. “Before this gets…messy.”

  Meanwhile, the white-haired girl finally found the energy in her legs and got up. She ran towards where Viola went to check on her, out of curiosity and concern. Blood-curdling screeches came from within that caused her to shriek, and she reluctantly followed the noise. But when she got there, she screamed in absolute terror at the scene Viola created.

  Black blood everywhere and all over Viola’s face and clothes. Barely anything was left of the creature, yet the girl kept punching with enough intensity to cause tremors and strong winds that hit the other’s face, blowing at her hair violently.

  “Die,” Viola muttered before every jab, hitting any healed spot, followed by a loud screech of the creature. The white-haired placed a hand on her gaping mouth, almost pitying the monster while fearing her protector. She prayed for a saviour, and one answered her call.

  But not every saviour bears a halo on their head.

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  “Enough!” A new figure appeared behind her, grabbing her arm before she could land another punch. “Put an end to it already!”

  “You think I’m not trying to?!”

  She shouted, harshly brushing off the other person’s hold and turning to face them. She saw the grey and black-haired boy again, the one who rescued her when she encountered the monster for the first time. “You…” she growled, glaring into his light-grey eyes. The boy stepped back, feeling the malice within her aura. “Why didn’t you arrive sooner that day?” She clenched her bloodied fists. “He didn’t have to die like that. You could’ve saved him, too. You blame my weakness…yet you’re also equally at fault!”

  “P-Please,” the white-haired finally spoke up, “you misunderstand! H-He’s on my si—“

  Before the girl could finish her sentence, Viola lurched at the boy. But he flicked his finger at her from a distance, sending a little gust of wind to her face that knocked her unconscious. She fell swiftly to the floor in a deep slumber.

  “I-Is she…”

  “I've only put her to sleep.” The boy spoke in a nonchalant tone. Another swift movement of his arm, and the creature was dead too, turning to dust along with all the black blood smeared everywhere, including that on Viola and her clothes. “It seems she took my words…a little too seriously.”

  “D-Did you notice?” the girl asked. “T-There was no magic behind those punches…and yet…she did all this…”

  “All the more reason to keep an eye on her.” He scooped her in his arms before walking towards a certain direction. “You can leave now, safely. I’ll return after I’ve dropped her outside this forest.”

  “A-Are we going to visit her again? She was scary, but…she did all this to protect me! I-I want to thank her when I get the chance…”

  “Don’t worry, this won’t be the last time we see her.” He added, in a rather worried tone. “With what she did here, she has definitely attracted the attention of us…and Him. We’re sure to meet again.” He glanced down at her. She slept soundly, despite her violent rage earlier.

  “Preferably when she’s in a good mood.”

  Meanwhile, in that open space where the conflict began, the spectator concealed within the trees went unnoticed, yet again.

  …

  “Thank God, you’re okay!”

  Viola felt a gentle squeeze on her hand, while another brushed her hair. Gingerly opening her eyes, she was greeted by the sight of her mother sitting on the bedside, smiling at her.

  “W-What happened?”

  Viola’s mind was a blur—she could not remember any event that would’ve led to where she was. She tried to get up and sit on the bed, but not without pain coursing throughout her body, especially her limbs. Her fingers shivered, but it wasn't cold, nor was she afraid. A certain unease tugged at her heart; it raced in odd and uneven patterns.

  “Ow! Why are my muscles so sore?” she whined, “I don’t remember doing anything too taxing…”

  “When you didn’t return at the usual time from school,” Cecelia explained, “I panicked and went out looking for you. Only to find you lying under a tree on the forest path. Thankfully, you were safe and sound, aside from a few scratches. Your bag was just nearby, and nothing appeared stolen either.”

  “I’m sorry…for worrying you like that.” Viola lowered her gaze. “I wasn’t in the right mindset…I should’ve stayed home when you told me to.”

  “Don’t say that!” She pulled her daughter into a warm embrace. “I’m just glad you’re okay!” Viola hugged back, snuggling her face into her mother’s chest. She has had several moments like this, but this one in particular felt much-needed. These past few days, she hadn’t properly acknowledged such warmth, and she almost teared up at the realisation. Her heart and fingers eventually calmed down.

  “Can you remember what happened?” Cecelia asked in a soft tone, pulling away from the hug.

  Viola shook her head in response. “I remember returning from school…but after that…” Her voice trailed off as she tried hard to recollect her memories, but nothing came to mind. “I don’t know…I must’ve blacked out.”

  I do feel like a huge load is off my chest, though. I wonder why…

  “You’re staying home now.” Cecelia sighed. “You’re not going anywhere until I make sure you’re okay!” Viola nodded in return and smiled slightly. “And for that, we have brought someone.”

  “Huh? Who?”

  “Your dad should be here any moment now.” Cecelia smiled, gently brushing her daughter’s hair. “You’ll find out soon.”

  Who is she talking about? Have they been planning in secret?

  A few minutes later, there came the sound of the doorbell, and Cecelia stood up. “Right on time!” She hurriedly made her way outside the room and towards the front door. Viola remained on her bed, dumbfounded and anxious about what was to come.

  When the door opened, she could hear two new footsteps enter. “One belongs to dad,” she muttered under her breath, “but the other…who could it be? We’ve never had any relatives before…so it’s probably a stranger.” They did their greetings, but this stranger did not speak at all. The footsteps came closer towards her room, and Viola’s heart rate sped up. After what felt like forever, the door to her room finally opened, and her parents stepped in first.

  Wait…don’t tell me it’s…!

  “Please, come in,” Cecelia spoke to the person outside, before turning to her daughter. “Viola, meet your psychiatrist.”

  That’s the last thing I needed right now!

  “Took us longer than we would’ve wanted to find one.” Wright sighed before smiling at Viola. “But here she is.”

  I’m fine…it’s not that serious!

  Even so, Viola looked with anticipation in her eyes as the stranger entered the room—a girl with wavy blue hair tied to a single bun, who looked young but older and slightly taller than Viola, and had ocean blue eyes. She lightly waved and smiled a little shyly. A blue scarf was wrapped around her neck, which Viola found strangely familiar.

  “I’ll allow you to introduce yourself,” Cecelia said to the blue-haired, who glanced at her and nodded, before walking up towards Viola.

  “Hi! I’m—“

  The girl accidentally hit her own foot and stumbled to the floor with a thud. Everyone looked at her with wide eyes, and Viola almost hopped off the bed to help. “I’m fine!” She gave a thumbs up, slowly getting back up while letting out an embarrassed chuckle. “My bad! Let’s redo that, shall we?” She took a deep breath before stretching her arm towards Viola. “Hi! I’m Emily. Nice to meet you! You must be…” Her voice trailed off as she muttered to herself, “Oh no…what did they say your name was?!”

  “Viola,” the other replied, gingerly taking the girl’s hand and pretending not to have heard her latter sentence. “Nice to meet you, too.” She smiled reluctantly, then turned to Cecelia. “But Mom, I don’t think we’ll need her. I’ll recover with time—“

  “And that’s the first sign she needs me!” Emily forced a chuckle. “Don’t listen to her, that’s what they all say.”

  “You’re just saying that because you want your paycheck.” Viola gave an unamused look, crossing her arms.

  “Yes— Wait, no! That’s not it! I’m here to help you, that’s all!”

  “Which I don’t need. I’ll be fine on my own—“

  “No, Viola.” Cecelia sighed, walking up to sit on the bedside. “That’s the problem. You never open up to us and always try to shoulder every burden on your own.” She placed a hand on Viola’s cheek before continuing, “Sometimes, it’s okay to rely on someone else to be your strength when you can’t feel it yourself.” She kissed her forehead and gave a gentle pinch on the same cheek, before pulling back and standing again. “You don’t always have to walk alone.” She smiled before turning to speak to Emily, “This one right here, she’s my everything. Please, take good care of her.”

  “I-I’ll do my best!” Emily returned with a determined look, and Cecelia’s smile widened. She then walked out of the room along with Wright, closing Viola’s door behind them, leaving her alone with Emily. Viola heard her mother mumble to her father once they were out and the door closed. “Are you sure she can do it?” Her voice carried a slight concern. “The way she introduced herself earlier…I don’t know…”

  “When I spoke about our daughter’s condition,” Wright said, “no one else was willing to help.” Their footsteps got farther. “No one except her. I only met her an hour ago, but…she’s the best we've got. We must give her a chance, at least.”

  My parents must’ve been desperate if they picked her of all people. I’ve troubled them too much—

  “Hey, you’re zoning out!” Emily snapped her fingers in front of Viola, trying to get her attention. She was seated on a chair beside the bed. “Something on your mind? Or are you still doubting me?”

  “Ye— No!” Viola shook her head. “I don’t doubt you. Not at all!”

  “You probably should.” Emily grinned nervously. “I lied. I’m not a psychiatrist—“

  “That sounds about right— WHAT?!”

  “Shh!” She covered Viola’s mouth with her hand. “I’ve come this far, don’t blow my cover now!” Retracting her hand a second later, she continued, “I’m still here for the same reason. That is, about the thing you saw in the forest. Please, tell me all about it.”

  For a moment, Viola’s eyes lit up upon knowing that someone was willing to hear about the monster she saw in the woods. But that light soon faded away when she remembered the stranger’s words.

  “No one will believe you.”

  “I wish I could, but you won’t believe a word I say,” Viola looked away with a sigh. “No one will.”

  “A monster in the woods, wasn’t it?” Viola immediately turned back to her with wide-open eyes. “It probably looks like a shadow person, quite tall too, and perhaps…large red dots as its eyes?” Her mouth opened agape with every word that came out of the blue-haired’s. “And oh! It has inhuman strength and capabilities, too, right? Which is why no one survives an encounter with them.”

  “How did you know…?”

  “Because I have seen one.”

  She bore a serious look on her face.

  “And unlike several unfortunate others, I lived to tell the tale.”