"Ahhhh please no!"
"Mom, can I kill him?"
"Sure~"
"No, p-please, n-no, noooo!!!"
Horrifying screams, a monstrous form, and a nightmarish end—Lilliana saw it all. Her visions shifted and changed every second, each scenario laid before her eyes spanning days, weeks, months, and even years. It felt strange, as she processed all of this in mere seconds. Each moment was detailed, each structure, context, and continuity clear to her, despite the rapid pace.
She understood it all. It was as if she grasped the heart of the user, which confused her mind even more. She knew everything she was seeing was some kind of illusion, a memory, yet it felt both unreal and real at the same time, causing her to have a headache in this ever-changing reality.
From good times to bad, she watched a single individual grow into a young man, surrounded by his dark family that threatened those around him. A being of unfathomable power trapped in a human body—this being was the one she loved the most: her brother, Adrian Vulter Tellus, or rather, the one trapped inside his brother, Ian Astrea, the being who devoured his brother's soul.
.....
Lilliana's eyes fluttered open, the visions still fresh and vivid in her mind. Her body felt heavy, her head throbbing with the weight of the memories she had been forced to relive. She tried to sit up, but the effort was monumental.
"Lilliana," a familiar voice called gently. She turned her head slowly, her eyes meeting Adrian's.
"Adrian," she whispered, her voice weak and trembling. "What... what did you do to me?"
Adrian's expression was a mixture of pity and determination. "I had to make you understand," he said softly. "I needed you to see everything, to know the truth."
"The truth?" Lilliana echoed, her mind struggling to piece together the fragmented memories. "About what?"
"About who I am," Adrian replied, sitting down beside her. "And what I need you to do."
Lilliana's mind reeled as the memories continued to assault her. She saw Adrian's childhood, his growth, the dark family that shaped him, and the unimaginable power he possessed. She saw the moment he devoured Ian's soul, taking on his brother's identity and destiny.
"You're not Adrian," she said slowly, the realization dawning on her. "You're Ian."
Adrian—or Ian—nodded. "Yes, I am. But I am also Adrian. We are one and the same now."
Lilliana's heart ached. The brother she loved was gone, replaced by this twisted amalgamation of two souls.
"Why did you show me this?" she asked, tears brimming in her eyes.
"Hmm... just because?"
"Just because?"
"What's so weird about my magic?"
"Hmm~ You know it's not your magic I'm talking about, right?"
Slowly, her eyes widened upon his words. "Do you mean...?"
"Yes... The name Vulter isn't etched across our names for nothing, right? And I'm sure you already know what it means."
Lilliana slowly nodded, but was still reluctant. There was a very good reason why she never used the unique powers given to her by birth. She had hoped to die along with them, to be exact, but after being saved like this, she now had other options.
"Vulter... It's time for the old gods to rise up, right?"
As Lilliana listened to his words, she realized just how twisted and evil the man in front of her was. The war that was about to become even more chaotic as a result.
...
"Hmm~ looks like everything is going well and steady~" the demoness mused, clapping her hands together. "Alright boys and girls, I want you to take turns and form a line, okay?"
The thousand human soldiers, obedient and disciplined, followed her instructions. They formed a line in rows of a hundred, quietly stepping along the red lines etched across the ground.
"Oh, please do be careful where you walk, okay? Follow the red line. I wouldn't want you to get corrupted by the miasma if you stepped wrongly~," she reminded them while flying above, her tone both casual and menacing.
The soldiers, though filled with a mixture of fear and resolve, moved with precision. They had come here prepared to sacrifice their lives for the empire, but they also knew their princess had entrusted them with a mission. They were determined to survive, to carry out her will and return when the time was right.
As they entered deeper into demonic territory, the atmosphere grew heavier, the air thick with a dark miasma that could corrupt and kill if they strayed from the path. The demoness's words echoed in their minds, and they remained vigilant, following her instructions with utmost care.
"Remember, you are the pride of the empire," one soldier whispered to another, trying to maintain morale as they marched. "We will survive this and return stronger."
"Yes," another replied, his eyes focused on the red line beneath his feet. "For the princess and for our people, we must endure."
The demoness watched them with a sly smile, amused by their determination. "Such brave little humans," she thought. "It's almost a pity they're merely pawns in our grand game."
As they continued their journey, the landscape around them became more twisted and nightmarish. The trees were gnarled and blackened, the ground cracked and oozing with dark energy. Strange, shadowy creatures lurked in the corners of their vision, kept at bay only by the demoness's presence.
Despite the eerie surroundings, the soldiers maintained their discipline. They knew their mission was critical, and any mistake could mean death or worse.
The demoness finally led them to a large, ominous fortress at the heart of the demonic territory. "Welcome to your new home, for now," she announced, her voice echoing through the desolate landscape. "You will be safe here, as long as you follow my rules. Disobey, and you'll face the consequences."
The soldiers glanced at each other, their resolve hardening. They would survive this ordeal, no matter the cost. For their princess, for their empire, and for the hope that one day they would turn the tide of this war.
As they settled into their new surroundings, the demoness couldn't help but admire their spirit. "Such determination," she thought. "They might just be the most interesting playthings we've had in a long time."