2. Galen

I woke up in my modest apartment in Rocacielo, the city that had been my home for the past two years. My eyes, normally brown, glowed a deep red when I used my demonic power, a feature that constantly reminded me of my supernatural heritage.

As I got out of bed, memories of my childhood flooded my mind. I had been raised by demons since I was a child. Their teachings and dark gifts became part of me. At times, I felt like an outsider in this human world, but Rocacielo had given me a refuge, a place where I could be myself without fear of judgment.

I walked over to the window and watched the bustling streets of the city from above. People came and went, oblivious to the secrets I was hiding. My supernatural powers had allowed me to lead a quiet life here, away from those who would seek to exploit or fear me.

In my mind, I reviewed the times when I was in a cave without the possibility of escape, with several demons around me, teaching me how to control and use my abilities.

Sometimes, nostalgia came over me, missing the voices that had guided me in my youth. But those times were long gone, and now I was alone in this human world.

My thoughts turned to the challenge of living in the shadows, hiding my true nature. Despite the difficulties, I had found a balance in Rocacielo. It was a place where I could reflect on my past and contemplate an uncertain future.

The day stretched before me, and I realized that there was something compelling me to explore beyond the confines of my apartment. The city held secrets I had yet to discover, and within me, the spark of curiosity burned brightly. My life in Rocacielo, though lonely, was far from boring.

After a while of reflection, I decided to go out and explore Rocacielo. As I groomed myself in front of the mirror, I looked at my reflection. My eyes, at that moment, glowed with the fiery red of my demonic powers.

Instead of seeing my own face, I saw the image of a demon in the form of a dragon staring back at me.

The figure of the demon in the mirror was impressive, with dark scales and eyes full of ancestral fury.

Then, the dragon's voice echoed in my mind. "Galen Black, the time has come for a new mission."

Intrigued and a little nervous, I nodded at the dragon's reflection.

"I'm listening, what is this mission?"

The dragon continued:

"You are to infiltrate the Gem's house during the wedding of one of them."

This was not the first time I had faced dangerous tasks, but this mission was unusual even for me. The Gem were an enigmatic family of powerful beings, and their secrets were well known in Rocacielo's supernatural circles. If they discovered me, they wouldn't last a second alive.

"Why during the wedding?" I asked, intrigued by the choice of timing.

The dragon replied:

"During the celebration, your mansion's defenses will be temporarily lowered, and there will be distractions you can. From the inside you will be able to destroy the barrier protecting them, then we will infiltrate to wipe out the Gem once and for all."

The demon's face disappeared from the mirror and I was left observing only a reflection that indicated how pathetic it was.

I decided that, before facing the mission, I needed a breather, a way to temporarily escape from the responsibility that weighed on my shoulders.

I dressed in my best attire and decided to go out to a bar in town. Maybe I could meet someone interesting, a cute guy to hang out with. I wanted to remember what it was like to feel alive, even if it was just for one night.

I arrived at the bar on a mission to temporarily put aside my worries and enjoy the night. I went up to the terrace, a perfect place to watch the stars and look for those looks that might attract me. The background music and the murmur of conversations created a lively atmosphere.

As I scanned the terrace in search of a possible companion for the evening, my attention was drawn to a young white-haired man standing alone in a corner. His appearance was striking, with angular features and a calm gaze that stood out amidst the bustle of the bar.

Something about him immediately attracted me, beyond his physical appearance. He seemed serene and in control of himself, qualities that intrigued me. I decided to approach him, feeling an inexplicable connection.

I sat at a distance and watched him silently, looking for any sign that he might also be interested in a conversation. Despite his apparent calmness, his every gesture seemed to have a purpose, as if he was waiting for something or someone.

As the night wore on, our gazes met several times, but he dared not approach or break his calm. The tension in the air was palpable, as if we were both waiting for the other to make the first move.

As time passed, my curiosity and attraction for this enigmatic young man grew. I temporarily forgot the mission that awaited me and gave myself over to the contemplation of this stranger who had captured my interest. The connection I felt with him, despite our lack of words, was palpable, and the sense of serenity he radiated helped me forget, at least for a moment, the responsibilities I carried as a demon descendant.

As I watched the white-haired young man from my position, our gazes met once again. This time, however, something in his eyes made me shudder. Instead of the calmness I had perceived before, I saw a cold, murderous look.

In that instant, my heart skipped a beat. I knew something wasn't right. Alarms echoed in my mind as I realized that the young man was not what he seemed. In his eyes, I saw danger, and I understood that I was in the presence of a demon hunter, someone whose only mission was to eliminate beings like me.

What surprised me even more was that I had not seen this demon hunter in the city before. That meant he was powerful and possibly an outsider who was able to break through my camouflage barriers.

To avoid arousing suspicion and to protect my identity, I decided to act quickly. I would cause a distraction at the meeting to escape discreetly. It was my only option at the time.

Without warning, I cast a spell towards one of the corners of the terrace, dropping a glass cup from one of the tables. Everyone's attention was focused on the noise and the momentary chaos I had caused. Even the young demon hunter turned to the source of the commotion.

Taking advantage of the confusion I had created, I stood up and slipped off the terrace, moving nimbly through the aisles of the bar. I knew that every second counted, and my survival instinct urged me to escape the threat posed by the demon hunter.

I ran through the streets of Rocacielo, without looking back, aware that my life was in danger. The encounter with the white-haired young man had upset my night of fun and made it clear that my double life as a demon descendant in this city was not as safe as I thought.

I returned to my apartment, with the gaze of the young demon hunter, etched in my mind. I was troubled by his presence and, at the same time, intrigued by the aura of danger that surrounded him. If I didn't have the demon powers he had, maybe I would have had a chance with him, to enjoy that night and make it an eternity. But that was no longer an option.

As I was immersed in my thoughts, I walked over to the mirror in my room. I knew I had to communicate with the demons to report what had happened. Through the mirror, the figure of the demon in the form of a dragon appeared once again.

"What happened, Galen? You're not the type to communicate," the dragon said with curiosity in his voice.

I explained the situation and how my instinct had prompted me to escape. The demons listened attentively and, when I finished, I could feel the seriousness in the air.

The dragon sighed.

"Galen, this is serious. We thought we got rid of Alex Gem five years ago, but his return poses a threat to all of us. We need you to eliminate him before he can interfere with our mission to attack the Gem mansion."

My heart sank as I heard those words. I knew that confronting Alex Gem would be a dangerous and difficult task, but I understood that I had no choice. My double life in Rocacielo had become even more complicated, and my duty as a demon descendant was clear: I had to get rid of Alex Gem in order to get closer to the mansion and help defeat the Gem.

With determination, I nodded to the dragon in the mirror.

"I will. I will do whatever it takes to eliminate Alex Gem and ensure our success in the mission."