Ch 1: Prologue: What is Pain?

"My love~….. Isn't the sky so beautiful tonight?"

A girl with her frail hand, pointed upwards—towards the vast sky, while her eyes began to sparkle like that of a star—like a child, who wanted to uncover the truth behind the worlds.

Her voice was gentle and soft. It was soft, the melody of gentleness went well with the rumbling thunder, happening in the distance.

"Look… Oh, what a beautiful moon! See how the clouds are starting to gather? It looks like rain is about to pour from there. It's so cold….. hehe, how about—?"

She then turned her gaze just to look at the man before her. She giggled as if she was hiding an ulterior motive within her words; with that she began to snuggle close to him, relishing the warmth of his embrace. Well, that was for sure, for her, his embrace was like a fortress, far more comforting than any blanket could ever be.

Seeing how adorable his Lovelife was…. he, also not wanting to hurt her feelings, wrapped his arms around her, holding her close and tenderly.

"I'm feeling the same,"

Together, as they lay there while savoring the contrast of the cold night against their warmth, their eyes began to wander around the world beyond the window, where they could see, ominous dark clouds loomed high in the sky, blocking moonlight like a spark that got lost in darkness, and casting shadows over the world below.

Suddenly, a rumble of thunders roared from heaven, and at the same time, followed by a flash of lightning that split through the sky like an enraged beast's claws as if it was indicating something was about to happen.

Afterward, without waiting any longer, heavy rain started pouring from the lamenting sky—each drop echoing a rhythmic pitter-patter against the unknown land in a melancholic symphony.

Seeing this, Leaves also danced in the cold, howling wind, while puddles began to form on the ground. Each one was reflected by the turmoil above.

Only a few people dared to venture out because of their important work; most had retreated into their homes, cocooned in safety. This was primarily true for the common folks. As for the Ascendants? They were unaffected by such trivial matters.

Why was that? Because this world was not a simple one; it was infused with supernatural energies, yet the origins of this phenomenon remain a mystery for all, as no one seems to know when it began or the reasons behind it. And even if anyone might possess such knowledge, they would likely keep it hidden from the rest of society.

The supernatural energies were catalyzing evolution in all beings. Nevertheless, not everyone possesses the ability to harness these energies at their will. If someone likely forced their path forward, carelessness might lead them to dire consequences.

Only a selected individual might use these supernature energies, and these individuals were referred to as Ascendants. They could utilize supernatural energy, such as mana, for their development and this journey was known as the Path of Ascendant.

When an Ascendant managed to reach a certain level of power in the Path of Ascendant, they would have the ability to achieve anything, and the world might submit to their will.

How simple was it to reach such an achievement? The answer was no.

The Path of Ascendant was always fraught with many challenges, including betrayal, jealousy, envy, and fierce conflicts.

One who sets out on this path must be always ready for the worst, as inevitable trials might arise at any moment, from the near door.

A friend could wear the robe of an enemy, and the route one takes could easily reach a dead end, after all.

***

Amid all of this, one puddle began to turn into a dark, muddy reddish-brown as blood began to mix within it.

A frail-looking young boy, with pale skin almost ghostly in the dim light, was running down a lonely road while clutching his wounded stomach as if someone were pursuing him. His body was totally soaked with both blood and rain.

Yet, no one was behind him. It seemed as if those who had been chasing him had stopped. But he did not stop to run, must be because of his instinct to run.

"Cough, cough"

He gasped for breath, desperation clawing at his throat as he clutched his wounded stomach even tighter as he was terrified of dying from the blood loss that was happening.

Although his body was already weakened by the pain and exhaustion, he did not stop running.

He had no idea how far he had run, nor did he dare to look back. His sole focus was to move forward... only forward, as if each step was infused with the will of survivability.

After feeling what was an eternity of intense running, his legs started to give out to move any further. Yet, he longed to reach the nearby clinic, but the physical toll and blood loss were too much for him to handle anymore.

He knew that, his stamina was long depleted from his frail body, yet he pressed on only through his sheer will, like a lone candle in the tempest.

Now, unable to continue anymore, the boy finally collapsed beneath the shelter of a gnarled tree with the overwhelming fatigue he was feeling right now, surrendering to his distinct grim fate.

Thum Thum Thum!

His heart was pounding nonstop furiously, like a war drum, as if it was threatening to explode at any moment.

With his all might, he leaned against the rough bark of the tree, as his bloodied hand rested on his knee, while his head hung low like a wilted flower—lost of hope.

"Argg,"

Why me? Why always fucking me?

This was a thought ringing into his mind all along as he fought to remain conscious. He couldn't tell if the drops on his face were rain from the mourning sky or the sweat from exhaustion, but each one fell onto the ground, mingling with the water and the blood seeping from his wound.

Consequently, the young boy could barely speak. How could he? He was utterly exhausted by the all things that were happening to him and after running like a hunted animal. The only sound escaping his lips was his heavy, labored breathing.

Time passed slowly second after second, but the boy felt it like eternally, he had even stopped feeling the pain for the time being, overwhelmed by exhaustion. His dull eyes remained wide open, staring blankly at the falling rain, contemplating how twisted his life had become.

I can't even remember when and where everything suddenly changed, leading me to this condition. Was being born into this world really my choice? …Sigh!

Feeling both heaviness and emptiness, he sighed again, the chill of the weather reflecting the desolation of his own life.

At seventeen years old, the boy had short, messy black hair and brown eyes that once sparkled with hope but were now clouded with emptiness, while his pallid skin told a tale of sadness and despair of his own.

Despite his rugged features, his disheveled appearance and tattered clothes made him resemble a beggar—a lost and lonely soul in this unforgiving world.

His name was Lucifer.

Where did everything go wrong? How did it come to this point?

His mind was a whirlpool of thoughts, making it hard to articulate even to himself. He tried to avoid this type of grim fate when living in street life but still now anyhow, not knowing where his calculation went wrong his life ended up like this.

What a pathetic life I have. I've tried so hard, yet failed to prove myself. I thought I gave everything, but was totally wrong. I didn't even improve by a fraction of what was needed, if only I had improved a little bit, then this situation wouldn't have been raised.

I did everything I could, worked as hard as I could, and pushed myself further than I thought possible. I wanted to surpass my limits, but…still, I couldn't, sigh. Is it my fault that I wasn't born a genius or that I'm weak and untalented?

Lucifer reflected bitterly. The more Lucifer thought about the misery he had, the more tears streamed down from his sad and empty eyes.

Who doesn't long for a peaceful life? Who doesn't dream of something greater?

Lucifer cursed his own misery, leaning against the tree and recalling vivid memories of his past, even though he did not want to remember, it started to creep into his mind unyielding.

***

"Hey Noah, come to Papa!" The middle-aged-looking man, who bore a striking resemblance same as Lucifer but possessed vibrant green eyes, spread his arms widely, calling warmly to the little child before him.

"Hahaha… Otey!" The toddler, barely one or two years old, giggled and babbled, wobbling unsteadily toward his father. innocence radiated from every move he made.

"Humph… how could you forget about your Mama? Don't you love your Mama? Huhu, no one loves me" The baby's mother teased, pretending to cry. Her beauty was reminiscent of Lucifer, with hair and eyes that mirrored just like that of him.

"I lopt yoeu tohh… Mam.my," The child stammered adorably. Anyone who saw this face would undoubtedly want to poke his cheek from cuteness.

....,

"Hahahaha… what a fool you are Lucifer, blindly trusting others without knowing their true motives!"

"Your fate is like this, the shadow of your own self…YOU WILL NEVER BE YOURSELF!"

….,

***

As he lay there, Lucifer was engulfed by flashbacks of his childhood memories and other unwanted memories. The pain he was feeling from the memory was more intense than the pain he was feeling from the injury he had got. It was tearing him apart internally ever since he had to face the reality of this cruel world.

Someone once told him that,

In moments of loneliness, desperation, and hopelessness, the memories of loved ones or closest ones or hated ones will always haunt you relentlessly. No matter how hard you try to bury them, they will claw their way back into your mind, merciless and unyielding, which will be hard to remove from your mind—similar to an unerasable scare for your broken heart.

Now, he truly apprehended the true meaning behind that man's words, like what he truly wanted to tell him. Lucifer now in his desperate moment, the unwanted memories danced before his eyes, hazy and fleeting. Regret washed over him, but it was not a gentle tide; it was a tempest of vengeful fury.

Fuck these memories, go away from me…please, just go away!

The recollection twisted his face into a grimace, as if he had tasted something foul as pain devoured him from the inside out…. leaving him so torn apart, between wanting to live and wanting to end it for all.