Elixir of Existence: A Glistening Tear of Life (Part 5)

As the conversation continued, it became evident that not all demons could easily breach the barriers separating the human realm from their own. Arthur clarified, "But some can pass and suffer bad injuries."

Bulldarox's response was chillingly matter-of-fact: "Well, I have stayed here for a week and devoured every human that comes in here." The gruesome evidence of his actions lay around us, manifesting as the bones and skulls scattered throughout the area.

A chilling realization dawned upon me, causing panic to surge within: "Aaarrrggghhh!!! How many have eaten and grown strong like this?"

The remnants of adventurers who had ventured into the dungeon only to meet a grisly end painted a grim picture. The kingdom's history of missing adventurers suddenly took on a much more horrifying context.

Amidst my hysteria, Arthur's reassuring voice broke through: "Boy, calm down."

A black smoke suddenly passed through the hole that separates the demon and human realms and it came towards us, till I passed out; after inhaling it. As it enveloped us, my senses were overwhelmed, and consciousness slipped away.

After that, I can't remember much about what happened. I only know that I had returned home with my father and forgot all of that.

In the aftermath, my memories grew hazy, like shards of a fractured dream. I knew I had awoken to find myself returning home, alongside my father. But the details of our escape and the events that transpired after my encounter with the black smoke remained elusive.

This terrible news really shocked my father and mother. The barrier has been working effectively for a decade; it has thwarted demonic incursions. The fact that such an incident occurred was deeply unsettling, raising questions about the barrier's integrity and the potential reasons for its weakening. It cannot be this rare occasion to occur. Unless, the legendary barrier has been weakening. "But what is the cause?" a question that is playing in my mind.

Haunted by uncertainty, a painful thought arose within me: "Am I... the reason behind this?" Guilt gnawed at me, fueled by the suspicion that my own actions or presence might have led to the barrier's vulnerability.

With a newfound sense of responsibility, I contemplated potential solutions: "If this is my fault, I am the one who needs to take responsibility. I need to think of something. Maybe I need to learn how to pour my mana into the barrier to make it strong again or maybe I should create a new one."

The weight of the situation pressed heavily upon me, driving me to seek ways to rectify the damage that had been done and prevent further calamity. The journey ahead would be one of discovery, growth, and self-discovery, as I grappled with the consequences of my actions and the uncertain future that lay ahead.

After knowing that my existence in this world only brings harm to this world, I can't find peace if I don't try to be stronger. 

Every day counts and I have been training with my parents to teach me all their knowledge. 

During the day, my mother—an angel of the Holy Sanctum—guided me in the ancient arts of divine mastery. She taught me how to awaken my holy wings, summoning them from the deep within my back. The first time I felt them unfurl, it was like light tearing through my skin—agonizing, but pure. My wings were small and modest, with soft white feathers that shimmered faintly in the sunlight. They weren't radiant or commanding like an adult angel's, but delicate and incomplete—more like the fragile wings of a fledgling bird. Faint silver veins ran across them, subtle traces of my mixed bloodline.

After training with her to transform my angelic body, I was able to control it and make my holy wings emerge and retreat at will, learning to hide them conveniently beneath my back without tearing my clothes as it only appears in the projection form of the light magic in me..

She also introduced me to the Sanctum's sacred tools: each angel bore a divine instrument unique to their spirit. Mine took the form of a Luminara Staff—a slender, silver-white rod carved with ancient runes and crowned with a crystalline orb that pulsed with soft light. When I held it, I could feel the warmth of the Sanctum flowing into my fingertips. It wasn't just a symbol of the divine—it amplified my connection to light magic, allowing me to channel spells like Chorus of Clarity, which dispelled illusions, and Sirenlight, which dazed corrupted beings through waves of divine pressure.

For an angel, the more divinity in myself can strengthen my light and divine magic. This divinity can be reflected through aspects of virtue, choir, charity and mercy. "Every sound you play with your heart becomes a prayer," she told me as I practiced beneath the twin suns. "And every prayer, a weapon or a shield—depending on your intent."

Through her, I learned divine spells like the Veil of Lumis, which allowed me to blend into beams of light, rendering me invisible in sunlight.

At night, my father took over, and with him came a descent into the abyssal knowledge of the Cursed Darkborn.

Where mother was grace, father was grit.

He trained me in demonic conditioning—toughening my body through hard trials, bone-weighted resistance, and reflex tests. My physical strength surged under his brutal discipline, and he taught me to trust instinct over logic—to feel danger before it happened.

He showed me how to call forth my demonic wings—tattered, black, and heavy with corruption. Unlike mother's radiant feathers, mine burst from my back like razors, seared with dark veins and crimson hues. "The more torn they are," he said, "the stronger you become. They don't grow damaged—they earn their scars." 

The Holy Sanctum comes from a peace of mind, while the Cursed Darkborn gain their strength from pain. 

He guided me in awakening my tail—a prehensile, whip-like limb with a barbed end, sharper than steel and sensitive to movement. "This is your third arm, your second spine, your hidden fang," he growled. "A demon without a tail is a warrior half-blind."

He taught me how to shift my form: partial transformation allowed claws, fangs, or a reinforced frame; but full demonization gave me horns, armor-like skin, glowing eyes, and overwhelming strength. But he warned me—"the more you embrace it, the easier it is to lose yourself."

I have trained with them for the past two years to master the art of transformation. But beyond their teachings, I was grateful to discover a simpler method that resonated with my own instincts—one I could control without being overwhelmed by my bloodline.

In the divine and demonic arts, there are several recognized transformation states: the Half-Form, where only parts of the body change; the Full Form, which embraces one's celestial or infernal identity; the Beast Form, a sacred bond with one's soul-familiar; and the True Form—the purest, most terrifying essence of one's origin.

My mother's True Form was awe-inspiring—a radiant goddess wreathed in flowing robes of living light, with six expansive wings shaped like blades of dawn, and a shimmering halo that glowed like a miniature sun above her head. Her voice in that form echoed like a divine choir, and even time itself seemed to pause in reverence.

Her Beast Form, however, was no less astonishing. When summoned, she would become Seraphim Alara, a radiant celestial centaur—her upper body remaining angelic and human, but seamlessly fused at the waist with the sleek, winged body of a Pegasus. Her fur shimmered with silver light, her hooves left glowing sigils with every step, and her wings—feathered and vast—beat with enough force to cleanse the miasma of corruption from the air. Her long, flowing hair merged with the mane of her equine half, and when she galloped, she left behind trails of light like shooting stars.

This form was not hers alone—it was the result of a divine pact. Her familiar, a true Pegasus born in the heart of the Sanctum's skies, lent her the essence required to manifest this shape. Only angels who had fully bonded with their celestial beast could reach this form, she explained. It was a manifestation of unity, discipline, and inner purity.

Meanwhile, my father was a being of contrast and chaos.

His True Form was a nightmare veiled in silence—a horned demon of obsidian armor and dark fire, with skeletal wings of shadow that twisted in unnatural angles. His eyes blazed like twin furnaces, and wherever he walked, the ground cracked with searing heat and dread. In this form, he could snuff out lesser life just by stepping near it—his aura suffocating to the unworthy.

But his Beast Form was something even demons feared.

He transformed into Abyss Naga Revenant—a towering, serpentine creature with the upper body of a battle-scarred warrior and the lower half of a coiled, obsidian-scaled serpent stretching over twenty meters. His skin turned dark and cracked like volcanic rock, and his long tail crushed the ground wherever it slithered. His arms became clawed and monstrous, veined with cursed fire that pulsed like lava beneath the surface. Jagged bone-like protrusions ran along his spine, and his elongated tongue flicked with every breath, sensing fear.

His face retained some human features, but his eyes turned into slits glowing with violet fire, and his teeth elongated like fangs of an ancient serpent god. Where his legs once were, his snake body coiled in unholy patterns, covered in runes that radiated forbidden magic.

Black wings—thin and tattered like torn banners—emerged from his back, allowing the naga form to lift itself skyward when needed. But most terrifying of all was the curse mark on his chest, branded in an infernal sigil: a remnant of the Underworld's failed attempt to imprison him long ago.

He once told me. "We are our beasts. Born from sin. Shaped by wrath. Perfected by pain." To gain my beast form, first I need to obtain my own corrupted beast that resides in the Underworld.

Both of them warned me—my forms would be different. Every person has their own divine or corrupted beast. Mine is unknown. Maybe a mix of divine purity and corrupted rage. But no such beast exists in this world.

But first, I had to tame myself.

Today's date is 11.7.2004

After 4 years, I have been living my life with my parents happily without interfering with the outside world. I have been staying at our house to keep us safe.

In a random city's street, amid the stifling heat of midsummer, our once peaceful existence was abruptly shattered one fateful night when a throng of people converged upon our house.

"Kill those monsters!" cried one of the men in the crowd.

"Die, evil!" shouted another.

"Insolence, cursed creature!" added a third.

"Arthur! Arthur! Get out of your house!" came the urgent call from yet another voice in the gathering.

With panicked urgency, my mother gathered my brother and me into her protective embrace, seeking refuge behind our father.

"What is this all about?" Arthur demanded, his voice tinged with apprehension.

Suddenly, a knight clad in gleaming armor emerged from the crowd, his presence commanding attention as he brandished a warrant in his hand.

"My name is Christoph Ercanbald, loyal knight of the Altyzurian Kingdom," he proclaimed. "Are you Arthur Amor?"

"Yes, that's me," Arthur replied, his tone wary. "May I inquire as to your purpose?"

"Mr. Arthur, today I am here to arrest you and your wife, Mrs. Amor, for residing in this country illegally," the knight declared solemnly.

Jessica's gasp of shock was swiftly muffled as she covered her mouth, realizing the gravity of the situation.

There must be a report from the villagers about my parents. They are ungrateful to us and have reported us to the Custodians of Order. They are the peacekeeper and have a similar role to the police like on Earth.

"Alright. I understand. But please spare our lives," Arthur replied, his voice tinged with apprehension.

"That won't be necessary. The decision is not in my hands. I hope you can give full cooperation," the knight responded solemnly.

My mom suddenly put an invisible spell and soundproof barrier within us.

"Listen, Oruvan. I need you to keep your brother with you. Promise me you will not get out of this circle. Understand?" Jessica urged, her voice urgent.

She passed Elijah to me with a hopeful face.

"But mom... Where are you going? I'm scared," I questioned, my voice trembling with fear.

"Don't worry. It's going to be fine. We will return soon. Remember how we used to play hide and seek?" Jessica reassured, her tone comforting yet strained.

I nodded to her.

"This time, you are going to seek for me and daddy. You must count till 100. Okay?" she instructed, her voice firm yet gentle.

"Alright mom. Please don't hide too far and make sure you reply if I call you," I pleaded, my fear palpable.

She nodded to me before leaving with Arthur. They walked outside, their hands being handcuffed by strange people I had never seen before. The knight looked strong and scary.

They all already left and went far away.

I pretend to listen to her and start counting. I knew this wouldn't come out good. They look like they are in trouble. Even though I already died once, I am still quite scared in this situation.

"One... Two... Three" I count slowly with a trembling voice.

I peek between my fingers looking at her walking outside with Arthur. Their hands got handcuffed by strange people that I have never seen before. That knight is looking strong and scary. 

They all already left and went far away.

I look around and put my brother on the couch. I try to make sure there is no one anymore. I think they all have gone. 

I questioned myself, "Why don't they just escape from this human? We can easily outrun them with our speed." But my question, easily answered by my common sense. 

"They must have been tired of running. After exile from their realm, they had to go to the human world and live as an outcast. Maybe this is the final decision. They already see this through. After finishing a 5 year sentence in prison, they will be released and gain their permit. As long as they behave kindly without any problem". 

All I need to do is to be patient.

But suddenly, when I was turning around, I was shocked when there was someone else and I thought it was the villager but they all were wearing masks to hide their faces. 

A robber trying to rob our house. They enter my house and search for valuable things. 

Luckily, the invisible spell on us is still in effect. I take a couple of stones to divide their attention and throw it on the rooftop. 

When they came out and watched out for the noise, I sneaked in and took my brother out of there. I think this place would not be safe for both of us anymore. 

I walk into the forest without thinking of anything. My mind was blank and all I could think was to run as far away as possible. As I walk without direction, I have a thought about whether our parents are bad people. They have been hiding something from us all the time.

But I believe my parents are good people and they must have a reason for keeping us away from the villagers.

I was stopped from wandering around as I suddenly remembered that I was in a new world that was full of monsters and wild beasts. I can't just go anywhere. That's too dangerous.

Maybe I should settle down here in the forest that is near to my house.

…

On the way heading to the Capital of Altyzurian Kingdom. A group of magic soldiers was dragging the prisoners including my parents.

Meanwhile, Arthur and Jessica were worried about us. They both are forced to walk for a hundred miles to go to the Capital.

"Don't worry. Oruvan will be safe." Arthur tries to comfort her wife with a glimpse of hope.

"But they are just kids. How could I not be worried?" Her motherly instinct still made her worry about their sons.

"I put trust in him. You knew him better. He is more mature than his looks" he gives her another good reason.

She sighed. She feels relentless to leave me and Elijah.

They both left and were taken to the palace prison. They were tortured to walk till reach the place, otherwise they would be dragged on the rough road.