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The sky above the demon city was dark, filled with thick clouds that never moved. It was always night here, yet somehow Chirag felt warmer than he ever did under the sun in the human world. He was standing in the middle of the training grounds, breathing heavily. His palms were scraped, his knees bruised, and his shirt soaked in sweat.
He had been training non-stop since morning.
For the first time in his life, Chirag felt like he had something—something powerful inside him. It wasn't just magic. It was the will to protect, the pain of his past, and the fire that Siya had sparked in his heart.
"Again," he muttered to himself, taking a stance. He focused his energy, trying to create the spell Siya had shown him the day before. The magic didn't come easily. It never did. But now he knew it wasn't impossible.
A small blue flame appeared on his palm, flickering like a candle in the wind. Chirag smiled. It wasn't much, but it was his.
From a distance, Siya watched him from the balcony of her room. She had seen him struggle, fall, and stand again—over and over. His determination made her proud, but it also made her heart ache.
Her father, the Demon King, had started to notice too. He wasn't pleased.
Inside the palace, the Demon King stood near a long table with his advisors. They were talking in hushed, serious voices.
"He's growing stronger," one of them said.
"He's still just a human," another replied.
"But a human with demon power," the king said, his voice low and sharp. "My daughter gave him part of her immortality. Do you realize what that means?"
The room went silent. Even the bravest demons didn't speak when the king's voice turned cold.
The king wasn't angry that Chirag had power. He was angry that his daughter—the princess of the demon realm—had chosen to give that power away to a powerless boy. A human. Someone the king believed was not worthy.
Back on the training ground, Siya walked up to Chirag.
"You've improved," she said, sitting beside him.
Chirag wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Still not good enough. I can barely light a flame."
"You don't need to become the strongest in a day," Siya replied. "Even gods weren't born gods."
"But they weren't hated by everyone either," Chirag said softly.
Siya looked at him for a long moment. "You're not alone anymore, Chirag."
He looked up at her. Her eyes, glowing softly with demon magic, held more warmth than any fire he could ever create.
"Then I'll become strong," he said. "For you. For what you did for me."
Siya didn't answer. Instead, she reached out and placed her hand on top of his. "Promise me one thing."
"What is it?"
"No matter how strong you become… don't lose yourself. Don't forget who you are."
"I promise," he said. But deep down, a voice whispered: What if I need to lose who I am to protect you?
That night, as Chirag slept, the Demon King called Siya into his throne room.
"Daughter," he said. "You've gone too far."
Siya bowed her head. "I did what I believed was right."
"You gave part of your life to a human."
"He saved me first," she replied calmly. "When everyone turned away, he didn't. I trust him."
The king narrowed his glowing red eyes. "Trust can turn into regret."
Siya stood her ground. "Not this time."
The king said nothing more. But as Siya walked away, he turned to his guards. "Keep watch on the boy. If he becomes dangerous… we will act."
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A week passed. Chirag's powers slowly grew. He could now control basic spells and move objects with his energy. The demons around him started to notice. Some respected him. Others feared him. A few hated him even more than before.
One night, while walking through the market, Chirag overheard two demons whispering.
"That human will bring trouble."
"Mark my words. The rulers will come for him."
The word rulers sent a chill through Chirag's spine. He didn't know much about them, only that they were powerful beings—stronger than humans, even stronger than most demons. They ruled over entire lands, kept balance, and punished those who disrupted the order.
And now… they were watching him.
Siya confirmed it later. "One of the rulers came to speak with my father," she said. "They're worried. You shouldn't leave the demon realm for now."
Chirag clenched his fists. "So what now? I just hide?"
"No," Siya said. "You train. You prepare."
That night, Chirag couldn't sleep. His heart was heavy. He stared at the ceiling of the room Siya gave him, thinking about everything.
His parents had thrown him away like trash.
The village had treated him like a curse.
Only Siya had stood by him. Only she had believed in him.
And now, even powerful beings were starting to fear what he could become.
Chirag walked out to the balcony. The wind was cold. The stars above the demon realm were strange, brighter and more chaotic than human skies.
He whispered to the wind, "I'll protect her. No matter what. Even if I have to face gods."
Far away, in the skies beyond the world, a ruler opened their eyes. "The human boy has made his vow," the ruler said to their circle of light. "Let's see how far he'll go for love."
The game had begun.
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