Chapter 1: The Awakening

Arthur

It was a successful operation, helping a mother,named Esther, gave birth to a child. I can’t deny that she was beautiful, her hair was yellow and eyes were blue—the same with her cute little baby.

I was now walking towards my office to take a short break. 

“Good morning, Doctor!” I heard these greetings one after another from my co-doctors and the nurses. To be honest, some people said that I’m handsome, because my eyes are brown matching with my faded style black hair, my height is about 5’7 and everyone seems happy being able to see me everyday.

 It was a peaceful day at work not until the fire alarm rings. I run into the hallway, leaving all my things behind until I found the patient from the operation room asking for help.

She was stuck in a pile of collapsed wall while saying, “Please! Save my baby I can still hear him crying. Please!”

After saying those words her eyes shuts giving me the sign that she already died and I started to hear a child crying.

“Is there really a child who managed to survived this thick smoke? 

I faced the exit of the hospital trying to ignore the mother then I heard a baby crying. I faced the day care and run towards the flames.

“I better go there and save him as what her mother wish for.” 

As I walk through the day care, I was shocked seeing a child with yellow hair. His blanket was caught on fire. I ran to him and quickly stops the fire from spreading from his clothes. I was shocked because the child has no wounds or burns on his body.

I knew I saw the fire spreading through his clothes so it’s impossible that he won’t get burn. The ceiling begin to crack so I took the child and make our way out of the building as soon as possible. 

As we ran through the exit, someone just walked on the flames and blocked my way. He was tall. His eyes are red. I saw his black wings from his back.

Is he a devil?

Before I think of the next thing to happen I found myself lying on the floor full with blood as if everything happened in a blink of an eye.

Why is this happening? Am I going to die?

The child was crying and my vision start to become blurry.

….……………………………………..

“ARTHUR! ARTHUR! WAKE UP!”

I heard a voice screaming. Wait am I still alive? Where’s the child by the way? Is he okay?

I woke up and saw my best friend and co-doctor, Justin, screaming just to wake me up.

As I open my eyes I asked him, “W-Where am I?”

“We’re at your house,” he looked angrily at me but I know deep inside he’s worried. 

“What were you thinking when you barged into the daycare? You can just save the mother. What if I didn’t managed to find you? You almost died there because you’re wounds were too deep!” he screamed but I understand him. I know that he’s just worried of me.

I open my eyes and looked at  him. “Well, I’m lucky that I’m still alive.”

He pressed my wound in my forehead and said, “And you still have some guts to pull some jokes huh!”

“AHHH! OUCH! What the hell are you doing?” 

He pressed my wounds again while I’m begging him to stop cause it really hurts, yet he’s still pressing it and laughed at me.

“By the way, where is the child?” I asked

He looked down before facing me again.

I was worried because of his reaction until he weakly said, “H-he was at the cradle sleeping.”

“You scared me, you freak!” I yelled at him but he just gave me a little smirk.

“But I was worried of something. Is it true that demons exist?”

He laughed at me, “Did you hardly hit your head on the floor to think of something like that? Why the hell would demon exist in our world? I mean they might be there at hell?”

I looked down and tell him, “So how come I saw a tall man with red eyes and black wings?”

He was shocked with what I said. “Wait, you’re not joking right? Tell me you were?”

“No, I’m serious. I saw it. He was the one who gave me these wounds,”  

He tried not to freak out and lower his voice. “So you’re telling me you just had encountered a demon, and it cut your belly?”

I nodded. “Yes? I think so. And wait, the baby I just saved. Fire can't get through his skin. It’s like his whole body is fire proof,” I responded.

His mouth went agile as he looked at me, blinking his eyes several times.

“What? You saved a baby whose skin is fire proof. Seriously?” he screamed out of disbelief.

And now, he's starting to freak out.

I tried to calm him but he didn’t stop. “Can you just keep your voice low? Others may hear you outside.” 

“And why would I? That kid maybe a demon, too, that’s why a demon showed up and attacked you,” he said with worried expression on his face.

“I don’t really know but I know that his mother is a human so he must be half-blooded.”

He looks irritated and looked back at me, “Urghhh fine, I’ll support you. We’re best friends, right?”

“Thank you, Justin!”

“So? What will be the name of the child?”

I put my hands at my chin, thinking of a suited name for a demi-human, 

“Uhhmm, I think Invel would be fine?”

“It sounds like evil, but I like it"

Many days and years have passed by, Invel started to talk and he was able to mimic whatever we do. He started calling me daddy and I was surprised by that. Because of this, I started to build a small clinic beside my house so that I can monitor Invel but it seems that he’ll be fine. 

Invel is a fast-learner. I taught him how to write and read, because I was scared that something might happen if he was exposed outside. 7 years have passed already since I took care of Invel.

Justin asked me, “Hey Arthur? 7 years have passed since we took care of Invel, right? I’m confused, I mean if he’s a son of a demon, there would be some evidence right? Like some sort of wings or powers?”

I looked at him “What were you thinking? He’s normal, okay. There’s nothing to be afraid of.”

“You’re not even related to that child. Why do you always want to protect him?”

“I don’t really know, it’s just that I have to.”

I was shocked when I hear a little voice shouting and calling me. “Hey, Dad look out!”

Before I turn my head to where the voice came from a ball hit my head hard and I was knocked down. 

I stand up while my hand is at the back of my head. “Ouch! that hurts.” 

Invel looked at me as if he would burst to laugh, “I’m sorry, Dad. I want to play dodgeball that’s why I told you to dodge, but it’s too late.”

“Wait? How did you learn to play dodgeball? I never taught you to play that game?”

“Ahhm yes? I’ve watched the TV and saw the kids playing dodge ball so I wanna try it. Oh! I know, can we play dodge ball dad? Please!”

Invel’s eyes were wide and I can see his cute blue eyes and his yellowish hair.

“Okay fine, but not inside the house okay?”

The three of us played at the garage of my house. I just can’t ignore Invel’s request I’m just wondering, he’s only seven years old but I could tell that he can learn fast just by watching how things work.

“Hey Dad what are you thin—” Before he manage to complete his words, I was hit by the ball he threw at me—again, it’s a perfect head shot. I concluded our game there. I asked him to take a bath while I prepare our lunch. 

Few minutes later Invel showed me a small old notebook and asked me, “Dad? What are these notes? I found it while searching for my clothes at my room.” 

“I don’t even know Invel. I found it under your blanket. I can’t understand the symbols so I took it and researched but I failed to translate what it says so I just put it in your closet,” I explained.

Invel was shaking his face. He was a little bit terrified and said, “U-Uhhhm, Dad? T-the symbols are moving.”

I was confused of what he said so I moved close to him and looked at the notebook but I saw nothing. 

”Invel stop messing around. Maybe, you are just hungry”

“But, Dad, the symbols really are moving it says Demonic Relic.”

I was about to scold him because I thought he was just messing with me, but the word Demonic caught my attention. I know he’s a demon but the moment that he knew about it may cause danger. I want to protect him and to do that, I need to hide his true identity.

“Invel, let’s eat I prepared your favorite meal. Come here. There’s something I need to tell you, too.”

He was excited knowing I prepared his favorite meal “grilled pork chop.”

While eating I can’t stop thinking of what will happen next.

“Hey, Arthur are you really going to tell Invel the truth? He’s still a 7 years old child,” Justin whispered

“Yes, despite of his age, he learned many things just by watching the T.V.”

“Okay fine just don’t blame me if something bad happens okay? I have to go to the hospital now I’m doomed if I’m late.” 

“Be careful Justin.”

He waved his hands goodbye and said, “You too.”

After Justin left the house I faced Invel and sighed heavily before saying anything to Invel.

“Invel, I-I’m not your father.” 

The room was covered in silence for a few seconds until Invel started to talk.

“Dad, you’re kidding right? I know I’m not normal because I can learn so many things at my very young age but to hear that you don’t want to be my father? I can’t accept this.”

Invel’s tears started to form on his eyes but the moment they rolled down on his face, they vaporized. Invel noticed that his tears were evaporated and his anger started to take over him.

“Invel, just calm down, It’s not like I don’t like to be your father. I’m not your parent biologically I’m the doctor who helped your mother gave birth to you before she died in a fire accident and your father was unknown. I saved you from the tragedy 7 years ago since you were born."

Invel’s blue eyes turned red and suddenly black wings appeared on his back and his fingers turned into sharp claws. It’s like a memory came back to me. That’s right! On that day, a demon really attacked me and put a curse mark inside my wounds to protect Invel in this world. I was cursed, that’s why I can’t choose to leave Invel behind. If Invel choose to kill me then it will be done. I closed my eyes then suddenly his claws cut my waist but he stopped for a moment. 

Few seconds have passed still, his claws are placed at my waist. I open my eyes and saw him crying. Why would Invel cry? 

“Dad, I-Im so sorry. I-I didn’t believe you.” His voice are more scary—it’s like there were two voices syncing in his body.

“I saw through your memory the moment I touched your waist. I thought you would dump me because I’m different,” he cried

He pulled his claw from my waist and started to panic looking everywhere of something until he found the notebook he saw at my desk. He searched through it hoping to find something useful to heal my wounds but there’s nothing to find.

“Invel, there’s nothing to be panicked about. I was destined to die in your hands from the start. After all, you’re a demon and I am a human. Our race will never accept you.”

“But you? You accepted me, right?”

“Maybe, it’s because of the curse?” 

“No, you can choose to commit suicide if you don’t want to be in this curse, you want this because you accepted me despite of what I am—you and Justin.”

“Yeah, I think so just tell Justin to forget everything and leave this house. He can live a happy life now that I’m gone.”

“At the bottom of my desk there, is a necklace with a ring. Go, get it.”

My purpose in life was just to protect a demon huh? It’s so funny I wanna kill myself but I think I’m already dying. Why do I have to do that? He’s right I could have commit suicide if I want to? What’s done is done. I closed my eyes and wait for what will happen to me next.