The Demon of Desire: the rise of the slum rat

The campfire cast long shadows against the jagged rocks of their makeshift shelter. Mikhael sat in silence, the artifact resting in his lap, its faint pulse keeping rhythm with his heartbeat. The air in the Hollow Verge was eerily quiet tonight, the usual whispers replaced by a heavy stillness.

Across the fire, Shirone—now Koneko—watched him with quiet intensity. Her golden eyes flicked from the artifact to his face, concern evident in her gaze. Kael sat nearby, tracing runes into the dirt, their sharp features illuminated by the flickering flames.

"We need to talk," Koneko said softly, breaking the silence.

Mikhael looked up, one eyebrow raised. "About what?"

"About who I need to become," she said, her voice firm despite the slight tremor in her hands.

Koneko's New Identity

Kael paused their work, tilting their head. "This about the Syndicate's hunters?"

Koneko nodded. "They're still looking for me. For what I am. If they find out I'm alive, it'll put all of us in danger."

Mikhael frowned. "You think we care about that? You're part of this group. Whatever happens, we deal with it together."

"But it's not just about me," Koneko replied, her voice trembling slightly. "You've seen what happens to nekoshou. If they catch me, they'll use me—and they'll destroy anyone who tries to stop them."

Kael leaned back, their expression thoughtful. "You're thinking of hiding in plain sight."

Koneko nodded. "A new name, a new identity. If I'm not Shirone the nekoshou, maybe they'll stop looking."

Mikhael exhaled, his gaze softening. "You don't have to do this."

"I do," Koneko said firmly, her golden eyes meeting his. "And I've already decided. From now on, I'm Koneko Toujou."

Mikhael smirked faintly. "Koneko, huh? Suits you."

Kael chuckled. "A bit too fitting for my taste, but if it keeps you safe, go for it."

Koneko gave a small nod, her expression resolute.

An Insight from Within

The air around Mikhael shimmered faintly as a strange sensation washed over him. The artifact pulsed against his chest, its energy thrumming with an intensity that made his breath hitch.

For a moment, his vision swam, and an image of intricate symbols and glowing runes burned into his mind. His heart pounded as an unfamiliar voice echoed faintly in his thoughts.

"You are more than you know. Prove it."

Mikhael clenched his fists, the world snapping back into focus.

"You okay?" Kael asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah," Mikhael said quickly, though his tone was tense. "The artifact... it's pushing something."

Kael's gaze sharpened. "Like what?"

Mikhael hesitated, his mind racing. He couldn't explain the system or the strange voice—not without raising questions he wasn't ready to answer. "It's... testing me. Wants me to prove I can handle it."

Kael's expression darkened. "That's not surprising. Artifacts with egos tend to want dominance. What happens if you fail?"

"It takes over," Mikhael said simply.

Koneko's golden eyes widened. "Then we can't let that happen."

The Path Forward

The group moved out the next morning, heading deeper into the Verge. The landscape grew more twisted with every step, the air thick with unstable magic. The artifact's energy pulsed steadily against Mikhael's chest, its whispers faint but constant.

"Anything useful coming from that thing?" Kael asked, their tone half-joking.

Mikhael shrugged, his crimson eyes scanning the path ahead. "Just... impressions. Like there's something waiting up ahead."

"Comforting," Kael muttered.

Koneko tilted her head. "Do you think it's part of your... lineage?"

Mikhael's steps slowed slightly. The question caught him off guard, but he recovered quickly. "Maybe. Whatever it is, it's in my blood. And it's not letting me stop now."

The First Challenge

They reached a clearing where a hulking creature stood waiting—a Verge-born twice the size of the wyrm they had fought before. Its patchwork body pulsed with corrupted energy, glowing veins crisscrossing its flesh.

"That thing looks worse than the last one," Koneko muttered, her claws flexing.

"Stay back," Mikhael said, drawing the artifact blade. Its glow intensified as he stepped forward, his posture low and ready. "This one's mine."

The creature roared, its claws slashing through the air with terrifying speed. Mikhael activated Shadow Step, vanishing just before the attack connected. He reappeared at the creature's side, his blade slicing through its flank in a burst of energy.

But the artifact's whispers surged, clawing at his mind.

"Unleash me... take what's yours..."

For a moment, Mikhael faltered, his grip on the blade tightening.

"Stay in control!" Koneko called out, her voice cutting through the haze.

Mikhael exhaled sharply, forcing the whispers back. He activated Charge, his speed and power surging as he unleashed a relentless series of strikes. Each blow targeted the creature's glowing veins, disrupting its regeneration and slowing its movements.

With a final, powerful swing, the artifact blade pierced the creature's core, reducing it to ash in a flash of corrupted light.

A Growing Bond

As the clearing fell silent, Koneko approached him cautiously. "You okay?"

Mikhael nodded, sheathing the blade. "Yeah. It's quieter now."

Kael smirked. "Quieter for now. That thing's not going to stay suppressed forever."

"I know," Mikhael said, his voice low.

Koneko placed a small hand on his arm, her golden eyes steady. "You're not doing this alone."

Mikhael looked at her for a moment, her calm resolve grounding him. He nodded. "Thanks, Koneko."

The group moved on, the shadows of the Hollow Verge closing in around them as the artifact's energy pulsed faintly in the silence.