IT felt like a suicide mission. Before emerging from the underworld, they were dragged to the demon king's chamber-the heart of authority.

"Caius, I know you've been bored as hell, but I never foresaw you marching to the center of the underworld and attempting an escape. Surely, that wasn't your goal, am I right?" The imposing figure of King Yama, the god of the underworld and one of its 13 kings, addressed Caius with a mixture of amusement and skepticism. His presence commanded attention, radiating an aura of authority and power that left no room for doubt.

"No," Caius responded firmly. Despite Yama's formidable appearance, Caius felt no fear. He had known Yama even before he ascended to his kingship, and as a fellow demon, he understood the workings of desire and ambition.

Yama's voice carried a hint of curiosity as he addressed Caius, his interest piqued by the demon lord's unexpected intrusion into the realm of the gods. Whether this curiosity stemmed from genuine interest or mere amusement remained to be seen.

"I seek answers," Caius replied, his voice steady despite the turmoil raging within him. "The child... she is in danger, and I must know why."

Caius's response was honest, knowing that Yama would have long been aware of the existence of the human child, even if he hadn't mentioned her before. As the king of the underworld, Yama possessed knowledge of his subjects' actions and motivations without needing them to be spoken aloud.

Yama's expression turned to one of amusement as he regarded Caius. The demon king knew well the varying desires that drove demons, and this particular situation piqued his interest in a way that was not easily dismissed. He was intrigued by what Caius intended to do and how his actions might shape the future.

"You tread a dangerous path, Caius," Yama remarked, his tone bemused but tinged with a warning. "But if it is answers you seek, then you shall have them. Follow me." With that, Yama gestured for Caius to follow as he led the way deeper into the central of the underworld and opened the portal to the realm of the gods.

___

As Caius stepped through the portal, he found himself in the presence of the Fates, the weavers of destiny who held sway over the threads of mortal lives. This was not where he had expected to end up, but Yama's assurance that the portal would lead him to the god he sought proved to be true.

With Yama's permission to enter the realm of the gods, Caius felt a sense of relief knowing that he could navigate freely without fear of retribution. His original plan to sneak in and search for the right god who could provide answers had been fraught with uncertainty, but now, with permission granted, he found himself in a far more advantageous position.

"Ah, greetings, demon lord of the south," Clotho addressed Caius with a knowing smile.

"You know about me?" Caius inquired, surprised by their recognition.

"We have been expecting your arrival," Lachesis responded calmly.

"Then you should know the purpose of my visit," Caius asserted, his tone tinged with urgency.

"Ah, we do. But how would you like us to answer?" Atropos countered cryptically.

Caius furrowed his brow in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"Demon, I'm sure you understand that a human child has limitations. They are not like us, who live for centuries," Clotho explained gently.

"I am aware of that, but what I don't understand is how her soul could have left her body without the presence of a reaper or a shadow looming above her," Caius pressed, his concern evident.

"That is indeed a peculiar case," Lachesis acknowledged.

"You see, the child was rather unique," Atropos interjected.

"The thread of her life has always been unusually short," Clotho continued.

"So short, in fact, that with each reincarnation, it grows even shorter," added Lachesis.

"Indeed, in some instances, she hasn't even reached the age of one," Atropos lamented.

"Out of ten reincarnations, only three have surpassed the age of five, with the highest age she has reached being ten," Clotho concluded with a note of sorrow.

"What an unfortunate child," they said in unison.

Caius was taken aback by this revelation. He was at a loss for words, unable to comprehend how such a pure and positive soul could be bound by such a tragic fate. But there's still a question remained.

"Why has such a child crossed paths with me? Why have our destinies intertwined?" Caius pondered aloud, his voice tinged with both curiosity and frustration.

For five years, the existence of the child and the circumstances that led her into his care had been a lingering question in Caius's mind. If anyone held the answers to these mysteries, it would be the Fates themselves.

"The threads of fate are indeed mysterious," Clotho remarked, her tone reflective. "Even demons, whose existence is formless and bound by different realms, can become entangled with the life of a human child."

Caius listened intently, hoping to glean some insight into the enigmatic connection between himself and the child.

"But, I guess the most definite answer would return to you."

"To me?" Caius frown. "How?"

"You may not recall, but ages ago, there was a significant conversation involving a queen and an angel," Atropos began, her voice resonating with the weight of centuries.

Caius furrowed his brow, delving deep into the recesses of his memory to unearth the elusive recollection. Then, like a sudden bolt of lightning, it struck him. There had indeed been an encounter, a summons by a mortal queen in a time of war. It was one of his earliest interactions with humans, a moment where he sought to increase his power through the acquisition of negative energy, all while grappling with his curiosity about human nature.

During that fateful meeting, both demon and angel had been summoned to aid the queen, and amidst the complexities of human emotions, debates and arguments had ensued between Caius and the angel, their differences stark and undeniable. It was during this time that the name of the angel, Uriel, was etched into his memory.

"Uriel," Caius uttered, the name resonating with newfound significance as the memories flooded back.

The Fates exchanged knowing smiles, their ancient wisdom shining through as they confirmed his revelation.

"The angel Uriel left behind a wish for the demon Caius," Lachesis said, her voice carrying a sense of solemnity. "A wish to seek heart and soul, to transcend the formless existence of negativity and embrace a realm of better emotions."

"What? That was... ages ago. Why would you even grant that?" Caius couldn't fathom the purpose. In fact, he didn't understand why Uriel needed to intervene at all.

"Demon desires, angelic wishes, human nature-these are universal. They define beings, setting them apart yet binding them together," the Fates explained.

"We don't dictate whom you meet, what path you choose, or what future awaits. We simply observe the threads of fate as they unfurl. Your encounter with the queen and Uriel, as well as Uriel's wish, may have occurred in the past. The child's arrival may have influenced your present. However, your thread continues unchanged. You are still traversing the path you have chosen for yourself."

"You may believe that, as a demon, you should be exempt from such matters. But fate knows no boundaries. Even gods are subject to its whims. The changes you have experienced are part of the universal journey toward self-discovery-a journey shared by all beings, regardless of their nature. Finding your heart and soul means embracing your true self and understanding who you are."

"And the child? What does it mean for the child?"

"The child serves as the bridge that connects you to the world. She is more than just a passing interest or desire for you as a demon. She has become an integral part of you-a piece of your heart and soul. An existence that you've come to cherish and protect, willing to go to great lengths to bring light back into her life."

Caius realized the truth in the Fates' words. They were correct. Asha had become someone he couldn't bear to lose, akin to delicate glass he feared shattering. However, because he had always viewed her as mere entertainment, his perception was clouded. The emotions he was reluctant to acknowledge had become his greatest blind spot. The child he held dear had now perished. Was he too late to save her?

"Demon, you've gone quiet," one of the Fates remarked.

"What do I have to do?" Caius asked, feeling lost. "The child... Asha, can she still live?" Caius was aware of the child's short lifespan. The Fates had revealed that she had never lived past the age of ten in any of her incarnations. Despite this knowledge, he wanted to hold onto hope. For the first time in his existence as the demon lord Caius, he wanted to believe in the possibility of the child's survival and a brighter future.

The Fates exchanged glances before examining the thread of the child's life. "The thread hasn't broken yet," one of them said.

"Demon, the answer lies within you," the other added solemnly.

"A pure heart's desire can connect to any thread. As long as the thread hasn't perished, it will continue to be connected, creating a bridge between two souls," concluded another Fate.