DEATH is inevitable, a truth etched into the fabric of existence since the dawn of time. Yet, despite this certainty, the demon Caius found himself was unable to comprehend the complexities of human nature—their relentless pursuit of hope amidst the darkness.

"It's human nature to feel. We hope, we fight, we hurt, we love, we soldier on, we live and we die. Emotions keep us human. It's what make us who we are," the Queen of Danaflor once said, her words a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

Caius, alongside the angel Uriel, had once served the queen in the mortal realm, witnessing firsthand the triumphs and tragedies of humanity. Though they held the queen in high regard, Caius struggled to understand her willingness to sacrifice everything for others.

"Humans are weak and greedy," Caius commented, observing the downfall of Danaflor. "They sin and destroy, driven by selfish desires."

Uriel, however, offered a different perspective. "Humans may be fragile and easily swayed, but they also possess a strength born from their desire to protect others. They are moved by love, justice, and their own morality."

Unconvinced, Caius remained steadfast in his belief that humans were inherently selfish beings, incapable of true altruism. Yet, as he watched the kingdom crumble before him, Uriel's words lingered in his mind, planting the seed of doubt.

"One day, you'll understand what it's like to have someone to protect," Uriel remarked, their gaze filled with sorrow as they watched the kingdom crumble before them.

"If what you said is true, I hope that day never comes. I am not a human. I don't need those things to move on in life," Caius retorted, his resolve unyielding in the face of Uriel's sentiment.

Uriel shook their head, their silver hair catching the faint light filtering through the smoke and debris. "We may not be bound by blood, but we do share a connection akin to fate's threads. I only wish that when the day your thread intertwines with others, you will be able to find connection with them and learn more about the world."

Caius didn't bother responding, knowing Uriel would only say otherwise. "Until the end of time, Uriel." With a final nod, he bid farewell and returned to the underworld, disappearing into the shadows like a specter of darkness.

"May the heavens and hells hear me and grant my wish," Uriel prayed softly, their voice a whisper amidst the chaos. "Until the end of time, Caius." And with that, they watched as the demon lord vanished from sight, leaving behind a faint glimmer of hope amidst the darkness that enveloped them.

As Danaflor fell into ruin, Caius and Uriel parted ways, their paths diverging yet intertwined by the bonds forged in the fires of war and the depths of human emotion. And though Caius remained resolute in his beliefs, a seed of curiosity had been planted—a curiosity that would eventually lead him on a journey of self-discovery and to the child who later became his daughter, Asha Lysandra Netheria, changing his life in ways he never could have imagined.