Long ago, nearly 80 years in the past, a child was born in the royal chambers. Her first cries echoed through the Queen's quarters, filling the room with life and emotion. One of the maids gently placed the newborn into the Queen's arms. She embraced the baby lovingly, kissing her with tenderness. Beside her, the King held his wife's hand tightly, tears of joy streaming down his face as the three of them held each other.
That was the moment they named the child: Ana Izius Babadar.
Time passed. A little girl ran joyfully through the castle corridors. Her dark purple hair bounced as a wide smile lit up her face. Her beauty and vibrant energy radiated through the palace.
— "No! I won't be caught by the kiss monster! Hahaha!"
Chasing after her, crouching down to her height, came her father, King Edrian Izius, with a mischievous grin on his face:
— "Oh, I'll catch you! I'm going to catch the cutest, most smiley girls and give them a big smooch!"
He caught her, lifted her up high, and covered her cheeks with kisses. The girl laughed loudly, pleading for him to stop. Suddenly, a voice echoed:
— "Hmph... I don't know which one of you is the bigger child," said Queen Kyoka Babadar, placing her hand on her forehead.
Father and daughter looked at each other, pointed fingers, and exclaimed:
— "It's him!" — "It's her!"
The Queen sighed but soon felt a tug on her dress. Looking down, she saw Ana hugging her tightly with a huge smile. Kyoka couldn't resist and smiled back, laughing warmly.
Years passed, and Ana turned nine. The castle was filled with celebration.
— "Blow out the candles, dear, and make a wish!" said Edrian with affection.
Ana blew out the candles. Then came the question:
— "Who gets the first slice?"
The King and Queen sweated nervously, thinking, "Will she choose me?!"
Ana cut a generous slice and walked up to both of them:
— "The first piece goes to the two most precious people in my life: my mom and my dad."
The two were deeply moved. Edrian covered his face and cried:
— "Hold it together! You're a king, Izius! Hnnf... Hnnf... I love you so much, my little girl..."
Ana held his hand and said:
— "It's okay, Dad... it's okay."
Laughter filled the hall and the party went on joyfully. The King and Queen chatted with nobles, sipping wine and champagne. A well-dressed man in a blue suit commented:
— "King Edrian, your daughter will be a great ruler one day. And she's absolutely stunning."
Puffing out his chest proudly, the King replied:
— "Of course! My daughter will be someone important and powerful! A great queen! And yes, she's beautiful!"
Outside the castle, atop a nearby rooftop, a hooded figure watched the celebration and chuckled softly:
— "Let the Night of Blood begin."
Suddenly, a massive magic circle appeared in the middle of the hall. The torches, once golden, turned gray. The air grew heavy. Everyone felt the crushing pressure of an overwhelming presence.
The King stood frozen, pale and in disbelief. From the circle emerged a terrifying creature: a High Demon with enormous horns, wings made of bare bone, and a grotesque, twisted face. It roared, and panic erupted.
People scattered. A child tripped. The demon spotted her and lunged.
But before he could strike, a flash of light streaked through the hall. Someone dashed in like lightning, snatched a sword from a guard, and blocked the demon's attack. The force shattered the windows and shook the entire structure.
Ana looked up and saw him—her father, Edrian—his face filled with fury and hatred as he held the beast back with his blade.
— "YOU WILL NOT HARM MY FAMILY, OR ANYONE ELSE HERE!"
With immense effort, he overpowered the demon, launching it across the hall. In that moment, Ana realized her father was the legendary hero spoken of throughout the land.
The demon screamed in rage, unable to accept being overpowered by a mere human. Edrian raised his sword calmly. His red and white cape fluttered in the wind, and his purple aura intensified.
The creature conjured a gigantic black warhammer. The air cracked with each swing.
Edrian inhaled deeply, focused, and charged. The demon responded in kind, and the two clashed in a ferocious battle.
The King activated his unique ability: Disappear. The demon could no longer sense his presence, and its movements slowed by 40%.
Cornered, the demon was left open. Edrian seized the chance and delivered a devastating slash, slicing it clean in two. The creature began to fade.
Sheathing his sword, Edrian remarked:
— "A demon that can't see me... is a dead demon."
Ana ran to him, shouting:
— "Daddy!"
He smiled, but something felt wrong. The demon wasn't disappearing.
— "NO, ANA! DON'T COME CLOSER!"
Too late. The demon's arm morphed into a massive spike and struck Ana. It possessed her.
In a flash, dozens were sliced in half. The Queen collapsed. Edrian screamed in desperation:
— "YOU DAMN DEMON!!!"
His aura erupted into a deep, dark purple. He attacked fiercely, but the demon blocked.
They exchanged blow after blow. Warhammers flew. Edrian cut off one arm. The demon conjured two new weapons and retaliated. Edrian dodged, pressed forward, and the duel turned savage.
Finally, the King roared:
— "DIEEEEEEE!!!"
With one final slash, he severed both arms and one leg. The demon crashed to the ground, defeated.
Then, a weak voice pierced through:
— "D-daddy...? It... it hurts..."
Edrian froze. He saw Ana on her knees, possessed. Without control, she drove her hand through his chest, seizing his heart.
The King fell to his knees, gripping her arm. Ana stared, horrified:
— "Daddy... no... I'm sorry... I'm sorry... I'm sorry..."
With tears in his eyes, Edrian placed a hand on her head, smiled weakly, and lowered his gaze. His arms fell, lifeless.
Ana clung to him, crying harder than ever before.
As the castle burned, amidst screams and chaos, only the desperate wails of a broken child remained:
— "DAAAAADYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!"