Zen had laid on the cold uneven ground just outside the village. The first hints of dawn brushed the sky with pale gold and a faint chill crept into his bones. Somewhere nearby a woman's voice carried on the wind.
"That boy has cursed mana right?" a woman whispered.
Zen's eyes twitched. He stood up vanishing, next to the wall, his head right against it.
"Ever since I was ten people have stared at me like I was some kind of monster. And now? Now of all days…" he thought, brushing mud from his clothes the motion half automatic half weariness.
"Lucky he was outside" muttered an old man sipping his tea. His relief vanished the instant he saw Zen sprawled on the ground. Tea splashed over the edge of the cup.
"HEY YOU!" the man shouted scrambling upright face twisted in shock and disgust. Zen rubbed his eyes and focused. The old man grabbed two knives and hurled them blindly. Zen sidestepped without effort his movements smooth and casual.
"Get out you bastard! No demons allowed!"
Zen finally opened his eyes fully. "Really?" he muttered voice calm almost bored.
The old man lunged blade raised shouting again. Mud squelched under his boots as he charged.
Zen stood his ground. Calm. Steady. Eyes locked on the man's frantic movements. "Kill me then" he said evenly.
The old man swung wildly. "WHY YOU—"
Zen caught the blade twisting it until it snapped with a metallic crack. The man stumbled back landing in the mud sputtering.
Zen smirked faintly glancing at the man's dirty ragged clothes. The old man scrambled up grinding his teeth. "I swear… I would not let this pass! I would—Devi—"
His words died in his throat as black mana coiled around Zen.
"You… you…" the man whispered trembling.
In an instant Zen appeared behind him hand on the man's shoulder. "Say it" he murmured low and cold.
The old man froze slowly turning to meet Zen's unblinking stare. "Please… let me li—" he began but Zen's finger pressed to his lips silenced him.
Zen chuckled softly stepping back. "You were going to call me a devil weren't you?" he asked rolling his eyes.
He walked over to the broken sword lying in the mud. With a faint pulse of his mana the metal straightened glimmering faintly in the morning light.
The old man's jaw dropped. "Devil" he thought.
Before he could move Zen appeared in front of him again catching the man by the beard as his head nearly fell into the mud.
"Here" Zen said holding out the glowing sword.
"DEMON!" the old man screamed fleeing to his house and slamming the door.
Zen raised an eyebrow. "Rude" he muttered watching the black mana pulse along the blade.
Turning his gaze landed on the village chief tall and imposing smirking as he regarded the boy.
Zen's eyes flicked up. "He was… really tall."
The chief chuckled low and amused sizing up the boy as one might a dangerous but fascinating animal.