I don't know who I am.
I don't know where I come from.
I don't know why I exist, but...
Seeing this girl crying on the ground, I wanted to hug her and comfort her.
Even without seeing her face, I knew she was beautiful.
She didn't know I was standing behind her, so I walked over and sat next to her.
Only then, sensing my presence, did she raise her tear-stained face, making my heart skip a beat.
Beautiful...
"Who are you?" she asked, trying to suppress her tears.
I didn't answer for a second, just stared straight ahead.
"I don't know." I answered simply.
After my words, she fell silent, as did I, and only quiet sobs echoed throughout the room.
"Why are you crying?" I asked quietly.
She lowered her head...
"Because... Everything I tried to protect has been destroyed! The demons I was supposed to protect have suffered! I'm not worthy of being the demon queen!" she practically screamed, and tears wouldn't stop flowing from her beautiful eyes.
I reached out and placed my hand on her head, careful not to touch her horns. Her pink hair was so soft that I wanted to get closer and smell her hair.
She looked up at me again.
"As long as you're alive, nothing else matters." I said quietly.
"What?" she asked, sniffling.
"What was destroyed can be rebuilt. Those who were wounded can be healed. As long as you're alive, nothing can be fixed." After my words, I removed my hand and looked straight ahead again. Next to me, in silence, sat this girl, whom I don't know, but for whom I feel sorry.
"What's your name?" the girl asked, breaking the silence that seemed to last forever.
"I don't know." I replied.
"Do you think you have a name?" she asked.
"I don't know." I replied evenly.
"You know, this is the first time I've seen a demon like you." she said.
"Am I a demon?" I asked.
"Well, judging by the horns on your head... which are a little strange. This is the first time I've seen more than one pair of horns, but one thing is clear: you're a demon." she said, looking at my head.
After her words, I reached my hand to my head and felt the hard appendages protruding from it.
"I see." I said, lowering my hand.
She smiled slightly and then ran her hand over her face, wiping away all the moisture.
"You're strange, but... You're right, it's too early to give up while I'm still alive."
"I won't let anyone bully my subjects anymore!" she said loudly, causing the hall to echo.
At that moment, what appeared before me wasn't a crying, pitiful girl, but the image of a queen willing to do anything for her people.
Her gaze returned to me.
"If you don't know your name... Would you like me to give it to you?" she asked.
"Yes." I answered evenly.
"Then from now on, you will be known as Nemiza, like an everlasting star that lights my way through the night." she said, and her words gave me a strange tingling sensation.
Why do I feel so strange?
"Anyway, Nemesis, forgive me for not introducing myself, but my name is Echidna, the Demon Queen." she said, straightening up.
"Nemesis, will you help me on this difficult path? Will you help me rebuild the kingdom and protect it?"
"Even though I don't know who you are or where you're from, I feel I can trust you."
"What do you say?" she asked, bending down and extending her hand.
I almost without thinking, grabbed her hand, rising from the floor.
"Thank you..."
*Brrrrr*
She couldn't finish, as a strange sound interrupted her.
"Are you hungry?" she asked.
"I don't know." I said.
She just sighed and grabbed my hand.
"Come on, my room should have survived. You'll spend the night with me tonight." she said, leading me down the hall. We then walked out into the corridor, reaching a large door.
We entered her room, which was quite large.
Why is there so much space in this room, and why is such a bed needed?
"Here, make yourself comfortable, and I'll get you something to eat." Echidna said and ran out of the room.
I looked around and immediately noticed a large mirror. As I approached it, I saw a girl, or rather, myself...
I had long black hair, and my eyes were a strange, bright purple. I had two pairs of black appendages on my head, and I also had pointed ears.
"Is that me?" I asked automatically, touching the mirror.
At that moment, I noticed a strange glint in my reflection, and I felt a strange force. I jumped back, and where I had been standing, the mirror shattered into tiny pieces.
"Who are you, and why are you in the queen's chambers?!" I heard a scream, and turning around, I noticed a tall girl.
She had long hair, blonde hair, and ears like mine... Maybe I'm somehow related to her, since we have the same ears?
She was also wearing glasses, which she adjusted as she asked questions.
"My name is Nemesis." I said.
"So what? That doesn't tell me anything. Why are you in the queen's chambers? Outsiders are not allowed here!"
"Echidna brought me here." I said.
"You call the demon queen by her first name... Where is the queen and what's your relationship?"
I bowed my head and answered.
"She went to get food."
"What?! What would she... I didn't think the Queen had that type of girl." the blonde said thoughtfully.
"Type of girl?" I asked, bowing my head.
"Well..."
"Steina, what have you done here?!" Echidna's voice rang out, quite loud.
"The Demon Queen." The blonde turned around, quite happily, and saw Echidna holding a tray.
"Queen, are you alright? Did the Hero hurt you?" she asked, concern evident in her voice.
"I'm fine, whatever you say, in my kingdom." Echidna said, approaching the table and placing the tray on it.
"The Demon Queen..."
"No need, Steina, I understand everything, and as one of my friends said." she said, and then I looked at her.
"Nothing's over as long as I'm alive." she said, smiling, causing me to feel that tingling sensation again.
Why do I feel so... so strange after her words...
"I'm glad, but... I didn't know you preferred such a cold girl..."
"SHUT UP AND GET OUT!" Echidna screamed, pointing her hand at the blonde.
A flame erupted from Echidna's hand, almost hitting the girl, but she dodged it just in time.
"Queen, are you really blushing?" the blonde asked, and began to laugh.
Looking at Echidna, I actually noticed her cheeks flush. Is she sick?
"I SAID GET OUT!" Echidna screamed again, holding out her other hand. Her attacks were quite large-scale, but strangely, the room was practically undamaged.
The blonde, still laughing, ran out the door, after which Echidna walked up to the door and slammed it.
Then she turned back to me.
"Go eat, there's not much here, but it's better than being hungry." she said, pointing to the table.
I nodded to her and walked over to the table where the tray sat.
I don't really know what I should expect from this food, but it felt like something was missing...
After eating, I looked at Echidna, who was sitting next to me, resting her head on her hand and looking at me with a smile.
That strange, prickly sensation again...
I didn't know what it was, but I was sure of one thing.
I have to protect this smile!