The moment the sky turned pitch black, Enzo knew — something terrible was coming.
His gut had never failed him, and the moment someone appeared in the sky above their small town, teleporting with ease, that feeling was confirmed.
A man — no, a monster — floated high above, with a little girl at his side.
Enzo’s eyes widened in horror when the second recognition struck him.
The man’s black hair was like a curtain of night, his crimson eyes glowing like blood in the dark, and a pair of curved black horns crowned his head.
His black robe, embroidered with elegant silver patterns, gave him the air of a twisted aristocrat — noble, yet utterly inhuman.
Even with all the changes, Enzo knew. He could never forget that aura.
Cold. Dark. Suffocating.
That was what Claude always felt like.
There had always been something wrong with him, even long before Enzo discovered the truth — before he knew Claude was a daemon.
There was no warmth in his eyes, no spark of humanity. When Claude looked at him, it wasn’t like being seen — it was like being looked through as if he was already dead.
That gaze haunted Enzo’s nightmares for years.
"You humans are truly parasites!" Claude’s voice boomed through the sky.
"You hunt innocent women, burn them at the stake, and watch them scream as if they’re nothing more than entertainment in your twisted circus!"
"You are all sinners. And I am here to cleanse your filth."
Claude raised his hand, and a massive dark magic circle unfurled across the sky like a spreading disease.
At that moment, Enzo knew — he had to run.
So he did.
He ran even as the screams of villagers rang in his ears.
He ran even as the air filled with the acrid stench of burning flesh.
He ran even as homes crumbled into ash around him, the force of the explosions hurling him into the mud like a discarded doll.
"Fuck…" Enzo spat, pain shooting through his limbs.
His ribs ached, his knees scraped raw — but he couldn’t stop. Not now.
The rain lashed at him, the mud pulling at his feet, but none of it mattered. He had to reach them — his family.
Through the veil of smoke and rain, he saw his house — still standing. The forest surrounding it remained untouched.
Relief flooded him.
This time, no matter what, he would protect them.
He stumbled up the porch steps, shoving the door open — only for the blood to drain from his face the moment his eyes landed inside.
There, sitting calmly at the dining table, was Claude.
"Yo, Father."
Claude’s voice was casual, almost friendly, his crimson eyes glinting with amusement.
"Long time no see."
Beside him, Enzo’s daughter, Iris, was crying, her tiny fists clenched tightly in her mother’s dress.
Rene, his wife, sat stiffly, her arms wrapped protectively around their daughter, her wide eyes pleading silently for help.
There were no visible wounds. No ropes binding them.
But Enzo knew Claude’s very presence was enough to make anyone collapse in fear.
"Y-you… what do you want this time?!" Enzo’s voice cracked, trembling with both rage and terror.
Claude only laughed softly, plucking a piece of bread from the table’s basket. He took a slow bite as if they were simply a family sitting down for a meal — not captives in their own home.
"Why don’t you sit down?" Claude gestured toward the empty chair across from him. "We can talk. Don’t you miss your son?"
Enzo’s chest tightened, rage and guilt twisting in his gut until he could barely breathe.
"YOU’RE NOT MY SON!" Enzo roared, voice raw with fury.
"YOU’RE A GODDAMN BASTARD WHO DESTROYED MY FAMILY!"
Claude’s expression didn’t shift. His eyes were utterly empty as if Enzo’s words were nothing more than noise.
He turned his gaze to little Iris, her cheeks streaked with tears. Slowly, Claude reached out, his fingers brushing against her soft skin to wipe away the tears.
Rene flinched, a strangled sob escaping her lips.
"Please… please don’t hurt her," Rene begged, her voice quivering with fear. "She’s just a child…"
Claude’s smile curled at the edges. "Hurt her? What do you mean, stepmother? I just wanted to say hello to my adorable little sister."
The casual cruelty in his voice made Enzo’s stomach churn.
His body trembled — not with rage, but with something far deeper. A terror that eclipsed even the fear of death.
And Enzo knew, deep in his soul, that no matter what strength or courage he tried to summon, he would never stand a chance against that monster.
His knees buckled, and he collapsed to the floor, falling into a pitiful kneel. His pride, his dignity — none of it mattered anymore.
"P-please…" Enzo’s voice was hoarse, trembling with desperation. "Please… let my wife and daughter go."
He didn’t care how pathetic he looked. He didn’t care if his pride was shattered beyond repair.
If groveling at Claude’s feet meant his family could live, then he would do it — without hesitation.
"I know… I know I wronged you." His voice cracked, his throat dry and raw.
"But they had nothing to do with it. Please… spare them."
For a moment, silence filled the room. The only sound was Iris’ muffled sobs and his ragged breath.
Claude simply stared down at him, eyes gleaming with something unreadable — something that made Enzo’s stomach twist into knots.
Then, a soft, mocking laugh escaped Claude’s lips.
"Oh, wow," Claude said, voice full of admiration. "I’m touched. And a little jealous."
He flicked his wrist, tossing the half-eaten bread aside, letting it roll across the floor.
"Funny, isn’t it?" Claude tilted his head.
"You’re willing to beg, humiliate yourself, all to protect them. Yet you never once protected me."
Enzo’s fingers dug into the wooden floor, knuckles white.
"You even had the audacity to frame me — your own son — as the Lord of Calamity," Claude’s voice darkened, his smile curling into something cold and cruel.
"You spied on me like I was filth, then ran to the Church to tell them everything."
Enzo’s hands clenched tighter, trembling with a mix of guilt and anger. "You know why…" he muttered.
"You’re not my son. You’re a stain… a taint on my perfect life."
Claude’s smile only widened, his red eyes gleaming with amusement.
"But you loved my mother, didn’t you?" his voice low and mocking.
"You never hated her, never blamed her — even though she’s the reason I exist."
He stood up, his footsteps slow as he approached Enzo. Each step echoed in the silent room, making his heart pound louder and louder in his ears.
Enzo shut his eyes tightly, bracing himself for the blow, for death — for something. But nothing came.
Instead, Claude’s voice, low and sweet like poisoned honey, reached his ears.
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"But I forgive you."
Enzo’s eyes snapped open, confusion flickering in them.
"Because, after all…" Claude’s grin widened. "I’m a good and kind person."
He paused, tilting his head. "Ah — sorry. I meant daemon."
Relief flooded Enzo’s chest, leaving him breathless. But that relief was short-lived.
Claude’s next words froze the blood in his veins.
"But, Father…" Claude’s voice softened, almost gentle — but that cruel smile remained.
"Mother misses you so much. As her good, dutiful son, I simply must bring you all to my castle."
Enzo’s heart stuttered. His mouth opened, desperate to protest, to beg — but Claude wasn’t finished.
"I’ll prepare the finest room for you — for all of you," Claude added, then, his fingers snapped.
"Sun."
From nowhere, a man appeared at Claude’s side.
Enzo’s world began to spin. He tried to shout, to plead — but the darkness swallowed him whole before a single word could escape.
The last thing he saw was Claude’s smile — that same cruel, empty smile — before everything went black.