power of the demon

Blood streamed across the ground, forming a crimson pool around Stella. The government agent loomed over her, a cruel smile on his lips. She tried to get up, but her body refused to move. Everything she had known was gone—her people, her family—all reduced to ashes by humans who couldn't tolerate her difference.

"You should never have existed," the agent hissed before delivering what he thought was the final blow.

She collapsed to her knees, her breath coming in short, ragged gasps. The pain was unbearable, as if her body were about to shatter into pieces. Blood poured from her wounds, yet her eyes remained locked on the man. She refused to give him the satisfaction of her surrender.

"You're nothing but a monster," the man sneered, his eyes devoid of any emotion.

Stella closed her eyes, struggling to stay conscious. "I am not a monster..." she thought. But the harsh reality clawed at her, and the darkness overtaking her vision wasn't just the night. It was the end. The weight of her final moments crushed her spirit.

Suddenly, a strange glow filled the street, a golden light that made the air shimmer around her. Her thoughts blurred, and time seemed to slow. She felt a force tugging her away from the pain and despair, as though another world were calling her. Weak and broken, she let the light carry her away, her breathing fading along with the pain.

Everything went dark.

---

When she opened her eyes, a blinding light greeted her, forcing her to squint. She was lying on a soft bed in an unfamiliar room, the scent of medicinal herbs lingering in the air. Every movement sent jolts of pain through her body. Before she could gather her bearings, the door creaked open, and three girls walked in.

Lizzie: "You're awake! Oh, thank the stars. We were so scared you wouldn't make it."

Stella frowned, her instincts immediately on high alert.

Stella: "Where am I? Who are you?"

The tallest girl, with long pink hair, stepped forward.

Lizzie: "You're safe here. We found you in a critical state. If we hadn't acted quickly, you wouldn't have survived."

Stella averted her gaze, pushing herself up despite the pain that screamed through her body.

Stella: "Why would you save me? You don't know anything about me."

The second girl, Cléo, with a warm, reassuring smile, perched on the edge of the bed.

Cléo: "We sensed powerful magic within you. It's rare, and we couldn't let you die without understanding who you are."

A cold shiver ran down Stella's spine. If they could sense her magic, would they figure out she was a demon? Her hands curled into tight fists.

Stella: "I'm… a fairy."

Kyla, who had been silent, exchanged a skeptical glance with Lizzie.

Kyla: "A fairy, huh? Strange… your magic feels nothing like a fairy's."

Lizzie raised a hand to calm her.

Lizzie: "It doesn't matter. Rest now. We'll talk more when you're better."

---

Later, alone in the room, Stella closed her eyes. Darkness enveloped her once again, but this time it wasn't the peaceful kind of sleep. She found herself standing in a vast, shadowy plain where a familiar figure awaited her.

???: "You're so naive, Stella."

Her demon, a dark reflection of herself, gazed at her with disdain.

Stella: "Don't start. I know what I'm doing."

The Demon: "You let them save you, but they'll betray you. They always do. Do you really want to end up like your people?"

A wave of anger surged through Stella.

Stella: "Shut up! They don't know anything, and they don't need to. I'll survive, no matter what."

The demon let out a chilling laugh that echoed around them.

The Demon: "Very well. But don't forget, I'm here to remind you of what you really are. And if they become a threat…"

Stella: "I'll handle it. Now leave."

---

When Stella woke again, her body ached, but her resolve was unshaken. She could hear faint voices outside her door. Trusting others was dangerous, and trust would only make her weak. Survival came first. Always.

The house was silent—an oppressive, suffocating silence, as though a storm was brewing. Stella opened her eyes after what felt like an eternity of sleep. The pain still coursed through her body, but her mind was clearer, more alert. She glanced around, trying to understand where she was. A bright, simple yet cozy room greeted her. The scent of lavender hung in the air, and the distant sound of a door slamming drew her attention. Instinctively, she stood, her legs trembling under her weight, and made her way slowly toward the source of the noise.

Downstairs, voices rose, muffled at first but growing louder with each passing second. Shouting.

"Liam, I forbid you to go out tonight!" Daisy's commanding voice cut through the stillness of the house like a knife.

Stella hesitated, her heart pounding faster with every word spoken. The tension in the air was almost tangible, an invisible force weighing down on her. She crept down the hallway, following the voices. Peeking through the slightly ajar door, she saw Daisy standing face-to-face with Liam, her twin brother, who looked ready to explode.

"You know you lose control every time you drink!" Daisy continued, her hands clenched tightly on her hips. "And I won't let that happen under my roof."

Liam, taller than his sister, straightened his back, his expression defiant. He didn't seem to be listening—or at least, he pretended not to. His lips curled into an irritated smirk.

"You're so damn annoying, Daisy. I'm 18. I don't need your permission to go out!"

The twins stared each other down, but Stella, hidden behind the door, could sense that the situation was on the verge of spiraling out of control. She lowered her head, uncomfortable, unsure if she should intervene. Family disputes had never interested her, and her own felt like a distant, shattered memory from another life.

Daisy sighed deeply and crossed her arms, her gaze hardening.

"Mom put me in charge while she's away. I'm not going to let you turn this house into chaos. If you leave tonight, don't bother coming back."

For a moment, Liam hesitated, a flicker of doubt crossing his face, but it vanished as quickly as it came. He shook his head, frustration radiating from him. Grabbing his black leather jacket, he threw it on with a swift, angry motion.

"I don't care. You don't get to tell me what to do."

"Liam…" Daisy's voice softened, carrying a warning note, but Liam ignored her. He turned on his heel and slammed the door behind him, leaving her standing alone in the entryway.

Stella remained frozen, watching the scene unfold, a chill of unease creeping up her spine. She felt like a spectator in a house where she was supposed to feel safe, yet every word spoken weighed heavier and heavier, pressing down on her. She hadn't asked to be here, but she wasn't sure she wanted to leave either.

Daisy, leaning against the wall, slumped into a chair. She ran a hand over her face, clearly exhausted by the argument. She looked up and finally noticed Stella standing in the shadows of the hallway.

"You know, it's always like this with him," Daisy said, shaking her head with a faint, weary smile on her lips. "He just doesn't get it. Responsibility doesn't mean much to him."

Stella stepped forward cautiously, taking a deep breath. She wasn't sure what to say. To be honest, she had no desire to get involved in their family drama. But something in Daisy's eyes made her want to respond.

"He seems… lost," Stella said hesitantly. "It looks like he's struggling with his powers."

Daisy gave her a small, tired smile, one that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Yes, his powers. It's a bit more complicated than that, but this is the first time he's lost control like this. It's dangerous for him… and for everyone else."

Stella nodded slowly, absorbing the information. She didn't fully understand Liam's powers, but she could tell Daisy was sincere. They all had powers, didn't they? Stella did too. But hers were different. Darker.

After a moment of awkward silence, Daisy stood, shaking her head as if to dispel the heavy conversation.

"Anyway, forget about that. You need to rest. Are you feeling better?"

Stella nodded, even though deep down, she wasn't sure if she was okay. Physically, maybe, but mentally? Her mind was still haunted by the demon's words. Don't trust them. A shiver ran down her spine at the thought.

Before Daisy left, she added in a calmer, almost pensive tone:

"If you have questions, you know where to find me." She offered a fragile smile, then turned and left the room.

The nightclub was alive, the music pounding in everyone's ears, lights flashing to the rhythm of the electronic beats, creating an almost surreal atmosphere. The boys stood near the bar, glasses filled with vodka, whiskey, and other strong drinks in front of them. The heat and commotion seemed to make everyone forget their troubles. But that night, something heavier lingered in the air—a challenge, a promise of a night that would change many things.

Liam, always the most expressive of the group, seemed to be having the time of his life. He was the life of the party, laughing and teasing his friends. Isaac, quieter, stood slightly apart, his eyes lost in the crowd. Theo, on the other hand, was observing the people around him, but his gaze wasn't entirely present, as if his mind was elsewhere.

In the shadows, a girl everyone knew—Anaïs—stood watching from afar. Her eyes fixated on Theo with an almost obsessive intensity. Admiration gleamed in her gaze, and her every move was calculated to catch his attention. Anaïs was in love with Theo, an infatuation that bordered on fixation. She couldn't stand to see him with other girls and would do anything to draw him closer.

Liam, with his ever-present smirk, watched Theo for a moment before throwing out a suggestion—seemingly innocent, but full of implications.

— "How about a dare, Theo?" he said, his voice laced with mischief.

Theo slowly turned his head toward Liam, raising an eyebrow. He knew these kinds of proposals from Liam were never harmless.

— "A dare? What's it this time?" he asked, feigning disinterest.

Liam leaned in closer, a glint of mischief in his eyes.

— "If you can win Stella over, I'll double the amount from our last bet." He paused, as if this was just another casual game. "And you know you're the only one who can pull it off."

Theo stared at Liam for a moment, weighing the situation. He knew he had a way of charming people—whether he wanted to or not. But he wasn't sure how he felt about Stella. There was something different about her, something mysterious. She wasn't the type to fall easily.

Anaïs, eavesdropping on the conversation a few meters away, slowly stepped closer. She had heard the bet. A shiver of jealousy coursed through her, but she wasn't about to let this opportunity slip by. She approached Theo with a charming smile.

— "You know, Theo, if you do it, I'll be here to support you." She leaned in slightly, her eyes sparkling with desire. "I'm sure Stella won't stand a chance against you."

Theo, who wasn't one to back down from a challenge, shrugged and eventually agreed.

— "Alright, Liam, I'm in." He smiled, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. "But don't come crying if it doesn't work."

Liam burst out laughing, visibly pleased. He raised his glass toward Theo.

— "To your victory, my friend." He downed his drink in one gulp.

Anaïs couldn't believe it. She had been planning to do everything to win Theo over herself, but now, everything was about to change. She would need to be more subtle if she didn't want to lose to someone like Stella.

Meanwhile, Isaac stood at a distance, a concerned look on his face. He wasn't comfortable with this kind of bet, especially when it involved playing with someone's feelings. But he kept his thoughts to himself, sensing that tonight was bound to take a dark turn.

The night carried on. The boys danced and drank. Theo seemed less present, his eyes unconsciously searching for Stella, as if his mind was elsewhere. The music pulsed, but a palpable tension hung around him. He had accepted the dare to prove something, but he wasn't sure what. The game amused him—but at what cost?

---

Later that evening, the situation spiraled out of control.

Liam, who had drunk too much, felt invincible. He had lost control of his powers. This wasn't the first time it had happened. When drunk, his magic became harder to contain. He waved his hand in the air, as if trying to grab something, but his powers, unpredictable under the influence, backfired.

A flash of magical light shot from his fingers, hitting Theo square in the chest. Theo wasn't prepared for it. His own powers erupted uncontrollably. The room turned to chaos. The flickering neon lights dimmed, and the music became a deafening background noise. People around them scattered in panic.

The boys, completely disoriented, struggled to regain control. Theo, now filled with a strange energy, looked around, utterly lost. The alcohol and Liam's magic had shaken him violently. He searched for an exit, but his legs felt heavy. Pain pounded in his head, clouding his thoughts. The scene blurred before him.

Anaïs, seeing the situation escalate, threw herself into the fray, but all she managed to do was scream Theo's name. She fought to catch his attention, but Theo seemed increasingly distant.

The boys finally managed to regroup, but Liam had already disappeared into the crowd, oblivious to what he had done. Isaac tried to calm things down, but it was too late. Theo, out of control, cast a vacant look at Anaïs before turning away, ignoring her entirely. The noise intensified, people screamed, and the chaos reached its peak.

Suddenly, a violent burst of light erupted, striking Stella square in the head as she walked into the room at that very moment.

She collapsed..