"My past wasn't easy either…" Darel said, his eyes fixed in the distance.
He had always been an outcast in the town. His family was rich, respected. But when Darel was born, everything changed. His parents had been expecting a girl. Instead, when he was born… there was a strange mark on his face.
"Disgusting child," they said. "Ugly."
Even his own family hid him, belittled him.
The townsfolk beat him as a child. They mocked the mark on his face, called him "cursed."
One day, while walking bruised and battered, he bumped into a girl.
"Oh, I'm so sorry," he said shyly.
The girl looked at him. She smiled.
"That thing on your face… it's beautiful," she said.
Darel was stunned. It was the first time anyone had looked at him like that.
"What are you talking about?!" he shouted, both embarrassed and confused.
The girl only laughed. "Are you blushing?"
He couldn't answer.
The girl took Darel's arm and led him away, into the trees.
"Isn't this a beautiful place?" she asked.
"W-who are you?" Darel asked.
The girl lowered her head. "I… don't have a name."
Darel's eyes widened as he looked at her.
"Then… your name will be Elira," he said.
The girl blushed, but she was happy.
"What are those patterns on your arm?" Elira asked.
"I… I'm cursed," Darel said quietly.
"Not to me," Elira replied. "I can see into people's hearts."
But danger was watching them. Elira suddenly stiffened.
"The villagers are coming! Run, Darel! Run!"
"What about you?"
"I'll go. But we'll meet again…"
And Elira vanished. Darel left the village behind.
"That's my past," he said, looking at Levin.
At that moment, the demon's voice echoed again inside Riven.
> "Yes, yes… There are many like you. You'll meet them all… Levin."
His left eye began to glow. Darel stepped back.
"You too… are you cursed?" he asked in shock.
"Yes," Riven said. He opened his left eye.
Inside, flames were burning, sparks scattering.
"What… what is this?!" Riven shouted.
He raised his hand to his eye.
"Get out… get out of me!!!"
Darel stopped him.
"What are you doing?!"
"There's something in my eye! Can't you see it?!"
"No," Darel said. "There's nothing. Just an eye…"
Riven was left panting.
"So… only I can see it?"