Two years had passed, and now Caleb is 6 years old. The physical abuse—long days of restraint, agony, and neglect—had not only just left an unremovable scar in his heart, it reshaped him. Each passing week felt like an eternity—he still has not gotten used to the torment he has received. You know? Caleb had not eaten in two years—at least not properly. He relied on scraps, on what little could be scavenged. The comfort of a warm meal was like the most impossible dream he could ever think of. His body was gaunt, his hunger replaced by a strange numbness.
Caleb would flinch at loud sounds, his movements filled with tension, like an animal unsure whether to flee or disappear. The constant fear of doing something "wrong" had been ingrained in his every action.
Despite everything, Caleb remained pure, untouched in his heart by the cruelty that surrounded him. His soul clung to the faint of hope that was on a string, hoping one day, someone would see him—not as a toy to play around with, but as a child deserving love and care since young.
Caleb soon heard heavy footsteps outside of his chamber. He recognized them immediately; no one else walked with such authority.
Crocell Hades.
Caleb's father was the cause of everything, ordering every servant, knight, court princes in the demon realm to treat Caleb with abuse. Told all demons he was a mistake and a failure, and that he was the cause of killing Isabella Cove—the wife of the demon king who was a human. The one who gave birth to Caleb Hades and died right after.
And now, after two years of isolation—Caleb hasn't learned that horrible truth—it was best to not tell him. His father's glare pierced through the dimness of the room as he entered, the same cold, and unforgiving expression that Caleb grew accustomed to. But today, felt off. His father didn't speak a single word, he just stood there, eyes fixed on Caleb. Measuring him like a piece of meat at a market, something he could easily discard. Then, with a flick of his finger, the chains that kept Caleb down the ground, the metal clinking off of him.
"You're free to do whatever you want." Crocell's tone broke the silence, cold and detached.
Caleb's heart skipped a beat. He was free? It didn't make sense. For a whopping two years, he had been shackled—not just in the literal sense, but emotionally, mentally. His father had stripped him of his childhood,
of his freedom, leaving him nothing more than a plaything to be controlled by the hands of others. And now, the chains are gone.
W-what? Is this really real? Am I free? No more me being a ball to throw around ? Right?!..
Just the possibility to move freely, the smoky hot air on his face, a simple gesture of freedom to leave the prison he was in. For some reason, he believed that someone out there…someone out there…
Would welcome him with open arms.
He stared at his father with slight disbelief. The same man who caused him trauma, stood there before him—cold, and deattached.
Has my father ever loved me since I was born?...
Caleb's split lips parted, but only a croak escaped his throat. Embarrassing.
Crocell didn't answer. He merely turned, the cold air from the door slipping past him.
And for the time that felt like an eternity, Caleb took a step forward out of his chambers.
Is this a chance? A possibility to finally start over now?...
Although Caleb may be broken in ways that no one could ever fully understand, he was still alive. He wasn't just surviving anymore. He had a choice. His body still bore the remnants of captivity—his movements weak—muscles weak, his movements sluggish— deep dark scars that have no plan on healing. His ankle, still healing from past torment, throbbed with each step he took—limping, he could barely stand nor walk properly. Eventually he got out of the palace. The hot air brushing his face, the smell of the Demon Realm has not changed—tangy, metallic, smokey.
Caleb dragged himself through the streets of the Demon Realm—he kept himself hidden through the crowds, wearing dark cloaks to conceal himself. And yes, he stole them.
Almost there…j-just up at that hill.
Dead Valley Gardens was a place of stark beauty, strange and twisted, and yet that's what made it special. The sky veiled in an amber hue. Flowers with petals like velvet on ancient trees.
The air was thick with the smell of decay, but it brought peace that Caleb was drawn to. Barely anyone knows this area. This garden acted like a hangout area for Caleb, a place where he'd bring his ball and play catch by himself.
Beautiful.
Caleb embraced the beauty of Dead Valley Gardens, this place was something he calls "home". His cheeks flushed, his eyes glimmered and reflected the skies light. Despite his ankle, Caleb was dedicated. At some point he managed to finally reach the hill. Joy and peace washed over him, a feeling he hadn't experienced for a while. His hands were on each side of his hips—as if that were the greatest achievement he has ever achieved.
" 🎶 ~ Hmm…Mmm-mm-hmmm, mhmm-hmm ~🎶 "
What is this beautiful melody…?
Caleb was caught off guard by the gentle strums of a guitar, a lulling hum that you would simply drown of its melody. He took slight hesitant limps, his ears following the harmonious tune.
There sat a young girl who seemed to be around Caleb's age.
Of course, she was a demon—but not the type of demons who are known to be feared and cruel. She strummed her worn-out guitar with feather-light strokes that matched her gentle hums. She wore dirty ripped rags, covered bandages. The young girl was beautiful—an unspoken sorrow as she strummed her guitar without a care in the world—free.
She had midnight black hair that cascaded down her back, and eyes like pools of liquid silver. A beauty that made Caleb's heart ache for no such reason.
Caleb slowly made his approach, accidentally stepping on a twig. Crack.
Embarrassing.
The girl flinched, "W-who's there?" said the girl, her voice filled with tremor. Her eyes darted to Caleb.
shoot…
Caleb shivered, "I-...I'm so sorry! I'll leave!"
"W-wait d-don't go..- I don't mean it in a bad way…" said the girl, a weak, strained smile curved her lips.
Caleb stumbled down the ground, forcing a scared smile, "Huh?.."
The girl placed her guitar aside, walking over to Caleb—helping him get back on his knees, "This place…I'm always lonely here, please stay.." the girl muttered silently.
Caleb's heart hammered his chest.
Stay?...What is this strange feeling in my chest, it feels so foreign..I'm scared, again…What if she.?
"Y-you won't treat me like a ball to play catch, right?"
The girl felt an ache in her chest at Caleb's words, taking his cold battered hand and lacing them with hers, she completely understood what Caleb said, "That was never my intention, ever."
"Then?..What is it?"
"Let's be friends, and understand each other…understand our own indifferences and imperfections."
Friends…?
"What does that mean?..."
The girl's eyes started to water, "Friend…To be honest, it feels so foreign, but… A friend is someone who feels like home, a safe place you've chosen in a world that has already proven it can be cruel.Someone who doesn't walk away. Someone who doesn't switch sides with you. Someone who does not turn a fragile heart into a weapon. Someone…Who reminds you that not everyone is here to hurt you…" the girl's voice cracked, she took the boy's hand onto her cheek.
"I-..." Caleb's breath hitched, tears welling up in his eyes, "If that's the definition of friend. Why ask me?.."
"I-...I don't know when my eyes darted to you, a spark ignited my shattered soul…You don't have to say yes."
"I- okay sure.., Let's be friends.."
"Great! My name is Lira Brenan." her tears rolled down freely.
"Caleb..Caleb Hades."
"So you're the mistakeful son of the Demon King?.."
Mistakeful? it's that word again
"What does that word mean?"
"Mistake?.. A mistake is just something unexpected. It doesn't mean you shouldn't exist. But you're not defined by his inability to accept you. You're no mistake, Caleb. You seem like a great person." Caleb studied Lira's expression—it lays no deceit.
Has an angel impersonating a demon came to save me?...I want to be with you, Lira…warm..
"Can I hug you?"
Lira didn't spare any time and pulled Caleb's cold battered body into her warm embrace. Caleb's tears stained her rags. "T-thank you, Lira."
"Thank you too, Caleb."