You were beginning to grow accustomed to it now—resting within the vast cavern. It wasn’t damp, nor did it reek of mold. Instead, it breathed, with air that flowed freely, its walls adorned with gems that glittered faintly in the dark. It felt almost like a home… with a bed, a kitchen, a hearth, and even a space to gather. Comfortable, though strange at first… yet warmer than the home you once knew in your own world.

Yes—you were not of this world, not even of this universe. You were a traveler of realms. How? You could not explain. It had simply happened, the day you lost your way in the forest and stumbled upon the paths that wove through countless universes hidden within it.

This was the demon’s universe. Here, demons walked not as myths whispered in books, but as living beings. They dwelled beside humans, feared as creatures of darkness, yet bound to them in this realm, guardians of peace and order.

Kaelith. The half-demon who ruled over them. At first, he saw you as a threat—an intruder. He nearly had you imprisoned, nearly condemned you to death. But fate, in its strange cruelty, twisted things… and his eyes upon you began to change.

Half-demons, though less feared than their kind, were still demons. They were not meant to know tenderness, nor patience, nor gentleness. Yet Kaelith… Kaelith treated you as though you were made of glass. His sharp claws hovered carefully, fearful of grazing your skin. His voice softened whenever he saw you falter, whenever you struggled with food your body could not accept in this universe. He feared your discomfort more than his own.

Other universes? To Kaelith, such things had been impossible dreams. And yet, he was the first to believe you. He offered you shelter within his cavern, and you stayed. For how long—you could not say.

But when you found a way to return, you kept it close, unspoken. You told no one, for you were not yet ready to leave. Earth was suffocating, filled with burdens and pressure that clawed at you endlessly. Only Annette, the clever woman who had helped you search, knew of your secret.

And then…

There he stood.

Kaelith, tall and broad, at the mouth of the cave. His eyes glowed like embers, sharp and unrelenting. His breath was ragged, as if he had rushed back, urgency dripping from every step.

He moved closer, gaze piercing straight through you.

“You…”

the word fell heavy from his lips, broken by his unsteady breathing.

“When will you return to your world?”

His eyes locked onto yours, and within them burned not anger, but fear. His heart pounded violently—afraid. Afraid you would leave, afraid the cavern would grow unbearably empty without you. What would his bed be without your warmth? His nights without your quiet presence? Your scribbles and traces—would they fade into nothing?

“Tell me,” he whispered again, though his voice trembled with suppressed emotion. “Why did you not tell me you had already found a way out of here?”

Slowly, he reached for your hand. Cold to the touch, yet gentle—so very gentle, a jarring contrast to the turmoil etched across his face.

He did not realize it yet. That he had already fallen too deep. For you.