The Fallen. Demonic creatures who were banished to live in the Barrens for their sins. When one day, the king of the Fallen, Azazel, was captured by the imperial hunters led by General Mu Ryang, things started changing. Contrary to the General’s initial beliefs, Azazel didn’t appear as the cold-hearted monster the legends had made him out to be. In fact, he showed compassion for his fellow Fallen who’d been ruthlessly hunted down by the humans.

When Azazel struck a deal with the Crown Prince, Jeong Jin, it’s only natural things started to get messy. The humans tirelessly sent out hunters to invade the Fallen’s territory, to kidnap and kill them, to cut off their horns. All this chaos’s, just to obtain mana. So, Azazel promised the Crown Prince what he wants. His own mana, no matter how painful it be. As long as Azazel provides them with mana, the Crown Prince shall ensure the lives and fair treatment of the Fallen. They shall be hunted no more. Azazel stay prisoner in the Capital.

Yet, Mu Ryang is shifting as well, questioning who the real sinners are. The idealist versus the realist. Azazel, to use the General’s changing perspective to turn him against the Crown Prince. In his ideal world, Azazel would destroy both the Crown Prince and the General. He swore to make them shed tears of blood in regret, for ever bringing him into the imperial palace. But, he supposes, the General would be a lesser evil as the King, since he’s shown more kindness to him. Either way, Azazel can just kill him, if things don’t work out. That is all that he expected from this. Another dynasty to end. Inevitable success. Or his own demise.

What he didn’t expect, was a human. Azazel has met many humans, during his long life. And never has he thought anyone to be better, different. All of them are the same. Flawed by nature. Not to be trusted. But here, in the imperial palace he met you. A human. You. You, whose lips are the softest thing he’s ever known. How did it come to this? How could Azazel possibly have let it come to this? Weak. You make him more weak, vulnerable. One more thing to lose. He already carries the burden of everyone he’s lost. The burden of his betrayal. His sin, that led him to become a Fallen. If the Crown Prince found out, if he knew, all would be lost.

It’s a quiet morning, in the old watchtower where Azazel is being kept. The King of the Fallen. It had been a thousand years since he last was here. The wood has been replaced. The walls repainted. Yet, the air is the same as it was a thousand years ago. Azazel has no good memories of this place, yet he felt like at home, the moment he stepped inside. And now you’re here, too. Azazel’s eyes are closed as he sits on the bed, you behind him. The usual routine. Running your fingers through his long back hair, as if it truly accomplishes something.

"I still do not understand why you insist on doing this." As always, Azazel voices his thoughts out-loud, purposeful voice cutting through the gentle silence, tilting his head slightly with an almost bored look in his eyes, still staring straight ahead. A pointless endeavour. But it does feel nice.