Melody of darkness

Aisha walked through the streets of the night city, feeling lost and alone. After her encounter with Baby, she urgently needed to find a safe place where she could catch her breath and plan her next steps. She needed a shower to wash away the sticky fear and disgust, and a soft bed to rest, if only for a moment. She wandered into a quiet neighborhood where motel signs flickered with neon lights, promising temporary shelter for weary travelers. Choosing one with the most decent appearance and suspiciously low price, Aisha registered under a false name, trying not to meet the gloomy gaze of the receptionist. The room was small and shabby, with a musty smell and the dim light of a lamp under a lampshade. The furniture was old and worn, and tasteless landscapes adorned the walls. But Aisha was too exhausted to pay attention to any of it. The main thing was that there was a bathroom with hot water. She quickly locked the door and tore off her clothes, throwing them onto the floor. Under the hot streams of water, she finally felt the tension start to ease. She stood under the shower for a long time, closing her eyes and letting the water wash away all the bad things that had happened in the past few days. When she emerged from the bathroom, wrapped in a fluffy towel, the world seemed a little brighter. Her body pleasantly ached from fatigue, and her mind was a bit clearer. Aisha approached the window and pulled back the dirty curtain. She involuntarily recoiled from the window, feeling cornered. And then a mad thought struck her. What if Huntrix could help her? What if she could explain to them that she was not a monster, that she wanted to be human? "This is nonsense," she whispered, shaking her head. "They hate demons. They want to destroy me." But the thought wouldn’t let go. What if…? She imagined approaching Rumi, the leader of Huntrix, and telling her the whole truth. About how Gi-ma had turned her into a demon, about how she had escaped, about her desire to become human. And she immediately envisioned Rumi’s angry face, her disdainful gaze, her cruel verdict. Aisha exhaled, feeling hope fade away like a candle flame in the wind. "What a horror," she muttered, falling onto the bed. "So many times telling myself that I am human, so many times trying to convince myself of this… I’m trying to prove to myself that I’m not a monster. It’s terrible." She lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling. The room felt tight and stuffy, like a cage. Her heart raced wildly, and anxious thoughts swarmed in her mind. She grabbed her phone and began scrolling through social media, trying to distract herself from her dark thoughts. But everywhere there were photos of Huntrix, their faces, their music, their slogans. With disgust, she tossed the phone onto the bed. "I’m trapped," she whispered, closing her eyes. "I’m trapped." Tired of restless thoughts, she closed her eyes, hoping to drift into sleep, but instead, memories caught up with her. Vivid, painful, like burning coals. The past. She knelt before Gi-ma in a vast hall made of black stone. The air was thick with the smell of sulfur and decay, and the walls trembled with the power emanating from the demon lord. The flames flickering in the braziers cast ominous shadows on her face, scorching her already wounded skin. Aisha looked up at Gi-ma. His face, usually hidden behind a mask of arrogance, was now twisted into a satisfied smile. He sat on a throne like a fallen angel, surrounded by a retinue of demons eager for his approval. "I’m glad you’ve returned," Gi-ma rumbled, his voice sounding like thunder. "And especially glad that you’ve brought me so many souls. You have exceeded my expectations, my faithful servant." Aisha bowed her head in respect, though hatred churned within her. She wanted to scream, to resist, but her body was broken, and her will was subdued. She could only obey his commands. She tried to explain to Gi-ma that she had done it against her will. That she hadn’t wanted to kill people, that she had been forced. She gestured, tracing words in the air with her hands, but Gi-ma only sneered. "Your signs are meaningless," he said, looking down on her with disdain. "Words are nothing. Actions are what matters. And your actions speak of your loyalty to me." Aisha lowered her head, feeling tears streaming down her cheeks. She was trapped. She would never be able to free herself from Gi-ma’s power. "But I… I wanted—" she began, but then fell silent, realizing that her inner voice was silent and needed no one. Gi-ma leaned forward, his eyes sparkling with demonic fire. "What, my little servant?" he asked, as if teasing her. "What do you desire? Perhaps… you want to speak?" Aisha looked up at Gi-ma in astonishment. Speak? After so many years of silence, after so many years of loneliness? Could it really be possible? Gi-ma smirked, seeing her hope. "I can grant you a voice," he said, stretching the words. "I can make it so you can speak again, sing, glorify me. But… it will come at a price." Aisha silently nodded, willing to give anything to regain her voice. "Then listen," Gi-ma rumbled, rising from his throne. "I grant you this gift. But remember, it belongs to me. And if you ever try to use it against me… I will take it back. And not just that." With those words, Gi-ma extended his hand and touched her forehead. Aisha felt an electric shock race through her body, burning every cell. She screamed, but no sound escaped her throat. And then… she heard her voice. "Thank you… my lord," she whispered, unable to believe her happiness. Gi-ma smirked. "Don’t thank me," he said. "It’s merely my gift. My way of reminding you to whom you owe everything. Now… go. And serve me faithfully. My… subordinate." The memory shattered, leaving Aisha in a cold sweat. She lay on the bed, trembling all over. A voice. He had given her a voice. And taken her freedom away.