A fresh smell of the forest filled the air. An uninvited guest had appeared.
"You dare pry into this poor being's soul?! Disrupting the life cycle?!"
The intruder, a small fairy looking figure with blonde hair, golden eyes, and an outfit made of leaves flew in fast, rage on her face. Without hesitation, she punched the black entity square in the face.
"S-stop, you annoying nymph."
"You dare?! You rascal!"
"..."
In the chaos her attacking, him defending the boy just stood there, dumbfounded. Watching.
"I've had enough!!"
"!!!"
The entity unleashed black energy that shot toward the nymph. Her body lit up, radiant like a miniature sun, and their powers clashed in a burst of force and light.
"So you wanna fight?! Bring it on!"
"Insignificant nymph! You dare touch me—"
"Stop it."
"..."
"..."
Maybe then, the two finally realized the boy was also there. Fighting inside someone's world without even acknowledging the owner pretty careless. But to them, what was a human, really?
"My apologies..."
"..."
"Hah... why is this getting more complicated?"
Exhausted, the boy dropped to the white field below, landing in a patch of black flowers. He dragged a hand to his temple, pressure building behind his eyes.
"Alright... who are you?"
"Hmph, hmph! Pleased to meet you, and sorry for earlier. I am but a humble nymph—protector of the forest, guardian of wildlife, and—"
"In short, just a caretaker for the forest."
"Y-you!"
"Not again... please."
"..."
"..."
It was hard to tell if they stopped out of manners or just didn't want to embarrass themselves further. Either way, they quieted down and listened.
"And for god's sake, why are you even here?"
"No, no! Please don't misunderstand me! I'm sorry for the outburst, but seeing that creature? Gah!" She stuck her tongue out in disgust.
"..."
"Please just... and thank you."
The entity gave a small nod.
"Anyways! I'm here to protect your choice!"
"…What?"
"This bastard's trying to give you a terrible deal. Don't trust him!"
"And you spirits are so noble, huh?"
"Unlike you demonic beings, we offer fair, mutual deals!"
"You're still using humans, little fairy."
"I'm a nymph, not a fairy! And it's not using when it's fair!"
"You—"
"Please, shut it."
"..."
"..."
A demon and a spirit. Bad combo and just as awful in theory as in practice.
"Just explain already..."
"This guy came to offer you a body-lending contract."
"I know."
"Yeah, little fairy. We already talked. You can flap your wings and leave now."
"Then why is he free?!"
"What do you mean?"
"Hey, slow down—"
"It's your world. You decide his fate!"
"…What?"
"She's lying—"
"Oh, shut up!"
The nymph's body lit up again, power surging from her as a barrier formed around herself and the boy. The black entity stood outside it, drawing in energy and slamming his fists against the invisible wall.
"Good. Now he won't interrupt... but listen, this barrier won't last long."
"Alright…"
"You were about to die. And that entity was on his way back to hell. On the way to the gate, he found you."
"Me?..."
"Let me finish, human! It was dumb luck. He found a host. And somehow, you were here too. It's so troublesome!"
"…So only one of us should be here right now?"
"Yes! It's the first time I've ever seen this."
"Maybe it's because he forced my world to the surface?"
"It might be. But let me finish!"
"Fine... fine."
"Right now, as he probably told you, there's a chance when your body wakes up either you or he will take control."
"Yeah."
"Follow me, human. I know it's hard, but do it."
"…"
Frustration flickered across his face. The nymph didn't seem to notice. Or maybe she just didn't care.
"This world is your energy. It's what your sword uses to carry out your will. So what is he? And what am I?"
"..."
This world was his. Which meant... he was this world. And this world was made of energy. So anyone stepping into it—
"Energy…"
"And who can use the energy of this world?"
"Me."
"I'm part of this world. But look around. A white field. Black flowers. Come on, stupid human it's not that hard."
"I can control him."
"Exactly. He's an intruder. This is your body. Show him who's boss."
A sharp crack rang out as the barrier shattered.
The entity shot forward, arm drawn back. The nymph, drained from creating the barrier, had nothing left ... she was defenseless.
"You damn spiri—"
"Enough."
The entity's power vanished in a blink.
And before his fist could land, another fist charged with the entity's own energy slammed into his face, knocking him backward.
"!!!"
It was the boy's fist.
And for the first time, he wasn't just a bystander.