Summary: An alternate story. Strengthening their bond and their relationship, Riku has a heartwarming conversation with his demon father, Kirinmaru. This story highlights the importance of open and honest communication and the ways in which it can bring people closer together, even in situations where they might seem very different from one another.
The Beast King's ship was a massive vessel. The hull of the ship was made from a dark, ancient wood that seemed to writhe and twist as the ship sailed through the rough seas. It was adorned with intricate gold trim and symbols of the demon king's power, and it was said to be able to navigate through even the most treacherous of storms with ease.
Little Riku stood in awe as he gazed around his father's luxurious ship. As he walked through the grand doorway, the little boy couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and wonder. There was a grand hall inside with opulent decorations and lavish furnishings. The walls were adorned with gold leaf and intricate frescoes depicting scenes of battle and victory. The floor was covered in a plush red carpet that seemed to suck up the sound of footsteps.
At the end of the hall was a beautiful room reserved for the demon king. The room was filled with light, thanks to a large window that looked out onto the sea. The window was framed by thick red curtains that could be drawn to block out the light when needed. The walls were adorned with tapestries and paintings of the demon king's greatest triumphs.
Despite the room's grandeur, it was the Beast King's throne that captured Riku's attention. The throne was made from a dark, polished stone and was carved with intricate symbols and designs. It was set on a raised platform, displaying power and authority. The ship was a formidable vessel in general, and the beautiful room within it was a testament to his father's wealth and power.
As he walked through the doorway to the study room, Riku couldn't help but feel pride and admiration for his father. Despite his power and wealth, the demon king had always been kind and generous to everyone under his rule, including humans.
The little boy stood in the doorway, watching as his father sat at his desk, absorbed in a thick tome that was propped open in front of him. The room was dim, the only light coming from a single lamp that illuminated the pages of the book and cast a warm glow on his father's face.
Riku hesitated for a moment, unsure if he should interrupt his father's reading. But his curiosity got the better of him, and he stepped quietly into the room, approaching his father's desk.
"Father?" he said softly, trying not to startle him.
His father looked up, his green eyes meeting the boy. "Yes, my son?" he replied, a hint of a smile touching his lips.
Riku still hesitated, fidgeting with the hem of his shirt. "I was wondering...what are you reading?"
Kirinmaru closed the book and set it aside, turning to face his eldest son. "It's a book about demon history," he said, his voice soft and gentle. "I thought it might help me understand more about where we come from and who we are."
The boy nodded; his eyes wide with interest. "Can I read it with you?" he asked, hoping his father would say yes.
His father smiled and ruffled the boy's hair. "Of course, you can," he said. "Come, sit with me."
The boy grinned and scampered over to his father's side, settling himself on the chair next to him as they began to delve into the world of demon history together.
After spending some time sitting next to his father, Riku turned his attention to his younger sibling, Rion with curiosity. She was sitting on the floor with her toys outside the doorway, her bright red hair glistened in the dim light streaming in through the next window of his parent’s room. The boy looked up at his father, his big green eyes full of confusion.
"Father," he said, his voice full of innocence. "Why doesn’t my sister look like us? Her hair is different, she has blue eyes, and her ear looks like a reindeer!"
Kirinmaru looked down at his son, a gentle smile on his face. "Your sister is a special girl. She is half-human, just like you, but she also has some of my demon traits. That is why she looks a little different from us."
The little boy wrinkled his brow as his father tried to explain. Kirinmaru saw that Riku was confused, so he kept explaining things to him.
"You see, a long time ago, I fell in love with your mother, who is a pure human. Your sister inherited some features from our family, but also some from your mother's side. That's why she looks different from both of us."
While talking to his son, Kirinmaru's thoughts drifted to his wife, Midoriko. Deep in thought as he reflected on the beautiful priestess who had become the mother of his children.
He remembered the first time he had laid eyes on her, her black hair and piercing brown eyes capturing his attention instantly. Midoriko has a lovely face and a warm personality. She had been performing a ritual at the temple, her voice singing out the ancient prayers with a clarity and beauty that had taken his breath away.
Despite his fearsome reputation as a Beast King, he had been drawn to her beauty and grace and had felt a deep connection to her from the moment he saw her. And so, he approached her, offering her the opportunity to join him in his castle and become his queen.
To his surprise, she accepted his offer, and together they forged a powerful bond, united by their love and their shared desire to protect their children. As he and Midoriko carried on in their married life, tending to their offspring with tender care and devotion, he knew that he had made the right choice in choosing her as his wife.
Since then, he had come to know and love her more deeply than he ever thought possible. He was in awe of her strength and courage, and he admired the way she always put others before herself.
The boy's eyes grew wide with wonder. "Is she a demon too?" he asked.
"Yes, my son," Kirinmaru replied, abruptly returning to reality after thinking about his children's mother. "But don't worry, she is a good demon. She will never hurt anyone or do anything bad. She is just like you, and she will always be your sister, no matter what she looks like."
The little boy thought about this for a moment, then nodded in understanding. "I see," he said. "So, she's still our family, even though she doesn't look like us?"
"Of course, she is," the demon father said, ruffling his son's hair. "Family is about more than just looks. It's about love and acceptance, no matter what anyone looks like on the outside."
The boy nodded, satisfied with his father's answer. He knew that his sister was special, and he was grateful to have such a loving and understanding father. He turned to watch his sister again, a newfound curiosity in his eyes. He was eager to learn more about her and her special abilities.
