Anos Voldigoad in the anime multiverse.

From his position, Anos watches as Kanae enters her test. He hadn't explained to her exactly what it was about. Not because he couldn't, but because he wanted her to discover it for herself. A strong will is not born from answers given, but from direct confrontation with inner doubts and fears.

"If he can't endure this, he'll never be able to help me build the future we both desire," she thought, crossing her arms as the black flame devoured her surroundings and the test began.

For years, he had known that coexistence between demons and humans was an almost impossible dream. For thousands of years, he had tried to achieve that goal, but even with his immense power, he had not forced the change. What stopped him was not a lack of strength, but the compassion he felt for the creatures of both worlds. Every action had to be measured, every life had to be weighed. However, anyone who challenged his limits or put his purpose at risk, met an inevitable fate: to be eliminated from existence.

When Kanae finally emerged from the test, visibly exhausted but with a new determination shining in her eyes, Anos felt satisfied. "I chose well," he thought, recognizing in her someone worthy of becoming a subordinate.

As the young woman sought to compose herself, Anos decided to instruct her further. There was much she needed to learn, and he had centuries of accumulated knowledge about demons, humans, and the conflicts that separated them. After a long dialogue, in which Kanae questioned and absorbed every word, Anos took a step that he knew might surprise her.

With a fluid gesture, Años created a perfect clone of himself, presenting it to Kanae with the same serenity that characterized him.

Kanae stared at him in surprise, speechless at first. Although she had already expected something extraordinary from him, the creation of an identical clone was an impressive sight even for her. 

After hours of advancing through the forest, Kanae finally spoke:

—Our leader, Kagaya Ubuyashiki, already knows of your existence. He wants us to work together to defeat the demons. If you are willing, I can send a letter to headquarters to inform them and arrange a meeting.

Years looked at her in silence for a moment, evaluating her words. Finally, he replied in a calm but firm tone:

—For now, it is not necessary. You should focus on your training. When you are ready, we will go together.

Kanae nodded, understanding that Anos was right in postponing the meeting.

From that moment on, Anos decided to train her personally, testing her to measure both her growth and her character. During training, he would accompany her not only to assess her progress, but also to gain her trust. He needed strong and loyal subordinates who could watch over this world, for the future would require allies with unwavering determination and strength.

As a first test, he decided that Kanae would face the torment of her first illusion again, but this time, she would have to endure it for a week.

"He must learn not to give up, even when time and desperation are against him," Años reasoned.

In addition, he designed two additional tests, which they will face after passing this second test.

For years he had considered reading all of Kanae's memories, but ultimately decided against it. He limited himself to analyzing her past and ties to the Demon Extermination Corps, enough to better understand his new ally.

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POV Kanae Kocho 

After passing her first test, Kanae felt different. Although the suffering had been intense, the realization that her doubt was her greatest enemy helped her reaffirm her purpose. She now knew that her desire to create a better world should not depend on immediate results, but on her ability to stay true to her path.

Over the next few days, Anos patiently guided her, answering her questions and teaching her things she had never imagined. Though Kanae remained cautious, she slowly began to trust him. He is more human than he appears, she thought, recognizing in him a kindness she had not expected to find in someone so powerful.

During those days, Kanae continued her training with Años. Each day he revealed a more complex facet of her new ally. Although he was incredibly powerful, he did not impose his knowledge. Instead, he patiently answered her questions, guiding her to find the answers herself.

One night, while training under the moonlight, Kanae decided to share something fundamental about her world.

—In the Demon Extermination Corps, we rely on our breathing techniques to fight. Every pillar, the highest rank among the hunters, has mastered one of these techniques. I, for example, wield the Flower Breath.

For years he listened attentively, analyzing each word.

"But despite our dedication, the fight is never even. A pillar can easily defeat a Lower Moon, but facing an Upper Moon…" Kanae paused, clenching her fists. "More often than not, a pillar doesn't survive."

—And how do you deal with that disadvantage? —he asked, with a mixture of interest and seriousness.

Kanae looked at him directly.

"We train to be as strong as possible, but the truth is that we rely on our determination more than our strength. We know that each battle may be our last, but we keep going because no one else will do it for us."

Anos moved forward slowly, impressed by the resolve he saw in her.

"Determination…" he muttered to himself. "Perhaps it is the only thing humans have that demons don't understand."

On the final day of her week of torment, as the full moon lit up the sky, Kanae faced the most harrowing part of her second trial. Suddenly, the environment around her changed: trees disappeared, the ground seemed to fade away, and a series of terrifyingly real illusions unfolded in front of her.

Inside the test, Kanae walked through a forest so realistic that she could feel the chill of the night breeze on her skin and the crunch of dry branches beneath her sandals. Everything seemed normal at first, but a strange uneasiness slowly crept into her mind.

Soon, the shadows between the trees began to move. An evil presence emerged in front of her: a demon, its eyes were incredibly rare and beautiful as, in color, they seem to be made up of a variety of rainbow pastel shades that fade into each other as they surround its irises and a cruel smile as it analyzed her figure, it attacked her without warning. The air whistled as it unsheathed its sword, blocking just barely in time.

"Damn it!" he muttered, feeling the vibration in his arms after the impact.

Even though he knew it was a test, it all felt too real. Every blow, every flash of blood that came out of the demon's body, every step he took on the uneven ground… It was all intensely tangible, he panted, sweat pouring down his forehead and his hands shaking.

But before she could relax, the scene suddenly changed. She was no longer in the forest, but in a desolate field, the sky dyed red. In front of her, the same imposing demon awaited her. It not only radiated power, but a coldness so penetrating that Kanae felt her breathing freeze for an instant.

The battle was brutal. No matter how she attacked him with her sword and her Flower Breathing technique, her efforts seemed futile. Her movements were clumsy compared to the enemy's speed. Again and again, she felt the impact of his blows, as if each one broke something inside her.

When she finally fell to the ground, exhausted, the surroundings changed once again. She was now looking at a scene that chilled her heart.

It was her sister Shinobu, facing the same demon. Kanae tried to move, but she was trapped, a helpless spectator. She watched as Shinobu fought bravely, but it was obvious she couldn't win. Desperation consumed her as she screamed, trying to break free.

—Shinobu, no! Stop! —Her voice echoed in the void, but her sister couldn't hear her.

The moment Shinobu fell was like a direct blow to the chest. Kanae fell to her knees, tears streaming down her face, as the world around her faded away.

Back in the clearing, Anos waited as calmly as ever. When Kanae emerged from the illusion, she was exhausted, both physically and emotionally. Her shoulders were shaking, and her eyes were filled with tears.

"I saw… something horrible. It was like a future… where I died. And so did my sister." Her voice broke as she tried to compose herself.

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Author's note:

Thank you very much, MR_HOOD, for contributing the 3 Power Stones. Your support motivates me to continue uploading more content.

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