The demon's castle. vast and unprecedented in architecture and profound in structure. Not a single human could comprehend the design of this homely fortress beneath the veil of reality and the demon realm. Our footsteps was heard in the main corridor. The Demon King marched with my brothers towards the throne room of yours truly to initiate some sort of ritual of survival of our dying race. Each one of us was quiet, both disgusted yet excited mixed together to make the perfect state of being-- Madness. The look in each of my brother's eyes was disgust. To have humans carry the offspring of our... 'Grandeur' race... It was perhaps the worst shame that struck us noble demons.

And so, we came to a large double door. It towered far higher than one would expect. The ceiling wasn't even visible from where we were standing. The only flames that guided our path was the dark chandelier seemingly hanging from nothingness. He slammed the door open, leaving an otherwise glass-shattering shockwave throughout the entire hall as he soon appeared before the four human girls. Other chandeliers shook from his magnitude and lesser demons would scurry away terrified of the Demon-King's presence. We took our place in front of the Demon-King."I reviewed the batch that came in and these are the four I picked out. Make your choice my sons."

... And that's all he had to say? Even a demon would at least keep their tradition and introduce the girls whom they were about to spend their eternity being tortured by. "This is not quite what I was expecting. You should also pay more attention to your attitude while you're in the great hall, father. This is not some meager ritual. This is our survival. You'd at least make them feel welcome by speaking the part." I crossed my arms in disappointment of his demeanour. "Let me make my examinations."

Stepping my own brilliance forward, I made sure to look myself presentable in front of the future carriers of my offspring. It was the very least honour that they would receive in their unending spiral of pain. I approached one trembling with fear and distraught. There was a need for me to lower myself to her level. Her hands tucked behind the battered dress that shook in terror of her demise, or so it seems. My hands reached out to her cheeks, the thumb pushing those tense pale skin as he looked at her fainting eyes and dull hair. She was trembling inside-- and she was trembling for her life. A smile I gave for such courage she has to stand before me and the Demon King made my hands feel just as jittery and invasive to crush it.

Enough of that trembling blind child. I moved on from her to examine the other girl whom at least was taller, and did so with my fingers and thumbs as previous. Her skin felt smoother. Elastic and flexible rather. The green eyes that used to be full of life was now but leaves beneath its tree-- waiting to wither and die. She did not pique my interest, not even the one before.

The next, was a girl who's scarred. Her skin, full of scratches and wounds from fights. I reached my hands to her face and just as I did, she swatted it away from her face before I squeezed her skin instead. This raven was a rebellious and strong-willed one. To break into her would take more than just strength. It needed wits and discipline... Violent disciplines. Those bloody eyes have seen cruelty beyond measure, yet how shameful that it isn't like ours.

Even then, she remained to fight against me. She pushed my hands away from her face once again, and I leered intently into her. This pile of guts was going to be turned to ashes if she kept that up. I moved on to the final girl who was plainly dressed and seemingly different from the others. There was no resistance when my hand reached for her inspection and gave me a quick and brief examination. Amber eyes that blinded everyone else in her wake. Disappointing. All of them.

I quietly returned to the exact position I stood in front of the Demon-King. His curiosity would soon probably question the decision of his eldest son. To which, I would reply; "I will choose whomever left after my brothers." I stood with my back up high and my eyes continually to stare into nothing, at no expression.