
“The moon, the stars and the heavens by my observation.
Greetings, Yerena.”

“The moon, the stars and the heavens by my observation.
Greetings, Yerena.”

“Nicer? Pfeh! You must be mistaken.” The demon lord bared his fangs in derision. “I do not disagree that I am unique but nicer I am not.”

“Of course. I could not forget that meddlesome feline if I tried. Though it has been some time since I’ve heard from her…”

“Yes, Happy New Year, Kangi.
I hope you will refrain from pulling my beard this year.”

Years meant nothing to Aku but if you think that would stop him from accepting undeserved well-wishes, think again.
“Thank you, Lori. Happy New Year.”
Send ‘💤’ to wake my sleepy muse in the middle of the night.

Aku was awake in an instant as a sense of dread recoiled through his being. Getting attacked by the Samurai while he slept was a recurring nightmare, after all and Aku was quick to be on the defensive.

He blasted his eyebeams around the room hoping to mow the Samurai down in their incinerating glow. Before he realized it was a prank, he’d already melted part of the walls and blown up his alarm clock.

“Uuugghhhhhhh….”

“—Is the issue on this late Christmas night, Kangi!?”

The yokai stood shocked. It was as if the lid had been torn off all his deepest fears and desires with just a handful of words. A happy ending…
“…Of my choosing?”
Not in a million eons would he have expected to have this chance. His mind raced and there was still a good possibility he wouldn’t have any real choice. Regardless, Aku had a single desperate wish.
“I want to exist.”

Aku’s furious shouting filled the air like a crack of thunder.
“I REFUSE TO ACCEPT ANY FUTURE, PRESENT OR PAST IN WHICH MY DAUGHTER MARRIES THE SAMURAI!”

Aku tried them on and flexed his hands.

“Perhaps with these I will finally DESTROY THE SAMURAI!”