Dark Symphony : An Isekai Story

Chapter 3: Neverland (Part 1)



A sharp, cold wind swept through the fields, brushing against the tall grass and making it ripple like waves on a calm sea. Tiny fragments of grass and specks of dust were carried along, swirling and twirling before settling back onto the ground.

Satan's cloak fluttered softly in the breeze, the fabric shifting with each gust. His dark hair moved gently, framing his pale, sharp face as he stood motionless.

He could see a tall, dense forest ahead, its trees covered with lush green leaves that seemed to glow softly in the sunlight. In the distance, towering icy mountains stood proudly, their snow-covered peaks shimmering like silver under the clear sky. Strange birds flew high above, their colorful feathers catching the light as they glided gracefully. The sky itself was a vast, vibrant blue, with soft, white clouds scattered across it, slowly drifting as if carried by an unseen hand.

His eyes narrowed slightly, and he muttered to himself. "So this is Neverland..."

Taking a deep breath, he inhaled the air around him, only for his expression to shift dramatically. His brows furrowed, his nose wrinkled, and his lips tightened in disgust.

"Satan, are you okay?" Yuko asked, her voice filled with concern as she noticed the discomfort on his face.

"I am not," he replied curtly, his tone laced with irritation. "The air here makes me want to puke."

"What?" Yuko blinked in confusion. "What do you mean by that? The air feels completely normal to me." She glanced around as though searching for some sign of what might be bothering him. To her, the air was fresh and clean, carrying the faint scent of grass and flowers. Still, if Satan—the Devil himself—claimed it was disgusting, perhaps there was something deeper at play that she couldn't sense. "Is this something to be worried about?" she asked cautiously.

"Perhaps... I don't know," Satan muttered, his black eyes narrowing as he studied her. "But you really don't feel anything strange in this air? Not even the faintest foul smell?"

"No, nothing at all," Yuko replied, shaking her head.

Satan frowned, his mind racing. Why was he the only one feeling this way? The air wasn't just unpleasant to him—it was almost repellent, like a bitter poison clashing against his very being.

Then he remembered something from the game.

In the game's lore, demons were unique beings, born from the essence of negative emotions and concepts. Each demon represented a specific negative force—fear, hatred, despair, or similar ideas. These concepts were their very nature, defining their powers and their existence. However, positive forces that directly opposed these concepts were unbearable to them. A demon tied to fear, for example, would find courage excruciatingly intolerable. Hatred couldn't endure love, and despair was repulsed by hope. These opposing forces didn't just cause discomfort—they clashed with the core of what demons were, creating a sensation akin to poison.

Even lesser positive concepts, though not as intense as their exact opposites, could still disturb demons. Things like hope, determination, or kindness might not destroy them, but they would feel uneasy in their presence.

As Satan stood there, the pieces began to fall into place. The air in Neverland must be infused with some positive energy that clashed violently with his demonic nature. Was it hope? Innocence? Or some other force unique to this magical land? Whatever it was, it was gnawing at him.

"Anyway," Satan said, shaking off the thoughts for now. "Let's head to that dense forest over there." He pointed toward the thick cluster of trees in the distance, his voice firm and authoritative. "There's a chance your daughter might be there."

"That forest... Do you really think my daughter is there?" Yuko asked, her voice hopeful, though a hint of worry lingered in her words.

"It's possible, but I can't be sure," Satan replied. "Like I told you before, the feather only brings us close to where she's being held. There's a chance she's in that forest, maybe even with Peter Pan. If we go by the story, the forest might be home to the Indian Camp."

"The Indian Camp?" Yuko echoed, confused.

Satan sighed internally. Perhaps I should explain it better.

"Don't let the name confuse you," he said. "It doesn't refer to Native Americans or Indians from India. The Indian Camp in Neverland is a settlement of forest-dwelling people. The chief's daughter is an ally of Peter Pan. He often visits their camp or uses it as a base when fighting Captain Hook."

Yuko frowned, thinking about it. "If the Indians are allied with Peter Pan, wouldn't that make us enemies? Won't they try to attack us?"

"That's possible," Satan replied. "From what I know, they're not bad people, but they're very protective of their land. If they see us as a threat, they might attack without hesitation."

"And what will you do if they attack us?" Yuko asked, unease in her voice.

"Isn't it obvious?" Satan answered coldly. "I'll burn the whole camp down—every last person, whether they're men, women, children, or elders."

Satan's tone was firm, but a small part of him felt a deep hesitation. He said those words to keep up his role as the Devil, but in the back of his mind, he wasn't sure he could go through with it. Even though he was no longer fully human, part of his old human nature still lingered. Taking innocent lives wasn't something a person could do without it leaving a mark on them, unless they were a true psycho killer.

"You're going to kill everyone?" Yuko asked, clearly uncomfortable with the idea.

"Yes," Satan replied, his voice unwavering. "And you don't need to worry about anyone else. The only thing you should focus on is your daughter. Your daughter is the one that matters."

Yuko paused, then nodded slowly. I should only care about saving my daughter.

Satan nodded, his expression serious. "Good. Now, let's move. Flying might attract unwanted attention. We'll walk instead."

Together, they began walking toward the dense forest, the tall trees growing nearer with every step.

Suddenly, a loud voice rang out, "STOP!"

The command made them freeze.

A flash of golden light appeared before them, forcing them to shield their eyes. The glowing orb floated in the air, its brightness fading slowly. As the light dimmed, a small, human-like figure emerged from its center.

Satan narrowed his eyes, carefully observing the creature. It was tiny—no more than 15 centimeters tall. Its features were delicate, with glowing skin and long golden hair that shimmered as it moved. The tiny being wore a dress made from green clover leaves, cleverly woven to cover its chest and part of its legs, while its arms and legs were bare. Behind it, translucent wings fluttered softly, almost like a gentle hum.

Is that a fairy or a pixie? Satan thought. Many people confused the two, but in truth, they were very different creatures.

"Who are you, and how dare you block our path?" Satan demanded.

"I am Shinegleam," the creature said, her voice clear and strong. "I am a pixie who watches over Neverland, keeping it safe from threats. You two are under arrest for trespassing in Neverland without prior notice—especially you," she said, pointing directly at Satan. "You seem to be the very embodiment of darkness and evil."

Satan's mind raced. A pixie... In the stories, there was no mention of a pixie named Shinegleam or someone who watched over Neverland like this.

"Straight to the point, my little friend," Satan said with a smirk. "Tell me, who do you answer to? Some pixie queen, perhaps?"

In the original stories, there was aslo no mention of a pixie queen, so he thought it best to test the waters. Maybe things were different here.

"No, not a queen," Shinegleam replied firmly. "Neverland doesn't have a queen. But soon, I will become the first queen of Neverland. It is my responsibility to protect this land from threats like you—people who try to take advantage of it, or bring strangers into it and cause trouble, like that bastard Peter Pan."

Satan chuckled softly, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "How amusing," he said. "You're a pixie, yet you seem to hate Peter Pan. I thought your kind admired him, like that Tinker Bell."

"Do not speak that cursed pixie's name!" Shinegleam snapped, her voice filled with venom. "She's just as twisted as Peter Pan, blinded by her foolish love for him. But enough about them—tell me who you are and why you've come to Neverland."

Yuko, who had been silent during their exchange, finally spoke up. "I am Yuko," she said, looking directly at Shinegleam. Then she glanced at Satan and added, "And he is Satan—also known as the Devil himself."

"Satan... the Devil?" Shinegleam echoed, narrowing her eyes. "I don't know who you are or what you're about, but I can already tell your intentions are far from good."

Satan gave a half-hearted shrug, a cryptic smile on his face. "Perhaps... perhaps not," he said mysteriously. "What matters is this: we're here on a mission. If you let us complete our business quietly, no harm will come to you or your people."

At that, Shinegleam's small form began to glow brighter. Her golden hair seemed to come alive, swirling around her as her expression grew more intense. "You dare trespass on my land, pollute our air, and threaten my people?" she asked, her voice full of fury.

I guess it's time...

Satan reached into his inventory and pulled out a long, dark black staff. The staff had intricate crimson engravings running along its length, glowing faintly with an ominous light. The top of the staff was shaped like a blade, made from a strange blue material that shimmered as though it was alive. This was no ordinary weapon. It was called "Eternal Cries," an EX rank item. It could function both as a staff and as a sword. Not only did it increase the power of Satan's spells and skills by 25 percent, but it also boosted his overall power by 50 percent, making him a fearsome force to reckon with.

Satan raised the staff and pointed it toward Shinegleam. "I haven't threatened you. I simply gave you an ultimatum," he said, his tone steady and firm.

Hearing his words, Shinegleam's small form suddenly moved, fluttering backward quickly to put some space between them. Her tiny hands rose in front of her, palms facing upward. A soft, golden light began to gather in the air around her, sparkling and crackling with energy. As the light grew brighter, dozens, then hundreds, of small, glowing orbs appeared, floating around her like a shimmering storm. They hovered in a wide, glowing sphere, casting an eerie glow on the surroundings.

"Get behind me, now!" Satan ordered sharply. Yuko, feeling the pressure, quickly scrambled to take cover behind Satan.

Shinegleam's magic orbs began to twist and shift, transforming into lances that sparkled with deadly energy. With a fierce expression, she pointed both of her hands directly at Satan. "Feel the wrath of Neverland's protector!" she shouted, her voice surprisingly strong and fierce for someone of her size. "Die, motherfucker!"

The magical lances shot forward, filling the air like a deadly storm of light, raining toward Satan with incredible speed.

Without hesitation, Satan slammed the tip of his staff onto the ground. The moment his staff made contact, he chanted the incantation, "Sixth Tier Magic: Volcanic Wall!"

As the spell was invoked, the ground beneath them cracked and rumbled. Suddenly, the earth split open, and a surge of lava erupted from the ground, rising quickly like a powerful wave. The lava shot upward and spread out in front of them, forming a towering barrier of molten rock and fire. The intense heat and pressure from the lava created a protective shield, blocking the incoming lances as they collided with the wall. The projectiles exploded upon impact, but the Volcanic Wall held strong, shielding Satan and Yuko from the storm of magical attacks.

"How dare you hurt Neverland's Earth with your accursed magic! You made her bleed!" Shinegleam shouted, her voice filled with rage.

Her small, delicate hands came together in front of her, and as she clasped them, they began to take shape. The air around her shimmered, swirling with energy, as her hands formed the outline of a bow made of pure light. She drew the string back, her face set with determination. "Let's see how you deal with this!" she called, focusing all her remaining energy into the bow.

As she released the magical arrow, it shot forward with a piercing glow, its tip gleaming with raw power.

The arrow struck the Volcanic Wall, and for a brief moment, the lava wall shuddered. Slowly, the arrow began to push through the molten barrier, inch by inch, its force seemingly unrelenting.

Satan observed closely, his eyes narrowing as he analyzed the situation. So, she has the power to penetrate a Sixth Tier defensive spell. This means she must be at least level 335 or higher, he thought. Unless that arrow has some kind of shield-bypassing property... But even then, there's no need to worry too much...

He was still much stronger than her. But there was one thing he needed to be cautious about: his mana consumption.

Satan's mind began calculating the costs. The cost of a spell depends on its tier, multiplied by the number of times it has been upgraded. For example, the Volcanic Wall spell is a Sixth Tier magic, upgraded to Level 10, so it costs 600 MP—6 times 100. I've got a total MP pool of 10,000, which isn't too bad, but it's not as high as some others at my level. I need to be careful with my MP.

While Satan was focused on managing his mana, Shinegleam's arrow continued to push through the wall of lava, slowly but surely. He could feel the tension mounting, but he wasn't worried.

Satan raised his staff once more, and with a fluid motion, he activated another spell. "Become Ice and Die—Seventh Tier Magic: Icy Wind!" he called, his voice sharp.

As the spell was invoked, a massive wave of icy wind shot forward from Satan's staff. The air around it turned freezing cold, and the magical blast reached the lava wall, immediately freezing both the molten lava and Shinegleam's arrow mid-flight. The lava solidified into a thick layer of ice, and the glowing arrow, now encased in frost, came to a halt before shattering harmlessly to the ground.

The cold blast, however, didn't stop there.

The icy wind continued its path toward Shinegleam. It surged through the air, its biting cold aimed straight at her.

Shinegleam, however, wasn't about to let herself be hit.

With a swift twist of her hands, she summoned a gust of wind to swirl around her, her body glowing brighter as she spun the air in a defensive motion. The icy wind that was heading towards her seemed to bend and twist in the air before reflecting back toward Satan, the force of the attack returned to him with equal intensity.

Satan stood unmoving, confident that the reflected icy wind wouldn't affect him. The cold air washed over him, but it had no effect, it shattered.

"You have power, I admit that," Shinegleam said, her voice cold. "Even more so than me... Unfortunately, when it comes to understanding magic, you're a total novice."

"A novice, you say?" Satan replied, his voice growing slightly offended.

Shinegleam smirked. "When I reflected your icy spell, I could tell it was a pre-defined spell. Something only a novice like you would use. A true master, like myself, would create and manipulate magic by drawing from the sources that connect us all... You are like a beast with power you have no right to wield."

Satan's eyes narrowed. "Even so, what are you going to do about it?"

Shinegleam clasped her hands together, and a bright, swirling light surrounded her. "This..." she said, her voice serious. "I'm going to seal you!"

She sent a powerful, spiraling wave of magic towards Satan, aiming to trap him.

"Not so fast!" Satan shouted, raising his staff. "Eighth Tier Magic: Flare Bullet!"

A powerful, fiery ball shot from Satan's staff and collided with Shinegleam's magic. The two attacks collided with a massive explosion, sending shockwaves through Neverland. The ground trembled as the force of the impact spread out.

The explosion hurled Shinegleam through the air, leaving her injured and far from where she had been standing. Satan, on the other hand, stood his ground, unmoving despite the blast. Yuko had tightly gripped Satan's arm with both hands to avoid being blown away by the impact.

As the smoke cleared, Satan scanned the area, but Shinegleam was nowhere to be seen.

"Is it over, the fight?" Yuko asked, trembling, her voice filled with fear.

Satan looked around, unsure. "It is... for now," he replied, but his voice held doubt. He knew this might not be the last time they faced Shinegleam. There was always the chance that she would return, and next time, she might not come alone.

...

The forest was incredibly dense, filled with thick, towering trees that seemed to have stood there for decades. Their thick trunks were gnarled and twisted, telling stories of countless years of growth. Some of the trees looked strong and healthy, their bark smooth and dark, while others were weathered and covered in patches of green moss, giving them an ancient, almost mystical appearance. The canopies above were so thick that they nearly blocked out all sunlight, with only faint rays managing to filter through, casting dim, flickering patterns on the forest floor. The air was cool, carrying the earthy scent of damp soil and fallen leaves.

"How much longer will it take for us to reach the Indian Camp?" Yuko asked, her voice tinged with frustration. "We've been walking for more than an hour."

"I don't know," Satan replied calmly. "This is my first time in Neverland, as well, you know. I don't know the exact path."

"What does that mean...?" Yuko began, but her words trailed off, unable to finish her thought.

"Don't worry," Satan reassured her. "There's still a good chance we're on the right track." Suddenly, his sharp eyes caught movement in the distance. "Wait. Look up ahead."

Yuko followed his gaze, squinting as she tried to make out what he saw. Through the dense forest, she noticed what seemed to be a settlement in the distance. It was too far for her human eyes to make out any details. "It looks like some kind of settlement... but I can't see it clearly," she said.

"I see it," Satan replied confidently. His demonic nature granted him eyesight far superior to a human's, allowing him to see everything clearly.

"Is that because you're a demon?" Yuko asked, her curiosity evident.

"You could say that," Satan replied, a faint smirk playing on his lips. He could see the settlement clearly—a cluster of tents and small structures nestled between the ancient trees.

"Anyway, let's hurry," he said, gesturing for Yuko to follow as they picked up their pace.

The forest seemed to grow even quieter as they moved closer.

...

Inside a wooden room carved into the heart of a massive, ancient tree, five figures stood, their faces serious and tense. At the center of the room sat a man, clearly the leader. His appearance commanded respect: he wore a jacket crafted from soft white fur, paired with cream-colored linen pants and sturdy leather shoes. White markings painted on his face added an air of wisdom and authority. Atop his head was a crown made from colorful feathers, a symbol of his leadership. His seat, a throne-like chair, was carved from dark wood, painted black, and draped in animal fur, giving it an imposing look.

In front of him stood a young girl, about four feet tall, with warm tan skin. She was dressed in a brown furry coat that kept her warm, along with simple linen pants and blue leather shoes. A single blue feather crowned her head, a subtle but clear sign of her importance within the tribe.

Standing around them were three guards. Each wore cloaks made of green fur and brown linen pants, blending seamlessly with their forest surroundings. Their faces bore white markings, especially beneath their eyes, making them look both fierce and ceremonial. They gripped long, sharp spears in their hands.

"Father," the girl said, looking at the man seated on the throne-like chair, her voice filled with worry. "Everyone in the village is scared. There's an air of fear among the people... they're looking to you, the chief, for guidance and answers."

The chief nodded solemnly.

A little over an hour ago, there had been a powerful earthquake followed by a strange, explosive noise that had unsettled everyone in the village. "I see, Lily, but I don't know what guidance I can offer. I am just as uncertain about this as everyone else."

He had been busy working like everyone else, crafting a new bow and arrows for hunting. His previous set had been broken months ago during a skirmish with a notorious pirate who had attacked their tribe.

Turning to one of the guards, he said, "Go and tell the villagers not to worry. I will personally investigate this strange event."

The guard nodded and promptly left to deliver the message, leaving the chief deep in thought.

As the guard stepped outside, the Chief turned back to his daughter. "Lily, do you think Captain Hook could be responsible for this?" he asked, his tone serious.

That infamous pirate was known for wreaking havoc across Neverland, and it wouldn't be surprising if he was involved. The man was so mad with power that he would drown all of Neverland if he had the means to do so.

"I'm not sure," Lily replied, frowning. She had encountered Captain Hook and his crew several times before. They were certainly strong—or, rather, competent—but she doubted they had the power to cause an earthquake. That is, unless they had gotten their hands on some kind of magical treasure. "But one of the villagers mentioned seeing a pixie—wounded and bloodied—flying through the air at great speed."

"A pixie..." the Chief sighed deeply.

Pixies were a troublesome lot—tiny human-like beings born with mystical powers and the ability to draw energy from Neverland itself. While some lived peacefully and cared for nature, others were mischievous and often caused chaos. Their frequent infighting could lead to devastating consequences.

"Did anyone describe what the pixie looked like?"

"Based on the description," Lily said thoughtfully, "I think it was Shinegleam."

"Shinegleam…" The Chief's voice became heavier. "The Fairy of Golden Winds? The so-called protector who dreams of ruling Neverland—that Shinegleam?"

"Yes, Father. That Shinegleam," Lily confirmed.

The Chief shook his head, troubled by the news. "I see. There's something else I want to discuss with you."

"What is it, Father?" Lily asked curiously.

"I've heard that Peter Pan was here recently. And he brought a new friend with him," the Chief said, his expression darkening.

"Yes, Father," Lily said. "Is that a problem?"

"I don't appreciate him bringing strangers into the village without informing me first," the Chief replied, his voice tinged with disdain.

"Then I'll remind him next time to seek your permission," Lily said calmly, trying to ease her father's frustration.

Before they could continue, a guard burst into the cabin, panting heavily and looking visibly shaken.

"What's the matter?" the Chief asked, his voice sharp as he narrowed his eyes. "Why are you so out of breath?"

"Chief," the guard began, still trying to steady his breathing, "I was walking through the forest when I saw two strangers heading toward the village."

The Chief sat up straighter, his expression growing serious. "I see… What do they look like?"

"One is a woman," the guard replied, his voice uneasy. "She's dressed in strange clothes—nothing like what we've seen before."

"And the other?" the Chief pressed, leaning forward slightly. "What about the other?"

The guard hesitated, his face pale and troubled. "The other… is a man... with horns."

The Chief's brow furrowed. "A man with horns?" he repeated slowly, his mind racing. Something about the guard's hesitation made his stomach tighten. "Is there more about this horned man?"

The guard swallowed hard, his hands trembling slightly. "Chief… When I looked into his eyes... he waved at me like it was nothing. And then he smiled at me, and at that moment I saw…" He paused, his voice trembling. "I felt something... something that made my entire body crawl with fear."

"What did you see?" the Chief demanded, his tone urgent.

"I saw death," the guard finally said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Death is on its way for us."

The cabin fell silent, the guard's chilling words hanging heavily in the air. The other guards exchanged uneasy glances, while Lily stood frozen, her face pale.

The Chief clenched his fists, his jaw tightening as he rose from his seat. "Prepare the village," he ordered firmly, his voice cutting through the tense silence. "Gather the warriors. We need to be ready for whatever—or whoever—is coming."

Next chapter will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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