Chapter Text
In the shadowed depths of the ancient world, where the light of the sun barely touched the earth and the stars whispered secrets to the night, there reigned a goddess unlike any other. Her name was Nyx, the primordial Goddess of the Night itself, a force as old as creation and as boundless as the heavens.
Nyx was no mere deity; she was one of the Protogenoi, the very first beings to emerge from the swirling chaos that existed before time began. From her, the night spread across the world, an all-encompassing darkness that could soothe and terrify, conceal and reveal. She was the mother of sleep and dreams, of death and fate, and even the gods themselves would lower their heads in respect and fear before her. Zeus, the king of the gods, dared not cross her, for Nyx's power was ancient and absolute. With a mere whisper, she could sway the balance of the universe, and her presence commanded both awe and reverence.
But Nyx was more than just the darkness; she was also the mother of many powerful and fearsome children. Among them were Hypnos, the god of sleep, and Thanatos, the god of death. But there were others, too—Eris, the spirit of strife, and Nemesis, the goddess of retribution. They were not born from the union of gods but from the very essence of Nyx herself, her shadows given form and purpose.
In a world where gods ruled the heavens and mortals walked the earth, there existed a bridge between the two—the demigods. These were the children of gods and mortals, beings of extraordinary power who carried the blood of divinity in their veins.
A demigod’s strength was often manifest in physical prowess far beyond that of ordinary mortals. They possessed extraordinary agility, endurance, and combat skills, traits that made them formidable warriors and champions of heroic quests. Some demigods were gifted with exceptional charisma or intellect, allowing them to lead, inspire, or outwit their enemies with ease. In addition to their enhanced physical abilities, demigods frequently inherited specific powers from their divine parent. These powers could range from elemental control, such as manipulating fire or water, to more abstract abilities like prophecy or the manipulation of time.
Despite their remarkable abilities, demigods were not invincible. Their mortality remained, making them susceptible to the frailties and challenges of human existence. They grappled with their dual nature, balancing their divine heritage with the everyday struggles of their mortal lives.
Itadori Yuuji, the offspring of Nyx, the primordial goddess of night and a mortal, embodied a unique confluence of celestial and earthly traits. His appearance was a striking amalgamation of his divine and mortal heritage. From his father, Yuuji inherited a cascade of pink hair, a vivid and unusual hue that stood out in a crowd and hinted at his unique lineage. However, his eyes were a gift from his mother—a pair of deep, golden orbs that gleamed with an otherworldly luminance, reflecting the ancient, cosmic essence of the night.
As a child of such a powerful deity, Yuuji was gifted with an array of formidable abilities, each one a reflection of his mother’s dominion over the night and the cosmic forces that lay beyond. His powers were both wondrous and terrifying in their scope, embodying the very essence of the shadowed realms from which he hailed.
Yuuji’s primary ability was umbrakinesis, the power to manipulate and control shadows and darkness. With a mere thought, he could summon and shape darkness into tangible forms, creating tendrils of shadow that could ensnare or repel, or craft veils of night that rendered him nearly invisible. This gift allowed him to cloak himself in the abyssal silence of night, making him a phantom in the eyes of those who sought to find him.
In addition, Yuuji possessed phobikinesis, a rare and unsettling power to influence and amplify the fears of others. By invoking the deepest anxieties hidden within a person’s psyche, he could render them paralyzed with terror or bend their will to his advantage, a skill that made him both a potent ally and a formidable adversary.
Dream manipulation was another facet of Yuuji’s abilities, inherited directly from Nyx’s control over dreams and nightmares. He could enter and alter the dreams of others, weaving illusions that could offer comfort or inflict dread, shaping the subconscious realms with a deft hand. His influence extended beyond mere dreams, allowing him to manipulate the very fabric of sleep and wakefulness.
Yuuji’s connection to the night granted him night empowerment, a significant enhancement of his strength and abilities under the cover of darkness. His senses sharpened, and his physical prowess was magnified when surrounded by the veil of night, making him an unstoppable force in the moonlit hours.
Chaos manipulation, another of his powers, allowed Yuuji to influence and control the unpredictable forces of chaos. He could disrupt the order of events, sow confusion, and create disarray, bending the inherent randomness of existence to his will. This power was a testament to the primordial nature of his mother, whose influence over the cosmos was both awe-inspiring and fearsome.
Finally, Yuuji possessed a latent cosmic power, a reflection of Nyx’s dominion over the universe's limitless expanse. This ability encompassed the manipulation of cosmic energies and the very fabric of existence. Yuuji could tap into the vast, untamed energies of the cosmos, shaping reality with the sweep of his hand, whether it be through altering space, bending time, or invoking the raw forces of the universe. This power was a link to the infinite, a manifestation of the divine vastness that lay beyond the mortal realm.
Itadori Yuuji was known as one of the most powerful demigods at Half-Blood Institute. His skills and abilities set him apart from others, making him a standout figure among his peers.
The teen’s golden eyes wandered across the vast expanse, surrounded by a sea of thousands of stars. He stood in the midst of an infinite, shadowy expanse where the night sky seemed to stretch endlessly, glittering with a million celestial lights. The air was filled with a deep, calm silence, and the stars twinkled like scattered jewels, casting a gentle, ethereal glow.
Standing in awe, Yuuji felt a soft ethereal breeze stir the mist before him. From within the swirling darkness, a figure began to emerge. A beautiful woman with neck-length black hair appeared, her form graceful and otherworldly. As she stepped closer, the mist parted to reveal more of her exquisite features. Her forehead bore a unique mark, a delicate star symbol that looked like stitches, glowing softly against her pale skin.
The woman stepped forward, she reached out with a gentle hand, her fingers brushing against the boy’s cheek. The touch was soft, comforting, and filled with warmth. "Yuuji, my child." she said softly, her voice a soothing melody in the vast darkness.
Yuuji leaned into his mother’s touch, feeling the warmth of her hand against his cheek. "Mother."
Although Nyx possessed immense power as the primordial goddess, she was always gentle and caring with her children, especially with Yuuji, her only mortal son. She looked at him with a tender smile, her golden eyes filled with love.
"Happy 15th birthday, my dear." Nyx said softly, her voice soothing like the quiet of a starry night. "I have a special gift for you," she said softly, "one that I will give you later. For now, just know that I am always watching over you."
Nyx gently cupped Yuuji’s face with both hands, her touch warm and reassuring. "It’s time for you to go now." she said softly, her voice a gentle whisper in the vast expanse. With a loving smile, she leaned in and pressed a tender kiss to his forehead. The kiss felt like a promise, a lingering warmth that enveloped him.
As Nyx’s form began to dissolve into the shadows of the night, Yuuji’s eyes fluttered open. He found himself lying in the backseat of his father’s car, the familiar hum of the engine and the soft glow of the sunlight greeting him. His father, focused on the road, occasionally glanced in the rearview mirror with a proud smile. Yuuji’s thoughts raced as he remembered the significance of the day—his father was taking him to the Half-Blood Institute, the prestigious school for demigods like himself.
At the institute, students with divine parentage were trained to harness their unique abilities and learn about their heritage. Yuuji’s heart fluttered with both excitement and nervousness, he was about meeting other demigods. While the car rolled toward his new school, Yuuji couldn’t help but wonder about the other demigods he would meet. He imagined what the children of different gods and goddesses might look like and what powers they might possess.
One and a half hours passed, they arrived at the old, ivy-clad school, its once-grand façade now draped in an air of faded grandeur. Yuuji glanced out the window to see a group of teenagers waiting at the gate. As a luxurious car came to a halt in front of them, the students’ chatter hushed. They leaned closer to each other, whispering with growing intrigue about who might be arriving. The car door swung open, and a teen with eye-catching pink hair stepped out, his ethereal beauty immediately capturing the attention of everyone present. His pink hair shimmered softly in the sunlight, each strand catching the light like spun gold. And his golden eyes sparkled like the first rays of dawn, adding to his airy presence.
The other students, taken aback by his beauty, began to speculate among themselves. With his luminous appearance and otherworldly aura, many assumed that this stunning boy must be the child of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty.
Itadori Jin, Yuuji's father, standing beside the car, placed a reassuring hand on his son’s shoulder. "Take care of yourself, Yuuji."
Yuuji took a deep breath and began to walk toward the entrance of the school. As he approached, a teenage boy stepped forward, offering a shy yet friendly smile. The boy had soft, brunette hair that fell neatly around his face, and his eyes were a warm dark green, reflecting a gentle, approachable demeanor.
His face lit up with a welcoming smile as he greeted the newcomer. "Hi there! I’m Itadori Yuuji. What’s your name?"
The boy’s smile widened, and he responded with a touch of shyness, "I’m Yoshino Junpei. Nice to meet you."
"So... Yoshino, which god or goddess are you the child of?" he asked, genuinely interested in his new acquaintance’s divine lineage.
Junpei shook his head and explained, "We won’t find out who our divine parent is until we take an identification test. The students here don’t know their parentage until the test results come in."
Yuuji blinked in confusion. This was strange to him. Since he was a child, he had always known his mother was Nyx, and he even knew her mortal name, Itadori Kaori. Every birthday, she had given him a special gift, a reminder of her presence. He had always felt a deep connection to his divine heritage. The idea that others didn’t know their divine parents seemed odd to him.
Junpei looked at Yuuji, from head to toe, and said, "Based on your appearance, you must be a child of Aphrodite."
Yuuji shook his head, smiling slightly. "Actually, I’m the child of Nyx."
Junpei tilted his head, clearly unfamiliar with the name. He was about to ask who Nyx was when a new voice interrupted them.
A boy with slick black hair and striking crimson eyes stepped in, his presence demanding attention. Without needing an identification test, he already knew his lineage. "How can you be so sure you’re a child of Nyx?" he mocked the pinkette. "Nyx is known for her dark hair, not pink. And besides, Nyx is the second most powerful goddess, even the twelve Olympians fear her. You don’t look strong enough to be her child."
"I'm t—"
With a dismissive wave to cut yuuji off, then introduced himself with an arrogant smirk. "I’m Ryoumen Sukuna, and unlike you, I know for sure that I’m a child of Hades." his tone was filled with a sense of superiority, as if his own lineage was far more impressive than Yuuji’s.
Yuuji’s frustration grew as Sukuna’s mocking words hit a nerve. His golden eyes narrowed into a glare, a storm of anger brewing within him. He clenched his fists, feeling a surge of irritation at the audacity of the person in front of him.
If it weren’t for his mother’s strict prohibition against using his powers in such a way, Yuuji would have already unleashed his abilities on Sukuna. He imagined how satisfying it would be to haunt Sukuna’s dreams, to twist his nights into endless nightmares filled with torment. But Yuuji forced himself to stay calm, reminding himself of his mother’s rules.
Sukuna’s gaze remained fixed on the pink-haired boy, unable to tear his eyes away. Despite the irritation and anger radiating from Yuuji, Sukuna found himself oddly captivated by the teen’s appearance. There was something undeniably mesmerizing about the way Yuuji's golden eyes blazed with anger, a stunning contrast to his usually serene demeanor. He couldn't help but admire the boy’s fierce expression—it was like watching a delicate flower blooming in the midst of a storm.
'Isn’t it amusing.' Sukuna thought to himself, 'How can someone so seemingly delicate can hold such a fierce glare?'
He licked his upper lip, a smirk curling at the corners of his mouth. "You know," he said, his voice dripping with mockery, "with that look, you seem more like a child of Aphrodite than Nyx."
Yuuji’s patience finally snapped. "That’s it!" he growled through his gritted teeth, his voice was low and dangerous. If Junpei hadn’t intervened, Yuuji would have already had his hands around Sukuna’s throat, choking him into silence.
With a scowl, Yuuji spat venomous words at Sukuna. "You have no idea how much I could make you suffer." he hissed. "I could use my powers to make your nights a living nightmare, filling your dreams with endless terror. I could make shadows wrap around you, suffocating and tormenting you. I could bend the chaos of your mind until you lose all sense of reality." Junpei grabbed his arm, trying to hold him back, but Yuuji’s eyes were locked on Sukuna.
Sukuna’s smirk only grew, but Yuuji’s fury was barely kept in check, his hands trembling with the effort it took to restrain himself.
A sharp clap echoed through the courtyard, immediately drawing the attention of the gathered students. The chatter died down as everyone turned toward the source of the sound. Standing atop the steps of the old building was a tall, slender young man with mischievous green eyes and a playful grin. His tousled brown hair fell casually across his forehead, and he wore a simple tunic with a winged sandal emblem stitched onto the chest.
"Alright, everyone, listen up!" the young man called out, his voice carrying a warm, welcoming tone. "I’m Alexios, and I’m a child of Hermes, and I’ll be your guide today." he gestured to the school behind him, a place that seemed more ancient and imposing with each passing second. "I’m sure many of you are eager to discover your lineage. It’s the first step in understanding who you are and what you’re capable of."
Excitement buzzed through the students, a collective murmur of anticipation. Alexios nodded, clearly enjoying the energy of the group. "Now, follow me." he instructed, turning on his heel with a fluid grace that was almost otherworldly. The students followed him through the grand entrance of the school, their steps echoing in the stone corridors. At the far end of the hall, a towering, shimmering portal stood. The portal was an oval-shaped vortex, swirling with a mix of vibrant colors—blues, purples, and greens—that seemed to blend into one another like an ever-shifting kaleidoscope. The energy emanating from it was palpable, making the air around it hum with a strange, otherworldly power.
Alexios stopped in front of the portal and turned to address the group. "This," he said with a flourish, "is how you will know your divine parentage. The portal connects to a realm beyond our world, a place where the essence of your lineage will be revealed. Step through, and you’ll emerge with a clear understanding of who you are."
One by one, the students walked forward, disappearing into the portal’s shimmering surface. Yuuji watched them with a mix of curiosity and trepidation until it was finally his turn. He took a deep breath, his heart pounding in his chest, and approached the portal. He hesitated for a moment, his golden eyes reflecting the strange colors of the portal. Tentatively, he lifted his right hand, and reached out the portal's surface. The instant his fingers touched the portal, they passed through the surface as though it were made of mist.
The pinkette's eyes widened in surprise, his breath catching in his throat. The portal felt cool and soft against his skin, almost like dipping his hand into a pool of water. Gathering his courage, he took a deep breath and stepped forward, allowing the portal to swallow him whole. The sensation was unlike anything he had ever felt before. It was as if he were being pulled through space and time, his body weightless and suspended in a void of swirling light. For a moment, there was nothing but the sound of his own heartbeat, echoing in the emptiness.
And then, just as suddenly, Yuuji emerged on the other side, his feet touching down on solid ground once more. He found himself in a vast, spacious room that felt almost like an ancient amphitheater. The ceiling arched high above, disappearing into shadow, while the walls were lined with intricate carvings depicting the gods, goddesses, and legendary heroes. At the center of the room stood a grand podium, made of stone and inscribed with glowing runes, that seemed to radiate power.
The child of Hermes surveyed the group of new students with a casual smile, his gaze lingering on the curious and nervous faces before him. "Alright!" he called out, breaking the tense silence that had settled over the room. "Who’s going to be the first to step up to the podium?"
Before anyone could respond, a figure pushed past the others with an air of arrogance that was impossible to ignore. The boy with black slicked-back hair and crimson eyes strode forward with a confidence that bordered on audacity. He didn’t wait for an invitation, didn’t even acknowledge the murmurs of surprise from the other students. Instead, he simply moved to the foot of the podium, his lips curling into a smirk as he glanced back at the others.
Alexios raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the boldness of the young man. "Looks like we have a volunteer." he said, a hint of amusement in his voice. He gestured for the boy to proceed. "Go ahead, step up onto the podium."
With a swift motion, the boy leaped onto the podium with a grace that belied his brash demeanor. He stood tall in the center, eyes gleaming with expectation. The room seemed to hold its breath, tension building in the air.
The identification test began as an ancient, unseen force responded to his presence. The air around the boy crackled with dark energy, shadows gathering at his feet and swirling upward in a menacing dance. The room grew darker, as if the light itself was being swallowed by the darkness surrounding him. This was no ordinary darkness. It was cold, suffocating, and filled with a sense of dread that chilled the bones of everyone watching. From the shadows, ghostly wisps began to rise, circling around Sukuna. Some of them taking shape in the form of spectral hands clawing their way out of the ground. These were the remnants of lost souls, drawn to him like moths to a flame. The boy’s eyes glowed a deeper crimson, his power on full display.
Then, above his head, the symbol of a god began to materialize. The students watched in awe and fear as the shadowy figure of a skull, wreathed in flames and surrounded by a pair of crossed bones, appeared and hovered above him. The symbol pulsed with an ominous light, a clear mark of his godly parent. After a few moments, the symbol vanished, and the shadows dissipated, leaving the red-eyed teen standing there with a smug smile.
Alexios nodded, clearly impressed by the display. "It appears you are indeed a child of Hades." he said, his tone mixed with respect and a hint of surprise. The room buzzed with whispers from the other students, acknowledging the impressive display of power.
Hades, one of the most powerful deities in Greek Gods, was renowned as one of the Big Three gods, alongside Zeus and Poseidon. As the ruler of the Underworld, Hades wielded immense power over the dead and the realm of the afterlife. His dominion extended over all that lay beneath the earth, and his control over souls and the afterlife made him a figure of great authority and fear.
Given Hades’ formidable status, Sukuna's claim to be the God of the Underworld's child immediately captured the attention and admiration of many students. Sukuna's status as a demigod of such a powerful lineage naturally led to an increase in his prestige. The aura of authority and the display of his divine heritage elevated him in the eyes of his peers.
Sukuna, still basking in the glow of his newly affirmed status, turned to Alexios with a mocking smirk. "You know?" he said, his voice dripping with disdain, "There’s someone down there who’s been claiming to be the child of Nyx. Why don’t you have him take the identification test? After all, if he’s truly a child of Nyx, it should be interesting to see what kind of power he has."
Alexios’s expression shifted slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. He was well aware of Nyx, the primordial goddess of the night, a figure of immense power and mystery. The idea of her having a mortal child was almost inconceivable to him. Nyx was a primordial deity, beyond the usual scope of the Olympian and Titan lineage.
The notion was so extraordinary that Alexios struggled to mask his skepticism. "Nyx?" he repeated, his voice tinged with disbelief. "That’s… a bold claim. It’s quite rare, if not unheard of, for a primordial deity like Nyx to have a mortal child. But, if someone is indeed making such a claim, I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to verify it." He glanced at the crowd with a hint of curiosity in his eyes. "Very well, let’s see what this is about."
Sukuna motioned for Yuuji to approach the podium. "Come on, pink pretty boy.” Sukuna taunted.
Yuuji walked towards the podium, his golden eyes locked on Sukuna with a piercing glare. Every step he took was fueled by a growing resentment toward the red-eyed demigod. Sukuna’s taunts and mocking demeanor had struck a nerve, stirring a deep-seated irritation within Yuuji. The smirk on Sukuna's face only intensified Yuuji’s disdain.
The child of hades, still enjoying the attention, leaned in slightly and added with a smirk, "Don’t feel disappointed if you end up being the child of Aphrodite or Eros. Okay?"
Reaching the podium, Yuuji took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of emotions within him. The eyes of the students were on him, and he could feel their curiosity and skepticism. With one last, heated glance at Sukuna, Yuuji prepared himself for the identification test, determined to prove his lineage and, more importantly, to silence the mockery once and for all.
With that, Sukuna stepped aside, leaving Yuuji to face the podium. The challenge in Sukuna’s words was clear, and the eyes of the other students were fixed on Yuuji, awaiting the outcome with bated breath. Standing at the center of the podium, Yuuji took a deep breath and slowly closed his eyes, shutting out the murmurs and whispers from the students around him.
In the darkness behind his closed eyelids, Yuuji felt a familiar power stir within him, an ancient energy coursing through his veins. The shadows at the edges of the room began to creep inward, thickening and swirling around the podium, engulfing the room in a velvety shadow.
Suddenly, the shadows deepened, spreading out from Yuuji like ink dissolving into water, and the vast expanse above him began to shimmer with the emergence of countless stars. One by one, they blinked into existence, forming constellations that twinkled with a transcendent light. Above his head, a crescent moon slowly materialized, glowing softly with a silver light that cast a mystic glow over him. It was his mother's symbol. The mist, dark and swirling, began to gather around him, weaving through the stars like a living thing, shrouding Yuuji in a mysterious veil that seemed to pulse with an ancient power.
The symbol shone with a celestial brilliance, revealing the true nature of his divine heritage. A symbol that radiated an intense, almost terrifying power. Once the darkness began to recede, pulling back slowly, the stars fading one by one, and the crescent moon dissolved into the thin air, leaving Yuuji standing alone on the podium.
Silence fell over the hall, with students around him awestruck. The overwhelming display of his abilities left no doubt about the divine heritage flowing through his veins.