HOME | DD

Description
This was my entry for the 2021 onmyoji global fanart & skin contest.
The accompanying story:
One night, when the flow of sake had long stopped and the demon realm was unusually quiet, I was overcome with a strange, nostalic feeling. Closing my eyes, vague images of long forgotten memories blossomed into my mind. Even now I could imagine the crisp air of the night, the vast starry sky stretching over Mt. Ibuki. The quiet sound of rain against the temple roof, the lotus flowers in the pond adorned with droplets like tiny jewels...
But it was never meant to be. Just how the flowers soon began to wither, my worshipper's faces were painted with grief and agony. The human world was so volatile, what was there to believe in, what was there to protect?
In the vast Demon Domain, there were no starry skies or flowers. I burned down all such frivolous concepts, and battled myself to the top of this place, where only the most powerful could survive.
And yet, a familiar feeling of doubt curled tightly around my chest... Tracing the ever smooth surface of the prayer beads I've been carrying with me all this time, I began mumbling words I haven't spoken for centuries. But neither sake nor verses could calm these restless embers.

Description
This was my entry for the 2021 onmyoji global fanart & skin contest.
The accompanying story:
One night, when the flow of sake had long stopped and the demon realm was unusually quiet, I was overcome with a strange, nostalic feeling. Closing my eyes, vague images of long forgotten memories blossomed into my mind. Even now I could imagine the crisp air of the night, the vast starry sky stretching over Mt. Ibuki. The quiet sound of rain against the temple roof, the lotus flowers in the pond adorned with droplets like tiny jewels...
But it was never meant to be. Just how the flowers soon began to wither, my worshipper's faces were painted with grief and agony. The human world was so volatile, what was there to believe in, what was there to protect?
In the vast Demon Domain, there were no starry skies or flowers. I burned down all such frivolous concepts, and battled myself to the top of this place, where only the most powerful could survive.
And yet, a familiar feeling of doubt curled tightly around my chest... Tracing the ever smooth surface of the prayer beads I've been carrying with me all this time, I began mumbling words I haven't spoken for centuries. But neither sake nor verses could calm these restless embers.