Thalia couldn't help but repeat the demon's name: "Behemoth." As she did, her mind was suddenly flooded with information and memories that were not her own. The images she saw were of people who resembled her, but they were not actually her. Among them, she caught a glimpse of her mother.
"Kameron, are you alright, lover?" Thalia recognized the voice as her father's, but his face appeared much younger, adorned with a funny-looking beard. She deduced that her mother must have been pregnant with Theo at this time. The only picture she had seen of her father with a beard was during her mother's pregnancy with Theo.
The memories shifted to her mother as a little girl, where an older Black woman, who looked like a more aged version of her mother, was gently running her hands through her long brunette hair. Thalia could feel the woman's tender fingers twisting and braiding her hair.
"I have always loved your beautiful hair, kam kam," the woman said lovingly.
Thalia's mother giggled, appearing to be no older than seven or eight. Thalia felt the gentle way her grandmother was treating her hair.
"Kameron, you're old enough to understand the clan's responsibilities," the older woman said, drawing Kameron's attention.
"What responsibility, Mama?" Kameron asked, intrigued. Her mother paused, still braiding her hair as if pondering her words carefully.
"We are of noble blood. Our ancestors founded the sacred brotherhood, known as Sigma. The primary objective of the brotherhood has always been to maintain the balance of the world. This responsibility dates back to the first man and the three legendary primeval beasts, each ruling a portion of this world. Humans would later recognize them as great threats to our existence. Most notably among them was the primeval demon Behemoth, who ruled the land. They say his bones were like tubes of bronze and his limbs like bars of iron."
Kameron tilted her head to the side. "His bones were like bronze and his limbs like bars of iron. I overheard Grandpa say something like that when that big hay bale fell on his head. Everyone was worried he had a concussion, but the doctor said he was fine."
Her mother was surprised that Kameron could remember something that had happened when she was just five years old.
"I remember crying. My tears soaked Grandpa's pant leg. He rubbed my head and told me not to worry. He said his bones were like tubes of bronze and his limbs like bars of iron," Kameron recalled.
Her mother smiled at the memory.
"This should be easier to explain than 'kam kam.' Everyone was very concerned about Grandpa that day because those hay bales weighed 65 pounds each. Under normal circumstances, a man would be crushed by one, let alone two. However, your grandfather is no ordinary man. He is a chosen vessel who carries a primordial beast inside his body, harnessing the creature's power."
Kameron looked a bit confused and pulled away from her mother.
"Grandpa is no demon, silly. He's just a funny old man. He says so himself right before making goofy faces."
"Well, that is true. Your grandfather can be quite goofy. However, he isn't necessarily a demon. He holds the demon within himself. The vessel possesses incredible regenerative abilities, combined with the boundless strength of the beast inside. In your grandfather's prime, he was known as the strongest man in all four sectors. His physical strength was even recognized by the four kings."
Kameron's light green eyes widened. "Is he stronger than Papa?" she asked with a curious look on her face. Her mother laughed.
"Even your Papa was no match for your grandpa ten years ago." Kameron giggled and glanced into the old mirror in her room, admiring her freshly braided hair. Her mother came behind her and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Kameron, I'm telling you this because once you are old enough to have children, your grandfather will no longer be with us. That means a new vessel will be needed for the behemoth. It will be your firstborn son, just as it has been for the last 25 generations. Whenever a vessel is no longer with us, a new one will always emerge in the firstborn son of the subsequent generation. It is both our blessing and sometimes our curse."
Kameron couldn't help but notice how serious her mother's face was; she shifted uncomfortably on her mother's lap. "I don't want any demon as a baby! Mama, I will never have kids!" She shook her head in defiance.
Her mother squeezed her shoulder. "Oh, hush, child. One day, you will find someone worth starting a family with—a man who will love you as I do."