Of Monsters and Demons

"Of Monsters and Demons" (鬼とバケモノ) is the one hundred and seventeenth chapter of the Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign manga series, written by Takaya Kagami and illustrated by Yamato Yamamoto.

Synopsis
In the past Ashera sat with Krul in a field with bodies strewn around them. Where Ashera felt he put a curse on her, Krul was fine so long as she is with him.

Guren shouts that Yu is trying to devour Asuramaru. Tackling Yu to the ground, Krul calls to her brother. Beneath a thunderstorm, Asuramaru pleads with the First to answer him as Yu seeks power. Although Yu says he will save Krul, Asuramaru states he is only after saving Mika.

Transported, Shikama Doji communicates to Asuramaru that his usefulness is over and to let Yu devour him. Struck at being cast away, Asuramaru means to fight Yu where he will not listen to him or the First. Seeing it as Yu is trying to save Mika, and Asuramaru is attempting to save Krul, they both clash.

Although Asuramaru is cut in half, he can bite into Yu to drain his desire. Healed, Asuramaru states to Yu that Mika will not heal him since he wants to die. Assuring Asuramaru that he was right not to give up on his sister, Yu is not giving up on Mika even if he himself dies. They resume their combat.

Characters
List of characters in order of appearance:


 * Asuramaru (flashback of Ashera Tepes as a vampire as well)
 * Krul Tepes (flashback and visualized as well)
 * Yūichirō Hyakuya (flashback as a child as well)
 * Mikaela Hyakuya (mentioned and called upon to power his sword)
 * Guren Ichinose
 * Shinoa Hīragi
 * Yoichi Saotome
 * Shikama Dōji (mentioned and seen as well and flashback as Sika Madu)
 * Mikaela (flashback)
 * Lest Karr
 * Urd Geales
 * Saitō

Summary
Every now and then, Krul has memories of her brother flash in her mind. It is recalled that beneath a moonlit sky that Ashera was sat in a meadow with Krul resting on his lap. After Ashera said he was sorry to her, Krul questioned why he was apologizing. Feeling this was his fault, Ashrea said he let this happen. Petals drifting around also drift towards the bloodied bodies strewn around Ashera and Krul in the field. Firm that it is not his fault, Krul told Ashera what's done is done and reiterates it is not his fault.

Feeling it really is his fault, Ashera spoke how he put a curse on Krul. Stating for him to stop blaming himself, Krul said if she gets to be with him, then she is happy. Wondering how long this will last, it was mentioned that they do not grow or age. As for how many years this would last, centuries and millennia were considerations. Giving it some thought, Krul decided she would be fine no matter how long it is. If she had Ashera then Krul felt she would be okay. In response, Ashera affectionately patted Krul's head as they spent time in the meadow.

Beneath the floors of Akihabara in the present time, Yu yells loudly in rage. Ordering others to stop him, Guren shouts that Yu is trying to devour Asuramaru. While Shinoa and Yoichi call Yu, Krul reacts and speaks Ashera's name. Grasping him by the neck, Krul pushes Yu to the ground. Calling to Ashera, she asks if he can hear her. Turning to Guren to ask if he can suppress Yu's demons, the answer is yes. Shouting for Ashera to hang in there, Krul states she will save him

Within Asuramaru's realm, as lightning bolts crash down from the dark clouds above, Yu orders the demon to give him power now. Leaping away, Asuramaru pleads with the First to please answer what is he supposed to do. Finding Yu reach towards him, Asuramaru damns the situation and conjures his sword.

Slashing Yu's arm off, Asuramaru seizes the limb and bounds away with it. Proceeding to eat from the arm, Asuramaru needs to eat human greed. Calmly asking Mikaela to regenerate that, Yu's left arm is restored. After Asuramaru labels him a monster, Yu laughs somewhat before suggesting for them to become a monstrous demon together. Asuramaru states that Yu's cause is not his. When Yu says he will save everyone, Asuramaru responds that he only wants to save Mikaela.

Asking what about him, Yu addresses how Asuramaru only wants to save his sister. Taken aback, Asuramaru is shocked that Yu looked inside his heart. Responding that Asuramaru looked inside his, Yu then moves on to say he will devour his desires and make Mikaela eat them too. Livid, Asuramaru declares that Yu really has become a monster. Telling him it is alright, Yu says he will make Asuramaru's wish come true. Questioning what he means by his wish, it is to save Krul, yet Asuramaru is of the view that Yu will not save her. When Yu says he will, Asuramaru shouts he will not save anyone.

After Yu says he will save everyone, Asuramaru mentions both of them, while Sika Madu and the Yu from the past are envisioned viewing the coffin containing the corpse of Mikaela. At the time, Ashera was standing at the doorway observing them. From the start, Asuramaru shouts Yu has only ever had eyes for Mikaela.

Speaking Mika's name has the sword he can power appear. Asuramaru states he will not let Yu devour him. Yu answers that he is more powerful than him, however Asuramaru decides he still has to fight as he is saving his sister. Although Yu speaks that he will save her for him, Asuramaru does not trust him. The question on Shikama Doji being trusted goes unanswered. Requesting that Ashera let himself be devoured, Yu says he will grant his wish. His thoughts turning to the First, Asuramaru wonders if this is what he wanted of him. If he does what the First wants, Asuramaru thinks will the First save Krul like he promised.

Shikama Doji has many long spikes stabbed through his arms, body and legs which pins him to the floor. Transported via a truck, Lest Karr and Urd sit nearby. As Shikama Doji begins laughing to himself, Saito asks what is so funny. Saito details how the First is pinned, is helpless, and has no hope of victory. Then wondering if everything is still going according to his plan, Saito adds if so then they will put a stop to it. Seeing that Shikama Doji continues to smile, Saito glares at him before questioning what is so amusing.

Closing his eyes, Shikama Doji speaks that the individual he is contacting's usefulness to him is over. Everything is going as it ought to, and Shikama Doji states he should let himself be devoured. Saito physically nearby addresses the devour part and wonders who, and what Shikama Doji means.

The communication having reached the intended recipient, Asuramaru is stunned. Repeating the words that his usefulness is over, Asuramaru asks is that it. Processing that Shikama Doji has taken advantage of him for millennia, Asuramaru registers that now he is just being thrown away.

Looking to Yu regarding the sky, Asuramaru damns the angels and considers of all the disrespect. Meanwhile Yu is aware they have injected a substance and he has to hurry. Even after he devours Asuramaru he will not be able to move. Realizing his name is being called, Asuramaru is asked can he hear. The voice guides him to stop Yu, hold him off until the substance takes effect and then they can save him.

Manifesting a sword, Asuramaru thinks he is one pathetic excuse for a brother for letting his sister suffer for that long. After Yu questions if he is fighting him, Asuramaru replies that he is not listening to him or the First. Although the claim is he is not Shikama Doji, the impression is he is still being manipulated one way or the other. Ultimately, Asuramaru feels it does not matter, he has failed so often. Since the day he cursed his sister, Asuramaru says it has been failure after failure.

Meaning to make up for the failures, Asuramaru readies the two swords he is holding. Resolving to stop Yu, and kill him if he must, Asuramaru includes Mikaela inside him as well. If he can disrupt the First's plans here, Asuramaru reasons then maybe he can save Krul. When Yu states that he will save her, Asuramaru responds for him to go off and save Mikaela, he will focus on his sister.

Both Yu and Asuramaru vanish and appear to clash swords with one another. As Yu blocks, Asuramaru slashes wildly at him. Invoking the "Asura Kannon... Million Blades" power, Asuramaru generates a dark circle above Yu with a multitude of swords prepared. Viewing them above him, Yu speaks for Mikaela to slice it open. After a thunder-strike, Yu is able to evade Asuramaru's attack. Seeing him, Asuramaru judges Yu is too fast and he cannot hit him.

Speaking for Mikaela to slice it open, Yu heads towards where Asuramaru is who has two swords levitating beside him. Although apparently surprised at this, Yu is still able to cut Asuramaru in half at the waist. Taking ahold of his shoulder, Asuramaru can still invoke Asura Kannon... Million Blades. Two large ovals appears on either side of them which both fire many swords ahead. Yu notices one behind him and Asuramaru calls for the power to stab him.

The swords fly towards Yu which strike him, as well as Asuramaru in their path. The swords, as well as Asurmaru biting into Yu's neck are used to devour his desire. A lightning surge and explosion separates the combatants. Falling to the ground, Asuramaru's severed upper half speaks how the power is good, and is coming back to him. Reaching the floor, Asuramaru zips towards his lower body. Placing himself back together, Asurmaru uses his hand to heal the wound.

Looking to Yu who has swords descending around him, he is checking the injury on his neck and sees it bleed. Announcing that it looks like he can win, Asuramaru asks does Yu know why his neck is not healing. As Yu is silent, Asuramaru answers that it is because Mikaela is refusing to do it and he wants him to lose. The way things are going, Asuramaru judges the First wins, he is still manipulating him.

Where Yu is remaining silent, Asuramaru states that Mika wants to die. When their time comes, humans are supposed to die. Envisioned happy, Krul as a vampire holds a bouquet of flowers. Asuramaru speaks there is still time if Yu acts now and for him to not make the same mistake he did. Contemplating the blood on his hand, Yu rejects Asuramaru's view and affirms he was right not not give up on his sister. Stating that is how humanity should be, Yu says he is not going to give up Mikaela.

Hearing that, Asuramaru states that Yu would be stuck in that loop until he dies. Fine with that, Yu answers that like him he will not give up until he dies. Adjusting his sentiment, Yu then clarifies that he will not give up even if he does die. Seeing the matter, Yu also understands the situation. As Asuramaru produces a sword, Mika's sword is also ready. Surrounded by electricity, Yu makes his way downwards while Asuramaru directs himself up to him to recommence their battle.

Quotes
"No, it's not your fault! What's done is done. It's nobody's fault."

- Krul assures Ashera who has reservations about their vampire state.

"I'll be fine, no matter how long it is. If I have you, then I'll be okay."

- Krul unconcerned about what the future holds so long as she has Ashera with her.

"Stop him! Yu's trying to devour Asuramaru!"

- Guren aware of what is transpiring, and warning others.

"First!! First, please! Answer me! What am I supposed to do?!"

- Asuramaru calls to Shikama Doji in how to react to Yu.

"Ha ha... Let's become a monstrous demon together. I'll save everyone."

- Yu's response to being called a monster, and attempting to have Asuramaru believe he will help.

"I'll devour your desires... ...And make Mikaela eat them too."

- Yu's intent after addressing how Asuramaru looked inside his heart.

"You really have become a monster!"

- Asuramaru to Yu after he said he will devour his desires and make Mika eat them too.

"From the start... ...You've only ever had eyes for Mikaela!"

- Asuramaru remembers viewing Yu overseeing Mikaela from the past.

"I still have to fight. I'm saving my sister."

- Asuramaru responding to Yu saying he is more powerful than him.

"What's so funny? You're pinned. Helpless. You've no hope of victory. Or, what? Is everything still going according to your plan? If so, we'll put a stop to it."

- Saito notices Shikama Doji's expression and wonders about it.

"Your usefulness to me is over. Everything's going as it ought to. Let him devour you."

- Shikama Doji speaks to Asuramaru in the demon realm while being physically transported by Saito.

"Devour? Devour who? What do you mean?"

- Saito unaware that Shikama Doji is speaking to Asuramaru within a demon realm and saying to let Yu devour him.

"My usefulness is over? That's it? You take advantage of me for millennia... ...And now you just throw me away?"

- Asuramaru is affected by Shikama Doji's guidance to let Yu devour him.

"I'm one pathetic excuse for a brother... ...Letting my sister suffer for this long."

- Asuramaru after hearing Krul say to hold Yu off until he can be saved from him.

"Doesn't matter. I've failed so often. Since the day I cursed my sister... Failure after failure. I have to make up for that."

- Asuramaru does not care who is being manipulated, and resolves to defend Krul as he draws two swords.

"I'll stop you. I'll kill you if I must. And Mikaela inside you. If I can disrupt the First's plans here... ...Then maybe someone can save Krul."

- Asuramaru vows to fight Yu and do whatever he can to afford Krul a chance to be saved.

"You go off and save Mikaela. I'll focus on my sister."

- Asuramaru rejects Yu's claims that he will save Krul.

"It looks like I can win. Do you know why your neck isn't healing? Because Mikaela is refusing to do it. He wants you to lose."

- Asuramaru's psychological warfare against Yu.

"The way things are going, the First wins. He's still manipulating you."

- Asuramaru speaking to Yu.

"Mikaela wants to die. When their time comes... ...Humans are supposed to die."

- Asuramaru attempting to have Yu believe this claim in a fight against him.

"No. You were right not to give up on your sister. That's how humanity should be. I'm not going to give up on Mikaela."

- Yu speaking some non-demonic words as he states that Asuramaru was right to help Krul.

"Like you, I won't give up until I die... No. I won't give up even if I die."

- Yu telling Asuramaru that he will never give up.

Cover Details
The cover of chapter 117 features Krul in her current appearance, namely her wearing modern clothing where her hair is in twin pigtails. Text concerning her involves Krul thinking how every now and then, memories of her brother (Ashera) flash in her mind. The initial thought based text of Krul's is overlain across her hair and not in any speech or thought bubbles. A section of the Seraph of the End Vampire Reign logo, namely the 'Reign' word is concealed behind the character. Notably, the translation and lettering details of the chapter are not featured on the cover, rather are in between the story panels of page 3.
 * A flashback scene shows Ashera and Krul's activities after they were reunited in the previous chapter, after first being separated in chapter 69: "The Day the Sun Was Lost". Whether having defended themselves, or had attacked those around them, they sit amongst at least four corpses.
 * In perhaps a symbolic scene, more so since there does not appear to be a water source around, two fish of the same species are depicted when Ashera and Krul are discussing that they will not grow or age anymore and are wondering how long this can last.
 * Although Ashera shared he thought it was a curse, Krul was happy so long as she was with him. In the past chapter 49: "Progenitor's Memory" a later in-universe event would show Krul was upset that Ashera was leaving with Sika Madu.
 * Through some means Guren can tell that Yu is trying to devour Asuramaru. Being a demon himself it would be one demon consuming another.
 * His mind is active in Asuramaru's demon realm, however Yu's face reacts as expected when physically his neck is seized. Able to sense that he has been injected, Yu maintains some reactionary senses in the physical world.
 * In his demon realm, Asuramaru can obtain human greed by severing a limb and biting into it.
 * Mika is active and regenerates Yu's missing limb, however does not immediately heal more minor wounds such as a bite. Asuramaru says this is because he wants Yu to lose, yet Mika will still not have Yu suffer grievous injuries such as the loss of a limb.
 * After his limb is recreated in the demon realm, Asuramaru calls Yu a monster despite his own practices of having his body healed.
 * Although clear in wanting to save Mika over everyone, Yu tells Asuramaru he will save everyone in what may be a demonically inclined act of deception. This fails with Asuramaru knowing Yu only wants to save Mika, and he trusts himself to try and save Krul when the name is brought up.
 * At some point Yu had looked into Asuramaru's heart to discern that he only wants to save his sister. The flashback scene at the start of the chapter did not directly concern this, so Yu may have accessed a new memory, possibly one of Asuramaru agreeing to co-operate with the First as he said he would save Krul.
 * Although shocked that Yu had looked into his heart, it was normal for Asuramaru to look into his. While he may have a notion that some matters are private, it seems a case of Asuramaru is fine looking into others's hearts, but protests when his own is being checked. He may also be registering that Yu has reached the point where he is a demon that can access other demons' hearts.
 * Having observed them in the past, Asuramaru feels Yu has only ever been interested in Mikaela. He connects the past Yu and the corpse of Mikaela with the present day Yu, and Mika who for all intents and purposes may be a biological vessel to contain the soul of Mikaela.
 * Apparently having measured reactions for what is at hand, Mika is providing Yu the power to fight, but keeping some aspects in check. Mika is against himself being chosen over having all of humanity resurrected.
 * Where he was kept in a magical based prison, Shikama Doji's abilities are apparently able to be restrained by at least nine spikes nailing him to the back of a truck. If there is any meaning behind their positions, three spikes each are stabbed into the First's right and left arms. For other areas, one is through the left chest area, another on the right of his stomach, and a third around his left thigh.
 * Transported with him, Saito believes Shikama Doji to be helpless, but does consider that everything is going according to his plan. Likely unknown to them, there are developments taking place in a part of the First's plan involving Yu, Mika, and Asuramaru.
 * While he kept silent before, Shikama Doji shows himself to be aware of the situation in Asuramaru's demon realm. It may be possible he could not sense it before on account of being imprisoned. The First chooses now to inform Asuramaru that his usefulness to him is over and he should let Yu devour him.
 * Shikama Doji could depend on Asuramaru's unquestioning loyalty before so may have expected he would oblige with this direction and let himself be consumed. Alternatively, the response installed a desire for Asuramaru to fight back where he was hesitant before, which may have been the reaction Shikama Doji wanted to induce. The former is quite likely, in chapter 98: "The King's Chambers" Shikama Doji was direct in tasking Asuramaru with betraying humans to capture the soul of Mikaela at once.
 * After registering the directive, Asuramaru remarks "damned angels" which may be what he regards Shikama Doji as.
 * Registering his physical body has been injected, which can affect him here, Yu feels he has to hurry. Apparently through demon instinct, Yu anticipates that he will not be able to move after consuming Asuramaru which he is set on.
 * Seemingly reaching him at random, Krul's voice is able to be received by Asuramaru where she also encourages him to stop Yu and let himself be saved.
 * Taking his own course of action since he is unable to trust them, Asuramaru will not listen to either Yu or Shikama Doji's words of saving his sister, rather he will do it himself.
 * Intending to stop him, Asuramaru speaks of killing Yu and Mikaela, the latter who is a demon inside of the former.
 * In combat Asuramaru wields two swords.
 * The Asura Kannon... Million Blades is seen and able to be invoked by Asuramaru himself.
 * Although there is lightning in the environment, Mika appears to be using a distinct bolt of it to energize Yu when he requests power. It is more than sufficient for them to avoid the many swords from Asura Kannon... Million Blades.
 * Asuramaru stands ready with an unknown power that involves two of his swords levitating on either side of him.
 * Even when cut in half, Asuramaru speaks once to deploy two rounds of the Asura Kannon... Million Blades to fire into himself and Yu between the opposing ovals.
 * Rather than the collision of weapons, or Yu's desire being sapped, the lightning generation around them may have come from Mika separating them.
 * In chapter 114: "Everyone's Goals" it was mentioned by Guren that there was a choice between restoring Mika as a human, or all of humanity but not both. The price of this resurrection was said to be seven sinful keys and the lives of every last vampire. The state of Mika as a demon was not commented on. It is unlikely Krul would co-operate with the plan if it meant Asuramaru and indeed herself would perish. In mentioning how Mika wants to die, Asuramaru's words may not indicate that Mika would be counted as a demon that falls under the vampire sacrificial element that resurrection plan is purported to have. Although Mika spoke that he felt like dying on account of the pain of losing his family, resurrecting them was the remedy for that rather than actually going ahead with his own death. In the event he really wanted to die, it comes from a mindset filled with grief where obliging that feeling is not the answer as Yu addresses. What Asuramaru's words may truly be about is a psychological attack. Seeing a chance to win after being cut in half by an acknowledged stronger opponent, Asuramaru attempts to persuade Yu that Mika wants to die as part of a psychological warfare tactic and is not a sentiment that Mika has.
 * As a demon Yu appears to have a moment where he speaks as he would do in telling Asuramaru that he was right to not give up on his sister. Yu states he is not going to give up on Mika.
 * Asuramaru is fighting to not be devoured by Yu, attempt to undermine the First if battling does that, and protect his sister, Krul. He is backed by Krul to survive, and by Guren who assists directly by undermining Yu's physical body. Yu is fighting to consume Asuramaru for power. This is to either prevent Mika being lost if the vampire sacrifice part of the resurrection plan includes demons as well, or for the chance to change Mika into a human that the resurrection plan is said to be able to do.

Gallery
Manga panels provide a visual overview of the events of chapter 117 with depictions of the characters, Seraph of the End world and scenarios.