Lost in the Snow

Four-year-old Mayumi braves a winter forest, searching for her lost cat, Shadow. The cold numbs her, and fever clouds her mind, but she presses on, calling for her only friend. When she stumbles upon a massive, shadowy creature with a white, feline skull, she mistakes it for her cat and collapses in its warmth. She awakens at home, feverish, with no memory of how she returned. The event haunts her for years, a recurring dream or memory, and the loss of Shadow leaves a void. This night marks the beginning of a lifelong connection to the unknown, and a question that will shape her future: what truly saved her in the snow?

Hunter's Solitude

Now an adult, Mayumi lives alone in her ancestral cottage, a skilled hunter and former Demonslayer. Her days are marked by routine—gathering firewood, hunting, and maintaining the home filled with memories of her parents. She is tough, self-reliant, and haunted by loneliness, yet she shuns the company of others, finding solace in the wild. Her only companions are the ghosts of her past and the rituals that keep her safe from Demons. The forest is both her sanctuary and her prison, and her independence is a shield against the pain of loss and the dangers lurking beyond her door.

Bait and Blood

Mayumi's expertise as a Demonslayer is evident as she prepares a gruesome trap: a live boar, sacrificed to draw Demons to her clearing. She dons her black uniform, the silver insignia a reminder of her former rank and exile from the guild. As night falls, she waits on her roof, bow ready, cloaked in herbs to mask her scent. The trap works, attracting a Demon, but before she can strike, a massive Duskwalker—feline-skulled and monstrous—intervenes, killing the Demon and vanishing into the forest. The encounter stirs memories of her childhood savior and leaves her questioning the boundaries between monster and protector.

Duskwalker Revealed

The sight of the feline-skulled Duskwalker confirms Mayumi's long-held suspicion: it was this creature who saved her as a child. The realization is both terrifying and comforting. She recalls the warmth and safety she felt in its presence, and wonders why it spared her. The Duskwalker's actions—protecting her home, killing Demons—suggest a purpose beyond hunger. Mayumi's curiosity grows, mingled with a sense of destiny. The lines between hunter and hunted, monster and guardian, begin to blur, setting the stage for an uneasy alliance.

Shadows of the Past

As Mayumi goes about her daily chores, she senses she is being watched. The Duskwalker, whom she once called "Kitty," observes her from the trees, recalling the years he has silently protected her. He has witnessed her growth, her grief, and her strength, always from the shadows. His fascination with her is deep, tinged with longing and loneliness. For Mayumi, the watcher's presence is both unsettling and oddly reassuring. Their histories are entwined, each shaped by solitude and the scars of survival.

Unlikely Protector

Mayumi confronts the Duskwalker, demanding answers for his vigilance. He reveals himself, massive and intimidating, yet speaks with a voice that is more gravel than malice. Their conversation is tense, but honest: he admits to saving her as a child and watching over her since. Mayumi, ever pragmatic, offers him a place on her porch, trading the illusion of safety for the reality of a powerful guardian. They negotiate boundaries—she will not hunt him, and he will not harm her. Trust is tentative, but necessity forges a bond neither expected.

Town of Secrets

Forced to visit Colt's Outpost for supplies, Mayumi navigates the social labyrinth of old friends, wary guards, and the ever-present shadow of her expulsion from the Demonslayer guild. The town is a microcosm of human struggle—poverty, disease, and fear. Mayumi's reputation precedes her, and her interactions are laced with both camaraderie and suspicion. She is reminded of the cost of her choices, the fragility of human life, and the isolation that comes from being different. The town is both a reminder of what she has lost and what she still fights to protect.

Bandits and Boundaries

On her return from town, Mayumi is ambushed by desperate bandits. Her skills as a fighter are put to the test, but she is not without compassion—she incapacitates rather than kills, recognizing their hunger and fear. The encounter is interrupted by the unseen presence of the Duskwalker, whose silent intervention spares her further danger. Mayumi is left to ponder the nature of mercy, the thin line between predator and protector, and the growing sense that she is no longer truly alone in the world.

The Watcher's Gaze

The fragile peace between Mayumi and Faunus deepens as he assists with chores, repairs, and hunting. Their interactions are awkward, laced with humor and mutual curiosity. Faunus is both alien and endearing, his monstrous form hiding a gentle, almost childlike desire for connection. Mayumi, for her part, is drawn to his strength and vulnerability. They share meals, play games, and slowly learn to trust each other. The boundaries between human and monster, protector and companion, begin to dissolve, replaced by something new and uncertain.

Bargains at Dusk

A blizzard traps Mayumi and Faunus together, forcing intimacy and vulnerability. They play games to pass the time, and a playful wager leads to a strip game that exposes more than just skin. The tension between them erupts into passion, each discovering in the other a kindred spirit—lonely, wounded, and yearning for touch. Their union is both tender and feral, a merging of strength and need. Yet, beneath the surface, old wounds and fears linger, threatening to unravel the fragile happiness they have found.

Trust and Temptation

The morning after, Mayumi and Faunus navigate the awkwardness of new intimacy. Their connection is tested by old habits—Mayumi's reluctance to trust, Faunus's fear of his own monstrous nature. When Faunus leaves without warning, Mayumi is left to wrestle with feelings of abandonment and longing. His return is met with anger and relief, and their reunion is as much a battle of wills as it is a reconciliation. They must learn to communicate, to forgive, and to accept the risks of loving across the boundaries of species and trauma.

The Monster's Heart

As their bond deepens, Faunus reveals the truth of his suffering: torture at the hands of the Demon King, a crack in his skull that is slowly killing him. Mayumi is determined to save him, but her efforts—glue, magic, and hope—prove futile. The specter of death looms over them, and Faunus withdraws, unwilling to risk taking Mayumi's soul and dooming her to share his fate. Their love is tested by the inevitability of loss, and both must confront the limits of their power and the depth of their devotion.

Guild's Judgment

Mayumi's past catches up with her as the Demonslayer guild arrives, demanding answers and retribution for the secrets she has learned. The confrontation turns violent, and Mayumi, aided by Faunus and her friends, must fight for her life. The battle is brutal, and Faunus, already weakened, sacrifices himself to save her. His body shatters, leaving only his skull behind. Mayumi is left to grieve, her heart broken, her world once again emptied of the one she loves.

Death and Resurrection

In the aftermath of Faunus's death, Mayumi is consumed by sorrow and guilt. She attempts to repair his skull using the art of kintsugi, binding the broken pieces with gold. Her efforts are desperate, driven by love and the refusal to accept his loss. When Faunus is resurrected, he returns as a mindless shell, his soul fractured. Mayumi's grief turns to rage and despair as she realizes she has cursed him to a half-life, and she must confront the consequences of her hope.

The Demon King's Shadow

Weldir, Faunus's father and the Warden of Darkness, appears, drawn by the disturbance in the balance of souls. He explains the cost of Mayumi's actions and offers a choice: let Faunus's soul pass, or risk everything to bring him back. Mayumi, without hesitation, offers her soul, willing to pay any price for a chance to save him. Weldir's power, combined with Mayumi's sacrifice, restores Faunus, binding their souls together in a bond that transcends death and destiny.

Kintsugi of the Soul

Faunus returns, whole and healed, his skull now streaked with gold—a living testament to Mayumi's love and determination. Their reunion is joyous, filled with relief, passion, and the promise of a future together. The scars they bear, both physical and emotional, are no longer marks of shame, but symbols of survival and transformation. They have remade each other, forging a bond that is stronger for its fractures, and more beautiful for its imperfections.

The Price of Love

With Faunus restored and their bond sealed, Mayumi and Faunus leave behind the ruins of their old lives. They journey together, seeking a place where they can build a home free from fear and judgment. Mayumi is pregnant, the promise of new life a testament to their resilience and love. They are joined by friends and allies, forging a family from the ashes of loss. The world remains dangerous, but together they face it with courage, humor, and the unbreakable strength of their union.

New Beginnings

As spring returns, Mayumi and Faunus set out for the Veil, ready to build a new life among the Duskwalkers and their kin. The journey is filled with challenges, laughter, and the promise of adventure. Their love, once forged in blood and loneliness, now shines with the golden light of hope. They are no longer defined by their scars, but by the choices they have made and the future they will create together. The story ends, not with an ending, but with the beginning of a new chapter—one where love, in all its monstrous and beautiful forms, endures.

Characters

Mayumi Tanaka

Mayumi is a skilled hunter and former Silver-rank Demonslayer, shaped by a childhood marked by loss and a lifetime of solitude. Her relationship with her parents—her father's stern training and her mother's warmth—instilled in her both resilience and a deep-seated loneliness. Mayumi's psychological armor is built from years of self-reliance, but beneath it lies a yearning for connection and acceptance. Her exile from the guild, due to her refusal to undergo a forced hysterectomy, is both a wound and a badge of honor. Throughout the story, she evolves from a woman defined by her scars and isolation to one who embraces vulnerability, love, and the messy, beautiful chaos of life with Faunus. Her journey is one of learning to trust, to forgive herself, and to accept that brokenness can be the foundation of something stronger.

Faunus (Kitty)

Faunus, the feline-skulled Duskwalker, is both terrifying and tender—a creature born of darkness, shaped by centuries of loneliness and pain. His silent vigil over Mayumi is driven by a deep, almost childlike longing for connection, and his actions are guided by a code of protection and care. Tortured by the Demon King, his cracked skull is both a literal and symbolic wound, a reminder of his vulnerability and mortality. Faunus's psychological complexity lies in his struggle to reconcile his monstrous nature with his capacity for love and gentleness. His relationship with Mayumi transforms him, allowing him to experience joy, desire, and hope. The bond they forge is one of mutual healing, each finding in the other the acceptance and belonging they have always craved.

Weldir (Warden of Darkness)

Weldir, Faunus's father, is a semidei—part god, part warden of souls. His presence is both comforting and unsettling, a being of immense power constrained by cosmic laws. He is responsible for maintaining the balance between worlds, purifying souls, and guiding the dead. Weldir's intervention in Faunus's fate is both an act of love and a calculated risk, revealing a being who is both compassionate and bound by duty. His relationship with his children is distant but caring, and his actions are motivated by a desire to protect what he can, even as he is forced to accept the limits of his power.

Jabez (Demon King)

Jabez is the half-Elven Demon King, a figure of immense cruelty and ambition. His vendetta against the Duskwalkers is personal, rooted in a desire to weaken Weldir and assert his own dominance. Jabez's psychological makeup is defined by a need for control, a willingness to inflict pain, and a disdain for both humans and Duskwalkers. His actions—torturing Faunus, orchestrating attacks, and manipulating events from the shadows—make him a constant, looming threat. He is the embodiment of the world's darkness, a force that tests the limits of hope and resilience.

Mayumi's Father

Mayumi's father is a former Elder Demonslayer, whose strict training and high expectations shape much of her identity. His love is expressed through discipline and preparation, teaching Mayumi to survive in a world that offers little mercy. His inability to fully accept her choices—especially her refusal to undergo the guild's surgery—creates a rift, but his influence endures. He is both a source of strength and a reminder of the cost of survival.

Mayumi's Mother

Mayumi's mother is a figure of comfort and care, her early death leaving a void that shapes Mayumi's emotional landscape. Her teachings—both practical and emotional—provide a counterbalance to her father's severity. The memory of her mother's love is a touchstone for Mayumi, guiding her through grief and reminding her of the possibility of happiness.

Henry, Yoshida, Klaus

These three men are Mayumi's childhood friends, now soldiers and survivors in their own right. Their relationships with Mayumi are marked by camaraderie, teasing, and a deep, if sometimes awkward, affection. They represent the ties to humanity that Mayumi struggles to maintain, and their willingness to fight for her underscores the importance of chosen family. Each is shaped by their own losses and struggles, and their presence is a reminder that even in a world of monsters, friendship endures.

The Demonslayer Guild

The guild is both a source of identity and trauma for Mayumi, embodying the contradictions of a society at war with itself. Its rules—especially those governing women—are both protective and oppressive, and its leaders are willing to sacrifice individuals for the illusion of safety. The guild's betrayal of Mayumi is a catalyst for her transformation, forcing her to define herself on her own terms.

The Duskwalkers (Magnar, Orpheus, etc.)

The other Duskwalkers are both family and cautionary tales for Faunus. Their struggles with humanity, love, and survival reflect his own, and their presence offers both hope and warning. They are reminders that even monsters seek connection, and that the search for belonging is universal.

The Forest and the Veil

The forest and the Veil are more than settings—they are characters in their own right, shaping the lives and destinies of those who dwell within. They are places of danger, transformation, and mystery, reflecting the inner landscapes of Mayumi and Faunus. The journey through these wilds is both a physical and psychological odyssey, testing the limits of endurance, trust, and love.

Plot Devices

Duality of Hunter and Hunted

The narrative structure of A Soul to Touch is built on the shifting roles of Mayumi and Faunus—hunter and hunted, savior and saved. This duality is reinforced through repeated reversals: Mayumi, the Demonslayer, becomes the one in need of protection; Faunus, the monster, becomes her guardian and lover. The story uses foreshadowing—Mayumi's childhood rescue, the recurring dreams, the ever-present sense of being watched—to build tension and deepen the emotional stakes. The motif of boundaries—physical, emotional, and societal—runs throughout, with each character forced to confront and ultimately transcend the limits imposed by fear, trauma, and tradition.

Kintsugi as Metaphor

The use of kintsugi—the art of repairing broken pottery with gold—is both a literal and symbolic plot device. Mayumi's attempt to repair Faunus's skull with gold is an act of love and hope, transforming a wound into a mark of resilience. This motif echoes throughout the narrative: scars become symbols of survival, and the characters' brokenness is not something to be hidden, but celebrated. The story's structure mirrors this process, with moments of shattering followed by acts of healing and transformation.

The Price of Power and Sacrifice

The story is driven by the theme of sacrifice—Mayumi's willingness to give her soul, Faunus's refusal to take it, and the ultimate bargain struck with Weldir. The narrative uses these choices to explore the limits of agency, the meaning of love, and the inevitability of loss. The resurrection of Faunus is not a simple victory, but a negotiation with fate, one that requires both characters to accept the consequences of their desires. The plot is structured around these moments of choice, each one deepening the emotional complexity and raising the stakes.

Found Family and Chosen Bonds

The story uses the motif of found family—Mayumi's friends, Faunus's kin, the unlikely alliances formed in the face of danger—to underscore the importance of connection. The narrative structure weaves together moments of isolation and intimacy, showing that true strength comes not from solitude, but from the willingness to trust, to forgive, and to love. The story's resolution is not an escape from danger, but the creation of a new home, built on the foundation of shared scars and mutual devotion.

Analysis

A Soul to Touch is a powerful meditation on loneliness, trauma, and the transformative power of love. At its core, the novel asks what it means to be human—and what it means to be a monster. Through the intertwined journeys of Mayumi and Faunus, the story explores the ways in which brokenness can become a source of strength, and how vulnerability is the key to true connection. The use of kintsugi as both plot device and metaphor is particularly resonant, suggesting that our scars are not just reminders of pain, but the very things that make us beautiful and unique. The novel also interrogates the structures of power—gender, tradition, and fear—that shape our lives, and offers a vision of hope that is hard-won and deeply earned. In a world defined by danger and loss, A Soul to Touch insists that love—messy, monstrous, and imperfect—is the only thing worth fighting for. The story's emotional arc is one of descent and resurrection, loss and renewal, reminding us that even in the darkest of forests, there is always a path to the light.

Last updated: January 6, 2026