Skr'll gasped, the world snapping back into focus. The oppressive magic that held her pinned to the ground faded away, leaving her crumpled form on the cold hard jungle floor. Pain vibrated through her battered body, but adrenaline fueled her movement. She pushed herself up, eyes searching the surroundings for Nicolas.Across the room, the scene unfolded in an horrifying way that she couldn't help but turn her eyes away. Xeno, his face mixed in a mask of fury, lunged towards Nicolas, his sword flashing in the flickering light. But his movement was sluggish, hampered. In his left hand, where his arm had been moments ago, blood gushed out and he held his injury, trying to reduce the fatality of the blow he had obviously been dealt by Nicolas.Nicolas, fueled by a desperate rage, spun. His own blade met Xeno's in a clash of steel, and Skr'll saw a new ferocity in his eyes. This wasn't the calm, controlled fighter she knew. This was a predator cornered, fangs bared and claws ready to te
The revelation hung heavy in the air, a suffocating weight Abron hadn't anticipated in all his years as a powerful Demon. Five hundred years of simmering resentment boiled over, threatening to consume him. Nicolas' face, pale and slack, became a distorted reflection of his own fury. Abron needed to know more of what Xeno truly meant by revealing his so called truth. He wrestled control, forcing Nicolas' lips apart. His voice, hoarse with disbelief, spoke through Nicolas lips who wasn't shocked that such a thing had happened. "Why? Why, Xeno?" The question echoed in the now silent jungle. The sounds that indicated a tremor of anguish could easily be heard in Abron's voice as he inquired more of his half-brother who had held such a secret for a very long time. Xeno, his once angry countenance not changed into an expression that showed a flicker of fear in his eyes, recoiled. "I... I had no choice, Abron. There was a prophecy. The Queen told us we needed to make such a sac
Silence took over the jungle once more, thick and suffocating. Nicolas, his body still a puppet under Abron's control, stared at Xeno with a mix of newfound understanding and lingering resentment. He still couldn't completely believe the words his brother spoke were the truth, or maybe they were just words spoken by a man who wanted his life to be spared."What now, Xeno?" he asked, his voice laced with a weariness that seemed to echo through the ages. "What do you suggest I do now that I have discovered this huge bombshell which so you so conveniently chose to drop on me?"Xeno sighed, his breath calm despite the inner turmoil he battled with. He had fear that if he tried to strike his brother now that he seemed oblivious of his I'll intent, the plan might backfire. He needed to play it cool until he was sure it's safe."What we need to do now that you're alive is to make sure that the prophesy doesn't come to pass" Xeno replied. "Maybe your soul being trapped with that Nicolas fell
Confusion painted the air as thick as the jungle humidity. Abron, his control over Nicolas momentarily cut off by the unexpected arrival, watched the heroes with a wary eye. Hero Hinnel, the ever-so-righteous Paladin, stood at the forefront, his hand instinctively gripping his golden sword as he made his way closer to his enemy."Demon King Abron" Hero Hinnel began, his voice measured and calm but showed that he was pleased with the sight before him. "We meet once again."Nicolas, his body instinctively reacting to the lingering anger and resentment towards Hero Hinnel, let out a guttural growl, a sound devoid of his usual gentle nature."I would say I'm surprised you and your brother had a reunion only for it to end up in a fierce battle,but I would be lying" Hero Hinnel went on, his eyes surveying the damage to the jungle.Before Nicolas could formulate a response, Xeno stumbled forward, his hand still places on his injured arm. "Heroes! Thank goodness you're here! You must stop t
Abron's words hung heavy in the air, a declaration of war disguised as a truce. Xeno, his face etched with a mixture of defiance and desperation, met his gaze.Seeing that there was no use in him actively partaking in the fight against the heroes, he gently drowned himself once again in Nicolas' subconscious and let Nicolas take over from where he left off."I've done the best so you're free to do whatever you want to these dumbbells"Abron instructed. "Give them hell."Nicolas nodded his head slowly as he closed his eyes then opened them only to stare directly at Hero Hinnel."As you wish," he finally replied, his voice filled with a steely resolve.With that, the fragile peace in the jungle shattered. In a blur of motion, Nicolas, his body now fully under his own control but still getting a steady supply of dark energy from Abron, lunged at Hero Hinnel.Their blades met in a clash of steel, sparks flying as their skills clashed. "I saw that coming" Hero Hinnel said with a mocking to
The jungle echoed with the continuous clash of steel. Neither Nicolas or Hero Hinnel seemed to become tired due to their battle which seemed to drain both of them so much. All they cared about was defeating the other and finally eliminating a threat which seemed bug them wherever they went.Sparks flew as their blades met, the air thick with the scent of sweat and blood.Nicolas, his body enhanced by Abron's honed reflexes and exhilarating dark magic, moved with a terrifying grace. He parried Hero's strikes with lightning-fast reflexes, his own blade flashing in deadly arcs.Hero Hinnel, however, was no ordinary opponent. He fought with the unwavering determination of a Paladin, his faith fueling his every move. He unleashed a torrent of holy energy from his golden sword which brightened the battlefield, the air crackling around him as he pushed Nicolas back."I expected better from you, Demon King. At least something much more better than our last battle" Hero Hinnel said.Nicolas
"That was all she was good for, isn't it"? Nicolas' full attention went to Hero Hinnel who had begun to regain consciousness but his mouth was still as sharp as ever. "You need to stop talking before I finally decide to bash your head in" Nicolas warned the sword hero who seemed not to care about the words he said. Fury choked Nicolas. Hero Hinnel's smug, mocking face burned into his eyes. His words which suggested that Lou-ra had not been strong enough eechoed in his head. "She wasn't really strong enough, my dear Demon King. Never was" Hero Hinnel murmured, as if reading Nicolas' mind. That was the last straw. Nicolas gathered a considerable amount of dark energy to his fists and raised them up with the intention to kill Hero Hinnel before he said anymore words that tarnished the image of Lou-ra which he still had in his head. A monstrous roar tore through the jungle where they had fought, tearing Nicolas' attention away from Hero Hinnel who stared blankly at him. Yuki, Leon
Nicolas' grip on Xeno's shirt loosened slightly, his focus shifting entirely to the luminous figure which he did not fully understand. He needed to know more before he made any decisions. "Restore balance? What in the seven hells are you talking about?" His voice, though still rough with his grief, held a hint of curiosity and apprehension. The figure tilted its head, a gesture somehow conveyed despite the concealing hood. "You seem wary of me" the figure said. "Do I seem so ominous?" Nicolas maintained his distance from the figure and prepared himself Incase he needed to fight. "You tell me" Nicolas replied. "I don't know if you're a friend or a foe." The figure smiled and it could easily be seen despite the hood on his head. "I am Asteria," he said, its voice echoing with an ancient power. The name didn't ring any bells in Nicolas' mind, despite the fact that Asteria had said his name in such manner. "You call your name as if i am supposed to remember it. I'm sorry but I'