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'
The beast's snarling echoed through the jungle as it turned to face Nicholas once more, its eyes glowing with primal hunger. Nicholas's breath came in ragged gasps, the world around him spinning as fatigue and fear gripped him in equal measure. He stumbled backward, his mind scrambling for any solution, any way out. But there was none.The beast lunged again, claws extended, saliva flying from its jaws as it hurtled toward him. Nicholas raised his arms in a futile attempt to defend himself, but he knew it was hopeless. This was the end.Suddenly, a shadow flickered at the corner of his vision, fast and silent. Before Nicholas could comprehend what was happening, a blur of motion slammed into the beast with bone-cracking force. The creature let out a deafening roar as it was knocked off course, crashing into a tree with enough force to shake the ground.Nicholas blinked, his mind struggling to process the scene. The man, his new teacher, stood between him and the beast, his movements
Nicholas stood frozen, every muscle tense, as the figure slowly approached him. The jungle’s oppressive silence seemed to amplify the sound of the stranger’s footsteps, each one deliberate, almost too measured. Nicholas had never seen anyone like this before, and the man’s glowing eyes made his skin crawl. Despite the man’s frail appearance, there was something unsettling in the way he moved, like he wasn’t fully human. "You seek power," the figure repeated, his voice a rasping whisper that seemed to slide through the thick air like smoke.Nicholas swallowed hard, trying to ignore the knot of fear twisting in his gut. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he replied, his voice rough from exhaustion. He stepped back, his hand instinctively reaching for the sharp stone he had used against the beast earlier.The figure chuckled, a sound that seemed far too deep for someone so gaunt. “Do not play games with me, boy. You wouldn’t have survived this long if you weren’t seeking somet
Nicholas strained against the heavy branch, muscles trembling with exhaustion. The wood groaned and splintered under the pressure, but it still held firm. Below him, the beast circled, blood dripping from the wounds he'd managed to inflict with the rocks. But it wasn’t backing down—it was waiting, eyes gleaming with a cold, predatory intelligence.Nicholas grip tightened around the branch. His body was screaming at him to stop, to rest, but there was no time for that. The beast would not give him a second chance.With a grunt, Nicholas gave the branch another violent shake. It splintered more, cracking like a whip in the still air of the jungle. Below, the beast growled, pacing in tight circles, as if anticipating his next move. Sweat dripped down Nicholas’s forehead, blurring his vision, but he couldn’t afford to stop.The branch finally gave way with a loud crack. For a heart-stopping moment, Nicholas hung in the air, feeling the world tilt as the massive piece of wood began its f
Nicholas blinked, rubbing his eyes, his vision swimming. When he looked again, nobody was there. No footprints, no signs of movement, only the quiet crackling of the fire remained.He staggered, disoriented. His heart was still pounding from the fight, his body bruised and aching, and now his mind was unraveling. Lou-ra’s comforting presence was gone, evaporating into the night like mist.He was alone. The jungle’s oppressive atmosphere closed in on him, the thick air suffocating as it pressed against his lungs. The dark canopy above loomed like a ceiling, shutting him off from the sky, from any sign of hope.Panic clawed at his chest. He fought to suppress it, but the loneliness gnawed at his mind, dragging him into despair.”I have to get up. I have to keep moving."But his body refused to cooperate. Every inch of him ached, a testament to the brutal training he had endured. He hadn’t just been fighting the man he had been fighting against his own fear, his weakness. And now, it was
Nicholas's muscles tensed as his mind raced. His body screamed for him to retreat, to flee into the dense jungle, away from the impending confrontation. But something deep inside him resisted. Maybe it was pride, or perhaps the sliver of defiance that refused to bow to fear. Regardless, he knew there was no turning back. The man had laid down the challenge, and to back down now would mean surrendering his spirit entirely.The man continued to stare Nicholas down, a tower of strength and menace, his battle-scarred chest heaving with quiet confidence. He wasn't making idle threats; Nicholas knew that. This world didn't leave room for empty promises. Survival was earned through blood, sweat, and the unwavering will to stand when everything inside screamed to fall."I... I'm ready," Nicholas finally said, his voice barely above a whisper.The man’s lips curled into a feral grin, satisfied with the decision Nicholas had made, even if it was drenched in fear. "Good," he said, his voice l
Nicholas's heart pounded loudly against his ribs. The man's casual dismissal of his plea for an alternative sent a fresh wave of terror crashing over him. A primal urge to flee battled with the knowledge that escape was impossible. This wasn't a test of his fighting prowess; it was a potential death sentence. Nicholas was stuck between pleading for his life or just putting his hands up as a sign to show that he has surrendered. He knew that fighting with this man would mean his imminent death and she was not prepared to die especially when he had to return to Lou-ra."Sir, please," Nicholas pleaded, his voice cracking with a tremor he hated. "There has to be another way. Let me train with something, a log, a…" he cast his eyes around, desperately searching for anything that wouldn't fight back. The man's lips curved into a humorless smile, devoid of warmth. It wouldn't be a mistake to say that she was actually looking forward to this fight.There was something about Nicholas that ju
Nicholas stirred from a restless sleep, shivering beneath the thin blanket he had wrapped over himself the night before.The cave, once a temporary haven, had offered little protection against the bitter cold that had transformed the jungle into a frozen wasteland. His breath emerged in visible puffs, and he rubbed his arms continuously, trying to bring warmth into his limbs.As he emerged from the cave, blinking in the early morning light, Nicholas' eyes registered the significant change in his surroundings. The cold desolation of the previous night had given way once again to a lush, vibrant jungle. Birds chirped cheerfully, and the air was thick with the earthy scent of plans and trees. It always felt unreal how the jungle had reborn itself overnight, shaking off the icy grip that had held it captive. The beauty of it all marveled Nicolas each time he sees it.Standing at the edge of the clearing was the man who had taken Nicholas under his wing, training him for the Armageddon
The birds beneath them let out warning cries and adjusted their flight paths to give Nicolas and the man better positions to defend themselves. Another beast lunged at Nicolas, its talons extended and fangs bared. Before it had time to fully attack Nicolas, it's found itself getting struck in the head in an instant.“Good!” the man shouted. “Keep moving, don’t let them overwhelm you!”Nicolas barely had time to register the man’s words before another beast was upon him.This one was larger, more aggressive. It swooped down with terrifying speed, its claws aiming for Nicolas’s face. He ducked at the last moment, feeling the rush of air as the creature’s talons whistled past his head. He swung his knife upward, catching the beast in its unprotected belly. It howled in pain, thrashing wildly before retreating.All around them, the battle raged. The man moved with a grace and precision that left Nicolas awestruck. His movements were a blur, his weapon flashing in the moonlight as he st
The rush of wind roared in Nicolas' ears as he plummeted through the air, the ground rushing up to meet him at a terrifying speed. His stomach lurched, and he felt sick.This was it; he was about to die. The realization struck him with a cold finality, and every second felt like an eternity. Nicolas closed his eyes, bracing for the inevitable impact.Then, a sharp whistle cut through the chaos, and something massive and powerful surged beneath him. In an instant, strong talons wrapped around his torso, and the sensation of free fall ceased. His eyes flew open, and he gasped as he saw a bird, majestic and enormous, soaring upwards with him in its grasp. The bird’s feathers glimmered in the sunlight.Within moments, Nicolas found himself back in the sky, being lifted toward the man and the first bird. The change from impending death to sudden rescue left him breathless and shaking. As the bird finally leveled out beside the man, Nicolas clung to the feathers, his knuckles white.The m