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 world dissolved into a blinding white light which made it practically impossible for them, except Asteria, to open their eyes. They had no other choice than to be still and wait for everything to settle down.When Nicolas blinked the harshness away, he found himself standing on a pristine white platform, seemingly floating in an endless expanse of white. Skr'll who held his arm tightly while standing beside him regarded the place with a disgruntled grunt. Asteria, ever the stoic, simply appeared further down the platform."What in the nine hells is this place?" Skr'll muttered, her voice echoing in the vast emptiness.Nicolas wanted to tell her to be quiet, but she had asked the same question that was in his mind."Welcome to the land of the gods," a voice boomed from everywhere and nowhere at once. It vibrated through Nicolas's bones, sending a shiver down his spine.Soon, the white environment cleared and it seemed as if they had appeared in a beautiful garden that emanated only
Electric surprise coursed through Lou-ra as her arms instinctively wrapped around Nicolas. The warmth of his body, a stark contrast to the sterile environment where none of the gods touched themselves and the ones she had touched were cold.Although her consciousnesd had snapped her out of the ethereal conversation, a huge part of her didn't want to let go just yet until she had had enough of the only person she missed when she appeared of the gods realm.Her eyes flew open, and a strangled gasp escaped her lips. Her embrace faltered, a mixture of confusion and panic flooding her face."Forgive me, my Lord," she stammered, pulling away abruptly. "It was rather improper for me to behave in such a way… I didn't realize…" She bowed her head in apology, her cheeks burning with embarrassment.It was unthinkable that she, a mere servant, would commit such an act of engaging into an embrace with her master. It was simply unheard of.Nicolas, momentarily stunned, offered her a reassuring smil
As Nicolas, Asteria, Skr'll and Lou-ra continued their journey deeper into the realm of gods,the harsh white void melted away, replaced by a breathtaking landscape which beauty took the breath from them all."This place is magnificent" Nicolas said as his eyes scanned the entire area within seconds.Although Lou-ra had been present in the realm for sometime, she had not been allowed to go beyound places where she wasn't supervised."I am in awe" Lou-ra pinned in.Green hills stretched as far as the eye could see, filled with fantastical trees that shimmered with an otherworldly glow. Crystal-clear rivers flowed through valleys that incorporated various vibrant wildflowers that released a sweet, intoxicating aroma. The very air vibrated with a subtle energy, whispering of magic and wonder. This was the true realm of the gods, a paradise unlike anything Nicolas had ever imagined."Welcome to the innermost parts of Elysium," Asteria announced, his voice echoing in the vastness. "The gar
It had all happened so fast: first a god named Asteria had appeared on the battlefield then a blinding light engulfed the entire environment, momentarily disorienting everyone that dared to stare directly into it.When their vision cleared, the sight that greeted them was both baffling and alarming. Nicolas, Skr'll, and Asteria were all gone. Vanished into thin air, leaving behind only a lingering sense of displaced energy."Where are they? Where did they disappear to?" Leon asked, his voice filled with desperation as it echoed through the desecrated jungle.Xeno, still clutching his injured arm, pushed himself off the ground, a sharp hit of pain twisting the countenance on his face.Anger pulsed through him, hot and raw. He'd been so close, so damn close to finally ridding himself of his enemies and now this? This divine intervention was an insult. A primal growl escaped his throat, echoing through the stunned battlefield.He needed to return back to his castle and have his injuries
Nicolas eyed Xylos calmly. He didn't remember the last time, since he had come to this new realm, that someone had looked at him as a weak being.He opened his mouth to talk and defend his powers in front of the great all-powerful god but he thought against it. He needed to behave calmly while here so as not to start something he wouldn't be able to finish.In the meantime, Nicolas took his time to admire the inner decor of the god's house.The crystalline walls of Xylos' dwelling shimmered with an ethereal glow, casting an otherworldly light upon all of them whom were gathered within. Asteria, the imposing figure radiating celestial power, stood silent, his form cloaked in shadow despite the pervasive light. Nicolas, his face etched with a mixture of determination and apprehension, shifted uncomfortably on his feet. The weight of Asteria's words still hung heavy in the air – a power within him, a responsibility to restore balance.If he had been told he would do what was expected of