The Hero's Demonic Return

Scorching Earth

Black blood ran down and Mordred watched as this happened. The arrow struck true – hitting the back of an adult demon that blocked the path of the projectile.

“My lord! Why are you still here?” The demon asked with a wide smile on his lips.

Mordred doesn’t know why but, he already knows the name of this creature. The name just popped in his head as soon as the demon made an appearance. This is Nilfith, a demon that Mordred himself has never come across in his lifetime.

“Die you abominations!” A soldier said, running towards the back of the adult demon with a spear.

Ten other soldiers moved towards their direction. Mordred lifted his dagger to fight back but, as soon as he did, all of these soldiers got stabbed. With black spikes that rose from the ground all of a sudden. Piercing through the bodies of these men before three more spikes appeared for each soldier, stabbing them even more and ensuring that they are truly killed.

“My lord, I told you to run away with the rest of the young demonkin. You shouldn’t be here. What if the soldiers find you?”

Mordred doesn’t understand what’s going on completely but, what he does know is that this powerful demon is on his side. Not only that but Mordred seems to fit the role of being the master of this same demon as well.

“I don’t need to worry about that when I have you Nilf.” Mordred said, using the nickname that also popped into his head.

“I really need to give you a good scolding once we get out of this mess. You simply cannot act like this my lord.” Ten more soldiers ran towards them. In response, Nilf raised his hand and then formed a fist. As he did, spikes appeared to stab the soldiers once more. He then twisted his fist a bit, creating a total of three flying spikes on the air. Three pieces for each of the new set of soldiers and, as he brought his hand down, the spikes stabbed through the bodies of these humans.

This is the only time when Mordred finally remembered. There is a story that he once encountered, told to him by an old man in his deathbed. About how there was once a demon more terrifying than any demon general. One who created spikes and spears of pure darkness that made him feared by every human he faced. That same demon is now in front of Mordred and, even more than that, this same demon is acknowledging him as its master.

“You can’t justify this rebellious attitude of yours by saying that I’ll save you my lord. I will, of course, but that doesn’t mean you should throw yourself in danger ever chance you get.”

[15:00]

That is the remaining time that Mordred has left for him before he clears this mission. It’s challenging before because he is in a child’s body and only has a dagger that can be used as his weapon. But now that he’s got Nilfheim, all of that changes.

“Come on my lord. I need to bring you to safety before those bastards notice who you are.” Nilfheim added as the demon took Mordred’s hand.

Then explosions spread around them.

The earth shook from the strength of the blast and, even more so as a twenty more explosions followed. Each strong enough to blast an armored human to pieces and, a hundred of these in total bombarded Mordred and Nilf.

Black smoke covered the area where the explosions occurred. There is nothing that can be seen for a couple of seconds. But outside of it, someone is already approaching. A tall man wearing white armor with golden platting. Bearing the symbol of the dragon on his upper left chest and having the same sigil adorn the hilt of his blade.

The man’s face is covered with a helm. Though not for long as he removed it. Showwng the person beneath. An aged man with grayish hair and well-kept beard. The human’s black eyes stared into the smoke where Mordred and Nilf have been blasted on. Saying these very words.

“Come on now.” The man said. “Don’t be overdramatic. Everyone knows that the great Demon Impaler, NIlheim, won’t die from something like this.”

Soldiers appeared around the arrogant human. Bearing arms more than just swords and bows. There are those using lances and spears and, vanguards using double shields. Defensive weaponry that can absorb and even nullify magic depending on the strength.

Every escape route that can be used has been closed off. The humans have completely cornered their enemy. The only option left is to fight and, fight it is that will happen as, the smoke began to clear. Revealing both Mordred and Nilheim who are still alive.

“Dear me. They told me that you’re strong but, they didn’t tell me you’re stubborn as well.” The man said as a grin spread on his lips. “You could’ve just died you know. That is the most painless option you could’ve taken for yourself.”

“What, and miss the opportunity of crushing an arrogant human like you? I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” NIlfheim replied.

“HAHAHAHAHAHA! That’s more like it!” The general replied in a roar like tone. “I wouldn’t have it any other way. This is how things are supposed to go!”

Mordred can only hear the words. He can’t make out much of what’s happening anymore. It’s clear as day that he’s sustained a great deal of damage. His whole body has numbed after all. And, if he’s left in this state by the explosions, then the same should be true about the demon accompanying him.

Yet instead of being in that same state as he, Nilfheim stood proud and continued talking with the general. That’s when Mordred noticed the gapping hole at the side of the demon’s body. One that allowed him to see right through. Right at the smile of the human general that’s seemingly fixated on the same wound as well.

“You know, it’s really hard to track you down. They say that even with all of that strength, you are elusive and would rather avoid conflict whenever possible.” The general added. “That just didn’t make sense to me. A demon as strong as you should be wreaking havoc in the front lines and killing as many humans as you can. Yet here you are, hiding in a small and remote demon village.”

Things have changed drastically within the last two minutes that passed. At first Mordred thought that Nilfheim is the key to his survival. He’s wrong. This demon simply placed him in a worse spot than he initially was in because, now, he is completely surrounded by the human soldiers. And the only demon that’s on his side to fight for him is mortally wounded.

“I’ve been dying to face you on the battlefield so I did my research. Had a team try and understand why it is that a creature such as you refuse to fight.” The general’s eyes moved to Mordred at that second and a smile widened on the general’s face.

Nilfheim then placed his hand to block Mordred’s view. The adult demon even added spikes that covered Mordred further. A whole cluster of these which protected the demon on all sides. The same trick that Nilfheim used to protect the two of them from the earlier explosions.

“That’s when we found out about that little thing. The creature that you are protecting with all your life and being.” The general added. “You are nursing the next demon lord.”

“You seem to be proud of yourself for someone who needs to rely on cheap tricks and tactics such as this.” Nilfheim answered back. “Is this the way you humans fight? You use a child as a way to get to me?”

“Oh don’t be such a wuss about it okay? All if fair in war. It isn’t my fault that you cannot anticipate something like this happening to you. That’s not my problem at all. It’s yours you idiot.” The human general drew out his sword at that instant.

“It doesn’t matter if you think my methods are cowardly or not. At the end of the day, history is decided by the victors.” The general pointed his sword at Nilfheim. “And I, Gerald Pendragon, will make sure that I am immortalized in history as the man who slayed Nilheim the Impaler.”

Things are heating up and a fight is about to break. In the middle of this storm is Mordred without any chance of escaping. His very body being on the brink of breaking down before him and, as his eyes fixed itself on the battlefield, the floating window remained there. A reminder of his quest and the minutes remaining for him before it ends – the minutes remaining before he escapes hell.

[10:00]