The battlefield stretched before me, tense and chaotic, as the demon army charged forward like a tidal wave of destruction. The air buzzed with the snarls of monsters, the thundering of hooves, and the clanking of armor.
I stood at the frontline, my cloak billowing in the wind, issuing orders with as much confidence as I could muster.
"Archers, mages! Stay in position! Be ready to fire on my signal!" I commanded, my voice cutting through the cacophony.
The archers nodded, drawing their bows taut, their eyes focused and unwavering. The mages began channeling their magic, flames dancing at their fingertips, and arcs of energy crackling in their palms.
Alright, Alex, focus.
The village layout was my battlefield now. With the forest hemming it in, there was only one large path for the demon army to charge through. That chokepoint was both a blessing and a curse. I¡¯d fortified it with traps, but the pressure of ten thousand enemies crashing against it¡ Yeah, no big deal.
But that¡¯s where the man-eating plants came in.
Oh, yeah. Earth magic is awesome. Who knew all those sleepless nights in the library would pay off? One spell had summoned an array of gnarly, flesh-hungry vines that now lined the forest outskirts. It drained me dry when I cast it, but after a good night¡¯s rest, I was back to full strength and ready to make these demons regret ever stepping foot here.
The demon army surged closer, their snarls growing louder. I raised my hand, focusing my mana.
¡°Earth Magic: Abyss Maw!¡±
The ground trembled violently, and then¡ªcrack!¡ªa massive pit opened up beneath their charging forces. Screeches filled the air as demons and monsters tumbled into the gaping hole, a chaotic mess of flailing limbs and confusion.
¡°Archers, fire!¡± I shouted.
The archers loosed their arrows, each one hitting its mark. Hidden oil barrels, strategically placed along the demon horde¡¯s path, burst open, spilling their contents across the battlefield. Black, viscous oil coated the writhing pit of demons and monsters.
The stench was overwhelming, but I didn¡¯t falter.
¡°Mages, your turn! Ignite it!¡±
The mages unleashed their fire spells, streaks of flame arcing through the air. The moment the fire touched the oil, it erupted into a roaring inferno. The pit became an infernal trap, engulfing the demons in flames.
The screams of agony echoed, a gruesome symphony of war.
I clenched my fists, watching the chaos unfold. My chest tightened. This wasn¡¯t a game anymore¡ªthis was real.
¡°Calm down, Alex,¡± I muttered under my breath, forcing myself to take slow, steady breaths. ¡°This is war. It¡¯s horrible, but we need to win. For the village. For peace.¡±
Nyxis hovered beside me, her gaze filled with concern. ¡°Papa, are you okay?¡±
I looked down at her and forced a reassuring smile. ¡°I¡¯m fine, Nyxis. Don¡¯t worry about me. Stay behind the lines, okay? Papa¡¯s got this.¡±
Her little hands tightened as she nodded.
The fire blazed on, but the demon army wasn¡¯t done yet. I could see Belphegor in the distance, barking orders from his throne. The next wave was preparing to charge.
I gritted my teeth. ¡°Alright, Belphegor, round one goes to me. Let¡¯s see how you handle round two.¡±
With renewed focus, I turned to my troops. ¡°Hold your positions! This battle isn¡¯t over yet!¡±
The battlefield roared with chaos as the inferno raged on, consuming wave after wave of demon troops. But, of course, that smug bastard Belphegor wouldn¡¯t sit still for long.
From his makeshift throne carried by his underlings, he shouted, his guttural voice cutting through the air.
¡°Ahh, what the fuck is this?! That pesky human thinks fire will stop us?! Mages, stop gawking and do your job! Make a way forward, now!¡±
The demon mages sprang into action, chanting guttural incantations. The ground trembled again¡ªnot by my doing this time¡ªas an earthen bridge began to rise over the burning pit. It groaned and cracked as the demons stomped across it, their fiery comrades still screaming below.
Great. So they¡¯re stubborn.
"Alex!" shouted the Chief, standing beside me with his battle axe in hand. ¡°They¡¯re adapting. We can¡¯t let them gain momentum!¡±
¡°I know,¡± I muttered, scanning the battlefield. My mind raced. The demons were advancing faster now, pushing through the smoke and flames. Their archers and mages joined the fray, sending volleys of arrows and spells hurtling toward us.
¡°Shields up!¡± I shouted to our front lines.
The villagers and adventurers at the barricades raised their shields just in time, deflecting most of the incoming projectiles. Some broke through, though, and I could hear the cries of pain from those caught in the barrage.
The demon warriors were closing in. Their snarls and roars were deafening, and their brute strength was terrifying. Facing them head-on was out of the question. We were outnumbered and outclassed in raw power.
"Alex, what¡¯s the plan?¡± Lucy called out, her staff glowing faintly with defensive magic.
¡°Survive,¡± I said firmly. ¡°We just need to survive and outlast them.¡±
I turned to Nyxis, who hovered nearby, her expression a mix of worry and determination.
¡°Nyxis,¡± I said, crouching down to her level. ¡°You¡¯re our secret weapon. Stay back for now, but when I give the signal, unleash everything you¡¯ve got. Got it?¡±
She nodded fiercely. ¡°Yes, Papa!¡±
The demon warriors were nearly upon us. I raised my hand, calling out to our archers and mages.
¡°Focus fire on the bridge! Slow them down as much as possible!¡±
A barrage of arrows and spells rained down on the demons, but they pressed on relentlessly. Their sheer numbers were overwhelming, and their warriors began to breach the barricades.
I clenched my fists, summoning my mana. ¡°Earth Magic: Quaking Fault!¡±
The ground beneath the advancing warriors buckled and cracked, sending several of them tumbling into newly formed chasms. But more kept coming.
Belphegor laughed maniacally from his perch. ¡°Is that all you¡¯ve got, human?! Burn your own resources if you want, but you¡¯ll fall soon enough!¡±
I gritted my teeth. ¡°Not on my watch, you overgrown pest.¡±
The battle raged on, chaotic and unrelenting. Every second felt like an eternity, but one thing was clear: if we wanted to win, we¡¯d have to hold out until the right moment. And that moment was coming.
The chaos of battle grew fiercer with every passing moment. The demons pressed forward like an unrelenting tide, their roars echoing through the smoky air. Our arrows and spells were thinning their ranks, but it wasn¡¯t enough to break their momentum.
This is bad. If we don¡¯t change the flow soon, we¡¯ll be overwhelmed.
I turned to the Chief, who was already in the thick of it, his axe cleaving through a demon warrior with a strength that belied his injuries. ¡°Chief, fall back and regroup the melee fighters! We can¡¯t let them breach the barricades entirely!¡±
He gave a curt nod, his face grim. ¡°Got it! Don¡¯t die on me, Alex!¡±
I glanced up and spotted Belphegor still lounging on his throne like the egotistical maniac he was, barking orders at his troops. He didn¡¯t even care about the carnage around him; he was laser-focused on one thing¡ªNyxis.
My fists clenched, and I had to force myself to stay calm. Not yet. He¡¯s baiting me to rush him. I need to keep my head in the game.
¡°Papa!¡± Nyxis called out, hovering just behind me. ¡°They¡¯re getting too close! Can I use my magic now?¡±
¡°Not yet,¡± I said, my tone sharper than I intended. Her expression faltered for a moment, and guilt stabbed at me. I softened my voice. ¡°Soon, Nyxis. I promise. Just hold on a little longer.¡±
The enemy mages began launching more powerful spells, fiery projectiles and shadowy tendrils soaring toward the barricades.
¡°Lucy!¡± I called out. ¡°Put up a barrier¡ªnow!¡±
She raised her staff, chanting quickly. ¡°Barrier Magic: Divine Aegis!¡±
A shimmering dome of light enveloped the front lines, deflecting the worst of the onslaught. But I could see the strain on her face.
¡°Lucy, don¡¯t push yourself too hard!¡±
She shot me a fierce look. ¡°I¡¯m not letting them through, Alex! Focus on the fight!¡±
I turned back to the battlefield just in time to see the first wave of demon warriors breach the barricades.
¡°Front line, hold the line!¡± I shouted.
The melee fighters surged forward to engage the demons in close combat. Swords clashed against claws, and screams filled the air as both sides took casualties.
We¡¯re holding, but barely. Time to tip the scales.
I raised my hand, channeling my mana. The familiar, pulsating energy of chaos magic stirred within me, threatening to spiral out of control. I gritted my teeth and focused.
¡°Chaos Magic: Rift Spikes!¡±
Black and red crystalline spires erupted from the ground in a chaotic pattern, impaling several demons and blocking off one of their main approaches. The strain of the spell made my head throb, but I held firm.
Belphegor finally stood from his throne, his massive frame looming over the battlefield. His voice boomed like thunder.
¡°You think your little tricks will stop me?! Humans, prepare to face the might of a demon general!¡±
He leaped down from his perch, landing with a thunderous crash that sent shockwaves rippling through the ground. His troops cheered wildly, their morale surging.
¡°Nyxis,¡± I said, my voice steady despite the storm raging inside me. ¡°Now¡¯s your time.¡±
Her golden eyes blazed with determination as she stepped forward. ¡°Yes, Papa.¡±
She spread her wings, and a radiant aura enveloped her. The wind itself seemed to bow to her command as she began to chant in a melodic, otherworldly tone.
¡°Sky Magic: Tempest Surge!¡±
A massive gale swept across the battlefield, tearing through the demon ranks like a hurricane. Lightning crackled through the storm, striking down dozens of enemies in an instant.
Belphegor snarled, his eyes locking onto Nyxis. ¡°There you are, my precious experiment!¡±
He charged toward her, his massive sword raised.
But I was faster.
¡°Not so fast, you overgrown pest!¡± I roared, intercepting him with a fiery slash from my sword, augmented with chaos energy.
Our blades clashed, sending a shockwave that rippled through the battlefield.
The real fight had begun.
A SHORT EXTRA
Duskenfern: The Hidden Gem of Knowledge and Grit
Duskenfern wasn¡¯t your typical village. Nestled at the edge of the Solarius Kingdom, it was a unique mix of wisdom and raw determination. The place had a charm that blended the serene lifestyle of retired scholars with the rugged expertise of former adventurers. You could walk down a cobblestone street and find an old mage scribbling runes in a dusty notebook while a retired warrior shouted combat tips at a group of eager youths swinging practice swords.
But recently, Duskenfern had become a hive of activity. The old folks had written letters far and wide, calling for their children and grandchildren to return and defend their cherished home. And the response? Overwhelming. What was once a quaint village of about 1,000 people had doubled in size practically overnight. The returning youths brought their skills, energy, and¡ªmost importantly¡ªtheir determination.Stolen story; please report.
The Village of Preparation
Duskenfern had become a fortress in all but name. Retired adventurers taught combat techniques to the young and strong, while scholars shared their wisdom on magical theory and tactics. Even the village school turned into a war academy, teaching students how to wield both swords and spells.
The result? A force of 1,000 trained fighters¡ªarchers, swordsmen, mages, and a handful of specialists who were as resourceful as they were brave. The remaining 1,000, mostly civilians, were hidden underground, ready to escape to a nearby cave system if things went south.
The Demon Army: A Monstrous Horde
On the other side was the demon army, an overwhelming force of 10,000 soldiers led by none other than Belphegor, a demon general infamous for his brutality and cunning. He had gathered an army of demons, monsters, and corrupted beasts, a tide of destruction that seemed unstoppable.
Belphegor was no ordinary commander. From his grotesque throne carried by his soldiers, he barked orders and reveled in the chaos. The monsters under his control roared and snarled, their bloodlust palpable. This wasn¡¯t just a battle for territory¡ªit was a statement of domination.
MARGRAVE- BELPHEGORRS PLAN
The chaos magic flowed through me like a tempest, surging and crackling with a will of its own. It wasn¡¯t like the other spells I¡¯d mastered; this was raw, untamed power. It didn¡¯t drain my mana, no¡ªit pulled energy from everything around me, leaving me to wrestle with its overwhelming force.
And let me tell you, it wasn¡¯t easy. The mental strain was enough to make my head feel like it was splitting open, and my muscles screamed with every motion. But damn, the payoff? Totally worth it. Chaos was stronger than anything else I had in my arsenal.
¡°Yeah, much stronger.¡±
Belphegor narrowed his eyes at the swirling energy around me, his smug grin faltering for the first time. ¡°What is this magic you wield, you pesky human? I¡¯ve never seen anything like it!¡±
I grinned, raising my blade as chaos energy rippled along its edge. ¡°This? Oh, this is the magic that¡¯s going to kill you and every other demon that dares to come near my daughter!¡±
His face twisted in anger, and his aura flared dangerously. ¡°You dare mock me, Belphegor, Demon General of Malachor¡¯s army?! Let me show you the difference in our power!¡±
Belphegor stepped back, his massive blade glowing with a sickly green light. The air around him warped, charged with demonic mana. He raised one clawed hand, pointing it toward the battlefield.
¡°[Demonic Magic: Thousand Spears of Death]!¡±
Note: Belphegor was also a demon who excelled in Magic and not in Physical attribute.
The sky above turned dark as countless spectral spears formed, glinting with malevolent energy. They hovered for a brief moment before raining down upon the battlefield, aiming for the village, my allies, and even his own troops.
¡°Seriously? He doesn¡¯t even care about his own side? What a charming guy.¡±
I planted my feet firmly, chaos energy surging through me as I prepared my counter. ¡°So that¡¯s how you want to play it, Belphegor? Fine. Let me show you how humans fight.¡±
I raised my hand, flames roaring to life in my palm.
¡°[Inferno Magic: Hellfire]!¡±
A massive wall of roaring fire surged forward, colliding with the onslaught of spears. The clash was deafening, a cacophony of explosions and crackling energy that sent shockwaves rippling through the battlefield. My fire swallowed most of his spears, but a few slipped through, striking both our sides.
Belphegor laughed, his voice booming over the chaos. ¡°Ho ho ho! You think you can protect them all? Foolish human! You¡¯ll learn your place soon enough!¡±
The laughter stopped abruptly as Belphegor¡¯s expression grew even darker. He raised both arms, his body glowing with a sinister, pulsing light.
¡°Fine then, let¡¯s see you handle this!
[Demonic Magic: Abyssal Desolation]!¡±
The ground beneath us began to quake as a massive black vortex started forming in the sky. The winds howled, and a chilling pressure pressed down on everything, like the world itself was bending to his will.
The vortex began pulling in energy, trees, and even some unlucky demons too slow to escape its grasp. It was chaos¡ªpure, unbridled destruction.
I tightened my grip on my sword. The chaos magic within me responded, surging like a tidal wave ready to break free.
¡°Alright, Belphegor,¡± I muttered, the chaos energy coiling around me like a living thing. ¡°You want to bring out the big guns? Fine. Let¡¯s see whose magic tears the other apart first!¡±
The stage was set, the battlefield teetering on the edge of complete annihilation. The clash of chaos and demon magic was only just beginning, and one thing was clear: this wasn¡¯t going to end quietly.
The vortex above twisted and grew, pulling debris, the cries of demons, and even the very air into its churning maw. Belphegor¡¯s mana flared wildly, his towering form silhouetted by the unnatural light of his spell. He smirked, his sharp teeth gleaming.
¡°Come on, human,¡± he sneered. ¡°Let¡¯s see if that pathetic little magic of yours can stop this!¡±
I stared him down, my body crackling with chaos energy, muscles tense. The thrum of power was almost deafening, but I couldn¡¯t let the weight of it crush me. Not now. Not with so much at stake.
Nyxis¡¯s voice echoed in my mind. Papa, I¡¯m not scared because you¡¯re with me.
I took a deep breath. ¡°Alright, Belphegor, you asked for it. Let¡¯s see what happens when chaos meets your so-called ultimate spell!¡±
I raised my hand, and the chaotic energy around me surged into a single point, a swirling orb of black and crimson energy. The air grew heavier, a low hum vibrating through the battlefield as even Belphegor paused, his grin faltering.
¡°[Chaos Magic: Annihilation Pulse]!¡±
The pulse erupted from my hand like a cannon blast, tearing through the air with a deafening roar. The ground beneath me cracked, and the chaos energy surged forward, meeting Belphegor¡¯s Abyssal Desolation head-on.
The collision was catastrophic. A blinding flash of light enveloped the battlefield, followed by a deafening boom. The vortex and my chaos pulse fought for dominance, energy crackling and exploding outward, ripping apart the terrain.
Belphegor roared, his body glowing brighter as he poured more mana into his spell. ¡°I am a Demon General! You cannot defeat me, human!¡±The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.
I gritted my teeth, pushing back with everything I had. The chaos magic was alive, resisting my control, but I refused to let it win. ¡°I don¡¯t care if you¡¯re a Demon General or the King of Hell himself! No one threatens my family!¡±
The clash reached its peak, the swirling energies collapsing into a single point before exploding outward in a massive shockwave. I was thrown back, skidding across the ground, my vision blurring from the impact.
When the dust settled, the battlefield was unrecognizable. Craters dotted the land, fires burned uncontrollably, and the once-organized demon army was in complete disarray. Belphegor stood in the distance, his armor cracked and his body battered, but still alive.
¡°You...you insolent worm!¡± he growled, staggering forward. ¡°How dare you damage me like this!¡±
I forced myself to my feet, panting, my body screaming in protest. Chaos energy still flickered around me, though much dimmer than before. ¡°Still standing, huh? Guess I didn¡¯t hit you hard enough.¡±
Belphegor¡¯s rage was palpable, but his forces were in no condition to continue the fight. His soldiers hesitated, fear flickering in their eyes as they looked between him and the destruction I¡¯d caused.
¡°Fall back!¡± he roared, his voice shaking the air. ¡°This isn¡¯t over, human! Mark my words¡ªyou and that Skyrend are mine!¡±
The demon army began retreating, their morale shattered. I collapsed to one knee, exhaustion finally catching up to me.
The villagers slowly emerged from their hiding places, cautious but relieved. Cheers erupted as they realized the demons were retreating, the sound of victory echoing across the ruined battlefield.
Nyxis ran up to me, her eyes wide with worry. ¡°Papa! Are you okay?¡±
I smiled weakly, ruffling her hair. ¡°Yeah, sweetie. Papa¡¯s fine. Just a little tired.¡±
Lucy and the chief approached, their faces a mix of relief and awe. ¡°You...you actually did it,¡± Lucy said, her voice trembling. ¡°You drove them back.¡±
¡°For now,¡± I replied, forcing myself to stand. ¡°This isn¡¯t over. Belphegor will return, and next time, he¡¯ll be even stronger. We need to be ready.¡±
The chief nodded solemnly. ¡°We owe you everything, Alex. Duskenfern stands because of you.¡±
I looked at the cheering villagers, at Nyxis¡¯s worried but proud face, and felt a surge of determination. This wasn¡¯t just about survival anymore. This was about protecting the people I¡¯d come to care about and ensuring a future for Nyxis.
¡°Next time,¡± I muttered, clenching my fist, ¡°we¡¯ll be the ones striking first.¡±
After the battle ended all the people thanked us.
I was utterly spent, every muscle in my body screaming in protest. The chaos magic I had wielded left a dull ache in my head, and my mana reserves were practically nonexistent. But amidst the exhaustion, I heard a small, familiar voice call out to me.
¡°Papa! You were so great in the battle! You even defeated the demon general!¡±
I looked up to see Nyxis hopping toward me with an excited grin plastered across her face. Her eyes sparkled with admiration, and despite the fatigue threatening to pull me under, I couldn¡¯t help but smile.
¡°Is that so, Nyxis?¡± I replied, ruffling her head. ¡°Well, if Papa looked great out there, it¡¯s only because of you. If it¡¯s for you, I¡¯d fight the whole world.¡±
Her giggle was like a soothing balm, melting away a little of the heaviness weighing on my chest.
As I was about to collapse into a sitting position, Chief Asher and Lucy approached.
¡°Well, if it isn¡¯t our village¡¯s savior, Alex!¡± the chief said with a wide grin, his arm still in a sling from his earlier injuries.
I managed a weak grin. ¡°It¡¯s not much, Chief. I just did what I promised to do¡ªprotect Duskenfern.¡±
¡°You did more than that,¡± Lucy chimed in, her voice warm. ¡°You were incredible out there.¡±
I chuckled lightly. ¡°And so were you, Lucy. Without your help, I couldn¡¯t have done it.¡±
The chief clapped me on the shoulder¡ªgently, thankfully. ¡°Alex, you¡¯ve more than earned our respect. That¡¯s why tomorrow, we¡¯re holding a celebration in your honor. The Hero of Duskenfern deserves a proper party.¡±
I blinked in surprise. ¡°A...party? Really?¡±
¡°Don¡¯t look so shocked,¡± the chief said with a laugh. ¡°You¡¯ve saved the village twice now. The least we can do is throw a feast!¡±
Before I could protest, they turned to leave. Lucy, however, lingered for a moment, her usual confident demeanor softening.
¡°Wait here,¡± she said with a small smile. ¡°I¡¯ll bring us dinner. You¡¯ve earned it.¡±
And just like that, she was off, leaving me and Nyxis alone.
As I sat down on a rock, Nyxis crawled into my lap, her claws gripping my shirt as she snuggled close. ¡°Papa, will you be okay tomorrow?¡±
I hugged her gently, resting my chin on her head. ¡°Of course, Nyxis. It¡¯s just a party. Besides...¡± I paused, chuckling softly. ¡°I think I¡¯ll enjoy being called a hero for once.¡±
Nyxis looked up at me with her wide, innocent eyes. ¡°You¡¯re always my hero, Papa.¡±
And just like that, the exhaustion didn¡¯t seem so overwhelming anymore.
After the chaotic day, Nyxis and I retreated to our humble little abode. The warm glow of the setting sun seeped through the cracks in the wooden walls, giving the room a cozy feel. First order of business? A good, long bath.
The steaming water worked wonders, washing away the grime, blood, and sheer exhaustion of the battle. Nyxis splashed happily, the events of the day seemingly forgotten in her innocent joy. Watching her laugh and play, I couldn¡¯t help but feel a wave of relief. We made it through another day.
Once we were both refreshed, I sank into my favorite place the bed where Nyxis and I slept while Nyxis curled up beside me, her head resting on my arm. ¡°Ahhh,¡± I groaned, stretching. ¡°That battle was no joke. At least the damage to the village wasn¡¯t too severe... though we still lost some good people.¡±
The weight of the day settled on me again. Tomorrow¡¯s feast wasn¡¯t just for celebration¡ªit would be a time to honor the sacrifices made, the comrades lost, and the bravery shown.
As the stars began to twinkle outside, Lucy arrived with dinner. She balanced a tray filled with steaming dishes that smelled divine.
¡°Hope you¡¯re hungry,¡± she said with a playful smirk as she set the food down.
Hungry was an understatement. Nyxis and I dug in enthusiastically, savoring every bite. The flavors were rich and comforting, the perfect antidote to a hard-fought day.
¡°Lucy, you¡¯ve outdone yourself again,¡± I said between mouthfuls.
Nyxis nodded sleepily. ¡°Best...dinner...ever...¡± she murmured, her eyelids drooping.
Lucy chuckled. ¡°Glad you two liked it. It¡¯s the least I can do after everything you¡¯ve done.¡±
After dinner, Nyxis fell asleep almost immediately, her tiny snores filling the room. I carefully tucked her into bed before stepping outside with Lucy.
The night sky was breathtaking. The stars blanketed the heavens, shining brighter than I¡¯d ever seen. The cool breeze carried with it the faint scent of the forest, mingling with the distant chirps of crickets.
¡°This is... amazing,¡± I said, leaning back against the porch railing.
Lucy stood beside me, arms crossed, gazing at the same sky. ¡°It¡¯s moments like this that make everything worth it, don¡¯t you think?¡±
I nodded. ¡°Yeah. After a day like today, it¡¯s good to remind ourselves why we fight. To protect this peace, these moments.¡±
We talked about everything and nothing. Stories of the past, dreams for the future, and random musings about the stars. Time slipped away unnoticed, the world fading until it was just the two of us.
At some point, I must¡¯ve been more tired than I realized, because the next thing I knew, my head was resting on Lucy¡¯s shoulder. She didn¡¯t move or push me away. Instead, she gently adjusted herself so I ended up with my head on her lap.
I was dead to the world, the exhaustion finally winning out. But Lucy... she stayed.
Her fingers brushed a strand of hair from my face as she whispered, ¡°Thank you, Alex. For everything. For saving this village, for protecting us all...¡±
Then, in the quiet stillness of the night, she leaned down and pressed a soft, fleeting kiss to my lips.
¡°You¡¯re more of a hero than you know,¡± she murmured, her voice barely audible.
And there we stayed, under the watchful gaze of the stars, as the village slept peacefully for the first time in days.
Someplace far,
The demon general¡¯s estate was as dark and ominous as the demon himself. Thick clouds of ash swirled above, casting an eternal twilight over the sprawling fortress. Inside, the air was thick with tension, broken only by the sound of crashing furniture.
Belphegor, paced furiously in his chamber, his face twisted in a mask of rage.
¡°That human!¡± he snarled, slamming his fist into the table, shattering it. ¡°Twice now, he¡¯s bested me! TWICE! How is this even possible?!¡±
His piercing red eyes burned with fury as he clawed at his throne. ¡°I am Belphegor Nomicus, the mightiest of generals! And yet... I can¡¯t defeat a single human! UGH! Curse him! Curse that wretched Skyrend!¡±
His rant was interrupted by the creak of the chamber doors. A thin, calculating demon advisor slithered into the room, bowing deeply. ¡°My lord, I bring you news that may interest you... intelligence about acquiring the Skyrend.¡±
Belphegor¡¯s rage stilled momentarily. He turned his fiery gaze toward the advisor, his voice low and menacing. ¡°Speak. Quickly.¡±
The advisor stepped closer, his lips curling into a devious smile. ¡°You see, my lord, while that human may have proven difficult to defeat on the battlefield, there¡¯s another way to secure the Skyrend... one that doesn¡¯t require you to risk yourself.¡±
Belphegor leaned forward, his interest piqued. ¡°Go on.¡±
The advisor whispered the details of a sinister plan into the general¡¯s ear. It was a scheme that involved deceit, manipulation, and exploiting the human¡¯s trust.
As the plan unfolded, Belphegor¡¯s expression shifted. First, a spark of curiosity. Then, a slow, wicked grin spread across his face. By the time the advisor finished, the demon general was roaring with laughter.
¡°HAHAHAHA! So that¡¯s all it takes?¡± he bellowed. ¡°I don¡¯t even need to face that pathetic human in battle again? I can have the Skyrend without lifting a finger?!¡±
The advisor nodded, his grin matching his master¡¯s. ¡°Precisely, my lord. This plan will not only secure the Skyrend but also humiliate that human in the process. They won¡¯t even see it coming.¡±
Belphegor¡¯s laughter echoed through the estate, a sound that sent chills down the spines of every demon within earshot. ¡°Perfect... simply perfect. That Skyrend will be mine. MINE! And once I have it, I¡¯ll finally show that human¡ªand the entire demon world¡ªwhy I am unrivaled!¡±
He stood, his towering figure casting a massive shadow across the room. His confidence was restored, his anger replaced by a burning determination.
¡°Prepare everything,¡± Belphegor ordered, his voice booming. ¡°It¡¯s time to put this plan into motion. Soon, the Skyrend will belong to me, and that human will regret ever crossing me!¡±
The advisor bowed deeply. ¡°As you command, Lord Belphegor.¡±
And so, with sinister intentions and a twisted plan in place, the demon general prepared to strike once more¡ªnot with brute force, but with cunning deception.
FINAL MARGRAVE- PARTY AND NYXIS!!!
I woke up to the soft warmth of sunlight filtering through the window, the birds outside chirping their morning songs. Stretching lazily, I turned my head¡ªand froze.
There was Lucy, still fast asleep, her peaceful expression bathed in the soft morning light. Wait... why are we... huh? I blinked a few times, trying to piece together what had happened.
Okay, let¡¯s think. Last night, we talked under the stars... Then I was exhausted and¡ª
Oh.
OH.
A jolt of embarrassment hit me like a thunderbolt. ¡°What the heck is this situation?!¡± I whispered to myself, careful not to wake her. Did I just... fall asleep like that? On her lap? My mind spiraled.
Suppressing the urge to panic, I slowly slid away without waking Lucy and tiptoed to freshen up. On the way, I peeked into Nyxis¡¯s room. She was curled up in bed, her wings twitching slightly as she dreamed.
I couldn¡¯t help but smile. ¡°At least one of us is having a normal morning,¡± I muttered.
After splashing some water on my face and gathering my thoughts, I returned to the living room¡ªonly to find Lucy awake and stretching, her hair slightly messy from sleep.
¡°Ah, Alex,¡± she said, noticing me. ¡°You¡¯re up early.¡±
I scratched the back of my head sheepishly. ¡°Yeah, uh... sorry about, you know, last night. I hope I didn¡¯t cause you any trouble. I mean, my big body must¡¯ve been a nightmare to deal with, falling asleep on you like that.¡±
Lucy paused, her cheeks flushing a light pink. She turned her gaze away, fidgeting with the hem of her tunic. ¡°No, no trouble at all. It wasn¡¯t a problem... I, um, didn¡¯t mind.¡±
Huh? Her voice was soft, almost shy. It wasn¡¯t like Lucy to be flustered like this.
¡°Wait, what happened?¡± I asked, leaning closer.
¡°It¡¯s nothing!¡± she blurted, waving her hands as if trying to physically push the topic away. ¡°Just forget it!¡±
Before I could press further, a loud, cheerful chirp echoed from Nyxis¡¯s room.
¡°Papa!¡±
Nyxis bounded into the living room, her wings fluttering as she pounced on me with the energy of a thousand suns.
¡°Ah, Nyxis, you¡¯re awake,¡± I said as she rubbed her sleepy eyes and stretched her tiny wings. ¡°Go freshen up, alright? I¡¯ll prepare something for you. You must be hungry after all that chirping.¡±
¡°Okay, Papa!¡± she chirped, hopping off to the washroom.
I glanced over at Lucy, who was still lingering near the living room. ¡°Lucy, could you stay with Nyxis for a bit? I¡¯m going to grab a few things from the store.¡±
¡°Sure thing,¡± she replied with a warm smile. ¡°Don¡¯t take too long, though. She¡¯s already asking for food.¡±
With that, I grabbed my cloak, draped it over my shoulders, and stepped out into the lively streets of Duskenfern. The scene before me was nothing short of breathtaking. The villagers were bustling about, hanging colorful streamers, setting up festive stalls, and hauling decorations to every corner of the square. It seemed they were going all out for today¡¯s celebration.
The air was alive with laughter and chatter. Even after the intense battle, the villagers were determined to celebrate their victory and honor the fallen.
As I wandered through the streets, taking in the energy, I caught sight of Chief Asher and Edward walking briskly toward the village outskirts. They seemed deep in conversation.
Probably discussing village defenses or future plans, I thought. Knowing them, they¡¯ll have it covered.
I didn¡¯t linger on the thought and continued to the marketplace. The smell of freshly cooked food wafted through the air, pulling me toward a familiar stall. The vendor greeted me with a toothy grin.
¡°Ah, Alex! Here for the usual?¡±
¡°Yup. Give me some of that fried tender meat. Make it extra crispy,¡± I said, my stomach growling at the sight of the sizzling skewers.
After paying, I made my way back home, the warm food tucked under my arm. As I approached, I heard laughter spilling from inside.
When I stepped in, the sight that greeted me was enough to melt my heart. Nyxis and Lucy were sitting on the floor, playing a card game. Nyxis¡¯s high-pitched giggles filled the room as she slapped down a winning card, while Lucy feigned a dramatic loss.
¡°Papa! Look! I won! Lucy¡¯s not good at this game!¡± Nyxis declared triumphantly, puffing out her cheeks in a proud pout.
Lucy raised an eyebrow, pretending to be offended. ¡°Hey now, I¡¯m just letting you win, you little rascal.¡±
I chuckled, setting the food on the table. Watching them together made my heart feel lighter. Nyxis, with her boundless joy and innocence, and Lucy, always patient and kind, had created a warmth in my life that I didn¡¯t realize I needed so desperately.
What a beautiful daughter I have, I thought, leaning against the doorframe and letting the moment sink in. And Lucy...
My thoughts lingered on her for a moment. She wasn¡¯t just a friend¡ªno, she was much more than that. She cooked delicious meals, cared for Nyxis like a mother would, and had a soul that radiated kindness.
She¡¯s such a good person... and honestly, I like her. A lot.
¡°Papa! Are you daydreaming again?!¡± Nyxis¡¯s voice jolted me out of my thoughts.
I grinned, scratching the back of my head. ¡°Maybe a little. Anyway, come eat before the food gets cold!¡±
¡°Yay! Food!¡±
Lucy gave me a knowing smile as she helped Nyxis to the table. My cheeks flushed slightly, but I ignored it. For now, it was just another peaceful moment in our humble little home
After finishing the crispy meat I¡¯d bought, Nyxis happily licking her fingers clean, a sharp knock came at the door. I stood, throwing on my trusty cloak out of habit.
¡°Who could it be this time?¡± I muttered as I opened the door.
Standing there were Chief Asher and Edward, both looking unusually festive.
¡°Oh, hey Chief! Edward!¡± I greeted them, stepping aside slightly to make space.
¡°Alex, the feast is about to start. We need you there soon, so we came to remind you,¡± Asher said with his usual commanding tone, though there was a friendly smile on his face.
¡°Don¡¯t worry, Chief,¡± I said confidently. ¡°Nyxis and I will be there on time.¡±
¡°Good, good,¡± Asher nodded. Edward gave me a quick thumbs-up before they turned and headed off toward the village square.
After closing the door, I looked back at Nyxis and Lucy.
¡°Well, you heard them. We¡¯re heading out soon. Lucy, you should get ready too.¡±
Lucy gave a small nod. ¡°I¡¯ll head back to my place to change into my traditional dress. I¡¯ll meet you here before we go.¡±This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.
With that, she left, and Nyxis and I busied ourselves for a bit, chatting about how excited she was for the festival.
It wasn¡¯t long before Lucy returned. I¡¯d been adjusting Nyxis¡¯s ribbon when I heard the soft knock on the door.
¡°Come in!¡± I called, still fiddling with the knot.
The door creaked open, and Lucy stepped in. My hands froze mid-knot as my eyes locked on her.
She wore a traditional Duskenfern dress, a flowing ensemble of emerald and gold hues, perfectly complementing her soft features. Her hair was neatly braided with small flowers tucked in, and the way she carried herself radiated elegance.
I blurted out without thinking, ¡°Wow... how beautiful!¡±
Lucy froze for a second, then her cheeks flushed a deep red. She quickly looked away, fidgeting with the hem of her dress.
¡°Ah... I mean¡ª¡± I stammered, suddenly realizing what I¡¯d said. ¡°Uh, it¡¯s just¡ªLucy, you look... really beautiful in that traditional attire. Like, wow, really!¡±
Nyxis jumped in, her little voice full of enthusiasm. ¡°Papa¡¯s right! Sister Lucy, you look soooo beautiful!¡±
Lucy giggled softly, her blush deepening. ¡°Thank you, Alex. And you too, Nyxis. You both are too kind.¡±
I scratched the back of my neck, feeling the awkward tension in the air. Nyxis, of course, was oblivious to it all, tugging on Lucy¡¯s hand.
¡°Let¡¯s go! Let¡¯s go! The festival is waiting!¡±
Lucy smiled, her gaze flickering to me briefly before she turned toward Nyxis. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s head out.¡±
I pulled my cloak snug around my shoulders, trying to compose myself. Together, we stepped out into the lively streets of Duskenfern, the sounds of the festival filling the night air.
This is going to be a night to remember, I thought, sneaking a glance at Lucy, who was happily chatting with Nyxis.
And somehow, for just a fleeting moment, everything felt perfect.
When we reached the festival grounds, the village was already buzzing with energy. Lanterns swayed in the gentle breeze, casting warm glows across the crowd. The villagers cheered as we arrived, and before I knew it, Chief Asher was dragging me¡ªcloak and all¡ªonto the main stage.
¡°And now,¡± the chief boomed, his voice resonating across the square, ¡°we honor the saviors of Duskenfern!¡±
The crowd erupted in applause. I scratched the back of my head awkwardly, nudging Nyxis to give a small wave.
¡°Alex and Nyxis, you¡¯ve proven that bravery and heart are what truly protect our land!¡± Asher continued. ¡°This feast is not only to celebrate our victory but also to honor the sacrifices made by our fallen.¡±
The crowd¡¯s cheers softened into a respectful hush.
The ceremony transitioned into a hymn¡ªone I¡¯d only ever read about in the game. It was a song of remembrance, sung across the Light Kingdom whenever brave souls were lost in battle.
The villagers began singing in unison, their voices weaving together in perfect harmony. Lucy¡¯s voice stood out¡ªa clear, heartfelt melody that sent chills down my spine. She sang with such emotion, it felt like the hymn itself was alive, carrying the gratitude of the living and the peace for the fallen.
Then, there was Nyxis.
I glanced over and couldn¡¯t help but chuckle. My daughter was giving it her all, but she clearly didn¡¯t know the words. Instead, she was blurting out random syllables in an enthusiastic, chaotic jumble.
¡°Blah-la-la light of somethin¡¯, tra-la peace-y wha-uhh¡!¡±
Her hands waved dramatically in the air like she was conducting an invisible orchestra. The sight was so endearing, I had to hold back laughter to avoid ruining the solemn moment.
Lucy noticed too, her singing faltering for just a second as she tried to stifle her own giggle. She shot me a warm glance, her eyes twinkling with amusement and fondness.
After the hymn ended and respects were paid, the atmosphere lightened. The villagers returned to celebrating, the square filling with laughter and the smell of delicious food.
¡°Alright, Nyxis,¡± I said, crouching down to her level. ¡°Let¡¯s check out the stalls. What do you want to do first?¡±
¡°Games! And snacks! And¡ªoooh, Papa, look!¡± Nyxis pointed toward a stall where a group of children was trying to knock down bottles with small rocks.
¡°Alright, let¡¯s win you a prize,¡± I said, ruffling her hair.
Lucy tagged along as we explored the various stalls. From dart games to colorful trinkets, Nyxis wanted to try everything. At one point, she insisted on a ring toss, determined to win a plush toy shaped like a winged fox.
¡°Papa! Papa! Help me aim!¡± she squealed.
I guided her hand, and with a triumphant toss, she landed the ring perfectly. She cheered so loudly that nearby villagers joined in her celebration.
Lucy and I shared a glance, both of us grinning like fools.
¡°Alex, you¡¯re a natural at this ¡®dad¡¯ thing,¡± she said teasingly.
¡°Hey, don¡¯t underestimate me,¡± I replied with mock seriousness. ¡°I¡¯ve got plenty of practice dodging tantrums and snack negotiations.¡±
We laughed as Nyxis proudly hugged her new plush toy.
The rest of the evening was a blur of joy. We tried every snack we could find¡ªcrispy fried rolls, sweet pastries, and even something Lucy called ¡°Duskenfern¡¯s legendary honey-glazed skewer.¡±
By the time we returned to the square¡¯s center, Nyxis was fast asleep in my arms, her little plush clutched tightly to her chest. Lucy walked beside me, her traditional dress swaying gently as she carried a basket of treats for later.
As we stood under the lantern-lit sky, I felt a rare sense of peace.
¡°Thank you, Alex,¡± Lucy said softly, breaking the comfortable silence.
¡°For what?¡±
¡°For everything. For protecting this village¡ and for being you.¡±
I glanced at her, surprised by the sincerity in her voice. She smiled, but there was something deeper in her gaze¡ªa quiet warmth that made my heart skip a beat.
¡°¡It¡¯s nothing, really,¡± I said, scratching my neck awkwardly. ¡°I just did what anyone would¡¯ve done.¡±
¡°Not everyone,¡± she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
For once, I had no witty retort. I just looked at her, my heart feeling strangely full.
And in that moment, under the glow of the lanterns, I realized something.
This wasn¡¯t just a victory celebration.
It was a night I¡¯d never forget.
The festival was in full swing, with laughter and music filling the air. Nyxis was happily clutching her new plush, and Lucy was browsing some handmade trinkets when Edward approached me.
¡°Hey, Alex,¡± he said, his tone unusually serious. ¡°Can I borrow you for a moment?¡±
¡°Hm?¡± I glanced at Nyxis, unsure if I should leave.
Lucy caught on immediately. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Alex,¡± she said, smiling warmly. ¡°I¡¯ll keep an eye on her. You go.¡±
¡°Alright, if you say so.¡± I gave Nyxis a quick pat on the head before following Edward.
Edward led me toward the village library, where he explained he had encountered a magical mechanism only I could help with. Honestly, it sounded a bit off, but I trusted Edward enough to go along with it.
After tinkering with some enchanted locks and helping him sort through a few old scrolls, I returned to where I¡¯d left Lucy and Nyxis.
But they weren¡¯t there.
The lively energy of the festival suddenly felt suffocating. My heart sank.
I searched the crowd, asking every villager I passed. But most were drunk, too far gone to offer any helpful answers. Frustration bubbled within me as I scoured the area.
Finally, I found Lucy.
She was lying on the ground, blood staining her traditional dress.
¡°Lucy!¡± I ran to her side, dropping to my knees.
Her eyes fluttered open weakly. ¡°A-Alex¡¡± she croaked.
¡°Lucy, what happened? Who did this?¡± My voice was sharp, panic lacing every word.
She winced, tears streaming down her face. ¡°It¡ it was Chief Asher. He¡ he betrayed us. He was with demons. They¡ they took Nyxis. I¡ I tried¡ I tried to protect her, but¡¡±
Her voice broke as she dissolved into sobs, clutching my sleeve with trembling fingers.
¡°No, Lucy¡ It¡¯s not your fault.¡± I clenched my fists, fury bubbling in my chest.
She coughed, her breaths shallow. ¡°Alex¡ please¡ save her¡¡±
I quickly used Earth Magic to create a herbal salve, pressing it gently against her wounds. ¡°This will help you recover. Rest now.¡±
Her body relaxed as she drifted into sleep, exhaustion overtaking her. Carefully, I lifted her onto my back and carried her to a nearby home, entrusting her to one of the village healers.
Then I turned back toward the gates.
After interrogating the few less sober villagers left, I finally got a lead. One of them had seen Chief Asher leaving the village with a group of people, heading toward the outskirts.
I sprinted toward the gates, my heart pounding with dread.
When I arrived, the scene that greeted me made my blood boil.
Chief Asher stood with Belphegor¡ªstill bearing the wounds I¡¯d given him in battle¡ªflanked by his advisor and a small demon battalion.
And there, lying unconscious on the ground, was Nyxis.
Her tiny body was motionless, her plush toy lying just out of reach.
I rushed forward, fury burning in my veins¡ªbut before I could reach them, several glowing chains shot through the air, wrapping tightly around me.
The moment they latched on, I felt a sharp drain. My knees buckled as my mana ebbed away like water through a sieve.
¡°What¡ is this?¡± I growled, struggling against the restraints.
¡°Hah, if it isn¡¯t the famous Sir Alex,¡± sneered the demon advisor, his voice dripping with mockery. ¡°These are chains of mana extraction. Clever little things, don¡¯t you think?¡±
¡°You vile scum!¡± I spat, glaring at him with every ounce of hatred I could muster. My gaze flickered to Nyxis, still unconscious and trapped within their grasp. ¡°Leave her alone!¡±
I turned my wrath to Asher. ¡°You! I trusted you! I fought for this village! And this is how you repay me? You absolute coward! I¡¯ll never forgive you!¡±
Asher lowered his head, refusing to meet my eyes. Not a single word left his mouth.
The advisor chuckled. ¡°Calm down, hero. You make it sound so dramatic. All Asher did was strike a deal. You see, you wanted to protect this Skyrend, and he¡ well, he wanted to save someone precious to him. Fair trade, don¡¯t you think?¡±
I struggled against the chains, chaos energy flickering wildly around me. ¡°Save someone? Save someone?! You kidnapped my daughter! You¡¯ve no right to talk about saving anyone!¡±
¡°Ah, such misplaced anger,¡± the advisor sighed theatrically. ¡°Well, it¡¯s no matter now. With this Skyrend in our hands, our victory is assured.¡±
Nyxis¡¯s name tore from my throat in a desperate scream, and something inside me snapped.
The chaos energy within me surged, bolts of wild, destructive power arcing from my body. The chains that bound me shattered into dust, and the soldiers nearby were obliterated in an instant.
The advisor stumbled back, shielding his face. ¡°General Belphegor!¡± he shrieked. ¡°We¡¯ve got what we came for! We must retreat immediately!¡±
Belphegor nodded, an infuriating smirk on his face. ¡°Agreed. We¡¯ve lingered here long enough.¡±
I lunged forward, but the demon battalion threw themselves in my path. One after another, I cut them down, chaos energy crackling around me like a storm.
Nyxis was encased in a shimmering orb, pulsating with demonic magic. I couldn¡¯t reach her¡ªnot yet.
Seeing his forces fall, the advisor made a sudden move, turning away from the retreating Belphegor.
¡°You¡ go on without me, General,¡± he said, his voice trembling.
Belphegor glanced back, raising a brow. ¡°A noble sacrifice? Unexpected, but appreciated. Very well. Your name will be remembered in the annals of the demon army.¡±
The advisor slammed his hands into the ground, demonic runes flaring to life. The air around him distorted as an unholy creature began to manifest¡ªa towering, grotesque demon with glowing red eyes and razor-sharp claws.
¡°For the glory of Demon General Belphegor!¡± the advisor cried as his body disintegrated, consumed by the ritual.
The creature roared, its deafening cry shaking the ground beneath my feet.
I stood my ground, chaos energy swirling wildly around me. The monster loomed, a living nightmare summoned to block my path. Behind it, Belphegor was already retreating, Nyxis still trapped within her barrier.
¡°You think this beast will stop me?¡± I growled, my voice low and venomous.
The monster snarled, lunging toward me with terrifying speed. But I wasn¡¯t about to back down. Not when my daughter¡¯s life hung in the balance.
¡°Fine,¡± I said, raising my hand and letting the chaos energy pulse stronger than ever. ¡°If you want to stand in my way¡ then I¡¯ll destroy you, too.¡±
The battle for Nyxis had only just begun.
The summoned demon roared, its grotesque frame towering over me. Every strike I delivered¡ªpunches, kicks, magic¡ªonly sent it staggering back. Despite my relentless attacks, the beast rose again and again, more enraged each time.
¡°Just stay down already!¡± I bellowed, channeling the chaos energy surging within me into a massive wave of force.
The energy slammed into the demon, hurling it back several meters. For a brief moment, I thought it was over. But no¡ªit rose once more, defying all logic.
¡°I don¡¯t care how tough you are,¡± I growled. ¡°You¡¯re in my way.¡±
Chaos pulsed wildly around me as I charged, striking with everything I had. Blow after blow, spell after spell, until the creature crumbled into nothingness.
I didn¡¯t waste a second. My focus was on one thing¡ªNyxis. I sprinted forward, desperate to catch up to Belphegor.
But then¡
¡°Asher,¡± I snarled, finding him standing in my path.
He raised his arms, as if to stop me. ¡°Alex, don¡¯t¡ª¡±
Before he could say another word, I threw a punch that landed squarely in his gut, sending him flying.
¡°You betrayed me,¡± I roared, my voice raw with anger. ¡°You betrayed her!¡±
Asher tried to get up, but I was on him in an instant. My fists rained down on him, each punch fueled by my pain and fury.
¡°WHY?!¡± I screamed. ¡°Why would you do this? You took her from me¡ªyou took Nyxis!¡±
Suddenly, warm arms wrapped around me from behind.
¡°Stop, Alex,¡± Lucy whispered, her voice trembling. ¡°Please stop.¡±
¡°I can¡¯t, Lucy,¡± I choked out. My fists clenched tighter. ¡°I can¡¯t. He took her from me¡ he¡ªhe betrayed me.¡±
¡°Alex!¡± she shouted, tightening her grip. ¡°Look at yourself! Your body is falling apart!¡±
Her words struck like a cold wind. My rage faltered as I glanced down at my arms.
My skin¡ªwhat was left of it¡ªwas peeling away, revealing raw cracks beneath. Thin streaks of energy escaped from the fractures, flickering ominously. I hadn¡¯t even noticed the pain in my blind fury.
¡°If you don¡¯t stop,¡± Lucy pleaded, tears streaming down her face, ¡°you¡¯ll die. And if you die¡ you won¡¯t save Nyxis.¡±
Her words broke me. My fists slackened, and the chaos energy flickering around me began to dim.
I stumbled back, my breaths ragged. The cracks in my body pulsed painfully, but they slowly began to heal. Still, the patches of skin that had peeled away didn¡¯t regenerate.
I swayed on my feet, the world spinning around me. ¡°Nyxis¡¡± I mumbled, my voice barely a whisper.
Then everything went black.
The last thing I heard was Lucy¡¯s voice, trembling but firm.
¡°I¡¯ll take care of you, Alex. We¡¯ll save her¡¡±
WHERE IS NYXIS!!!
I opened my eyes, groggy and disoriented. The sunlight streamed in through the window, casting a soft glow on the room. My body ached everywhere, wrapped tightly in layers of bandages.
When I glanced to my side, I saw Lucy sitting beside me, her head resting on the bed. Her own bandages and faint scars told me she hadn¡¯t been spared in the chaos.
¡°Lucy¡¡± I croaked out.
She stirred, her eyes snapping open. Relief washed over her face as she saw me awake.
¡°Alex! You¡¯re awake!¡± she exclaimed, her voice trembling slightly with emotion.
¡°Where¡ where am I?¡± I muttered, trying to piece together the events.
But then, like a lightning bolt, the memories crashed back.
¡°Nyxis!¡± I screamed, sitting upright, pain shooting through my entire body. ¡°I have to find her!¡±
Ignoring the stabbing pain, I swung my legs over the bed, trying to stand. My knees buckled, and I collapsed to the floor with a heavy thud.
¡°Alex!¡± Lucy cried, rushing to my side.
I tried to push her away, desperate to get moving. ¡°I can¡¯t just sit here, Lucy! She¡¯s out there with them! Who knows what that demon is doing to her right now?! I¡ª¡±
My words caught in my throat as images of Nyxis flashed in my mind¡ªher small, unconscious body trapped in that accursed orb.
¡°I have to go!¡± I shouted, my voice cracking.
¡°How?!¡± Lucy snapped, her voice louder than I¡¯d ever heard before. She grabbed my shoulders and forced me to meet her gaze.
¡°Look at yourself, Alex!¡± she said, her voice trembling with both anger and despair. ¡°You¡¯re barely holding together! Your body is covered in cracks and wounds. You think you can save her like this?!¡±
¡°I don¡¯t care!¡± I shouted back, tears streaming down my face. ¡°I¡¯ll crawl if I have to! I have to save her, Lucy!¡±
¡°And what happens if you die out there?!¡± she yelled, her own tears now falling freely. ¡°You think Nyxis wants that? You think she wants to lose you forever?! If you go now, you¡¯ll just be throwing your life away!¡±
Her words cut deep. My resolve wavered as the weight of her argument settled in.
¡°But¡ but she¡¯s my daughter,¡± I whispered, my voice breaking. ¡°She¡¯s all I have left. I can¡¯t just sit here while she suffers.¡±
Lucy knelt down, wrapping her arms around me. Her embrace was firm yet gentle, and I could feel her trembling.
¡°I know, Alex,¡± she said softly, her voice filled with pain. ¡°I know how much she means to you. She means the world to me too. But you¡¯re no good to her if you rush off and die.¡±
Her tears soaked into my bandages as she whispered, ¡°I can¡¯t lose you too.¡±
Her words finally broke me. My body slumped as the fight drained out of me, leaving only a deep, aching sorrow.
Lucy helped me back into bed, her movements careful but firm. She adjusted the covers over me, her hands trembling slightly.
As I lay there, staring up at the ceiling, guilt and frustration clawed at me.
¡°Lucy¡¡± I started, but she silenced me by placing a finger on my lips.
¡°Rest, Alex,¡± she said softly. ¡°You¡¯ll need your strength to save her. For now, let me take care of you.¡±
She began humming a lullaby, her voice soothing and melodic. The song carried a bittersweet emotion, filling the room with a sense of calm.
My eyelids grew heavy, my body succumbing to the comfort of her voice.
The last thing I saw before drifting off was Lucy¡¯s tear-streaked face, filled with determination.
¡°I¡¯ll stand by you, Alex,¡± she whispered, her voice steady. ¡°We¡¯ll get her back. Together.¡±
I woke up to the sound of raised voices, sharp and tense. My vision was blurry at first, but as it cleared, the unmistakable sound of Lucy arguing reached my ears.
¡°¡you dare show your face here after what you¡¯ve done?!¡± she yelled, her voice shaking with fury.
I forced myself to sit up, ignoring the sharp pain shooting through my body. My head throbbed, but my anger overpowered everything else. When I looked towards the doorway, I saw him.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
Chief Asher.
The sight of him made my blood boil instantly.
¡°TRAITOR!¡± I roared, my voice reverberating through the room. My body screamed in protest as I stumbled out of bed, but I didn¡¯t care. I was moving, limping, but every step fueled by rage.
Asher turned to face me, his arm in a sling from the beating I had given him before. Behind him stood Edward, who looked equally worn but avoided meeting my gaze.
¡°WHY?!¡± I shouted, each word laced with venom. ¡°Why did you do this?!¡±
Asher didn¡¯t answer immediately, lowering his head in what I could only describe as shame.
¡°Alex¡¡± he began, his voice hoarse. ¡°I¡ I¡¯m sorry.¡±
¡°Sorry?¡± My voice was a low growl, trembling with barely contained fury. ¡°Do you think your sorry will bring her back? Do you think it will undo what you¡¯ve done?!¡±
I lunged forward, my fist ready to connect with his face, but the village guards grabbed me, holding me back. I struggled against their grip, snarling like a caged beast.
Asher and Edward bowed deeply.
¡°Forgive me,¡± Asher whispered, his voice breaking.
¡°FORGIVE YOU?!¡± I screamed, my voice cracking with emotion. ¡°Do you think I¡¯ll ever forgive you for betraying me? For handing over Nyxis?! You¡¯ve committed the greatest sin, Asher. The kind that has no redemption.¡±
I paused, breathing heavily, my fury barely contained.
¡°I am Alexander Solheart,¡± I spat, my voice steady but cold. ¡°And I swear on my name and my blood, I will never forgive you.¡±
As they turned to leave, my rage overflowed.
¡°Get out of my sight!¡± I bellowed. ¡°Before I do something unforgivable!¡±
They hesitated for a moment, then turned and walked away, their heads low.
The moment they stepped out the door, I let it all out.
¡°Curse you!¡± I screamed at the top of my lungs. ¡°Curse this entire village! Curse you, Asher! Curse you, Edward! May you suffer! May this village burn to the ground, and may you all die screaming in agony!¡±
My voice echoed through the house, my chest heaving as I poured out every ounce of my hatred.
¡°Alex!¡± Lucy¡¯s voice rang out as she ran to me, grabbing my arm. ¡°Stop! You¡¯re going to hurt yourself even more!¡±
I turned to her, tears streaming down my face.
¡°Lucy,¡± I whispered hoarsely. ¡°I¡ I cursed the village. The place you were born. The place you love.¡±
She shook her head firmly, her hands gripping mine.
¡°No, Alex,¡± she said, her voice steady despite the tears glistening in her eyes. ¡°You¡¯re not wrong. Being betrayed by the people you risked your life to protect is the worst sin of all. They deserve your anger.¡±
I stared at her, my anger giving way to despair.
¡°Why, Lucy?¡± I murmured. ¡°Why did Asher do this? Why would he betray us? Do you¡ do you know why?¡±
Lucy¡¯s expression darkened, her eyes narrowing.
¡°I don¡¯t know, Alex,¡± she admitted, her voice trembling. ¡°But whatever his reasons, they don¡¯t justify what he did. Not to you. Not to Nyxis.¡±
We sat in silence for a while, the weight of the night pressing down on us. Eventually, Lucy stood, her movements slow and deliberate.
¡°I¡¯ll sleep in the other room tonight,¡± she said softly. ¡°You need some peace.¡±
I nodded, unable to speak. As she left, the room felt colder, emptier.
I lay back down, staring at the ceiling. My thoughts raced, each one darker than the last.
¡°I¡¯ll get you back, Nyxis,¡± I whispered into the silence. ¡°No matter what it takes.¡±
And with that, I closed my eyes, the darkness pulling me into restless sleep.
The soft creak of the door snapped me out of my restless sleep. My instincts flared, sharp as a blade. Someone was in the room. I stayed still, my breaths shallow, until I heard the light sound of footsteps.
A figure sat beside me, her silhouette outlined by the faint moonlight streaming through the window.
I slowly opened my eyes, my voice low and guarded.
¡°Who are you?¡±
The woman turned to face me, her expression calm but firm.
¡°I am Elara,¡± she said.
¡°Elara who?¡± I asked, my tone biting.
She smiled faintly, an air of melancholy in her demeanor.
¡°I was part of Wrathian... Asher¡¯s old party.¡±
Hearing that name again sent a jolt of rage through my body. My fists clenched under the blanket.
¡°What do you want from me now?¡± I hissed. ¡°Are you here to finish the job? To kill me? To steal more from me after you took my daughter?!¡±
Elara shook her head quickly, her voice soft but firm.
¡°No¡ I don¡¯t mean you harm. I¡¯m not here for that. I¡¯m¡ a healer.¡±
I scoffed. ¡°A healer from Wrathian? Forgive me if I find that hard to believe. Asher and his friends are nothing but liars and traitors.¡±
Her expression didn¡¯t waver, though there was a flicker of sadness in her eyes.
¡°I didn¡¯t know what Asher planned,¡± she said quietly. ¡°And if I had¡ I would have stopped him.¡±
¡°Words,¡± I spat. ¡°Nothing but useless words. They don¡¯t bring back Nyxis.¡±
Elara hesitated before speaking again.
¡°I never imagined Alexander Solheart, the infamous problem child of the kingdom, would end up bonded to a Skyrend.¡±
My anger flared at her words.
¡°Got a problem with that?¡± I snapped, my voice like ice.
¡°No,¡± she said, shaking her head. ¡°Not at all. It¡¯s¡ surprising, that¡¯s all. When I was stationed in the capital, I saw you a few times. You were... different then. Reckless, unpredictable. But now, you¡¯re... different.¡±
¡°Different how?¡± I growled, still glaring at her.
¡°You radiate something else now,¡± she said, her voice thoughtful. ¡°It¡¯s not chaos. It¡¯s not rage. It¡¯s¡ purpose.¡±
I leaned forward, my body protesting with pain, but I ignored it.
¡°So, what¡¯s your point?¡± I asked coldly.
Elara met my gaze, unflinching.
¡°I came to help you,¡± she said simply.
I laughed bitterly.
¡°Help me? That¡¯s rich. Where was your ¡®help¡¯ when Asher handed over my daughter to those demons? Where was it when I needed it the most?¡±
Her face darkened.
¡°You¡¯re right,¡± she said softly. ¡°I wasn¡¯t there when it mattered. And I can¡¯t undo what¡¯s been done. But I can help you now.¡±
¡°And why would I trust you?¡± I asked, my voice laced with suspicion.
She hesitated, then spoke with quiet conviction.
¡°Because, like you, I¡¯ve seen what betrayal does. And I want to make it right.¡±
I studied her for a long moment, my mind racing. She didn¡¯t look like a liar, but then again, neither did Asher.
Finally, I let out a bitter sigh.
¡°Fine,¡± I said, my voice heavy. ¡°Say what you need to say.¡±
The woman¡¯s voice wavered as she began to speak, her gaze averted.
¡°I came here to apologize,¡± Elara said softly, her words heavy with guilt. ¡°It was because of me that your daughter was taken away.¡±
I felt my jaw tighten, my fists clenching beneath the covers. She continued, her voice trembling.
¡°That foolish Asher¡ he came here searching for a cure¡ªfor me. During our quest in the demon lands, I was cursed. The others in our party¡ they all died. I begged him to leave me behind, to let me die too. But Asher¡¡±
She paused, her lips pressing into a thin line before she forced herself to continue.
¡°Asher couldn¡¯t bear the thought of losing me. We were lovers, and to him, saving me was worth any cost. Even this.¡±
Her words only fueled the fire in my chest. My voice was low but seething with rage.
¡°So¡ because of your curse, my daughter was ripped away from me. Because of your love story, my Nyxis was handed over to demons.¡±
Elara¡¯s head hung low, her hands trembling as she clasped them in her lap.
¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± she said, her voice barely above a whisper. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean for this to happen. I didn¡¯t want anyone to suffer for me.¡±
I glared at her, my voice cutting through the room like a blade.
¡°Do you think sorry will bring her back?¡±
¡°No¡ no, I don¡¯t,¡± she admitted, her voice cracking. ¡°But I can help you now. I can heal you¡ªfully. And though it¡¯s not much, I¡¯ll give you my blessing so you have the strength to bring her back.¡±
Elara stood and began to chant, her voice steady despite the weight of the moment.
¡°[Healing Magic: Restora Lumina].¡±
Warm light enveloped me, washing over my battered body. I could feel my wounds mending, the searing pain in my muscles easing, and the crushing exhaustion lifting. My breathing steadied, and for the first time since the battle, I felt whole again.
When the spell faded, Elara dropped to her knees, her body trembling from the effort.
¡°That¡¯s all I could manage,¡± she said, her voice faint. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for the trouble I caused. I know you¡¯ll never forgive us, but please¡ save her. This all started because of me.¡±
She reached into her pocket and pulled out a rolled-up piece of parchment. Unfolding it, she handed it to me.
¡°This map will lead you to Belphegor¡¯s domain,¡± she explained, her hands shaking as she passed it over.
I stared at the map, memorizing the route before glancing back at her. My voice was cold but resolute.
¡°I won¡¯t forgive you,¡± I said firmly, my eyes locking with hers. ¡°But thank you¡ and tell Lucy I¡¯ll come back. With Nyxis.¡±
Elara nodded weakly, sweat streaming down her face as I stood, the strength returning to my legs.
I stepped outside and cast my flight magic, the ground falling away as I soared into the sky. The cool evening wind whipped against my face as I unfurled the map, tracing the path to Belphegor¡¯s lair.
The journey would take until the next evening if I followed the route exactly. But that wasn¡¯t good enough.
¡°Nyxis¡¡± I whispered, my voice swallowed by the rushing wind. My fists clenched at my sides as my magic surged, propelling me faster through the air. ¡°I¡¯m coming for you. Please¡ be safe.¡±
I gritted my teeth and pushed harder, my determination burning brighter than ever. This wasn¡¯t just a rescue¡ªit was a promise.
A promise to my daughter that I¡¯d never let her go again.
BELPHEGORRS LAIR
It had been some time since I left Duskenfern behind, the once-bustling village now just a memory in the haze of my hurried journey. The closer I drew to the demon border, the more the landscape turned into a battlefield.
The stench of death hung heavy in the air, mingling with the acrid scent of scorched earth. Villages lay in ruins, their once-vibrant homes reduced to charred skeletons. The roads were littered with broken weapons, shattered shields, and lifeless bodies¡ªhumans, demons, and other species alike.
My chest tightened as I flew over the desolation. Duskenfern had been spared, thanks to my intervention. But these villages¡ they had no such luck.
I gritted my teeth, my thoughts darkening as I soared above the wreckage.
¡°When is that brother of mine going to finish gathering NirVanger and deal with this demon general?¡± I muttered under my breath.
In the game, defeating this particular general had been no small feat. I remembered how many times I¡¯d been wiped out before finally unlocking the NirVanger sword¡ªa weapon of immense power, capable of cutting through the general¡¯s defenses like butter.
But even in the game, wielding the sword came with its own challenges. My in-game body hadn¡¯t been strong enough to handle its full power, so I¡¯d spent countless hours grinding quests, boosting my stats, and perfecting my strategy.
In the end, I had triumphed. I¡¯d defeated the demon lord, saved the kingdom, and even married my in-game lover¡ªa bittersweet memory now, considering my current reality.
Perfect. Ha. Not my story anymore
But this wasn¡¯t about kingdoms or lovers. None of that mattered anymore. All I cared about was Nyxis.
My fists clenched as I pushed myself to fly faster, the map clutched tightly in one hand.
¡°This time,¡± I vowed aloud, my voice echoing in the desolate sky, ¡°I don¡¯t need NirVanger. I don¡¯t need a kingdom. All I need is Nyxis.¡±
I could see her in my mind¡¯s eye¡ªher bright smile, her curious chirps, the way she clung to me like I was her entire world.
¡°I¡¯m coming for you, Nyxis,¡± I whispered, my voice breaking with emotion. ¡°Just wait for me. Please, hold on.¡±
The wind howled around me, carrying my promise forward. My magic surged as I pushed my body harder, ignoring the fatigue that clawed at the edges of my strength.
I wouldn¡¯t stop. Not for anything.
Nyxis was waiting for me, and I would tear through heaven and hell itself to bring her back.
The first rays of morning sun pierced the gloom as I stepped into demon territory. The border was no ordinary boundary¡ªit was a fortress of defense. Enormous black pillars reached skyward, some crackling with magical energy. Demon forces patrolled in disciplined formations, their eerie movements synchronized like clockwork.
Flying directly into their midst would¡¯ve been suicide, and I wasn¡¯t here to die. Not yet.
Instead, I opted for stealth. Focusing my magic, I pressed my hand to the ground, whispering a spell. The earth trembled beneath me as I burrowed a tunnel, bypassing the demon patrols entirely. The oppressive darkness of the underground matched the weight in my heart, but I pressed on.
After what felt like hours of crawling through the stifling soil, I surfaced far beyond the border. Climbing out, I was greeted by a land that was both alien and hostile.
The land ahead was lifeless, a stark contrast to the lush fields of the Solarius Kingdom. A heavy miasma clung to everything, seeping into my lungs like smoke. The ground was cracked and barren, with gnarled plants that looked more like skeletal hands clawing their way out of the soil.
I adjusted myself as I consulted the map.
Edward had been the one to mark it for me, his knowledge suspiciously detailed. I remembered his explanation: a retired adventurer who had frequented Duskenfern had once explored these lands before the demon threat became insurmountable.This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.
Convenient, I thought grimly, though I didn¡¯t have the luxury of questioning his motives now.
I remembered the game¡¯s lore vividly, every detail etched into my mind. The current Demon Lord, Malachor, was no ordinary ruler. He had been born only 17 or 18 years ago but was already predicted to be the most powerful demon lord in history.
At the tender age of 15, Malachor was crowned with full authority, marking the beginning of his tyrannical reign. From there, the tide of war shifted. His generals, seasoned monsters with centuries of experience, began carving through the light¡¯s territories, laying waste to countless lives.
Malachor wasn¡¯t just powerful¡ªhe was growing stronger. The lore hinted at a ¡°training arc,¡± during which he would ascend to unimaginable heights of power.
In the game, this was the point where the hero had to act decisively. After Solarius was weakened by Nyx, the Demon Lord sought to capitalize on the kingdom¡¯s vulnerability. But no matter how powerful Malachor grew, in the game, he would ultimately fall.
The deeper I ventured into the demon lands, the more I realized how little I truly understood this world.
Belphegorr showing up this early? That wasn¡¯t supposed to happen. The game had never mentioned him leaving his fortress before the hero¡¯s final confrontation. And yet, there he was, taking Nyxis.
It hit me like a cold blade.
This world wasn¡¯t just a game anymore¡ªit had its own laws, its own secrets.
The Khorothians, chaos magic, ancient civilizations I had never encountered in my playthroughs. What else was hidden beneath the surface of this "game"?
Whatever it was, it didn¡¯t matter.
¡°Nyxis,¡± I whispered into the night, ¡°I¡¯m coming.¡±
The path to Belphegorr¡¯s lair was no walk in the park. Demon villages dotted the landscape, each one more treacherous than the last. The creatures were sharp-eyed and ruthless, but I relied on every ounce of magic and cunning to slip past them.
When flying was too risky, I crept through shadows. When hiding failed, I used quick bursts of magic to silence any witnesses. My heart pounded with every close call, but I didn¡¯t falter.
By the time I reached Belphegorr¡¯s castle, the midnight moon was high above, bathing the fortress in an eerie silver glow.
The lair was massive¡ªan imposing structure of jagged black stone that clawed at the sky. Fiery cracks ran through its walls, pulsating like veins. Demon guards patrolled the perimeter, their monstrous forms bathed in the glow of flickering torches.
This wasn¡¯t just a castle; it was a fortress built for war.
I crouched in the shadows, my eyes scanning the defenses. Sneaking past this many guards wouldn¡¯t be easy.
¡°Time to get my hands dirty,¡± I muttered, a grim smile on my face.
Water Magic wasn¡¯t my specialty, but it would do. I formed small, silent spheres of water and sent them floating toward the guards¡¯ faces. As the spheres encased their heads, I followed up with razor-sharp Wind Magic, slicing through their throats before they could sound the alarm.
It wasn¡¯t pretty. It wasn¡¯t heroic.
But it was necessary.
I crept through the outer defenses, leaving a trail of lifeless bodies behind.
The castle''s interior was even more foreboding. The walls were adorned with grotesque carvings and banners soaked in dried blood. The air was thick with the metallic tang of iron and something far fouler.
¡°Dark, cold, and massive,¡± I muttered, my voice echoing faintly in the empty corridor.
This wasn¡¯t just a lair; it was a maze, designed to disorient intruders.
But I wasn¡¯t here to admire the architecture.
¡°Nyxis... hold on,¡± I whispered, gripping my wand tightly as I pressed forward.
Every step deeper into the castle brought me closer to the answers I desperately sought¡ªand the horrors I feared most.
I slithered through the castle''s dark corridors, each shadow seeming to pulse with malevolence. My ears perked as a low conversation drifted toward me from a nearby corner.
¡°Did you see Lord Belphegorr today?¡± one guard grunted. His voice was raspy, his words laced with fear.
¡°Yeah,¡± the other replied, shivering. ¡°He¡¯s in a damn good mood. Probably ¡®cause of that Skyrend he captured.¡±
Nyxis.
My fists clenched as I listened. The words that followed were even worse.
¡°You know,¡± the first guard continued, his tone dropping to a whisper, ¡°I once saw him experimenting. It was¡ unlike anything I¡¯ve ever seen. Just talking about it makes me want to puke.¡±
My blood ran cold.
A storm of horrifying possibilities raced through my mind. What had that monster done to Nyxis?
No. I couldn¡¯t let myself think like that. She¡¯s alive. She has to be.
I stepped out of the shadows, my eyes blazing with fury. Before either of them could react, I slashed my blade of wind across one demon¡¯s throat. He crumpled to the ground, choking on his own blood.
The other guard froze, trembling as I loomed over him.
¡°Where is Belphegorr?¡± I growled, my voice like a knife against stone.
When he hesitated, I grabbed his hand and twisted. The sickening snap of bones echoed through the corridor.
¡°Gah¡ªAHH!¡± he tried to scream, but I clamped a hand over his mouth, cutting him off.
¡°Talk,¡± I hissed, digging my blade into his arm. ¡°Or the next scream you let out will be your last.¡±
Sweating profusely, the demon finally caved. ¡°H-he¡¯s in the grand chamber! At the end of the west wing! Please¡ let me go!¡±
¡°Thanks for the tip,¡± I said coldly.
Without hesitation, I drove my blade into his chest. The light left his eyes as his body slumped to the floor.
I dragged the bodies under a nearby table, concealing them as best as I could.
There was no more sneaking.
I stormed through the west wing, cutting down any demon that dared stand in my way. Blasts of wind magic sent guards flying, and bolts of chaos magic struck down others where they stood.
Their screams echoed through the corridors, but I didn¡¯t stop.
Nyxis. Nyxis. Nyxis.
Her name pounded in my head, fueling my rage and desperation.
At last, I stood before a massive set of iron doors. The intricate carvings on its surface depicted grotesque scenes of suffering.
This was it.
Belphegorr¡¯s lair.
I pushed the doors open, stepping into a room shrouded in darkness.
The air was heavy, almost suffocating, and the silence was deafening.
As I stepped forward, a voice echoed through the chamber, deep and mocking.
¡°Welcome,¡± it said, dripping with malice. ¡°I¡¯ve been waiting for you.¡±
I froze, scanning the shadows for any sign of movement.
¡°I sensed you the moment you set foot in my domain,¡± the voice continued. ¡°Did you think you could sneak in here unnoticed?¡±
A sinister laugh filled the room, sending chills down my spine.
¡°This lair,¡± the voice said, ¡°is filled with my devices. Every step you¡¯ve taken, every breath you¡¯ve drawn¡ I¡¯ve been watching. And now, here you are, standing before me.¡±
A spark of light flickered, illuminating the room for a brief moment.
And then I saw him.
Belphegorr.
Seated upon a throne of bones, his crimson eyes glowing with wicked amusement. His massive form loomed over me, exuding an aura of absolute power.
¡°Come,¡± he said, spreading his arms in mock invitation. ¡°Let¡¯s see if you¡¯re as entertaining as your little Skyrend.¡±
The room erupted into laughter, the sound coming from unseen demons lurking in the shadows.
¡°This ends here,¡± I growled.
And then, with a roar of fury, I charged.
YES YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL MY DAUGHTER
The surge of rage I felt couldn¡¯t be put into words. It consumed me, burned hotter than any flame that hell could conjure. I stood trembling, not from fear, but from the sheer weight of fury pressing against my chest.
¡°Inferno Magic: Hellfire!¡±
I roared, launching a searing ball of molten lava at Belphegorr. The heat alone made the walls of the chamber tremble and crack.
But the demon general smirked, leaping effortlessly into the air. His movements were almost mocking, as if he knew my attack would fail.
And then I saw it.
My breath hitched. Those wings...
¡°You demon!¡± I growled, my voice trembling with raw emotion. ¡°What did you do? Those wings¡ That¡¯s Nyxis, isn¡¯t it?¡±
Belphegorr¡¯s laughter echoed through the dark chamber, chilling and deranged. He hovered mid-air, flapping the majestic, torn wings. Wings that were unmistakably hers.
¡°Hahaha!¡± he cackled, his voice dripping with malice. ¡°Ah, these? Beautiful, aren¡¯t they? Let me tell you the tale, papa(mockingly). I ripped them off¡ª¡±
I froze.
¡°¡ªand grafted them onto myself. She screamed, oh how she screamed! It was music, a symphony of agony. No painkillers, no mercy. I wanted to feel her despair, to savor it as it pierced the air.¡±
¡°Stop,¡± I muttered. My voice was low, barely audible.
¡°Oh, but it gets better! She called your name, over and over, crying out for her precious father. Begging for you to save her! But guess what? You weren¡¯t there.¡±
¡°Stop,¡± I said louder, my fists trembling, nails digging into my palms.
¡°She passed out eventually. Such a weak, fragile little thing. But don¡¯t worry¡ª¡± He leaned closer, his grin widening grotesquely. ¡°She¡¯s still alive. For now. How else am I supposed to use her for my experiments? She¡¯s my perfect little prototype! Soon, I¡¯ll have an army of Skyrends, all modeled after her. Isn¡¯t that just marvelous?¡±
Something inside me snapped.
The visions of Nyxis, her screams, her pain, flashed through my mind. I could feel her suffering as if it were my own. My chest felt like it would burst. My breathing became ragged, shallow.
¡°Belphegorr¡¡± I whispered, my voice shaking with rage. I could barely see, my vision blurred by tears of fury.
He laughed again, that mocking sound stabbing into my ears. ¡°What¡¯s the matter, papa? Feeling helpless? Go ahead, cry. Scream. I love the sound of despair.¡±
I screamed, and the chamber trembled.
¡°BELPHEGORRRRRRRRR!¡±
The rage within me erupted, surging like a tidal wave. Energy crackled around me, wild and unstable. The air grew heavy, almost suffocating. The room felt as if it were being swallowed by the raw, uncontained force of my anger.
¡°You¡¯ll pay¡¡± I snarled, my voice low and guttural. ¡°You¡¯ll pay for everything you¡¯ve done. You will suffer. YOU WILL PAY!¡±
¡°Dark Magic: Abyssal Shriek!¡±
A scream erupted from my very soul, tearing through the air toward Belphegorr. The force distorted the space around it, carrying the weight of my fury and desperation.
But the demon general smirked. With an effortless sidestep, he dodged the attack, his crimson eyes gleaming with malice.
¡°Hohoho!¡± Belphegorr¡¯s laugh was sharp and condescending. ¡°Dark magic¡ from a human? Interesting. I¡¯ve only heard whispers of such things, but to see it¡ fascinating. Truly.¡±
I didn¡¯t respond, my glare locked on him as my breathing grew heavier, chaos still swirling around me.
¡°Though it doesn¡¯t matter, does it? You¡¯ll need far more than that pathetic display to even scratch me. Do you know what you¡¯re facing, boy?¡± He spread his stolen wings wide, his body glowing with an eerie crimson aura.
¡°The blood of the Skyrend flows through me now, enhancing my power far beyond what you can comprehend! I¡¯ll show those fools who called me the weakest general. I¡¯ll make them kneel before me! And you¡ª¡± His grin widened into something feral. ¡°¡ªyou¡¯ll be the first to fall. Rejoice, little hero, for you¡¯ll be my first test subject!¡±
I gritted my teeth, fury bubbling over. ¡°Shut up and fight me, you freak!¡±
He raised a clawed hand, his aura flaring. ¡°If you insist. Let me show you what true dark magic is.¡±
¡°Dark Magic: Abyssal Shriek!¡±
A scream, darker and more twisted than mine, exploded toward me, the sheer force of it shaking the entire room. I retaliated, casting the same spell, the two attacks colliding in a massive shockwave that sent debris flying.
But his was stronger.
The force of his magic overwhelmed mine, pushing me back across the chamber. My heels scraped against the stone floor as I struggled to hold my ground.Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.
¡°Tch!¡± I clicked my tongue, halting my magic just in time to leap into the air and avoid the remainder of his attack. The wave of dark energy crashed into the wall behind me, shattering it into rubble.
¡°What¡¯s the matter? Running away already?¡± Belphegorr mocked, his wings flapping as he took to the air.
¡°Not a chance!¡± I roared, launching myself higher.
I raised my hands, casting a flurry of elemental spells. ¡°Wind Magic: Tempest Barrage! Water Magic: Aqua Blades! Earth Magic: Terra Javelin!¡±
Blades of wind, torrents of slicing water, and massive spears of rock shot toward him in rapid succession.
Belphegorr laughed as he dodged and deflected most of the attacks with ease, but a few hit their mark, tearing into his wings and side.
¡°Hah! Looks like I can hit you after all!¡± I taunted, using the momentary distraction to close the gap between us.
¡°You insolent pest!¡± Belphegorr snarled, his aura flaring brighter. ¡°I¡¯ll rip you apart!¡±
This wasn¡¯t just a battle anymore¡ªit was a clash of wills, of desperation against cruelty.
And I would stop at nothing to make him pay for what he did to Nyxis.
I clenched my fists and yelled, ¡°Solar Magic: Solar Flare!¡±
A blazing orb of light erupted from my hands, brighter than the noonday sun. Its heat scorched the air, and the entire chamber seemed to tremble under its power. I hurled it at Belphegorr with every ounce of strength I had left.
¡°Take this, you monster!¡±
The fiery ball of destruction roared toward him, illuminating his twisted smile. But just as it was about to strike, Belphegorr raised a claw, his aura darkening.
¡°Demonic Magic: Ultimate Defense!¡±
A black void materialized before him, swallowing my magic whole. The flare disappeared into the abyss without a trace, its light snuffed out as if it had never existed.
I froze, my breath catching in my throat. ¡°What the hell?! My magic was¡ eaten?¡±
Belphegorr cackled, the sound grating on my ears. ¡°Surprised, human? Your pitiful magic is nothing before my defenses. Now¡ let me show you how a real attack feels!¡±
I barely had time to react before his foot slammed into my gut. The sheer force sent shockwaves through my body.
¡°Argh!¡± I gasped, doubling over.
But he wasn¡¯t done. Belphegorr followed up with a flurry of punches, each one heavier than the last. His claws tore through my armor and flesh like paper, and I could feel ribs cracking under the relentless assault.
¡°Stay down!¡± he roared, delivering a final blow that sent me flying into the chamber wall.
I hit the stone with a sickening crunch, blood and saliva spraying from my mouth. My vision blurred, the edges darkening as I slid to the floor.
¡°Tch¡¡± I groaned, barely able to lift my head. My entire body screamed in pain. Blood trickled into my eyes, and I blinked furiously to clear my vision.
That¡¯s when I saw it¡ªthe bag I had brought with me. It was lying just a few meters away, its contents spilling out slightly. Among them, a faint glimmer caught my eye.
The healing elixir.
¡°I have to¡ get to it¡¡± I muttered, gritting my teeth.
Belphegorr was already charging another spell, his maniacal laughter echoing through the room. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, little hero? Feeling weak? Don¡¯t worry¡ªyou¡¯ll be dead soon!¡±
I had no time to waste. I forced my battered body to move, crawling toward the bag with whatever strength I could muster. Each inch felt like an eternity, my muscles screaming in protest as I dragged myself forward.
Belphegorr landed near me with a resounding thud, his presence as heavy as the blow that had just sent me sprawling. My body screamed in protest as I tried to crawl backward, desperate to put any distance between us.
But I wasn¡¯t fast enough.
With a cruel grin, Belphegorr lunged forward and delivered another devastating kick to my side. The force hurled me against the wall like a ragdoll. The impact rattled my bones, and I felt something crack.
Before I could even attempt to recover, his clawed hand grabbed me by the collar, lifting me off the ground like I weighed nothing.
¡°Pathetic,¡± he sneered, his face inches from mine.
Just then, a deafening rumble shook the estate, the ground trembling beneath us. Belphegorr¡¯s grip tightened as his gaze flicked momentarily toward the source of the noise.
I forced out a hoarse chuckle. ¡°Hey¡ that sound¡ isn¡¯t that my magic? So you didn¡¯t eat it, did you?¡±
Belphegorr¡¯s eyes narrowed, his grin fading for a split second.
I continued, my voice dripping with mockery. ¡°You just sent it away. Transferred it somewhere far. That¡¯s your ¡®Ultimate Defense,¡¯ huh?¡±
His lips curled into a snarl. ¡°That¡¯s right! That magic is my creation, you insignificant worm! Only I, Belphegorr, can use it! Not even the other generals can replicate my brilliance. Lord Malphas himself praised me for it!¡±
I glared at him, blood dripping from my mouth. "So¡ you were afraid of it. You couldn¡¯t face it head-on. You dodged it. You threw away your so-called pride.¡±
Belphegorr¡¯s eyes twitched, and his grip on my neck tightened.
I smirked weakly and spat right in his face.
The spit landed squarely on his grotesque features, and he froze, stunned. His expression twisted into one of pure rage. He snarled, ¡°You fat pig! You dare spit on me?! I¡¯ll roast you alive! No, I¡¯ll carve you up and feast on your flesh myself!¡±
With a furious roar, he hurled me across the room again. This time, by some miracle¡ªor perhaps sheer dumb luck¡ªI crashed near my bag.
I groaned, my fingers brushing against the small, inconspicuous bag. It wasn¡¯t much, but it held my last hope: the healing elixir I¡¯d stashed for emergencies. Belphegorr¡¯s ranting covered the sound of my fumbling as I reached into the bag.
¡°You¡¯ll pay for this insult!¡± he roared, pacing like a predator. ¡°I¡¯ll savor every scream, every drop of blood as I tear you apart!¡±
¡°Is that so?¡± I croaked, my voice barely audible as I concealed the elixir in my hand. ¡°You think you¡¯ve won? That you¡¯ve bested me?¡±
Belphegorr turned sharply, his grotesque grin returning. ¡°Hah! What¡¯s this? Defiance? You¡¯re amusing, human.¡±
I forced a laugh, despite the pain. ¡°You were scared of me. Scared of my magic. You didn¡¯t face it¡ªyou ran from it. You, the great and prideful Belphegorr, feared me.¡±
His face contorted with fury. ¡°I fear no one! Not you, not those pathetic generals who look down on me! I¡¯ll show you true power, human!¡±
¡°Sure, sure,¡± I said, gritting my teeth as I uncorked the elixir behind my back. ¡°But if this is the end for me, I have one last request.¡±
Belphegorr tilted his head, intrigued. ¡°Oh? Begging already? How delightful. Speak, pig.¡±
¡°I want to see my daughter,¡± I said, locking eyes with him. ¡°Or are you too afraid to grant even a dying man¡¯s wish? Afraid I¡¯ll somehow beat you if you do?¡±
He burst into laughter, his voice echoing through the chamber. ¡°Hah! You think you¡¯ll get some magical power-up? Defeat me after seeing your precious daughter? Pathetic!¡±
He waved his claw dismissively. ¡°Fine! As your final wish, I¡¯ll grant it. Rejoice, human, for this will be the last time you lay eyes on her!¡±
With a flick of his wrist, dark magic swirled around him. The ground trembled as he chanted, and I could hear the faint sound of machinery whirring to life.
¡°Rejoice,¡± Belphegorr sneered, ¡°for the reunion of father and daughter will be the last thing you ever see!¡±
As he worked his spell, I downed the elixir in one swift motion, feeling its warmth spread through my battered body. My wounds began to mend, and a spark of strength reignited within me.
My injured body screamed in protest with every step, my vision blurry, but there was one thing I could still see clearly: her.
Nyxis.
She was chained to the wall, her once vibrant form barely recognizable. Her wings¡ªher beautiful wings¡ªwere shredded, torn apart and stitched haphazardly. Some parts of her body were missing, others half-cut, raw and exposed. The sight hit me like a thunderclap to the chest. My heart wrenched.
She was so weak. So broken.
Just then, a voice¡ªher voice¡ªcut through the fog of pain in my mind.
"Papa..."
It was weak. A whisper. My breath caught in my throat.
I stumbled forward, every step a battle against my own failing body.
I made it to her.
"Papa..." She opened her eyes¡ªbarely. But I saw them. Those beautiful, familiar eyes of hers.
Her voice trembled. "You know, D-Demon Uncle... he... he said I looked ugly... Do I look... beautiful to you?"
I felt my heart break again, but this time with more fire. My voice, rough and raw, caught in my chest as I forced the words out.
"Yes, Nyxis. You look beautiful. You¡¯ve always been beautiful."
Her fragile smile cracked through, just barely. But it was enough.
I could feel my rage building, pooling in every fiber of my being. My skin burned. The energy inside me surged¡ªwild, uncontained.
"Don¡¯t worry, Nyxis. Papa will save you." I whispered, gently brushing her hair from her face. "Close your eyes, baby. It¡¯ll be over before you know it."
She obeyed, sinking into a slumber,a flower summoned from my Earth Magic to ease herself.
The elixir I had been holding in my hand¡ It slipped from my grasp and shattered to the ground.
I was in rage. It was crackling with raw power.
No. This wasn¡¯t just any ordinary magic. No.
This wasn¡¯t Fire Magic, Water Magic, Dark Magic, or Wind Magic.
This was something else.
This was Chaos Magic.
I felt it surge through me like a tidal wave, immense and all-consuming. My body was wracked with agony, but the power¡ªthe power¡ªit felt so real, so raw. The anger in my heart fed it, stoked the flames.
Belphegorr¡¯s laughter echoed from behind me. ¡°So, you finally decided to show your true form, huh? You were holding back? Hahaha, fine. Come at me. Our battle¡ just began.¡±
His voice was full of mockery. He thought he had won.
He was wrong.
I turned to face him, my eyes blazing with fury. Every inch of my being was consumed by the desire to make him pay.
¡°BELPHEGORRRRRRRR!¡±
The ground beneath me cracked as I surged forward, my body moving with a speed and power I had never felt before. I could barely recognize myself in the surge of magic and rage. I was not the prince anymore. I wasn¡¯t a mere human.
I was chaos incarnate.
And I would make him pay.
"You will pay, Belphegorr..." My voice was barely a whisper, but it shook the very air around us.
This time, there would be no stopping me.
BELPHEGORR WILL PAY!!!
The chaos energy coursing through me crackled like an unrestrained storm. It consumed every corner of my being, caring little for what might happen to my body afterward. Right now, none of that mattered.
I was angry.
My grip on the power tightened as I charged forward, my sights locked on Belphegorr.
¡°Chaos Magic: Annihilation Pulse!¡±
A massive sphere of raw, swirling energy formed in my hands, its pull so intense that it distorted the air around it. The ruined building groaned under the pressure as debris spiraled into its gravitational pull. Without hesitation, I hurled it at him.
Belphegorr sneered, his confidence unshaken as he activated his so-called ultimate defense. The black void appeared, ready to devour my attack.
But I wasn¡¯t done.
The moment the pulse left my hands, I summoned the power of Nightmare Speed, the ability I had obtained in the depths of that cursed forest. My body flickered, becoming a blur in the air, and before he could fully absorb the energy, I reappeared to his left.
¡°Chaos Magic: Absolute Desolation!¡±
Another sphere of chaos erupted from my hand, this one even larger and more ferocious, ripping through the very fabric of the castle. The energy howled like a tempest as it barreled toward him, obliterating everything in its path.
Belphegorr barely had time to react before the attack struck him with full force.
The impact was cataclysmic.
He was sent flying through the air, his body colliding with the remnants of the already crumbling structure. Blood sprayed everywhere, painting the battlefield in crimson streaks. The left side of his body¡ªonce grotesquely adorned with stolen Skyrend wings¡ªwas gone, disintegrated by the unrelenting force of my magic.
The ground beneath us quaked violently. The castle, already on its last legs, groaned as walls cracked and beams splintered. Dust and rubble rained down, threatening to bury us both in this chaotic battleground.
Belphegorr coughed, a guttural, wet sound that hinted at the internal damage he was now suffering. Yet even in his mangled state, his twisted grin persisted.
I staggered, barely able to keep myself upright as chaos energy crackled through me like shards of molten glass. My breaths were shallow, each one a fight against the weight of exhaustion. Blood dripped from the corner of my mouth, a grim testament to how much my body was breaking down from the sheer strain of wielding chaos magic.
Still, I forced myself to move forward. Each step toward Belphegorr felt like a climb up an endless mountain, but I refused to stop. My eyes locked onto him as he began to chant.
The ground rumbled violently beneath us. A fissure split open, revealing two tiny creatures rising from the shadows¡ªbaby Skyrends, no older than moments.
For a heartbeat, I froze. Their small forms, so delicate and innocent, were a stark contrast to the darkness that surrounded us.
And then, without a second''s hesitation, Belphegorr killed them.
¡°WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!¡± I roared, my voice cracking with rage and disbelief. ¡°And where did those Skyrends come from?!¡±
Belphegorr didn¡¯t answer immediately. Instead, he smeared their blood across his mangled body with a look of sadistic satisfaction.
¡°No¡¡± I whispered, as the impossible happened before my eyes. His torn flesh began to knit itself together. His missing limbs regenerated, and the aura around him grew darker, heavier, more suffocating.
When he finally spoke, his voice was thick with malice. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Hero? Surprised? Let me enlighten you.¡±
He stepped forward, his grin wide and mocking.
¡°I, Belphegorr Nomicus, am the demon who unlocked the secrets of the Skyrend bloodline¡ªusing your precious daughter as my key.¡±
¡°You¡ what?¡± My voice shook, and so did my hands.
¡°Oh, it gets better!¡± He laughed, the sound grating against my ears. ¡°Using your daughter¡¯s unique lineage, I¡¯ve cultivated new Skyrends, bred them for war, and harvested their blood to heal myself.¡±
¡°You¡ monster!¡± My fury boiled over, but my body refused to respond.
¡°Ah, but that¡¯s not all!¡± Belphegorr continued, his eyes alight with sadistic glee. ¡°During my experiments, I discovered something fascinating. Your daughter wasn¡¯t just any Skyrend¡ªshe carried the dormant power of her parents. By breaking the seal within her, I¡¯ve unlocked their combined strength! Her blood, her very essence, is now mine to command.¡±
I clenched my fists so hard I thought my bones might snap.
¡°You think you¡¯re powerful? You¡¯re nothing but a thief!¡± I spat.
¡°And you¡¯re a fool, Hero. You think you can defeat me? I now wield the power of the Skyrends themselves. I¡¯ve transcended even the generals!¡±
The room vibrated with his growing power, and his grin widened further. ¡°Do you still think you can stop me? Come then. Fight me! Show me how far your anger will take you!¡±
I grit my teeth, the chaos within me roaring in response.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
¡°For Nyxis¡ for the lives you¡¯ve destroyed¡¡± My voice was steady, my resolve unshaken. ¡°I¡¯ll rip you apart, Belphegorr!¡±
¡°Imagine it, Alexander,¡± he sneered, his voice dripping with malice. ¡°An army of Skyrends under my command! Do you even understand what that means? These creatures once challenged the mighty dragon race and brought them to their knees. Without the Skyrend, the gods would have fallen in the Great War. And now, I hold that power in my hands!¡±
I glared at him, my breath labored, but my resolve unshaken. ¡°You¡¯ll never get away with this.¡±
Belphegorr chuckled darkly. ¡°Oh, I already have. Your daughter¡ she¡¯s special, isn¡¯t she? It¡¯s her parents¡¯ legacy, their sealed power, that made her so unique. I broke that seal. I ripped it open with my bare hands and claimed it for myself. Now, her strength flows through me.¡±
His grin widened, his sharp teeth glinting in the dim light. ¡°Can you even fathom the irony? The power you¡¯re so desperate to protect now fuels the very monster you stand against. And with the blood of her offspring enhancing me further¡¡± He flexed his clawed hands, the air around him distorting with raw energy. ¡°I¡¯m invincible.¡±
¡°Shut up!¡± I roared, chaos energy crackling around me. ¡°I don¡¯t care how powerful you think you¡¯ve become. I¡¯ll tear you apart and make you pay for everything you¡¯ve done!¡±
Belphegorr¡¯s laughter erupted again, manic and wild. ¡°Then let¡¯s see if you can, fat pig. But first, let me give you a little preview of your daughter¡¯s future.¡±
Before I could react, he moved¡ªfaster than I could follow. His clawed hand grabbed the back of my head and slammed me into the floor with a force that sent cracks rippling through the stone.
Pain exploded through my skull, and I gasped, dazed.
¡°Did you really think you defeated me back there?¡± Belphegorr hissed, leaning close to my ear. ¡°That was just a warm-up. I wanted to see how much fight you had in you before I crushed it entirely. And now¡ now, I¡¯ll make you watch as I turn your daughter into my eternal experiment.¡±
He threw me across the room like a ragdoll. I smashed into a wall, coughing blood as I slid to the ground.
¡°Imagine it,!¡± Belphegorr¡¯s voice was almost gleeful. ¡°The endless torture. Her screams, her cries for help. The pain as I rip her apart piece by piece and put her back together. It excites me just thinking about it.¡±
My vision blurred, but his words cut through the haze like a dagger. Nyxis¡¯ terrified voice echoed in my mind, her broken body chained to the wall.
Blood dripped from my face, blurring my vision as Belphegorr hoisted me up like a broken toy. My body dangled in his grip, chaos energy flickering weakly inside me like a dying flame. Every muscle screamed in agony; every breath was a battle.
¡°You know, Hero,¡± Belphegorr began, his tone dripping with smug satisfaction, ¡°you have incredible magical power, but physically? You¡¯re pathetic. Weak. A mere insect in my grasp.¡±
His claws tightened around my neck, cutting off my air. I wheezed, my body convulsing as I clawed feebly at his arm.
¡°I, too, obtained the power of the Skyrend, but unlike you, I had the foresight to keep its most dangerous essence intact. That¡¯s the difference between you and me. You act on emotion, and I act on brilliance.¡±
He dragged me towards the corner of the room, where Nyxis lay, still asleep under the spell I had cast earlier. My heart clenched.
¡°I could kill you right now, but where¡¯s the fun in that? You¡¯ve caused me so much pain, so much trouble. No, the best revenge is not your death¡ but your eternal suffering.¡±
Belphegorr slammed my head into the table beside Nyxis, the wood splintering beneath the force. Pain shot through my skull, stars exploding in my vision. I weakly raised a hand, trying to fend him off, but he swatted it away like a fly.
¡°What is this pathetic attempt?¡± he mocked, gripping my arm. With a sickening crunch, he severed my right hand with a single swipe of his claws.
The pain was unlike anything I had ever felt. A guttural scream tore from my throat as blood poured from the wound, staining the floor in crimson.
The sound must have woken her.
¡°Papa¡?¡±
Nyxis¡¯ voice, soft and fragile, cut through the haze of pain. My gaze snapped to her, and what I saw broke me. Her eyes, wide with fear, darted between me and the monster looming over us.
¡°Papa! Papa!¡± she cried, her voice trembling as tears streamed down her face.
¡°Nyxis¡¡± I choked out, forcing a weak smile despite the agony. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, my little star. Papa¡¯s just¡ warming up.¡±
Belphegorr laughed maniacally, his voice a thunderstorm of malice. ¡°Oh, this is rich! Look at her¡ªterrified, helpless. What a show! And you, are nothing but a broken joke. How does it feel to see your daughter witness your failure?¡±
I gritted my teeth, rage bubbling beneath the surface of my despair. Even as my vision blurred and my body faltered, the chaos within me began to stir once more, reigniting like embers caught in a sudden gust of wind.
¡°Nyxis¡ close your eyes, sweetheart,¡± I whispered, my voice trembling but resolute. ¡°Papa¡¯s not done yet.¡±
Belphegorr sneered, his claws reaching for Nyxis. ¡°What could you possibly do in this state, pig? Watch as I take her apart, piece by piece, just like I did before!¡±
¡°Belphegorrrrrrr!¡± My voice echoed with a primal fury as I pushed past the pain and summoned the last vestiges of my strength. ¡°You think I¡¯m finished? You think you¡¯ve won?! This isn¡¯t over until I¡¯ve ripped that smug grin off your face and sent you straight to the abyss!¡±
Belphegorr''s laughter echoed around the ruined chamber as he loomed over me, holding a small vial of murky liquid in his clawed hand.
"Oh, don¡¯t worry, Alexander," he sneered, yanking my head back and forcing the liquid into my mouth. "This isn¡¯t to help you¡ªit¡¯s the lowest-grade paralysis potion I could find. Barely worth calling a potion, but oh, so effective."
I choked as the bitter liquid slid down my throat. Instantly, my limbs went heavy, like lead weights had been strapped to my arms and legs. I strained, pushing against the invisible chains binding me, but it was no use.
"Ah, look at you," Belphegorr taunted, circling me like a predator savoring its prey. "Struggling so pathetically. You¡¯d need real physical strength to break free, and you¡? You¡¯re just a sack of magical desperation. Poor, poor Papa."
He kicked me in the ribs, the force sending me sliding across the floor. Pain exploded in my side, and I tasted blood.
"This is getting boring, though," he said with a mock yawn. "You¡¯re no fun anymore. I was hoping for more of a challenge, but I guess this is where your story ends."
Belphegorr¡¯s hand crackled with dark energy, a pulsating orb forming in his palm. The air grew heavy with the weight of his power as he leveled it at me.
"Bye-bye, hero," he said with a sinister grin. "You failed. You couldn¡¯t even save your precious daughter. How tragic."
As the orb of energy shot toward me, a scream pierced the room.
"No!"
The sound of metal chains snapping rang out, and in a blur of motion, Nyxis threw herself between me and the oncoming attack.
"Nyxis!" I shouted, my voice breaking as the dark energy slammed into her frail body. Time seemed to freeze as she crumpled to the ground, her small frame convulsing before falling still.
"Nyxis¡! What the hell are you doing?!"
She looked up at me, her face pale and streaked with tears. "I¡ I couldn¡¯t let him hurt you anymore, Papa. I didn¡¯t want to see you suffer."
Her voice was weak, barely a whisper, but her words cut deeper than any wound.
"No¡ no, no, no!" I cried, clutching her limp body in my arms. Her breathing was faint, her life slipping away before my eyes.
"What is this?" Belphegorr muttered, his confident sneer faltering as he took a step back. "She¡ she still had that much strength?"
"Nyxis¡" My voice cracked as I cradled her closer. Her warmth was fading, and with it, any sense of hope I had left.
Belphegorr''s laughter was distant, drowned out by the pounding in my ears. My hands trembled as I reached for the frayed ropes binding me.
"Nyxis... Nyxis, wake up, please." My voice cracked, raw with desperation. I gathered what little strength I had left and whispered a faint spell.
"[Wind Magic: Razor Edge.]"
The ropes around my wrists and ankles snapped, and I fell face-first to the ground. Pain shot through my body, but I didn¡¯t care. Crawling, inch by agonizing inch, I reached her.
"Nyxis... my sweet girl." I pulled her close, her body limp against mine. She felt so small, so fragile¡ªso cold.
Belphegorr let out a frustrated scream behind me. "Fucking idiots, the both of you!"
His footsteps thundered toward us. "No matter! I¡¯ll just start over. I can breed more Skyrend from her offspring, even if it takes time!"
Before I could react, his boot slammed into my side, flipping me over like a ragdoll. Blow after blow rained down, but I didn¡¯t flinch. My mind was a fog, focused only on Nyxis.
"Hahaha, nothing to say? No cries for mercy?" Belphegorr sneered, his punches growing harder. "Pathetic! Just die already!"
Then he turned toward Nyxis. My heart stopped as he raised his heel above her.
"No!" I lunged forward, catching his leg with both hands before it could come down.
"You can beat me, break me, do whatever the hell you want to me... but you will not¡ª" My grip tightened, and his face twisted in shock. "¡ªtouch my daughter again."
Belphegorr tried to pull his leg free, but it wouldn¡¯t budge. "What the fuck¡ how are you this strong?! You¡ªthis can¡¯t be!"
I released his leg, and he stumbled back. His eyes darted between me and Nyxis, disbelief written across his face.
I rose to my feet, the air around me crackling with an unseen force. Every ounce of pain, every drop of despair melted away, replaced by a surge of power so overwhelming it felt like my very soul was on fire.
And then, it appeared before me¡ªa screen glowing faintly in the chaos.
Skill Unlocked:
Gluttony [Full Unlocked]
Belphegorr''s voice trembled as he took another step back. "What... what did you just... what happened....? This isn¡¯t possible!"
I clenched my fists, feeling the power course through me. This was different from chaos magic or any skill I had ever used. It wasn¡¯t just strength¡ªit was everything.
"Belphegorr," I said, my voice calm yet deadly. I turned my gaze on him, and for the first time, he looked afraid. "You¡¯ve taken everything from me. It¡¯s only fair I take everything from you."
The ground beneath me cracked as the full force of my newfound power surged forward. This time, I wasn¡¯t holding back.
Goddess Rhea
The air cracked with energy as I charged at Belphegorr, my body moving on sheer instinct. My fist connected with his gut, the force so immense that the wall behind him shattered on impact.
Belphegorr¡¯s eyes bulged as blood spurted from his mouth. He stumbled, his cocky grin replaced by a stunned grimace. "What the¡ª?! What the hell was that punch?" he wheezed, clutching his stomach. "No one¡¯s ever hit me that hard before!"
I didn¡¯t let up. The fury inside me was unrelenting, fueling every swing of my fists.
"This is for Nyxis! For everything you¡¯ve done!"
Each punch landed with a bone-crushing thud, the walls around us crumbling with every blow.
Belphegorr¡¯s surprise quickly turned into rage. "Enough!" he bellowed, wiping the blood from his lips. "You think you¡¯re stronger than me now? Let me show you why I¡¯m a demon general!"
Dark energy surged around him, his aura growing even more menacing. "I¡¯ll crush you with my full power!" he roared, charging straight at me.
But I was ready.
I met his charge head-on, our fists colliding with a thunderous shockwave that shook the room. Sparks flew as we exchanged blow after blow, neither of us giving an inch.
Something had changed within me. My movements felt lighter, my punches sharper. I wasn¡¯t just surviving anymore¡ªI was overpowering him. And for the first time in this battle, I wasn¡¯t relying on chaos energy.
"What¡¯s wrong, Belphegorr?" I taunted, dodging a wild swing. "You¡¯re looking a little tired!"
His eyes narrowed, frustration etched across his face. "Shut up! You shouldn¡¯t even be standing after everything I¡¯ve done to you! What¡¯s suppressing that chaos energy?"
I smirked, delivering a clean uppercut that sent him sprawling backward. "Wouldn¡¯t you like to know?"
The truth was, I didn¡¯t understand it myself. But whatever was happening, it felt right. The chaos energy that had once threatened to consume me was now subdued, controlled. Something deeper was at work, something far more primal.
Belphegorr staggered to his feet, his breaths labored, his confidence shaken.
"This¡ this isn¡¯t over, you bastard!" he growled, summoning another wave of dark energy.
I cracked my knuckles, a grin spreading across my face. "You¡¯re damn right it¡¯s not. Come on, Belphegorr. Let¡¯s finish this."
The forest surrounding the estate bore the scars of our battle¡ªcraters littered the ground, and trees snapped like twigs from the shockwaves of our clash. Each strike sent tremors through the earth, as if the very world recoiled from our fury.
I delivered a devastating punch to Belphegorr¡¯s jaw, the impact echoing like a cannon blast as he was sent hurtling into the distance. He crashed through a cluster of trees, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake.
Panting, I paused to catch my breath, wiping the sweat and blood from my face. As I glanced down, something felt¡ off. My body felt lighter, more agile. Looking at my arms, I noticed they were lean and toned. My gut¡ªmy hated gut¡ªwas gone. My once-oversized frame had shrunk, replaced by a more defined physique.
¡°What the¡?¡± I muttered, running my hands over my chest and arms. My fat body had vanished entirely. A screen popped up in my mind¡¯s eye, its golden letters shining brilliantly.
[Status Screen]
Name: Alexander Solheart
Level: 50
Age: 18
Class: Exiled Prince
Mana: 100
Strength: 80
Special Skill: Gluttony [Full Unlocked]
My jaw nearly dropped. "Holy crap! My strength jumped massively! Level 80 already? This is insane."
It clicked. This was the full power of Gluttony. Not just a skill¡ªit was a transformation. My chaos energy, the volatile force I had wrestled with for so long, had been suppressed. No longer a raging storm threatening to tear me apart.
¡°Guess that¡¯s one upside to unlocking it,¡± I muttered, rolling my shoulders. ¡°But damn, suppressing chaos energy is no small feat. That thing¡¯s been a pain in my ass for ages.¡±The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
Before I could marvel further, Belphegorr¡¯s enraged roar echoed through the forest.
¡°You insolent worm!¡± His voice boomed as he emerged from the shattered treeline, his dark aura swirling menacingly around him. His crimson eyes burned with unholy fury, his body battered but far from beaten. ¡°You¡¯ll pay for this humiliation! I¡¯ll grind you into dust!¡±
I smirked, cracking my knuckles. ¡°You¡¯ve got a lot of bark for someone who¡¯s been eating dirt all fight. Come on, Belphegorr, let¡¯s see what you¡¯ve got left.¡±
With a guttural scream, he charged at me, his fists glowing with dark energy.
I braced myself, meeting his charge with equal ferocity. Our clash sent shockwaves rippling through the forest, uprooting trees and shaking the earth.
Every punch, every dodge, every blow exchanged pushed me further, but I felt alive¡ªstronger, faster, more capable than ever before. This was it. This was my power.
¡°You¡¯re nothing but a stepping stone, Belphegorr!¡± I shouted, delivering a spinning kick to his ribs that sent him crashing into another crater.
He coughed, blood splattering the ground, but he staggered to his feet, his grin as twisted as ever.
¡°Don¡¯t get cocky, human. This isn¡¯t over!¡±
¡°Good,¡± I replied, raising my fists and feeling the surge of newfound power course through me. ¡°Because I¡¯m just getting started.¡±
The fight raged on, each blow shaking the very air around us. My fists, now brimming with the raw, overwhelming power of Gluttony, struck with the force of a thunderstorm. Belphegorr matched me blow for blow, his demonic resilience keeping him upright despite the punishment he was taking.
¡°You¡¯re persistent, I¡¯ll give you that!¡± I shouted, dodging his heavy claw strike before slamming my knee into his stomach. He grunted, spitting blood, but retaliated with a wild swing that grazed my arm, the dark energy searing my skin.
Belphegorr stumbled back, panting, his aura flickering like a dying flame. His once-proud frame was now battered and bleeding, his movements sluggish. I advanced, unrelenting, delivering a barrage of strikes that cracked the ground beneath him.
¡°This is for Nyxis!¡± I roared, landing a brutal uppercut that sent him sprawling.
Belphegorr hit the ground hard, his massive body skidding through the dirt. He tried to rise but fell back to his knees, his strength finally abandoning him. His breaths came in ragged gasps, blood dripping from his lips as he looked up at me with a twisted grin.
¡°Heh... you think you¡¯ve won?¡± he wheezed, his voice thick with malice. ¡°You¡¯ve only played into my hands. Your rage, your despair... it makes you no different from me.¡±
¡°Shut up!¡± I barked, raising my fist, but something about his words made me hesitate.
¡°Do you know what¡¯s funny?¡± he continued, his tone mocking despite his broken state. ¡°Your precious daughter... she was a means to an end. Her screams, her pain, her tears¡ªthey were exquisite. And now? She¡¯s nothing but ash and bone.¡±
My heart twisted, rage bubbling up like molten lava. ¡°You bastard!¡±
Belphegorr coughed, spitting more blood, yet his grin widened. ¡°You¡¯re just like me. A monster. Hungry for power. And when you look at what you¡¯ve become, you¡¯ll see the truth: you¡¯re no hero. You¡¯re a glutton. A beast.¡±
The world seemed to blur around me as his words took root. My fists trembled with fury, my vision darkened. ¡°You don¡¯t deserve to speak her name!¡±
Without realizing it, I grabbed him by the throat. My jaw tightened, my chest heaved. Then, instinct took over. Gluttony surged within me, demanding more. Demanding him.
¡°No! Stop! You¡ª¡± Belphegorr¡¯s words were cut short as I opened my mouth and consumed him. His body dissolved into pure energy, pouring into me like a torrential flood. His power, his memories, his essence¡ªall of it became mine.
The rush of power was intoxicating, overwhelming. My body surged with newfound strength, the demonic aura merging with my own. But with it came the weight of his deeds, his cruelty, his sins.
I fell to my knees, trembling, the euphoria giving way to a crushing sorrow. My hands clenched the dirt as the reality of what I¡¯d done washed over me.
¡°Nyxis...¡± I whispered, my voice breaking.
I crawled to her still form, cradling her in my arms. She was so light, so fragile. The power I¡¯d gained, the strength I now wielded¡ªit meant nothing.
Tears streamed down my face as I held her close, rocking back and forth. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, my little star. I failed you. I couldn¡¯t protect you.¡±
The forest was silent, save for the crackling remnants of our battle. I sat there, the weight of my grief and guilt pressing down like an unmovable mountain.
And yet, in the silence, I made a vow. A vow to honor her memory, to ensure her sacrifice wasn¡¯t in vain. To destroy the darkness that had taken everything from me.
¡°Rest now, Nyxis,¡± I whispered. ¡°Your papa will make this right. I swear it.¡±
The weight of grief was suffocating me. I knelt by Nyxis'' body, tears blurring my vision. The soft grass beneath me had become a silent witness to my sorrow. Her death had broken something deep inside, and I felt utterly alone.
Suddenly, a brilliant light shone down from the heavens, cutting through the darkness that had settled in my heart. My breath caught in my throat as I instinctively looked up.
There she was, descending from the glowing sky, radiating an aura so pure, so powerful, that it made my chest tighten. A woman, her long hair flowing like the wind, her eyes glowing with an otherworldly serenity. She stepped gently onto the ground, as if the earth itself bowed in reverence to her.
¡°Alexander,¡± she spoke softly, her voice like a gentle breeze.
I froze, still in shock, my mind struggling to make sense of this vision. ¡°Who¡ Who are you?¡± I managed to stammer.
Her smile was both calming and unearthly. ¡°I am Rhea, Goddess of Nature, Motherhood, and Fertility.¡±
¡°Alexander,¡± she spoke my name like a gentle caress, but I could hardly comprehend the words. Still, the grief in my chest was all-consuming. I was lost in it.
¡°What do you want from me?¡± I demanded, barely able to lift my gaze from Nyxis. "Do you want to take her too? She¡¯s dead¡ªI''ll not let you take even her dead body."
The words tasted bitter on my tongue. I had broken my promise to Nyxis. I¡¯d failed to save her daughter. I¡¯d failed her.
Rhea¡¯s eyes softened, her divine presence like a gentle breeze in the storm of my sorrow. ¡°I know, Alexander. She was such a kind soul.¡±
A wave of anguish hit me again, and I couldn¡¯t stop myself. ¡°What did she do to deserve this? What did I do wrong? I swore to Nyx that I would save her daughter, and now I¡¯ve failed. I couldn¡¯t protect her. I couldn¡¯t save her¡¡± My voice broke, tears spilling freely down my face.
The goddess knelt beside me, her aura embracing the grief I could no longer contain. ¡°You have not failed, Alexander,¡± she said with certainty. ¡°You still have a chance. I can help you.¡±
I looked at her, my heart racing with a flicker of hope. ¡°How?¡± I whispered, barely daring to believe. ¡°How can you help me?¡±
Her voice was soothing, like the rustling of leaves in a forest after rain. ¡°I can revive her.¡±
What? I blinked, stunned, my heart pounding in my chest. ¡°What¡? Can you really?¡± I couldn''t believe it. My mind was spinning, trying to make sense of her words. ¡°Wait, how should I trust you? Even if you are a goddess¡ who knows who would have bad intentions, even in the form of a god?¡±
Rhea¡¯s gaze remained calm, unwavering. She smiled, and this time, her presence felt even more personal, as if she were speaking directly to the core of my very being. ¡°Do not worry, Alexander. The very Skyrend you hold, the one you called Nyxis, is my daughter too.¡±
I stared at her, my mind still reeling. ¡°Your daughter?¡± The words didn¡¯t make sense. ¡°You... what do you mean?¡±
Rhea stood and held her hands out to me, her smile warm, almost knowing. ¡°Yes. I, Rhea, Goddess of Nature, Motherhood, and Fertility, am also known as the Goddess of Skyrend. Nyxis is my child, Alexander. Just as she was your guardian, she was also mine.¡±
The world seemed to tilt under my feet. My mind struggled to process this revelation. Nyxis¡ªmy protector, my guide¡ªwas the daughter of a goddess?