Axel woke up in his bed, alone. The soft glow of morning light seeped through the curtains, casting long shadows across the wooden floor. The faint hum of voices and clinking dishes echoed from outside the room, a reminder that the world was already awake.
He looked around, but no one was there. Sitting up, he stretched his arms before glancing at the mirror. A smirk played on his lips.
"Heh, still as handsome as ever."
Walking to the window, he saw Dario outside, swinging his massive sword with steady precision. The rhythmic whoosh of the blade slicing through the air reassured Axel that everything was fine. The others had probably gone out. With nothing urgent to do, he sat back down on the bed.
Raising his hand, he activated a spell. A golden magic circle flickered to life, intricate runes shifting and spinning in the air, pulsing with a rhythmic hum. The energy thickened, making the air buzz with static before a figure materialized within the glow.
A young man stepped out, his white hair slightly disheveled, his crimson eyes widening in shock.
"You… I… Unbelievable… How am I still alive?"
Axel smirked. "I told you I could get you out."
Sepheroth turned toward the mirror. He reached out, touching his reflection, as if needing to confirm his existence. Then, he laughed a deep, wild laugh that sent chills through the room.
"Hahaha! I'm back!"
His demonic aura flared, filling the space with an oppressive weight. The floorboards creaked, and outside, the maids gasped in terror as the entire house seemed to tremble.
Dario, sensing the surge of power, immediately rushed toward the room.
Axel sighed. "That's enough. Let's not cause trouble."
Sepheroth reined in his aura but still looked at Axel curiously. "How did you do it?"
Axel leaned back slightly. "I'm a necromancer. I resurrected you. Now, you'll follow me forever."
Sepheroth's crimson pupils narrowed. "I don't feel any chains or restrictions. I can kill you whenever I want." He raised his hand, dark red energy crackling at his fingertips before surging toward Axel.
Before it could reach him, the energy dissipated, vanishing into thin air.
Sepheroth chuckled. "I knew it wouldn't work. Magic resurrection always comes with conditions."
Axel nodded. "Yes. If I die, you die. That's how it works."
For a moment, Sepheroth remained silent. Then, he exhaled slowly. "You kept your word and got me out of that place. From now on, I will follow you wherever fate takes us." He moved to kneel.
"Don't." Axel's voice was calm but firm.
Sepheroth froze mid-motion, his body locking in place as if an invisible force held him. A slow smirk crossed his lips.
"So this is the power binding me…"
Straightening, he flexed his fingers, testing his movements. "It seems I'm completely free until I receive an order. If our wills clash, you win… Hahaha. Better than being dead or imprisoned for eternity. And unlike your other minions, I'm alive."
Sepheroth drowned in his thoughts.
At that moment, Dario burst through the door. He took one look at Sepheroth white-haired, red-eyed, exuding a dark presence and immediately raised his sword. "Stay away from him, demon!"
Sepheroth turned to Axel. "One of your friends?"
Axel nodded. "Dario, meet my new friend… Sepheroth."
Dario hesitated. "Your… friend? I thought…"
Sepheroth interrupted, smirking. "Thought I'd kill him? Hahaha. Believe me, I tried. But you missed that part."
Dario remained silent for a moment before lowering his weapon and stepping back. Without another word, he turned and left the room.
Outside, he stopped behind the door, his breath unsteady. Those eyes… What the hell is he?
Sepheroth looked out the window, taking in the world he had missed for so long. "I missed this."
Axel pulled out the Soul Guide, flipping through its pages as glowing text emerged.
New Skills Unlocked:
Bulk Revival – Instantly revives a massive number of skeleton minions the minions can only keep their highest Level during there lifetime without the ability to advance.( does not work on corpses,affected by the boost effects).
Zeal – Boosts the overall combat performance of all minions under the user's control.
New Skill :Elite Command ( locked).
His gaze then shifted to Sepheroth's stats.
Sepheroth:Mythical
Race: Demon
Rank: Demon Supreme (Supreme Blood)
Level: Paladin, Level 1
Axel closed the book with a smirk. "It's tim to see the king but first let's take a walk in this beautiful city."
Sepheroth with an excited look on his face
-----
The restaurant was lively, filled with chatter and the occasional clinking of utensils. Mat, Aeris, and Mia sat at a wooden table, quietly eating their meals.
Mia hesitated before speaking, her voice soft. "Mat… what are you planning after the mission is submitted?"
Mat seemed distant, his gaze unfocused. After a moment, he finally answered, "I'm thinking about joining the Shadow Guard training in Green Sea City."
Mia's eyes widened. "That's a big move. I was just talking about the next mission, but you actually have such ambition."
Mat looked at her and shrugged. "It's not wrong to have ambition."
Aeris leaned back, studying him. "What about Axel? He trusts you a lot. Will you leave him?"
Mat's expression remained unreadable. "He doesn't need me. From now on, I'll just drag him down."
He reached into his coat and pulled out a folded letter, placing it on the table. The parchment was slightly worn, as if he had hesitated before deciding to part with it.
"When you see him, give him this."
Aeris picked up the letter, running a thumb over the folded edge before nodding. "I will. Everyone has their own fate, so no need to hesitate."
Mat didn't respond. He simply stood up, his chair scraping against the floor as he turned to leave.
Mia and Aeris watched him go.
"Don't forget to visit me when you have the chance!" Aeris called after him. But Mat never looked back.
Aeris smiled to herself, but when she turned to Mia, she noticed something unusual.
"Wait… are you crying?"
Mia quickly shook her head. "No, I just… I thought we would be friends for longer."
Aeris sighed, crossing her arms. "Don't be stupid. He's going to the same city. You're on different paths, but you can still meet and cheer each other up from time to time."
Mia lowered her head, wiping her tears. The air between them fell into silence,each thinking about their next step.