The battlefield fell into a tense silence, the air thick with dread.
"That... that thing is terrifying," Elias muttered, his voice barely audible as he gripped his sword tighter.
Without hesitation, Daemon seized Nyxtriel and lunged towards the demon.
"What the hell are you doing, boy?!" Elias shouted, alarmed.
Marquis stepped forward, his eyes fixed on Daemon. "Let him be. He seeks to be a hero."
Daemon's blade sliced through the air, aiming for the demon. But with a swift movement, the demon dodged effortlessly. Daemon increased his speed, attempting another strike, but the demon retaliated with a powerful kick, sending Daemon crashing into Duke Elias and several soldiers.
"Tsk, he's strong!" Daemon grunted, pushing himself up.
Elias groaned, helping Daemon to his feet. "You're reckless, charging in like that."
Marquis narrowed his eyes. "We need a strategy. Brute force won't work."
Duke Lark stepped forward, "I think what Marquis is saying is true. We should all attack together or come up with a plan before that creature kills us like it did to Orion."
Everyone went pale.
Nyxtriel shifted to her human form, drawing everyone's attention.
"No need to panic. I have a plan. That thing isn't even flesh and blood; it's made up of blood covered in that fragment located on its chest," she explained.
"What do you mean, and how are we sure we can trust you?" Marquis asked.
"Yeah, true. I don't trust you either," Duke Lark added.
"If you don't trust us, then prepare to become a meal," Daemon glared at them. "Let's go, Nyxtriel."
Nyxtriel followed Daemon as he picked up a sword.
"Nyxtriel, fight by my side," he said.
"Are you sure, my lord? That thing is strong. It's better if I protect you," she replied.
"No need. I want to fight on my own," Daemon insisted.
Nyxtriel's eyes widened, "Are you... saying you don't need me anymore?"
"What? Not at all. You're useful. It's just better to fight together so I can take his fragment," Daemon clarified.
She chuckled, "Oh, I thought you didn't want me there. Phew. Then let's go."
Before Daemon and Nyxtriel could proceed, Elias and Marquis stood by his side.
"And here I thought you guys didn't want to fight," Daemon remarked.
"Hmph," Marquis scoffed.
"It's a disgrace for a warrior to let a kid fight for me. I'd rather die," Duke Elias turned to Duke Orion. "Since you're scared, at least help me evacuate the last people of this kingdom and guide them to my territory."
"What if it's too much for your territory? There are more than the population of your territory!" Orion protested.
"Then take them to a safe place, you bastard!" Elias yelled.
Orion paused and started his horse, "Good luck, Elias. Don't die here!" Duke Orion departed with his troops.
"I guess it's time for us to protect this damn kingdom!" Elias shouted, glancing at Daemon.
Daemon smirked, "Whatever you say, old man. I'm not protecting anything."
The courtyard was soaked in blood and fire.
Barons. Nobles. Knights.
The moment they stepped forward to stand behind Daemon—thinking their titles would shield them—the demon moved.
SCHLICK—SHRIP—THUMP.
One by one, they fell. Heads rolled like coins across stone. Arms spiraled through the air like discarded cloth. Screams echoed, then cut short—swift and brutal.
Daemon didn't look back. He didn't need to. They were dead the moment they hesitated.
"Move in!" Elias barked.
He and Marquis Varric flanked Daemon, forming a triangle around the demon. The monster's third eye pulsed with light watching and Calculating.
Daemon gritted his teeth. "It's watching everything. Every angle."
"We'll force it to blink," Elias snarled.
The three surged forward.
"Shadow Ember!" Daemon roared. Nyxtriel's blade ignited with cursed flame. As he slashed, the air shimmered behind the cut, a trail of searing black fire that wouldn't let wounds close.
"Duskfang Splitter!" Elias bellowed, his greatsword gleaming with golden light.
"Thundering Crest!" Varric followed, his blade charged with a booming aura.
The three attacks collided midair, forming a searing BOOM that threw dust and flame across the battlefield.
Soldiers were flung back like rag dolls.
The demon dodged through it—a blur.
It leapt, spinning inhumanly fast—CRACK!—its foot collided with Marquis Rufus Ansel's ribs. The noble was sent flying, crashing into the remains of a statue.
Elias brought his sword up to defend—but the demon's fist was already there.
BAM!
Daemon shoved Elias aside just in time—but the fist met his chest instead.
CRUNCH.
A sickening snap rang out as Daemon's forearm cracked under the blow. He screamed in pain, teeth clenched as he caught the demon's arm with his other hand.
"Not—this—time!"
The demon's three glowing eyes stared into his. Something in its expression paused.
Then—
SHHHINK!
Nyxtriel dropped from above in sword form. The demon blinked. And vanished—pulling its arm free and leaping backwards to avoid the blow.
"Haaaah..." Daemon staggered, blood dripping from his fingers, face pale.
Elias groaned from the ground, rising slowly. "That thing's reading our moves."
King Velrick sat amidst the ruins of the half-destroyed castle, laughter echoing from his bloodied lips.
"It's futile," he cackled. "My son won't die easily. He's perfection incarnate. Together, we'll make history!"
"Shut up!" Marquis Arsel roared, staggering to his feet, blood streaming down his face.
Suddenly, the demon spoke for the first time, its voice a guttural rasp.
"You... look... familiar," it said, pointing a clawed finger at Deamon.
Deamon, clutching his broken arm, stood tall. "What are you saying?"
The demon offered no reply.
Before Deamon and Elias could react, the demon vanished, reappearing between them. With a swift motion, it placed a hand on each of their shoulders.
"What—" Elias began, but was cut off as the demon hurled him backward, sending him crashing into the castle ruins.
Deamon's eyes widened in terror as the demon's grip tightened around his neck, lifting him off the ground.
"Who... are... you?" the demon hissed.
Struggling for breath, Deamon gasped.
Nyxtriel, sensing her master's peril, transformed into her human form and struck the demon, sending it flying backward.
Deamon collapsed, clutching his bruised neck.
"My lord, are you alright?" Nyxtriel asked, concern evident in her voice.
Deamon nodded, rising to his feet.
The demon recovered, its gaze locking onto Nyxtriel. It lunged at her with blinding speed.
But Elias intercepted, driving his knee into the demon's third eye, sending it reeling.