Previously...
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Dark lifted his hand slowly, hesitating just a moment before gently patting her head, his smile kind and reassuring. Her entire face turned bright red, her wide eyes full of surprise and shy excitement.
Dark: (chuckling softly) Is that a yes?
Lara nodded so fast it was almost a blur.
Lara: (excitedly) Yes! Yes! I mean...yes!
Dark's smile deepened, warmth flickering in his eyes.
Dark: (quietly) Good girl.
But before he could lower his hand, Vorax's voice shouted suddenly in his mind.
Vorax: (thinking urgently) INCOMING! COVER YOUR FACE!
To be continued...
-
Smoke and dust billowed across the courtyard, swirling in thick, choking waves that obscured everything in sight. The force of the blast had leveled the surrounding area, sending tremors that echoed across the academy grounds. As the chaos settled, a scene began to emerge through the haze. The protective sphere around Dark and Lara shimmered briefly before dissipating, leaving them unharmed within its fading glow.
Dark stood tall, now fully geared with his cloak shrouding his face, the long, imposing greatsword strapped across his back. Tendrils of shadow coiled around him, a testament to Vorax's protective influence. Small patches of the symbiote-like creature clung to Dark's body, their inky surface shifting like living armor.
Dark's gaze hardened as he looked ahead, only to be met by a sight that sent a chill down his spine. Before him stood Nekros Vortex—a mechanical monstrosity infused with a twisted semblance of humanity. The being's metal frame gleamed coldly in the dim light, adorned with eerie, 1700s-style accouterments: a short, tattered cloak, a wide-brimmed black hat casting shadows over where eyes should have been. Only his upper body retained human features—the rest of him was lost to the ruthless amalgamation of gears, wires, and steel.
Nekros: (voice metallic, yet chilling) The power here... it's intoxicating.
The ground cracked beneath Nekros as he took a deliberate step forward, dragging his massive, jagged scythe along with a screeching scrape.
Nekros: (mocking) Do you know how I managed to come here?
Dark's voice, steady and unyielding, cut through the silence.
Dark: No. How?
Nekros: (with a hollow laugh) Through the same damn portal you stumbled through.
A flicker of shock passed over Dark's face.
Dark: (thinking) The portal... it's still open? But if he came through—
A sudden, sharp memory seared through Dark's mind: Sukojo—The Devourer of All. The image of that unparalleled force, once thought sealed away, loomed like a dark omen.
Dark: (thinking) Sukojo...
His fists tightened, jaw clenching as he advanced, eyes glinting beneath the hood.
Dark: Vorax, take over.
Vorax's voice merged with Dark's, their dual tones resonating with an unsettling harmony.
Vorax: (exhilarated) GRAHAHAHA! Thought you'd never say that!
Vorax's form surged, enveloping Dark's body in a wave of dark, liquid armor. The symbiote expanded, taking on an appearance both menacing and regal—a living silhouette of the Lord of Shadows, imbued with the aura of the undead. Dark's eyes blazed beneath the shroud, their crimson light casting ominous reflections.
Vorax: (grinning wickedly) Oi, how serious should I be with this tin can?
Dark's voice intertwined with Vorax's.
Dark: Not too much, but be careful. His attacks are explosive.
Vorax's dark eyes widened, their blackness momentarily gleaming with an otherworldly light.
Vorax: (taunting) Dismemberment.
A thin, nearly invisible line streaked forward at the speed of light, slicing through space itself. But in an instant, Nekros leapt high into the air, evading the strike with inhuman speed.
Dark: (thinking) He's... faster than before.
Vorax: (smirking) Right where I wanted you, you fool.
With a theatrical flourish, Vorax raised a clawed finger, his eyes narrowing as if taking aim through an invisible scope. Time seemed to freeze, the scene crystallizing into a cinematic still: Vorax's predatory grin, Nekros suspended mid-air, the world caught in a fleeting moment of suspense. The camera panned around the still frame, highlighting the glint of Vorax's lethal intent before snapping back to reality.
Vorax: Omnidirectional Dismembering Death.
A sphere of dark energy formed around Nekros, bristling with countless razor-thin lines that crisscrossed with impossible precision. The lines slashed and spun, a whirlwind of destructive force that tore at Nekros's metal frame, reducing him from a mechanical giant to a cascade of dismembered, glittering shards and disintegrating gears.
As the last fragment fell, Vorax's form receded, leaving Dark standing in the aftermath. He turned, eyes softening as they found Lara.
Dark: (voice gentle) Are you alright? I'm sorry you had to see that.
Lara's eyes were wide, a mix of awe and disbelief.
Lara: (stammering) I-I'm fine... but... what was that?
Dark's lips curved into a faint smile.
Dark: That was Vorax. He's a sentient parasite—a Voidspawner.
Lara's eyes sparkled with curiosity.
Lara: (giggling nervously) Professor Smith always said those were just myths.
Dark laughed, a sound rare and genuine.
Dark: (grinning) Well, you just met one. Vorax, come out.
Vorax's head emerged from Dark's shoulder, its neck long and serpentine.
Lara: (tentative, reaching out) Aww, how cute...
Vorax: (recoiling, indignant) CUTE? I AM NO PET! I AM A MONSTER!
Lara's laughter bubbled up, bright and musical.
Lara: If you were truly a monster, you'd have eaten me by now.
Vorax: (thinking, amused) Oh, I like this one, Dark. She's... clever.
Dark chuckled, the sound low and rumbling as Vorax retreated back into the shadows that clung to him like a second skin. Lara's smile softened, but before she could say anything more, a sudden chill swept through the air. The temperature dropped, and the once-golden light of the late afternoon was swallowed by an unnatural gloom.
Lara's eyes widened, her playful expression shifting to one of concern as she instinctively stepped closer to Dark.
Lara: (voice trembling) What's happening?
Dark's eyes narrowed, scanning their surroundings. The familiar weight of a looming threat settled over him, stirring something deep within. Vorax's presence bristled inside him, its voice resonating with caution.
Vorax: (thinking, tense) Dark... this energy... it's familiar. We need to be careful.
A slow, deliberate sound of boots striking cobblestone echoed from the far end of the courtyard, each step deliberate and unhurried. A figure emerged from the gloom, half-shrouded in shadow, tall and imposing. His cloak billowed slightly as he moved, a dark hat tipped just low enough to obscure his features.
The figure stopped, the silence that followed was suffocating. The tension crackled in the air.
???: (voice deep, cold) So, this is where you've been hiding.
Dark's jaw tightened as recognition struck him. This wasn't just any threat—this was an echo from the past, a remnant of the power that had once nearly shattered his existence.
Vorax: (thinking, sharp) This is bad. He shouldn't be here—not now.
Lara glanced between Dark and the approaching figure, confusion and worry etched across her face.
Lara: Dark... who is that?
Dark: (voice low, unwavering) Stay behind me, Lara. Whatever happens, don't move.
The figure took another step forward, the metallic scrape of a weapon being unsheathed slicing through the air.
???: (smirking) You thought you could escape the consequences, Dark? How naïve.
Dark's eyes blazed with determination, his hand instinctively reaching for the hilt of his greatsword, Vorax's essence rippling around him like a living shadow. The air grew heavy, an unnatural chill sweeping through the ruined courtyard as the smoke and dust settled. From beyond the veil of destruction, a figure emerged—tall, imposing, cloaked in an aura that devoured light itself.
It was Sukojo.
But this was not the essence, the fragmented shade that Dark had known and fought against in the past. No, this was the true Sukojo, the original being, the Devourer of All. His presence was suffocating, a force that seemed to warp reality itself, bending the world around him. He stood there with an air of indifference, his crimson eyes glinting with ancient malice, a smirk curving his lips as if mocking the very idea of opposition.
Dark's breath hitched, recognition flashing in his eyes. This wasn't just another powerful foe. This was the ultimate nightmare, the creature of legends, the being who had devoured universes and gods alike. Memories of the stories, whispered in fear by those who dared remember, flooded Dark's mind—tales of Sukojo obliterating realms, consuming entire planes of existence without leaving a trace.
Vorax's voice resonated in Dark's mind, a low growl tinged with both excitement and warning.
Vorax: (thinking) Dark, I have a feeling... this isn't just any opponent. This is the one even the ancient voidspawners feared through history....
Dark: (thinking) I know. But we can't back down now. Not again...
Sukojo tilted his head, the smirk growing wider as he took a single step forward. The ground cracked and splintered beneath his foot, unable to bear the sheer weight of his presence.
Sukojo: This feels like I'm back in the 1700s. Am I right? You can travel through timelines now?
Sukojo: (voice deep, resonant) It's been ages since I've walked this plane, and what do I find? A curious host and his little pet. How... quaint.
Dark's grip on the greatsword tightened, the air vibrating with the rising power between them. Vorax's form coiled tighter around Dark's body, the symbiotic presence shifting into battle mode, dark tendrils flaring out and forming jagged, protective armor over Dark's limbs and chest.
Lara, who had been standing frozen in awe and fear, gasped as the full reality of Sukojo's return struck her. Her legs felt weak, the weight of an incomprehensible dread pressing down on her.
Lara: (voice trembling) Dark... who is that?
Dark didn't look back, his voice steady but laced with an edge of tension.
Dark: (softly) This man, is the end of everything...
Sukojo's laughter rang out, cold and sharp, slicing through the silence like a blade.
Sukojo: (mockingly) Still so dramatic, aren't we? I almost missed that. Almost.
Sukojo smirks/grins.
Before Dark could respond, Sukojo moved—no, he didn't move so much as he simply was. One moment, he stood several paces away, and the next, he was directly in front of Dark, eyes gleaming with dark amusement.
Dark's eyes widened, the weight of recognition sinking into his core.
Dark: (thinking) Vorax, take over and communicate with him. Keep him occupied.
Vorax: (thinking) Understood, Dark. But if he attacks, are we ready?
Dark: (thinking) If he makes a move, unleash everything. Do not hold back.
Vorax's essence rippled across Dark's form, coating him in a protective, shadowy armor. The symbiotic entity took control, raising both hands in a gesture of peace, the air heavy with anticipation.
Vorax: I come in peace, Sukojo. I only wish for a moment of your time.
Sukojo's crimson eyes glimmered with disdain, his lips twisting into a cruel smirk.
Sukojo: (voice cold) You dare to address me so boldly, parasite? You should know your place.
Instantly, Vorax dropped to one knee, head bowed in deference.
Vorax: I understand my position. But please, hear me out.
Sukojo's eyes narrowed, a flicker of curiosity behind the malice.
Sukojo: You have ten seconds.
Vorax: (with urgency) My name is Vorax, Lord of Shadows. I have lived for three million years, surviving among gods and devils alike. Meeting you is an honor beyond words. But I am here to propose a path of peace.
Sukojo's smirk widened into a grin, a mocking laugh escaping his lips.
Sukojo: Peace? With me? You must be delusional. I am the Devourer of All—existence bows before my hunger. Tell me, what makes you think you are exempt?
Vorax's voice quivered slightly, a rare admission of vulnerability.
Vorax: (thinking) Dark, this isn't working—
Dark: (thinking) Stay focused. Buy us time.
Vorax: (aloud) I know your reputation, Sukojo. You consume without bias—good, evil, all the same. But even you understand the value of strategic alliances.
Sukojo's eyes darkened, the weight of his stare pressing down like a physical force.
Sukojo: You bore me. Two seconds left.
Vorax felt a shiver race through his essence. Before he could react, Sukojo's figure flickered, and Vorax knew what was coming.
Vorax: (thinking) Lara!
With a surge of instinct, Vorax dissolved back into Dark as they both vanished into the void. An instant later, they reappeared within the academy grounds, Lara cradled in Dark's arms. She blinked up at him, disoriented but unharmed.
Lara: (softly) Thank you.
Dark's expression softened for a heartbeat as he set her down gently. She stood, eyes wide with a mix of awe and confusion.
Dark: (turning away, voice low) Stay here. I'll be back.
He stepped outside, the remnants of the battle still vibrating in his veins. The area where Sukojo had stood was now empty, the unnatural chill lingering in the air.
Dark: (thinking) Vorax, next time we encounter him, engage without hesitation.
Vorax: (voice strained) Dark... you don't understand. His power—it's beyond anything I've ever faced. Just being near him made my essence tremble. I... we aren't ready.
Dark clenched his jaw, the weight of reality crashing over him.
Dark: (thinking) Then we prepare. No matter what it takes.
Vorax hesitated before speaking again, his voice softer, more introspective.
Vorax: What's the history between you two? The moment you saw him, your aura changed. It was as if... rage and something deeper consumed you.
A shadow passed over Dark's eyes, a memory surfacing—a glimpse of unimaginable destruction, loss, and the being who stood at the center of it all.
Dark: (voice cold) Forget about it.
Vorax's silence spoke volumes. Whatever lay between Dark and Sukojo, it was more than just history, it was a storm yet to come.
End Of Arc 3 Chapter 2.