The march did not slow.
Two cities burned behind them, their smoke rising in dark columns that smeared the sky. The scent of blood clung to everything, thick and metallic, carried forward as if the world itself refused to let the slaughter fade.
Kain walked among the demonic host, his steps steady, his gaze forward.
The difference from before was clear. The demons were no longer mindless. They moved with purpose now, their earlier frenzy sharpened into something directed. Low growls rolled through the ranks, mixed with harsh laughter and the occasional shriek. There was no hesitation left in them.
Only hunger.
A quiet satisfaction settled in Kain's chest, fed by the souls he had absorbed. Every step felt lighter. Every movement felt precise. He glanced at his own hands, flexing his claws.
"So this is what it feels like to be a villain. It seems like there is no one to stop us in this world…"
His lips curled slightly.
"And to think I used live as one of these humans."
Ahead, the fortress rose. It's high walls, reinforced gates and towers were lined with soldiers.
Humans stood shoulder to shoulder along the battlements, shields raised, weapons ready. Their formations were tightly disciplined, almost impressive.
Almost.
Kain watched them for a moment, head tilting slightly.
"They look so serious."
A faint chuckle escaped him.
"For people about to die they sure look determined."
The leading demon stepped forward and three others joined him. Flames gathered in their hands, dense and violent, twisting into spheres that distorted the air around them. Heat rolled outward in waves.
Then they released them. The fireballs slammed into the wall and the impact shook the ground. Stone cracked, then shattered. A section of the wall collapsed inward, debris spilling like broken teeth.
For a brief moment, everything went still then the demons roared as they surged forward as one. Kain moved with them.
The breach swallowed them whole.
Dust filled the air as demons poured through the gap, crashing into the waiting soldiers. Steel met claw, shields shattered, and the human formations broke apart almost instantly.
Kain stepped through the haze and into the chaos. A soldier turned toward him, eyes wide, sword halfway raised.
Too slow.
Kain's claws flashed.
The man's head separated cleanly, his body dropping before the expression on his face could even change.
Kain laughed.
It came out louder than he had expected, raw and unrestrained.
"Too slow."
Another soldier rushed him, shouting something he did not bother to listen to. The blade came down with force.
Kain raised his hand. His claws met the sword, stopping it mid-swing. The metal scraped against them with a harsh sound. The soldier pressed forward, swinging again, faster, and more desperately
Kain blocked once more, then stepped aside, letting the blade pass. The exchange continued for a few seconds.
Back and forth.
The soldier fought hard. There was fear in his movements, but also resolve.
Kain watched him closely.
Then sighed.
"…you're trying too hard."
He stepped closer and his claws tore across the man's stomach.
The soldier froze. His weapon slipped from his hands as both arms moved to clutch at his midsection. Something wet and heavy spilled through his fingers.
Kain laughed again, softer this time.
"Look at you."
He circled him slowly.
"All that training… all that determination and faith…"
The man dropped to his knees, gasping. Kain leaned slightly closer, tilting his head.
"Where is your god?"
The soldier's lips moved, but no sound came out.
"Will he not answer you? Sadly they tend to do that when you need them the most. I prayed to him too, for him to save me but he did not."
Kain's grin widened.
"…even now he is still looking at you"
No answer came, then his claws moved.
The soldier's head fell and his body followed. Kain absorbed the rising soul without hesitation.
He exhaled slowly.
"This is too easy."
Around him, the fortress descended into chaos. Screams echoed through the stone corridors and open courtyards. Soldiers shouted, civilians cried out, and demons tore through everything in their path.
Kain walked forward, unhurried.
"Pathetic…"
His gaze drifted over the fleeing humans.
"And I was once one of you."
The keep stood ahead, its gates shut tight, its remaining defenders gathering for what looked like a final stand.
Kain watched them form up.
"…they still think it matters."
Just as he raised his head to finish off a soldier under his foot the sky broke.
A thunderous explosion tore through the air, loud enough to shake the ground beneath them, every head snapped upward.
Shapes descended.
Wings cut through the air as a formation of gryphons dove toward the battlefield, their riders clad in armor that gleamed under the sun.
Kain's eyes narrowed.
The demons reacted instantly, some charged at the incoming enemies, some hesitated with unmistakable fear in their eyes some turned to flee all together.
The riders drew their swords, golden light flaring. The effect was immediate. A knight landed, his gryphon pulling away as he struck.
One swing. One swing was all it took and three demons fell. Demon flesh burned where the blade passed.
Kain's gaze sharpened.
"…that's new. Im guessing that is antagonisticto us? Perhaps the famed divine energy?."
Another demon lunged at a rider and was cut down just as easily, its body splitting apart under the glowing blade.
The battlefield shifted, order in the demon forces collapsed. Demons scattered, their earlier momentum gone.
Kain stepped back, he did not attempt a charge.
"…not stupid enough for that."
He turned toward the edge of the battlefield, moving toward a collapsed section of the wall. Then something dropped in front of him.
The impact cracked the ground.
A knight stood there, sword already drawn, golden light running along its edge.
"Die, foul demon."
Kain moved, as the blade came down. He raised his claws to block.
The moment they touched, something felt wrong. The resistance vanished. The sword cut through his claws like they were nothing.
Pain followed instantly.
Kain jerked back, blood spilling as his hand split open.
"…what?"
The knight did not stop, his next strike came faster.
Kain dodged, but barely. The blade passed close enough to burn his skin.
Another strike and he dodged again.
The knight smiled.
"You had your fun," he said, stepping forward with calm certainty. "Killing those who could not fight back."
The sword rose again.
"But now you've met your end."
Kain's eyes sharpened.
"…no."
The strike came for his neck.
He twisted, letting it pass, then shoved the knight back just enough to create space.
That was all he needed. He turned and ran.
Pain burned across his body where earlier strikes had landed. His shoulder throbbed, his hand still dripping black blood.
Behind him, the knight followed.
Not in a rush not panicky. He was walking as if he was out on a stroll through his garden.
Along the way, he cut down demons without slowing his stride.
Kain did not look back again. He reached the broken wall, jumped through and kept running.
Other demons ran with him. Dozens of other demons fled, their earlier arrogance gone. Kain passed fleeing humans, their faces twisted in fear.
"…not worth it."
After a long run across the kingdom's country side, the portal came into view.
It was stilll open, it still pulsed with energy. The unmistakable smell of the demon realm's almost sulphury air had filled the entire area here.
Behind him, the gryphons were closing in.
Kain desperately pushed forward, with a jump he crossed through.
The air shifted instantly into the familiar dry and heavy environment. Kain stumbled but kept moving, forcing his body forward. Two demons ran near him, both breathing hard.
As they ran deeper into the demon realm, he noticed that the ground began to change.
The red faded into purple and the air thickened. Ahead, the earth opened into a jagged hole where urple energy leaked from it, rising slowly like smoke.
Kain slowed.
Something about it pressed against him, heavyly suffocating.
"…what is this…"
He turned.
The gryphons had followed. Arrows were flying indiscriminately now. One demon beside him dropped instantly, the glowing shaft buried deep in its chest.
Another arrow one glowing with the golden energy cut through the air. Kain tried to move out of the arrow's path but it was too late.
It struck his shoulder and pain exploded through him, sharper than anything before. The golden energy burned into his flesh, eating at it dissolving it slowly.
"…damn it—"
His footing slipped as the edge crumbled beneath him then he fell.
The purple swallowed him, above, the hole shrank. The light and the flying gryphons faded. Darkness closed in as he dropped deeper, the burning in his shoulder lingering as everything else began to blur.