Demonic intruder

Crash! The huge fireball came through the beautifully painted windows. William felt the pressure from the explosion behind his cover and rubble flew around the hall.

"What in the nine layers of Hell was that?" William asked fear in his voice. The king didn't answer and with closer inspection William noticed he was unconscious. William himself hadn't taken any damage from the impact. He hoped the king would be fine and wake up soon.

"Hehehee that was quite fun!" Shouted a voice from the shadows.

"But I gotta practice my landing a bit more. My outfit is dirty", Continued the voice.

"Who is there? Did you cause this? Identify yourself!" William shouted.

"One question at a time please. And yes it was my spell Blaze Rocketeer that caused this. I apologise the mess because my landing was quite troublesome", explained the voice as a shady figure stepped behind one of the marble pillars.

The figure had red skin and small black horns. He was very short. So short actually that William would've mistaken the intruder being a little boy if it wasn't that he was bald and his demonic look made him so creepy. The demon had expensive looking clothes like something you could see on a high class merchant or a craftsman. The shorts and the sleeveless shirt were top class fabric that was stitched with skill without making any mistakes.

At the same time when William eyed the demon curiously the king woke up. He had a nosebleed and a broken wrist but was otherwise undamaged.

"William! Don't let that demon's look fool you! He looks like the ruler of Hell's first layer!" the king shouted as warning. William grabbed the handle of his longsword and unsheathed it quickly. He took a fighting stance like everytime he approached in a duel. He had done this countless of times while his training years and at the war so it felt natural and it brought a feeling of being more safe.

"So you remember seeing me?" The demon Lord asked the king.

"My name was Iskarriot in case you forgot it. And I am here for some negotiating", Iskarriot said with a smirk on his face.

"I don't know what negotiations you had in mind but I do not wish to hear them. William kill him!" the king shouted clearly terrified about the demons presence.

"Well, if we're going without some polite conversation, I am going take control of this kingdom with force!!!" the demon screeched while it's face twisted to a psychopathic smile. William took better grip of his longsword and started slowly approaching Iskarriot.

The demon seemed not care as William got closer holding his sword ready to attack. It just stood there looking William with a bored look on his face. He was already going to swing his sword but hesitated. Could actually kill this demon child? It had caused a lot of damage to the castle and also wounded the king but was that enough for an execution?

"What? Are you afraid to strike me?" Iskarriot asked sarcastically.

"Do not fear William. After you get rid of that thing our debate about The Greatest Hero's Reward shall be over", the king said encouraging William.

"Why didn't you tell that earlier?" William asked and swinged his sword. But to his surprise, Iskarriot dodged the blade with ease.

"What's wrong? Why are your attacks so slow my soldier?" Iskarriot asked with a sarcastic smile. William thrusted towards Iskarriot but the demon jumped backwards once again avoiding the sword.

"Now's my turn!" Iskarriot screeched and in a blink of an eye the demon had scratched William's face.

"Aargh! My eye!" William screamed in pain. He had his armor on but his face wasn't covered with anything.

"Mmm... Tasty. Your blood has very high Mana rate my friend", Iskarriot said as he licked his fingers that were covered in William's blood. William thought he was starting to see things because it looked like Iskarriot grew a few inches in plain sight.

"I drain power from others. Some could say it's a little unfair but you know what my friend? The people who say that have all one thing in common. THEY'RE ALL DEAD!" Iskarriot screeched as he attacked again. William had no time to react and in an instant Iskarriot had slammed his fist to William's chestplate. All oxygen fled from William's lungs and he fell on the ground.

"Time to finish you up" Iskarriot said calmly as he raised his hand. Mana particles started flowing towards Iskarriot's palm and soon William sensed the heat.

"Fireball!" Iskarriot screamed and shot a ball of flaming burst. William pointed his sword pointing at the burning projectile and said:

"Spell absorb".

The fireball got sucked inside the small gem that was located in the longsword's guard. Iskarriot first thought it was only decoration but now he released the gem was a rune.

"Don't think I will go down without a proper fight!" William shouted and began a new attack. He enforced his sword with Mana hoping he would be able to land some hits this time. He accelerated his sword and made it heavier when he landed his attacks. Iskarriot's face bent to a furious grin. William had thrusted a deep wound between his ribs and cut a slash on his left arm. Both injuries were bleeding purple blood.

"Do you think this will get me down? I'll show you a proper fight! DIE!" Iskarriot begun his sentence calmly but he was clearly angry and couldn't hold his emotions so he bursted in rage.

"Take this!!!" He shouted and started charging a new fireball. William prepared to use his absorbing rune again but the fireball kept on growing. He could absorb small amounts of Mana at a time and the ball was already too big. Suddenly the burning projectile split in two halves. The size of the two fireballs was scaleble to a small horse. Iskarriot launched the first one and William tried to dodge it but the impact was inevitable.

William already prepared to get burnt to crisp but at the same time a big man in armor stepped behind William to block the burst of fire with his magical energy shield.

"Why do we always meet like this, me getting you out of trouble?" The man asked while smiling and holding his rune-shield.

To be continued -->