Elbow to Elbow

Hell, Hao Xuan could have arrived at the same conclusion on his own after one look at the demon's eyes.

It had met his gaze with a strange familiarity as if they already knew each other from somewhere, completely ignoring Gudmunder who was just an arm's reach away from him.

Hao Xuan's fist tightened, 'I can feel your blood,' he said inwardly.

[And I...yours] the demon responded.

Its booming voice echoed within his head, accompanied by a measured ferocity that could be sensed even by Gudmunder.

'How can you...talk to me?' Hao Xuan questioned and unexpectedly-

[Your blood...it calls to me...] the demon replied.

"...."

Hao Xuan's concerns grew. The demon was strong, much stronger than either of them expected but even worse- it had made a connection to the True Demon it was born from thanks to his blood.

[We will...battle!] the demon proclaimed.