Prologue: The Holy Strike

The abnormal dark presence upon these lands was quite terrifying, even for the strongest god or hero. After meeting with other demon lords, they decided to keep on their offense, hoping that the gods couldn't react.

How foolish of them. Not only these gods managed to take out the Imps which we sent to the earth, by creating these so-called ''Holy Heroes'', while sharing their power and will with mankind, but they also created an army that overcame even our strongest troops, and they were also killing lots of demon lords.

Of course, our defeat was just a matter of time, but the lords are too proud to retreat now. Either way, I couldn't help but feel bored, since there wasn't really a challenge on these lands.

The truce that demons and gods made three thousand years on the past really kept both species from fighting themselves for a long time. Still, demons grew bothered from this agreement, since it forced them to sit idly and manipulate, every once in a while, the calamities that they wished to upon mankind.

And to think that the gods would just nullify it sooner or later, made the demons think that this was some kind of submission.

As I kept looking at my glass of wine, I pondered about it. I am no different from them, so, of course, I grew bored to just sit idly. This country is now under my command, since I took over the throne by force, and, my hopes were that a god or a Holy Hero would come to try and save this country from my dynasty.

However, nobody came, nor did care about this kingdom. Thousands of bodies laying on the ground, a dark aura that could intimidate even the strongest warrior, while having a demon lord behind all of this, and yet, they didn't attack at all.

Gods surely got out of shape due to all these years of peace, but I didn't expect them not to react. After finishing my wine, I recalled what happened on the day of the truce.

''We are gonna create the same roles for demons and gods'', the one who announced this truce was one of the strongest gods, Mavin, the god of creation, ''Just as there are flame gods, there will be flame demons. If there are gods of creation, there will be demons of destruction. By doing so, we can bring a balance to mankind''

This agreement was pathetic to say the least, since that wouldn't work at all. From the very first moment we were on that court, I already noticed how defective this truce was. Demons are beings which are focused on bringing pain and havoc, not to make truces with naive gods.

When we understood what had happened, it was too late. For three thousand years, we were forced to sit idly, watching the gods nullifying our tragedies, with the sole purpose of giving mankind ''good and bad days''. On second thought, we were really subordinated to the gods by this deal.

My rage was enormous, so I just threw the glass away, and I punched the armband of my throne, breaking it a little.

''What were they thinking when they accept this truce?!'', I kept on punching the throne, causing the armband to break completely

The room was mostly dark, due to the dark clouds outside, which covered the moon shine. Also, there were huge pillars, and they were a little damaged, probably as a consequence of my duel with the king. When I took a look at the carpet, it was mostly sliced and burned. These damaged environment gave me nostalgia, for it has been a while since I fought the king.

Such a wise and brave man, who is now buried underneath his own garden. Even though I am a demon, I gave him a proper funeral, as a sign of respect of his bravery. Nevertheless, my thoughts were about to be interrupted, as I heard the door opening.

Such a great timing, for the fact that, when I opened my eyes to take a look, it was the hero Luke Belhevia, one of the strongest heroes I've ever met.

''Greetings, young Luke!'', my tone was filled with enthusiasm, now that I had another worthy opponent to fight with, ''What business could my favorite hero have in a desolate country such as this?''

Such a young man, and also that strong. A hero that, even for me, a sworn enemy, I could feel awe for him. His blond, short hair perfectly fitted his green eyes, which gleamed with motivation to fight me for once.

''I came for your head, Gulan'', I could notice the fierce determination that he had, as he said that with a cold tone, and also, by wielding his sword strongly, ''It's your turn to go back along with all the other demon lords''

''Oh?'', my initial reaction was not to be shocked, since I've warned the others, ''Very well, so I see you all brought those fools to their demise''

With that being said, I stood up from the throne, and I perceived how strongly he was holding his sword. A holy sword, capable of cutting through the strongest demon's flesh, which could bring my demise with a single blow.

Not only that, but taking in consideration his aptitude to manipulate holy fire and also, his healing abilities, I was finally facing a strong opponent, once again. My plans for this confront were not to survive, neither to win. I was just hoping to enjoy myself for as long as I could.

''You are no different from them'', his magical cast started to create flames on his sword's blade, turning it into an even stronger weapon, ''You are a filthy, dark creature, which should have stayed in hell, where you belong!''

''Interesting...'', my expectations were high when I let out a laugh, ''So, Luke Belhevia, show me how strong your resolve is!''

Both Luke and I dashed into each other's direction, prepared to fight to death. When he tried to slash me, I block with my forearm and try to pierce his chest with my other hand, however, Luke managed to heat up his own chest, forcing me to back away.

That was when I summoned my chains to force him into retreating. My chains are capable of freezing someone in time if they manage to hit them, but I could only get his sword.

Seeing that his sword was frozen in time, he raised up his flames temperature, until the chains started to melt. Astonishing, to say the least, since these time enhanced chains are nearly impossible to be melted.

Luke dashed again, and now, I didn't have time to create chains, I manifested my sword, Den Lumogus, and then, I parried his sword, pushing it up. As I expected, even by trying to stab his chest now, he created another barrier of flames to protect himself, but right after he protected himself, I manifested my power, creating a time square where he didn't block, so the flames disappeared at the same moment.

Either way, he managed to block with his own sword now, and by doing so, unfortunately, my stab didn't land. Creating a time square that would kill him right away wouldn't be fun at all, therefore, I would have to find another opening.

The room quickly began to be overtaken by the flames and chains, fighting themselves to contain each other. And at the same moment our magic attacks were trying to push each other back, me and Luke were parrying ourselves in a sword fight. However, through all of the battles I had, my mana was low, but I disregarded.

What would be the difference if I claimed victory in the end? Gods and heroes wouldn't cease their attack until I was dead, anyway. Not having enough mana made me vulnerable to the burning heat of the flames, which became an issue, since my movements grew slower.

''What is it, Gulan?'', Luke said that with a sarcastic tone, as his flames got closer, ''Can't handle this heat?''

My answer was only a smile, without saying any word. That was when the room started to fall apart, by our attacks. Feeling such a heat, my body was already starting to sag, and so were my chains, indicating that my mana was almost over. Luckily, I still had some to try a last resort, so I could take Luke with me.

As I performed this plan, a time square was created, in which Luke's attack wouldn't affect me anymore. Even though I had everything planned, sadly, my mana was wiped out before I could try to activate it. Our time together was short, and still, I had so much fun to see a hero going all out like that. Finally, I fell down on the ground, as my vitality slowly went away from my body.

''No trace of mana left?'', Luke casually approached myself, and lowered himself

''You noticed it...'', as I already knew that Luke catch sight of my low mana, I decided to enjoy this last moment, ''Of course, how could I think that I still had a chance against you?''

His sword was next to my neck, indicating that my head was about to be cut off. In my final moment, I could enjoy everything that happened. All my plans to conquer over this world's kingdoms weren't in vain, due to how much fun I had. Even though, I was about to be sent to oblivion, for once.

''Luke...'', right before he could finish me, I decided to leave him a last note, ''Thank you for making this moment so fun''

''Although you're an enemy, I will remember you, Gulan'', his tone showed him to be a bit exhausted, knowing that, by terminating me, the war would end, ''Now, farewell''

Exactly as I predicted, our defeat was obvious. Since nobody heard me back then, they all fell before me. With that, the war would finally end and the world would reign in peace... Perhaps it wasn't so bad to be defeat on the very last moment.

Luke and the others could have this honor and this victory, all that's enough for me is to have been a part of this whole process. The dark atmosphere and clouds went away as soon as my head was cut off, indicating their victory.