The Eldest Son

Judge and Orion stood tense as the figure emerged from the shadows. It was as if the darkness itself began to take form, swirling and coalescing with each step the figure took toward them. At first, the misty shadow resembled nothing more than an amorphous wraith. But as it advanced, its body began to materialize, taking on a humanoid shape. By the time it stood close to Judge, it had fully transformed into a pale man dressed in elegant, noble attire. His clothes, though refined, carried an unsettling air—like finery worn by a corpse.

The man stopped just a few feet from Judge, his face twisted in a smug smirk. His sunken eyes glimmered with malice as he spoke, his voice unnervingly smooth. "You have confidence, I see," he remarked, his tone almost playful. He shifted his gaze to Orion, who was watching cautiously. "And what an interesting companion you have here. A little prodigy, perhaps?"

Judge didn't waste a moment. His chain shot forward like a serpent, whistling through the air with deadly precision. But before it could strike, the man dissolved into mist, reappearing effortlessly on the upper-floor corridor.

"You're impatient, I see," the creature taunted, his voice echoing mockingly through the ruined mansion. Judge didn't hesitate; he redirected his chain, sending it flying toward the corridor. The impact shattered the weakened structure, and debris rained down, leaving the corridor in ruins. But the creature had already moved, appearing now on a scorched table in the room below, casually sitting on its edge.

"Not bad," he commented with a sly grin.

Judge's eyes narrowed. He could already tell this opponent wasn't going to be an easy target. "Who are you? Are you the eldest son of the Revona family?" Judge demanded, his voice firm and unyielding.

The creature tilted his head as if considering the question. "Hmm… you could say that. But I'm not entirely him. Let's say… the eldest son of Revona is inside me." He laughed, a chilling sound that echoed in the shattered remnants of the mansion.

In a flash, he vanished again, reappearing near a burned portrait on the wall. Kneeling mockingly before the image, he began to imitate a sobbing cry. "My poor mother. She looked absolutely terrified when I killed her brothers in front of her."

Orion and Judge watched in silence, their expressions shifting between confusion and disgust. Orion's thoughts raced. What the hell is this performance?

The creature rose, his twisted grin returning. "Alright," he announced theatrically, "let me properly introduce myself. I wasn't always here, you know. I was invited. Summoned, actually. And I'll admit, it's been boring lately, so I decided to have some fun." He gestured dramatically toward the destroyed room. "That's how I got you here. These poor, delusional idiots thought they could control a demon."

He turned his piercing gaze to Orion and pointed a pale finger. "You, boy. Tell me, can humans control a demon?"

Orion froze, his mind racing for an answer. He couldn't bring himself to speak.

The creature chuckled darkly. "Exactly. The answer is no. How could these pathetic little creatures think they could command me?" His voice rose with fury, and a wave of oppressive energy erupted from him. The entire mansion seemed to groan under the weight of his power. Dust and debris shook loose from the ceiling, and Orion instinctively stepped back.

Judge tightened his grip on his chain, his body tensing. This was no ordinary opponent.

The creature's aura receded slightly as he calmed himself. "Do you understand now?" he continued, his voice dripping with mockery. "Their arrogance was their downfall. When they summoned me, I took over this body and played along for a while. And for that, I must thank them."

The smug grin returned to his face. "I don't know how, but these idiots actually succeeded in bringing me here. I had been trying to cross over for years, but I couldn't… not until they handed me the key on a silver platter."

He laughed again, the sound echoing with malice. "Of course, you don't know who I am. But I'm sure your leaders do. Tell them," he added, his voice dropping to a chilling whisper. "Tell them their old nightmares are returning."