Whose “pawn” is it anyway?

I could feel Dehya's warmth against my back as we traversed the cobblestone streets of Asmodeus's city. Her laughter rang out like a melody, blending seamlessly with the playful arguments of Gimola and Gimli. They had taken their bickering to new heights, each dwarf claiming dominion over demon-slaying statistics.

"Twelve demon kills for me, Eleven for you, brother!" Gimola exclaimed, wielding her kukuris like trophies.

"Ha! You're counting kill-steals again!" Gimli retorted, his beard bobbing with indignation. Right then, Ben stood behind them, shaking his head with a bemused smile, the red feathers of his bow catching the light from the buildings nearby.

Orion, snuggled comfortably in June's arm. I couldn't tell if it was her magic or her spirit that made me feel at ease, but I silently thanked the threads of fate that had brought us together.

"Hey, Zain! When are you gonna let me in on some of that sword action?" Gimli teased from his Sisters side, twirling his blades. "I think I can take ya now."

"You'll get your ass kicked in due time, my friend," I Quipped back at him, my gaze was fluctuating around the still-bustling streets. They were unnaturally active, despite the wreckage we recently caused to Asmodeus's castle. There were still seductive demons dancing in their glass cages. It was as if I could feel the city's pulsing heart beat in rhythm with the Music, feeding the sinister force of the Brothels that were strewn everywhere.

I'd had enough information to know that the underbelly of this city transformed pleasure into power—the stronger the desires, the more there was lust, the stronger Asmodeus got. Viscoff killed him though, so that shouldn't matter. Yet, there was an uncomfortable stillness in the air, Thick even amidst the revelry. The castle lay in ruins, and I couldn't shake the feeling that the silence around us was a prelude to something catastrophic.

Taking a deep breath, I gently nudged Dehyas leg that was wrapped around my waist "Something's off. I can feel it."

"Yeah," she agreed, concern shadowing her eyes. "The atmosphere doesn't match up to what it should be."

We all turned a corner, and there it was—a massive dark purple energy ball charging with crackling energy, wider than the street itself. It pulsated like a forsaken heart, drawing everyone's attention for merely a second before it unleashed its devastation.

"Shit!" Ben yelled, but the words felt like they were swallowed by an engulfing silence as the aura surged forward.

The ensuing explosion was deafening. A blinding light consumed us, launching our group backward like rag dolls caught in a storm. I found myself crashing through the splintered remains of a once-proud wall, the impact knocking the breath from my lungs.

As I pushed against debris to regain my footing, I glanced around through the dust and confusion. Dehya lay nearby, dazed but struggling to her knees, her hands glowing with remnants of her vines. Gimola and Gimli emerged from the wreckage, their playful demeanor crushed by the stark reality that surrounded us. Ben rushed over, concern etched into his face, and I caught sight of Orion, who'd transformed back into his cat form, tail fluffed out in alarm as he slinked back to my side. June was lifting debris off her with her magic.

And then, emerging from the shadows left by the energy burst, stood a Two-Faced Man. His sinister smile seemed to stretch across the gap between his contorted faces, glowing eerily beneath the mottled skies.

"Have you realized yet?" he sneered, his voice a warped echo. "I'm not so easy to get rid of."

"Ah, this dirty bastard is like a cockroach. If you smoosh him, he comes back." I declared, my grip tightening on my blue katana as it came to life at my call. The blade hummed with power, its vivid glow clashing against the purple storm gathering around him.

"Hope is a fickle creature, is it not? You may have won the first battle, but the war…" he hissed, taking a step forward, cocking his head as lightning cracked behind him. "The war has yet to begin."

Rallying, I felt Dehya's hand clasp mine, the warmth sending a spark of confidence through me. Around us, my companions began to rise, the fire of camaraderie igniting an unquenchable resolve. This city of sin and temptation might be steeped in darkness, but our light refused to be dimmed. We were more than scattered fragments; we were a family.

——

The dark cities air was thick with anticipation. my heart pounded in sync with the rising tension. Asmodeus stood before us, back from the dead. His black cloak billowing like a storm cloud, two faces locked onto his face where three used to be—the twisted grin of the bulls face contradicting the eerie calm of the human side. I could feel the weight of the moment settle on my shoulders, but I pushed the pressure away. I wasn't alone; I had my friends, my allies, and most importantly, Dehya by my side.

The twins, Gimola and Gimli, were the first to charge. Their battle cries echoed through the darkening streets, and as they ran, the small orbs hidden in their pockets floated free, glimmering with magical energy. In an instant, it split into pieces, the fragmented pieces fused together, forming their exo-suits glistening under the dim light of the City.

"Let's show this dark fool what we've got!" Gimola shouted, her voice fierce and unwavering, and I couldn't help but grin.

With a deft leap, Ben, ascended to the rooftop of a nearby building. He took aim, his bow drawing taut as he released flamed arrows. Each arrow lit up the night sky, raining down with the fury of a thousand suns directly at Asmodeus.

Viscoff surged with power, transforming into his Thor form—the flicker of the red cape trailing behind him as his muscles bulged beneath shimmering armor. His square hammer, now crackling with energy, swung with the might of thunder itself. "Come at me! I'm more then happy to kill you twice!" he roared, and the earth trembled beneath him.

Then there was June, soaring above us with her golden wings unfurling like sunlight breaking through storm clouds. Her staff glowed brilliantly, and she called upon her golden magic, infusing her spells with the purity of light.

But it was Dehya's gaze that held my attention most. The elf, my partner, glared at Asmodeus with a mix of disdain and fury. His twisted power had painted her in darkness—she fought not just for our survival but for her own sanity. Her breathtaking power of vines and roots was now tinged with a dark purple energy. I could see the war raging within her as she battled the remnants of demon blood he had forced inside her.

"Zain!" She shouted my name, her voice mingling with the chaos around us. "We need to finish this!"

"Yes," I replied, determination coursing through my veins. I drew both my blue katana and dragon sword from their sheaths. It was time to blend my three sword styles: the unpredictable drunken sword style, the swift lightning strike sword style, and the graceful water flow style I had only recently mastered.

"Orion, on my shoulder!" I called, he leapt gracefully onto my shoulder, his golden eyes glimmering with an ancient understanding. Ready to guide me in battle.

But just as I prepared to advance, the calm before the storm shattered. The city seemed to tremble, and out from the shadows, thousands of demons erupted from the nearby brothels. Their screeches filled the air, a cacophony of rage as they charged towards us. It was Asmodeus's army—his dark heralds summoned to sow chaos and destruction.

Then, all at once, the thrill of battle ignited within me.

As I surged forward, I alternated my styles, letting the erratic movements of the drunken sword style throw off the demons' rhythm. I spun and twirled, each graceful motion followed by a flash of my katana as I deflected their strikes. The lightning strike sword style granted me speed; I thrust forward, darting between enemies, each clash creating a spark in the air as metal met claw.

I felt the water flow guiding my movements as I flowed through the chaos—each enemy vanquished left behind a ripple effect of safety for my friends. The effortless movements felt natural, as if the sword had a mind of its own.

"Dehya!" I yelled with caution, calling out to her, my voice struggling to rise above the maelstrom. She was focusing, vines erupting from the ground and intertwining with the demons, ensnaring them in her grasp. She was placing alot of that dark energy into her vines.

"I can control it, I will never let it win again." she shouted back, her voice filled with newfound conviction. The dark energy was merging with her natural power, and for the first time, it felt like she could finally harness it without becoming possessed.

I trusted in her. I turned to see Viscoff's hammer crash down on a group of demons beside me, their shrieks cut abruptly. Ben continued to rain fire from the rooftops, while June unleashed torrents of golden magic to cleanse the darkness around us.

As the fray unraveled, I caught a glimpse of Asmodeus, a figure at the center of the chaos. He seemed amused, watching us with a smug expression, his staff humming with dark energy.

"Fools!" he bellowed, his voice cutting like shards of ice. "You think you can stop me? You're merely pawns in a game far greater than you understand!"

——

*A very very very very long time ago*

In the shadow of the mountains, two figures walked a narrow, winding path. The first man was a striking presence with green hair that shimmered like emeralds under the faint sunlight, and jade-green eyes that dripped Composure. His all-black suit hugged his form, and a golden necklace gleamed against his chest, adorned with the letters "AD" encased in a heart-shaped pendant. A blue sword resided in the sheath on his right hip, while a fierce red sword rested on his left.

Next to him walked a quiet companion, a man with short white hair that shone starkly against the dark fabric of his attire. His torso was encased in thin black armor, lending him an air of stealthy intensity. Unlike his companion, he bore no obvious embellishments, but his two pitch-black swords were clearly a threat, A Odachi and a smaller Kodachi strapped firmly to his left side. The wind blew the hair covering his ears, revealing pointed elven ears.

Their destination was fraught with danger; guild after guild had sent adventurers to explore the treacherous area ahead, only for them to vanish without a trace. As they approached the meeting point of six mountains, an ominous energy hung in the air. A massive boulder loomed in the center, carved with symbols older than the stones around it. Two colossal stone totems flanked the doorway that had been etched into the boulder, their ancient symbols pulsating with a ghostly light.

The pair exchanged a glance. It was a wordless agreement, but in it lay a deeper understanding of their purpose. With a mutual nod, they moved forward and entered the doorway.

As they stepped inside, the darkness enveloped them, but soon flickering lanterns along the curved staircase lit their path. Each step down felt heavier, as if the very ground was warning them. It was a long path down, taking them a bit longer then a full day just to descend the full stairway.

They finally arrived at a wide-open room, the door ajar, Etched with symbols identical to outside. The sight that greeted them sent chills down their spines. In the center of the chamber, a stone pedestal glowed ominously with dark purple energy.

Yet, it was the sight to the left that gripped their hearts: a pile of bones lay scattered, remnants of the guild members who had come before them. Both men stood still, surveying the bleak scene. The ground trembled beneath them, an ominous sense of dread filled the air.

Without warning, the stone beneath them cracked, bringing forth a black, serpentine creature—one hundred yards long and as thick as a whale. Its scales glistened like the deepest darkest depths of an evil place, and its eyes shone with an unsettling dark purple light. From its gaping maw, it unleashed gouts of venom that hissed as it hit the ground.

The green-haired warrior reacted swiftly, lightning on his boots to make himself faster, drawing both his swords. There was a grace in his movements, but also a strange edge to it—as if the earth itself conspired against him. A splash of venom caught his pants, searing through the fabric. His companion noticed but said nothing, merely shaking his head, imparting a silent mix of concern and reprimand.

Then, the chaos became a dance. The green-haired man infused energy into his swords, the blue blade gleaming with frost while the red ignited into flames. He lunged toward the snake, his footwork oddly unsteady, as if drunk, his strikes were strangely fluid, as if they were water flowing as river. He struck towards the venomous sprays, redirecting it away with an artful grace, wind pushing it to the walls.

With each strike against the ground, deep fissures formed, entrapping segments of the snake's massive form. The creature tried to retaliate with its formidable tail, but he crossed his swords to form an impenetrable barrier, deflecting the blow with a ferocity that echoed through the chamber, as if the snake tried to strike a mountain of Iron.

The warrior didn't need to use words, he seemed to say everything with his movements, before leaping into the air, he disappeared into the shadows. For a breathless moment, there was nothing until he re-emerged beneath the beast, golden energy enveloping him and his weapons. In one decisive strike, he severed the serpent's head with an elegant precision that defied belief. He used a total of nine different sword styles.

Breathing hard, he sheathed his swords. The roar of victory was on his lips when he turned to his companion, but instead he found the white-haired man with a wicked smile stretching across his face. He was already advancing toward the pedestal, his fingers outstretched.

"Faelar!" The green-haired man shouted his name, but the words fell upon deaf ears.

The white-haired man snatched something from the top of the pedestal—a dark purple ring radiating an unsettling energy. Without hesitating, he slipped it onto his left ring finger, watching as the power coursed through him like a live wire. The air crackled with electricity, and a malevolent laughter erupted from him, echoing against the stone walls.

"You're such a fool," he said, voice now saturated with dark undertones. "The power has returned!" His eyes were turning a dark purple, his white hair now shifted to half black and half nightshade purple.

The ground shook again, this time with an otherworldly intensity. The bones around them began to rattle as if stirred from a restless slumber. Shadows danced along the walls, and the very air seemed thick with dread. The serpent's head lay severed, but that was not the end. Ghostly specters emerged from the walls of the chamber, their anguished faces twisted in eternal torment.

Without waiting for further provocation, the green-haired man charged forward, his resolve hardening. "You're not the Faelar I know, Give him back now!"

"Faelar is gone you fool! I am now known as Nezrad Nabuul! The son of Z-Rad Nabuul. The Great Demon king! I have inherited that title. If you try and stop me, I will kill you. For letting me obtain my power, I will let you leave. SO LEAVE, NOW!" His voice was dark and deep, but for some reason at the very end, it seemed as if Faelar was trying to resist.

The shadows coalesced, forming a writhing mass that rushed toward him. In that moment, he understood that it was not his friend that he faced, but an ancient darkness that came to life.

Drawing upon every ounce of power, he unleashed a blinding surge of energy that cascaded from his swords. With fire and ice entwining in a tempest of fury, he barreled through the phantoms, aiming to contain and keep the darkness in this wretched place. It was a battle not just for his sole survival, but for all beings everywhere.

And so, within the stone confines of the chamber, the battle of light vs dark began, as darkness clashed with the light of hope, and two fates hung in the balance amidst the echoes of forgotten souls.