the devil of envy(5)

The void remained tense, filled with lingering echoes of Dakota's last words. The fractured ground beneath him seemed like shattered glass reflecting the embers of his blue flames. The Devil of Envy stood tall, his body pulsating with dark energy, though it was clear his regeneration had come at a cost. Cracks riddled his skin like fragile porcelain holding back an ocean of chaos.

Dakota tightened his grip on his flaming sword, his piercing cobalt eyes locking onto the Devil of Envy's twisted grin. The silence between them was deafening, broken only by the faint crackle of Dakota's fire and the occasional cough from the battered devil.

Devil of Envy (smirking, his voice laced with both bitterness and admiration):

"You really are something, Dakota. But let's see how long that arrogance lasts."

With a sudden surge of dark energy, the Devil of Envy lunged forward, his speed blurring as he closed the distance between them. Shadows wrapped around his fists, forming jagged claws infused with demonic power.

Dakota sidestepped with ease, his sword slicing through the tendrils of darkness. However, the Devil anticipated this, shifting mid-strike to deliver a devastating punch to Dakota's side. The impact echoed like thunder, sending Dakota skidding backward, his boots carving trenches into the ground. Blood dripped from the corner of Dakota's mouth, staining his chin.

Dakota wiped the blood away with the back of his hand, unfazed.

Dakota (calmly, almost bored):

"Huh. That actually stung a little."

The Devil of Envy didn't let up, following with a barrage of strikes—each one faster and more brutal than the last. Dakota deflected and dodged, but a few landed, leaving crimson streaks across his arms and torso. Despite the damage, Dakota's expression remained indifferent, his eyes glowing with an unsettling calm.

Then, without warning, Dakota vanished.

Reappearing behind the Devil, his sword already mid-swing, Dakota's blue flames roared to life, slicing clean through the Devil's defenses. The Devil howled as the blade seared through his shoulder, nearly severing his arm.

Dakota (his voice dropping to a deadly whisper):

"You've had your fun."

Dakota's aura exploded—a wave of raw power surging outward, extinguishing even the faintest flicker of darkness around them. The very air seemed to tremble.

Dakota's movements became a blur, too fast for the naked eye. The Devil of Envy tried to counter, his dark magic flaring wildly, but it was useless. Dakota was beyond him now.

A devastating uppercut sent the Devil sprawling, his body skipping across the void like a stone on water. Before he could recover, Dakota appeared above him, slamming his heel into the Devil's chest, sending him crashing into the fractured ground below.

The Devil coughed violently, blood spilling from his mouth, staining the obsidian landscape. He tried to stand, his body trembling under the weight of Dakota's overwhelming presence.

Devil of Envy (laughing weakly, blood staining his teeth):

"Wow… you really are strong for a human. Expected of the Creator."

Dakota landed softly, his sword resting casually on his shoulder. His expression remained cold, but there was a flicker of acknowledgment in his eyes.

Dakota (shrugging slightly):

"Well, thanks, I guess. But now you realize you can't beat me. So… what are you gonna do now?"

The Devil of Envy chuckled, shaking his head slowly. His body was broken, his power fading, but his spirit remained defiant.

Devil of Envy (smiling despite the blood dripping down his chin):

"Oh, nothing. I can't do anything anyway. But do you really think you'll win this war? Do you really think you can beat Blazer, Fianna, and those three?"

Dakota's expression didn't change. His confidence was unshaken, his resolve like steel.

Dakota (firm, unwavering):

"Yes. Me and my friends—my allies—we will beat them. Trust me, I know. I have a plan. We will beat them."

For the first time, the Devil of Envy's smile softened—not with mockery, but with something resembling respect.

Devil of Envy (softly):

"Well then… I hope you win… good luck."

Without hesitation, Dakota stepped forward, driving his sword straight through the Devil's chest. The blue flames erupted from the wound, consuming the Devil from the inside out. There was no scream, no final words—just silence as the Devil of Envy crumbled into ash, scattered by the void's endless winds.

Dakota stood alone atop the jagged peak, the remnants of his battle fading into memory. The blood on his body had dried, the wounds already beginning to heal thanks to his resilience.

With a sigh, he sheathed his sword and began his descent. The climb down was silent, save for the occasional crunch of loose stone underfoot. His mind drifted—not to the battle, not to the Devil he had just slain, but to the faces of his friends.

As he reached the base of the mountain, he stretched, feeling the ache settle into his muscles.

Dakota (groaning slightly):

"Oh, damn… I'm kind of tired."

He found a flat rock, collapsing onto it with an exaggerated sigh, staring up at the dark sky above.

Dakota (murmuring to himself):

"Let's just sleep for today. I'll go back tomorrow."

The stars—or what passed for stars in this twisted world—flickered faintly. Dakota's mind wandered again, thoughts swirling like distant echoes.

Dakota (quietly, more to himself than anyone else):

"And plus… I think it's finally time to tell all my friends the truth. The truth about this world being a novel. The truth about my past life. The truth about everything."

He closed his eyes for a moment, letting the exhaustion take hold. But then, with a lazy chuckle, he opened one eye, smirking at his own thoughts.

Dakota (grinning slightly):

"Oh, tomorrow is… Actually, not tomorrow. I'm just gonna tell them three weeks later."

The smirk faded, replaced by a look of quiet reflection.

Dakota (softly):

"But still… I can't believe it's finally going to be time. The time I tell them the truth."

His eyes drifted shut, and sleep finally claimed him, the weight of battles past and truths untold lingering in the silent darkness.