Chapter Twelve: The Dark Awakening

The earth beneath Chen Ming's feet trembled as a massive roar echoed through the air. He turned, his eyes locking onto the creature that had emerged from the shadows—a grotesque, serpentine beast with scales that shimmered like obsidian, and eyes that glowed a sickly yellow. Its maw was filled with jagged teeth, dripping with venomous saliva that hissed as it touched the ground. The creature's body slithered across the stone, its long, sinuous tail flicking in the air as it moved toward him.

The child clung to his side, her small hands trembling. There was no escaping the nightmare that was about to unfold.

In front of him, the Demon King stood like a looming shadow, his crimson eyes burning with barely-contained fury. The dark aura surrounding him flickered with every step he took forward, as if the very air itself was being warped by his presence. The serpent-like creature reared up, its massive form ready to strike.

Chen Ming's mind raced. This was it. He was caught between the terrifying creature before him and the desperate need to protect the innocent child. There was no time to think; he had to act.

But before he could move, the Demon King spoke, his voice a low growl that rumbled through the air.

"Stay behind me," he commanded, his tone sharp and absolute. The authority in his voice brooked no argument, and Chen Ming found himself obeying without thought.

The monstrous serpent hissed, its yellow eyes narrowing as it locked onto its prey. With a flick of its tail, it lashed out, attempting to strike the Demon King. The air crackled with the sound of the impact as the Demon King raised his hand, sending a burst of dark energy to block the attack. The serpent recoiled, but its fangs gleamed as it readied for a second strike.

Chen Ming's pulse quickened. The power emanating from the Demon King was overwhelming—terrifying and beautiful at the same time. He had never seen this side of the ruler before. No, not just a ruler, but something ancient. A force beyond comprehension.

The serpent let out a deafening hiss, its body coiling and uncoiling as it prepared to launch itself at them. Chen Ming's heart stopped when it lunged forward, its fangs aiming straight for them.

But before it could reach him, the Demon King's crimson gaze locked onto Chen Ming, a fierce intensity in his eyes. "Move!"

Chen Ming snapped out of his stupor and without thinking, he darted to the side, his heart still racing. The moment he did, a burst of dark energy blasted from the Demon King's outstretched hand, slamming into the serpent's body with such force that it was sent crashing into a nearby boulder, the impact shaking the ground beneath them.

The serpent let out a guttural screech, its body twisting in the air as it struggled to regain control. But the Demon King was relentless. With a growl, he extended his hand, and tendrils of shadow surged from the ground, wrapping around the creature's body and pulling it tight.

"Demon King," the serpent hissed, its voice filled with a venomous rage. "You dare interfere with my feast?"

A cold smile crept onto the Demon King's lips, though his eyes never wavered from the creature. "I interfere with nothing that does not threaten me."

The serpent's jaws snapped open, but its movements slowed as the shadows continued to tighten around it. Desperate, it thrashed violently, but the more it struggled, the tighter the dark tendrils gripped. Its glowing yellow eyes were now wide with fear, realizing that it was outmatched.

Chen Ming could barely breathe as he watched the Demon King, his aura exuding absolute power. With a final, swift motion, the Demon King raised his hand once more, and a blast of dark energy surged from his palm, exploding into the serpent's body. The creature let out a deafening roar before its form disintegrated into a pile of dust and ash, scattering into the wind.

For a long moment, silence filled the air. The only sound was the faint crackling of the fire in the distance and the soft, frightened sobs of the child in Chen Ming's arms. He couldn't breathe. He had just witnessed the complete annihilation of something so terrifying, so powerful, and it was all at the hands of the Demon King.

As the dust settled, Chen Ming looked up at the Demon King, his chest tight. The fury that had burned in the Demon King's eyes moments before had now given way to something else—something softer. He stepped closer, the shadows receding from around him as he extended a hand toward Chen Ming.

"You're safe now," he said, his voice gentler, almost tender.

Chen Ming looked at the Demon King's hand, then at his eyes. The weight of what had just happened, of everything that had led up to this moment, seemed to crash down on him all at once. His heart thudded in his chest, a mixture of fear and something deeper—something he wasn't sure he was ready to face.

But as he looked at the Demon King, his fierce protector, something in him stirred. There was more to this connection than he had realized. More than a kiss. More than a fleeting moment.

He swallowed, a nervous lump forming in his throat. "Why… did you do that? Why save me?"

The Demon King didn't answer immediately. Instead, his gaze softened, his hand still outstretched. "Because I won't lose you."

The words hit Chen Ming like a thunderclap. He didn't know how to respond. Instead, he simply reached out, his hand meeting the Demon King's, feeling the heat of his palm.

And in that moment, Chen Ming realized that running would no longer be an option. Not from the creature. Not from the past. Not from the Demon King.

He was bound to this place. Bound to this fate. Bound by fire.