The Rescue Operation

In the early hours of the morning, before sunrise, the rescue operation of the survivors from Nefaria Kingdom—or rather Malakar Kingdom—began.

Wearing dark clothes or animal skins, they walked carefully on the snowy ground. Their bodies were covered in blood or the remains of dead animals, to disguise their odor.

They walked without using torches, heading towards the border of Nefaria and Calonia.

Atherion walked beside the group of three hundred people, with Camelia sitting on Storm's back, and Duke Valois behind them.

All of Atherion's senses were on alert, ready for any potential enemy attack.

Camelia blew out her cold hands and looked at all the survivors walking barefoot. 

They walked in silence, even the small children made no sound. Some babies were tucked into their mothers' clothes and slept during the journey.

The distance between the hiding place and the border was only about five kilometers, but it felt very long, because they were walking in the dark and in the bone-chilling cold air.

Camelia was grateful that her father—Camelia's biological father—was a powerful man under the King of Calonia. He would be able to take care of the refugees once they reached Calonia.

Within a few hours, they arrived at the border. The refugees began to enter Calonia's territory, greeted by soldiers and knights who were waiting for them.

The warm air from Calonia hit the bodies of the refugees. They knelt down and wept silently, grateful for their freedom.

Almost all the refugees had entered Calonia's territory, including Duke Valois, Camelia, and Atherion.

But suddenly, Atherion turned around while drawing his sword, took a few steps forward, then swung his sword at the empty space between the dead trees.

There was a loud bang and a surge of energy, causing trees to be uprooted and snow to fly to the sides.

Camelia, Duke Valois, and everyone else were shocked by the incident.

They stared in horror at the direction of the explosion.

From the splintered trees and the falling snow, a man with long, blonde hair flowing like the mane of a lion emerged. He walked arrogantly and confidently towards them.

"Sarkan…" Atherion hissed, then he said without turning around, "Your Highness, please take Camelia and the others into Calonia. There's a pest that needs exterminating."

Upon hearing his words, Duke Valois immediately took control of Storm. "Come on, Camelia," he said.

"B-But..." Camelia tried to dismount.

"Camellia! Please go with your father," said Atherion, turning his head to the side slightly. "I'll catch you there."

"N-No!" Camelia started to cry, but her father grabbed Storm's leash and began galloping into Calonia's territory.

"Atheriooonnn!" Camelia screamed hysterically. "Let me go with him! He'll be in danger!"

Duke Valois continued pulling Storm's leash, with Camelia on top, feeling dreadful.

***

With a tense jaw, Atherion focused himself on facing Sarkan.

Camelia's screams hurt his heart, but he was determined to protect her until the end.

"Hahahahah!" Sarkan laughed, seeing Atherion standing alone in Nefaria's territory.

"Why are you still protecting these humans? You're one of the demons, aren't you?" Sarkan mocked with a grin.

Atherion remained silent. His wrist twitched slightly, making his sword spin a little.

Sarkan continued laughing, "I'm now stronger than the last time we fought. You will definitely lose this time!"

"Lots of shit!" Atherion jumped towards Sarkan, swinging his sword at him.

Sarkan stopped laughing and immediately drew his sword. He blocked Atherion's sword swing, then laughed again.

"I'm sure I can beat you, hahahaha!" he exclaimed smugly. "What is it, what's so great about The Darkness."

Atherion ignored Sarkan's chatter and attacked him repeatedly.

Sarkan easily parried and counterattacked, but it wasn't long before he started to get pushed around.

His grin disappeared from Sarkan's face. Sweat began to drip down his forehead, despite the very cold air.

One slash from Atherion towards Sarkan's chest sent his sword flying.

Atherion didn't hesitate to plunge his sword into Sarkan's chest and then kicked him backwards.

Sarkan was thrown back, with Atherion's sword stuck in his chest.

Blood flowed from the wound, but it was not red—it was green.

Sarkan coughed up green blood and rose to his feet.

He drew the sword from his chest and chuckled.

"Hehehehe… You are really very good. Even if I die, I won't regret fighting you!" he chuckled as he tore his shirt.

The gaping wound from the sword slowly closed disgustingly, and the skin on his body began to turn black.

Every part of his body—hands, head, and feet—all started to turn black.

Above each of its ears, emerged a large horn which was also black. His eyes turned yellow with vertical pupils.

Atherion's pupils also turned vertical, and sharply monitoring every change in Sarkan's body.

After all parts of Sarkan's body changed, except for his blonde hair that resembled a lion's mane, Sarkan spread his arms to the sides and clenched his fists.

"Hahahahaha!" He laughed and turned his face towards the sky.

"I feel the power given by My Queen! I'm getting stronger!" he shouted.

Atherion remained silent, watching Sarkan. But his body also began to change as his demon will was released.

His body turned black, too. But the difference was that he had an additional horn on his forehead, and his shoulders, arms and legs have a kind of sharp spikes.

And his hair became long and white.

Sarkan grinned, his laughter unceasing, as he leaped to attack Atherion. His movements were extremely fast, leaving behind only black afterimages.

Atherion lowered his head and also jumped to meet the attack.

The two of them collided in the air, a wave of energy burst out, making the area around them feel as if it had been hit by something terribly destructive.

Their hands collided in the air, and they started fist-fighting.

However, Atherion was still stronger and faster than Sarkan. His fist hit Sarkan's face, sending him crashing to the ground.

Atherion pursued Sarkan to where he had fallen, punching him in the face and chest with his right and left hands.