Sarkan's Death

Calonia Kingdom, Not far from Calonia's border with Nefaria

The survivors had started walking towards the Valois Dukedom, escorted by soldiers from Calonia. They were beginning a new life there.

Camelia and Duke Valois were still near the border, because Camelia insisted on waiting for Atherion.

She stood by the side of the road leading to the capital, her hands didn't stop fidgeting.

His eyes continuously turned towards the Calonia border, waiting for Atherion to arrive.

Duke Valois approached her, and gently embraced her shoulders. "He will be back soon. "You better rest and eat," he said.

Camelia looked down, her expression sad. She didn't speak, afraid that tears would come out.

She knew that Atherion's opponent this time was not an ordinary one. She felt the immense power from his opponent.

Weakly, she turned around and headed towards the campfire, accompanied by his father who still had his arm around her shoulder.

***

Nefaria Kingdom, Not far from the border of Nefaria and Calonia

Atherion's hands didn't stop beating Sarkan. But suddenly he jumped back.

A large amount of energy emitted within Sarkan's body, throwing powerful waves around him.

It didn't take long for Sarkan to get up. He wiped the edge of his lip, which was bleeding green.

"How dare you?!" he hissed, anger clearly visible in his yellow eyes.

"I will kill you!" he shouted, jumping and attacking Atherion again.

The two figures in black exchanged punches and kicks again. This time, each of their fists and kicks released a wave of energy.

The area around them fighting was cleared of snow, blown away by the waves of energy from the two humans who had turned into demons.

Sarkan tried hard to land a punch or kick on Atherion, but Atherion was still stronger than him.

He started beating Atherion wildly.

Atherion easily dodged each of Sarkan's attacks and finally delivered a kick to Sarkan.

Sarkan was thrown several meters away, his body hitting a large rock.

He coughed again and vomited green blood. His body started shaking. His limbs began to tremble.

"Impossible…. Impossible…. Nefari said she had given me strength equal to a Demon Lord…" Sarkan coughed again.

Atherion stepped calmly towards Sarkan.

"You! Why are you so strong even though you haven't fully transformed yet?!" Sarkan yelled hysterically at Atherion, then spewed more green blood. He knelt gasping for breath.

Then his eyes saw a pair of black, scaled, and horned legs standing in front of him.

"Damn! Nefari, you tricked me…" he muttered.

Atherion raised his right hand, and his fist gave off light.

He hit Sarkan's head with his fist, then turned and walked towards the border.

His body gradually turned human again.

Behind him, Sarkan was lifeless, his head no longer in shape.

***

Camelia spooned the soup without appetite. She was still very worried about Atherion's condition.

Duke Valois watched her sadly. He still strongly disagreed with the relationship between Camelia and Atherion, between The Light and The Darkness.

He wanted to separate them, but how? The Darkness could easily destroy him, everything he owned, even his country.

With drooping shoulders, he also spooned the soup with no appetite.

[Camellia?]

Suddenly Camelia sat up straight.

[Stay where you are. I will come in a few moments.]

Camelia heard Atherion's voice, and her face began to glow. She stood up and ran back towards the street.

The Duke, seeing his daughter's behavior, got up and followed her.

They both stood in the middle of the road.

Not long after, they saw a human figure walking casually towards them. His black hair fluttered in the wind.

As the figure got closer, they could see his strong, muscular body. He wasn't wearing a top, only torn trousers.

Camelia ran towards him and immediately hugged Atherion.

Atherion smiled and gently stroked Camelia's hair.

But the Duke's eyes bulged at the sight of them hugging like that. He wanted to separate them but didn't dare whenever he saw Atherion. The young man was truly frightening to him. In the end, he could only turn his head away and step towards his men, ordering them to get ready to leave.

Camelia looked up at Atherion's face and then asked, "Are you okay? Not hurt?" She lowered her face towards Atherion's chest, but then turned her red face away.

'Ugh, I forgot he wasn't wearing clothes,' Camelia thought, holding her hot face.

Atherion chuckled in amusement at Camelia's behavior, and whispered in her ear, "I'm fine."

Camelia covered her face with both hands, at the feeling of his breath, and now her face felt very hot.

***

Not long after, they rode together to Duke Valois' Estate. The journey took one full day from the border by horse.

They arrived at night. The light of the moon and stars illuminated the huge Duke Valois Estate. 

Camelia was wide-eyed, looking in all directions in amazement at how large her host's father's Estate was. She admired all the decorations on the walls and the floors, and noticedl the maids and butler who bowed their heads when they entered.

"Welcome back, Princess Camelia." The butler and the maids greeted her in unison. Camelia was confused on how to answer, and only said quietly, "Thank you."

Atherion, who was by her side, just watched her behavior quietly.

However, the Duke noticed everything Camelia did.

He started to feel something was different about Camelia. She, who previously never cared about her surroundings, let alone their estate, now turned to examining everything one by one with eyes full of curiosity. She also never cared about the servants, let alone saying thank you.

And one more thing, Camelia didn't call him 'Dad', but 'Father'.

Trying to shake off the strange feeling, he tried to be grateful that his daughter had returned safely.

***

Nefaria Kingdom, Queen's Chamber

Nefaria frowned as she was enjoying her glass of wine. She sensed that the life radiating from Sarkan's body had already disappeared.

She took a sip of her wine, muttering, "Useless fool."

She leaned back against the sofa, muttering again, "The stronger you are, Atherion, the more I want you..."