Stand against the Evil! Part 3

The battlefield was chaos. Explosions tore through the city, sending debris flying as enemy bombers rained destruction from above. The air was thick with smoke, fire reflecting off the shattered glass of ruined skyscrapers.

Markus stood amidst it all, his trident-sword gleaming in his grip. His breath was steady, his mind locked in the calm before the storm.

He exhaled. "Demon users, machines, and now this? Lionel's really pulling out all the stops."

A shrieking roar overhead caught his attention—a bomber sweeping low, its payload primed to drop.

Markus gritted his teeth. "Not on my watch."

He adjusted his stance, muscles coiling with precision. With a sharp flick of his wrist, he hurled his sword like a javelin.

The massive blade spun through the air, cutting through the smoke like a meteor. Its chained segments rattled as it pierced straight through the bomber's hull—a perfect strike.

Markus yanked the chain.

The aircraft lurched midair, its engines sputtering as the weight of the embedded weapon dragged it downward.

The pilot inside barely had time to react before the entire bomber crashed into the streets below, erupting in a fiery explosion.

Markus caught his weapon mid-air as it returned to his grip, spinning it once before slamming it into the ground.

Markus pushed forward, his blade cutting through the chaos. Soldiers screamed, machines exploded, and blood painted the streets. The battlefield was relentless, a never-ending storm of destruction.

Mutants and mages fought alongside him, their magic lighting up the war-torn city. But even they were struggling. Demon users weren't just strong—they were overwhelming. Fast, brutal, and seemingly unstoppable.

Markus clenched his jaw. How long can we even keep this up?

A blast of energy streaked past him, narrowly missing his head. He twisted, slashing through a machine soldier before planting his foot and driving his weapon into another.

The battlefield was shrinking.

More and more allies were falling.

The realization sank in like a stone in his chest—they were losing.

Trust me Arniks Side of the battle field was no walk in the park 

His form was battered, his breathing heavy as he forced himself back onto his feet.

And then—the demon user stepped forward.

A towering figure, his red eyes gleaming like molten fire beneath the war-torn sky. His presence alone sent a shiver down Arnik's spine.

Dark magic pulsed around him, but the real danger wasn't just his aura—it was his claws.

Long, razor-sharp, and shifting unnaturally, extending and retracting as if they had no limits.

Arnik exhaled sharply. This one's different.

The demon flexed his fingers, and with a twisted grin, he lunged.

Arnik crashed through the remains of a broken building, dust and debris scattering around him as he forced himself to stand. His body ached, his breathing was ragged, but there was no time to stop.

A low chuckle echoed through the wreckage.

Arnik's eyes snapped to the figure stepping through the smoke.

The demon user was tall, his frame wrapped in a shifting mass of darkness. His claws—long, jagged, and seemingly endless—gleamed under the burning sky, extending and retracting like living weapons. His red eyes locked onto Arnik, filled with amusement.

"You're still standing?" The demon's voice was smooth, almost playful. "That's cute."

Arnik rolled his shoulder, ignoring the pain. "I've fought worse."

The demon smirked. "That so?" His claws shot forward.

Arnik barely had time to dodge before the sharp appendages tore through the ground where he had stood moments ago, splitting stone like paper.

Too fast.

Arnik spun, flames crackling around his fists as he launched a counterattack. His punch connected—but the demon didn't move.

His grin widened.

"Nice hit."

Then he swiped.

Pain exploded in Arnik's chest as the claws raked across his armor, cutting deep. He staggered back, coughing as blood dripped onto the broken concrete beneath him.

The demon tilted his head. "You're tough. I like that."

Arnik exhaled sharply, wiping the blood from his mouth. I need to end this fast.

If this kept up, he wouldn't last.

He clenched his fists, his mutation flaring to life.

The demon grinned wider. "Now we're talking."

The demon lunged again, his claws a blur of motion. Arnik barely managed to sidestep, feeling the wind whip past his face as the attack carved deep trenches into the ground. He countered, flames bursting around his fist as he aimed a devastating punch at the demon's torso.

The hit connected, sending the demon skidding back—but it wasn't enough. He was grinning.

"You're still holding back," the demon taunted, rolling his shoulders like he was just getting warmed up. "Is that pride? Or fear?"

Arnik didn't answer. He knew engaging in conversation with this monster was a mistake. He needed to focus.

Then—

"Commander!"

Arnik turned to see a group of human soldiers, bruised, exhausted, yet still standing. Their weapons were barely holding together, their armor cracked and covered in blood.

"We'll hold him off!" one of them shouted.

Another stepped forward. "You need to get out of here! You're too important to lose!"

Arnik's eyes widened. They were willing to die for him.

"Like hell I am!" he snapped, his voice sharp with anger. "Fall back! That's an order!"

The demon chuckled, licking blood off his claws. "See? Even they know you're worth more than them."

Arnik clenched his fists. "Shut up."

"You could live," the demon continued, voice smooth as silk. "They could buy you time. Sacrifice themselves for something greater. Isn't that what soldiers are for?"

The words hit something deep inside Arnik, but his expression didn't waver.

"No one is dying for me," he said, stepping in front of the soldiers.

"But sir—"

"That's an ORDER!" His voice boomed across the battlefield, filled with an authority that left no room for argument.

The demon laughed. "How noble." His claws extended, glinting like sharpened obsidian. "Let's see how well that works out for you."

Arnik braced himself.

This fight wasn't over. And he wasn't letting anyone die for him.

With all the energy he had left, Arnik fought on.

Blow after blow, fire and steel clashed in the ruins of Marsnia. His body screamed in protest, his muscles barely responding, but he refused to fall. Not yet.

And then—a final strike.

The demon user let out a choked snarl as Arnik's blazing fist connected, incinerating through the dark energy shielding its body. A moment of pure silence—then its form collapsed into embers.

The battle was won.

But Arnik could barely stand.

His vision blurred, his breathing ragged. Every inch of him hurt. His magic was drained, his body battered and bruised, burns searing his arms and legs. Around him, what remained of his soldiers were either wounded or dying, their pained groans filling the air.

I can't keep going...

His legs gave out, knees crashing into the rubble. His entire body throbbed with agony. He needed a medic. Now.

Then—footsteps.

Arnik gritted his teeth, forcing himself to turn, fire flickering in his palm ready to blast whoever was approaching—

Until he saw him.

Markus.

"You don't look too good, Captain."

Arnik exhaled, relief washing over him. "Oh, Markus… Thank the Spirit it's you."

Markus crouched down, slinging Arnik's arm over his shoulder, bracing his weight. "Come on, I got you."

As they moved, Markus's sharp eyes scanned the battlefield. It was a massacre.

The ground was soaked in blood, bodies—both human and machine—littered the streets, and the fires of war burned on.

"This is a bloodbath," Markus muttered.

Arnik winced, his body protesting every step. "We… must get the rest… to safety."

Markus didn't slow down. Didn't even hesitate.

"No." His voice was firm. "You're my priority."

Arnik clenched his jaw. "I'm not letting them die."

Markus kept walking.

"That's an order," Arnik growled.

But when he looked into Markus's eyes, he felt something cold.

Unfazed. Unmoved.

"There just soldiers," Markus said, without hesitation. "I can't risk you dying. Those soldiers won't save as many as you will."

Arnik hated that.

Back at the makeshift medical bay...

Bring me more bandages!! I'm running low on magic!!" Aika shouted over the noise of the makeshift medical bay.

Soldiers scrambled, rushing to her side. "Here you go!"

She barely caught the roll before turning to the wounded soldier in front of her. He was thrashing, groaning in pain as she tightened the wraps around his wounds.

"I'm dying! You're trying to kill me!" he howled.

Aika huffed. "I am not! Hold still!"

She secured the last bandage, exhaling sharply as she wiped the sweat from her brow. The exhaustion was setting in, her magic reserves running low, but she couldn't stop. Not yet.

Kai stepped through the door, arms crossed. "How are the patients?"

Aika wiped her hands on her cloak. "Not one has died yet."

Kai nodded, reaching into his pocket. He pulled out a small, shimmering crystal and handed it to her.

"Here. Eat this."

Aika frowned, eyeing it. "A… magic stone?"

"A low-level one," Kai clarified. "It should give you a boost."

She popped it into her mouth and immediately regretted it. Her face scrunched up as she forced herself to chew. "Gosh, that tastes like crap."

Kai smirked. "I know."

Before Aika could say anything else, a BOOM echoed through the room.

The doors burst open.

Markus stormed in, his armor scratched and battered, carrying a wounded Arnik over his shoulder.

Aika's eyes widened. "What happened?!"

Markus didn't answer immediately, instead locking eyes with Kai.

"Well," Kai muttered, "this is a surprise."

"Less talking, more healing," Markus grunted.

Aika quickly moved, laying Arnik down and working her magic. Soft blue light pulsed from her hands as she began mending his worst injuries.

Arnik exhaled sharply, some of the pain fading. "That's… a lot better."

Markus stood back, running a hand through his hair. "So… Rose hasn't turned up yet?"

Aika's hands slowed slightly.

Markus's usual sharp expression softened just a little.

"No," Aika admitted.

A heavy silence filled the room. The uncertainty weighed on them.

Kai clicked his tongue, suddenly pushing the door open.

Aika looked up. "Where do you think you're going?"

Kai didn't look back.

"To find Rose."