The battlefield was littered with the bodies of the defeated. Jon had already dealt with the most troublesome ones; the rest were nothing more than scattered mobs. He didn't even need to lift a finger, those under Olenov's command could easily clean up what remained.
And sure enough, once the two leaders had fallen, one burned to ash, the other entangled in aerial combat, the remaining forces lost their unity. Without command, the swarm fell apart, wiped out within moments.
Hovering above it all, the lord of this region, Cesaro, watched the scene unfold with eerie calm. "It matters not," he rumbled, wings flaring behind his grotesque form. "The Source of Demonblood will replenish my armies endlessly. All I need to do is crush you, and the rest will disappear with you."
Olenov, now descending with an elegant flutter of his dark wings, gave a sultry smile. "That's only if you have the strength to do it."
Cesaro's expression twisted into a smirk. "Oh? Then try this on for size!"
Dark energy surged around him, cryptic glyphs circling his frame like a whirlwind. With a growl, he released the power in a blinding burst of magical might. Spells that once belonged to forbidden human magic fired in synchronized volleys, streaking straight for Olenov.
Although humans considered such spells too powerful to handle, marking them as forbidden incantations beings from the Blood Realm, with their monstrous physiques, could cast them without consequence.
The barrage struck Olenov hard. He staggered midair, blood erupting from his lips, only it wasn't red. The blood was black, tainted by the Source he had so recently absorbed.
Watching from below, Jon shook his head. "Pathetic," he muttered. "All that talk about defeating Cesaro one-on-one, and even with the Source's power-up, he's still getting trounced. Embarrassing."
Without hesitation, Jon raised his hand. The chains, wrapped in emerald Hellfire, fractured and multiplied, streaking through the sky like vipers. They struck Cesaro with brutal precision, piercing his chest and halting his assault mid-cast.
The mighty lord froze. His eyes widened, then narrowed in fury. Pointing a trembling claw at Olenov, he snarled, "C-coward…"
Olenov blinked, startled by the unexpected intervention. He lowered slowly, wings retracting, his expression mixed with relief and concealed resentment.
So this is how powerful he is, he thought. He really pulled through… But with that kind of power, he's a threat. He has to die.
Cesaro, now wreathed in emerald flame, let out a final, defiant roar before his body dissolved into ashes, scattered on the wind.
Olenov touched down lightly. Jon, reverting from his Hellfire form, returned to his normal appearance.
"It's over," he said plainly. "This realm is yours now. I expect you to honor your promise, to open the Void Gate for me whenever I ask."
Then, Jon turned his back and began to walk away.
Olenov narrowed his eyes. His target had just exposed his back, an open invitation. What a fool?! he sneered. Never turn your back on someone you've known for less than a day.
He began to channel energy. But in the next instant, his face twisted in confusion.
His magic wouldn't respond.
He looked down in disbelief, then up, eyes locked on Jon's back.
"I'll teach you a lesson too," Jon said without turning around. "When an enemy gives you an opening... it's probably a trap."
A quiet fwoosh broke the silence. Flames ignited on Olenov's body, not burning his flesh, but eating away at his spirit.
"Don't bother resisting," said a familiar voice, giggling into his ear. "My master's fire burns everything… especially the corrupt like you."
It was the small flame creature Jon had tamed long ago.
"You—!" Olenov's fury exploded. "You traitor! How dare you betray me?!"
"Betray you?" the flame creature laughed. "I never served you. You ruled through fear and cruelty. Look around, do you see anyone coming to your aid? Your army stands idle, praying you die quickly so they can swear loyalty to someone worthy."
Olenov looked around. None of his minions moved. None dared help him.
He was utterly alone.
But this time… there would be no slaughter to vent his rage. No second chance.
"You wretches… I'll kill you all!" he roared, but his voice broke. The fire consumed him from the inside, his limbs weakening, power draining.
His monstrous underlings simply watched, cold-eyed and unmoved.
Because in their eyes, the Ghost Knight, Jon, was the true leader now. One who did not rule with fear, but with strength and honor.
Powerless, Olenov crumpled to the ground. The fire didn't stop. His mind faded… and his body changed. No longer human in form, the sealed demonic energy inside him surged unchecked.
His limbs thickened, proportions distorted. Black muscles bulged. His body ignited in green flame.
He was no longer Olenov.
He was a monstrous husk, devoured by the very essence he sought to control.
And standing there, in the aftermath, the little flame creature laughed and shimmered, having consumed Olenov's power completely. It evolved into its ultimate form, pulsing with radiant green light.
With Olenov's consciousness fully extinguished, what remained was the new form of the emerald little flame creature, the Flame Demon now.
All the monsters previously under Olenov's command now knelt before Jon, pledging their loyalty to the Ghost Knight who had freed them from tyranny.
In a single day, this land had changed rulers twice. Olenov had dreamed of ruling this domain, only to be defeated in under two minutes, he hadn't even warmed the seat before death claimed him.
Flame Demon, once the Flame Demon, stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "Master Ghost Kinght, you've slain Olenov and freed us from his brutal rule. From this day on, you are our true master. Whether you choose to remain here as the Blood Domain Lord or return to the human world, we shall follow you!"
Jon looked them over and asked, "Are you sure every one of you truly wishes to serve under me?"
Flame Demon didn't hesitate. "Yes! We are all sworn to follow you, even unto death."
Jon turned to the gathered monsters. "If any of you desire freedom, you are free to leave now, whether to remain in the Blood Domain or return to the Burning Valley, I won't stop you. But remember, if we meet again as enemies, I will show no mercy. Speak now, or stay forever."
Yet none stood. All remained kneeling.
"Good," Jon nodded in approval. "Flame Demon."
"Here, Master!" Flame Demon answered with reverence.
"I'm returning to the human world," Jon declared. "Though I might return from time to time."
"We shall follow you back!" Flame Demon offered immediately.
"No," Jon said firmly. "I want you all to stay here."
The Flame Demon hesitated, surprised. "You're leaving us?"
Jon sighed. "Don't make it sound so dramatic. I'm leaving you here with a task."
The Flame Demon straightened. "Yes, Master! We will carry it out with all our strength."
"Good." Jon nodded. "From this moment forward, you are the new lord of this land. These monsters will serve under your command. Govern it well."
The Flame Demon was stunned. "You want me to rule? But—"
"No need to panic. Just do your duty." Jon explained. "I'm not interested in ruling this place. But I need someone trustworthy here, someone who isn't like Olenov. That's why I chose you."
Hearing this, Flame Demon was deeply moved. "Thank you, Master, for your trust!"
Jon waved dismissively. "No need to get emotional. And now that you're a lord, 'Flame Demon' just won't do anymore. You need a proper name."
"Please bestow one upon me, Master."
"Hmm... let me think," Jon mused. After a moment, he said, "From this day on, you shall be called Malthus."
Jon had simply picked a name from the 72 Pillars of Solomon that sounded cool enough. He could manage 'Jack', 'Tom', or 'Tony', but nothing fancy.
"Thank you, Master. From now on, I am Malthus!" Flame Demon beamed with pride.
"Alright, we're done here. Now open the portal, I'm heading back."
"Yes, Master."
Malthus and Jon walked to the Void Gate that had brought them here. Using his newly acquired power, Malthus reopened the gate.
"Rule well. Don't let me down when I return," Jon said coolly.
"You can count on me, Master. I will meet your expectations."
Jon nodded once, then stepped into the portal without a backward glance, returning to the human world.
"I'll await your return, Master," Malthus murmured.
Turning to face the monsters, once Olenov's, now his, Malthus addressed them: "Now, it's just us. Before leaving, the Master gave us a mission. I am to be the new lord of this region, and I will not fail. Our new goal: conquer the entire Blood Domain and await the Master's return!"
"Our first step: wipe out all opposition. Secure this region. Make it ours!"
***
Meanwhile, in the human world, unbeknownst to Jon, massive changes were unfolding.
After Jon revealed the truth about the Voidborn Clan to his subordinates and to Grimhilde, she made their annihilation her life's mission.
She even founded a new organization: the Secret Guardians, a force devoted to opposing the Voidborn Clan.
The Voidborn Clan had always operated in shadows, much like Hydra in Marvel. After WWII, no one knew Hydra still existed, until they suddenly took over S.H.I.E.L.D.
Likewise, the Voidborn Clan hid in plain sight. Anyone who discovered them was swiftly eliminated.
But this time, they were caught off guard. An enemy had not only discovered them but was striking decisively and without hesitation.
Grimhilde's planning had inflicted severe damage. The Secret Guardians proved crafty, elusive, and utterly ruthless, unlike any foe the Voidborn Clan had faced before.
For the first time, they treated their enemies as a real threat, diverting considerable resources to fight them.
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