Velrick dropped to his knees, arms outstretched, eyes gleaming with manic devotion. "My son... my creation. I am your father, the architect of your existence."
Daemon stood frozen, the grotesque scene before him defying comprehension. The demon's third eye locked onto Daemon, while its primary gaze remained fixed on Velrick.
A soldier burst into the chamber, halting abruptly. "My king, I'm here to—" His words died as his gaze fell upon the monstrous entity. "What... what is that?"
Before either Daemon or the soldier could react, the demon vanished from its spot, reappearing between them in a blur. Nyxtriel, sensing imminent danger, transformed into her sword form, pushing Daemon with immense force.
BOOM!
The wall shattered as Daemon was propelled out of the castle. Mid-air, he summoned his aura to cushion the fall, landing heavily but intact. His hands trembled—a foreign sensation of fear gripping him.
"Master, you must regain your composure!" Nyxtriel's voice echoed in his mind. "That creature is a fragment of your soul. You must confront and absorb it."
Daemon stared at the sword, disbelief etched on his face. Absorb that... thing? Its speed alone was beyond his perception.
Inside the castle, chaos reigned. Soldiers engaged the demon, their efforts futile.
Duke Elias approached Daemon, urgency in his stride. "What happened here?"
Daemon stood still, his breathing uneven. Words failed him.
How could he explain this? That the prince—Velrick's sickly son—was never the true threat. That the real monster had been grown inside him like a womb. That the king had sacrificed his own flesh and blood to birth a demon.
Elias grabbed his shoulder, furious. "Boy! Speak! What happened in there?!"
Daemon didn't turn. His voice was dry, bitter. "Congratulations... you're a great-grandfather."
"What the hell is that supposed to—?"
BOOOOM!
The top floor of the palace erupted, a hole ripping through the ceiling. Flaming debris and shredded pieces of flesh rained down like ash.
Daemon didn't flinch. One of the chunks still had the soldier's crest on it. He clenched his jaw. Too late.
Above them, the demon emerged from the wreckage. Its hunched frame crouched along the broken ledge like a beast. Pale gray skin steamed with blood. Three eyes—two glowing crimson, one vertical and black as void—locked on Daemon.
The creature licked its lips.
Elias stared up in horror. "What... what the hell is that?"
Daemon stepped forward, voice low. "Your great-grandson."
Before Elias could even register the words, the demon vanished.
A blink—then it stood directly behind them.
A wave of cold terror swept through the troops. The air thickened, time itself seeming to hesitate.
"Stand your ground!" a knight shouted, rushing the creature.
The demon raised a single clawed finger and drew a line through the air.
SHHHHRIP!
The knight—and every soldier charging behind him—split clean in half. No time to scream. Just silence, then collapse.
Blood soaked the floor like spilled wine.
Daemon's eyes narrowed. "Tch... we're not ready for this."
Elias's eyes widened, horror sinking into his bones. His sword trembled in his grip.
"It's too late," he muttered. "I failed this kingdom. I should've killed that boy when I had the chance. This... this is all my fault. That damned king—he's going to end the world."
Marquis Ansel ran to him, face pale. "Duke Elias! What's going on?! What the hell is that thing?!"
Elias turned to him, fury burning in his voice. "That thing is what happens when a kingdom worships a madman. You all bent your knees to a tyrant, and now look! He's bred a demon and unleashed it on us!"
"No," another noble stammered. "That can't be true—we won't believe your lies!"
Just then, King Velrick stumbled out of the shattered castle doors. His robes were soaked in blood, his crown missing, one arm barely working. He looked half-dead.
The nobles rushed to him.
"My king, please tell us that creature isn't yours—please say this wasn't your doing!"
Velrick gave a broken laugh, mouth red with blood. "Heh... my final masterpiece."
"What...?" the marquis froze. "No... No—"
CRACK!
The marquis's fist smashed across Velrick's face, sending him sprawling to the ground.
"You lunatic!" the marquis screamed. "You brought death to all of us!"
Velrick just grinned from the floor, blood smeared across his lips. "He obeys me. Soon, this world will kneel to me... and him."
"No," Elias growled. "Not while I still draw breath."
One of the remaining dukes turned to Elias. "We can't do this. I'm done."
"What did you say?" Elias barked.
"I said I'm done! I've got two wives, four children waiting for me—I'm not dying today for a kingdom that won't even remember my name." He turned to his troops. "We're leaving! All of you, move!"
More nobles joined in the retreat.
"He's right!"
"Forget this—we're out!"
"We're not dying for this madness!"
"Cowards!" Elias shouted after them. "Traitors! We stand or we all fall!"
Suddenly—SCHLKT!
The fleeing duke stopped mid-step. His head rolled from his shoulders.
The demon stood behind him.