Kyne was still trying to determine whether everything he was experiencing was real, or just a cruel illusion played by his own mind. Every step he took inside the old church felt heavy, as if the stone floor beneath his feet was absorbing his doubts and fears. The air around him felt damp and cold, carrying the scent of old dust mixed with something indescribable—like rusted iron and long-extinguished candles.
He walked down the church aisle, occasionally glancing left and right, his eyes scanning every dark corner that might hide something. His hands clenched unconsciously.
"Guard?" Kyne called, his voice echoing softly in the empty room.
"Guard…?"
There was no answer.
There was only silence, so thick that his own ears rang. Kyne swallowed hard. He took another step, faster this time, as if he wanted to get out of there as quickly as possible.
"Come on, don't joke around," he said, his voice beginning to tremble. "This isn't funny at all."
Panic crept up, squeezing his chest. His heart beat faster when, seconds after his words, he heard the sound of breathing.
It wasn't human breathing.
It was heavy, harsh, and deep—like something large was holding back its anger. The sound came from the darkness, its direction unclear, but it felt very close.
"What was that sound…?" Kyne muttered, almost whispering.
He took a few steps back reflexively. His hand quickly went to his waist, drawing his pistol. The cold metal felt a little soothing, though the fear in his chest didn't subside.
"I'm warning you," he said in a louder voice, trying to sound firm even though his fingers were trembling slightly.
"If you don't answer, I won't hesitate to fire bullets in every direction."
Silence fell again.
Then…
A hand gripped his shoulder.
It was cold, hard, and didn't feel like human flesh. Its grip was strong, with long, skull-like fingers and sharp claws digging into his skin.
Kyne's breath hitched.
Slowly, very slowly, he turned his head back.
And suddenly…
"GRRRAAAAGH—!!"
(sound of pouncing)
…
A few hours later
Kyne's eyelids fluttered open. His head felt heavy, as if he had just been hit by something hard. He groaned before finally opening them fully.
A dim light greeted his vision.
He returned to the church.
Before him stood the churchwarden, his face pale and anxious, while beside him was Pieter Smit, staring at Kyne with a worried expression.
"What… happened?" Kyne asked weakly, his throat dry.
The churchwarden took a deep breath, clearly relieved to see Kyne finally awake.
"You had been standing there staring at that book," he explained. "A few minutes later, you suddenly fell and fainted."
Pieter Smit crossed his arms, his eyes sharp but suspicious.
"Young man," he said quietly but seriously, "what exactly happened to you? Are you… possessed by a demon?"
The question made Kyne pause for a moment. He tried to remember what he had experienced, and the image of darkness flashed back into his mind. Breathing heavily, Kyne began to explain.
"I don't know what to say," he said softly. "I was in a strange place. It was dark. Full of negative aura. I called the church guard, but no one responded."
He lowered his head, his voice growing softer.
"I pulled out my pistol. A few seconds later… a strange hand touched my shoulder. When I turned around, my body was completely immobile. After that… everything went black."
The explanation made the church guard and Pieter look at each other. Their expressions changed, their anxiety clear.
"So how are you now?" Pieter asked cautiously. "Are you feeling okay?"
Kyne nodded slowly.
"For now… I feel fine."
Pieter breathed a sigh of relief, as if a heavy weight had been lifted off his chest.
However, as Kyne tried to get up, his body suddenly stiffened. A sharp pain pierced his chest, as if something was trying to tear him apart from within. His muscles trembled, and strange emotions began to flood his mind—anger, hatred, and dark urges he struggled to control.
"What's happening?" Pieter asked, panicked.
The church guard's face paled.
"This is bad," he said tensely. "His body must be possessed by a demon."
"Then what can we do?" Pieter asked, his voice rising.
The church guard thought quickly.
"Behind the church is a small baptismal pool. We can use the baptismal water."
Pieter nodded.
They immediately led Kyne to the back of the church. Kyne's steps faltered, his body feeling like it wasn't his own. There, a small pool was visible, the water slightly murky but exuding a sacred aura.
Kyne was led to the center of the pool and asked to kneel.
The church guard and Pieter held Kyne's hands and began praying aloud. The prayers echoed in the dusk air, mingling with the sound of the water's gentle ripples.
The church guard took a wooden ladle and gently poured water over Kyne's head.
But instead of subsiding, the dark aura exploded.
Kyne rose with a low, sinister laugh.
"Hahahahahahaha…"
His eyes changed. A wicked smile spread across his face.
He stared at the church guard, then quickly grabbed him by the throat.
"I am Lucifer," he said in a deep, resonant voice, unlike Kyne's usual voice. "The ruler of darkness who has slept for hundreds of years. You have awakened me from hell."
Pieter reflexively raised his pistol and shot Kyne in the hand. The bullet hit its target, breaking the stranglehold. The church guard fell to the ground, coughing violently.
Inside Kyne's body
Kyne's soul remained sealed within the darkness. He felt oppressed, as if trapped in a narrow, lightless space.
"You… what do you really want?" Kyne asked, his voice filled with anger and determination.
"I want a new body," Lucifer replied calmly. "And I've found one. Your body will be the vessel for my resurrection."
Kyne gritted his teeth.
"How about we make a deal?"
Lucifer chuckled.
"Hahaha… do you think I'm that easy to fool?"
"I'm serious," Kyne replied. "If you'll help me kill a noble in Magnus's country."
Lucifer fell silent. He circled Kyne, eyeing him appraisingly.
This body isn't very good… he thought. But if I help him, maybe I can get a much more perfect body.
Finally, Lucifer stopped.
"Fine," he said slowly. "I'll help you. But after that, you have to give me a better body."
Kyne looked at him directly.
"Fine. Deal."
A faint smile appeared on Lucifer's face before his figure faded, slowly disappearing. Light returned to Kyne's soul.
He began to open his eyes.
"Finally..." he murmured softly.
"I'm back."