Chapter 42 – Mercy and Chains
The chamber felt heavier than any battlefield.
Darius knelt inside the radiant prison.
Bound by Seraphine's Solar Dominion chains.
Audrey stood before him.
The man inside the armor was not just an enemy.
He was someone from Audrey's childhood.
Someone who once laughed, trained, and dreamed beside him.
And now he was asking for death.
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The Impossible Choice
Darius looked up.
His eyes had cleared slightly.
The demonic crimson glow flickered weakly.
"You know what must be done," he said quietly.
"If the Demon King reclaims control…"
"I'll destroy everything here."
Aria clenched her fists.
"We're not executing a prisoner."
Selene looked uncertain.
"But the corruption is deep."
"If his mind breaks again…"
Lyria added calmly,
"We risk losing the entire resistance base."
All eyes turned to Audrey.
He remained silent.
Then he finally spoke.
"No."
Everyone looked surprised.
"I'm not killing him."
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A Risky Decision
Darius shook his head weakly.
"You're being reckless."
Audrey's golden aura flickered softly.
"You said there were seven Eclipse Knights."
"Yes."
"Then killing you teaches us nothing."
Audrey stepped closer to the prison.
"But saving you…"
"Could change the entire war."
Selene realized his idea.
"You want to study the corruption."
Aria added,
"And maybe reverse it."
Darius laughed bitterly.
"The Demon King's corruption isn't something you 'study.'"
"It's absolute."
Audrey's eyes hardened.
"Then we break something absolute."
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The Attempt
Selene quickly prepared a purification circle.
Solar Dominion energy from Audrey fueled the ritual.
Golden light surrounded the prison.
Darius immediately began shaking violently.
Dark energy erupted from his armor.
Selene shouted,
"The demon core inside him is resisting!"
Aria stepped back as shockwaves blasted through the chamber.
Lyria whispered,
"If the core detonates…"
"It could destroy the entire base."
But Audrey didn't stop.
He placed his hand against the prison chains.
Golden energy surged from his bloodline.
"Stay conscious, Darius!"
The man screamed as the two energies clashed inside him.
Golden light.
Demonic darkness.
Colliding violently.
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The Demon King Interferes
Far away inside the demon fortress—
The Demon King suddenly stopped.
He felt the connection.
His voice turned cold.
"So they are trying to purify him."
He raised his hand slowly.
"Foolish humans."
Dark energy surged through the remote control sigil embedded inside Darius' body.
---
The Possession
Back in the chamber—
Darius suddenly froze.
His head snapped upward violently.
The crimson glow returned to his eyes.
Stronger than before.
Selene shouted,
"He's being overridden!"
A terrifying voice echoed from Darius' mouth.
But it wasn't his voice anymore.
It was deeper.
Colder.
The Demon King was speaking through him.
"So this is where you hide."
Everyone felt the pressure instantly.
Aria whispered,
"He's controlling him remotely."
The possessed Darius slowly stood up despite the chains.
Cracks spread across Seraphine's radiant prison.
The Demon King laughed through him.
"You should have killed him when you had the chance."
---
Breaking the Seal
The Eclipse Knight raised his arm.
Demonic power exploded outward.
The Solar Dominion chains shattered.
Selene screamed,
"The seal is breaking!"
Audrey stepped forward instantly.
Golden light erupted from his body.
But the Demon King's voice continued through Darius.
"You inherited your mother's power…"
"But you lack her resolve."
The Eclipse Knight lifted his massive sword again.
This time—
With full demonic control.
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The Awakening of Rage
Audrey's aura suddenly changed.
Seraphine's sacrifice.
The destruction of his village.
His parents' death.
Now his friend turned into a puppet.
All of it collided at once.
Golden energy surged violently around him.
His bloodline awakened further.
Aria stepped back in shock.
"This energy…"
Selene whispered,
"He's evolving again."
Audrey looked at the possessed Darius.
His voice was colder than ever before.
"You wanted a war."
The chamber floor cracked beneath his power.
"Then I'll give you one."
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Elsewhere – The Demon King Smiles
Inside the fortress—
The Demon King laughed quietly.
"So the heir awakens."
He turned toward his generals.
"Prepare the next Eclipse Knight."
The generals bowed.
"My lord."
The Demon King's smile widened.
"This is becoming interesting."
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🔥 End of Chapter 42
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