Chapter 43 – Against the Friend Turned Enemy
The prison seals had shattered.
The radiant chains that once restrained Darius now lay broken across the floor.
The Demon King's will had fully taken control.
And he stood before Audrey.
No longer hesitating.
No longer resisting.
Only destruction.
---
The First Clash
Darius — now fully possessed — lifted his massive demonic blade.
Crimson energy spiraled violently around him.
His voice echoed distorted:
"Target confirmed."
"Eliminate Solar Dominion heir."
He charged.
The ground exploded beneath his feet.
His speed was terrifying.
Audrey reacted instantly.
Golden light erupted around him as he raised his own blade formed from condensed Solar Dominion energy.
CLANG!
The impact sent shockwaves through the chamber.
Walls cracked.
The ceiling trembled.
Aria shouted:
"Evacuate the base — now!"
Selene activated emergency containment barriers.
Lyria dragged Kiran to safety.
---
Fighting Someone He Knew
Darius attacked relentlessly.
Every strike was calculated.
Every movement mirrored their old training sessions.
Audrey recognized the patterns.
"…You copied our combat style."
The possessed knight laughed darkly.
"The body remembers."
"But the soul belongs to the Demon King."
He unleashed a wide-area slash.
Dark flames erupted across the floor.
Audrey barely blocked it.
The force pushed him backward across the chamber.
His boots carved deep lines into stone.
---
Emotional Pain Weakens Control
As the battle continued —
Audrey spoke loudly.
"Darius!"
"Fight it!"
For a moment —
The crimson glow in Darius' eyes flickered.
His movements slowed.
His voice trembled.
"…Audrey…"
Everyone saw it.
The mind wasn't fully gone.
But the Demon King instantly reacted.
Dark runes on Darius' armor activated violently.
The control tightened.
"Disobedience detected."
The knight screamed in pain as corruption surged again.
Then he attacked even harder.
---
A Devastating Blow
Darius suddenly appeared behind Audrey.
Too fast.
The blade pierced through Audrey's shoulder.
Blood splattered across the ground.
Aria shouted in panic:
"AUDREY!"
Darius twisted the blade deeper.
"Terminate."
Audrey gritted his teeth.
Golden energy exploded outward from his body at point-blank range.
The shockwave blasted Darius away.
Both fighters crashed into opposite walls.
---
The Turning Point
Audrey stood up slowly.
Blood dripping from his wound.
His expression changed.
Not rage.
Not hesitation.
Acceptance.
He realized something crucial.
"This fight…"
"Cannot be won by force alone."
Selene analyzed quickly.
"The demon core inside him is reacting to emotional stimuli."
"If we destabilize the control signal…"
"We can sever the connection."
Aria understood immediately.
"It's anchored to something."
Audrey nodded.
"The Demon King's consciousness."
He looked at Darius.
"Then we break the anchor."
---
The Plan
Audrey stopped attacking.
Instead —
He walked slowly toward Darius.
Golden energy surrounded him — not aggressive, but stabilizing.
The possessed knight charged again.
But this time —
Audrey did not block.
He let the blade strike his barrier.
He held it.
Forcing proximity.
Then he placed his hand directly on Darius' armor.
"Solar Dominion Technique — Soul Disruption."
Golden light surged directly into the demonic control sigil embedded in Darius' chest.
The sigil began cracking.
Inside the Demon King's fortress —
The ruler suddenly felt pain.
He snarled.
"Impossible…"
"His power can interfere with remote control?"
---
The Counterattack
The Demon King amplified the corruption signal.
Darius screamed violently.
His body began transforming.
Black armor fused deeper with flesh.
Spikes formed along his arms.
His strength multiplied.
The pressure inside the chamber became unbearable.
Selene shouted:
"He's mutating!"
Aria rushed forward to assist.
But Audrey raised his hand.
"Stay back!"
He stared directly into Darius' glowing eyes.
Then he said something unexpected.
"Remember when we trained under the old oak tree?"
The words pierced through the corruption.
Darius' eyes flickered again.
"…The river…"
"Yes."
"Your promise…"
"To protect the younger kids."
The memory triggered resistance.
The demonic control destabilized.
---
The Breaking Point
The control sigil shattered slightly.
Cracks spread across the armor.
Darius screamed —
But this time the scream wasn't entirely demonic.
It was human.
Audrey pushed his power further.
Golden energy exploded into the core.
With a final surge —
The control connection snapped.
Silence filled the chamber.
Darius collapsed to his knees.
The demon glow faded from his eyes.
He was breathing heavily.
But conscious.
---
Aftermath
Selene scanned him quickly.
"The remote possession link is gone."
Aria asked cautiously,
"Is he free?"
Darius looked at his hands.
The demonic armor remained —
But it was inactive.
He whispered:
"…I can feel myself again."
Audrey knelt beside him.
"You're still infected."
"But you're no longer controlled."
Darius looked at him.
"…You didn't kill me."
Audrey replied firmly:
"I won't kill my friend."
"Not while there's another option."
---
Far Away – The Demon King Reacts
Inside his throne room —
The Demon King's expression turned cold.
The first Eclipse Knight had been liberated.
Not destroyed.
Not controlled.
Freed.
He clenched his fist.
"So…"
"The heir has begun breaking my weapons."
He smiled slowly.
"Good."
"Then I will send the second."
---
🔥 End of Chapter 43