490. Mindless Beast
Run.
Oriur urged his two siblings forward. It took a while to convince Bellum and Novis to listen to him, but finally, theyd acquiesced after seeing their mamas rage. The three baby Wyverns moved between the trees, heading deeper and deeper into the forest.
They only halted when they heard the explosion. The blast that shook the earth, knocking them off balance. Oriur fell with a squeak as Novis and Bellum caught themselves. The two older siblings glanced back, facing the city. In the distance, there was a powerful explosion. A rainbow-colored blast that rose above the canopy of trees.
Novis and Bellum stared, hesitating. They looked like they wanted to run back to help their mama. But Oriur scrambled to his feet and caught them.
Please. No.
The two other baby Wyverns hesitated. They exchanged a glance, and Oriur held their gaze.
For Mama.
Novis blinked. Bellum deflated. Slowly, they both nodded. The three of them continued, much to Oriurs relief. And then they paused as the ground rumbled once more, an even larger explosion lighting up the crimson sky.
I stared at the Prival Demon of Wrath. At Ira a newly-anointed [Hellprince] of the Netherworld. Here he was, standing before , having survived taking the brunt of one of my most powerful Skills.
It wasnt like he erged from the explosion unscathed. In fact, it was quite the opposite. He had co out of the iridescent-crimson blast nearly entirely obliterated. Half his face had been blown off. All but his chest and torso remained. And yet, sohow, he ca back.
I watched his limbs regrow like they had always been there. His black blood wove out of the missing chunks of his flesh strings that rged to return the Prival Demon to full form. I had heard about this power. I had seen this power through my clones eyes.
But I knew it was more powerful than ever now. So that was why I was prepared. He pointed at , grinning as he unleashed a glimring blast my way. I dove to the side, watching as the beam of colors struck the city behind . A terrible explosion erupted. Like a mimicry of my [Demons Mark]. Except even stronger.
I gritted my teeth as the blast dissipated behind . The earth beneath rumbled for a full minute as I held the Prival Demons gaze. Ira smirked as he spoke, ascending to et in the air.
Did you really think you could defeat a Prival Demon of Wrath with your rage? Please. What a foolish joke.
I didnt respond. I knew of this Grand Skill. I had done everything I could to kill him before he had a chance to activate this ability. No playing around. No experinting or tests. I did everything I could, but I failed.
And he could tell I knew this. He didnt unleash a deluge of counterattacks my way all at once. Even after what Id put him through, he was completely calm. Black wings made from his own blood protruded from his back, carrying him up to et in the air.
Im impressed. I really didnt think youd put up this much of a fight. Resorting to my Grand Skill is rather annoying. But I underestimated you. I thought you were a re mortal, when it turns out you are a Demon.
I am Salvos.
I replied as I held his gaze.
Thats all that matters.
Is that all that matters? No Demon with any self-worth would co to the aid of mortals. Do you not have any pride? Any sense of sha going against your own kind for the betternt of these others?
Ira scoffed, waving a hand off. He glanced dismissively towards the Human adventurers in the distance. They were far off, still fighting back against the swarm of wild Demons pouring from the sub-ritual. He looked at them like they were nothing but insects.
I shook my head.
Maybe most of them are others. But so of them are my companions. And others are my friends.
And the Wyverns? Pets? Friends? Minions?
He tilted his head at . I answered without missing a beat.
My children.
I see.
Ira closed his eyes. He held his arms behind his back, unmoving. I waited for what he was going to do next. This was my chance to attack him, but I knew it wouldve been pointless. Instead, I was trying to figure out a plan to overco his Grand Skill. Unfortunately, all my mind drew were blanks.
When the Prival Demon opened his eyes, he was grinning. He raised a hand out, and I blinked. He held up a giant club made from his own blood. It was massive the size of his person. Yet, he hefted it around with ease.
It seems that you are far too lost, then. I will have no guilt killing you here and now, for you will not be able to properly serve our King.
And he shot forward. Ira sped my way, laughing maniacally as I braced myself for his attack. My [Faux Limbs] shifted, becoming the long tendrils of a Horror Centinel, before shooting out Iras way. He bared his teeth wide, taking the brunt of it all with no care in the world. My tendrils impaled him all throughout his body, keeping him back from .
But he didnt flinch. He didnt even falter. Instead, he ripped off the tendrils with a sneer before spreading his arms wide.
Is that really all youve got for ? I will show you how its really done, traitor!
I looked on as the black blood from the various holes in his body spilled out. The dark liquid took form, becoming tendrils of their own as they lashed out at . I clicked my tongue, diving straight down. I easily avoided his attacks and reached him with my scythe raised.
He smirked, ready for the impending slash. And I stopped myself for just a second.
Dont attack him, I told myself. I had already known how his Grand Skill sort of worked thanks to Orgaf, Helena Warshade, and my clones. It didnt matter what I tried, hed reflect it towards .
I caught myself and imdiately backed up. Ira cocked his head at as the tendrils spun after .
Whats wrong? Too afraid to attack? Didnt you wish to kill for threatening those mortal pests you call children?
I cut down the tendrils as I circled around him. Again and again. I moved faster and faster each ti, until I was certain Ira couldnt keep up with my speed. However, the Prival Demon didnt even raise his head. He didnt care that he couldnt keep up with in any capacity. After all, I couldnt hurt him in any capacity either.
If you keep circling around , you wont be able to kill like you said you would. Unless youre hoping Id die of old age? In which case, Ill tell you Demons dont die of old age. Not that you would know. Youre only a Demon in na, nothing more.
I didnt respond to his taunting. I just wondered if there was anything I could do to finish him off in one hit. His head hadnt been completely blown off from the [Demons Mark], so perhaps that was the problem.
I just have to aim for his neck. I swooped down, my scythe shimring with an iridescent aura.
Ira grinned as he turned to face . Too slowly. I was already next to him by the ti he could react not that he was in any hurry to respond. He raised his club, and I sheared straight through his neck.
You. Will. Burn!
I shouted as I spun back to face him, mouth unhinging as my cheeks shifted partially into that of a Kobolds. A cone of iridescent flas swallowed Ira, and there was no notification.
Instead, I recoiled as a black scythe cut through the burning rainbow veil. I dipped down, watching as Ira flitted out from the blast of fire. He was already cracking his neck, his head fully regrown. He stretched his jaw for a second before unleashing a fla breath back my way too.
I cursed as I swerved around the attack. He cackled, watching flee. He raised his club, pointing it my way as black weapons ford around him by the dozens. They shot out one after another at as I continued flying back. I zipped through the city, avoiding the trailing projectiles. They crashed into the earth, rupturing the white ground and tearing apart the ravaged houses.
Ira flew after , his blood-wings beating fast behind him. But he couldnt catch up to . Not with my Grand Skill active. He called out, creating a blood-spear at the end of his club as he pointed at .
Stop running, you cowardly Demon! If you dont kill soon, Ill get to your little babies and make sure you watch as I slaughter them!
I didnt need to glance back thanks to the [Manifestation of the Old Gods]. I could see that the baby Wyverns were fine, hiding away in the forest far from Lunaris. But the Prival Demon was looking for them. He scanned the hilltop theyd been at as he frowned.
I took that opportunity to strike. I imdiately whirled around, charging for Ira as he was distracted. His eyes flickered. He turned towards , still sneering.
Oh? Trying to catch off-guard again, are we? That didnt work the first ti.
He ca to a halt instead of trying to dodge out of the way. I drew closer to him, faster than he cared to react. He thought whatever I tried wasnt going to work. But right as I reached him, I sharply changed directions. I dipped to the side, swinging by the tip of his club. Ira blinked as I snatched the blood-spear out of the air.
What are you
He started, but I swerved back towards him. I raised the blood-spear and stabbed him through the chest. His eyes grew wide.
How about that?
I had a theory. Well, a hypothesis. One which I was testing out now. The Prival Demon of Wrath was able to reflect any attack I threw his way. However, what about his own attacks?
I pulled the spear back as Ira reeled. He hacked out his blood, trying to work his jaw.
Y-y-you
For a mont, I thought that had been enough. Then his lips twisted. The Prival Demon of Wrath sneered wide.
Did you think that would work?
I blinked, watching as the hole in his chest began to regenerate. I tried to fly back, but a hand protruded from Iras wound. A giant hand that caught the blood-spear before I could fly off. I tried to let go of the weapon to fly away, and he swung the heavy club at .
I yelped in pain as I was struck out of the air. Swatted down like a fly. I crashed straight to the ground. I caught myself with my wings before I hit the earth. I hastily redirected my course, swooping back up as I searched for Ira in the crimson sky.
He was already flying off into the distance, heading away from the city. He raised a hand as he pooled together a sphere of black blood at the tip of his club. He aid for the forest where Novis, Bellum, and Oriur had been.
I will find your children, Salvos. Even if I have to destroy the entire forest.
My brows snapped together. I saw the way the beam crackled, about to unleash into the distance. Through [Manifestation of the Old Gods], I saw Novis, Bellum, and Oriur running in the forest. I didnt know if they could get far enough away in ti. I couldnt save them. [Greater Teleportation] couldnt work just yet.
I had to stop Ira. Before it was too late. I raised a hand, shouting at the top of my lungs.
Stop! [Invoke Wrath]!
My words echoed as Ira suddenly froze. The building blood at the tip of his club paused. He didnt react for a second. Then his eyes burned with fury. His gaze snapped my way as he roared, unleashing his attack at .
I saw the beam of flicker. Its black light glinted, shooting my way. I dove to the side as I narrowly escaped the blast. The attack exploded, ripping apart a small hill. And right as I moved out of the way, I blinked.
I looked up, barely bracing myself for Iras swinging club. He struck down as I blocked the hit with my Divine Nebular Scythe. There was a flash as our weapons clashed. A pulse that rippled in the air. I held up against the strike for an instant then I was sent flying back.
I tumbled to the ground, crashing hard as I groaned. I raised my head as my entire body ached. I had clashed with Ira before. Just earlier, I took on the full force of his club without any protection. But this ti, even though Id blocked it, it had hurt a lot more.
I stood up, left arm hanging limply from my shoulder. I stared at Ira as he huffed, gaze boring into in his anger. I saw the way his muscles rippled like the blood in his body was roiling beneath his skin. He looked bigger. Shoulders broader. And he didnt speak, overco with nothing but his rage.
Did I just make him stronger?
I asked, staring. And Ira charged like a mindless beast with a terrible roar.
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