A sweaty and sunburned Raymond walked through town, bumping into people as he pushed through the crowd. No one made way for him or marveled at his presence. Without the sigil, he had lost his family's recognition. He walked until he reached the gate of the church. Standing there for a moment, he gulped nervously as he thought to himself:
'Here goes nothing.'
Raymond entered the yard and approached the door. He stood with his hand curled into a fist, hesitating to knock.
"You gonna knock or what?" a voice said behind him. Raymond turned to see Jeremiah, who had just come back from the market.
"Jeremiah," Raymond said, his voice restrained and faint.
"Raymond," Jeremiah replied, his voice confident.
"I came to aid you in the investigation," Raymond said as he bowed, pledging his services to Jeremiah. Jeremiah simply walked past him and entered the Cathedral.
"I do not require you. I said I would do this alone," Jeremiah stated firmly. Raymond rose and followed him inside.
"I could be very useful to you. With my skills and yours, we could solve this in record time. Please reconsider," Raymond pleaded. Jeremiah stopped and turned to him.
"Why would I want help from you of all people? Why would you want to help in the first place? These tasks are for people like me, who have actually worked for recognition. Unlike you, my birth was not an accomplishment. Now run along back to the safety of your father's men." Jeremiah ridiculed him before turning his back.
Raymond clenched his fists, trembling with anger.
'Why? Why does everyone expect me to use my name to climb the ladder of power? Why does no one take me seriously? Why is Raymond disregarded for the young Lord Bold? Am I doomed to have my talent ignored? No. I'll show them. I'LL SHOW THEM ALL!'
Raymond drew his sword. The sound of the blade unsheathing made Jeremiah turn, setting down the items he had bought.
"Now what do you plan to do with that?" Jeremiah asked, a crooked grin forming on his face.
"I will show you why I, Raymond, am worthy of fighting beside people like you," Raymond said, his eyes burning with conviction.
"I am going to kill you, Raymond," Jeremiah said coldly, his grin fading.
"Best try," Raymond replied, taking a close left sword stance.
The two faced off, exuding immense killing intent.
The demon brothers, Ukobathan and Lenen, stood before the shattered rock that had once imprisoned Lilith.
"Lenen, can you track anything?" Ukobathan asked. Lenen closed his eyes and focused.
"A faint energy. It is definitely great demon energy—sinister, as dark as the lords, perhaps even more so," Lenen said.
"Can you tell where she went?" Ukobathan asked.
"A boy. She went inside a human boy," Lenen said, opening his eyes.
"Possession?" Ukobathan asked.
"No. Her energy carries desperation. I believe her physical body has been destroyed. She must be using the boy in hopes of regaining it," Lenen explained.
"That means we can kill her and the boy, ending a threat to our lords," Ukobathan said eagerly.
"In theory, yes. But brother, I sense a great battle took place here between Lilith's vessel and two strong humans. Whatever power Lilith grants that boy may make him too much for us," Lenen said, worried.
"We'll decide when we see them. Let's track them for now," Ukobathan replied.
"They are east. How far, I do not know. I can feel a faint trace of the boy's energy," Lenen said.
"East we go," Ukobathan declared, leaping onto a tree branch.
Ukobathan has no idea what we're getting ourselves into, Lenen thought as he followed.
A bloody and bruised Raymond was barely on his knees, using his sword to keep himself upright. His hands shook as he gripped the blade, his breaths heavy and wheezing. In front of him stood Jeremiah, his hands stained crimson with Raymond's blood. Jeremiah's cold face glared with disgust.
"I said I was going to kill you, Raymond," Jeremiah said.
"Well, do it," a voice commanded from behind him. Jeremiah turned to see Father Cranel, his face stoic.
"Do it, Jeremiah. Stop talking. Act," Father Cranel said coldly. Jeremiah turned back to Raymond, frustration twisting his face. He charged forward and delivered an uppercut that sent Raymond flying, blood spraying from his mouth. Raymond's body hit the ground, lifeless.
"Stay down, mi' lord," Jeremiah mocked as he turned away.
"I'll k-kill you. I'll kill you," Raymond whispered weakly. Jeremiah turned to see him rising again.
"You seriously want to keep going?" Jeremiah chuckled in disbelief. Raymond did not answer. He walked to his sword, picked it up, and stared Jeremiah down. Then he charged. Jeremiah conjured a body double, which attacked Raymond. With speed and precision, Raymond beheaded the double. At that moment, a golden aura enveloped him.
"Holy time," Father Cranel said, impressed.
Raymond swung his sword, delivering a shallow slash to Jeremiah's chest as the young man dodged. Jeremiah countered with a kick, but Raymond drove his blade into Jeremiah's leg. Jeremiah flinched in pain, and Raymond seized the moment to punch him square in the face, sending him stumbling back.
Jeremiah rose, furious, but Cranel stepped between them.
"Enough. Jeremiah, Raymond has proved his worth. Any further conflict is meaningless," Cranel said. Jeremiah scoffed, pulled the blade from his leg, and stormed off. Raymond collapsed, succumbing to blood loss and exhaustion.