—This is getting fun.
I raised my gaze toward the sky.
Hundreds of purple eyes floated among the clouds like sick moons, blinking slowly, watching the entire city.
I smiled beneath the cracked mask.
—Disgusting.
I looked back at the entity.
And disappeared.
The air exploded behind me. I shot toward the sky with black flames burning around my body like demonic wings. I extended one hand, and the black fire spread like a tide, burning the purple eyes one after another.
Distorted screams.
Agonizing whispers.
Cries that sounded almost human.
Some eyes exploded into violet flames. Others cried purple tears before being consumed.
In just a few seconds, the sky was clean.
Only black smoke floating above Trenton.
—Much better.
I teleported again.
I appeared behind the entity.
The balloon sword sliced through the air.
The creature dodged by mere centimeters, but the black flames were already crawling across the ground like living serpents, closing the space around him.
He took a step back.
I stopped, smiling.
—It's time to end this.
My voice came out low, elegant, and deeply macabre.
—I've had enough fun with you.
I tilted my head.
—But I have better things to do.
The entity watched me in silence. For the first time, I felt something different in his gaze.
Discomfort.
Real danger.
I raised one hand and clapped once.
Clap.
Thousands of balloons appeared in the dark sky. Swords, spears, axes, bows… all made of balloons, all aimed at the creature.
The city was covered by that absurd and terrifying army.
—Luckily, it's just you and me here.
I pointed at the purple barrier still surrounding the area.
—This makes things much easier.
The entity remained still, but his presence began to change. The gigantic shadow behind him stirred.
Then I smiled wider.
—Jajajajajaja…
My laughter echoed like that of a lunatic.
Unstable.
Monstrous.
Free.
I disappeared.
I appeared right in front of him.
A punch straight to the jaw.
The entity's head snapped upward violently.
A second punch to the abdomen.
The impact distorted the air.
The entity tried to counterattack, but two balloon swords were already embedded in his thighs, immobilizing him.
—Got you.
I appeared above him.
Thousands of balloons fell like deadly rain.
Explosions.
Black fire.
Shockwaves.
The ground collapsed.
Nearby buildings began to crumble.
In the middle of the storm, the entity raised one hand.
A monstrous pressure exploded from his body.
Thousands of balloons were destroyed instantly.
The gigantic shadow behind him began to partially materialize.
A gigantic black eye slowly opened within the darkness.
The entire city trembled.
My eyes widened with genuine excitement.
—Ah…
My voice came out almost cheerful.
—Now you're finally done pretending.
The entity stared directly at me.
—Clown…
The shadow distorted the space around it.
—Do you truly believe you can kill me?
Silence.
Then I laughed. Slow. Low. Completely insane.
—No.
I gripped the balloon sword tightly. My eyes shone like two monsters in the darkness.
—I'm completely certain that I can.
I clapped once more.
Thousands of balloons appeared behind me.
The cracked mask moved as if it were alive.
The entity noticed it.
And for the first time…
He hesitated.
I disappeared.
There was no explosion.
Only emptiness.
And I appeared right in front of him.
Too close.
The balloon sword pierced through his throat.
Absolute silence.
The head slowly separated from the body.
The black eyes remained open as it fell.
The body tried to release its power one last time.
The gigantic shadow roared.
But I spoke:
—Sacrifice.
Everything froze.
The darkness around the entity shattered into purple fragments.
The shadow released a distant roar, like something being dragged downward.
Somewhere far below…
The entity's consciousness awakened for a brief instant.
—Damn clown… When I awaken… I will kill you.
But the voice sank back into the darkness once more.
And in the alley…
The decapitated body crumbled into black ashes.
Silence.
The wind began to blow again through the destroyed buildings.
The black flames disappeared.
I remained standing in the middle of the ruins, holding the balloon sword stained with purple blood.
Looking at the empty sky.
Smiling.
—What a good night.
But then…
I felt a burning sensation in my chest.
I looked down.
A small purple mark had appeared on my skin.
And it wasn't disappearing.