Alexander stops near a forest and asks Demon-B what he is going to do.
Alexander: "Fine. And now, I'm going to make a campfire and wait like a child until the Legion or the Twelve come after me?"
Demon-B: "Well, you can go deeper into this forest, and you will see the thing we are searching for."
Alexander walks a little farther and finds a log cabin.
Alexander: "Wow, I found the coolest cabin I've ever seen in my life. Can you tell me what we are doing here?"
Demon-B: "Enter! And I will tell you."
Alexander: "Fine. I see broken glass on the ground and nothing more in this cabin."
Demon-B: "Okay. I need you to take one of these broken pieces of glass and slice your hand with it."
Alexander: "What!?"
Demon-B: "Trust me."
Demon-B then shares his knowledge with Alexander on how to create a portal that will lead to Sanctuary.
Alexander slices his hand, draws three circles with his blood — one large circle in the middle and two at the extremities. He begins the incantation, and at the end, a portal appears, all covered in blood.
Alexander: "That is weird. How did you do that?"
Demon-B: "Did what?"
Alexander: "Out of nowhere, I know how to make a portal."
Without waiting for Demon-B to answer, they start to hear helicopters and something similar to an explosion. Demon-B tells Alexander to enter the portal quickly, as military forces are coming — and something else.
Alexander enters the portal. It feels as though he has stepped into a blizzard, and his vision is very limited because of the snow. Demon-B tells him to hide somewhere until the blizzard stops. Alexander finds a cave and hides inside. When the blizzard passes, he looks out of the cave and sees great mountains stretching before him.
Alexander: "Wow. I've never seen anything like this before."
Demon-B: "What? I thought Sanctry was famous for having great mountains everywhere."
Alexander: "Yes, but I've never had the chance to actually see them."
From beneath Alexander's position, he starts to hear voices. He looks down and sees what appears to be a convoy from the Imperium of Blood.
Demon-B: "You must follow them. They have what we are looking for."
Alexander starts to sneak after them, trying to be as stealthy as possible, and asks a question.
Alexander: "What exactly are we looking for?"
Demon-B: "It's a mask — a divine mask that was given by God himself."
Alexander: "That's a joke, right?"
Demon-B: "Not at all. The human race has taken this precious gift from God, underestimated its value, and reduced it to the state of a mediocre artifact."
Alexander: "What? How?!"
Demon-B: "Well, apparently even God is not enough for them. And yet we say that demons are evil."
The convoy stops. The members of the cult begin setting up camp, as if they plan to pass the day there.
Alexander: "Hey, Demon, do you have any idea what we are going to do now?"
Demon-B: "You are going to find a spot to sleep, and I shall wake you when I have a plan to strike."
Alexander: "Wait, you can do that?"
Demon-B: "I live in your body — of course I can."
Alexander: "Fine. I saw a little cave here. Tell me when the time comes and what to do."
For now, we leave Alexander and Demon-B to take a nap. We shift the point of view to Alicia.
Alicia starts school alone for the first time in many years without her best friend. Leonidas knows Alicia well and has told her what happened to Alexander, but unfortunately she is not the only one who knows. The Legion has informed every country and the news outlets about what is happening with Alexander, warning that he represents a high threat to anyone around him.
Alicia walks down the hallway, and everybody looks at her. Some whisper among themselves. She feels afraid and confused, as she has never been in this situation before. She walks to her locker without making eye contact, staring at the floor to avoid the stares. She opens her locker, and someone approaches — it's Laura.
Laura: "Hi. Are you okay?"
Alicia: "Sorry, I don't have time for this."
Laura: "Hey, look — please let me help you. Can I meet you after school?"
Alicia: "Okay, fine. Meet me at Sisco's Coffee."
Laura: "Okay. See you later."
Laura walks away, and so does Alicia. They meet up after school and sit outside.
Alicia: "So, what do you want from me?"
Laura: "Chill. I just want to help you with what's going on."
Alicia: "Sorry. I didn't mean it like that. You know Alexander is my best friend, and I don't know how to feel. So… sorry, Laura."
Laura: "Best friend, huh? Anyway, I'm so sorry. I wish I could have known him better."
Alicia: "What? Wait, what?"
Laura: "Well, I came to talk to you to find out more about what's going on, but I also thought you were his girlfriend."
Alicia: "No, he's like a brother to me — and I'm like a sister to him. I grew up with him, and we've always had each other's backs. But wait… are you saying you have a crush on Alexander?!"
Laura: "Maybe."
Alicia: "Ah ah ah! God! No!?"
Laura: "What?"
Alicia: "Sorry, but… how?"
Laura: "Well, I took the Hyper-loop to get here, and when I first saw him, I thought time had stopped. It made me feel like I was touching the skies."
Alicia: "Wow, okay… that's awesome." (Damn it! You're never here when the cool things happen to you!)
Laura: "What did you say?"
Alicia: "Nothing. But I really want to talk to you more. Can you take my phone-link?"
Laura: "Sure. Take mine too. But you have to leave already?"
Alicia: "Yes. Alexander's father wants to see me to check if I'm okay. So, bye — see you later."
Laura: "Bye."
Alicia goes to the local station and takes the Hyper-loop toward the United Kingdom.
Siny's Note:
Name: Alicia Jones
Age: 20 years old
Height: 1.65 m (5.4 feet)
Eyes: Brown
Name: Laura Ivanov
Age: 21 years old
Height: 1.60 m (5.2 feet)
Eyes: Blue
Alicia arrives at the gate of Leonidas's property and calls him on the intercom. Almost instantly, he appears behind her, smiling, with a letter in his hand.
Alicia: "Wow! Can you not scare me like that next time?"
Star Lion: "Ah-ah, sure. Take this."
Alicia: "What is it?"
Star Lion: "I will explain everything during our walk. Shall we?"
Alicia: "Okay…"
Star Lion: "This is the last report we have on Alexander — his position and what it seems he was doing."
Alicia: "He apparently took your car from the underground base, went north of the country, entered a forest, found a wooden cabin, and created a portal with his blood that leads to Sanctuary. What?!"
Star Lion: "Destiny, my close friend and expert in magic, told me it is probable that the demon has taken control of Alexander's body, or there is a slim chance that he is being manipulated."
Alicia: "What is the difference?"
Star Lion: "In one case, he has already fought and unfortunately lost. In the other, he can still fight, but the demon is presenting himself as an ally or a friend. We don't fully know the situation, and I am really confused — and terrified. That is the reason I called you."
Alicia: "Thanks."
Star Lion: "We can discuss this more inside."
Star Lion opens the doors and lets Alicia enter. She had never been there before, and she is struck by the luxury of the mansion: the gigantic doors, the floors covered in ornate carpets bearing the family crest, and an immense crystal chandelier hanging overhead.
She looks around in amazement, taking everything in, when Leonidas's butler approaches.
Butler: "Greetings, miss. May I take your coat, please?"
Alicia: "Sure…"
Butler: "Would the lady also like a snack, coffee, or tea?"
Alicia: "Thanks, but I'm fine."
Butler: "And for you, sir?"
Leonidas Star: "The usual, but with the whiskey I ordered last week."
Butler: "Right away, sir. I will bring everything to the main living room."
Leonidas Star: "Thank you."
Leonidas shows Alicia around the house, including his own private museum, leaving her with dozens of questions and feeling as though she is twelve years old again. Later, they enter the main living room, and he gestures for her to sit down.
Leonidas: "Hear me, Alicia… I am sorry about what is happening to him."
Alicia: "I understand, and you don't need to be sorry. It's not your fault."
Leonidas: "I know, but Alexander is a difficult child. He has never had life on his side — it has always been against him."
Alicia: "I understand even more now. Since we were kids, he was always being bullied one way or another. Whenever his parents were around, they would come to school because of this matter."
Leonidas: "He never deserved any of it. I mean, no one deserves that, but especially not him."
Alicia: "I know."
Alicia and Leonidas share a hug. Then Leonidas hands her a strange gadget.
Alicia: "What is it?"
Leonidas: "This device will automatically call me if you are in danger. And by the way, if you ever want to stay somewhere safe — or if your family does — the doors are always open."
Alicia: "Thanks. But I wanted to ask you… why is the whole world so angry at him? They don't know him, and they don't want to."
Leonidas: "I don't know either. I am the opposite — they don't understand who he is… who he truly is…"
The scene shifts back to Alexander.
Leonidas: "More than that…"
(This was part of Alexander's dream — more like memories he is trying to reach.)
Alexander was taking the Hyper-loop toward his home. He decided to sit on the right of an old man, put on his headphones, and start listening to metal. After a few minutes, the old man asked what he was listening to.
Alexander: "It's metal, sir."
Old man: "Oh, that's not new. I'm joking. When I was your age, I used to listen to this type of music. I was revolted against the world because it didn't understand me. Anyway, I met my Sofia, and everything changed."
Alexander: "Sorry… she must be your wife?"
Old man: "Was… She unfortunately passed away many years ago."
Alexander: "My condolences…"
Old man: "Thank you. You don't need to be sorry, but can I tell you something?"
Alexander: "Yes, of course."
Old man: "You must be very, very lost, kid, to listen to this type of music without any real reason. Look, you can blame yourself as much as you want, but it is only when we ask for help that we truly heal and grow."
Final Dream
It begins when Alexander was a child. He was at school during playtime, sitting alone in the corner of the playground and crying. Then a little girl approached, gently knocked on his head, and said:
???: "Hey, are you alright?"
He looked up and saw a little girl smiling at him. He wiped away his tears.
Alexander: "I'm fine…"
???: "Mmmh, I doubt that, but okay. My name is Alicia Jones."
Alexander: "Alexander…"
Alicia: "Okay, Alexander. What if we go for a walk?"
Alexander: "With me?"
Alicia: "Yeah, why not?"
Then Alexander stood up and started walking with her.
Alexander wakes up from the dream with Demon-B calling him.
Demon-B: "From hell, you can sleep for hours with all this noise in your head."
Alexander: "What… Did you see my dreams?"
Demon-B: "Yeah, more like memories, I think."
Alexander: "Okay. What now?"
Demon-B: "They are starting to wake up. You should get out of here, so make a plan fast."
Alexander exits the cave and sees the camp along with its members. Demon-B begins rambling something. He is actually rambling so intensely that Alexander has to tell him to stop.
Alexander: "Can you stop that?!"
Demon-B: "What?!"
Alexander: "Tell me what we are going to do, please."
Demon-B: "Fine. Can you see the carriage in the middle?"
Alexander: "Yes…"
Demon-B: "The mask is over there."
Alexander: "How do you know?"
Demon-B: "Well, my rambling was actually me performing an incantation, but unfortunately you interrupted me before I could learn everything…"
Alexander: "…"
Demon-B: "Anyway, I now have everything we need to know. And by the way, you should go now before it's too late."
Alexander: "Fine. Let's go take this god-like power."
Alexander drops down silently from the hill and begins infiltrating the camp, slipping between tents. Suddenly, he spots a familiar symbol on a table — one of his father's designs.
Demon-B: "That is the symbol of the research division of the I.I.H."
Alexander: "Yes, and there's a badge and a key card! How? They consider themselves banished from the world."
Demon-B: "Maybe they have other projects for this world. Look over these schematics."
Alexander: "What?! These are heavily armed suits."
Demon-B: "Look, we don't have time for this. Take the pen-drive and get out fast."
Alexander executes the plan. He heads straight for the carriage but is detected by a guard, who immediately raises the alarm. Alexander quickly enters the carriage, breaks the small glass safe, and Demon-B yells at him to put the mask on his face. The mask seems to fuse to his face. Right after he puts it on, a gigantic tentacle grabs him and drags him out of the carriage. Then he sees a monstrosity that looks somewhat human — tall, with a head and arms, but with immense tentacles emerging from its body. The monster smacks Alexander to the ground and releases him. Alexander barely feels the power of the attack. Normally it would have killed him, but now it barely affects him.
Alexander feels stronger — way, way stronger. But what good is power if you don't know how to use it?
Alexander: "What next?! How am I going to fight this monster?!"
Right when the monster is about to lash out at him, everything suddenly stops. Alexander cannot move, but he can still think. He is being dragged into his own mind.
Alexander: "What the… What is happening?"
Demon-B: "Well, I am using your human ability that activates when you are dreaming — but right now."
Alexander: "Wait… Am I dead or am I dreaming?"
Demon-B: "Neither. I am using the same mechanism that lets time pass while you dream, but I have reversed it so we can begin your training."
Alexander: "What…? Oh, never mind. I shouldn't be surprised by now."
Demon-B: "I am going to be really serious for this part. I will show you no empathy. You are a boy. I will turn you into a man."
Alexander: "Okay… Let's start this training then."
Demon-B's true plan was not to simply train Alexander, but to break him, to torture him, and to forge him into his own weapon. In Alexander's mind, days, weeks, months, and even years pass so that he will be ready. Here are a few passages of what happens to him.
Dies 27, Mensis 3, Annum 3.
Demon-B: "Faster!!"
Demon-B strikes Alexander with a brutal combo of punches that sends him crashing to the ground.
Demon-B: "Are you going to just let that happen?! Are you going to let them slowly kill you?!"
Alexander: "No…"
Demon-B: "Then use everything that used to kill you to kill them! Your pain is your sword, your rage is your shield, and your vengeance is your armor! Build it!!!"
After these long and painful sessions, Alexander is ready. He is no longer the same. His heart is cold, his emotions are no longer visible, and he no longer feels empathy for anything. He is now filled with pure hatred for everything.
He emerges from the strange stasis and is immediately smacked out of the monster's line of sight by an impact caused by the creature. The monster takes the same carriage that held the mask and is violently pushed toward Alexander's previous position. In the swirling snowy dust, the cultists see only two glowing red eyes advancing toward them. Alexander steps out of the smoke and pushes the carriage aside with one arm. They are all stunned by what is happening. Alexander walks slowly toward them and assumes an offensive stance. Some cultists rush at him with demonic spears and swords, but the moment they get close, he kills them so quickly they don't even have time to react. The tentacle monster looks at him with curiosity. Alexander is incredibly fast — faster than any normal or supernatural being. He is stronger than any hero. Other cultists begin casting blood spells and demonic incantations, but he already has their heads chopped off. Now he faces the tentacle monster directly. He feels no fear — only hatred burning in his fists. The monster seems nervous, but Alexander remains calm. The monster tries to lash at Alexander from above, but it misses. Alexander is already on its shoulder. He grabs what appears to be its head and rips it apart, then jumps clear and crushes what remains.
Alexander has turned himself into something else — something menacing.
Demon-B: "Very good. That is the man I trained."
Alexander: "What are we going to do now?"
Demon-B: "We need some equipment. Search their bodies and I will tell you what is useful."
All that remains of the convoy are corpses, leaving behind yet another monster in their midst.
Siny's Note:
When Alexander was a child, he was always rejected and never admired by anyone. He never received enough love for a kid back then. Even the affection from his parents, his best friend, and Leonidas was not enough to heal the wound in his heart.
The anger Alexander feels toward the people who killed his parents was not always justified. Even though it was later confirmed that Dr. Apollo 6er was responsible, in Alexander's mind their blood is still on their hands.
Alexander: "Can you explain to me what that thing was?"
Demon-B: "This monster was human once, but it was corrupted by demonic magic. It appears when a human tries to seize a demon's power improperly. The person consumes a great part of their own soul and flesh in order to gain demonic strength, leaving a vessel for the demon — something similar to torture."
Alexander: "Wow. Has that ever happened to you before?"
Demon-B: "No, fortunately not. But many of my brothers have suffered from it. They may be evil, but they are not monsters."
Alexander: "It still doesn't explain how they do it."
Demon-B: "They have a special spell — something even we don't fully understand. It seems that one powerful demon is passing on blood incantations and demonic spells with this effect. Fortunately for us, they have also passed artifacts from Hell to Earth, and we can use them properly without any damage to you or me. That includes the next part of our plan, which involves searching for weapons to aid you in your quest. For example, look at 'the monster' you killed. Search its body — it has probably returned to normal."
Alexander: "Yes, indeed. What does it have on its arms?"
Demon-B: "These are called 'Hell Claws.' Take them. I will tell you how to use them."
Alexander picks up what looks like a kusarigama — a sickle and chain — but designed to be attached to his forearms. It features a kunai-like blade at the front and something special beyond that.
Demon-B: "What you are going to do is use it as a grappling hook."
Alexander fires it toward the hill he had been on earlier. The chain pulls him rapidly to where the blade has landed.
Demon-B: "Good. Now, with your enhanced strength, you can also stop the pull simply by holding the chain with your hand."
Alexander: "Thanks. Now that I think about it, we should check the tents for information on the armor."
Alexander goes through the tents, taking several key cards, blueprints of the armor, and other documents linked to the project. He asks where the next checkpoint is, and Demon-B replies that it is along the same path the cultists were following. Demon-B adds that the highest mountain in the country should be his final test — to guarantee that he is truly worthy of his quest.
Meanwhile, Leonidas has just finished a difficult meeting with journalists and representatives from the U.N.E. regarding his son. He is about to take a nap when something unexpected happens. During his dream, he feels himself being pulled through many dimensions and spiritual realms. It is extremely confusing to him, but after a long journey he lands in a completely white space with nothing but himself present. He does not understand what is going on, but he sees a dark silhouette kneeling. As he approaches, many crows burst out from it, nearly attacking him. In the end, the silhouette remains, and Leonidas touches it. Suddenly, wings grow on his back, beams of electricity shoot from his eyes and mouth, and he screams. Then the deafening sound of thunder strikes his mind, causing an intense headache that forces him to his knees. The pain is so overwhelming that he passes out and wakes up in shock.
Later, he calls Destyny to explain what happened. She creates a portal and steps instantly into the main living room of the mansion. Leonidas, who was sitting on the couch, stands up immediately.
Leonidas explains everything to Destyny.
Destyny: "So you are saying that you had a strange dream and now you cannot sleep because of it?"
Star Lion: "Yes, that's exactly right."
???: "It might be the prophecy?"
Star Lion grabs his spear and demands, "Who is talking?!"
Clair, who had been invisible, appears on the right of Destyny and says, "Oh, calm down, sir. I didn't mean to offend you."
Star Lion: "Sorry. I am a little stressed because of my son."
Destyny: "Uhm… your boy is indeed in big trouble, but I can tell you what the dream means…"
Clair: "The dream you had seems to be a vision…"
Destyny: "Clair…"
Clair: "And not long ago, some oracles from the Department of Magic said…"
Destyny: "Clair!…"
Clair: "That a great knight with wings, powers from God, and a sword with two blades will save the Earth — and maybe even the Universe…"
Destiny: "Clair!!! What did I tell you? 'Do not take these prophecies seriously'!"
Star Lion: "Don't be too hard on her."
Clair: "I just like to hear stories, nothing more."
Destyny: "Yes, but you should have listened to me before speaking."
Clair: "Sorry, Great Sorcerer."
Destyny: "You are excused."
Star Lion: "So… is it true?"
Destyny: "Yes, it is. I didn't find much information on it, and it took a lot of time to understand or even decipher. Anyway, if you have anything else to share — perhaps something we haven't heard about — now would be the time."
Star Lion: "I don't think so… Wait, there is something. It's blurry, but I saw that he was wearing armor — armor with a helmet shaped like a lion's face."
Destyny: "Mmh… we may have more clues to investigate. We'll look into it."
Star Lion: "Sorry for taking up your time. I know you are both working hard to find my son, so thank you."
Destyny: "It's my job — and my passion — even with all the pain it brings."
Clair: "Don't worry, Mr. Lion. We are always here if you need help."
Leonidas: "Thank you, both of you."
Destyny and Clair say goodbye, step through a portal, and disappear. Now alone, Leonidas has an idea: the armor he saw in his dream might be connected to his home planet. He heads to his underground facility and searches the computer that stores everything related to his dream. He stays up so long that he eventually falls asleep. His team — the Twelve Knights — soon calls for him. He puts on his suit, grabs his gear and spear, and flies off toward his new mission.
Alicia decided to meet Laura at the fast-food restaurant called Super-Burger to check in on each other.
Laura: "Hi, Alicia. How are you?"
Alicia: "I'm kind of fine, I guess?"
Laura: "Did you receive any more information about Alexander?"
Alicia: "Yes, but unfortunately I can't tell you anything. It's confidential."
Laura: "No problem, but I'm pretty sure you're not 'fine'."
Alicia: "Yeah, you're right. I'm not. When I was with Star Lion — or Leonidas — he explained everything to me. Even then, we couldn't understand why Alexander is doing this or letting it happen. I'm pretty sure he isn't trying to fight it but is letting himself be guided by this thing."
Laura: "Look, I don't really know his whole story, but if he's letting this 'thing' take control, maybe he has a reason. Maybe he wants revenge on someone. I don't know?"
Alicia: "Yeah, you're probably right… ugh."
Laura: "Hey, why don't we change the subject for a moment?"
Alicia: "Okay. What do you want to talk about?"
The scene now shifts to Alexander's point of view. During his journey to the highest mountain in Sanctuary, he starts a conversation with Demon-B.
Alexander: "Can you tell me something interesting? And can I take my mask off? Doing these Tarzan-style parkour moves for hours isn't really fun."
Demon-B: "Yes, you can take it off, but it will always stay connected to you. If you want to know something interesting… for example, demons have always been considered bad people. In reality, that's just a way to make more people see things through your own vision."
Alexander: "No?! I was just trying to talk because I'm annoyed by this constant parkour."
Demon-B: "Fine. People are always trying to find something that is evil so they can feel better about their own wrong choices."
Alexander: "…?"
Demon-B: "Everybody always takes things to 100%. That, by the way, is wrong, because nothing is ever 100%, right?"
Alexander: "Okay…?"
Demon-B: "So, we demons are considered evil just because of our name or the reputation we've earned. But there's something people love to miss: before we became like this, we were also good people. Unfortunately, that's not the case anymore, but it's a long story."
Alexander: "So what? You and your friends were at peace with Heaven?"
Demon-B: "No. We were lied to by Heaven. You see, God only accepts into Heaven the creations that are good for Him — those that are 'perfect.' But that means there were other beings, like us, who existed even before Heaven was created. Can you imagine how the people in Hell felt when they discovered this?"
Alexander: "Unfortunately, I do know."
Demon-B: "I'm sure you do."
Alexander: "Will I get something to fight with? Like a sword or something?"
Demon-B: "What do you think you are — a demon-hunter from some video game, huh?"
Alexander: "I'm just saying… maybe something would be useful so I can kill things faster?"
Demon-B: "In the place you are going, there is something called the Abyssal Forge. That is where you will get your weapon."
Alexander: "Does it have a story, this Abyssal Forge?"
Demon-B: "During the battle between Hell and Heaven, some demons fell through the universe. The Abyssal Forge was the weapon of one demon that was transformed into something else."
Alexander: "How?"
Demon-B: "There is always a distortion between realms that can completely change the original aspect or function of something — or someone. It was made by God, and only He knows why."
Alexander: "Were many demons or angels defeated?"
Demon-B: "Only one angel for so many demons. Anyway, you should be close to it now."
Alexander approaches the mountain and stops in front of a wall. He asks Demon-B about it, and Demon-B explains that the wall is an illusion created with demonic magic. Demon-B teaches Alexander how to reveal the illusion and speaks the incantation. The wall disappears, revealing immense doors that look like medieval ones. Alexander pauses for a moment, then pushes the doors open and enters the sanctum. As he walks inside, he encounters a pillar with a chalice on it.
Demon-B: "There it is — your final test."
Alexander: "What am I going to do now?"
Demon-B: "The Abyssal Forge is heavily guarded. You will have to pass several challenges in order to obtain your weapon."
Alexander: "Okay. What are the challenges?"
Demon-B: "The first one is easy. You have to go to the pillar where the chalice is and drink what is inside it."
Alexander approaches the chalice and sees something strange. "Is this blood?"
Demon-B: "I don't know. Drink it and you shall find out."
Alexander looks at the chalice with some doubt but drinks all of it. He immediately starts coughing and says to Demon-B, "What… (cough) the hell… (cough) is this?"
Demon-B: "Well, you passed the first test. Congratulations. Head on to the next one."
Alexander proceeds into the dark room ahead. The moment he steps inside, bones on the ground begin to move, forming a large group of skeletons.
Alexander: "What is this?"
Demon-B: "This is dark magic. Funny, right?"
Alexander: "Is there anything I should be aware of?"
Demon-B: "Nothing much. Just destroy them, and don't let them hit you or you will be poisoned and die instantly."
Alexander: "How funny…"
Alexander stands alone against a small army of possessed skeletons. Suddenly Demon-B speaks again.
Demon-B: "You know what? Fuck this. Use the spell I gave you."
Alexander: "What? Why do you want me to do this?"
Demon-B: "I know that necromancy is boring, so just cast the spell."
Alexander takes the blade from inside the Hell Claw, makes his hand bleed, and casts the spell. The moment the spell is cast, all the skeletons disappear and the room lights up again.
Alexander: "So if it was that easy, why didn't you tell me earlier?"
Demon-B: "I thought the test would be different, and I knew what kind of plan you were thinking of, so I just waited."
Alexander: "Okay, I guess…?"
Siny's Note:
The dark magic is a sub-magic that was created long ago, after the creation of blood and demonic magic.
Alexander walks into the final room. He sees that the roof is a great glass dome, allowing the light from outside to pour in and illuminate the center of the room.
Demon-B: "This is, by far, the hardest challenge you have faced yet."
From the darkness surges a gigantic Cerberus with dark skin, pale eyes, and blood dripping from its mouths. The monster growls at Alexander and assumes a defensive stance.
Alexander: "You were right. This one looks tough."
The Cerberus opens one of its maws and shoots a fireball toward Alexander, who dodges the attack.
Alexander: "Well, the fight may be a little more complicated than expected."
Then the other two maws transform: one crackles with electricity and thunder, while the other has water cascading from its jaws. The Cerberus roars at Alexander and charges. He dodges to the side. The monster spits out a fireball and a jet of water that fuse together mid-air. Alexander dodges again and quickly realizes the elements have combined to create a large rock. He grabs the rock and throws it at the monster, which catches and eats it.
Demon-B: "I'm pretty sure that's not going to work."
Alexander: "Shut up…"
Alexander runs across the room and positions himself beside the monster. He jumps, trying to reach the height of one of its heads, and punches it. He falls back down, but the monster catches him and launches him toward a nearby pillar. Alexander crashes hard. He hears Demon-B laughing, which irritates him. Enraged, he breaks free from the pillar, launches himself at the monster, and lands a heavy blow.
Alexander: "Ah, you see…"
Demon-B: "Yes, but it's not dead yet…"
Alexander: "And how about you helping me, huh? With a plan or something?"
Demon-B: "I'm sorry, but for this fight you are on your own."
Alexander: "For God's sake… Okay, he can fuse the elements he spits out of his mouth. Maybe I can do something with that…"
Alexander dodges another attack and creates some distance to think. He first decides to weaken the beast with single, powerful punches, aiming to exhaust it. Once the Cerberus begins to tire, a new idea forms. Alexander executes the first part of his plan without taking a hit. He then rips a pillar from the ground, launches it at the monster to daze it, and shoots his Hell Claws. The chains wrap tightly around the left and right heads. Alexander jumps and lands on the middle head, pulling the other two heads toward him. The choking heads glare at him and begin charging a powerful projectile. Alexander waits until the last moment, then leaps clear. The monster's own attack creates a massive explosion that annihilates its heads. The Cerberus collapses to the ground.
Demon-B: "Pretty good, kid. I never thought you would get to him so easily."
Alexander: "What?! That was not easy… at all!"
Demon-B: "It doesn't matter now."
The Cerberus turns to ashes and fades away, revealing a dark void behind it. Alexander approaches cautiously.
Alexander: "That's the forge, right?"
Abyssal Forge: "Champion, you have successfully defeated the challenges. Now the weapon shall be yours."
Demon-B: "Now you have to decide what weapon you want. But take my advice and choose the…"
Alexander: "I want guns."
Demon-B: "What?! Are you out of your mind?! You only have one chance to create this weapon!"
Alexander: "What? I'm the one who defeated the monsters. I'm the one who gets to choose what weapon I want."
Demon-B: "Nooo! You should have let me finish. I would have gotten you the perfect weapon."
Alexander: "Too late. You keep hiding things from me. Sometimes I have to make my own choices."
Demon-B: "Huh. Anyway, maybe the forge won't even give you anything."
Abyssal Forge: "May your weapon strike true and bring honor to the demons…"
Two pistols emerge from the void. One is white with glowing blue demonic inscriptions, the other black with red demonic inscriptions. Both feature fang-like blades similar to karambits, and their grips are designed to function as the blades themselves.
Alexander: "How nice."
Abyssal Forge: "The name of your weapon is 'Alpha & Omega'."
Demon-B: "Huh… interesting. I didn't think this kind of weapon even existed. Let me check for information that can help us use it."
Alexander: "Let me play with it for a second."
Demon-B: "It says on the white pistol: 'For all the lives taken.' On the other: 'They shall remain tortured in this weapon.' The bullets are infinite and can pierce almost anything. They can also be launched and will act on their own, killing whoever stands in their way. They have another ability, but I cannot see it yet. We will discover it later. For now, we should get out of this place."
Alexander: "Yeah, agreed…"
Right after they finish speaking, a member of the Sanctuary appears and shouts that he has located the intruder. The cultist starts running away, and Alexander gives chase, knowing that if they have found him, they will soon send an army. The cultist takes a path leading down the mountain. Alexander struggles through the blizzard, feeling heavily strained and tired from the injuries sustained in the previous fight. In the middle of the struggle, something takes over him. Suddenly, he grabs the two pistols, which fuse together to form a scythe. He launches the scythe at the cultist, slicing him cleanly in half.
Demon-B: "How the hell did you do that?"
Alexander returns to normal and says, "I… don't… know."
Siny's Note:
The weapon's caliber is close to 10 mm. The blade features are as long as the barrel, and the overall size is similar to a high-caliber pistol.
When the weapon claims souls, it screams while echoing the last cries of the people it has killed.
The Cerberus possesses great flexibility in its left and right heads.
Cerberus dogs are highly appreciated in Hell and so deeply loved that the Devil keeps some in his armies.
The region of Sanctry experiences frequent and powerful blizzards, which is why Alexander could not shoot at the cultist effectively.
Parallel
I feel parallel.
I left my power for the greater good, but at what cost?
I feel weak, with little strength.
I used to have the strength to fight everything, even the impossible.
Now I have the strength of nothing.
I used to have the fire to destroy everything and more.
Now I have the fire to live.
It's not just for me, but also for them.
I feel like I'm in my water world.
An infinite ocean where I live.
I feel like I'm touching the line that separates the ocean from the sky.
The sky, which I believe to be my origin. But something makes me feel bad.
Knowing that I am touching this world.
My vision darkens.
Why is my vision getting darker?
Why can't I see life on the other side?
Why don't I feel good… Why, why, why, why.
I… just… want… to… be… okay.
I just… want… to be with the people I like.
I just want… to do something I like.
I just want to be loved the way I should be.
I just want the best for everyone.
I just want… to be okay.
One day I will finally… be okay.
And that day is going to be incredible.