The air trembled. Gilbert's last punch never landed.
Shahzad's twin blades had already cut through the incoming shockwave, vaporizing it in a brilliant flash of black-red energy. The world froze for a moment.
Shahzad stood before Gilbert, his dual swords dripping with raw demonic aura—each swing humming with divine precision and chaos. He looked less like a warrior, and more like a god that had outgrown his heaven.
"Sonia, get Rankoji somewhere safe and heal him."
His voice thundered through the field, then dropped to a growl—
"GILBERT!! You dared to touch my friend… I will devour you with my own hands!"
The pressure around him spiked. The ground beneath Gilbert shattered into deep craters. Even the light itself seemed to bend around Shahzad's fury.
For the first time, the arrogant God felt fear. His mind screamed—
> "I-Is this really Shahzad...? The calm and composed Shahzad? No… no… he is… he is the Demon King of the Demon Realm!"
Behind Shahzad, the world tore open—rifts forming like black veins. From those rifts emerged hellish creatures: towering fiends with molten flesh and eyes of endless hunger. Flames poured from their bodies, licking the skies crimson.
The once-holy God Realm turned red and burning—mirroring hell itself.
A massive throne of bone and magma rose behind Shahzad. He sat upon it like judgment itself, his eyes void of mercy.
"Torture that bastard in front of me," he ordered coldly.
"From head to toe, from soul to skin. Without mercy. Without pause. Use every taboo you know. Let him understand true despair."
The creatures howled in sadistic delight. Their smiles widened, drooling molten fire as they descended upon Gilbert.
Screams erupted. Gilbert cried for help as claws tore into his back, ripping away muscle, skin, and pride.
"Please—STOP! I'll never do it again! PLEASE! I beg you!"
But Shahzad sat still—face expressionless, gaze unblinking. The throne seemed to pulse with his aura, feeding on the torment below.
Gilbert's cries echoed across the burning sky. Blood soaked the golden streets of the God Realm. Finally, with trembling breath and shattered bones, Gilbert croaked out—
"Shahzad… stop this madness! You'll regret this if my father finds out!"
Shahzad rose slowly, stepping down from his throne. His shadow stretched over Gilbert like death itself. He grabbed Gilbert by the hair and yanked his head up to meet his eyes—eyes that no longer looked human.
"Your father?"
He smirked. "You think your father doesn't know? He's watching. He knows. But he can't do anything—because gods like you are nothing but arrogant parasites feeding on worlds that don't belong to you."
He pressed his blade to Gilbert's throat.
"And today… I end that arrogance. Starting with you."
He raised his sword—
—but then a voice like thunder froze the realm.
"SHAHZAD. Stop this indecency."
The flames dimmed. The demons knelt. Even the air fell silent.
Shahzad turned slowly, eyes still blazing.
"Father…?"
Before him stood a towering figure cloaked in silver shadows—his father, the First Demon King. His presence alone bent the world's gravity.
"He tried to harm my friend, Father. He nearly killed Rankoji—he deserves this!"
"Enough!" his father's voice cracked the ground. "Come with me. Now."
Shahzad clenched his fist, trembling with rage—but obeyed. His aura flickered out, and the flames of hell retreated back into silence.
---
Present Day
Rankoji exhaled, a wistful smile playing across his face.
"And that," he said, "was the first time I saw your father act like a child who couldn't play with his favorite toy."
The others burst out laughing.
They were sitting together—Rankoji, Sonia, Malak, Shivam, and Scarlet—around a flickering campfire.
Malak leaned forward. "So… you're telling me my father was best friends with you two, had powers like mine, and was the Demon King?" His eyes gleamed. "That's insane! He must've been cool as hell!"
Sonia chuckled softly. "He was… the coolest person I've ever known."
Malak's expression changed, the firelight reflecting off his serious eyes.
"Oh really?" he said quietly. "Then why didn't you save him? If you were his best friends, why didn't you come when he was dying?"
Rankoji's smile faded. He placed a heavy hand on Malak's shoulder.
"I know. We failed him. But… we still have you. His blood. His will. I'll make sure you surpass him—stronger than even Shahzad himself."
Sonia bowed her head. "We couldn't save your father. But we'll protect his son with our lives."
Malak smiled, lifting them both up.
"Hey, no need to bow. You're his friends—you're family. Besides, because of you, I'm strong today."
Rankoji grinned. "Oh, so you are strong now, huh?"
He snapped his fingers. Sonia froze Malak in a block of ice, while Rankoji opened a portal that swirled into endless void.
"Let's test that strength, shall we?" he teased.
Malak burst out laughing, shattering the ice. "Oh come on, Master! You wouldn't really—"
"Try me!" Rankoji shouted, laughing like a maniac. Sonia joined in, and for a moment, the fire felt like family again.
---
Scene Change: Japan
Nikhil and Keshav walked through a busy street in Japan, disguised as transfer students. Life had turned… oddly peaceful.
Until one day, a cheerful voice called out—
"Hi! I'm Hinata. I'm in your class… and I think you look kinda handsome."
Nikhil froze mid-step. "O-Oh… uh, thanks! I'm Nikhil."
Keshav smirked. "You're supposed to compliment her too, idiot."
"Y-you're… beautiful," Nikhil stammered, face red as a tomato. Hinata giggled.
Days passed, and love quietly bloomed. Their first date was simple, warm, and perfect—coffee shops, glowing streets, the night sky watching like a guardian. Under the stars, they stopped walking, their hearts pounding in rhythm…
Hinata leaned in. And kissed him.
For Nikhil, the world melted away.
Until—
High above, crouched on a pole like a phantom, glowing red eyes blinked open.
"Wow…" said a voice dripping with mockery, "How cute. The little lovebirds getting all romantic."
The figure smiled wide, teeth jagged and monstrous.
"I really hate interrupting couples this cute."
It was Namilel—a demon radiating chaos. His grin widened.
"And now… let's make this night unforgettable."
---
Scene Change: The Demon Realm
The Demon Realm was alive with celebration—streets glowing crimson, drums echoing through volcanic peaks. The people were singing one name over and over:
> "LONG LIVE KING SHAHZAD! LONG LIVE OUR KING!"
Inside the obsidian palace, a shadow stirred. Louisel sat on his throne, twitching with hatred. Every chant of Shahzad's name cut him like a blade.
"Your king is dead," he muttered. Then louder—his voice booming like thunder—
"SHAHZAD IS DEAD! I am your king now! WORSHIP ME, YOU FILTH!"
His aura exploded—black and putrid. The sky dimmed. The world screamed.
He floated into the crowd, glaring with crimson eyes.
"Those who fear me… DIE."
In an instant, a fifty-meter radius of demons exploded into red mist. Flesh, bone, and blood painted the walls. The air smelled of iron and decay.
Louisel stood amidst the carnage, calm… almost pleased.
His smile widened into something inhuman.
"Let's begin… the reign of true demons."