Azazul fell onto solid ground and rolled over himself. After a few seconds of lying on his back, Azazul struggled to his feet. Once he managed to stand. He felt a sharp pain in his chest. It felt like he had been struck by a blunt object. None of his ribs seemed broken—or at least, that's what he thought—because his entire chest was numb with pain.
What made it worse… he couldn't see anything. He tried summoning the Eye of Darkness—but to no avail.
From within the void, an ominous voice echoed.
"Are all Dragon Saints this weak?"
Azazul lifted his head, staring into the darkness las if trying to pierce it—but it remained impenetrable.
'What the hell happened?'
Just moments ago, he had been with Akiko and her team. Now he stood surrounded by pure darkness, injured, with no idea how dangerous his condition truly was.
The voice echoed again, amusement laced within it.
"Are you even a Dragon Saint?"
"You're pretty pathetic."
Azazul gathered what strength he could and muttered,
"Who the hell… are you calling pathetic?"
"What sick game… are you playing… huh?!"
FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING
Azazul instinctively reached for his sword—but the pain in his chest flared violently.
He burst into a harsh cough, a metallic taste filling his mouth.
The voice crept closer, now right in front of him.
"Aren't you tired of pretending?"
Azazul whispered, confused,
"Pretending…?"
A cold blade pressed against his forehead.
The pain in his chest surged, forcing him to his knees. The blade followed him down.
"Their coming…" the voice warned.
The blade pierced his forehead.A flash of blinding light consumed him.
***
Azazul was back in Akiko's room.
Everyone had their weapons drawn, their eyes filled with cold killing intent—everyone except Akiko.
She stood between him and her team.
Azazul leaned closer and whispered in her ear,
"What happened?"
Akiko glanced over her shoulder before ordering everyone to leave and regroup the next morning.
Her team hesitated—but obeyed.
Once they were alone, Akiko sat on her bed, brushing her hair from her face. Azazul watched her closely. At first, he thought it was because he had missed her—but it felt like something more.
She met his gaze.
"Would you please explain what happened?" she asked.
"You almost tried to kill them."
Azazul hesitated. He was confused… but not entirely. He knew he had been in his inner void.
But why?
"Akiko… I don't know either," he said slowly.
"I was summoned by that… eye demon. He said… they're coming."
Akiko frowned.
"Who is coming?" she asked, concern slipping into her voice.
"I don't know."
She stood and walked closer, looking directly into his ruby red eyes.
"You feel it too?"
Azazul nodded.
"Yeah… we'll meet them tomorrow."
He held her gaze for a few seconds longer, then added,
"You'll need this."
He extended his hand and summoned a small dagger. Its hilt was green, shaped like a dragon's tail. The blade was short, polished, and diamond-like—but without any shine.
Akiko took it.
The hilt wrapped around her hand and wrist.
Azazul frowned.
"It never did that with me…"
The dagger shifted—transforming into a sword perfectly suited to her.
"Wow…" Akiko whispered.
She stored the weapon in her storage bracelet.
They had a long night ahead.
In just a few hours… they would be fighting for their lives.
After planning, Akiko prepared food.
Their breakfast was quiet. Both were thinking about the coming battle—but the silence wasn't uncomfortable.
It felt… peaceful.
Even while their minds were in chaos.
After eating, Azazul spoke,
"Akiko… we shouldn't just take weapons. If we have to run, we'll need food, a tent, shelter… and your bedroll. I won't need one—but you will."
Akiko had thought the same—but hearing him say it made the danger feel more real.
She gathered everything, and they left to regroup.
When they arrived at Shalen's quarters—
It was silent.
"No one's here?" Akiko muttered.
"That's strange… I made sure to send the message to everyone."
Azazul summoned his shapeshifter.
"Find Shalen. And locate the enemy."
They entered the quarters.
No sign of him.
As they turned to leave, Azazul suddenly grabbed Akiko.
A violent impact shook the structure. The side of the quarters exploded outward.
They ran outside.
A man floated above them.
"You're pretty late… Dragon Saint."
'Is this one of the demons?'
If he was… he looked nothing like one.
He was beautiful—almost divine.
Violet eyes. Long pale blonde curls. Sharp features, hollow cheeks, high cheekbones. Everything about him looked pure… not monstrous.
"Shall we begin?" he asked calmly.
Azazul unsheathed his sword. Akiko summoned her weapon—now a katana.
The demon descended, landing softly.
An explosion sounded to Azazul's right.
"Akiko," he said, eyes still on the demon, "that's probably Shalen. Go."
"I'll handle him."
She hesitated—but followed the plan.
Azazul stepped forward.
The demon studied him.
"You're facing me alone, little dragon?" he mocked.
"Interesting… the rumors are true. You're as stubborn as the gods you descend from."
A pause.
"But you're not the one I was sent for. Compared to him… you're nothing."
Azazul smiled.
"Who says I didn't kill him already?"
The demon laughed softly.
"You? Kill that thing? Are you sure?"
A sudden force slammed into Azazul's face, sending him flying.
Midair, he twisted and drove his blade into the ground, stopping himself.
He pulled it free and charged.
The demon did the same.
'He's coming at me barehanded?!'
Every opening was exposed—every move looked like a killing opportunity.
Azazul aimed for the neck.
He struck—
But the demon countered with a left punch aimed straight throught his chest.
Azazul adjusted, slashing downward to sever the arm. Just in time to stop his left fist from penetrating his chest...
But the demon had other plans..
The demon's right fist tore through his back—
—and out his chest.
Cold fingers wrapped around his heart.
And crushed it.
"What the hell?!" the demon shouted.
His hand trembled. It wasn't pain. It was something else.
It was a curse.
Dark mana flooded into him—tainted with dark flames.
Azazul's body fell.
Seconds passed.
His eyes opened again.
His heart had regenerated but his back and chest was lagging behind—but the pain lingered.
He rose slowly.
The demon… was on his knees.
But Azazul hesitated. Fear gripped him.
His body felt heavy. His mind empty.
He understood now—
Without the Eye of Darkness… without the dark flames…
He stood no chance.
The demon coughed violently, blood spilling from his mouth.
Then he lunged.
Azazul tried to react—
Too slow.
A hand wrapped around his throat.
"Who do you think you are?!" the demon roared.
"You're NOTHING! .. NOTHING BUT A CURSED FREAK!"
'What's wrong with this idiot…?' Azazul thought as the demon's grip tightened.
[EVERYTHING WENT DARK]
"I'm here again…"
"Well… aren't you pathetic?"
'That voice again…'
"Who are you calling pathetic… you bastard?"
FOOTSTEPS APPROUCHED
"You are a bastard," the voice said calmly.
"Your father is the king of Bandale… and you're his illegitimate child."
"So what does that make you?"
Azazul sighed.
"So you'll just insult me every time you summon me?"
"…Fine. I know what I am."
"But I also know this—you won't let me die. If I die… you die."
The voice laughed.
"What if I don't?"
"What if I live… and take your body?"
"…would I spare them?"
"Azazul… it's all in the eyes."
"…You know my name?"
"Of course I do," the voice said softly.
"Because it's mine."
Azazul froze.
"You carry my lineage. Those who bear it… carry my name."
"You are my heir. My blood. My soul."
"And with my blood and my soul comes my purpose...."
A pause.
"Remove your bracelet… and I'll show you what you're meant to be."
Azazul hesitated… then unfastened it.
The darkness shattered.Visions flooded his mind.
Past. Present. Future.Thousands of perspectives.
Too much.He collapsed, vomiting from the overload.
When it ended, he trembled.
"Did you see it?" the voice asked.
"Our purpose?"
Azazul ignored him.
"Those…those visions...they were the perspectives of deities, right?"
The demon of death chuckled.
"Good. You understand more about your life lineage then I thought."
"Then answer me," Azazul said firmly.
"Why do you care about my life lineage? And there is no 'our.' I will never join you."
The darkness shifted. A figure appeared.
Himself.
But not.Pitch-black hair. One eye grey. The other… onyx black.
"Those visions weren't from me," the Demon of Death said.
"They were what the bracelet sealed away."
"Don't try to understand divinity with human logic."
Azazul clenched his fists.
"Then answer this… who was controlling my body in that vision?"
"I know it isn't you."
For a split second—
The demon's expression faltered.
A smile followed.
"You are worthy."
"But this isn't your mind anymore."
He stepped closer.
"Here… your mind is mine."
He leaned in and whispered:
"Forget."