Nathen stood in the clearing, his breathing steady as he trained with Sahaqiel. The Sword of Dainsleif felt foreign in his grip, yet it hummed with a power that resonated deep within him. Sahaqiel moved with the grace of a seasoned warrior, his instructions clear and precise.
"Feel the sword, Nathen," Sahaqiel advised, demonstrating a complex maneuver. "Let it become an extension of your will."
Nearby, Gobo focused on improving his Beast magic, summoning spectral creatures with increasing complexity. The air around him shimmered with the presence of ethereal beasts, each one more formidable than the last. He grunted with effort, beads of sweat trickling down his forehead.
Suddenly, Sahaqiel froze, his eyes fixed on the sky. An ominous shiver ran through him. "Asmodey..." he whispered, sensing the dark presence of the reborn god and the cry of a stolen soul. His face grew grim. "We need to return to the Crimson Shield Kingdom. Now."
Without hesitation, they packed their belongings. Nathen shifted into his true form, Surtur, his skin glowing with the heat of molten lava. Gobo climbed onto his back, securing himself. Sahaqiel transformed into his original form, a magnificent four-winged angel with a band covering his eyes and ancient symbols glowing on his arms. They soared westward, urgency propelling them forward.
*******
In the Crimson Shield Kingdom, chaos reigned. Abigale's army tore through the streets, demons wreaking havoc. Asmodey moved like a storm, destroying everything in his path. Kahari and Scion frantically guided civilians to safety, their hearts pounding with fear and determination.
The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.
The ruler of the Crimson Shield Kingdom was seized by Asmodey, lifted by the neck like a ragdoll. The king struggled, his face contorted with pain and terror. Asmodey sneered, addressing the terrified populace.
"I hate my brother Surtur," Asmodey declared, his voice dripping with venom. "He betrayed us all during the Kami War. He and his precious Shades of the Primordial One sealed us away, thinking they could rid the world of our power."
He squeezed, crushing the king's windpipe with a sickening snap. The lifeless body was thrown into a pile of dead soldiers. Asmodey sat on the throne, exuding an aura of absolute dominance.
Abigale approached, bowing slightly. "The other kingdoms have been attacked successfully, my lord."
"Good," Asmodey replied, a cruel smile spreading across his face. "Now, we wait for the boy."
*******
High in the sky, Nathen and Sahaqiel flew with haste. Suddenly, they were ambushed by a swarm of Republic's demobats. The sky darkened with their leathery wings as they descended upon the trio.
Republic, the monstrous leader with a burned face, attacked Nathen with ferocity. Nathen parried the assault, his blade clashing with Republic's brutal strikes. Sahaqiel swooped down, engaging Republic with a flurry of divine blows.
Nathen's mind raced as he fought, memories of Sister Mary and his mother flashing before his eyes. His rage ignited, fueling his attacks. "Go to the kingdom," he shouted to Sahaqiel and Gobo. "I'll handle Republic."
Sahaqiel hesitated but nodded, grabbing Gobo and flying towards the kingdom. Nathen faced Republic, determination blazing in his eyes. He hurled fireballs at Republic, but they were reflected back. Republic grabbed Nathen’s leg, swinging him around with monstrous strength.
Nathen retaliated with a blast of fire from his mouth, engulfing Republic's face in flames. Republic screamed, his flesh searing. Nathen’s heart pounded with a vengeful fury. He lunged forward, punching Republic with all his might, each blow echoing with the pain of his losses.
"This is for Sister Mary," he growled, his fist connecting with Republic's jaw. "For my mother."
With a final, powerful thrust, he drove the Sword of Dainsleif through Republic's chest. Republic’s body convulsed, then fell still, finally defeated. Nathen stood over the corpse, panting heavily, his heart a maelstrom of emotions.
Without wasting another moment, he ran towards the kingdom, his resolve hardened. Asmodey would pay for his crimes, and Nathen would protect his loved ones at any cost.