“I’ve been lounging around these days, I’m sorry, Neve.”

Sorin cracked his fingers as he eyed the two writhing figures on the ground— Eviana and Viktor had served their purpose well.

The air was thick with the smell of iron as the demonic beasts around them continued with their feeding. The couple couldn’t even be considered human anymore; they were just a lump of breathing flesh that served as the beasts’ food source.

They’d never die, not until Sorin decided they could.

He wondered if they still had some sanity left after being continuously fed on by the demons.

“Hello~” he cooed at the demonic beast that crawled near him. It was larger now, almost the size of a child, and its eyes were pure black, reflecting everything it saw.

The demonic beast let out a soft hiss, as if it recognized Sorin, skittering over the ground as it approached closer. “Look at you!” he chuckled in fascination.

The other demonic beasts seemed to hear his words, turning their heads toward Sorin in response. Some of them were smaller, probably just born, but Sorin could easily sense their demonic energy.

They stopped feeding for a moment, staring at Sorin with their empty eyes before returning back to their meal.

He touched the beast gently. “We’ll be working from now on.”

“Ugh... Ahckkk...”

A soft pained groan caused Sorin to turn his head to the couple. “Oh, they can still make noises. How surprising,” he hummed in curiosity.

The beast beside Sorin hissed at the noise one of the humans made. It moved away from Sorin’s side, returning to feed.

Sorin watched in exhilaration as guttural sounds filled his ears before taking a deep breath to compose himself.

He had to focus on his current task at hand: summoning the demonic serpent he left back at Morana.

Demonic energy, or miasma as others called it, slithered around his form as he started to close his eyes. It was cold, devoid of any warmth, but Sorin had learned to find comfort in it.

The demonic serpent was already bound to him. He reached out to the beast, demonic energy crackling through the air like a storm. The other beasts chittered and hissed at the whirlwind of miasma.

The domain distorted as a massive creature emerged, like reality was tearing itself apart.

Sorin’s eyes sparkled at the serpent that appeared before him, its scales shining despite the darkness of the domain. “What a sight.” Sorin smiled.

The beast hissed softly, resembling a yawn. Its sharp teeth and forked tongue looked ominous. With a twisted smile, Sorin reached out to the beast. “I have a task for you.”

----------------------------------------

Click. Click. Click.

Hurried footsteps echoed on the marble floor as frantic screams filled the halls of the Sanctum. The magical torches that lined the halls flickered at the rapid movement of those who lived within the Sanctum.

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A demon—or rather, multiple demons—had breached its defenses. It was almost an impossible task... how could they pass through a defensive spell made by divine magic?

Mixed voices of the mages filled the Sanctum as they continued to cast spells, attacking the demons that ran through the hallways.

They were demonic beasts, ones that hadn’t been seen before. Their skin was ashen, with sharp spikes jutting from their spine.

“What the hell?” A mage cursed in shock.

Voices filled the hallways as mages continued to cast spells against the demonic beasts, but every time one died, another wave replaced it.

The air was heavy with the scent of burning flesh, as fire magic continued to burn through the waves of demonic beasts.

“T-there’s no end to them.” One of the mages panted.

“We have to hold on a little longer; the council had already asked for the hunters’ help. There’s been another attack at the capital.”

“The hunters? We need the help of the Saint! Most hunters are incompetent!”

The Sanctum was in complete chaos, as magic crackled through the air with practiced precision. Despite their attacks toward the hordes of beasts, they showed no sign of stopping.

For some reason, the demonic beasts moved with coordination, as if they were driven by something.

“Shit! The Archmage couldn’t even help.”

“BEHIND YOU!”

A massive demonic beast emerged from the shadows, its serpent-like form destroying anything in its path.

A predator.

With each flick of its tail, walls came crumbling down, crushing those underneath it.

“What is that?!” A mage shrieked, horrified at the sight of the serpent. The beast opened its jaws, a cracking sound echoing as its bones contorted unnaturally to reveal rows of blood-stained teeth.

The battle continued until they were cornered in the last standing room of the Sanctum—the Council’s Chamber.

It served as the most protected room of the Sanctum, where the strongest members of the council were preparing to fight against the demons.

One of the mages continued with her incantation, a bright flash of purple light surrounding her as she summoned her magic.

She charged at the demons, strong magic tearing through the air.

Then silence.

As a horde of demonic beasts turned into ash, a second of relief settled over the mages.

The atmosphere shifted abruptly, as an ominous presence loomed around them. Before anyone could react, the massive serpent came rushing through the halls.

It lunged at a mage, jaws snapping shut with a sickening crunch, and a soft choked cry filled the air.

Then nothing.

Their defensive formation was ruined by the sudden assault; their casted spells seemed to have only angered the demonic beast more.

“We can’t let them enter the chamber!”

It was a complete massacre as desperate mages tried to fend for their lives. The paintings that lined the walls were stained with blood and innards, as demons tore through their bodies.

An eerie silence filled the halls when the demons suddenly halted their attack. They were frozen in their place, eyeing the mages with their soulless eyes.

Squelch.

“Be careful,” a gentle voice rang through the air, out of place amidst the chaos. All eyes turned to the source of the sound.

Emerging from the shadows was the Saint, his clothes pure white, unmarred by the destruction happening around him. His arms were wrapped around another human figure, covered by a cloth.

“Should I carry you instead?” Sorin’s voice was playful as he continued to support the other figure. Their movements were slow and almost sluggish.

“Shut up, fake saint.”

The icy voice cut through the air like a sharp knife; everyone knew who it was.

“The Archmage.”

Neve’s body was huddled against Sorin’s chest, her breaths weak and ragged. Underneath the cloth covering her was nothing; her body was bare, littered with bruises and deep cuts.

The archmage’s gaze settled on the group of surviving mages protecting the chamber, her silver eyes burning with hate. She shakily raised her bruised hands, magic instantly gathering at her fingertips, but Sorin stopped her.

“Don’t waste your energy, Neve,” he said, his voice laced with concern before he swept her off her feet, carrying her with one fluid movement.

“You lack manners, fake saint.”

Sorin’s laughter was warm.

“What’s happening?” One of them asked, stammering.

The smile on the saint’s face remained calm, but his eyes were filled with nothing more than sheer madness.

“Ah, it’s simple really. I'm here to kill every single one of you hypocritical little pests.”