Erik took a deep breath, steadying himself. The primal energy circulating through his body felt like the last flicker of a dwindling flame right before it died, and he knew it wouldn’t last much longer. His every muscle screamed in protest, but he pushed the pain aside, focusing on the single, terrifying thought of surrendering to something he’d spent so long fearing—the demon within him.
The Red Queen remained motionless, watching him with calculating eyes. Her presence exuded confidence and calm, like a storm waiting to unleash its fury. She could sense the hesitation in him, the internal conflict, and she relished it.
“I won’t give you another chance,” the Red Queen called out, her voice unwavering. “If you intend to die on your knees, then so be it.”
Erik closed his eyes, feeling the pounding in his head. “Now or never,” he muttered to himself.
As Erik mentally selected Yes, the shift began instantly, and his body responded before his mind could fully comprehend it. The feeling was like plunging into an icy, dark ocean—sudden and all-encompassing, a shock to the senses that reverberated through his entire being.
The moment he accepted the integration, a cold rush of energy surged from the base of his spine, creeping up like icy fingers. Erik felt his back arch involuntarily, every nerve in his body lighting up with a sharp, tingling sensation. His skin erupted in goosebumps, and the fine hairs on his arms and the back of his neck stood on end, as if a static charge had passed through him. His body was a tightly coiled spring, and as the demonic energy coursed through his spine, it seemed to vibrate in sync with his heartbeat—a deep, resounding rhythm that felt almost ancient in its intensity.
The pressure built behind his eyes until his vision went white, his eyes rolling back as the overwhelming force of the integration reached its peak. The agony was relentless, like his very bones were being restructured, reshaped to fit this new power flooding into him. His fingers dug into the stone floor, nails scraping and cracking as he fought against the convulsions wracking his body.
And then, the scream came—a raw, guttural sound that tore from his throat, echoing through the throne room. It was the scream of someone being unmade and remade, a sound that carried both suffering and defiance in equal measure. Erik’s entire body trembled, every muscle straining as if fighting against an invisible force trying to rip him apart.
It would have been easy to surrender to the pain, to let it overwhelm him and consume what was left of his will. But deep within, Erik clung to a single, burning thought: I will get through this. He couldn’t let the agony break him—not now, not when he had come so far.
As the demonic energy merged with his primal core, Erik felt the pain shift—less like the tearing of flesh and more like a deep, relentless pressure, forcing his body to adapt to the changes. It was as if every fiber of his being was being reforged in the crucible of this power. His limbs ached, his chest felt like it was being crushed under an impossible weight, but beneath it all, there was a steady, defiant beat.
“You’re not going to die” the demon’s voice cut through the haze, its tone devoid of its usual mockery. There was an edge of urgency, a demand that Erik hold on. “Survive this. Stay in control. I can’t help if you fall apart now.”
Erik could barely think through the blinding pain, but the demon’s words anchored him. His breathing was ragged, every inhale a struggle against the suffocating weight in his chest, but he refused to let it break him. His scream faded into a low, guttural growl, a raw expression of defiance as he fought to keep himself grounded.
His nervous system was the first to react, flooded by signals amplified by the dark energy coursing within. A rush of sensations overwhelmed him: the warmth of the torchlight felt like standing in front of an open fire, the coolness of the air biting sharply at his exposed skin, the slightest whisper of the Red Queen’s armored footsteps echoing like distant thunder. It was as if the entire world had suddenly been dialed up to full volume, every detail sharpened and brought into painfully vivid focus.
As the energy reached his heart, Erik felt his pulse quicken, the blood within his veins infused with the raw, dark power. Each heartbeat sent a wave of heat through his chest, radiating outward to his limbs. His blood seemed to thrum with new intensity, thickening with energy that felt simultaneously foreign and intimately familiar, like a memory half-forgotten. Erik felt a burning warmth spread from his chest to the rest of his body—a dark, liquid fire that chased away the lingering aches and exhaustion.
For a brief moment, there was pain—a deep, tearing sensation as if something old and rusted was being ripped apart within his chest. But the pain faded as quickly as it came, replaced by a surge of strength that seemed to pulse in rhythm with his heartbeat. His body began to feel weightless, almost ethereal, like the energy within him was lifting him from within.
Erik’s vision shifted dramatically. At first, his sight dimmed, the world blurring at the edges as if he were slipping out of consciousness. Then, the shadows seemed to peel away, revealing hidden depths he hadn’t noticed before. Colors took on new intensity—reds and blacks burned brighter, while the cold blues of the moonlight seemed to deepen to a shade almost beyond description.
He blinked, and the world changed; his eyes, now a deep crimson, were lined with intricate geometric patterns, giving his vision a sharpness and clarity that felt inhuman. He could see faint auras of energy radiating from the Red Queen and the surrounding pillars of the temple, a clear distinction between the divine and demonic energies contained within the stone walls.
Every breath he took brought in the rich, metallic scent of his own blood mingled with the distant hint of old incense and ash. The cool air rushing into his lungs carried with it the scent of pine and damp earth, far beyond the temple walls, even as the smoke from burning torches tickled his nose. He felt his muscles tighten, filled with newfound strength, the soreness from the Red Queen’s previous strikes fading into nothingness. The pain that had once threatened to overwhelm him was gone, replaced by an invigorating sensation that left him almost dizzy with its intensity.
The demonic energy seeped into his bones and muscles, filling every fiber of his being. His muscles seemed to expand slightly, the tendons tightening and flexing like iron cables being wound taut. Erik could feel the power coiled within him, ready to be unleashed at a moment’s notice. It wasn’t just brute strength—it was a precision of movement that he hadn’t had before, a responsiveness that made every action feel like second nature.
He took a step forward, and the shift in his balance was effortless, the motion almost automatic. His reflexes had heightened to the point where his body was reacting faster than his thoughts could form. It was like dancing in perfect sync with music that only he could hear, each movement fluid and instinctive.
The core within him—dormant and sealed—suddenly came alive, a steady thrumming like the hum of a distant engine. He could feel the energy circulating through him, radiating outward from the core and then being drawn back in, like the ebb and flow of the tide. It wasn’t chaotic or overwhelming this time; it was steady, controlled, and resonated with a strength that felt deeply rooted.
As the synchronization continued, Erik’s body seemed to hum with new vitality. The energy coursing through his veins was no longer a foreign force trying to consume him—it was a part of him, woven into his very essence. The sensation was exhilarating, as if he had unlocked a hidden reservoir of power buried deep within. The once-separate currents of primal and demonic energy now intertwined, circulating seamlessly through his body, feeding off one another in a delicate balance.
His senses had reached a heightened state of awareness, each sound, smell, and movement amplified to near-perfect clarity. He could hear the slight rustle of the Red Queen’s cape, the faint crackling of the torches, and even the distant chirping of insects outside the temple walls. Time seemed to slow around him, each heartbeat feeling like a deliberate tick of a clock, and his mind processed every detail in a heartbeat.
Erik’s transformation was complete. The integration wasn’t just about accessing more power—it was about achieving a balance between conflicting energies within him, harnessing the primal and demonic forces in unison. The demon’s presence within him wasn’t just an intrusive force—it was an ally, one that understood the intricacies of this newfound power.
Erik flexed his fingers, feeling the dark energy coiling within the muscles and tendons of his arm. A familiar voice echoed in his mind, a mixture of pride and satisfaction lacing its tone.
“Well, that was dramatic,” the demon’s voice drawled, returning to its usual sardonic tone. “You done with the screaming, or should I bring you a stick to bite down on next time?”
For the first time in a long time, Erik felt complete—not fragmented, not broken. The fear of losing control was gone, replaced by a sense of mastery over his own fate. He opened his eyes fully, and the world around him seemed to respond—colors, smells, sounds, all converging to create a heightened reality that resonated with his very soul.
It was as if the universe had expanded, and Erik was at its center.
System Message: Demonic Integration Sequence Complete
Warning: This integration is irreversible. Now completed, it cannot be undone or revoked. Only death will sever the bond.
“There it is,” the demon murmured, its voice almost a purr. “That wasn’t so bad, was it?”
As Erik steadied himself, the pain beginning to ebb and his senses sharpening, a flood of system messages began to materialize at the edge of his vision. Notifications cascaded down, layer upon layer, too fast for him to process. The system offered to collapse them into a digestible format, but before he could accept, a single message stood out—its glow distinct from the rest. A Status Screen Update.
He blinked, and the new update opened before him, displaying his current state:
Status Screen - Post-Demonic Integration
Name: Erik Marlow
Health: 100%
Stamina: 100%
Primal Energy: 0%
Demonic Energy: 95%
Core Integrity: Stable
Synchronization Level: 95% (Primal-Demonic Core Integration)
Title: Eldritch Exorcist
Race: Cambion (Human/Demon Hybrid)
Classification: Royalty Class
Group: Vikarion Royalty - upgraded from - Royal Protector Group
Rank: Brimstone
Level: 2
Special Attributes:
Core Anomaly Detected: Unidentified Third Element (System-Obscured)
Integration Status: Permanent, Fully Synchronized
Demonic Influence: Moderate-Controlled
Primal Flow: Adaptive and Responsive
Core Stability: Balanced
Skill Points Gained: +3
Benefits of Group - Vikarion Royalty
Increased Energy Pool and Usage Efficiency
Effect: Overall energy capacity increased by 15%.
Effect: Energy channeling efficiency increased by 10%.
Increased Approval Protocol
Effect: Enhanced system access and higher-level skill approval rights for skills with royal origin.
Royal Protection Group Detachment [Unassigned]
Status: Currently not assigned to a specific detachment. Standing orders remain pending royal decree.
Automatic 10% Stat Increase
Effect: All base stats permanently increased by 10% due to Royal Group affiliation.
The messages continued to cascade below, but Erik’s attention was fixed on the status screen. His core felt…different—more complete, but layered with an underlying tension, as if something ancient and powerful now lay dormant within. The notice of three additional skill points offered him new possibilities, a tangible sign of his growth through this ordeal.
The system’s words lingered in his mind—Permanent, Fully Synchronized—reminding him that this path was irrevocably set, and there would be no turning back.
***
The Red Queen’s eyes narrowed, sensing the shift in his aura. Erik’s demonic power flared around him, swirling with remnants of primal energy like a black flame tinged with crimson and gold. He opened his eyes, now glowing with an intense, blood-red hue that held intricate, swirling patterns within the irises. He could feel the energy thrumming inside him, alive and eager to be unleashed.
He didn’t waste any time. With newfound speed, Erik launched himself forward, closing the distance between them in a heartbeat. But the power was almost too much—he overshot his target, his attack missing by a hair’s breadth as the Red Queen sidestepped gracefully.
“Too fast, idiot,” the demon muttered, clearly unimpressed. “Let me handle the pacing, or you’re going to trip over your own feet.”
Erik felt the demon subtly adjusting the flow of energy, regulating the bursts of speed and strength. It wasn’t perfect, but it gave him just enough control to keep up with the Red Queen. He recovered quickly, pivoting to face her and attacking again, this time with more precision.
The Red Queen blocked his strike, her sword meeting his demonic-imbued fist with a shockwave that reverberated through the forest. The ground beneath them cracked from the impact, and Erik could feel the raw power coursing through his limbs. His attacks were faster, more deliberate, and he could see the surprise flickering in the Red Queen’s eyes as he matched her pace.
“Better,” the demon remarked. “But don’t get cocky. She’s still has not gotten serious yet.”
Erik knew the demon was right. The Red Queen wasn’t using her full strength—she was testing him, waiting for him to make a mistake. But he wasn’t the same fighter he had been moments ago. He focused on his breathing, remembering the lessons from his training at the governor’s palace. He centered himself, allowing his instincts to guide him as he shifted his stance.
He began to move differently, adopting a style that blended the teachings of his past with the raw power of his present. His movements were fluid, almost like a dance—swift and precise, alternating between offensive and defensive postures. It was a dance of fire, earth, air, and water, meant to harness the energies of the world around him.
Erik’s martial training began at an early age, under the guidance of his teacher, Master Yorran T’sandg, a renowned pugilist who blended ancient martial disciplines with a modern approach to combat. Yorran was known for his adaptive style, combining the best elements of speed, precision, and power. He believed that combat was not just about overpowering an opponent, but also about outthinking and outmaneuvering them, using their own strength and momentum against them. Over two decades, Erik’s training shaped him into a highly adaptive fighter, one who could face both mortal and supernatural threats with confidence and poise.
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As he moved, the energies within him seemed to weave together, creating a unique aura that enveloped him. The primal energy and demonic power intertwined, forming a shifting, ethereal shield that radiated with a dark, fiery glow. Erik felt a sense of pride swelling within him as he maintained his focus, executing each movement with practiced grace.
The Red Queen seemed momentarily taken aback by the change in his approach. Erik saw the opening and took it, exploiting her brief hesitation to land a solid blow. His fist connected with her armor, sending a small shockwave rippling through the air. It wasn’t enough to bring her down, but it was enough to make her reassess her strategy.
The Red Queen lunged forward, her sword arcing down in a wide, merciless sweep. Erik ducked low, the blade slicing through the air just above his head, its weight stirring the stale air with a whisper of impending death. He surged forward, his right fist already twisting up towards the Red Queen’s exposed side.
Erik’s fist connected, but instead of feeling the satisfaction of flesh meeting flesh, he felt the hard impact of armor. He flowed through the strike regardless, letting the recoil carry his body into a spin. With a flicker of energy, his left knee came up, aiming to drive into the Red Queen’s ribs. She blocked it with her armored forearm, but the blow forced her to shift her footing, disrupting her rhythm.
In an instant, the Red Queen countered, thrusting her free hand towards Erik’s face in an attempt to create distance. He raised his arm in a sharp upward motion, redirecting her strike and sliding his hand down to lock her wrist in place. His other hand shot forward in a quick, direct punch to her midsection—blending offense and defense into one seamless motion. The Red Queen staggered, just barely, but it was enough.
She twisted away, but Erik flowed with her motion, sliding around her side and delivering a sharp elbow to the back of her shoulder. He didn’t stop—there was no hesitation in his movements, no break in the chain of attacks. He knew that if he gave her even a moment, the Red Queen would turn the tide with ruthless precision. So, he pressed on, pivoting on his heel and sweeping his leg low to disrupt her balance.
The Red Queen stumbled slightly, her knee dipping toward the ground. Erik took advantage of the momentary lapse, springing forward and planting his foot firmly on the floor, channeling his new demonic energy into a powerful upward strike aimed at her chin. His knuckles cracked against her helmet, the force of the blow enough to tilt her head back, if only for a heartbeat.
Erik stepped back, quickly shifting into a more grounded stance. He tightened his core, bracing himself as the Red Queen recovered and retaliated with a swift, horizontal slash of her sword. Instead of dodging, he leaned into the swing, letting the momentum of her attack glance off his reinforced forearm. The impact reverberated through his bones, but he stood firm, using the energy to propel his counterattack.
He moved in, dropping low and driving a hard uppercut into the Red Queen’s armored torso. The force of the punch sent a shockwave of pain through Erik’s knuckles, but he didn’t let it slow him down. He pivoted smoothly, using the motion to bring his other fist crashing into her ribs in a powerful cross-punch. The Red Queen’s eyes flared with anger, but Erik could see the shift in her stance—a subtle sign that his relentless assault was wearing her down.
The Red Queen swung her sword in a brutal overhead arc, trying to catch Erik off guard. He felt the shift in the air before he saw the blade, his instincts screaming at him to move. He sidestepped the attack with a supernatural speed, pivoting around her and throwing a sharp side kick aimed at her knee. She deflected it, but the force of the kick forced her to take a step back, regaining her footing.
Erik wasn’t done. He pivoted on his supporting foot, bringing his other leg around in a spinning roundhouse aimed at the Red Queen’s head. She raised her arm to block it, but Erik’s shin struck with a resounding crack, the sheer force making her stumble sideways. He followed through, his foot planting firmly on the ground as he launched forward, closing the distance between them in a heartbeat.
The Red Queen tried to recover, raising her sword in a desperate attempt to create space. Erik’s left hand shot up, gripping her sword arm by the wrist and redirecting her swing away from him. He drove his other elbow into her chest, pushing her back and knocking the wind from her lungs. She retaliated with a backhanded punch, but Erik ducked low, letting the blow sail past him harmlessly.
As she overextended, Erik struck—his fists moving like the wind, each punch precise and relentless. A jab to her side, a hook to her helmet, a knee driving up into her gut. Each strike was a heartbeat, a note in the violent symphony he was conducting.
She tried to regain her footing, swinging wildly in an attempt to regain control, but Erik was already behind her. He wrapped his arm around her neck, pulling her into a rear chokehold, using his own body weight to pull her down. For a moment, it seemed like he had her.
But the Red Queen wasn’t finished. With a fierce roar, she broke free, sending Erik stumbling backward. She spun around, her eyes blazing with fury, her sword poised to strike. Erik didn’t wait for the blow—he lunged forward, channeling this demonic energy into a series of rapid punches that forced her to abandon her attack and defend herself.
The two fighters moved in a deadly dance, each trying to find an opening, each adapting to the other’s rhythm. Erik’s fists and feet moved in perfect harmony, blending the martial techniques of master T’sandg with the different attack styles intended to represent the elements of fire, earth, air, and water into a seamless flow of attacks and defenses. He was no longer just a fighter—he was a force of nature.
And for the first time, the Red Queen hesitated. Just for a moment. But it was enough.
Erik couldn’t resist the surge of confidence that came with his newfound control. “Not bad, right?” he called out, a grin spreading across his face. “Guess I’m not such a disappointment after all.”
The Red Queen’s eyes narrowed, and her lips curled into a mocking smile. “You’re boasting already?” she asked, her voice dripping with disdain. “You haven’t earned that right.”
But Erik wasn’t listening. He was too caught up in the rush of power and the thrill of the fight. He pushed harder, his attacks becoming more relentless as he continued to build momentum. The Red Queen met each strike with skillful precision, but Erik could sense that he was starting to overwhelm her defenses.
It was then that he felt the familiar, icy chill of a system message flashing across his vision. The words appeared in glowing red text, distinct from the usual system notifications:
System Alert: Deadly Sin Unlocked and Activated—Pride
Effect: All Stats Increased by 25% and continuing to rise until victory or the infernal flame reaches midnight.
Warning: Risk of Energy Overload
Erik felt the surge of energy intensify, every fiber of his being screaming with newfound strength. “What—?” he muttered, the confusion clear in his voice.
“Yeah, that’s a thing,” the demon said nonchalantly. “You’ve got about 15 minutes before you might pass out… or worse. It’s a toss-up, really. Could be fine.”
Erik almost laughed despite himself. The absurdity of the situation, combined with the demon’s nonchalant tone, was too much. He threw his hands up in the air, exasperated. The Red Queen paused for a split second, clearly puzzled by his reaction.
“Are you done being an idiot now?” the demon asked, a hint of amusement in its voice. “Because you’re running out of time.”
Erik took a steadying breath, feeling the power of the Sin of Pride coursing through him. He wasn’t sure how long he could maintain this state, but he wasn’t going to waste a single moment.
Erik’s body hummed with energy, his newfound power amplifying every movement, every breath. The Red Queen, still formidable, seemed to reassess her approach, her eyes narrowing as she considered her next strike. Erik was ready to push forward, to test the limits of this new power he had unlocked, but the world around them began to shift in an unexpected way.
The night air thickened, growing heavy and suffocating. A chill crept through the forest, one that wasn’t born of the cool mountain breeze. It was an unnatural cold, the kind that gnawed at the bones and carried with it the unmistakable scent of decay. Erik’s senses sharpened, his demonic eyes detecting a new disturbance—a dark, creeping presence that hadn’t been there before.
System Message: Eldritch Detection Activated
Warning: Eldritch Entities Detected in Proximity.
Threat Level: High.
Recommendation: Prepare for hostile engagement. All defensive and offensive capabilities are advised.
The Red Queen’s eyes darted away from Erik for a brief moment, her attention drawn to something moving in the shadows beyond. Her divine senses were on high alert, and Erik could see a flicker of concern in her otherwise unflinching expression. He turned to follow her gaze, focusing his heightened senses on the darkness between the trees.
That’s when he saw them.
At first, they appeared to be nothing more than wandering silhouettes—shambling figures emerging from the shadows, their movements disjointed and unnatural. But as they drew closer, the moonlight revealed their true nature. They were once human, or something close to it. Their bodies were twisted and malformed, their limbs elongated and grotesquely jointed. Their skin was mottled with dark patches and grotesque growths, and their faces were contorted into permanent expressions of suffering.
And they weren’t alone. Beside them, shadowy beasts that resembled emaciated hounds prowled, their eyes glowing with a sickly green light. Erik could see their muscles twitching beneath their thin, leathery hides, their snarling jaws dripping with viscous, black and green saliva.
“Eldritch…” the demon’s voice growled within Erik’s mind, the usual sarcasm absent for once.
The Red Queen’s grip on her sword tightened, and her divine aura flared briefly in response to the encroaching threat. The air seemed to vibrate with a growing tension, the clash of their energies disturbed by the presence of these corrupted beings.
The Red Queen focus was absolute, her eyes never leaving the advancing eldritch abominations. “They’re beyond saving,” she said coldly, her voice laced with a grim certainty.
No hesitation. No fear. Only survival.
Erik surged forward, meeting the creature head-on. He didn’t channel his energy into a weapon or attempt a complex technique. Instead, he embraced the simplicity of brutal combat—something he was all too familiar with. His bare hands were more than enough.
The eldritch creature’s elongated arm lashed out, aiming for Erik’s throat. He ducked low and came up inside its reach, slamming his fist into its midsection. The impact drove the creature back a step, its inhuman face contorting in surprise. Erik didn’t stop. He twisted his torso and slammed his knee into the creature’s side, feeling the crunch of bone beneath its leathery skin.
As it staggered, Erik’s left hand shot up, the demon maw embedded in his palm opening wide. Without a moment’s pause, the maw bit down savagely on the creature’s arm, its teeth sinking deep and tearing through sinew and bone. Black blood splattered the ground, and Erik could feel the creature’s flesh tear beneath the relentless jaws of his demon-infused hand.
The creature convulsed, its otherworldly form writhing as if something inside it was struggling to break free. But Erik wasn’t about to let it regain its footing. He grabbed hold of its remaining arm with his free hand, gripping it tightly as he twisted his entire body and ripped the limb free with a wet, tearing sound. The eldritch entity let out a gurgling noise, its disfigured face twitching violently, but it didn’t scream. It couldn’t.
Erik didn’t give it a chance to recover. He drove his shoulder into the creature’s torso, forcing it to the ground. The eldritch entity thrashed, trying to rise, but Erik planted a boot on its chest, pinning it down. With a roar of primal fury, he began to tear into the creature with his bare hands, ripping through its flesh and bone with relentless, savage efficiency.
The demon maw on his hand wasn’t idle. As Erik tore into the creature’s torso, the maw bit and chewed hungrily, devouring chunks of blackened flesh and sinew with each frenzied motion. Erik felt the warm ichor splattering across his face and chest, the taste of iron and decay lingering in the back of his throat.
The creature’s body buckled and twitched, its limbs spasming as Erik pulled it apart piece by piece. He was no longer just fighting—he was dismantling it, erasing every trace of the abomination in a primal display of dominance.
For a moment, time seemed to slow. Erik’s breathing was heavy, his chest heaving with exertion, but he felt alive in a way he hadn’t felt in ages. His entire body hummed with energy—demonic, primal, and something else, something raw and ancient.
The demon within him chuckled darkly. “Not bad, Erik. Not bad at all.”
Erik barely registered the voice, his focus locked on the twitching remnants of the eldritch entity beneath him. He could feel its life slipping away, its corrupted essence seeping into the ground. And yet, the sense of wrongness in the air didn’t fade. He knew there were more.
“You think that was enough?” the demon taunted, its voice oozing with amusement.
“There’s always more. Now, stop playing with your food.”
Erik pushed himself up, his bloodied hands clenching and unclenching. The primal rage within him simmered, a barely contained inferno waiting to be unleashed. He turned, his eyes locking onto the shadowy forms creeping from the edges of the temple. The eldritch entities were closing in, their twisted shapes shifting and undulating with a sinister intent.
Erik took a breath, steadying himself. His knuckles ached, and his muscles were strained, but he wasn’t done. Not yet.
“Come on, then,” Erik muttered, his voice low and dangerous. “I’m not finished with you.”
The eldritch creatures rushed forward, but Erik didn’t back down. He stepped forward, fists clenched and ready, and prepared to tear apart whatever came next.
The Red Queen moved in a blur of motion, her sword cleaving through another eldritch monstrosity with deadly precision. She moved with a practiced grace, each strike clean and efficient. Erik could tell that she had faced these horrors before, and she knew exactly how to deal with them.
But more of the creatures were emerging from the shadows—former humans and their eldritch hounds, driven by a sinister force that seemed to hunger for their deaths. Erik fought them off as best he could, his demonic power giving him the strength to keep up with the relentless onslaught. He could feel his energy reserves fluctuating wildly, the Sin of Pride pushing him beyond his limits. As more than twenty eldirth corpses lay, many of which looked familiar, but Erik could not place exactly why, started to pulse and twitch, green energy extruding from the ooze and the beings started to pull them selfs back together again.
“Sin Eater!” the demon’s voice cut through the chaos, urging Erik to act.
Erik didn’t hesitate. He summoned the spectral maw with a focused thought, feeling the pull of dark energy as the abyssal jaws manifested before him. The eldritch creatures writhed and convulsed, their very existence drawn toward the consuming void that was Sin Eater. The air hummed with a low, resonant vibration as the corrupted energy was siphoned away, leaving only lifeless husks in its wake.
The Red Queen’s eyes widened slightly at the sight. It was the first time Erik had seen anything close to genuine surprise on her face. Even the angel within her seemed momentarily caught off guard, its divine presence rippling with uncertainty.
But there was no time to dwell on the moment. The eldritch hounds snarled and lunged at Erik, their grotesque bodies twisting unnaturally as they charged. Erik moved quickly, dispatching them with a combination of swift strikes and demonic-infused blows. The Red Queen followed suit, her sword glowing with divine energy as she cut down the remaining creatures with ruthless efficiency.
As the last of the eldritch beings crumbled to the ground, Erik felt a rush of exhilaration mixed with exhaustion. The Sin Eater’s effect had taken a toll on him, and he could feel the strain weighing heavily on his body. But the sense of accomplishment—of triumph—was undeniable.
“Not bad,” the demon remarked, a hint of pride in its voice. “You handled that better than I expected.”
Erik didn’t respond. He was too focused on catching his breath, the lingering taste of eldritch corruption still tingling on his tongue. He glanced over at the Red Queen, who had sheathed her sword and was regarding him with a wary expression.
“You…” she began, her voice steady but laced with a newfound respect. “You consumed their corruption without letting it take hold of you.”
Erik shrugged, trying to play off the feat as if it were no big deal. “Just something I picked up,” he said, though he couldn’t hide the hint of pride in his voice.
The Red Queen didn’t reply immediately. Her divine aura seemed to flicker, as if her internal spirit was engaged in a silent conversation. Erik could almost feel the tension within her, the unspoken questions that lingered in her mind.
It was then that the demon decided to make its presence known.
“Oh, did I scare you?” the demon’s voice taunted, its tone dripping with mockery. “Poor little divine lady—didn’t think a lowly half-breed could pull off something like that, huh?”
The Red Queen’s eyes narrowed, and Erik could sense her aura reacting with almost with growing irritation. The demon’s words were like barbs, digging into the angel’s pride in a way that few could.
“Silence, demon,” the Red Queens voice echoed, a warning laced with divine authority from the angel within.
But the demon wasn’t intimidated. It continued to speak through Erik, its voice growing bolder. “Oh, come on. You can’t be that naïve,” it sneered. “You divine types think you’ve got everything figured out, don’t you? But guess what? The rules are changing, and you’re not ready for it.”
Erik could feel the Red Queen’s internal struggle, her spirit’s growing frustration as it fought to maintain control. The demon’s words were hitting a nerve, pushing boundaries that weren’t meant to be crossed.
For a moment, Erik wondered if the Red Queen would lash out, if the angel’s pride would get the better of her. But she maintained her composure, though the tension between them was palpable.
“Enough,” the Red Queen said, her voice sharp and commanding. “I will not be goaded by a parasite.”
The demon chuckled softly, its voice fading into a low, mocking hum. Erik could tell that it wasn’t finished, that it had more to say, but it chose to wait for the right moment. The tension lingered, a thin line between restraint and aggression.
Berndhardt came barreling out of the temple with his massive two-handed ax in hand, eyes locked on the chaos in front of him. His face twisted in a mixture of fury and excitement, and without warning, he hurled the ax with all his might at the Red Queen. The weapon hurtled through the air, a blur of silver and steel.
The Red Queen barely had time to react. Her eyes widened in surprise at the sheer speed and force of the incoming ax. She quickly raised her sword to block, bracing for impact. The clash was like a thunderclap—Berndhardt’s ax struck the Red Queen’s blade with enough force to shake the ground. The collision sent her flying backward, crashing through debris and skidding to a halt right where Erik had landed earlier after being kicked out of the temple.
Erik, now surrounded by a faint red glow, chuckled darkly. His voice, now tinged with the demonic undertone, carried an air of arrogance. “Yeah, I wouldn’t do that if I were you… Ahhh, that’s gotta hurt.” The mocking tone was almost cheerful, as if he was genuinely amused by the absurdity of the situation.
Berndhardt approached, wiping the dirt from his hands, his giant frame now looming beside Erik. Erik glanced at him with a grin, the redness of his eyes glinting with the excess of his power.
“What’s up, Viking buddy?” Erik asked, still sounding overly confident, his voice carrying a hint of swagger. “How ya been?”
The Red Queen struggled to get up from the pile of debris. Her armor was battered, and blood trickled from her mouth, mixing with the remnants of black ichor and goo from the eldritch creatures. She let out a ragged breath, her strength clearly drained from the relentless battle.
She raised her hand in a gesture of surrender, lowering her sword slightly. “Alright, let’s… talk about this,” she said, her voice wavering with exhaustion. “Maybe… we can figure something out. Inside. I think we can… work together… somehow.”
Erik, still riding high on the surge of power from the Sin of Pride, tilted his head with a smirk, completely misunderstanding her desperation. He looked her up and down, noticing the mix of green ichor and blood on her once-pristine armor. “Well, well, look at you! Covered in all that green goo! Guess you’re the ‘Green Queen’ now!” He laughed maniacally at his own joke, a wild, self-satisfied laugh that echoed through the clearing. Berndhardt raised an eyebrow but didn’t react beyond that. The joke was lost on everyone but Erik.
Still grinning, Erik spun around, swaggering as if he was king of the world. “Let’s go kill some more!” he declared, his voice booming with overconfidence. “This fight is too easy!” He took a few steps forward, ready to charge headlong into the next battle. But as soon as he did, the telltale ding of a system message appeared in his vision:
System Message: Seven Deadly Sins Deactivated
Sin of Pride Expended.
Demonic Energy Reserves Critically Low.
Automatic Reduction of Demonic Barrier to Preserve Core Stability.
Status Update: User Needs Immediate Recovery.
Before he could even react, Erik’s legs gave out from under him. He wobbled, his knees buckling, and then—thud—he fell face-first into the dirt, his previous confidence now completely shattered.
“Well, freaking great… this sucks.” The demon’s voice grumbled in Erik’s mind, now drained of its usual bravado. “Hey, you! Definitely-Not-Assassin-Guy with the Big Ax!” the demon called out, directing its irritation at Berndhardt. “Come pick us up. And don’t touch my butt, alright? Seriously, I need a drink.”
Berndhardt couldn’t help but let out a low chuckle, shaking his head as he walked over to Erik. “You are one crazy bastard,” he muttered as he reached down, carefully hauling Erik up with one arm, and offering viking blood to the demon, who overwhelmingly gagged at the sight of it.
The Red Queen, still bloodied and beaten, watched with a mixture of disbelief and reluctant admiration as Berndhardt heaved the unconscious Erik onto his shoulder like a sack of flour. She couldn’t decide whether to feel relieved or humiliated, but for now, she stayed silent.
Erik’s demon muttered one last complaint, “Why is it always like this? Always with the face down in the dirt… seriously…”
And as Berndhardt carried Erik back towards the temple, the scene was left in a strange, tense silence—a moment of reprieve before the next inevitable chaos.