Darkness hung in the air. As the boy regained consciousness, his gaze remained fixed on the floor. He found himself lying on his stomach, surrounded by rubble. His Abomination, once a fearsome creature, was now a mangled heap before him—its contorted muscles and blood smeared across the stone floor.
This was Adrien's darkness. A darkness that threatened to consume all. A malevolent force had taken hold of him, granting him powers beyond imagination. Outside, Alice had fallen to the ground, the skeletons that once carried her reduced to ash. Even from her distance, she could feel a presence unlike any other. She crawled her way to the gates of the fortress. Her eyes gleamed inside, only to find a towering figure in the distance, garbed in a grand yet tattered midnight-black cloak. It was Adrien. She was certain of it.
But he was far larger than before, his presence almost godlike, embodying darkness and terror. Adrien’s hair had turned to a shade of black that seemed to absorb all light, more profound than anything she could have imagined. She almost didn’t recognize him, but there was no mistaking the aura he exuded. His dark wings loomed behind him, casting a shadow that seemed to engulf everything. His iron boots struck the ground with a weight that made the earth itself seem fragile beneath him. His long, dark hair cascaded down his back, both magnificent and horrifying, and she couldn’t tear her eyes away from him. And atop his head sat a crown, forged from dark, twisted metal and imbued with a malevolent crimson glow that pulsed with demonic magic.
He was a figure out of myth, a being so grand and terrifying that even saints and sinners alike would bow before him. Was this still Adrien? It seemed impossible.
Adrien’s eyes opened and fixed on the boy lying before him. His tattered cloak billowed in the wind as he extended an arm. The boy was magically lifted into the air and hurled against the fortress wall with a force that left him paralyzed. Even without it, the boy trembled before Adrien, unable to utter a word, much less a sound.
Adrien’s face remained impassive, like that of a vengeful god dispensing judgment. He slammed the boy into the stone floor with his magic. The boy coughed up blood upon impact before being lifted into the air once more. His body was drawn closer to Adrien, who seized him by the throat. Adrien’s crimson eyes bore into the boy’s brown ones, forcing him to avert his gaze.
Alice crawled forward as best she could to get a better view, but the rubble made it difficult. When Adrien finally spoke, his voice turned deep and commanding, his words so powerful that they echoed throughout the fortress. “Where did you find such weapons, puny human?”
“Just... kill me... demon!”
The boy’s face was defiant, but his spirit was nothing before Adrien. Without hesitation, Adrien tightened his grip, sending excruciating pain coursing through the boy’s body. “Do you refuse to answer?”
“I'll never tell you! I know why you’re here! You’re after IT, aren’t you?”
Alice struggled to move, but Adrien didn’t seem to notice her. What was the "IT" the boy mentioned?
Adrien released the boy, who fell to the ground with a thud. Why had Adrien spared him? Because the boy couldn’t escape, even if he tried. This was a display of dominance, and the boy understood it. “Even if I were, you would not know its location. Do not barter information you do not possess.”
The boy was on his knees. He looked up, seeing Alice crawling toward them in the distance. If he somehow got hold of her, he could potentially negotiate for his life. But... easier said than done. His ribs were broken, and his legs had given out beneath him. "Heh... If..." The boy coughed. "If you believe yourself invincible, then think again..."
"Hm...?"
Footsteps echoed through the dimly lit fortress, but Adrien couldn’t pinpoint their exact location. They were quick, the sound of at least three people moving in unison. "I see... Then you are not alone here... No matter. Your friends will fall just as easily."
The footsteps grew closer, and Adrien instinctively turned to see a female figure emerge from the shadows, dressed in a gray dress that clung to her form. She moved swiftly, two daggers flashing in her hands as she slashed at Adrien. With a swift motion, his wing intercepted her attack, deflecting it effortlessly. The woman quickly retreated to the boy’s side, her posture protective, as if shielding him from harm.
Before Adrien could react, two more figures emerged from the shadows and launched their own assault. Their synchronized attacks were relentless, yet they were no match for Adrien. He blocked and parried with ease, his movements almost effortless. As one of the attackers attempted to land on the ground, Adrien lashed out with his iron boot, sending him into a nearby pillar. The impact was fatal; All signs of life had escaped the boy's eyes. He was dead on the spot.
"LUCAS NO!!" the girl by the boy’s side screamed, her voice filled with anguish.
The boy placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You shouldn’t have come..."
"I don’t understand... We’re using holy weapons against him, but they didn’t even leave a mark!"
Adrien stood unfazed, indifferent to their conversation in the midst of battle. While the trio desperately searched for a weakness, Adrien saw everything clearly, his mind aided by a special skill known as the Eye of Evil. Through it, he knew everything there was about his attackers, every intention, every skill, and every vulnerability they had, rendering them powerless before him.
Enemy Info: Klaus Reifner Enemy Info: Lucas Scrowfer (Deceased) Enemy Info: Roslin Scrowfer Enemy Info: Krentin Miller Level: 34 level: 43 level: 33 Level: 12
Race: Human
Class: Mage / Necromancer
Alignment: True Neutral +100
Race: Human
Class: Assassin
Alignment: True Neutral +100
Race: Human
Class: Assassin
Alignment: Lawful Good +200
Race: Human
Class: Ranger
Alignment: Chaotic Good +50
Family: All Deceased
Family: Elia Scrowfer (Mother / Deceased), Roslin Scrowfer (Sister), Grich Scrowfer (Father / Deceased)
Family: Elia Scrowfer (Mother / Deceased), Lucas Scrowfer (Brother / Deceased), Grich Scrowfer (Father / Deceased)
Family: All Deceased
Age: 15 Age: 21 Age: 17 Age: 26 Resistances: None Resistances: None Resistances: None Resistances: None Immunities: None Immunities: None Immunities: None Immunities: None
Stats
Strength: 26
Agility: 23
Intelligence: 50
Charisma: 12
Mana: 1680/2700
Health: 33/2300
Stats
Strength: 52
Agility: 45
Intelligence: 10
Charisma: 8
Mana: 0/500
Health: 0/5200
Stats
Strength: 33
Agility: 34
Intelligence: 6
Charisma: 8
Mana: 300/300
Health: 3300/3300
Stats
Strength: 12
Agility: 23
Intelligence: 9
Charisma: 15
Mana: 450/450
Health: 1200/1200
Skills: Scan, Flame Wave, Fireball, Deathly Chill, Overseer, Raise Abomination, Summon Undead, Flame Strike
Skills: Assassination, Lethal Strike, Foresight
Skills: Crushing Blow, spoofer, Arcane Bolt, Ambush, Greater Heal, Flash Step
Skills: Fireball, Explosive Arrow
“You’ll pay for this!" Roslin screamed, her voice trembling with anger and fear.
Miller looked to Klaus. "Stay back. You're too low."
Klaus nodded.
Roslin activated Flash Step, her body becoming a blur as she closed the distance between herself and Adrien in the blink of an eye. Her daggers aimed directly for his throat, she unleashed Crushing Blow, channeling all her strength into the strike. Adrien who towered over them, didn’t bother to move. He simply stood there, letting her daggers strike his flesh. The blades connected, but to Roslin’s horror, they barely scratched the surface, the force of her blow completely absorbed by his hardened skin.
Roslin staggered back, disbelief washing over her as she realized just how outmatched they were. Miller, seeing Roslin’s attack fail, quickly joined the fray. He pulled back an arrow, imbuing it with magic. “Roslin, now!” he shouted, loosing the arrow directly at Adrien. The arrow flew, striking Adrien’s massive form, erupting in a small fiery explosion.
Adrien didn’t even flinch. The flames licked at his skin, but he stood unmoved. Their combined effort had only managed to sway his cloak slightly. Roslin, taking advantage of the brief distraction, prepared for another ambush, vanishing from sight.
She reappeared behind Adrien, aiming to strike him in the back with a surprise attack. But Adrien was toying with them. Without turning, he simply unfurled one of his massive wings, using it to swat her aside like an insect. His wing connected with her mid-strike, sending her hurtling through the air and crashing into the ground. “You think you can challenge me?” Adrien said, his eyes glowing ominously as he looked down at her crumpled form. “This is nothing more than a game, in which you are mere pawns.”
Miller, desperate to help, fired another Explosive Arrow, but Adrien’s sheer size and power rendered it ineffective. The arrow exploded harmlessly against his chest, not even singeing his cloak.
Adrien took a step forward, the ground trembling under his weight, his towering form and demonic wings casting an ominous shadow over the two of them. “You’re no match for me,” he said, his voice cold and devoid of emotion, as if their efforts were beneath his notice.
Roslin struggled to her feet, her body battered but her spirit unbroken. “We won’t give up… I won’t give up,” she growled, determination burning in her eyes.
Enemy Info: Klaus Reifner Enemy Info: Lucas Scrowfer (Deceased) Enemy Info: Roslin Scrowfer Enemy Info: Krentin Miller Level: 34 level: 43 level: 33 Level: 12
Race: Human
Class: Mage / Necromancer
Alignment: True Neutral +100
Race: Human
Class: Assassin
Alignment: True Neutral +100
Race: Human
Class: Assassin
Alignment: Lawful Good +200
Race: Human
Class: Ranger
Alignment: Chaotic Good +50
Family: All Deceased
Family: Elia Scrowfer (Mother / Deceased), Roslin Scrowfer (Sister), Grich Scrowfer (Father / Deceased)
Family: Elia Scrowfer (Mother / Deceased), Lucas Scrowfer (Brother / Deceased), Grich Scrowfer (Father / Deceased)
Family: All Deceased
Age: 15 Age: 21 Age: 17 Age: 26
Stats
Strength: 26
Agility: 23
Intelligence: 50
Charisma: 12
Mana: 1680/2700
This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.
Health: 33/2300
Stats
Strength: 52
Agility: 45
Intelligence: 10
Charisma: 8
Mana: 0/500
Health: 0/5200
Stats
Strength: 33
Agility: 34
Intelligence: 6
Charisma: 8
Mana: 150/300
Health: 2200/3300
Stats
Strength: 12
Agility: 23
Intelligence: 9
Charisma: 15
Mana: 250/450
Health: 1200/1200
Skills: Scan, Flame Wave, Fireball, Deathly Chill, Overseer, Raise Abomination, Summon Undead, Flame Strike
Skills: Assassination, Lethal Strike, Foresight
Skills: Crushing Blow, spoofer, Arcane Bolt, Ambush, Greater Heal, Flash Step
Skills: Fireball, Explosive Arrow
As Roslin struggled to her feet, her vision blurred from the pain coursing through her body, she glanced over at Miller. Despite his best efforts, she could see the fear in his eyes. Adrien was an unstoppable force, a demon who seemed to be toying with them, allowing them to fight only to crush their hopes in the end. “Is that all you have?” he taunted, his voice reverberating through the fortress. “You came to challenge me, and yet you've shown me nothing worthy of my time.”
Miller, his hands shaking slightly, nocked another arrow. “Don't let him get to you, Roslin,” he whispered, though his voice betrayed the doubt gnawing at him. “We have to keep fighting.”
Roslin gritted her teeth, the determination in her eyes burning brighter than the pain she felt. She couldn’t let her brother’s death be in vain. With a deep breath, she cast a healing spell, using what little mana she had left to close her wounds and regain some of her strength. The warm glow of the spell wrapped around her, mending her battered body ever so slightly.
As the healing magic surged through her, Roslin raised her daggers once more, her eyes locked on Adrien. “Miller, follow my lead!"
Miller nodded, drawing back his bowstring, readying another Explosive Arrow. He knew they had only one shot left—whatever they did next had to count.
Roslin lunged forward, her daggers aimed at Adrien’s midsection. This time, she didn’t aim to injure him but to distract him. As she approached, Adrien extended his massive hand to swat her away again, but Roslin anticipated the move. She rolled under his swing, closing the distance between them.
“Now, Miller!” she shouted.
Miller released his arrow, the explosive tip streaking through the air toward Adrien’s face. Adrien sneered, his wings closing around him like a shield. The arrow struck, yet the explosion was nothing more than a small gust of smoke. As the smoke settled, Adrien appeared unharmed, his wings unfolding once more.
With a roar, Roslin struck at Adrien’s exposed leg with all her might, using Crushing Blow. The attack connected, but Adrien’s thick skin absorbed the impact, and he barely seemed to notice. “You’re persistent,” Adrien said with a mocking chuckle. “But you must realize by now that your efforts are futile.”
Before Roslin could react, Adrien's magic grabbed hold of her body. He lifted her off the ground effortlessly. With his Dark Command, Adrien strangled Roslin, leaving her gasped for air, her vision darkening as the pressure increased. Miller, seeing Roslin in peril, fired a barrage of arrows at Adrien, but the demon didn’t even flinch. With his magic, Adrien sent Roslin crashing into a wall.
Enemy Info: Klaus Reifner Enemy Info: Lucas Scrowfer (DEAD) Enemy Info: Roslin Scrowfer Enemy Info: Krentin Miller Level: 34 level: 43 level: 33 Level: 12
Race: Human
Class: Mage / Necromancer
Alignment: True Neutral +100
Race: Human
Class: Assassin
Alignment: True Neutral +100
Race: Human
Class: Assassin
Alignment: Lawful Good +200
Race: Human
Class: Ranger
Alignment: Chaotic Good +50
Family: All Deceased
Family: Elia Scrowfer (Mother), Roslin Scrowfer (Sister), Grich Scrowfer (Father)
Family: Elia Scrowfer (Mother), Lucas Scrowfer (Brother / DEAD), Grich Scrowfer (Father)
Family: All Deceased
Age: 15 Age: 21 Age: 17 Age: 26
Stats
Strength: 26
Agility: 23
Intelligence: 50
Charisma: 12
Mana: 1680/2700
Health: 33/2300
Stats
Strength: 52
Agility: 45
Intelligence: 10
Charisma: 8
Mana: 0/500
Health: 0/5200
Stats
Strength: 33
Agility: 34
Intelligence: 6
Charisma: 8
Mana: 110/300
Health: 900/3300
Stats
Strength: 12
Agility: 23
Intelligence: 9
Charisma: 15
Mana: 150/450
Health: 1200/1200
Skills: Scan, Flame Wave, Fireball, Deathly Chill, Overseer, Raise Abomination, Summon Undead, Flame Strike
Skills: Assassination, Lethal Strike, Foresight
Skills: Crushing Blow, spoofer, Arcane Bolt, Ambush, Greater Heal, Flash Step
Skills: Fireball, Explosive Arrow
Adrien glanced down at Roslin and Miller, both battered and barely standing. His eyes glinted with amusement as he extended a hand, his fingers curling as if gripping something invisible. Adrien used his Dark Command once more, lifting Roslin, Miller, and Klaus into the air. They were immobilized by his sheer mastery of magic, left completely at his mercy.
Roslin gasped for air as the crushing grip tightened around her chest, her vision blurring from the pain. Miller’s bow slipped from his grasp, clattering to the ground far below as his limbs went numb. As for Klaus, his health had dropped so low that he finally fainted, his body hanging limply in the air.
"Kla...us.... Nooo...."
Adrien began to close his hand, the pressure around their bodies intensifying, squeezing the life out of them. Their faces twisted in agony, every breath a struggle as they hovered on the brink of death. “This is where it ends. For all of you.”
Just as he was about to crush them, a piercing scream cut through the heavy air. “Adrien, stop!”
The voice was desperate, filled with a hint of fear. Adrien’s hand paused, his grip halting just before the final blow could be dealt.
Alice had been hiding behind the rubble the entire time, her heart pounding in her chest as she watched the duel unfold. She had been too terrified to reveal herself, knowing the immense power Adrien wielded. Every clash, every dark command he issued sent shivers down her spine. But as she saw Roslin, Miller, and Klaus lifted into the air, their lives hanging by a thread, fear gave way to desperation. She knew she couldn’t stay hidden any longer.
Alice’s scream echoed off the stone walls, her voice trembling as she struggled to crawl to him. Adrien did not appear to be listening fully to her, still contemplating killing the three. “Please, Adrien, stop!” Alice cried out, her voice cracking as she pleaded with him. “Don’t do this! Let them go!”
Adrien’s gaze shifted slowly from his captives to Alice. His grip loosened ever so slightly, the pressure on Roslin, Miller, and Klaus easing enough for them to draw breath, though they remained suspended in the air. “You don’t have to do this, Adrien,” she whispered, her voice soft but firm. “Please… let them live.”
Adrien's eyes turned to Roslin and Miller. "I will offer the three of you a choice. pledge your eternal loyalties to me, and I will allow you worms to live."
Adrien’s eyes, cold and unfeeling, bore into Roslin as she spat out her final words. "You killed my brother, you—"
Before she could finish, Roslin’s body was crushed inwards. Blood sprayed in all directions, painting the ground with a gruesome pattern as her innards fell piece by piece. The horrific sight of Roslin’s dismembered remains confirmed what Alice had feared all along—Adrien was no mere demon; he was a true monster, an embodiment of evil who held no regard for life. Alice watched as her breath caught in her throat. Every instinct told her to run, to flee from this scene of carnage, but her legs not only refused but were also unable.
Adrien’s gaze shifted to Miller, who appeared paralyzed, his mind struggling to comprehend the nightmare before him. Roslin's blood pooled beneath him, and his wide, terrified eyes met Adrien’s. “Will you choose the same fate?” Adrien asked, his voice devoid of any emotion, as if the question was a trivial matter.
Miller’s thoughts spiraled into madness. This couldn’t be real. This was insanity, a waking nightmare. But the blood, the bodies, the cold stare of the demon before him—it was all too real. “I… I…” Miller stammered.
Before he could finish, Miller’s body crumpled inward with a horrifying squelch. Blood and organs splattered onto the cold stone floor, mixing with Roslin’s remains. Alice’s scream tore through the air, a sound of pure terror as she watched the gruesome death of the two.
Adrien’s gaze then fell on Klaus, the only one left alive. Klaus was still unconscious, unaware of the horror that was about to befall him. Adrien tightened his magical grip, ready to snuff out the last breath that Klaus took.
“ADRIEN WAIT!!” She said, her words tumbling over themselves in her desperation. “Klaus can—Klaus can raise undead! If you kill him, we’ll lose a valuable asset!”
Adrien paused, considering her words. His eyes flicked to Alice, who was shaking visibly, tears streaming down her face. She would say anything, do anything to stop him from killing Klaus, from taking another life. Adrien knew her too well. “And what use are the undead he summons to me?” Adrien asked, his voice cold and dismissive, as if her plea was a mere nuisance.
“They can be used to rebuild this fortress!” Alice said, her voice cracking with fear. “Please, Adrien! Don’t kill him!”
If anyone was suited to serve him, it would have been Klaus. The boy had skills that could be useful, perhaps even desirable, as a servant. Yet, it wasn’t Klaus who held Adrien’s interest. It was Alice. She was the one who had swayed him, who had stayed his hand when nothing else could.
He lowered Klaus to the ground, releasing him from his grasp. Alice’s breathing eased slightly, but the relief was fleeting. The image of Miller and Roslin’s lifeless bodies haunted her, a grim reminder of the cost of defying Adrien.
But then, Adrien’s attention turned fully to Alice. With a subtle motion, he lifted her from the ground using his magic, but this time, his magic was gentle, almost tender. She floated toward him, her body trembling not from the force of the magic, but from the intense fear that gripped her heart. As she was drawn closer, Adrien’s eyes locked onto hers, a gaze so penetrating that it seemed to see straight into her soul. “Alice do you still desire to be with me?”
If she said no, if she rejected him now, he would kill her. And her mind screamed at her to say no, to refuse this monster who had just shown her the full extent of his cruelty. But as much as she wanted to reject him, to run as far as she could from this nightmare, she found herself drawn in by it.
Her eyes trembled with fear as they met Adrien’s, those inhuman eyes that seemed to peer into the deepest corners of her mind. He gave her time to answer, a rare and terrifying gift, but she knew that time would offer no comfort. Lying wasn’t an option—he would see through any falsehood she tried to muster.
Adrien was a monster, that much was clear. He had killed without hesitation, without remorse. His actions were beyond cruel, a level of brutality that she had never imagined possible. It did not matter what she had to say. She was merely a hostage.
Yet a part of her did want to stay. The question was why she felt this way? Why, despite everything he had done, was there a part of her that wanted to remain by his side? It defied reason, defied every instinct that screamed for her to flee. But that small, irrational part of her held fast, refusing to let go. “I… I don’t know, Adrien. I don’t know how I feel about you.”
His gaze remained locked on hers, unblinking, as if he were waiting for something more, something she couldn’t yet articulate. Alice’s mind raced, torn between the horror of what she had witnessed and the inexplicable pull she felt toward him. She knew, deep down, that whatever she said next would determine her fate. The truth was, she didn’t know if she could ever love him, not after what he had shown her. But she also knew that she wasn’t ready to die, not yet.
“Adrien… I’m afraid... I'm afraid of your cruelty.”
"Cruelty?" Adrien questioned. "My actions here are more than justified. They attacked me first. You were here. You saw them."
Alice looked down at the ground, her emotions conflicting with one another "Even so, Adrien," she began, her voice wavering with uncertainty.
"I gave them a choice. They refused."
"Even so..." Alice muttered once more.
Adrien's eyes flashed with anger, his calm exterior cracking. "Even so!? They almost killed me, damn it!" he snapped. "Those arrows were crafted by your people to kill me! Do you not understand what that entails, Alice?! I am the one hunted here! These humans knew I would come, which means the elves knew as well! If you're going to blame me for cruelty do not overlook that of your own kind."
The arrows were indeed of elven craft—she had noticed it when they pierced him. But why? Why would the elven kingdom create so many high-tier weapons, designed specifically to kill him?
Adrien continued, his voice simmering with anger. "If I were to let these humans escape, even as a jest, they would surely inform the elves of what transpired here. They will come for my head and won’t relent until I am dead! And when they do, they will come for you as well! Until you are dead!"
Alice opened her mouth to respond, but the words caught in her throat. She understood perfectly the peril that Adrien was in, and by extension, the danger she faced too. The very fact that Adrien had stopped to consider her feelings, even for a moment, showed that he cared—at least, in his own way. He must have felt compelled to take such drastic action, however cruel it may have seemed to her.
Adrien’s anger was justified, in his mind at the very least; the threat against him was real. But the brutality he had displayed, the coldness with which he had killed Roslin, her brother, and Miller—those were actions she struggled to reconcile. Yet, here he was, standing before her, having spared Klaus because of her plea. There was a twisted logic in his actions, a dark necessity born from the world they lived in. Even so, the weight of what had happened bore down on Alice, leaving her uncertain of where she stood. "It... didn't have to end this way... You were toying with them... You played with their lives Adrien."
Adrien did not respond to her words. He watched Alice's tears run down her face. Adrien was so consumed by his rage that only now was able to truly hear Alice's voice. "Even now... you can't even say sorry can you?"
"I won't apologize for what I did. They made their choice the moment they came for me."
Alice and Adrien remained silent. Before long, Adrien spoke.
"Alice. Will you remain by me?"
Her eyes widened. "What... are you talking about?"
"So? Will you?"
"I will, Adrien."
"Stop it. Spare me your lies Alice."
"They are not lies!" she insisted. "I will stay with you, Adrien. But this cruelty you have... I saw the faint smile on your face when you were fighting. I know that, deep down, a part of you enjoys watching them suffer, and that scares me."
"You're telling a demon not to revel in cruelty? Isn't that, in itself, a cruel request? To deny me my very nature?"
"If we are to be together, Adrien... If what you told me is true, if there is even a shred of truth in your words—that you do love me—then you will find a way to control this... darkness within you. I cannot stay by your side if you continue down this path."
Adrien glanced toward the boy. "I gave them a choice."
Alice already knew the truth. "Adrien... We both know the truth. You killed them for your own amusement. But that has to change. Now."
His eyes shifted back to her. "I don't want to lose you, Adrien. But I can’t stand with you if you go down this path."
Adrien seemed troubled by her words; there lingered a part of him that desired her, a part of him that loved her, and even he could not fully grasp why. The words escaped his lips softly, almost as if they were pulled from somewhere deep within. "You're cruel, Alice."
Alice could see the conflict in his eyes, the turmoil that waged within him. The darkness that held on him loosened its grip. It was under the influence of such darkness that Adrien acted mercilessly. But the nightmare had already come to pass. Alice looked to Roslin, her brother, and Miller, all three of them killed in brutal ways. Yet despite all that...
"Adrien... I love you."
Upon her confession, Adrien's eyes widened. He was surprised, registering her words. He had a faint smile, but a sadness lingered behind his face. His towering form began to shrink, his body slowly returning to its original height. The dark, overwhelming presence that had enveloped him started to fade, the accursed magic that had gripped him loosening its hold. The worst of the storm that had raged within him began to recede, leaving a quiet, almost fragile stillness in its wake.
His wings, once vast and ominous, retracted. Adrien stood before her, no longer as the imposing force of evil, but as his calm, Adrien like self that Alice had grown fond of. With it, Alice fell into his arms, as they descended to the ground, the two looking into each other's soul. "I'm with you Adrien. You're not alone. We'll face whatever comes our way together."
"Together huh."
Adrien's eyes turned to the blood of Miller, Roslin, and Lucas beneath their feet.
Alice had managed to bear through the storm, but deep down, she was still terrified of Adrien. The raw power he displayed was unlike anything she had ever seen, a force so overwhelming it was both awe-inspiring and horrifying. Yet, however cruel it may have been, she couldn't deny the fascination it stirred within her. She hated to admit it to herself, trying to banish the thought, but there was something mesmerizing about the way he fought. He moved with such grace that it was almost as if he danced through the chaos, commanding it with an effortless charm.
She admired his strength, the sheer dominance he wielded over those who dared to challenge him. There was a part of her that was drawn to that power, a power that seemed untouchable, indomitable—one that did not know defeat. It was a paradox she struggled with, torn between the fear that gripped her heart and the strange admiration that quietly grew alongside it.
"For whatever it’s worth, Alice... I’m sorry... for all that I’ve done. For forcing you to remain by me."
The words slipped out of Adrien's mouth, a sorrow etched in his tone, similar to the one on his false smile. They hung in the air between them, heavy and raw. Alice’s breath caught in her throat, her eyes widening as the realization dawned on her—Adrien had actually said it.
For a moment, she couldn't believe what she was hearing. Adrien, a being who had taken lives without a second thought, was now admitting to something she hadn’t thought possible. He was capable of feeling guilt, of recognizing the darkness in his actions, even if only in the faintest sense.
But it wasn’t just the apology that shook her—it was the way he said it, the undercurrent of anguish in his voice, as if the words had been dredged up from a place he rarely dared to acknowledge. For all his power, all his cruelty, there was something vulnerable in that moment, something human. And that, more than anything, made her heart ache.
She didn’t know what to say. The monster she had feared, the one who had just torn through a group of highly skilled fighters without remorse, was standing before her, stripped of his invincible facade, if only for an instant. It wasn’t redemption, not by any stretch, but it was a step forward in the right direction. Though she remained unable to forgive him, she was now able to look beyond, with hope that Adrien would control himself more.
She knew it was an impossible task, but her words were true—she did love him. Yet, beneath that love, buried deep where even she feared to tread, was a part of her that was drawn to his darkness. It was a dangerous, unspoken truth she refused to acknowledge, a forbidden curiosity that tugged at the edges of her conscience. Perhaps that was why she was able to remain by him, to overlook his actions so easily.
Adrien wasn’t just a demon—he was something much more sinister. And as terrifying and twisted as it was, a part of her, hidden in the deepest recesses of her mind, longed to see it again. It was a fascination she could not explain, a dark allure that called to her, even as the rest of her soul recoiled in horror.
She perished the thought. "So, what happens now...?" She asked, looking up at him.
Adrien looked down.
"Let's get that medicine."
----------------------------------------
Adrien carried Alice in his arms as they made their way deeper into the fortress, leaving behind Klaus, his body sprawled on the cold stone floor in the wake of their departure. Adrien was now driven by a singular purpose: to find the hidden vaults within the fortress, the place where secrets lay buried beneath centuries of dust left forgotten.