Zephyr's heart pounded as he took in the chaos unfolding in the arena. The twisted symbol of the demons loomed high above, casting a menacing shadow over the stadium. All around him, students and spectators alike fought desperately to evade the swarm of demons pouring through a portal at the far end. Dark-robed figures moved through the stands, releasing waves of ominous magic and dragging fleeing students back toward the growing darkness.

Beside him, Rhyssa's face was set in grim determination, her hand clutching her twin daggers, flames flickering along their blades in anticipation. She shot him a quick, fierce look. "That's a demon mark, isn't it?" Her voice was steady, but Zephyr could hear the intensity in it.

"Yeah," he replied tersely. "And it's not a drill."

He glanced back at their group—Gregor, Lira, and Sylas—each gripping their weapons tightly, their faces mirroring the same mix of fear and readiness. "We stick together," Zephyr commanded, his tone leaving no room for argument. "We're getting out of here and making a run for the exit. We have to move fast and stay sharp."

With a nod, they pushed forward, weaving through the mass of panicked students. Demons prowled the stands, snarling and lunging at anyone in reach, their claws slicing through the stone and wood of the seating like it was nothing. Zephyr felt the familiar surge of his wind magic rise within him, and he focused on channeling it to clear a path, swirling gusts buffeting aside any demon too close for comfort.

Rhyssa moved to his side, her daggers at the ready, each blade ignited with a fierce, orange flame. A demon lunged toward them, but with a deft swipe of her blazing dagger, she cut it down, the flames consuming its body as it disintegrated into ash. She didn't pause, falling into step beside Zephyr as they made their way toward the exit.

"Watch your left!" Rhyssa called out, flicking one dagger to throw a burst of flame toward a demon closing in. The fire struck it head-on, and it reeled back, snarling as the flames licked up its twisted form.

Zephyr raised his hand, focusing his magic into a concentrated gale that pushed the creature back, sending it sprawling into a nearby pillar where it collapsed. "Good call," he said, casting her a quick look of gratitude before turning his attention back to the path ahead.

As they neared a group of students cornered by another cluster of demons, Zephyr didn't hesitate. He called on his wind magic, creating a powerful gust that sent the demons stumbling back, their twisted forms unable to stand against the force. "Get moving!" he shouted to the students. "Head for the exit and stay together!"

Gregor fell into formation behind Zephyr, his shield raised and ready to deflect any attacks. Sylas swung his sword with precision, each strike forcing back any demons that ventured too close. Rhyssa moved gracefully beside them, her flame-coated daggers dancing through the air as she cut down any creature that threatened their path. She didn't waste any movement, her flames consuming each demon that dared approach.

"Zephyr, more coming from the right!" Lira shouted, her voice barely carrying over the noise of the battle.

Zephyr turned, summoning a wall of wind that surged forward, knocking the approaching demons off balance. "Let's keep moving!" he ordered, motioning for his group to push through the brief opening. "Exit's close, and we need to get everyone out before this gets worse."

Just as they made it halfway to the exit, a hulking demon loomed in their path, towering over the students it was pursuing. Zephyr didn't hesitate—he channeled his wind magic through his legs, launching himself forward in a burst of speed, his sword raised. With a mighty swing, he brought his blade down, the power of his wind-infused strike slicing through the demon's thick hide. It let out a furious roar, stumbling back as Rhyssa followed up, her daggers ablaze as she struck the creature's exposed side.

The demon staggered, its body consumed by flames as Zephyr's wind whipped around it, fanning the blaze. The beast collapsed, disintegrating into ash.

"Everyone, keep moving!" Zephyr urged, rallying the students who had stopped to watch. "We're almost there!"

They broke into a sprint, moving as one unit as they dodged through the remaining chaos. Demons snarled and clawed at them from every side, but Zephyr's gusts kept them at bay, and Rhyssa's flames cut down any that managed to get close.

Finally, the exit loomed ahead, its archway clear, though the sounds of battle and chaos echoed behind them. As they passed through, Zephyr spared a quick glance back, a fierce resolve hardening within him as he saw the demon-marked sky and the dark-robed attackers still sowing havoc within the arena. He would return, but for now, his priority was to get his team and any other students to safety.

They didn't stop until they were well beyond the arena's boundary. Zephyr turned, taking a deep, steadying breath as he looked over his team, each member alive, albeit shaken.

Rhyssa's flame had dimmed, but her fierce determination had not. She gave Zephyr a nod, meeting his gaze. "Let's get everyone to safety bunkers," she said, a steel edge to her tone. "And then we find out what we're up against."

With a shared look of resolve, they turned, leading their group further from the chaos, their minds already set on their next steps.

The group pressed forward, catching their breath as they crossed the boundary of the arena, thinking they had gained some distance from the horrors behind them. But their reprieve was short-lived. A figure stepped out from the shadows ahead of them, tall and cloaked in darkness. Unlike the twisted, mindless demons they had fought in the arena, this creature moved with an eerie grace, its form nearly human, save for the crimson eyes and jagged, coal-black armor that clung to its body like a second skin.

Zephyr halted, instinctively moving in front of his group, his hand tightening on his sword. "Everyone, stay back," he whispered, his voice tense. "This one's different."

The creature tilted its head, a slow, mocking smile spreading across its face. "Going somewhere?" it purred, its voice a deep, guttural rumble that sent chills down their spines.

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Without waiting, Rhyssa darted forward, her daggers ablaze as she launched a volley of fire strikes toward the demon. Zephyr joined her, channeling his wind magic to amplify the flames, creating a roaring inferno that engulfed the creature. Lira, Sylas, and Gregor followed suit, bombarding the demon with their own magic, a furious onslaught of flame, lightning, and piercing strikes. Dust and ash filled the air as the group threw everything they had into the assault, the combined power of their attacks roaring in their ears.

For a moment, silence fell, the air thick with the aftermath of their combined spells. Zephyr's chest heaved as he steadied his blade, squinting through the smoke.

Then, a laugh cut through the quiet—a low, dark chuckle. The dust cleared, revealing the demon, entirely unscathed save for a thin trickle of blood at the corner of its mouth. It wiped it away with a casual flick of its clawed hand, smirking as it looked them over. "Cute," it said, voice dripping with disdain. "Now… my turn."

With a burst of speed that none of them could track, the demon closed the distance to Lira, its clawed hand flashing forward. Lira tried to raise her staff in defense, but it was too late; the demon struck her down with a single swipe, her body crumpling to the ground, unmoving.

"No!" Gregor shouted, raising his shield and charging forward, his face contorted with fury. He slammed into the demon, managing to push it back a few paces, but it merely laughed, its grip tightening around his shield. With an effortless twist, it shattered the shield, sending Gregor staggering backward. Before he could react, the demon's hand shot out, slashing across his chest. He stumbled, gasping in pain before he, too, fell to his knees, clutching his wound as the light dimmed from his eyes.

Sylas took a step back, fear written across his face as he raised his sword, his body trembling. Zephyr shouted, "Sylas, don't let it get to you—"

But the demon was already in front of Sylas, its movements almost a blur. It reached out, lifting him by the throat with a mocking grin. "Is this all you have to offer?" it sneered, tightening its grip until Sylas's sword clattered to the ground. With a swift motion, it tossed him aside, his body landing in a heap next to Lira and Gregor.

Zephyr's heart hammered in his chest as he glanced at Rhyssa, the two of them the last standing. He could see the grim determination in her eyes, flames still licking at her daggers. He took a steadying breath, raising his sword as he channeled every ounce of wind magic he could muster, surrounding himself with a swirling vortex.

"Rhyssa, we need to hit it together," he said, his voice low but resolute.

She nodded, the fierce firelight reflecting in her gaze. "Then let's make it count."

They rushed forward, Zephyr's wind magic surging around them as Rhyssa's flames blazed brighter, the two elements combining as they struck at the demon with everything they had. Zephyr's sword sliced through the air, each strike backed by a furious gale, while Rhyssa's daggers were twin blazes of orange light, their strikes punctuated by the roar of flame.

But the demon matched their blows with terrifying ease, its movements fluid and almost bored as it blocked, parried, and dodged each attack. With a feral grin, it deflected Zephyr's sword, sending him off balance, and turned to face Rhyssa. She lunged, her dagger aimed for its throat, but the demon sidestepped, grabbing her wrist and twisting it painfully until she gasped in pain, the flames around her weapon sputtering out.

Before Zephyr could regain his stance, the demon flung Rhyssa to the ground, pinning her there with one foot as it turned its cold, mocking gaze toward him.

The demon's claws hovered over Rhyssa's throat, a cruel smile spreading across its face as it pressed its foot harder against her chest. She struggled, fury and defiance blazing in her eyes even as her strength began to wane. The demon tilted its head, savoring the moment, its gaze dancing over her fear.

Just as it raised its clawed hand to strike, Zephyr called out, his voice steady, hiding the desperation he felt. "Wait!" he shouted, lowering his sword, his hands open in surrender. "Stop. I… I'll make you a deal."

The demon's hand stilled, its head snapping toward Zephyr, eyes narrowing with interest. A smirk twisted its mouth as it straightened, lifting its foot off Rhyssa's chest, though it kept a menacing claw pointed in her direction. "A deal?" it drawled, amusement dancing in its dark gaze. "You think you have something I'd want, little wind mage?"

Zephyr took a steadying breath, stepping closer, his mind racing for anything he could use to save Rhyssa. "Yes," he said firmly. "You must have something in mind—some favor, some task you need done. In exchange… you let her go."

The demon chuckled, its gaze flicking between him and Rhyssa with mock pity. "Why should I bargain with a weakling like you when I could just take what I want?" it sneered, but there was a flicker of interest in its eyes, a hint that it was willing to listen.

Zephyr squared his shoulders, keeping his tone calm. "Because you've already seen what we're capable of," he replied, gesturing to the burnt, broken landscape around them. "And I don't think you're in this fight for a quick kill. You want something more than that."

The demon's grin widened, its head tilting as it studied him. "Go on," it murmured, clearly intrigued.

He glanced at Rhyssa, who lay gasping on the ground but met his gaze with silent, fierce determination. "In exchange for her freedom, I'll serve you," Zephyr said, the words spilling out before he had a chance to second-guess them. "I'll do whatever you need, follow whatever command you give, as long as it's in my power to do so."

The demon's eyes glittered with amusement as it considered this. "Interesting," it mused, tapping a claw against its chin in mock thought. "A wind mage at my beck and call… and one with a spark of boldness too." It took a step closer to him, its voice dropping to a whisper. "Tell me, little Zephyr, what will you do if I ask you to betray your friends? To forsake the very people you fight to protect?"

Zephyr's face hardened, but he held the demon's gaze without flinching. "If it means saving her life," he replied, glancing at Rhyssa, "then I'll do what it takes. Just say the terms."

The demon let out a low, satisfied chuckle, clearly savoring the struggle it saw in his eyes. It reached out, laying a clawed finger under his chin, lifting his face to meet its piercing gaze. "Very well," it purred, eyes gleaming with malevolent delight. "Your life, your loyalty… for her freedom. She leaves, unharmed, if you swear yourself to me."

Rhyssa's eyes widened as she struggled to rise. "Zephyr, don't!" she rasped, her voice thick with urgency. "We'll find another way—"

"Quiet," the demon snapped, casting a contemptuous glance down at her. "This isn't your choice to make, little flame." With a wicked smirk, it traced a claw in the air, casting a faint violet shimmer over Rhyssa. Her eyes fluttered, and she slumped into unconsciousness, her breathing even and calm. A mark appeared on her arm, a dark, coiling serpent that pulsed with an ominous energy.

The demon's smirk widened, satisfied. "A promise, then. Bind it in blood, and your friend may live." It extended a claw, nicking his hand just enough to draw blood, its own clawed hand mingling with his.

The bond formed, a dark and unnatural energy flaring between them as the demon's magic entwined with Zephyr's. It leaned close, whispering in his ear, "You belong to me now."

"She'll sleep peacefully now," the demon said with a mocking lilt. "And that mark will keep the others from disturbing her. A courtesy, considering our agreement."

Zephyr's jaw tightened, but he held back any response, his focus solely on Rhyssa as he knelt beside her. Gently, he lifted her, moving her to the base of a nearby tree, propping her carefully against its sturdy trunk. He brushed a stray lock of hair from her face, his heart heavy as he took in her peaceful expression.

Standing, he turned back to the demon, his expression resolute. "Now… what do you want from me?"

The demon chuckled, as it regarded him with gleeful anticipation.