The cold night air clung to Gershion’s skin as he ventured deeper into the core. His senses were heightened, every flicker of movement, every shift in the shadows registering with stark clarity. The terrain beneath him shifted from jagged rocks to blackened soil, as if some ancient force had scorched the earth long ago, leaving behind a wasteland of ruin.
This was no ordinary section of the Genesis portal. Gershion could feel the shift in the air—a dark, oppressive energy creeping through the atmosphere, seeping into the ground beneath his feet. It wasn’t like the aura of the beasts that typically roamed here. This was something far more dangerous.
Demons.
The word rang in his mind like a distant echo, chilling him to the bone. He knew the different classifications of beasts—monsters, magical beasts, spiritual beasts, legendary beasts, and divine beasts. Each was dangerous in its own right, but demons were something else. They were creatures from the Dark Realm, beings that didn’t belong in the Light Realm at all.
Demons hailed from a realm sealed off by divine will. They were rare, almost mythological to celestials, only entering the Light Realm through dark portals—rifts that linked the realms of light and shadow. These portals were nearly impossible to open, requiring immense corruption and power. But when they did, they became doorways to chaos and destruction.
And now, it seemed, such a portal had been opened deep within the core of the Genesis portal.
It was no wonder the celestials hadn’t sensed it. The core of the Genesis portal was far too dangerous for any celestial below the rank of archangel to explore. The beasts that roamed here were already on the verge of becoming magical and legendary, far too strong for most celestials to handle. The portal’s dark energy had hidden the rift from detection, leaving it untouched for who knows how long.
But Gershion could feel it. He could sense the dark presence lurking beyond, a gift from the Shadow of the Almighty that dwelled within him. This shadow, a divine essence he had carried unknowingly for so long, had allowed him to detect the corruption from the Dark Realm that no other celestial could perceive.
Demons are here.
Gershion pressed deeper into the core, his heart steady but his thoughts racing. The terrain grew more hostile, jagged rocks twisting into bizarre, unnatural formations, as if the earth itself had been warped by the foul energy seeping through the portal. A thick fog hung low in the air, saturated with malevolent intent.
Suddenly, a low, guttural chant reached his ears. The sound reverberated off the rocks and dark structures around him, chilling him further. He approached cautiously, hand resting on the hilt of his sword, as he drew nearer to the source of the ominous sound. The outline of a large, twisted figure appeared in the distance—a massive demon, surrounded by smaller, grotesque creatures. They were gathered near a shimmering rift, the very portal Gershion had come to find.
The large demon, a hulking brute with horns curling from its forehead and glowing red eyes, turned to face him. Its deep, guttural voice rumbled through the air. “Ah, another fool from the Light Realm,” it sneered. “Come to witness your world’s demise?”
Its minions snarled in unison, their red eyes glowing brighter as they turned toward Gershion. These were the creatures of the Dark Realm, demons that thrived in corruption and chaos. Somehow, they had crossed over into the Genesis portal’s core, growing stronger from the dark energy spilling out of the portal.
Gershion’s grip on his sword tightened. “I didn’t come here to watch,” he said, his voice steady. “I came to send you back to the shadows.”
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The demon chuckled, a dark, sinister laugh that echoed through the chamber. “Bold words for a celestial,” it growled. “But the Light Realm is crumbling, and soon it will be consumed by darkness. You’re just another lost soul trying to delay the inevitable.”
Without warning, the lesser demons charged. Clawed hands reached for Gershion, their snarls filling the air as they attacked in a frenzy. But Gershion was ready. His sword flashed with celestial light as he cut through the first wave of demons, his body moving with precision and speed he hadn’t known before.
The Shadow of the Almighty pulsed within him, fueling his movements, his strength, and his resolve. For the first time, he understood the true nature of the shadow. It didn’t just allow him to sense the demons—it was a conduit, a link between him and the darkness. It drew the demons to him, but it also gave him the power to fight them.
With each swing of his blade, more demons fell, their bodies turning to ash before they could even hit the ground. And with every kill, Gershion felt something strange—like a pull from the dark portal itself. He could sense the energy flowing through it, and to his shock, he realized he could draw from it.
He hesitated for only a moment, feeling the power of the portal tugging at him, beckoning him to take it in. Then, as another wave of demons descended upon him, he reached out—not physically, but with his essence—and allowed himself to tap into the dark energy.
A rush of power surged through him, unlike anything he had ever felt before. It was cold, sharp, and intoxicating. But it also came with control. Gershion harnessed the energy, letting it blend with his celestial power, amplifying his strength. His strikes became faster, sharper, and more devastating.
ALERT: Title change initiated. Demonic Archangel.... 10%.
The system alert rang in his mind as he continued fighting. The mere act of drawing power from the dark portal had triggered a response, and for the first time, Gershion saw a new title bestowed upon him: Demonic Archangel. His very essence had shifted, a melding of celestial and dark energies.
But Gershion had no time to contemplate the implications. The lesser demons were no match for him now. They crumbled into dust with every swing, leaving only the large demon standing before him, its eyes burning with fury.
“You’ve destroyed my minions,” it snarled, stepping forward, dark flames swirling around its hands. “But you’ve made a grave mistake, celestial. You’ve tasted the power of the Dark Realm, and now it will consume you.”
Gershion stood his ground, his sword gleaming with a mixture of celestial and dark energy. “No,” he said calmly. “I control it. And now, I’ll use it to end you.”
The demon roared, unleashing a torrent of dark flames in a desperate attempt to overpower Gershion. But Gershion moved faster, dodging the attack and closing the distance between them in a single, fluid motion. His blade slashed through the demon’s defenses, cutting deep into its flesh.
The demon let out a monstrous howl as dark energy poured from the wound, its body writhing in agony. But even as it weakened, the demon drew more power from the portal, trying to regenerate.
Gershion could see what was happening. The portal was feeding the demon, keeping it alive. If he didn’t destroy the portal, more demons would come through, and the fight would never end.
With a final surge of strength, Gershion leaped into the air, bringing his sword down with all his might. The blade pierced the demon’s chest, shattering the connection between it and the portal. The demon let out one last, bloodcurdling scream as it collapsed, its body disintegrating into ash.
ALERT: Title change initiated. Demonic Archangel. 50%
Another system alert flashed before Gershion’s eyes as the demon died, confirming what he already knew. He had absorbed part of the demon’s essence, gaining a new source of power. But the consequences of wielding such energy were still unknown.
Gershion stood over the fallen demon, breathing heavily, but he knew the battle wasn’t over yet. The dark portal was still open, its ominous glow pulsing with malevolent energy.
He could feel the pull of the dark power again, stronger this time. He could draw more from it, but he knew the risk. The portal was a doorway to the Dark Realm, and if he didn’t stop it now, something far worse would come through.
With renewed determination, Gershion set his sights on the portal. It was time to close the rift—and end this threat once and for all.