The grand throne room of the Demon Castle echoed with the clashing voices of Phillip and the Demon Emperor.
Crimson torches cast flickering shadows across the obsidian walls, their flames flaring as the tension grew. The Demon Emperor’s crimson eyes burned with unrestrained fury as he stepped down from his towering throne, his massive form radiating power.
“You arrogant brat!” the Demon Emperor growled, his voice rumbling like thunder. “You dare to mock me in my own castle?”
Phillip Quinn smirked, his calm demeanor unshaken. “Why not? Your rule has come to end and I have the power to overthrow you.”
“Enough!” The Demon Emperor raised his clawed hand, black energy coiling around his fist like a serpent preparing to strike. “I will tear you limb from limb and feast on your remains, human!”
Before the attack could manifest, a chilling, wicked laughter echoed through the throne room. The sound echoed at every corner, sending shivers through all who heard it.
“HAHAHAHAHA!”
The laughter grew louder as the air itself seemed to ripple and distort. Suddenly, Phillip froze, his smirk replaced by shock as dark energy erupted from his chest.
The forbidden goddess spirit, bathed in shadowy light, emerged from Phillip’s body. Her form twisted and swirled like smoke, yet her presence was suffocating.
Her voice echoed as she stretched her ethereal form, arms spreading wide. “How long… how long have I been imprisoned in that wretched vessel? Ahhh… freedom smells so sweet.”
The Demon Emperor stumbled backward, his power faltering. “This… this aura… no! Impossible!”
The entire castle trembled. Dark energy seeped from the goddess like a storm cloud, spreading across the hall and cascading through the castle walls.
The demon guards, the demon kings, and even the Demon Emperor himself gasped as their legs buckled beneath them. One by one, they fell to their knees, their wills crushed under her immense power.
“The Forbidden Goddess of Death and Destruction…” the Demon Emperor choked out, bowing his head in terror.
Phillip, still stunned, tried to regain control. “Goddess, what are you doing?”
“Silence, vessel,” the goddess hissed, her smoky form turning to glare at him. “You are but a pawn. I will take what I need.”
Suddenly, the ground beneath them shook violently. From the depths of the castle’s underground treasury, an explosion rocked the foundations. Stone and debris burst upward as a powerful artifact emerged—a dagger in the length of an arm, glowing with a dark aura. Its hilt bore the twisted, grinning face of a cruel, metal face with razor-sharp teeth.
“There it is… my vessel.” The goddess’s spirit swirled toward the hovering dagger. “Finally, a form worthy of my power!”
With a final, triumphant laugh, the goddess’s smoky form surged into the dagger. The weapon pulsed with life, its face contorting as it grinned wickedly. The room fell silent as the dagger floating ominously in the air, it’s dark light spreading across the chamber.
The Demon Emperor, now kneeling before the dagger, gritted his teeth. “M-Mighty Goddess… we welcome your return!”
The dagger hovered closer, its cruel face grinning wider. A voice echoed from the weapon, smooth and mocking. “Welcome me? Of course, you will. You have no choice.”
The Demon Emperor’s pride crumbled further as he lowered his head. “Forgive us, great goddess! Grant us your mercy!”
The dagger’s laugh echoed wickedly. “Mercy? How delightful. I don’t recall demons begging so easily before. Have you grown soft, Demon Emperor?”
“No!” a deep voice suddenly called. One of the Demon Elders, a wrinkled figure with horns protruding from his skull, crawled forward on his knees. “Oh, mighty goddess! Your return brings hope to the demon race! You shall lead us to glory!”
The other demons followed suit, bowing and chanting loudly:
“Glory to the Forbidden Goddess! Long live our savior!”
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The dagger pulsed with pleasure, the goddess’s voice rising. “Ah, such sweet devotion. It’s been far too long.” Her voice then turned sharp. “Very well. Since you’ve shown me reverence, I will grant you a favor. Speak, my loyal servants. What do you desire on this joyous day of my freedom?”
The Demon Elder didn’t hesitate. “Mighty goddess, we beg you to take vengeance for our fallen prince! A human from the lower realms killed the Demon Emperor’s son! We ask you to destroy him!”
The other demons began chanting in unison: “Kill the human! Kill the human!”
Phillip, who had been watching silently, suddenly burst out laughing. The demons turned to him with confused glares as his mocking voice echoed across the chamber.
“Hmmhh! Is this what the great Demon Emperor has been reduced to? Asking a goddess to kill a human for him? How pathetic!”
The Demon Emperor’s eyes blazed with fury as he clenched his fists. “You dare mock me, human?!”
Phillip stepped forward, a mocking grin on his face. “Oh, I dare. A demon prince killed by a human? And the mighty Demon Emperor can’t even avenge his own blood? How embarrassing.”
The demon emperor raised his fist to attack.
“ENOUGH!” the goddess’s voice roared, shaking the castle walls. The Demon Emperor fell back to his knees, his power useless before the goddess. “Phillip, do not overstep your bounds.”
The dagger floated forward, its wicked face leering at the Demon Emperor. “I will not accept weaklings in my service. First, you will kill this human and bring me his head. Only then will you have my favor.”
The demons roared in approval, their voices echoing like thunder. “Death to the human! Death for glory!”
The goddess’s voice softened into a mockingly sweet tone. “And one more thing—this Phillip, my loyal vessel, shall be your godson. Treat him as your Demon Prince and future Emperor.”
The Demon Emperor’s face turned pale. He glanced at Phillip, hatred simmering in his crimson eyes.
Phillip smirked. “Did you hear that… Godfather? You’re stuck with me now.”
The Demon Emperor’s claws dug into the stone floor, but he bowed his head reluctantly. “As you command, mighty goddess.”
Phillip stepped closer, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Godfather, what is that human name?
“KENT…”
“What!? Did you say the human’s name is Kent?”
The Demon Emperor growled, his words strained. “Yes. His name is Kent. He wields a half drop of godly intent, and an old man with three drops of demon intent travels with him now.”
Phillip’s mocking demeanor faltered. His eyes widened slightly as he stumbled back a step. “What… did you just say?”
The Demon Emperor sneered, sensing Phillip’s shock. “You heard me. Kent. The one you called weak.”
For a brief moment, Phillip’s mind spun. ‘Kent? Him? That thorn in my side again?’ He hadn’t expected his enemy to be capable of killing the Demon Emperor’s son. The realization stung.
Recovering quickly, Phillip straightened and smiled coldly. “Godfather, allow me to make a request. Since Kent is my enemy as well, I would like his head as a gift to honor our new bond.”
The goddess’s voice echoed, amused. “Ah, so the boy Kent has made many enemies. How entertaining.”
Phillip’s gaze darkened as he looked at the dagger. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure he pays for everything.”
“Good,” the goddess purred. “Now go, my servants. Bring me Kent’s head, and let the world tremble at my return!”
The demons roared in approval, their cries shaking the castle as Phillip stood tall, his eyes filled with deadly resolve.