The Damned Demon

The world around them seemed charged with energy as violet lightning crackled and lashed out across the skies, creating an awe-inspiring yet terrifying spectacle. Tornadoes, born of that same electrical fury, twisted and spun menacingly in the distance.

The two men, Victor and Arjun, stood on one of the myriad floating islands dotting this tumultuous landscape, the vastness of the skies and the chaos unfolding in them dwarfing their figures.

Victor, smiling with an assurance born out of knowledge, pointed out a seemingly safe pathway through the chaotic skies. "If you head in that direction," he began, gesturing with a hint of superiority, "my findings indicate that no creatures should be flying overhead at this time."

Arjun, casting a wary eye at the storm-ridden skies, nodded his thanks, "Thank you for the advice. Our alliance was mutually beneficial," he responded with a firm handshake, "I hope the path ahead favors you and your team."

With a nod and a charismatic smile, Victor replied, "May the angels guide you as well. Farewell."

The air grew heavier as Arjun and his team ventured further into the distance. They remained vigilant, every sense alert to the ever-present dangers lurking in this treacherous dungeon. But nothing could have prepared them for what came next.

*SCREEEECH!!*

A bone-chilling screech tore through the charged air just as they traveled a few kilometers. The team's expressions shifted from wariness to outright horror as they instinctively reached for their weapons.

But before they could brace themselves, a burst of the same violet lightning that decorated the skies slammed into them, scorching and throwing them backward.

Descending from the stormy heavens was a gargantuan creature, wreathed in arcs of violet lightning, its eyes glowing a demonic red.

The sight of a monster who was a mid-level Soul Devourer, one of the Elysium Skies's most feared entities, struck terror into the hearts of even the bravest hunters.

As the monster lunged, Arjun, desperation evident in his voice, activated his Whisper Stone. "Victor!" he cried out, his voice echoing with a mix of fear and anger, "We need help! Aarrgh!"

But Victor, standing at the same vantage point as before, looked on with cold detachment. A chilling smile crept onto his face, his arms crossed in a stance of indifference.

Despite the urgent pleas being transmitted through the stone, he made no move, letting the sounds of the battle and Arjun's desperate cries wash over him, as if they were nothing more than distant whispers carried away by the wind.

"What is going on?!"

Amelia's sudden appearance was like a gust of wind cutting through the stillness of Victor's cold indifference. Her breaths came in rapid succession, the weight of the scene before her pressing on her chest.

She looked frantically from the lightning monster's violent rampage to Victor's chillingly placid demeanor.

"Victor!" she cried out, her voice echoing the desperation and confusion she felt, "What are you doing?! Why aren't you helping?!"

Her eyes widened in horror as the dots connected, a realization dawning on her that she desperately wished was untrue, "It was you..." she whispered in disbelief, turning to face him, her eyes shimmering with a mix of shock and disgust, "You set them up...I saw you harvesting meat of that creature, the delicacy for Stormscream. You lured that monster towards them, didn't you?!"

Victor, his features set in an icy calm, slowly turned his head towards her.

His lips stretched into a smile that didn't reach his eyes, "Always buzzing around like a pesky bug," he sneered, annoyance evident in his voice.

Without warning, he closed the distance between them in a swift motion, fingers curling around Amelia's delicate neck. With alarming strength, he thrust her against a jutting rock, the thud echoing ominously.

"Agh!"

"You," he hissed, leaning close, his eyes reflecting a dangerous light, "have always been too perceptive for your own good."

Amelia, despite the vice-like grip constricting her airway, managed to summon the courage to glare back at him. Her voice, though strained, carried the weight of conviction, "You might have strength, but you're nothing more than a wretched coward. I'll expose you for the evil, disgusting thing you are, Victor."

The atmosphere grew heavier as Victor's laughter, eerie and unsettling, sliced through the tension, "I've warned you," he spat with venom, his lips curling into a malevolent grin, "time and time again not to test my patience. Fine…go ahead, expose me. But once you've pushed me to that point, I'll have nothing left to lose. And trust me, you'll regret dearly when that happens."

Amelia's heart raced, the implications of Victor's words dawning on her.

Her earlier bravado wavered, replaced by a creeping dread that what lay ahead might be even darker than what she'd already witnessed.

Stull, Amelia's gaze, defiant and filled with loathing, met Victor's malevolent eyes. Her voice trembled with emotion, but her conviction was unwavering, "You should have been the one crucified as a demon, a monster, inste—"

Victor's dark chuckle interrupted her, dripping with menace. He nonchalantly motioned to the beast wreaking havoc on Arjun's group, "Look," he said, his voice dripping with malice, "in this place, monsters rule. And if I have to be one to survive, then so be it."

His piercing gaze briefly shifted, a fleeting look of calculation passing over his face, "She's coming," he muttered, his voice laced with forewarning. He turned his attention back to Amelia, his voice deadly quiet, "Now, Amelia, it's your choice. You can play the fool or," his eyes glinted darkly, "you can find out the consequences of crossing me."

Before Amelia could react, Victor released her. She choked, gasping for breath and rubbing the tender skin of her neck. Her eyes, filled with tears and fury, remained on him.

From behind the rock formations, the sounds of hurried footsteps approached. Rachel, Yui, and Emiko burst onto the scene, their expressions a mix of worry and confusion.

Rachel's sharp eyes took in the unfolding chaos – Arjun's team desperately battling the terrifying Stormscream while Amelia quickly blinked her eyes as if to hide something and cleared her throat.

Breathing heavily, Rachel demanded answers, her gaze fixed on Victor, "I received their distress call. How is this happening, Victor? The skies should be clear of that monster at this time!"

Victor's voice conveyed regret as he let out a sad sigh, "I truly don't know why that beast decided to strike now," he lamented, his face a mask of concern, "Maybe it went rogue? These monsters are unpredictable."

Amelia's heart raced. She could sense the malice lurking beneath Victor's facade, and the weight of the truth was nearly unbearable.

However, the very aura emanating from him felt like a suffocating vice grip, ensuring she kept her silence.

With determined steps, she moved to Rachel's side, clutching her hand tightly, "We can't just stand here and watch," she exclaimed, her voice firm with conviction. "Together, we can take down that monster. We owe them that much."

Rachel's eyes darted from the ongoing chaos in the distance to Amelia's desperate plea. Her heart battled her logic as she took a shaky breath, eyes still fixed on the unfolding disaster, "Okay…We-"

Victor's voice sliced through the air, dripping with concern, "Think, Rachel. Charging in isn't just perilous. It's suicidal. Even if we somehow beat that creature, our resources are already strained. Weeks of conserving our supplies will be in vain if we get injured now. With the quest end nearing, we simply cannot risk everything...not with him still out there."

Amelia's vision blurred with tears of anger and frustration, seeing him repeatedly using Hellbringer's name to manipulate Rachel. There wasn't even much chance that Hellbringer even made it till here.

Her voice held a tremble as she countered, "Arjun and his team have done nothing but help us. They are good people. They've put themselves on the line more times than we can count. Can we really stand by and let them die?"

Victor's hand found Amelia's shoulder, his fingers digging in with force, attempting to squeeze the defiance out of her, "Amelia," he began, voice chillingly soft, "it's not about abandoning them. We must face our grim reality. We're on the precipice of a hard decision."

She gave a hollow scoff, her gaze turning to Rachel, searching her face for a hint of resolve, "Rachel," Amelia implored, her voice barely above a whisper, "Tell me...Are we really going to do nothing?"

A heavy silence blanketed the area. Rachel's eyes shimmered with unshed tears, her inner turmoil evident. Taking a deep, steadying breath, she finally spoke, her voice laden with regret, "Victor's right, Amelia. I-It's too dangerous, and we aren't prepared."

Amelia's words came out barely above a whisper, her voice tinged with deep disappointment, "Rachel..." Before anyone could react, Amelia's eyes flashed with a sharp resolve as she shook off Victor's hand, "I won't stand by and do nothing," she declared, her tone brimming with determination.

As if fueled by her own words, she bolted towards the chaos of the thunderstorm that the monster had caused.

Rachel's face paled, her eyes widening in horror, "Amelia, no!" she yelled, reaching out. But Victor caught her by the arm, holding her back, "Don't. It's too dangerous," he warned, his voice calm despite the urgency.

And as if to prove his words, a blinding streak of violet lightning descended, striking Amelia directly.

She was sent flying backward, her trajectory pointing near to the spot where Rachel and the others stood. Gasps of shock echoed around as Amelia's limp form hurtled towards the ground.

Emiko and Yui gasped, Yui's expression filled with concern as they reacted instantly, their powers manifesting as swirling gusts of wind. They manipulated these currents, cushioning Amelia's fall and guiding her gently back to the ground.

Rachel ran over, kneeling beside Amelia, who was half-conscious while Emiko and Yui were healing her, "Amelia," Rachel whispered, voice quaking, "why would you do something so... reckless?"

Even with a bloodied arm and visible pain etching her features, Amelia managed to lift herself up. With Yui and Emiko attending to her wounds, she locked eyes with Rachel, "This isn't right," she murmured, voice shaky but filled with conviction, "and deep down, you know it."

Rachel avoided Amelia's gaze, tears forming in her eyes, "We... we had no choice, Amelia," she responded softly, guilt evident in her tone, "I'm so sorry."

But before more could be said, Victor's voice, filled with surprise, interrupted, "Oh, look at that. They almost managed to defeat the monster. But I fear they might not have survived the encounter."

Everyone's gaze shifted in the direction Victor pointed. The thunderstorm was diminishing and weakening, signaling the end of the battle, and from this distance itself, they could see that the battlefield was scattered with signs of a fierce fight.

Rachel let out a muted sigh as she closed her eyes. Amelia's eyes, however, narrowed with contempt as she shot a venomous glare at Victor.

Victor didn't seem phased. His eyes gleamed with a devious light, "We should go check," he suggested, "finish off the monster if needed and... see if anyone's still breathing."

Rachel's eyes snapped open as she readily nodded, "Yes, we should…Maybe some of them might still be alive," Rachel held onto that hope, praying they wouldn't be too late.

Amelia's icy stare didn't waver. She could see through Victor's ploy.

In her mind, it was crystal clear. He was not concerned about the injured or the fallen. Arjun and his friends definitely died.

Since Victor was a S Rank, he could definitely see what happened over there, even if it was a couple of kilometers away.

He only cared about the spoils of the battle and, most importantly, the shards that Arjun's team possessed.

That was the only reason he did all this in the first place. He had planned everything by being a step ahead, including making Arjun and his friends uncomfortable by trying to haggle.

He knew they would choose to leave, allowing him to let his plan come to fruition.

She could almost feel his internal glee, his satisfaction at the potential riches within his grasp, and being a step closer to getting the Radem.

Once he gets that, then...the world will get a whole lot worse, and he will surely kill her before she can expose him and warn Rachel.

As Emiko and Yui helped her stand up, Amelia looked up at the skies, wishing a certain someone was here to save them.