The Damned Demon

The air was shaking with anticipation and schadenfreude as the draconians gathered around the ominous Tower of Torment.

They eagerly awaited the spectacle of the Bloodburn King emerging in a soulless state, reduced to the shell of the man he once was. It was quite amusing to think that soon, he would be returning to the state he once was in.

The crowd buzzed with excitement, their voices a cacophony of mockery and cruel laughter as they thought about that.

The Tower of Torment itself loomed over the scene like a dark sentinel. Its massive structure, crafted from a stone that was as black as night and that absorbed the light around it, reached toward the sky in a twisted spire.

Sinister lines glowed faintly across its surface, casting eerie shadows on the ground. 

The very air around the tower seemed to pulse with a malevolent energy, and the towering entrance door promised nothing but despair and madness to those who simply stared at it.

Among the crowd, the princes and princesses of the Draconis Kingdom stood in their exclusive area, their laughter and jests cutting through the air. 

More than a hundred consorts of their king were also seated on another platform, lost in similar conversations.

They delighted in the impending downfall of their mortal enemies, speculating with glee how the alien king would be the first bloodburn king to succumb to such a pathetic state.

Rhygar stood apart on an elevated platform, his eyes scanning the crowd and the tower with an air of superiority. He was eagerly anticipating the arrival of his mother to witness the climax of this event.

Then, the moment the crowd had been waiting for began to unfold. Asher and his entourage made their way through the throng, their arrival drawing a surge of noise from the crowd. 

Whispers, jeers, and taunts followed their every step, but Asher's demeanor remained composed, unfazed by the hostility that surrounded him.

Leonidas couldn't help but feel like smacking the shit out of these assholes. Some of them were even blatantly throwing insulting remarks at him, because of his lineage.

Most of these assholes can't even take him on, and yet they were thick-skinned enough to mock them.

Most of them in the crowd had no problem throwing remarks at Leonidas, Caelum, Silvan, and Oberon.

However, when their gazes met the tall, armored guard walking in front of the bloodburn king, they felt their spines pulsing with a chilling sensation, causing them to swallow whatever they were about to say.

And when their eyes met those of Lady Valentine, they were stumped by her elegance and beauty that subtly encompassed her powerful aura and couldn't bring themselves to say anything bad.

The atmosphere shifted as a majestic figure descended from the skies.

Everyone kneeled as Queen Consort Lysandra landed gracefully on the platform, the folding sound of her majestic dark silver wings silencing the crowd. Even the other consorts of King Drakar had to bow to her whether they liked it or not. Their status was nothing compared to hers.

Rhygar bowed respectfully, and his face lit up upon seeing his mother. The elegant sleeveless red attire she was wearing wouldn't look more perfect on anyone else. She only seems to look more devastating with the passing of each day.

However, he furrowed his brows upon noticing her face.

It was unlike her to appear so distracted, especially in a moment she should be feeling good about, "Mother, is something troubling you? Can I be of any assistance?" he inquired, his voice carrying a hint of worry.

Lysandra, momentarily lost in her thoughts, regained her composure and shook her head slightly. 

She briefly closed her eyes as if to dispel any lingering distraction, "I just want this to be over with quickly," she responded, her voice carrying a tone of weariness uncharacteristic of her usual poised demeanor.

Rhygar offered her a sly smile, trying to lighten the mood, "Of course, everyone wants that. And you can take joy in the fact that when Asher comes out, he'll be nothing more than an empty shell," he said confidently, expecting a typical response from her.

However, Lysandra's reaction was subdued. She narrowed her eyes but remained silent, an unusual restraint for her. 

At that moment, Asher turned around, locking eyes with Lysandra and offering her a smile. 

This unexpected interaction caught Rhygar off guard, filling him with a sense of indignation. How dare this alien regard his mother in such a manner?

If only he had the permission, he would have bludgeoned him to death right there and then.

But before Rhygar could think further, his mother turned and walked away, taking her seat without further interaction. 

This departure from her usual assertive presence left Rhygar feeling unsettled. Something was amiss, but he couldn't quite pinpoint what it was.

The crowd's attention was suddenly diverted as a powerful gust of wind swept across the gathering, heralding the arrival of their King Drakar. All eyes turned to witness the king's descent before the Tower of Torment.

Asher, composed and resolute, approached Drakar, who stood imposingly before the entrance of the Tower of Torment. 

The towering structure loomed ominously, and the closer one got to it, the more they would feel terrified.

However, it only made Asher feel even more determined to overcome this challenge.

"Are you ready, King Asher?" Drakar inquired, his gaze momentarily shifting to the tower's foreboding entrance.

"I am. The question is, are you ready to drop any allegations against my kingdom once I am done with this? I am taking it that you have already prepared it in writing," Asher replied, his eyes narrowed with a mix of determination and caution.

Drakar responded with a slight curl of his lips, a subtle display of amusement, "You don't have to worry. I have made a public declaration, so I can't go back on my word. But I forgot to mention... you can take someone along with you into the tower. The tower allows it, though nobody knows why," he revealed.

"Eh? The tower allows that? Then does that mean that one of us can accompany His Majesty?" Leonidas murmured, his voice a mixture of surprise and curiosity.

Oberon, on the other hand, felt a chill run down his spine. The thought of being dragged into the tower by this sadistic fiend, potentially to share in a grim fate, filled him with dread. He trembled slightly, his mind racing with fear and speculation.

Surprised by the revelation, Asher sought clarity, "What purpose does it serve to allow someone else inside?" he asked, trying to gauge the true intent behind this rule.

Drakar responded with narrowed eyes, "Don't think that the second person can help you clear the tower. You alone must complete it. The reason why the tower allows an accompaniment is a mystery and is entirely optional," he explained.

Asher's expression grew more intense as he inquired, "And if I fail, does the second person also end up soulless?"

"No," Drakar shook his head, dispelling that concern, "They won't be affected in that way since they aren't the ones challenging the tower. However, should you fail, they will not remember anything that happened inside the tower. They will be as they were when they entered. But I am not going to offer any guarantees."

Oberon felt relieved upon hearing that. Just the thought of ending up soulless was too terrifying to imagine. If he doesn't even hesitate to torture him while he is still conscious, he can't imagine what that crazed fiend would do to him in that state.

Still, who would trust a draconian's word at face value, especially their king?

"So, are you going in alone, or will you take someone with you?" Drakar probed, his gaze fixed on Asher.

Asher pondered the decision, weighing the implications. Drakar's nonchalance suggested no hidden agenda, making him feel in a dilemma.

At that moment, Eradicator stepped forward and offered, "If you wish, allow me to accompany you, Your Majesty."

Asher turned around to look at Eradicator and wasn't surprised.

Leonidas and Caelum, who were initially poised to volunteer, but decided not to when Eradicator stepped up. 

"If you may allow it, I would like to accompany you, Your Majesty," Naida suddenly stepped forward with a light smile, her voice steady, her eyes fixed on Asher. The surrounding ones, including Leonidas and Caelum, looked at her with a blend of surprise and respect. 

They exchanged glances, realizing that they underestimated her commitment to the crown.

Naida's sudden offer to accompany him also took Asher by surprise.

Asher took a moment to absorb the situation, a dilemma evident on his face. He had anticipated going into the tower alone, prepared to face whatever challenges lay ahead by himself. 

However, having someone to join him can't make things worse.

Eradicator turned slightly to regard Naida but didn't say anything.

Asher felt any one of these two would be more than enough but didn't know whom to choose.

Eradicator's stoic voice finally broke the tense silence, "Your Majesty, I advise you to let Lady Valentine accompany you. She may be able to support you better if necessary," she said, her voice steady and resolute.

Asher understood the rationale behind Eradicator's advice. Naida, being a peak Soul Devourer and a powerful one, could indeed offer substantial support inside the tower even though Drakar made it clear that they weren't going to be of much help.

After a brief moment of contemplation, he turned to Naida, "I would appreciate you coming with me, Lady Naida."

"The pleasure is all mine," Naida replied, her smile conveying both readiness and determination.

At that moment, Drakar intervened with a snap of his fingers, "Then you two may enter." 

The massive doors of the Tower of Torment began to creak open, eliciting a collective gasp from the crowd. A chilling draft escaped from the dark maw of the entrance, sweeping over the onlookers and sending shivers down their spines.

Devils knew it had been centuries since that infamous door opened, and they felt like they had just witnessed a key moment.

Asher and Naida exchanged a brief, meaningful glance, acknowledging the gravity of the step they were about to take. 

With a deep breath to steel themselves, they stepped forward into the tower's darkness, the doors ominously closing behind them.

Lysandra, from her seat, watched with furrowed brows as Asher and Naida disappeared into the tower. Her fingers briefly clutched the fabric of her dress as she might have very well lost the chance to see her son again.

Meanwhile, Rhygar observed his mother's reaction keenly. He noticed the subtle changes in her demeanor, the unusual tension that seemed to grip her. 

As someone who always observed her every day, he knew what was normal for her and what was not, no matter how tiny the differences were.

His eyes narrowed slightly, a silent question lingering in his gaze since the slight change in her behavior was pricking his mind.

At the same time, Drakar's lips curved into a malignant smile upon seeing Asher disappear into the tower, and mumbled, "I really hope you clear this tower by some miracle."