The Dawn of the New World

Any intention Wern had to put up a fight was washed away the moment he saw that lock of hair. As far as he knew there was only one Elf in their group and that was Henrik.

The fact that Eurig had elven hair could only mean he was speaking the truth. That…Henrik really was dead and if that was indeed the case then…the barrier could not be destroyed.

He loosened his grip and allowed Arnett to break free. His mind raced trying to think of another way but seeing the tennis ball-sized gaping hole in Eurig's chest slowly close as if it was no big deal, well, that left him more than a little disheartened.

"What the hell even are you…?"

"Something…more? Hahahaha!"

Eurig broke out in a fit of uncontrollable laughter. To see that look of disbelief on the face of the all-powerful invaders brought him immense joy.

He gestured for them to come back and they did. There was no other choice, no matter how much Wern wanted to run away.

Back in the room the brute demon and the masked demon had cleared away all the corpses to one side, leaving only Alfen barely hanging on for whatever reasons.

On the wall opposite to the room's exit was a large painting of a river. Eurig went up to it and gently brushed his fingers across its edges.

"Oh my, if I didn't know any better I would have thought this was an ordinary piece of artwork but I think we all know that isn't the case, is it?" he spoke out loud to no one in particular. It was more like he was voicing his thoughts.

But then all of a sudden he made a fist and punched the wall with everything he had. The waves began to move and changed directions, moving along the direction of the punch.

There was not a single crack on its surface. It looked like the painting had neutralized the full effect of the attack. Eurig's eyes glowed with obvious greed.

"This kind of magic, just how did that old woman get her hands on it?"

He prepared to attack again but this time instead of using just brute force he circulated most of the demonic Qi as well.

A vile murky-black energy surrounded his body which made the three humans in the room feel like someone was stepping on their throats.

"Don't look at it!" Wern warned.

Thankfully the feeling subsided soon after when Eurig launched his second attack. This time the entire room shook and the waves in the painting once again changed position but there were cracks along the edges.

"Aha, so brute force does work but…it will take too long this way," he muttered under his breath as his gaze fell on Alfen.

"Hmm, that might though," he walked over and casually thrust his entire arm into Alfen's abdomen.

"NOO! STOP!" Arnett screamed from the back but was held back by one of the blobs as it slowly encased him inside its gelatinous cavity.

"MMMM!"

Everything below his nose was now part of the creature. His skin itched and frizzled as it began to melt away his flesh one layer at a time.

Eurig got back on his feet and glanced towards Wern who was horrified seeing what was happening to Arnett.

"You can relax, invader, I will not kill you. I want you all to watch what happens next. I want you to feel what so many others felt, the despair and the hopelessness as it all comes crashing down. I want to see your face when you realize there is no way out. Hahaha!"

Before Wern could say anything Eurig turned around and punched the wall again. But shockingly, when Alfen's blood came into contact with the waves they did not change like before and all that force was directly sent out in every direction.

The ground shook as the first layer of the wall slowly crumbled to reveal the face of an old rock. It was a perfect semi-circle that was connected to the ground below with some kind of ropes.

On its surface were numerous symbols and runes, ones that no one present had the privilege of seeing before.

"And there it is! The final piece!"

Wern's eyes widened while the pit in his stomach grew, "Listen to me, we can talk about this. I can get you whatever you want. Money, power? A way off this world? I swear you will get it just…don't do this please."

Eurig paused momentarily which gave Wern some hope.

"Hmm, no, I'd rather watch you all burn."

"WAIT-"

In Wern's eyes time had slowed down to a crawl. He saw Eurig pull back his arm and gather the demonic Qi around his tightened fist.

"-PLEASE!"

*BAANG*

But there was no hesitation in Eurig's movement. One attack and the rock broke into a dozen different pieces.. The glowing symbols lost their luster and the ropes connecting it to the ground snapped by themselves.