The Dawn of the New World



For Hao Xuan the next two hours were some of the longest of his life.

He had to employ every tactic and applicable ability at his disposal to get an upper hand in this life-and-death game of hide and seek that Micha and his followers had pushed him into.

Whether it was creating distractions and setting up traps or running into demon-infested areas where every step came with dangers of its own, Hao Xuan did not hesitate one bit if it meant there was a chance to shake them off his tail.

And when he did finally manage to pull it off it was because another, much greater threat, had emerged that threatened both of them.

The sky turned crimson red and balls of unholy fire began to rain down onto the land, not much different from a scene out of an armageddon movie.

Whenever a fireball exploded it would give birth to several weaker demons that spread out in every direction to slaughter and burn everything in sight.

*Beep*

"Multiple unstable spatial anomalies have been detected within the area. The surrounding space is highly unstable and the likelihood of irregular wormholes being created is exceedingly high. It is in the host's best interest to take cover until the area stabilizes."

Hao Xuan jumped into the air to avoid an incoming fireball before replying to Baracus's ill-timed warning.

"I am well aware of the dangers a hell-tide poses to me and every other living creature nearby. You don't have to remind me."

"Hell-tide? The host has information on this unique phenomenon?"

Before Hao Xuan could reply the area in front of him exploded and a giant claw erupted from the ground. At the same time an arrow of pure light whistled past his ear, missing only because he stopped mid-stride.

Hao Xuan glanced behind him, catching a glimpse of Micha's silhouette almost 150 meters away hidden behind some trees.

"This motherfucker, he still hasn't given up?! Did he leave all his little soldiers behind to come after me?"

*RUMBLE*

*ROAAAR*

The ground shook even harder as the remainder of the demon pulled itself out of the ground, towering over Hao Xuan at more than 7 meters tall as it

With leathery skin darker than soot and eyes that burned with literal hellfire, it gazed upon Hao Xuan's miniature figure with obvious recognition.

But despite coming face to face with a minor demon Hao Xuan did not lose his cool. Gavril had warned him about its presence so it wasn't as much of a shock, not to mention the fact that a hell-tide had been a pretty obvious prelude to its arrival.

No, in fact, his mind was clearer than it had been in a very long time because this was exactly what he was hoping for when he put two and two together upon seeing the changing colors of the sky.

He had saved up all his energy for just this moment.

'That's a Bal-Rah, a minor demon under Ba'al himself,' Hao Xuan accurately guessed from the bright red brand over the demon's chest, 'I guess this is proof of Dai Zhi's allegiance to the burning hells, only he knew where I would be thanks to his minions. But...do they know?'

Hao Xuan looked in the direction of Micha and swiftly got his answer from his horrified look.

'No, he doesn't know anything. Then...why don't you two meet!'

Hao Xuan's eyes began to change as the 'Second Gaze' of [Umbra] was activated to full effect. His figure vanished from the impromptu battlefield, leaving only the Bal-Rah and Micha facing each other in awkward silence.

Both of them were working for the same man without their knowledge, sent to kill the same person that had suddenly disappeared.

Hao Xuan kept his eyes on the Bal-Rah while slowly getting out of the way. [Umbra] had been greatly strengthened but the creature in front of him was still equivalent to a Saint Realm warrior.

If he lost focus even for a split second the effect would be broken. But thankfully he didn't need to keep up 'appearances' for very long because the Bal-Rah wasn't known for its patience.

Having lost its initial target it attacked the next best thing.

Two massive webbed wings unfurled behind it and a blade made from pure hellfire materialized within its grasp. (Reference Image posted in Discord and Authors notes)

There were two curved horns on the top of its head and another two smaller horns around its forehead. When it called out the blade its power amplified even more and just being around it was enough for Hao Xuan to start taking damage.

***

Author's Notes:

All images are posted in the Official Discord.

Link:

___

Reference Image Link:

Shortened Image Link (case sensitive) :