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Chapter 10 — The Devil's Promise
(Anime-style, 1,000+ words)
The night was still burning when Kael found what was left of the road.
Black smoke drifted low over the ground like ghosts that refused to die.
He moved through it slowly, carrying Eira in his arms, her head resting against his shoulder.
Her breathing was shallow, but steady.
Every now and then, the faint glow from the scars on her neck pulsed like fading embers.
He didn't know where he was going.
Only that he had to keep walking.
The world was silent except for the crunch of ash beneath his boots.
No birds. No wind. No life.
It felt like the earth itself had given up.
Then, in the distance — light.
A soft glow, gold and steady, rising from beyond the horizon.
Kael squinted through the haze. It wasn't fire.
It was… a city. Floating above the ruins.
He stopped, tightening his grip on Eira.
"That can't be real," he muttered.
A deep, familiar voice replied from behind him.
"Real enough for the damned to covet."
Kael froze.
The Devil was there again — not as a figure, but as a shadow stretching long and thin against the smoke.
It slithered closer, its edges flickering like dying flame.
"Your work was… impressive," the voice said, low and smooth.
"One god sealed, one girl saved. But you know what they say — every act of mercy stains the soul deeper."
Kael turned, his eyes blazing faintly red.
"I'm done listening to you."
"Oh?" The shadow grinned. "You think walking away saves you? You think carrying her redeems you? You bled on my mark, boy. You are mine — body, blade, and sin."
Kael's wings flickered into view — black and red feathers dripping sparks.
"Not anymore."
The Devil's laugh rolled like thunder.
"Then prove it. Kill her."
Kael's body stiffened.
"What?"
"She's a vessel now," the voice said. "Ignathar's flame still lives inside her. You saw it. Felt it. When she wakes up, she'll burn the rest of this world to cinders."
Kael stared at Eira's peaceful face. Even through the soot and blood, she looked human — fragile, alive.
"I won't."
"Won't?" The Devil's voice sharpened. "Or can't?"
Kael took a step forward. "I'll find another way."
"Oh, there is no other way, my little Punisher."
The shadow rose higher, spreading wide across the ground like wings of smoke.
"You kill her, or I take your soul. Either path ends in flame."
Kael clenched his fists, shaking.
"I said no!"
For a moment, the world pulsed red.
The mark on his chest — the Devil's sigil — glowed through his torn shirt, burning like molten steel.
"Defiance," the Devil hissed. "How entertaining."
He paused, then his tone shifted — cold and curious.
"Tell me, Kael Riven… why do you fight it?"
Kael's eyes narrowed.
"Because she believed in me," he said quietly. "When everyone else saw a monster, she saw something human. I won't lose that too."
The shadow went still. Then, slowly, it began to retreat.
"Fine," the Devil said. "Hold your delusions a little longer. But remember — the next time you spill blood, I'll be watching. Every kill draws you closer to me."
The voice faded with the wind, leaving only the faint echo of laughter.
Kael exhaled shakily. His hands were trembling. The mark on his chest dimmed, but didn't fade.
He glanced back at the floating city.
It was closer now — he could see shapes, towers of silver and bridges of light reaching down to the earth.
He shifted Eira in his arms.
"Hang on, Eira," he whispered. "I'll get you somewhere safe."
He started walking again.
Each step felt heavier than the last, but the light ahead grew stronger.
Hours passed. The landscape changed. The fires behind him died into darkness.
And finally, he reached the gates.
The city rose high above him, radiant and cold.
Statues of winged figures lined the walls — angels, but not the kind that offered salvation. Their eyes were blindfolded, their weapons drawn.
As Kael approached, one of them spoke.
A voice deep and echoing rolled down from the gates:
"State your name, bearer of the Mark."
Kael looked up. "Kael Riven. I'm here for help."
The gate shimmered. Energy rippled like disturbed water.
"Help?" the voice repeated. "You reek of the abyss. You are not welcome here."
Kael's grip tightened. "She's dying!" He lifted Eira slightly. "Please — she's not like me. She's innocent."
Silence. Then —
Another voice, softer, female.
"Open the gates."
Light spilled down from above as the gates parted slowly.
Kael shielded his eyes and stepped through.
Inside, the city was breathtaking — all white stone and crystal air, glowing softly under an artificial sun.
Angels watched from balconies, their eyes sharp, their expressions wary.
The woman who had spoken descended the stairs.
Her hair was silver-white, her eyes like molten gold. She wore armor shaped like flowing glass, and when she spoke, the world seemed to quiet around her.
"Welcome to Sanctum," she said. "I am Seraphion — the Keeper of Light."
Kael's breath caught. He remembered that name — from the Devil's whispers, from the old legends of the Seraphic War.
"You're real," he said.
Seraphion smiled faintly. "Real enough. And you… you are not what I expected."
She looked down at Eira, then back at Kael.
"You've both walked through Hell and came back breathing. That's… remarkable."
Kael frowned. "Can you help her?"
"I can try," Seraphion said, touching Eira's forehead. Her hand glowed, tracing the faint marks along Eira's neck.
"She carries a god's flame. Contained, but unstable. If I remove it, she dies. If I leave it, it will consume her."
Kael's throat tightened. "So what do we do?"
Seraphion's gaze softened. "We wait. And we hope she wakes up before the fire does."
Kael lowered his head. "Hope, huh…"
He looked around the shining city, the people watching him with disgust and curiosity.
"Not exactly something I'm used to."
Seraphion smiled faintly. "Then learn."
As she walked away with Eira, Kael caught his reflection in one of the crystal walls — red eyes, ash-stained skin, wings of smoke flickering faintly behind him.
For a moment, he saw the Devil's grin in his reflection.
"Soon," the voice whispered.
Kael turned sharply, but there was nothing there.
He clenched his fists, eyes narrowing at the horizon beyond Sanctum's glowing towers.
"Not yet," he muttered. "I make my own fate."
Above him, thunder rolled — soft, distant.
The light flickered.
And far beneath the earth, something ancient stirred once more.
The Devil wasn't done.
Neither was Kael Riven.
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End of Arc I: Blood and Awakening
TO BE CONTINUED...