Story Arc: Nightmare Devil Arc
No POV
As Yuri fled, his memory drifted back to the fight he had. He could remember everything clear as day - the way he fought, the way his fists connected, the way his heart pounded when he realized he could have actually died. Such an exhilarating feeling...
He pressed his hand against his wounded side as the image of his opponent returned to him... that scar.
"So that's the kid I was meant to capture? Looks like I have my work cut out for me."
He entered the cave and collapsed against the wall. His eyes searched the dark for one of the bodies he had stored away - anything to regain his strength.
A dull sound echoed near him.
Something lay between his legs - a mangled corpse he had previously used. Though heavily damaged, it would do. He smiled faintly and began feeding from it to recover.
"Where were you? I wanted to know our next course of action."
Yuri inhaled slowly. "I saw him... the one you've been looking for."
Nightmare stood silent for a moment before speaking. "You know now, don't you? Capturing him alive won't be easy. The moment I sensed a different energy, I knew our plan had already failed. And I knew you weren't foolish enough to continue fighting once you realized the disadvantage - so I left, expecting you to return."
Yuri smirked slightly. "Indeed. But let me make something clear... our contract is for me to capture the boy. There are no penalties if I fail - so I have no intention of dying for you. If anything goes wrong, I'll terminate the contract."
"Of course. I have faith in your abilities."
"But still... what did you do before coming back? I almost didn't recognize you. If I hadn't marked your devil energy, we would have fought."
A red glow emerged from the darkness. Nightmare stepped forward - his body reformed, his presence heavier than before. The ground beneath his feet warmed as he walked, leaving faint melted impressions behind. He exhaled, the air around him distorting slightly.
"I paid a visit to Hell."
"You used the Pool of Tartarus - said to restore a devil's body and vitality. Some even claim it is the birthplace of devils."
Nightmare gave a short, sharp laugh.
'"Claim?' Where do you think you came from?"
Yuri's eyes widened.
"Devils are born when the darkness of mankind reaches a critical mass. Once it accumulates enough to form consciousness and a body, the Pool of Tartarus draws it in and 'refines' it. That is how a devil is born. In a way, you could say humans are the reason we exist."
Yuri took a moment to think. "I thought all devils were born from a progenitor - it would explain why some of us have the names we have."
"There is no progenitor. Only a king - sealed a thousand years ago. A devil's name is not passed down. It comes from the contents of the darkness it embodies. There is no direct proportionality between devils and negative emotions - only their nature. Upon birth, a devil whispers its own name, so others know what kind of being has emerged and how powerful it might be based on that name."
He paused.
"I bear the name Nightmare - I embody every fear mankind has ever held. Illness, failure, even death. Humans label every dreadful experience a 'nightmare' because of that. You bear the name Yuri - a term in demon mythology meaning 'to be hunted.' But as I said, our power is not dictated by the size of the fear - but by humanity's desire to overcome it. That is why the Scar Devil is so powerful."
Yuri continued listening as he recovered, half amused.
Hmm... having a lecture isn't all that bad.
"The Scar Devil was born from the accumulation of every trauma humans have ever carried - and their desperate need to move on from it. Accidents, heartbreak, death - all of it lingered in their minds for centuries until it birthed a devil. Humans try to heal, but the pain lingers beneath the surface - the phrase 'scarred for life' exists because of that. Its emergence disrupted Hell's hierarchy and war broke out - leading to the sealing of our king and the beginning of our current age."
"So your plan is to awaken this king?"
Nightmare answered, voice firm. "Humans are meant to kneel before us. We were never meant to be used by them. For the sake of our pride. But without our king, we cannot reclaim that."
Yuri stood, his wounds now closed and his signature smirk returning.
"This contract just got interesting..."
"...."
"..."
Beep...
Beep...
Beep...
Drex lay on the bed unconscious. He had lost a lot of blood in the fight earlier on and passed out on the battlefield.
By the time he was brought back in his vitals dropped and here he was, clinging to the last bit of life he had.
Hayley sat on the chair adjacent to him. She watched as his chest rose and fell with every weak breath he drew. The bloodstained bandages that were wrapped on almost every part of his body.
She recalled the fight. How he fought. How things nearly fell apart. Then she recalled a feeling; something she tried to ignore... Something she hoped she didn't feel or rather what she wanted to believe.
It wasn't adrenaline. It wasn't fear. Was it relief?
She somehow felt that everything would be fine when he showed up hence her desperate attempt to push him away. She looked at Drex again watching him stirr before finally waking up
"You're finally awake?"
He groaned
"How did I get here...what happened"
"So your ears are working..? I thought you'd be deaf after seeing how you damaged them earlier"
"Huh?"
At that moment the commander walked in...
"What she's trying to say is that you took heavy damage in your fight against Yuri."
The memories soon came flooding back
"Oh shi.. how bad was it? Where's the little girl is she okay??"
Hayely sat into the chair.
"Chill she's fine but after seeing you she's too scared to come out... Been in my room for some time.
In other words.. you traumatized her... Nice going bro"
"Ohh"
He was instantly filled with guilt. He didn't want any child to relive his trauma but he seemed to be the cause of this one.
Vaden spoke again.
"Honestly it's a miracle you're this energetic. You lost a great amount of blood, suffered 27 broken bones, a fractured skull and a haemorrhage... Whatever devil you're contracted with really didn't want you dead"
Drex just stared. He didn't know what to say at this point he just wanted to meet the child as soon as possible.
He stepped down from the bed and started to take off the bandages.
"Wha... What do you think doing you can't take those of!! You haven't recovered yet!"
"Huh...? What are you talking about I feel perfectly fine"
Both Hayely and Vaden starred in disbelief as the parts of Drex that were mangled were no longer present. Drex tilted his head
"What?"
Vaden looked on... Hayley spoke
"What the hell are you"
"I really don't know what you're talking about..."
He picked his jacket and wore it.
"By the way aren't you going to revert..? The fight's been over hours ago"
"Huh?"
That moment he looked up and met with his reflection.
His body was a normal human color but his eyes retained the devilish yellow glow..
"Arrrrghhh wha.... How??? This is crazy how the hell am I supposed to meet the kid now shit shit shit shit shit"
While he was panicking Hayley spoke, her voice taunting.
"Well it's your fault for going crazy. You think this is some kind of action movie?"
Drex's eyebrow twitched.
"Huh??"
"Why'd you even do that?"
"The same reason you wear that dumbass helmet"
She answered . Her voice laced with rising anger.
"Oh..? And what might that be?"
"To make myself look good"
Hayley grabbed his jacket and pulled him close.
"What was that now?? You wanna go?"
Drex shot back
"I'd smash you to bits"
"Bring it! I'mma put you back on that bed"
After a few moments of growling at each other Drex plopped down on the bed and heaved a heavy sigh
"Well I guess I'll rest now got nothing to do anyway"
Vaden and Hayley made it to the door.
"I suggest you do.. I have other matters to attend to. Your presence here is really giving me the run around"
He chuckled softly.
"Hey noob."
He turned towards Hayley.
"What?"
"Thanks for the help. You're in this condition because of me I owe you a little gratitude."
She said the last bit so softly that you probably wouldn't hear clearly.
He watched the door closed then looked to the ceiling.
"What a day.." . He said before closing his eyes.
.
.
.
.
.
"Of course it was!"
He opened his eyes but when he did he wasn't in the room anymore...
Looking around he saw that he was in a space of some sort. The darkness ruled but towards the horizon was a dimly lit city.
Looking around, he saw he was in a strange space. Darkness dominated everything, yet far on the horizon there was a dimly lit city.
"I'm finally able to meet you," the voice spoke again.
From within the darkness, a figure stepped out casually. A woman walked into the faint light with measured confidence.
"Uhmm... who are you?"
"I'm Hades. In other words, I'm the Scar."
"What...?"
"You heard me. I'm the power you possess. Surprised?"
"This doesn't make any sense. I thought devils died out."
"Oh, they did - but I'm the only one able to retain a physical form," she said, her voice edged with pride.
She moved closer and pulled him into her arms, hugging him tightly onto her chest.
"Gah-!"
"You're not what I expected... I didn't think my host would be this good-looking. A true definition of 'devilishly handsome.'"
"So why did you bring me here?" he asked, his voice muffled in her bosom until she finally released him. She turned and began walking, and he followed.
"Well, I merely wanted to meet my host. We're in a contract, after all. It would be wise to talk about it, don't you think?"
"A contract? When did that happen?"
"The moment I helped you fight that devil, the bond was already formed. You wanted to kill him; I wanted him dead too. Same objective - no need for negotiations."
"What?"
"Exactly. We're stuck together now - until the terms are fulfilled."
"And what are those terms?"
"A thousand years ago, there was a war in Hell for two major reasons. First, I disrupted the hierarchy when I was born. Second, devils didn't want to be used by humans, so they planned a revolt."
Drex halted.
"Used by humans?"
"For a long time, devils would occasionally slip into the human world. That typically caused catastrophes and mass death. So the world government made a covenant with the King of Hell - they would be allowed to use devil power to combat invading devils. But there was a price. The King refused to kill his own kind without compensation."
"And what was the price?"
"The agreement allowed access to a human body for full possession after that person died."
"I see."
"It worked for a few centuries. But eventually the devils felt used. They were stronger than humans, yet treated like tools. So they planned to take over humanity entirely."
Drex remained silent, processing everything.
"But by that time, humanity evolved. Even non-powered humans could defeat some of the most feared devils. So naturally, devils became afraid - like predators realizing they had become prey."
"Okay... so what does this have to do with you?"
"I - and a small number of others - had the strength to fight back against humans, but when we were summoned to do so, we refused."
"Why?"
"Well, I had visited the human world a few times. Despite the chaos, they lived with a kind of peace I wanted to protect. That was when it became clear I disrupted the hellish hierarchy, and my power was demanded as atonement. When I refused, the war began. Some hybrids joined our side, and in the end, our King was sealed."
"Okay... so what is this contract you said we have?"
Hades stopped walking and turned to him.
"There is a prophecy that the King will return, and Armageddon will follow. I intend to stop the eradication of mankind - and you are going to help me do it. Simple, isn't it?"
She smiled - but it sent a chill through Drex rather than reassurance.
He pressed a hand to his face.
"What have I gotten myself into..."
To be continued....