The fortress of the Ashen Order did not sleep.
Even at night, the corridors echoed with the sound of training—steel against steel, chakra flaring, bodies crashing to the ground. Arin walked through it all in silence, Rudra beside him.
Every step deeper into the fortress made the pressure in his chest heavier.
They stopped before a massive iron door etched with sealing symbols.
From the other side came a low, wet growl.
Rudra placed his hand on the door.
"This is where you decide," he said. "Once you step inside, you can't pretend you're human anymore."
Arin didn't hesitate.
"Open it."
The door groaned as it slid aside.
Inside the chamber, chains of glowing chakra wrapped around a massive demon pinned to the wall. Its body was scarred and broken, but its eyes burned with hatred—and curiosity.
The demon's gaze locked onto Arin.
It laughed.
"So the bridge finally arrives."
Arin felt the markings on his arm ignite.
"What do you mean?" he demanded.
The demon leaned forward, chains rattling. "You feel it, don't you? The pull. The echo. That's not power—it's a bond."
Rudra's voice cut through sharply. "Enough."
The demon ignored him.
"Humans think demon blood is stolen power," it hissed. "Fools. Blood is a contract."
Arin's breath hitched.
"You drink it," the demon continued, "and you inherit the will of its owner. Memories. Instincts. Hatred."
Rudra stepped forward. "That's enough."
The demon smiled wider.
"Ask me what she's becoming."
Arin's vision blurred.
"What… is my sister becoming?"
The demon's eyes gleamed.
"A vessel."
The chamber shook as Arin's chakra erupted violently. The chains screamed, cracking under the pressure.
Rudra slammed his staff down.
The seals flared, suppressing the surge.
"Control!" Rudra shouted.
Arin forced his breathing steady, the chakra slowly retracting.
The demon laughed again, softer now.
"Too late," it whispered. "The ritual has already begun."
They left the chamber in silence.
Outside, Arin's fists shook.
Rudra stopped walking.
"There are two kinds of Demon Links," he said. "The first binds a human to demon power."
He turned slowly.
"The second binds two souls."
Arin's eyes widened.
"Aanya…"
Rudra nodded.
"The demons aren't turning her into a weapon," he said. "They're turning her into a queen."
The words hit harder than any blow.
Rudra continued, voice grave. "If the ritual completes, killing her won't break the link."
Arin swallowed hard.
"Then what will?"
Rudra met his gaze.
"Killing the demon who started it."
A horn echoed through the fortress.
An alarm.
A voice rang out through the corridors.
"Demon breach! Outer wall!"
Rudra's expression hardened.
"They're coming for you," he said.
Arin's chakra flared.
"Good."
Somewhere far away, in a throne room carved from bone and flame, a demon lord smiled.
"The bridge has stepped onto the battlefield."
---
To be continue...