Damien stood still for a moment, his eyes locked on the direction where Jallen had been dragged.
The faint trace of Jallen’s energy flickered in his senses, confirming that the young man was still alive.
Around him, the others were tense, their weapons drawn and eyes scanning the surrounding darkness.
“They’re still here,” Damien said, his tone sharp and unwavering.
Arielle, perched on Aquila, frowned. “Then what do we do? Are we splitting up?”
“You’ll stay here,” Damien said bluntly, his gaze never leaving the shadows. “The rest of you can handle the demons that are lingering. Aquila and Luton will stay behind to give you an advantage.”
“What about you?” Axiom asked, gripping his blade tightly.
“I’m going after Jallen,” Damien said, already taking a step toward the darkness.
“By yourself?” Vel blurted out.
“Do you see anyone else capable of keeping up with them?” Damien snapped.
Arielle hesitated, then nodded. “Be careful,” she said softly.
Damien didn’t answer. Instead, he bolted into the shadows with blinding speed, his silver hair catching what little moonlight filtered through the trees. Within seconds, he was gone.
The forest blurred around Damien as he sprinted after the demons. His heightened senses locked onto Jallen’s faint energy signature, guiding him through the dense trees and uneven terrain.
He could feel the demons ahead, their malevolent energy growing stronger as he closed the distance.
‘They’re fast,’ Damien thought, his teeth clenched. ‘But I’m faster.’
The air grew colder the deeper he went, and the trees seemed to twist and lean toward him, their branches clawing at his clothes. The ground beneath his feet became damp and uneven, but Damien’s focus never shook. He took to the tree branches, using them as footholds to run even faster.
Soon, he spotted them. A group of five demons, their grotesque forms illuminated by the faint glow of their red eyes.
Jallen’s limp body was slung over the shoulder of the largest one, its jagged teeth glinting under the scarce moonlight.
Damien came to an abrupt halt, crouching low to observe the group from the shadows. His mind raced as he formulated a plan. ‘They’re sticking together… perfect.’
Damien’s hand tightened around his blade as he activated one of his most dangerous skills: (Elemental Integration).
Closing his eyes, Damien focused on the elements within him. He first called upon the wind, feeling it swirl and coil around his body like an eager ally.
Then came the fire, its heat igniting within him and fusing with the wind to form blazing currents.
Finally, he summoned the lightning, its crackling energy adding a chaotic, destructive edge to the storm he was creating.
As the three elements blended together, the air around Damien shimmered and warped, the sheer intensity of the energy distorting the space. He opened his eyes, which now glowed with a fiery, electric hue, and smirked.
“Let’s see how you handle this,” he muttered.
With a sharp motion, Damien unleashed the swirling elemental storm. The attack surged forward, a roaring whirlwind of fire, lightning, and wind. It tore through the forest, scattering leaves and debris as it sped toward the demons.
Swoooooshhh…
Bwooooom!!
The storm hit the group of demons like a freight train. The largest one, still carrying Jallen, was blown backward, the force ripping Jallen from its grasp and sending both of them tumbling across the forest floor.
The other demons were flung in different directions, their bodies crashing into trees and rocks with sickening thuds.
The once-quiet forest was now a scene of utter chaos. Trees splintered and cracked under the pressure of the storm, and the ground was scorched where the fire and lightning had touched.
When the dust settled, Damien stood at the center of the destruction, his blade drawn and his eyes scanning the area. Stay tuned with My Virtual Library Empire
Jallen lay unconscious a few meters away, his body battered but still intact. Damien chuckled to himself. “Guess you couldn’t handle the ride,” he muttered before turning his attention to the demons.
The surviving demons were dazed and disoriented, their twisted forms struggling to rise from the ground. Damien didn’t give them a chance to recover.
He moved like a shadow, striking down the nearest demon with a single, precise swing, his blade sinking into the demons guts. Black blood sprayed across the ground as the creature let out a dying screech.
Another demon lunged at him from the side, its claws aimed for his throat. Damien moved to the side effortlessly, slicing through its midsection in one fluid motion.
The remaining demons tried to regroup, snarling and hissing as they encircled Damien. He smirked, raising his blade.
“Come on,” he taunted. “Let’s see what you’ve got.”
The demons attacked in unison, their claws and teeth flashing in the dim light. But Damien was faster, his movements a blur as he weaved through their attacks. Each movement of his blade was precise and deadly, cutting down one demon after another.
Within seconds, the last of them fell, its body collapsing in a heap at Damien’s feet.
Damien sheathed his blade, his breathing steady despite the intense fight. He walked over to where Jallen lay unconscious and crouched down beside him.
“You’re lucky I needed to test that skill,” Damien said, shaking his head.
He lifted Jallen onto his shoulders, carrying him like a sack of grain. The young man was heavier than he looked, but Damien didn’t seem to mind.
With one last glance at the carnage he’d left behind, Damien turned and began making his way back toward the group.
When Damien emerged from the forest, carrying Jallen, the others were in the midst of cleaning up the remaining demons. Arielle was the first to spot him, her face lighting up with relief.
“Damien!” she called, running over to him.
“I’m fine,” he said before she could ask. “He’s fine too. Just knocked out.”
Arielle glanced at Jallen, her expression softening. “Thank you,” she said quietly.
Damien shrugged, setting Jallen down gently on the ground. “Don’t thank me yet. We’re not done here.”
The rest of the group gathered around, their faces a mix of relief and exhaustion. Axiom clapped Damien on the shoulder, grinning.
“Remind me never to doubt you,” Axiom said.
“Noted,” Damien replied dryly.
As the group prepared to move on, Damien glanced back at the forest one last time. The fight had been intense, but it had also brought him closer to his goal.
“Thirty-six more kills. That’s all I need.” Damien low-key smirked.