As John and his small group of guards make their way south, the city slowly disappeared from view. The tension in the air has been getting denser. Night fall approached at a quicker rate, or as it seemed. The group began making camp, starting a fire and getting their bed rolls prepared. Some began pulling out what food reserves they carried on them. "Men, we will start with basic training. I want each of you to do one thousand strikes." The guard got to their feet and drew their weapons and began swinging into the air. With every slash followed a number. As the guards were practicing, John left into a small patch of trees. "There's no traces of animals nearby. Stay alerted." Ampol stated. "Good to know I'm not the only one who noticed." John replied as he began sensing the life force of everything around. He could feel the guards presence and stayed with range of them. Even with the sense up, he couldn't sense any for of life besides those who traveled with him. "John, do you not sense this killing intent?" Doren questioned. "It's not that I can't sense it, I'm just no reacting. I'm playing the bait." John responded.
"I still underestimate you." Doren stated surprised. "How can someone hide their life force and still have such a strong killing intent." John asked curiously. "This feels familiar." Doren responded. Within moments John was caught in a circle of robed strangers. With blades drawn, John stood guard. As John looked around looking for any clue who these people were he could hear clanking of metal. John fixated on the sound and quickly realized who he was against. "You look well, King Tormen." John blurted. "You think this is well? I have to run my kingdom to your standards from the shadows. I cannot even spend my money without your approval. We cannot continue under your rein." Tormen declared pointing his own blade towards John. "You do remember last time, Tormen. I'll give you a chance to clear this by lowering your blade and apologize to me and I'll forget this happened. Otherwise, I'm afraid you'll breath your last breath here." John firmly declared as his eyes began glowing red. "Doren's not enough to save you here." The King declared. Something shot into the back of John's neck, no pain just stung a little. "You see, Aluzhar isn't exactly the most intelligent. He thought we were making power enhancing drugs. but we were making power suppression drugs. Specifically for demons." Tormen taunted. "You had Doren's help last time, however a human fighting a demon king. We know how that ends." Tormen continued. John felt his bond with Doren weakening. "Doren, are you ok?" John asked cautiously. "I'm fine John, just feeling tired. I'm sorry but I can't help you in this one John. I'm falling a..." Doren cut off. "Ampol, status?" John asked quickly. "He appears to be sleeping. I'll try to neutralize the suppressor but I cannot give you full power if I do." Ampol replied. "Dammit!!!" John screamed. "Do I save Doren and risk dying or do I leave Doren and guarantee victory." John thought.
"I see it working just fine." Tormen stated menacingly. "Ampol, make sure my physical strength stays and heal Doren. He's helped me fight and I cannot let him die here." John exclaimed. "I'll do what I can John." Ampol responded. "What happened to Aluzhar?" John questioned. "Oh, him? Let's just say we needed someone to test this on. He was screaming for General Doren until the end." Tormen chuckled. "You've made a mistake today Tormen and you'll pay with you life." John released angrily. John could feel the support from Doren decreasing by the second. "This is the man who killed your friends and family. Show no mercy." Tormen claimed to the circle. Without a second to spare, John began dodging around jabs and slashes aimed for him. With a quick swipe from John he drew his sword with an upward slash and dispatched one assailant. Even with one down they quickly filled the gap and began jabbing and slashing furiously. John felt s searing pain along his left shoulder followed by a feeling of warm liquid running down his back. "John, it's not that deep, keep fighting." Ampol stated. As John swings his sword it just keeps getting blocked. "They keep covering each other. " John thought. All John could do is keep moving and try to stop taking blows.
After walking all day John knew he couldn't last in a drawn out battle. An idea came to John, he jabbed his sword and felt the block and immediately followed it with a punch. John felt the swing of his punch connect with metal. They blocked his punch with a sword. "What's wrong General, can't keep up with these lowly demons?" Tormen taunted. John's punch left an opening as he felt another searing pain, this time on his left shoulder blade. "John, you can't keep going like this, let me help." Ampol pleaded. "No, fix Doren." John demanded. "What good will come from me fixing Doren if our host dies!" Ampol exclaimed. John felt Ampol's power flowing more. "Ampol, I need you to concentrate on Dor.." John was stating but was cut short. "You're fine John, get some rest and leave this to me." Ampol stated. In an instance a bright pure white light erupted from John. The demon assailants were repelled back. The light faded and there stood John. Pure white wings coming from John's shoulder blades. Eyes are lit up pure white with gold tint. A blade coated in angelic grace, pure white. "I don't understand! How can this boy be demon and angel?! How can he hold this much power?!" Tormen questioned surprised. "He harnesses us with a piece of his own soul. He shares his body and mind with us, never demanding anything of us. This boy is kind hearted and is willing to return us to our homes. He is willing to sacrifice a piece of his soul to keep us alive and you dare try to take our home away because he wanted you to be righteous? You'll be burned by the holy flames of the almighty before you can take this child." Ampol declared bluntly. "Kill him demons, KILL HIM!" Tormen declared frantically. Ampol raised John's sword and with a single slash, he cut through the demons as if it were air. "That's not possible." Tormen exclaimed, slowly retreating with his feet fumbling. Ampol sheathed John's sword and slowly approached Tormen. "May the almighty forgive your soul because I will not." Ampol stated reaching towards Tormen's head. Tormen began swinging his sword frantically. Ampol stopped Tormen's sword by grasping his wrist. Rising his other hand, grabbed Tormen by the throat and lifted him into the air. "I, Ampol, permit the power of heavens to rain down on this demonic being. Smite this being for the evil in his heart and mind. I permit this soul to be lost for eternity seeking forgiveness. Almighty flames rain down and perish this evil existence." Ampol chanted. Suddenly a dense light blue pillar of light shot down on Ampol. Ampol released Tormen's wrist and placed his index finger on Tormen's forehead. Tormen was engulfed in blue majestic flames. The flames burning through everything, leaving no trace behind. John's eyes began returning to normal with the wounds on his back healing instantly. John collapsed from exhaustion. John slept on the battlefield where Ampol showed his dominance.