Eventually, people begin to realize that running through the flames will end with their death. So they begin to frantically run towards the Alpha, all except one person, who walks forward and kneels down before the flames. I raise a brow before shrugging it off, assuming that they might just be trying to control the flames with magic like a few others did.
Some other casters had tried to do multiple things to the flames, from water magic to earth magic, now leaving a rough wall of black flames covering the entrance now. But as they lay there, I realize, she is whispering words of prayer as her voice wavers in between sobs.
"Please, spare this merciless soul for what he is doing. Please, let him feel mercy to let me see my sister again and correct my mistakes. I have made many on my path but I-"
I stop their rambling as I jump down from the wall of shadows I created a few minutes ago, "Knock it off please, I can hear your pleads. I'll let you go to make your amends, but leave your city directly after as it will burn with the flames of hatred soon." I say as I leap over the black flames.
I look at the hooded figure who is the last one on my side, the rest having already ran to the left, dodging through the war between the demons and my soldiers. But when they reach the other side, a new slaughter begins as they try to get past Yogan. He was instructed to let one person pass which he will once he finds a good target, but until then, it's bloodshed everywhere. Igris soldiers' spines snap in half while magic casters have their limbs shattered into bits.
A few attack but can't even hit it with their spells…and any that do only stop dead in their tracks as the spell dissipates into air.
I land before the lone caster who kneeled at the flames as I remove her hood, revealing spiraled horns and a cute face. The girl appears to be older than me, maybe 20-21. She smiles happily as tears stream down her cheeks.
I gaze at her for a moment before looking up to see the bodies around me, demons and red robed mages laying dead around us. My shadows swiftly shift around as they kill each demon, swift swipes of death from Mayonaka appearing every few seconds, murdering hundreds of demons with each swing.
I glance at the girl before picking her up and leaping over the fire, not even giving her the chance to react as I place her down, "Start heading back now."
She stands in place before her eyes suddenly going wide. She hurriedly looks left and right as she takes in her changed surroundings. She hadn't even noticed that she had moved till it had just happened, having been so fast she couldn't see a thing.
She gazes up at where I was last time as she gives me a look of appreciation, tears streaming down her face as she sobs. She never thought she would live and was praying for a miracle, and then she got one, the lone warrior having been merciful to her.
She bolts into the forest, disappearing from my view as fast as she can. But as she disappears, I gaze at the burnt corpses on the ground and I whisper, "Arise…"
Ping!
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"Resurrection of level 2 shadow soldier successful!"
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"Resurrection of level 2 shadow soldier successful!"
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"Resurrection of level 2 shadow soldier successful!"
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…
The burnt corpses jolt as a black hand erupts from their stomach. Slowly, the shadows crawl out and before me stands 43 shadow mages along with a flurry of new skills thanks to my ability 'Soul Inheritor.' Soul Inheritor is a skill that randomly chooses a skill for me to obtain from a list. So I usually just choose randomly which one sounds the best and move on with my life.
I point into the forest as I tell the hooded shadows, "A woman just ran into the woods, follow her and return back to me when she arrives at the castle. Do not attack her."
The 43 soldiers silently nod as they run into the brush soundlessly.
I turn around and I continue to watch the bloodbath until I hear a voice, "Why did you let her run away? Isn't our big pal over there going to do that already?"
I nod, 'Yeah, but I need to make sure that both run to the same location since one of them might have a camp they need to stop at.'
Sky takes a moment before agreeing that it was a smart move, although they would probably be too scared to go anywhere else.
I don't reply and instead silently watch the massacre before me happen. Slowly, the wails of people and demons begins to dissipate as less and less are left alive until one person is left. He has a lean build and sweat coats his tattered robe. I am impressed he survived this long as dodging the attacks of all of my shadows is impressive.
I have gained my collection of shadows over 5 years and have a large variety that even pros would have trouble with. I have animals such as bears and large mountain cats, to monsters such as goblins and large worms.
He heaved in massive breaths as he takes a knife from his sleeve, its handle covered in depictions of a goat. He slits his wrists with it as he yells, "Oh great one! Teach this wretched being what it is like to be slaughtered! I call upon Baphomet to rain horror and terror on this man!"
The handle glows red as his body suddenly turns into a husk, as if all blood was drained from him. He falls to the ground as the knife tumbled out of his grip, glowing with power. Moments later, a purple portal opens above the knife and out steps a horned man, his eyes relaxed and goat like.
He cracks his neck as he looks around, a look of irritation on his face, "Why did dad have to send me to this backwards planet? They called for him, not me, lazy asshole…hm?" He looks towards me as if he just now noticed me, not caring about the shadows surrounding him.
And at the same time, one question pops into my head, 'Who are you?'