"What's going on, Holly? Who did this to you?" Arkhon asked
He was holding the woman in his arms, gritting his teeth angrily.
His coat was already laid out on the ground.
He placed her on the ground to lie down over his coat.
She had a high fever, had purple veins on her forehead and was exhibiting the hallmark symptoms of a demon who's been poisoned. Whoever did this must've been a skilled hitman or a poisons expert!
Arkhon was furious as he couldn't believe that someone would actually try to hurt her.
Arkhon tried to heal her as best as he could using his magic but this particular poison was too strong! He knew he had to take her to a hospital!
"Holly. My struggling weakling. Do you know who poisoned you?" Arkhon asked her once she was relaxed on a hospital bed
She smiled.
He had called her by her real name. Not just 'weakling'.
"A handsome looking man..w-with long hair..and tall. But he wasn't as tall as you. W-What's going to happen to him?"
"Do you even need to ask?" Arkhon replied calmly
However, his sudden rise in Bloodlust and sinister energy made her shudder but she didn't say anything.
She already knew.
Nothing could stop Arkhon.
***
*4 hours earlier*
Jonny was even more irritated than he usually was.
He couldn't help but feel like there were so many things he didn't know about Arkhon.
Hawkstorm for instance.
He was Arkhon's son and Jonny had no idea until now.
During the 10 years that Arkhon completely stopped talking to Jonny, he got himself a family.
'What's so special about them? Your new family. Hawkstorm. Sparky. Holly. Did you put Holly through the same thing as me? Or did you treat her well, unlike the way you treated me? Maybe it's because she allowed you to bed her. You wanted me but no matter how highly I looked up to you, I just couldn't bring myself to do this with you. Maybe I would've done the same thing you did to me if I was you. I was asking for it, wasn't I? But I didn't want to! I'm afraid of doing anything of that sort with you! That means I'm an even bigger coward than Holly. If she is able to let you-' Jonny's thoughts got interrupted
"Jonny. I'm hungry. Do you have food I could eat? Except coffee of course." Sparky asked him, tugging on his coat
Jonny smiled and patted her on the head.
"Daddddddddddddd! I want food! Nowwwwwwwww!!" Jak yelled
"SHUT UP! OR I'LL MAKE SURE YOU STARVE TO DEATH WITH THAT ATTITUDE!" Jonny yelled back even louder
"You're so mean!" Jak replied
Jak noticed Sparky standing next to his dad. They were all in the large wooden shed in the woods near their house. Sparky was too innocent to realize that Jonny had taken her hostage.
"Hey Lark. Wanna spar? Winner will eat the losers' food."
"I wouldn't fight her if I were you, son." Jonny said
"Huh?! Well, why can't I fight her? Larkkkkk!! We'll fight right now."
"She's stronger than you, Jak. And she's a demon. She's stronger than she looks."
"Hey Lark." Jak said again, his eyes turning into stars, hoping to fight someone strong
"For the last time my name's not Lark!! How dare a puny human like you have Bloodlust whilst attempting to fight me?! Anyway, my dad's Bloodlust is much more intense than your pathetic and poopy bloodlust!" She raised her voice
Jak couldn't help himself. He charged forwards towards her and decided to fight her. They were trying to trip each other up and pin each other down.
Unfortunately for Jak, Sparky ended up winning even though Jak did quite well.
"You're so strong, Larky!" He told her
"You saying these things to me won't make me happy!" Sparky stated, giggling
She gave him a hug.
"Get off me, Slarky. I don't like hugs. Don't touch me." Jak replied, mis-pronouncing her name yet again.
"IT'S SPARKY DAMN YOU! I HOPE THAT THE DEMON KING SENDS YOU TO HELL WHEN HE AWAKENS!" Sparky yelled in his ears
"If anyone's going hell here, it'll be your dad." Jonny announced coldly
"N-No he won't. Don't say that!" Sparky replied, tears starting to form.
"Don't be sad, Sparky. If my dad tortures him enough, God might just take pity on him and send him to heaven. And if you're sad, you can always kill yourself so you could meet your dad again in heaven." Jak told her
Sparky started crying out loud and Jak couldn't figure out what he did wrong.
"He didn't mean that. Please don't cry. My son is a brain damaged simpleton. I know something that could make you feel better." Jonny said
"You do?" She sniffled
Jonny crouched down and held out his right hand.
"Sparky. Hold my hand. It can help you relax. This is my special and secret technique that I'm willing to share with you." Jonny told her
"How about me?" Jak asked but Jonny ignored him
Sparky squeezed his right hand with both her hands.
"They're so nice and warm and big."
"Ha, I bet my hands are warmer." Jak mumbled under his breath, feeling left out
"Thank you Jonny. You really are kind. When I grow up, I wanna marry you!"
"What?! You can't marry my dad! Find someone else to marry!" Jak yelled
"Yes I can! My dad told me that once I grow up, I can marry anyone I like."
"Well, your dad's retarded." Jak replied
"Well, your mum's a human-lover!" Sparky retorted
"Your mum secretly loves Fordos! She's a Fordos lover who dreams about holding his hand." Jak said
"No. Your mum holds hands with everyone she meets! And she goes to fuck-parties and worships Calamity!!" Sparky replied
"What the hell is a fuck party?" Jak asked, confused
"Right, stop being so annoying, the two of you!" Jonny responded
***
Jonny went home then relaxed for a bit by eating food and watching a movie with his wife who was oblivious to everything that was going on.
Jonny was having a good time until Arkhon had called him to talk.
Recalling Arkhon's words at the bar, he felt the guilt piling up again.
'Jonny. I was foolish. I'm beginning to understand how fucked up I really am.' Arkhon said to him
'Oh Arkhon. You're not fucked up. I think I'm far more evil than you are. Why did I hurt you like this? Why?' Jonny thought
'At the bar, Arkhon smiled and got teary after our talk. You could tell he was relieved that I've forgiven him. He thinks that our relationship is back to normal! I messed up! This talk didn't go the way I expected it to go.
Now, it's too late.
I've already carried out my revenge.
I've already poisoned Holly and kidnapped her kid. Arkhon has no idea! But it's too late. Why did I hurt them this way?'
Jonny felt a sinister presence.
Was it the shadows again?
"You fool! You're branded by that man. Have you have already forgotten your hatred for him? Hatred only for him."
"Shut up! Go away!" Jonny yelled
"Arkhon will torture you for what you've done to his beloved woman. Now he will go after your woman. Your sweet little wife, innocent like a little lamb-"
"Stop it!!" Jonny shouted
"He will use the powerful shadow-gatherer to force her to submit."
"NOOOO!!"
"To make her his slave. It's your fault. It's all your fault. Your fault!"
Jonny gasped, feeling like he couldn't breathe.
His Brand on his back was heating up intensely as if he'd just been freshly branded.
"Ohh A-Arkhon! WHYYYYYYYY?!!!" Jonny said as he gasped for air, grasping onto his back, his forehead starting to sweat
Jonny felt another painful shock then fainted in the middle of the woods on his way back home.
***
Arkhon's POV.
Oh Jonny. Toy with my emotions why don't you? With your pretty little face and your sly demeanor. You dare try to poison my woman? I thought that we could go back to normal but it looks like we can't. So where's your wife, Jonny? You were spending time with her before meeting me at the bar. Maybe it's still possible for me to track her down. I won't kill her, don't you worry. I have plenty of other uses for her. And plenty of ways to make you suffer!
"Holly. My struggling weakling. Do you know who poisoned you?" I asked her
She smiled at me. It was a beautiful smile.
'A handsome looking man..w-with long hair..and tall. But he wasn't as tall as you. W-What's going to happen to him?'
"Do you even need to ask?" I remember telling her
I can't believe that Jonny would do this to me.
I want him to experience my hurt.
I want him to know how it feels.
I will teach him a lesson.
*
Jak's mum (Alice) was currently reading a book on her sofa. She was too focused on the story so she hadn't yet noticed the danger that she was in.
'My ears. They're ringing. My heart. Beating way too fast!' She thought
Her book dropped to the floor and her eyes widened in shock at the sight she saw.
The ceiling!
There was a mirror forming on the ceiling which looked like a still moving puddle.
"White hair. Smooth face. Red eyes." She mumbled to herself, unable to look away from the demon entering her home.
He appeared out of the mirror on the ceiling, and appeared to be floating upside down with part of his legs hidden within the mirror. He was looking at her, without saying a single word. Observing her.
Suddenly, Arkhon appeared in front of her at a speed too fast to be detected with the naked eye.
He had already placed his right hand on her chin and lifted her face upwards to look at him as if he owned her.
Unable to control her limbs, she became too frightened to visibly display her panic.
It's as if her arms were being spread far apart by invisible puppet strings.
Arkhon flicked her forehead and in an instant, she had already dropped onto the carpet.
The powerful demon crouched down, looming over her and Alice was met with a menacing stare.
"Alice." He called out to her, with a deep smooth voice like silk.
Her large green eyes were widened in shock.
She was speechless and stared back at him blankly.
"Jonny's human plaything." He added with a hint of anger behind his voice
"How did you get here? How do you know my name is Alice?" She replied, raising her voice
Arkhon licked his lips.
"You shiver and shake like a small little lamb yet you are able to raise your voice at me. You are not only afraid. But, you're angry at your inability to deal with your own fear. You don't want to cry in front of me. Don't be afraid. I'm only here to get to know you better." Arkhon told her, playing with her chestnut coloured hair.
Her arms were spread far apart and remained unable to move from the carpet.
Her legs were pulled wider apart but not as much as her arms.
She was fixed to the ground by some kind of invisible force, no matter how much she struggled underneath him.
Arkhon sighed softly.
'Please don't excite me any further.' He thought
"You look so fragile and small. Kind of like a cute little hamster. You'll assist me with something. You have no need to fear." He smiled
But Alice was afraid! She had no idea what he was going to do to her. He was a powerful level 4 demon and she was just an ordinary human being.
'That energy of his! His Bloodlust. I've never felt something so immense! It's not even good or evil. It's just full of chaos and anger, mostly anger towards something. Perhaps even jealousy. But what do I have for him to be jealous of?'
Another look from Arkhon made Alice shiver in discomfort.
She glared at Arkhon.
A defensive act.
'Jonny, please help me. I am afraid! He's the Demon King's son. I don't know what he'll do to me!' She thought
"Your expressions are truly the sight to behold. Just like Jonny." He called out softly whilst giving a look of what seemed to be, a look of admiration.
"What do you want? Haven't you given Jonny enough hassle? Leave us alone! He wants nothing to do with you!" She raised her voice.
Arkhon raised his right arm up then pointed his fingers at her.
She was too scared to speak.
'I'm going to die! I'm going to die!' Alice thought
"What a lovely mini-dress. Here. Let me customize it for you." Arkhon said
"Why? What do you mean" She replied instinctively
She couldn't believe what she heard!
She didn't know what to do!
Arkhon decided to use his Ability to neatly cut parts of her dress off and carried on until the dress had transformed into something else entirely.
Alice yelped and struggled about, completely lost in confusion.
She felt the shame building up.
She was unable to use her arms to cover herself up.
Her dress barely covered her as Arkhon's modifications left her almost nude!
Her frustration and feeling of embarrassment got to her. Her mind thought about what Jonny would do that situation.
She swiftly moved her head and neck up to spit at him for humiliating and exposing her in this manner.
Needless to say, Arkhon was shocked at her actions, wiping the spit away then wiping it against the carpet.
Unfortunately, Arkhon was feeling too impatient to be impressed by her bravery. He thought about what Jonny did to his wife. He felt his anger building up again. Arkhon felt wronged and disrespected.
Alice yelped and struggled about, completely lost in confusion, feeling his large slender hands grip onto her shoulders.
"Alice. Now look at what you made me do. You brought this on yourself. It's as if you're just begging me to hurt you. Just like I once did to your precious Jonny."
*
Jonny's pov
'What is this place? Where am I? What are you all doing around me?'
'Oh Jonny. Relax. Just close your eyes. Taste our pleasures. And. Taste our pain.' They spoke in unison
'I feel drowsy. I feel tired and nervous.'
'All that will pass soon my Jonny. Soon, you'll be embraced by Calamity. Then you will be able to sleep after the festival of experience. You will open the gates of Next Level.' They spoke in unison
Who are these cat mask wearing strangers?
The colours! So bright!
They're covered in blood and are naked.
So am I! How did this happen?!
Mary, I'm afraid! I want to feel the warmth of your kind hugs.
There's a dark looking man in the sky looking at me. Who is he?
'So that's my son. So you've decided to join me after all huh? Close your eyes, cross over to the Next Level and meet your father for the very first time.'
'P-Price? Is that really you? My father! I'm seeing you for the very first time!'
'I see. How disappointing. You are Arkhon's property now aren't you? You have been branded by another man. A demon at that. How shameful!'
'But it wasn't my fault dad! I swear! He forced himself on me, extracted some of my soul energy and made me a level 1 demon!'
'But you enjoyed it, Jonny. Someone like you will enjoy this festival too. You brought it on yourself.'
'No! I didn't enjoy it. I hated it! Please dad, believe me! Believe me!'
'No one's believing you, slut.'
'No!! SHUT UP!! I'm talking to my dad not you, you masked weirdo.'
'Price! Dad! Please believe me! I didn't ask for it!!'
'Someone who easily gives into common pleasures of the body is a lower being indeed. Now, you're just a sacrifice. A sacrifice to our God.'
Price disappeared.
Jonny fell asleep somehow.
'Am I awake? Hey w-what is this? Who is this? Why are you touching me in this manner?!'
Some kind of shadow like monster is - What the fuck?
I feel strange. I don't want to experience those unspeakable feelings again! Those feelings that Arkhon forcibly introduced me to.
'NO. LET ME GO. DON'T LOOK AT ME LIKE THAT. DON'T EVEN THINK OF ME LIKE THAT!!'
Oh! It's dead! Someone chopped off that monster's head. I'm free!
It can't be. Arkhon. Arkhon has saved me? Or did he want me for himself?
What's this? He's holding me close but I feel so at peace. He's smiling at me.
This feeling that's spreading inside my body. It feels so good! I can barely think!
'A-Arkhon! W-What is this? W-Wait, I'm not ready. I-I..oh I see, m-my forehead? What an unusual gesture!'
His body is so warm like mine. We're floating together, our bare bodies pressed together, tumbling slowly together in midair in a vortex of dancing roses.
I feel so good I could explode!
He's nothing like that evil wanton monster.
'So much joy! You aren't even hiding it. Good, my Jonny. You are so brave, little one. Brave and beautiful.'
He's so big! How is that possible?
I must be shrinking in size!
'A-ARKHON? H-HELP ME. I'M SHRINKING. H-HOLD ME. PLEASE KEEP HOLDING ME-'
'Jonny. I will hold you.'
I've turned into a child? But how? And Arkhon is still embracing me. Hasn't he noticed or am I seeing things? I can't handle all this! Everything is fading away.
I'm running! But why? I'm surrounded by a pool of blood! There are skulls being washed away in this great pool.
It's Arkhon and my dad! They're chasing me! But why? It makes no sense!
'Leave me alone! Leave me alone! Oh no! It's the shadows again.'
'When will you submit to your master? When will you accept the power and burden? How long will you struggle on? You hate him one day! You love him the next day! Will you make up your mind? You'll die like that!'
'I will never let you go. You will never get away from me! I want you my Jonny!' Arkhon said
'No way! He's mine! He'll die and join me at last! Live life with me, my son. Go beyond!! Go to the Next Level with me, my beautiful son!!' Price said
'GO AWAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!' I yelled back
*
Jonny woke up shivering and sweating. It was all one big nightmare!
"Wait? I was going to go back to my house. What the hell happened to me?" Jonny asked himself
***
Alice was collapsed on the floor. Bleeding, bruised and had pink grip marks on her skin which were bruised too. She must've been struggling intensely against something! But it was no use against such a powerful demon! She was damaged to the point of not being able to fight back.
'How brave you've become. You forget I am a powerful demon who hasn't been defeated for a long time.'
That's precisely when her heart dropped, realizing how helpless she was.
She was powerless so she was unable to stop him.
She accepted this reality. She was weak and he was strong. She accepted her fate.
'What did you do my body, Arkhon?' She wanted to ask but was too afraid to know
As if he could sense her emotions, Arkhon lay next to her, noticing Alice's increasing annoyance and anger at his actions.
"I'm sorry for what had to happen to you. Will you forgive me? Will you submit to me by accepting your fate and joining me or will you struggle and fight like Jonny for the rest of your short life? You're not powerful like Jonny is so it'd be wiser for you to submit." Arkhon told her, with a kind and innocent looking smile
She felt uncomfortable as his eyes roamed over her body. She tried shifting away but it only made Arkhon pull her in closer. Stroking her hair, he leaned in saying, "What a wonderful expression you have. I adore that look. I can see the life in your eyes."
"Please no more. Don't hurt me again. I-I'll submit to my fate. I-I'll join you, Arkhon." She whispered
"Excellent. I shall summon the Shadow-gatherer. It'll be a similar process to the branding ritual."
Cutting into a small part of his left arm he pulled out a small creature that looked like a pink slug with 3 eyes. Wriggling around in Arkhon's hand, he let the creature sit on her chest.
"What is that thing? It's creepy! Get it off my chest!" She squealed but the creature had already slid in between her breasts, hiding there.
"Now now, my darling. Accept my gift to you." He said, but she became reluctant again.
'Forget about Jonny.' Arkhon spoke inside his own head
She begged and pleaded as much as she could, ignoring her shame but he overpowered her and forced her into submission by using the shadow-gatherer, the creature with the ability to summon the shadows.
Despite her reluctance, Arkhon continued to hold her down and cast the spell.
"Keep struggling. This creature will make you want to do as I say..or at least force you to. You will offer yourself to me and me alone! It's so delightful!" He cackled at his plan, wrapping his long arms around her like a snake wrapping around its prey
Tears fell out of her eyes as the creature burrowed into her skin, leaving a mark at the top of her right breast that looked like half of his brand.
"No. Someone please help me." She cried, despite knowing it was too late.
The door burst open!
Arkhon was too distracted to notice.
She coughed and gasped, the pain becoming too much for her.
In that moment, Jonny saw what Arkhon was doing to his wife and how much he'd hurt her.
Licking off the blood from Alice's chest, Arkhon licked his lips and turned his head to look back at Jonny who was glaring at him, struggling to move due to his string-like Ability!
"ARKHONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!" Jonny yelled out
Jonny tried moving his arm but shouted out in pain as he felt like he was being electrocuted. His arm started to bleed out on it's own as Arkhon's strings were cutting and digging into them.
He forced Jonny to kneel down in front of him and used the strings to force both his eyes open. Just so he could watch Arkhon with his wife.
"STOP IT! YOU WANT REVENGE THEN YOU HURT ME, NOT HER!"
Arkhon removed his lips from her breasts and responded to Jonny.
"You poisoned Holly! You kidnapped my daughter. Now you'll suffer. Your human plaything over here has already submit to me."
"NO ARKHON! NOT MY WIFE!! DON'T YOU DARE-"
Alice whimpered and exhaled breathily despite trying her hardest to bite into her cheeks and pursing her lips. Tears ran down her face.
Arkhon interrupted with laughter
"Oh, I already did. Jonny. It was my sweetest revenge." He replied
"YOU BASTARDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD!! I'LL NEVER FORGIVE YOU!!" Jonny shouted loudly
To be continued...