Valiant spat acidic goo over the Syndicate Dust, which began to steadily eat away at the substance. It steamed and bubbled, like boiling water. High-pitched screams came from the dust as it disappeared.
In response, Demon clashed his forehead against Valiant's, dazing the leader. He yanked his arm away from the Feral, then struck the side of his face with an open palm.
More goo spread over to the hand, causing the same effects from earlier to happen again. While Demon kept Valiant busy, Kellenas ran around to Valiant's back.
Tight muscles reflected the true potential of a warrior such as himself, but the sight did not amuse Kellenas. Even Dire had muscles like that, yet his confidence caused him to die by his own men.
A discouraging roar greatly impacted Valiant's moral to continue fighting, allowing Kellenas to pounce on his back. The added weight sent his target to his knees, allowing Demon to slash his right cheek and nose with a sharp claw.
Blood tainted the dry earth beneath them, but this blood was acidic as well. It steamed upon touching the ground.
It was a struggle to hold Valiant still enough to receive a killing blow. Which allowed him to free his arm and turn far enough to elbow Kellenas' crotch.
While his attacker folded from the pain, Valiant reached and grabbed Kellenas' hair. He yanked him over his shoulder and onto the ground between him and Demon.
"Your struggle is futile," Demon grinned. "You are fated to die by an unfriendly face. Will you be able to tell who that is?"
Kindred claws sprouted out of Demon's forearms, then he brought them in to form an X with them. Valiant watched as his attacker charged for him, arms ready to spring open.
Right as Demon began to open them, he ducked between his legs. Valiant quickly came back up before Demon could turn around, then he lifted an arm under his leg and yanked forward.
Sending the creation to the ground, trying to get back up. Acidic blood poured down onto its body as Valiant twisted Demon's body.
Tension between muscles and bones began to show, creaking at the feeling of being twisted until they snapped. During the struggle, Kellenas opened his jaws and charged for Valiant.
Only to receive a face full of searing acid. It blinded and tormented Kellenas' skin, gums, and teeth. The pain felt unreal, but he knew it wouldn't be smart to brush it off with his arms.
In order to combat the pain, he backed away as far as he could. Then began to unload handfuls of dirt onto his face and violently shake it all off.
Valiant watched his prey turn and twist in agony as the pain spread through the body. It was a dangerous poison, one lethal enough to murder if consumed.
More tentacles sprouted out from Demon's back, slithering like snakes until they wrapped around Valiant's body. It tore the predator off him, allowing him to get back up to continue the fight.
While they were busy combatting, Kellenas began to yelp and whimper. He was unsure of what would happen. Yazzo and Detrass were not dead, they were still active threats.
Understanding the best thing to do next was to avoid the fighting, Kellenas charged in a random direction between two houses. They creaked, protesting against the strange force that controlled it.
Almost like a live trap, what remained of both homes snapped against each other. Mangling Kellenas in the process. Just enough to deal a heavy number on his body.
But also not enough to kill him. In order to proceed with Demon's plot, he needed to see if there was the possibility of forcing a certain type of power.
In Kellenas' world, it all went numb for him. Except for the warmth of a blue light coming from his chest and upper back. It shone brightly, letting the whole world know something big was coming.
The Iron Maiden watched eagerly, clasping her hands together in excitement. She kept her emotionless frame directed over the rubble, ensuring Kellenas was ready.
During that moment of life or death, something beautiful was born. A powerful Will, years of experience, courage, and emotions all mixed together.
A luxurious arched-gate cracked just enough to let Kellenas see through the damaged pieces. On the other side of the gate, a strange world rested.
It was Koroth... except it was not. Maybe it was better than Koroth, where something or someone bigger and better rests. He glared through until a familiar face glared back.
"Let me out!" Kellenas yelled at Kellenas. "I can protect you, I can bring you power you never even dreamed of. I am your unleashed potential. Free me."
"What the hell are you?" Kellenas screamed back. "Am I dead?"
The gate crumbled some more, seeming closer and closer to shattering. Kellenas growled in anger, try to make himself understand why he couldn't free himself.
"If you don't free me, you will die. Do you want to die a shamed alpha? You are strong and powerful, hear my voice and release me! I can reach out and bring the skies down," Kellenas howled.
More pieces of the marble gate crumbled, they began to fall apart and shatter upon reaching the empty floor. Causing the other Kellenas to flinch.
However, there was a large crack in the gate, allowing him to reach out to Kellenas. When the original saw exactly what he was talking to, he jumped back.
"Open the damn gate and free me!" other Kellenas howled.
The original began breathing harder and faster. On the other side of the gate was a near-exact replica of himself. Except it seemed better, almost perfect.
More of the gate crumbled, it was nearly destroyed. The other Kellenas retreated his arm, then tried poking his head through.
Instead of the usual Feral facial features, there was something else. There were no ears on this Kellenas, except for two giant animalistic ears over his head. Each one seemed almost see-through, making them seem like they were birthed from light.
"Please, Kellenas, I can free you. Do not hesitate and open the gate. Our lives depend on it," other Kellenas began to whimper. "You don't have much longer."
Upon hearing that last bit, Kellenas sprung to action. Trying to rush over to the gate in hopes of opening it so the other him could walk out.
When his hand reached the gate, the last remaining portions of it crumbled. Draining both Kellenas of their energy. The original one started to hear his heartbeat in his ears.
The Iron Maiden tilted her head, realizing the Feral's glow had ceased. She opened her palm, getting ready to tell her master the experiment was complete.
It was the sole purpose of the invasion, the reason why Demon wanted it. The end goal was not to have a successful invasion, but to test of he could trigger the strength that made legends near-godly.
And the test was successful, for the most part. Which excited him. Next time, Demon was going to make sure the gate gets opened.