As we stepped through the barrier, the shimmering energy enveloped us, momentarily disorienting our senses. When the light subsided, we found ourselves standing on unfamiliar ground. The once lush meadow and vibrant colors had given way to a stark and barren landscape.
The air felt heavy, devoid of the enchanting energy that had accompanied us in the previous realm. Instead, a dense amount of demonic energy and the element of darkness replaced it. The soft hues of blue and purple were replaced by a desolate gray, casting a gloomy pall over our surroundings. There were no vibrant flowers or towering trees, only the remnants of withered plants and cracked earth.
A sense of desolation settled upon me, contrasting sharply with the beauty we had left behind. It was as if we had crossed into a realm that had long been abandoned, forgotten by time and life itself.
Neria furrowed her brows, her eyes scanning the bleak surroundings with a mixture of caution and concern. I nestled in her arms, feeling the weight of the darkness bearing down upon us.
Suddenly, I felt energy entering my body again. It wasn't a physical coldness that embraced me, nor a palpable heat. It was a dissolute feeling, as if the very fabric of reality was being distorted by the emergence of my newfound element.
'A third awakening.' I mused.
I am about to discover my third heritage. I felt the dense element of darkness entering my body, a curious part of me wondered how my mother, a Hefling of a moon elf and light elf, a being who is the embodiment of light, managed to conceive me from a being of darkness.
I felt the cool energy settle in my core, dark marks started to appear all over my body, it kind of hurts, but it didn't take long before the pain vanished.
A surge of power surged through my tiny form, as if an unseen force was coaxing the dormant darkness within. Shadows danced beneath my translucent skin, twisting and curling like tendrils of smoke. The marks of darkness began to materialize, their intricate patterns etched across my delicate frame.
"It's happening once more," Neria whispered, her voice laced with a mixture of awe and trepidation. "You bear the mark of shadows, a testament to the darkness that now intertwines with your existence, and the blood of that disgusting creature." Neria whispered the last part to herself, but I heard it anyways.
As the transformation unfolded, time seemed to slow to a crawl. The shadows wrapped themselves around me, their inky tendrils caressing my fragile form, leaving their mark on my neck as a symbol of my newfound connection to the abyss. The black markings on my body pulsed with a subtle energy, their significance unfathomable to the uninitiated. As the darkness wove its intricate tapestry around me, I remained serene, almost untouched by its consuming presence. It was as if the shadows recognized a kinship within me, an affinity that transcended the mortal realm.
Neria's eyes widened as the last vestiges of the transformation took hold. She reached out a trembling hand, tracing the intricate patterns etched upon my skin. Though a look of slight disgust flickered across her face, it was overshadowed by an unwavering determination to protect and guide me through this treacherous path.
'She seems like someone who despises creatures of the dark.'
A palpable shift in the atmosphere heralded the arrival of another presence. A mist materialized out of thin air, swirling and twirling until it took the form of a man—a figure of dark allure and undeniable magnetism. He exuded an undeniable allure, a magnetism that drew the gaze of all who beheld him. His features were sculpted with a devilish charm, a playfulness etched into every line and curve. His eyes sparkled with mischief, vibrant orbs of ember that seemed to dance with an otherworldly fire.
A mischievous smile graced his lips, revealing a hint of pointed fangs that added to his mystique. His jet-black hair fell in disarray, framing his face with a tousled elegance. With every movement, he exuded a captivating energy, an air of confidence and lightheartedness that was as intoxicating as it was dangerous. It was as if he held the secrets of both pleasure and peril in his very being, a tempter who reveled in the chaos he sowed.
'What's with this strong demonic energy I'm feeling?'
He stepped forward with a measured grace, his voice dripping with wicked charm.
"Ah, Neria, how intriguing to find you here, ensnared in the clutches of darkness. And who is this little one you hold so protectively?"
Neria's eyes narrowed, her voice carrying a hint of defiance. "What business do you have with us, demon? Speak your intentions."
The demon's lips curled into a malicious smile, his voice a tantalizing melody.
"Such a small child that is, a newly born perhaps?"
The demon suddenly disappeared and reappeared behind Neria, which she quickly stepped back and pulled me further into her embrace.
The demon let out a low chuckle. A smile appeared on his face, showing how amused he was by Neria's reaction.
Suddenly he stopped, a small frown appearing on his face as he sniffed the air once, then twice.
"This..." he said, our eyes locked.
Shock passed through the demon's eyes as realization dawned upon him, his demeanor turning slightly serious.
His eyes then turned to Neria, sensing the change in mood, Neria's body tensed up and her mana started rising.
"That child... Why is that child here?"
The demon's inquiry hung in the air, an undercurrent of intrigue mingling with his confusion. Neria, her face a mask of caution, met his gaze with unwavering determination.
"Why should it concern you, demon?" she replied, her voice steady despite the tension that permeated the air. "This child is under my protection."
The demon's expression darkened, a flicker of impatience crossing his features.
"Ah...I see why you're here now." He said, his gaze settling back on me.
"That vile woman must have abandoned the child..."the demon muttered, his voice filled with a mixture of disdain and understanding.
I felt thick bloodshot emitting from Neria as she glared at the demon, her bright blue eyes glowing threateningly. I could hear the sound of her teeth grinding.
"Vile...?" She muttered, mana started to rise rapidly from Neria's body, her grip on me tightening.
The air crackled with the intensity of Neria's rising anger. Her loyalty to her lady and her fierce protectiveness surged within her, fueling a growing storm of power.
"How dare you?" Neria's voice boomed along with an outburst of mana.
An amused smile appeared on the demon's handsome face.
"A woman who abandoned her kind, her people and blood, deserves no title beyond vile," the demon mocked, his voice dripping with disdain. "You, a fallen guardian, shielding the offspring of such a forsaken union. How delightful."
"My lady is no vile woman, she had her reasons for all the things she had done, you know nothing!!! Take that back!" Neria shouted.
The smile on his face widened as he again reappeared behind Neria, placing a hand on her shoulder, slightly leaning into her ears before he whispered:
"I would, if you give me the child."
BOOM
A surge of power exploded from Neria, rippling through the desolate landscape. The force of her magic sent shockwaves cascading through the air, shaking the very ground beneath us.
The demon leaped away from his previous position, playing on his face was an amusing expression.
Neria casually threw me in the air, where a small bubble expanded around me and formed a small circle barrier, keeping me afloat and safe from the ongoing fight.
I quietly watched as Neria lunged at the demon, droplets of water forming around her as they melded together seamlessly, elongating into sinuous water whips that trailed behind her with effortless grace. The water whips encircled Neria like serpents, their sinuous forms undulating and swaying in perfect harmony with her every movement. They moved with an almost sentient grace, coiling and uncoiling with fluid precision as if they were extensions of her very being. Like loyal companions, they followed her every step, mirroring her actions with an uncanny synchronicity.
With lightning-quick reflexes, Neria closed the distance between herself and the demon. Neria's leg propelled skyward with a speed that seemed to defy gravity. It surged toward the demon's chin with blinding speed, threatening to make contact with a bone-jarring impact.
The demon, however, reacted swiftly, leaping backward just in time to avoid the full impact of her kick.
As he retreated, a surge of exhilaration coursed through the demon's veins, his heart racing as the tips of Neria's extended water whips grazed the underside of his chin. It was a hair's breadth away from making contact, leaving behind a tingling sensation that electrified the air around them.
The demon's eyes shone with mischievous light as darkness started surrounding him, with the flick of his finger, from the depths of the desolate earth, massive and jagged forms of darkness and inferno erupted with a violent surge. Towering spikes, as tall as the tallest trees, shot upward from the ground, their pointed tips gleaming with an ominous glow. They loomed over the battlefield, their presence a testament to the raw power of the demon's command over the elements of darkness.
One even came closer to piercing the bubble I was currently in, as if sensing danger, the bubble floated higher into the air.
'What's the point of the fight again?' I thought watching Neria swiftly leaping into the air, with her agile movements. But just as she reached the apex of her jump, another spike, even taller and more treacherous, rocketed skyward towards he. Neria's body twisted and contorted in a breathtaking display of agility.
With a daring flip backward, Neria narrowly evaded the oncoming spike. The spike passed beneath her, missing her by mere inches. However, this evasive maneuver left her momentarily vulnerable, suspended mid-air with limited options for defense.
Seizing the opportunity, the demon launched a barrage of attacks, capitalizing on Neria's exposed position. Dark tendrils of energy lashed out from the demon's hands, hurtling towards her with deadly intent. But in a display of unwavering skill and precision, Neria's water whip responded with lightning-fast reflexes.
With a swift and fluid motion, her water whip sliced through the incoming onslaught of infernal darkness. The crackling clash of elements filled the air as the water whip cleaved through the malevolent energy, dispersing it into harmless fragments. The sheer force of Neria's strike sent ripples cascading through the surrounding atmosphere, a testament to her mastery over the elements.
As the fight kept going on, I couldn't help but question.
'Why does this demon want to take me way?'
From the aura the demon and many demons around the area hiding in darkness, this demon's aura seems dominant, but I don't think he's the master of this domain. From my knowledge and the history Neria narrated to me earlier, moon elves seem to be highly wanted and rare.
So even demons will definitely have the desire to devour one for themselves. But I can sense that that is not the demon's intention, Neria seems to know that too.
'A ritual?' That thought quickly went out of my head when I saw the demon glance my way, chills went down my tiny spine as I felt the demon's darkness element covering the bubble, I was in.
"NO." I heard Neria scream as darkness covered the once transparent protective bubble around me.