"Arnar, how much longer..." Eira's voice trailed off, filled with exhaustion and frustration.
Arnar's response was curt and impatient. "Eira, just shut up and keep walking."
A tinge of guilt colored Eira's words. "I'm sorry."
As they traversed through a place shrouded in heavy, stagnant air, Arnar understood the importance of maintaining his guard.
Another unfortunate incident could occur at any moment.
He knew he wasn't well-liked in these lands, given his propensity for conflict and confrontation.
But he cared little for offending others or enduring their ill words. His priority was protecting his people from the forces of evil.
Meanwhile, Eira felt the weight of fatigue settling upon her. The ritual from the previous night had drained her to the core.
"Eira, I can hear you mumbling," Arnar interjected, his irritation was very evident. "If you must mutter, could you at least ask the wind how far we are from the village?"
Eira nodded without hesitation. "Sereni..."
She listened intently as the wind whispered its secrets to her, a faint smile graces her face. "We're close. We just need to keep walking."
"Good. Now, if you please, refrain from speaking," Arnar commanded, his mood was pretty sour.
Unbeknownst to Eira, he kept his right hand immobile.
-Do you not feel sorrow now?the voice echoed inside Arnar's mind once more.
Ignoring the voice, Arnar pressed on, refusing to engage.
-Last night, we both experienced pleasure, did we not? the voice persisted.
Again, Arnar remained silent, suppressing the rising discomfort within him.
-A true virgin for both of us. It was a delightful experience. I should thank you for that,- the voice continued, its words slithered through Arnar's thoughts.
Suddenly, a piercing pain shot through Arnar's head, causing him to reel in agony. "Shut up!" he shouted, with frustrated voice.
"But I didn't say anything..." Eira's voice carried confusion as she held a small black bird delicately on her index finger.
Arnar's eyes widened as he caught sight of the creature perched on Eira's finger. "Where did you get that?"
"It simply came to me. Why?" Eira replied innocently.
"Drop it!" Arnar's voice rose sharply.
"B-But why?" Eira's confusion deepened.
"It's the eyes of the snake... black and venomous, just like her soul."
"A snake?" Eira tilted her head in puzzlement.
"A human witch. They called her a snake because she struck a deal with the demon named Gera. The demon took away her legs, but couldn't possess her entire body. Legend has it that she now employs black birds as her eyes since she can no longer walk."
Eira instinctively raised her other hand and yeeted the bird away. "I understand. My apologies."
"Don't apologize for things you know not," Arnar cautioned, heavy with a warning and regret.
*Scribble.*
"Shit..." Arnar's frustration escaped in a muttered curse, realizing the gravity of the situation they were entangled in.
As Eira and Arnar stood frozen, the atmosphere around them grew heavy with an ominous presence.
The serpentine figures began to materialize, slithering into view one by one. The snakes coiled and hissed, their eyes glowed with a venomous intensity that sent chills down their spines.
Arnar's instinct was to reach for his sword, to defend himself and Eira against the encroaching danger.
But as his hand moved towards the hilt, an invisible force stopped him, a voice echoing from within his mind.
-Use my power instead,- the demon whispered.
Startled by the unexpected intrusion, Arnar hesitated, but then asked, "What is your power, demon?"
A wicked sneer danced across the demon's face as it replied,
-Incredible.-
Curiosity mingled with desperation as Arnar made a bold decision.
He accepted the demon's offer, feeling an electric surge of power course through his veins.
His golden eyes transformed into inky black orbs, and a malevolent smile played upon his lips, revealing a darkness that had been dormant within him.
Eira watched in confusion, her gaze was darting between the snakes and the transformed Arnar. Fear gripped her heart, uncertain of the consequences that would follow this unholy alliance.
As if sensing their hesitation, the snakes lunged forward, their fangs bared, ready to strike.
Arnar, fueled by the demon's power, unleashed an extraordinary ability.
Shadows enveloped him, swirling and coiling like ethereal serpents of their own.
With a single gesture, he commanded the shadows to defend him and Eira.
"Now let's see what we can do…" he smirked.
The demon's power manifested in a unique and chilling manner. Dark tendrils extended from Arnar's outstretched arm, lashing out at the approaching snakes.
Each tendril carried a venomous energy that burned through the air, colliding with the serpents in explosive bursts of darkness.
Arnar's movements became fluid and precise, his strikes looked like a macabre dance of power and destruction.
"I love it!" He laughed, as he kept attacking.
The transformed king seemed to relish in the demonic energy that coursed through him, his actions were becoming a reflection of the darkness within.
Eira, caught between awe and terror, watched as the battle unfolded.
She couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation as her companion became something entirely different, a vessel for both the demon's power and the darkness that resided within him.
The snakes fought ferociously, their hisses blended with the crackling energy that filled the air.
Yet, with each strike, Arnar's power proved too overwhelming for them to overcome. The tide of the battle shifted, as the snakes retreated, their confidence waning in the face of this unholy union.
As the last of the snakes slithered away, defeated, Arnar's eyes gradually returned to their original golden hue.
The shadows receded, leaving a sense of emptiness and uncertainty in their wake.
Eira approached cautiously, her voice laced with concern. "Arnar... What has happened to you?"
Arnar's eyes—lingering darkness, newfound power, and a hint of regret. With a somber tone, he replied, "I made a choice, Eira. And now, I must live with its consequences... I like it."