Confused and startled, Asher asked, "Who are you, and how did I get here?"
The demon responded with a grave and scary voice, "I am the great Demon of Black Flames. It is my magic that you are using. I reside within you."
Feeling skeptical, Asher retorted, "I don't know who you are, and I can't believe there's a demon living inside me."
The demon clarified, "You are in a battle with the wind magic user, and I brought you here because you are on the brink of death. If you die, I die, and I cannot allow that after my 100-year-long revival."
With a sense of sadness, Asher asked, "So, I'm about to die. What can we do now?"
The demon revealed a strange smile and urged, "I will lend you my strength to defeat him, but in return, you must lend me control over your left hand for your entire life. Agree, or else both of us will perish."
Initially refusing, Asher's resolve was tested as the demon cunningly played with his emotions. Eventually, Asher succumbed to the demon's persuasion and agreed, albeit reluctantly, "I will not allow this world to harm my loved ones. Fine, lend me your strength, but this is the first and last time."
The demon's ultimate goal was to control Asher's body completely for its own revival, and in exchange for its power, it took command over Asher's left hand.
With the demon's power coursing through him, Asher's body ignited in flames. His eyes turned a deep crimson, as if he were no longer in control. An evil chuckle escaped his lips, sending shivers down the spines of the spectators in the arena. The tornado that once threatened him was now engulfed in fiery inferno as Asher's newfound strength overwhelmed the wind magic user, Jack.
As Jack struggled to comprehend what had transpired, Asher's attacks intensified with newfound speed, power, and magical abilities. Despite Jack's desperate efforts, he couldn't overcome Asher's flames and was forced into a defensive stance.
Asher continued to attack relentlessly, toying with Jack and exhibiting his superiority. Despite the overwhelming odds, Jack refused to surrender and prepared his ultimate attack, "The Arrows of Doom," channeling all his magical power into conjuring massive arrows.
In response, the demon within Asher assumed a new form, unleashing its powerful "Black Sun of Hell" magic. A small black ball formed in the sky, raising the temperature in the stadium as sweat poured from everyone's foreheads. The ball transformed into a black sun and descended upon Jack, seemingly sealing his fate.
As Jack faced his impending doom, tears welled up in his eyes, and he reminisced about his past, his mother's advice, and the choices he had made.
Finally, the black sun fell, causing a cataclysmic explosion that devastated the entire stadium. A sand cloud engulfed the battleground, concealing its aftermath. Amidst the haze, a figure emerged, carrying someone in their arms, standing tall on the arena wall.
Everyone gasped in astonishment as they saw him. This man was none other than the great champion, Dark Blizzard. But for Henry and Asher, he was Yuan Xhin. Henry's mind raced with questions about why he was here and what his presence meant.
The commentator's voice trembled with excitement, "Oh my Goodness, Dark Blizzard himself came to save Jack! It's our pleasure to see you, sir!"
Henry stood frozen, his heart pounding as he absorbed the commentator's words. The crowd erupted into cheers and shouts of admiration for Dark Blizzard, causing Asher's unconscious state to be momentarily forgotten.
Dark Blizzard announced boldly, "I will be fighting this man tomorrow morning, and you all are invited. I don't care about the other matches."
The commentator repeated his words, ensuring everyone heard them loud and clear. Then, with a blink, Dark Blizzard vanished into thin air, leaving the spectators in awe.
The people of Frost Holm revered Dark Blizzard as a savior. He had protected the town from countless magical beasts, fended off invasions from neighboring towns, and accomplished much more. Concerned for Asher's well-being, Henry and Alexia rushed to his side. To their horror, they found his left hand entirely black, his nails elongated like that of a demon.
Fear gripped Henry and Alexia as they assessed Asher's condition. He had lost so much blood that there was no time to transport him to the infirmary. In a desperate attempt to save him, Henry began healing Asher in the arena, while Alexia hurried to fetch bandages.
Later that night,
As Asher slowly regained consciousness, he found Alexia asleep by his bedside, her head resting on the bed and her figure glowing with beauty. Butterflies and fireflies seemed to dance around her as she slept peacefully.
Gently, Asher covered her with a blanket, careful not to touch her with his blackened hand. Feeling unworthy of her grace, he quietly slipped out of the room and settled on a large, round stone, engaging in deep meditation. His closed eyes only brought haunting visions of the demon he faced earlier.
With the first rays of dawn, Alexia's eyes fluttered open, only to discover Asher missing. She spotted him sitting on a rock outside and approached him with concern.
"Hey, Asher, what are you doing here? Come inside," she called out.
Asher opened his eyes slowly and replied, "Coming."
As he get close to her, He lifted her chin with his finger, meeting her gaze with mixed emotions.
"Okay, mister handsome, let's go inside, and you have to prepare for the final battle," Alexia said, her cheeks flushing with warmth.
Asher and Alexia entered the room, their footsteps echoing softly against the polished marble floor. While Alexia expertly prepared a pot of aromatic tea, Asher's curiosity got the best of him, prompting him to inquire about his upcoming adversary.
"So, who am I going to face next?" Asher inquired, his voice tinged with a mixture of anticipation and anxiety.
Alexia turned to him, her demeanor calm and composed. "Your next challenge is Dark Blizzard," she replied, her tone steady. "Henry mentioned something about his real name being Wing Xhin."...
*****