"Do you need my help?"
Arc could see the entity shrouded in darkness, holding out a hand to him by his soul's gate.
He could see it, and beyond, overlaying that vision, was the girl with horror in her eyes, as she only watched the demon walk slowly toward her.
"Never," Arc mustered his reply and forced his white form back. He bit his tongue and stood his ground slowly, trying to remember the sealing preparations he trained for. Sweat dripped from his brow, his muscles trembling with exertion.
He fell back to the ground, gritting his teeth, crawling toward the demon. His hands glowed in time.
A few more feet. Just a few more feet.
With a final, desperate lunge, he reached out and touched the demon's ankle.
It let out an unearthly wail, a sound resonating with pure agony, thundering through the whole unit.
The demon turned to the one who caused the pain—its eyes filled with fury.
It raised its claw and pierced Arc directly in his back. They both writhed in pain, the demon's claw still stuck on Arc's back.
Its body shook violently, a black, tar-like substance oozing from the mouth, causing a gurgling scream, as Arc overtook the body and the demon was gone.
The man, whom the girl called Mr. King, now lay on its side, lifeless...
He could barely breathe, each breath a shallow, ragged gasp. But he was alive. The girl was safe. She rushed to his side, a small frame trembling, her presence becoming a blur to Arc.
"Mister?" The little girl was crying.
"Asher... Run..."
"The monster is not moving now..." she sniffed in between her words.
A sudden creak took Arc's attention, and he turned his head to the other side, his body unmoving. His blurry vision could not quite make out what it was that he saw... but it was bad news.
The old man stood up from the sofa, his movements unnaturally smooth. He turned toward the two with a grin on his face.
He breathed in deeply, black blood minimal on his mouth and teeth, only the void-like eyes on display—glinting with malice.
"Well, isn't it a fantastic day?" It spoke, its voice low and husky, with a tone filled with sinister joy.
"A fantastic day for a harvest."
────────
The demon lunged again, a blur of speed coming at Roy. He sidestepped in time, catching its wrist and using its momentum to slam it against the wall.
The impact shook the room, a large jagged crack formed across the wall. Before Roy could react, the demon planted its feet against the wall, propelling itself back with a powerful kick.
The force completely shattered the wall, sending debris flying, and it launched a comeback punch toward Roy.
Roy blocked with his forearm, feeling the sting up to his very bone.
The demon's eyes narrowed as it saw Roy's feet lift in preparation for a counter-kick—swiftly jumping back.
The fight momentarily came to a pause, both circling each other—wary. Their breaths were heavy, each waiting for the other to make the first strike.
"You fight well for a human..." the demon growled, baring its teeth, "...but you're still just prey."
The demon charged again, faster this time. Its long, sharp nails extended from stiff palms, aimed directly at Roy's throat. He barely managed to dodge the attack, but the demon's nails had grazed the skin below his ear, leaving a stinging wound.
Roy spun on his heel and delivered a kick to the demon's back. The force of the blow sent it crashing into a nearby computer setup, sending sparks and fragments flying. It recovered quickly on its feet.
"I got the feeling I should be angry at you..." It walked slowly on all fours, cracking its neck side to side, unsettling cracks setting off. "Just because you destroyed this boy's most prized possession."
"You destroyed his most prized possession. His body."
The demon grimaced. "You think he cares about that? I saved him from killing himself..." Its face now twisted into a cruel grin. "I have every right to borrow it. The boy would have been dead by the time you arrived anyway."
Roy's jaw clenched tightly. A sudden wave of regret washed over him—he should have saved the boy from hanging first. He assumed it was too late. He was about to report the situation, never considering to check the boy's state.
"I'm sorry..." Roy mumbled, his voice heavy.
"To whom are you apologizing? He can't hear you..." The demon stepped forward. "And he doesn't need your apology. It was his choice."
Roy closed his eyes momentarily, offering a silent prayer.
The demon tilted its head, studying Roy with a twisted curiosity. "You're quite passionate, aren't you? A champion of the weak and broken. It makes me wonder—what drives you to fight for others so fiercely?"
"I fight to protect," Roy replied firmly, eyes snapping open, white form glowing more intensely.
With a sudden burst of energy, Roy lunged at the demon, his right hand glowing with a fierce light.
He delivered a punch, missed, and sent another blow to the gut using his knees. He grabbed the demon by the hand and flung it toward a wall, crashing to the cement and wood, debris scattering everywhere.
Roy attacked again while the demon was still recovering, conjuring back the blade of light. He directed the blade with a piercing thrust, straight to the demon's lung.
It spat out a stream of black blood, while it gripped onto the sword embedded in its chest. "Shit."
"You're done," Roy said, his voice resolute. He stepped forward, his hand glowing with a powerful seal. "Return to the lakes of fire."
He pushed his hand to the demon's forehead, as it only looked at Roy with black eyes. "I'll come back for you..."
The demon did not writhe in agony or cry out in pain. It only stared at him as it was overtaken...
Roy pressed his hand stronger, the beam of light shining brighter.
"You have no place here."