Out of Jasper's forehead, two imposing, obsidian-hued horns spiralled upward, They glistened with an eerie iridescence, casting subtle shadows on his transformed expression. His eyes, once mundane, now glowed with pure hatred, as if an infernal flame burned within, reflecting his personality.
Looking at his skin it underwent a dramatic alteration, transitioning from the ordinary palette of flesh tones to a more darker shade. A subtle, crimson undertone seemed to pulse beneath the surface.
Jasper's once unassuming physique now bore the marks of supernatural transfiguration. Sinewy muscles rippled beneath his transformed skin, lending an aura of demonic energy. His limbs elongated slightly, bestowing upon him an uncanny feature of half human and half devil.
"Oh, It's the champion of the tournament!" Jasper's voice sounded demonic with a tinge of his normal voice within. "Perfect timing! I didn't think I would have to resort to plan B in the first place but I think it's best if you die where you stand."
The tension in his voice shook my body, and my legs were trembling with fear. He looked like my ideal vision of a devil, and I was just a human, not a superhuman. I couldn't think of a way to get out of this situation, so what could I do right now?
My mind and body were torn between running away or fighting. However, Jasper has already blocked the main hallway exit. I realized that if I gave up without a fight, all my efforts so far would be in vain, which is why I have decided to give it my best shot. I grabbed my bow, which had helped me during the tournament, and prepared for the battle ahead.
"Are you still trying to fight? Can't you see how strong I am I've been reborn into a new person!" Jasper laughed as he gazed at my bow.
I didn't want to respond to his answers, but I had to fight somehow. So, I began charging up my shots and prepared for the worst.
"How foolish," Jasper said as he extended his hand out towards me and shot a medium-sized fireball with immense speed. But, I was able to parry it thanks to Projectile Disarm.
Jasper's wicked laughter echoed, reverberating off the walls of the corridor as he revelled in his strength. The flickering flames from the previous fireball still danced in the air, casting an ominous glow on his horned and semi-demon like form.
"Come now, Archer, show me what you're made of!" Jasper taunted, his voice a haunting melody of malice.
I tightened my grip on the bow, with a mix of fear flickering in my eyes. Without a word, I unleashed a barrage of arrows, each aimed with precision. Jasper effortlessly dodged, his agility now faster than before as he danced between my arrows.
"You think those feeble arrows can stop me now?" he sneered, his eyes ablaze with demonic fervour.
I swallowed my saliva, and continued my assault, strategically placing shots to limit his movements. Yet, with every evasion, Jasper seemed to be enjoying dodging my attack, his demonic laughter taunting my efforts.
Suddenly, he lunged forward, his speed defying his devilish form. A powerful strike from his transformed arm aimed directly at my chest. I quickly sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the blow. The corridor seemed to close in, becoming a tough ground for me to move through.
Sparks of flames flew as I shot more arrows from my bow, Jasper's strength was overwhelming, each blow he parried from my arrows were resonating with an unnatural force. Despite my best efforts, I found myself pushed back, the corridor's walls closing in.
"Give up, Archer! Your feeble resistance means nothing in the face of true power!" Jasper's demonic laughter echoed, an eerie soundtrack to my struggle.
With each exchange, I felt the weight of his demonic energy around him. His attacks were relentless, and my energy waned with every attempted evasion. The corridor felt like a cage, and Jasper, a malevolent force determined to break me.
"Your futile attempts amuse me!" Jasper proclaimed, revelling in the apparent ease of our battle.
Cornered, my options dwindled. Jasper's taunts echoed in the confined space, his demonic form casting an intimidating shadow. The struggle had escalated into a desperate dance, and the outcome hung in the balance as we clashed in the narrow corridor, the very air pulsating with the intensity of our struggle.
A powerful strike from Jasper connected, sending shockwaves through my body as pain flared.
I staggered my grip on the bow loosening for a moment. The relentless assault had taken its toll, and fear clawed at the edges of my consciousness.
Jasper seized the opportunity, closing the distance with unnatural speed. Horns protruding menacingly, his demonic form loomed over me, casting a shadow that eclipsed any hope of escape.
"You're finished, Archer!" Jasper declared, his voice dripping with triumph.
Fear gripped me. with no room to evade his demonic onslaught. Every attempt to counter his relentless attacks met with overwhelming force.
His strikes landed with brutal precision, each one draining my strength. The walls of the corridor seemed to close in, amplifying the dread that coursed through my veins. The dance of arrows had given way to a desperate struggle for survival.
I could hear Jasper's taunts, his demonic laughter ringing in my ears as he smiled at me gruelling in pain. That's when the realization hit me—I might not make it out of this alive. The fear of impending death gnawed at my resolve, clouding my thoughts as I grappled with the overwhelming force before me.
As he closed in for what seemed like the final blow, I couldn't shake the chilling certainty that this might be the end of my journey.
"Halt, demon!"
The sound of a woman in the hallways spoke up, It came from the entrance of the elevator, She wore an elegant white and gold dress that flowed gracefully with every movement. The attire accentuated her silver-white hair, and even amid the impending confrontation, she retained an air of regality. The golden mask concealed her identity but I already knew who this was.
The intervention shifted the dynamics of the corridor, and I watched as Aurelia Draxen, One of the strongest in this world, confronted Jasper.
Jasper stopped mid-attack against me and answered in response. "Well, well. If it isn't a self-proclaimed hero. Move along little girl; this place is for adults."
Aurelia's eyes flashed in surprise, and she looked like she was reddening up with anger behind the golden mask. "What did you say to me? You ugly bastard-looking fuck."
In his overconfidence, Jasper chuckled. "Oh, forgive me. I assumed a kid stumbled into the wrong place. My mistake."
Aurelia, now fuming by Jasper's condescension, raised her voice at him. "You picked the wrong person to mess with today, ugly bastard,"
Jasper, wasn't shaken by her words which made me think, Is this guy insane? He's standing before one of the strongest characters I've created in this story?
Are all my characters like this? If they are I must have failed as an author...
Then he took a step forward. "Wrong fight? I assure you your feeble attempts to provoke me won't work against me, kid."
Aurelia, unfazed by Jaspers' appearance began walking forward towards him as a sword of Light began to form from her hands, unleashing the power of her ability Divine Radiance.
"I'll show you who to not call kid."
Jasper smiled as he started walking towards Aurelia and I lay here spewing out blood that came out of my mouth.
In the narrow corridor, the clash between Aurelia Draxen and the demi-human Jasper began.
A massive mutilated fist appeared from the side of the wall aiming towards Aurelia's side but A bright shield or barrier appeared to have stopped the attack, I knew it was one of her passive abilities... Divine Justice.
A crusader-shaped symbol shined with a golden light as Jasper was blinded for a short moment Aurelia dispelled her sword and used her fist instead.
hup!
she took a deep breath and a golden trace of light was imbued around her fist in quick succession she hit Jasper 10 times in the span of 2.3 seconds pushing him back towards the elevator as Aurelia's back was facing towards me now.
"Impressive, impressive! A child who can wield the power of light,"
Jasper exclaimed, putting on a brave face.
However, his devil form was in grave danger as Aurelia's Attribute of Light continued to strike.
If the attacks persisted, his devil form would eventually be erased and he would be cleansed, causing excruciating pain.
The powerful impact of Aurelia's light attacks would cause internal blows and make the pain unbearable. But since his devil form would be absorbing the attacks, Jasper himself would not suffer any damage.
Jasper prepared for more attacks, lunging with a demonic aura that released a surge of arced slashes aimed at Aurelia.
However, they passed her, heading straight for me.
Wait...
It was heading straight for me?
My Jaw dropped in fear and I could see flashes of my childhood memories pass right before me.
Oh fuck, I guess I was cut out for this after all! Mother, I'm sorry I should've just taken that nursing course instead of trying to pursue a dead dream of mine and Father I wish I tried a little harder in school.
THUD
Then, I felt a bang reverberate against the wall.
Something warm enveloped me, and it wasn't the wet pants either; it was a barrier of light that protected me and healed my injuries slowly.
I looked at Aurelia, who caught a glimpse of my relieved self as I covered the special place of mine that was now wet...
"You devil! How dare you play unfairly!"
She sounded quite furious, but I'm not too sure if she was being sarcastic or not.
"What are you talking about? I just happened to miss, and the archer just happened to be perfectly positioned behind you."
He shrugged at her, acting as if his attack wasn't intentional, that damn demon.
Then, as she extended her right hand, the form of light began to appear again.
The sword of light created from the very essence of her attribute had manifested.
"Alright, demon or demi-human, I'll make sure you eat your words."
Jasper chuckled out laughter once again. "You're nothing against me."
Jasper charged at Aurelia once again and Aurelia, with divine grace, danced around Jasper's attacks effortlessly.
Her movements were a harmonious blend of elegance and power as she parried every demon strike with finesse.
The Sword of light, shimmered with energy, creating a mesmerizing display of radiant arcs with each swing and she slashed Jasper once with her sword creating a light that scarred his body.
"You thought you stood a chance against me? How amusing," Aurelia taunted, her voice dripping with disdain.
"Tch."
He clicked his tongue and Jasper, fueled by arrogance and his demonic strength, struggled to land a single blow on the strongest hero.
He tried using his demonic energy to grab Aurelia from everywhere but all of his attacks were met with a wall of barriers, each strike effortlessly deflected by Aurelia's ability.
"Did you get more stupid or stupider? I expected more from someone who sides with the demons,"
Aurelia mocked, her golden mask concealing the smug smile beneath.
Struggling and angered, Jasper retorted, "YOU'RE NOT STRONG!" Dark energy surged around him as he intensified his assault, but Aurelia's divine barrier held steadfast, repelling the malevolent force.
"You're like a child throwing a tantrum." Aurelia's taunts echoed through the corridor.
Growing frustrated, Jasper's attacks became more erratic, fueled by anger and desperation.
Yet, Aurelia's sword, bathed in celestial light, deflected each strike with ease.
Jasper lunged towards Aurelia with a hardened fist but Aurelia stood still and blocked his full-thrown attack with her sword and swung it back pushing Jasper back once again.
"WHY ISN'T IT WORKING!" He was screaming and slashing against the countless barriers Aurelia had put up like a rabid dog trying to get out of his cage.
As Aurelia deftly parried Jasper's demonic onslaught, a flicker of humanity manifested in the subtle quiver of his stoic features.
His eyes, once filled with unbridled rage, betrayed a momentary lapse—a glimpse of fear and recognition that went beyond the confines of his demon-like façade.
The furrowed brow, etched with frustration, softened briefly, revealing the vulnerability hidden beneath.
As Aurelia continued to mock and taunt, the mask of confidence that Jasper wore began to crack.
His facial expressions, usually shrouded in demonic intensity, wavered with uncertainty. The corners of his mouth twitched, betraying a hint of desperation, and his eyes, which initially held an unyielding glare, momentarily lost their fierceness.
With a final surge of power, Aurelia disarmed Jasper, causing him to stagger backward.
The Sword of light gleamed brighter as she prepared for the decisive strike.
"You're so weak; I couldn't tell if you were human in the first place,"
Aurelia declared with a hint of disappointment and unparalleled precision, raised her sword ready to strike Jasper down.
"Please, spare me," he pleaded, a hint of humanity breaking through his devilish facade.
"Huh?"
Aurelia looked at him with confusion, as if she hadn't heard those words coming out of a demi-human's mouth before. But yes, she wasn't fully aware of the after-effects of her abilities.
Instead of using her sword to kill Jasper, Aurelia delivered a swift punch to his solar plexus that knocked Jasper into the wall, rendering him unconscious.
The corridor returned to silence. There was no doubt in my head that Aurelia would lose.
Why?
She was the strongest.