"Who are you?" I asked, my voice trembling with fear as my heart hammered against my chest like a wild drum threatening to burst.
The darkness surrounding me felt like a living entity, closing in like a deadly trap, and the authority in their voices made me feel small and vulnerable—an insect under an entomologist's lens.
"It's rude not to introduce ourselves," they replied in unison, their words sharp as knives, leaving me breathless. Their echoes rang in my mind like an inexorable judgment.
"We are the True Dragons," they continued, their voices merging into a chorus of chilling finality. "Chosen by our god to fulfill a sacred mission, a decree that transcends mortality."
As my mind rebelled against the revelation, my voice quivered with rage and pain, exploding into a question: "What does it mean to be a True Dragon? What power does your divinity grant you?
Then, my pain and fury took control, and I screamed: "Why did you kill my father, the King—the man who gave me life? Where is my brother Sora, the only family I have left? Why have you stolen everything I care about?!"
The two self-proclaimed True Dragons, in human form, laughed with a madness that seemed to feed on my terror. Their laughter echoed through the hall like a chorus of the damned, making my heart clench with a jolt that stole my breath.
But before they could answer, a third voice, clear and beautiful, pierced the atmosphere—and my world froze. Turning toward the sound, my gaze met a stunning figure: a girl with pointed, elegant cat ears and hair as black as night, cascading down her back like an ink river. Her golden knight's armor gleamed as if forged for a warrior goddess, and in her hand, she held a scythe whose blade glinted with a deadly shimmer that chilled me to the bone.
"My lords," the girl addressed the Dragons with a respectful bow, her voice trembling slightly under the weight of her declaration. "The purge is complete. Three million souls have been sacrificed, their essence now belonging to our god. The empire has been reduced to ashes, and its people to mere shadows on the earth."
The True Dragons turned to her, their eyes glowing with cold, calculating light. Their faces darkened with a gravity that seemed to weigh on their shoulders, and when one spoke, his voice thundered like a storm in a cloudless sky. "Understood. We thank you for your service. Let us hope our god is satisfied with this offering. The purge has succeeded, and soon we shall awaken his power."
The hall fell into a tomb-like silence, broken only by the Dragons' breaths. The cat-eared girl stood like a death goddess, awaiting her next command.
She nodded and added, "We have the three million souls. Shall we begin the ritual to evolve him into the Demon King? Or should we torture him first?"
Suddenly, a towering figure emerged from the shadows, his aura so devastating it distorted the air. "We have the three million souls," he declared in a voice that seemed to claw at Ryker's soul, a cruel smile twisting his lips. "Let us commence the ritual to evolve him into the Demon King. Unless… we should play with him first. Awaken his true potential… through pain."
My heart began to tear itself apart, my mind plunging into an abyss of terror. "What kind of monsters are these?" I thought, my brain struggling to grasp the depravity around me. "They slaughtered everyone… just for a Demon King. And now they want to turn me into a monster like them."
I rose to my feet, my heart raging with fury, and grabbed a nearby sword. I pointed it at the Dragons, my voice shaking with wrath. "Why did you kill all those innocents? What did they ever do to you?!
But before I could get an answer, one Dragon lunged forward, his fist like a hammer slamming me to the ground. My vision blurred, but I forced myself to recover.
"You ask why?" the Dragon said icily, looming over me. "We killed innocents for a greater cause, Prince Ryker. Becoming a Demon King is a power few humans have ever attained. That is why… we have the gods' blessing."
My breath was ragged, my pain intense, but I managed to speak. "Fine," I said without hesitation. "But promise me one thing: spare my mother. I'll become your guinea pig."**
The Dragon smiled. "We swear not to harm your mother. Our god will be pleased."The other Dragon nodded solemnly. "Let the ritual begin."
Before starting, they brought a transparent orb containing the three million souls. The Dragons turned to me. "Now… we begin," they said in unison.
At that moment, footsteps echoed in the hall, and eleven more figures entered. The Dragons acknowledged them. "The Twelve Scythes of Heaven are assembled. Once you evolve, they will serve you."
Just then, Verónica entered with my mother. She had slain several angels and approached one of the Dragons. "I wish to serve Prince Ryker,"bshe declared, her loyalty clear.
The Dragons hesitated, but one of the Scythes spoke admiringly. "My lord, this human fought me to protect the Queen. Our strength is matched."
The Dragons exchanged glances and nodded. **"A mere human with power rivaling a Scythe of Heaven,"one said. "Verónica, you are worthy to join us."
The impatient Dragon stepped forward, urgency in his voice. "It is time. Let the ceremony to make Ryker the Demon King begin." His gaze locked onto me, and true terror gripped me.
I was ready to lose my humanity to save my mother—a fair price. Verónica approached me, her expression solemn. "I stand with you, Ryker," she said.
The evolution ritual began, and the three million souls crashed into me. I felt their pain, suffering, and despair. Each soul was a stab to my heart, a wound that wouldn't close. My soul disintegrated under the weight of their sorrow. The agony was unbearable, as if my very being were being shredded. I begged for mercy, but none came. The torment was infinite, an abyss swallowing me whole.
My mind fractured, unable to contain the anguish. I couldn't breathe, couldn't think. Only pain existed—a reality defining me. My soul faded, and with it, my identity.
Then, as suddenly as it began, the suffering ceased. The ritual was over. I had changed.
A blinding light exploded from within, shattering my world. Everything I believed, everything I was, vanished in an instant. My mind cleared, leaving only one truth: absolute loyalty to my lord.
I felt a profound shift in my being, as if my soul had been reborn. My heart beat with newfound strength, driven by a thirst for power and obedience.
When the light faded, a golden aura radiated from my body. I felt invincible—transformed into an instrument of destruction for those who opposed my lord.
"I am Ryker,"bI roared, "the First True Demon King! My existence is to serve my god and eradicate all who oppose him!" My voice shook the room.
After my declaration, everyone present knelt. "All of you are now under my command—my loyal subordinates. Those who refuse… will die."
The two True Dragons approached. "Congratulations," the taller one said. "We will support your reign."
I realized I'd never learned their names. "What are your names?" I demanded.
The taller Dragon smiled. "I am Draco. My companion is Xarath. We are your loyal servants, Lord Ryker.
"Draco and Xarath shall be my right hands," I declared.
Draco bowed eagerly. "My lord, it is an honor. Many thought you an angel, but now you are a true demon."
Before Xarath could speak, I seized his throat, my aura of power coiling around him like icy flames. "Did I permit you to speak?" I asked, my voice low and terrifying.
Xarath trembled in my grip. "N-no, my lord… Forgive me."
The onlookers watched in fear, sweat cold on their brows as I effortlessly dominated the Dragon.
"Remember, Xarath," I hissed, "in my presence, you speak only when allowed. Understood?"
He nodded, pale-faced. I released him, and he crumpled to the floor, gasping.
"Now, Draco,"** I said, "what are our next moves?"
Draco bowed respectfully. "My lord, we have several options
The Queen interrupted, her voice trembling. "Son… what has happened to you? You're not the same."
My expression remained impassive. I drew my sword and, with a precise strike, severed her head.
"Forgive me, Mother," I said coldly.
Kneeling beside her body, my Demon King façade cracked. Memories of my childhood, of her warmth, flooded my mind. As I stared at her lifeless face, tears fell. "Goodbye, Mother," I whispered.
I stood, my gaze sweeping the room. "I am Ryker, the First Demon King," I declared, tears still streaming. "From this day, this continent is mine."