Chereads / Aluts World "This Journey" / Chapter 14 - #13, The Demon King's Gambit

Chapter 14 - #13, The Demon King's Gambit

Chapter 13

The sound of ice cracking echoed through the frozen chamber as Caelan, Zaimond, and the others squared off against the towering golems. Each one moved with brutal efficiency, swinging massive icy fists that left deep scars in the stone floor. But even as they fought fiercely, their eyes kept darting toward the Ice King, Varus K 10, who sat leisurely on his throne, watching them with an amused grin.

Elden cleaved one golem in half with a powerful slash of his sword, ice shards scattering across the floor. "These things just keep coming!" he growled, wiping sweat from his brow despite the cold.

Zaimond unleashed a barrage of fire and earth-based attacks, tearing through another golem. "They're tough, but we've got this. Just keep pushing!"

But as the last of the golems fell, Varus stood from his throne, slow and deliberate. The smirk on his face never wavered. "Oh, you think this is all I have in store for you?" he said, his voice dripping with condescension. He raised one hand, his fingers twitching slightly.

Caelan felt the temperature in the room plummet even further. The air itself seemed to freeze solid as a deep, unnatural chill seeped into his bones. His breath caught in his throat.

"Behold my true power," Varus said, his eyes gleaming with malicious glee. "The ability to take any form and enhance it to perfection."

With a wave of his hand, the shattered remnants of the ice golems began to shift and coalesce. The jagged ice shards swirled together, forming a new figure in the center of the room—a humanoid shape, taller and more imposing than any of the golems.

As the figure solidified, Caelan's heart sank. He recognized the face immediately. It was Vinseno, the powerful foe they had barely managed to defeat not long ago. But something was different. This version of Vinseno was made entirely of ice, his crystalline body glowing with a cold blue light, his eyes burning with malice.

"No way," Caelan muttered under his breath. "How…?"

"This is my masterpiece," Varus said, his voice filled with pride. "Using my Copy to Ice ability, I can recreate any being I've seen… in perfect form. This Vinseno may only be 99% as powerful as the original, but that's still more than enough to destroy you."

Zaimond's eyes widened in horror. "This… this is insane."

The ice-Vinseno stepped forward, his footsteps echoing ominously in the chamber. His movements were fluid, unnatural, like a predator stalking its prey. And his power—Caelan could feel it radiating from him, the same overwhelming force they had barely survived before.

"We're in trouble," Richard muttered, tightening his grip on his weapon. "That thing has all of Vinseno's abilities."

Caelan's mind raced. They had barely managed to defeat the real Vinseno, and that had been with everyone at full strength. Now, they were worn out, and this ice version was standing between them and the Demon King. The odds weren't looking good.

Suddenly, a loud thud echoed from outside the chamber. It was followed by another, and another—someone was slamming against the outer walls of the castle.

Caelan's heart lifted slightly. "Rul!" he said aloud. "He's trying to break through the barrier!"

But Varus only chuckled. "Your friend out there? He's wasting his time. My barrier is impenetrable. He won't be joining you anytime soon."

Rul, outside the castle, punched the invisible barrier again and again, his face twisted in frustration. The powerful sorcerer was growing more and more irritated by the fact that he couldn't even touch the barrier, let alone break through it. "Damn it…" he muttered, slamming his fist against the magical wall again, sending ripples through the air. But no matter how much force he applied, it remained solid.

Inside, Caelan and the others were on their own.

The ice-Vinseno launched forward with terrifying speed, faster than Caelan could react. In an instant, the clone was on him, its icy fist swinging toward his face. Caelan barely managed to raise his sword in time to block, but the force of the blow sent him skidding back across the chamber floor.

"Damn… He's just as strong as the real one," Caelan muttered, his arms shaking from the impact.

Zaimond didn't waste a moment. He unleashed a torrent of advanced elemental magic—fire, lightning, and wind—all at once, aiming directly at the ice-Vinseno. But the clone moved with inhuman agility, dodging each attack effortlessly, its cold blue eyes locked on Zaimond.

"Guys, we're gonna need a plan here!" Zaimond shouted, backing up as the ice-Vinseno closed in on him.

Elden, grim and determined, stepped forward, brandishing his sword. "I'll handle this thing. Caelan, Zaimond—focus on Varus. We need to stop him if we're going to have any chance of getting out of here alive."

"Right," Caelan nodded, though he wasn't sure how they were going to defeat Varus when they were already struggling just to stay alive.

As Elden charged at the ice-Vinseno, the clone met him head-on, their swords clashing in a violent explosion of ice and steel. Elden's movements were precise, each strike calculated, but the clone was relentless, attacking with the same brutal power they remembered from the real Vinseno.

While Elden fought, Caelan and Zaimond turned their attention to Varus. The Demon King remained seated, watching the battle with a smirk, clearly unconcerned.

"We need to break his concentration," Zaimond said, his voice tight with tension. "If we can disrupt his control over the ice, maybe the clone will weaken."

Caelan nodded. "Alright. Let's hit him hard."

Together, the two of them rushed forward, their attacks aimed directly at Varus. Caelan swung his sword, light radiating from the blade, while Zaimond unleashed a barrage of elemental magic. But just as their attacks were about to connect, a wall of ice erupted from the ground, blocking their path.

Varus chuckled from behind the barrier. "Do you really think I'd let you get that close? How adorable."

Caelan gritted his teeth, frustration mounting. This was turning into a nightmare. They couldn't get to Varus, and Elden was locked in a life-or-death battle with the ice-Vinseno. And outside, Rul was still unable to break through the barrier.

But Caelan wasn't ready to give up. Not yet.

"Zaimond," he said, his voice steady despite the chaos around them. "We've got to find a way to break through that ice."

Zaimond nodded, determination in his eyes. "I'll overload it with magic. If we hit it with enough energy at once, it might just shatter."

The two of them stood side by side, gathering their strength. Caelan focused all of his light energy into his sword, while Zaimond channeled every element he could into his hands.

"On three," Caelan said, his voice tense. "One… two… three!"

Together, they unleashed their combined power, a blinding flash of light and magic surging toward the ice barrier. For a moment, it seemed like nothing would happen. But then, cracks began to form along the surface, and with a deafening shatter, the barrier crumbled.

Varus's eyes widened in surprise, just as Caelan and Zaimond launched themselves at him.

"Now we end this!" Caelan shouted, his sword glowing with pure, radiant light.

Varus barely had time to react before Caelan's blade sliced through the air, aimed directly at the Demon King.

---

The icy barrier that they thought was shattered began to regenerate, sealing them inside the chamber once more. The atmosphere thickened with an overwhelming chill, the air itself freezing their lungs with every breath they took. Caelan's heart raced as he realized that the walls weren't just reforming—they were closing in, as if the castle itself was trapping them.

Outside, Velldora Rul, the powerful dragon hybrid and their secret weapon, stood frozen in place. His usual confident demeanor faltered as he realized there was nothing he could do. "Damn this barrier..." he muttered, his golden eyes narrowing in frustration. Despite being a being of immense power, a once-world conqueror during the Era of Emptiness, he was powerless against the regeneration of the enchanted walls.

Inside, the battle was getting worse. Zaimond, with his vast command of the elements, had been holding the line alongside Caelan, but the tide of battle was swiftly turning against them.

Suddenly, a sharp gasp echoed through the chamber. Caelan's eyes shot toward Zaimond, who staggered back, his face contorted in pain. The others followed his gaze—there, standing behind him, were eight identical Vinsenos made of ice. And one of them had driven its arm straight through Zaimond's abdomen, leaving a perfect, gaping hole.

Zaimond coughed, blood freezing in the frigid air, his body beginning to falter. "Zaimond!" Caelan shouted, running towards him. But Zaimond raised a trembling hand, stopping him in his tracks.

"Don't...," Zaimond gasped, his voice weak but resolute. "This isn't... over yet."

Caelan's heart pounded in his chest, the cold and terror overwhelming him. His mind raced, searching for a way out of this nightmare. But Zaimond's eyes, filled with a strange determination, didn't waver.

"With this treasure I summon…" Zaimond began, his hands glowing faintly as he reached into the pocket of his torn cloak. He pulled out a small object—a ritual stone, glowing with an ancient, mystical light. The air around them shifted, crackling with arcane energy.

Time itself seemed to freeze.

Caelan blinked in disbelief, as everything around him halted—the ice Vinsenos, the swirling shards of ice in the air, even the chilling wind that cut through the chamber. It was as if the entire world had come to a standstill.

Then, with a voice barely above a whisper, Zaimond finished his spell. "Velldora Rul."

Suddenly, in a burst of brilliant, ethereal light, Velldora Rul appeared inside the chamber, the powerful dragon hybrid transported from outside the barrier into the heart of the battle. His massive wings unfurled, casting a shadow across the frozen throne room. His eyes, burning with the fury of ages, swept across the room, taking in the chaos.

"Za... Zaimond, you—!" Rul began, shock clear in his voice. He hadn't expected to be summoned like this, especially not by Zaimond. He glanced at the hole in Zaimond's stomach, his expression darkening. "You're dying…"

Zaimond, barely standing, gave a weak smile. "I had no other choice. I knew you'd be able to turn the tide."

Rul gritted his teeth. "I'm only here for five minutes."

Caelan and the others stood in awe, unable to process what had just happened. They had never seen Velldora Rul in such close proximity, let alone summoned into battle like this. He was a force of nature, towering over them all with an aura of raw, untamed power.

The ice Vinsenos, now frozen in time no longer, stirred. They moved, faster and more fluidly than before, circling around Rul as if to size him up.

Rul cracked his knuckles, his eyes narrowing as he took in their movements. "Five minutes is all I need," he said, his voice a low growl. His aura flared to life, surrounding him in a shimmering, golden light as his hybrid dragon powers activated. The temperature in the room shifted instantly, heat surging from his presence, counteracting the oppressive cold.

Zaimond, exhausted from his spell, finally collapsed, his body beginning to dissolve into a puddle of dark ice water, a side effect of the Dark Ice curse. His sacrifice hit them all like a hammer, but there was no time to mourn.

Caelan's heart clenched as he saw Zaimond's form fading. "Zaimond…" he whispered, the weight of the loss hitting him. But this was no time to grieve. Zaimond's sacrifice wasn't in vain, and they couldn't let it be.

Rul, realizing the urgency, snapped his gaze to the others. "Listen up!" he roared. "This Vinseno clone is fast, but he's made of ice! If we can keep him busy, I'll tear him apart myself."

Without hesitation, Rul surged forward with a burst of speed that defied his massive frame. He slammed into the ice-Vinsenos, his claws glowing with a fiery energy. The clones scattered under the force of his attack, ice shards flying in every direction. But the clones quickly reformed, their icy bodies regenerating almost as fast as Rul could tear them apart.

Caelan, shaking off the shock, gripped his sword tightly. "We can't just stand here," he muttered to himself, his eyes narrowing with resolve. "He's right. We've got to keep moving!"

He charged forward, his blade glowing with light energy, striking at the clones with a precision and force that belied his earlier doubts. With Rul leading the charge, the team rallied, attacking the clones from every angle. Richard, Elden, and even the exhausted others gave everything they had to keep the clones from overwhelming them.

The battle raged, ice and fire clashing violently. The clones were relentless, but with Velldora Rul's immense power, they were slowly but surely being whittled down.

But time was running out.

"Three minutes!" Rul called out, his voice strained as he tore through another ice Vinseno, sending it crashing into a wall. "We don't have much longer!"

Varus, watching from his icy throne, sneered. "You fools. You think a mere dragon hybrid can stand against my creations?"

Caelan's eyes flashed with determination. "Maybe not alone. But we're not alone."

He raised his sword high, channeling the last of his energy into the blade. "Rul! Keep him busy. I've got an idea."

Rul, in the middle of fending off two more clones, glanced at Caelan. "Make it quick, kid!"

With a burst of speed, Caelan rushed towards the barrier surrounding Varus, his mind racing as he focused on the powers at play. The power system of their world—energy manipulation, elemental forces, luck manipulation—everything was about balance. And this barrier, this magic that was keeping them from Varus, had to have a weak point.

Caelan had one last card to play.

With a deep breath, he focused his light energy, aiming it directly at the barrier. "Light Flash!" he shouted, unleashing the full force of his attack. The radiant light slammed into the barrier, creating cracks along its surface.

Varus's eyes widened in surprise. "Impossible…"

But Caelan wasn't done. He pushed harder, channeling every ounce of power he had. The barrier trembled, then shattered, falling to pieces around Varus.

For the first time, Varus looked uncertain.

"Now, Rul!" Caelan shouted.

Velldora Rul didn't hesitate. With a ferocious roar, he launched himself at Varus, claws outstretched and glowing with fiery power.

---

Velldora Rul's eyes burned with fury as he towered over the crumbling remains of the icy fortress. His massive wings beat once, sending gusts of wind strong enough to knock the weakened soldiers off their feet. The air around him shimmered with raw power, heat radiating from his draconic aura as the last remnants of the once-imposing castle disintegrated into dust.

In the center of the rubble, standing alone, was Varus K 10. The so-called weakest of the Demon Kings now found himself surrounded, with nothing left to protect him. His pale, icy eyes flickered with something akin to fear as he stared up at the mighty hybrid dragon. His once smug expression melted away.

"C-CURANG! WOI! Pake naga! Itu nggak adil!" Varus shouted, his voice cracking as he backed up slightly, trying to regain his composure. His fingers twitched, summoning ice to form a makeshift shield around him.

Velldora Rul's lips curled into a smirk, sharp teeth gleaming. "You think this is unfair? You haven't seen anything yet." His voice was low and menacing, and with a single motion, he raised his hand, summoning a sphere of blazing energy. It crackled with untamed magic, ready to obliterate the demon in an instant.

But before Rul could release his devastating attack, Caelan and Elden leaped in front of him, their weapons drawn and faces resolute.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Hold up!" Caelan yelled, waving his hands in a panic, standing between the towering dragon and Varus. "Rul, listen, man! We got this!"

Elden, ever the stoic warrior, stepped forward, his expression hard as stone. "Velldora Rul, we appreciate your power, but this fight… it's ours."

Rul, still seething with rage, hesitated, his golden eyes narrowing. "Are you serious?" His voice was a deep growl, but Caelan could sense the dragon's reluctance to unleash full devastation without reason. Rul lowered his hand slightly but didn't let the sphere of energy fade.

Caelan gave Rul a grin, trying to lighten the mood. "Yeah, we're serious. We're the ones who've been dealing with this icy creep the whole time. Besides," he winked, "I wouldn't want you to waste all that energy on some punk Demon King. Save it for someone who actually matters."

Rul huffed, the sphere dissipating as his wings folded back. "You have five minutes."

With the towering dragon stepping back, Caelan turned to face Varus K 10, his grin fading as his expression turned serious. "Alright, buddy. Looks like it's just you, me, and Elden now."

Varus, who had been hiding his fear behind his icy shield, smirked with a newfound confidence. "You think this is going to be easy just because your pet dragon stepped down?"

Caelan shrugged, his hand tightening around his sword. "Not easy. But definitely fun."

Varus's smirk widened, and with a flick of his wrist, the ice around him twisted and transformed. Massive spikes of ice jutted up from the ground, swirling around him like a frozen tornado. His control over the element was precise, almost beautiful, as he shaped it into deadly weapons.

"Ice manipulation," Varus began, his voice cold and calm. "You may think it's just some basic magic, but in my hands… it becomes something far deadlier."

Caelan raised an eyebrow. "Ooh, spooky."

Elden, standing beside Caelan, kept his gaze fixed on Varus. "This isn't just ice… It's Dark Ice. Be careful."

Varus chuckled darkly. "Ah, so you're familiar with its properties. Good. That'll make it more satisfying when I freeze you both solid."

Without warning, Varus launched a barrage of ice spikes toward them. The sheer speed and precision of the attack caught Caelan off guard, but he managed to dodge the first wave, narrowly avoiding the sharp icicles that embedded themselves into the ground around him.

Elden, moving with calculated precision, raised his sword and sliced through several of the ice spikes, his movements controlled and methodical. But even he could sense the overwhelming power behind each attack. This wasn't just ordinary ice; it carried with it the essence of darkness, freezing anything it touched with an unnatural chill.

"Alright, Elden, no more playing around," Caelan said, his tone shifting. He could feel the weight of the battle now. Varus was no joke.

Varus raised his arms, and suddenly, the battlefield was engulfed in a massive blizzard. Snow and ice swirled violently, obscuring vision and making it hard to breathe. But Caelan kept moving, his sword glowing faintly with light energy as he prepared to strike back.

"You're really dragging this out, aren't ya?" Caelan muttered, trying to keep his cool despite the biting cold. His hands were beginning to freeze, his breath visible in the icy storm.

Varus's laughter echoed through the storm. "I don't need to rush. All I have to do is outlast you. Let the cold take over."

Caelan, however, wasn't one to give up so easily. He grinned through chattering teeth. "Outlast me? I hope you're not that confident."

With a burst of speed, Caelan darted forward, dodging another volley of ice spikes. His sword, charged with light energy, slashed through the air, sending a wave of light directly at Varus. The impact sent the Demon King staggering back, but it wasn't enough to take him down.

Elden, seeing the opening, charged in as well, his sword slicing through the air with deadly precision. Varus quickly summoned a wall of ice to block the attack, but the sheer force of Elden's blow shattered it instantly.

Varus's eyes widened in shock. "Impossible! How—"

Before he could react, Elden was already on him, his blade aimed directly at Varus's chest. But Varus wasn't finished yet. With a wave of his hand, he summoned dark ice from beneath the ground, creating a massive barrier between him and the warriors.

"Ice may be fragile," Varus sneered, "but Dark Ice… is indestructible!"

The barrier of dark ice loomed between them, thick and unyielding. But Caelan wasn't deterred. He raised his sword high, the light energy glowing brighter than ever.

"You keep saying that," Caelan muttered, his grin widening. "But I'm not buying it."

With a powerful swing, Caelan unleashed his final attack: "Light Flash—Phase Two!"

The burst of light energy was blinding, cutting through the dark ice as if it were nothing. The barrier shattered, and Varus was left exposed, his defenses crumbling around him.

Caelan and Elden moved as one, their blades striking in unison. Varus barely had time to react as the combined force of their attacks overwhelmed him.

Varus let out a final scream as the light energy engulfed him, his body freezing mid-scream before shattering into pieces of dark ice.

The blizzard stopped. The air cleared.

And the battlefield was silent once more.

---

As the blizzard faded and silence settled over the battlefield, Caelan knelt on one knee, breathing heavily. The remnants of Varus K 10 lay scattered, dark ice glimmering ominously in the fading light. A sense of victory coursed through him, but there was still work to be done.

"Alright, time to light things up," Caelan muttered to himself, pulling out the shimmering Life Stone he had received from Richard. The gem pulsed softly in his hand, reflecting the determination in his eyes.

He raised the Life Stone above his head, channeling his energy into it. The light emitted from the stone brightened, a radiant glow spreading outwards. Caelan focused on the northern skies, where the dark clouds of despair hung like a shroud over the land.

"Let the sun shine upon the north!" Caelan declared dramatically, almost expecting a crowd to cheer him on. He chuckled at his own enthusiasm. "What's next, a dance number?"

As the warmth of the light spread, creatures of darkness and shadow began to transform. Wretched beasts twisted back into human forms, their faces reflecting confusion and disbelief. One particularly burly dark creature looked down at his hands, bewildered.

"Wait… am I… human again?" he exclaimed, staring at his now-nonexistent claws. "What the hell, man? I was just about to eat a whole cow!"

Caelan couldn't help but laugh. "Welcome back to the land of the living! Maybe lay off the cows next time, alright?"

But amid the joyous transformations, a dark shadow loomed over them. From the remnants of Varus's shattered form, something began to stir. The ice that once bound the demon started to coalesce, swirling around in a mesmerizing dance.

"Uh, guys? Is that supposed to happen?" Caelan asked, taking a cautious step back.

"Probably not," Elden replied, crossing his arms, his expression a mix of concern and curiosity.

The pieces of dark ice started to reshape, a silhouette forming before their eyes. Then, with an explosive burst, a figure emerged. The air crackled with energy as Varus K 10's form twisted and morphed into something altogether different.

When the ice cleared, they were faced with the unmistakable presence of Zaimond. But there was something off about him; he looked slightly… frosty.

"What in the name of the Seven Elemental Gods is happening?" Caelan gasped, his mouth hanging open in disbelief. "Is that Zaimond or an ice sculpture gone wrong?"

Zaimond stood there, a chilling smile on his face. "Ah, how delightful to see you all again. Or should I say… surprise! I've been enjoying a little vacation in this icy body." His voice had a melodious tone, but it echoed with an eerie chill.

"Wait, wait, wait!" Elden interjected, raising a hand in protest. "You mean to tell me you were in there this whole time? Why didn't you just break free earlier?"

Zaimond chuckled lightly, the sound almost melodic. "Let's just say, the afterlife was not ready for someone as fabulous as me. I got kicked out of both heaven and hell! How rude!"

Caelan slapped a hand over his mouth, trying not to laugh. "So you're telling us you were too much for both places? That's both impressive and slightly sad, Zaimond."

"Exactly!" Zaimond beamed, striking a pose. "A true icon of resilience. I just couldn't fit in anywhere. They really need to work on their acceptance policies."

Elden groaned, running a hand down his face. "This is a disaster. You realize you're now wearing the body of a demon, right?"

"Oh, please!" Zaimond waved a hand dismissively. "I'm just borrowing it! But now I'll have to deal with all these feelings of hunger for souls again. Ugh, the drama!"

The group shared incredulous looks, caught between laughter and disbelief. Varus had been vanquished, but here stood Zaimond, alive again with the most ridiculous explanation.

"So, what now?" Caelan asked, scratching his head. "Are you going to help us take down the next big bad or just complain about your body?"

Zaimond grinned, his icy demeanor shifting to a more charismatic charm. "Oh, I'll definitely help. After all, what's a little soul stealing between friends? Let's just say, I've got some cool tricks up my sleeve."

"Did you just make an ice pun?" Caelan laughed, unable to suppress the mirth any longer. "I can't believe you!"

"Of course! Now, can we all just take a moment to appreciate how fabulous I look in this body?" Zaimond twirled, the ice shimmered beautifully around him, catching the light of the Life Stone.

"Alright, fabulous ice demon, what's our next move?" Elden asked, trying to sound serious but failing to hide a smile.

Zaimond paused, looking thoughtfully into the distance. "Well, I guess we should go find out what's left of this so-called Demon Realm. I hear they have terrible interior decorating skills. We might need to add a touch of class!"

With a newfound sense of unity and laughter echoing through the remnants of the battlefield, the group set off, leaving behind the icy shell of Varus K 10 and embracing their next adventure with Zaimond, the flamboyant ice demon who just wouldn't quit.

---

To Be Continued…