Chapter 18: The Star Shatterer
Alawis stood alone, the silence deafening. Lady Lyra and Valtira had vanished, leaving her with more questions than answers.
"Lady Lyra said you need me?" Alawis asked, turning to Niel. "Why is that?"
Niel's faint smile hinted at secrets. "You are my 'Star Shatterer'."
Alawis's confusion deepened. "Who's a Star Shatterer? What are you talking about?"
Niel stood up, his movements fluid. "I will explain. Demons have 7 Demonic Stages."
The air seemed to thicken as Niel began his explanation.
"The 7 Demonic Stages are the foundation of Hell's hierarchy. Each stage represents a level of mastery and control."
Alawis leaned in, fascinated.
"Stage 7: Emotional Control," Niel started. "The highest stage, where demons master their emotions, harnessing them for power."
"Stage 6: Memory Manipulation," Alawis repeated, understanding. "The next stage, where demons control their memories, recalling and altering them at will."
"Stage 5: Moral Ambiguity," Niel continued. "Demons at this stage transcend morality, understanding the gray areas between right and wrong."
"Stage 4: Empathic Dominance," Alawis said, her expression somber. "Where demons master empathy, manipulating the emotions of others."
"Stage 3: Pain Tolerance," Niel's voice softened. "Demons at this stage can withstand and harness physical pain."
"Stage 2: Willpower," Alawis's eyes widened. "Where demons control their desires, bending their will to achieve their goals."
"Stage 1: Emptiness," Niel's voice dropped to a whisper. "The final stage, where demons master the void within, achieving true inner peace."
Alawis's gaze locked onto Niel. "What happens if a demon fails these stages?"
Niel's expression turned serious. "If a demon fails to master their power, they become 'Rogue demons.' Their only desire is to escape and ascend to Earth, creating chaos."
Alawis asked, "What happens after Stage 1?"
Niel's smile was enigmatic. "You become a Dark Star Realm demon. Their demon heart turns into a Black Star, completely black. Their job is to rule kingdoms in the demon realm."
"And the demon realm can only hold 10 of those beings, including myself," he added, his voice laced with authority.
Alawis nodded, understanding. "A Dark Lord."
Niel continued, "The realm is divided into two: Dark Star Realm Stage 2 and 1. Stage 2 Dark Star demons are powerful, but when their rage or thirst for blood intensifies, they lose control."
"They must resist the demonic power's whisper," Niel emphasized. "It takes two Dark Stage 2 demons to fight an 'Average' Stage 1 demon on even terms."
"Stage 1 and 2 have their demonic flames," Niel explained. "The difference lies in intensity; each demon has a unique color and shade of flame."
He raised his hand, and a dark silver flame erupted, oscillating around his figure.
"As I said, the difference is the intensity, the shade. The darker, stronger the flame is, and Stage 1 has absolute control of their flames."
"Stage 2 can only engulf their figure, throw it, or use their hand to touch a demon, but with the speed of Stage 1 Dark Star Realm, it will be simple."
"Stage 1 uses the mind to control and command the flame, controlling the intensity and flow."
The flame oscillating around his figure drifted toward Alawis; she jumped in fright.
"No, please."
Niel reassured her, "The advantage you have as my mate is that my flame can't hurt you, nor my power, since it succumbs to me."
Alawis wasn't focusing on his words; she was mesmerized by the fireball, touching it as it oscillated around her fingers.
She kept smiling. "Ohhh, then she looked up to him. So, your fire can't burn me, even by mistake?"
Niel smirked at her. "My word to my power is 'ABSOLUTE,' Little Bunny."
The flame danced around Alawis, its intensity diminishing as it enveloped her.
"See? My flame recognizes you as mine," Niel said, his voice filled with satisfaction.
Alawis's eyes sparkled with wonder. "This is amazing."
Niel chuckled. "You're amazing."
Their gazes locked, the air thickening with tension.