Marcus strolled through the bustling city streets, his mind occupied with thoughts of his friends.
"Hm, Yaxoc is probably dealing with something again," he muttered under his breath. "And neither Luna nor Moonlight are around." He sighed, watching the vibrant energy of the city unfold before him. The day dragged on until Marcus found himself seated on a park bench. He leaned back, observing the children playing with unbridled joy in the park ahead.
"Seeing these kids play reminds me so much of Yaxoc," Marcus said to himself with a chuckle. "How clueless he was back then. Not to mention how hilariously he dealt with those bullies." He shook his head, a faint smile gracing his lips. "I wonder how those bullies turned out. Haven't seen them since middle school graduation prom."
With a shrug, he dismissed the thought, but his eyes caught sight of two familiar figures. His breath hitched. "Wait a minute... Isn't that... John and Frank?" Marcus muttered, narrowing his eyes.
He jumped up from the bench and jogged toward them. "Hey!"
John, clad in a white sweatshirt, jeans, and black shoes, turned toward the voice. Frank, dressed similarly, followed suit.
"Hold on," Frank squinted. "Isn't that Marcus?"
"You mean that nerd who used to hang out with the weirdo?" John asked, a sneer playing on his lips.
"I told you not to bring up that humiliation!" John hissed at Frank before glaring at Marcus, who was now only a few feet away.
"Hey, guys! It's nice to see you both again. Three years, huh?" Marcus said cheerfully, trying to ignore their expressions.
John rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. What do you want?"
Marcus blinked, momentarily thrown off by the cold reception. "I just wanted to catch up. What have you guys been up to?"
Frank snorted. "What do you think? We've been training to get into that crappy academy you call 'Saviors Academy.'"
"So how did you get in so fast?" John added, skepticism laced in his voice.
"Well, I've been training too. Plus, I gained magic," Marcus replied confidently.
John barked a laugh. "Magic? You seriously believe in that? You're delusional."
Marcus sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Just because you don't have it doesn't mean it's not real."
Before the argument could escalate, a voice called out from behind them. "Hey, Marcus!"
All heads turned toward the newcomer. It was Yaxoc, striding toward them with his usual nonchalant demeanor.
John and Frank's jaws dropped. "What the hell?" John sputtered. "Why are you white?!"
Yaxoc smirked. "It's a long story, pal—oh, wait. Aren't you the guys I humiliated back in the second semester?"
"You little—" John took a threatening step forward, but Frank grabbed his arm.
"Quit it, John. There's no point in fighting that creep," Frank said, shaking his head. "Wait, is he also part of the academy?"
Marcus nodded. "Yeah, he is."
Frank sighed. "Unexpected..."
"Ugh, I hate you," John spat, glaring daggers at Yaxoc.
Yaxoc laughed. "Guess what? Marcus has a girlfriend now!"
Marcus turned bright red, shooting Yaxoc a death glare. "You can't just say that so casually!"
"YOU WHAT?!" John and Frank shouted in unison.
Yaxoc doubled over in laughter. "Man, you should see the look on your faces!"
Marcus groaned, burying his face in his hands. "Yes, I admit it. I have a girlfriend."
Frank's curiosity piqued. "And who is it?"
"Moonlight Nightes," Marcus muttered.
John and Frank's eyes widened.
"Wait, the catgirl?" Frank asked.
"Damn, he's lucky," John muttered, trying to hide his jealousy.
John quickly changed the subject. "Anyway, we were about to pick on some kids, but we're done here. Let's go, Frank, before Yaxoc decides to humble us again."
As they walked away, Marcus sighed. "That was horrible, Yaxoc."
Yaxoc smirked. "Sure it was."
Marcus waved him off. "I've got to go. See you later, Yaxoc."
Yaxoc nodded before heading off in a different direction.
As the day stretched into the evening, Marcus found himself walking along the tranquil beach, the sun dipping below the horizon. The waves lapped gently at the shore, their rhythmic sound soothing.
"I wonder what Moonlight is up to," Marcus mused. "She hasn't been around much."
Suddenly, a sharp whizzing sound broke the peace. Instinctively, Marcus dodged, narrowly avoiding a poison-coated dagger that embedded itself in the sand. His eyes scanned the area, finding a figure descending from the sky.
"A demon," Marcus muttered, his eyes narrowing.
The demon landed gracefully, her dark purple skin shimmering in the dim light. She had long, flowing purple hair, small horns, and demonic wings that spread menacingly.
"That's right," she said, her voice cold and venomous. "I am Tetrada. Today, my poison will burn your insides!"
Marcus's fists clenched as he got into a fighting stance. "You piece of shit..."
Without warning, Tetrada launched a volley of poison daggers. Marcus quickly raised his hand.
"Ice Magic: Glacier Walls!"
Massive glaciers erupted from the ground, shielding him from the onslaught. But Tetrada was quick, appearing behind him with a dagger poised to strike. Marcus reacted in time, driving his elbow into her face. The impact sent her stumbling as the glaciers melted away.
"She's strong," Marcus muttered, retreating to create distance. "But that doesn't mean I'll hold back!"
"Fire Magic: Burning Shurikens!" he shouted, summoning thousands of flaming projectiles that shot toward Tetrada at blinding speed.
Tetrada smirked, weaving through the shurikens with agility. "Is that all you've got? Fight like a man!"
Marcus glared. "You want me to fight seriously? Fine." A transparent aura began to form around him, growing brighter and more intense.
"Power Up," he said, his voice steady.
The aura expanded, crackling with energy. In an instant, Marcus closed the gap between them, delivering a powerful punch to Tetrada's stomach. The force sent her flying backward, skidding across the sand. Before she could recover, Marcus summoned five enormous ice spikes that jutted out of the ground, aiming to impale her. Tetrada managed to evade just in time.
"This guy's going all out," Tetrada murmured, a wicked grin forming on her lips. "Good. It gives me a new plan."
Marcus didn't give her a chance to act. "Fire Magic: Burning Ropes!"
Three fiery ropes shot out, wrapping tightly around her legs and pulling her to the ground. Tetrada thrashed against the restraints, growling in frustration.
Marcus approached her cautiously. "Don't underestimate me, or you'll regret it."
To his surprise, Tetrada laughed. "Oh, you naive fool. You think this is over? Type 4 demons like me thrive on underestimation. We're capable of destroying planets, galaxies, and even universes!"
Marcus stiffened, her words sinking in.
"What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?" Tetrada sneered. With a burst of strength, she shattered the ropes and snapped her fingers. A hidden poison dagger shot out, striking Marcus in the leg.
"AGH!" Marcus cried, collapsing to one knee. The poison burned like fire, seeping through his veins.
Tetrada loomed over him, her smirk widening. "This is the end for you."
But before she could strike, a blinding light slashed across her, sending her stumbling back.
"What the—?!" Tetrada turned to see Yaxoc standing tall, his sword gleaming.
"Well, well," Yaxoc said, his tone casual. "A demon, huh?"
Before Tetrada could respond, another figure appeared. It was Yaxocara, her presence commanding.
"You're in trouble now," Yaxocara said, her smirk matching Yaxoc's.
Tetrada's confidence wavered as she summoned 1,000 poison daggers. "This will be your grave!"
The daggers flew toward the duo, but Yaxoc and Yaxocara dodged effortlessly. Yaxoc closed the distance, landing a devastating blow that sent Tetrada sprawling. Before she could recover, Yaxocara teleported behind her.
"Looking for something?" Yaxocara taunted before delivering a powerful kick that sent Tetrada flying once more.
Yaxoc teleported in front of Tetrada with blinding speed, delivering a sharp kick to her jaw that sent her spinning through the air toward Yaxocara.
Yaxocara caught the opportunity, channeling her energy into a glowing strike. Her punch connected with a thunderous impact, hurling Tetrada across the sand. The demon crashed into the ground, coughing violently as she struggled to get back up.
"Damn it!" Tetrada groaned, wiping her mouth. "You two are stronger than I expected… and it's getting on my nerves!"
Yaxoc stood firm, brushing dust off his shoulder. "Let's finish her, Yaxocara. She's on her last legs."
"Yeah, she's nothing but talk now," Yaxocara said, her voice sharp with determination.
But before they could act, Tetrada let out a chilling, cruel laugh. A dark aura began to form around her, and fragments of poison seeped from her skin, swirling like a storm.
Yaxoc narrowed his eyes. "What's she doing now?"
Yaxocara tensed, sensing the danger. "Wait… her body… it's mutating!"
Before their eyes, Tetrada underwent a grotesque transformation. The poison fused with her body, elongating her limbs and sharpening her claws into deadly weapons. Her wings grew larger and darker, pulsing with toxic energy. Her eyes glowed a venomous green, and her voice grew distorted.
"Oh, damn. She's fully mutated," Yaxoc muttered, gripping his sword tighter.
Tetrada grinned menacingly. "Now you'll see the true power of a Type 4 demon. Once I destroy you both, I'll make Ogamak my lover and rise to his side!"
Yaxocara raised an eyebrow. "Is she seriously obsessed with her master?"
"Looks like it," Yaxoc replied with a smirk. "Classic villain delusions."
Tetrada's grin widened, and she unleashed a barrage of poison blasts. "DIE!"
"Move!" Yaxoc yelled, leaping out of the way as the blasts streaked toward them. The explosions obliterated everything in their path—buildings, trees, even the surrounding wildlife. The devastation left a toxic mist in the air, crackling with energy.
"Holy crap!" Yaxocara exclaimed, dodging another blast. "These attacks aren't just strong—they're wiping everything out!"
Tetrada lunged forward with lightning speed, her claws aiming straight for Yaxoc. He raised his sword just in time, blocking the furious barrage. Each strike sent shockwaves rippling through the ground.
"AGH! She's too fast!" Yaxoc shouted, gritting his teeth as he parried each blow. "The poison's boosting her strength and speed like crazy!"
Seeing an opening, Yaxocara darted toward Tetrada and landed a powerful punch to her face. But Tetrada didn't even flinch.
"Is that all you've got?!" Tetrada taunted, slashing at Yaxocara's arm with her claws. The blow sent Yaxocara flying into a nearby boulder, shattering it on impact.
"Yaxocara!" Yaxoc yelled. His anger boiled over as he charged at Tetrada, shattering her claws with a single swing of his sword.
"WHAT?!" Tetrada screeched, staring at her broken claws in disbelief.
Without hesitation, Yaxoc followed up with a powerful slash to her torso, seemingly slicing her in half. But as her body disintegrated, it reformed into a puddle of poison.
"A clone?!" Yaxoc exclaimed, spinning around to locate the real Tetrada.
The demon reappeared behind him, her claws poised to strike. But Yaxoc caught her wrist mid-swing and slammed her into the ground with a bone-crushing impact.
"Not so fast," he growled.
Tetrada quickly recovered, landing a fierce kick to Yaxoc's face that sent him stumbling back.
"What's your next move, Tetrada?" Yaxoc asked, wiping blood from his nose. His gaze was sharp, unwavering.
Tetrada glared at him, her frustration boiling over. "You… you spotted my clone! That cost me 50% of my poison reserves, and you destroyed it like it was nothing!"
Yaxoc smirked. "You're starting to show your hand. Let me guess—your strength is tied directly to how much poison you have left. Right now, you're running on fumes."
Tetrada's eyes widened. "How did you—"
"It's simple. After you used the clone, your attacks got weaker. You overplayed your hand, and now you're at a disadvantage," Yaxoc explained. "Type 4 demons may be powerful, but it looks like strategy isn't your strong suit."
Tetrada growled, her claws trembling.
"And here's the kicker," Yaxoc added, stepping closer. "That poison you lost? It doesn't regenerate, does it? Every drop you waste brings you closer to defeat."
"You little—!" Tetrada screamed, lunging at him in desperation.
But Yaxoc was ready. Channeling his energy, he unleashed a devastating punch, his fist glowing with a radiant light. The impact sent Tetrada hurtling into the sky. She screamed in agony as her body dissolved into dust, scattered by the wind.
Yaxoc lowered his fist, breathing heavily. The toxic mist began to clear, and the world seemed to settle.
He turned to Marcus, who was still recovering from the earlier fight.
"Hey, Marcus," Yaxoc said, walking over with a casual wave.
Marcus looked up, his expression a mix of awe and relief. "You really went all out there…"
"Yeah," Yaxoc replied with a smirk. "But that's just another day in the life of a savior."