Lilithar's voice trembled with disbelief as she watched Arkanthys kneeling before Xender, bound by his spell.
"What just happened? Did a mere human control one of us—an elite demon? That's impossible."
Xender chuckled darkly, his sinister grin growing wider. His laughter echoed through the chamber, low and menacing, a sound that sent chills down even the spines of the other demons.
"Impossible? Then watch closely—I'll make the impossible a reality."
The moment Arkanthys broke free of the Soulbinding spell, he roared in fury.
"You dare enslave me, you wretched mortal!"
With a burst of energy, Arkanthys lunged at Xender, his claws glowing with raw power. But before he could get close, tendrils of shadow erupted from the ground like serpents, coiling around him in an instant.
"Dark Embrace."
Xender's voice was cold and commanding. The shadows tightened, forcing Arkanthys to his knees once more. He struggled, his strength immense, but the dark magic held firm, leaving him powerless.
Xender strolled forward, his steps slow and deliberate, savoring the moment. With a flick of his wrist, the shadows shifted and solidified, forming a jagged, black sword in his hand. He leaned close to Arkanthys, his voice a whisper of malice.
"You would've been useful… but I don't tolerate disobedience."
With a swift motion, Xender slashed the blade across Arkanthys's neck, severing his head. Blood erupted like a fountain, splattering across the altar and staining Xender's clothes. He didn't flinch, watching impassively as the lifeless body collapsed.
"What a waste," he muttered, his voice dripping with mockery.
Lilithar and Nyaxara exchanged a glance before lunging at Xender, their speed blurring as they aimed to strike him down. But Xender was no longer the weakling they had assumed. His newfound power surged, and with a flick of his hand, their own shadows betrayed them.
He raised his hand, his shadows twisting unnaturally, expanding and reaching out to meet their attack.
"Dark Embrace: Advanced Form."
The shadows surged forward, capturing both demons mid-air, using their own silhouettes to bind them. The shadows coiled tighter with every second, immobilizing them.
Nyaxara hissed, her silver eyes blazing with hatred.
"You think this makes you powerful? A mere human could never hope to rival the true demon lord!"
Xender smirked and began to chant softly.
"Soul Thief."
A dark aura enveloped him as he extended his hand, drawing fragments of their souls into his own. The two elite demons howled in pain, their strength visibly draining as their once indomitable power faltered.
Zephyra, the youngest of the elites, stood frozen at the edge of the altar, watching the scene unfold. Her mind raced, torn between disbelief and a grim understanding. *What is this man? How did he become so powerful?*
Xender turned to the remaining demons, his tone cold and domineering. "I killed Arkanthys to set an example. Anyone who dares to oppose me will meet the same fate. But I'm feeling generous today. You have a choice—forget about your precious demon lord and swear loyalty to me, or die where you stand."
Nyaxara sneered, her defiance unbroken even as her strength faded. "Loyalty? To you? You're nothing compared to our master. Draven's power is infinite, eternal. You will never—"
She never finished her sentence. In one swift motion, Xender's shadow-forged sword pierced her throat, severing her head cleanly. Her body crumpled as her blood pooled on the floor.
Xender turned his cold gaze to Lilithar, releasing the shadows that held her. She stumbled backward, her face pale as she weighed her options.
Before she could speak, Zephyra stepped forward. Slowly, deliberately, she knelt before Xender, bowing her head in submission. "I swear my loyalty to you, my lord."
Lilithar hesitated, glancing at Zephyra, then at Nyaxara's lifeless body. Finally, she lowered herself to her knees, her voice trembling. "I swear my loyalty as well… my lord."
Xender's smile returned, wicked and triumphant. He raised his hand, gesturing for them to rise. "Good. You've made the right choice. Follow me, and together, we'll reshape this world. We'll bring it to its knees. The era of the Demon Lord Draven is over. Now, it is my time to rule."
He turned his attention to the altar where Draven's dormant body lay. The once-imposing figure of the shackled demon lord now seemed almost pitiful in comparison to the power coursing through Xender.
"You," Xender said, his voice dripping with disdain. "You've been asleep for 500 years, and now you're nothing more than a relic of the past."
He raised his hand, the shadows coiling around him like a storm. "**Soulbinding.**"
Dark energy poured into the altar, and Draven's lifeless form began to disintegrate as Xender drained every ounce of his remaining essence. The chamber trembled as the ancient power of the demon lord was absorbed into Xender's body.
As the ritual concluded, Xender stood tall, his aura darker and more malevolent than ever. He smirked, the glow of his eyes piercing the darkness. "Too bad, Draven. You ruled once, but now your power belongs to me. Thanks to whoever put you to sleep, I now hold the true darkness worthy of a villain."
With a flick of his cape, Xender turned to his new subordinates.
"Let's begin. This world won't conquer itself."
With Nyaxara dead, the two remaining elite demons, Zephyra and Lilithar, now stood silently before Xender, their new lord.
The weight of his presence bore down on them like an oppressive shadow. Nyaxara had once commanded them with power and authority, but this... This was different. Xender's aura was far more terrifying, his very existence oozing malice and dominance.
The silence was heavy, broken only by the faint sound of the crumbling ruins around them. Zephyra, her hands trembling, gathered enough courage to speak. Her voice was unsteady, laced with both fear and curiosity. "M...My lord, forgive my insolence, but I must ask... What are you? You're supposed to be a hero, and yet..."
Xender turned his gaze to her, his glowing eyes narrowing as a slow, wicked smile spread across his face. He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he stepped closer to Zephyra, the sound of his boots echoing ominously in the chamber.
"Oh, Zephyra," he said finally, his tone almost playful. "It's a good thing you didn't die back there. We meet again at last."
Zephyra's eyes widened in shock. *Again?* She wanted to ask more, but Xender's gaze had already shifted to Lilithar.
"And you," he said, his voice cold yet commanding, "your name?"
Lilithar stiffened under his gaze. She dropped to one knee, bowing her head. "Li...Lilithar, my lord." Her voice trembled as if every word she spoke was a gamble with her life.
Xender smirked, his demeanor exuding superiority. The aura of the demon lord Draven had mingled with his own, giving him an aura that demanded respect and submission. "Lilithar," he repeated slowly, savoring the sound. "Good. I will remember it."
He turned away from them, surveying the chamber. The once-great altar was now a ruin of shattered stone, the remnants of ancient power crumbling into dust. The walls were scarred and weathered, vines creeping over their surfaces. Dirt and decay filled the air.
"This place is filthy," Xender said, his voice filled with disdain.
He kicked a loose stone aside, watching it clatter across the floor.
"Is there nowhere more fitting for a lord to sit? Surely, you two can take me somewhere... suitable."
Zephyra exchanged a brief glance with Lilithar. Both demons felt the weight of their new master's words. Lilithar was the first to speak, her voice still trembling but eager to please. "There is a fortress not far from here, my lord. It belonged to the demon lord's vassals. It can be... cleaned and prepared for your use."
Xender turned back to her, the glow of his eyes piercing through the dim light of the ruins. "A fortress, you say?" He stepped closer, his expression unreadable. "That will do... for now. Lead the way."
The two demons nodded quickly, eager to avoid his wrath. Zephyra dared to speak again, her curiosity still gnawing at her. "My lord, if I may ask... Will you tell us what you truly are?"
Xender chuckled, the sound low and menacing. He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he walked past her, his voice echoing as he spoke.
"All in due time, Zephyra. But for now, let's focus on what truly matters." He turned back to them, his wicked smile returning. "Building a kingdom worthy of a true conqueror."
His words sent a chill through the two demons, but they bowed their heads in submission and began leading the way out of the ruins. Behind them, the altar stood empty, the remains of the demon lord Draven's power now coursing through Xender's veins.
As they left the ruined chamber, Xender's laughter echoed through the halls, a dark promise of the chaos and destruction to come.