Yup, another story. This time, however, I'll be trying something new. Not sure if it'll work out well, so consider this story a test! Anyways, enjoy!
Chapter One: "Joining" the El Gang
I watch as the blade goes deep into my body, piercing my corrupt heart and causing blood to come rushing out of me. The crimson head, Elsword, looks at me with pure disgust in his eyes as though I was the one who murdered his family or something. "We trusted you…" he mumbles while reverting his eyes to the ground. He notices my slight movement and drives his sword deeper which causes me to fall. "We trusted you and this is how you repay us?!" Now his eyes are full of rage. I cough and a bit of blood comes out.
Looks like I got too ahead of myself when the time came… I think as I close my eyes. I wonder…
-Rewind. Weeks before current event. Demon world-
"Wow, they got you good. Told ya taking them on by your lonesome was a terrible idea" I say as I lean against the gate to the Human world. Just recently, the connection was disrupted and now we can no longer travel there. "Gotta say though, I didn't expect those two demons to assist the humans in taking you down."
I stare at my general, Scar. He breathes heavily as he reverts out of, what I call, his "Ice Dog" form which goes by the name of Berthe. He turns his attention with an immediate glare. "You dare talk to me in such a tone?!" he shouts, coughing up a bit of blood while doing so.
"I'm only stating the truth that you can't handle. Besides, when have we demons ever had a proper way of speaking?" He tries to grab me, but I slip out of his path. "You're in such a state where you can't even touch me. Now do you understand, General?"
All he gives me is silence.
"Silence is fine too I suppose…"
"I need my power back, now. And you're going to be the one to retrieve it." I raise an eyebrow.
"And how, exactly, will I be able to do this?"
"Demon souls…" he mumbles.
"Beg pardon?" Scar lifts his hand up with seems to be him transferring some of his power to me since I feel a bit stronger. "And why the sudden want to give me some of your energy?"
"Necessary power to… get to the Human world and back regardless of the disconnection..." The same hand that gave me power then pushes me through the portal, putting me in the Human world. "High ranking demons. You'll know them when you sense them." I hear his voice in a very morphed tone due to us being in different worlds. "Time is ticking."
I take a moment to look around and learn my surroundings. Alter of Dedication. Been some time since I last set foot here. I look back at the slowly fading Demon Gate and see a bit of my reflection in the dark swirls. My hair, while it appears short and messy, reaches the back of my neck with bangs that cover my right eye. Isn't this what they call an "emo bang"? At the end of it is a few streaks of red. My clothes consist of red and black: a red dress shirt with the top button unbuttoned, a black coat to go with it, black pants with a red belt, and black shoes with a red bottom. I'm not too bad looking as a demon in the Human world. Certainly better than wearing armored gear all the time. A smirk goes on my face before I turn around and walk to the edge of the Alter and look around, taking in all of this region.
"Now to find the ones that handled Scar with ease. Shouldn't be too far away since it happened not too long ago" I say aloud as I look around. I spot some red-headed human with a group of others walking to a nearby… village? It's a few tents here and there so can it even be considered a village? Possibly a rest area for travelers? I shake my head. Too much thought about a useless matter. I look back at the group. All I need is a bit of information on them, and then I can set up my plan to join them. Using them as pawns for getting the souls shouldn't be hard at all. I take a deep breath and then jump off from the Alter. Once I get close to the ground, I focus, slowing my momentum and landing safely on the ground into a nearby forest. I step out of it and see the group conversing with one of the townspeople, a guy with a sword on his back, black hair and in some type of green uniform. I decide to walk past them, earning a stare from the one with golden eyes and a white coat. Probably sensing my demonic nature. Shouldn't be surprising since there's two demons among them. I stop once I reach a kid with glasses and that same uniform on. "Excuse me… sir, mind if I ask you a quick question?"
"N-n-not at all… And my name is Allegro" he replies.
"Well then, Allegro…" Not like I'll care to remember his name. "Mind telling me who those group of people are?"
"A-ah, them. The El Search Party led by Elsword. This makes two times that they've saved Feita from the demons." I nod. All the information I need. "Is there anything else you need?"
"Not at all. Thank you…" Already forgot his name… "For explaining that." He nods and I begin walking away.
"Why not stay the night here before continuing your journey?" I overhear someone say. I turn around and see that it was the other guy in the green uniform. The crimson head shakes his head.
"We'd love to stay, but it's better if we're in the forest. That way, we can reach our destination quicker" crimson boy says. The green man nods and the groups begins walking away. "Keep safe Lento and we'll see you soon!"
"Take care on your adventure!" green man says as he waves to them. They continue walking, soon reaching the forest. My plan shall commence soon… I let out a slight sigh before heading back to the Alter.
-Top of the Alter-
I watch as they begin setting up their campsite far from the village. Now to wait a bit longer… Two stray away from the group in opposite directions. Most likely patrolling the area for no sudden attacks. I summon one of two of my usual swords: a sword with a black hilt, a silver cross-guard with a symbol in the middle, and a dark red blade with small runes going down the center. It's almost time to test if this'll work. I look at the sky, waiting for the time to pass.
-Later…-
I yawn as I stretch my arms out, noticing I fell asleep. I focus my sight and look at the group only to see two of them out. Time to start. I slow my breathing, calming myself and keeping my presence hidden. I jump off the Alter again, landing further away from the group to avoid being seen. I then slowly move forward until the group is just a bit further away from me. Currently, the ones keeping watch is a man with blue hair and a girl with purple hair. The man doesn't seem like he'd jump easily, though the girl would be no problem. I lift up my hand, summoning two demon soldiers. I immediately cover their presences and pull them out of sight. "Keep quiet and listen to me" I whisper. They nod and give me their full attention. "I want you to go around behind the group while you jump out from here and attack. Stick to the plan and you shall be rewarded." They both nod as the one goes around. I distance myself a bit as they both get ready.
"Humans!" the demon in front of me says as he jumps from his position. Just as I thought, the grape-head gets thrown off and squeaks while trying to find her weapon. It's obvious she's nervous. The man keeps his composure as he pulls out his weapons. Dual gun blades huh? Not a bad choice. The demon behind the two runs up and attacks the blue-haired, getting the blades in the process. And now for me to appear. Both of my blades appear in my hands as I slowly emerge from the bushes and into the open. The man glares at me as he attempts to get his gun blades. I take out the first demon with a quick stab in the back, resulting in him falling down lifeless. Both the blue haired and purple head look at me with a confused face.
I then turn my attention to the next one whose eyes are widened. A mischievous smile appears on my face. "W-what are you doing?!" the demon panics.
"You're harming innocent people. Have you no shame?" I say as I disappear and reappear behind the demon. Before he can react, he's already dead. "And there goes that." I look over at the two, the human and the demon, to see their confused faces again. "Sorry, did you want to kill that one?"
"Who are you?" the blue haired demon asks.
"Just a passerby. Nothing special." I then hear the sound of movement and look toward the tents. Coming out of them is the rest of the group.
"What's going on out here?" the crimson headed boy asks first as he stands up and stretches. He then looks at me with a serious face. "And you are?"
"Once again, just a passerby." His expression doesn't change. "A better look at you three and I get the feeling you're the well-known El Search Party. Am I wrong?"
"No, you're right. Do you have some business with us?" Another person comes out, this time being the golden eyed one from earlier. Similar to the crimson head, he stretches and then looks at me.
"Indeed I do. You see, I would like to join your group." Mr. Golden Eyes narrows his eyes at me. Sensing my true intentions now, are we?
"And why would that be?" My weapons disappear and I cross my arms.
"You've been going around, liberating the world of them demons and such, correct?" They all nod. "Well, I happen to be doing the same thing. We have a common goal, so why not team up and become one?"
"And how exactly can we trust a stranger like you?" the purple head, who finally decided to speak, asks.
"The two demons that just attacked had a lot of killing intent in their eyes. If I weren't here, they both would've massacred you seeing as though you two were thrown off by the sudden attack. I happened to see this and decided to save you all from this tragic death by two demons. Isn't that enough?" They all think for a sec.
"We do, in fact, thank you for the save, but that doesn't quite show much trust" blue demon tells me.
"Well then, why not a friendly spar? They say one of the best ways to understand someone is by fighting them." They being thinking again.
"I suppose… that isn't a bad idea. It's settled then. If you can win against one of us, then we'll accept you into the team. If, however, you lose, you already know that answer" crimson boy explains to me. "Meet us in Feita village by noon. We shall save the fight for then."
"Fair enough. I shall see you all then." I bow before leaving them to get their rest. Plan is successful so far… After getting a good distance away from the group, I teleport back to the top of the Alter. Quite the safe spot seeing as though my world is just beyond that portal. I look at the portal and let out a small sigh before leaning against one of the pillars keeping it up. Guess I'll get some rest. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
-Morning-
I stand up and stretch out my arms, cracking some bones and getting ready to move. I walk over to the edge of the Alter and see the El party from a distance, waiting in Feita campsite. Ah, so they kept their word. Seems they're interested. As always, I fall off the Alter and land safely by lowering my momentum. I then begin walking toward them. The pale Nasod is the first to notice. She then informs the others and they look at me. "Morning, El Search Party" I say with a slight bow.
"I see you decided to keep you word" crimson head says himself. I look back up with a smile on my face.
"Why, of course. Why would I miss this chance to join the famous El Search Party?" None of them say anything. "Moving on, who will be my opponent?" The crimson head steps forward, signaling that it'd be him. "Crimson head eh? It'd be fun to face you alone, but for your sake I recommend another. I am quite strong~" Crimson head gives me a look of confusion before shaking his head.
"I'm Elsword, not crimson head." I shrug. He then looks back at his group only to see golden eyes walking forward.
"Before you offer me some type of unwanted nickname, I'm Raven. I shall be your second opponent" golden eyes, or Raven as he said, tells me as he goes to Elsword's side.
"Very well then" I say, summoning my blades and getting into a stance. "Come at me with all you got!"
Safe to end it right there for now. Don't worry, a satisfying fight will be coming up to avoid this little cliffhanger that appeared in the road.
Welp, ciao for now!