Chapter 1 – Big Future

Peace, order, the Six Great God's grace and care. The capital of the Slane Theocracy, Holojus, had it all, a pure kingdom of all those who follow the Six Great Gods. The Six Archbishops of the Slane Theocracy has many Scriptures in their disposal, none stronger than the Seven Knights of the Sovereign Scriptures. We are the strongest knights of the Slane Theocracy and show our virtues: Arogon Teneva of Patience, Tervolda Karganes of Diligence, Malith Golna of Temperance, Figunin Jilaozo of Chastity, Riolance Venen of Humility, Galipha Kinandez of kindness and me, Vantes Duma of Charity.

I was merely a peasant boy, living with my mother and father in the countryside within the Slane Theocracy. I had always loved to be an adventurer; to go to new towns, cities and villages; meet new people and, live a life worth living. I had my first encounter with a monster, a horde of orcs, entering my family's farmland, viciously wanting something from my penniless family; I only had a pitchfork at the time, against the orcs armed with heavy aggressive clubs. I knew I was at a disadvantage, but charged forth anyway; jabbing, impaling, thrusting and fending off the orcs; they strike and tear into my feeble clothes, but I still stood strong and defeating each orc in the horde. Eventually the horde retreated to wherever they came from with minor injuries, as I fell from the injuries I suffered, greater than those that I made; word of my bravery echoed to villages nearby and into towns, even when I venture into these villages and towns for small businesses, people whisper with astonishment to each other, identifying me as the farm boy that fought off a horde of orcs.

One day, the same horde of orcs appeared near the farm, armed with more aggressive looking clubs; I stood my ground with the pitchfork, ready for the fight, but was simple tossed a side as they march towards my father and mother. I got up as fast as I can and notice a large rugged sack an orc was carrying on the ground; I opened it to reveal a sack of treasure: gold coins, beautifully decorated objects and fine gems only nobility could have; as I basked and rummaged the sack of treasure, I discover a shining silver sword.

I then came up with a plan. I threw a rock at the orc that readied its club to kill my father, it turned as I positioned, aim and fired my pitchfork at the orcs head. Impaled by the pitchfork, I took the chance to pull the sword out of the sack and charged towards it. "Let them go!" I plunged the sword at the belly of the orc then slicing it open; the shock of success rushed into my heart, pumping it with that shock throughout my flesh and bones as the orc crashed down to the ground, but I couldn't let it overcome me.

As the other orcs rushed to me, I got ready and moved away from the farm, luring them to an open road; travelers passing by were simply following a monotonous road that leads to where they wanted to be were shaken as an orc tried to smash me with its mighty brutish club, I took this chance and leaped towards it's face and slashed it then shot the sword into its neck as soon as I landed. The travelers on that same old road were amazed at this weak peasant boy, dancing with a shining sword, fighting and killing a horde of mighty fierce orcs; another orc aimed for me but smashed its club down onto the ground, only for me to be in range of another orcs aim. As soon as the club touched a hair of mine, I thanked my reflexes as I slid between its legs and slashed its legs from behind; as soon as I was caught by them, I aimed the sword at the orc's belly, only to be countered by its club throwing me and the sword back. Fatigued, I took one final strike against the orc, aiming the sword for its belly as I charged; as soon as we were about to clash, I tilt the sword upwards and climbed onto its club, stabbing its neck. Swinging and shaking me off while in agony, it lost its footing and smashed onto the ground; I pulled the sword out of its thick neck and the other orcs backed off then began their retreat.

The travels applauded and cheered at what I achieved, as I was about to go back to my home; they advised me to turn off an ear of each orc, to show other I'm not just what I appear to be. I took their advises and cut off an ear of the two orcs I killed, I waved farewell to them all and staggered back home. Only to find an armoured stranger who looked like my age carrying shield and sword, waiting by the door of my home holding an ear of the first orc I slayed, the stranger waved at me and beckoned for me; my father and mother were also their and hugged me, fearing I was taken away from them. They introduced the stranger as Galipha Kinandez, a warrior from the town of Calikema and planned for a 'big future'; we let him into our home and served dinner with him, he began to praise me for what I did today and told me that I too have a 'big future'. I asked him of his 'big future' and told me of his plans of joining a Scripture; I softly laughed at such a big dream, but slowly thought "If the travelers thought I was strong, I could join a Scripture too!" With that thought in my mind, I asked Galipha how he will do it. He tells me of the holy city of Holojus, the Six Archbishops are looking for valiant warriors of the Six Great Gods to become a Scripture and fight for them; believing his words, I begged him to let me join him and his 'big future', he graciously accepted without question.

The next day, I waved goodbye to me beloved mother and father as I began to move forward in my life while they waved back, wishing me the best of luck and the blessings of the Six Great Gods on achieving my 'big future'.

Chapter 2 – Can You Keep It?

It's been over five years since arriving at Holojus and go through the savage training under the tutelage of veteran warriors, but here, here we are. My great friend Galipha Kinandez, and I were made into knights of the Sovereign Scripture with five other mighty warriors across the Slane Theocracy; our leader Arogon Teneva, lead us to the Six Archbishops, to inform us of our task as we all kneeled in respect of the archbishops. Our task was to seek out kill monsters and demons that had sneaked into the capital; we accepted the task at hand then dismissed to form our plans. We gathered around a map of the city on a table, with Arogon at the head; Tervolda located six areas that the beasts situate around the capital and recommended that we search the area individually, Galipha and I as the weaker knights were ordered to go together.

We departed to our designated areas and began our search. There were nothing suspicious about the area; civilians were at peace, merchants were selling their goods, everything was fine. Until, Galipha noticed a small hand reaching for a freshly baked bread on the window of the bakery; we both creeped towards the hand until Galipha ruined our cover by falling into a woman and onto her lap, head first. The woman screamed in shock, alarming the owner of the small hand, I charged off in pursuit, leaving my friend in his mess; I followed through narrow alley paths and tight corners, eventually I caught it at a dead end to find a goblin grasping the bread tightly to its chest. It didn't take an offensive approach to me, even with my sword unsheathed, how strange; although I am ordered to kill beasts like this goblin, but I wanted to know what it was planning, I hear a small rumbling sound from the goblin but it doesn't eat the food in front of it.

I slowly placed my sword into my sheath then raised my hand above my head slowly to show peace and no harm, it seemed to understand what I was telling it. The goblin walk passed me, and, seemed to beckon me to follow; I followed the goblin and eventually lead me to a small shelter with horde of its friends, huddled around something. The goblins insisted me to look, as I peered over them; I see a little girl of adolescences, sleeping in a small basket of straw, as this girl opened her eyes, I was surprised by the colour of her eyes, slight amber with some kind of charm to them. The girl saw me and smiled like a new born baby meeting its mother and father, then lifted her arms; I turned my head in search of advice, the goblins answered my query, telling me to pick her up. I never held a child before. I didn't know what to do, but did it anyway; I slowly picked her up and carried her close to my chest. What was I thinking! I guess it was, instinct.

Galipha eventually found me after clearing his mess, drew his sword out of his shield and charged at the goblins; I told him to stop and grabbed his arm. He questioned why I stopped him from doing our task, I explained what I think the situation was; he somewhat believed and agreed what I explained, then asked about the child in my arms. He noticed the girl looking scared at what had happened and told me to leave it with the goblins, but I had a better idea; I'll look for her parents. Galipha agreed along with the goblins; a goblin spoke to us and explained that they found the child in the middle of the road, feeling guilty to just leave her; they took her with them and cared for her. Knowing their side of the story, Galipha still pointed his sword at the goblins.

"Let them go." Galipha was shocked by what I just said then reminded me of what I agreed to do for the Six Archbishops.

"Just. Keep it a secret! Just keep it between us! You and me!"

Galipha reluctantly put his sword away and left with me as the goblins waved us and the girl goodbye, later on that day; I was reminded by Galipha about the girl's name, she looked too shy to talk to either one of us, we took a break at a teahouse. While I thought of possible name for the girl, Galipha was snacking of some baked goods and admired the tea that was provided; I rattled my brain of a possible name, then a small tug on my arm came, the girl repeated the same word to me as she sat on my lap "Tea". I merely smile at her; I asked if 'Tia' was her name, she giggled and gave me a big smile.

"Nice to meet you, Tia." I smiled as I gently stroked her head, and planned on how I was to find her family.

Chapter 3 – Judas Kiss

I spent hours, days and weeks searching for Tia's family but no one recognised her; I slowly lost motivation and began to question who Tia really is. She had no abnormality and the appearance of an average human child; I guess I don't mind adopting her. As I thought that to myself with little Tia by my side, Galipha approached us and found an orphanage that would accept little Tia; he explained that I should take her to the orphanage because of who we are, I couldn't risk little Tia getting hurt from my job, or die from it. I took little Tia with me to the orphanage, as I walked with her, I began to fall into sadness, knowing that I'll never see her on a daily basis; we arrived at the orphanage and as I said my goodbyes, a clap of thunder burst the quiet city. I searched for the source of the thunder to find a magical circle formed above in the sky at a distance, firing multiple white lightning bolts; I knew there were casters and sorcerers throughout the continent, must be a rogue sorcerer on a rampage. I told little Tia to not follow me as I rushed off to the lightning, down a familiar road. Through, an all too familiar scenery.

I slowly walked to the horror of the white lightning storm. My home. My mother and father's farm. Burning, torn and damned by the savagery of a rogue sorcerer. I ventured into the farmhouse with fear and paranoia, pasting through all that I had in the ghost of my younger life; visions of a once peaceful and innocent life burned into my eyes, then my eyes were scolded by the horrific terror of any child's worst nightmare. My father slaughtered, my mother burned alive. I fell onto my knees in front of my dead family, the sky began to weep at the scene of an unjust scene; though the sky above me cried for me, it didn't sooth my mourning heart. Then voices softly rang in my ears with my family's dying breath, telling me what happened.

"Malith… Gol… na". Malith Golna, a knight of the Sovereign Scripture like me.

I rushed off through the constant weeping sky to demand an answer to my family's death, only to be greeted by my fellow knight armed with their blades pointing at me; I demanded to know what is happening, only to hear a false answer. I had been accused of being possessed by a demon, their only evidence was my achievement against the orcs; I answered them back by telling them of my actions back then, I just had… an instinct, to fight back.

Malith squawked at my answer, saying the demon inside of me dictated me to fight back; I demanded and begged them to listen to me but they did not listen to me then were forcing me out of their sight, I continued to beg them to listen to me but was only told to get out, by the cold tip of Arogon's claymore touching me neck. Admitting and submitting to their demands, I left their sights, to be hunted by them; by Galipha, my best friend.

I saw him pursuing me on horseback, in a shocked and unexpected state of mind, I begged him to listen to me but he didn't; must be following his orders like a loyal dog while screaming words of 'my betrayal' of our friendship. We ran through the miserable rain, pass the streets and alleys; as I ran for my life, Malith was watching the chase from the balcony of the Sovereign Scripture Headquarters, laughing and cursing me; he had envied my achievements and how strong I was, he couldn't stand or allow a common peasant farm-boy to in the same ranks as him. Eventually I lost Galipha when I turned into a thin narrow alley as I recovered my breath, I went around the streets in search of shelter and a hiding spot for the time being, but for some reason, everywhere I go, people whom I live to protect slam their doors at me or cursed me out of their sights. Then after an annoyed merchant pushed me on to the ground, the Sovereign Scripture must have spread the lies of my abilities throughout the city, I'm no more than a petty criminal to them that deserved to be executed; I began to shrivel to the dark abyss of my reality.

I'm alone, no one can help me now and "I never betrayed them! I was… betrayed…" A dark ominous feeling came over me as I desired to be stronger, I want justice… I want power.

Chapter 4 – Nazarick

It's been months since the knight's betrayal, I hid myself from the eye of the public and those who searched for my life to kill; my search for power seem to draw a close, I acquired and honed my skills to the highest level, even mastered sixth tier magic from exterminating the monsters around the Slane Theocracy but it's not enough. I traveled beyond the Slane Theocracy to search for more power but nowhere had what I wanted, then one night while resting under a tree, a dream occurred; two men, positioned to fight each other, one man strike, with a red puddle turning into a black vortex on the ground, ending with one name, 'Carne'.

I searched for 'Carne' to find a village, with a defensive barrier surrounding the village itself and the inhabitants; humans and goblins. I slowly approached the entrance of the village, only to be ambushed by goblins; they told me they mean no harm and wait for their boss, I braced myself for their boss, only to relax at the sight of a young girl. We both introduced ourselves, I introduced myself simply as Vantes Duma, the girl didn't seem to know my name from the Sovereign Scripture introduced herself as Enri; I asked Enri about the goblins at the entrance, she explained a figure who goes by the name 'Lord Ains Ooal Gown' gave her an item to summon goblins to her aid, they followed her loyally; if only my back-stabbing fellow knights. She mentioned that this figure is the town's savior and had a black armoured warrior by his side called 'Albedo'; 'Albedo'? I had heard from travelling adventurers, a black armoured warrior wielding two swords called 'Momon' possess superb strength, strength to defeat the Wise King of the Forest and had a lover called 'Albedo'. Is it possible that Momon and Ains Ooal Gown, is the same person?

I questioned Enri how she knew all of this information, apparently various travelers and adventurers ventured all over the land, telling stories of a party that vanished after meeting Momon and accomplishing jobs with him; some say they were too weak for him, others say they were killed while doing a job with him. As those stories of Momon spread throughout the land and into her village, she began to wonder who Momon was, then concluded that Monom is, or has connections with their village saviour 'Lord Ains Ooal Gown'. I then asked Enri where I can find Lord Ains Ooal Gown, she didn't know but innocently motivated me to not give up my search for her village's savior, and welcomed me to stay in the town for the night; she welcomed me innocently to stay, it was just too innocent to deny. Enri then showed me to the tavern and asked the keeper for a room for me to stay for the night; that night I eat the meal the tavern keeper gave me with gracious hospitality and entertain the other guests with tales of my adventures from my old shattered life, then later in the night. I saw another dream; a dungeon with some many terrains, guardians, throne room, then awoke after an alluring voice echoed the word 'Nazarick' in my head.

Before I left Carne Village, I asked Enri if she knew of a 'Nazarick'; she and the other villagers didn't know of a 'Nazarick', I thanked them for their hospitality and waved farewell to them. Lost in a forest with no guide or clue to where I should go, all was lost; all of a sudden, that same alluring voice from my dreams echoed in the forest "Follow… This way… To Nazarick." Those words haunted my mind and grew louder and clearer according to certain directions I face in the forest; I must be close if I can hear it so clearly, I followed the voice to the outskirts of the forest and then as sudden as it spoke, it disappeared.

But in front of me was a tomb, in the middle of a plain. I was perplexed by this discovery and was dictated by curiosity to explore the tomb; it didn't take long for me to discover an underground tomb. As I descended into the tomb, I encounter a feeling of uneasiness, like I was being watched; I continued to walk further, I heard laughter. A regal laughter echoed in the tomb.

"Welcome… to your grave… In the Great Tomb of Nazarick."

Chapter 5 – Vampire's Wrath

As I was greeted by this regal voice, I continued my venture into the tomb through the second floor slowly; my mind focused on the decision I've taken but my heart, what is this cold dark feeling? As I reached the passage to the third floor; the echo of a grave opening, unleashing its terror of the dead, moaned near me. I turned to search for the unchained beast with paranoia beating my warrior heart, I looked each coffin, wall and corner of the tomb to find nothing; but I thanked my startled heart, as I turned and swiped my sword across me, the creature leap above me and clashed with my sword.

I bounced the beast back away from me to reveal a little girl, a little vampire girl in a dark purple outfit. I positioned myself to fight, as the girl welcomed and somewhat praised me for fending of her attack; she introduced herself as Shalltear Bloodfallen, the first, second and third floor guardian. She asked for my name but I remained silent as I was too focused on my surroundings, she asked trivia question to know who I am; little did she know, I sensed another vampire's presence behind me from the passage. I lowered myself while raising my sword high above my head looking like I was about to lunge to attack Shalltear; the vampire got closer and actually attacked me from behind, that's when I swung my trap. Just as the vampire's claw could touch my back, I swung my sword down and turned the blade into the presence behind me, passing the side of my body; then pushed my sword deeper into the vampire, the vampire slowly looked drained of energy as she shriveled behind my back.

Shalltear's face of unexpected shock paralysed her, I took the chance and ripped my sword from the vampire and swiped my sword towards Shalltear; to my shock, she grabbed the blade and slice my arm, with my blood flowed out; she formed a ball of my blood above her then released my sword. Obviously she would be difficult to defeat, so I hatched a plan; first though, I had to scan her movements. She just stood there, with her regained composure. No doubt she'll grab my sword again. I charged towards her again, positioning my sword for the attack again as she smiled at my second same attack; just as we met close, I used a skill I acquired through my travel facing greater common beasts while casting a spell onto the blade of my sword. I used my hyper speed skill to give the appearance that I teleported in front of her then enhanced my sword the a sixth tier magic spell, "dragon flame", then slashed her from behind her; my attack worked, she was injured by my burning sword but used some blood to recover from my attack.

Suddenly the atmosphere changed, almost choking me and strangling my heart as I saw Shalltear's expression change; she screamed at me with rage, screaming how impossible for me to do such an attack on to her and how pathetic humans are but cursed me for my abilities that I showed; she used the ball of blood and had it flow around her, was she gaining power from it? I got my answer as I stared at the last drop of blood entered her body, then shook with terror as she became a grotesque monster; she laughed sadistically at my terror and warned me not to enrage her, she then pounced at me out of nowhere. I screamed in horror as she charged at me, but my arm moved to block and deflect her attack with my sword, scrapping her cheek; enraged even more she had countless charges at me but fail to land a hit on me. Now furious, she roared with rage; I didn't want to stay anymore so I took the chance and ran through the passage to the third floor.

I arrived to the third floor to be greeted by coffins bursting open and more vampires rising out to block my way; all ready to stop me, then something inside of me, made me charge forth slaying every vampire in my way. With each slash, a black mist entered my sword through the blade and into a strange gem that I don't remember acquiring or equipping to my sword; making into through the ambush of vampires, I stand in front of a derelict bridge with ropes that could break and rot away anytime now.

With the wrathful screams of Shalltear getting closer, I had to decide, to cross to my ambitions of power or face the vampire devil in all of her vengeful wrath. I slowly etched my foot onto the bridge, shaking with panic in my mind and heart, Shalltear's wrath grew closer and closer; I made my way to the center of the bridge as Shalltear's roars, suddenly disappeared. I was clueless to why she vanished but I soon knew why, as I made my way across to the other end of the bridge, I look up to see her jump onto me and sank her menacing teeth into my neck as she began to drain my blood. I felt my blood slowly draining away from me, but something dark made me relentless and rip her of me; she screamed a hateful yell then she looked at me with distress as I glared at her while producing what felt like, a surge of malevolent darkness, dictating me to kill her with one final slash from my sword. Sending her plummeting into the abyss the old bridge stood over.

I turned to walk through the passage out of the third floor with Shalltears' vengeful chase ending with her falling into a certain death, then as sudden as the dark energy appeared, faded away; exhausted by it, I fell to the ground while hold my sword and stared at this mysterious gem. A dark pitch-black gem was mounted onto my sword; it drew in a black mist from those monsters I slashed, looking like their lives were sucked out of them. I was hypnotised by the gem, then snapped out of it when that alluring voice spoke to me. "You have the power… Fight on… Become stronger…"

Chapter 6 – Tempest Trial

During that encounter with the enraged vampire Shalltear Bloodfallen, I had been slashed by her and almost drained of my blood; I feel nothing. No pain from the slash or fatigue from my drained blood, it was like I was fully restored. Could it be from the dark energy of the gem? I pondered this question through the passage, to be suddenly halted by stumbling and falling into a pool of water; it was there I was surprised by an underground lake in beneath the tomb. There must be a floor guardian like Shalltear here as well, but there was no sign of life here yet this would be perfect for creatures to live in harmony. I venture deep into the rocky surrounding the lake in search of a passage to the next level to no reveal of the passage, it must be in the lake.

I dived into the lake in search of the passage, I couldn't see anything to even suggest a passage; until I saw a giant figure at the bottom of the lake, was it the floor guardian? Or a statue? It just stood there, emotionless; not even looking like it was alive. As I stared at the monolith, I saw a small crack with a light coming out of it, it must be the passage. I lay in the passage after swimming to it and climbing out to the lake; that was easier than expected, I travelled along the passage to embrace a land of ice and snow. Nothing but frozen tundra to all who enter this floor. I shivered as I slowly proceeded through the eternal white blanket of snow, the sinners in hell must be in luxury compared to this. I walk for so long, not a sign of life in the vast land of snow and ice but a tower of ice; I can't take this anymore, it's too cold for me to move on. I collapsed in this blanket of snow and the blizzard repaired its damages from my walk, as I lay there motionless, the alluring voice appeared; this time with a visual appearance, a woman out in the blizzard.

"Do not succumb… Withstand these trials…"

I tried to stand back up and question more to the woman, back fell unconscious. As my body was frozen, I returned to the same dream world of my mind but was accompanied by a shadowy figure of the same woman in the blizzard; I asked my question, but was silenced by the woman putting her finger on my lips and seductively shushing at me.

Then she told me in her usual alluring voice "Danger waits for you… Break free… Fight the Guardian with desire…"

Then she walked away as she faded, I awake to a prison cell and unearthly shrieks outside the cell; wraiths patrolling back and forth, other prisoners locked in their cells like me with rage or fear on their faces. I tried to break free with my sword, only to attract the wraiths to my sword and taking it away from me; I tried to reclaim it but was snatched off and out of my reach, I demanded to know why I was locked in this prison cell.

The wraiths explained that I was captured by order of the floor guardian; I was someone to be kept watch of for my disrespect to the past floors of Nazarick and my inhuman powers. It would appear that I'm trapped here for a while now, perhaps forever. No. I must break free to avenge my family's wrongful death and Malith's lies. I punched, kicked and rammed the bars of my cell but not a dent could be seen on the bars; I then tried magic spells to break the bars, but still the bars are unharmed. I tried the spells once more by focusing and concentrating my energy to the spell, while I was in deep meditation, screams and shock erupted in the prison by something that the wraiths, prisoners and I didn't believe. My sword. My sword spun and flew pass the wraiths as they attempted to catch and stop my swords massacre, it eventually stopped in front of my cell with the gem changing its colour, from black to a slight red and was in my reach; I grabbed my sword then a rush of power flowed straight into me, such as rush of power. I grabbed a bar to my cell and it bent with easier like I was putting my hand through water, I was finally free for my prison cell; I stood outside my cell as the wraiths barricaded my two exits, they all charged at me, straight to their demises. I held my sword and swung it to the air, releasing a burst of dark energy, killing the wraiths surrounding me; the wraith that remained out of the blast radius stayed away from me, I slowly walked to a wall of the prison and strike the wall down with one immense dark swing, demolishing it and setting me truly free from the prison.

I embraced the familiar coldness of the floor and greeted be a large insect creature standing before me, it announced itself as Cocytus, the fifth floor guardian. He had heard of my atrocities in the first floor by Shalltear Bloodfallen, and wished to end my trouble; I raised my sword as Cocytus raised his halberd, we both charged towards each other and clashed our blades. We battled on in the snow with not one of them giving in, constantly clashing their blades, echoing in the tundra, desiring to get what we want, desire… I began to speak to Cocytus of his desires in his life, he answered back by saying he only fights and serves for the supreme king, the ruler of the Great tomb of Nazarick; he wished to know mine.

"Justice. I desire justice. To get that, I will become strong!" Cocytus took his time to decide his next action then decided.

He made one last charge as I remained still and thrust my sword, on the edge of his halberd as I stopped allowing the tip of my sword to stare at its potential prey; Cocytus slowly eased himself then raised his halberd towards a cave in the distance, telling me to go to the next floor and fulfill my desire of justice; I thanked him and rushed off to the cave. As I rushed into the cave, I felt the power pulsing in my body, the intensity, the rush; I never felt this in my life; it felt like a beast was ravaging in my blood, and I desired more, more to grow strong.

Chapter 7 – Beastly Tamer

A gentle breeze welcomed and greeted me as I arrived at the next floor; I travel through a thick jungle terrain in search of the passage to the next floor, as I passed through the jungle terrain, I find a small figure with a staff wondering through the jungle. I walked up to the figure, to find a little dark elf wearing a blue outfit and holding a wooden staff, startled to see me; I guess not many people make it through this deep into the tomb. The dark elf introduced itself as Mare, I asked Mare about the floor guardian, then assisted me by guiding me to an amphitheatrum; a giant magnificent monolith in the jungle.

I entered with Mare, and marveled at the interior of the amphitheatrum, while I basked at the marvelous monolith; another dark elf wearing a red outfit stood on top of the booth yelled at Mare for what she had done. Without knowing, she had brought a troublemaker to their floor, Mare became shocked by what has been done and ran off toward the other dark elf in fear; the dark elves then introduced themselves, the dark elf wearing red was Aura Bella Fiora and her twin brother Mare Bella Fiore, guardians of the sixth floor.

My jaw dropped by the announcement, Mare is a boy and Aura is a girl?! They're wearing the opposite clothes?! Aura became quite angered by her brother's foolishness and questioned why I was here in the Great Tomb of Nazarick, I answered that I wanted to become stronger by taking on the ruler of Nazarick; a little twinkle came to Aura's eyes, then sealed the entrance I came in from. A door opened and released a giant orc out to the arena.

"You want help getting stronger? Let me help you!" The orc roared at me as I prepared myself for battle against the orc, I charged forth and slashed its legs; it fell down on its knees as I leaped on top of its back slashed it down with the dark energy immersed onto my sword, Aura was surprised by the dark energy my sword gave off.

Aura called the dragonkins to prepare the next beast for me to challenge, the roar of the beast signed the start of the next challenge; I took a moment to stretch my arm and body while preparing the next challenge. The door slowly opened then burst open as a giant savage wolf with red eyes and a majestic dark green pelt arrived to the arena, the wolf glared and growled at me, knowing I was a threat; it lunged forth as I used my sword to try and back it off, only to have the sword caught by the jaws of the wolf. I grabbed on my sword tightly but was ripped out of my hands as the wolf flung the sword impaling it to the wall; I tried to recreate how the sword came to be back in the prison of the fifth floor, as I focused my energy onto the sword; the wolf opened its jaw and charged at me. Aura smirked as Mare shivered think I was dead, but were easily broken; for I stood my ground and held the jaws of the wolf as it tried to push me forward closer to the wall. I somehow have incredible strength, even though I look scrawny and weak; as the wolf continued its attempts, I tested my newly discovered strength by lifting the wolf from its jaws and slamming it on the seating of the amphitheatrum.

I swiftly grabbed my sword from its impalement, and presented it to the wolf; then heard Aura scream "Fenny" in a saddened voice. It appears that Aura has a deep connection with this wolf; I can understand how she feels, I would beg an attacker to spare little Tia. Oh Tia, I pray to the Great Gods that you are safe and living a peaceful live. I returned my sword to its sheath as I returned to the centre of the amphitheatrum; relieved, Aura decided to bring out one final beast as my challenge, although Mare stresses not to try the beast. I was ready as shown when I smiled at Aura; she knew I was willing to accept the challenge. As the dragonkins opened the doors of the final challenge, a group of dragonkins dragged a cage out; with that cage, a wyvern was sleeping in the cage, Aura took up her whip and flogged the top of the cage waking the wyvern from its sleep, angrily.

The wyvern roar as it stood up and breaking its cage with ease, the dragonkins tried to calm it down but failed as it swiped them away with its tail and burned by its terrifying breath of fire; Aura tried to tame it with her whip but failed as she fell from the gust of wind from its mighty wings. The wolf took its turn to attack, clamping its jaw onto the wyverns' neck but had no effect; as it was smashed onto the ground. I took my attempt to tame the beast, it saw me and tried to attack, only to pull back every time I swung my sword, almost like it didn't want to be cut by the sword.

The wyvern flew higher, away from the ground; I had to get closer to the wyvern, as I tried to plan my attack, the wolf bit my armour and tossed me onto its back. It seemed the wolf wanted to help me; I thanked the wolf by stroking its head as we moved to a higher level of the amphitheatrum, it turned to face the rogue wyvern and charged towards it then jumped into the air. As we soar through the air, I jumped from the wolf and landed on the neck of wyvern; it wriggled and shook me around with great force; smashing its head onto the higher walls of the amphitheatrum, smashing and breaking the walls with no trouble. I didn't know what to do then realised I could try to use the aura I produced at the third floor; I attempted to recreate it but nothing came, instead I focused my energy to a skill, 'aura of demise, level 1'. The wyvern still rampaged, I tried again and again till I reached level 5; the wyvern instantly froze in the sky with fear, it fell to the ground as I then commanded it to go into the new stronger cage the dragonkins brought.

Aura and Mare came down from their place then thanked me for all I've done, and actually thanked me for helping them with capturing and taming the wyvern; they even guided me to the passage to the next floor, before I could go through, Aura told me there was one last thing to do. Aura shot her hand out to me and introduced herself again with a smile, I smiled back and shook her hand while introducing myself.

"Vantes Duma, a warrior willing to face any challenge" then did the same to Mare; I waved farewell to my newly made friends for my greater challenge awaits. Ains Ooal Gown.

Chapter 8 – Fiery Beast

A burning wave of hot air and the whiff of sulfur, stung and smacked my face as I was presented a molten horizon with searing flames erupting on the floor; I simply activated a few skills for precautions: 'Terrain defense', 'Invincibility', 'Hyper speed' and 'Flash'. I stepped onto the grounds of the floor and immediately felt the lava scolding my feet mildly, I took this knowledge and began my pounces across the molten landscape; each step freed of the hellish flames of the floor.

I felt a presence up ahead, then I saw it; a man in a suit with glasses and a long silver tail, and was clapping. I stopped near the figure to know what business this man has with me, only to then have him see through the skills I applied myself with, while smirking at my feeble mind; he then announced himself as Demiurge, guardian of the seventh floor. I readied my sword as he explained that he has been informed of my performance on the other floors and his lord, Ains Ooal Gown; apparently his lord is anxious to see me in person and Demiurge was willing to let me see him, but must defeat an opponent to prove my worth. If I succeed, I will face Ains Ooal Gown himself.

I accepted Demiurge's challenge then shook as a wave of lava rose up like jaws of a demonic god chained and enraged in hell besides me, as I stare with shock and quickly plan my next move, Demiurge ghoulishly laughed and announced my opponent; the floor itself. I dodged the wave of lava crashing onto the volcanic rock I stood on; then ambushed by a golem formed out of the volcanic material of the floor and started to smash its arms onto the ground. Each smash I dodged with ease but still took the molten lava splashing onto my armour, melting pieces of my armour; getting heavy and redundant, I drew my sword for a counter attack and slicing its arm clean off. It immediately regrew its arm then grabbed hold of me with no mercy; then threw me with great strength then the rock split apart and welcomed me to its searing pit of magma.

As I was being consumed by the volcanic lava river, my body began to suffer slowly; burning my armour, scolding my flesh and digesting my entire body. Suddenly, my heart started to race while my mind started to fade then a rush of an all too familiar power filled my body; I regained control of my body from the eternal flaming descent through the volcanic pit. On the surface, Demiurge sighed with disappointment but turned to find a sudden burst on the stream of lava; he searched to find what caused this shock, to find me slashing the golem in two with a clean heavy strike. Demiurge's face of astonishment grew as the warrior showing nothing more than his chest, naked to deathly instruments in front of him; I sensed something moved from our spot away from me towards what looked like a mouth of a river of lava, I pursued it like a predator spotting its prey, its fresh delectable meal.

I stopped and stood still in the air, sensing the living entity in the river of lava; I sensed it with my sword, waiting to go for the kill. Demiurge found me as I swung me sword, firing a dark energised slash onto the lava then hear a roar of pain; all of a sudden, molten arms wrapped around my arms and legs, dragging and scolding me back into the lava. I resisted the arms dragging me like a soul trying to escape its damned fate; I eventually succumbed to its desire to drag me back to its molten mouth, I was swallowed whole by the creature in the lava then charged my energy into one blast. I released all of the concentrated energy inside of me and parted the river of lava with a tower of immense dark energy.

Demiurge marveled at such power while observing a small blob shook out of the tower, it landed onto a rock on the side of the river, weak and struggling to hold itself: I shot back down to the ground, in front of the slime. It shriveled and cowered in my shadow, Demiurge told me to decide its fate.

"Choose death? Or life? Which shall it be?"

I raised my sword and released a more immense dark energised slash, cutting a point of a rock formation like a mortal executed by guillotine in front of the slime and the floor guardian; Demiurge smiled at my decision of sparing the slime, Guren, and kept his promise and opened a portal to his lords floor, a greater opponent now stares at my own eyes.

Chapter 9 – Released

As I stepped out of the portal, I entered a corridor of a royal palace; such nobility and royalty bloomed and shone before me, as I walked down the corridor with marvel in my eyes, I turn to my reflection on the wall. My chest had be engraved with a strange markings, what looked like a black sinister sword down the middle and dark purple lines branching off the swords hilt; I looked with terror, not knowing what this symbol is or how it got there. Then realised the gem changed to a dark purple colour and felt something, inside the gem, pulsing with energy and power; I craved for its hidden power but felt like something stopping me from devouring the gem itself. I continued my walk through the majestic corridor to see light shining out of a door, the door to my battle of power, the throne room; I pushed the heavy doors and revealed the pristine long throne room, and there in plain sight, my prey, Ains Ooal Gown.

He welcomed me with an overpowering voice filled with delight and honour as he praised me for defeating the guardians easily, despite being level hundreds; he beckoned me closer and asked of the reason why I ventured into Nazarick. Pride? Honour? Glory?

I answered him with one word, "Power".

He gently chuckled at my answer; I glared at him with hate and responded with a proposal, I may face him in battle after facing the strongest fighter in Nazarick. I smiled, believing my chance to face him is here, but was blown away at a black armoured warrior wielding a heavy black axe; charge and smash the axe to the ground; luckily I dodged the attack and stood my ground. A demure female voice came from the black armoured warrior, asking the ruler of Nazarick if I was the troublemaker; he answered the question and told the warrior that I seek a challenge with him but agreed to face the strongest fighter of Nazarick truthfully, the warrior obliged and stood in front of me, ready for battle.

I too positioned myself for battle then charged at the warrior with great strength and speed, only to be simply conquered by a simple swing of the axe bouncing the swing of my sword; as my arm tingled from the aftershock, the warrior took the chance to strike but missed as I leaped across and aimed for the warrior with my sword diving into the warriors side; the sword simple scrapped off the armour. The warrior was shocked to be attacked by a human successfully, the warrior glared at me as I adjusted myself back to my battle position; the warrior strike with immense speed and great force, I anticipated the attack and stood my ground allowing the axe to clash with my sword. I focused my energy to my sword and let it follow out in front of the warrior, firing the warrior back to the original place as my sword transformed to its beautifully powerful form.

Ains Ooal Gown marveled at my sword as the warrior and I continued our intense bladed dance; I charged and clash my sword with the warriors axe, I felt the power growing as I pressed the sword harder against the axe. Then the warrior suddenly blasted me into the wall of the throne room with a single strong push and fling of the axe, it felt like I was fired out of a cannon and a wall of steel; I pounced back up and charged at the warrior only to be thrown back into the wall. The rush of dark power came to me, only this time, felt consumed by it, like something took over me; the warrior was about to drop the defenses and rushed back to the defense as I shot back at her, slashing the shoulder plate and breaking it in a fiery dark aura flowing around me.

Ains Ooal Gown and the warrior basked at my hellish flames as the markings on my chest pumped and pulsed, the warrior glanced at the lord then nodded; the warrior held and removed the helmet revealing a beautiful women's face. The warrior was revealed to be Albedo, commander of the floor guardians and strongest fighter of Nazarick; she explained that she was merely examining me, to see if I was truly strong enough to defeat the floor guardians. As she explained while I stared intently at her, the power craved for power, forcing me to relentlessly strike at the clueless Albedo; she dodged at the last minute and stared at my eyes, my eyes felt they had destruction, madness and chaos in them through a dark purple twinkle.

As I rampaged, Albedo tried to subdue me but failed constantly, being broken by my dark strength and demonic sorcery; my rampage was finally silence by holy chains casted by Ains Ooal Gown, holding and halting me instantly as I was about to kill the defenseless Albedo. I snarled and glared at him with murderous desires in me, he tightened the chains, strangling me with a burning sensation on my body and the darkness faded from my body. As I fell unconscious, Ains Ooal Gown spoke only one word, "Akontos"…

Chapter 10 – Akontos

Long ago, before man could walk, war was the land and blood was the ocean; angels and demons fell and rose as the sands of time passed and flowed, one beast was greater than all who brought terror to hearts. The beast rampaged through the land and slaughtered lived of weak and strong, though people say; the beast was once angelic and calm, many tried to kill and smite the beast but all became souls of the dead or slaughtered. The gods of heaven and devils of hell united and fought the beast itself, injured, agonising over deep wounds and scars, the gods and devils soon surrendered to the beast, for it not a heroic soul, a being of heavenly and demonic powers, mustered all its strength and pierced the heart of the beast. The beast roared with agony and fell into the burning war-torn land, dying as the unearthly flames of war incinerated the beast; laying its ashes into the land; fearing the vengeful spirit of the beast, the soul of the beast was stolen from its fleshy body and sealed into a gem, lost in time and never seen by mortal eyes. This beast was Akontos.

I woke before Ains Ooal Gown, Albedo and the floor guardians I've encountered: Shalltear Bloodfallen, Cocytus, Aura and Mare Bella Fiore and Demiurge. They all stood on the side of the throne, with Albedo standing beside Ains Ooal Gown sitting on his throne; I was there, in the middle, on my knees with chains mummifying my body. Ains Ooal Gown stood from his throne and asked me about the gem on my sword, I told him that I only found the gem before I set foot into Nazarick and suggested that I possibly found it then fell asleep forgetting it; he pondered the possibility then announced the gem as the 'Eye of Akontos'.

I had never heard of the 'Eye of Akontos' neither did the guardians, he then explained that the gem is a level two hundred secret and rare item that contains the soul of a beast that terrorised lives and strong enough to take on gods and devils; we all were in awe of the gem, I couldn't believe that a jewel of such power came to my possession, ending his explanation with any who possess the gem would be given power to conquer everything, even beings that are over level hundred. He then asked his floor guardians for their opinion of my character: Demiurge commented on the devastating power I unleashed, the Bella Fiore twins spoke of the mercy I showed to their pet wolf and how I tamed a wyvern, Cocytus told of my honorable moral desire of justice, then reluctantly Shalltear announced the skills and wit I displayed; Ains had made his decision, he called for his butler Sebas to release me of the chains.

Then told me to rise, as I rose, he announced in front of the guardians and their commander, "Vantes Duma, I name you. The Champion of Nazarick"; I froze as he gave me such a title; I would have thanked him but couldn't say my thanks to a powerful being. He could just tell by my face, I was in a state of bewilderment; he commanded the guardians to return to their floors and asked me to follow him to the Ashurbanipal, I followed him to a portal to his Ashurbanipal with Albedo and Sebas to witness a large library filled with vast amount of books, filled with knowledge. Ains Ooal Gown had beckoned me to a mirror that showed a random street in a city, to my sudden realisation, it was Holojus; he then moved the image to the headquarters of the Seven Knights of the Sovereign Scriptures, in the headquarters, he showed Arogon with Tervolda, Malith, Figunin and Riolance discussing something.

Sebas then explained to me, through the mirror Lord Ains Ooal Gown and his followers can see the entire world and what the people are doing; he continued his explanation and said that they had planned to isolate me and kill me for my lack in faith in the Six Great Gods, they even had 'evidence' to show from Malith Golna himself, that I was actually a heretic; that evidence was my family. Sebas continued to explain to me that they lied to my best friend Galipha and convinced him to kill me as well as telling the Six Archbishops of 'my heresy' then come to the conclusion, I had to be slain; I was enraged by such reasoning to ruin me, my fellow members conspiring against me.

Ains Ooal Gown placed his bony hand on my shoulder, calming me then offered me, a place in Nazarick; a shelter of safety and warmth, for he welcomes me as a friend. I shook his hand off me, for I still have my faith in the Six Great Gods; he understood my actions, despite Albedo and Sebas's face of disapproval then conjured a portal to an alley in streets of Holojus. I thanked him for the portal and entered, after the portal faded, I smashed my fist against the wall with anger; I was furious, I was slowly consumed by my anger then a voice rang in my ears, a voice from the gem, "Spill the blood of mortal humans, and I can give you what you want" I acknowledged the voice and began to smile at the task at hand, killing people, people who lied and betrayed me, I smiled and laughed maniacally at the joy and thought of killing those who did me wrong…

Chapter 11 – The Beast Rises Again

I followed him for so long, guiding him where he wants to be, helping him fight through the tough trials of Nazarick; now I fear that I may have lost him to the beast in the gem I gave him. I knew of the danger and power the gem possessed but gave him the gem anyway, I cared for him as he did for me. He has changed, from that kind gentle knight that spared my life to a bloodthirsty maniacal murderer searching for souls to rob; I could only stand and watch him, from my shell.

His first victim was a man of greed and gluttony, I could feel and smell the greed, tasting the gluttony off the man as he kept his sack of wealth and stuffing then devour mountains of food as penniless people with starvation stared at the man; my poor knight creep towards his prey from behind and lunged forth with his sword, piercing the man's sweaty skin, slicing his fatty flabby flesh. The man leaped from his banquet of food as he screamed in pain, my knight creep closer to the man, licking his lips and breathing deeply through his mouth; then suddenly impaled his sword into the man's belly and sliced it open. The man fell on the ground and the knight started to dig and rip his guts out with his bare hands as the gem took in the blood on its blade; I could only shred a small hollow tear as I watched my knight ripping and licking the blood off the man he brutally killed from the doorway of the man's home.

My poor unfortunate knight left the bloody corpse of his first victim, to search for his next soul to feast; he turned to stare at copper plate warrior glaring at an iron plate warrior, smelling of envy from his burning anger. He followed the copper plate warrior to a tavern and grinned at the souls in the tavern, with blood dripping out of his mouth; the people in the tavern stared in terror as my warrior stood in the doorway, a foolish adventurer attempted to make fun of my possessed knight. Only to be punished by my knight's demonic sword slashing his head off by his mouth, clean off. The adventurers' friends immediately took action by charging at my possessed knight, only to be slaughtered by the dark energy firing their bodies to the tavern's wall staining it with their blood; every soul in the tavern now trembled in fear and paranoia, eventually my knight turned to the adventurer he seek and slowly approached him with a dark malicious smile across his face as blood dripped from his mouth.

The adventurer tried to run from him but his legs got decapitated by the dark sword, he then crawled on his hands and arms in terror in front of the mad man; my knight then swung his sword into the adventurer's heart, stabbing and striking repeatedly at the poor adventurer's heart as he screamed in agony until a dark silence entered and filled the tavern. The tavern owner looked over to discover my warrior scooping and slurping the blood of the adventurer as the gem once again fed off the blood of his victim; the tavern owner looked in disgust at the nightmarish sight in his tavern, then ran in fear screaming out of his tavern after the dark purple demonic eyes of my knight turned and pinned his gaze onto him, everyone else in the tavern soon joined the tavern keeper as my knight creeped out of his murderous spot with an unearthly hellish screech in the tavern.

The sun descended into the horizon, slowly opening the curtains to a deathly night; the terrified innocent civilians scattered in the streets as a holy knight ploughed through the streets toward the mad man drooling with blood from his mouth, the holy knight froze in fear as if he just seen a ghost, a ghost of his past. His old friend, Vantes Duma. He cowered as his old friend stood in front of him with a demonic presence erupting from him; the holy knight raised his sword and shield with overwhelming fear then my poor knight, raised his sword with an evil roar and clashed his sword onto the holy knight's shield. The holy knight suffered immense pain as the shield shook; shaking his arm in agony then my knight unleashed his dark energy, blasting the holy knight's chest, into his soul; the knight fell heavily onto the ground.

As my poor knight stood above the defenseless knight and raised his sword above his head, as night entered and the moon shown, my knight suddenly stopped his swing; as if something froze him instantly. Then to my relief, my knight returned to me, though he doesn't seem to remember what he was doing; he searched for an answer but no one would dare answer him, even his friend beneath him didn't answer him. As he searched for an answer, little did he know, his sword rose to the air on his own and tried to spear my knight; thankfully he ducked away from the sword but couldn't run away; only to then be impaled by the sword to his back, through his heart, into the ground.

My knight froze with shock and pain as his blood spilled from his heart, raising his arm desperately to anyone for help, only to be denied as he slowly stopped flailing his arms in a puddle, the size of his body, of his own blood; the knight stared at the horrific sight of his old friend, dead, in front of him. But suddenly, his body dissolved into his puddle of his own blood, people stared as the body of my warrior was completely submerged in his own blood; then the puddle turned black. Suddenly a tower of black mass blasted out of the puddle, rising to the sky; then the tower descended leaving a dark giant horned figure in plain sight, civilians stared at the figure with curiosity and fear then black arms with menacing claws extended from the centre and dark purple demonic eyes shone, bringing shivers and chills to all who bear witness the great demon in front of them.

The holy knight timidly charged at the black demon with his sword, only for him to regretfully, break his weak meager sword; the demon roared at the knight, the knight felt pleased with the response of the demon, deluded by the believe in hurting the demon; only to be in plain fear as the demon's hand charging at him, smashing and smothering him to the ground, leaving a bloody mess on the ground. Other knights burst into the street, knights from the Sovereign Scripture, to their astonishment; they never faced a demon of such size and caliber.

I decided that I shouldn't just watch my poor possessed warrior wreaking havoc on mortal souls; I broke my shell and changed back to my true mature beautiful form, I flew towards the demon, firing dark fireballs at the demon; it didn't take long to notice as I flew past its eyes, small dark arms shot out of its chest, grabbing me with great force and power. Squeezing my entire body as it stared at me as I squeaked my identity, "It's me…! Tia!"

Chapter 12 – The True Beast

As I was being squeezed by the demon, it seemed like me words broke into the demon to my knight's heart; I felt a calm feeling came from the demon as the demon's eyes stared all around me, it couldn't recognise me but I seemed to be friendly to me, like it was reunited with a friend or carer. Suddenly a beam of fire shot from a staff, wielded by Malith, a knight of the Sovereign Scripture, the friendly feeling faded and a raging anger took over; the demon's small arms pulled me closer as the demon smashed its hand onto the ground, then opened its jaw and charged a dark purple ray, aiming at the knights. The blast of energy tore the grounds of the street, missing the knights miraculously; the demon searched for the knight but found two figures, a black armoured warrior and a hooded figure, Albedo and Ains Ooal Gown.

They held the knights away from the blast and placed them back to the ground, Ains Ooal Gown attempted to explain to my warrior inside the demon, that he had been partly possessed by the great demon of ages long before man could walk on land, Akontos; he then explained that there is a chance to free him, but is unlikely to do. Ains Ooal Gown stood before the demon Akantos and challenged it, the demon once again smashed its hand onto Ains Ooal Gown, but it missed him, between its fingers and smashing to the ground; only to unleash dark spikes rushing toward the knights, Albedo had swung her axe, breaking each spike charging at the knights, constantly charging and rushing like birds of prey tearing at its prey. As the spikes continued its assault, Ains Ooal Gown casted various spells at the demons chest: 'Hell flame', 'Dragon lightning' and "Earth Spikes'; all had no effect.

Then the demon leaned back and a bulge came up on his chest, it looked like an eye was opening; but as soon as the eye shot open, the knights started to scream in terror with their hands covering their eyes, Albedo was clueless to why the knight's screams; only then to experience the terror as she shot her hands over her ears while screaming in absolute terror. Ains Ooal Gown had knew that the eye on the demon's chest was the True Eye of Akantos, it was said to bring fear and terror to all who make contact with it; the knight's and Albedo's fears must be all they can see, however Ains Ooal Gown knew one more thing; Akantos was slain by a soul striking through its chest, the eye was its weak and strong point. Ains Ooal Gown then shot a holy ray of light, freeing me from the demons grasp; I then flew away from the demon to then was told to attack the True Eye of Akantos, he knew that the eye was casting a powerful illusion affecting everyone who made eye contact with it and I wouldn't be affect because of the holy spell he cast onto Akontos's claws, it must have protected me against the eyes' power, unlike the mighty Albedo who wasn't ready for it or planned it.

I cast a spell onto myself as I charged into the eye, the demon used its darkness to forge a demonic halberd with a dark flame surrounding it; as the demon held and raised its hellish tool of death, I charged faster and pierced the eye. The demon screamed in pain as everyone affected by the satanic illusion slowly being freed from their torture; the demon bent over, planting its hands into the ground then finally crashing onto the ground. We all thought the demon was slain as it faded in front of our eyes, but Ains Ooal Gown… Was waiting for something; as the last parts of the demon faded, a swirling black vortex formed on the ground of where the demon fell; a hellish dark purple fire blasted from the vortex, towering to the sky then a another figure raised from the vortex in the fire; a pale skinned man with horns, dark purple satanic markings on his body, wings of pure white feathers and demonic hellish wings beings wrapped around his body and had a menacing sinister sinful aura.

I couldn't believe my eyes that man looked like my knight, Vantes Duma; I didn't believe it but I felt Akantos was still inside him, we all stood there watching him, waiting for him to move. We braced for any sudden attacks he may unleash, suddenly Arogon was blasted away from the group with a severe bloody wound on his chest after he shot his satanic dark purple eyes open; then a powerful gust of wind shot out as he burst his wings open, breaking with windows and wrecking the walls of the buildings on the street. We all were thrown back by the gust of wind, all but Ains Ooal Gown as Vantes floated in mid-air staring back on him; then spoke with a demonic merciless voice.

"I will… Destroy… And devour… Everything!"

Chapter 13 – Mind over the Sword

Vantes finally had what he set out for, power, but it was at a cost, his soul. I didn't want to lose him, for once I felt loved, someone who cared for me; I finally found a soul that actually cared for me, I had bonded with men for so many times and all never shared their amorous feelings for me, they only loved my body, never my heart. That's when I've had enough, so I had cast an illusion, hiding me from the world as a child; in a location where no human man could find me, only I had transported myself near a home of goblins. I cowered as I sent myself to a fate worst then being ravished by a human man, but despoiled by an ugly goblin; but as I worried at nothing, I forgot I made myself look like a human child, a goblin found me then unexpectedly welcomed me to its horde. They all took care of me as we traveled from village to village, town to town, city to city; they all risked themselves being killed to bring me food and warmth, eventually their kind act led to that faithful day.

Vantes Duma, the knight who held me in his hands and sincerely cared for me, when he asked for my name; I had to go with what he thought was my name, then as he stroked my head, I may have been disguised as a human girl of infantry but the warm pure loving feeling was real, it was no illusion or figment of imagination or a lie. It was real. I adored him. Now I stand to see my beloved knight possessed by an ancient unholy beast against a fierce magic caster, in what looked like a duel to the death.

Ains Ooal Gown had summoned a portal with a death knight lunging out and slashing Vantes with its heavy sword, only for the sword slice through him like cutting through mist, then shatter in front of us all through a dark lightning bolt on the palm of Vantes's hand; Vantes raised his hand, raising the pile of bones from the death knight and the bloody mess of Galipha Kinandez, he then fused the two together in a ball of dark energy to create a high tier undead, skeleton archfiend. The bones swirled, interlocking themselves with each other as a dark mass of energy covered the bones; thus the archfiend was born, it roared as the remaining bones joined with the skeletal body to grow taller than the two men in battle, the knights were in fear and awe of the undead beast as Vantes commanded the Archfiend to slaughter the knight of the Sovereign Scripture; under the orders of her lord, Albedo fought the archfiend bravely in a constant clash with the undead beast, never waning, never stopping. But the beast managed to kill Riolance, even with his holy lance, he fell easily in front of the beast; the wounded Arogon commanded and led the remaining members fought back but could never match the archfiend's power.

Vantes smiled at the blood of those who wronged him spilled and ripped from their bodies, Ains Ooal Gown tried to talk some sense into him but was ignored as he lunged forth bringing his sword of darkness to Ains Ooal Gown's skeletal face; then something got to my Vantes.

"What of her?" He pointed out with a sinister whispered.

Vantes glared at me like a stranger, but I mustered the courage to say my fake name, "Tia" then his eyes widened as if he remembers me. He and I moved closer to each other, as he stretched his hand and whispered my fake name; suddenly he shoots his hand back while grasping his head in agony.

It seemed that Akontos had still control over him; Ains Ooal Gown had held my shoulder and asked to work together, for he had a way of saving Vantes. I accepted but only wish to take it back as he explained that he must be killed again to save him, I fell to the ground beside him then begged and cried on his robes for him to let him live; he moved closer to Vantes, ignoring my cries of mercy. Vantes shook his hands away and charged forth once more, with his sword burning with dark energy flowing from it; Ains Ooal Gown dodged the slash then cast a tenth-tier magic, firing at Vantes, only to miss. They were in a constant loop of striking, dodging, firing and missing their attacks, as the screams of torment from Figunin and Tervolda rang at the claws of the archfiend through the crucial duel.

I couldn't stand to see my love being assaulted mercilessly, eventually Vantes landed his attack; stabbing Ains Ooal Gown's chest, blasting his dark magic through his chest. But he was clueless to the trap Ains Ooal Gown laid for him, a burst of immense holy energy blazed Vantes; draining him of power and energy, when the blazing energy eventually faded, the archfiend fell apart into a pile of bones and my love was there lying on the ground, motionless. I wept a tear of misery at my loves cold body, but sensed life from his soul; he still lives, as joy rush into me, Arogon was charging towards my love's body with his holy claymore, I stood as a shield for my Vantes but suddenly, Arogon was flung back by Albedo's black axe, throwing him like a rag doll and laid there silent, he appeared to have died from that axe.

Ains Ooal Gown approached me with Albedo after capturing the final remaining knight, Malith Golna of Temperance, from behind; telling me it was my turn to continue his plan, he somehow knew my feelings for Vantes. I couldn't deny it, I loved him, and he loved me. He then explained to me that Vantes is still possessed by Akontos and could only be freed by me with my powers by entering a Vantes's mind and soul, Akontos's power had been planted into his soul and he couldn't extract the two souls and split them apart; Vantes's soul had become a battle between himself and an ancient great demon, if I choose to go with this plan, I may break his mind or damage his memory, possibly forgetting me and changing him permanently.

I understood what had to be done and accepted the task at hand, I kneeled next to Vantes and placed my hands on his head; then channels my spirit and energy into his mind and searched his mind for him. I found him eventually in the everlasting darkness, I found his inner-self; a little child that looked like him, crying with a wooden toy sword in his hand; I touched his head calming him and caressing him like he was my own child, he calmed down. But suddenly a huge dark presence trembled around us, and then loomed over us; a giant demon with hellish horns, dark sharp claws, macabre wings and four hooved legs with blood soaked red long fur with a nightmarish aura surrounding it. Akontos himself was in front of us.

Chapter 14 – Tides of Courage

I stood breathlessly with my poor Vantes hiding behind me, in front of the demonic giant Akontos; Akontos smiled at the huge comparison between us and him, believing that I was fighting a long lost cause. I started to feel terror as Akontos smiled with sinful delight, but I regained the courage to fight as I saw little Vantes, cowering behind me with his eyes shut then looked into my eyes, hoping that I can save him; I turned back to Akontos with strong courage and fired a fireball at him, though it landed a hit on him, it did nothing then he attacked back with his satanic claws. I grabbed little Vantes and held him in my arms as I leaped away for the claw, Akontos laughed as he revealed a dark truth; as he and I fought, he still had control over Vantes's body.

Back in the real world, Ains and Albedo watched over our bodies, then suddenly witness Vantes's eyes shoot wide open then sprung up; Ains asked how Vantes feels, only to be shocked by Vantes's answer, in a sinister deep voice that was not his. Akontos was using his body as a puppet to kill Ains and Albedo to continue his untamed destruction that he started long ago, Akontos forged a satanic halberd with his immense dark power then charged toward Ains and Albedo; they dodged Akontos's attack then counterattacked. As they began their fight, I was running away from Akontos's attack as he cast a ring of dark fireballs and fired at me and little Vantes rapidly; after all the fireballs were fired, Akontos charged a mass of dark energy then aimed and fired at us like a cannon.

I dodged it but still suffered from the blast, for it burned my back as I held little Vantes, shielding him from the blast; when we landed, I saw Vantes staring at me, knowing I'm in great pain, the pain from that attack was terribly painful; if I take more attacks like that, I may die here. Akontos stared at me, only for me to suddenly split into an army of myself; I commanded my clones cast powerful spells, 'Dragon Lightning' and 'Hell flame', all aimed and fired around Akontos's massive nightmarish body as the real me ran away from Akontos. Suddenly as my clones flew and pestered Akontos, his rage grew and grew then released his wrath through a burst of powerful dark energy; eradicating all my clones and causing me and little Vantes fall as we ran away.

As I tried to stand back up with little Vantes, Akontos's angered heavy breath charged closer towards us then smashed me away from my little Vantes; Vantes froze with fear as Akontos loomed over him like a savage beast preparing to land the killing strike on its helpless prey, I slowly got back up as Akontos picked my Vantes by his back and raised him over his wide open jaws. I rushed over to them and casted a 'Hell Fireball' closes to Akontos's eye, Akontos then roared in agony as he released Vantes with me catching him; only to be in the grasp of Akontos's raging wrath. He crushed me tightly in his hands making me lose all feelings in my arms, and then smashed me to the ground as he beat me on the ground with his fists charging to me on the ground; Vantes still cowered with his hands over his face but saw me in trouble through his fingers, suddenly a sense of courage came to him as I reached out to him in agony; Vantes charged towards Akontos bravely, as he charged, I saw him change, getting older and mature, braver and braver till he was the same Vantes that I met at the alley, with a mighty sword impaling it into Akontos's arm.

Akontos roared with pain stopping his brutal assault, Vantes gave me his hand and helped me get up; Vantes first stared at me but then felt a similar vibe from me then spoke in his calm gentle kind voice, "Tia. Is this you?" I only shook my head as I soon realised that he was seeing me in my true form, my succubus form; I turned and lowered my head with sadness, only to then suddenly have Vantes snatch my chin, lifting it and kissed me. An unfamiliar warm feeling rushed through me, countless men have kissed me, but none was like how Vantes kissed me; he then told me that he was his true inner self and acts on his true feelings.

He then turned to face Akontos, who had nothing but uncontrollable rage; Vantes turned back to me and told me to go back to my body, then suddenly charged towards Akontos as he stretched his claws to catch Vantes in his hands; I wanted to ask more but then a force sucked and pulled me away from him as I tried calling him, I was being pulled away faster and faster until I wake in the real world in my body. I woke to find Ains and Albedo fighting against Akontos using Vantes's body, Ains then turned to see me awake then was punched to the ground by Akontos smashing his halberd onto his skull and then blasted Albedo away as she charged towards him with absolute anger; Akontos was about to deliver a powerful strike onto Ains Ooal Gown, but suddenly stopped.

Instead Vantes's body shook as Akontos flailed around with Vantes's hands wrapped around his mouth and something within Vantes's body shot around his body from within; eventually, Akontos gave into the force in Vantes's body then his mouth shot wide open as a dark energy erupted out of Vantes's mouth. After all the dark energy flowed out of Vantes's mouth, Akontos felt weak as his stared at the dark mass of energy slowly shifted and change shape; into the exactly same shape and form as Vantes's body corrupted by Akontos. The copy then spoke in Vantes's own voice, "Akontos. You have tormented and controlled me for the last time. I will end your destruction!" Akontos in Vantes's body smiled with laughter, believing he'll kill Vantes with ease; only to be freed from his delusion as he punched Vantes weakly like a mere breeze on a spring day, then was suddenly blasted away by a punch that Akontos wanted by Vantes.

Akontos's death day, was about to become, real.

Chapter 15 – Ending the Nightmare

Akontos, the mighty beast that the gods of heaven and devils of hell feared, destroyer of many lives and slaughter of souls; was now nothing but a powerless creature before me, the power that I longed for was in my hands, flowing all over my body, head to toe. I was astonished by the distance I achieve with one mere punch, firing Akontos like an empty corpse; he slowly rose from the rubble with a breathless face of terror at me, I walked closer to him as he struggled to pick up the rubble around him and throw at me, hoping that it would delay my slow march to his demise. As I approached closer to him, he suddenly desperately looked for something to defend him with; finding and taking the dead Arogon's claymore with difficulty. "How does it feel? To feel despair in your sorry life"

He glared at me with spite and dragged the claymore to attack, only to be stopped as I raised my hand; raising dark arms from a black vortex grabbing hold of Akontos then shot him back to the ground, while ripping the claymore off his feeble hands and breaking it in two as the arms that I commanded returned to the vortex. Terrified, Akontos looked for a new shield but was too late, I was staring down on him; he jumped at the mere sight of me, and then tried to retaliate with his fists. Only to be crushed and broken by my own hands like I was stepping on bugs, bloody broken stumps replaced his hands. Akontos glared at me with tears of fear in his eyes, demanding to know how this came to be. "I robbed you as you robbed me of my life"

In my mind as I charged towards him while wielding my sword as my inner self, I leaped over Akontos's charging claw and drove my sword into his chest, tearing his chest open; I leaped away from him then focused my strength and energy into one last move, his ultimate skill, 'Anima Messis', soul reaper. I raised my sword, pointing at his open chest, draining his energy, his power and his strength; he slowly shrunk in size as every last drop that he has was becoming mine.

"I had used my soul to drain you of your power from your soul in my body. With your ultimate skill, 'Anima Messis'. You had been inside my soul for so long, you didn't think I wouldn't be able to look into your soul like you did with mine."

Akontos's face had the word 'impossible' written all over him in cold sweat; he refused to believe that I drained him of his mighty power, he stood back up and charge his 'power' but nothing happened, he felt nothing. I charge my new dark energy and pure black flames engulfed my fists; I then started to finish this pathetic corpse, once and for all with my own two hands.

I first punched his face, burning his face with my black flames, "This is for taking my mind." Then punched his face again, "This is for stealing my soul." I began to punch his belly with immense force, "This is for all the lives you murdered." And again to his belly, "This is for the souls you've taken." I grabbed his arm and flung him over my head then smashing him to the ground with brutality, "This is for your crimes." And again over the other side, "This is for your sins" And finally, charged a final attack as he slowly stood up with his ragged bent body. I unleashed pitch-black satanic claws and leaped to his chest, with my claws diving into his chest and ripped out his soul from his lifeless corpse; I held his evil soul in my satanic claw in front of my face then crushed it with rage and ease, "And this is for hurting her!"

As Akontos's soul was destroyed by hands, his mortal shell screamed in agony, echoing the dark silent night as it turned to dust in front of me and fell to the ground with his dust sinking into the ground where he once stood; Ains Ooal Gown watched in marvel at the permanent death of a great demonic beast at the hands of human with satanic power, Albedo and Tia stared with amazement and shock at the once familiar knight turned into a full fledge demon of great proportions. They stood there with caution, fearing I was out of control or no longer my former self; Ains wanted to know for himself, if I was myself but Tia slowly approached me from behind, he stopped himself from approaching me for knowing that she had deep feelings for me.

Ains only stood there and told me to meet him at his throne in Nazarick, then left with Albedo closely following him as she held Malith by his neck, leaving me and Tia alone in the empty wrecked street.

Chapter 16 – A New Beginning

As I stood there silently with the little girl I knew as 'Tia' approaching me, she then spoke to me, with a sorrowful voice and misery in her heart.

"Vantes. I was the girl you knew as 'Tia' but my name is really Xentia. I, I was the one who gave you the Eye of Akontos…"

I stood there shocked and surprised by the sudden epiphany I heard from her.

"I followed you to your home when you took me to that orphanage, it must have been nice there? All… Homely…" I could only nod to her question.

"I felt the rage and hate you had. For your death of your family and how they Sovereign Scripture betrayed you, so I…" She seemed like she couldn't think of a different way of putting it, so I finished her sentence bluntly.

"…So you gave me a cursed gem to gain power." She then bluntly with harsh honesty answered "Yes" then I finished it off again, "By sending me to The Great Tomb of Nazarick, to gain power through each floor." She then again bluntly answered with harsh honesty and tears in her eyes "Yes!" and fell to the ground on her knees.

I turned around to see, on the ground crying from her guilt then showed her motive with distress and tears in her eyes, "I care for you Vantes. I, I, I love you!"

I stood with consternation and continued her truthful motive, "You're the only man that cared for me! You kept me safe and how you found me a secret from everyone! You now know that I'm a succubus. Meaning I've been off with so many men! They all never cared for me! But you, you cared for me! I was treated like nothing by the so many men I've been off with! But you cared for me!"

I slowly began to understand her reasoning; not a single man showed any care for her but treated like a prostitute, she had enough of that live and hid away from humans until I found her in that alley and took care of her myself; she then spoke with misery and dark sadness, something I could never say no to, "I don't want to go back to giving my body to heartless men. You won my heart and I love you! I love you so much Vantes!"

I stood there without a single sound from my lips, Xentia then possessed Arogon's claymore and shot it directly at herself, wanting to end her life in fear of returning to her body giving life; I instantly grabbed her head with my hands and kissed her while wrapping my wings around her, hugging her. She struggled in my wings as I kissed her, forcing her to lose her control over the claymore as it stabbed the ground behind her back, then broke away from me and demanded to know what I was doing with shock; I stared into her eyes and spoke with sincerity and honesty, "I love you Xentia… I don't care what you are, or what you did to me. I care and love you."

She stood in shock then with emotions running all over her body as I opened my wings and arms, and then she ran into my arms; holding me tightly and I held her back gently in the middle of the street.

Xentia began to weep as she tried to hold back her tears, "I'll always be with you, now and forever"

Those words of mine rang in her ears and slowly gave into her tears and cried over my shoulder, as I gently caressed her in my arms and wings. Eventually, she stopped her tears then asked what I will do now; I only replied back by saying I plan to see what Ains Ooal Gown has for me, Xentia wanted to follow me and I agreed. I held her hand as she wanted to begin the long journey to Nazarick, but I had a quicker way of getting there.

Meanwhile, in Nazarick, Ains had returned to his throne with Albedo and sat in his throne, waiting for me to show up but time passed, and he began to lose the thought of my arrival; just as he got off his throne, the floor guardians rushed into the throne with urgency. Albedo demanded to know what the floor guardians were doing to suddenly burst in the throne room rudely, as Demiurge was about to answer, he looks up and sees the reason; Albedo slowly turned to see floating above Ains Ooal Gown as I held Xentia in my arms and wings.

She alerted her lord to look above him; then I faded away from their sight then suddenly slowly ascended from the ground through a black vortex with Xentia, then got close to Ains's face and just as he looked back at his floor guardians, and like a snake slithering up to its prey on a tree, I slithered in pure shadow from the ground and shot my wings out as I hissed loudly then chuckled at his reaction to my little scare. Now I've annoyed Albedo and the floor guardians, though I felt down from the lack of remembrance from the floor guardians, then again I was human when I first met them; thankfully as I leaped away from their lord's seat, someone remembered who I am.

"Are you… Vantes Duma?" Aura loudly questioned, the other guardians turned to look at Aura, then shot their eyesight back at me for me to say with a cheeky grin, "Long time no see, Aura Bella Fiore."

One by one they all recognised me and stared at me, astounded by the being that I've become, and then I returned to business with Ains Ooal Gown.

I kneeled in front of Ains Ooal Gown and asked politely what business he has with me; he answered me with his proud kind manner "What are your plans now? The sovereign Scripture has been destroyed in one night. And you are no longer human."

I knew all of those were true and I could never go back on what has happened, Ains appeared to be a wise and mighty ruler with kindness and benevolence in his rule; perhaps I should continue my loyal service under him, instead of the Archbishops of the Slane Theocracy. I politely answered him with a request, "Great lord Ains Ooal Gown, I ask that you allow me to join your forces? I offer you, my loyalty, skill and strength for your cause."

Xentia then joined me as she knelled next to me and held my hand, "I too wish to join your forces with Vantes Duma. I offer you my loyalty, skill and strength to your cause."

Ains looked at us, kneeling in front of him in his throne and his subordinates with respect; Ains then looked at Albedo and asked for her opinion, she smiled as she answered by saying that Xentia and I appeared to be truthful to our words and were willing to serve him; how true she was, I now have the power to avenge my family, now I wish to serve Ains Ooal Gown to repay his kindness for saving me from Akontos's control with Xentia by my side. Ains eventually answered our calls with pride and joy as he stood up from his throne.

"Very well! I accept your offers! I, Ains Ooal Gown, shall be your lord! Please call me Ains. I welcome you to my forces!"

I then shouted with pride and respect, "Thank you my lord! I, Vantes Duma, your champion of Nazarick, swear my eternal loyalty to your cause and am at your service!" Xentia then followed after me, "I thank you Lord Ains! I, Xentia swear my eternal loyalty to your cause and am at your service!"

I swore loyalty to my new lord who values loyalty, serving him with my beloved Xentia by my side, a new life awaits for me and Xentia; and we'll be ready for all that faces us.