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A Holy War
~A Strange Mercy~
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"Love is the only poison that can corrupt my heart, so I learned to survive without a heart."
-Jawred Zeruvine
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"No!"
A despondent scream shattered the sky as Jawred released the blade wizard.
"No, Derrik!"
With emotionless red eyes, the dark wizard cruelly gazed on as Derrik, lifeless and bloodstained, collapsed onto the merciless stone tiles with a resonating thud.
"No, please!"
A despondent scream, strangled by sorrow and agony, exploded from her bloodied lips as Vernida trembled vigorously. Tears rained from those brokenhearted green eyes as she painfully dragged her own tattered body toward her motionless companion. "Get up...please...get up... You...you can't die, Derrik!"
But her unconscious companion remained unresponsive to her despaired sobs.
"Please!"
A devastated, splintering scream erupted as Vernida snapped her agonized green orbs shut and lifted her burning, tearstained face to the distant heavens. "We promised, Derrik! Please, you promised! You promised you would never leave me!"
Drowning in her own tears, the young woman then slumped onto his stagnant chest as she incoherently screeched his name in indescribable sorrow.
Oh, stars have mercy.
"Enough." Jawred growled impatiently as he approached the despaired young woman sobbing despondently to the silent heavens. Those demonic blood red orbs melted into exhausted golden browns as he stopped beside her. "Quit overreacting."
"Y-you!"
Intolerable disgust and fiery hatred instantly exploded from her bristling aura as the fire wizard suddenly whirled around. Iridescent tears rained from those dilated, bloodshot orbs as Vernida released a furious, trembling hiss. "W-why...how...how dare you...do this to him?"
Those crimson orbs narrowed. "You know I had to."
"No, I don't!"
A broken scream suddenly exploded from her bloodstained lips and resonated across the metallic atmosphere.
"Why?"
Murderous rage spilled from those infuriated green eyes as Vernida trembled vigorously, sparkling tears pouring from her feverish face and dripping onto the bloodied stones underfoot.
"Answer me!"
Tangible agony and suffocating hatred leaked from her devastated aura as Vernida howled in brokenhearted agony and savage fury. Weakly, she then attempted to rise, only to collapse immediately onto her knees, biting back a wince as pained tears streaked down her cheeks.
This is exactly why I stopped bothering with something as ludicrous as love.
Disgust gleamed within those red eyes as the dark wizard mused quietly, gazing impassively at her broken features.
Like a poison, it hurts only you and those that you care.
"I, I...don't understand...I, I really don't...why...why?" Iridescent tears gleamed around her bloodshot orbs as a heartbroken murmur oozed from her trembling lips. Dejectedly, those soaked green eyes then drifted away from his irritated reds as Vernida feebly cupped her tearstained cheeks and muffled her melancholy sobs. "Why...why...why did you...have to...kill...him?"
So this is why she is overreacting?
Stunned, those imperviously calm golden eyes widened ever so slightly. "Wait. I didn't kill him."
The ephemeral silence that descended upon the acrid atmosphere might as well have been an eternity. But finally, the faintest ember of hope feebly sparked within her otherwise devastated aura as Vernida slowly removed her drenched hands and turned to him with an astonished murmur. "W-wait...wait, what?"
"I didn't kill him." The dark wizard reiterated impatiently as he tiredly turned from her ravaged, breathless features and advanced toward the dungeon once more. "Your little boyfriend isn't dead."
"Wait...what? But...but I, I saw you!" She mumbled in dazzled confusion. "I...I saw you! I saw with my own eyes! You...you choked him...he's dead...he's dead! You're lying...you must be lying to me!"
"Oh, seriously?"
Dark annoyance suddenly drenched his heart as Jawred registered her accusatory tone. Instantly, the dark wizard whirled around with almost venomous aggression, a demonic hiss slithering from his lips. "Please, do not think so highly of yourself, Vernida. You have absolutely nothing that I need to lie for."
A brief silence reigned in the acrid and metallic atmosphere as Vernida gazed at him with unblinking, quizzical green eyes. But then, she finally released a soft, confused whisper. "Then...why...why did you–"
"Listen."
Impatience burned within those ginger brown eyes as Jawred curtly turned away. "I will say this once and only once. The only reason why the both of you are still alive is that I was actually stupid enough to accede to your demand."
"W-what? I...I don't...understand."
Stop. Talking. Already.
"I promised you I would not kill him. So I did not kill him." With a deep breath, the dark wizard resumed his itinerary toward the dungeon entrance without bothering to turn back to her broken and bemused features. "Simple enough?"
"Real...really? You spared us...just because you...pinky promised?"
"Yes." Irritation flashed within those golden brown eyes as Jawred nodded dramatically in indescribable exasperation. "I don't care what you think of me. But do understand that–unlike some pretentious heroes you will face–I always honor my words."
"Then...Then...why did you...almost kill him?"
Stars above.
Those irritated golden eyes snapped close as Jawred paused before the enormous dungeon doors. "Your stupidity is apparently immeasurable. Your little boyfriend was trying to cut my head off. And contrary to whatever you may believe, he would have killed you as well had I not protected you."
"You...protected me?"
"Yes."
Darkness suddenly erupted within his aura in tangible tendrils as Jawred slowly turned around, those venomous eyes splintering into fragments of ice. "Do understand that both of you are truly fortunate to remain alive. Generally, I kill anyone who dares to do so much as insult me, much less forgive an idiotic rookie that dared to cut me."
Suddenly, as if she had just realized how dangerous he truly was for the first time, Vernida recoiled as an eccentric terror suddenly flared within her widening green eyes. "W-who...who even are...you?"
Is it really such a mystery? Tilting his head to one side, Jawred released a sigh as those eyes darkened with impatience. But before he could respond.
"What the Hell just happened?"
"Dunno, but I saw smoke!"
"Hades, some rat must have sneaked in and started a fire!"
A cacophony of thundering footsteps and breathless screams suddenly rumbled down the stony corridor and captured both of their attentions. A moment later, six guards suddenly charged into the courtyard in a breathless stampede.
Took them long enough. He mused bitterly. Had I not been here when the fire started, the entire temple would have been in flames by now.
"Hades, just when we are about to get a break too!"
"I swear, if it's another hero wannabe, trying to be cute and–"
A stunned silence suddenly dissolved the ferocious screams as the guards slowly skid to a stop. Terror abruptly exploded from their bewildered aura in tangible waves as the Demons absorbed the bloodcurdling destruction of the battlefield.
"W-what...what...is this?"
Faint lava streaks glimmered between the charred stone floor as blackened and shattered ancient pillars lied at broken angles. But most terrifyingly, perhaps, was the enormous black crater that tore meters into the smoking, stony earth.
"Hades...what in Five Hells happened?"
"Lord...Azirus...what the devil–"
"You done?" Annoyance blazed within his crimson irises as Jawred suddenly turned to them. While the impatient growl that rumbled from his throat was soft, it somehow cut through the vociferous curses with impossible ease.
"H-huh, what?"
"Hold...hold on, Master...Jawred?"
Vibrant dread and terror suddenly replaced the shock and confusion that once flared within their souls as the newcomers finally registered what diabolical entity was within their presence. Instantly, gasps and whimpers pervaded the dusky air as the Demons recoiled in horror and instinctively raised their weapons.
"Are you serious?" An aggravated roar exploded from his throat as Jawred recoiled, his malicious red eyes suddenly stung by the gleaming metals that flashed beneath the golden sunlight. "Which of you dares to raise your blade at me now?"
Stunned, the Demons blinked in confusion before one of them, suddenly realizing the dagger within his hand for the first time, dazedly dropped his blade with an audible clink before falling to his knees. "O-oh, our...our utmost apologies, Master Jawred!"
A low, confused murmur buzzed among his companions before the rest quickly followed suit and kneel before him, while the leader lowered his head as palpable fear dripped from his quivering voice. "We meant no disrespect...but, but we had no idea that you have returned, Master! Plea...please forgive us!"
Another few seconds of oppressive silence ensued before the dark wizard visibly relaxed, a tired sigh escaping from his lips. "Fair enough. I did repress news of my return. In that case, it is no surprise that no one find out."
"M-master?"
A dazed murmur suddenly caught his attention and he expectantly turned to the weakened fire wizard. Paralyzing shock had glazed across those drenched, bloodshot emerald orbs as Vernida gawked at him in absolute disbelief, her whisper as soft as if she had seen a ghost. "You...are the Master...of Sacred Demon?"
A sly grinned appeared at his lips as Jawred feigned a bow in sardonic humor. "Indeed. Jawred Zeruvine here at your service."
Shocked beyond words, Vernida seemingly froze on the bloodstained stone tiles as she stared at him with dazzled green eyes the size of oranges. Slowly, she opened her mouth, only to awkwardly shut it again, struggling to breathe like a fish flopping out of water, struggling to breathe.
"If...if I may, Master..." A soft, hesitant whisper seeped into his ears. "Is...is there anything we, we can do for you?"
The amused smirk on his lips vanished as Jawred gradually returned his golden eyes to the anxious Demons kneeling before him, dipping his head into a slow nod. "Take these two the infirmary and have their wounds attended."
As soon as his soft whisper faded, however, confounded murmurs buzzed into his enhanced ears.
"T-to the infirmary?"
"But...isn't he the one who hurt them?"
"I...I know these two! They only joined last week!"
"W-why is he so concerned about newbies now?"
"He never cared before–"
"Is there a problem?" A demonic roar exploded from his lips as the dark wizard abruptly whirled around, irritated golden orbs blazing in impatience. "Or are the six of you so incompetent that you cannot carry out even such a simple command?"
"N-no!" A vibrant mixture of dread and surprise leaked from their aura as the group, if ever possible, curled themselves into tighter balls against the stone floor. Fear nearly dripped from his words as the leader cringed, his voice a stammering mess as his trembling exacerbated. "M-my...my sincerest apologies, Master! I...I...I will have it done in, immediately!"
"Good." A hiss escaped from his throat as those golden eyes narrowed treacherously. "See that you do, or be brutally annihilated."
"Uh...understood..." Came the meek, terrified whisper.
Those slender golden eyes then turned to Vernida for one last time. A faint grin rippled across his as Jawred found the fire wizard gazing at him in a vibrant mixture of fear and confusion. Now that she had finally learned who he was, bewilderment had glazed over those dilated green orbs as she attempted in vain to fathom how his merciful gestures differed so drastically from his nightmarish reputation.
After all, rumors had dictated that no one–absolutely no one–ever leaves alive after confronting him in combat.
"Consider this little skirmish of ours an exception." The dark wizard smirked as he lazily turned his back on her. "Do remember who I am, Vernida. And do not–for the sake of your own life–assault me the next time our paths intertwine."
Then, without waiting for a response, Jawred pushed open one of the massive doors and immediately disappeared into the yawning darkness.
Updated on March 23, 2017. (EST 8:45PM)
Revised on March 25, 2017. Rearranged sentences and word choice.
