Ch. 10 He Returns

{Zachary's Point of View}

The four of us finally reached the cave, only to find out it's actually the inside of a giant tree. Wood vines coiled along the walls to make a more ovalish shape. Grass pokemon watched us, sometimes attacking us from afar. We were able to handle it pretty well, but then I started to feel like our luck was running out. Then, Matskitana walked beside me, smiling evilly as she looked ahead.

She whispered to me, "You're going to need my help soon. A demon is ahead."

I flinched, looking at her, "A demon?"

Jay gave me a weird look, "Demon? What are you talking about?"

I blushed from embarrassment, "Oh, nothing. Sorry."

Jay wasn't convinced but he looked ahead, "Alright."

Matskitana giggled, "Be careful, you don't want them to think you're insane. Then again... I guess you sorta are because of me."

I bit my lip, 'Shut the hell up.'

Matskitana shrugged, "Whatever you say Master."

I looked past Jay, spotting someone far off. It looked like a player guarding the door to the boss. He leaned his back against the wall, his head looking down as his hoodie blocked our view of his face. He stood at 5 foot 2 wearing a grey sweater and shorts with grey sneakers. Only a sword was strapped to his hip as he waited. When we got close enough, he raised his head revealing a black bandana covering the bottom half of his face.

Jay greeted him, "Yo. Mind if we go in?"

The guy stood up, gripping the hilt of his sword, "No."

Derek flinched, "That voice sounded familiar."

The guy looked down, pulling out his sword. All four of us got ready as he stood there, weapon in hand. None of us moved for a couple minutes, waiting for the other to strike first.

The guy twirled his sword before slashing it aside, in a blink he appeared behind me. I turned to face him, raising my shield to block an attack that never came. He tilted his head before pointing up. I looked up to see another of him, then another behind Derek, and the final one where he originally was standing.

The four of us went back to back, "We're surrounded. I've never heard of an ability like this."

Derek looked at Jay, "You barely remember how to take a shower, let alone the thousands of skills within this game."

Jay laughed, "Yeah... you're a dick."

Matskitana appeared in front of me, crossing her arms, "It's time for you to use me Zach."

I shook my head, "I can't."

Anthony looked at me, "You can't what?"

Matskitana smirked, "Trust me, once you've used my power, you'll always want to access it. You can't beat this demon without my power."

I held my shield tightly, "It's just one enemy."

Jay agreed, "Yeah but which one is the real one."

Matskitana got in my face, "You need me. Use me. Let me taste your blood. A shield will do nothing here and if you die, you'll be dead forever."

I swallowed hard, 'That doesn't matter to me.'

Matskitana smirked, "So you say, but you're holding that shield pretty tightly. You want to live and I can give you power."

I didn't have time to answer her as our formation was attacked by the four. All four were real, able to attack and defend. The one I blocked swung at me relentlessly, making me use all my strength to hold him back.

He whispered, "Guard Break."

Suddenly, my shield was thrown aside, leaving me wide open for his attack. I could have moved, but I was too shocked to do so. He didn't pause, slashing an X across my chest and exploding it.

He swiped his sword, "X-Scissor v.2. Fight me newbie."

My health was dropped to 76% With my regeneration negated. I stood up, reequipping my shield before being attacked from behind.

He grabbed my hair, "You're too slow."

He picked me up by my hair and started slamming me back and forth on the floor. Without mercy, he then stabbed me through my back and kicked me off. I laid on the floor submissively still as my health dropped to 25%.

Matskitana whispered in my ear, "At this rate you'll die."

I looked up to see her knelt in front of me, "That's none of your business."

Matskitana smiled, "Use me Zach. It's the only way you'll save your new friends."

My eyes widened when she used that word, "No..."

I remembered being helpless as my friends were murder. I couldn't let that happen again.

Matskitana giggled, "Use me Zach. Use my demon powers."

I started getting up, feeling the skin along my left shoulder and left cheek. Red tattoos began to appear there, making my skin red with no real patern aside from a crescent moon. The cursed ax formed out of a black haze around my hand. That guy tried to attack me but I blocked it with the ax.

He grunted, "That's different."

This time I over powered him, "Show him your strength, go! Matskitana!"

With a horizontal swipe, I released a deadly wave of energy that sliced the guy in half. It was just a copy and fazed out of existence. I turned to see my allies doing their best to fight this attacker off. I ran over to assist them with my weapon.

Anthony grunted, "Too... strong..."

Anthony had a hard time fighting since he only used a bow. That guy pushed down with his sword, making Anthony bow. I was able to save Anthony, making the copy retreat a few steps.

I stood in front of Anthony, "I'll keep you safe, focus on shooting him."

Anthony nodded quickly, "Okay."

The guy stared at me, swiping his sword aside before charging. I blocked his attack, sweeping his legs before trying to cut him in half. He backrolled quickly and pushed forward the moment his feet hit the ground. I looked at him, watching as Anthony sniped him with three arrows to destroy the copy.

I gave Anthony a thumbs up, "Good job."

Anthony nodded his appreciation before helping the other two with covering fire. I went to join Jay but the two copies retreated to the door before merging.

The guy put his sword away, pointing at us, "You're good! But I, am better."

Jay clenched his teeth, "This guy, is he being serious?"

Matskitana said to me, "He's going to be a lot tougher."

I asked her, 'How do you know?'

Matskitana giggled, "He's about to open his demon abilities."

I watched as he pulled out a potion, making me gasp, "Wait... I know that potion."

He pulled down his bandana, revealing himself to be Rui. All four of us were shocked to see him trying to stop us. He drank the potion without hesitation, tossing aside the empty glass container.

Jay looked heart broken, "Rui... what..? I thought you were dead."

Rui grinned, pulling his hood off, "I guess there's no point in concealing it any further."

Jay got closer to him, pleading, "Rui, stop this. You're our friend."

Rui grinned, "That's why we have to fight."

Jay flinched "What?"

Rui gave him a playful smile, pointing at us, "I couldn't possibly let you dumbasses be better than me, right?"

Jay stood straight, suddenly chuckling, "You... you bastard, this was all a test... right?"

Rui looked aside, his hands on his hips, "Maybe..."

Derek ran forward, "It's got to be him."

Anthony followed suit, "Rui!"

Rui put his hands up, "Whoa, guys I'm not- urk!"

The three of them dog piled on Rui, all laughing and crying that their friend is alive. Rui pushed them off with his strength, but they just kept jumping back on. I ended up laughing a little, feeling a bit of happiness for them until Matskitana appeared.

She said, "He suppressed the demon."

I asked, "How?"

Matskitana frowned, "I don't know."

I decided to ask, "How strong is he?"

Matskitana looked up at me, "Stronger than us, much stronger."

I allowed my ax to disappear into the black haze, "Alright." I approached them, "Hey Murloc."

Rui looked at me, "You look familiar."

I told him, "You once saved me from a monster in a cave."

Rui thought to himself, "Hm... I don't remember. Everything has been a bit foggy lately."

I clenched my fist, "Where have you been all this time? Why were you pronounced dead!? So many players lost hope because of it."

Rui looked down, "I can't tell you..."

I got mad, "Then what the hell is all this! Sweater, bandana, where the hell did you get this clothing?"

Rui got up, "Do not question me, you're the one with a demon."

I flinched, "What?"

Rui narrowed his eyes, "I can see her, it's a holy knight trait."

I got in his face, "Oh yeah? Then what about your demon?"

Rui didn't falter, meeting my challenge, "I have no demon."

I poked his chest aggressively, "Matskitana said you have a demon and was possessed by it."

Rui grabbed my shirt, "You listen to me, I have no demon controlling me."

I saw the determination in his eyes, I got him, "You're going to sacrifice everything just for a chance at freedom, aren't you?"

Rui stopped gripping my shirt, "I was ready to sacrifice everything from the start."

I placed a hand on his shoulder, "Tell us the truth, lying to your friends is always wrong."

Rui flinched at that, looking down, "..."

Jay pat his back, "Rui?"

Rui glanced at him, "I... I joined a secret covenant..."

Derek asked, "What covenant?"

Rui unequipped his sweater and bandana, "It doesn't matter now. I'm quitting it. I'm level 71 now, so I'm already a top 10 player."

Anthony asked, "Are you sure it'll just let you quit?"

Rui shrugged, "I don't know, maybe?"

Jay hugged him, "I'm just happy you're back man."

Rui pushed him, "Fuck off Jay, you're just happy to be a lazy ass again."

I was going to say something until I saw the teasing glint in Rui's eye, Jay replied, "Not all of us can be you man."

Rui bumped fists with him, "It's good to see you guys again, level 60's huh? You guys have been quite busy."

Derek wrapped an arm around Anthony, "It's all thanks to this guy, this little sniper gives us a small exp bonus."

Anthony blushed, "It's only 7%..."

Derek put him in a headlock, "Don't try to discredit yourself!"

Anthony yelled, "Okay, okay! I'm sorry."

Derek let go, laughing, "Good. Jay has been pretty useless."

Rui raised a brow, "Has been?"

Jay flared up, "I've been useful from the start!"

Rui grinned, "May I remind you of the first 2 minutes you played this game?"

Jay crossed his arms pouting, "I'll still stand by what I said that day, it was a pig from hell."

Rui grinned, "Well, 69 guy, I killed that pig from hell while you held your nuts in pain."

I cut in, "Guys, we have a boss to beat."

Rui shrugged, "It's not a big deal."

I flinched, "Not a big deal? It has to be level 70."

Rui shrugged, "I can solo it no problem. Watch and learn."

{Rui's Point of View}

I pulled out my sword, walking towards the door, 'I can't let them get what I need...'

I pushed the door open, revealing a very dark room lit by blue flamelit candles. I suspected Candelure was the boss at first, but then I noticed a sword in the middle of the room. It was an all black sword with a green edge, kind of like Zach's ax. To make it worse, it was stabbed into the ground with a glowing pentagram around it.

I looked at it, stopping everyone from coming in, "Your ax..."

Zach looked at me, "Yes?"

I asked him, "Where did you find it?"

Zach answered quickly, "Me and my friends found it in a room. It was placed in the... middle... of... a... oh shit..."

I looked at the sword, seeing it's a one hand sword style, "What do you do?"

A female voice answered me, "You don't know, human? Despite having a demon yourself?"

I said, "I don't have one."

I looked to see Zach's demon walking around the outside of the pentagram, "You cannot lie to me, I know you've been influenced by a demon."

I focused on the sword, thinking, 'She must mean Dark. He did give me some of his power, but I don't have a demon... yet.' I asked her, "What happens if I touch that sword."

I heard Zach gasp, "You're not actually thinking of getting that cursed weapon!"

I walked towards it, "I am."

Zach pulled out his ax and tried to attack me, "No! I'm not letting someone else get possessed!"

I blocked his attack, kicking him away hard, "It's not your choice. If anything happens, I want you guys to-"

"Hiya!" a voice rang from above.

I jumped back just in time to dodge a Team Skull Girl's Chandelure, "Long time no see, jerk."

I looked at her, "I thought I told your group to stop meddling with front line players."

She brushed her hair aside, "You did... but I'll never forgive you for killing my friends and our leader!"

I snickered, "Your leader was a dumbass, I knew you'd come here. I was waiting for you. Come on out, all of you."

At least 27 Team Skull grunts came out of hiding, surrounding me with either pokemon users, channelers, or weapon users. I eyed all of them, smiling at the weak levels they possess. All of them are level 50 or lower.

Zach moved like he was going to help but Jay stopped him, "Rui's got this."

I cracked my neck, "I'm excited for this. It's time to teach all of you what a real player can do. No... what I can do. I know my friends are here, but I'll happily show them what my covenant does. Especially since you presented such a glorious opportunity for me."

I heard everyone gasp as my sweater and bandana reappeared with a wave of energy being released. The Chandelure was the first to go, having its head split in half before it's channeler could call a command. She looked at me in shock before having her face grabbed by my left hand.

I said, "Tell your friends I said hi. Soul Steal!"

Her entire body encased in white as she screamed in pain. Her hp dropped to 0 instantly as her soul was absorbed into my sweater. I then pulled out a glass potion container and spat her soul into it through my bandana.

A male grunt asked, "What did you do!?"

I shook the glass potion, showing her soul begging for help, "I captured your friend's soul, now who's next?"

Three of them attacked with Bullet Seed, Flame Thrower, and Bubblebeam. I twirled my sword, blocking all three as I walked towards them. Two grunts attacked from behind, trying to cut my head off. Instead, I disappeared and reappeared behind them. I grabbed both of them by the back of their necks. Without uttering a word, I crushed their necks, killing them just as quickly as the girl.

I grinned at them, my bandana's red teeth reflecting my grin, "Please, try to make this fun."

More of the grunts attacked, only this time, I wasn't showing mercy. I used my Shadow Sneak to kill seven of them before their pokemon could fight. Three of the Spiritualist players tried to put up a fight but their spirit pokemon were too weak. For fun, I threw three of them into the air and had them all land on my sword, making a stack. They quickly shattered, letting me continue on my killing spree.

I heard Dark's voice, "Yes, kill them. Free their souls."

I snapped another one's neck, laughing hysterically, "Is this what ecstasy is!? I love it!"

Dark whispered more, "Keep going, I have so many more memories to give you. So many to remind you of a family you never had in this world."

The last skull grunt shivered at the far right of the room, "No... please don't kill me yo."

I walked towards him, "You're the last soul, it'll be painful. Like having your skeleton ripped through your skin."

That's when Anthony got in front of me, "Stop it Rui!"

I stared at Anthony, "Why are you stopping me?"

Anthony shivered, "You're not being yourself!"

I tilted my head to the left a bit, "I've always been like this Anthony, why do you think I went on my own?"

Anthony kept standing between me and my target, "You did it to keep your friends safe, not to become a murderer!"

I got dark, "There's no real proof that I'm killing them in real life."

Anthony glared at me, "So you're going to be just like Reaper!"

I gasped, backing away, "No..."

Anthony continued, "Reaper murdered your friend and any player he wanted, just for fun! Just like what you're doing right now!"

I shivered, 'He's right...'

Dark yelled in my ear, "Don't listen to him, he's wrong. You're doing the right thing."

I gripped my head, "No... I'm not! I'm not a murderer! I'm nothing like Reaper!"

Anthony grabbed me, "Didn't you cry because your allies were murdered in front of you!?"

I stared into his eyes in shock, "I..."

Anthony began crying, "What happened to my friend!? You were always such a good person, so kind and fun... where did he go!"

Dark whispered, "Kill him."

I clenched my sword, "No... I'm not evil... I'm not evil!

Anthony let go, backing away, "You're one of my best friends Rui, you can't be evil."

I grabbed my head, "No more... I don't want to follow you anymore Dark!"

Dark whispered, "You are a follower forever Rui."

I shook my head, "No, I follow no one!"

Dark whispered more, "It's too late for you. Don't you want to see your family? Your friends in that universe?"

I dropped my weapon, "No. I have friends and family in this universe. Goodbye Dark."

I pushed him out of my mind, dispersing his sweater and bandana before collapsing. When I came to, my friends were looking at me worriedly.

Jay asked, "Are you okay?"

I sat up, "Bad headache but I feel better."

Derek asked, "What happened?"

I looked down, "I wasn't myself."

Derek rolled his eyes, "Obviously, but what exactly happened?"

I began explaining everything, "Months ago, I was captured by a Gardevoir named Silvia. Eventually, I escaped and was teleported to a place outsude the games 100 floors. An area holding the very reason this game even exists in the first place. I being known as Dark was found inside a some sort of datachip. The head programmer used his power to create this entire game, as well as, have complete control over it. Dark manipulated me through memories I have in another universe. Happy memories that... I don't have here, but got me addicted to the feelings of happiness. Dark gave me his power, telling me to gather the rest of his things, a sword and sweatpants I think."

Dark's voice rang in the room, "That's enough, Rui."

All of us turned to see him, fear rising in me, "Dark!?"

He stood there, wearing his sweater and bandana, "I'm taking my clothes back from you."

I got up, "How are you here!?"

Dark smiled, "I was always here."

I pulled out my sword, "I'll kill you!"

Dark put his hand up, "Don't bother trying, I'm an immortal object inside this game."

I glared at him, "Why are you here?"

Dark looked aside gingerly, "You're much too different in this universe to house me like you did before. I need someone with hate, more hate than you had for Reaper. The other you despised the world Rui, in fact your existence nearly destroyed it but my nobody, Darx, failed in securing that."

Jay asked, "What the hell are you talking about?"

Dark sighed, "I'm rambling. It looks like the plan will take a much longer time frame than anticipated. That Takata is such a slowpoke."

I screamed, "What are you two planning!? Why are we trapped here!?"

Dark snickered, "You'll learn once you reach floor 100. I'll see you then, bye."

I ran over to attack him but he disappeared into his black mist, leaving us there. I fell to my knees, punching the floor in anger... then... the cursed sword got into my vision... and I wanted it.