The Demon II [LEON]

The red-eyed shadow. It appeared at night to kill Leon.

Leon pursued the question to the demon whether he was connected to the red-eyed shadow. Because he thought that the crimson-red eyes and the killing intent were similar.

However, the demon didn’t understand what he was talking about like who could even know something like a red-eyed shadow out of nowhere. It was too vague and there wasn’t a clear description.

“What are you talking about?” Demon scoffs it up thinking the human might have gone mad.

But then, something happened.

A flicker of something unseen.

Its movements faltered.

For the briefest moment, its overwhelming confidence wavered.

No one else noticed.

Not Leon.

Not Noel.

Not the triplets.

But the demon felt it.

A presence of existence far worse than these warriors.

Something that should not be here.

Why?

Why did it feel like this?

What was it?

For the first time, the demon was not just fighting for dominance.

[It was a glimpse of a red-eyed shadow. Though it was for a brief second, the demon felt its pressure from behind Leon]

The demon was fighting to understand.

And in that moment of hesitation,

SHHKKK!

The dying scarred lizardmen plunged with his spear imbued with frozen mana.

It struck the right side of the demon causing more disbalance.

It didn’t affect much to the demon but it was as if the lizardman was alone.

It twisted violently along with the claws outstretched and eyes burning with pure malice.

A monstrous, guttural roar ripped through the ruins.

"YOU FILTHY LIZARD!"

SNAP!

Its fangs clamped down, sinking into the Scarred Lizardman’s neck.

The warrior let out a harsh, choking gasp as his body convulsed.

The Scarred Lizardman collapsed, his body twitching violently in the dirt.

His once-proud golden eyes dulled.

His life was ebbing away.

Yet, even in his final moments,

He turned his head toward the humans.

His voice was weak and rasping yet filled with unyielding resolve.

"Humans… please… avenge our children… our kin…"

The Scarred Lizardman died.

The sacrifice of the scarred lizardman created an opening for others.

The triplets with their coordinated attack severed one of the arms of the demon, causing it immense pain. It grunts, “Grahh!!”

Noel also fires off pointy icicles which strikes the demon.

Leon also charges. The final words of scarred lizardmen linger in his mind, Leon bursts with fiery energy and with his entire strength, He swings the sword that cuts off the demon’s head.

The demon’s head rolled across the floor.

The demon was finally slain.

Though there were large causalities in the lizardmen tribe, some still lived the battle along with humans.

One of the important characters, the scarred lizardman who was the head warrior of the tribe was slain by the demon in the fierce battle.

The triplets and Leon also gained minor injuries. The eerie evil ominous energy slowly faded along with the demon’s demise.

The battle was won at the cost of the lives of lizardmen and their children.

For the first time after months of experiencing this world, Leon realized a new kind of burden.

A heavy burden of someone dying and him living. The burden of seeing the death of someone other than himself.

They return to the village after composing themselves. The village was in shock. There were only the humans and a small group of lizardmen that returned.

The entire village was in grief. One of the strongest warriors of the tribe, the scarred lizardman also lost his life. Multiple children lost their lives. There were cries, there were sorrows, there was grief.

The harsh reality of battle had occurred. Families were shattered, and relationships were broken. The humans didn’t say anything. The lizardmen though, were at grief.

After some time, the chief and others paid respect to the sacrifice of their kin according to their own tradition. Humans were paid with respect and hospitality even amidst the grief in the village.

Even though they weren’t fully able to protect everything. They were able to protect the lizardmen’s tribe and avenge their kin.

The triplets were also very confused. The teachings they had been taught from when they were a child were proving to be slightly false. The monsters were only meant to be exterminated due to the harm to humans but it was just a cycle.

These monsters also grieved for their loved ones. These monsters also had their own lifestyle. Even though they didn’t say anything, they realized it.

The night fell over. The humans stayed in the village.

Leon was outside their assigned hut when Noel approached him.

Leon was lost in his own thoughts probably because of the battle with the demon.

Noel held his hand from behind softly. Though she didn’t say anything, it was clear that she wanted to support Leon.

“I’m fine, you can go to sleep”

Leon assures Noel and Noel goes back.

Leon closes his eyes and slowly opens it as he is looking towards the sky. The red-eyed shadow appears again.

Leon takes out his sword pointing towards where the red-eyed shadow is floating, “Are you somewhat related to some sort of demon? Demons? Demonic Being?”

An uncertainty in his voice. But yes, as usual, there was no response, as it was only waiting for the right time to strike.

Leon, “It was my mistake to think that the demon and you have something similar, your eyes are more eerie and your killing intent is incomparably massive compared to that of a demon. I don’t know why I don’t feel much before your presence like I felt confronting that demon, but you are much more dangerous”

Then As Leon swings his sword lunging toward the entity, the darkness consumes him. And he is back to his own reality.