The Beginning

Purple lightning crackles in the sky as a red-haired mercenary rides on towards his fate.

Blood coats his cracked red armor, his muscles tensing up, knowing who awaits him.

His breath raggedly echoes through the air as the sound of his galloping horse drowns it out.

Bodies of demons litter the ground alongside holy knights. Blood pools around their bodies, alongside uprooted trees.

The very earth scattered throughout the north of Seteralia is scarred beyond recognition. The clanging of steel and flesh ripples through the air as his eyes drift towards a four winged demon standing at the center of it all.

Sweat drips from his brow as he yanks on the reigns of his horse. "Slow down Samuel." Hopping off with a thud, the grass crumples underneath his feet.

The mercenary pats the head of his companion before closing his eyes. “Samuel, I may not come back from this one. Return to camp. Remember what I taught you, your path should be clear .” His rugged masculine voice fills his steed's ears.

Samuel looks into the eyes of his master whining, his blue eyes reflect the carnage around them. “It’s okay my friend, don’t worry about me. I just don’t want anything to happen to you.” His eyes shift taking a glance at the demon king.

Placing his head onto his mare’s he takes in a moment of silence. Samuel's feet shift around uncomfortably as he turns around, tears welling in his eyes. “Stay safe my friend, Frederick will take care of you in my absence.” He whinnies loudly once again catching the attention of the winged demon as his ears twitch faintly.

With a pat on his rear, Samuel gallops off as Joshua gaze drops to the ground as his words get caught in his throat. In the distance Samuel is enveloped with a light red and golden glow and in mere moments vanishes.

Looking to his feet the red-haired man grips his blade as his eyes shift to his target. Malice building, eyes radiating red as his gaze burns at his foe.

His slender black and white form floats above the cratered earth as his gaze wanders to and fro. Grasping his recent prey. Long white hair flows down the back of his emaciated body as purple energy permeates around his cor.e His four giant bat-like wings protruding from his spine.

His royal attire decorated in black and purple with green mythril flows with the wind. Two small horns protrude from his head as his purple eyes glint with a hypnotic glow.

Ripping his arm out of the knight’s chest blood drips down his forearm, intestines gushing out. A sadistic grin forms as some of it splashes onto his face.

Licking his lips, he throws the mans horrified corpse to the ground with a crash; the crunching of metal and bone causing the hair on the mercenaries neck to stand up. "Remember your training!" His voice whispers out whilst clenching his blade.

Admiring his handwork, he begins to laugh as his hypnotic purple energy flows in and out his eyes. Gripping his face with a devilish grin, he senses his 'apostle'.

“It seems the prodigal son has returned to me. I’ve been waiting for you Joshua, for a very long time.” a twisted, passionate voice leaves the lips of the demon king.

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A few days prior at an Order Of Serox's military camp, the red-haired mercenary makes his way over to a large viridescent tent as he's greeted by a gray-haired military commander dressed in a gray and yellow cuirass with a golden plated dragon etched onto his chest plate.

His shoulders were sunken as his age was clearly visible. Alongside him and his associates, one person stood out to him. A beautiful golden-haired woman.

She wore a decorated pure white and yellow outfit as it split into three pieces at the waist as it rested against her hips. Gold plates spread throughout the dress alongside her shoulders being exposed.

Over her shoulders draped a short white cloak with a sky-blue tint with dark blue etched symbols lining its back. A gold and crystalline necklace glimmers as it rests near her bosom.

Underneath the top, a pair of white pants went up her thighs with a golden stripe trailing down their length. Her long flowing hair rested gently against her back with a flower hairpin pinned at the top left side of her head.

As Joshua mentally takes in her beauty, his heart races. "Seraphina." Her hetero-chromatic icy blue and earthy green eyes glance his direction with a gentle smile before zeroing back in on the debriefing.

With the wave of a hand the commander ushers him to his seat. “Joshua, the names Frederick. Glad to properly meet you, you haven’t missed very much; I was just explaining our current plan for taking care of Deimos and his legion.”

Not needing his own introduction, Joshua bows his head respectfully and makes his way to the seat next to the blonde.

Pulling his chair out, he casually sits down, his knee bumping into the table earning a giggle and glares from everyone around. "Damn tables too short." Resting an arm on the table he lets out a faint sigh as he uses his other arm to hold his head up.

Listening to the briefing bored out of his mind, his gaze is drawn back in by Seraphina. All the military strategies and mumbo jumbo, were meaningless compared to the beautiful blonde beside him.

A smile stretches across his lips. “I wonder how she’s been; it’s been quite a while. I guess becoming the saintess is quite a busy position after all.” Joshua realizing that he's been staring, turns away quickly. Has gaze redirecting back to Frederick.

His tired voice echoes through the tent. “As I was saying... currently we don't know what awaits us in his domain. Many of the scouts we’ve sent in haven’t returned. I understand that that’s to be expected with an Arch Demon of this caliber though.” The commander bumps his chest from a cough with his fist as he continues.

“So, we’re going to have to do this the old-fashioned way. I’ll be staying at the back to direct our forces in and guide any survivors out; Seraphina you’ll be leading our main forces at the front.” His stoic voice continues with a hint of concern that only Joshua seems to recognize.

“Any questions.”

“What about me?” Joshua inquires.

“You will assist the saintess along the way and help her fight Deimos. That’s what you’re being paid to do. She’s the one who recommended you for this mission after all.”

A grin crosses the older man’s face, a soft gaze in his eyes. At the mention of her, the blonde’s ears turn red. With flushed cheeks she looks down not opening her mouth.

Turning to face the other military advisors in the order of Serox, he points towards a large roughly drawn map of the area. “The rest of you will encircle the demon’s army with your men and cut them all down.

“That must be where the concentration of demonic energy is at its highest, probably also where Deimos is residing and where the breach occurred.” The blonds calm voice rings out, the mention of the breach going over most of the military advisors heads.

“Precisely Seraphina. This is where you, Joshua and the stronger knights will be going. This demon will likely have his grunts doing all the extra work so keep an eye out for them as well. The goal is to save as many people as possible and exorcise this demonic bastard.” Frederick looks around as the other advisors agree with his assessment.

“Any objections to the plan?” His eyes eventually rest on Joshua, a faint smirk forming on the mercenaries face. "I bet someone's gonna hate this!"

“He doesn’t operate like that.” Joshua raises his voice. The military advisors around room look at him with annoyed gazes. Clearly, they didn’t want him here.

“Why is a mercenary trying to tell a commander how to do his job?” an older man wearing a plain gray uniform with golden trim interjects.

“Have you encountered this demon before?" Joshua glares at the man. "I have; He likes to get his hands dirty and viciously slaughter cowards like you.” Joshua responds instinctively, his harsh mannerisms leeching out.

“H-how dare you! When you encountered this ‘Deimos’ how did you even manage to survive then, as I've heard no one has survived an encounter with him?” the older mans shoulders hunch forward towards Joshua.

“Feldir, be quiet. We hired him for his skills, not to pry into his personal life. If he has experience, we need to take it into account. Any information is better than nothing when going into a lions den.”

“But this is very important, the safety of the saintess is at risk. We already lost Cyrus, our order can’t suffer another loss.” The way Feldir speaks of Seraphina rubs Joshua the wrong way, his eyes narrowing, his blood starting to boil. "

“It’s not like we have any other options, much of our forces are scattered throughout Seteralia. Also don’t talk about the previous saint. His 'loss' was a great blow to the Order.” Frederick replies calmly as Feldir argues in response.

“It’s been six years, clearly the bastards dead, isn’t that why we found a replacement in the first place. It’s just a pity that it’s a woman.”

That was the last straw. Joshua stands up slamming his fist down on the table, cracking it as he glares daggers at Feldir who cowers. "Shut your mouth before I take your head." Flickers of an unstable red aura tear through the tent as Joshua's grits his teeth.

“I apologize about his mouth Joshua, please remain professional, I will take care of him myself.” Frederick calmly turns to face Feldir, his eyes start glowing golden. “The will of Serox is not ours to question. She has the stigmata of the seraphim for crying out loud. It doesn't matter if its unprecedented or not, her connection to the aether is without challenge.”

Joshua seeing red, misses the ending of Frederick's words as drops to his seat taking in a deep breath. “Don’t worry about it Frederick, please continue with your original plan. Just remember that Deimos doesn’t operate like any other Arch-Demons, If anything happens I'll protect Seraphina with my life!” Joshua .

“Very well.” Frederick closes his eyes solemnly for a moment as the words Joshua spoke resonate in his mind.

“Shouldn’t have opened your mouth then you useless mercenary.” Feldir hisses, a blatant tone of disgust and disrespect echoes behind each and every word. Frederick turns his head, a cold look peering from his eyes towards Feldir, “I SAID BE QUIET YOU OLD BASTARD.”

His voice reverberates through the tent as Feldir looks down. His teeth clench as he balls his fists up.

"Stubborn old fool, stop acting like a damn teenager you're fifty five years old." Frederick sighs.

The blond looks over at Joshua with sincerity. Most people don’t respect mercenaries in the Order of Serox after all. Reaching over to him with a soft smile, she pats him on his shoulder attempting to console him, “It’s okay Joshua, when we get out of here, we should catch up.” Joshua grins back, causing her heart to flutter as his beats a mile a minute. A red hue creeps onto her cheeks.

Frederick looks on with a slight grin. Just like that the next few hours pass as the two exit the tent together, equally happy to be out of there. “Are they always like that?” Joshua whines with a laugh.

“Like what?” the blonde asks raising her eyebrows, clearly playing with him.

“Unable to take criticism, blatantly ignoring the help 'they' hired. I mean I get it; I’m a soldier for hire. But that disrespect was just ridiculous. At least that Frederick guy seems chill.” Joshua chuckles as the look of annoyance fades from his face.

Giggling she nods her head as she places her hands on his shoulders and looks into his crimson eyes. “Yeah, that’s them alright. Don’t take it to heart, The others mean well they’re just stuck in their ways.” She closes her eyes as she removes one her hands placing it on her left hip.

Taking a deep breath Joshua relaxes his muscles, hearing her calming voice tugs at his heartstrings. “Be grateful Joshua, she recommended you for this job, it’s the first time you’ve been able to spend together in years.

“Aside from that, most of them have been in the order since before we were even born, they don’t like newbies coming in and challenging their social hierarchy.” Joshua rolls his eyes. "Politics..."

“Bunch of old codgers. Just like those damn overseers.” Joshua groans as Seraphina giggles.

“It’s been a while, Sera. I’ve missed you so much.” Joshua looks toward the sky with a smile. “Yes, it has Joshua, I've missed you too.” She pulls herself in closer to his side. He turns his gaze towards her with a soft smile.

“Where would you like to talk?” Seraphina questions, “Maybe somewhere with less people.” Joshua replies looking around at all the holy knights giving him dirty looks.

Joshua lowering his head shakes it with a sigh. “Anywhere but here is fine.” She takes a look around herself, ears burning hot in embarrassment. "You're right Joshy." With grace, the two of them make their way over to the stables as they sit down on a bench as their shoes crinkle the leaves underfoot.

After getting themselves settled; Seraphina slides in close to him, her heart internally racing. Joshua starts venting what he’s been through over the past couple years, not taking into account his more crude language.

With a giggle and roll of her eyes eyes she interjects. “You still haven’t learned how to talk to a lady after these years? By Serox your hopeless.” He looks at her with a puzzled gaze as she pulls him into a tight hug after playfully punching his right arm.

“You’re just lucky I’m me. Because with all those expletives you just spouted, you should have been slapped.” Rubbing the back of his neck, Joshua lets out a nervous laugh. She looks into his eyes. Their faces now inches apart, Joshua begins blushing. Thankfully his toned and tanned skin hides it well.

Playfully pushing him back she giggles. “Back to the topic on hand though, you’re telling me that Deimos is not an arch-demon? who is he then?” Seraphina runs her hand down his muscular right arm. Joshua hadn't ever told her about what happened with Deimos when they last were together.

“Yeah, he’s far stronger than any arch-demon I think either one of us has faced. I remember him even claiming to be the Demon King. I would know how strong he his though, I mean I did get stuck dealing with Asmodai and Belphegor myself. Thankfully between me and Roxanne they weren't much of problem.” Joshua chuckles as he continues. “I mean, that bastard killed Dialos after he used his full power and even tried to kill me.”

Shutting his eyes he tries to put off the memories of that day. --The bodies strewn across the ground, his older brothers long black mane bloodied from conflict. Not even his six aura cores were enough to stop that tyrannical bastard.

Turning around with the wave of his arm he looks to his youngest brother, pain in his eyes. "RUN AWAY JOSHUA, AVENGE MY DEATH. THE BLOOD OF TERRA RUNS THROUGH YOUR VEINS!"

Joshua trembling in shock nods his sixteen year old head, his body equally bruised and beaten. "Big bro-?" A hand tears through Dialos's chest as blood splatters across the demon king and the ground beneath.

His long black trench coat frays into pieces as purple demonic energy burns it away. With a wicked smile Deimos turns to the child. "Thats right my Apostle. Run away!" His body moves on its own, running away from the battle like a coward.--

Trying to comfort him and his pained gaze, she pulls him into hug, resting her head on his chest. His scent reminds her of their 'home'.

Joshua begins to brush her hair with his hand. The two of them gazing into one another’s eyes under the beautiful orange lit sky. Instinctually leaning towards her lips, the two meet.

It's not much, the passion burning in their hearts was weighed down by the duty they swore too. She blinks a few times smiling before redirecting their conversation. She starts reminiscing on their past before complaining about her job in a mildly crude manner herself. Joshua raises his left hand to his lips. "I never knew how soft lips could be." He closes his eyes taking in the feeling.

“Joshy." Her voice perks up reclaiming his attention. "I miss the days when we could just do whatever we wanted, no bureaucracy, titles, all this militaristic nonsense is so exhausting. You know what I mean? Even though we used to live in the slums at least we were free to be ourselves.”

Joshua smiles, his nickname bringing back joyful memories as the two of them gaze together at the sunset. His toned arm decorated in red leather and banded iron wraps around her shoulder.

“I completely understand Sera.” His mind trails off to his cherry-haired master. “Growing up wasn’t what it was all cracked up to be. I wish I could go back and be a kid again. It wasn’t the best, but it wasn’t this stressful. At least I had Saria and Jeras. I really miss them.”

A solemn look crosses his face as he looks down towards her outfit. Lifting his face with her soft hands she turns his gaze back to her eyes, “That may be true, but at least you have me.” A big cheeky grin spreads across her face as she chuckles aloud. Lowering his arm, he grabs her by the waist pulling her into his chest causing her to blush to deepen. Planting another kiss on her lips, he pulls away their hearts racing.

“Yeah, for now at least; I have a brash, blonde-haired diva who loves to push all my buttons. I couldn’t ask for anyone better.” He shoots her a wink as the two of their faces inch together again. The feelings the two had buried away were rising back to the surface.

The sarcasm and her beet red face causes her to elbow him in his side causing him to her go immediately. “You’re supposed to have some tact my dear Joshy.” She fake cries towards him playfully.

Fake clutching his ribs, he apologizes. “My dearest Sera; the mercenary king has made me the man I am today, I apologize if she's mentally scarred me.” A look of slight bewilderment and a half smile shines on his face.

“Doesn’t sound pleasant from the look on your face.” Seraphina giggles changing the topic once more, Seraphina brings up an older ongoing issue. “While you’re here, do you mind letting me see how that curse has progressed? Has it gotten better, worse?"

A look of genuine concern pierces his heart as turns his gaze back to her. “I guess so.” Hesitantly he takes of the metal covering of his tunic, removing his shirt as she places her hand on his back. A strange rainbow and gold crest burned into his flesh.

Unlike a stigmata, it was cold to the touch, almost lifeless and dead. Her cool fingers send goosebumps down his spine, the hairs on his neck standing up. His muscular body trembles under her loving gentle touch.

Closing his eyes and taking in a deep breath, he calms his body down. “I need to get going soon, I don’t know how much longer I’ll be able to hold myself back... I want her... But I can't have her.” Clenching his fist, with his eyes closed; he hears her soft supple breathing.

As her fair hands trace the muscle lines on his back she begins chanting as her shining aether energy emanates off her body; a ghost-like pair of golden wings form along her back as they're coated in a golden light. Her hair faintly floats into the air as her eyes begin glowing.

At the first the sensation's pleasant, it reminds him of the time the Pontifex baptized him for protecting the saintess all those years. If not for that boon he would have already perished in battle long ago, The faint access to aether had given him the edge against demons that his broken aura wouldn’t allow.

However unknown to her, the branding on his arm underneath his bracer starts to burn like crazy. As if his flesh itself was being torn asunder. He lets out a grunt as a faint purple and black bat-like sigil could be seen smoking underneath the leather.

Standing up in pain, he clutches his arm., Turning around he bows quickly to his companion. “I have enjoyed catching up my love, but I just remembered that I still have to go take care of something.”

Frozen in her mind at his confession, her ears and face turn beet red as her mouth is left agape. For a minute afterward, she stops thinking until eventually comes back to her senses. Slapping her face with her hands, she takes a deep breath. "Something's wrong... He's never done that before. That feeling, demonic."

She knew very well that the pain he was suffering from wasn't his childhood. Nothing she nor the Pontifex ever tried could remove it. Jumping to her feet, dazed and concerned she runs after him. Her conflicted emotions leaving her torn as she's both extremely happy but also bad at how much pain Joshua's had to go through; The damage aether does to demonic energy is ridiculous.

Quickly making his way over to where Samuel was tied off, he nearly trips over his own feet, barely catching himself he exhales. After quickly untying and hopping on, he adjusts the reigns. “Let’s go Sammy.” The black steed whinnies with affection as he rubs his head still clearly pained.

Not wanting him to get away from her like last time, Seraphina runs over to him. Worry all over her face. Her hetero-chromatic eyes gaze into his soul, filling him with regret.

“Where are you going Joshua? I didn’t mean to hurt you. You didn't tell me you got cursed by a demon!” A pained gaze crosses his eyes as a tear rolls down his left cheek.

“You didn’t hurt me my dear Sera, I just have to go take care of some things... We’ll meet up again soon.” He shoots her a forced smile as he races off leaving Sera feeling melancholic as she returns to her tent.. "Joshua, just what have you been through in my absence."