CHAPTER 6 The Battle of Despair

The forest fell into silence.

Not natural silence—

But the kind that came before death.

The Predator

The demon stood before them, his grin stretching wider as his crimson eyes locked onto Elen.

Not curiosity.

Not anger.

Hunger.

"Such a presence..." he murmured, voice low and amused. "No wonder they want you."

Elen's body trembled.

Her fingers tightened against Ivan's back.

"Ivan... you can't fight him—"

Her voice broke.

Not from doubt—

From certainty.

He would die.

Ivan didn't turn.

Didn't hesitate.

"Elen... stay behind me."

Simple words.

But absolute.

She shook her head desperately.

"Ivan, please—listen to me, he's not—"

"I won't let anyone take you from me."

His voice cut through hers.

Calm.

Firm.

Unbreakable.

For a moment—

She went silent.

The First Clash

The demon sighed, almost bored.

"A powerless human protecting her? How amusing."

He lifted his blade.

Not metal.

Not magic.

Something darker.

A weapon forged from shadow itself.

The air around it twisted.

Screamed.

Ivan moved first.

He charged.

Fast.

Faster than before.

His sword cut through the air in a clean arc—

CLANG!!!

The impact exploded like thunder.

A shockwave tore through the ground, dirt and leaves scattering violently.

Ivan's body was thrown back.

He skidded across the ground, boots digging into the earth—

Barely stopping himself.

His arms trembled.

The demon—

Hadn't moved.

Not even an inch.

"...Is that all?" the demon asked.

Ivan's grip tightened.

His muscles screamed.

But he stepped forward again.

"Not... done yet."

A Fight That Wasn't a Fight

He rushed forward again.

Strike.

Strike.

Strike.

Each swing faster.

Sharper.

Desperate.

But the demon—

Blocked everything.

Effortlessly.

Like he was playing.

A flick of the wrist.

A slight tilt of the blade.

Every attack stopped.

Every move countered.

Then—

The demon moved.

Ivan didn't see it.

Didn't feel it—

Until—

BOOM!!!

His body slammed into a tree, the impact cracking the trunk behind him.

Air left his lungs.

Pain exploded through his chest.

Before he could recover—

The demon was already in front of him.

A hand grabbed his arm.

Twisted.

CRACK.

Ivan's teeth clenched, a sharp gasp escaping him.

Then—

A kick.

Violent.

Precise.

His body lifted off the ground and crashed back into the earth.

Desperation

"IVAN! STOP! PLEASE!"

Elen's scream tore through the forest.

But Ivan—

Still moved.

Slowly.

Painfully.

He pushed himself up.

His body shook.

Blood dripped from his mouth.

His vision blurred.

But he stood.

Behind him—

Elen.

That was enough.

He picked up his sword again.

His grip tighter than ever.

The Final Strike

He roared.

Charging forward with everything he had left.

One final attack.

One final chance.

His sword came down—

With all his strength.

All his will.

All his life.

The demon raised two fingers.

And caught the blade.

Effortlessly.

"...Pathetic."

Time stopped.

Ivan's eyes widened.

Then—

SLASH.

A black arc cut through the air.

Through his body.

Through everything.

Silence.

The Fall

Blood sprayed.

Ivan's body froze—

Then collapsed.

His sword slipped from his hand.

Hitting the ground with a dull sound.

Elen's world shattered.

"IVAAAAAN!!!"

Her scream echoed through the forest.

Ivan lay on the ground.

Still.

Broken.

His chest barely moved.

His vision faded.

Darkness crept in.

The Last Words

The demon approached slowly.

Enjoying it.

"A human like you never stood a chance."

Elen dropped to her knees beside Ivan, pulling him into her arms.

"Ivan! Stay with me! Please!"

Her voice trembled.

Her hands shook.

Her heart broke.

Ivan's eyes opened slightly.

Barely.

He looked at her.

And smiled.

Weak.

Fading.

"...I'm sorry, Elen..."

His voice was a whisper.

"I couldn't... protect you..."

Tears streamed down her face.

"Don't say that! You promised me—we'd live together... forever!"

His hand moved.

Slow.

Heavy.

Touching her face.

"My only regret..."

A breath.

"...is not making you happy... until the end..."

Her voice shattered.

"You already did! You already did!!"

His fingers slipped.

His strength faded.

His eyes—

Closed.

His chest—

Stopped.

Ivan...

Was gone.

Silence

The world stopped.

The wind disappeared.

The forest held its breath.

Even the demon didn't move.

For one moment—

Everything froze.

Then—

Elen screamed.

"NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"

Her voice shook the earth.