The clash of two Evils Part 7

Chaos erupted in the brothel, the air thick with panic and confusion as patrons and workers scrambled in every direction. The two guards I had frozen stood unmoving, their bodies encased in shimmering ice, a testament to my rash decision. I seized the moment and slipped out the door along with many other demons, trying to camouflage myself among the crowd.

I had crossed a line, one that could jeopardize everything Namy, Usofra, and I had planned. We were meant to be discrete and not draw attention to ourselves. Killing those guards was a reckless mistake.

Far from the brothel, my thoughts spiraled as i walked. Should I try to find Namy and Usofra? They should be close, conducting their own investigations into Duke Vanth. The idea of abandoning our plan to confront him nagged at me, but what else could we do? I couldn't risk exposing us all. Or maybe locking myself in my Inn room, hoping no one could recognize me, was the wiser option.

"Shit!"

Finally, I reached my Inn room and closed the door behind me, leaning against it as I took a deep breath. I let the silence envelop me, but the unease in my gut refused to dissipate. I sank onto the edge of the bed, frustration bubbling within me. The scene of what happened in the brothel with Zaine being displayed like a trophy flashed in my mind, igniting a fire of anger. How dare they exploit her like that?

"Why did I let myself get carried away?" I muttered to the empty room.

Just then, Sunshine emerged from the medallion hanging around my neck, her wings sparkling with energy, "Hey, Darx! What's with the long face?" She chirped, hovering in the air.

"You saw it. I messed up, Sunshine. I shouldn't have killed those guards," I admitted, my voice tinged with self-reproach, "We were supposed to be discreet, and now..."

Sunshine fluttered closer, her expression softening, "Who cares? Those guards were assholes. Besides, after all the trouble you've gone through, the first Zaine you should see is the real one, not some twisted monster."

I let her words sink in, the sting of my actions dulled slightly by her perspective, "I know... If I'm lucky, this will remain just another confrontation that ended badly and won't reach Duke Vanth's ears," I paused briefly as I lay back on the bed, "What bothers me the most is that I'm sure Lilith was able to see my eyes. I really hope she doesn't tell anyone, or we'll be in big trouble."

She floated around me, her light casting a warm glow in the dim room, "Ohh, that's bad. Should we come up with a plan to find Namy and Usofra?"

I was acutely aware of the risk I faced. If Lilith had truly seen my eyes and shared that information with anyone, it could create a significant uproar—especially if it reached Duke Vanth. The implications of my red eyes were too dangerous to ignore.

As night fell, I made a decision. With the location of Duke Vanth's castle now in my possession, I knew I couldn't stay in the city much longer, knowing the risk. Remaining here would leave me ****, an easy target.

"Ah? Where are you going now?" Sunshine asked me, surprised after seeing me get up off the bed and grab my swords, "I thought you said you'd spend a few days locked up here."

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I know, Sunshine. But staying here is too risky. If I wait, I could be caught off guard, and I can't let that happen. I need to see Duke Vanth's castle for myself. If I can find a way to infiltrate and confront him to rob his skills, I'll do it once and for all."

Sunshine's eyes widened, concern etched on her tiny face, "Wait, WHAT!!?? Are you crazy, Dox? That's too risky! You agreed with Namy and Usofra that we wouldn't act until we met in three days to share what we've learned about Duke Vanth."

"I'll assess the situation," I insisted, my voice firm, "If I see it's impossible, I'll turn back and find Namy and Usofra. We'll abort the plan and leave the city as soon as we can. Whatever the case, staying more days in this city is very risky. The best thing would be to act or flee as soon as possible."

Sunshine paused, contemplating my words, then nodded reluctantly, "Alright.... but I'm going with you. If things get bad, you're going to need my help."

With a faint smile, I replied, "Thanks! I'm counting on you."

Sunshine zipped into the medallion around my neck.

With one last glance around the inn room, I stepped out into the night. The streets were eerily quiet as I made my way toward Duke Vanth's castle, guided by the information Lilith had given me. The moonlight cast long shadows, and the chill in the air heightened my senses. Every sound seemed amplified—the rustle of leaves, the distant clatter of metal, and the faint echoes of laughter from faraway taverns.

After walking for nearly an hour, I finally arrived at the gate in the northwestern part of the city wall. This area was heavily guarded by soldiers, their sharp eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of trouble. In the distance behind the gate, I can see that there is another wall just to protect the castle. Behind those walls, the castle's imposing silhouette loomed before me, dark and foreboding against the starry sky. The stone walls rose high, guarded by menacing gargoyles. Yet, more than the visible defenses, I sensed an ominous presence lurking behind those walls—the presence of hundreds of powerful monsters waiting in the shadows, perhaps inside the chasm itself.

I climbed onto the roof of a nearby building, seeking a better vantage point to assess the feasibility of infiltrating Duke Vanth's castle. Perched high above the ground, I scanned the scene below. As I already suspected, many soldiers were protecting the gate, and many more demons were behind the walls, guarding every castle corner. Apart from that, I don't even want to imagine how many powerful monsters are also in the chasm.

I have had the experience of facing several powerful enemies simultaneously from my battle against the members of Oblivion, but this felt different. The odds were stacked against me.

"Dox, there are too many enemies! This is impossible! We can't just walk in there!" Sunshine whispered from the medallion.

"I know, I know," I replied, my mind racing. I had to think. If I could find a way to confront Duke Vanth alone, I felt confident in my ability to win. A one-on-one battle was manageable.

If I let my demonic energy take control of me, could I win against so many enemies?

Suddenly, a familiar figure emerged from the shadows. Usofra appeared behind me, "Darx!" She called, her voice sharp and concerned, "Stop whatever you're planning!"

I turned to her, surprised, "Usofra? What are you doing here?"

"I sensed your proximity to the castle, so I had to come over to see what the hell you were doing," She explained, her tone leaving no room for argument, "This is bad..." Usofra said, looking at the castle, "I found this place in the morning, but now it's different. There are at least three incredibly powerful enemies inside that castle. I suspect Duke Vanth isn't alone; there are more generals inside the castle. It's too dangerous! We can't face them all, especially with his monsters lurking around."

Frustration bubbled inside me as I absorbed her words. She was right; I could feel it. Although I have no sensory abilities, I can also feel three imposing presences, "I... I see what you mean," I admitted, running a hand through my hair, "I thought maybe I could take him on—"

"No," Usofra cut me off, her eyes fierce, "We need to leave the city. It's not worth the risk."

I stared out at the castle, the daunting shadows swallowing it whole, and reluctantly nodded, "Okay, you're right. Let's find Namy and leave the city as soon as possible."

"Good," Usofra said, a hint of relief washing over her features, "We need to regroup and rethink our strategy. Let's focus on continuing to move forward and get to Zaine as soon as possible."

I turned away from the castle, knowing deep down that this was the right choice.

As we navigated the city under the cover of night, I focused on Usofra, trusting her keen senses to lead us to Namy. Our plan was simple: find Namy, gather supplies for our journey, and leave the city before any more trouble found us. After what felt like an eternity, we arrived at a bar throbbing with laughter and music. I hesitated at the entrance, taking in the scene. I spotted Namy surrounded by a group of rowdy demons, her laughter cutting through the night. Usofra wasted no time; she stepped inside, her urgency palpable. Before I knew it, she had swiftly pulled Namy away from the lively atmosphere.

"Wait, what are you to doing here? I thought-" Namy asked, confused.

"Namy, we need to talk," Usofra said, her tone brooking no argument.

Once we were away from prying ears, Usofra explained the situation. I added what I did and my experiences at the zoo and the brothel, leaving out what I saw in the brothel regarding Zaine since I knew that would distress both sisters. Usofra and Namy also added what they discovered.

"So, you're saying we should leave the city?" Namy confirmed, "I know a place where we can buy what we need, even at this hour."

"Let's go, then." I urged.

Namy went back into the bar, her demeanor shifting to one of playful confidence as she spotted a demon at the bar who seemed particularly interested in her. With a coy smile, she approached him, dragging Usofra along for good measure.

"What do you say, handsome?" Namy flirted, leaning in slightly, "Do you still want to have a good time with me? If you take us to your store and help us out with some supplies, we might just let you spend a night with both of us."

The demon's eyes lit up with excitement, "R-Really? Deal!" He exclaimed, barely able to contain his enthusiasm as he jumped from his seat.

With the demon leading the way, we followed him through winding alleyways until we reached his shop—a cramped space packed with various supplies.

As we loaded up on supplies, the demon's eagerness only grew. Once he had fulfilled his part of the deal, he turned to Namy and Usofra, anticipation shining in his eyes, "S-So, can you tell your friend to go? I want both of you just for myself."

"Just a moment," I interjected, stepping forward, "Sunshine, come out and help us with this."

With a flash, Sunshine emerged from the medallion, her tiny form shimmering in the dim light of the shop, "What's up, Dox?" She asked a hint of mischief in her voice.

"This kind demon seems tired," I explained, nodding toward him.

"W-What is that?" The demon exclaimed, seeing Sunshine suddenly appear.

Sunshine's eyes sparkled with mischief as she nodded, taking flight, "Let me handle this!" She chirped, darting toward flying around it, dropping a kind of pollen; almost instantly, he slumped to the ground, sound asleep.

"So we are ready to go?" Namy asked while we continued filling our bags with as much as possible.

"Yes," Usofra responded, "We need to go to the gate to the north, which has the bridge that crosses the chasm.

"Let's get out of here," I said, determination coursing through me.

With the supplies secured and the demon out of the picture, we made our way toward the gate.

As we approached the city gate, I glanced at Namy and Usofra, both of them equally tense, while Sunshine was tucked safely inside my medallion, ready to spring into action if needed. Fortunately, we managed to pass through the gate without any issues.

As we crossed the bridge, I looked down into the chasm below. It was a fairly wide and deep crack. The darkness seemed to swallow everything; I couldn't see the bottom, and an unsettling presence emanated from the abyss, sending chills down my spine. I caught Usofra's eye and could tell she felt the same way. It was as if the chasm itself were alive, watching us as we crossed.

"What do you think's down there?" Namy asked, peering over the edge.

"Probably nothing good," Usofra replied, a frown creasing her brow, "Let's keep moving."

Once we reached the other side, we pressed on for a couple of hours, looking for a suitable place to camp for the night. Just as we spotted an ideal area—a small clearing surrounded by trees—the ground beneath us began to tremble.

"What the—" I started, but before I could finish, the trembling intensified, shaking the earth violently.

"Is this an earthquake?" Namy exclaimed, glancing around as the ground quaked beneath our feet.

"I'm not sure," Usofra said, her eyes wide with alarm, "But it's getting worse." Usofra then widened her eyes and shouted, "BELOW US!"

Suddenly, a loud roar echoed from below, and to our horror, the ground erupted as a gigantic worm burst forth, its round mouth surrounded by razor-sharp fangs glinting in the dim night light.

I managed to leap to the side, narrowly escaping the deadly attack, "Namy! Usofra!" I shouted, my heart racing.

Both women reacted instantly, taking to the air just as the worm lunged toward us, its massive jaws snapping shut where we had just stood.

"DARX, WATCH OUT!" Usofra called from the sky, her voice urgent.

The creature surged higher, almost reaching Namy and Usofra, who were flying at a considerable altitude. Its long, enormous body blotted out the moon, preparing to launch another attack—this time aimed directly at me. I quickly dodged to the side, swinging my sword at its descending form as it plunged back toward the ground. To my dismay, my blade barely scratched the surface, bouncing off as if I had struck solid stone. The gigantic worm writhed before it dove back underground, leaving only tremors in its wake.

"Where did it go?" Namy asked, flying higher.

The air was thick with tension as we waited, every muscle in my body ready to act the moment the giant worm made its next move. But then, without warning, a new threat emerged.

"NAMY BEHIND YOU!!" I heard Usofra scream.

A chorus of screeches tore through the night sky, and I glanced up to see several creatures descending upon Namy and Usora. They looked like gargoyles—twisted, grotesque figures with leathery wings, glowing white eyes, and claws that gleamed like freshly sharpened blades.

Namy and Usofra, still hovering above the ground, scanning for the worm's return, were taken by surprise. The gargoyles were fast—too fast. Despite their sharp reflexes, the two of them were caught off guard by the ferocity of the sudden ****. Usofra dodged left, her wings beating furiously as she avoided a slash aimed at her neck. Namy spun through the air, narrowly evading the claws of another attacker. But they couldn't keep up with the relentless speed of their enemies for long. I saw it happen as if in slow motion. One of the gargoyles swerved around, catching Namy from an angle she hadn't anticipated. Its claws raked across her shoulder, and with a pained cry, she was sent hurtling toward the ground with ****.

"Namy!" I yelled, panic surging through me. But before I could rush to her aid, more figures emerged from the forest's shadows, blocking my path.

They looked like giant, muscular lions prowling forward with predatory grace but with a grotesque twist: their tails were long and segmented, ending in ferocious stingers with spikes very similar to those of a scorpion. They moved with a deadly coordination, eyes fixed on me with cold, calculating malice. They really looked like predators stalking their prey.

A-Are those manticores? I read about them once in a book.

The manticores wasted no time launching their attack. One of them lunged at me with a powerful leap, its claws slashing through the air with such **** that it obliterated a tree beside me. Before I could even think to counterattack, its tail—almost as if it had a mind of its own—whipped toward me, the deadly stinger aimed at my chest with overwhelming speed. I barely managed to dodge it, the stinger missing me by a hair's breadth.

Right at that moment, I let Sunshine out of the medallion, who was screaming at me to let her out. As soon as she was out, she channeled her natural magic, her wings glowing with a soft, ethereal light. With a flourish, she conjured long, thick vines from the earth, wrapping them around the manticores' limbs and forcing the creatures to the ground.

Seeing that most of the manticores were subdued, I turned to Sunshine, "Sunshine, go help Namy! I'll take care of the rest."

"O-Okay!" Sunshine's voice rang out, "I'll check on Namy!"

"Be careful!" I called after her, but she was already zipping off towards Namy.

But just as the situation seemed under control, the ground trembled violently beneath my feet. A split second later, the worm erupted from the earth once again, its massive body shattering the vines that had restrained the manticores. The enormous beast reared up, its grotesque form looming over me, casting a vast shadow that seemed to swallow all the light around us. The manticores, now free, let out guttural roars, their tails lashing out with terrifying speed. I dodged the first strike, rolling to the side and narrowly avoiding the deadly stinger. But there was no time to breathe—the worm was coming for me, its round mouth wide open, revealing rows of jagged teeth, each as large as a sword.

I aimed for the worm with a powerful leap, but my blade met its impossibly tough skin with a jarring impact that sent painful vibrations up my arm. The sword barely scratched the surface before bouncing off, "Damn it!" I cursed under my breath. This thing was more resilient than I'd anticipated.

Above me, Usofra was still locked in a **** struggle against the gargoyles. She twisted and turned through the air, but the gargoyles pressed their advantage, outnumbering and overwhelming her.

Still, there was no time to dwell on it. The manticores were closing in, and I could feel the ground beginning to tremble again—the worm was coming back. I had to keep these creatures at bay, or we'd all be finished. I charged at the nearest manticore, dodging its stinger by a hair's breadth as it lashed out at me. My sword flashed in the dim light, striking the creature across its side. It roared in pain, but the wound only seemed to enrage it. Before the manticore could counterattack, I heard the earth rumbling beneath me, and I knew the worm was about to surface again. The ground erupted, soil and rocks flying into the air as the massive worm burst from the earth. I leaped to the side, narrowly avoiding its jaws as they snapped shut with a loud crash. But the worm wasn't my only problem—the manticores were still circling, and the gargoyles above were keeping Usofra locked in a **** aerial battle.

This is no coincidence. These monsters are different from the ones I have faced before. They are strong and seem intelligent since they are attacking in a coordinated manner.

Suddenly, the earth shook again, but this time, it was different since the worm was in front of me and not underground. Just then, another worm, identical to the first, burst from the ground directly in front of me. However, this worm just came to the surface and stayed still. Even stranger was that the rest of the monsters also stopped their attack, finally giving me a moment to breathe. A few seconds later, I understood why.

From within the second worm's gaping maw, a figure stepped out—a demon with a human-like appearance but far more terrifying. His skin was pale, almost translucent, and two sharp, curved horns jutted from his forehead. His eyes were completely black. A suffocating presence filled the air, pressing down on me with an intensity that made it hard to breathe. The overwhelming demonic **** that radiated from him left no doubt in my mind.

This was no ordinary demon—this was Duke Vanth, The Monster Layer.