Chapter 628: "I say we do it, let’s become true devils.’ (1/2)
Two days elapsed; a sunny 10th of September kindly waved. Between discussion of avenge and justice, Igna drifted with Celina. Trauma and the loss were heavy, a hefty burden only time could fix. Customarily, he stayed at her side and spent days counseling one another. Nothing had changed, the thought glazed Igna's stare. A menace of presence burnt as he washed his teeth, the reflection wasn't of a human nor a god, but a devil. The signet ring burnt vividly, '-destroy everything,' he thought, an idea shared by his other-self. 'The sorrow of my ally's death resounded strongly. He overpowered my emotions, I felt pitiful. Alphia isn't a place one can ride into battle,' he held the basin, blood mixed with the foamed paste, '-the moniker of the devil,' he inhaled, '-to get what I want,' the mind tethered on a difficult thought, '-should I embrace the darker side of what's human?'
'The darker side of humanity, what is it?'
'I suppose the actions deemed unlawful and perhaps evil?'
'What constitutes evil, is it the act of violence. Animals kill for the sake of survival; they kill to eat. Monsters kill for the sake of killing, which of the two are evil?'
'A sane individual would say monsters as they're directly involved. If we were placed in the shoes of the prey, they'd look upon the hunters and see them as monsters, the very definition of evil.'
'How does it affect us?'
'It doesn't, evil is how the strong are branded. Heroes are strong people who've saved their kinsmen and strive to better society. Another perspective says heroes are slaves employed to do what most cannot. A simple title of demon or witch and a person is hated. If the hero kills said hated being, he's venerated. If ever the opposite happens, the demon is feared and treated differently. Looking back to the kill or be killed, the so-called evil did so for survival, the same as an animal. What then, are animals evil for killing?'
'A counter-argument might say consciousness is a factor.'
'Yes, a very frail argument. Just because of the ability to think and waste time, tis though they have the upper hand in the animal kingdom. A chirping bird, a meowing cat, and a barking dog, they're all signs of communication, inferior yes, but present.'
'What is evil then?'
'A title, nothing more, nothing less. Tis a world where a gentleman can be tricked by a vixen and shunned into exile. I say we do it, let's become true devils.'
'True devils,' he stared the mirror, '-either suffer and be used as Kion, or fight and be shunned. My minds made up,' the ring burst into a flame of which cloaked his entire person.
Lightning thundered, dirt and ash hung in the air. A rustic-stone coliseum boomed in chants and shouts. He stood in the lower levels, heavy metallic gates barred the front and back exit. The ascending seats made for ease of view. Purple-colored sky bolted lightning; every impact shook the ground.
Two loud taps opened the gates, a monstrous figure clambered with broad shoulders and muscled legs. The cheering stopped with a crash of war-hammer and ax. The beasts drooled despite the gag. The lunatic stepped into the light and snuffled; cognitive ability was less than present. It swung the weapons as if toys, Igna narrowly dodged an unwanted swing.
Lights blasted on the center-seating area, a veil covered the resident guest, ”-Greetings people of Totrya!” they cheered and howled, the cacophony sent shivers, '-the sheer pressure of their rawness.'
”Today's the day our Founder was coronated by the Supreme God, Kronos. He took the mantle of God-slayer and sought to vanquish evil. We were brought to serve his purpose, our kind has destroyed countless worlds, exterminated many races to absorb their lifeforce. Alas, he lost to the cowardly Zeus and his minion. Fate be damned for he bestowed his power onto another,” she pointed, the spotlights followed, ”-there he is, our founder's heir, the next king of monsters, Igna Haggard!” Applause resounded in tremors equal to the prior lightning strikes. ”-We've met him before, though he was weak and feeble, he made a promise to become strong. He hasn't accepted the title of kinghood. What say you, majesty, test thine might?”
He glanced to her elevated station, ”-I did promise to prove myself first,” the hands made for Orenmir, ”-Steward Vesper, I accept the challenge!”
The crowd went ecstatic, ”-Vesper, is it wise, I don't sense much power from him.”
”Oh Kul, dearest Kul, you don't understand,” said she in a mocking voice, ”-he's strong, a lot stronger. Watch, he shall prove us wrong.”
”What's your name big guy?” they faced one another, ”-there's a gag, I doubt you'll be able to speak.”
”Majesty,” whimpered a childish tone, ”-fight me, fight me, fight me,” cried it, fur-covered most of its body. A singular strap went across the chest, on it laid decorations.
'Telepathy?' he wondered.
”The first bout will be against our fierce competitor of last year, Leia, the weeping one.”
'The weeping one?' he stood on guard, the sword's edge waited solemnly, a whirlpool of ghastly screams silenced the crowd. *FIGHT,*
The beast charged for an instant strike, it threw the ax, Igna dodged and jumped closer. It took the hammer and swung downward, the tip grazed his sword-arm, '-too close,' he jumped out of position and failed to notice the ax. '-Behind?' the weapon boomeranged, '-damn,' *Blood-Arts: Crimson Threads,* the thumb slit and shot for the ground of which he pulled, the ax cleanly took his right ear, he fell harshly. Before it could strike again, Igna rolled out the reach and breathed heavy. 'He's fast for a big guy,' blood annoyingly washed the right cheek. 'No point in keeping cards hidden.' *Mana Control: Purgatory Flame Variant – Sea of Flames,* pillars of fire erupted, the dusty battleground swapped for a wasteland of lava. *Mana Control: Purgatory Flame Variant: Cloak of Rah,* a cape of black and red hovered in tandem with the whitened hair. ”I always want to go all out but can't, I fear the repercussion it may have on the world.”
”Fight me majesty, fight me, fight me, fight me,” he wept.
”As you wish,” the index slid along the blade's edge, *Mana Control: Void Flame Variant – Burnt Edge,* a pure hue associated with heaven outlined the weapon. The cloak gave fire immunity and heightened defense, the sea of flames boosted the fire affinity, as for the last spell, an enhancement to the weapon.
”Shall we?” he smirked. The beast darted with both arms swinging forth, he sidestepped and swung. The heat melted the weapon's handle and stopped shy of its neck. It fell, defeated in a single stroke; the ear healed, the fiery arena subsided.
”Igna's declared the winner of the first bout!” she proclaimed.
”YEAH!”
”For the second round, we'll have a contest of marksmanship,” said she, ”-please dispel the flame.” The few closest to the fight sweated bullets, a boy fell to the heat. The giant phenom returned from whence it came, the gate shut. Spotlights flash to the top, a humanoid figure leaped and landed gracefully. Dark wings retracted, ”-greetings, candidate of kingship,” said the suited figure, ”-my name is not of importance for now. The second bout is marksmanship, we but have to shoot as many targets as we can,” a rifle summoned out a portal of which he hoisted in utmost concentration.
'Don't underestimate me,' said Igna unholstering Tharis, '-a shooting range, we're quite the distance away,' he aimed with one eye shut. A singular beep marked the start, goblins flew from one edge to the other. The adversary took no qualm in shooting, each pull of the trigger dowsed the ground in innards.