Chapter 33 - Vornak

The enigmatic Mysterious Demon had captured Seraphira's family and Thalor, her beloved, under Azroth's orders. He embedded his aura within their hearts, ensuring that if Seraphira refused to become a Demon Commander, her entire family, including Thalor, would be killed instantly.

The Mysterious Demon's mastery over aura was beyond their comprehension. He quickly manipulated it to levels unknown to Level Two Planet Elementalists.

Left with no other choice, Thalor, tempted by the promise that serving as Azroth's spy for a hundred thousand years would ensure their freedom, including Seraphira's, and restore her humanity, chose to believe in the deceitful pact.

Despite the daunting length of servitude, Thalor held onto hope, driven by love.

"What doesn't need to be reported to me?" 

A voice suddenly interrupted, belonging to a strikingly handsome man with a robust physique and horns protruding from his head. He wrapped his arms around Seraphira from behind, pulling her close. She remained stoic, neither welcoming nor rejecting his embrace.

"Vornak! Keep your hands off her!" Thalor's anger surged, visible in the veins throbbing on his forehead. He advanced towards Vornak, with Kharnoox standing nearby, though he knew the challenge he faced.

"What, you planning to end me?" Vornak jeered, unshaken.

Thalor, without a word, vanished from his spot. Both Vornak and Kharnoox tensed, aware that Thalor was no ordinary Elementalist.

That's precisely why Demon Emperor Azroth had been keen to win Seraphira, hoping to sway Thalor to their cause. Kharnoox quickly positioned himself between Vornak and Thalor, crossing his arms defensively.

THUD! 

A powerful blow landed on Kharnoox's arms, breaking his defense effortlessly and striking his face. Vornak and Seraphira moved swiftly to dodge, before Kharnoox was sent crashing into the chamber wall.

"Thalor! Stop!" Seraphira's voice cut through the chaos, sharp and clear.

But Thalor, consumed by his rage, had eyes only for Vornak. A shimmering silver Elemental Circle appeared before him, and he stepped through it, clad in magnificent war armor. His Titanus bloodline aura radiated an imposing power once again.

"Don't you dare lay a hand on her, demon!" Thalor's voice boomed with a menacing edge.

Vornak only smirked, making a unique hand gesture that caused Thalor to collapse, coughing up dark, corrosive blood.

"What have you done, Vornak?!" Seraphira demanded, her voice filled with alarm.

"He needed to learn his place, Seraphira. He's just a puppet of the demons. He overstepped, seeking to harm his master," Vornak sneered, his disdain evident.

In an instant, Thalor's displayed power vanished, leaving him weakened and drained. 

"Surprised, Thalor?" Vornak taunted, his smirk filled with malice.

"As Chief Demon Commander, I'm entitled to certain perks, wouldn't you agree?" He continued, his tone mocking. Realization dawned on Thalor.

Azroth, or perhaps the Mysterious Demon, had equipped Vornak with an Elemental Formation capable of controlling the Mysterious Demon's aura within him.

"So...what do you have for me today?" Vornak's smirk was laced with malice.

Left with no choice, Thalor's life hanging in the balance, he hastily recounted everything to Vornak, who listened intently, especially to the matters concerning Emperor Wayne.

But when it was revealed that Emperor Radolph might possess a higher elemental rank than even the Elemental Emperor, Vornak's excitement was unmistakable. He had been eagerly awaiting such news.

Unbeknownst to Thalor, his actions had endangered Netheron and threatened the fate of the people in Solara. He had unwittingly become the catalyst for the demons' return to Solara!

"Hahaha! Excellent! The stronger the humans, the better for us," Vornak chuckled with a sinister gleam in his eyes, his laughter echoing ominously.

At that moment, a heavy silence enveloped Thalor. His heart was burdened with guilt for betraying humanity. He bit his lip so hard it bled, desperate to stifle the rising tide of anger within him.

Seraphira, seemingly detached from the unfolding drama, bore the weight of her curse with an eerie grace. Being part demon had stripped her of much of her humanity. 

Yet, there were brief moments when her human essence seemed to break through, offering fleeting glimpses of the person she once was.

For the most part, however, she reflected the demeanor of the demons, deepening Thalor's anguish.

Seraphira had become unrecognizable, yet for the sake of love, Thalor clung to the hope of fulfilling their promise—a pact spanning a hundred thousand years—all for the slim chance that Seraphira might regain her humanity.

As Vornak swung his leg to kick Thalor, who was on the ground, the earth intervened. Earthen restraints shackles Vornak's legs, halting his blow.

"Oh, you want to side with this trash, Seraphira?" Vornak sneered, his voice dripping with sarcasm, his disdain palpable.

Amidst this, Khaarnox couldn't conceal his delight. He was eager to see Thalor beaten, a taste of revenge for his beating a moment ago.

Even though he wasn't the one delivering the revenge, merely witnessing it was enough to satisfy his vendetta.

"Don't be uncouth, Vornak," Thalor retorted with composure, rising to his feet and steadying his stance.

Seraphira, having wielded her power over the earth to restrain Vornak, released her control, freeing him from his temporary bonds. Her gaze then shifted towards Thalor, her expression enigmatic.

Was it a concern? Her thoughts were inscrutable, her stare laden with unspoken words.

"What can you do if I am uncouth, Thalor? I'm a demon, after all," Vornak taunted, his voice mocking.

Thalor answered with a wry smile. "Maybe I'll be reduced to your puppet, but not the others. Your grip over me is solely due to the Mysterious Demon's aura, Vornak. Without it, it would be your head beneath my boot."

Despite his outward composure, Vornak was internally conflicted. He recognized Thalor's strength and the truth in his words. His dominion over Thalor was not due to his own power.

But it was lent by the Elemental Formation bestowed by Azroth, which was designed to control Thalor alone. Without this advantage, Vornak doubted his own capabilities against Thalor.

"Don't get ahead of yourself, Thalor," Vornak shot back, though his tone lacked its usual firmness.

Thalor wasn't about to dally with the demons before him. In a swift motion, he drew a jed, its deep purple hue shimmering ominously.

Before he activated it, his gaze sought Seraphira, longing for one last glimpse of her face—the visage he had always cherished.

"Until we meet again, Seraphira," Thalor said softly.

But the silence was all Seraphira offered in return. 

Vornak, witnessing this, couldn't help but feel a surge of relief and gratification; her silence was undeniable proof that the curse on Seraphira was effective.

A pang of sadness struck Thalor, noticing her indifference, yet he refused to be swallowed by despair. Without hesitation, he shattered the jed, and in response, a teleportation portal sprang to life before him.

Stepping through, he left the demonic assembly behind, his destination unknown. His arrival here had been guided solely by an ancient scroll provided by the demons that reacted only to Thalor's unique aura and lineage, making it impossible to bring human reinforcements even if he had wished. The demonic legions of Azroth were too formidable a foe.

As Thalor stepped through the portal, he disappeared in an instant. Seraphira, too, quickly left the scene, leaving Khaarnox and Vornak alone.

"Why didn't you just kill Thalor? His knowledge is of no use to us," Khaarnox grumbled.

"What do you know? That was an explicit command from Demon Emperor Azroth himself. Would you really challenge him? And do you honestly believe we're capable of killing Thalor?" Vornak's response dripped with contempt.

The rebuke left Khaarnox, the Tenth Commander, in silent embarrassment. His inability to rival Thalor's power was a harsh blow to his pride, especially considering the strength and experience he'd inherited from his predecessor. Clenching his fists, he remained mute.

A teleportation portal opened elsewhere in a secluded mountainous area from which Thalor emerged. He had deliberately chosen a location quite distant from Tibb, the royal city on the Tibetan Continent.

"How do I free myself from this Mysterious Demon's aura? I can't continue to betray the humans," Thalor pondered.

His betrayal was never by choice. The aura seemed to infiltrate Thalor's mind, extracting crucial information the moment he acquired it. If he tried to hide anything, he was compelled to reveal it to the demons, as had occurred previously in Vordak's presence.

Resigned to his fate, Thalor accepted that he was doomed to report back to the demons, whether he wished to or not. He briefly sat at the cliff's edge, taking in the view. In Netheron, finding a spot untouched by the demonic dark aura, where one could enjoy such pristine, beautiful scenery, was almost unheard of.

"Seraphira..." Thalor sighed longingly.

This place had been their sanctuary. Thalor, with his stoic demeanor, and Seraphira, ever the beacon of joy, seemed an unlikely pairing, especially considering their significant age difference.

But to Elementalists, who could live for hundreds of thousands or even millions of years, age mattered little, especially in affairs of the heart.

Never in his quest for power had Thalor imagined he'd fall in love. Yet, their love story was prematurely ended—shattered by demons. He hadn't foreseen that he and Seraphira would become targets of Azroth. 

Lying down, he stared at the sky, his fist clenched and raised. "Where are you, the prophesied boy?"