The monster

"Slice a piece!" 

The monstrous creature before Maxilin, a twisted amalgamation of scales and sinew, gurgled in pain.

"We will dominate this world, you feeble human," it whimpered, the words barely comprehensible through its agony. A severed hand fell to the ground, a testament to Maxilin's relentless assault.

"Ah," the beast cried out, collapsing in a writhing heap. It clawed at the dirt, muttering bitterly, "You're a flimsy, greedy piece of trash. You'll never be able to defeat us."

"Really? Then let's see who wins this time," Maxilin retorted, his eyes glinting fiercely. With a single, powerful stroke, he slashed through the creature's face, slicing it into grotesque pieces. The beast's cries of pain echoed through the night.

Maxilin heard his name being yelled urgently. He turned to see Evan sprinting toward him. The urgency in his friend's voice cut through the bloodied chaos around them.

"Maxilin," Evan called out as he closed the distance.

Maxilin, a 23-year-old warrior with a commanding presence, stood tall at 6 feet 2 inches. His eyes, a deep sea-blue, reflected the harsh light of the battle. His sharply drawn nose and lips, coupled with his smooth, slicked-back hair, gave him an imposing, yet refined appearance. As Evan reached him, Maxilin sheathed his sword and wiped the monster's blood from his hands.

"I'm OK," Maxilin said curtly, though his frustration was evident. "But this jerk wasted my time."

Evan's eyes darted to the remaining fragments of the beast, his concern palpable. "I can see that. But be careful—this one's only the beginning. If it has a mate, the female won't be so forgiving. It's a dragon hybrid; the male's not very strong, but the female is extremely aggressive and deadly."

Maxilin's jaw tightened. He understood the gravity of the situation. Evan's warning was clear, and the urgency in his voice left no room for doubt. Maxilin, though fierce, knew the importance of restraint.

Evan sighed deeply, his hand reaching into the monster's chest to retrieve a glowing gem from his heart.

"Don't kill them at random, Maxilin. We need to imprison some, not just eliminate them."

"I don't care about his rule," Maxilin muttered defiantly, wiping the blood from his hands with deliberate motions. His voice was cold, dismissive.

Evan's expression darkened. "Don't forget about your curse, Maxilin," he warned.

The words hit like a hammer. Maxilin froze, his hands suspended mid-wash as if the blood had suddenly turned to ice. The tension between them was palpable.

"Maxilin," Evan continued, his tone softening, "we need to figure out how to break the curse."

But Maxilin remained silent, his eyes fixed on the ground. A shadow seemed to pass over him, his usual defiance slipping away, replaced by something darker. Evan opened his mouth to speak again, "Maxilin, I'm t—"

"Shh," Maxilin interrupted, placing a finger on Evan's lips, signaling him to stay quiet. His gaze had sharpened, scanning the surroundings with heightened alertness.

Evan, understanding the signal, tightened his grip on his sword, his senses on high alert. They both heard it—a faint buzzing, a strange wind swirling around them, whispering through the trees. The forest seemed to hold its breath, the eerie sound growing louder before it abruptly ceased.

Without a word, Maxilin bolted into the forest, Evan close on his heels. They ran in silence, the urgency of the unknown driving them deeper into the woods. After a while, they halted, straining to catch any sound. But the forest was unnervingly silent.

Suddenly, Maxilin collapsed, clutching his chest with his left arm.

"Ah!" he cried out, his voice filled with pain.

"Maxilin!" Evan shouted, rushing to his side.

'Damn! This agony! Why? Why does it always strike when I sense an evil spirit or a demon nearby?' Maxilin's thoughts raced as he knelt in the dirt, clutching his chest. The pain was unbearable, a fiery torment searing through him. 'I just can't seem to find a way out of this terrible situation. It's getting worse day by day. My heart feels like it could burst at any moment. What will Evan do if this thing attacks us? I can't even hold myself up.'

"Maxilin," Evan's voice broke through the haze of pain, steady but laced with concern. He knelt beside him, gripping Maxilin's arm. "Are you all right?"

Maxilin's breath came in ragged gasps. He managed a shaky nod, trying to push himself to his feet, but his legs wobbled beneath him. The pain was relentless, dragging him down. Just as he struggled to find his footing, a piercing, sinister laugh echoed through the trees, freezing the blood in their veins.

Maxilin's eyes narrowed, his mind snapping into focus.

"I knew it. It's a demon."

"Evan, get out of here," Maxilin ordered, his voice strained but resolute.

"What are you saying, Maxilin? I can't leave you alone here," Evan replied, his grip on Maxilin tightening.

"Ahh," Maxilin groaned, the pain in his chest intensifying. His vision blurred, but he forced himself to stay conscious.

"Maxilin!" Evan's voice was tinged with desperation.

Maxilin reached up and grabbed Evan by the collar, pulling him close. "Hey, try to understand, okay?" he urged, his voice a strained whisper. "You won't be able to face this demon. I can feel her strength. You need to go now."

"Maxilin, I'm not leaving you here alone!" Evan shouted, his voice resolute. "Just grasp my hand. I'll build a magical barrier around us. This demon will not harm us," he explained, his determination unwavering.

But then, a cold, mocking voice cut through the tension. "Oh really," the voice taunted, followed by a burst of eerie laughter that echoed through the forest.

Maxilin's expression darkened. "Evan, don't forget that I'm the one in charge here. If you try to defy my orders, I won't accept you into my team," he warned, his tone harsh but edged with desperation.

Evan's eyes softened, filled with both frustration and concern. "You're my friend, Maxilin. Now stop pushing me away," he pleaded, refusing to back down.

Maxilin exhaled heavily, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on him. "Evan, listen to what I'm saying. Please… leave!" he shouted, his voice raw with the strain of both pain and emotion.

Evan stood there, silent, as Maxilin's desperate cry echoed around them. After a long moment, Evan bent down and began forming the magical barrier, his hands glowing with power as he worked to protect them both.

"Evan, stop it!" Maxilin's voice cracked, his vision blurring. The pain was overwhelming, and his strength was rapidly fading. "Evan," he murmured weakly, barely able to keep his eyes open.

Before Evan could respond, a force slammed into the barrier with a violent crash. The impact was so strong that it knocked them both off balance, the wind howling around them.

'Cough' 'cough'

"I warned you, Evan," Maxilin gasped, struggling to stay upright. His breath came in ragged bursts, and his body trembled with the effort to remain conscious.

As he spoke, the sinister laughter of the demon reverberated through the air, growing louder, more menacing. It was a sound that seemed to pierce their very souls, chilling them to the bone.

"Haha..."

"Playing with young boys is a lot of fun," the voice echoed through the darkness, taunting and cruel. It slithered around them, seeping into their bones.

"I also smell the scent of a fresh, delectable heart. I only want a tiny little bit of it."

Evan's jaw clenched as he began chanting the incantations for a protective barrier. His voice was steady, but his heart pounded with the urgency of the moment. He could feel the sinister presence closing in.

"Little boy, you're wasting my time," the voice sneered, now filled with disdain.

"I really don't enjoy having an unwanted visitor at my place."

Evan's eyes flashed with anger.

"Who is this unwanted visitor? Your friends and you!" he shouted defiantly, his voice carrying through the eerie silence.

The voice responded with chilling amusement.

"We? Are you talking about us, boy?"

Maxilin struggled to his feet, every movement a battle against the agony coursing through him. As he swayed, Evan caught his arm, steadying him.

"Maxilin, hold on," Evan whispered urgently, his focus split between his friend and the growing threat.

Suddenly, they heard the deliberate sound of footsteps, slow and echoing through the night. Both men turned their gaze forward, their hearts sinking as they saw her.

A tall woman stepped into the dim light, her long black hair cascading down her back like a dark river. The stars above barely illuminated her, but what they could see sent a shiver through their spines. She approached the barrier with an unnerving calm, a creepy smirk playing on her lips.

"Hello, boys," she greeted them with a voice dripping in mockery, her red eyes gleaming with a sadistic hunger.

In the glow of Evan's magic, her full form came into view. Her hair was impossibly long, her eyes burning with a malevolent light. Her nails, sharp as daggers, seemed ready to tear through flesh and bone. 

.....