Chapter 12

Celestia stood before the nearly completed portal, her heart pounding with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation. The weight of Zerro's revelations hung heavy on her mind as she mentally reviewed their plan.

"Will it work?" she wondered, her thoughts consumed by the daunting task that lay ahead.

Zerro's desire to confront his brother and dismantle the Vrezar Kingdom loomed large in her mind, presenting a formidable challenge that would test their resolve.

The Vrezar Kingdom, once renowned for its lush landscapes and thriving communities, had become a shadow of its former self—a desolate land plagued by oppression and fear.

His sibling wasn't just any demon; he was the king of their realm, commanding power and influence beyond measure.

Celestia felt a knot of nerves tightening in her stomach as she realized the gravity of their impending task.

Despite her anxiety, she knew that if Zerro had been meticulously planning this for a decade, it was essential for her to muster her courage and prepare for whatever challenges lay ahead.

"Celestia," Zerro's voice cut through her thoughts as he approached her, his presence commanding attention even in the midst of uncertainty.

He had just finished conferring with Xander about their plan, ensuring every detail was in place before he turned his attention to the girl. As he approached her, a glint of determination flashed in his eyes as he withdrew a gleaming dagger from his belt.

"I need you to drink my blood," he instructed, his voice firm but tinged with urgency. With a deft motion, he sliced his palm open, crimson droplets trickling into a waiting glass cup. Celestia's stomach churned at the sight, but she suppressed her revulsion, steeling herself for what was to come.

Resolute, she accepted the cup, her fingers trembling slightly as she brought it to her lips.

The metallic tang of his blood assaulted her senses, causing her to grimace as she swallowed it down. With a shaky hand, she passed the now-empty cup to Xander, the weight of what she had just done settling heavily in her chest.

A sharp, searing pain suddenly radiated from her heart, causing Celestia to double over with a groan, her breath catching in her throat as the sensation washed over her.

"You are strong enough to take it. Don't give in to the pain... Celestia!" Zerro's commanding voice pierced through her haze, jolting her back to reality. She lifted her gaze to meet his, finding a sense of reassurance in his unwavering confidence.

As she looked at him, she felt a strange transformation coursing through her. Her eyes, once a familiar hue, now mirrored Zerro's intense gaze, reflecting the depth of their connection and shared purpose.

A smirk played across Zerro's lips as he beheld her altered appearance.

"You're finally ready," he remarked, a hint of pride lacing his words.

Celestia felt the weight of his approval settle upon her as she became more aware of the changes manifesting in her body.

Horns sprouted from her temples, a physical manifestation of her newfound strength and resilience, while her elongated canine teeth gleamed in the dim light, a symbol of her transformation into something more than human.

"The portal's ready, Prince Zerro!" Xander's voice cut through the tension, bringing attention back to the task at hand. But Zerro's focus remained fixed on Celestia, his next words carrying the weight of their shared mission.

"Kill anything that gets in your way," he commanded, his tone firm and resolute. Celestia bowed in acknowledgment, placing a hand over her heart in a gesture of loyalty.

"Yes, Zerro," she replied, her voice steady despite the gravity of the order.

He watched closely for any signs of discomfort or hesitation in Celestia's demeanor, half-expecting her to struggle with the newfound power coursing through her veins. To his satisfaction, she remained strong.

"Let's go," Zerro's command spurred Celestia into action, and she trailed behind him toward the swirling portal, her movements feeling robotic, as if guided by some external force.

Her body moved without her conscious control, her mind locked away from the impending events about to unfold. As she emerged from the portal into an unfamiliar environment, Celestia's eyes scanned the surroundings with a vacant gaze, searching for any signs of danger.

"We are currently at the back of the castle," Zerro explained, his voice cutting through the silence, "and since the guards are in the midst of changing positions, we have approximately five minutes to advance before we must confront them on our way to my brother."

Celestia nodded in understanding, summoning her sword with a practiced motion.

Together, they slipped through a nearby door, entering a bustling kitchen filled with chefs and servants.

As they entered, the sudden intrusion drew gasps of surprise from the occupants, their eyes widening in shock at the unexpected visitors.

"Stay quiet and continue working," Zerro's authoritative voice commanded, effectively silencing the kitchen staff and quelling any signs of rebellion or alarm. Despite the looks of joy and relief that flickered across their faces upon seeing the former prince, Zerro paid them no heed as he and Celestia swiftly moved through the bustling kitchen and into a grand hallway.

The opulent design of the hallway spoke of its royal origins, with a seemingly endless rug adorning the floor and paintings lining the walls, all depicting the figure of the king, Zerro's brother. The opposite wall boasted expansive windows offering a view of the world outside.

"Shit," Zerro cursed under his breath as he caught sight of a pair of guards approaching their position.

With urgency in his movements, he attempted to conceal himself and Celestia from view, but the girl remained rooted in place, her movements dictated by forces beyond her control.

"Intruder!" the guards' voices thundered as they charged toward Celestia, their swords drawn and ready for combat.

Zerro's frustration simmered beneath his breath as he watched the events unfold, vexed by the unforeseen complication.

"Kill them, Celestia," he commanded, his tone urgent and demanding.

Without hesitation, Celestia lunged into action, her movements fluid and precise as she engaged the two guards in combat.

Dodging the first sword aimed at her, Celestia retaliated with a swift counterattack, her own blade meeting the guard's with a resounding clash.

The fight became a test of strength and skill, but Celestia's determination proved to be her greatest asset as she steadily gained the upper hand.

With a forceful shove, she sent one of the guards reeling backward, causing him to stumble and fall to the ground.

Sensing the presence of her next opponent behind her, Celestia swiftly turned, narrowly evading the blade aimed at her before delivering a decisive blow of her own.

As her sword found its mark, piercing the demon's flesh, Celestia watched with a cold detachment as her adversary crumpled to the ground, defeated.

Turning her attention back to the remaining guard, she met his trembling gaze with an unwavering stare, her eyes holding a haunting intensity that sent a shiver down his spine.

"Please don't kill me," the guard pleaded, desperation evident in their voice as they shuffled back in a futile attempt to escape Celestia's advance. But her ears remained deaf to their pleas as she took another step forward, her sword held aloft with a menacing gleam.

With a swift, merciless motion, Celestia brought her blade down, ignoring the guard's agonized shriek as it pierced their flesh with cruel precision.

"We need to go before more come for us," Zerro's urgency spurred him into action as he grabbed Celestia's arm and propelled her forward, practically dragging her down the hallway and into the next.

Encountering more guards along the way, Zerro swiftly concealed them from sight, moving Celestia out of harm's way before they could be detected again.

With practiced efficiency, he retrieved a small test tube from his pocket and hurled it to the ground, the blue liquid inside evaporating upon impact and spreading across the carpet in a noxious cloud.

The guards, overcome by panic, struggled to fend off the toxic fumes, their efforts futile as they succumbed to unconsciousness one by one.

Zerro motioned for Celestia to follow as they navigated their way through the incapacitated bodies, their footsteps silent as they moved with utmost caution, determined not to attract any unwanted attention.

"King Erlik, t-there are intruders."

Zerro's eyes widened in alarm as he overheard one of the guards speak, his assumption shattered that they had all been rendered unconscious by the gas. Anger flared in his gaze as he turned toward the guard, his expression darkening with rage.

With purposeful strides, Zerro advanced upon the trembling guard, his eyes burning with an intensity that sent shivers down their spine. Despite their fear, the guard held their breath, determined to avoid drawing any further attention to themselves.

Kneeling down beside the guard, Zerro swiftly seized the communication device from their grasp, his grip tightening with each passing moment.

"You're dying tonight, brother," he growled, his voice laced with venomous resolve as he locked eyes with the terrified guard.

With a swift, merciless motion, Zerro crushed the device in his inhuman grip before drawing his dagger with a fluid motion. Without hesitation, he slashed the guard's throat in one swift movement, ending their life in an instant.

The sound of their choked gasp echoed in the hallway, a haunting testament to the brutality of Zerro's vengeance as he rose to his feet, his gaze steely and unforgiving.

"Oi, Oi. It's supposed to be my day off. Why did you have to intrude the kingdom today of all days?" A disgruntled voice interrupted the tense atmosphere of the hallway as a man approached them, his expression twisted into a scowl.

With his striking purple locks styled in a way that framed his face, concealing his forehead, and his eyes a piercing maroon shade, the man exuded an air of authority despite his casual demeanor. He wore a sleek black suit, though the top button of his shirt was undone and his tie hung loosely around his neck.

Zerro's frown deepened as he recognized the newcomer, his mind racing with the implications of their unexpected encounter.

"Lucifer," Zerro called out, his voice heavy with resignation as he acknowledged the demon's presence.

Lucifer huffed in response, crossing his arms in front of him with an air of annoyance.

"It's been a while, Prince Zerro," Lucifer greeted nonchalantly, offering a lazy wave of his hand as he approached.

"Move out of the way, I don't want to hurt you," Zerro's words cut through the tension, his tone carrying a hint of resignation. If Celestia had been in her right mind, she would have been shocked by the directive given by Zerro.

"I can't do that. I work for King Erlik, thanks to you," Lucifer retorted defiantly, refusing to yield from his position.

With a weary sigh, Zerro turned to Celestia, his gaze imploring her to take action. "Take him down, Celestia," he commanded, his voice laced with urgency.

Nodding in understanding, Celestia tightened her grip on the hilt of her sword and charged toward the demon before her. Lucifer raised an eyebrow in amusement at the sight of the seemingly ordinary human approaching him with intent.

But before Celestia could reach him, Lucifer held up a hand, and with a flick of his wrist, froze her in place, rendering her unable to move. "Is she supposed to be helping you?" he questioned, his tone laced with skepticism.

Zerro nodded in response, prompting Lucifer to question the prince's reasoning until realization dawned on him. With a quick understanding of Zerro's plan, Lucifer momentarily released Celestia, allowing Zerro to teleport to her side.

With a swift motion, Zerro pushed Celestia toward Lucifer, who instinctively caught her by the arms, momentarily distracted. Seizing the opportunity, Zerro slipped past them and dashed toward the King's chamber, determined to confront his brother and put an end to their long-standing feud.

As Zerro raced toward the King's chamber, his mind focused solely on the impending confrontation with his brother, Erlik. He had deliberately saved his powers, refraining from using teleportation or engaging in combat, reserving every ounce of his strength for the ultimate showdown.

"Just you wait, brother," Zerro muttered under his breath, his voice tinged with determination and vengeance.

"I'm going to kill you with my own two hands."