AKUMA: Tale of the Last Demon

The world had never known peace, not for the past three centuries. A war unlike any other raged on, ravaging lands, destroying cities, and draining the lifeblood of the world itself. It was a war of survival, a struggle between four major races—the humans, elves, dwarves, and draconians—against a single, terrifying enemy: the Demons.

For nearly 300 years, the coalition had fought tooth and nail to subdue the Demon race. With each passing century, victories were exchanged, but the war's tides were beginning to change. Now, the war had reached its brutal climax—an entire world rising to stamp out the last of the Demon bloodline.

In the heart of this cataclysm stood Iruma, the Demon King. His once fearsome armies were decimated, his generals slain, and his kingdom turned to ashes. Only one mission remained for him: to save his only son, Akuma.

---

At the Cliff of Fate, near the borders of the Abyssal Wastelands

The air was thick with the stench of blood and magic. The earth trembled beneath the weight of the battle, and the sky above crackled with energy from spells and incantations.

Akuma, only nine years old, clutched tightly to his father's tattered cloak. His young mind could barely comprehend the magnitude of the destruction around him—the burning villages, the corpses of demons and coalition soldiers alike, the endless explosions in the distance. He looked up at his father, the towering and once-unstoppable Demon King, now bruised, bleeding, and barely holding on to his power.

Iruma's eyes, once burning with an unquenchable rage, now flickered with sorrow and determination. He rested a clawed hand on Akuma's shoulder, trying to hide his pain.

"My son," Iruma's voice was deep, yet it trembled as he spoke. "This will be the last time we speak. I need you to listen to me carefully. This war… it's over for us. They've won."

Akuma's crimson eyes widened. "No… Father, you can still fight! We can win this, we can escape together!"

Iruma shook his head, a weak smile forming on his lips. "There is no more escape. I have fought… *endlessly*," he coughed, blood splattering the ground at his feet. "For you… for our people… But now… now I must save you."

From the distance, the sound of approaching footsteps—an army—grew louder. The Radiant Church had found them, leading the coalition in a final push to wipe out the Demon King. Holy light flickered on the horizon, and the presence of divine magic weighed heavily in the air.

Akuma could see the golden banners of the Radiant Church, their high priests and paladins, leading the charge. Behind them stood the coalition's armies, a sea of warriors, mages, and beasts from every corner of the world. The humans, the elves, the dwarves, and the draconians—united by a single purpose: the annihilation of the Demon race.

Iruma glanced over his shoulder, his dark aura flaring slightly in response. His red eyes burned with renewed fury. He knew the moment had come.

"Akuma, they're here. There's no more time."

He stepped back and raised his hand, dark energy swirling around him. The very essence of his demonic power gathered in his palm, flickering with unstable, raw energy. His voice was strong again, filled with a deep authority.

"(Eternal Veil of Shadows!)" he chanted.

A sphere of darkness enveloped Akuma, wrapping around the boy like a protective shell. Akuma gasped as the world around him dimmed, his father's figure growing faint behind the veil.

"Father! What are you doing?" Akuma cried, panic rising in his chest.

"I'm sending you far away, Akuma," Iruma said, his voice distant yet soothing. "To a place where they can never find you. A land beyond this war, beyond the reach of those who wish to kill us."

Tears filled Akuma's eyes. "No, I don't want to leave you! Don't make me go!"

Iruma's gaze softened as he knelt before his son, reaching into the veil to gently touch Akuma's cheek. "This is the only way, my son. You must survive… for the future of our people."

"But what about you? I can't leave you behind!" Akuma sobbed, clutching at his father's hand, but the shadowy magic began to pull him away.

Iruma's smile was bittersweet. "I am the Demon King, Akuma. My fate was sealed the day this war began. But your fate… your fate is yet unwritten. You have a future, a life beyond this destruction."

Akuma's small hands gripped his father's tightly, refusing to let go. "I'll come back for you, I swear! I'll get stronger and—"

Iruma shook his head, cutting his son off. "No. Do not seek vengeance, my son. Live. That is the greatest victory you can achieve."

The footsteps of the approaching armies were deafening now. The light of divine magic illuminated the horizon, and Iruma knew he had only seconds left.

He stood tall again, raising both hands as he prepared his final spell.

"(Void of Oblivion!)" Iruma roared.

A massive portal tore open behind Akuma, its edges shimmering with black and purple energy. The portal led to an unknown land, a place where even the gods could not trace. It was Iruma's last act, a forbidden spell that only the Demon King could wield.

Akuma's form began to fade into the portal, his cries echoing in the growing distance. "Father! No, don't do this! Please!"

Iruma's heart clenched, but he kept his composure. "Goodbye, my son. Remember who you are… Akuma, heir to the Demon King."

With a final whisper, Iruma released the spell. The portal swallowed Akuma whole, sending him into the unknown, far from the reaches of the Radiant Church and the coalition.

---

The portal snapped shut, and Iruma stood alone, his breathing labored. His body was broken, his power nearly depleted. But even in this state, he was the Demon King, and he would not fall easily.

The high priests of the Radiant Church appeared on the ridge, their eyes glowing with divine power. Behind them, a million soldiers raised their weapons, preparing for the final assault.

Iruma's gaze hardened as he raised his arms once more, dark magic swirling around him like a storm.

"(Hellfire Torrent!)" he bellowed, and flames erupted from his hands, a scorching wave of demonic fire that engulfed the approaching armies. Screams filled the air as soldiers burned, their bodies turning to ash in moments.

But the Radiant Church's high priests raised their staffs in unison, casting their own spell. "(Holy Purge!)" they chanted, and a beam of divine light cut through the hellfire, dousing the flames and striking Iruma's chest.

He staggered, coughing up blood, but he refused to fall. His crimson eyes blazed with defiance.

"You think… you can kill me with such weak magic?" he snarled, raising his hand once more. "(Darkness Requiem!)"

The ground trembled as tendrils of pure darkness erupted from beneath, swallowing entire battalions of soldiers. Their screams were swallowed by the void, leaving nothing but silence in their wake.

But the coalition armies pressed on. The elves rained down arrows of light, while the dwarves unleashed devastating siege weapons. The draconians soared above, breathing fire and lightning upon the Demon King.

Iruma fought valiantly, his magic burning brighter with each spell, but his strength was waning. He could feel the exhaustion in his bones, the poison from a previous sneak attack coursing through his veins, weakening him further.

Finally, the High Priest of the Radiant Church stepped forward, his staff raised high. "Demon King Iruma, your reign of terror ends here!"

With a final chant, the high priest unleashed his most powerful spell. "(Judgment of the Radiant Sun!)"

A pillar of blinding light descended from the heavens, crashing down upon Iruma. His body was engulfed in holy flames, his flesh searing under the divine power.

But even as he burned, Iruma stood tall, his eyes filled with unyielding pride. He had done what he needed to do. Akuma was safe.

With his last breath, Iruma grinned, blood dripping from his mouth. "This… is not the end."

And with that, the Demon King fell, his body consumed by the light.

But somewhere far away, his son, Akuma, survived.