The battle of blood, Part 1

Senki led them deeper down the caver, to a long hallway with only a few torches lighting it up.

Their footsteps were heavy as they picked up pace.

As they followed him, Freya glanced over at Yuto, her heart beating fast, knowing a wedding her wedding, might be held after this.

It was causing her heart to beat rapidly just by picturing it.

Yuto smiled as he blew her a kiss, despite everything that was happening, she found herself reassured by Yuto's presence, comforted by his attempts to lighten the mood.

Yuto noticing how worried she was, walked closer, and intertwined his hand with hers, it brought a small smile as she tightened her grip.

Senki noticed their little interactions and was about to say something but remembered the fear he felt from when Yuto released his blood lust and decided against pissing him off.

Eventually, they reached a large, heavy oak door at the end of the tunnel, it was bigger than the trees that reigned high outside.

The air surrounding such a huge door felt suffocating, the feeling of death looming over them.

Senki stopped, and turned to face both of them, "This danger is what I spoke of, is behind this door so be prepared as I will now open the door"

"Wait"

Senki looked at Yuto with a puzzled look, "What is it?"

["Jeez, would it kill him to speak in a kinder tone"]

"What exactly is behind that door?"

He sighed, clearly he wasn't expecting such a question, "A mighty demon, one that has terrorized our kingdom for centuries"

"It was confined behind this door by my ancestors, but with each day it grows more and more restless, and powerful"

"Is that what's drawing the attention of the Demon King's army?"

"Yes…we believe that its power was attracting other demons like a magnet"

"I'm also guessing that the reason why the last invasion was worse than the rest"

"They grew tired of waiting," Freya mumbled.

"I see…I need you to evacuate your people, including Freya"

Senki's eyes widened, stumbling over his words, "Evacuate the entire kingdom?!"

"That's hundreds of thousands of people, it would take weeks to evacuate them all"

"Especially when the Demon King's army is still outside!"

["Oh, that's what he's worried about"]

"King Senki, before entering with Freya, I killed all the demons outside, so it should be safe to evacuate, I would never lead your people to their deaths"

His eyes widened in surprise, clearly taken aback that Yuto could wipe such a large force of demons, "You…you did?"

["Of course I did and I kinda want a mystical beast these elves breed, I should ask that for my second request, nah he already hates me enough"]

Senki looked back at Freya who nodded, "A single person wiped them out?"

"It's true Father, he wiped them all out in a single blow," she looked away blushing. 

Yuto smiled and turned his attention back to Senki, "So, please take everyone out to a safer location, for as soon as I undo this seal, all hell will break loose"

"Y-you can undo the seal, impossible only those with royal blood can do it!"

"Yeah let me ask this, was I normal to begin with?" Yuto asked with a smug look

Senki sighed as he shook his head, "No, of course not, human no Yuto, can you defeat such a monster?"

Yuto nodded, which soothed Senki's worries, "Very well, we shall begin evacuation immediately"

Before Senki could take another step, Yuto stopped him, "What is it?"

"Take this," Yuto threw a small orb as he planted another in the ground.

"What is this?" Senki asked examining the object with a puzzled expression

"Infuse it with your mana when everyone is at a safe distance, it will let me know when to undo the seal"

Senki nodded, "I will make sure it's taken care of properly"

He pocketed the orb carefully, "Yuto, I will make sure my people are at a safe location, so that you may go all out"

Yuto nodded, turning his head to Freya, he pulled her into a kiss before pulling back, "Follow your father, I do not want you to be hurt"

Freya smiled weakly, feeling a pang of fear, "Both of you be safe"

"You too," He said with a confident grin as he turned his back to the giant oak door.

She nodded silently, before she left the room, she took one last look at him, before turning back and running back upstairs.

As she followed her father, she could hear the chaos and confusion beginning to erupt, as the evacuation proceedings began.

"Father?"

"Yes, sweetie?"

"How do they know about the evacuation so quickly?"

"Oh, well I can communicate with our elders via thought, so they must have gotten the news out already"

Freya heard the people running and shouting to get to the teleporters, guards trying to maintain order, and the air of panic and fear.

Despite the chaos, she couldn't shake off the image of Yuto fighting such a monster, and the thought of something unbearable happening to him, felt like a knife in her heart.

Senki on the other hand was worried about how to deal with the situation at hand, he could bark orders at the guards and elders, his voice firm and authoritative.

Unlike his usual gruff and grumpy demeanor, he seemed almost frantic with worry as he ensured that the evacuation ran smoothly. 

But despite the controlled chaos, both could feel the tension in the air, the fear of uncertainty that hung over everyone like a heavy cloud.

It was a grim reminder of the situation they'd gotten themselves into by rejecting every offer of help, but now they were relying on a single human to save them, the problem was almost laughable. 

Senki understood this and he blamed himself, had he put down his pride and accepted the other kingdom's help, his people wouldn't have had to leave their homes, afraid of dying in the mess he created

He turned to Freya, his expression grave, "You must go with the rest of our people, I cannot have you here, in danger"

"F-father, I can't leave you here, what about Mother?"

"I already had the royal guards help her leave, but you must go, please, for my sake you need to be safe"

"But…but what about you?" Her voice was trembling

"I will be fine, a king must protect his kingdom, and I have to do everything I can to ensure that duty is fulfilled"

As he turned around leaving Freya on the teleporter alone, with a fury in her eyes she pulled him in, "Yuto said to infuse your mana, he never said you had to stay behind!"

-Location, Safe House-

As they teleported, surrounded by the rest of their people, Senki's eyes widened in shock as he quickly stood up, with an expression mixed with surprise and frustration.

"What did you do? I cannot leave the kingdom, I have to protect it!"

Freya in all her life, has never raised a hand against anyone, not her older sister who stole her fiancé, her uncle who mocked her, the servants who acted on behalf of her sisters.

She had always remained calm, never letting her anger get the best of her, perhaps it was the influence of Yuto, but this was the first time she raised her hand, and of all people, it was her father, the king of the elves.

With his final words leaving his mouth, she raised her hand and smacked him, "Your duty is to the people, I know that is hard to comprehend with the situation going on, but some mere wood and rocks are not more important than the thousands of lives on the line and that is more important than this stupid pride of yours!"

Senki's expression darkened, his eyes showing a hint of irritation, "My pride? You think I value my pride over the lives of my people?"

Freya shouted back, "Yes I do! That is exactly what I know you are doing! You are too stubborn to see it but it's true, that's what Yuto has been trying to show you!"

Senki's jaw clenched, his expression darkening further, but he couldn't deny that there was truth in Freya's words before he could speak the orb started to glow, showing that everyone had been evacuated.

Senki pulled out the orb, a confused look crossing his face, "What does this mean?"

Freya sighed as she shook her head, "Infuse some of your mana into it"

Senki closed his eyes and took a deep breath, focusing his mana and he began infusing it into the orb, as it grew brighter the air around them seemed to vibrate with energy.

"So now what, I did as Yuto asked"

Freya shook her head, unsure of what would happen next, they waited for three minutes before hearing a giant eruption.

Everyone looked for the source of the noise before someone pointed out the place they were before

A giant hole was made, from the deepest part of the cavern, Freya kept starting, hoping that it was already over, before seeing Yuto in dark armor being launched into the air by the giant demon.

Her eyes widened in horror, the demon was far larger than anyone had expected, it felt that it was towering over them like a mountain, such a monster was sealed for a reason.

Senki's expression was grim, his eyes narrowing as he took in the sight of such an enormous demon, "That demon, is far larger than anything I have ever seen in my lifetime"

It stood at the center of their courtyard, its mass was so ridiculous that its shadow covered them, it let out a giant roar that felt like it was about to burst their ears.

The ground trembled beneath their feet as it seeming took a step on Yuto, Freya could not believe such a sight.

"Yuto!"

Senki's voice was surprisingly filled with concern and worry, "Is he.. Is he going to be okay?"

Freya spotted Yuto's body just a few feet away from the demon's foot, he seemed limp and unresponsive, fear started to grip her heart as she could only watch and do nothing.

She tried to run back to the teleporter before Senki grabbed her arm, "Freya, where do you think you're going!?"

"Father, I have to help him!"

"No, you must stay here, do you see that thing? Do you understand how dangerous that thing is? It sent Yuto flying!"

"I wouldn't dare look your mother in the eye if something happened to you!" His voice was filled with fear and worry

"Father, I can't leave him to die, I would never forgive myself"

It took a moment to let her words settle in, "... Fine but you must be careful, you hear me!?"

"The instant something goes wrong I want you to come back here immediately!"

Freya nodded, "I will be careful," she promised him, her voice was steady despite the fear creeping up her spine as she heard the sound of fighting.

She ran to the teleporter and was gone in an instant.

Senki looked at the ongoing fight, and hit himself, "Oh Goddess Fern, please protect my little girl"

Now, what exactly happened before Freya and Senki's argument? And what led up to the fight between Yuto and the Demon?

- Twenty Minutes Before -

"Ring of Ernaline," Yuto's dark armor enveloped him, his red scarf shiny brightly, symbolizing the victory he imagined

Mizuki appeared in her physical form, looking at the giant oak door, "Yuto, are you sure you can stop this demon, I know we grew stronger but still it's a pretty big risk"

Yuto stood for a second, with his helmet on it was somewhat hard to tell how he was feeling but because Mizuki was connected to him, she could feel two current emotions.

Fear and Excitement

Just because he had the system and two years of training under the Sword Saint, didn't automatically make him the strongest, he still had so much to learn, so much to master, but so many lives were now resting on him, and it felt-

Lonely

Pressuring

["Is this how my father felt?"]

"I don't know, but it doesn't matter, I do what I must because it is right, and because I want to see the two of you in a wedding dress" 

Mizuki blinked, before looking down and laughing, "That is so you but know this, I am always going to fight alongside you"

"I know, and I'm thankful for that, honestly I am a bit scared, despite getting stronger, all I can do is put up a brave front"

"Status window"

Yuto Akimitsu 

Title: Youngest Demon Prince

One-Sided Slaughter Victim

First Blood

Fallen Knight

Disciple of the Sword Saint

Class: Prince of Darkness

Level: 155

Stats: Strength 350 (1050) / Speed 160 / Agility 160 / Defense 250 (1000) / Health 1555 / Mana 780 (1000) / Mentality 1500 / Stamina 5000 

Passive: Grace Healing

Blacksmiths Blessing

Cold-Hearted

Acting Genius 

Warriors Pride

Skills: One with Blade / Click to see more

Martial Art Collection: Click to see more

"Oh, did you level up?"

"It seems killing the demons outside did have its merits, but Mizuki"

"What's wrong?"

"About the first fragment we absorbed, the memory that played, can you explain the details again?"

"There was a battle…Elf Warriors fighting against hordes of demons, they were outnumbered, but they fought with everything till a hero appeared"

"The battle was in an elf village, so why is it now an elf kingdom?"

"Hmm…you're right, the memory was located in an elf village but now it's a kingdom. Time must have passed between the memory and the present"

"But Mizuki, we couldn't have been at the elf village because it has been a kingdom for centuries, and we didn't make our contract till two years ago"

Mizuki stayed silent, the timelines weren't adding up, and a sense of unease settled in her gut. "Why…why do the timelines not match up?"

Yuto let out a chuckle, "More bloody questions than answers"

"Well I did tell you that we would need all the fragments to understand the full picture"

"Yeah, yeah you did"

Mizuki let out a light chuckle, a small smile tugging at her lips, "It seems we just keep stumbling from one question to another, huh?"

"But hey, at least we're making progress with these fragments, we did find one after all"

Before Yuto could respond, the mana ball that he placed on the floor started to glow, it seemed that Senki and the others were at a safe distance and wouldn't be caught up in the fight.

Yuto chuckled as he broke the oak door and looked at the sealed monster.

He stood at the heart of this chaos with a cocky grin, "Ready to do this!"

Mizuki smiled as she returned to her sword form, ["Always ready!"]

As Yuto released more of his mana into the seal, he started to feel the ground shake, a deep reverberation filled the air, a low growl that shook the very stones around him.

The First Seal was undone.

Shadows flickered ominously across the jagged walls as Yuto gritted his teeth, it was taking more mana than he expected

The Second Seal was undone.

Mizuki provided him with all the buffs he needed, and even Yuto began to feel the strain of not having royal elf blood.

The Third Seal was undone

The Fourth Seal was undone

The Fifth and Final Seal has been Undone

Yuto didn't have time to recover because as soon as the final seal was undone, he was not face to face with the immense demon towering before him.

Its form was grotesque, an amalgamation of everything dark and chaotic, with crimson skin stretched taut over rippling muscles and piercing, glowing eyes that seemed to devour the very light around it.

With a guttural roar, the demon swung its massive fist, aiming to finish the fight in a single hit.

Yuto instinctively ducked, narrowly avoiding the blow while feeling the air shift with its sheer force.

As the cavern trembled under the impact, Yuto retaliated, lunging forward with a swift strike.

The metal connected against the demon's hardened skin, but it merely left a shallow mark, a provocative reminder of the foe he faced

["Yuto, it feels like I just hit your uncle's arm, it feels like a wall"]

"I know, but we mustn't give it a single chance to fight back!"

Seven Sins Art: Greed x Sloth

By combining both forms, Yuto got a speed boost and began to think more rationally, as he began to study this demon.

["Demolisher is what we'll call him, did you see the hole he created with his fist!?"]

"Haha, I kinda like that, Demolisher it is!"

Demolisher snarled in frustration and whipped its sharp tail like a whip, catching Yuto off guard.

He tried to dodge, but the tail struck hard, sending him sprawling across the rough stone floor.

Pain radiated through him as he struggled to regain his footing, refusing to allow despair to take root.

This creature was a force of nature, a born destructor, and Yuto knew he had to summon every ounce of strength he possessed to prevail.

["Ugh, I feel like shit, how are you holding up?"]

"I think it broke a few ribs, Mizuki, focus on support from now on, I'll deal with the rest"

Mizuki agreed as she could hear Yuto's gasp, he was trying to hide the pain that a single strike brought him.

Skill: Dash x Accelerate

Yuto closed the distance once more, channeling his magic into his sword. The blade glowed with a blue aura.

He brought the sword down in a mighty arc, the energy surging forth like a bolt of lightning that sparked as it collided with Demolisher.

It staggered, its expression warped into one of rage and disbelief but the battle raged on; Yuto dodged and weaved.

Utilizing every skill in his arsenal, but the Demolisher's magic pooled around it, forming dark orbs that crackled ominously in its grasp.

With a flick of its wrist, the demon unleashed a torrent of shadowy energy that threatened Yuto's life, had Mizuki not guided him, he would have died.

Yuto leaped, spinning in mid-air to evade the blast, but the force of magic still grazed his side, slicing through his armor with an agonizing burn.

Blood spilled as he hit the ground hard, a reminder of the Demolisher's relentless power.

As Yuto struggled to regain his balance, the Demolisher's rage intensified. It charged forward with blinding speed, its tail swinging like a battering ram.

The impact struck Yuto squarely, lifting him from the ground and sending him crashing through layers of rock piled high within the cavern.

He felt the world spinning as he soared upward, the air rushing against him, only to hit the ground with a brutal thud, the pain was immense, radiating across his body like wildfire, but Yuto forced himself to focus.

Every breath was a struggle as he pushed against the overwhelming despair threatening to consume him.

"Come on Yuto, get it together, this isn't any different from the dreams"

Looking up from the ground, he saw Demolisher poised at the edge of the cavern, its fury now drawn to the surface world, unhindered and relentless.

Yuto locked eyes with the monstrous creature once more, a burning fire igniting in the pit of his stomach.

Regaining his footing, he charged ahead, sword held high, determination coursing through his veins.

Adrenaline raced through him as he met the beast head-on, striking with all the strength he could rally.

The cavern shook with the force of their battle, echoes of metal clashing against flesh resounding across the dark expanse.

Yuto slashed again and again; each strike earned him a response from the Demolisher—a retaliatory punch, a lash of its tail.

Pain became a constant companion, but he refused to yield to it.

"Never again will I repeat the past!"

With each blow exchanged, Yuto felt his stamina waning, blood soaking into his armor.

He had suffered bruises and lacerations, wounds that bore testimony to the brutal clash, even his red scar was ripped and torn.

But the raw energy within him surged, a reminder of the purpose that propelled him forward. He had made a promise, and a hero never goes back on a promise.

Demolisher, sensing its advantage, unleashed another blast of dark magic, spiraling forward like an errant tempest.

Yuto had to act quickly, his instincts kicking in as he spread his arms wide, summoning a defensive barrier of flickering light.

The magic erupted upon impact, the collision ringing through the cavern as the light briefly illuminated the darkness.

In the aftermath of the explosion, Yuto staggered, nearly losing his footing as the power of his magic threatened to overwhelm him.

Yet, against the haze of pain, he pressed on—daring to meet the Demolisher's gaze with fierce defiance.

It had sustained injuries too, a realization that kindled hope within him.

["Yuto"]

"Yes Mizuki, I can see, it's also hurt"

["If it can bleed it can be killed"]

"The first lesson from my uncle"

["So we mustn't lose hope, my love, for I am with you"]

"Thank you"

Yuto transitioned into a tactical rhythm, redirecting his energy and circling it around Demolisher.

The air crackled with tension, and he lunged again, feigning left before striking right.

His blade met sinew and bone, blood spilling and splattering across the cold stone, igniting an all-consuming fury within Yuto. 

The Demolisher roared an ear-splitting sound that seemed to shake the very foundations of the cavern.

It turned its rage onto Yuto, swinging its massive limbs with reckless abandon.

Yuto felt the wind from a fist as it flew past, narrowly missing him and crashing into the ground, leaving a crater beneath.

With every slash, he felt more alive, empowered by the knowledge that he could turn the tide of battle.

Momentum built as Yuto pressed forward, taking a chance to dart between its strikes 

He thrust upward again, aiming for the demon's exposed throat. The blade connected, and crimson sprayed forth in a furious arc, bright against the darkness.

The Demolisher's expression morphed from rage to shock, but Yuto couldn't pause.

The beast was too resilient—a force of nature that would only grow more dangerous if left unchecked.

"Should I ask for a bunny suit for you, Mizuki?"

["Only if you wear one as well"]

"... I politely refuse"

As the Demolisher staggered backward, Yuto seized the moment, channeling his magic into one decisive attack.

He raised his sword high, an ethereal blue light radiating from its edge. 

["Gonna use the attack Cynthia used on you?"]

"It left me a scar, remember?"

["How could I forget you were sent flying to a tree"]

The energy surged through him, he mixed the magic with his aura as he thrust forward with a primal cry, unleashing a devastating beam of energy.

5th-Tier Magic: Divine Lighting x Blue Aura

It sliced through the cavern with unrelenting force, striking the Demolisher squarely in its chest.

The screech that ensued was deafening, a sound that echoed through the very recesses of the earth, reverberating against the walls in defiance.

The collision sent shockwaves through the cavern, rocks crumbling and dust swirling in the air.

Yuto's heart raced as he felt the energy course through him, a tangible force propelling him forward.

He had struck where it hurt, but in that moment, he also felt the exhausting drain of energy.

Both were now battered, torn and bloodied—a testament to their ferocity.

As the dust settled and their surroundings dimmed, Yuto could see the Demolisher recovering, growing angrier.

What Yuto perceived as a sign of weakness ignited an insatiable fury within the creature

As its crimson eyes locked onto him, Yuto felt it channeling an overwhelming amount of dark magic, swirling ominously around it like an impending storm.

He had no choice but to summon every ounce of willpower, pushing through the fatigue that gripped his limbs.

Yuto narrowed his gaze, the world around him fading as focus narrowed to the Demolisher before him.

At that moment, he could feel the ground beneath his feet shaking as it prepared to unleash its attack, threatening to obliterate everything within reach. 

His heart thundered as he charged forward, sword raised high, each step a declaration of defiance.

But the Demolisher had other plans; a powerful sweep of its tail lashed out, forcing Yuto to roll to the side to avoid an imminent hit.

"A-a feint attack!"

The ground quaked beneath him as he regained his footing, adrenaline pumping through his veins.

"Once more, you crazy fuck!"

Skill: Dash x Accelerate

Now, exchanging blows in rapid succession, they moved like shadows, dancing across the cavern floor—Yuto's blade meeting its fists with sparks flying, merging strength against pure force.

Each clash resonated like thunder, carving the air between them, a battle of stamina and mana.

Staggering from a blow that landed, Yuto felt the warmth of blood trickling from a gash on his forehead.

Gripping his sword, he rose to face the Demolisher.

The Demolisher, now a twisted shadow of its former self, was driven not by pain but by unrelenting rage, a fire that fueled its every move. 

In the throes of battle, they exchanged blows at a speed that blurred the line between man and beast.

Their world had become a whirlwind of blood and fury—Yuto's magic igniting like sparks of fire in this dark canvas of despair.

The Demolisher lunged forward, its fist cocked back like a deadly weapon aimed at Yuto's heart.

Yuto sidestepped, narrowly escaping what would have been a fatal blow. He swung his sword earnestly, channeling every last bit of energy into his strikes.

Each hit was a cry against the cruelty of fate that had brought them to this moment.

Then, as if sensing the shift in the battle, it unleashed dark tendrils of energy from within, wrapping wildly around Yuto's limbs.

They pulled him down forcibly, and he felt himself losing control. The darkness threatened to claim him, engulfing him as he fought against its stranglehold.

["YUTO!"]

<- System ->

Your mentality is high, the host has resisted possession 

"Fuck off!" he snarled, flaring with the power of his magic, retaliating against the chains that sought to bind him.

Energy flared from his hands, cutting through the shadows, and he broke free just in time to block another swipe of its razor-sharp claws.

Stumbling backward, the ground beneath him gave way, chipping off as he sought to maintain his balance.

Sweat trickled down his forehead, mingling with the blood as he refocused his energy, igniting a fierce fire within the depths of his being.

"Mizuki"

["Yes Yuto?"]

"How low is my health?"

["About to reach its limit, are you waiting for the passive healing grace?"]

"Haha, I can't use my mana to heal, I'm relying on my passive because that bastard won't let me catch my breath" 

With a guttural growl, the Demolisher launched into the air, preparing to rain down destruction with another powerful blast of dark energy.

Yuto raised his sword high, channeling a final wave of pure magic, a fervent plea for protection and hope.

["We honestly might not make it"]

"It was nice knowing you Mizuki"

["Dummy, don't act like we might die"]

"Still, it was nice knowing you, my love"

["Acting cool even in a moment like this, dummy"]

Their energies collided with an explosive force, illuminating the cavern in a blinding light that illuminated the darkness.

Time seemed to slow as both struggled against the torrent of magic that engulfed them.

The ground trembled and cracked, and Yuto felt himself soaring into the air amidst the chaos.

But as quickly as it had begun, the light began to wane, the power dissipating into the ether as both Yuto fell into the ground, hitting the stone floor violently; a harsh reality settled in as the bright glow of battle faded.

Now, as he lay amidst the rubble and dust, coated in wounds, and breathing heavily, Yuto recognized the resilience in the Demolisher's eyes, its body battered but still fierce.

At that moment, a deadly silence enveloped them, filled only with their ragged breaths—Yuto's gaze locked with the Demolisher's as it tried to stomp him.

He managed to dodge in time and got up weakly but lifted his blade once more.

"It's not over till one of us is dead, so let's end it you damn monster!"