Raid - Demon's will (2)

The demon's temptation was special.

No one reacted the same way during this period. To begin with, this phenomenon only seemed to touch humans, as demonic creatures were created in the first place to deal with humans.

As they died, they would release a powerful yet invisible demonic energy that would mix up with the ambient energy. The zone would then ease the development of depressing thoughts.

It was the same principle that explained why certain areas - particularly rich in energy - could make untrained people dizzy, or improve the concentration of others.

That's why the empire didn't care too much about demonic creatures. In the first place, these were the demon's pawn, and more importantly, it didn't touch them too much. It was actually the opposite as the only people that could go berserk - as long as no demonic creatures died near - were psychos.

In any case, every human would feel and heard something different. The phenomenon wasn't explained, only partially understood.

Voices would first enter their heads and urging them to make some choices. These weren't just some inner thoughts but also influenced ones. In some cases, they would even make them relive past experiences.

Sometimes the person would be corrupted by the voices, and even contract with the demons, receiving some of their strength. That's why going berserk was extremely dangerous. Though some could remain their consciousness even while berserk and directed their fury on the demonic creatures, but these were exceptions.

Furthermore, power always costs something. And contracting with the demons would definitely leave them injured. And this explained how hated was this planet.

The worst part was that the demon's voice would be reinforced by the person's current situation and emotions. So if the person connected a raid with a tragedy, it would be much easier for them to fall into depression and become berserk.

And although Alan hadn't reached that point yet, he certainly had responsibilities and regrets.

One of them dated back to the last disaster, four years ago.

- - -

The fight was almost over when the phenomenon began.

Straight away Alain's body felt heavier. He didn't even get to thought as his body started to shake. He was already imagining their defeat, even if he knew it was already won. But fear didn't just stop there.

He was afraid. Afraid of losing even more to these demons and soon his state became worse. The fear that was propagating in his body makes him afraid of fighting, something he couldn't understand.

That wasn't his mind that had changed, just his reaction. He would still want to help others, but his body wouldn't allow it.

'I can't accept that'

Alain hurriedly used his remaining willpower to bit his lips and refocus.

Only then did he regained control over his body. At this moment, his eyes began to scan the battlefield, looking at his allies. Most of them were in bad shape, sweats falling from their foreheads. Some were shaking while others had already fallen.

The demon's voice was corrupting them.

(You want to start anew? Look at your sister! She married that tyrant to save you.)

(You abandoned them! Looking at the outside world, escaping from its walls while they remained like animals in cages, at the mercy of the Gods)

(They died to your weakness !)

As they heard his voice, the people who had fallen began entering a strange dream where they remembered their past life.

Alain didn't wait and began fighting the last few demonic creatures who were exhausted. But as soon as he killed them, his emotions began shaking enough for him to hear their voices invading his mind.

(Alain, why ?) Alain skipped a beat as the demon was using Eva's voice.

Blinking his eyes, his group turned into inhabitants of Nirl.

[Influencing attempt detected. Partial breakdown of the supreme laws. the processing time required]

[Bzz! No notable infraction analyzed - thoughts being only slightly influenced. Defense created]

As Alain heard the system the demon's voice disappear along with a part of his depressing thought.

- - -

''What was this ?'' Although Alain already knew this phenomenon, his system seemed to know more about it.

[The world is big you know? I just thought he wasn't respecting one if not the most important law that has existed from the very beginning. Though it wouldn't be very likely of him.]

''Who are you speaking about ?'' Alain frowned

[Isn't it clear enough? Look at the sky, he is there]

''The sky ?'' Alain looked up only to see the same scenery.

'Could it be... the bloody planet ?'

[It's better to call him the red star.]

''Him? it's living ?''

'Could it be the same principle as the river? but is there even enough energy for such life to exist ?'

[That's not the same Principe. Objects won't ever gain a consciousness - that would be against the laws. At one time, he was a human]

''How could a human become a star?!''

[The world is vast you know? although we call him the 'red star', he has never been a star.]

[This is a God...and one of the strongest that ever existed at that. He is also known as the supreme demon, the one who brought the era of Gods.

It was said that at his peak, all the things in existence could see him. But as he left this existence with the other Gods, there are only demons left, and this world was created by their wills]

- - -

Knowledge: Even though the temptations of demons can't be cured normally - the berserk ones being the most troublesome - the church had an artifact to deal with this problem.

To clarify: 'Existence' here refers to all things that exist. What had been confirmed to be real.