Chained Hearts: From Slavery to Sovereignty
Chapter 99: Demon?

Chapter 99: Chapter 99: Demon?

Suddenly, a blue flame erupted from the sheer amount of darkness, where one could not see even their hand. Slowly... slowly, the brightness of the azure flame grew and covered the entire void.

The mist that had swallowed Cassian recoiled. It hissed and twisted as the light grew brighter.

With one swift move, the dark flame sliced through the darkness. The darkness shattered with a loud crack.

Cassian stepped forward with his sword that was burning brighter than any flame one would have seen. The entire sword was emitting an azure flame.

The flame itself looked so powerful that it could burn anything just by coming close to it. But not for Cassian. It was enveloping him in its warmth and power.

Cassian came out of the darkness unscathed. But now, his eyes were filled with fury, a storm of emotions swirling in them.

The darkness that once surrounded him was gone. It was replaced by an aura of defiance. Even Teneb, who had watched with amusement, froze for a moment.

Teneb’s lips curled into a grin. His triangular eyes narrowed slightly. He spoke with a mocking voice. "Well, well," he said. "You’re full of surprises. No one has ever come back from my mist. Not once." He clapped his hands slowly. "Impressive. Truly, I’m amazed."

Cassian didn’t answer. His cold gaze fixed on Teneb. He scanned the battlefield quickly. His chest tightened at the sight of his companions.

Alistair was crumpled against the wall, barely breathing. Ivis and Orion lay sprawled on the ground, their weapons scattered. Their faces were pale and bruised. Blood stained their clothes.

The condition of the others was no different. They all lay in the same state. Even Oronik and Morren were not left unscathed by his hands.

Only Karen was moving slowly. He seemed to be conscious beside that man’s feet. But just as he moved, Teneb kicked him away and muttered, "Who allowed you to escape? I am not done with you."

Keren vomited blood as the kick landed directly on his chest. The seemingly faint consciousness soon started fading from Keren’s view, and he slumped to the ground, unmoving.

Rage ignited in Cassian’s chest, burning hot and fierce. He gripped his sword tightly, his knuckles white. The aura around his sword flared, crackling like fire.

"How dare you?" Cassian growled with full rage. The situation of his companions wrenched his gut.

Teneb raised an eyebrow. A smirk danced on his lips. "Quick to blame, aren’t you?" he said. "I gave them the same choice I gave you. It’s not my fault they weren’t as strong."

Cassian cut him off before he could finish speaking. With a loud roar, he rushed at Teneb, his sword slicing through the air with incredible speed and power. Each step he took shook the ground.

His anger burned like fire, pushing him forward without hesitation. Every swing of his sword was strong and filled with determination, as if he were pouring all his strength into every strike.

Teneb dodged with ease, his grin widening. "Oh, you’re serious," he said with a chuckle.

Cassian’s attacks didn’t stop. Each swing was faster and heavier than the last. Sparks flew as his blade clashed with the dark aura around Teneb. Teneb moved smoothly, his steps light as he evaded the strikes. He deflected with effortless precision.

"Impressive," Teneb mused. His tone was calm, his face unbothered. "That mist was meant to break your soul. Instead, it seems it has awakened something powerful in you."

Cassian didn’t reply. He pressed on, his focus razor-sharp. Each attack came with full force, cracking the ground around them. The earth trembled under their battle.

Teneb began to strike back. His movements were swift and deliberate. His blows forced Cassian to defend, their clash growing more intense. The dark aura surrounding Teneb thickened. Cassian felt its weight, his arms straining under the pressure.

"You’re angry," Teneb said, his tone quieter now. "That’s good. Anger can make you strong. But it can also blind you."

Cassian’s blade slammed into Teneb’s aura again, sending a shockwave through the air. "Shut up!" Cassian shouted, his voice filled with fury.

Teneb laughed and stepped back. He watched Cassian closely, his smirk lingering. "You’re really good to last this long. And talking about the mist, no one has ever survived that. And yet, here you stand. You should feel proud."

Cassian’s chest rose and fell as he glared at him. His breathing was heavy. "This isn’t a game," he said, his voice hard and steady. "So stop playing this bullshit."

For the first time, Teneb’s expression changed. The grin faded. His eyes turned cold and dangerous. "Very well," he said, his voice dark. "If you want to play the hero, let’s see how far that takes you."

The air turned icy. Teneb’s aura grew darker and wilder.

Teneb extended his hand toward the shadows and slowly lifted them as he muttered with an eerie laugh.

"From shadows deep where darkness dwells,

I call the beast from blackened hells.

Arise, arise, obey my will."

Teneb’s voice grew more chaotic and increasingly powerful, and the aura around him grew stronger. Slowly, the shadow around him stretched far and started rippling like a disturbed lake.

Cassian was momentarily dazed by what was happening. He could not comprehend it. But he knew whatever it was, it would never be good. He had to stop that insane man before he completed his chanting.

He gripped his flaming sword and charged at the chanting man. But just as he came closer, he flew back meters away and landed on a tree. The tree itself was crushed and fell, showing how powerful the impact was.

The man laughed as he looked at Cassian’s situation. His voice gained more octave, and soon the ground beside him moved as it became a puddle.

"Arise, arise, obey my will,

Strike with wrath, and blood to spill!"

A low growl echoed from the dark puddle, growing louder with every passing moment. Soon, from the depths of the swirling blackness, a monstrous figure emerged.

It was a grotesque beast, with a towering height and a twisted body. Jagged and shadow-like limbs and glowing crimson eyes pierced through the soul of its prey.

Its mouth opened, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth, dripping with dark, viscous fluid. The creature let out a deafening roar, its body coiling and snapping as though barely contained by the shadows.

"Do you like my pet?" Teneb sneered, his voice dripping with mockery.

Cassian was baffled as he looked at the monster that had suddenly appeared from nowhere. A hard realization dawned upon him.

"Demon?"

"You are a demon," a shaky voice left his mouth. But now his voice was firm as he knew that his speculation was right.

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