Rearing Demons
Chapter 117: Aftermath

Chapter 117: Aftermath

Julian knelt silently on the cold ground, his eyes blazing with fury and anguish.

"YUR!" His roar echoed across the barren field, carrying the weight of his pain.

He stared numbly at the empty space where Yur had vanished, nothing remained except dried bloodstains on the lifeless earth. Yur was gone, and the ritual circle had vanished completely.

In an uncontrollable surge of rage, Julian slammed his fists down, shattering the ground beneath. Again and again, he pummeled the earth mercilessly, sending rocks flying with each savage strike.

His knuckles began to bleed, skin torn open as jagged stones embedded deeply into his flesh, yet the pain meant nothing compared to the torment that ripped through his heart.

Each punch reminded him of his failures.

He saw Xia’s face, twisted in agony as she begged him to end her suffering; the daughter he had to kill because he couldn’t save her.

He saw his father’s lifeless eyes, condemning him for being too late.

He saw his beloved wife, Willow, dying helplessly in his arms because he wasn’t strong enough to protect her.

All these images consumed him, tormenting him with every blow he delivered to the ground.

Julian’s breath grew ragged. His strength faltered as the earth beneath him turned crimson with his blood.

Finally, he collapsed, gasping for air, eyes staring blankly at the clouds slowly breaking apart, letting light trickle down again.

Why?

The single word haunted him relentlessly, echoing in the depths of his mind.

Why couldn’t I save anyone?

Tears blurred his vision, trickling slowly down his dirt-covered face.

I was the strongest. Nothing should’ve happened... Nothing!

His lips trembled, weakness claiming him, his limbs numb. Lying there, defeated, Julian spent several minutes just breathing, fighting against the despair.

Eventually, he stood, forcing himself upright. Stepping into the air, he rushed towards Dyranto, desperate to see a familiar face. Yet, upon arriving, his heart sank into cold dread.

It was empty. Utterly empty.

"No..."

He reached out with his essence, scanning desperately for signs of life, yet felt only silence. Panic seized his chest as he rapidly flew towards the capital of Freau.

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Elsewhere, Velmira finally arrived at the devastated battlefield where Jisvruul lay amidst rubble, breathing weakly.

"What happened?!" she gasped, eyes wide with horror. His condition was far worse than she’d ever seen before, even beyond their previous brutal assault in Zulmasharr.

"Haha..." Jisvruul laughed weakly, reverting to his human form, leaning against the shattered stone wall. His body was a gruesome sight—both arms missing, his torso bloodied and battered. Yet, despite this, a small smile lingered on his lips. "He left towards Master."

"What do you mean?" she asked urgently, fear tightening her voice. "Vru?"

"Master has gone to a new place," Jisvruul whispered softly, staring at the brightening sky. "A place where he’ll surely become stronger."

Unlike Jisvruul, Velmira knew nothing of Glythoria. Yur had intentionally withheld its existence from her, never planning on entering it himself.

"So, that cultivator just left you here?" Velmira frowned doubtfully. "Why didn’t he kill you?"

"He believed I was dead." Jisvruul’s smile turned mischievous despite his severe injuries.

"How?" Velmira asked in astonishment, carefully picking him up.

"I stopped my heart and halted all my body’s functions, even my brain," Jisvruul explained softly, a glimmer of pride in his tired eyes.

"What?" Velmira stared at him, amazed. "How did you manage that?"

"Because I’m smart," he joked weakly, though his humor was distorted by the sight of his missing limbs and bloodied body. "Anyway, let’s return home to recover. Then we’ll continue Master’s plans."

Velmira nodded, carrying him carefully. "I’ve already begun preparations."

"Good. My side finished gathering the slaves too," Jisvruul confirmed. "Now let’s hurry before that monster returns."

Hearing genuine fear in his voice, Velmira glanced at him curiously. "I’ve never seen you this frightened before."

"That guy was unbelievably strong." Jisvruul shuddered. "Even if I reach Valgath, I don’t think I’d win against him."

Hearing such honest admission shocked Velmira profoundly. Jisvruul had always been incredibly confident, matching her evenly in terms of potential.

"You can’t defeat him either," he continued seriously, shaking his head. "Only Master can, and only after he advances several more ranks."

The gravity of those words left Velmira speechless. Yur’s survival against a rank six had already been astonishing, but hearing even Yur needed multiple breakthroughs to confront Julian terrified her deeply.

"Let’s go quickly," Velmira whispered grimly, flying away at top speed with Jisvruul.

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Julian finally landed in the capital, his body tense with dread. Again, emptiness greeted him.

Even Freau’s bustling capital was devoid of life.

"No... not here too!" He frantically scanned again, his heart breaking further as reality sank in. Soldiers, citizens, cultivators—everyone had vanished.

Despair filled his veins like ice, his heart clenching painfully. He stumbled towards the castle, only to find it reduced to rubble, the majestic walls shattered and crumbled into ruin.

"YUR!!!" he roared to the heavens, his voice filled with anguish and fury, echoing through the hollow streets.

Panic surged, pushing him to search desperately, expanding his senses outward. "Someone... please be alive!" Julian’s voice was hoarse, his eyes wild with desperation.

Minutes dragged by endlessly, silent and lonely, before finally—

"LEY!" Julian’s heart leaped as he spotted one figure—a single, fragile soul in the vast emptiness.

Ley lay unconscious, trembling and broken, cradling a bloodied head in her lap.

He landed quickly, kneeling beside her. "Ley, wake up!" His voice trembled as he gently shook her shoulders.

"Ah!" Ley gasped awake, eyes wide and disoriented. After recognizing Julian, tears flooded her eyes instantly. "Uncle!"

She threw herself weakly into his embrace, sobbing uncontrollably.

Julian hugged her tightly, eyes drifting towards the head in her lap—Vilis, his gentle sister-in-law, now silent forever.

"Ley, what happened here?" Julian asked urgently, his voice shaking. "Why are you all the way out here?"

"Zhal..." she murmured brokenly.

"That bastard!" Julian snarled, assuming betrayal.

"No, no!" Ley sobbed fiercely. "Zhal tried to save us! He protected me until the end!"

Julian paused, shocked. "Then who?"

"Some man... a monster. He killed—" Ley choked on tears, trembling violently.

Julian swiftly embraced her again, holding her tightly, afraid she’d collapse from overwhelming grief. "Alright, calm down, Ley. I’m here now."

"Fren... Mom..." she wailed helplessly, shaking uncontrollably.

Julian’s throat tightened painfully, suppressing his own grief. Renri... Fren... Vilis... Everyone is gone.

"Come, Ley." Julian stood slowly, carrying her gently. "There’s nothing left here now."

"What do you mean?" Ley asked weakly, voice barely audible.

"Everything is lost," he whispered sorrowfully, eyes glazed with despair. "Xia... my Xia..." He paused, gathering himself quickly. "We must search for other survivors. Your father might still be alive."

He said this to comfort her, but his heart held little hope. The betrayals, death, and devastation—it was too sudden, too overwhelming.

He flew swiftly towards Verlont, determination fueling him. Upon arrival, he stormed directly into Hugo’s castle.

"Hugo, where is my brother?"

Hugo sneered coldly. "Dead. I killed h—"

Without hesitation, Julian flicked his hand, and Hugo’s head exploded instantly, blood painting the throne red.

"Even you, brother...?" Julian whispered softly, eyes glistening painfully. He embraced Ley tightly, flying high into the air.

"Ley, it’s just you and me now," he whispered solemnly, voice trembling yet filled with resolve. "You’re my only family left. Let’s go somewhere safe. I promise, no matter what, I’ll give you the life you deserve."

Ley sobbed quietly, her tears soaking his shoulder, as Julian carried her far. No goal, just away from the disaster.

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[Congratulations!]

[Rite of the Hollow Complete!]

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Name: Yur Ashkavaal

Age: 10

Title: Lord of Zulmasharr, Shepherd of Demons, Hero, Mortal Protector...

Demon Cultivation: Tharok

Human Cultivation: Ignited Core

Bloodline: Severed Ashkavaal

Orb: Cinerath; Severed Ashe

Demons: 4

Demon Points: 4834 (+100/Day)

Human Points: 5245 (+100/Day)

Sanity: 77/100 (>50 = Insanity!)

{WARNING!}

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