Chapter 17 | The demon warrior

Steven and Jel readied their fighting stances as the wave of goons approached them. They both stood steady next to each other as the wave closed in on them.

"EXTREME CRAB CANNON!" Jel yelled out, releasing a pump of water from his blade.

"PUNISHING TORNADO!" Steven yelled, releasing a spinning force of wind out of his blade.

Both attacks lined up together creating a combo between water and wind. It looked like a tornado made from water.

The aquatic tornado crashed towards the wave of demons, slashing through them and killing them. Steven and Jel continued up ahead turning towards a long corridor to their right. What awaited them was a huge humanoid demon, the size of three humans. It held a big sword the size of Jel and had bloody thirsty red eyes. Demon's skins were naturally red but this one had a way darker red tone, close to black. This demon's skin also had a lot of remarkable scars all over his chest. He only wore a leather skirt wrapped around a belt.

The three stared at each other in a moment of silence until the demon spoke.

"I was notified by a cowardly demon that two human males were approaching." He said with a human-like voice. His voice was soft but deep. And its tone was quite friendly.

"I am sorry if my appearance is intimidating, I do not mean to scare you." The demon said.

Jel and Steven stood there confused, demons had the capability of intelligence and personality. And despite this demon's look, it seemed very respectful and humbled.

"Well, shall we begin our battle?" The demon said. "But first, I would like the name of you two young men."

"Uhm, my name is Jel!" Jel said with a friendly expression.

"Mines Steven," Steven said. "Let's begin."

"How unique," The demon said. "I hope this battle proves you two worthies of meeting my Boss."

The three went into their fighting stances. Preparing the fight. Meanwhile, Hiroshi burned the wave of goons blocking his path and entered a corridor on his left. What awaited him was a Samurai in blue-plated armor with his back turned on Hiroshi.

"Well, I didn't know there was another Samurai in this district, I wouldn't necessarily call a Samurai a traitor." The Samurai said.

"Was that supposed to be an Insult?" Hiroshi asked.

"No, but with that Masakari, you've already proved you've strayed far from the path of being a Samurai." The Samurai responded.

"And what's wrong with a Samurai wielding an Axe?" Hiroshi asked.

"Nothing, but if I were you, I would've gotten a Katana." The Samurai stated.

"Don't judge me by appearance, I am no Samurai," Hiroshi said readying up his Axe in a fighting stance.

"How disgraceful," The Samurai said turning around. "I'll do the favor of removing your soul from your body using this katana." He added unsheathing his katana from the sheathe on his belt. The katana let out a blue fiery flame as the Samurai stepped into his fighting stance.

"What's your name?" The Samurai asked.

"It's Hiroshi," Hiroshi said. "Hiroshi Akayama."

"Well Hiroshi," The Samurai replied. "Mine's Hatori, Hatori Senju."

"And I won't let you pass," Hatori said with a serious tone.

Bryan instantly took down a wave of goons and demons using his crystal ability. But it wasn't enough as more backup kept coming towards them, not letting them proceed down the corridor. Word already got around that there was an attack on the base. And soon enough it would get to Markus.

"Markus!" A goon cried panting from exhaustion in Markus's office. "Sir! There's an attack downstairs!"

Markus turned around with an angered expression. "Don't waste my time," he said grabbing the goon by the head. "It will become an emergency once they get to me, until then I don't care!"

He tossed the goon out the door and sat back on his throne. It was obvious that Markus didn't care until the problem involved him.

Meanwhile, Steven and Jel were fighting the big Demon. They both felt overwhelmed by the demon's strength since the demon kept sending them back every time they tried to attack. His strength was very obvious due to his buff figure. They were also scared of being hurt by his large sword since one blow from that would kill them.

"Good! Good!" The demon said. "The persistence of both of you is amazing!"

It was obvious that the demon wasn't trying hard, he was easily sending Steven and Jel back from where they started. Steven felt worried that they would run out of energy soon.

"I need to become faster! faster!" Steven thought to himself. "We haven't landed a single scratch!'

"EXTREME CRAB CANNON!" Jel yelled. Water pumped from his sword towards the demon, but the demon easily blocked it with his sword. Meanwhile, Steven took that time to aim toward the demon's waist. But the demon parried the attack by kicking steven, sending him to crash into a wall.

"STEVEN!" Jel yelled turning around. But he let his guard down too soon as the demon also kicked Jel from behind, slamming him into the same wall as Steven.

"Cmon boys, get up." The demon said. "This fight isn't over until you two die."

Steven's body felt weak, he knew if he lost here then it would be all over. And it would also prove he wasn't strong enough to defeat Markus or save the district. But he didn't want to accept that. Steven was tired of relying on Chris. He was tired of always living in his stronger brother's shadow.

Jel felt the same, he didn't want to live under the protection of his younger sister. He didn't want to be treated like a little boy who couldn't do anything for himself. He always felt useless and defeating this one demon will demonstrate He's useful.

The two boys rose from the rubble, gripping the handles of their swords harder. With shared emotions and hopes, they were in perfect sync.

"Great, I knew you two swordsmen could get up." The demon laughed. "Now face me with all your hopes and dreams!"

Jel and Steven crossed both of their swords and started sprinting with all of their strength toward the demon. They placed all their energy and strength into the swords preparing a powerful final attack on the chest of the demon. Finally, they closed enough distance and were within the range of the demon. The demon raised his sword for a downward smash.

"STARWARD STORM!" Both of the boys screamed with all their might. They swung their swords that were glowing with intense color, towards the demon's chest, impaling an x shape right in the middle. He violently slammed towards the floor. Dropping his giant blade next to him. Both boys clung to each other for strength, dropping their blades on the floor and panting from exhaustion.

The demon grabbed his blade and used it to raise himself, but only could get on one knee, gushing blood from the wound and his mouth.

"Excellent job boys." The Demon said. "In these thirty years of fighting swordsmen, I've never seen so much power placed on one blow that has inflicted damage on me this hard."

"I was once a swordsman like you both, but my clan was brutally killed by a demon imperial." The Demon stated. "I was the only one who watched my captain and allies get slaughtered, as I clung on to dear life."

"I chose the path of a demon to become stronger, so nothing like that ever happened again." The demon added. "Now, you two have defeated me fair and square, you may end my life now."

Steven struggled to hold himself up, but he continued stumbling toward the demon, finally standing right Infront of him.

"What's your name?" Steven asked. "You never told us."

The demon's eyes widened; his expression was surprised. But then he gave a warm smile.

"It's Klien, Klien Shin." The demon said. "Thank you for showing me the taste of defeat."

Steven rose his blade and aimed it toward the demon's neck. He slashed through it with great speed. Giving the demon, a fast respectful death.

"Jel, let's hurry!" Steven said.

"Right!" Jel said following Steven who was sprinting down the corridor, leaving the demon's corpse behind. Jel couldn't help to stare back, but he faced forwards again, continuing forwards.