Cursed N Chosen

The Demon King's smile faltered for a moment, his expression unreadable. "I expect you to take your place at my side, to lead an army that will bring the gods to their knees and beg for mercy."

Kaelan tilted his head, his smirk widening. "You expect too much."

Before the Demon King could respond, Kaelan lunged forward, his shadowy scythe materializing in his hand. He cleaved through several clones with a single swing, their forms disintegrating into wisps of smoke.

The Demon King's laughter echoed through the chamber. "Yes! That rage—that power! Show me the depths of your strength, my son!"

Kaelan didn't answer. He was a whirlwind of destruction, his dark Soulfire consuming everything in its path. The clones were no match for him, and one by one, they fell to his relentless assault.

As the last clone dissolved, Kaelan turned to face the Demon King, his chest heaving with exertion. "Is this all you have?"

The Demon King's expression darkened, his amusement fading. "You've proven your strength, but you still lack control. You're powerful, Kaelan, but without me, you are without purpose."

Kaelan's eyes burned brighter, his voice dripping with defiance. "I'll carve my own path. You're just another obstacle in my way."

The chamber trembled as the two beings locked eyes, the air thick with tension. This was no longer a battle of words—it was the prelude to an inevitable clash, a fight that would shake the very foundations of the realm.

The air grew dense with tension as Kaelan's defiant glare bore into the Demon King. The dark chamber seemed alive with anticipation, shadows flickering and whispering as if eager for the impending battle. Around the pit, the Demon King's minions—twisted, grotesque creatures of darkness—gathered, their guttural growls echoing like a macabre symphony.

Kaelan's dark Soulfire raged around him, cloaking him in an aura of menace. He raised his scythe, its blade gleaming with malevolent energy. "I won't kneel to you, Father. I'll take your throne and make this dominion mine."

"Mhnnnn...is that a challenge?".The very underworld itself shook with excitement from the dark minions surrounding them.

The Demon King chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound that vibrated through the chamber. "You think yourself a king already, boy? Very well. Prove your worth. Face me, and let's see if your ambition matches your strength."

He stepped forward, his imposing figure radiating authority and power. With a wave of his hand, the ground beneath them shifted, creating a wide, circular pit surrounded by jagged spires of black stone. The minions howled again in excitement, their eyes glowing with malevolent glee as they encircled the arena.

Kaelan leapt into the pit, landing with a thud that sent cracks spidering through the stone. The Demon King descended more gracefully, his every step exuding dominance. His dark armor glinted in the faint, eerie light, and a massive blade materialized in his hand, wreathed in pulsating shadows.

"Come, Kaelan," the Demon King said, his voice a low growl. "Show me the power you claim to wield."

Without hesitation, Kaelan charged, his scythe slicing through the air with a shriek. The Demon King met the attack with a casual parry, their weapons clashing in a burst of dark energy that sent shockwaves rippling through the pit.

Kaelan attacked relentlessly, his movements fueled by raw power and unbridled fury. He unleashed devastating arcs of dark Soulfire, each one tearing through the ground and filling the air with searing heat. But the Demon King countered every strike with ease, his vast experience evident in his calm, measured responses.

"Is this all you've got?" the Demon King taunted, deflecting another swing of Kaelan's scythe. "You fight like a child throwing a tantrum."

Kaelan growled in frustration, his attacks growing more erratic. He leapt high into the air, bringing his scythe down in a devastating overhead strike. The Demon King caught the scythe by the tip, their clash creating a shockwave that sent debris flying.

"You lack discipline, momentum, control," the Demon King said, his voice dripping with disdain. "Power alone is meaningless without control."

With a sudden burst of speed, the Demon King surged forward, his blade slamming into Kaelan's scythe with enough force to send the boy skidding backward, clashing into the earthy rocks.He barely had time to recover before the Demon King was upon him, delivering a series of precise, punishing strikes and blows.

The more he was struck the more he was buried deep into the earth.Finally,after a rain of blows the king ascended back to the pit, waiting.

"Get up" He ordered.

The boy crawled out of the burrowed earth,his movements grew slower, his breathing labored as he struggled to hold up his scythe.The Demon King, by contrast, seemed unfazed, his attacks relentless yet calculated.

Finally, with a speed unlike any,the king delivered a powerful piercing blow, disarming Kaelan, sending his scythe flying across the pit as the boy spit dark blood on the king's armor.

Kaelan fell to his knees, his dark flames flickering weakly around him.

The Demon King loomed over him, the blade he had not needed for the fight,pointed at Kaelan's chest. "You're not ready," he said, his voice cold and final. "You have the potential, but you're blinded by your own arrogance."

Kaelan clenched his fists, his head bowed. "I'll get stronger," he said through gritted teeth. "I'll surpass you."

The Demon King smirked, lowering his blade. "Perhaps you will. But for now, you are nothing more than a shadow of what you could be."

He turned away, dismissing Kaelan with a wave of his hand. The minions roared their approval of the winner, their grotesque forms swaying in excitement.

Kaelan remained on his knees, his body trembling with a mixture of exhaustion and fury. The fire in his eyes had not dimmed—it burned brighter than ever, fueled by a newfound determination.

Struggling to his feet, his breaths was ragged, but his resolve unbroken. He limped toward his scythe, its dark aura pulsating faintly where it lay embedded in the cracked ground. Picking it up, he felt its weight differently this time, not just as a weapon but as a promise—a tool that would one day match his ambition.

The Demon King sat back on his throne, a satisfied smirk on his face as his minions dispersed, returning to their shadowy corners. "You've been humbled, boy. That's the first step toward true power. Learn from this defeat, or be consumed by it. The choice is yours."

The boy glared at his father, his grip tightening around the scythe's handle. "I will return," he said, his voice low but resolute. "And next time, I'll take everything from you."

The Demon King leaned forward slightly, his eyes narrowing. "Bold words for someone who couldn't even land a meaningful blow. Prove yourself to me after to them,dark Kaelan. Survive the trials ahead and show me you're more than just a weakling."

The room darkened as the Demon King raised his hand, summoning a portal of swirling shadows. "For now, I'll send you back to your companions. They're likely worrying themselves sick over your absence.I will come back for you,a surprise awaits".

Kaelan hesitated, a part of him wanting to refuse the gesture, but he knew he needed to recover, to grow stronger before facing his father again. Without another word, he stepped into the portal, the shadows wrapping around him like a cold embrace.

Kaelan stepped into the clearing where the group had made camp, the dark aura clinging to him like a second skin. His posture exuded a confidence that bordered on arrogance, and his eyes burned with the crimson hue of the dark power coursing through him. The air grew heavy as he approached, his presence casting an ominous shadow over the campfire.

Elara was the first to notice him. Relief flashed across her face, quickly replaced by concern as she saw his demeanor. "Kaelan! You're back—"

He raised a hand, silencing her. "Spare me the pleasantries," he said coldly, his voice carrying an edge it never had before. "I've returned, but not for reunions. I have plans, and you all have roles to play in them."

"The gods have freed us keeping an eye on us….a second chance perhaps." Elara added but kaelan showed no interest.

The group exchanged uneasy glances. Draven was the first to speak,he crossed him demanding audience,his tone measured. "What do you mean,roles?"

Kaelan smirked, the expression devoid of warmth. "Exactly what I said. You're my pieces in this game—a game far greater than any of you can comprehend. Pawns, if you will. Useful, but expendable."

Thorne stood, his massive frame towering over Kaelan. "What's gotten into you? We're not your pawns, Kaelan. We're your allies, your friends!"

Kaelan tilted his head, studying Thorne like one might an insect. "Allies? Friends? How quaint. You misunderstand. This isn't about camaraderie; this is about power. My power. And you… you're just tools to help me achieve it."

Orin stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. "Kaelan, listen to yourself. This isn't you. Something's taken hold of you, twisted you."

Kaelan laughed, the sound dark and hollow. "Twisted me? No, old man. This is who I've always been. That timid, uncertain boy you knew was a façade. This… this is my true self, unshackled."

Elara's heart sank as she took a cautious step toward him. "Kaelan, please. We know you. You're not like this. You care about us—you care about me."

His gaze flicked to her, and for a moment, something flickered in his eyes. Then it was gone, buried beneath the dark fire burning within him. "Care? I don't have the luxury for such trivial emotions. You'll do well to remember that, Elara."

He turned, pacing around the camp, his scythe dragging behind him and carving grooves into the earth. "We have work to do. The Demon King may have dismissed me, but that only gives me time to grow stronger, to perfect my abilities. And you—" He pointed the scythe at them, the blade glowing with dark Soulfire. "You'll help me. Willingly or otherwise."

"He's consumed by darkness…"Eira informs the group,her magic slightly resonating through the wind as she gazes upon kaelan beyond flesh.

"Yes,obviously"Kain replied.

Draven clenched his fists, his usual calm demeanor cracking. "We are not your servants, dark one. If you think we'll follow you blindly, you're mistaken."

Kaelan smirked again. "Oh, Draven, you'll follow. Not because you want to, but because you need to. I'm the only one who can lead us to victory. Without me, you're all nothing."

The tension was suffocating. The group looked at each other, a mix of anger, sadness, and determination in their eyes.

Orin finally spoke, his voice heavy with resolve. "We won't abandon you, Kaelan. No matter how far you fall, we'll find a way to bring you back. You may see us as pawns, but we see you as family. And family doesn't give up on each other especially as I and your parents never did."

Kaelan scoffed, turning away. "You can try but get out of my way, and maybe you'll live to see the end of it.Cross me, and you'll regret it."

As he walked into the wilderness, his dark laughter echoing through the trees, the group was left reeling.

Elara clutched her necklace, her tears glinting in the firelight. "He's still in there. I know it. We have to save him… no matter what it takes."

Draven nodded grimly. "We will. Even if it means facing him head-on."

Orin gazed into the forest, his heart heavy. "The Kaelan we knew may be lost for now, but he's not gone. Not yet.It seems the demon king has triggered his dark self which is what we are seeing".

The group's resolve solidified. Whatever it took, they would bring their friend back from the darkness—even if he saw them as nothing more than pawns in his twisted game.