A desperate cry pierced the air as a man sprinted with all his might, his terrified gaze darting back over his shoulder to check if his pursuer was on his tail, but all he saw were yellow eyes closing in on him fast.
He increased his already fast pace, his heart thudding loudly in his chest, and looked over his shoulder again to see if his pursuer was still onto him, but he saw no one.
Just as he thought he found salvation, he dashed sharply into the nearby bush.
[Rule number one,] a voice echoed through the darkness. [Never make a run into the bushes—when you are being pursued by bloodthirsty demons.] A figure whose legs remained casually crossed on a nearby rock let out in mockery as he observed the chaos with detached interest.
The man who had dared into the bush, burst out into a clearing, his frantic gaze scanning the surroundings for a place to hide or someone to aid him. He was close to the Barrier of Wysteria, but the area was eerily deserted. Just as he attempted to move forward, the yellow eyes that had been pursuing him emerged from the darkness, encircling him.
He dropped to his knees, his pleas tumbling out in desperation. "Please, please, I have a family... please don’t harm me."
The eyes, however, remained unmoved. As they transformed into their true forms, the rest of their battered bodies materialized.
The demons’ voices rose in unison, their cries and laughter blending into an unsettling cacophony. "Your soul!" they chorused, closing in on their prey.
The man scrambled to his feet, attempting to make a break for it. But he froze mid-step, realizing one of the demons stood behind him. A bony hand clamped onto his head, and the demon’s mouth yawned open, releasing a stream of yellowish liquid that threatened to engulf the man’s face.
Just in time, a stone hurtled into the demon’s mouth, halting its gruesome plan. The demon coughed wretchedly, and its companions turned to confront the unexpected person who intervened.
Their gazes locked onto the figure from earlier, standing on top of another huge rock, with four stones clutched in his hand.
He waved to them with his free hand and asked. [Miss me?]
As soon as they laid eyes on him, the demons let out a blood-curdling screech and transformed back into their ethereal eye forms. They attempted to flee in a different direction, but the figure was too quick. He blocked their path, a taunting glint in his eye.
[Were you all about to leave without saying goodbye?] he asked with sarcasm.
The eyes darted in another direction, attempting to escape through a different route. But the figure was relentless, appearing in front of them once again.
[Did you just turn away from me?]
The eyes began to move back, emitting pitiful sounds that resembled pleas or cries. The figure raised his hand, pointing at the demons with his index and middle fingers. The cries of the demons intensified at the mere movement of the figure’s hand.
With a swift motion, the figure separated his middle finger from his index finger which were clasped together. The demons’ cries reached a fever pitch before they suddenly burst into dust, leaving behind a faint cloud of particles.
The figure dusted his hands, a dismissive gesture, and turned to the man still cowering on the ground. The man’s eyes widened in gratitude as he scrambled to his knees, bowing deeply.
"Thank you! Thank you, my hero!" he exclaimed, repeating the phrase like a mantra.
But the figure’s didn’t look pleased.
[Hero? Please, ] he snorted. [Some of us were born to be greater.]
He motioned for the man to rise, and the man hesitantly obeyed, his eyes still shining with gratitude.
[You’re going to help me get the barriers open so I can get in, ] the figure stated, his tone brooking no argument.
The man’s eyes widened in alarm. "I-I cannot do that," he stammered. "That’s why I’ve been stuck out here, chased by demons."
[Of course you can’t. You’re half-demon now, thanks to the dark magic consuming your soul. But perhaps you know how to bypass the barrier?]
The man shook his head fervently, and the figure’s expression turned glacial.
[Well, then, ] he said as he inched closer to the man. [You are of no use to me.]
With a swift, deadly motion, the figure reached into the man’s chest and ripped out his heart. The man’s eyes went wide, his face pale, before he crumpled to the ground, lifeless.
As the man’s body hit the earth, the Wysteria barrier began to rise.
The figure’s eyes gleamed with delight.
[Who knew it takes heart to get in?] he quipped, a cold smile spreading across his face as he stepped through the opening barrier.
Though he knew it wasn’t the heart that had granted him access, the figure couldn’t help but feel a twisted sense of satisfaction.
***************
Few hours earlier
Octavius coughed up blood as another knuckle struck his cheek. His sparring partner and friend, Thorne, grinned sadistically. "I draw the first blood, so I win!" Thorne jeered.
Octavius wiped the blood from his lips before taking a napkin from the stand to wipe off his sweat. Thorne did the same, his grin still plastered on his face.
"That’s because I was distracted," Octavius muttered as his gaze darted around the few people watching them. They gave him suspicious glances, whispering to their companions.
Octavius ducked his head, and scanned the ground not wanting to meet their gaze.
He knew what they were whispering about. The rumors had been circulating for weeks, and Octavius had grown accustomed to the wary looks and hushed conversations.
Thorne chuckled and clapped Octavius on the back.
"Well, rumors or no rumors, you’ve always been the center of attention. Take it in stride, like you do when women fawn over you."
Octavius made a weak attempt to grin but he could only muster a grimace.