CHAPTER: CLADER'S DOWNFALL AND THE RISE OF HOPE
The room was dimly lit, burning with the eerie green flames of demonic energy. One of the twin demons floated down, holding Clader's unconscious and monstrous body with one arm as though it weighed nothing. With a terrifying calmness, the demon gently laid Clader down on the cold, stone floor of the ritual chamber. His once-mighty presence now looked broken, fragile—barely alive.
Footsteps echoed slowly.
Caleb, tall, regal in black robes stitched with red infernal runes, approached the still form. His eyes glimmered with the power of ages and betrayal.
"Your time of service," Caleb said coldly, his voice sharp as a blade, "is over."
Without hesitation, he raised his hand and brought it down in a searing demonic strike. A beam of darkness lit the entire chamber as it struck Clader's chest, causing a burst of energy that rippled through the ritual room like a miniature storm.
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SLAYERS HEADQUARTERS - A CRUCIAL MEETING
Lucien's boots echoed against the polished marble floor of the Slayers Headquarters as he walked through its grand halls—his armor scratched, his fists still trembling with fury. He approached a door secured with high-tier Slayer seals, opened it, and entered.
Inside, Kael and Nova sat on either side of a man dressed in a smooth charcoal suit, calm and composed, his long silver hair tied behind his head. This was Mirage, the illusion specialist, known for turning hopeless battles into victories.
Lucien approached and gave a brief bow. "Thank you for saving Kael and Nova back there. Your illusions gave us enough time to breathe."
Mirage smiled humbly. "It's not every day one gets to toy with twin demons. But this is only the beginning. The aura they released… something darker is stirring."
Kael added, "It's like they weren't trying to win—they were buying time."
Before they could dig deeper, the room's tension tightened as the door opened again. Oroto, the elderly leader of the Slayers, entered, his white beard flowing like river foam, his eyes sharp.
"Lucien," he said sternly. "I'd like a word."
Lucien nodded and followed him out.
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RITUAL ROOM - CLADER AND METRO
The ritual circle was massive now, filled with ancient carvings pulsing like a heartbeat. Metro lay tied beside his father, Clader. The nine high-ranking demons had taken their places around the circle, chanting ancient incantations lost to mortal tongues.
Clader opened his eyes weakly, his gaze flickering to his son. He tried to move—but couldn't. Tried to speak—but no sound came out. His entire body was paralyzed.
Caleb stepped forward with a mocking smile. "We are truly grateful to you, Clader. You've played your role wonderfully. We chose you long ago to be our master, our puppet."
Clader's eyes screamed confusion.
Caleb circled him. "Why you? Simple. Your soul was always torn—your desire for freedom from your past, your fear of loss, your anger. You were a perfect candidate. Your connection to Trayors was always there, waiting to bloom."
Another demon added, "And Metro, your son? A perfect vessel of conflict—light and dark. You forged the boy strong, and now he'll carry the fate we desire."
The demons smiled wickedly.
Clader's lips slowly curled into a smirk.
"I thought so," he whispered.
Suddenly, a whisper of words escaped his throat—a forgotten phrase known only to those who studied forbidden demonology. The chamber quaked violently. Dark-red lightning surged across Clader's body. The runes etched onto the ground glowed and then shattered.
A dark, monstrous aura exploded from Clader, pushing back several demons.
Only Sara, in her butterfly form perched above, remained calm. She murmured, "So, you've decided to use that trick. Clever… but it won't save you."
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BACK TO SLAYERS HQ - OROTO'S OFFICE
Oroto stood before a round table. With him were Clante, a muscular tank of a man, Joy, a tactical genius with calm demeanor, Lucien, and Lydia—a dual blade specialist with unmatched reflexes.
Oroto slammed his hand onto a map.
"They are moving fast. The demons plan to awaken Trayors and remove Sara's seals. If they succeed, the world won't be recognizable in days. This will bring about the final Descent."
Clante grunted, "Then we strike now. Why wait?"
Oroto raised a brow. "Because rushing in will ensure our doom. This is their trap. They've laid it patiently."
Lucien stepped forward. "No. This isn't a trap. This is a chance. Metro's still alive. Clader might be too. If we act now, we can stop the ritual and bring them back."
Lydia looked around, then asked, "But where are they? How do we find them in time?"
Oroto chuckled. "You're all so impatient. You think I'd send our best warriors blind?"
Everyone blinked.
He leaned forward, eyes glinting. "The Jerusalem City Slayer Team is already en route."
Gasps filled the room.
"The Jerusalem Slayers?" Clante repeated.
Oroto nodded slowly. "Yes. The finest hunters in our order. If anyone can retrieve Metro and survive, it's them."
Lucien clenched his fist, staring out the window.
"Then may the heavens be with them."
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TO BE CONTINUED...