Leviathan walks into the room with a commanding presence, the flickering torchlight casting shadows that dance across the walls. He greets Azire, Belial, and Maya with a nod, the weight of his authority palpable. "Belial, Maya, train well," he instructs, his voice steady and confident, as he gestures for them to leave. They exchange glances, eager to prove themselves, and step out of the room, leaving Azire alone with the fallen angel king.
Leviathan leans against a grand table adorned with ancient scrolls, maps of the demon realm, and glowing crystals that pulse with an otherworldly light. "So, Azire, what dreams do you have for the demon population?" he asks, his piercing gaze fixed on the young demon king.
Azire takes a deep breath, the gravity of the question settling over him. "I wish to restore them as a great power and maintain it. And… I want to kill Queen Ara," he states, his voice steady but laced with determination.
Leviathan nods thoughtfully, a glint of approval shining in his eyes. "I shall help you get there, Sir Azire. But first, we must master dark magic. As a demon—and especially as the demon king—your dark magic is incredibly potent." His tone becomes serious, the atmosphere thickening with the importance of what is to come. "However, to truly master it, you need to make a contract with your inner demon. Every demon has one, but the demon king's inner demon is the strongest and the hardest to control."
Azire listens intently, his heart racing with the weight of this revelation. He nods and sits down, closing his eyes to meditate and connect with the dark essence within him.
As Azire enters his meditative state, the scene shifts to a training ground where Hollie practices her swordsmanship. Her movements are swift and precise, beads of sweat rolling down her forehead as she focuses on her footwork and strikes. Each swing of her sword is filled with intent, her determination to improve evident in her furrowed brow.
Suna stands in a nearby magical field, her arms raised as she channels her energy. Wisps of shimmering mana swirl around her, growing brighter with each passing moment as she boosts her magical capacity. The air crackles with energy, her concentration unwavering.
Meanwhile, Belial and Maya train together, their movements synchronized as they work on their link attacks. They flow through the exercises effortlessly, a testament to their bond as siblings and fighters. Each strike and parry is accompanied by shouts of encouragement and playful banter, showcasing their deep connection.
Back to Azire, the atmosphere around him shifts as a deep, dark aura begins to radiate from his body, swirling ominously. Leviathan observes with a mix of amusement and anticipation, his own golden aura shimmering around him as he remains unfazed by Azire's energy.
Inside Azire's mindscape, he finds himself in a shadowy realm filled with swirling darkness and flickering lights. Suddenly, he is ambushed by shadowy figures that launch dark circles toward him. Instinctively, Azire summons a barrier, but the attacks break through, sending him crashing to the ground.
Determined not to falter, Azire stands tall and charges toward the dark figure at the center of the chaos. The being, cloaked in shadows, possesses red eyes that seem to pierce through the darkness. "Your body is in mine, so stop retaliating," it declares, its voice echoing ominously.
Undeterred, Azire gathers his strength and summons a demon orb, mirroring the creature's actions. They launch their attacks simultaneously, but Azire enhances his orb with the magic from his eye, allowing it to surge forward with greater power. The inner demon, annoyed by Azire's tactic, catches the orb before it can reach him, floating down with an air of disdain.
"You cheated," the inner demon accuses, its tone dripping with defiance.
"I did no such thing. I won, which means you're under my control now," Azire retorts, a triumphant smile spreading across his face.
The dark aura that enveloped Azire retracts back into him, and in a flash of energy, the inner demon takes on a smaller form, landing on Azire's shoulder. "You still haven't named me," it states, its voice a low murmur.
Azire grins, the tension easing as he contemplates the name. "You shall be named Cocobeal," he announces, and Cocobeal nods in acknowledgment before dispersing into a cloud of dark mist, ready to be summoned when needed.
As the training continues outside, Uno walks through the bustling city streets, his expression serious. The air is thick with anticipation as whispers of revolution circulate among the demon populace. He navigates the crowded alleys, eyes scanning for those who share his vision.
In a dimly lit alley, Uno approaches a gathering of individuals who wear similar attire—straw hats and dark cloaks. Each member shares a distinctive tattoo hidden beneath their headwear, signifying their allegiance. Suddenly, a hooded figure steps forward, commanding the attention of the crowd.
"The revolution starts tonight, my people!" the figure proclaims, his voice resonating with authority. "We have been weak and silenced for too long! Our king is oblivious to this world, and he will remain so until a tyrant takes over. People discredit tyrants, but civilizations thrive under their rule. It's time to awaken!"
The crowd erupts in cheers, a wave of fervor washing over them as they rally behind the revolutionary spirit. As they prepare to leave, a dark figure materializes at the exit, causing the atmosphere to shift dramatically.
"I hope you aren't about to cause trouble in my kingdom," Leviathan states, his voice smooth yet laden with menace.
The hooded man gasps, recognizing the king. "THE KING!" he exclaims, panic setting in. But before anyone can react, Leviathan raises his hand, and with a sickening crack, the man's head bursts apart, sending blood splattering against the alley walls.
"Boring," Leviathan muses, a smirk playing on his lips as he surveys the frightened crowd. "Do we have a problem here?" His dark aura expands, casting a shadow that seems to swallow the light, making the bystanders cower in fear.
All except Uno, who stands defiantly amidst the chaos, his expression unwavering. "Don't cause Azire any trouble," Leviathan warns, his voice cold and threatening. "I don't want to hurt him by killing you, but the moment Azire doesn't care, I'll decapitate you like the lifeless pig you are."
With that, Leviathan vanishes, leaving behind a trail of black feathers that flutter to the ground like dark omens. Uno watches the feathers settle, his resolve hardening. He knows that the challenges ahead are greater than ever, but he also senses that the tides are shifting in their favor, and he is determined to play his part in the unfolding revolution