Velrick dropped to his knees, arms outstretched, eyes gleaming with manic devotion. "My son... my creation. I am your father, the architect of your existence."
Daemon stood frozen, the grotesque scene before him defying comprehension. The demon's third eye locked onto Daemon, while its primary gaze remained fixed on Velrick.
A soldier burst into the chamber, halting abruptly. "My king, I'm here to—" His words died as his gaze fell upon the monstrous entity. "What... what is that?"
Before either Daemon or the soldier could react, the demon vanished from its spot, reappearing between them in a blur. Nyxtriel, sensing imminent danger, transformed into her sword form, pushing Daemon with immense force.
BOOM!
The wall shattered as Daemon was propelled out of the castle. Mid-air, he summoned his aura to cushion the fall, landing heavily but intact. His hands trembled—a foreign sensation of fear gripping him.
