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‘The darker side of humanity, what is it?’

‘I suppose the actions deemed unlawful and perhaps evil?’

‘What constitutes evil, is it the act of violence. Animals kill for the sake of survival; they kill to eat. Monsters kill for the sake of killing, which of the two are evil?’

‘A sane individual would say monsters as they’re directly involved. If we were placed in the shoes of the prey, they’d look upon the hunters and see them as monsters, the very definition of evil.’

‘How does it affect us?’

‘It doesn’t, evil is how the strong are branded. Heroes are strong people who’ve saved their kinsmen and strive to better society. Another perspective says heroes are slaves employed to do what most cannot. A simple title of demon or witch and a person is hated. If the hero kills said hated being, he’s venerated. If ever the opposite happens, the demon is feared and treated differently. Looking back to the kill or be killed, the so-called evil did so for survival, the same as an animal. What then, are animals evil for killing?’

.....

‘A counter-argument might say consciousness is a factor.’

‘Yes, a very frail argument. Just because of the ability to think and waste time, tis though they have the upper hand in the animal kingdom. A chirping bird, a meowing cat, and a barking dog, they’re all signs of communication, inferior yes, but present.’

‘What is evil then?’

‘A title, nothing more, nothing less. Tis a world where a gentleman can be tricked by a vixen and shunned into exile. I say we do it, let’s become true devils.’

‘True devils,’ he stared the mirror, ‘-either suffer and be used as Kion, or fight and be shunned. My minds made up,’ the ring burst into a flame of which cloaked his entire person.

Lightning thundered, dirt and ash hung in the air. A rustic-stone coliseum boomed in chants and shouts. He stood in the lower levels, heavy metallic gates barred the front and back exit. The ascending seats made for ease of view. Purple-colored sky bolted lightning; every impact shook the ground.

Two loud taps opened the gates, a monstrous figure clambered with broad shoulders and muscled legs. The cheering stopped with a crash of war-hammer and ax. The beasts drooled despite the gag. The lunatic stepped into the light and snuffled; cognitive ability was less than present. It swung the weapons as if toys, Igna narrowly dodged an unwanted swing.

Lights blasted on the center-seating area, a veil covered the resident guest, “-Greetings people of Totrya!” they cheered and howled, the cacophony sent shivers, ‘-the sheer pressure of their rawness.’

“Today’s the day our Founder was coronated by the Supreme God, Kronos. He took the mantle of God-slayer and sought to vanquish evil. We were brought to serve his purpose, our kind has destroyed countless worlds, exterminated many races to absorb their lifeforce. Alas, he lost to the cowardly Zeus and his minion. Fate be damned for he bestowed his power onto another,” she pointed, the spotlights followed, “-there he is, our founder’s heir, the next king of monsters, Igna Haggard!” Applause resounded in tremors equal to the prior lightning strikes. “-We’ve met him before, though he was weak and feeble, he made a promise to become strong. He hasn’t accepted the title of kinghood. What say you, majesty, test thine might?”

He glanced to her elevated station, “-I did promise to prove myself first,” the hands made for Orenmir, “-Steward Vesper, I accept the challenge!”

The crowd went ecstatic, “-Vesper, is it wise, I don’t sense much power from him.”

“Oh Kul, dearest Kul, you don’t understand,” said she in a mocking voice, “-he’s strong, a lot stronger. Watch, he shall prove us wrong.”

“What’s your name big guy?” they faced one another, “-there’s a gag, I doubt you’ll be able to speak.”

“Majesty,” whimpered a childish tone, “-fight me, fight me, fight me,” cried it, fur-covered most of its body. A singular strap went across the chest, on it laid decorations.

‘Telepathy?’ he wondered.

“The first bout will be against our fierce competitor of last year, Leia, the weeping one.”

‘The weeping one?’ he stood on guard, the sword’s edge waited solemnly, a whirlpool of ghastly screams silenced the crowd. *FIGHT,*

The beast charged for an instant strike, it threw the ax, Igna dodged and jumped closer. It took the hammer and swung downward, the tip grazed his sword-arm, ‘-too close,’ he jumped out of position and failed to notice the ax. ‘-Behind?’ the weapon boomeranged, ‘-damn,’ *Blood-Arts: Crimson Threads,* the thumb slit and shot for the ground of which he pulled, the ax cleanly took his right ear, he fell harshly. Before it could strike again, Igna rolled out the reach and breathed heavy. ‘He’s fast for a big guy,’ blood annoyingly washed the right cheek. ‘No point in keeping cards hidden.’ *Mana Control: Purgatory Flame Variant – Sea of Flames,* pillars of fire erupted, the dusty battleground swapped for a wasteland of lava. *Mana Control: Purgatory Flame Variant: Cloak of Rah,* a cape of black and red hovered in tandem with the whitened hair. “I always want to go all out but can’t, I fear the repercussion it may have on the world.”

“Fight me majesty, fight me, fight me, fight me,” he wept.

“As you wish,” the index slid along the blade’s edge, *Mana Control: Void Flame Variant – Burnt Edge,* a pure hue associated with heaven outlined the weapon. The cloak gave fire immunity and heightened defense, the sea of flames boosted the fire affinity, as for the last spell, an enhancement to the weapon.

“Shall we?” he smirked. The beast darted with both arms swinging forth, he sidestepped and swung. The heat melted the weapon’s handle and stopped shy of its neck. It fell, defeated in a single stroke; the ear healed, the fiery arena subsided.

“Igna’s declared the winner of the first bout!” she proclaimed.

“YEAH!”

“For the second round, we’ll have a contest of marksmanship,” said she, “-please dispel the flame.” The few closest to the fight sweated bullets, a boy fell to the heat. The giant phenom returned from whence it came, the gate shut. Spotlights flash to the top, a humanoid figure leaped and landed gracefully. Dark wings retracted, “-greetings, candidate of kingship,” said the suited figure, “-my name is not of importance for now. The second bout is marksmanship, we but have to shoot as many targets as we can,” a rifle summoned out a portal of which he hoisted in utmost concentration.

‘Don’t underestimate me,’ said Igna unholstering Tharis, ‘-a shooting range, we’re quite the distance away,’ he aimed with one eye shut. A singular beep marked the start, goblins flew from one edge to the other. The adversary took no qualm in shooting, each pull of the trigger dowsed the ground in innards.

“Weak stomach?” he snickered.

“Weak stomach?” Igna kept a half-smile, ‘-let’s shoot some goblins.’ *Bang, bang,* the contest lasted a whole ten minutes. The projectiles varied in shape, size, and speed. The smaller and faster it moved, the more points they were awarded. *Beep* the score displayed a tie of which the crowd fiercely applauded.

“Good display,” said he, “-going toe to toe with an expert marksman. I deem thee fit to be the ruler,” he flapped into the skies. In the same spirit, many of the combatants jumped the gun and straight-up challenged the guest. He accepted the fights, no matter their strength, he battled relentlessly. From a portion of the crowd to the whole coliseum, the show and entertainment were worth their weight. Weirdly enough, the rush buried the thirst for vengeance. Emotions were let loose, the regret faded with each stroke and victory.

“Time for the last battle,” said Vesper. The curtains parted to show familiar faces. Demons, they leaped into the fray with murderous intent.

“Long time no see,” said Kul. She levitated, her horns shone fiercely, five dark orbs hovered in a circle at her back, “-time for us to fight seriously.”

“Igna,” winked the other, “-I hope you remember me,” he bowed.

“Yes, the demon controlling gravity,” the appearance altered as he seemed more human. “Don’t be mistaken,” remarked he, “-my face and body may match the humans...”

“You’re still a demon,” he interjected, “-I was beaten soundly last time,” he smirked, “-as is wished by the crowd, the blade sheathed, “-I won’t hold anything back.”

Giant symbols conjured around the field; the weight shifted on Igna’s side. Kul’s speed increased; a barrage of orb covered the open roof.

*Realm Expansion – Gravitas,* “-the thing with demons,” smirked the nameless butler, “-we can utilize realm expansion without the need for a domain.”

Igna buckled, the orbs rained on mercilessly, the butler used portals to guide the stray into a fixed point.

“Not that I’ll be so lax,” she teleported in his black spot, dark-colored lances rimmed by blue impaled in a single motion.

“Get back,” cried the butler, “-Rockfelt,” a square mass dropped onto his person. The aftermath of dust and sparks flew, the duo rejoined and strolled to his position. “-Did we kill him?”

“I think we might have,” shrugged the butler.

“Alas!” resounded across, *Realm Expansion: Mantia* the previous domain shattered to a distorted reality; “-I activated Mantia before Gravitas was conjured. Butler, it was a good attempt,” flickers of lights joined into a vibrant figure, “-an attempt cannot justify victory,” he casually patted their shoulders. *Snap,* the square mass reappeared as did Kul’s attack, ‘-a taste of one’s own medicine seems in order.’

*Beep,* “-the battle is over,” exclaimed Vesper, “-Igna’s proven his might by defeating countless foes.” Stronger presences laying in wait disappeared, the pleased crowd showered compliments and flowers. A press of the palm replaced the arena.

“Good fight out there,” said Vesper, “-I apologize if we were rather intrusive in the sudden invitation.”

“Not really,” he watched the purple outside, “-I was able to let loose and fight. Good way to keep the mind of things,” he spun, “-I must verify one thing.”

“Whatever you wish, my lord.”

“The battle, it wasn’t a show. I noticed the combatants were of differing races. The marksman said I had his approval.”

“Damn brat can’t keep quiet,” she snarled.

“I heard you,” said Igna, “-was that my coronation ceremony, a fight to prove my worth?”

“I expected much,” she nodded, “-we host the fight every year. Many of the overseers had, let’s say, issues. They wanted confirmation our leader was working to fulfill the promise. Hence the battle, defeating two high-level demons is impressive. They should be quiet for the time being.”

“Am I crowned as the king or?”

“We need to host a ceremony first; the battle is the pre-celebration. If it’s no trouble, would you spend the rest of the day till his majesty is crowned?”

“No skin off my back,” he smiled, “-better time now than later.”

*Knock, knock,*

“-who is it?” fired Vesper.

“Representative of the demon-tribe,” came through loudly. Her composure failed.

“I apologize for my tone,” the door opened.

“Out of the way.”