Demon Sovereignty: Retake Our Freedom

[Era of Demonity] Part 62: Self Image

In this harrowing journey through the realms of his own mind, the line between reality and nightmare becomes foggy, and the boundaries of sanity unravel beneath the cyan waves of despair. Every step forward is met with the disconcerting realization that the true nemesis resides within, wearing his own face.

As the battle intensifies, each emotion shows itself and desperation weaves lines of distant echos of torture within one's soul and mind. Echoing through the corridors of despair, each confrontation with his doppelganger unearths buried traumas.

Colors within the three half-moons on God Demon Power stones; red, blue, and green, represent the main emotions of a God Demon, them being: anger, sadness, and fear, given to them by an angel. In the fourth and fifth one, yellow and orange, dwells the emotions of love and joy, provided by an archangel.

But within the sixth half-moon... 

In the bloody aftermath of a relentless clash between organizations, roughly half an hour had slipped away like sand through the fingers of time. The alliance of Atlas and the Sagakiri Family stood as victors against a malevolent force sent forth by Headliner Lucas.

Onyx stood in the middle of fallen bodies, his once unshakable demeanor now a tattered remnant. And, without a warning, Azatara materialized behind him.

"You seem more shaken than the battlefield itself," Azatara remarked, his voice a nonchalant melody as he closed his eyes and moved in front. "Is there anything wrong with the sight here? Or is there something wrong with you? Yoshida... Onyx?" The butler then gave him a bone-chilling smile, full of malevolence.  

As his vision finally came back, Onyx shook his head. His long strands of golden hair became a veil, concealing half of his face. "Enough, Azatara. Spare your concern for someone else."

Azatara just laughed it off, put his hands in his pockets, and looked downward. Then, extended his hands in a casual display. "Now, isn't this delightful? You are normally pretty chill. What are your powers... telling you? Answer me, Yoshida Ony— I mean, Lucifer!"

"Couldn't agree more," Setsu interjected with a perverse charm, materializing behind them. A wicked dagger glinted in her hands as she embraced Onyx, the blade deftly tracing lines across his throat. The dance of metal mirrored the dance of his emotions as he tumbled into the abyss of despair, witnessing the members of Atlas reveling below, dragging him into a pit of fire.

Onyx's anguished cries were swallowed by the turmoil of his very being, his tears silently bearing witness to the torment that gripped him. As he looked downward, his gaze locked with the insidious grin of Ryugan's mask, a twisted visage that intensified the unraveling of his fragile psyche.

Yes... Come right at me, failure! Onyx shall die, Lucifer shall triumph!

"I WILL KILL—" Onyx's primal scream echoed, a rupturing force that shattered the oppressive silence. His entire being was convulsed with the sheer fury of emotions.

"What's wrong with you? You are such a kid." Sagakiri Hisako approached with an air of nonchalance, seemingly undisturbed by the unfolding turmoil. "You look quite tired, Onyx. For how long are you planning to sleep?"

Embarrassment colored Onyx's features as he replied, "M—M—Me? I fell... asleep? No... No. I was not feeling tired at all."

"Well, I would not call that falling asleep at all! You got knocked out!"

SHRINE OF GODS

"Is there something wrong, angels?"