Half of Henzo's face underwent a grotesque transformation, turning into a horrifying amalgamation of flesh and an abyss-like pit. Viscous tendrils, reminiscent of creeping worms, covered the rest of his face. A crimson ruby floated within the abyss, replacing his eye, and emanating an intense glare capable of killing a regular man.
Despite the nightmarish transformation, Henzo retained control of the other half of his face, struggling to maintain dominance, a testament to the internal conflict raging within him.
As the black aura seeped out and condensed around Ric, it devoured the white protective aura surrounding him with voracious hunger. Like millions of tiny maws biting into a sugar cube, the abyss consumed the protective barrier with relentless determination, leaving Ric vulnerable to the malevolent force emanating from Henzo's transformed half. The atmosphere crackled with tension as the clash between the opposing auras intensified, heralding a pivotal moment in their deadly encounter.
"This is not for your sake," Ric spat blood. "Only I can save your host if I so desire. Back down, or next time we both die. Unless you can come back to life like me, I suggest you stay down." With those words, Ric's aura erupted, enveloping the entire area.
Henzo's bond exerted its influence, coercing his parted flesh to knit together while Ric healed his cuts with minimum effort. Despite the temporary alliance, Ric's strength waned, and he fell to his knees, drained by the expenditure of his aura.
In contrast, Henzo loomed over Ric with a surge of power more potent than ever before. The once intangible black aura now turned tangible, and with relentless hunger, it devoured chunks of Ric's aura with each passing second. It crept closer, threatening to rip him into tiny bits once it reached him. Helpless and bewildered, Ric could only watch as his impending demise loomed ever closer, the once-present, ever-stubborn light of his aura fading into oblivion.
"Time for death," Ric declared with a resigned smile, his gaze fixed on the malevolent bond hidden deep within Henzo. In response, the bond mirrored his smile with an intensity of malice, hatred, and death that surpassed anything Ric had ever witnessed, sealing his fate in the darkness that enveloped him.
"Darn this body," Ric cursed, his frustration palpable as his fist pounded against the floor.
"That's enough," a much smoother voice flowed out of Henzo. In an act of defiance, he pulled back and suppressed the bond. "We are not killers," he affirmed to himself.
"What do you want?" Henzo stared at Ric with emotionless, dead eyes.
"My... my, what monster did you make a contract with?" Ric asked, his mouth filled with blood.
"None of your concern," Henzo replied, stepping away.
"Wait!" Ric vomited a mouthful of blood. "How do I get a bond?"
"You are past the integration stage," Henzo explained. "The sudden weakness is the universe pulling away the gift. Now is the right time to sleep and reach the Arcane Sanctum. Relax and let the universe guide you through the process."
Ric called it a hoax, yet he followed the process and closed his eyes. The next moment, he was whisked away into the depths of hell.
"Are you staying put to offer your assailant a second chance to finish the job?" Henzo's bond's voice grew smoother inside his head.
"I wasn't aware you could communicate inside another person's head." Henzo smiled, remaining vigilant near Ric's unconscious body.
"Don't divert the conversation with me."
"He is Mom's shield. What do you propose I do?"
"Eliminate the one who attempted to end your life," the bond grumbled. "And he isn't a mere tool spirit."
YOU ARE READING
Demon King
FantasyGood has never won over evil. At least for the people of Saint. Now fate has pitied and spun its wheel, dragging a stranger into their lands. A villain who stood at the pinnacle of evil. When all hope is lost, you remove a thorn with a thorn and Fat...
