Rewrite The Star

CHAPTER 29 : CREED

Night had fallen, and Atlas sat at his desk, consumed by the mystery of the demon book and the cryptic Stellaria Coetus. Frustration bubbled to the surface as he slammed his fist against the table. “There’s no connection. Nothing in these books lines up!” he growled, his mind racing in circles. "Maybe it just appeared randomly," he muttered, feeling defeated.

But suddenly, the familiar, searing pain erupted in his chest.

“Agh!” Atlas groaned, clutching his shirt. “It’s happening again... This pain... I can’t...”

He collapsed to the floor, writhing in agony. His vision blurred, darkness creeping in from the edges. Just before he lost consciousness, a silhouette emerged from the shadows.

“Don’t pass out,” the figure commanded, its voice deep and commanding.

Atlas struggled to remain conscious, gasping for air as his vision cleared. He slowly focused on the figure standing before him. “Who... who are you? And why are you in my room?” Atlas managed to ask, his voice hoarse.

The silhouette grinned, its teeth gleaming in the faint moonlight. “Is that how you greet your master?” the figure mocked.

“Nonsense,” Atlas spat back, gritting his teeth. “I have no master. I serve only myself, my father, and Keevin.”

The figure smirked, raising a hand. Instantly, the burning sensation in Atlas’s chest intensified. He gasped in pain, clutching his chest. “Argh! What are you doing to me?” Atlas groaned, stumbling forward as the moonlight illuminated the stranger's face.

The figure, reveling in Atlas’s torment, paused. The moment Atlas's expression shifted to fury, the man’s face twisted into confusion. He lowered his hand, and just as suddenly as it had come, the pain vanished. Atlas collapsed to the floor, panting in relief.

"What's your name?" the figure asked, his gaze locking onto Atlas with an intensity that made the air feel heavy.

Atlas scowled. “What does my name matter to you?”

“Brat,” the man growled. “I asked nicely. You should obey when spoken to.”

Atlas narrowed his eyes. “It’s Atlas. And yours?”

The figure’s eyes gleamed. “Are you a wizard?

“No,” Atlas said, annoyed.

“That’s exactly what a wizard would say,” the man replied with a smug grin.

Atlas, caught off guard, stared. “Hey, old man, you still haven’t answered me. What’s your name?”

“Old man?” the stranger’s eyebrow twitched.

“Really? That’s what offends you?The hell?” Atlas muttered.

The man smirked. “You can call me Creed.”

Atlas’s eyes widened as the name lingered in the air. Creed stepped forward, lifting Atlas off the ground with ease, and tossed him onto the bed. He strode over to the window, staring out over the quiet town below. His gaze drifted up toward the moon, the pale light casting eerie shadows across the room.

“I always thought wizards were supposed to be ugly,” Creed said, breaking the silence.

Atlas, already irritated, scoffed. “Is that really your first complaint after meeting me? You’re just upset because I look better than you!”

Creed turned, his eyes gleaming with amusement. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Atlas’s temper flared. “That’s it! Who the hell are you really, and why are you here?”

Creed’s grin faded. His voice turned cold. “I’m a demon.”

Atlas froze, his breath catching. “A... demon? But you look human. Are you messing with me?” His thoughts spun wildly. “A demon? Here? In my room?”

Atlas gathered himself and shot back, “If you're a demon, how did you even get into the human realm?”

Creed’s eyes darkened as he turned back to the window. “A portal opened, and I was dragged into this world. Normally, a portal only appears when a wizard completes the ritual. I was surprised when I emerged—because the first thing I saw was you.”

Atlas lunged forward, aiming a punch at Creed’s midsection, but Creed stopped him effortlessly with one hand.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen that hunter’s fire in someone's eyes,” Creed mused, his voice almost amused.

“You demons don’t belong here. I’ll make sure you regret stepping foot in the human realm!” Atlas roared, his fists clenched tight, punching Creed’s abdomen as hard as he could. The effort left Atlas breathless, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth from the strain.

Creed looked down at him, unfazed. “I am your master, remember? No matter what you do—strike me, poison me, cast whatever magic you like—nothing will affect me. But everything you do to me, will only effect you.”

Atlas collapsed onto the floor, clutching his aching stomach as Creed stood over him.