Numaro: The Demon King's Heir

Chapter 7: "The Abyss Beckons"

The moment Numaro and Reina stepped through the portal, the world twisted and contorted around them. Darkness enveloped everything, and Numaro felt like he was falling through an endless void. His heart pounded in his chest as his feet finally touched solid ground, and the darkness receded just enough for him to see his surroundings.

The Demon Realm.

The landscape before them was a desolate wasteland, with jagged rocks and twisted trees that looked like they had been scorched by fire. The sky was a sickly, crimson red, and the air was thick with the stench of sulfur. In the distance, towering mountains loomed like jagged teeth, and a massive black fortress sat at the base, ominous and foreboding.

"This is where your father rules," Reina said, her voice quiet as she looked around, scanning the area. "The heart of the Demon Realm. We need to move quickly. The longer we stay here, the more dangerous it becomes."

Numaro took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. The atmosphere felt oppressive, like the weight of the world was pressing down on him. He could feel the darkness in the air, pulling at him, whispering to him, calling him to embrace it. It was both terrifying and strangely alluring.

"How do we find the trials?" Numaro asked, his voice shaky. "What do I have to do?"

Reina glanced at him, her expression serious. "The trials will find you. Once you set foot in the Demon Realm, your power awakens. This place will test you in ways you can't imagine. Stay close to me, Numaro. We don't know what kind of—"

Before she could finish, the ground beneath them rumbled violently, and a deep, guttural growl echoed from the shadows. Numaro spun around, his heart leaping into his throat as he saw creatures emerging from the darkness—twisted, nightmarish beasts with glowing red eyes and sharp, jagged teeth.

"Demons," Reina muttered under her breath, her eyes narrowing. "They can sense your presence. They'll keep coming until you prove yourself."

The demons circled them, their growls growing louder as they closed in. Numaro's hands trembled as he instinctively reached for the dark power inside him, feeling it surge to the surface. His fear morphed into something primal, something powerful.

"I'll fight them," Numaro said, his voice unsteady but resolute. "I have to."

Reina looked at him, her expression unreadable for a moment. Then she nodded. "I'll be right here if you need me."

Numaro took a deep breath, his heart pounding in his chest as he stepped forward, his eyes locked on the nearest demon. He could feel the dark power swirling within him, eager to be unleashed. He raised his hand, and as if responding to his will, a surge of black energy shot from his fingertips, striking the demon with a violent force.

The demon screeched, its body dissolving into smoke, but more took its place. They lunged at him, teeth bared and claws outstretched. Numaro dodged one, narrowly avoiding its attack, and unleashed another blast of dark energy, sending two more demons into oblivion.

But for every demon he destroyed, two more appeared, their glowing eyes filled with malice.

"There's too many!" Numaro gasped, backing up as the demons closed in.

Reina stepped forward, her hands glowing with light as she unleashed a wave of magic that sent several demons flying back. "Keep your focus!" she called out. "The darkness wants you to lose control. Don't let it!"

Numaro gritted his teeth, the power inside him raging like a storm. It was tempting to give in, to let the darkness take over completely. But Reina's words echoed in his mind, and he fought to maintain control, pushing the power out in controlled bursts.

He and Reina fought side by side, their powers clashing with the demonic onslaught. It felt like an eternity, but finally, the last of the demons fell, dissolving into the air like smoke.

Numaro stood panting, his heart racing. His hands were trembling, and the dark energy inside him still buzzed with intensity. He had never used that much power before, and it scared him how natural it had felt.

"Good job," Reina said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "But this is only the beginning."

Numaro looked at her, his breath still ragged. "That... that wasn't the trial?"

Reina shook her head. "No. That was just a warm-up. The real trials are much worse."

Numaro swallowed hard, his stomach knotting with fear. He had barely survived the demons—what kind of horrors awaited him in the actual trial?