The Angel Fell Twice

Chapter 8. The Devil, Ragnar

Sounds of protests from members filled the room, before a loud explosion erupted, sending Marina crashing back.

The room filled with the sounds of confused murmurs before a deafening explosion erupted, sending Marina sprawling to the ground.

"Marina!" Eleanor gasped. Two large, fiery eyes blazed to life within the cell. A figure, wreathed in red embers and possessing demonic wings, emerged from the darkness. The iron bars behind him, glowing with searing hot handprints, suggested his monstrous strength. His muscular and scarred form was partially covered in tattered bandages, his black trousers and boots the only intact clothing. His face was entirely obscured by bandages, save for those piercing red eyes. As he advanced, chains clattered ominously, cuffs binding his limbs. He knelt before Marina, their eyes locking. "What an intriguing thing... An outsider, like me." he spoke in a deep tone.

Marina groaned, struggling to her feet. "Marina!" Isabel hurried over, helping her rise before turning to face the creature. "What manner of beast is this?" Marina murmured.

"Stand back, Marina!" Arthur commanded, his voice a beacon of authority amidst the chaos. He reached out, steady and sure. "Return to the abyss whence you came, Ragnar!" a guild member bellowed from a distance, his voice echoing through the stone coliseum.
"Who is this creature?" Marina gasped, her eyes wide with shock.
"He is one of the dread triad of Stormfell," Arthur explained, his voice a low rumble. "A powerful demon who revels in tormenting us. Despite our best efforts to conceal our base..."
"I ALWAYS FIND YOU!" Ragnar roared, materializing with a dark flash before Isabel, who screamed and stumbled back. Marina slid to the side, drawing her sword as she took cover beneath a stone arch, ready to defend her commander. Ragnar's eyes scanned the rows of coliseum seats, now filled with enraged guild members, their weapons gleaming and pointed at him. "Now, which of you shall be my victim today?" he sneered, his smile a twisted parody of joy. He turned to Isabel, raising a clawed fist, poised to strike. But before he could, Marina darted forward, her sword narrowly missing his arm. He dodged back, his eyes locking with hers as she stood her ground.
"You..." Ragnar growled, his voice dripping with malevolence. "You shall be the one to entertain me... Marina." His sadistic smile widened just as Arthur appeared beside her in a blur.
"Begone," Arthur snarled, his voice a growl of pure menace.
"Really, I'm hurt..." Ragnar mocked, his tone playful and deadly. "I only came to enjoy a fight or two. Since you're keen to display your finest warriors..." His horns extended, a grotesque transformation, as he licked his lips, eyes fixed on Marina. With a brutal punch, he sent Arthur sprawling.
In an instant, every guild member unsheathed their blades, the air humming with the sound of steel. Ragnar rose, surveying the armed coliseum. He scoffed, turning his gaze to Isabel, who stood protectively before Marina, her sword trembling slightly but held firm. His glare flicked between them before he laughed, a sound devoid of joy, and with a snap of his fingers, the torches flared to life. "We shall meet again... just us two," he chuckled darkly, before vanishing into a cloud of smoke.
Marina remained frozen, the reality of what had just transpired sinking in. "A demon... That was a demon..." she whispered, her voice barely audible over the worried murmurs of the crowd.
Arthur, his face etched with fury, approached her. "Are you alright?" he asked, his voice softer now, concern breaking through his stern demeanor.
"Yes..." Marina replied, though her voice quivered slightly. Arthur sighed deeply, turning his gaze upwards to the announcer's podium, nodding with grave determination.
"My people... The tournament is concluded. Prepare our warriors to face this demon and his brethren. We shall vanquish them ONCE AND FOR ALL!" Arthur's voice rang out, strong and unwavering.

That night, Marina could not sleep a wink.

It was the first time she had stared into the eyes of a demon... And within her, it awoke fear, the disgust of realizing a horrible object exists in the same reality...
She had her final fight against a finalist knight, losing almost immediately. Marina had kept spacing out in the middle of the fight, staring at the colosseum cages.Eventually, she yielded, deep in thought. Arthur sighed, shaking his head.

The next day, the awards were granted at the center of the colosseum, a large rock podium was built in under a day. At first place of the Valiant Souls tournament, the announcer called Isabel to receive a golden trophy which was a figurine replica of herself bearing a sword, with her name encrusted on the base underneath it. At second, Ren, with a silver similar trophy, the centerpiece a replica of him. Marina was third, receiving a smaller bronze figure trophy. Next, Isabel was fully healed, receiving her fourth place reward beside the fifth place winner: Logan, the teleporter man Marina had faced. They each received a golden medallion.

"Henceforth, I declare you part of the Prime, an elite group of fighters closely serving Arthur on missions to come." a royally-clothed knightman commander declared. Amidst deafening applause, Marina gazed up at the shining lights. The commander continued, "You henceforth swear to die in the name of justice, for without justice... There would be nothing. Protect those weaker, with your brave souls, you can conquer all."
Looking down at the trophy, she felt empty. Sebastian wasn't here to share the victory with. Nor her mother, old friends, family... Gone.

Arthur stared down at her saddened gaze, watching her with a look of concern. Isabel approached, her expression impassive. "Congratulations, Marina," she said, her voice devoid of warmth or enthusiasm, "Although you were not focused. I expect better from you in future trainings, or will you let your fellow soldiers die due to distraction?"
Marina glared up at Isabel, feeling a surge of frustration. Without another word, she stormed off, finding a nearby lake.