The master spy or Puss in the boot adventures

Maz-daar, the Arch Demon, Part 50

As the demon approached, Mer-Mer felt an unexplainable pull deep within him, a connection he had never fully understood until now. The swirling crimson smoke that emanated from the mark on his neck twisted around the demon like a gentle caress, drawing its attention and causing it to hesitate.

"What sorcery is this?" Nyx demanded, eyes widening with both curiosity and suspicion. "What power do you wield, creature of shadow?"

Mer-Mer stood frozen for a heartbeat, the weight of all his training and struggles crashing down upon him. It dawned on him that he had not just been fleeing from fate; he was inextricably tied to it. The shadows were not merely tools for him to utilize—they sang in harmony with his essence.

Mer-Mer felt a rush of conflicting emotions when the demon approached, its form shifting and flickering like a mirage. The instinct to flee, but a deeper part of his being made him stand firm.

The dark mark on his neck pulsed with energy, and in that moment he realized that this was no mere coincidence; he had the feeling that the demon was reacting to the ancient call within him.

"Stay back!" Vespera yelled, raising his hands defensively, but Mer-Mer's heart pounded with a strange awareness.

 He could feel power that connected him inexplicably to the demon that now towered over him in front of him. He watched it with hollow eyes filled with insatiable hunger.

Ragnar gripped his dagger and stared at the approaching figure warily. "Mer-Mer! Don't let him get close!", he warned, alarm creeping into his voice.

Latina stood ready beside Spartacus, and both warriors were prepared for battle.

 "We can't let them take you," she stressed fiercely, casting a glance at the necromancer, whose twisted smile revealed nothing but malice.

But just as the demon reached out to Mer-Mer with an elongated fingers that crackled with dark 

energy, he felt another surge from within -a warm sensation. A wave of shadows that begged for connection. Instead of fear engulfing him, he embraced him. 

"Wait..." he whispered uncertainly, feeling the chaotic energy swirling around him.

The demon stopped mid-stride, as if drawn to something deeper into Mer-Mer's essence. 

A spark of recognition flashed in his fiery gaze.

"Kyr ix ezus adruk ix'r zeda - "- the Daemon growled, his voice echoing like thunder in the 

hollow  tunnels.

"Ezus yeh adruk suka rewis ano..., " Mer-Mer in the Demon tongue.

His eyes glittered in a strange crimson-black light.

"Child of the Shadow!"

"What do you want?" Mer-Mer asked breathlessly, entranced but wary.

The necromancer's expression changed instantly, from joy to disappointment.

"No! You fool! Don't listen to him!" Nyx yelled, gripping his staff tightly. "He wants to take you!"

But Mer-Mer felt something awaken in him. Something powerful that resonated with the 

demon's essence. There was unspoken connection between them, a bond forged in darkness 

and chaos.

"I can help you," the demon said slowly, his voice deepening.

It was as if he drew strength from Mer-Mer's presence. 

"You are not like these weak ones; you have power - untapped potential."

"No!" Nyx growled in anger. "You would do no such thing! Your time is up!" He raised his staff high and summoned a necromantic energy, who charged towards the group.

Mer-Mer readied himself as the shadows swirled around him instinctively forming a barrier 

against Nyx's attack. Upon their collision with the the invading magic, an explosive force rippled 

through the hall.

Vespera took advantage of the opening created by Mer-Mer's newly acquired magic and rallied her companions.

 "We must strike now, while we have chance!" ,she turned to Spartacus and Latina.

The chaotic momentum that pulsed within them.

"Together!" Latina shouted defiantly as she threw herself at Nyx with her spear, and Spartacus 

rushed alongside her. Ragnar followed him despite his earlier reservations; with a newfound courage that burned in his veins.

Pitiful , mortal cried Nyx and raised his staff. Just as he was about to utter the curse when the demonic speech was heard again.

"Tzir ix darik tazuk ix'r keda - - The demon continued to speak, his eyes fixed on the 

necromancer. " Yek wes dor se rek!"

The necromancer tried to say something, but some unearthly force stiffened his lips and made 

him tremble in terror.

"There- ", the demon said and pointed to the tunnel. "Child of the shadows, we shall meet again!

The demon's words rang in Mer-Mer's ears as he ran into the tunnel.

" I'll see you again Shadow Child..."

"What was that?" asked Latina when everyone stopped to take a moment to breathe." For a 

moment I thought we lost you!"

"I don't know! I don't even remember anything! It's like something possessed me.."

" Another time before you turn into a demon... will you be able to...", Ragnar muttered, but Latina hit him over the head and he didn't finish.

"If you weren't  Mer-Mer you'd be a necromancer's play-doll right now, or at least a bone of...what was the dog's name...It had some funny name.."

"Pooch, "Spartacus said. 

"What happened at your last meeting...",said the Latina. "The necromancer mentioned that you ran away."

"Long story, waved Vespera's hand. I'll tell it to you some day. If we live that day!"