THIRD PERSON'S POV
"Demon~"
"Oh, it's you, Cyyyyyyyyyyyrus Park." Demon leaped down from the tree branch and waved at Cyrus, who showed no intention of reciprocating her friendliness. "Yaho Sa-ayru-us!"
The rain poured heavily, the trees swaying in the strong wind.
"Did you kill Joshua?" Despite the downpour and slippery ground, Cyrus approached Demon. He and Joshua had clashed many times before, but never with such finality.
Demon furrowed her brows. "That's rude. We just met again after a long time, and you're already asking me about killing someone? Shouldn't you ask how I've been?" Whenever Cyrus showed annoyance, Demon was eager to provoke him further.
"I don't care about you." Cyrus scrutinized Demon, noticing her scars, partly healed but still visible. "How did Joshua lose to someone in this condition?" He wondered to himself.
"But I care about you. How's the painting of your deceased mother that I gave you? Is it still in good condition?"
Cyrus clenched his jaw and drew his sword swiftly from its sheath. He aimed it unflinchingly at Demon, ready to strike.
Demon chuckled at the sight. Despite the heavy rain, she could see Cyrus's unsteady grip on the sword. "If your brother were alive, he'd be disappointed in you. He was talented, and yet he sacrificed himself for you."
"What do you know?" Cyrus's anger flared at the mention of his older brother, a secret known only to those within the Masks.
"I won't tell you. I'll let you die without knowing everything." Demon smirked and turned her head, just as Cyrus lunged forward with his sword.
The blade sank into a nearby tree, prompting Demon to retaliate. Cyrus withdrew his sword quickly, narrowly avoiding Demon's counterattack.
"Your rank is higher than Soliven's, isn't it? Then show me what you've got. Give me a real fight."
–
"Sir, the drone has picked up a signal nearby. Let me zoom in," a soldier reported.
The President and his council watched the large screen, where two figures engaged in combat gradually came into focus.
"What? Is that Demon? How did she recover so quickly?" One of the Elders exclaimed in shock at seeing Demon battling Cyrus. "Where are Cyrus's reinforcements?"
"They're lurking nearby, waiting for an opportunity to strike," Saphora answered the Elder.
On the other side of the room, the Second Elder watched silently, his attention solely on the unfolding duel. He clenched his fists, teeth gritted in frustration, a desire to intervene burning within him. Ethan and Kurt observed him closely, unable to discern his thoughts.
"He'll become Demon's stress toy," the Second Elder muttered ominously.
Everyone turned to the President, awaiting his command.
"Don't wait any longer. Attack Demon immediately," the President ordered, his voice tinged with apprehension. He could see Demon smirking during the fight, a sign that she didn't consider Cyrus a formidable opponent and was merely toying with him.
–
"The way you swing your sword is pathetic! Do you really think you can kill me like that? Soliven's strikes are far more potent," Demon taunted, rolling her eyes. "If Cain were still alive, he would have been the Mask, not you." She sighed in disappointment.
