16. Darizus

16

DARIZUS

I hold Narina close, feeling her tremble against me. Her scent invades my senses—fear mixed with the alluring fragrance of her skin. The urge to keep her in my arms, to shield her from harm, is almost overpowering. But I know what must be done.

"Stay here," I command softly, meeting her wide, terrified eyes. I brush a strand of hair from her face, my fingers lingering on her cheek for the briefest moment. Her skin is warm, her pulse racing beneath my touch.

I force myself to let go, stepping away from her. Rage simmers in my veins as I turn to face the vile demons stalking towards us. Their twisted, grotesque forms would terrify any human—but not me. I am Dazirus Kal'Vareth, a noble demon of the highest order. These vermin will pay for daring to lay their filthy claws on what is mine.

"Speak your names," I say, my voice dripping with disdain, "so I know who I am sending to Oblivion."

The feral demons, initially startled by my arrival, now regain their bravado. Their twisted forms shift and writhe, a grotesque display of misshapen limbs and razor-sharp claws. I feel Narina's fear radiating behind me, but I stand firm, my own rage building with each passing second.

One of the demons, its face a nightmare of protruding fangs and glowing eyes, steps forward. Its voice is a guttural growl, scraping against my ears like rusted metal.

"We will not be cowed by a soft noble who lives in a city like men do. We are true demons who live for the slaughter."

The audacity of this creature ignites a fire in my chest. How dare they presume to know me, to judge my worth based on where I reside? I am Dazirus Kal'Vareth, a name that should strike fear into their pitiful hearts.

I speak an arcane word, the syllables rolling off my tongue with practiced ease. The air around my hand shimmers, and suddenly, my Vorpal Blade materializes in my grip. Its obsidian surface gleams in the dim light, hungry for blood.

"I see. Ironic, then that you will die for the slaughter as well,” I say. “And you will die nameless and forgotten, as is fitting of your lot.”

One of the demons lunges at me, its claws swiping through the air where I stood moments ago. I dance gracefully away from the assault, a smirk playing on my lips. The creature roars in frustration, its eyes burning with fury. It attacks again, and again, but each time its claws meet only air. I'm a shadow, always just out of reach.

"Come now," I taunt, my voice smooth and mocking. "Is that the best you can do?"

The demon growls, its attacks becoming more frenzied, more desperate. But it's no use. I'm a noble demon, born and bred for battle. This creature is nothing more than a wild beast, all instinct and no skill.

I watch its movements, waiting for the perfect moment. And then, with a single, precise strike of my Vorpal Blade, I end the dance. The sword slices through the demon's flesh like butter, the obsidian blade glowing with satisfaction.

I drop my guard, a conjured cloth appearing in my hand. I wipe the blood clean from my blade, my movements slow and deliberate. The demon reaches out as if to attack me again, but instead, it falls into two pieces, blood and intestines writhing out like a mass of worms.

"Now you're completely beside yourself," I quip, a chuckle escaping my lips as I watch the creature's remains twitch and spasm on the ground. I turn to the other demons, my eyes gleaming with challenge.

I turn, my satisfaction at dispatching the first demon quickly evaporating. The second feral creature has Narina in its grasp, using her as a shield. My blood boils at the sight of her terrified face, her body trembling against the demon's grotesque form.

"Hand over the sword," the demon snarls, its claws digging into Narina's flesh.

I keep my expression neutral, though inside I'm seething.

"Let go of her first." I demand.

The demon's laugh is a harsh, grating sound.

"I think not,” he says “you noble fool."

I consider my options, my mind racing. I can't risk Narina's safety, but I'm loath to give up my weapon.

"Very well," I say smoothly. "We'll trade at the same time."

The demon hesitates, its beady eyes narrowing with suspicion. Finally, it nods.

I approach slowly, my grip on the Vorpal Blade loosening. The demon pushes Narina towards me, and I catch her in my arms, inhaling her scent mixed with fear and relief. Simultaneously, I release my hold on the sword.

The feral demon snatches it up, a triumphant gleam in its eyes.

"You fool!" it cackles. "Now I'll cut you in half with your own sword, and take your woman for my slave... for as long as she lasts. I tend to wear them out rather quickly."

I stand there, unmoving, my face a mask of indifference. Inside, however, I'm smirking. This creature has no idea what it's dealing with.

The demon's triumph turns to confusion, then anger at my lack of reaction. It lunges forward, swinging the Vorpal Blade in a wild arc. But something's wrong. The sword trembles in its grasp, refusing to obey. Suddenly, it twists, seemingly of its own accord.

In a flash of obsidian, the blade slices through the air and through the demon's neck. Its head topples to the ground, followed by its body.

I step forward, plucking the Vorpal Blade from the air. I wipe it clean on the demon's corpse, a smirk playing on my lips.

"Some people should know to quit while they're still a head," I say.

I turn to face Narina, my victorious smirk fading as I see her wide-eyed expression. The shock in her eyes hits me like a physical blow. Suddenly, I'm acutely aware of the blood dripping from my blade, the dismembered bodies littering the ground around us. The thrill of battle evaporates, replaced by a cold, sinking feeling in my gut.

What have I done? In my rage to protect her, I've revealed the darkest, most brutal side of my nature. The side I've always tried to keep hidden from her. I search her face, hoping to find some sign of understanding, of acceptance. But all I see is fear and revulsion.

My heart twists painfully in my chest. Of course she's disgusted. How could she not be? I've just slaughtered these demons without a second thought, reveling in their destruction. To her human sensibilities, I must seem like a monster.

A chill runs through me as I realize I'm still in my true form. My wings are spread wide, my horns fully extended, my skin covered in scales. I'm every inch the demon I truly am, no longer hiding behind my more human-like appearance.

I look down at my blood-stained hands, then back at Narina. The horror in her eyes is unmistakable now. She sees me for what I really am - a creature of darkness and violence, so far removed from her world of light and humanity.

Shame and self-loathing wash over me. I turn away, unable to bear the weight of her gaze any longer. My voice comes out rough, filled with bitterness and regret.

"Don't look at me,” I say. “I'm a monster."

I stand frozen, shame and self-loathing coursing through me. But then, Narina's gentle touch on my face startles me. She turns me to face her, and before I can process what's happening, her lips press against mine.

For a moment, I'm paralyzed. My mind reels, unable to comprehend this unexpected tenderness. But then, as if possessed by a will of its own, my body responds. My arms encircle her, pulling her close. I melt into the kiss, losing myself in the softness of her lips, the warmth of her body against mine.

In this moment, all my doubts and confusion evaporate. The truth hits me with the force of a thunderbolt - I love her. It's not the contract, not the necklace. It's real, raw, and overwhelming.

We break apart, both breathless. Without a word, we make our way back to the estate. Blood still stains my clothes and skin, a stark reminder of the violence we've just escaped. We walk in silence, but there's a new tension between us - an unspoken understanding that everything has changed.

Inside the mansion, we head straight for the bathroom. I turn on the shower, watching as the water runs red, washing away the blood from my body. Narina steps in with me, her arms wrapping around my waist. Our bodies press together under the warm cascade, and I feel a surge of emotion so powerful it nearly brings me to my knees.

I can't hold back anymore. Looking into her eyes, my heart pounding so hard I'm sure she can hear it, I finally speak.

"I thought I lost you today," I admit, my voice rough with emotion. "I can't... I can't bear the thought of losing you."

Narina remains silent, her gaze steady as I pour out my heart.

"The contract... none of that matters,” I say. “I love you, Narina. I don't care if I'm a demon and you were once human. I want you by my side. Forever."

She looks up at me, her eyes glistening with tears.

"I'm already bound to you," she whispers. "Forever."

Our lips meet again, and this time, the kiss is filled with promise, with a future I never dared to imagine.