章 14: Chapter 14: It's Poine Now
"This—this is incredible!"
Walking through the corridor, having left the chamber in a trance just before it collapsed, Dolin could hardly believe it.
Looking down at his hands, he smiled a Cheshire grin.
Ultio was gorgeous.
And though nothing in his appearance had changed, he marveled at the power his body felt while holding it.
No longer was he a high-class Devil—no, his new companion gave him more than that.
Slowly, he felt his energy grow and grow:
Mid-high class, low-ultimate, mid-ultimate; in the span of just a few minutes, Dolin grew to hold power only dwarfed by the Kings of Devils and leaders of the New Satan Faction.
He could attain more—much more—but that was all his bond with Ultio would allow him at present. At least, that's what Ultio told him.
"Incredible."
Like a mantra, over and over he kept repeating it. Things he wouldn't dream of attempting, he can now do. His once unfeasible goals have become a possible reality. All because of Ultio. This sword, it was: incredible.
So distracted he was by his blade that, only after the fifth time of his name being called, did he hear it.
"Dolin, there you are! We thought you didn't make it! Thank the Kings!" shouted a relieved Andreas as he watched Dolin appear at the entrance.
There were only minor cuts on his body; nothing a spell can't fix.
"Yes, Andreas, you're absolutely right," Dolin said in a sardonic tone, making his way toward the two Devils, "thank the Kings! If not for them providing me this opportunity, where would I have been in the future? What would my position be? A subordinate? A dog on the end of someone's leash? Before, I would've become a willing dog—the best. One that never disobeyed its owner—always wagging my tail at their feet. And all for a piece of power! But now—now, my path is clear. With Ultio in my possession, the sky—no, the heavens—yes, the heavens won't dare to stand in my way."
All the while, as Dolin was speaking, by his side, Ultio was pulsing ominously; its black veins, if one looked closely, slowly writhing.
"Dolin?"
This wasn't his friend. This wasn't the Dolin he's known for centuries.
Sure, he could be supercilious at times—most of the time. But, this? Ever since arriving on this mountain, Dolin has been acting abnormally.
The way he's speaking, his tone of voice; this wasn't him. Although uncertain, Andreas decided this new Dolin was a result of stress. After all, stress, in any sentient creature, can warp the mind.
"Are you, alright?" He asked, concerned, like a good friend, walking beside Dolin; his wary gaze often traveling to Ultio.
"Alright?" Dolin scoffed, a cynical smile on his face, "I've never been better."
As the trio descended the mountain, and the moon with its black veil ascended the sky, Dolin suddenly stopped, a gasp leaving his lips.
"Ah, I just remembered, I owe you two compensation."
"Compensation?" asked Andreas, waving it off, continuing to walk along the mountain path, "that could wait until we get back home. I just want to leave—I'm tired of this world."
His remark made the other Devil, who was close behind him, nod his head in agreement.
"Home?" Andreas asked, sounding genuinely perplexed, "Who said we were going home?"
It was time now for Andreas and the remaining Devil to stop walking.
Both looked at each other and, with their eyes, were able to hold a conversation, the gist of it being: something isn't right!
About to confront Dolin, concerned about his behavior—now and earlier—as Andreas turned to do so, his instincts screamed at him to move.
Rolling out of the way, feeling a slight breeze, the confused Andreas picked his head up, expecting to see the assailant or group that caused his instincts to flair—maybe, because of this whole ordeal, they didn't pick up on being followed. But, when he did, his mind couldn't fathom at all what he was seeing:
The number three of the trio, Yelen, someone he's known as long as Dolin, lay dead at his feet; his head missing from his neck.
Andreas' mind was reeling.
"What's going on? How did this happen? Where is the enemy?!"
Looking around, Andreas found no one.
"How?! Where are they?!"
Dolin's following words, however, forced Andreas to stop his frantic searching, and instead, brought to him a haunting clarity:
"Tch, I missed."
Slowly, he turned his gaze to Dolin.
Ultio was dripping with blood. Blood he knows is from Yelen.
"Why?" Andreas asked his friend of centuries, his voice cracking.
As Dolin—with no remorse—went into a monologue, explaining his decision for murder, haughtily and dramatically talking about his goals and ideals, Tahmut and the sword Ultio were having a conversation.
"Could I attribute his antics to you?" Tahmut asked, sitting cross-legged on the branch of a tree.
"Partially."
"Partially?"
"I merely latched onto his desire and made it stronger—much stronger. Hence the theatrics."
"Isn't that manipulation? Aren't you "'Vengeance'"?" Tahmut asked, confused, watching from his perch Andreas fall deeper into despair the more Dolin animatedly talked.
"Vengeance could be brought about in many ways, Dragon. One doesn't need force all the time," came the sharp reply of Ultio.
"Fair enough," Tahmut adjusted his seating, "what else can you do?"
There was a brief silence.
"In due time, Dragon. All will be explored in due time."
"In due time?" Tahmut chuckled, "You say that as if you're coming with me."
"Will you not bring me along?"
"You do know I have no need for a weapon, let alone a sword, right?"
"Need: no. Want, however: yes."
"And what brought you to that assumption?"
"You're still here."
There was another bout of silence.
Tahmut was about to speak when the metallic voice of Ultio beat him to it:
"Here, Dragon is the climax."
"You can't be serious!" shouted an incredulous Andreas, "all for some fucking dream? You killed Yelen for a fucking dream?!"
Dolin sighed and moved some hair from his face.
"No matter how much I talk, it seems, like a child in the conversation of adults, things have gone over your head. My dream is no mere dream, Andreas—it is fact. Ultio has deemed it so. I wanted you to come along, my dear friend. To share the light and warmth of glory with me. But, it's apparent that, unfortunately, this will not come to pass. I'll remember you."
"DOLIN!!!"
The two Devils met in the middle; their clash let loose red and green energy.
Andreas, wielding a halberd he manifested, was relentless in his strikes against the calm, seemingly unbothered, Dolin, who, although defending, kept a smirk on his face.
Bringing the halberd over his head—frustrated his attempts at inflicting damage so far weren't working—Andreas let out a furious cry as he brought it down, intending to cleave his former friend in two.
However, as the blade was mere inches away from piercing flesh, Dolin vanished, and Andreas soon felt a warm, wet sensation enveloping his body, starting from his stomach.
Looking down, his eyes met the tip of the crimson Ultio as it protruded through his back and out of his stomach. No blood dripped from his wound. Ultio, it seemed, with each pulse, absorbed it.
Andreas coughed dryly as he attempted to remove the sword but, Dolin wouldn't let him; forcing Ultio deeper into his body.
"A shame," Dolin whispered solemnly to Andreas, removing Ultio and letting him fall to his knees, "It's truly a shame."
Swinging Ultio one last time, Dolin decapitated Andreas.
As he turned to leave, Ultio by his side (as he doesn't have a sheath), the sound of clapping and amused chuckles were heard behind him.
Swiftly turning, expecting it to be one of his deceased comrades, Dolin's eyes widened as nothing was there.
Thinking it his mind playing tricks on him, or he was experiencing some form of guilt or remorse, Dolin began again his trek down the mountain; but was stopped again when he heard a familiar chuckle.
"Who's there?! Show yourself!"
The searching Dolin looked up, down, and around, but could still find no one. The chuckling long gone.
Suddenly, from his side, he heard the distinct noise of gravel moving.
However, before he could turn and look, just like he did to his comrades, his head, too, fell from its shoulders. Dolin none the wiser of his death.
Wiping his nails onto his pants, removing Dolin's blood, Tahmut levitated Ultio in front of him; the sword pulsing a warm red; Tahmut's heterochromic eyes twinkling in amusement.
"It seems I haven't introduced myself. I am Tahmut, son of Tiamat."
"Pleasure, Tahmut. I am Ultio, however, I prefer the name: Poine"
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