Chapter 16 - Heavy Rain II (1/2)

For what felt like a week, Bazuul had fought for his survival in this eerie dark space. Not that he really knew how much time had passed, but he still guessed it to be somewhere around that.

The wounds on his body had increased significantly over this time, as the wounds gaped open and blood slowly flowed out without end. His clothes, tattered beyond saving. It was a wonder that his shirt actually still remained on him, as it barely held onto a thread.

In the exchanges he and...this thing in the darkness had, he had lost miserably. Although he still retaliated, he was not sure if he truly damaged it as he was unable to see much. The dark fiend had already attempted to consume him whole three times, this was the only time Bazuul was sure he had damaged it. The screams coming from it assured him of it. Even more so, when it intensified as he ripped more of it's ”flesh” off every time it tried to swallow him up.

Bazuul actually chuckled viciously and taunted it.

”What is it huh?! You scared? Hahaha, then keep on hiding in the dark coward!”

Again rumbling sounds could be heard in the distance, apparently, it didn't appreciate the mocking tone of its prey. Another high-pitched sound that burrowed itself into Bazuul's mind appeared. Bazuul screamed out of pain as blood flowed out his eyes, nose, and ears.

Once more the clicking noises it made resounded in the distance. Shortly after images flooded Bazuul's mind, memories of his past life. Memories of how he tormented people, of how he broke them and felt satisfied at that. Images of how he took the hand that intended to help him and crushed it.

This torture of his past deeds went on when that fiend actually let out a chilling laugh.

Once more, as it was in the past, the bitter taste of regret seemingly paralyzed Bazuul, his mind, dazed by the shame he put on himself with his bullying. Again, just like back on Earth, the depression in his mind took over. The doubt in him rose, as it whispered to him. It told him that he wasn't all that, no, it even elaborated. Beneath the layer of pride he displayed, it said, even he himself knew how pitiful he truly was. He was no ”King,” he was actual thrash.

Even through the mental torment invoked by that thing in the darkness, a slight rueful chuckle escaped Bazuul. How couldn't he know what he was, he clearly saw how the people looked at him ever since he was little. Apart from her of course.

”Her,” he thought as the thought of that one person shook him awake.

He remembered the time, the one interaction he had with her before tragedy swept both their lives away into the abyss.

It was Halloween, and for some reason he was going crazy once again, tormenting the guy she was with because he used the ”trick” on their door, since they didn't have the money to buy ”treats”. To be honest, he kind of went out of control and the whole thing almost turned into some form of kidnapping. Yet, it shook him awake when he heard the two little children that were with them cry.

At this moment he thought. ”What the fuck am I doing. It's Halloween for fuck's sake.”

He felt so bad at this moment, that he wasn't sure what to do. Out of instinct, he wanted to give them all the sweets he had gathered this Halloween. Only to realize that he didn't take part in Halloween this time around. Then he remembered that he had five euros in his pocket and grabbed it. With the intention of giving the little children the money as an apology, he walked toward them.

At this moment though, she took one step to the side, blocking his path, and stood right in front of him as she looked deep into his eyes and said.

”Do not touch the kids!” With a tone, he never heard from her before and a resolute light in her eyes. That was the time he realized the force the light of the moon carried.

Shocked he actually took a step back. While he was a sun, he had taken a dark path, and the silver light of the moon seemed to cleanse that darkness away.

Back to reality.

”One simple step for you, one step to change my world!” He thought and laughed out loud.

”Yes, yes, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step!” He said out loud and laughed.

He took one step forward and the light of the moon, her light, reflected in his eyes. As a force and a sense of infallible pride rose in him. Then his storage ring started to shine and he immediately took a look inside.

The arcane codex page shone in a dazzling bright hue of silver and at once zapped into Bazuul's mind. All the information he needed unveiled itself in him as if it was always there to begin with.

At this moment the dark fiend launched his attacks once more but he was able to dodge them before he lifted one of his hands and yelled.

”CASCADING LIGHT!!!”

Rumbling and booming could be heard and then Bazuul seemed to be blinded, forced to close his eyes he heard the dark fiend scream and squeal in pain as it sought a dark corner of this space.

He looked up, and as the codex showed him, a moon had been formed inside of what seemed to be the forming of his own inner world. At least, this was the first part. [Cascading Light] wasn't a martial skill or such, but a foundation for the dark side of one's inner world. If, one had this yin and yang plate as a form of dantian. Once more confirming that he seemed to have some kind of plot-armor.

Velamar apparently had prepared another world and another body for him. Yet, even him - a god - was unable to understand the irreversible truth of his own words.

”You are free to do whatever you want since your fate has already been decided.” One had to say that the individual that came up with this saying was exceptionally smart for a human being on Earth.

The truth behind it was incomprehensible if one had not personally witnessed it. As it was truly so.

He was now able to see, inside the dark part of his inner world. Although it was still dark, it was more than enough for him. Revenge for all that torment was finally nigh.

Bazuul chuckled as if a bit tipsy and said. ”You better come out.~ This daddy here has a lot of time to make up to you! Not that I can't see you. Hahaha!”

A dark half human, half demon looking figure - with a slightly distorted resemblance to himself - was attached to the dark essence in this space. This was the entity that had attacked him. Had tried to consume him, and dared to make him remember the sins he so strongly regretted.

He dashed forward accompanied by the brilliant light of the moon. BANG! One punch filled with all the emotions he had felt these seemingly last two days were released upon that fiend as it was blown away screaming.

The vibrating sound and rumbling alongside the clicking noises intensified and the fiend retaliated.

An attack that was followed by a sound, it was as if glass had shattered when its attack hit Bazuul spot on. Or not, his [Mirage] technique broke and he appeared beside the fiend, forcefully ripping one of its arms off barehanded.

The fiend screamed, attempting to escape once more but Bazuul simply dashed along snickering just as chillingly as it did before.

”No need to run, this is my world, I am the master and as the master, I will take my time to punish you thoroughly!”

So he did, he constantly punished the dark fiend for the previous attacks and attempts of consuming him whole. He already ripped its arms out for about six times, but each time the arms reconstructed itself at an incredible rate. Three hours had passed since then and Bazuul gradually learned how to control the dark mass around him. Making the very same thing that the dark fiend consisted of his cage or entrapment of sorts.