The Demon king's Last oath

The night pressed down on the ruin as Caius and the stranger descended the ridge, their movements swift and deliberate. The shard rested in Caius's satchel, its faint pulse barely noticeable, but the weight of it felt heavier than it should.

The stranger walked beside him, their silver eyes scanning the surrounding darkness. The tension in the air was palpable, a lingering reminder of the battle they had just fought.

"You really know how to pick your fights," the stranger muttered, their voice low.

"I didn't choose this fight," Caius replied, his tone even. "It chose me."

The stranger smirked faintly, though it didn't reach their eyes. "You've got a way with words, boy. Let's just hope that shard of yours doesn't attract any more company."

As if in response, a distant howl cut through the night.

Caius froze, his hand instinctively drifting to the hilt of his dagger. "They're coming."

The stranger cursed under their breath, their runes flaring faintly. "Shadowborn. We've got to move. Now."

The forest loomed ahead, its gnarled branches twisting like skeletal fingers against the faint moonlight. Caius and the stranger moved quickly, their steps careful but urgent as they entered the dense thicket.

The howls grew louder, closer, echoing through the trees like a hunting horn.

"Why don't they ever give up?" the stranger muttered, their hands glowing faintly as they prepared for another fight.

"They're bound to the shard," Caius said, his blue eyes scanning the shadows. "As long as I have it, they'll keep coming."

"Great," the stranger replied dryly. "Love that for us."

A sudden rustle to their left made them stop. Caius turned sharply, his dagger drawn, the faint flicker of dark flames lighting the area around him.

From the shadows, two glowing blue eyes appeared, followed by another set. And another.

"Gatekeepers," the stranger said, their voice tight.

The creatures stepped into the faint light, their twisted forms almost blending with the darkness. Their growls were low, guttural, filled with a feral hunger.

Caius raised his hand, the flames coiling brighter around his arm. "Get ready."

The first creature lunged, its claws swiping through the air with terrifying speed. Caius sidestepped, his dagger slashing upward as the flames erupted. The beast howled, its chest igniting as it stumbled back.

The stranger moved swiftly, their glowing runes forming a silver barrier that deflected another creature's attack. With a sharp motion, they lashed out, the energy cutting through the beast like a blade.

"They're faster than the last ones," the stranger said, their tone grim.

Caius nodded, his focus sharp as he dodged another attack. He thrust his dagger forward, the flames surging into the creature's side. It dissolved into ash, but two more took its place.

"This isn't working," Caius said through gritted teeth.

The stranger glanced around, their eyes narrowing. "We need to split up. Draw them away from the shard."

Caius hesitated, the flames flickering around his hand. "And what happens when they catch you instead?"

The stranger smirked faintly, their runes glowing brighter. "Don't worry about me, boy. I've got tricks you haven't even seen yet."

Before Caius could argue, the stranger darted to the left, their silver light drawing several of the creatures after them.

"Hey, over here, ugly!" they called, their voice echoing through the trees.

The remaining beasts turned to Caius, their glowing eyes narrowing. He tightened his grip on the dagger, his jaw set.

"Come on, then," he muttered.

Caius moved deeper into the forest, his flames lighting the way as he dodged and weaved through the trees. The creatures followed, their growls growing louder as they closed the distance.

He reached a small clearing and turned, his breath steady despite the adrenaline coursing through him. The beasts circled him, their eyes gleaming in the dim light.

Before they could strike, a voice rang out from the shadows.

"Enough."

The creatures froze, their glowing eyes flickering as if compelled by an unseen force.

Caius turned sharply, his flames brightening as he scanned the clearing. A figure stepped into the light, their silhouette tall and imposing.

They wore a dark cloak similar to the one worn by the figure in the ruin, but their presence was far more commanding. Their face was obscured by a mask of polished black metal, and a faint aura of power radiated from them.

"You're carrying something that doesn't belong to you," the figure said, their voice smooth and measured.

Caius straightened, his flames steady. "And who does it belong to?"

The figure tilted their head slightly. "My master. The one who seeks to reclaim what was lost."

Caius's grip on his dagger tightened. "The shard belongs to no one. It's a piece of what was sealed away to protect this world."

The figure chuckled softly. "Such conviction for one so young. But you don't understand the forces at play here, child. That shard is more than a fragment. It's a key. And you don't even know the lock it opens."

Caius's heart raced, but his expression remained calm. "Then why not take it yourself?"

The figure's aura darkened, the air growing colder. "Because I want to see what you'll do with it first. Will you wield its power? Or will it consume you?"

Before Caius could respond, the figure raised a hand, and the creatures lunged.

Caius moved instinctively, the flames surging outward as he struck at the beasts. The clearing erupted into chaos, the shadows twisting and writhing as the battle raged.

But his focus remained on the masked figure, who stood at the edge of the chaos, watching silently.

As Caius dispatched the last creature, the figure stepped forward, their voice calm despite the destruction.

"You've proven yourself capable," they said. "But your journey is only beginning. The shards will test you, boy. And when the time comes, I'll be there to see how you measure up."

Before Caius could stop them, the figure dissolved into shadows, their form scattering like smoke.

The clearing fell silent once more, the faint glow of Caius's flames the only light.

Minutes later, the stranger returned, their runes dim but their expression sharp. "Looks like you had fun without me."

"Did you see them?" Caius asked, his voice tense.

The stranger frowned. "Who?"

"A masked figure," Caius said. "They're after the shards too."

The stranger cursed softly, their silver eyes narrowing. "This just keeps getting better."

Caius nodded, his flames flickering out as he sheathed his dagger. "We need to keep moving. If they're after the shards, we can't let them get ahead of us."

The stranger smirked faintly. "You've got guts, boy. I'll give you that."

Together, they set off into the darkness, the weight of the shard heavy in Caius's satchel and the shadow of their new enemy looming over them.