Time seemed to stop, and the air began to get cold. Merlin couldn’t believe what he was seeing, and young Dante cried out in fear as a man hovered over them. This man wasn’t any normal human; it was someone who was so feared that they were said to have no equal.
His dark brown eyes were staring down at Merlin, and the silver armor he wore shined bright under the sun. But one thing that made him stand out was his magical aura.
"Laila, Damon, please stay back and protect Dante," Merlin said.
Merlin stepped away from the others and prepared to launch an attack, but the man in the sky simply disappeared. ’Was it a teleportation spell? No, it was speed,’ Merlin thought to himself. His eyes couldn’t even follow the man’s movements, and the next moment, Merlin saw the man. He was standing behind him, holding Dante by the throat.
"Do you know the kind of abomination you are, child?" the man said. His voice was deep but also soft. "Creatures like you don’t deserve to live in this world."
Anger boiled inside Merlin. He teleported beside the man and blasted a fireball right on his face, but the man was unfazed by it.
"I’m not here for you, so move!" the man commanded.
Merlin’s powers were still weak from the visions he saw earlier.
"Who are you?" Merlin asked, fearing for Dante’s life.
"I’m a commander of the holy knights. One chosen by the gods themselves. I am Cassius," the man said. This man’s pride was justifiable considering the strength he possessed. "This child is a stain upon this world. A creature created by one of the fallen. The king of hell himself, Lucifer."
Merlin’s eyes shone bright from shock. He had no idea who had made Dante into a Nergal, but he didn’t expect to hear the name of the fallen archangel. "What do you mean he was created by Lucifer?" Merlin asked.
"As I said, he is a stain on this world. I don’t know why Lucifer created him, but he carries the blood of the devil in him. So unless he is killed, he will only bring chaos," the man called Cassius said. His hand was still wrapped tight around Dante’s neck, and Merlin knew he couldn’t just stand there and watch him die.
"Let the child go. If he dies, I’m killing you and I will be going after the gods next," Merlin said. Cassius loosened his grip on Dante and placed him on the ground. He then proceeded to punch Merlin so hard that it sent him flying into the sky and crashing several feet from the battlefield. "Now, I’m taking you back to the land of the gods. There you will face judgeme-."
Cassius felt something brewing inside him. It was a strange feeling he had never felt before; it was fear. The moment he looked behind him, he realized where his fear came from.
Hair as white as snow and shiny green eyes that carried so much anger in them. That was the creature that brought fear into him.
"I killed you," Cassius said as he looked at Alexander. The huge hole in his chest had fully healed, and the look in his eyes was one to be feared.
"I thought I had power before, but thanks to you, I finally see it all. I have awakened, and my power is greater than ever," Alexander said.
Cassius tried to use Dante as a hostage, but with a single step, Alexander closed the distance between them. He pressed his hand on Cassius’s chest, showing him how easy it would be to kill him.
"The world seems brighter now, and my body feels so light. It’s like the burdens placed upon me have all been lifted," Alexander said. Cassius looked confused and frightened.
Cassius jumped a few feet back, trying to get some distance between him and Alexander, but when he looked back at Alexander, he saw him holding a severed arm. Cassius slowly looked at his left shoulder, and a loud cry came out of him. His left arm was completely gone.
"What did you do to my arm?" he cried out.
"I just pulled it out. Your right arm will be next," Alexander said with a huge smile. He threw the arm to the ground and proceeded to attack Cassius again, and their swords clashed. The speed they moved at left afterimages.
Cassius fought hard even with only one arm, but he was no match for Alexander. The final blow to Cassius cracked all the ribs in his chest, leaving him incapacitated and begging for his life.
"Pl-please spare me. I will tell the gods that I killed you, just please don’t kill me," he begged as he crawled towards Alexander.
"You came here to kill a child. Why would I let you live?" Alexander said as he knelt down. He took out his sword and stabbed it into Cassius, killing him instantly. "Lady Laila, I’m going to go check on Merlin. Please look after Dante," Alexander said and vanished from sight.
A NEW JOURNEY
"Merlin, Merlin," a voice called out. His mind was wandering and he felt like he was dreaming. "Merlin, wake up."
"Mmm," he let out a little groan before opening his eyes. Alexander was standing over him, and Merlin couldn’t believe he was still alive. "My prince, how? I saw a spear run straight through your heart," Merlin said in surprise.
"I don’t know. My body just started healing itself," Alexander said.
Merlin’s eyes shone bright. "Then your Uzu technique is healing," Merlin said, but Alexander looked even more confused.
"My Uzu technique? What’s that?" he asked.
Merlin sat upright and leaned against Alexander’s shoulder. "Each Nergal has a technique. A fundamental skill that defines a person whether they are sorcerers or augmenters," Merlin said.
"So I can heal myself from anything?" he asked excitedly.
"There are limits, and there are also weapons that can kill you," Merlin said. "Come on now, we have to get moving. This kingdom isn’t safe anymore."
They were vagabonds, moving from one place to another in search of a safe haven, and Merlin knew such a life wasn’t fit for a child like Dante. He would have to find a place for him soon.
"RAEPPASID," Merlin chanted, and both he and Alexander were teleported back to the mansion. He looked at Laila and knew he would have to say goodbye to her.
"Merlin," Laila ran towards them, relieved he was alive. "Are you okay?"
The sadness in his eyes was obvious. "I’m sorry, Laila, but we have to leave. If we stay, then we risk bringing the gods’ wrath upon this kingdom," Merlin said as he caressed her cheeks.
"I’m coming with you," she said.
"No, it’s not safe. You will be safer here, and I promise I will come for you one day," Merlin said, but he knew Laila wasn’t going to listen.
"I’m coming. You won’t change my mind," she insisted.
"Laila, your father will be really angry when he finds out," Damon said.
"I know, but father will just have to wait until I return," she said.
Merlin just smiled. He never wanted to say goodbye, and he also knew it was selfish to bring her along on this dangerous journey. "The kingdom we will be heading to is a faraway place in the western continent. The people there are strong and their hate for the gods runs deep, so they will help us," Merlin said.