The Demon Among The Knights-Chapter 33 - 32: The crimson lotus

As the night became morning the deal was struck, and as the holy water touched Luci’s chains, they began to loosen. A dark, foreboding energy radiated from him, filling the battlefield with a suffocating presence. The air grew thick, and even the hardened knights felt their knees weaken under the weight of his aura.

Luci rolled his shoulders, the blackened chain on his left arm rattling ominously as it loosened. His crimson eyes glinted, the predatory gleam in them sharper than ever.

Brianna took an involuntary step back, gripping her sword tightly. But before she could say a word, the monstrous, dual-bodied form of Push and Pull turned their attention to her, their two faces twisting in anger and desperation.

"What have you done, woman knight?" their chaotic, overlapping voices bellowed, shaking the ground. "Because of you, Luci is almost free!"

Brianna’s resolve wavered for a moment, but Luci’s voice broke through, dripping with mockery.

"What’s the matter, weak twins?" Luci said, his smirk widening as he stepped forward, the ground cracking under his feet. "Afraid I’ll kick your sorry butts again?"

Push and Pull snarled in unison, their combined aura erupting violently. Gray energy surged around them, creating a storm of force that caused the earth to tremble and debris to scatter.

"Don’t get cocky, you arrogant fiend!" they roared, their voices reverberating like thunder.

With a single motion, the monstrous duo lunged toward Luci, their speed causing shockwaves that ripped through the battlefield. Craters formed in their wake, and the air itself seemed to tear apart as they closed the distance.

---

The Clash

As Push and Pull rushed toward him, their enormous forms blotting out the light, Luci didn’t move. He stood calmly, his chains rattling softly as his aura surged with unrestrained power.

When they were mere inches away, Luci raised his fist.

And with one devastating punch, he struck.

The force of Luci’s blow shattered the sound barrier. The clouds surrounding the Earth separated instantly, swirling and twisting into chaotic spirals. The impact echoed like a thunderclap, and Push and Pull were sent hurtling into space, their combined form nothing more than a streak of gray light against the sky.

Their overlapping voices screamed in unison as they disappeared into the void. "We will come back!"

But their cries were short-lived. Their trajectory brought them straight into the sun, and within moments, their enormous forms were consumed by its flames. They burned to ashes, their defiant voices silenced forever.

---

Aftermath

The battlefield fell eerily silent. The only sound was the faint rustling of debris settling back to the ground.

Luci turned to Brianna, his expression unreadable. For a moment, she thought she saw a flicker of something softer in his eyes, but it was gone as quickly as it appeared.

"I’ll keep my promise," Luci said, his voice calm yet commanding. "I’ll help you and your people get rid of the rest of these pathetic demons."

He raised his hand, and a crimson flame flickered to life at his fingertips. The light cast eerie shadows across the desolate landscape, his aura intensifying as his power gathered.

His voice deepened, resonating with an ancient, almost divine authority.

"Hell Technique."

The battlefield fell silent as Luci’s chains rattled faintly. His hands began to glow with an intense crimson energy, the air around him growing thick with heat. Crimson tendrils spiraled around his arms like molten vines, their energy crackling violently. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

"It’s been a while since I’ve used this technique," Luci said, his voice calm yet laced with an unsettling amusement. A smirk tugged at his lips as he raised his hands, the crimson glow intensifying. "Crimson Lotus."

The energy surged forth, forming long, tubular shapes that resembled blooming flowers. These crimson blossoms snaked their way across the battlefield, seeking out every remaining demon. Each flower latched onto a demon, and as they touched, an explosion of energy consumed them, reducing them to ash in an instant.

One of the knights stood frozen, his sword trembling in his hands. "Wait a minute... all the demons are dead?"

Another knight, clutching a shield scorched from battle, stepped forward cautiously. "Did we... win? Is it over?"

The realization hit, and cheers erupted from the surviving knights. "We’ve won this war!" they shouted, their voices filled with relief and triumph.

But amidst the celebrations, Luci stood still, his glowing hands dimming as he tilted his head slightly, his expression shifting to one of mild confusion.

"What’s wrong?" Brianna asked, her voice sharp and cold. Unlike the others, she remained calm, her icy demeanor unshaken by the apparent victory. Her piercing gaze locked onto Luci, trying to discern his thoughts.

Luci scratched his head, his expression a mix of amusement and curiosity. "It’s strange," he muttered. "I know those demons were weak, but this technique isn’t supposed to kill them outright. It’s meant to boost their strength first—so I can actually have a good fight." He sighed, waving his hand dismissively. "Guess they were weaker than I thought. Oh well, not like I care."

Brianna’s cold eyes narrowed. "Who are you, really?"

Luci turned to her, his smirk returning as he met her gaze. "I thought you already knew, cold knight. I’m Luci. That’s all you need to know."

"I don’t believe you," Brianna said, her tone as sharp as the blade she wielded. "You’re no ordinary demon."

Luci chuckled, the sound low and mocking. "Ordinary? I’ll take that as a compliment. I guess you’ve been paying attention." He stretched lazily, his chains clinking faintly as he did so. "Anyway, a deal’s a deal. I’ve helped you win this war. Now, if you’ll excuse me..." He turned, ready to leave.

But just as he began to walk away, a voice rang out, halting him in his tracks.

"Luci, wait."

Luci stopped, his expression shifting to mild annoyance before he turned around. His crimson eyes gleamed with amusement as he saw the source of the voice. Floating several feet away was a disembodied head glowing with a faint silver aura.

"Brian?" Brianna’s icy mask cracked slightly, her voice betraying a flicker of emotion. "Brother?"

Luci raised an eyebrow, his smirk widening. "Brian? Why are you just... a head?"

To be continued.....