From Rock Bottom to Hero-Chapter 19 - - Clash in the Dark

Despair flares up inside me.

My father lies injured on the ground, blood seeping through his clothes.

The Shadow Demon stands right before him, its glowing eyes locked onto me as if to say that I am next.

I struggle to my feet, but my body trembles. My back aches from the impact against the tree. What should I do?

"Selmira!" I call out as I pick up my dagger again. "I can't hurt it!"

Selmira bites her lip. Then, an idea strikes her. "Light magic..." she murmurs before raising her hands. A glow gathers at her fingertips.

"Hold up your dagger!" she commands.

Without hesitation, I obey.

Selmira's spell envelops the blade in a bright light.

"Light is the weakness of Shadow Demons! You should be able to wound it without any trouble now!" Selmira shouts.

The Shadow Demon hisses as it sees the light, instinctively stepping back.

So, I do have a chance. With my Wind Cloak activated, I launch myself at it, trying to strike with my dagger. But the demon is faster than I expected. It dodges each of my attacks with smooth, effortless movements. My blade slices through nothing but air.

And then it happens.

The Shadow Demon stops its defensive movements and suddenly shifts to the offensive.

Its claws slash toward me. I try to dodge, but I react too slowly.

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A claw slashes across my upper arm and I cry out, stumbling back.

The shadow demon doesn't give me any breaks.

I duck, sidestep, spin away, but it doesn't let up.

Its movements are precise, as if it knows exactly what I am going to do.

Pain shoots through my joints, and exhaustion sets in.

I can't keep this up forever. I know that. But the demon is relentless.

Another hiss. It steps back.

It takes a strange stance, and suddenly, dark energy begins to swirl around it.

"What is it doing?!" I shout.

"Careful!" Selmira yells. "It's using dark magic!"

Two shadows rise beside the Shadow Demon. They take the same form as it.

They are identical to the demon in every detail. The same glowing eyes, the same cruel face.

Now I'm not just fighting one of these things. I'm fighting three?!

How am I supposed to win this?

They attack me at the same time. I can't keep up.

Claws swipe just inches from me. I have to keep moving, keep dodging.

One swings at me, and I react at the last second. I block with my dagger,but the claws pass right through it?!

My heart skips a beat.

The claws in front of my face. Just like with my dagger, they pass through me as well.

That means...

The summoned demons are only an illusion!

But that doesn't change the fact that I don't know which one is real.

I blink, trying to focus my thoughts. I have to figure it out. Sooner or later, it will catch me. The illusions are everywhere.

"I'll help you!" Selmira calls. Her voice is sharper, more urgent than ever. Without hesitation, she lifts the strength boost on my father and redirects her magic toward me.

A blue shimmer surrounds me, and suddenly, the world seems to slow down. Or... have I gotten faster?

Selmira has cast a speed boost on me. Even so, every attack barely misses me.

The claws graze my clothes.

My muscles burn, my breath turns shallow and ragged.

I can't keep this up for much longer.

I need a solution. Now.

A thought flashes through my mind.

What if I focus my mana into my eyes? Could I use it to see which demon is real?

I channel mana into my vision, and it works! I can see the mana surrounding the demons.

This is my chance.

With a quick, sudden step, I leap toward the real demon.

It looks surprised. It wasn't expecting this. It tries to dodge, but it's too late.

Without hesitation, I slash a deep wound across its chest.

The Shadow Demon screeches, a piercing cry tearing through the night.

The strike visibly hurts it.

It steps back, and I see the rage building in its eyes.

Then, suddenly, a figure bursts from the bushes behind the demon. It's my father!

When did he get there? He must have snuck in while we were fighting.

My father aims for the demon's neck. But the demon reacts quickly, blocking with its arm. My father's blade slices through its dark flesh, severing its left hand.

The demon howls. With a violent jerk, it pulls away, and my father stumbles, drained of energy.

I rush toward him, trying to catch him, but he collapses.

The surprise attack has exhausted him. He has no strength left.

"Father!" I cry out, my voice breaking. But it's too late. He's unconscious. I hurry to him.

Suddenly, an immense presence erupts from the demon. Its rage is unimaginable. Its scream is terrifying. Red cracks form along its skin. What's happening to it?!

It lunges at me. I barely dodge.

What the?! It's much faster than before! How is that possible?!

The demon pulls back again. It stares at me. Its gaze paralyzes me.

It has become faster. More dangerous.

I'm nearing the end of my strength. But I won't give up.

Now, it's all or nothing.

I see its claws tense. It wants to end this. And so do I.

For a moment, absolute silence.

Then, at the same time, we both charge forward, mirroring each other's movements. A final clash.

The demon raises its claws, aiming straight for my throat. I know I won't be able to dodge this. I'm not fast enough.

Is this it?

And then, it happens.

The world slows down.

Every movement, every tiny shift in the surroundings becomes clear. I see the path of its attack, the way it shifts its weight. I see everything.

Suddenly, it all makes sense.

Now!

My body moves on its own. I sidestep, just enough for its claws to miss me by a hair's breadth.

My dagger flashes forward.

I feel it hit.

The demon's eyes widen. A strangled sound escapes it, then my blade slices clean through.

Its head separates from its body.

A moment of silence.

Its head falls to the ground, rolling to the side, its eyes flickering out.

It's over.

I exhale. My legs give out, and I drop to my knees. My whole body trembles.

I've won.

I collapse, and everything fades to black.

Before I lose consciousness, I have one more thought.

"What... What was that just now?"