Civilization

"Devel! Get out of there!" - Kingston

"Can't! I need to stay here until the last moment! Just get out of the way!" - Devel

Glancing up, I see a tornado burning around Fierna, it had traveled up her sword and had engulfed the whole of her body, with only small gaps in the flames showcasing her excited expression. Grinning from ear to ear, the tornado bursts outward, quickly lighting up the surroundings. I could feel my skin burning up the longer I stayed below the epicenter of the attack and making quick work, I dashed toward the lower staircase.

In the meantime, Devel was still occupying Ian's attention. His blade was always in contact with Ian's spider legs as much as possible but there was only so much he could do as a wave of fatigue washed over Devel, causing him to mistime a parry. Taking the opportunity, Ian's spider legs stab through Devel's Thunderous Aura, piercing through his chest and out the back, splattering blood all over the ground behind him.

Coughing up blood, Devel smiles and lunges forward while dropping his sword, pushing the spider legs deeper into his body, and grabs onto Ian's body, holding Ian's arms to the side. Struggling to break free, Ian shakes and trembles his body in hopes of making Devel let go, however, Devel's superior strength doesn't allow for that to happen. Instead, the spider legs continue to deal damage to Devel and more blood is spilled.

"Thanks for waiting, darling~ You did a good job~!" - Fierna

The fire tornado above us burns brightly as Fierna's hysterical laughter rings throughout the room. Like a monster, it breathes and vibrates along with Fierna's laugh, sending small ripples along the edges of the flames right before a burst of energy sends the tornado down. Screaming at the top of her lungs, Fierna shouts the skill name, as the flames start to travel faster and faster, spinning down, focusing on Ian.

"?|?‰???1?? ?′?1???2????????!" - Fierna

Unable to move due to Devel's restraint, Ian could only watch the traveling fire tornado approach him and with his back facing the skill, Devel could only wait patiently as the attack comes closer. Even though I had retreated so far away, I could feel the sheer intensity of the attack as it boils the air, creeping closer to the two that were locked in combat. Fierna's summon cancels, and she reappears next to Belial, exhausted but excited as her skill finally lands.

Spinning along the ground, the fire tornado kicks dust and dirt into the air, enveloping Devel and Ian in its fiery blaze. I couldn't see them anymore but for some reason, I doubt either of them was dead. Heavily injured, maybe, but not dead. Just as that thought passes through my head, I start to see flashes of blue travel up the tornado. It would start from the left, then go to the right, only to come back to the left.

Small subtle flashes, but the color was all too similar to someone's skills that I knew, Devel. Was he traveling upward while gathering energy? Or are they locked in a fight in the eye of the storm? I couldn't tell what was happening since the fire tornado was just burning the surroundings, creating a hazy atmosphere from the heat of the flames.

"Wondering what is happening inside, Kingston?" - Belial

Reading my mind, Belial, speaks to me. That demon has always been some sort of step ahead of me, regardless of what I have thought about it or tried to think about. I can only assume it is because of the contract between us that makes it easier for Belial to understand my thoughts. However, sometimes I feel like he understands it better than I do. f𝗿e𝙚𝘸e𝐛𝚗𝐨𝙫𝚎𝙡.c𝒐𝐦

"Yeah, I'm curious about what is happening inside the tornado. Devel is stronger than any other player I have seen up until now and Ian had just received a massive upgrade because of the curse. Devel seemed so confident in surviving Fierna's attack, so I want to know why he is so confident and how he is going to defeat Ian." - Kingston

"Well, I don't think you need to wait much longer. Look at the top of the tornado." - Belial

Following Belial's words, I look at the top of the tornado and I see Devel floating in the air with his great sword poised above his head. Little by little the rocks surrounding his sword break off revealing the Lightning Bolt hidden underneath and in doing so, the light emitted from Devel outshone the tornado of flames below him. Within the next second, Devel disappears from the spot.

A bright flash followed by the clapping of thunder blasts through the room, disintegrating the fire tornado at the same time, sending a shockwave in all directions. The flames were pushed to the walls, before traveling upward as if painting the walls with fire. In the middle of the room, Devel stands still right in front of Ian. The Lightning Bolt, planted on the ground, zapping the surroundings lightly.

A clean split appears in the middle of Ian's body, as it falls to the side in half. Collapsing into two separate piles of ash, was my friend. I felt a slight sting in my chest, knowing that I had just helped kill Ian but what else could I do? I was too weak to stop him any other way. Slowly, I make my way to Devel but as I do, I see him collapse to the side as well, letting go of his weapon at the same time.

Surprised, I quickly dash over to see Devel's body riddled with holes. I knew he had been stabbed multiple times already by Ian during their close-quarter combat but looking at Devel's body now, there seemed to be even more holes. Kneeling next to him, I reach inside my pouch to see if I still had a potion but unfortunately, I had nothing left. Quietly, I click my tongue, but the sound was enough for Devel to regain consciousness, and with bated breath, he speaks to me.

"Kingston. I'm about to die. Ian is dead, but he was able to land a few more blows during my attack, and I don't have much HP left. It was fun fighting against you and Ian and then again against Ian, however, I need you to know that whatever is happening with Ian is going to translate over to real life. This game is more than just a game, and whether you believe me enough is your choice. You need to be careful." - Devel

"Why are you telling me this? Aren't we still rivals or enemies?" - Kingston

"It is nothing more than just a front. We need strong players to appear soon or else we humans will be wiped off this world when the 'Merge' happens." - Devel

"I understand about the 'Merge' but why not just tell the community about this information? Isn't it better to have everyone united to defeat the 'Kings'?" - Kingston

"It cannot be done. It has already been tried. This is the only way. With less information, the stronger players were able to be born. Luck is also part of skill, you know." - Devel

"It has already happened? What do you mean?" - Kingston

"It seems you really don't know much, do you? Unfortunately, my time is up. I cannot interact with RavenStar any longer or else there will be major consequences. I need to go back to being Devel from Bones. If we meet again, we will be enemies." - Devel

"Wait? What? Are you not Devel?" - Kingston

"Til we meet again, Kingston." - Devel

Before any questions could be answered, Devel's body and the Lightning Bolt shatters into tiny pieces. Left with more questions, I momentarily stayed still. What was happening?! Confusion and slight panic wash over my body, but before I went down a spiral of thoughts, Belial snaps me out of it.

"Kingston! Stop, thinking! There is no point in thinking about something you have no information about." - Belial

"What? What do you mean? This was so much information to process and it was so fast. How do you expect me to just ignore it?" - Kingston

"Even that human told you to not worry. You need answers, but the information is not here, so move on but keep those questions in your head. Wait and observe, those answers will be somewhere." - Belial

"Alright, fine. Fine. I'll do as you say but seriously, I am so confused right now. Like I feel like my head is about to explode." - Kingston

"That is okay. Maybe you should deal with the aftermath of this battle first. Regroup with David and the others. Explain the situation to the other human's subordinates and then move on." - Belial

"Alright, alright. Move on, you say. Alright..." - Kingston

Dragging my body away from where both Ian and Devel had just clashed, I move slowly to the lower staircase. Holding my head in my hands, my eyes shake from side to side. What is going on in this world? Why isn't this just a normal game?