The talking glaive propelled itself forward, attempting to stab straight through my skull. I only barely managed to deflect the sharp point of the weapon’s long blade using my claws.

  “What the heck?! I’m supposed to fight you?!” I exclaimed, parrying a flurry of strikes from the nimble weapon.

  “Of course!” Finnlen shouted, spinning through the air and activating a skill.

  [Radiant Burst]

  A flash of bright light illuminated the world before me, and I felt a searing pain emanating from my left arm. I stumbled backwards, then addressed Joshua angrily. “You gonna help out or what?”

  The parasite smiled smugly, crossing his arms and leaning against a nearby tree. “Nah.”

  Asshole.

  “Whatever,” I spat, summoning a pair of blood lances. They hurled through the air, but were easily batted away by the glaive.

  “You will have to do more than that to defeat the Radiant Sun!” Finnlen triumphantly exclaimed, rushing forward once more.

  Normally, I would attempt to defeat opponents with a battle of attrition, slowly whittling down their HP while healing with my skills and racial traits, but there was an issue.

  This guy doesn’t have blood…

  I parried another strike, sliding backwards against the ground. I sent a claw hurling towards the shaft of the weapon, but it bounced off unceremoniously. I was unable to activate Twin Blood Chains, and the cognition stacking attribute of Accelerating Hemorrhage didn’t seem to work against the glaive.

  It was a natural counter.

  “I expect more from a demon like you!” Finnlen shouted, twirling through the air and assaulting me with a swarm of quick strikes. I parried each one, relatively even in speed with the glaive, then batted it away with both hands.

  Then, I stabbed Joshua.

  My claws sank deep into his chest, and I watched as his eyes widened in shock, then slowly morphed into rage.

  “What the hell—”

  He couldn’t finish the thought as I summoned a chain from his body, wrapping it swiftly around the approaching weapon. In one motion, I grabbed Finnlen’s shaft and thrusted him into the dirt.

  I gotta work on that terminology.

  His blade dug deep, and he attempted to fly upwards, but I was strong enough to push him down.

  “Let me out!” He screamed, muffled by the surrounding earth.

  “Surrender?” I offered.

  “Finnlen, the Radiant Sun never surrenders!”

  I pushed harder, plunging the glaive deeper into the ground.

  The weapon shrieked like a schoolgirl, then gave up. “I surrender! Pull me out! There’s a worm!”

  [You have earned the right to wield Finnlen, the Radiant Sun!]

  Unknown? What is this thing?

  Then, a system notification shook me to my core.

  [Locate one of Luminarch’s Relics (1/1)]

  “You’re one of Luminarch’s Relics?!” I roared, pulling the glaive from the ground.

  “You have got to be shitting me,” Joshua complained, slapping his face.

  The blade glowed, then began to speak. “I don’t know who this Luminarch fellow is, but I’m not a relic! I’m the mighty Finnlen!”

  “Do you have amnesia or something?” I asked.

  The glaive seemed confused. “I don’t know what you’re talking about!”

  I pulled up my quest panel, trying to confirm that the notification was truly correct.

  “You’re kidding,” I gasped, unable to believe my eyes.

  “Why the fuck would that angel give you something like that?” Joshua demanded, pacing towards the weapon and grabbing it from my hand. “And it doesn’t even tell you anything!” He raged, reading the item’s info panel.

  “What’s going on?” Atea asked gingerly, slowly creeping towards us.

  I replied earnestly. “Who knows?”

  I have an idea, though.

  “Guess he’s yours,” I said to Joshua, a sinister smile slowly creeping across my face.

  “What?” The parasite replied dumbly, then two notifications appeared.

  The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  [You have equipped your Parasitic Nemesis with a weapon!]

  [Destroy or wield the Relic (1/1)]

  “Hold on,” Joshua seethed, whirling to face me. “I don’t need this stupid thing.” He cocked his arm back, then tossed Finnlen into the horizon.

  The weapon reappeared at Joshua’s side.

  [Heavenly Grip]

  “What the fuck is that?” My parasite demanded.

  “My most precious skill!” Finnlen proclaimed. “As long as I exist in the same realm as my master, I can always return to his side!”

  “You’re fucking kidding,” Joshua spat.

  “Have fun with your new friend!’ I said cheerfully.

  “You bastard,” he simmered quietly, taking a step towards me.

  Finnlen hovered between us, blocking his path. “It’s good to meet you, bestie! Let’s have each other’s backs! Although I don’t necessarily have a back…”

  “Shut up!” Joshua roared, attempting to push the blade away. Finnlen was nimble, however, dodging the blow with ease.

  “Now, now, demon. Don’t be like that! We’re gonna be best of friends in no time!”

  “I’m impressed, Carter. You managed to find the one being in this world more annoying than you—” He stopped suddenly, then his eyes widened in realization. “Fuck.”

  My Exp surged, inching me closer to the next level, and I received a brand new pair of gloves.

  They were rather simple, a black gauntlet with gilded accents. Interestingly enough, a glowing green gem was socketed in each one, right above the back of my palm.

  “Well then, Joshua, it seems I have won this duel of wits for the time being,” I said smugly. “Now, take us back.”

  “No,” Joshua replied simply, disappearing slowly as the skill duration ran out.

  “What do you mean no?!” I shouted, but he was already gone.

  “What do you mean by take us back?” Finnlen inquired.

  “I need that idiot to teleport us back to the Mortal Realm! My skill is on cooldown for almost three days still!” I raged.

  “Never fear, Finnlen is here!”

  [Temporal Severance]

  Suddenly, all of my skills returned to ‘ready’ status.

  I blinked twice, not quite believing my eyes.

  [Are you fucking kidding me? What kind of convenient ass bullshit is that?!]

  “Thank you!” I said gratefully, face beaming with happiness. Then, the weapon disappeared.

  [What the fuck?] Joshua said in disbelief.

  [Heavenly Grip]

  Everything was silent for a moment, then Joshua screamed with violent fury.

  [GET HIM OUT!]

  Have fun!

  I turned to Atea, ignoring Joshua’s complaints. “Would you like to come with me?”

  She seemed reluctant, turning to face the simultaneously beautiful yet haunting landscape around us. “I don’t know if I’ll be much help…”

  “That’s alright,” I comforted. “Not everyone is cut out for fighting anyway.”

  She scratched her arm, then turned to me with a determined expression. “You’re strong.”

  I didn’t quite know how to react, so I just slowly nodded.

  “I will become as strong as you one day,” She said with determination. “Take me with you.”

  “Then it’s settled!” I said, stepping closer to the angel.

  Although the original goal for this adventure was to procure an army of demons, unknowingly stumbling upon one of Luminarch’s relics seemed to be an even greater reward. Furthermore, I had gained an angelic companion, who may or may not prove useful in the future. Without further contemplation, I closed my eyes, activating my unique skill.

  [Abyssal Rift]

  Black tendrils reached out, swallowing us whole.

  Then, I opened my eyes to a sickening sight.

  Mount Boom was on fire.

  “What do we do?” Atea whispered as we slowly crept forward through the grass. In the distance, I could see flames licking the walls of my territories' newly constructed wooden barrier, which was now slowly falling away. I scanned the environment, looking for any signs of my companions.

  My friends.

  “Stay down,” I instructed. “If something happens, run that way.” I pointed in the direction of the southern swamp. “Try and find a door, it will take you to… a safe place.”

  The angel nodded with fear.

  We inched closer, then a small white dagger appeared around my neck.

  “Lucivar!” Cedric exclaimed, pulling his blade back in surprise. “Thank god you’re back!” His voice was low, but urgent.

  “Cedric, what happened?” I demanded slowly.

  The small demon looked down before replying in a somber tone. “The Elven Prince came with an army. We tried to fight, but he was too strong…”

  “And?” I said, feeling my heart sink.

  “We tried to run as soon as we realized we were no match for him, but—” He faltered, glancing towards the burning remnants of our home. “He captured Viressa.”

  “Isn’t that the female demon you said you saved from Hell?” Atea commented.

  “Who are you?” Cedric said, as if he had just realized she was there.

  I didn’t speak, turning to take in the burning houses. I spotted a few of the Dryads being ushered into silver cages, but it seemed most were still alive as their heartwood trees had not yet been destroyed.

  “Where’s everyone else?” I asked, returning my eyes to the small demon.

  “We had to split up, and I think most of them made it to Lunarius’ domain.”

  “And what are you doing here?”

  “We’re here to save her,” A new voice interjected.

  The three of us whirled around as a massive bundle of flesh crawled through the grass towards us.

  “Zorrack?” Cedric and I said simultaneously. I continued to speak. “Why are you still here?”

  “I already told you,” He said determinedly. “And you might be the boss, but don’t you dare try to make me leave now.”

  We sat in silence for a moment, and I gazed at each of my gathered companions one by one. “I won’t, but how are we going to save her? If you guys couldn’t win even with people like Ossara and Kril with you, what are we gonna do?”

  “Maybe I can help?” Atea offered. “If I use my skill, they should get distracted for at least a bit, then we can escape to the swamp you were talking about.”

  “Who are you?” Zorrack questioned, but I waved dismissively. We didn’t have time for a long recap.

  “That might work,” I started, “But how can we stop them from following us?”

  [Leave it up to me and Signeir…] Joshua paused, then added. [And the glaive.]

  Feeling helpful all of a sudden?

  [I might hate you, Carter, but I’d rather kill that stupid Elf while I have the chance.]

  Huh, I guess I underestimated you.

  [Naturally.]

  “Where even is she?” I asked. Cedric pointed. A small cage was being dragged along by a group of Elves, and I could see Viressa’s weakened and battered figure inside. Her staff was being held by one of the soldiers walking alongside them.

  Then, I saw him.

  The Elven Prince, Lirien, was standing tall, surveying the battlefield. At his side was the Elf Captain we had captured, Iseldrynn. They were deep in conversation, and I could see the female Elf gesturing wildly as she spoke.

  This never would’ve happened if I hadn’t left.

  [Or if you weren’t a dumbass.]

  Or if you had taken me back when I asked you to.

  Joshua didn't reply.

  “OK, here’s the plan,” I started, addressing my companions with determination. I swallowed down the emotions running through my head. We didn’t have time for that, at least, not yet.

  It took a few minutes to prepare, but soon enough, we were ready.

  Ready to fix my mistake.