Africa Leveling

The Demon King's Gambit

The battlefield was swallowed by darkness.

Jajwok stood his ground as the abyssal energy surged around him, a tidal wave of malevolent power crashing down with the weight of a thousand souls. His golden aura flared in response, the light battling against the shadows, each force vying for dominance.

The Demon King loomed before him, his jagged black armor blending into the void. His crimson eyes glowed like molten coals, watching Jajwok with something between amusement and curiosity.

"You continue to surprise me," the dark ruler mused. "But light alone is not enough to defy the abyss."

Jajwok gritted his teeth. Then I'll make it enough.

He lunged.

His golden blade cleaved through the darkness, slicing apart the tendrils that lashed toward him. Sparks erupted as his weapon clashed against the Demon King's gauntlet, the sheer impact sending shockwaves rippling through the battlefield.

The Demon King smirked. "You are improving."

Jajwok growled, twisting his blade, forcing the dark ruler to step back. "I'm not here to impress you."

The Demon King's smirk widened. "No, you are here to die."

A pulse of abyssal energy exploded from his palm, slamming into Jajwok's chest.

Pain shot through his body as he was hurled backward, crashing into the jagged ground. The golden energy surrounding him flickered, dimming for a moment before he forced it back to life.

Before he could rise, shadows coiled around him, pinning him down.

Brakzul roared, charging at the Demon King with his massive axe. Urgak followed, his warhammer swinging in a devastating arc.

The Demon King didn't move.

With a flick of his wrist, the abyss answered.

A wall of darkness erupted between them, splitting the battlefield. Brakzul and Urgak barely stopped in time before slamming into the barrier. They struck at it with all their might, but the shadows did not break.

The Demon King turned his gaze back to Jajwok.

"You are an anomaly. A mistake." His voice was calm, almost curious. "Yet, I find myself intrigued by what you may become."

Jajwok struggled against the shadows constricting him, his golden energy flaring, but the darkness pressed down harder. His vision blurred. His breath came in short gasps.

"Sleep."

The Demon King raised a clawed hand.

A spike of darkness formed in the air, aimed at Jajwok's chest.

Brakzul bellowed in fury, slamming his fists against the barrier. Urgak howled, Kragzul whispered incantations, trying desperately to break through.

Jajwok's mind screamed at him to move, but the shadows held him fast.

The Demon King brought his hand down—

A burst of green energy erupted from the ground.

The shadows shattered.

Jajwok gasped as he was freed, rolling away just as the dark spike buried itself into the earth where he had lain.

The Demon King's eyes narrowed. "What?"

Kragzul stood at the edge of the battlefield, his staff glowing with emerald energy. His face was pale, sweat dripping down his brow.

The old orc's voice was steady. "You underestimate the bond of warriors."

Jajwok didn't hesitate. He leaped to his feet, his golden energy surging stronger than before. He lunged once more, striking with all his might.

The Demon King met his blade with his own.

Golden light clashed with abyssal darkness.

The impact sent shockwaves across the battlefield, the sheer force tearing through the warped landscape.

The two forces struggled against each other, neither giving way.

Then—

A single drop of blood fell from the Demon King's hand.

A hush fell over the battlefield.

Jajwok's eyes widened. I hurt him.

The Demon King stared at his own blood, a dark amusement flickering across his face.

Then, he chuckled.

"Interesting."

The darkness around him surged violently.

A massive pulse of abyssal energy erupted outward, forcing Jajwok back. The orcs braced themselves as the battlefield trembled.

The Demon King straightened. His smile was unreadable. "You are not ready to face me."

Jajwok's breathing was ragged, his body aching from the battle. "Then why don't you finish this?"

The Demon King's crimson eyes burned into him. "Because you are not yet complete."

His form began to dissolve into the darkness. The abyss itself seemed to pull him away.

Brakzul shouted, "Coward!"

The Demon King merely laughed.

"This is not the end, anomaly. Grow stronger. Survive. When the time is right, I will return… and claim what is mine."

With those final words, he vanished into the abyss.

The darkness lifted.

The battlefield was silent once more.

Aftermath

The warriors stood amidst the wreckage, panting, their bodies battered but alive.

Brakzul scowled. "He ran."

Urgak spat on the ground. "Next time, we finish him."

Jajwok exhaled slowly. His body ached, his mind still reeling from the battle. But he had learned something important.

He had hurt the Demon King.

Not defeated, not broken—but wounded.

And that meant he could be killed.

Kragzul approached him, his voice quiet. "You are changing, Jajwok. The golden energy… it grows stronger. But so does the burden it carries."

Jajwok didn't respond immediately. He flexed his fingers, feeling the energy pulsing beneath his skin. It was evolving.

And so was he.

Brakzul turned to the gathered warriors. "We return to the fortress. We rebuild, prepare." His eyes darkened. "This war is far from over."

The orcs nodded, exhaustion settling into their bones, but a newfound fire burned within them.

Jajwok gazed at the abyss one last time.

The Demon King would return.

And when he did—

Jajwok would be ready.

The battlefield remained eerily silent after the Demon King's departure. The air was thick with residual abyssal energy, a reminder that their fight was far from over.

Jajwok clenched his fists, his golden energy flickering. He had survived, but survival wasn't enough. Next time, I won't just wound him. I'll finish him.

Brakzul placed a heavy hand on his shoulder. "Rest while you can. We will need our strength."

Jajwok nodded, though his mind was already racing ahead. The battle had only begun, and deep down, he knew—this was not just a war. It was a reckoning.