The Dawn of the New World

Eurig had never seen such an emotionless pair of eyes in all his life. There was no compassion in them, no pity or empathy of any kind. He felt like he was staring into a bottomless pit when he met Hao Xuan's gaze.

He could feel what was left of his soul tremble inside of him as Hao Xuan's hand hovered in front of his face.

"Then what use are you to me? All you have done is slow my progress thus far. What reason is there for you to exist any longer?"

"THE SAVIOR! PLEASE!," he screamed, "Only I can take you to him! He is like you, he has strange powers just like you! Maybe he can save that man!"

The word Devour was on the tip of Hao Xuan's tongue. He could already feel the essence of Eurig's soul washing over him but-

"Get up. When I come back you better be ready to move. I will visit your savior and decide your fate then."

Eurig let out a breath of relief but when he didn't see Hao Xuan move he slowly raised his head.

"These two behind you. Chose one."

"??"

He looked back and saw the two remaining members of his party. One was the demonling with the extremely long appendages the other was a hulking mass of flesh and bone.

"C-Chose for what? Do you require an attendant? I'm afraid their minds are all but gone and-"

"Pick one."

Hao Xuan didn't explain at all, only asking Eurig to choose one of the two for something so he went with the obvious choice.

"Then him," he gestured to the demonling with the extended limbs to come forward while explaining the reasons for picking him, "He can hide his presence very well and stay out of sight until you need him. He is fast and-"

[Devour!]

Before Eurig could even finish the sentence the demonling's horrid form collapsed in on itself and his presence vanished entirely from this world.

Hao Xuan opened his mouth as white smoke poured into his gullet.

"....."

Eurig, Claudia, and the other remaining creature could only stare at the empty spot the demonling was standing on just moments ago. They couldn't understand what had happened because according to their senses it had just stopped existing entirely.

There was no blood, no fight, it couldn't even put up momentary resistance against whatever that was. It was like Hao Xuan flipped a switch and it was erased out of existence.

"Next time I won't stop at just one," Hao Xuan warned before making his way out.

Eurig's mind was in shambles while the hulking demonling looked left and right in confusion, still unable to wrap its simple mind around what had happened.

Claudia on the other hand was overjoyed.

'He is the one! He can definitely set me free. I just have to do what they asked and once he comes into his true form I will be right there beside him!'

Giving weight to her rationale she blindly followed after Hao Xuan without even considering the fact that he might just do the same to her if push came to shove.

Her very thoughts and beliefs were slowly being twisted just by being around Hao Xuan. The chaos was shaping her mind into one of a devout servant and she was none the wiser.

As a creature of the Abyss, she was unable to defend against a stronger force. And what could be stronger and purer than the Son of Chaos?

She raced outside and upon seeing Hao Xuan waiting for her a smile bloomed on her face.

"Master~" she called out warmly but her smile froze upon noticing his posture.

He was leaning against the side of the building breathing heavily.

"What happened? Are you okay?!"

"Yeah, yeah I'm fine," he waved his hand nonchalantly, "That fucker's poison was much stronger than I expected it to be. I'm just a little numb is all. It should be fine in a few minute-Hey! What are you doing?!"

Claudia nuzzled into his embrace and wrapped his arm around her.

"Please allow me. You can always lean on me whenever you need it."

It felt strange to say but he wasn't immediately put off by her even though they had met just minutes ago. There was genuine concern for him in her actions almost like with a family member.

*Sigh*

"What did I say about keeping distance? You don't even know me. What if I was a bad guy who wanted to take advantage of you?" he asked jokingly.

"Then I would let you," she replied earnestly leaving Hao Xuan speechless.

*Sigh*

"You win. I can't say anything if you're that forward every time. Just look at the stars or something."

"You sigh a lot, master."

"I do, don't I?"

😉