"The Fallen Hero's Return: Saaransh's Legacy"

The black castle of the Demon King towered ahead of them, its distorted spires grasping for the scarlet sky like the claws of a relic monster. Demonic bats swarmed overhead, their hellish shrieks skirling through the empty air. Glowing red eyes of the creatures flashed like hot coals in the darkness, their leathery wings sending jagged shadows dancing upon the clouds scarlet-stained with blood. The air was heavy with evil power, oozing from the very walls of the palace, as if the palace itself was sentient seeing, waiting.

Within, a cavernous hall bathed in unnatural red light lay in wait. The radiance emanated from jagged red crystals set into the imposing black pillars, casting moving shadows across the glossy obsidian floor. The ceiling was bordered with curved, spiky arches that helped create the stifling atmosphere of the room. Sitting at the room's center, on a throne constructed of jagged obsidian, was Vorkhael, the Demon King. His red eyes sparkled with amusement as he looked at the heroes before him. He was crushing, a weight bearing down upon their very souls.

But they did not falter.

Saaransh clutched his twin swords, Frostfang and Emberclaw, tightly. The swords hummed with elemental power, eager for the combat to come.

He stood at bay, twin swords trained on Vorkhael, their blades shining with naked power.

"I'll kill you today with these swords of mine."

Vorkhael emitted a deep chuckle, his baritone voice booming out across the hall. The amusement in his gaze increased, and as the voice of his mirth grew stronger, he stood up from his throne, his massive form shadowing the hall even more deeply. His mirth rebounded off the tall pillars, chilling the air with an ominous reverberation.

The heroes, looking up at Vorkhael's towering figure, felt a shiver of intimidation wash over them. He was huge—almost eight feet tall—his very presence radiating crushing power. His black armor absorbed the faint red light, and the demonic sword at his hip glowed with abyssal power, its cracked surface looking like veins—living, hungry for fight and blood.

"Interesting… I feel something different in you, human. A spark of hope, or perhaps another fool who thinks he can be against me?"

Before Saaransh could speak, Ryu Jin charged forward. His sword tracing a silver pathway through the air as he drew it in a single smooth motion.

"Not another word!" His voice was cold. "It's time you were dead."

The attack was swift and accurate but Vorkhael hardly flinched. With one finger, he brought the attack to a stop halfway through the swing. The force shook the earth, rattling the whole castle, but the Demon King didn't stir.

"Disappointing." Vorkhael let out a sigh. "Is that all?"

A white blur whizzed by them—Yun Seo. She dived, her axe leaving a trail of frost. In a vicious sweep, she slashed at Vorkhael's side. Cold energy wrapped around the blade, crawling up his arm the moment it hit

"Let's see how you like the cold."

The ice spread quickly, encasing Vorkhael's arm in a hard crystalline jail.

Saaransh sneered. "Good blow, Yun Seo. Now, the two of you—fall back."

Yun Seo: "Roger."

Ryu Jin: "Roger that."

No sooner had the Demon King attempted to shatter the ice than Kang Ha held up his staff. Golden flames erupted above it a whirling ball of Sacred Fire illuminated the entire hall, the heat producing a blast of air that rippled through the chamber. It burned with superhuman power, its divine rage crackling in the air.

Kang Ha's eyes flared with determination as he pushed his staff forward.

"Primordial Flame Devour!"

The Holy Fire rored, bursting forward toward Vorkhael in a raging blaze. When the fire hit the ice prison, a brutal blast of steam and power exploded, rattling the chamber.

For the first time ever, Vorkhael's grin wavered. He tensed his arm, crushing the ice that held him captive, and cut through the fire with his Sword, scattering it.

"Not bad." His voice was smooth, but his eyes gleamed with something darker. "Better than the last humans who tried to take my head. But."

His aura darkened.

".You are still nothing."

Saaransh lunged, his swords glowing with raw energy.

"We haven't even started yet!" he roared.

Frostfang and Emberclaw came down in a flurry of slashes, each strike infused with elemental power. Ice and fire spiraled together, crashing against Vorkhael's defenses.

But Vorkhael easily continued dodging the swords with one fluid motion.

Vorkhael raised his sword—Abyssfang, one forged in the underworld's depths—and deflected one of Saaransh's swords with his own. With a flick of his wrist, he deflected the other with his gauntlet.

"Tch. That all?"

Saaransh's eyes furrowed. "I'm not finished yet."

Power coursed through his veins.

"Unleash."

Frostfang and Emberclaw shuddered in his hand, their elemental power coming to life. His second attack was like a raging storm, the raw force behind it pushing Vorkhael back across the chamber floor.

The Demon King's smile grew wider with amusement.

"Oh? That's more like it."

He waved his wrist. Abyssfang seemed to throb with dark energy, the raw power of its might sending a shockwave through the chamber.

Ryu Jin shifted in a flash, his sword sizzling with wind and lightning.

"Raging Tempest!"

Swords of condensed air charged at Vorkhael, cutting through the air like intangible razors.

"Yun Seo, now!" Saaransh ordered.

She was already on the move, her axe biting through the air, waves of frost following every blow. Kang Ha followed behind, her magic entwining the attack, bolstering their charge.

Vorkhael changed from parrying to taking blows—their constant barrage was pushing him back.

"We can do this!" Ryu Jin cried.

"Concentrate!" Saaransh commanded. "No errors! Don't let him counter!"

Their blades met, metal ringing in the chaos of battle. Shadows dithered, racing over the shattered floor.

And then

Vorkhael sighed.

"You are powerful. More powerful than many. But…"

The atmosphere altered.

"You have yet to witness real power."

Your futile little tricks are meaningless before sheer strength."

He lifted Abyssfang.

"Abyssal Fissure."

The ground cracked.

Dark fire burst from the cracks, burning everything in its path.

"MOVE!" Saaransh bellowed.

They jumped back as the earth opened up, hellfire pouring forth. The shock reduced the battlefield to rubble, molten fissures radiating heat beneath their feet.

Vorkhael laughed.

"Interesting. You anticipated my move before I even made it. Tell me, hero… how?"

Saaransh's hold on his swords went tighter. "I don't owe you explanations. I just know one thing."

His resolve burned in his eyes.

"You die today."

Vorkhael laughed then his look turned blacker.

"Then come. Bring your strength here!"

The fighting flared once more.

Saaransh's attacks flew quicker, sharper. Ryu Jin danced past the pandemonium, his sword flicking between wind and lightning. Yun Seo bellowed with brute force, ice streaming each motion. Kang Ha cast spell after spell, his flames gnawing at Vorkhael's armor.

For the first time in centuries

The Demon King stumbled.

But something was off.

Someone was absent.

Baek Do.

No one had realized it yet.but they would soon.

Vorkhael's laughter became mad. His aura blazed, black and crimson blending into a tempest of raw power. His muscles coiled, his handsome face becoming something monstrous.

"I will destroy you all." His voice was dripping with bloodlust, his crimson eyes blazing with malice. "And drink your ashes!"

Saaransh remained steadfast, unshakeable.

"We will not fail."His voice was firm. Unwavering.

"This fight is ours!"

And with that, they attacked.

Blades met. Sparks flew.

The last battle had commenced.

To Be Continued.