Return From Damnation

Dark Invader

" I need a flight ticket to Paris, please." Rowan said to the lady at the counter, trying to smile as much as possible.

Looking at his face, one couldn't really tell that he had applied some makeup on, in order to look more human, and too, so that his Identity Card matched his appearance.

After acquiring the ticket, he went forth to board the plane. It took a total of nine hours to get to Paris. When Rowan stepped out of the plane, he headed straight towards the Jean Aubert Mansion.

When he arrived outside the gates, it was already dark. He took out his binoculars and used the night vision mode to have a look inside the mansion. He saw several guards parading the Mansion.

' Damn, I never thought there would be this many guards.' Rowan lamented.

' Hmm that's true, so what do you plan on doing now?' Invidiak asked.

' I need a way to sneak past them without getting noticed.' Rowan pondered in different ways to get in.

' Try the shadow veil.' Invidiak suggested.

With that said, Rowan checked the details about the ability on the screen. He smiled when he saw that the shadow veil acted as a cloak, covering his whole body, making him invisible. But this ability could only be accurate in the dark.

Rowan activated the shadow veil and snuck into the yard.

….

….

…

Rowan, in his invisible form, quietly made his way towards the imposing Jean Aubert Mansion. As he approached the estate, a peculiar realization struck him – he could see right through the human façade of the guards stationed outside.

Intrigued by this newfound ability, he asked Invidiak for an explanation. ' Is it just me or am I truly seeing strange things? What exactly are these guards? Why am I able to see their true form?'

Invidiak, with his deep, sinister voice, responded calmly, revealing the secret behind Rowan's perception.

'Those guards are not mere humans, Rowan. They are demons like me. Being in possession of your body has granted you the ability to detect the true forms of demons, Nameks, and other races.'

' Nameks and other races?' Rowan repeated the sentence as he tried to make some sense of it.

' Nameks are holy beings. They can also disguise themselves as humans. You see, in this world, there is another world in which the humans are not aware of, and now, you are just getting a glimpse.'

Armed with this newfound knowledge, Rowan continued his stealthy approach toward the mansion. However, as he drew nearer, the demons guarding the premises began to sense a foreign presence in the air. They sniffed intently, their instincts picking up on something unusual, yet, to Rowan's shadow veil was proving to be very effective.

The demons exchanged puzzled glances, their nostrils twitching as they attempted to sniff out the source of the strange aura surrounding them. Frustration mingled with curiosity as their eyes darted around, trying to catch a glimpse of the intruder.

Rowan, observing the demons' confusion, felt a surge of satisfaction knowing that his invisibility was working effectively. He moved cautiously, ensuring that every step was silent and undetectable. .

As Rowan reached the mansion's grand entrance, he couldn't help but marvel at the architecture. The demons, still on high alert, continued their fruitless search for the mysterious presence. Rowan saw an open window, and he decided that it was best if he went in through that way.

As got closer, suddenly a gust of wind blew past him, carrying Rowan's aura with it toward the demons. That is when they knew for sure that someone was really around. One of them who looked like their leader was especially curious.

He sniffed the air twice and immediately, he turned and looked at the direction of which Rowan was hiding. " Shadow bastards!" The demon said before clicking his gun.

He walked slowly towards Rowan's direction, still sniffing the air, trying to pinpoint Rowan's position. When he got close enough, he stood there for a while.

At this point, Rowan was disturbed. ' What is he waiting for? He hasn't seen me, has he?'

' Hmm, I must admit that whoever hired these guys is a very smart person.' Invidiak Commented.

Rowan furrowed his eyes in confusion, he couldn't understand ' what are you implying?'

' They are Sun breathers, their greatest weapon is their sense of smell.' Invidiak explained.

Rowan watched the demon, trying to keep still as possible, the demon took in a deep breath and suddenly, he opened his mouth and sprayed his saliva on Rowan.

' Oh no, he has marked you. There is no point in hiding now, anywhere you go, invisible or not, he and the rest will find you.' Invidiak explained.

' Guess I'll have to fight then.' Rowan said, taking off his cloak.

' Time to send some souls to hell.' Rowan said as he used the shadow slicer on the demon, ending him on the spot.

Rowan stood, his back pressed against the wall, as he witnessed the situation before him. Immediately, his dark brown eyes widened as the guards, consumed by fury, revealed their true nature. The whites of their eyes appeared to be ablaze, glowing red hue. In an instant, their once human nails grew into sharp claws, while their teeth elongated into fangs, ready for battle.

' That's it baby, there we go.' Invidiak remarked in excitement as he was already enjoying the violence he anticipated to unfold.

Without hesitation, the guards unleashed a barrage of bullets towards Rowan. Acting on instinct, he controlled the formless shadow surrounding him. With a surge of concentration, he molded the shadow into a sturdy shield, deflecting the bullets. The bullets bounced off the impenetrable barrier, harmlessly scattering across the room.

Seizing the opportunity, Rowan unleashed his offensive powers. He reshaped the shadow around him to be thinner, flat and sharp as a blade. crafting what he was familiar with, known as the "Shadow Slicer." Rowan was already getting a hang of his shadow powers. With a flick of his wrist, the shadow blade sliced through the air, finding its mark with accuracy. One guard after another fell to the ground, a mixture of shock and disbelief painted across their demon faces.

As the final guard dropped to the ground, Rowan made his way through the doors of the mansion. What awaited him there was a scene right out of his worst nightmares. Standing at the center of the mansion was a huge figure, a muscular man with an intense aura. Rowan's instincts told him that this must be Jean Aubert, the man he had been seeking all along.

' But wait, is everyone suddenly a demon now?' Rowan asked himself.

However, it was not just Jean Aubert's physical appearance that sent shivers down Rowan's spine. Hovering around him were several guards with massive wings and strange magic staff; unlike Jean, they had already transformed into their demonic forms, ready for battle.. Rowan's heart raced as he realized the magnitude of the danger he now faced.

' Got Damnit Kraken !' Invidiak exclaimed when his eyes landed on Jean.

' Hm? Who is Kraken?' Rowan asked.

' He is a rival demon of mine. Unlike me who manipulates shadow, he Manipulates blood. With a single cut on your body, he can drain out every last drop of blood and use it at his will. Even a drop of blood could become a lethal weapon as he could create a blood bullet.' Invidiak explained.

' That is one hell of a troublesome ability.' Rowan said, looking back at the blood he had spilled from the low class demons with the shadow slicer.

' Right, to tell you the truth, I have never won a battle against him, and I have never lost one too.' Invidiak explained.

Jean Aubert's eyes locked onto Rowan, It was a look that conveyed both power and horror, a stark reminder of the darkness that lay within his soul. The aura that surrounded him was terrifying, causing the very air to crackle with energy. He stood there for a while, staring at Rowan, suddenly he smiled.

" Invidiak, the god of death, what brings you to my territory." Jean asked, calming down the tensed air.

' god of death? Why would he call you that?' Rowan was curious.

Invidiak sighed, then he spoke. ' You see, unlike me who grows as the number of souls I send to the underworld increases, he grows when a new soul becomes a slave to addiction. That is why he is a drug lord.'

' Guess there is still much I need to learn.' Rowan said as he looked at Jean who had his eyes locked on him.

" Nothing much. I was told you were in possession of something important to me." Rowan said as Invidiak asked him to.

" And what might it be?" Jean asked.

" An artifact. The one you bought at the charity event a few days ago." Rowan replied.

Jean supported his chin," Is that so, then what was the need for the grand entrance?"

" Just a little misunderstanding on my side, my apologies." Rowan bowed his head. " Now, straight to business. Where is the artifact?" Rowan asked, his voice echoing with unwavering authority.

Jean couldn't help but laugh at Rowan. " Is this your new vessel, Invidiak? Poor soul. I'll destroy this one, same thing I did the last one."

Rowan shook his head, " I knew things will go this way. Let me see you try."