Chapter 14 – Commander division 2
The corridor was dark and silent, the only sound being the faint shuffle of footsteps. Captain Lysandor, regal and sharp-eyed, led Kyren through the twisting lanes of the Division 2 operations area. The shadows clung close to them like a protective veil.
Unseen, Zero activated his Camouflage: Shadow Merge, merging perfectly into the darkness of Kyren's silhouette. Not a flicker of movement betrayed his presence.
The soldiers stationed along the corridor paused, puzzled.
"Hah? Kyren? The lowest-ranked servant? Why is he being brought to the Commander's chamber?" one whispered.
"If he's really getting promoted… that makes no sense," one of them whispered. "He hasn't done anything noteworthy."Their confusion deepened, because it was true — Kyren held one of the lowest ranks, with no achievements at all that would justify such privilege.
The massive doors to the central chamber of Division 2 opened. Commander Seraphel, the strategist of legendary repute, stood before holographic maps of portals, Dark Fragment energy flows, and the movement paths of Voltraz. His gaze flicked towards Kyren as he entered.
Immediately, he sensed an anomaly. The aura was… not entirely demonic.
"This… Kyren? There's a human essence mixed in," Seraphel murmured, narrowing his eyes.
He stepped closer.
"Why are you hiding? Don't tell me you've come here with a mere subordinate from Division 2…"
Lysandor quickly updated Seraphel on the ongoing situation.
Voltraz from Division 3 had just moved toward Division 5 to meet Zephyros.
New report from my investigation...Zephyros, Commander of Division 5, might attempt to open the ritual portal for the Demon Lord to enter Zerath.
Division 1 now had a new captain: Valric, chosen through a special tournament after the death of Dravos.
Seraphel extended his senses using Wind Reading, scanning the energy of Kyren—and immediately, a second layer of power revealed itself.
"One layer is ordinary demonic energy," he muttered, "but this… human essence is far too strong."
He spoke slowly, deliberately:
"Stop pretending. You are not Kyren. Your human aura is far too obvious."
From the shadows of Kyren, Zero stepped out. His presence instantly filled the chamber, an overwhelming pressure that twisted the air.
Seraphel's eyes widened, the sheer force of Zero's aura pressing against him.
"This… human… not ordinary. Could he be the warrior from a hundred years ago?" he whispered silently.
Seraphel's tone turned measured as he asked:
"So, you are the intruder who fought with Lysandor a few days ago... What is your purpose here in division 2... hiding or looking for allies?"
Zero's reply was calm, measured:
"I just need time… before they find me."
"They? You mean Commander Voltraz?" Seraphel asked sharply.
"I don't know his name," Zero said. "But a strong aura has been observing me since I entered Division 3. It noticed me."
Seraphel's expression hardened.
"Then that must be Voltraz. Among the five Commanders, he is the closest to becoming a Demon General. Do not underestimate him."
Seraphel leaned back, revealing a grim history:
"Twenty years ago, after Zephyros opened the portal for a new Demon General, Divisions 1, 2, 3, and 4 were sent into Zerath. Zephyros, of the Dimensional Race, is the only one capable of opening dimensional portals in this sealed island.
A week ago, I sensed something crossing the seal protecting this island. Normally, it is impossible without the permission of the Demon General or Zephyros.
If you managed to enter unnoticed… only Zephyros and the Demon General know. And they are waiting for your move."
Zero stood still, digesting the words.
"So… the Demon General knows I've infiltrated."
Lysandor felt a chill run down his spine.
"You mean… he entered without the majority of Commanders knowing?"
Seraphel's gaze remained steady.
"Most likely. But when you kill Dravos Captain for division 1....all commander will know this matter. When I sensed Zero's aura, I am certain even the Demon General is aware. Zephyros and the Demon General, from the Dimensional Race, are attuned to spatial energy."
The tension became significant. Zero's aura, under the mental pressure, began to fluctuate. Dark Fragments flickered violently, spinning across the floor. Lysandor's hand went instinctively to his sword.
Seraphel's voice cut through the tension:
"Calm. He is not our enemy."
Finally, Seraphel made a brave decision. He looked Zero in the eye:
"I will give you two options. First, leave this island with me. We join forces to defeat the new Demon General."
"Or…" he continued, "you stay here, become my subordinate or you will be hunted by other commander division's, and their entire forces."
Seraphel let out a slow breath, as if releasing a weight he had carried for years.
"I do not follow the new Demon General," he said quietly. "Not his vision… and certainly not his cruelty."
His expression hardened.
"He and I clashed once—over Lysandor. Over the Special Race. He wanted Lysandor turned into a weapon, stripped of his identity. I stood against him. Since that day, we have never walked the same path."
He looked at Zero, silver eyes steady.
"So yes… I want to leave. This place no longer feels like a home."
Zero remained silent, the weight of the decision pressing down on him as the chamber seemed to shrink under the gravity of their choices.