The abandoned hall was silent except for the sound of Homeless's slow breathing. The shadows stretched around him like a cage, restless and alive. He sat on the cracked stone floor, his head bowed, his body trembling with the weight of the demon inside him.From deep within, the voice came. Low at first, then rising like fire through iron.
Malakar: "Why do you hesitate? You carry my flame, yet you refuse to let it burn. Take the streets. Tear the city apart. Kill without reason—let them all scream. Only then will they know fear."
Homeless clenched his fists, his teeth grinding. His voice was hoarse but firm.
Homeless: "No. I will not kill for nothing. My family died in that train. I know who is to blame—the ones who played with lives for power. My rage is for them, not for children, not for people who already suffer."
The shadows swirled tighter. Malakar's tone grew sharper, cruel.
Malakar: "You are a fool. Rage does not need a reason. Rage is freedom! If you kill one, the world weeps for him. If you kill thousands, the world bows before you. Why waste this gift of fire and shadow on your petty grief?"
Homeless raised his head, his eyes glowing faintly in the dark.
Homeless: "Because grief has meaning. Because even in my pain, I know the line. I will not become like those who destroyed my family. I will not be their mirror. I may be homeless, broken, cast aside, but I am still human. And you will not take that away from me."
The demon roared. The ground shook as cracks split across the floor.
Malakar: "Human? You dare call yourself human when I flow through your veins? You are mine. You are my vessel, my weapon, my voice in this age! You owe me blood!"
Homeless shouted back, his voice echoing like thunder.
Homeless: "I owe you nothing! Your power kept me alive, yes, but it is not yours to command. I will not burn the innocent. I fight for my family's justice, not your hunger!"
The shadows snapped and writhed, filling the hall with black fire. For the first time, Malakar did not sound amused—he sounded furious.
Malakar: "Then you are weak! You insult me! If you will not use my power as I wish, then I will find someone who will!"
Before Homeless could answer, the air exploded. A scream ripped through the night as Malakar tore himself free. Black smoke poured from Homeless's chest, his body thrown backward against the stone wall. He gasped for air, clutching his chest as the demon's shape formed above him—horned, winged, a storm of shadow.
Homeless's voice cracked. "Malakar… don't…"
But the demon only laughed, a deep, cruel laugh that shook the air. Then, like a storm breaking free of its cage, Malakar shot into the night sky, leaving Homeless behind, broken and alone.
The Demon's New Host:
Across the city, the glass towers of Dynamo Car Company glowed like false beacons. Inside the tallest office, the CEO of Dynamo sat in rage. His empire had been embarrassed by Hornet. His sales had dropped. His pride was bleeding.As he slammed a glass onto the table, the lights flickered. A shadow crept across the floor, crawling up the walls. The CEO froze, his anger turning to dread.
Voice (Malakar): "I see your heart. It burns with greed. It aches for power. You are the one I seek."
The man tried to shout, but no sound left his lips. Black smoke coiled around him, seeping into his mouth, his eyes, his veins. He screamed silently as Malakar entered him. His body convulsed, then stilled. When his eyes opened again, they glowed with the same fire Homeless once carried.
Malakar (inside the CEO): "Yes… this one will not resist me. This one will use me as I must be used. Dynamo will not just sell cars. Dynamo will sell death."
He looked into the mirror on the wall. The face staring back was still the Dynamo CEO, but twisted—his eyes burning, his smile cruel.The demon had found a new home.
Homeless Alone:
Back in the hall, Homeless lay on the floor, his body weak, his chest empty. For the first time in years, he felt himself fully human again. But the loss did not feel like freedom—it felt like fear.He whispered to himself, "What have I done… What have I released?"The truth was clear: Malakar was no longer chained to him. The demon now had a new body, a new empire, and new tools. And that empire was already against Hornet.Homeless, once the feared vessel of darkness, now sat powerless. But deep in his heart, he knew—he would not stay powerless for long.Because though the demon had left him, the fight was not over.It had only just begun.