Chapter 22: The Blade's Edge Choice
The weight of Aron's decree hung over the plaza like an unspoken ultimatum. The Lord of Dreams sat unmoving on his throne of swirling mist, his pink-glowing eyes fixed on me with an intensity that made my skin prickle.
The dream spirits behind him shifted restlessly, their forms flickering between shadow and substance, as if eager to devour any sign of hesitation. The crowd's murmurs had faded into a tense hush, every eye locked on the stage where I stood, flanked by Helga and the four vice-principals.
I felt Anki's hum vibrate through my chest, a steady rhythm that grounded me amid the chaos. Loyalty to the Dream family was my shield, but now the choice of academy would forge my path forward. Celestial Demon's sacred souls tempted with raw demonic power. Demon Command's promise of freedom and armies spoke to the warrior in me. Twilight's oath and warhorse offered protection and nobility. But Devil Blade… Dabara's Persistent Blade legacy whispered of immortality, of edges that never dulled, of survival in a world that sought to break me.
My decision crystallized in my mind, sharp and unyielding.
"I choose Devil Blade Academy," I declared, my voice cutting through the silence like a drawn sword. "The Persistent Blade will be my legacy."
The plaza erupted into a cacophony of gasps and whispers. "Devil Blade? For a blind slave?" "Dabara's art… that's the path of endless war!" Elders in the high seats leaned forward, their faces a mix of shock and calculation, while weaker superhumans clutched their seats, still reeling from Aron's oppressive aura.
Vabun's skinless demon form twitched, his exposed muscles rippling with barely contained fury. He rose slowly from his kneel, his voice a gravelly growl laced with disbelief. "Boy… are you certain? Celestial Demon offers souls that could make you a god among demons. Throw away this chance, and you'll regret it."
Before I could respond, Alvin stepped forward, his golden sword still sheathed but his aura flaring like a sun about to explode. His eyes narrowed, cold and unforgiving. "You turn down freedom and command? Fine. But remember this, Liam Heart, I won't forget this slight. Demon Command Academy doesn't offer second chances to fools."
The Twilight knight, her red hair catching the dim light like flames, remained composed, but a flicker of disappointment crossed her features. She reached into her cloak and tossed a small object toward me, a crimson badge etched with the emblem of a shield wreathed in twilight shadows. It landed at my feet with a soft clink, and I sensed its aura pulsing with protective energy. "My offer stands, boy," she said, her voice steady and proud. "Should Devil Blade's edges dull your spirit, seek us out. Twilight Academy welcomes true shields."
Dabara, however, reacted differently. His sharp smile twisted into a snarl at Vabun's words, his eyes flashing with predatory anger. "Watch your tongue, Vabun," he hissed, his voice low and venomous. "The boy has chosen wisely. Celestial Demon's souls are nothing but chains disguised as power."
The tension snapped like a taut wire. Dabara's aura surged, and from the shadows behind him, a massive demon wolf materialized, its fur black as midnight, eyes glowing with feral hunger. The beast moved with furious speed, blurring across the stage in an instant, positioning itself behind Vabun with its maw wide open, fangs dripping ethereal saliva that sizzled on the marble floor. A low, guttural growl echoed through the plaza, sending chills down the spines of the onlookers.
The crowd recoiled, whispers turning to cries of alarm. "Dabara's wolf… it's awakened!" "This could turn bloody!"
Vabun didn't flinch. His skinless form pulsed, and his own demon erupted into view, a towering, grotesque figure with blades protruding from every joint, its body a patchwork of raw flesh and sharpened bone. In a flash, it countered, thrusting a massive blade upward to point directly below the wolf's gaping mouth, the tip hovering inches from its throat. The air crackled with clashing auras, demonic energies colliding in sparks of red and black light.
The stage trembled under the strain, cracks spiderwebbing outward as the two vice-principals' summons stared each other down, poised on the brink of violence.
Aron's throne shifted slightly, the dream-mist swirling faster, a subtle warning that silenced the growing panic. His voice boomed like thunder, calm yet laced with finality.
"Enough. The boy's choice is made. There will be no blood here today."
The demons held their positions for a heartbeat longer, auras warring in silent fury, before Dabara barked a command. His wolf snarled once more, then dissolved back into shadows, retreating with a reluctant huff. Vabun's demon followed suit, retracting its blade and fading away, though the vice-principal's glare lingered on Dabara like a promise of future reckoning.
Dabara turned to me then, his anger melting into a satisfied grin. "Wise choice, Liam Heart. The Persistent Blade will make you unbreakable." He extended a hand, gripping my shoulder with surprising firmness.
"Come. We leave for Devil Blade Academy at once. Your new life begins now."
He didn't wait for protests. With a wave of his hand, a rift of dark energy tore open beside us,a portal swirling with blade-like shadows. Dabara pulled me and several others toward it, and I sensed his attendants gathering nearby, shadowy figures from Devil Blade who had been waiting in the wings. Helga moved to follow, but Dabara shook his head.
"The boy comes alone. His training demands isolation."
Helga stepped forward, her expression a mix of pride and sorrow. She placed a hand on my face felling it one more time, her touch warm and steady. "Liam… goodbye for now. Remember, your home is Daveron. The Dream family awaits your return when you're ready. Serve well, but never forget where your true loyalty lies."
I nodded, Anki pulsing in agreement against my chest. "I won't forget, Lady Helga. Thank you… for everything."
With that, Dabara ushered me through the portal, the other vice-principals' displeased gazes burning into my back. Vabun's words echoed in my mind, a veiled threat, while Alvin's promise of remembrance hung like a storm cloud.
The Twilight knight's badge remained at my feet, but one of Dabara's attendants scooped it up, tucking it into my pouch with a knowing smirk.
As the rift closed behind us, the plaza's chaos faded into silence. The Lord of Dreams watched from his throne, his faint smile unchanging, as if this was all part of a greater dream unfolding. But for me, the real forging had begun, in the halls of Devil Blade, where edges were honed, and destinies cut deep.