*Content Warning: This chapter contains mature themes, violence, blood, and morally dark actions. Reader discretion advised.*
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The grand hall thrummed with suffocated breaths, the Heavenly Demon's vanished pressure leaving echoes of dread in every crushed soul. Prostrated figures stirred slowly, spines aching from the invisible yoke, eyes darting toward the lone upright silhouette at the forefront. Whispers slithered through the ranks like venomous serpents—guards exchanging wide-eyed glances, sons clenching hidden weapons, daughters peeking through lashes, wives' fans fluttering erratically. So he's the one, their minds chorused in fractured unison. The Heavenly Demon's chosen... the unbowed freak with blue hair and ghost eyes. What abyss spat him out?
The Heavenly Demon's gaze swept his kin, lips twisting into a regal smile that masked volcanic depths, arms unfolding languidly as crimson aura flickered like dying embers.
"I now announce: from this moment forward, every guard, my sons and daughters, and my wives as well—all of you must treat Kevin with the same respect as you accord me."
Shock detonated like a thunderclap. Gasps ripped free as bodies jerked upright, faces contorting in disbelief. Damien's scar-riddled jaw slackened, fists balling white-knuckled. Evelyn's emerald eyes flashed murderously toward Lucien, who mouthed Insane! Victor bellowed a strangled laugh, axe-hand twitching. Cassian's illusory flames sputtered chaotically; Iris crushed a petal to pulp; Rowan snarled soundlessly; Sable's shadows writhed. Wives froze—Isolde's poise fracturing, Selene hissing to Vivian, Elara fanning furiously, Seraphina smirking uneasily, Lilith's nails digging crescents into palms. Miranda whimpered incoherently, doll clutched like a lifeline. Guards shuffled, murmuring Kevin? Equal to the lord? Preposterous!
Chaos erupted in heated clusters. "Equal respect?!" Damien snarled to Julian, veins throbbing. Evelyn whirled on Lucien: "This upstart eclipses *us*?" Victor guffawed bitterly: "Over my corpse!" Cassian spat: "Hierarchy in flames..."
Damien Draven surged to his feet first, broad frame quaking with defiance, scar twisting grotesquely as he locked eyes with his father, voice booming like cracking stone.
"My apologies, my lord, but we can't! Someone we don't even know—how strong is he even to deserve it?"
The Heavenly Demon's face darkened, teeth grinding audibly, jaw muscles bulging as killing intent erupted—a scarlet haze thickening the air, promising evisceration. His hand twitched upward, claws of aura manifesting like bloodied talons.
"How dare you? Didn't you hear my order? Or do you fancy yourself higher than me, you brat?"
Damien's bravado evaporated; sweat beaded cold as death's kiss, knees wobbling, mind screaming—Oh damn it, I'm finished. I shouldn't have said it...
As the Heavenly Demon's hand arced down like judgment's hammer, a blur intercepted. Void—Kevin—materialized, his long blue hair swaying like sapphire silk in an unfelt breeze, beautiful white eyes serene as polished pearls. His fingers closed gently yet unyieldingly around the lord's wrist, then he bowed low, posture impeccable.
"My apologies, my lord."
Elders gasped from shadowed alcoves, beards trembling; sons' jaws unhinged—Damien's eyes bugged, Victor froze mid-lunge; daughters inhaled sharply; guards paled to ghosts. He grabbed the Heavenly Demon's arm... and lives? Untouched? What manner of abomination? Lilith's breath hitched, obsession blooming feral; even the unflappable Seraphina blinked.
Kevin's serene smile lingered a heartbeat—lips curving disarmingly, white eyes gleaming—before he vanished. Air rippled where he stood, leaving only the faint scent of ozone.
Guards whirled, heads snapping wildly—Where'd he go? The center? No... gone like smoke! "Impossible—did he dissolve?" one stammered, armor clanking in panic.
In the hall's heart, space warped again. Kevin rematerialized, blue hair settling flawlessly, white eyes locking onto the Heavenly Demon with deferential calm, voice steady as bedrock.
"My lord, please grant me permission to handle this myself."
The Heavenly Demon's killing intent ebbed, replaced by a sharp smirk curling his lips, eyes narrowing in predatory approval as he waved a languid hand.
"Well then, suit yourself."
Evelyn Draven's breath caught, her coiled-serpent grace faltering as she lifted her gaze from prostrate pose, emerald eyes tracing Kevin's form—blue hair cascading like forbidden silk, white eyes luminous jewels defying the gloom, tall frame sculpted perfection in shadowed silhouette. A flush crept her porcelain cheeks, lips parting in a secret smile as she mumbled to herself, fingers twisting her sleeve.
He is so handsome... Are those eyes even real? Oh my God, so beautiful. His hair color gleams like sapphire flame, height towering yet elegant, body structure flawless—broad shoulders tapering to lethal grace. Everything perfect... but to think he serves Father?
Nearby, Sable tilted her head fractionally, silent shadows coiling tighter at her feet like jealous lovers, her wide eyes drinking Kevin in—blue locks shimmering ethereally, white orbs piercing like twin moons. A rare warmth ghosted her cheeks as inner thoughts swirled.
*Handsome... impossibly so. Those eyes glow like captured stars, hair a cascade of midnight blue. Tall, poised, perfect lines... Father's servant?
Iris, ethereal in her nightshade veil, crushed another petal unconsciously, raven hair framing a face alight with mirrored fascination, lips whispering to the wind.
Perfection incarnate... eyes white as virgin snow, blue hair flowing like a god's mane. Body honed to lethal art. Serving Father? How tragic... how tantalizing.
Kevin raised his arm wide, stance commanding the vast hall, blue hair framing his serene smile, white eyes sweeping all with unblinking confidence, voice resonating like velvet thunder.
"Well then, I am the one who will serve the Heavenly Demon. Nice to meet you all. And now that I think about it, it seems some of you have a problem. You all must want to see my abilities to judge if I'm worthy, right? I can't say for sure if I'm worthy in your eyes."
He paused, smile sharpening to a razor's edge, aura subtly rippling—air growing heavier, shadows deepening unnaturally.
"But I can say one thing for certain: none of you can take me on. Even if all you lot come at me together, you won't do shit to me."
Laughter erupted from him—rich, booming hahahahaha, echoing off marble like a tyrant's decree.
Sons ignited in fury. Damien's scars livid, fists pulverizing stone—Arrogant worm! I'll cleave that smirk. Victor roared inwardly, axe fantasies vivid—Test me, blue-hair? Your blood first. Lucien calculated murder vectors; Cassian summoned flame tempests; Rowan bared teeth like a beast. Guards seethed—Newcomer scum! Equal to us? We'll bury him. Even daughters' admiration cracked under the onslaught.
Kevin's smile softened disarmingly, head tilting boyishly, blue hair shifting like liquid night, white eyes twinkling innocently.
"Oh my, how rude of me. I haven't properly introduced myself, have I?"
He bowed theatrically, voice warm yet laced with steel.
"My name is Kevin. And there is only one person who can defeat me—and that is my lord, the Heavenly Demon."
The hall teetered on pandemonium's brink, Kevin's words a gauntlet thrown.