THIRD PERSON'S POV

All eyes turned to Demon, and disgust was evident on their faces as they stared at her.

"Fuck!" Zeus immediately let go of Kevin's neck and was about to run towards Demon when Jarvis blocked his way.

"Hi, you can't go," Jarvis said with a sweet smile before electrocuting Zeus, causing him to weaken.

"What? Where did he come from?" Zeus asked as he fainted. He couldn't move but focused on Demon's whereabouts, wishing someone would come to save her.

"Disgusting."

"Why is her back like that?"

"It's embarrassing."

"I thought she was perfect."

"If I had a back like that, I would kill myself."

"He's still alive but he's decaying."

Mixed reactions were heard from the crowd as they judged her back, covered in scars that had not yet healed.

Demon, on the other hand, let go of Claire and tried to find something to cover her back but to no avail. The scars on her back reminded her of her past.

"NO! STAY AWAY FROM HER!" Venom rushed to Demon's location to protect her from enemies looking to exploit her vulnerability. He swung his sword and fearlessly fought alone.

"BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!"

Half of the White Monarchy's unit had been overthrown by the unit of the thirteen leaders. The assassins could no longer move, targeted by their counterparts. The situation was reversed; the Black Government was on top, devouring the White Monarchy at the bottom.

–

"I didn't expect this. What are we going to do?" Saphora said, panicking.

She and the other pillars watched the events unfold, shocked when Demon's back was exposed.

"Do you remember what happened the first time her back was exposed? It still terrifies me to this day," Kurt said, hugging his body and hiding by Saphora's side. The memory gave him shivers and an uncomfortable feeling.

"Should we push the outlaw into battle?" Ethan asked. He was also one of the four pillars and the former owner of one of the thirteen masks.

"It's impossible. If we push the outlaw, it will only get worse. Hyei alone is already dangerous," the leader of the pillars responded calmly, watching the battle unfold on the screen.

All weapons were aimed at Demon as Venom fought alone.

"Get Zeus out of there and wait for the seventh unit."

Saphora, Kurt, and Ethan looked at their leader in disbelief.

"Seventh unit? But can't—" Kurt was interrupted.

"I will move the glass and show how powerful the White Monarchy is," the leader said, taking a gulp of wine. Worry was evident on his face as Demon stood motionless in the middle.

The seventh unit was the most brutal, having trained with Demon and adopted her behavior. They worshipped no one except Demon and killed everyone, friend or enemy, without care.

"WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!"

Everyone was alerted when the alarm went off in the prison where Viper was.

"Oh no, don't tell me," Saphora quickly went to her laptop and checked the CCTV footage. "What the—Viper escaped."

Everyone in the room panicked, except for the pillars who minimally maintained their composure.

"Send the seventh unit right now and support Viper," the leader ordered, gripping his fist tightly. He knew Viper was not in good condition yet, but this was their only hope to avoid a serious event. "Show me who deserves the title of king, Viper."

–

"Shawn, isn't this a good opportunity to attack her?"

Ice looked at Claire for a long time before returning his gaze to Demon, who was still not herself.

"I think you're right."

Ice walked forward, picking up a sword stuck in an underling. He swung it in the air and pointed it at Demon, who looked at him and gave a silly smile.

"That will be your last smile."

*SWISHHH*

In an instant, Ice disappeared from Claire's side and was seen running towards Demon with his sword covered in blood. Demon stared at him, slowly raising her hand and pointing at Ice.

"An enemy," Demon whispered with a wide smile. She was out of her senses, seeing everyone as an enemy.

The two clashed: Ice with a sword, and Demon with her fists.

"I WILL KILL YOU, DEMON!" Ice felt intense joy. After killing Demon, he would be free, no longer having to marry Claire, and could be with Hyra for the rest of his life.

"BANG!"

Demon stopped rushing towards Ice and grabbed her shoulder, where a red liquid was flowing. She looked at the person who shot her and smiled. Instead of rushing at Ice, she quickly grabbed a kunai and ran at the shooter, mercilessly slashing his neck. Blood splattered on her face, which she licked along with the blood on her hand and kunai.

She stared coldly at the underling she slaughtered, her eyes bloodshot and devoid of emotion.

*CLANG*

"Tch," Ice clicked his tongue as Demon easily blocked his attack with her kunai.

Demon raised her hand, using a finger to wipe off a drop of blood sliding down the corner of her lips, then licked it.

Everyone surrounding the area immediately crowded around Demon with their weapons aimed at her.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

Demon laughed, but there was no trace of a smile in her eyes. She laughed at how pathetic the people in front of her were.

"WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? ATTACK HIM AND KILL HER!" With just one command from Ice, hundreds of his people rushed at Demon to kill her. Ice was desperate to kill Demon; the thought of being with Hyra after this made him even more eager. He no longer cared who killed Demon, as long as she was dead, he would be at peace.

They were only a meter away from Demon when she grinned devilishly.

"All the praise will go to me after I kil—"

*CRACK*

He didn't finish his sentence as his head slipped from his body, and blood spread everywhere.

The object that decapitated him spun in the air for a few seconds before returning to the person who threw it.

"Found you."

A very handsome man stood in the distance, holding a boomerang. His and Demon's eyes met, and seeing her situation, he felt intense anger. He jumped, using the people as a bridge to reach Demon, and stood by her side. He took off his clothes, covering Demon, who was half-naked. Slowly, he squatted down and gently touched the scar on her back with his long, elegant fingers.

"This is my favorite part," he whispered in Demon's ear, then kissed the back of her head down to her scarred back. "A true masterpiece, a real work of art." He made Demon face him, covered her red eye with his left hand, and claimed her lips in front of the enemy and the thirteen masks.

"Huh? Heee!.......he's on time," Venom smiled as he leaned against the wall for support.

–

The battlefield was a chaotic symphony of clashing steel and desperate cries. Venom's sword moved like a whirlwind, cutting through enemies with precision and fury. His blade met flesh, bone, and steel, each strike a testament to his skill and determination to protect Demon.

Meanwhile, Demon, her eyes wild with rage and madness, danced through the battlefield. Her fists, reinforced with iron knuckles, smashed into faces and bodies, breaking bones with sickening cracks. She moved with an unpredictable, almost feral grace, her laughter chilling those who dared to approach.

Lux, Summer, and Ripple fought with coordinated precision, their retreat a strategic maneuver to regroup. The battlefield was a blur of blood and violence, bodies falling as the Black Government's forces pressed their advantage.

In the midst of the chaos, the seventh unit arrived, their presence heralded by a wave of brutal efficiency. They moved as one, their loyalty to Demon driving them to slaughter friend and foe alike. Their arrival turned the tide, their brutality unmatched on the battlefield.

"SHOW NO MERCY!" their leader roared, his voice cutting through the din of battle.

The seventh unit responded with a fervor that bordered on madness, their weapons tearing through the White Monarchy's forces. Blood flowed like rivers, painting the ground red. Screams of agony and terror filled the air, the horrifying scene a testament to the seventh unit's ruthlessness.

Demon, now covered in blood from her enemies, was a terrifying sight. Her eyes gleamed with a savage joy as she reveled in the carnage. Her laughter echoed through the battlefield, a sound that struck fear into the hearts of her enemies.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Her maniacal laughter was a stark contrast to the cold, emotionless gaze in her eyes. Viper, stood beside her, his presence a calming force amidst the chaos. He moved with deadly precision, his boomerang slicing through enemies with lethal accuracy. His focus was entirely on protecting Demon, his eyes never leaving her.

The battlefield was a nightmare, a scene of unrelenting horror and violence. And at the center of it all, Demon stood, a living embodiment of death and destruction.

---

"Viper? Who are you really?" Sky clenched his fists when Viper's eyes met his.

"Should I thank him?" Nathan thought while looking at the two in front. He didn't know whether to be happy because Hyra would be saved or more worried because Viper was here.

"Now let me finish what you started." Viper patted Demon's head, smirking and looking deeply at Ice. He raised his right hand and used his finger to point in Ice's direction. "DIEEEEEEEE!"

*BOGSSH*

*CLANG*

*BLAG*

*BOOM*

*CLASH*

*SLAM*

The number of enemies was equaled by the number of the seventh unit, who appeared out of nowhere and started killing mercilessly.

"What the—is that the seventh unit?" Brizon asked Dos with wide eyes. He knew what the seventh unit could do, and it was not good for them to stay here any longer.

"Have they gone crazy? Why did they send the seventh unit?" Dos slipped her hand over her face out of frustration. Like Brizon, she also knew what the seventh unit of the White Monarchy could do. They didn't choose; they would kill everyone they saw, whether an enemy or an ally.

---

"Hayyys!" Saphora breathed a deep sigh of relief, and so did everyone in the room when Viper arrived on the scene. "He is a true savior."

"Don't be complacent. The effects of the medicine haven't worn off yet," the leader of the pillar said, tightly holding the glass in his hand. "He is struggling, as you can see; his legs are shaking."

The eyes of the three pillars widened as they looked at the screen again, checking on Viper. That's when they saw that he was really shaking.

"He only appeared to break the enemy's momentum," the leader added.

"Aren't we already ahead?" Kurt asked.

"No, not yet. As long as the thirteen masks are there, we are not ahead. Are you forgetting that Sophie and Dark's son is there? Another Salvador is also there," Ethan said, referring to Ice and Sky.

"Ethan is right. We shouldn't underestimate the Masks. We don't know what they can do against Demon," Saphora said, looking at the screen again and gasping when she saw Demon fighting while Viper lay on the floor. "You can't take your eyes off them if you don't want to miss even one scene."

---

"Are you done?"

Viper just smiled secretly when he heard that voice. Demon was back to herself, her eyes no longer bloodshot.

"Stop pretending to be my savior if both of your legs are shaking," Demon rolled her eyes and laid Viper on the floor. "I'll take care of the rest. Relax and see how worthy I am for you." She winked.

"Pffft—HAHA!" Viper laughed softly. He laughed at how quickly Demon could change personas, from an intimidating one to a crazy one. "She really is driving me crazy."

Demon stepped forward, and when she turned her back on Viper, her genuine smile disappeared and was replaced by a serious face. She needed to finish this early so Viper could rest, still under the effects of the medicine.

"Wait! What the heck happened before Viper came?" Her memory was hazy, meaning that even when Viper kissed her, she didn't remember it much.

She just shrugged and faced the thirteen masks that were now together.

One of the underlings of the Black Government escaped the seventh unit and rushed at her, but she easily sent the underling flying with a sudden kick, knocking him down flat on the ground.

"You are courting death," Ice growled, pulling out his sword, itching to stab Demon.

He moved with unbelievable speed and landed in front of Demon in the blink of an eye.

"Woah—" Demon was surprised when Ice struck his sword at her. Luckily, she dodged it. "That's dangerous, you know?" Demon complained, rubbing her chest from the nervousness. "I should stop drinking coff—WAITTTTTT LANG!"

She jumped back when Joshua and Kevin rushed to attack her simultaneously.

Kevin jumped from Joshua's back and attacked Demon, hitting her shoulder where there was a gunshot wound.

"Ugh!" Demon growled weakly from the pain in her wound. "This is bad; I'm going to run out of blood if I don't hurry." She decided to fight the thirteen masks alone while the underlings of both sides were killing each other in the distance. She looked at the masks one by one until her eyes landed on Carl.

Carl felt a chill from Demon's gaze, so he immediately avoided it. *SWISHH* In an instant, Demon was in front of him, about to attack him when she flew three meters away from Jarvis' powerful kick. Before she could recover, Cyrus immediately rushed and hit Demon in the back with a dospordos. Demon's mouth filled with overflowing blood.

"No matter how strong you are, you're nothing against thirteen," Ice said, approaching her and pointing a gun at her head. "Any last wishes?"

"Ice, we can talk it out without violence," Nathan tried to stop Ice, but Ice seemed determined to kill Demon.

"All of you, no one will move. I will fight her," Ice said bravely. With Demon's current condition, he was sure he would succeed in killing her.

"Ice—"

"No one can stop me," Ice said, casting a glance at Nathan, confused by his actions as if he didn't want to kill Demon. "I will deal with you later." He used his title as king to get Nathan and the others to obey him.

While Demon, who had been silent the entire time, slowly turned her body to wipe the blood from her mouth, the leaders were suddenly alerted, and they all took a big step backward.

Demon laughed lightly.

"Hahaha, don't worry, I won't kill you all at once." Due to losing too much blood, her face had become deathly pale, but she still managed to annoy the leaders.

"Wicked demon, what are you laughing about?" Joshua said, quickly rushing to Demon. The others couldn't stop him because it happened so fast.

"How cruel of you? You shouldn't treat someone ten times stronger than you." She strengthened her grip on her weapons and charged forward. She appeared before Joshua and slashed down his arm. Before the other masks moved and pounced, Demon jumped to her back and drew her kunai. "Two down." She annoyed Ice even more as she looked at Joshua and Zeke lying down, bathing in their blood.

"She's getting even paler," Sky whispered just enough for Nathan to hear. "Aren't you going to do something? At this time, if she doesn't die at Master's hand, she will die of blood loss."

"What do you want me to do? Let them know she's Hyra?"

"No, but find a way—"

"You guys are talking about something interesting; I want to join," Demon said, jumping between them and trying to grab Sky, but he quickly dodged. "Oh—" She was surprised; she had no intention of hurting him.

"No, I didn't mean to—" Sky panicked, not wanting to avoid Demon, but his body reacted quickly.

"What the hell are you doing? Attack her," Ice ordered him.

He couldn't. He knew who was behind the mask, so he couldn't hurt her no matter what evil she did.

"Ahhh, fuck!" Ice didn't give Demon time to prepare. He immediately launched himself toward her, smashing his sword.

Demon could see the hateful look in Ice's eyes. However, she felt no remorse. It was kill or be killed. Gathering her breath and wiping the blood off her lips, Demon once again realized she was smiling. She smiled at the fact that Ice had been attacking her for a while, and she hadn't been hit seriously.

The masks didn't know what level Demon was at, but they knew they couldn't face her with their current strength. If Demon could still fight in such a state, they wondered how it would be if she were in a normal state.

She didn't move, seemingly wanting to toy with Ice. After Ice made a good amount of distance, he took out his other sword and shot forward. Within only a matter of seconds, he caught up with Demon in speed. Every time Demon made distance, Ice caught up immediately and slashed his sword in front of her. Demon stared at Ice while smiling again. She noticed the despair forming in Ice's eyes and felt satisfaction. This was the scene she was hoping for.

"Poor thing."

What Demon didn't know was that Ice was still hiding something. He took out his short swords, vanished from the spot, and went behind Demon.

*SLASHED*

Viper's eyes widened and tried to stand up, but he just fell down again. "FUCK," he cursed in his mind.

He saw how Ice slashed his sword at Demon's back.

*Cough* Demon coughed up blood again, more than before.

However, Ice's hope was crushed when he saw Demon pick up a sword and still move as if nothing had happened. Sadly, she wouldn't let Ice do what he pleased. In the blink of an eye, Demon closed the gap between her and Ice, then kicked him in the stomach. Ice felt his weakness clearly and sensed death approaching him when he saw Demon walking closer and closer.

He tightened his grip and shouted, "KILL HER!"

*SWISH*

*SWISH*

*SWISH*

*SWISH*

*SWISH*

"What the fuck am I doing here?" Jared gasped when he saw himself with four other Masks surrounding Demon, protecting her from the rushing underlings. He looked at the four. He knew Sky had a reason, but Nathan, Brizon, and Dos? He didn't know their reasons for protecting Demon unless they also knew his secret.

"You jerk, what does this mean?" Ice looked at the four masks, waiting for an answer.

"Let's stop thi—" BANG! Nathan couldn't finish what he was saying when Demon shot him in the leg.

"I'm sorry, I'm not a fan of brothers protecting their sisters, etc." Her eyes turned crimson again, and she turned her gaze to Brizon and Dos. "I think I need to punish you two for violating my order."

Dos gulped

*BANG! BANG!*

Demon shot them both in the leg.

"And you two," Demon looked to either side of her where Sky and Jared stood.

"This is bad," Jared saw the consequences of his actions. He just looked at Demon as she came closer and closer to him. He couldn't take his eyes off her because he felt something was wrong. "She's going to fall." He was about to catch her, but it was too late. Demon fell.

*SWISH*

Now Ice was in front of Demon. He moved as fast as lightning, raising his small sword ready to stab Demon.

*SWISH*

"Ugh!" Ice groaned as he flew five meters from where he had been standing when Viper kicked him hard.

Viper smirked and took the gun from Demon. "Thanks for the time." He patted Demon's head and fired the gun in different directions without looking at his targets. He stood up, shaking his hand before looking back to where only Ice was left standing.

The effect of the medicine on Viper was gone, and he could fight for real. He planned to shoot Ice as well, but fate was not in his favor.

"Pffft—AHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Ice wiped tears from the corner of his eyes and composed himself. "Nice entrance, but you seem late. Look around."

Viper didn't follow Ice's gaze but knew what he meant when he felt a heavy presence. It was Claire holding a gun and pointing it at him.

"Retreat her right now," Viper whispered into the small device hidden in his clothes. He looked at Demon, then shook his head, "NOW!"

*BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!*

Viper seemed to be dancing as he dodged shots from Claire. Claire and Ice helped each other for the first time to take down Viper.

What everyone didn't know was that from above, there was a person covered in black just chilling, walking before stopping at a place and taking out his gun. A .357 MAGNUM REVOLVER.

"Farewell, my lord Viper."

*BANG*

*SWISHHHH*

"HYRAAAAAAAA!" Viper caught Demon, and his hand was covered in blood. Demon had caught the bullet meant for him.

*BOOOOOM* The building they were in began to crumble little by little.

"Did I hear correctly, Claire? Did he call Demon Hyra?"

"Shawn, we don't have time. The place is collapsing, and if you want to know the answer to your question, we have to live first," Claire said, reaching out her hand to Ice and then running away from the crumbling area, away from where Viper and Demon were.

"I think I'm going to die. Can you give me a kiss?" Demon grinned as her and Viper's lips touched. She held the back of his head as the kiss deepened.

"Let's die together," Viper said between kisses, hugging Demon tightly as the huge ceiling collapsed.

Their memories intertwined as they held each other. They recalled a particular night when they had sneaked out of their training camp. The moon was full, casting a silvery glow over the landscape. They had walked to a nearby lake, the water shimmering under the moonlight.

"Do you ever wonder what life would be like if we weren't fighters?" Demon had asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Viper had looked at her, his eyes reflecting the moonlight. "Sometimes. But then I remember that fighting is what brought us together."

They had sat by the lake, side by side, sharing dreams and fears, hopes and secrets. It was the first time they had let their guard down completely, trusting each other with their vulnerabilities. Viper had reached out, his hand gently brushing against Demon's.

"We'll always have each other's backs, right?" he had asked.

"Always," Demon had promised, her hand clasping his.

The memory was vivid, a testament to the bond they shared. It was a bond forged in the fires of battle but tempered by moments of tenderness and understanding.

---

In the aftermath, amidst the ruins, rescuers found Viper and Demon still holding each other. Their bodies were battered and bruised, but their faces were peaceful, a testament to the love and strength they had found in each other.

Their story would be told for generations, not just as warriors who fought fiercely, but as two souls who found solace and love in each other, even in the face of death.

A few years ago.

Amidst applause and cheers, Vladimir Fukushima congratulated the graduates, including the Elites, on their achievements. He stood as the guest of honor, flanked by elders.

"Ice, where are you off to? The celebration isn't over yet—"

"I'm going to look wherever Hyra might be. You all go ahead and enjoy," Ice replied curtly to Nathan.

Nathan looked at Ice sympathetically. "For how long?"

"Hmm?"

"How long will you keep searching for her? It's hard to find someone who doesn't want to be found."

"It doesn't matter how long. What matters is finding her," Ice stated firmly.

"You're relentless."

Ice walked away from Nathan and the other Elites, showing no interest in the celebration. To him, the festivities were meaningless without Hyra. It had been a year since he began searching for her, yet there had been no sign of her.

A year had also passed since the battle against the White Monarchy, where the bodies of two figures, thought to be Demon and Viper, were found beneath a large rock. The underground had enjoyed peace under the rule of the Black Government and the Elders since then.

Numerous attempts to seize Demon's territory had failed due to Zeus and Venom maintaining order. Upon Demon's reported death, celebrations erupted among those who despised her.

"Enjoy while you can. This won't last," a cloaked figure muttered, exhaling smoke as he observed enemies trying to breach Demon's territory. He vanished swiftly, leaving chaos in his wake.

---

"GUYS!" Jared's panicked voice cut through the air as he clung to Ice for support. He appeared breathless and anxious, clearly disturbed.

"What's wrong?" Nathan asked, forgetting Ice's departure momentarily due to Jared's arrival. He seemed alarmed after running what felt like kilometers.

"Half of the underground population has been wiped out by a mysterious figure," Jared explained, eyes fixed on Ice. He was determined not to let Ice leave again in pursuit of Hyra.

"Prepare the car. We're heading there now," Ice ordered, adjusting his mask. "I'll make sure whoever did this regrets crossing me while I search for Hyra."

"Hop in!"

---

"Who do you think is behind this?" Jarvis asked, focusing on the road ahead.

"I have no idea. But whoever it is, they'll pay," Ice growled with frustration. Today was supposed to be devoted to finding Hyra, but circumstances had delayed his search.

"Even after this, will you keep looking for her?" Jarvis inquired, curiosity evident on his face.

"I won't sto—"

"What if she's really Demon, and she's dead?"

Ice clicked his tongue in irritation. He avoided discussing the matter, recalling the day Viper referred to Demon as Hyra. That moment prompted others to speculate that Hyra and Demon were one and the same—connecting dots from their simultaneous appearances in the Caribbean and their disappearances.

"We're here," Jarvis announced, exiting the car before Ice followed suit.

Thirteen masked figures entered the underground simultaneously, alert and cautious.

"It's eerily quiet," Stanley whispered, sensing something amiss. He suspected one individual in particular—the type that adversity couldn't easily defeat—was responsible.

"King, glad you came," an underling greeted Ice, bloodied and wounded, clutching his neck.

"Where?" Ice's expression turned stoic.

"He's at the border between your territory and Demon's."

Ice approached the underling, swiftly ending his suffering with a cut to the neck.

"Better to die quickly than suffer," Ice remarked coldly, turning to the masks. "Take me to him."

"It's quite a distance—"

"I said, take me there." Ice's calm tone belied his underlying threat.

Jarvis shook his head and drove Ice to the specified location without further protest, mindful not to incur Ice's wrath.

Arriving at the border, they encountered a scene of carnage—blood and bodies strewn about, a testament to the fierce battle that had taken place.

Nathan scanned the area, noting only their underlings present with no sign of the enemy.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

"HAHA!"

A sudden roar and soft laughter caught their attention. They rushed toward the sounds, stunned by what they discovered—an immense pile of corpses atop which stood a cloaked figure, bloodied from countless kills.

"I've been waiting for you," the figure declared, tossing a corpse towards Ice. The thirteen masks tensed, scanning the surroundings for any accomplices, but found none. The cloaked figure smirked before removing his mask, revealing another beneath.

Everyone gasped.

"Unknown King?"

-----

AN/ Please read "THE DEMON'S COMEBACK" for continuation....

Thank you so much for making it this far, I hope you enjoy it.