"Hahaha… Pitiful girl," he rasped, rising to his feet despite the chains still binding him.
"Do you think you can take this old man's life? You must be quite delusional!"
Crack!
A deafening snap echoed through the throne hall as the manacles shattered like glass.
The soldiers stepped forward to restrain him, but—
Too late!
The air grew heavy.
A swirl of black fog burst from his body, laced with crimson threads that pulsed like living veins.
His skin began to warp, cracking like dried clay, revealing patches of charred, armored flesh beneath.
His eyes burned a hellish red, and two jagged horns erupted from his forehead.
Fingers elongated into claws, and his grin split wider—far too wide for a human face.
"No... he's—!"
"What is he?"
"A Devil!"
Gasps and screams echoed through the room. Even the traitorous people stumbled back in horror.
"Impossible!" one shouted.
