A demon sat at her computer, typing away. She was up all night updating the research she’d been conducting recently; it was coming together splendidly in her opinion.
She stopped and stretched her tight back. As she leaned and twisted, she looked over the title once more, debating whether it would be eye-catching enough to get a few extra clicks on her blog.
{Magic Library: The Evolution of Neel’s Sigil Dictionary, A Theoretical Concept}
She frowned a bit as she muttered. “Hm, maybe a bit too long.” The internet, as free as it was, had far too many smooth brains sleuthing around. If her title had too many words, those idiots would just scroll past it.
Tap Tap Tap
She replaced the title with something simpler, a more digestible-looking read for the mentally stunted doom scrollers.
{HANNYA MAGIC, TEHEE CLICK HERE}
She grinned smugly. “Perfect.” She only needed clicks to get her blog page on the trending list; the more visibility, the better.
PING
As she was admiring the bait she made, a message notification popped up at the corner of her screen. Her brows furrowed at the sight, an uncommon occurrence, and with her new spam filter, it was even rarer.
She clicked open the inbox, and her dead eyes began to read the text before her. But soon, her eyes began to light up at the introduction.
[
From: BLindra619
Yo, shotaShieldYaya!
I read your blog posts on Tragedy of Heroes! Sis, your theories and detective work is PEAK, idk why no one reads it!? Sure, the Vainglory analysis posts are pretty high volume, but they are just as good! I’m convinced he would have been a way better lead than some characters in the story! Both he and Arden were wasted as side characters! You got me so inspired, I wrote some stuff down showing what Neel would look like with them as leads. Attached is a one-shot AU! Check it out! :D
Let me know what you think! With their parallels, I think it will be a hit!
- Indra
Link: -
]
In the demon's excitement of finding a kindred spirit and true intellectual, she clicked the link.
But upon seeing the title and… questionable cover image. The light in the demon's eyes died out once again. She shook her head. What was she expecting?
She clicked out of the page and swiftly blocked the user. She didn’t need to read the story to know this demon’s temperament and perspective; the cover said it all. A heretic through and through.
The demon sitting in front of her computer was well aware of the parallels shown in the story. Both Arden and Vainglory, side characters that were strong, confident, honor-driven…
…and feared by the people around them.
The demon understood why this user would write a story like that; one could indeed see them as two sides of the same coin in a way.
But she dared draw Vainglory as the bottom?
“Apostate.” The demon muttered, continuing her work and forgetting the user.
~~~
Arden stood in the air, his hands never stopping, drawing sigils while he smiled humbly at the young devil glaring at him from the ground.
“Do you know your sins, young lady?” He asked again.
At that, Hannya scoffed. “Sins? I’ve committed no such things.” She said as she stood outside of the slowly expanding transparent green forest housing the magic hero and the elf within. She was unbothered by the purifying area creeping towards her.
She maintained her arrogant air and continued. “And if I did sin…” The little devil stepped forward, bold and challenging. “Who are you to stop me, mortal?”
Arden sighed in his heart, devils, always so arrogant and stubborn. The little one did not recognize the difference in power here. But he understood the reason behind it, being as strong as she was at such a young age, and given the ringer she put the magic hero through, there probably weren't many she encountered that were stronger than her.
He shook his head as he continued his writing; he really wasn’t suited for casting. He spoke out once more. “There are rules here in Neel, young one. The killing of others and the destruction of public property is against our laws. Also…”
He glanced at the dense forest, where the druid was casting a healing spell on the wizard. “You attacked a god's champion. Apologies, but I kindly ask you to surrender and come with us for questioning.” The paladin requested.
The small devil tilted her head. “And if I refuse?” Her mana rising as she grinned.
The half-angel sighed. “Then, regrettably, detention by force is necessary.” Of course it wouldn’t be easy.
Hannya glanced at the large array forming around the cherub, casting a grand array in mid-combat, a bold move for someone without Hannya magic. Though she could understand the confidence, given this showoff was drawing it at twice the speed.
‘5 minutes. Let’s just say 2, enough time to make my move!’
Hannya placed her hands together in a strange gesture, her fingers forming a weird hand sign.
“Ninpo!” she shouted.
Puff
She burst into a cloud of mist. After a second, she walked out from the clouds, 2 more Hannyas walking behind her. She looked up at the half-angel, her nose to the sky. Clearly, she would resist.
Arden shook his head. “Child, why choose resistance? You’re outnumbered, and we have the high ground.” Did this one truly have a death wish?
The six-star put her hands on her hips, ‘acting’ cocky and unbothered. Noticing the quicktime event she answered. “Kikiki, you underestimate my power.”
RUMBLE
In the distance, a strange noise was heard, as if something was barreling its way towards them.
~~~
Within the center of the sacred forest, eating away at the chaotic laws and mist in the immediate area, Matilda stood over the magic hero. Her hand was extended, casting [Minor Healing] on the wizard, just enough to get her walking by herself; no way would she touch her curse-riddled body, and no way would she waste mana to heal her fully.
When the light green glow subsided, the elf spoke. “You're healed enough; you can go now. ‘Civilians’ shouldn’t be in this area. I suggest you run along now.” she said haughtily as she began to turn and walk back to the battlefield.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Abigail was dazed the whole time; she was both shocked and frightened by the events that took place mere seconds ago.
She had almost taken a deal with the little devil. Why? She couldn’t understand it. It was out of character for her. Had her defeat made her so weak-willed, or… did she really not wish to be a hero anymore?
Her mind was confused; she didn’t know why she had almost made those actions. Something did not feel right about her interaction with the devil.
But she quickly pushed those thoughts down as the elf began to leave. She didn’t hear the nonsense she was most likely spouting, but as a hero, she had to relay urgent information to the rest.
She quickly grabbed the hem of the elf druid's dress. “Matilda, the forest! The parasite!” She said quickly, making no sense with her jumbled words.
Matilda scowled at the magic hero's pitiful display. How far she has fallen; it was almost embarrassing. She shook her off. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
The magic hero repeated herself, much louder this time. “Matilda, your forest! Dispel it, quickly!”
There was a reason Abigail opted to use only defensive and offensive magic over area of effects.
Half was because of her low reserves lacking the ability to maintain it while casting other spells, and the other…
RUMBLE
Startled by the abrupt sound coming from the distance, Matilda turned around. She squinted her eyes to look out into the distance, where the noise was growing in volume. But the mist shrouded all; she could only see about a dozen meters outside of the area of effect.
The magic hero quickly rose to her feet; her body was weary, but she couldn’t think about that now. She grabbed the elf's shoulder. “Matilda, that stuff will eat this place; you need to-”
“Shut up! And get your filthy hands off me. If you can move, then scram; you're in our way.” She turned and growled out.
Hearing that, Abigail felt her frustration and anger build. These people wouldn’t even listen to her words; even with the recent battle experience, her advice went in one ear and out the other.
She understood she was nothing but a useless cripple to them now.
The magic hero’s heart began to freeze over for this elf. The thoughts in her mind from earlier when encountering the small devil beginning to replay in her head. Was she bedeviled? Or…
Was that really what she thought?
Her eyes turned cold as she turned around. She tried.
She ran as fast as she could muster; the other edge of the forest was the best way to escape now.
As she did, Matilda watched with disgust in her eyes. Humans were just as pathetic as she thought.
“Kikiki!” A cute laugh echoed from behind her. Matilda whipped her head around.
There, she saw the small pink devil from earlier. She was wrapped in a pink aura, shielding her from the forest's purifying effects. She stood there with her hands behind her back, the stance of a formidable young mistress.
The elf was surprised; she spoke with arrogance. “A beast stepping foot in my forest? You're a fool to think you have any power here.”
But the devil just shook her head, a devious smile on her face. “Your forest?” She gazed around at the twinkling, ethereal foliage. “No,” she corrected. “This is my swamp now.”
The druid raised her wand, a strange look on her face. “What the hell are you-” Her words were cut short as she witnessed a horrifying sight a small distance behind the monster.
Thick, sticky, black liquid began to burst forth in torrents from beyond the mist. It entered the forest in waves, devouring the trees and turning the glowing green areas touched a dark purple color.
Hannya spoke as the bog grew closer. “The bog loves spells like this.” She smiled as the wave crashed past, shifting to the sides of her, leaving her untouched, and charging through the magical forest.
The elf, now alarmed, crushed another bead on her wrist. She swung her wand and shouted.
“[Verdant Ward]!” She would shield herself first and attack the devil after the wave passed.
“[Null Pointer].” Hannya pointed, sending a sigil crashing into the druid's spell. On impact, it shattered and scattered around the druid's spell. Witnessing that, Matilda felt confident.
The devil’s casting was inferior; with a bit of time, she should be able to figure out the mechanics of the chaotic wave approaching. She figured this sentient-like fluid invading her forest was a summon of some sort.
‘A demonic slime, perhaps?’ She thought calmly, confident in her ward’s protection. A hurdle this size was far from difficult to cross for her. She waited for the slime to pass, planning her next move once her vision was freed once more.
~~~
Arden looked over at the nature magic on the ground being quickly devoured by the black sludge. A peculiar substance, the laws of chaos were almost as dense as the two little devils forming sigils a distance below him.
He frowned as he turned back to her; he couldn't tell which one was the real one. Just like the mist, her presence was… obscure.
His hands moved faster; his instincts were telling him something was amiss here.
Noticing the increased seriousness of the cherubs' writings, the two Hannyas didn’t stand on ceremony as they cast their spells.
“Hannya magic: [Null Pointer]!”
“Hannya magic: [Breakpoint]!”
Two spells shot into the air, rapidly approaching the grand sigil.
Arden’s brows furrowed as he looked at the two spells heading towards him. He did not recognize either of them, and he did not miss the class name.
An unrecognized class of magic and unrecognized sigils, he was no fool. He kept his hands steady and spoke.
“Double cast: [Fireball].” Two large balls of flame appeared from two materialized sigils above him. They shot down, streaking through the sky and intercepting the incoming projectiles.
Shatter
They broke through with no resistance, crashing towards the little devils below, the heat radiating from them scorching the air and burning the mist that drifted by.
“Tch!”
“Tch!”
The two hastily evaded, but unfortunately, one of the Hannyas was caught lacking.
BOOM
One tumbled away rather ungracefully, while the other, headed in the opposite direction, was caught in the edge of the blast radius, immediately exploding on impact.
Puff
Survivor Hannya gritted her teeth at the large smoldering crater left behind. The speed and destruction of that quick cast was bullshit! Wasn’t he being far too heavy-handed on a young upstart like her? He didn’t even risk letting her spells get close!
She glared at the half-angel, shamelessly blaming her near incineration completely on the paladin.
Arden smiled apologetically, taking full responsibility. “Apologies, my casting is a bit rusty. Controlling mana flow spells, even when spoken, is difficult to do. Lowering my mana output to such an extent so quickly was just too much; I hope you can understand.”
Hannya snorted at that. This blowhard. “You dare farm aura while the Caged God sleeps? You don’t have the qualifications!” She pointed indignantly.
For the second time since Arden got here, his face shifted to something other than a patient smile.
It was a face of confusion. He did not understand a single word spoken from the devil's mouth, but what was even stranger was the fact that the devil standing on the ground didn’t seem to be troubled in the slightest. Even after the fireballs sent out almost destroyed her, she didn’t seem afraid or, more typically seen, angry at all.
He could tell her strength was far below his, so why? There was no way she secretly wished to be detained?
No.
He glanced at the elf’s sacred forest, now almost completely consumed and eerily quiet. He felt a flash of annoyance flare deep down. Wasn’t the elf confident in her abilities?
‘It seems she underestimated the enemy…’
Another wastrel branded by the gods, pretending to take this position seriously. He felt his annoyance flare further. No, he shouldn’t think that way; being caught off guard was a part of personal growth for a champion. He was sure he’d made mistakes along the road as well.
He calmed himself and continued to ponder on the devil's strange behavior, all while drawing sigils; his spell was essentially complete at this point.
He looked back at the devil; she seemed just as calm as before. Could it be that sludge? She thinks it would do all the heavy lifting and keep her safe?
Possible, but doubtful; given their small exchange, her confidence should be shaken at least a little.
‘Hmmm…’
The cherub spoke casually. “Caged God, you say? I do not think I’ve heard of such a deity.” After saying that, Arden saw a face he’d never expect to come from the young devil.
A face of… Contempt? He felt a little incredulous seeing that.
Snort “How would you know, mortal? He sleeps in his cage back in Hellnia, awaiting the gates to reopen. He awaits Ragnarok.” The little devil said with pride.
‘And the key to his release, yours truly, Kikiki!’
Arden listened thoughtfully. Ragnarok. The reopening of Hellnia’s gate. This one knew such a phrase, another strange detail.
But he got the gist of the situation happening in front of him currently.
She was most likely not relying on that sludge; this ‘Caged God’ was currently in Hellnia, so she was alone during this summon, and the little one was still unbothered by the situation in front of her even though it seemed her intelligence was high enough to grasp the danger.
He came to a simple conclusion. Now that he guessed the why, he just needed to figure out when.
His mind instantly found the diverging point now that his mind found the reason.
That little show from earlier. The hand signs and shouting. It was obvious.
The cherub smiled. “So, you're the shameless type, aren’t you, child?”
Hannya grinned. “Kikiki, that was quick.” She shrugged as she looked up at the cherub. “But far too late.” As she said that, the Hannya playing in the corrupted forest walked out from the now smog-filled area, leisurely approaching the Hannya talking to Arden.
She turned to the approaching devil and pointed to the paladin. “He figured it out.” The other Hannya just grinned back and shrugged as well. “Zat so? Too late now, Kikiki.”
“Kikikiki!”
Puff
Puff
As they laughed, the two burst into puffs of mist and vanished, leaving the half-angel to boil in anger.
But the cherub did no such thing; in fact, he felt no such emotion bubble up.
Instead, he too laughed. “Hahaha! Very clever, little one.” He should have been more vigilant. Who would have guessed that such a prideful and arrogant being would choose to turn tail and run?
This devil was indeed shameless.
‘Or wise…’ He thought.
Though, she did make a small mistake. Arden glanced at the still lingering mist in the area, as well as the chaotic field still anchored within the space.
The bluff she said before her two clones disappeared would have been more potent had she gotten rid of the traces of her summoning still showing its active state.
“Nice try. It seems I wasn’t too late, little devil.” His hands stopped as the grand sigil began to glow in front of him. “But right on time.” He lifted his hands to the sky.
“Holy magic: [Heaven's Gate].”
