As the sun set, the sky darkened to orange as the first stars appeared in the heavens above, casting shadows across the land. The grassy plains glowed red as the moon shone upon them, giving off its light as the night fell, with the sounds of crickets filling the air, creating a pleasant atmosphere for sleeping.
However, tonight wasn't peaceful as usual; a large group of players gathered together under the pale yellow full moon, sitting on logs scattered throughout the fields. Many sat around fires, having a drink and eating roasted meat. Others danced in circles, chanted strange rituals, or talked amongst themselves.
Some of these people were, in fact, NPCs as the gods discovered the carnage that Zell had been causing for the past several hours as he walked towards Europa V; instead of taking transport, he began to slaughter and sate his demonic desires, trying to hone them and control them to the tiniest spec.
Thus the divines began to arrange a particular quest, estimating his arrival time and sending some of their champions with buffed equipment and promises of great rewards.
At the same time, the demons also began to pay more attention to this "Zell" was he an ally or an enemy?
Some didn't care; they loved the Chaos he brought and would reward him after this. Just like the Gods, demons could raise champions. This caused a strange situation where the Demons began routing for a "human" as their information couldn't see his current bloodline, even the highest gods in the demonic order.
"Do you think that Alice will win?" [DaveyBoi11]
"Hmmm, probably? She's solid, not to mention we all support her fan club! Haha" [ProudSimp110]
Some women wore simple dresses, while others dressed in elaborate outfits, wearing jewellery and makeup.
"Hey, do you think that guy will be attractive? He must be right!" [LatinaGirl554]
"Hmmm, what if it's just some fat old man inside that cool armour? I'd cry." [Weeb_Layer]
Some young boys were running around playing tag, laughing and giggling; although they were a little out of place, nobody said anything as they were mere NPCs and were unimportant.
Only people like Zell and a few others knew NPCs were actual living people and would soon matter much more; the reputation system would vanish, rude people were shunned, and violent people would be punished.
There were humans mixed among these groups, some curious about what was happening and others staying far away from the monsters that roamed freely.
The divines sent out their champions, with one, in particular, being a black-haired girl named Alice who stood out from the rest of her group; with long flowing hair and bright blue eyes; her outfit was simple but elegant, her face showing innocence and beauty.
Alice smiled as she saw Zell approaching the gathering place, walking towards her as she held her hands behind her back, waiting patiently until he arrived. Her smile grew wider when she heard him speaking, and her cheeks flushed pink.
She bowed respectfully to him as he approached, "Lord Zell, thank you for accepting my request," she said politely as she straightened herself.
Her friends whispered amongst themselves as Alice looked at the ground shyly.
"My lady, may I ask you something?"
"What is it, Lord Zell?"
"Why did you ask me for a duel instead of ganging up on me like the others, and you speak to me with such respect? Why is that? Lady Alice"
The pair stood opposite; if the atmosphere was different, some would begin wolf whistles and cheering on the two as it seemed like a female with a crush on a man was confessing her love, but they were both wrong and correct at the same time.
Alice was the champion of a goddess that never turned her aggression or anger towards Zell; in fact, she secretly supported Yinfra, allowing her to escape into the wilds of Eden, able to elude from their chase only feeling admiration for her passion and deep love towards a former human, even going against her former brethren.
"My goddess, the woman I admire most, told me that you were no monster but a man trying to achieve what his heart desired, and those jealous "fools" acted like idiots because of a divinity from the goddess they locked up, Artemia, my goddess of bravery and passion, see's you not as an enemy, but a wonderful man who follows both her tenets thus, please know there are divines that do not see you as the enemy."
She stepped forward before whispering in his ear, as some of the champions here were like her and the "Head Champion" of their chosen god or goddess and could relay message's in time of need, even allowing the god to take over their body to perform acts far above their level at the cost of their own lives and future.
"My goddess informs me that she has helped Yinfra escape their assault; for now, she is in no major harm, but this is the limit to which Artemia can assist you. Otherwise, she would break her tenets and lose her godhood; also, she thanks you, Zell, champion of Yanfra, the divinator of fate and Yinfra, the goddess of beasts. For supporting the hearts and guiding her dearest friends to become women and follow their passions and desires."
Zell nodded, but he did not respond; there was no need, as Alice stated everything that was needed.
He did, however, remove his helmet, giving her a gentle smile as the wild and handsome face caused her to blush for real; this girl's passion was for drawing and art; this man was like a male god from her novels and enchanted her for a moment.
She didn't want her other passion for him kicking in, dulling her fight with flowery feelings.
Alice quickly pulled her short spear from her inventory as she paced away from him, with a small shield on her left arm, looking into his eyes with delight.
"Alice Velmont of the [Bloom Knights] guild challenges Zell Delacroix to a one-vs-one duel! Do you accept me?"
Her spear glowed with a silver light, filling the darkness with an illuminating light, her desire for battle more important than the stupid politics of the demons and gods.
Her only passion was to fight this handsome man and defeat him, maybe asking for his number afterwards as her reward!
Zell smirked, the black helmet sealing away, a little stunned at how pleasant this girl was, at first expecting to be hurled with insults or slurs like the crowd around him were doing now, she wished to fight him, thanks to her goddess, her power was temporarily only a little below his which he didn't mind.
He, too, felt the desire to crush her, make her fall into a bloody crater and submit, but different from the other women that were now lesser vampires, this girl he didn't want her to lose the spark of light and her current self in any bit, wishing she would constantly come to him for fights in the future, until one day she genuinely submits.
'Ah, this life.....'
"It's much too much fun!"
Zell roared as he dashed forward with the glinting black Zw??ihander.
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