The Damned Demon - Chapter 785

Chapter 785: I Only Bring Death
Luna’s expression turned grim, her blood-red eyes narrowing with solemn determination. The air around them grew heavy, as if the weight of her next words threatened to crush reality itself.

“The Void Reaver is not just a weapon.” Her voice was steady but laced with an undeniable sense of urgency. “It is a divine key—one that has the power to unleash something that will not only destroy our world… but the human world as well.”

Asher’s eyes darkened, his brows furrowing in suspicion, “Why would your grandfather want to destroy our world and his own life by doing that?” His voice was a mix of disbelief and rising tension.

Luna took a deep breath before replying, “No. He doesn’t intend to destroy it. He believes he can somehow control whatever he is planning to unleash. He thinks it will change our fate for the better… save our world, even if it means risking its destruction.” She exhaled slowly, shaking her head. “I do not know all the visions he has seen of the future. But I have sensed that the power he seeks is far beyond his control. I have only had faint glimpses of it but its presence was the most evil thing I ever felt.”

Asher clenched his fists. “So, he’s willing to risk everything—every living being—for a chance at changing fate?” His voice carried a bitter edge. “That’s not desperation… that’s madness.”

Luna nodded, her gaze unwavering. “He is burdened by what he has seen. He has spent his entire life searching for a way to prevent whatever doom he foresaw, and this is the only path he sees now.” Her voice grew stronger, conviction filling her tone, “But no matter how dire the future might be, it cannot be worth this. I believe that you are the one meant to save both worlds. You have the potential to do it without destroying everything.”

Asher let out a dry, hollow chuckle. The absurdity of her words hit him like a slap to the face, “Me? Saving both worlds? Are you sure you’re talking to the right person?” He scoffed, shaking his head as he said with gritted teeth, “I couldn’t even save my own people from being slaughtered. I couldn’t even stop my kingdom from being reduced to ashes.” His voice grew heavier, weighed down by guilt, “So how the hell am I supposed to save our world, let alone two?”

He exhaled sharply, his jaw tightening, “You’re wrong to believe in me, Luna.” His eyes flickered with self-loathing, “I am no savior. I bring death and pain. I have destroyed so much already.”

Luna took a step closer, her piercing gaze unwavering, “That’s not true.” Her words were soft but firm, carrying a strength that demanded to be heard.

“You were once the savior of humans before you were forced to go through hell.”

Asher’s breath hitched. His eyes widened. He felt as if she had just reached into his soul and pulled out the deepest secret he had buried.

“How do you know that?” he asked, his voice a whisper.

Luna didn’t waver, “Through my visions of the future…I came to know of your past. I know you were once a Hunter, a man who fought for humanity. A man who was betrayed, who was forced to become something else. But even after all that, even when the world turned against you, you still saved people.”

Asher’s chest tightened at her words.

“If not for you, your kingdom would have fallen long ago. And the ones you love would have faced a fate worse than death. You have no idea how much impact your actions in this life have had on those around you.”

Her words gnawed at the edges of his doubt, forcing him to confront a truth he had tried to ignore.

Had he truly protected more than he destroyed?

Had he done anything right?

His expression softened ever so slightly, though guilt still clouded his eyes.

Luna continued, “So even if you are feeling broken right now, never believe that you are only meant to destroy. The ones who love you wouldn’t agree, even if they knew your past.”

Rowena’s face flashed in Asher’s mind.

The way she had once looked at him.

The way she had loved him.

But now?

That love had turned into pain.

He shook his head, opening his mouth to argue, but Luna cut him off.

“Before you mention Rowena, you have to understand that her pain is different.” Her voice softened, yet her words carried a weight Asher couldn’t ignore, “It is a painful truth that you had to kill her father. But you also hid it from her for so long. It is up to you to resolve things even if it might seem impossible.”

Asher clenched his fists, his throat tightening.

“I do not know if she will forgive you,” Luna admitted, “But I do know this—Rowena gave you her heart. You just have to figure out how to mend it before it’s too late.”

Her words hit like a hammer to his chest.

Luna looked away briefly, as if holding back something deeper, “That is why you cannot lose yourself now because of what we have lost. You still have people to protect.” Her eyes shone with unwavering belief, “Don’t forget that the Supreme One chose you to take the key. Not my grandfather or anyone else.”

Asher’s jaw clenched.

She was right.

Despite everything, he still had people who needed him.

But he still shook his head. “How am I supposed to take back the key from your grandfather?” His frustration boiled over. “I have no kingdom left. I am not strong enough to even face him, let alone fight the army of werewolves he has under his command. And I still have to deal with Drakar, Kira, and the Red Witch. There’s no time for me to get strong enough.”

His voice grew sharper, his breath uneven, “I don’t even know how to stop Derek, who’s doing devil knows what in the human world.” He ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. “Everything I planned…turned out to be for nothing.”

Luna watched him, then sighed. “Your friends in the Severed Realm have bought you more time while you were here. They bombed the place where the Nexus Tower was located. So you do not need to worry about Derek… for now.”

Asher was surprised and relieved that Grace and his cult members somehow managed to buy more time. He was glad that getting the blueprint from Cecilia paid off in the long run. Yet this didn’t mean they could relax yet.

He then frowned. “And your grandfather?”

Luna hesitated for a brief moment before speaking, “It will take him at least a month or two to use the key. He is planning some sort of ritual to use the power of the key. That is all the time you have to get stronger… and do what you must.” She exhaled, “I have not had any visions of the immediate future, so I cannot guide you beyond this.”

Asher remained silent.

A month or two?

It wasn’t enough.

Not for the power he needed.

Not for the revenge he sought.

Not for the redemption he desired.

But it was all he had.

And whether he liked it or not, Luna believes he was the only one who could stop Lupus from dooming their world.

He didn’t know what to do. Even if he grinded through quests non-stop for 24 hours a day, he still wouldn’t be strong enough.

But then he remembered the mysterious ruins he was trapped in earlier and that undead monster who was supposedly Eradicator’s master.

Maybe he should find out answers from her master who seemed to know everything about him before he even existed in this world.

Slowly, his fingers curled into fists.

His flames flickered, his resolve hardening.

He had no choice but to do whatever it takes.

He slowly nodded, his expression heavy with burden, “Okay… I will try to find a way. But first…”

A familiar face flashed through his mind—the woman who had risked everything for him, who had been his close ally and love, despite everything that had happened.

Lysandra.

A deep worry settled in his chest, gnawing at the edges of his already fragile resolve. His voice was low, tense, “I have to find Lysandra first. She is in danger. Do you know if she is alright?”

Luna hesitated for a brief moment, a flicker of uncertainty passing through her red eyes before she spoke, “You will find her if you go to Lori’s cave now. But…”

She trailed off as if she didn’t want to finish her sentence.

Asher exhaled, relieved that at least Lysandra was still alive. He ran a tired hand through his moon-white hair before letting out a deep breath.

“That’s a relief.” He straightened his shoulders, forcing himself to regain composure. “I have to head over there now and make sure she’s alright. After that…”

His throat tightened.

“I should also see Rowena and the others…” His voice wavered slightly as he swallowed his guilt.

“I have to kneel before them if I have to… and apologize for letting them suffer. I need to talk to them and tell the truth,” His eyes quivered, his tone filled with raw regret.

But Luna shook her head. Her gaze was sharp but filled with understanding, “You don’t have to do that now.”

Asher furrowed his brows, confused.

“Luna—”

She raised her hand slightly, stopping him before he could object, “Do that when you are ready to protect them all.”

Her words echoed in his mind, hitting him harder than he expected.

“You can win back their trust and love if you prove yourself once more,” Luna’s voice was steady, firm, “It’s your actions that will matter. Not your words alone.”

Asher let out a heavy, broken chuckle, nodding slowly.

“Haa… You’re right.” His shoulders slumped as if he was finally accepting the truth. “If I head over there now… I wouldn’t even know what to say or do. They wouldn’t be in a position to hear me out, nor do I deserve their attention.”

His fingers curled into fists.

“But please… let them know that I will come back for them.”

Luna gave a small nod, her expression soft, “That, I will.”

She hesitated for a moment before adding, “I have already told my mother, and she will patiently wait for you to return.”

Luna wanted to tell Asher about Rowena’s pregnancy, but she didn’t know if the unborn child would survive after how severely injured Rowena was. And so she decided to wait until she was sure of its fate.

Asher felt a pang in his chest at her words, but before he could respond, he suddenly took a step forward.

And then, he pulled Luna into a warm embrace.

Luna’s eyes widened in shock. She stiffened, her body momentarily frozen, her hands hovering awkwardly in the air.

Asher’s voice was low, heartfelt, raw.

“Thank you, Luna.” His grip was firm, his embrace one of genuine gratitude and pain.

“I am indebted to you for doing all this while I should have been the one to do it.” His voice wavered slightly, “You saved Rowena and my people when I could not. I don’t know what I would have done without you,” His embrace around her slender body tightened as he couldn’t express enough how grateful he was.

He didn’t dare to imagine what would have happened without her, and that only made him feel even more broken about the sacrifice it took to bring Luna out.

Luna’s expression softened. A gentle warmth flickered in her eyes, melting away some of the sorrow that had taken root in her soul.

Slowly, she let her hands rest on his broad back, returning the embrace with an unspoken bond of understanding.

Her voice was gentle, carrying an ache of loss, “I couldn’t let down Ceti.” She closed her eyes for a brief moment, “This was the least I could do for her and my family. Your people are mine as well.”

Asher gently pulled back, looking into her eyes.

His voice lowered, but it was filled with conviction, “I can sense that you loved her as much as we did.”

Luna’s lips pressed into a thin line, her fingers slightly trembling.

But Asher continued, “So don’t blame yourself for what happened.” His voice cracked, a heavy guilt settling in his tone, “I am to blame for not being there for her. She must have waited for me, and yet…”

His jaw clenched, his eyes filled with deep sorrow, “I never showed up.”

Luna softly shook her head.

Her gaze held certainty—a kind of unwavering faith that was rare to find, “Ceti knows you didn’t abandon her or anyone.”

Asher’s eyes widened slightly.

Luna continued, “She knows what kind of man you are. That some special circumstances forced you not to return.”

A sad smile formed on her lips, “She wouldn’t want her death to weigh down your heart.”

She took a slow breath before adding, “Instead, let us both honor her memory and make sure her wishes are fulfilled.” Her eyes softened, “And that includes you being happy and safe.”

Asher staggered slightly, his breath catching in his throat.

His vision blurred slightly as a single tear slipped down his cheek. Slowly, with a pained but grateful smile, he nodded.

“I will.” But inwardly, his blood was boiling as he vowed to make all those who caused him to lose so much suffer until their souls shattered. He will avenge those he lost.