The Damned Demon

720  To Give You A Choice

Derek's lips twisted into a brief smile, his gaze cold but calm, "Sorry for keeping you two waiting. I was wrapping up an important meeting where I…" His expression darkened, a weight settling over his face as he sat down, "…came to learn some very disappointing things. Matters that demanded my immediate attention."

Rachel and Cecilia shared a tense glance, their hearts threatening to pound in unison. Rachel, attempting to look concerned yet casual, leaned forward, "I'm sorry to hear that, Dad. What happened? Was it about the Coven of the Damned kidnapping one of the students you were transporting? Mom told me a little about it."

Derek's eye met hers, his gaze steady, "That, yes. And there's also the matter of Lenny's arrest by the GSB." His voice was calm yet resounding with a dark intensity, "It's as though everything unraveled at once, taking me by surprise—though I suppose a part of me always expected this to happen. I'd hoped it wouldn't, but here we are, facing the harsh reality."

Rachel nodded stiffly, choosing her words carefully, "I heard about Lenny…about his arrest. It happened while he was still in the hospital. He must be feeling shocked and…betrayed, I suppose. I wish there was something we could do."

Derek's expression hardened, his voice turning grim, "Lenny's finished. The evidence against him is overwhelming—every crime he's committed, every dark corner he hid in, has been exposed. The GSB doesn't answer to the WHA and is controlled by a shadow entity. I can't pressure them for anything without them letting the public know about it. Even without that, people would demand answers from me. The development of the last few Junction Towers has come to a standstill for now." He leaned back, a bitter edge to his voice, "To say this is one of the most disappointing days of my life wouldn't be an exaggeration."

Cecilia and Rachel glanced at each other, feeling the weight of his words. Both knew he could be alluding to Rachel, her actions that may have contributed to Lenny's downfall. Cecilia, searching for the right words, forced a gentle smile, "Don't worry, honey. Everything will be alright. Lenny…well, he brought this on himself. It's unfortunate and frustrating that you have to face the consequences, but I'm certain the public will understand that you aren't to blame. I can help them see that."

Derek studied her with an unreadable gaze, a brief smile touching his lips as he asked, "You truly believe that, Cecilia? You believe in me to do that?"

Cecilia's heart twisted under his intense gaze, but she held her ground, nodding, "Of course…I'm your wife, after all."

Derek nodded, maintaining his smile, though there was an eerie blankness in his eye, "Thank you, honey. I appreciate your support." His smile faded as he looked between them, his tone turning solemn. "But I wanted to discuss something else. I want you both to move to Mars with me."

Cecilia's and Rachel's eyes widened, shock overtaking their expressions. Cecilia blinked, trying to process his words, "Honey? Move to Mars? Do you mean permanently?"

Derek nodded. Rachel's voice shook slightly as she asked, "But…why, Dad? This is our home—everything we care about is here. Why would you want us to move to a planet that wasn't meant for us? Mars is nothing like Earth. It's barren, lifeless. It's not as beautiful and radiant as our world."

Cecilia nodded, her brows furrowing in agreement. Derek slowly leaned forward, his voice calm but forceful, "I know this seems sudden, but trust me, I wouldn't ask without a good reason. I've set things in motion to make Mars far more radiant and beautiful than Earth has ever been. Mars is the future of humanity, where we'll create a new world and a new history. And I want my family—you two—to be part of it from the very beginning."

Rachel and Cecilia shared another uneasy glance, both feeling a strange sense of foreboding.

"Okay," Rachel said slowly, her voice laced with concern, "But…we could come back to Earth whenever we want, right? I'm still a Hunter, and I wouldn't want to leave this world unguarded. The Thundering Reaper is still a threat, and I have to take up quests."

Derek nodded, a faint smile appearing on his lips, "Of course. Your duties as a Hunter won't be hindered. Another reason I want you both to move to Mars is because things are getting busy there. I need you both to help. More Hunters are relocating there with their families, and we've observed an unexpected development—our theory was correct. With the influx of Hunters, a few demons have already started appearing on Mars, which means we'll need Hunters like you to protect those living there."

"Oh…" Cecilia murmured, her gaze lowering as she processed this, "I never expected demons to actually appear on Mars. And…were they easy to handle?"

Derek's smile grew, his gaze assessing them carefully, "They never stood a chance. A mid-level A Ranker faced off against a mid-level Soul Purger, and the battle lasted less than five minutes. That Hunter went all out from the start without worrying about mana consumption. Shocking but impressive, isn't it?"

Rachel and Cecilia's eyes widened, struggling to hide their shock and unease. They both knew demons were inherently stronger than humans.

Even a Peak Soul Devourer typically overpowered a Peak S Ranker. For an A Ranker to have defeated a Soul Purger in minutes was unsettling—and it stirred a growing fear in both of them for Asher's safety since it would be inevitable that one day he might have to fight on Mars.

Cecilia swallowed, her voice faint, "Five minutes? That's…remarkable. M.A.M turned out to be more effective and powerful than I imagined…"

Derek gave a small, knowing smile, "It's all in the preparation, the technology we've developed and will continue to develop to make it easier for our Hunters. Once we get Hellbringer to fight us on Mars, he won't stand a chance, even with his immortal form. We can make him run out of mana without breaking a sweat, and he will be no different than a sitting duck. This is why Mars is essential—to complete and advance our efforts to secure our future."

Rachel forced herself to keep her expression neutral, but her mind was racing. This advancement posed a serious threat to Asher and his world, "I see," she murmured, glancing at her mother, who looked equally disturbed.

Derek leaned back, studying their expressions with subtle interest, his voice smooth, "So, will you join me? Will you both help me protect and strengthen our future on Mars?"

Rachel and Cecilia exchanged a loaded look, both realizing they were quickly running out of time to prepare for the storm that was coming. Nor did they guess what Derek was planning by making them move to Mars soon.

—

Asher rode atop Lori's massive, sinuous form as they soared through the sky, her scaled body cutting through the crimson clouds with a deadly grace. The wind whipped past, and he focused on the familiar dark horizon of his kingdom drawing closer. But suddenly, his instincts flared. Without thinking, he lunged back as a dagger, glowing with an eerie, dark red light, shot past his face, missing him by inches.

Lori let out an angry hiss, her voice like the rumble of distant thunder, "Sssss! Who dares to attack us from below?"

Asher's expression darkened, his gaze sweeping the ground far below, "Let's go down and find out."

Without hesitation, Lori spiraled downward, descending so fast that the very air seemed to tremble and ripple around her. As they neared the rocky, mist-shrouded ground, Asher leaped from her back, landing with practiced ease. He straightened, his voice commanding as it echoed through the dark mist, "Show yourself now!" n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

The fog before him shifted, shadows bending as a figure emerged. She was cloaked in black, her form obscured except for a pair of chilling, dark red eyes glowing from beneath her hood, fixed intently on him.

The woman's voice was as cold as the mist around them, "I hope you're not offended by my methods of getting your attention, Asher Drake."

Asher's eyes narrowed as recognition dawned, "You…you're the Red Witch?"

She inclined her head slightly, "So people call me," she replied, her tone casual yet edged with cold calculation.

He clenched his fists, a scowl forming. Of all the demon world's enigmas, the Red Witch was one he hadn't expected to encounter here and now. After all, she was the one responsible for delivering Cedric's head to Rowena, a grotesque token he'd never forgotten.

"Good," Asher said with a dark look, "I've been planning to catch you…make you explain some of your actions. Things that have consequences."

The Red Witch's response was dismissive, her tone steady, "That can wait. I didn't come here to answer for the past. I came to give you a choice."

Asher's brows furrowed, his stance wary, "What choice?"

"Give me the 'key'," she said, her voice calm but unwavering.

Asher's expression darkened further, his gaze unwavering as he replied, "Oh, so you're after the 'key' too? Like everyone else who's after it for their own dubious reasons." He scoffed, a dangerous glint in his eye. "Unfortunately for you, I don't take kindly to demands. If you hadn't already offended me, you've certainly done so now."

The Red Witch's head tilted slightly, her voice a soft yet warning murmur, "I wouldn't want you to make a mistake."

Asher laughed, the sound cold and biting, "Oh? And what exactly are you going to do if I don't give up the 'key'?"

Her gaze narrowed, the dark red glow of her eyes intensifying, her voice chilling as she spoke, "Then you will suffer…a lot. And some of the things you hold precious, the things you cherish…they will perish."

Damn :#

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