Art immediately felt himself amped up, there were only two places he ever truly at home; in the arms of a beautiful, naked woman and in the midst of a fight. It wasn't going to be easy, even he wasn't so arrogant as to believe he could take on forty mages by himself. But fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on how you looked at it, he was never alone. He hadn't been alone for a long time. As long as he and Morte could work together on this, they may just be able to make it out alive. Although Art had a feeling if he let Morte take full control of him, it most likely wouldn't even be a challenge.
You assume correctly.
The demon said with a chuckle, Artemis didn't really want to end this in a bloodbath. He would prefer for no one to die, but these mages were set to kill. Artemis didn't know if trying to maintain his moral standing was wise in this scenario. Was he really ready to kill someone? Artemis clocked as the next mage ran to attack him, going for close combat. Art smirked, bracing himself to throw down. This guy was burly too; Art was preparing himself to tackle him around the stomach. Hopefully, he could use his weight against him to throw him down then blast him with some magic. However just as the moment almost came that the two would collide. But Art froze, there was the faintest whistle through the air, almost too quiet to hear. If it weren't for his demonic hearing, he definitely would have missed it. With it, came a sense of danger, and there was the sound of pierced flesh. Blood sprayed everywhere from the forehead of the man who was charging him. Art's eyes widened in horror, Morte was that you? He thought in a panic as the guy slumped down dead.
I wish, it seems someone is on your side, perhaps you should duck.
"What?" Artemis said in a moment of confusion, and suddenly he felt Morte take over slightly, forcing him into a crouch position. Hands over his head. His skin began to change, turning black and hardening as Morte forced him into a takeover. It didn't take long for Artemis to realise why suddenly the room was filled with explosions. "What the fuck!?" Artemis shouted over the explosions, Morte still forcing him to cover his body as the room was filled with flames and screams. After a moment, Morte eased his control, and Artemis was able to peek up. He eyed the new laid out massacre before him. A serious chunk of the individuals in that room was now lying died, their bodies, or at least the remaining parts of them strewn across the desecrated guild hall. Artemis stood, "Morte did you do this?" He said out loud, no longer caring that it would appear he was talking to himself. As Art looked around, he would be in a state of a partial takeover. Any exposed skill would be black as coal, slight gaps in the flesh that would glow red, smouldering with dark smoke. His eyes, hair and stature being the only part that still resembled the image of Artemis Dagger.
I did not, I presume this will be explained soon enough. Perhaps, for now, we should focus on the remaining enemies, who now have even greater bloodlust for you?
This drew Art's attention back to the few still in the room, Morte was right, he could feel their new found hatred radiating off him. If they were thinking about killing him before, now there was no question, if he didn't fight he was as good as dead. Artemis gulped, he could feel his heart racing, his panic setting in. He watched as someone else charged Artemis, only to be shot down dead by an invisible force. It wasn't as if Artemis hadn't seen death before; his father had exposed him to the remains on a battleground a few times as a child. An attempt to harden him for his future. But still, watching people murdered in front of him in such mass, he didn't know how to process this.
You're hesitating Artemis, let me take control. It will be easier...
Art shook his head, Morte, you know that can't happen, you go too far... He said, although part of him didn't want to deal with this. He winced watching as another mage was shot dead for attempted to charge him.
Artemis, don't be foolish. Regardless of what you like to believe, these are the consequences of your actions. These deaths are on you, let me end this quickly. Or would you prefer to prolong their suffering... Artemis knew Morte was just playing him, the demon loved suffering. He was sure he was relishing this moment, but more than that he wanted control, freedom to fight as he pleased. Art could feel his will slipping, Morte was slowly taking over, coaxing him into it.
"Okay, just not completely. I want to watch what's happening." He said, giving into the demon. Normally he would have resisted, but after everything was happening, he was feeling overwhelmed, uncertain, confused. Morte's magic pouring through him, filled him with a sense of how the demon felt, calm and controlled. Art's eyes changed, the whites around his red irises turning black, his teeth extended into sharp fangs. His body grew taller and thinner, somewhat gangly while his fingers extended into long sharp talon like claws. Morte extended Artemis long thin arm, a malicious grin on his demonic face. From his palm black flames shot out across the room, wrapping themselves around three of the closest targets. The demon tilted his head at the sight of their bodies lit up with the flames of hell, relishing their pain. The demon moved forward to where a group was huddled away from the flames, staring at his new form in horror. He tutted at them,
"Oh come now, I thought you said I wasn't permitted to exist, not much of an attempt now. Please do your worst," He said, curling his elongated talon at them in a beckoning motion. After a moment's hesitation, two more mages ran forward, only to be shot dead. Morte watched, unsurprised.
"Curious." He said with a chuckle. Morte raised his palm once more, throwing more black flames at the remaining group. After a few moments, Morte sense a figure appears next to him, arriving in a blink of an eye. Morte glanced over to him, his demonic eyes raking over the brown-haired man. The man addressed him as Mr Dagger, clearly addressing Artemis over the demon, explaining that his father hired him. My father sent him...? Artemis said in Morte's mind. Morte grinned at the hired body, his endless rose of teeth glimmering with the reflection of the flames around them.
"I see, you have excellent handiwork." The demon said, his voice was deep, hoarse, completely different to Artemis's real voice. Morte watched with satisfaction as the one named Mietitrice, killed another mage with skill and precision. Mietitrice suggested that he lead the way, curious Morte nodded. Can we trust this guy? Artemis asked in his mind. Morte chuckled,
I guess we shall find out soon enough.
WC: 1215
Total: 2009