The Astral Dogma

Belial leaned against the wall, pausing to evaluate the situation. The guards were chatting and laughing with each other, not realizing he was there.

Closing his eyes, he concentrated his energy to merge with the shadows. Quietly and gradually, he moved beside the wall, getting closer to the doorway.

Upon arrival at the entrance, he observed that the guards had accidentally left the door slightly open. He couldn't overlook the fortunate coincidence. After quickly looking around, he entered, staying in the shadows and dodging the few people he encountered.

The atmosphere in the underbelly of the city was heavy with the smell of booze, perspiration, and an additional mysterious and foreboding scent. He remained vigilant, staying unnoticed and constantly surveying for any indication of the kingpin's accomplices.

He was nearing the place he had traced the Kingpin's energy to when he heard footsteps approaching from the corner. Belial swiftly moved behind a pile of boxes, his hand outstretched towards his sword. He was ready to fight, his body tense as he held his breath.

Shortly after, a bunch of criminals walked by him, chuckling and chatting with each other, oblivious to him being there. Belial breathed a sigh of relief, chastising himself silently for having lowered his guard.

Belial's expression turned sour when he noticed the energy signal had ceased. A puzzled look crossed his face as he attempted to identify where the disruption was coming from. With eyes shut tight, he focused more intensely, blocking out all other energy signals.

All of a sudden, he experienced a burst of energy that caused him to trip. He had never experienced anything like it before, sensing the enormous power coming from the building's depths.

He blinked and inhaled deeply, attempting to soothe his anxiety. This would prove to be tougher than he had expected.

Belial carefully examined the tall dark structure, his eyes squinting as he evaluated its vertical and horizontal dimensions. The size of it was at least five times bigger than the crimson phoenix Guild headquarters, which was not a good sign for him. His anger was intensifying, driven by his irritation from being lured into a pointless search and his diminishing patience.

As he approached the gate, a cyborg stepped forward to block his path. "You are not-"

Belial tore through the cyborg's chest before it could complete its sentence, destroying its core and flinging it towards the gate. With a fierce resolve in his gaze, he advanced, cutting down the cyborgs one by one on his path to the building.

Indoors, Kingpin sat in his office, gazing at the town through the enormous windows that stretched from floor to ceiling. He was aware of the noise outside and understood that an intruder was coming.

 "Boss, there is an intruder in the building," said one of his men.

"Why are you still here then?" growled Kingpin, his deep voice reverberating throughout the room. Without another word, the five men left his office to deal with the intruder.

Belial ascended the building, his senses keen and his reflexes prepared for any situation. As he ascended, the cyborgs protecting the structure increased in both quantity and hostility.

It was not difficult to eliminate the initial cyborgs. Belial swiftly employed his rapid punches and kicks to swiftly disable them. However, as he advanced further inside the structure, the cyborgs grew in strength and their assaults grew more destructive.

Belial dodged and moved around as a huge cyborg rushed towards him, its enormous fists hitting the ground where he had been standing seconds earlier. Belial retaliated, his hands moving so quickly that they blurred as he landed several strikes on the cyborg's chest. However, the cyborg appeared unaffected, as its metallic armor absorbed the majority of Belial's blows.

Belial was aware that he needed to alter his approach. He jumped away quickly, just managing to dodge a powerful swing from the cyborg's arm. Next, he put his hand into his coat and extracted a tiny blade.

He threw the blade at the cyborg's cannon with a quick motion of his wrist. The explosion caused a bright light, and the cyborg lost its balance, feeling confused. Belial seized the opportunity and attacked by striking the cyborg's chest with force. It moved back unsteadily, but it had not fallen down.

The cyborg retaliated with a powerful punch, but Belial was too quick. He dodged to the side and delivered a swift kick to the back of the cyborg's leg. It buckled under the force, and Belial seized the opportunity. He thrust his sword into the cyborg's metal head and it fell to the ground in a shower of sparks. 

Belial wiped the sweat from his forehead and sighed. He had defeated two robots, but he knew there would be more. He continued down the tunnel, his senses alert for signs of danger. 

As he deals with the three cyborgs. They are different from others; it's easier, faster, and has more weapons. 

He drew his sword and stabbed at the cyborg, his heart beating. The robot fires, but Belial is too fast. He dodged and weaved through the hail of bullets, getting closer each time. 

The first robot swung its giant metal arm at him, but Belial leaped to his side and stabbed him with his sword. The second robot fires a laser beam, but Belial blocks it with his sword. A third robot lunged at him with its sharp claws, but Belial jumped out and kicked him in the back. 

With lightning speed and precision, he takes out robots one by one. Like space, his sword shone in the dark light. Finally, the last robot fell to the ground, its circuits scoffing and smoking. Belial insists on fighting in the house, his anger is still uncontrollable. He knew that the Master was waiting for him at the top, and he was determined to defeat him no matter what. 

As he climbed the stairs below, he was met by five armed men ready to stop him. Four men were able to act quickly, while the fifth remained distant and indifferent. 

Belial quickly looked around the dark corridors of the black houses. Even though he was outnumbered, he was not afraid. He is ready to face this situation. 

The leader stood up, his face full of anger. He ran towards Belial, but not fast enough. Belial stepped to the side and delivered a roundhouse kick to the back of the man's head, knocking him down. The second man approached Belial and surrounded him. He threw several punches, but Belial easily dodged them. Belial quickly hit the man's ribs, causing pain. Belialh hit the man's face with his knee and knocked him unconscious. 

Belial is now very focused. The skills he learned came into play and his work was accurate and efficient. When the third and fourth attacked simultaneously, Belial was ready. He grabbed their arms and rolled them onto their backs, moaning in pain. 

A loud voice came from behind him. Belial turned and saw two more men coming out of the street. More than anything else, it's a threat. 

Belial did not hesitate. He ran towards them, using his speed and agility to avoid their attacks. He punched the first man in the stomach and kicked the second man in the chest. 

But they both did not love each other. They kept hitting and kicking him. Belial was tired, but he refused to back down. He hit the first man in the head with a spinning back kick, knocking him out. The second man attacks Belial, but he is ready. He grabbed the man's arm and twisted it behind his back, moaning in pain. 

Belial stood there for a moment, panting. He looked down the tunnel and saw all the attackers either dazed or writhing in pain. The fifth man saw this unexpected scene and could not help but admire the skills of the intruder. "Wonderful," he said to himself. 

Belial approached the fifth man and narrowed his eyes. From the look on that man's face, he knew that this man was dangerous. But Belial was undaunted, having many such opponents before him. "Tell me where the Overmind is," Belial repeated, his voice low and threatening. 

The fifth man laughed. "You won't live long until you get to him," he said, his voice full of confidence. 

Belial raised his eyebrows. "Is that so?" he asked, his voice full of curiosity. The man scoffed. "You don't know who you work for. I am the master's true servant." 

Belial jumped. "I don't care who you are, I just want to know where the boss is. 

The man stepped forward, hands clasped. "I told you, you wouldn't make it home alive." 

Belial did not answer. Instead, he prepared for the attack. He knew the man was a skilled fighter and he would not let his guard down.

 Belial lunged at the man, his fists up. However, the man was quick. He evaded Belial's strike and changed his arm into a keen-edged sword. 

Belial pulled away, his eyes growing wide in astonishment. He had learned about individuals with a mutation hack like this, but he had never encountered one previously. He was aware that he needed to be cautious. 

Belial needed to maintain his concentration and stay nimble while the man persistently assaulted him with his lethal weapon. He dodged the man's rapid actions, and using his fast reflexes, he responded to every one of the man's attacks with accuracy. 

Belial recognized a trend in the man's assault and started to foresee his actions. He dodged as the man swung his arm in a broad arc, exposing him for a moment. Belial took advantage of the moment and struck the man's face quickly, making him stagger back. 

The man swiftly regained his composure and lunged forward once more, but Belial was prepared. He dodged the man's strike and threw a forceful uppercut, pushing the man's weapon arm away. The man staggered back, his arm incapacitated from the impact of the hit. 

Belial noticed the frustration and anger growing in the man's eyes as he understood he couldn't compete with Belial's skill and speed. The man unleashed an angry shout and surged ahead, yet Belial was ready. 

He dodged the man's strike and secured his arms, painfully twisting them behind his back. The man screamed in agony, and his sword arm dropped to the earth.

Belial stood over the man, his fists raised. "Now tell me where the kingpin is," he said, his voice cold and hard.

The man laughed, blood trickling from his mouth. "You'll never find him," he spat.

Belial grabbed the man by the collar and lifted him to his feet. "Try me," he said, his eyes blazing with intensity.

The man groaned in pain as Belial pinned him to the ground. 

"You will tell me where he is," Belial growled, his eyes blazing with anger.

The man smirked. "You can't make me talk," he said, his voice filled with defiance.

Belial clenched his fists, his muscles bulging with the effort. He could feel the man struggling beneath him, trying to break free. But Belial was too strong.

"Tell me where he is," Belial repeated, his voice low and menacing.

The man sneered. "You think you can take down the kingpin? You're nothing but a fool."

Belial's grip tightened, and the man grunted in pain. "I will take down the kingpin, with or without your help," he said.

The man laughed, a bitter sound. "You have no idea who you're up against. He's too powerful. He'll crush you like a bug."

Belial gritted his teeth, his anger boiling over. He raised his fist and punched the man in the face, knocking him unconscious.

"I guess we're about to find out."