The Damned Demon

On the surface of Mars, beneath an endless crimson sky stained by lingering twilight, the air around the massive Infinity Tower crackled with tension. The city surrounding the ominous yet futuristic structure had always seemed vibrant and safe, bustling with activity and guarded diligently by the elite Hunters.

But today, an oppressive sense of dread hung over the citizens as they watched a formidable group gather before the very gates of their President's symbol of power.

Leading them was none other than Arthur Evangelion—the renowned Star Prince himself. Clad in pristine white armor adorned with intricate golden patterns, a majestic cape of shimmering gold flowed gracefully from his shoulders, fluttering gently in the Martian breeze.

In his right hand, he gripped a long, elegant white staff, crowned by a radiant gemstone that glowed fiercely, illuminating him in an aura of pure, blinding white.

Behind Arthur stood a dozen elite Hunters, each a legend in their own right, all holding their weapons with unwavering resolve. Their expressions were set in grim determination, their eyes filled with steely defiance.

The residents paused in their daily routines, confusion turning swiftly to anxiety as they witnessed the scene unfold. Their murmurs rose, building into a wave of tense whispers.

"Isn't that the Star Prince? Why is he here like this?"

"Look at those Hunters behind him… What the fuck is going on here?"

Before the confusion could further spiral, Arthur stepped forward, gripping his staff tightly, and bellowed with powerful conviction. His voice resonated deeply, shaking the very air around him:

"DEREK!" The sheer authority and anger in his voice made everyone present freeze, eyes wide with shock. "Come out here! Your wicked acts ends today!"

An audible gasp rippled through the crowd, eyes widening with disbelief. Shocked whispers grew louder, questioning, disbelieving, and fearful.

"Did he just… call out President Derek like that?" a woman whispered, clutching her child close.

"What wicked acts is he even talking about?" another asked anxiously.

Nearby Hunters with their families tensed immediately, faces turning cold and alert. Their stance shifted subtly, readying themselves for what felt increasingly like an impending confrontation.

However, they weren't sure if they should draw their weapons out since the Star Prince was not just any Hunter but a very well respected Hunter from the elite Evangelion Family. Raising a weapon against him or even offending him would mean offending the Evangelion Family itself.

However, at the same time, insulting the President so blatantly couldn't be simply ignored.

Feeling the confusion radiating from the people around him, Arthur turned to address the crowd directly. He spoke firmly, passionately, and sincerely, his voice steady but urgent:

"Everyone! I know my words shock and confuse you, and you have every right to question them. But the man you know as President Derek Sterling is not the leader he claims to be! Behind his carefully constructed mask lies a heart filled with evil and corruption. He is responsible for countless deaths—brave Hunters who gave their lives believing they were protecting our home including the Golden Prince. But it was not just the demons they faced; it was a darkness born from Derek himself!"

Arthur's voice swelled with raw emotion, his bright hazel eyes fierce with righteous fury. The conviction of his words pierced the hearts of many who heard him, casting doubt in their once-secure beliefs. His words carried the weight of undeniable sincerity, forcing the citizens to wonder if they had been blind to something terrible.

"Do not support this evil man any longer!" Arthur's voice thundered across the plaza. "The proof of Derek Sterling's wickedness lies within the very tower behind me!"

Arthur paused briefly, seeing hesitation yet lingering doubt etched onto the faces of the gathered crowd. He raised his staff defiantly, channeling strength and certainty into every syllable. "Wake up, before Derek destroys us all! If we don't stop him now, our home, Earth, is going to—"

But Arthur's fervent plea was abruptly cut off by a sudden city-wide announcement echoing through powerful speakers hidden within buildings and along the streets. The voice was cold, authoritative, and unmistakably stern:

"Stand down, Arthur Evangelion. You have long since been corrupted by Hellbringer but we waited to see if you were strong enough to overcome him. But you failed. Surrender immediately, or we will be forced to take drastic measures. We will not allow you to disrupt our final war against the demons, nor endanger the lives of our citizens."

The sudden interruption sent shockwaves through the crowd. Expressions hardened again into fear and suspicion. The citizens glanced at one another uncertainly, muttering:

"Corrupted by Hellbringer? Could the Star Prince truly have turned?"

"It makes sense…why else would he act like this now?"

"Only someone as powerful like Hellbringer could corrupt an Evangelion!"

Arthur's jaw tightened, eyes narrowing bitterly as he recognized Derek's manipulative tactics clearly. Scoffing harshly, he shook his head, his voice seething with frustration and disappointment.

"Surrender? Never," he retorted fiercely, his defiant voice echoing throughout the plaza. "This will not end until I expose your true face to everyone, Derek. You can't silence the truth forever."

The speakers crackled to life again, Derek's voice icily indifferent yet subtly threatening: "You leave us no choice, Arthur. We gave you fair warnings."

With an ominous rumble, the colossal gates of the Infinity Tower slowly began to open, revealing rows upon rows of masked guards, clad entirely in sleek black armor, each gripping mana-powered rifles. They marched forth with intimidating precision, swiftly forming ranks and leveling their weapons directly at Arthur and the Hunters standing defiantly with him.

Arthur's eyes hardened into cold steel, recognizing the menacing spectacle as undeniable confirmation of Derek's guilt. He murmured bitterly under his breath, gripping his staff tighter, battle intent blazing in his eyes. "So you have finally revealed your true colors…"

The Hunters behind Arthur silently stepped forward, their presence imposing, their weapons glinting ominously beneath the Martian twilight. Each one radiated strength and unwavering courage, silently declaring their unyielding support for Arthur's righteous cause.

The air crackled with palpable hostility as both sides stood facing one another, poised on the brink of violence. The tension stretched unbearably, each breath sharp and heavy.

"Arthur Evangelion," a lead guard shouted harshly from behind his black mask, voice dripping cold disdain. "You and your fellow traitors are hereby declared traitors of the WHA and humanity. Lay down your weapons immediately, or face the consequences!"

Arthur merely narrowed his eyes dangerously, lips curling into a defiant smile as he raised his radiant staff, the gemstone atop it erupting into brilliant white light, illuminating the gathering twilight like a star.

"Traitors?" he spat fiercely, voice resonating with powerful defiance. "The only traitors here are those who serve Derek and his followers blindly! You threaten me because you fear what lies within this tower—evidence of your crimes! But I will not back down. I fight not for myself, but for every innocent life you have sacrificed!"

The citizens watched breathlessly, hearts caught between fear and awe, as the Star Prince stood resolute before an overwhelming force, unwavering in his resolve.

The masked guards readied their rifles, fingers tightening ominously on triggers, aiming steadily at Arthur's heart.

Arthur's voice rang out clearly once more, powerful and unyielding, carrying hope and defiance to every ear that heard him. "For justice! For our fallen brothers and sisters! And for our world!"

The Hunters behind him shouted in unison, their voices merging into one fierce battle cry:

"For the truth!"

With a burst of blinding radiance from his staff, Arthur surged forward, leading the charge against the oppressive force arrayed before him. Around him, the battle erupted instantly into a furious clash of mana and steel, shaking the city to its very foundations.

And above them all, within the Infinity Tower, Derek Sterling watched coldly from his office, his expression calm despite seeing the explosive battling taking place below.

Max hurriedly approached Derek, anxiety etched plainly on his features, sweat glistening on his forehead. His voice trembled slightly, betraying the growing dread clawing at his chest.

"We're running out of time, Derek," he urged desperately. "Hellbringer has already killed Rhino King and is now laying waste to the rest of our forces. It won't be long before he comes here through the very portal we opened. The Nexus Tower still needs more time to fully charge—"

"Relax, Max," a calm, composed voice interrupted from the shadows. Albert sat comfortably on the nearby sofa, eyes closed momentarily, completely unfazed by the chaos unfolding outside. A faint, unsettling smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

Max spun around, glaring incredulously at Albert. "Relax? You have to be kidding me! We're about to have a bloodthirsty demon knocking at our doorstep! A demon possibly out for revenge!"

Albert opened his eyes slowly, his calm demeanor unchanged, still exuding an air of eerie confidence. "The Nexus Tower can wait. There is something crucial we must retrieve from the demon world before its destruction. Something divine and powerful… capable of unleashing power beyond the limits of our mortal realm."

Max stared blankly, comprehension flickering in his eyes. "What the… You mean the Void Reaver? I've heard about it, but how exactly are we supposed to procure it if Hellbringer storms through the portal and tears us apart first? He's driven by vengeance, Albert! We're practically sitting ducks now, especially with Arthur and his gang stalling our people!"

Finally, Derek turned slowly from the vast projection screen, his gaze icy and commanding. The very air seemed to chill around him as he spoke, his voice quiet but cutting with authority.

"There is no need to waste our valuable forces on him," Derek stated firmly, meeting Max's anxious gaze. "Send the Reaper to finish this."

Max's expression shifted quickly to surprise, mixed with reluctant understanding. He hesitated slightly, furrowing his brows in uncertainty. "But she isn't ready yet. She's still broken and nowhere near her peak power. I need more time to break her fully."

"You don't need to break her," Derek interrupted coldly, eyes glinting dangerously. "Nor does she have to be at her peak. None of that matters as long as he simply sees her."

Realization dawned slowly across Max's face, his anxiety transforming swiftly into a sly, knowing smile. "Oh yes… of course," he murmured softly, visibly relaxing. "I see now."

—

Outside, Arthur and his elite squad stood triumphantly among the debris-strewn battlefield. The masked guards lay scattered around them, bodies broken and weapons shattered. Smoke billowed through the scorched streets, drifting in lazy spirals beneath the blood-red Martian sky. Arthur clenched his staff tightly, breathing heavily, determination blazing fiercely within him.

"Is that all you have, Derek?" Arthur shouted defiantly toward the looming tower, "I told you—nothing will stop me from showing the world your true face!"

But before he could step forward, the massive gates of the Infinity Tower parted silently once more, an eerie quiet descending across the battlefield. A slender, chillingly graceful figure emerged from the shadows within, stepping forward into the bleak daylight.

Clad entirely in sleek black armor, the figure radiated an otherworldly menace. Dark yellow eyes shone fiercely through the narrow slits of her mask, illuminating her face in haunting, feral intensity. Lightning-like streaks of dark yellow mana pulsed chaotically around her body, crackling and leaping unpredictably.

Her legs were mechanical masterpieces, encased in rotating discs of raw dark mana that spun menacingly at her hips. The suit was impossibly sleek, its aerodynamic design blending human elegance with demonic terror. Twin fins, sinister and horn-like, protruded ominously from either side of her helmet, reinforcing the demon-like aura that surrounded her.

Arthur's breath caught painfully in his throat. His eyes widened, mouth agape in stunned disbelief, voice barely audible as shock twisted within him:

"Anna…?"