Part III
Alastor was thinking about his past. Though he was imprisoned in the sword for millenium,
He clearly remembered his last days.
Like all the demons did in their youth, Alastor had to go to the academy of Devil Arts. There
young devils discovered their natural abilities and the ways of controlling them. From his
birth, Alastor was filled with the crushing Devil Trigger energy. His parents died from the
humans' exorcists, so he didn't realised his true powers. Young Alastor was found by a famous
Demon Azan, who was the founder of Academy of Devil Arts. Azan was a wise demon, so he felt
the enormous power shackled in the soul of young boy. Of course, that would be a mistake to
miss such a promising student, so Alastor was accepted to the Academy. He made great sucess
with controlling his natural power, so he could transfer his energy to the material elements,
lightning and fire. To show how Alastor differs from the others, Azan decided to present him
a very special robe, which was covered by red heiroglyphs, that meant power. He also named
young demon Alastor (what means "Dragon" in Demonic), because sometimes his power channels
were overpowered and his power signs became glowing and his eyes changed to the serpent eyes.
Knowing the true power of Alastor, Azan was afraid of the young demon being isolated. Unfortunately,
he was partially right: very few students dare to talk to Alastor, and the whole Academy was
rumored that Alastor is very dangerous, and everyone who spoke to him died. However, there was
one, who was not afraid of Alastor and even became his friend. Shakr, the young demon, who
was ambitious and cheerful, saw the loneliness of Alastor and decided to help him. Master
Azan was very pleased with this fact, and so was Alastor. Finally, it was time for exam.
"I wonder, how master Azan going to surprise us?"- Alastor asked as they stood before the
door, which led to the training ground."I hope this exam will be the same as the last year's -
Shakr answered, students had to fight each other, and the one, who won was graduated". "But,
considering the fact you're not the ordinary student, I would say they will give something
special,"- he added. Alastor sighed, showing he had no idea about future test.
"Alastor, Shakr, please proceed to the training ground!"- the voice announced. Shakr was right:
Azan asked one of the most skillful trainers, Payne, to test our heroes in combat. Payne was
aware of Alastor's inhuman agility, speed and strenght as well as his ability to convert his
energy to the deadly elemental attacks. He also knew about Shakr's impressive sword skill,
combined with his only, yet powerful "Aurra" element. Master Payne had wide list of hand-to-hand
attacks and could also use teleportations to avoid attacks. He calmly waited until the announcement
and then teleported to the arena.
Alastor attentively studied demon who stood before them. He was quite tall with dark hair.
His eyes caused the strange feeling of endless torture in nowhere, so Alastor whispered to
Shakr not to look into master's eyes. "Your progress seems very impressive to me - Payne began,
let us test your skills on this battlefield.". "Enough talk! Straight to the point! - Shakr
interrupted. Alastor noticed that master smiled. "Shakr, no! - he shouted."Aurra!". The bright ray
spreaded from Shakr's palm and hit master Payne. "Easy" - he said. "Too easy" - thought Alastor.
"I doubt that your temper will lead you to victory" - said master Payne. He was uninjured. It seemed
that Aurra didn't make an effect on him. "Impossible!" - cried Shakr. But he quickly collected himself.
- Aurra!
- You've missed again, student.
- Aurra!
- Try again.
- Aur...
Suddenly, Payne bounced off the wall and performed a quick slide in the air. Then his leather boot hit
Shakr's nose.
- Owch!
- You ran out of tries, Shakr. But it seems that Alastor still got something to show us.
Alastor noded, showing that he is prepared. He made a fast dash forward, casting Igni with his left hand,
and made a simple strike with his right hand. Of course, Payne easily blocked it, and hold his right hand.
- I can say that I am disappointed in you, Alastor.
Then he saw Alastor's Igni element, but pretended that he didn't noticed this.
- So, student, what is your next turn?
- Bite this!
Alastor expected to hit master Payne with Igni and then perform a lower slide kick, to make master fall.
- Not bad, not bad at all!
Alastor found himself on a ground with his Igni released to nowhere. Fortunately, he looked up, so he could roll
left to dodge master's falling hit.
- But you must use something special instead of your common attacks.
"We can not beat him deliberately, how about a little friends' co-op?"- Shakr suggested when Alastor stood up.
"Let's do this!"- Alastor said with roguish smile. He did a heavy blow, which raised the cloud of dust, so friends could
have sudden effect. Shakr performed wide horizontal slash while running forward, and Alastor did a wallrun, then bounced
off the wall and did a falling vertical kick. Payne seemed to be prepared for this attack and made a quickly step left.
When Shakr came closer, master teleported onto one of four pillars, that were put up on the training ground.
- No use, that didn't work, - Alastor summed up
- Is he vulnerable? - Shakr asked desperately
- I am, but you two will never hit me if you try that bad.
- Aurra! / Pyros!
Master easily dodged this combined power of flame and light, and threw a boulder in Shakr. However, Shakr was on guard,
so he sliced it into pieces.
- That can go on pretty long, I admit. Now, I will go offence,- master said with cold emotion
Then he disappeared.
- Where is he?- Shakr asked
- Stay on your guard, - said Alastor
- Tornado! - shouted Payne
He used one of his most deadliest tecniques versus Shakr, but it was, of course, weakened in order not to kill student.
However, this blow was very strong. Shakr was sent in a long flight. Then he hit the wall.
- It seems that your friend is down from the count now.
- Zeus!
Alastor used his own element of divine lightning, it was the most destructive, yet unstable elemental attack. He was able
to see the confusion and even fear on the face of master Payne. However, examinator quickly recovered and dodged the most
dangerous part of lightning bolt with a barrel roll. But he didn't noticed that Alastor jumped in the mid-air and stretched
his hand.
- Pyros!
The wave of flame radiated outward Alastor and a comet fell on the place, where master stood. Payne made a backsault, and
slided on the ground. Alastor prepared Igni and hit the ground with it. The fire pillars headed to master Payne. He could
dodge, but was disoriented for two seconds. This time was enough for Alastor to execute a crushing series of hits. Master
blocked some of them, but he missed the last, the most powerfull blow, which send him flying.
- That was only one hit, you are still far from the objective - defeating me.
Suddenly, the dark clouds covered sky, and heavy rain started.
Master dashed forward, prepared to dodge any attack, but Alastor stood on one place, looking on the floor. Payne did his
incredible combos that could knock unconscious even strong Devils, but it seems that Alastor ignored his hits. Suddenly,
Alastor pushed examinator away like a doll. Something has changed in young demon. He was covered with black smoke, and his
power signs pulsed as never before. He slowly raised his head, and master Payne non-willingly did a step back. He saw deep
blue abyss in the eternal light, which spreaded from the eyes of Alastor.
- What are you?! Why do not you fear looking in my eyes?
- I am Alastor,- Alastor slowly replied
Alastor executed punch-punch-kick combo, which was simple, yet powerfull. Master returned with straight jab in Alastor's face.
Then, Payne did Tomahawk kick (downward vertical kick), but Alastor recovered and did a roundkick, which left lightning trail
in the air. Then master Payne and Alastor fell on the ground strenghtless. Though two fighters were exhausted with the battle,
Alastor managed to get up slowly. Payne stood on his knees. Alastor limped towards him and grabbed his shoulder.
- Isn't it time to give up? - he whispered, coughing with blood
- Nnno!
- You don't actually have... a choice
- I said...
- Then die!
Alastor raised his hand and began charging Zeus for a final blow. Suddenly he fell on the ground unconscious.
The rain stopped.
Alastor woke up in his room. He looked around, got dressed, and felt pain. Though he was a demon, his injures recovered
slowly, due to his loss of power. When he entered the hall, he saw master Payne, master Azan and Shakr. Master Payne seemed
to be fully renewed, and Shakr looked OK too.
- I am here to congratulate you, student Alastor. Or, it will be more precisious to say Alastor? - said Azan
- Congratulate me with what?
- We're graduated, friend!- said Shakr
- Master Payne, are you okay?
- You given me a hard job. But you are good, friends.
And so, Alastor and Shakr graduated from the academy and faced their destiny.
Our heroes decided to stay in the inn for some time, and then continue their journey. The town they were in was called Darkwood
for the mystical (even for the Demon world) events happened there. The inhabitants of Darkwood warned friends thatit is dangerous
for travellers to stop in the town for more then one night, but Alastor made it clear that they are not afraid of anything.
Later that night, Alastor felt someone approaching his room. It was not Shakr, the footsteps were too fast and quiet. Alastor
began casting Igni and waited calmly. The door slowly opened...