It was an understatement to say that Syryn was taken over by the spirit of rage. The number of puppets that kept attacking him was getting ridiculous. As he kept smashing apart the puppets that threw themselves at him, he had a feeling that their numbers were growing, and they were all converging towards him.

A tall hill of broken puppets was gathered before the energetic teen. They streamed in from all corners of the city and blocked his path of escape. Behind him, the sea of fire pushed onwards and in front of him, a wave of marching puppets inundated his path. He was trapped. Still, he refused to sprout wings and escape because Syryn felt eyes on him. Someone was watching and playing with him.

Syryn did the only thing that could buy him more time. He cast a powerful spell that encased several of the burning houses in a thick layer of ice, thus putting out the fire. His ice began melting from the heat of fires that remained burning but it was enough to temporarily relieve him of heat.

At the same moment that he was tackling the army of puppets, Riaku had gained an upper hand over Signus. The evil sword was lodged in the demon's shoulder. Fire puffed out of Signus' mouth and shrouded Riaku's silver armour but the prince appeared unaffected.

"Hahaha!

" Signus laughed when Riaku dragged his sword through the meat and bone of the demon's shoulder.

"I underestimated you, prince!

" Signus placed the palms of his hands flat against the metal of the sword and sent heat coursing through it even as he pulled it out of his shoulder. The heat cauterised his flesh and stopped the bleeding that Riaku's sword had caused.

"I guess it's time for us to get serious, Prince,

" Signus grinned at Riaku.

"Show me everything you've got!

"

The armour of Soma was a lie. There was no magic in it like the legends spoke of. Its purpose was to fool the avian citizens and the world into thinking that the avian inside it derived his powers from the armour when all along, it was the demonic strength from the sword that gave them the power so feared by the enemies of Nua. The armour served to cover up their extra appendages while also acting as a smokescreen for the freakish powers they displayed.

Riaku understood the undeniable fact he wasn't as powerful as Signus. The other demon was much older than he was, more practised with his demonic powers. He also knew that he would die defending Nua if the situation was allowed to on this way. The prince raised his sword to block against the claws that slashed at him. Signus was transforming and it wasn't a good sign for anyone.

Meanwhile, Syryn was amassing more puppet bodies. He wasn't as powerful as he would have liked to be but Syryn had the strength to sustain fights that would ordinarily tire out other mages.

"Impressive!

"

Syryn's head snapped up and he saw a man approaching him. Zerhen was a lanky demon, taller than Rowan even. The man always had a few cute puppets weaving between his feet like excited kittens. Despite his pale skin and gaunt cheeks, Zerhen was handsome, as were most half-demons.

"You destroyed my spawn so effortlessly. I think you have more potential than the emperor predicted, Syryn Nigh'hart,

" He smiled with smugness.

"Surprised? Don't be. We all know who you are. You and your little brother, Lucien.

"

Syryn's heart quickened at the mention of Lucien's name. He was getting more paranoid with the passage of time.

"Such powerful demons but you insist on playing human. You can't possibly think you're human, do you? Tsk!

" Zerhen shook his head while his brows turned down sadly.

"Come join us, Syryn. It's always more fun with the demons. Rules don't bind us. We are above it.

"

While Zerhen monologued, the sounds of battle reached their ears and Syryn knew where the warriors had gone to. Nua's border was under attack and that was where the avian army had moved. Helios was just foreplay for the demons who were looking to frolic with Riaku.

"Are there more demons around?

" Syryn asked while fearing the worst.

"Yes,

" Zerhen cocked his head to the side.

"Ah, Julie is also here. I guess it wasn't fun playing with the other avians. They're all fighting each other and I can't even tell the difference between the avians from Nua and the other ones.

" His words indicated that Nua was in battle with another avian tribe. Why did they team up with demons? And what could they have possibly offered for their help?

Zerhen's mention of Julie brought back some memories that made the teen grimace. Julie was a half-demon who could manipulate and attack with the power of sound waves. Bleeding ears and scrambled brains normally followed her assaults.

"We all wanted a piece of the prince but It was Signus who won the lot,

" Zerhen pouted at Syryn.

"I'm sure that Julie will start attacking Signus now that she's lost her patience.

"

Syryn snorted. Typical Julie. She was the brattiest of them all. She also had intense bouts of jealousy that ended up badly for her victims.

"Julie sounds like a nightmare,

" he replied. Riaku was in a for a brutal time having to fight both Signus and Julie.

"You have no idea, Syryn.

"

Since they knew, there was no sense in hiding himself anymore. Syryn released his transformation and allowed the demon to take over. He was left with a smidgen of control that would ensure he didn't end up adding to the carnage.

"Oh Syryn, I thought we were becoming friends,

" Zerhen said with a sigh.

"I don't want to kill you yet.

"

Zerhen wasn't exaggerating. Syryn still wasn't strong enough to face him. He had the knowledge of spells but his body wasn't ready. What he could do was fight and hope that Rowan would arrive in time.