The pain in his left shoulder began to flare after the power slowly drained from him. Mulguran’s strength steadily deteriorated as he forced it down, making him mortal again. There was a moment when he thought his master would take control but he never did. It wasn’t like last time where he had lost all control and woken to find himself with the memories of what he had done.

The sense of loyalty and the bond with the demon calmed to a dull thought and need. It was always there, the need to do his master’s bidding but it blessedly became bearable as the power abated. His blood had slowly diluted it.

After feeling this for the first time all those years ago, he foolishly believed his power over him could be severed. He was sorely mistaken. No matter how hard he tried, he could not break free, only resist.

It was like a cold hand wrapped around his heart, threatening to crush it at any moment. His blood and body felt itchy and he longed for more of his blood. The addiction was another factor that he wished would be taken away but to no avail.

Resting for a brief moment, he checked his shoulder.

It still bled.

He could repair the wound. That was one benefit to Mulguran’s power, however, he refused to heal himself.

The pain made him feel human again.

He winced and yanked the arrow out of his flesh, spraying bits of blood onto the rocky ground. His shoulder was soaked in blood and he would need to change out of his attire.

The man in black didn’t know how Mulguran knew of a back exit but he did and that was all he needed to know. It was easy to lose the soldiers that chased after him. His speed far outpaced theirs and he soon retreated into the mountains. There was a hidden door that opened to the caves where he escaped into and out the side of the mountain.

His energy and strength quickly depleted as he kept walking.

“So tired,” he whispered.

He was nearing a place to stop and rest for the night. His bones and muscles aching from the fight before. Knowing Kyburn was in Riqun wasn’t a surprise to him, however, he never wanted to fight him for what he had done for him in the past. His respect and admiration for Kyburn may get him killed yet, especially if Mulguran found out he had let him live.

Collapsing on cool stone, he found a slip in the mountain that provided ample shelter for rest and from prying eyes. His mind was foggy from exhaustion and he was nodding off when a cold shiver shot down his spine.

“He’s here.” he thought, panic quickly rising.

Whipping his head around to face the wall, he instead saw Mulguran sitting on a large black stone. The dark mist enveloped him, creating the scene around him. Mulguran shifted, moving slightly, the grey and bleak stone around him crumbled beneath his weight.

The demon’s eyes flared red in anger and the man in black winced from the hostility of his master.

“You’re not avoiding me are you, human?” Mulguran hissed. “You were to contact me immediately! Instead, you sleep?”

He quickly bowed before the demon, his face touching the ground. “Forgive me, master.”

“Forgive you?” Mulguran’s voice was icy cold. “You failed.” he sneered. “They have been woken from their slumber!”

“No. They couldn’t have.” he whimpered. “I destroyed everything, all of Armin’s research, I burned it all. I swear.”

“It wasn’t enough!” Mulguran barked. “They found a way, regardless of your sabotage. Felkuru helped that little runt, Erik.”

“Forgive me, master.” He begged. “There were too many of them. I was wounded. If only I had more time I would have destroyed the whole room and found the mainframe.”

“Excuses are beneath you.” Mulguran bared his teeth. “However, where you blundered, your allies ran like cowards. They have been dealt with.”

“What? Why? I sent them to search for the computer’s mainframe.” he said, confused by his master disposing of them.

“They didn’t find it. Instead, they took the opportunity to flee while you fought Kyburn.” Mulguran’s upper lip twitched. “Which reminds me. Why didn’t you kill him?”

“I was about to,” he said quickly. “But one of the guards shot me. I decided to flee instead,” he admitted, though it wasn’t the whole truth.

Mulguran looked at him long and hard, a sliver of doubt flickering in his eyes. All he had to do was take control of him and the demon would know he had let Kyburn live on purpose. But instead, he scoffed, shifting in his makeshift seat.

Breathing in deeply, the demon calmed, slowly lifting himself to his feet. Stepping down from his perch on the rock he reached out a hand. “You did not run. Though you failed, I will not dismiss your loyalty to me.”

Mulguran stabbed his wrist with one long fingernail and blood slowly oozed out. “Take it,” he whispered. “You used much of my power in that fight. You can heal now.”

The man removed his mask and opened his mouth, stretching his neck upward as black blood dripped from Mulguran’s wrist. The instant it reached his tongue a surge of power shot through his body. Invigorating him, renewing his strength, and removing the exhaustion he felt moments ago.

His shoulder, after a brief pause, healed and closed, leaving a scar.

He hated using the power, yet it was intoxicating.

“Thank you, master,” he replied, though inwardly he wished he didn’t have to consume his blood. It was a curse, one which had taken him years to fully realize.

“You will go to Xerixes immediately,” he commanded. “My army has assembled and will overwhelm them by morning. None will escape me.”

Mulguran moved back into his position, his wrist instantly healing. A piece of the stone cracked slightly as he scraped his nails along the rock.

Bowing his head once again, he pressed his face to the ground, waiting for further instructions. Mulguran was not in a listening mood.

“Trouble is brewing from the west which may work in our favor,” Mulguran said. “My spies will be useful for a change.”

“What of the Emarine?” he asked.

“They will die along with the rest of them.” Mulguran hissed. “Felkuru will not get his chance and Malik… I have him exactly where I want him. He is a fool if he thinks I cannot get to him. His servants will soon be no more.”

“Very good, master.” the man said. “What am I to do in Xerixes?”

“You… will finish what you started. No one suspects you.” Mulguran said with a grin. “You will watch and learn what it is they plan to do. I may have another task for you when the time comes.”