Marcus was enjoying organizing his thoughts by writing them down on paper and sorting them into respective categories. Categories such as Shadow King’s memories and emotions, plans to develop better crops, and personal thoughts about his new life. Marcus was just writing whatever came to his mind, mostly to just help stave away complete boredom.

He had yet to find a reasonable method to help keep Page and Lily’s demonic outbursts from happening so he was unable to make the long journey to gather required personnel for his project. Thus he could really only think and consider of different methods to recruit people to his current location. He had thought to try to convince Celeste to move, but that would be entirely selfish and unreasonable. To spiel noble purpose to Celeste who had already sacrificed enough for humanity is simply selfish, there is no obligation for one to sacrifice their entire life to others. Most people only get one life after all, they should be allowed to enjoy their own life.

It was a peaceful morning with Marcus feeling rather relaxed. When he sensed something approaching him. It was a familiar demonic aura of one of the Shadow King’s former contractees. Marcus couldn’t really narrow down the exact owner of said aura, and could mostly guess their purpose.

Marcus moved away from the log cabin he resided in so in the event that things turn ugly he wouldn’t have to rebuild his house. And as expected the visitor followed Marcus and he moved.

Marcus decided to pick up his pace and move deftly through the forest away from the border town and deeper into the forest. They moved at a consistent pace, keeping roughly the same distance. It seemed they are planning to observe him for the time being. Marcus tried to moved toward the visitor. But they moved away as Marcus moved toward.

“Looks like they aren’t too keen to meet me.” Marcus muttered.

Marcus grasp the faint thread connecting him and the visitor and send a telepathic message through.

‘Come and lets talk peacefully the Shadow King has died.`

However the thread that connected the two was faint, no longer boasting the former strong connection of two souls. It is now simply a connection of a soul to a husk. The message that was transmitted to the visitor was inconveniently corrupted.

`Come and…peacefully…die…`

The visitor was now approaching Marcus slowly. Marcus thought that the message went through at least. He was concern about the worn out soul bond. Marcus decided to conjure up a table and some chairs to have a civilized discussion. He didn’t have much to offer in terms of food or refreshment.

It wasn’t long until Marcus saw Lizzy who he recognized from the Shadow King’s memories. Marcus frowned upon seeing her as she was the most unrestrained person courtier. And something about being looked at with absolutely fear brings up other bad memories as well.

“Sit.” Marcus gestured to the seat opposite to him kindly.

Lizzy sat on the chair with cold sweat forming on her forehead. Despite the appearance of the Shadow Lord changing the aura he emitted was unmistakable. An aura of subtle dread that reminded her of his infamy. She now regretted following the soul bond.

“I am surprise you came to find me.” Marcus spoke softy.

Lizzy seriously thought she could take on whatever necromancer, lich or demon that puppeteered the Shadow King’s corpse. ‘Why did the Lord have to hide his soul’ Lizzy grumbled inwardly assuming that the Shadow King faked his own death. But it was too late for regrets as the hornet’s nest had been stirred. She had to pray to whatever god that was still willing to humour her that the Shadow King doesn’t know her misdeeds.

Marcus frowned at Lizzy’s silence and fearful expression. He knew it wasn’t going to be easy to convincing her the truth. And it might be for the better. At least this way she would have some self-control around him. Better not to loosen the reins around pure blooded demons.

“Are you the only one who plan to find me?” Marcus inquired.

Lizzy thought for a moment and could only slowly shake her head and peek at the Shadow King’s expression at this.

Marcus frowned which caused Lizzy to shiver in fear. He knew what this means if Lizzy was here many troublesome parties wouldn’t be too far behind either.

Marcus contemplated for a moment, he knew he probably could use Lizzy’s help, but there was no real binding contract between them and Lizzy was definitely no charity worker. He sighed at having to make a deal with a demon.

“Lets make a deal.” Marcus said and looked at Lizzy. She met his eyes with tears in hers “You obey me and I —“

Before Marcus could finish the rest of his sentence Lizzy grabbed his hands and screamed out in a shaken voice “DEAL!”

Demonic mana arose from both Lizzy and Marcus and formed a new connection between the two. The connection then merged with the old fading soul link and a bounding oath could be felt by both Marcus and Lizzy.

Lizzy smiled now devilishly at having pulled one over the Shadow King but then immediately hide her expression and looked to the ground in fear. She knew now the Shadow King can’t kill her, but it was better not to be tormented.

Marcus shook his head and thought solemnly ‘Why is it that demons always assume the worse in people.’

The two awkwardly sat while waiting for the rest of the ‘guests’ to arrive. Marcus didn’t know how he should make conversation and Lizzy was in no mood to casually chat with evil incarnate.

A humming sound could be heard and both Lizzy and Marcus both quickly took a few paces back.

*CRASH*

A thunderous explosion of lightning landed at where they were sitting leaving behind a lightning spear made of divine power.

More hums followed and lightning spears bombarded Lizzy and Marcus’ location. Dozens upon dozens of lightning spears rained down as if they were arrows loose by a battalion of trained archers.

‘It’s an elite inquisitor squad’ Marcus thought in irritation. ‘The Shadow King sure draws a lot of attention even in death.’

Lizzy meanwhile was barely dodging the spears, obviously under a lot pressure by the holy aura that accumulated by the bombardment.

Marcus telepathically told Lizzy to follow him as he decided to flee away from the direction of Celeste’s house, least he bring forth an unwanted reunion.

They fled at break-neck speed with the trees of the forest zooming by as the pursuers giving chase. With seemingly endless lightning spears hot on their heels which almost caused Lizzy to run into a tree that was exploded by a spear.

It wasn’t before Marcus noticed Lizzy losing pace and her stamina starting to deplete. Marcus had no choice but to carry her on his back. To which Lizzy show some reluctant, but had no choice but to obey. Marcus’ speed now also was suffering as he started to reach physical exhaustion.

“Why don’t you use your magic, my liege?” Lizzy asked while on Marcus’ back.

Marcus gritted his teeth and thought if getting caught meant being exposed anyways mind as well. Marcus conjured shadow magic around him and Lizzy and their form started becoming immaterial as their bodies started partly fading into shadow.

The shadow magic stimulated the pursuers. They now chased with reckless abandon. Surge of divine mana could be felt behind them as the pursuers now confirmed Marcus’ identity.

Despite the surge in divine mana they could only barely keep up with Marcus’ speed. They had no more luxury to shoot lightning spears as they chased. Both parties were fully focused on movement.

The game of cat and mouse played out for hours with Marcus starting to become winded in exhaustion. His energy level was abysmally low compared to the old Shadow King and could barely keep up the pace. The pursuers were now starting to gain on them inch by inch.

They arrived now in the Shadow King’s territory. An inhuman feat considering it would normally be days of travel, but instead done in hours. The elite inquisitor squad was like blood hounds who locked onto their prey and abandoned all rules and decorum.

‘Does Gregory still guard East Point?’ Marcus asked Lizzy via telepathy.

Lizzy was extremely uncomfortable in the shadow magic and was losing consciousness. ‘I think so.’ She replied.

Marcus decided a ‘think so’ was a good enough answer and moved toward Fort East Point. Their pursuers realized what Marcus was trying to do and an extremely oppressive holy aura could be felt from them.

‘They brought the whole house for this mission.’ Marcus frowned.

A divine ray shot forth from behind and Marcus narrowly dodge it based on pure intuition. The ray went pass unimpeded penetrating everything its path.

They left the forest and reached open plains where Fort East Point could be seen. Marcus turned his head and could now see the pursuers clearly. 10 Temple inquisitors dressed in silver armour draped in white and golden robes. One of them was holding a beautifully crafted staff with numerous decorated patterns. Before Marcus could admire the staff for too long it was pointed toward him and another holy ray shot out.

This time Marcus couldn’t dodge completely and he could feel it penetrating his left leg. He filled the wound with shadow magic but the stinging pain could be felt immensely with every step now.

Their positions were now close enough that the inquisitors started conjuring holy magic again. Lighting spears started forming in their hands. And just as they were about to unleash the spell an immense demonic pressure bore down upon everyone. Everyone halted their movement, the momentum kicked up dirt and grass as everyone stopped.

“Is this an act of war from the temple?” A voice sounded as a projected figure appeared from behind Marcus.

The projected figure was an elderly demon with long white hair and goat hooves. He wore mana forged steel armour with black and silver surcote on top that bore the Shadow King’s dragon insignia.

The projected figure glanced at Marcus and Lizzy on his back and nodded.