The king and Cleus walk down the corridor leading to the jail cell. The king stops and looks at the door, then at Cleus, as he speaks.
“This is how low your family has fallen. Your father was a weakling who deserved to lose his throne and his head. If I lose my son, I promise you a fate worse than death.”

Cleus slowly opens his eyes and looks the king straight in the eyes.
“Before I leave this kingdom, you will eat those words with your blood.”

The king’s face twists in rage. Then heavy footsteps echo down the hallway. An enormous amount of bloodlust pours into the corridor. Cleus and Cyte instinctively look back. An enormous hooded man walks toward them. The king smiles and raises his hand toward the soldiers.
“Open the door.”

The soldiers open the door. The king sees his son on the floor, beaten bloody and still unconscious.
“Zoipa!”

His scream fills the air as he rushes toward his son. Suddenly, a cloud of dust erupts, blocking his sight. The king halts at the sudden event. A shadow emerges from the dust. With his head lowered and eyes raised, Demo stares at the king, waiting for the dust to settle to maximize the impact.

“Where is the Bookkeeper?”

Cleus smiles, and Cyte shakes her head. Inside the cell, Orja holds a handful of dust and sand, staring at Demo, unsure why he had to throw it before Demo stepped out.

The king is startled by Demo’s dramatic entrance.
“Give me back my son!”

The dust fully settles, and Demo raises his head.
“Tell me where the Bookkeeper is, and I will.”

The king screams.
“Khaliit!”

The giant lowers his posture and dashes toward the cell. Cyte and Cleus attempt to intercept him, but the velocity and mass behind Khaliit’s charge render their efforts useless. They are blown aside as Khaliit forces his way into the cell. The king points at Demo.
“Kill him!”

Demo takes his stance and tries to counter, but his efforts fail as Khaliit smashes into him. Demo is sent flying through the cell wall into another part of the castle. Cyte and Cleus scramble to their feet and rush after him.

Orja catches a glimpse of the giant who struck Demo, his eyes widening in shock. Khaliit chases after Demo, followed closely by Cleus and Cyte. The king rushes to Zoipa’s side and holds him.

Orja realizes this is his chance to escape. He stands and goes through the hole Demo made, spotting the figures of Cleus and Cyte ahead and chasing after them.

Demo slams into a wall, stopping his momentum. Shocked by the sheer power of the blow, he looks up to see the giant closing in fast, fist clenched and ready to strike. Demo raises his guard. Khaliit punches, sending Demo crashing through another wall.

Khaliit continues the chase. Cleus and Cyte catch up, draw their weapons, and attack from the side. Each of them slashes one of Khaliit’s leg tendons. Khaliit screams in pain, spins around, and wildly swings at them. Both dodge but step back to avoid being hit.

Khaliit roars, then turns and resumes chasing Demo. Demo, injured, slowly rises. He realizes the giant is stronger and faster than someone with that body should be. There is also something familiar about him.

Khaliit charges through the rubble, screaming. Demo screams back and rushes forward. They collide. Demo loses the exchange and is sent flying again. He hits the ground, slides back, then stands and takes his stance.
“Well, that did not work.”

Cleus and Cyte appear behind Khaliit. Demo nods, and the three of them surround the giant. Orja finally catches up, out of breath.

Demo, Cleus, and Cyte move counterclockwise around Khaliit, searching for an opening. Khaliit ignores them and lunges straight for Demo, throwing a punch. Demo dodges and slips inside, delivering a body punch. The blow connects, forcing Khaliit to double over, but he counters quickly.

Before the counter lands, Cyte slices Khaliit’s arm. Demo shifts his weight and lands a body hook from the other side. Khaliit doubles over again but retaliates. Demo jumps back to avoid it.

Cleus seizes the opening and attempts to cut Khaliit’s neck. The strike lands but is shallow. Khaliit unleashes a flurry of punches aimed at Demo. Now fully focused, Demo dodges each one.

Catching his breath, Orja shouts.
“Do not fight him. We have to get out of here!”

Cyte glances at Orja.
“Explain yourself. This thing will not stop attacking Demo even if we run.”

Orja straightens.
“He will not be able to leave the castle. We just have to escape the castle grounds.”

Demo starts bouncing lightly on his feet, preparing to increase his speed. Cleus extracts a bit of blood from Khaliit and attempts a special technique, but it explodes harmlessly.

Demo launches into a rapid combo. Khaliit attempts to counter but misses. Demo finishes with a powerful kick, sending the giant flying.

Demo looks at Orja, then at Khaliit, who is already starting to rise.
“Cleus, Cyte, Orja. Let us get out of here.”

Cleus and Cyte stare at him.
“What?”

Demo gestures with his head.
“Yeah. Let us go.”

Chapter 97 fin