Imp to Demon King: A Journey of Conquest

When he drew the bowstring to his cheek, it condensed his solar energy into five burning arrows. Scalding arcs danced on their frames in a blinding display that distorted the surrounding air.

In a flash, memories of his past prowess and regrets resurfaced: his time learning archery and his first meeting with his half-brother. The many times they clashed until their last battle and all the curses he had collected in his quest for acceptance.

Finally, his death flashed before his eyes—an unjust one resulting from the gods' interventions and scams, but a defeat nonetheless.

Yet, his lips curled into a smile, and a steely glint flashed in his eyes as he scrutinised the golden blur Achilles had turned into.

"The past is gone. I move forward without letting it constrain my actions in this new life."

With this declaration of change and independence, he let loose the solar arrows. Piercing the air and leaving swirling vapor trails in their wakes, they darted to Achilles with incredible power.

Meanwhile, Achilles' blue eyes darted between the five flaming bolts. Their trajectory registered in a heartbeat, and his charge shifted. He stepped aside just enough to avoid them without losing speed. And as expected, burning gales passed by without touching him. Yet, he noticed Karna's confident smile as if everything went according to plan. Why?

His heart hastened in his chest as he squinted suspiciously.

Simultaneously, as if animated by a will, the five arrows spun mid-course. In a split second, they adjusted their trajectory and bolted towards his back.

Their sizzling caused his ears to twitch as he instantly reacted to the threat. His limbs twisted reflexively at unnatural angles, showcasing his divine agility. Rushes of burning air grazed his skin as his eyes enlarged in surprise, and he understood what had transpired.

"The bow's projectiles always reach their target, one way or another." He muttered under his breath as the arrows spun again to pierce him.

Worse, he clicked his tongue as he saw Karna's hand blur as he fired a barrage in his direction. From five, they became ten, then fifty, then a hundred. Even without the bow's enhancement, their natural trajectory and power were enough to force a gasp of admiration out of him. And soon, they would surround him and seal any dodging manoeuvre.

Yet, an inferno burned in his heart as his voice pierced the sky.

"Interesting! I recognise your archery as the best. Even Teucer couldn't match you." His eyes narrowed, the blue wisps wafting from them turning an eery gray mirroring the Styx's water. "But it won't work!"

Before his words could linger, he stomped his right foot down. The ground trembled as his heel dug deep beneath its surface. With his weakness protected, his veins pulsed under his tensing muscles as he drew his arm behind his back.

While the projectiles brightened his figure and were about to ignite him like a human torch, he did what he was best at: he fought back without care!

"Rah!"

With his yell, his arm blurred as he hurled his spear at Karna.

Like an antique missile forged out of bronze, his Greek spear shattered the sound barrier. The pressure alone caused circles to spread in the air like in water as the oxygen burned at its tip.

In this split second, both legendary warriors faced unavoidable strikes of extreme proportions. Yet, the same smile crept onto their faces despite the imminent collision.

BOOM

Two blasts rocked the entire region, causing a shockwave to spread from their position to the town. Furious gales crashed on the southern walls, shredding the burning wood and extinguishing the inferno of dark flames.

The soldiers accompanying the King of Heroes tumbled as the latter collided with the railing behind and gnawed on his nails. Icy sweat dripped down his spine as dread's icy voice whispered words of doom in his ears.

Despite the blinding radiance reaching for the sky in the form of a raging pillar, he couldn't detach his eyes from the battle. Not because it impressed him. No... because someone forced Achilles to rely on his invincibility.

Who's that white-haired man?

The question rumbled in his mind for a second as he scrutinised Karna's side of the battlefield.

A cloud of dust equalling the flames in height rose from a bottomless pit. And before it stood the most well-rounded warrior he had ever seen. Yet, blood poured down his mouth and the gaping hole in his sides.

His lips curled, and a sigh of relief escaped through his fingers as he saw his state.

Then, he raised his arms triumphantly and roared through the mayhem engulfing his town.

"Achilles just defeated his adversary and will rush back to the city in a minute! We're saved!"

Meanwhile, Adam's pupils trembled at the horrible news.

Did Karna really fail?

He shook his head at the impossible notion. Karna's traits matched Achilles and could even surpass them if used right. So, what happened?

Even if the question gnawed at his mind like a sea of ants, doom loomed over his subjects. The time wasn't for emotions or pondering.

Urgency fuelling his arms, he pushed himself off the ground and forced Garduck to his feet.

"Handle the formation in my stead!"

Without looking back, he leapt through the billowing smoke. Landing on the walls, he rushed at the hundreds of soldiers protecting the King of Heroes, ready to behead him before Achilles returned.

Like a dark demonic dragonling, his pulsing scales left a golden trail behind him as the wind whipped against his bloodied armor. In the blink of an eye, he bridged the distance and reached the first celebrating soldiers.

Abyssal and silver flashes drew a tempestuous cluster of sparkling arcs as he struck them without mercy.

Bodies plopped to the ground, one after another, in his charge. Some tried to oppose him after noticing their companion's death. Faces twisted in righteous rage, they hurled curses and arrows at him while the King of Heroes sought refuge behind his elite soldiers and mages.