Chapter 8: A Fabulous Gift
Out, in the wastelands of Limbo a pair of people, one being Galahad stood amongst a dozen or so dead demons, that had been dismembered and crushed to death. The work of our dear protagonist.
His body was doused in purple blood, veins popping on his muscular body, as his chest rose up and down, having just finished his massacre. A wide smile appeared on his face, looking at the bodies of the creatures, taking joy in their painful death. Once more he had lost control and gave in to his rage, which led to a display of uncontrollable and savage might.
A few meters away stood the observing figure of his new ally, Ororo. It seemed that she didn't participate in the fight and spectated from a distance. She took in every detail of his battle style and silently shook her head.
"This isn't going to work…if you cant learn to control that crazed phase of yours then I am afraid that not only your enemies will suffer." She approached him after he had finally returned to his usual self.
After Galahad had accepted to join her, Ororo suggested they head out and hunt a few groups of demons. Her plan was to familiarize themselves, with each other's fighting style and get to know each other during their journey.
On their way here, she told him about her homeworld, Earth. Mostly the same planet he knew from his memories, she explained it was a place that housed many people with powers like hers, attracting Galahad's attention.
Apparently, she was part of a team, comprised of special individuals, called the X-men. Their many goals were to gather others like them and offer them a safe place to nurture and discover their powers while protecting Earth from any threats.
"Then don't get in my way!… Sorry…give me a while I will back to my senses." Galahad lashed out at her judgment, only to realize his mistake. He sighed and apologized to her.
"It's okay, you told me that all this power awakened recently. So it's no wonder you can't fully control it. If only you knew how many times we had to rebuild the X-men mansion…haha! Don't feel down and keep trying, eventually, you will succeed." Ororo was chill about the whole situation, not only did she not appear disappointed, regretting her decision, she even consoled him and tried to help him.
"Thanks…on to the next group then." With that the two-headed out, hunting groups of demons…only Galahad fought though, the woman just observed from the side.
---
In a familiar demonic castle, the lord Belasco was fuming, the reason being an incompetent subject of his, S'ym.
"How many months has it been! Do you mean to tell me a whole army of demons can't find who is the cause of these attacks?! You are worthless!" A bolt of red energy shot out of his sinister hand, landing on S'ym who only took a few steps back, withstanding the blow with only a small grunt.
"I apologize, my lord…I will set out myself and find the bastard who did this!" Fuming on the inside for being yelled at by such a man, the purple demon said and left the hall in a hurry.
Belasco sat back down on his throne, massaging his temples. Whatever plans he was formulating, they appeared to have taken a toll on him.
"The elder gods won't wait for much longer…I have to deliver what I promised…or else these gifts I was given…" Muttering under his breath, words only he could hear and understand, the lord stood up after letting out a long breath, opening a portal for another part of the castle.
A few floors below ground, the room of Illyana was situated. She held in a space like, despite being Belasco's apprentice for fear she would run away, restricted access to the upper floors.
The teen was resting on her bed, looking at her sealing deep in thought. She missed her home and her family. She despised this place and the man that had become her master. His sweet words had done nothing but infuriate her even further.
"I miss them so much…brother…no matter how long it takes I will leave this place! Even if I have to lose my humanity in the process!" Illyana was aware that the spells her master was teaching, were of the dark arts and channeled the demonic energy present in this world.
This in turn made her body and soul attune with this corrupted energy, increasing her prowess but altering her body and personality closer to that of demons. Similar to what had happened to Belasco.
The man was a human, who I in search of strength had sacrificed his human nature and turned into a demon. That is what he told her at least, but she suspected there was more than what met the eye.
"Killing that bastard in the process…" Her words fused with hatred came out of her mouth as she stood up and exited her room, it was time to train.
---
Illyana wasn't the only one searching for power and control, Galahad was desperate for it too. He was afraid that a time would come when he truly lost himself in a frenzy and destroyed himself and those he considered his friends.
"AAH!…More! More! This isn't enough!" Reaping the head of a helpless demon, Galahad roared in the air, his persona again had changed into his crazed self. No matter how much he tried, the moment he faced an opponent that threatened him in any way, he entered into his frenzy mode.
"... Let's stop for now. You need to rest and clear your head. It seems the more you fight, the more you lose yourself in the heat of the battle." Ororo finally concluded that the man's power was fueled by his wrath and desire for battle. The more he fought, the less control he had over his increasing strength.
Galahad stared at her, pondering something…moments later shaking his head to dispel any thoughts he had. Walking back to her, they made their way back home.
"All these demons dying, must have alerted Belasco. He must have sent I higher ranked demon after us by now, probably that purple one, his name…" Jumping in to finish her sentence, he spoke.
"S'ym…that fucker, it wasn't long before I had arrived in this world, that purple freak came to greet me. Needless to say, I didn't get a warm welcome." Remembering the demon, Galahad's anger flared for a few seconds. He knew that he wasn't a match for him and that fueled his wrath even more.
"...Yeah, he is the second strongest after Belasco and the man I want you to hold off. Your current powers should only last a minute or so against him…if you are lucky." Her words pierced his ego and stung his pride.
"You…speaking of power. You haven't even shown me yours…big words don't mean shit if you can't back them up!" Already angry from before, he barked at her. All this time Ororo hadn't revealed a single of her abilities, making him wonder if she had any.
In response to his, Ororo sighed and looked around, probably looking for a target. She found a group of unsuspected demons in the distance. She lifted her arm casually towards the sky, clasped and twisted. Galahad watched, amused at her show, thinking she was putting on an act…oh how wrong he was.
*Rumble*…*Thunder*…*Boom*…And just like that, the group of demons was turned to dust. The woman had summoned lightning as if it was child's play, leaving Galahad shocked and with his jaw hanging open…again.
"I can control the weather and cast some spells. Is that enough to back up my words?" Glancing at him with a smirk on her face, she asked. Without waiting for an answer she took off, this time flying into the air. Leaving a mesmerized Galahad behind, this time by the view of her bold choice of attire, that flattering in the wind gave a view to marvel at.
---
Back to the sanctuary, Galahad took a quick bath and ate. Resting for a few hours, he got up and found Ororo in the main hall, sitting and reading a book with unknown symbols on its cover.
"Sit, I think I have found a way to help you control your power." Hearing this, he wasted no time and sat on the couch.
She took out a piece of jewelry and placed it on the nearby table. It was a golden collar with a blue, sapphire-like gem embedded at the center of it. Simple in appearance it didn't seem like much. So the man had his doubts.
"I thought men were supposed to give those kinds of gifts." He humored at the sight of it.
"Funny, ha-ha. It's an enchanted collar, I carved a few restrictive spells on it that will limit your power output, to what you can handle. In theory, it should help you manage that frenzied state you find yourself into." Giving a dry laugh, she explained in terms he could understand and stood up.
She picked up the collar and headed behind Galahad. Picking up his long hair, that had grown past his shoulders, she placed the collar on his neck. It made a locking sound and firmly shut around his neck.
"...I feel…the same?" He wasn't sure if it worked or not. He tried to channel his energy.
His aura dance wildly around him, pushing further he reached the point where control usually slipped from his hands. The muscles on his arms bulged and his black mane spiked up, a sign he was entering into his mindless state.
At this point, the collar on his neck shined with orange symbols. No matter how hard he tried, he wasn't able to release any more of his power. Balancing on the edge of losing control.
"Haha! It works!" He was feeling happy, about the prospect of not losing himself anymore. But the feeling didn't last long, a crack appeared on the collar, soon expanding, like a spiderweb, only to shatter a few moments later.
A gust of wind blew the furniture, crushing it into the walls. His energy flared past his limit and he barely managed to power down.
"That was unexpected…it seems one isn't going to be enough. Give me a few minutes." It didn't take long for her to return with a set of three golden accessories.
One was the same collar, while the other two were a pair of golden armbands with the same gem on them. He reluctantly wore them and tried to test their durability once more. This time not exploding.
"Great…now I look like an Egyptian prince wannabe." Galahad said sarcastically, to which Ororo giggled.
"Hehe. But I think they suit you. Anyway, with that out of the way, there is only one thing left to do. Become stronger!" The problem of him losing control was solved, he would now safely increase his power.
A burden off his mind, Galahad clenched his fists, his piercing gaze locking in the space in front of him. On his mind a single target, S'ym!