415

[Counter-Kill]

Deep within a valley flanked by sharp peaks, a towering rock gate shimmered faintly, its arch connecting to the distant, shadowed expanse of Hell.

In the sight of Forseti, hundreds of demons had assembled. Compared to previous encounters, their numbers seemed notably reduced—an outcome of Kazan's forces withdrawing from the mortal realm.

As they assaulted, a contingent of demons passed through the massive rock gate, vanishing from the Eye of Reckoning's view.

The remaining horde, including a seventh-level demon—undoubtedly Demon King Kazan—clustered tightly near the gate's entrance.

Malachi led the charge, sword blazing as celestial fire erupted from its edge, unleashing waves of searing heat amid the demon ranks.

"Boom!"

"An angel! An angel is among us!" The sudden inferno roused the unsuspecting demons, setting the stage for imminent conflict.

Forseti and his cohort of angels followed suit. With a gesture, his right hand transformed the Sulfuron Warhammer into a blazing lance of flame, each swing accompanied by a swath of holy light that incinerated demons caught in its path.

"Boom boom-"

The thunderous concussions echoed as demons struck by the celestial flames were reduced to lifeless husks, their blood and fragments littering the sky.

Before long, a shadowy figure emerged from the darkness, hurtling towards Forseti.

"It's me you face!" Kazan's voice roared, spear thrusting forth, unleashing a thick beam of dark purple energy.

Obscured as he was in the night, Kazan's form eluded easy detection, yet Forseti's Eye of Reckoning remained unwavering, tracking his movements with unwavering precision.

In a flash of golden radiance, Forseti wielded the flaming warhammer with his right hand, conjuring a shield of holy light with his left, intercepting Kazan's assault just in time.

"Boom!" The dark purple beam collided with the shield of holy light, erupting in a cacophony that failed to breach its sanctified barrier.

With practiced ease, Forseti reclaimed the Sulfuron Warhammer into his grip, flames swirling around the weapon's head.

Beneath his feet, flames surged, propelling Forseti towards Kazan in a fiery charge.

Kazan countered with successive spear thrusts, arcs of dark purple energy intersecting to form a barrier of malevolent force.

"Boom boom-"

Each dark arc met its match in the shield of holy light, allowing Forseti to close the distance swiftly. The Sulfuron Warhammer connected with Kazan's defenses.

"Boom!" Kazan parried with his spear, yet the ensuing blast of fiery flames from the Sulfuron Warhammer seared his hands, billowing dark smoke.

Unyielding, Kazan conjured a dark purple flame that coursed along his spear, its erratic dance akin to phosphorescent fire, swiftly engulfing the weapon and meeting the Sulfuron's blaze head-on.

Forseti's eyes blazed with holy light. To him, Kazan's dark flame appeared as a crimson hue—a manifestation of its malevolent power.

Gripping the warhammer tighter, Forseti unleashed the holy light stored within, its subtle golden glow subduing Kazan's demonic flame, pushing it back.

"This is Holy Light..." Kazan muttered, squinting.

"There's more to come," Forseti retorted, swinging the Sulfuron Warhammer before Kazan could react.

Hammer of Justice!

The warhammer, aglow with divine radiance, carried an unparalleled force. It bore down upon Kazan with righteous fury.

Kazan raised his spear in defense.

"Boom!"

The brilliance of retribution blossomed along the spear's length, coursing into Kazan's arms.

For a demon of his caliber, the burning holy light posed a greater threat than the Sulfuron's flames, eliciting a pained cry as he faltered, wings flapping in retreat.

Simultaneously, the devastating force of the Hammer of Justice took its toll, disrupting Kazan's balance and staggering him.

Forseti pressed the advantage, the Sulfuron Warhammer wreathed in flames and holy light, each strike driving Kazan further back.

Yet, as one of Hell's most formidable demons, Kazan possessed resilience. Enduring the onslaught, he weathered the holy light's suppression.

Alert to any opportunity, Kazan feigned a maneuver, his black wings unfurling as he evaded Forseti, darting towards the gateway to Hell. His speed was formidable, passing through the giant gate in a blink.

Forseti gave chase.

Emerging beyond the gateway, he refrained from immediately pursuing Kazan, instead surveying with the Eye of Reckoning to ensure no other powerful demons lurked nearby.

Unexpectedly, Malachi followed without hesitation, charging through the gateway into Hell.

"Kazan, there's no escape for you in Hell. We will pursue you to the end!" Malachi declared, brandishing his sword.

Forseti frowned.

He harbored no fear of combat in Hell; he had confronted such challenges before and had numerous resources at his disposal, including Hearthstones for retreat. Fear did not factor into his calculations.

What puzzled Forseti was Malachi's sudden pursuit. What drove him to such urgency?

Already, Malachi engaged Kazan, and in Hell's embrace, Kazan's powers surged, bolstered by his homeland's infernal energies.

Forseti joined the fray, wielding the Sulfuron Hammer.

Returning to Hell amplified Kazan's might, yet against two opponents, he found himself increasingly outmatched.

Witnessing Kazan's imminent demise, Malachi abruptly turned, sword pivoting as he lunged towards Forseti, mirroring Kazan's earlier stratagem.

The sword's angle was treacherous, aimed directly for Forseti's heart.

Simultaneously, Kazan's pitch-black spear thrust towards Forseti's vulnerable point, the coordinated assault demonstrating uncanny synchronization.

In the confined space, evading both attacks simultaneously proved impossible.

Cruel smiles adorned Kazan and Malachi's faces, confident of their imminent victory, anticipating Forseti's blood to stain the ground.

Forseti's countenance shifted, yet he remained composed. Activating the holy shield technique, runes of sanctified light enveloped his form.

"Boom!"

Malachi's Heavenly Fire Sword and Kazan's dark spear struck Forseti simultaneously, the collision resounding through Hell.

The smiles faltered on Kazan and Malachi's faces, morphing into expressions of disbelief.

"What?"

In the aftermath of their onslaught, Forseti stood unscathed, as if untouched by their assaults, his presence unwavering.

Forseti glanced at them, the Sulfuron Warhammer melding into his right arm as he drew the Demon Slayer Sword with his left.

Judgment!

The blade, suffused with holy light, cleaved through the air, trailing flames and sanctified brilliance.

Holy light and fiery flames emanated from the silver-white blade, instantly tearing apart Kazan's black wings and piercing through his chest.

Subsequently, the radiance of divine retribution spread in all directions, engulfing Kazan.

"Lord Lucifer..." His voice abruptly ceased, drowned in the holy light.

It was too late to react. Forseti moved with incredible speed, aiming to conclude the battle within the brief window before the power of Sulfuron's Hand waned.

In just over half a minute, Forseti dispatched Kazan.

Malachi watched in horror, murmuring to himself, "How could this happen..."

From the outset, he and Kazan had planned meticulously, expecting no mishaps. Yet now, not only had they failed to eliminate Forseti, but Kazan had been swiftly vanquished. With Kazan dead, Malachi knew he would likely be next.

Malachi struggled to comprehend how Forseti had unleashed such overwhelming power, especially the fleeting yet transcendental rune of holy light that had momentarily enveloped him. It was power beyond anything the high-ranking order angels had encountered.

The current predicament stemmed from Malachi's own failings and sins, drawing the attention of Forseti. In prior battles, Malachi had not exerted himself fully, believing Kazan alone could handle Forseti.

Now, dwelling on what could have been was pointless. Even if they had collaborated from the outset, the outcome might not have differed. With Kazan gone, Malachi recognized his own inadequacy against Forseti.

Without hesitation, he turned and fled towards the gates of Hell, Forseti in hot pursuit.

Yet, as they raced towards the gateway linking the human realm to Hell, an unexpected event unfolded. The colossal gate, normally stable and secure, suddenly lurched, emitting a blinding brilliance and releasing an immense surge of energy.

Malachi's expression twisted in shock.

"Boom—" The explosion reverberated loudly as the gate of Hell shattered into fragments.

Malachi, attempting to pass through the gate, was caught off guard by the blast, hurtling backwards in a parabolic arc. Feathers stained with blood scattered through the air, resembling a bird struck mid-flight.

Malachi crashed to the ground, bloodied and gasping for breath, fearing he had sustained fatal injuries.

Meanwhile, Forseti's holy light wings folded gracefully as he landed, approaching Malachi calmly.

Terrified, Malachi retreated a step, pleading, "Don't kill me... I know how to navigate Hell without the gate. I can help you escape."

Forseti's gaze was steady. "Before we discuss that, I want to know why you turned against me and joined forces with Kazan."

Malachi hesitated, then finally spoke, "Kazan is my twin brother."