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The Power of the Ancient Tree

"Boom!" The Demon Slaying Sword clashed violently with Mephisto's twisted black blade, creating a deafening noise that reverberated through the surroundings, causing a large crater to form in the ground.

Forseti, blessed by the power of the Sulfuron Warhammer, found himself at a disadvantage in this clash and was pushed back. He finally steadied himself by gripping the massive Huss.

He gasped slightly, glancing at his left hand.

Mephisto's twisted black blade was infused with corrosive power, which was responsible for reducing Ghost Riders to ash with a single stroke. Even in this confrontation, Forseti felt the corrosive force eating away at him. His right hand, blessed by the Sulfuron Warhammer, remained unaffected, but his left hand, pure flesh and blood, bore the brunt of the corrosive attack, its skin split open, covered in cracks, blood seeping through. Though the actual injury wasn't severe, the pain was searing.

A smirk tugged at the corner of Mephisto's mouth as he lunged at Forseti once more, his twisted black blade emitting a malevolent aura, the attack growing fiercer.

"Wrath of Vengeance! Holy Shield!"

Forseti activated Wrath of Vengeance and Divine Shield, meeting Mephisto head-on without flinching, paying no heed to Mephisto's twisted black blade.

"Boom!"

In the next instant, a loud crash resonated as Mephisto's twisted black blade struck Forseti's forehead.

Observing Forseti emerge unscathed, Mephisto's expression contorted. "Damn! This spell again!"

Resisting the blow with Divine Shield, Forseti retaliated, slashing at Mephisto with a storm-like barrage.

The impenetrable defense of the Holy Shield allowed Forseti to focus on his offensive without worrying about defense, while the Sulfuron Hand and Wrath of Vengeance granted him exceptional strength and speed.

The Demon Slaying Sword, radiant with holy light, transformed into a myriad of sword shadows, overwhelming Mephisto like an avalanche.

"Boom! Boom!"

In just a moment, a fierce offensive barrage struck the formidable Demon King Mephisto.

As the dust settled, Mephisto looked down to find his body riddled with hundreds of wounds, nearly none unscathed.

Empowered by hellish energy, these wounds rapidly healed, the bleeding ceasing as wisps of smoke vanished. Still, Mephisto seethed with anger, glaring up at Forseti.

Forseti never harbored thoughts of defeating Mephisto in hell; his sole objective was to buy time until the portal behind him opened.

Aware that Forseti aimed to stall, Mephisto couldn't help but question, "What are you scheming, Forseti?"

Forseti met Mephisto's gaze mid-air, deliberately taunting, "Curious about this power, Mephisto?"

Understanding Forseti's intent to delay, Mephisto restrained his curiosity, refocusing on thwarting Forseti and dispatching the surrounding Ghost Riders.

The twisted black blade radiated darkness, projecting a black screen that engulfed dozens of Ghost Riders, causing them to vanish instantly.

The deaths of these Ghost Riders loosened Asmodeus's grip, allowing him to break free.

Furious, Asmodeus seized several chains, hurling them to the ground, their owners crushed.

While Forseti confronted Mephisto, he swiftly employed the Hand of Reckoning against Asmodeus.

Enraged, Asmodeus retaliated, "Asgardian, what treachery is this!"

Forseti activated Divine Shield, parrying both Mephisto and Asmodeus simultaneously, launching another relentless assault.

Facing two Demon Lords concurrently, his offensive failed to inflict damage, merely holding them at bay.

Unfamiliar with Divine Shield, Asmodeus queried, "Why can't we vanquish him?"

Mephisto, oblivious to the Hand of Reckoning's abilities, urged, "Quit stalling and destroy the portal!"

Momentarily conflicted, Asmodeus shifted his focus, only for Forseti to employ the Hand of Reckoning once more. Though futile against Asmodeus, it impeded him.

Fortunately, Huss intervened, halting Asmodeus in his tracks. Brandishing a half-strength medallion, he resembled a cannonball, thrusting Asmodeus back.

"Asmodeus?" His expression darkening, Asmodeus queried, "Bribed again, Huss?"

"No," Huss smirked, clutching the half-strength medallion, "Your bribes won't sway me."

Spotting the Strength Medallion, Asmodeus sneered, "Zatanos's Strength Medallion. Does it bolster your courage?"

"Something like that."

"If it were whole, you might have a case, but half won't suffice!" Before he finished, Asmodeus lunged, his massive fist pummeling Huss.

"Boom! Boom!"

Holding the half-strength medallion, Huss remained no match for Asmodeus, though several Ghost Riders provided assistance, delaying Asmodeus.

"The portal's open!"

At long last, the portal materialized, its faint glow expanding suddenly. Black Heart dashed through, followed by the nearby Ghost Riders, exiting hastily.

Instinctively, Huss glanced back, allowing Asmodeus to hurl him into the air, barreling toward the portal.

"Sword of Justice!"

Just as Asmodeus aimed for the portal, Forseti's Sword of Justice materialized, slashing his leg, sending him crashing.

"Huss, push him into the portal!" Forseti bellowed.

"No problem." Huss nodded, propelling Asmodeus into the portal like a footballer's kick.

"Damn you!" Asmodeus cursed.

At that moment, a voice resonated, "Welcome to Hearthglen."

Asmodeus turned, beholding a magnificent giant tree towering above, radiating holy light and thunder, its azure brilliance echoing the skies.

Before Asmodeus could react, the Guardian Ancient Tree, Tedis, extended its colossal hand wreathed in clouds, descending from the heavens!