A Meeting Among Devils

An invisible, almighty force came crashing down toward the unseen spirit. Though his eyes couldn't perceive it, his instincts screamed—if he didn't move now, he would die.

The force, swift as a judgment from the heavens, streaked downward with terrifying speed. Everything in its path—trees, soil, stone, and even the air itself—was obliterated in an instant. The ground split apart, shockwaves tearing through the earth like a celestial blade descending from the sky. Vegetation was shredded into nothingness, reduced to mere dust before it could even scatter.

This was Perforante—a force so absolute that existence itself seemed to recoil from its presence. The moment it struck, the very fabric of reality trembled, as if the world itself feared its might.

"You're probably wondering what that invisible force trying to tear you apart is, aren't you…?"

As he spoke, another Perforante was unleashed. The wolf barely managed to leap to the right, escaping annihilation by a hair's breadth.

An instant later, the spot where it had stood was erased from existence. Not just destroyed—erased. The earth had vanished, leaving behind a gaping void where the forest had once been. Trees, soil, even the lingering scent of nature—all obliterated, as if they had never been. The very air crackled in the aftermath, as though reality itself was struggling to mend the wound left behind.

The wolf locked eyes with the man, its gaze burning with primal intensity. Every instinct honed by countless hunts screamed a single truth—

This being was not prey.

Nor was it a predator stronger than itself.

It was something beyond even the forces of nature—a supernatural entity so vast, so unfathomable, that to stand before it was like an ant gazing upon the presence of a god. The sheer difference in power was absolute, an insurmountable chasm.

And in that moment, the wolf understood.

There was no fight to be won. No challenge to overcome.

The only path to continued existence—was to flee.

As the wolf began to back away, its eyes never leaving the man, Afilada spoke coldly, his hand resting in the pocket of his long black coat.

"You disappoint me… wolf. If you are truly a predator, then you should understand—" he paused, his voice carrying an eerie detachment, "the highest form of connection is killing."

He took a step forward.

The wolf shuddered, instinctively retreating, yet unable to break eye contact.

"There is no purer bond between two beings than when they try to take each other's life." His words were calm, almost reverent. "In that moment, they push their bodies and souls to the absolute limit—both to kill and to survive."

Another step.

"All other relationships are deceptions. Living beings are at their truest when they stand at the edge of death—when they seek to end a life while clinging to their own."

And then—

In an instant, he vanished.

Before the wolf could even register what had happened, Afilada was already behind it. A force beyond comprehension. A speed far beyond sound.

A split second later, the delayed sonic boom shattered the air, rippling through the forest like a thunderous roar.

The wolf, frozen in shock, barely had time to process the words whispered behind it—

"The act of killing is the truest form of living… there is no greater rush than that."

Before the wolf could even turn to face the man once more, those words reached its ears, cold and final, just before death took hold.

"Perforante."

The word echoed through the forest like a death knell.

***

"So, you've finally stopped playing around, Afilada?"

Immemorvis spoke, lounging on a large rock, his gaze distant as he watched the pristine river far off in the distance. A long, red bridge stretched across the water, vanishing into the horizon as though it led to infinity.

It was the Sanzu River—a place that transcended time and space, its waters reflecting the moon and the sun, both suspended in the sky in perfect harmony. The sight was otherworldly, the contrast of light and darkness creating an ethereal beauty that seemed to exist beyond the mortal realm.

Afilada emerged from the shadows of the trees, stepping forward to meet Immemorvis. His voice, as cold and detached as ever, carried an edge of frustration.

"You were right," he said with a flicker of irritation in his tone, "he wasn't worth my interest. He couldn't even handle my normal Perforante."

Immemorvis chuckled, a soft, almost mocking sound. He waved his hand dismissively, a teasing lilt to his words.

"You really need to stop killing things that aren't worth your interest," he chided playfully. "You see, I only kill things I'm curious about."

His expression shifted then, the playful teasing giving way to something far darker as he spoke, his voice dripping with malice.

"In the slowest way possible, that is..."

Immemorvis lingered for a moment before sighing deeply.

"Or I just let them live… if I like them. Depends on my mood, really."

He fell silent, his gaze drifting to a nearby tree marked with a striking red X. His thoughts turned inward as he watched the mark.

"It's Time."

Then, as if the mark itself were a gateway, space seemed to warp, bending and twisting with unnatural force. The X expanded, ripping open the very fabric of reality itself, creating a portal.

From within the tree emerged something—or someone.

Immemorvis sighed again, stretching his arm with a bored air.

"I guess we'll check on the spirit's progress later... Looks like our little vacation's been put on hold."

The figure that stepped out of the portal was a girl of slight stature, adorned in a beautiful white Hanfu, the traditional clothing of the Han Chinese. Her delicate feet were clad in elegant sabots, and her face was concealed by a white fox mask. Her snow-white hair, piled high in an intricate bun, shimmered as if it held the chill of winter itself.

With a respectful tone, she addressed them both, her eyes unwavering.

"Master Obscuritas... Master Cortante. I believe your detour is over. Please, come to the portal. You two are the only ones left who need to be here."

Afilada gave a curt nod, turning his back to her in an attempt to conceal himself. He reached into his coat, pulling out a beaked mask—the same worn by plague doctors. He slid it over his face, his voice muffled but clear as he began walking toward the portal.

"Understood."

Immemorvis gave another sigh, but this time with a hint of disinterest. As he followed, his tone nonchalant, he muttered under his breath,

"Man, hopefully there'll be snacks in there."

As they approached the portal, the girl silently followed them. The portal closed behind them, sealing off the strange world they had entered.

They found themselves in a dimly lit room, a large, round table at its center, where nine peculiar individuals were seated. At the head of the table sat a man with skin so white it resembled that of a corpse, his crimson eyes burning beneath a white beard. He spoke in a tone as serious as it was commanding.

"Since you two are finally here, let's get started... Winter, please begin."

He gestured to the woman standing beside him.

Winter, ever composed, nodded respectfully before addressing the assembly. Her voice was soft but carried an air of formal politeness as she spoke.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor to welcome you to the first reunion in decades between the ten corrupted spirits, all personally chosen by the Wicked and their followers."

She paused for a moment, her gaze sweeping over the gathered figures.

"The purpose of this meeting is clear: one of the ten corrupted spirits has recently perished at the hands of a shaman. The spirit in question is Lady Mnemosyne."

She gave a brief, respectful pause before continuing.

"Let us begin by formally introducing the nine remaining members of this assembly."

chapter seventy-two end