Chapter 75: Demon Invasion - Part 11

Chapter 75: Demon Invasion - Part 11

With a thunderous roar, the group of thirty charged at the Archdemon, a surge of magic, steel, and raw power aimed straight at the colossal figure. The battlefield shook under the combined force of their attack, but the Archdemon merely watched, a sinister grin spreading across his face.

The first to reach him were the knights of the Order of Light, their swords glowing with Akiva energy. They swung their blades in unison, slashing at the Archdemon's legs and chest. However, their attacks barely left a mark on the demon's skin, as if they were striking solid rock. With a casual backhand, the Archdemon sent two of the knights flying into the air, their armor crumpling as they slammed into the ground, unconscious.

Behind the knights, the thaumaturgists from Mages Academy began weaving complex spells. Their hands glowed with arcane energy as they summoned fiery bolts, torrents of wind, and spears of ice. The combined magical barrage soared toward the Archdemon, striking him from all directions.

Yet, the Archdemon remained unfazed. With a single sweep of his arm, a barrier of dark energy erupted around him, absorbing the magic like it was nothing. He grinned as the mages' faces turned from determination to disbelief. "Pathetic," he muttered, stepping forward, his towering form advancing through the field of fallen knights and dissipating magic.

Alpha-6's two remaining operatives moved with military precision, launching incendiary spells and unloading their high-powered rifles into the Archdemon's head and chest. Each explosion lit the sky, filling the air with the acrid smell of smoke. But even advanced weaponry could do nothing. The demon's skin shrugged off the blasts like water, and in one fluid motion, he swiped both soldiers aside, their bodies crashing into the dirt, knocked unconscious.

The Serpent Hand operatives, witnessing the devastation, attempted to use their own combination of dark spells and energy manipulation. Shadow tendrils snaked from the ground, trying to wrap around the Archdemon, while others launched blasts of dark energy. But the Archdemon merely raised a hand, severing the shadows with a wave of dark fire that instantly consumed their magic.

One Serpent Hand mage was caught in the blast and collapsed, gasping for air.

Midnight roared in fury as she charged at the Archdemon, her sword clashing with the demon's dark energy. The air crackled with violent magic as their powers collided in a storm of sparks. Midnight swung her blade, covered in green light, at the demon, slicing through its aura, but the demon retaliated with a forceful blast that sent her hurtling back. Before she could crash into the ground, DC's mech hand shot out, catching her midair. He pulled her up gently, his voice booming through the comms, "You alright?"

Midnight shook her head, frustration clear in her eyes. "We can't take him down alone," she growled, her voice filled with determination. She turned toward the other leaders who were observing the battle nearby. "We need to work together," she called out, urgency lacing her words. The others nodded in agreement, their expressions hardening with resolve.

The Archdemon towered over them, laughing mockingly. "You insects think you can defeat me together? Pathetic." His voice thundered through the battlefield, shaking the ground beneath them.

Clara stepped forward, her eyes glowing with mystical energy, forming a protective shield around the group as they prepared for a coordinated strike. "Let's show him what happens when we unite," she said, her tone cold and focused. Leonard raised his crimson book, drawing upon its forbidden powers, while Elise summoned golden chains of light that wrapped around her sword. DC positioned his mech for close combat, the ground shaking with each step.

The five leaders attacked in unison. Midnight and Leonard launched simultaneous magical attacks, lightning bolts and energy blasts converging on the Archdemon. DC charged headlong, his mech's massive fists pummeling into the demon's shield of dark energy. Clara reinforced them with powerful defensive wards, shielding the group from the demon's counterattacks. Meanwhile, Elise maneuvered through the chaos, her blade dancing through the air as she sliced through the Archdemon's defenses with pinpoint precision.

The battle raged on, the combined forces of the five leaders pushing the Archdemon to its limits. Each strike was meticulously timed, their movements synchronized as they fought together. When one was knocked back, another stepped in to cover them. The Archdemon, though still towering over them in power, was forced to recognize their strength as a unified force.

The demon snarled, its dark energy rippling in waves as it struggled to fend off their combined might. "i will kill all of you" it bellowed, furious and bewildered.

Leonard grinned, sweat dripping down his brow as he continued to wield the immense power of his crimson book. "You're not the only one with tricks up your sleeve."

Despite their efforts, the Archdemon's strength was overwhelming, and though they matched him for now, the battle remained at a stalemate. Every blow they landed seemed to be countered by a new wave of the demon's ferocious power. Midnight, battered but unyielding, glanced at the others, her resolve unshaken.

As the battle raged on, the air crackled with raw energy, swirling around the Archdemon as he absorbed the relentless onslaught from the five leaders. Midnight, her sword gleaming with verdant light, leaped into the air, aiming a downward strike at the demon. "Now, Clara!" she shouted. 

Clara raised her hands, summoning a shield of shimmering blue energy that enveloped the group. Just in time, as the Archdemon retaliated with a wave of dark energy, sending tendrils of shadow spiraling toward them. The shield absorbed the impact, but Clara grimaced at the strain it caused. "We can't keep this up forever!" she warned.

DC, in his mech, charged forward, shoulder-barging the demon with tremendous force. "Get away from my homies!" he roared, fists flying as he unleashed a flurry of punches. The Archdemon staggered back but quickly regained its composure, swatting at DC with a massive claw. The mech pilot ducked just in time, but the sheer force of the swing sent him tumbling sideways.

"Focus, DC!" Leonard shouted, flipping through the pages of SCP-066-DE. He conjured a series of lightning bolts, sending them streaking toward the demon. "We need to channel all our strength!"

Elise, not one to be left out, leaped into the fray with her sword raised high. "I'll distract him!" she declared, charging straight at the Archdemon, her blade sparkling with radiant light. As she closed the distance, she feigned a strike to the left before swiftly pivoting, thrusting her sword toward the demon's abdomen. 

The demon barely sidestepped, but not without receiving a deep cut across its side. It snarled, its violet eyes blazing with rage. "You think you can wound me? I will tear you all apart!"

In that moment, Midnight and DC joined forces again. "On my mark!" Midnight called out, and DC nodded, his massive frame positioning itself to shield her. They executed a combined attack: Midnight soared above while DC barreled forward, using his weight as an advantage. Midnight slashed down with her sword, and DC delivered a devastating blow at the same time. The two strikes met the Archdemon's defenses, pushing him back with a grunt of pain.

"Get ready!" Clara yelled, channeling her magic. She focused her energy into a ball of light that swirled and pulsed in her hands. "This will buy us time!" With a powerful shout, she hurled it toward the demon. The ball exploded on contact, sending shards of light piercing through the air.

But the Archdemon was not finished. It staggered but quickly recovered, raising its arms to unleash a powerful shockwave. The energy radiated outward, knocking everyone off their feet. "You're nothing but a nuisance!" it roared, eyes wild with fury.

As they struggled to rise, Elise called out, "Stay together! We can't let him pick us off one by one!" She quickly got to her feet, rallying her teammates. 

"I won't let that happen!" Midnight growled, pushing herself up and glaring at the demon. "We are stronger together!" 

With renewed determination, the five leaders regrouped. Clara and Leonard exchanged a nod, both understanding the necessity of their combined strength. "Let's do this!" Leonard urged, flipping open his book once again, the pages rustling with an ancient wind.

Together, they launched their most powerful attacks yet—Midnight's sword glowed with radiant energy, DC's mech powered up for an immense strike, and Clara and Leonard cast a barrage of spells. The Archdemon braced itself, but the sheer force of their combined assault was staggering, pushing him to the brink.

But even as the battle reached a fever pitch, the Archdemon's laughter echoed through the chaos. "You may think you can defeat me, but you will learn the true meaning of despair!" 

With those words, the battle was far from over, and the outcome still hung in the balance, a fragile thread waiting to snap. 

The battlefield was a maelstrom of chaos, energy crackling in the air as the five leaders pressed forward against the towering Archdemon. Midnight swung her sword with ferocity, each strike radiating a burst of light that illuminated the darkened surroundings. The demon, unfazed by her attacks, retaliated with a wave of dark energy that exploded across the field, sending debris flying.

"Stay focused!" shouted Clara, her voice strained as she conjured a shield to deflect the incoming blasts. The energy reverberated off the barrier, creating shockwaves that threatened to topple everyone. 

Léonard, flipping through the pages of SCP-066-DE, felt the rush of power surge through him. He unleashed a torrent of lightning, crackling bolts shooting towards the Archdemon. The demon laughed, raising an arm to absorb the attack, its eyes glowing with malevolent glee.

Suddenly, the Archdemon charged at Léonard, its massive claw poised to strike. Time seemed to slow as Léonard realized the impending danger. He could feel the weight of his fate hanging in the air, the energy shifting as the demon barreled toward him. The other leaders gasped in horror, helpless to intervene in the critical moment.

But just as the claw was about to make contact, Lina sprang into action. From the shadows, her tendrils erupted, wrapping around Léonard and yanking him out of harm's way. The claws missed him by mere inches, and the force of the missed attack sent a gust of wind cascading over the battlefield. 

"Watch out!" she shouted, her eyes wide with adrenaline. "ONE MINUTE LEFT!" Her voice pierced through the chaos, reminding everyone of the ticking clock that loomed over them.

As the group regained their composure, they rallied around Lina, who steadied herself, summoning more tentacles to support her allies. The Archdemon, enraged by the interruption, unleashed a guttural roar that echoed through the landscape, shaking the very ground beneath them.

With renewed determination, the five leaders coordinated their attacks, moving as one. Midnight charged forward again, her blade reflecting the remnants of light from the explosions around them. DC supported her with powerful strikes from his mech, creating openings for Clara and Léonard to exploit.

"Now!" Clara yelled, channeling her energy into a massive spell that erupted in a blinding flash of light. Léonard followed suit, reciting incantations from his book as arcs of electricity surrounded him. 

The Archdemon, struggling against the combined might of their magic, began to falter. "You will pay for this!" it bellowed, but its voice wavered as the leaders pressed their advantage, driving it back step by step.

Just as they seemed to gain the upper hand, the Archdemon unleashed a wave of darkness that engulfed the area, forcing the leaders to shield their eyes. When the darkness receded, they found themselves surrounded by swirling shadows, the demon's laughter echoing all around. 

"You are nothing but insects before me!" it taunted, and with a sudden movement, it lashed out with its claws, aiming for DC and Midnight, who barely managed to dodge in time.

As the fight intensified, the energy levels surged, and the stakes grew higher. Each leader was pushing themselves to their limits, the weight of their desperation fueling their resolve. The final moments were closing in, and they had to act quickly if they were to overcome the seemingly insurmountable threat before them. 

As the battlefield trembled with the aftermath of their fierce struggle, the Archdemon sensed a shift in the atmosphere. His eyes narrowed, taking in the sight of the five leaders gathering closely, their energy intertwining, creating a palpable tension in the air. A sense of urgency filled the moment, and he could feel the weight of their determination bearing down upon him.

Suddenly, Élise's voice rang out clear and resolute, cutting through the chaos. "30 SECONDS LEFT!" Her declaration was a beacon of hope amid the turmoil. In an instant, a complex circle of thaumaturgy materialized at their feet, with Clara at its center, radiating power and intent. 

The Archdemon's expression twisted into one of rage and realization as he recognized their intent to escape. "NO! You won't get away!" he roared, charging towards them with ferocious speed. But it was too late. The circle pulsed with energy, and in the blink of an eye, the group vanished, leaving only the echo of their defiance in the air.

Furious, the Archdemon exploded with rage, his powerful voice reverberating across the battlefield. "Continue the invasion! Bring me those six motherfuckers!" he commanded, his fury igniting a dark fire within him. At his order, the entire army of demons, which had been momentarily subdued, surged back to life. Their eyes glowed with the unholy light of resurrection, and they charged toward the portal, eager to fulfill their master's command.

In the midst of this chaos, a smaller demon flew up beside the Archdemon, kneeling before him with a sense of urgency. "My lord, the humans left behind a strange device with a message next to the portal. You should see this," he reported, fear mingling with curiosity in his voice.

With a wave of his clawed hand, the Archdemon teleported alongside the minion, his eyes locked on the device. It was unlike anything he had ever seen, a metallic contraption with a flickering screen. The demon reached down, retrieving a scrap of yellow paper affixed to the device. As he read the message aloud, his voice dripped with disdain: "Here are our sincerest greetings from humanity. Signed DC. Al Fine, Undersecretary-General of the Global Occult Coalition."

The Archdemon's brow furrowed in confusion. "What is this thing?" he muttered, his rage momentarily quelled by bewilderment. As he examined the device, a countdown timer appeared on the screen, ticking down from ten. He had no time to comprehend its purpose before the timer reached zero.

In an instant, the world around him erupted in blinding light. A deafening explosion resonated throughout the battlefield, the shockwave sending demons flying in every direction. The ground trembled violently as the fabric of reality itself seemed to tear apart, consumed by the blast. 

The Archdemon, momentarily stunned, barely registered the devastation. All he could see was chaos; his army disintegrated into smoke and ash, screams of his minions filling the air as they were caught in the wake of the explosion. He felt his power waning, the aura of invincibility he had held for so long shattered in an instant. 

---

The group had teleported themselves in a vast plain, the air still buzzing with the remnants of their recent battle. They looked up towards the portal, now looming ominously, as demons began to spill forth from its depths. But before the situation could escalate further, a deafening explosion resonated through the air. The portal seemed to implode, collapsing in on itself before vanishing entirely in a flash of light.

Elise broke the tense silence, her voice a mix of disbelief and hope. "Did we win?" she asked, scanning the faces of her comrades for reassurance.

Suddenly, Leonard felt a familiar sensation as notifications flooded his mind. The system's voice echoed within him, loud and clear:

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for repelling a demon invasion - Threat Level: Red]

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for defeating the Archdemon Therian Theleman - Threat Level: Red.]

The other four leaders received similar notifications, their expressions transforming from fatigue to elation. They exchanged knowing smiles, the weight of their victory sinking in. 

"Mission accomplished," they declared in unison, their voices strong and united. The battle was over, and for now, at least, they had triumphed against the darkness.