the devil of envy(3)

The void was a fractured realm of chaos. Shattered fragments of obsidian platforms drifted aimlessly, suspended in the abyss like remnants of a forgotten world. Flames flickered across the darkness, lingering traces of Dakota's relentless assault.

Dakota stood amidst the wreckage, his breath steady despite the crimson streak of blood running down his side. His molten amber eyes glared at the Devil of Envy, who floated across from him, his monstrous form cracked, black ichor dripping from wounds seared by divine fire.

The Devil of Envy's chest bore the brutal mark of Dakota's flaming blade, a gaping wound smoldering with embers. His wings were torn, shredded by countless strikes, yet his glowing white eyes burned with fury.

Devil of Envy (panting, voice a low snarl):

"You… insignificant speck… You think this is enough?"

Dakota's smirk was faint, yet it carried the weight of defiance. Blood seeped from the gash in his side, but he stood tall, unwavering, his flaming sword resting casually at his side.

Dakota (coldly):

"No. I think this is just the beginning."

Without warning, the Devil of Envy roared, a guttural, deafening sound that reverberated through the void. Dark energy erupted from his body in a violent explosion, shattering the already fragile landscape. Shadowy tendrils lashed out, warping reality itself as they surged toward Dakota like serpents of pure malice.

Dakota didn't flinch.

He closed his eyes briefly, exhaling slowly. The crimson flames that had surrounded him flickered—then extinguished.

Silence.

Then…

Dakota: "Stage Two… Ascend."

His voice was soft, almost a whisper, but it carried like a thunderclap across the abyss.

In an instant, his entire body was consumed by an eruption of blue flames—brighter, hotter, and more violent than anything he'd ever unleashed. The sheer intensity of the transformation sent shockwaves across the void, pushing back the Devil's tendrils like leaves in a hurricane.

Dakota's figure reemerged from the inferno, transformed.

His skin was marked with intricate patterns of glowing azure, etched like ancient runes of fire. His armor, now entirely forged from living blue flames, shifted with his movements. His hair burned like a sapphire blaze, wild and untamed, and his eyes—no longer molten amber—glowed an intense, piercing cobalt, devoid of humanity, filled only with raw power.

Even the void seemed to retreat from him.

The Devil of Envy staggered back, his monstrous face twisted in shock and disbelief.

Devil of Envy (whispering, eyes wide):

"I-Impossible… That's not… That's not human!"

Dakota didn't respond. He vanished.

A sonic boom cracked the void as Dakota reappeared mid-strike, his flaming fist colliding with the Devil's face. The impact was cataclysmic—an explosion of blue fire erupted, engulfing the Devil entirely and sending shockwaves that tore apart the remaining platforms.

The Devil of Envy screamed, his voice lost within the roaring inferno.

But Dakota wasn't done.

He moved like a phantom, teleporting from one point to another, each movement followed by devastating strikes—kicks, punches, slashes of his blazing sword. Each attack carved through the Devil's flesh, leaving behind scorched, blackened wounds.

The Devil of Envy tried to retaliate, summoning dark constructs—massive claws of shadow, jagged spears of corrupted energy—but Dakota evaded them effortlessly, his speed transcending anything the Devil could comprehend.

Finally, the Devil managed to land a desperate counterattack, slashing Dakota's chest with a shadow-infused claw. Blood sprayed into the void, but Dakota didn't falter. Instead, he grinned, his cobalt eyes burning brighter.

Dakota (breathing heavily, voice low and fierce):

"That all you've got?"

Infuriated, the Devil of Envy unleashed everything. He roared, his body expanding, transforming into a grotesque, monstrous form—a hulking mass of darkness with countless writhing tendrils and mouths screaming in agony. His power surged, distorting the void itself.

But Dakota stepped forward, unshaken.

"Let me show you the difference between us."

He raised his sword high, the blade engulfed in spiraling blue flames. The heat was unimaginable, causing even the darkness of the void to ripple.

Dakota (shouting with fury):

"INFERNO ASCENDANT!"

With a single, devastating slash, a crescent of pure blue fire shot forth, cutting through the Devil's monstrous form like paper. The explosion that followed was blinding, consuming everything in its path.

When the light faded, the Devil of Envy was left kneeling, his body broken, covered in charred wounds. His monstrous form had shrunk, reverting partially to his humanoid shape, but he was unrecognizable—battered, bloodied, and defeated.

Dakota approached slowly, his flames dimming slightly, his breathing labored. He stood over the Devil, his sword pointed at the creature's throat.

The Devil of Envy coughed up dark ichor, his eyes filled with disbelief.

Devil of Envy (weakly, voice trembling):

"You… You're not supposed to be this strong… even though you're the Creator… you're still Just a human!"

Dakota's expression was unreadable. He tightened his grip on the sword, his eyes narrowing.

Dakota (coldly):

"I'm more than that."

For a moment, it seemed like Dakota would deliver the final blow. The Devil's eyes widened in fear, his body trembling under the weight of Dakota's overwhelming presence.

The Devil of Envy stared at him, broken and defeated, his expression a mix of confusion and rage.

Dakota: "well it's time for me to kill you devil of envy."

Just as Dakota was about to kill the devil of envy, the devil of envy raised his hand saying wait stop.

Devil of envy: "wait before you kill me I have something to show you."

Dakota: "something to show me? Just what could you have to show me?"

Devil of envy: "trust me it's important information, it's about those three and blazer."

Dakota: "oh! Information about them huh... But why are you telling me this? Aren't you on their side?"

Devil of envy: "well yes but, I still hate them. Those three when they first joined suddenly started bossing us around as if they knew everything, and blazer completely made us his slave so that pissed me off. So if i will die, then I will make sure that they will die too."

Dakota: "ahh okay, I hope you're telling the truth."