Chapter 9

The entire region was engulfed in utter darkness, with the air thick and scorching, echoing with piercing screams that resonated throughout the surroundings.

A brilliant spotlight descended from above, illuminating the ground and revealing a crimson female demon possessing a human-like upper body and a serpent-like lower half.

This demon lay defenseless on the ground, appearing to have endured severe torment as she struggled to maintain her posture.

"Where is the monolith, Vgada?" a booming male demonic voice interrogated from the shadows, directing its words at the serpent demon.

"I've already told you, I don't know," Vgada responded with agony to the voice lurking in the darkness.

Following her response, a massive demon adorned with a spiked helmet and bound in chains surged towards Vgada, seizing her arms and brutally tearing them from her body, eliciting a harrowing scream and profuse bleeding.

"Another lie, and he will dismantle you for good," the voice warned ominously from the dark.

"Sarok, Sarok was the one who possessed the monolith," Vgada gasped in pain, her screams continuing as her severed limbs began to slowly regenerate.

"We located the monolith, then I returned to Klerenaveh to inform the others while Sarok stayed on Earth to gather enough souls for the monolith's full awakening," Vgada explained to the unseen presence cloaked in the shadows.

"hmm, is see, so where is Sarok at this moment?" a distinct voice queried in the dark, this time resonating as a hauntingly echoing female tone.

"When I came back, I was informed that he was ambushed by a vanguard during the extraction, but something else transpired," Vgada conveyed to the voices within the abyss.

"And what might that be?" the female demon pressed, observing Vgada completely hunched over in pain.

"A human withstood the extraction's power and absorbed the monolith instead," Vgada revealed to them.

"What?!" the male demonic entity exclaimed in disbelief as it leaped from the shadows, revealing itself to be a tall, muscular demon with pale skin and black tattoos adorning its body, grasping Vgada by the throat and hoisting her up.

"A human consumed a monolith? That's impossible!" the female demon gasped incredulously from the darkness.

"I speak the truth; the human devoured the monolith, and Sarok met his end trying to halt the extraction. I witnessed his dying moments, his dead flare" Vgada managed to utter as the pale demon squeezed her neck fiercely, raising her off the ground.

"Where is this human now?" The pale demon exclaimed loudly, lifting Vgada to scrutinize her with contempt.

"He disappeared along with the vanguard; that's why I'm saying that I don't know the exact location of the monolith," Vgada gasped, struggling for breath.

"If what Vgada has said is accurate, we need to locate this human immediately," the female demon stated as she stepped into the light, revealing her true form.

She possessed two large, dark horns that complemented her entirely black body. Tall and slender, she had no facial features—a void where her eyes, nose, and mouth should have been, filled with profound darkness. Despite this, she appeared entirely humanoid.

"This is unbelievable!, Lies after lies once again" the pale-skinned demon shouted, flinging Vgada away from him carelessly as if she were mere paper.

"Compose yourself, Galoth. I trust she speaks the truth; she wouldn't dare deceive us, especially while I'm present," the female demon remarked, placing her hand on Galoth and sensuously rubbing it across his body.

"Lilith, a human has absorbed a monolith, and the vanguards are with him. If we don't acquire that monolith, the Blood Eclipse won't occur, Hell won't prevail" Galoth told the dark female demon, clenching his fists in frustration.

"Oh, spare me the theatrics; you're all so tedious. A human poses no threat and shouldn't be difficult to track down. Therefore, Vgada, we're going to need you to find this human, or is that beyond your capabilities?" Lilith said, slowly shifting her gaze to Vgada, who was now in a corner, having completely restored her arms.

In that instant, Vgada sensed the chilling aura emanating from Lilith as she watched her intently.

"Y-yes, I can find him. I will find him," Vgada stammered, her body quaking with fear.

"The monolith has fused with a human—how intriguing. We have a new discovery to make, and we must retrieve this human," Vgada said, turning her gaze towards Galoth.

"It's truly unfortunate that I wasn't able to attend such a remarkable occasion, a new development unfolding under the heavens. My curiosity ignites and my impatience swells at the mere thought of human" Lilith remarked.

"And what if he's with the vanguards?" Galoth asked Lilith, his frustration evident.

"Ooh, what could be more entertaining than slaying a few vanguards? Hehe," Lilith replied, a hint of joy creeping into her demeanor.

"And if she shows up?" Galoth inquired, adjusting his expression to convey seriousness.

"Who exactly?" Lilith responded, her gaze fixed on the helpless Vgada.

"You know whom I'm referring to—the Crowned Witch," Galoth replied, and it was clear his demeanor grew exceedingly grave upon mentioning her name.

"Remember her past actions, Lilith" Galoth insisted.

"Yes, she is definitely someone to be cautious about," Lilith responded.

"However, her time in the spotlight is drawing to a close; she won't be a problem for much longer, I can assure you."

Hearing this, Lilith was met with a fierce glare from Galoth for a brief moment before he turned away and began to walk into the shadows.

"Depending on those three will be futile; they're merely a liability. They'll crumble when the real fight begins," Galoth remarked as he vanished into the gloom.

Lilith fell silent for a brief moment, then approached Vgada and crouched down to examine her closely.

"I suppose we'll see what unfolds when that moment arrives, but until then, let's enjoy ourselves to the fullest," Lilith declared, fixating on Vgada with a threatening aura.

"Vgada, locate this human and bring him to us. The forces of Hell must rise again," Lilith commanded Vgada, her gaze fierce and her voice echoing.

"I will find him, I assure you," Vgada pledged, bowing in response.