Ashkharsh

*[Inverse Causality]* Uriel pronounced, reversing Linfer's senses, gaining a few seconds before he could reclaim his body.

Linfer raised his head, and in the sky, thunder crackled. Golden lightning bolts snaked around Uriel, who was slowly transforming into a trail of pure mana and law. Beside him, Luciel summoned a whirlwind of flames, her blazing sword ready to strike. Both rushed toward Linfer, Uriel becoming a golden lightning bolt and Luciel a white streak.

Linfer struggled to regain control of his body, his mind battling against the invisible chains. Finally, he reentered his physical form, but Celest, already in motion, attacked with a series of rapid, powerful strikes. Linfer, barely back to himself, ignored Celest and, with a dismissive backhand, slapped him violently, sending him flying. Celest's body collided with Ezekiel mid-air.

Without a backward glance, Linfer slowly descended onto the sea of blood stretching beneath him. With a flap of his wings, he leaped, transforming into an almost imperceptible red line. His claws extended, he lunged toward Uriel and Luciel, ready to tear them apart. But at the last moment, their bodies vanished in a blue flash.

*[Permutation]*!

"Damn!" Linfer growled, realizing he'd been outmaneuvered.

A blinding light erupted from his back. The swirling golden flame Luciel had summoned took shape, becoming a gigantic six-winged bird, surrounded by crackling golden lightning. A piercing cry tore through the atmosphere.

*Keeeeek!*

Uriel, now a golden lightning bolt, hurled his lance with all his might, while Luciel drew her sword, plunging it into the skies. Both rushed toward Linfer.

*[MorningStar]*!

For the first time, Linfer felt imminent danger, with no time to react.

A maelstrom of divine light, flames, and lightning engulfed him, shaking the earth and sky. The impact made the air vibrate, and a shockwave spread in all directions, annihilating everything in its path.

Luciel, Uriel, Celest, and Ezekiel regrouped, gasping, their energy nearly depleted. Silence reigned for a moment, broken only by the crackling of residual energy.

"Is it over?" Ezekiel asked, his gaze fixed on the cloud of smoke rising where Linfer had been.

"I used all my strength to hold him back…" Raphael whispered, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

"That should be enough. He won't harm anyone else." Luciel added, sheathing her sword.

"Too bad Lord Tzakiel and Lord Morael didn't survive until the end." Celest shook his head with regret, looking at the bloody rain that had temporarily stopped.

The smoke slowly dissipated, revealing a dark silhouette. Slowly, it took shape. His body was charred, torn apart. His wings hung limp, pieces of flesh detaching from his exposed bones. He fell from the sky, completely inert.

"In the end, at least three-fifths of King MorningStar's army perished." Ezekiel observed.

Uriel frowned, his gaze fixed on the wobbling silhouette still falling from the sky. "Don't be too sure," he murmured, a hint of uncertainty in his voice.

Under their inquisitive gaze, the charred silhouette continued its fall. No one dared move, fearing to be the first victim. As the form was about to touch the surface of the bloody sea, it suddenly flipped over, then stood firmly on the ground. The blood barely rippled beneath his feet.

Linfer touched his disfigured face, his fingers brushing the charred flesh. "You guys really messed me up," he said sarcastically. Already, his body was regenerating, each piece of burned flesh reforming at a terrifying pace. In moments, his skin, muscles, and wings regained their integrity, as if nothing had happened.

He advanced slowly, placing a hand on his chin, stroking an imaginary beard. "I see now why you gave it your all. You really thought you had a chance?" His voice was laced with cruel irony. He shook his head, a sad smile stretching his lips.

Uriel, Luciel, Raphael, and Celest watched in silence, frozen in horror and disbelief. Linfer, unperturbed, pointed his index finger at the approaching angelic army with nonchalance. "I've surpassed Origin 9, and it's terrifying, isn't it? You've noticed my appearance has changed, that I'm stronger, faster... but you've been fed monumental disinformation."

A heavy silence followed.

Uriel swallowed loudly, uncertain of what was to come. He knew Linfer wasn't one to boast unnecessarily, and if what he said was true, they were well beyond the point of no return.

"The creation of the inner world is a fascinating ability..." Linfer added, shrugging slightly, as if discussing the weather.

Raphael, pale as a sheet, spoke up. "An ability?" he asked, incredulous. According to ancient writings, the creation of the inner world, the Ashkharsh, was the next level after surpassing Origin 9.

Linfer smiled widely. "Exactly. The synchronization of his law with the world."

A shiver ran down Luciel's spine, and she drew her sword in a defensive gesture, her hands trembling. "If what he says is true…" she whispered, unable to finish her sentence.

Raphael's heart skipped a beat, while Celest, unable to contain his fear, trembled on the spot, on the verge of panic. Linfer, however, observed them all with absolute detachment. To him, their movements seemed slow, very slow. Even Luciel, moving at near-light speed, appeared frozen in time.

He fixed his gaze on Luciel, wanting to raise his hand and caress her face.

Even though he wasn't a good person, he had enslaved humans, killed for pleasure... But for her...

He had done so much...

Betrayed his own, killing his adoptive father. Tried to change his true nature. But in the end, the one who told him she loved him was there, ready to behead him.

With a simple flap of his wings, Linfer floated on the surface of the sea of blood, indifferent to the slowness of those around him. His dark claws glowed slightly as he brought his index finger to the spot where his heart should be, where an inverted cross symbol was etched into his flesh. The symbol shimmered, emitting a terrifying aura, as a drop of black blood slowly welled up, suspended in the air.

Silence became absolute.

"In the end, Alderbaran was right. It was pointless to deny my true nature. Unfortunately, she paid for it with her life..."

Linfer whispered in a barely audible voice, yet it resonated across all planes:

"[Ashkharsh: All Red]"

The drop of black blood finally fell. The moment it touched the surface of the bloody sea...