Explosions ripped the ground and shockwaves from clashed shook the castle. However, the Demon King castle, built when the humans were just cavemen had been strengthened beyond imagination.
"I didn't want this... Guys believe me... please," Matthew's whispered plea fell on deaf ears.
The Rogue moved with a speed that surpassed even the Hero. His daggers struck from any and all angles. The Saintess's prayers constantly buffed and healed the Rogue and the Sage. The Sage herself was not inferior in any way. Her magic of the highest class was on par with the attacks from the Four(now three) Heavenly Kings.
The Hero, the greatest warrior of humanity, and the true chosen one could not easily fend them off.
Although he was stronger than them, their combination was not easily thwarted. If the Warrior had been alive, the Hero might already lost. But, he was not.
So the battle continued.
******
An insane swirl of dark, evil and demonic powers created a black void near the throne. The combined attacks of the Heavenly Kings and the Demon King himself was already greater than anything the Hero Party could do. And yet, the enemy did not even appear troubled.
The Fool was enjoying it. He was enjoying all of it. The Demon King, the one who had been lonely all his life, had still not felt the sadness he should... but the Hero! Oh, the Hero! The Fool savored the reactions and actions of the Hero and his Party. Weaving his tapestry of tragedy and seeing the complete picture... the Fool felt an immense pleasure.
He shifted his focus to the battle. Yes, it was just an afterthought for the Fool.
'Should I end it?'
But he decided not to.
'Still, its a shame that none of the demons die. So...'
"Let me reveal to you the secrets of the wise...," the Fool pupils dilated and the Heavenly Kings felt their minds being pulled into an abyss...
No wait, a world...?
Of... endless knowledge...?
******
Matthew was on his knees. Blood dripped from the side of his forehead. His left eye was clouded in crimson. His right eye, though, saw his former comrades. Looming over him.
'I lost?'
'But aren't I the Hero?'
'From the beginning... was my strength a farce?'
He saw the tears in the Saintess's eyes. Ah, they had been close, after all. The Sage was calm as always, but he saw the hint of resignation in them. Even if he was defeated, the Demon King was impossible. They had seen and felt the immense power in the battle at the other side. No human could resist it.
The Rogue was already gone. Perhaps, he was trying to escape, but it was already hard for them as a Party. He felt magic being formed. He looked up and... laughed. The sight was so shocking, he laughed.
[Materialisation], a Paragon-level magic, which formed thoughts into reality. It had been cast in the shape of a guillotine.
The Sage watched with emotionless eyes, while the Saintess watched in tears.
The guillotine dropped.
The two turned their sight. Matthew had still been a close comrade. But then the saw the Fool's eyes, and they too were pulled in...
******
The Demon King stopped. He watched as the Hero died and then everyone dropped to the ground. Their eyes were unfocused. One of the Heavenly Kings was blabbering nonsensical words.
"What did you show them? What could possibly break their minds so easily?" despite the situation, for the first time, the Demon King's voice was filled with curiosity.
"I have had enough of this theatrical accent," The Fool coughed and continued, "What did I show them? Well you'll have to find out..."
The Fool's body twisted and disappeared. His presence was gone from the world.
The Demon King suddenly shivered. He realised that the emotion was 'excitement'. An unbridled curiosity could be seen in his eyes. For the first time, the Demon King had found something worth doing.
The Demon King Astaroth Melias Valor uttered thus, "What are you and what did you do? I will know. Across how many ever worlds, I will pursue you to the ends of the universe."
And then he too twisted and disappeared. Away from this world...
Thus ended an era.