One, two, three... Testing, testing. Can you hear me? This is the Queen speaking. Since it would be very boring for you to follow only the Prince and Sylph, and then just hear about what the others were doing, the author and I talked and decided the best option was for me to narrate some of the upcoming chapters.
But don't tell the Prince, okay? Let's keep this our little secret. Let him keep thinking he's the main character.
Where was I again? Oh yes! The Prince gave me a great idea, so right now I'm in a control room, looking at several monitors and watching everything they're doing. It's been so much fun!
When Sylph asked the Prince to suck her poison, I really thought we were about to get a spicy scene, but the idiot chose loyalty. Truly disappointing, don't you think? But I'm not here to tell his story, we'll leave that for him to narrate. Let's check in on the other participants.
Mary and Bear were transported together, but right now, they're fishing. A nun and a bear go fishing... That could be a good setup for a joke, but for now, it's just boring to watch. So, let's skip to Sabrina's mission.
I had a reason for splitting us up, it wasn't just because I was starting to get bored, I swear. Up ahead, there's something truly dangerous, and the non-demons in our party aren't ready to face it yet.
So, I sent Sabrina ahead to deal with the problem. Of course, I also took the opportunity to make things a little more entertaining. But enough talking, she's arriving at the mission site now, so let's begin Sabrina's adventure.
Sabrina carefully observed the hall before her but didn't dare cross the entrance portal. Despite the gloom, broken only by the faint light of a few candles, Sabrina could see the danger carved into the floor.
A massive summoning circle covered nearly the entire floor of the hall. Symbols alien to most people in that world formed intricate patterns, revealing ancient magic, from an era when the mastery of occult arts far surpassed what contemporary scholars could even imagine.
But for Sabrina, reading those symbols wasn't difficult, after all, it was the alphabet of her homeland: the Abyss. She knew exactly what the creator of that circle intended.
As soon as she stepped into it, a fraction of her mana would be drained, no matter how much she resisted, and used to summon an Archdemon. Then, she and the summoned demon would be trapped within the circle, and only one of them would be allowed to leave alive.
A battle between two Archdemons is an event few in this world could survive. The Queen and Sabrina knew they had to destroy the summoning circle. They also knew that the hall was the only passage forward in their journey.
But it was a dangerous mission. The power levels between Archdemons could vary dramatically. Someone truly powerful might answer the summon, and the risk would be even greater if the Queen allowed her mana to be consumed.
Someone who should never leave the Abyss might be tempted to respond. And even though few demons in the Abyss posed a real threat to the Queen, a battle between two such powerful beings could bring the entire kingdom to ruin.
That's why this mission was Sabrina's. She was the only one, even among the generals, fit for the challenge.
Without hesitation, Sabrina stepped into the hall, and the circle immediately began feeding on her mana and coming to life. The patterns carved into the stone floor lit up with a sinister purple glow. Sabrina knew that was a bad sign. Few demons radiated that specific shade of purple, and she had a very good idea of who had answered the call.
Black lightning erupted from the carved symbols. The atmosphere grew heavy with ominous energy. A pulse could be heard, like a heartbeat, growing faster and faster. Then, a flash of purple light.
The circle went dark, all the energy it had gathered now formed a barrier that trapped Sabrina inside with her opponent, who appeared at the center of the circle.
"Asmodeus." Was all Sabrina said.
"Little sister! Long time no see." The Archdemon replied.
Asmodeus, Sabrina's younger brother. The Spear of Lucifer. He wore a linen suit with a white shirt and tie, white snakeskin shoes, and long blond hair cascading over his shoulders. His white, sharp horns pointed forward like a bull's. His violet, sadistic eyes gazed at Sabrina like a child who had just found a long-lost toy.
"You missed me so much you came all the way here just to get your ass kicked?" Sabrina taunted, though even she knew it wouldn't be easy.
"After all these decades, that's how you greet your baby brother? Spending time with that indecent, fake Queen has really ruined your manners". His poisonous smile grew wider.
The fury in Sabrina's eyes was unmistakable. He knew exactly how to push her buttons.
"Before we begin, I've got a message from Daddy, for that little Queen of yours". Asmodeus continued, unfazed.
Sabrina was on the verge of exploding, but she held herself back.
"Tell her she can keep living that mediocre little life she chose. Daddy released her from her duty after her mother took her place".
Sabrina's rage deepened. That news would break the Queen's heart, and therefore wounded Sabrina as well.
Persephone, Lilith's mother, had sacrificed herself by take her daughter's place. Lilith had always known this was a possibility. But until it was confirmed, and especially coming from Asmodeus' own mouth, she could cling to denial. His cruel words had shattered that last illusion.
Sabrina could no longer contain her fury. She unleashed all the energy she'd been holding back and summoned her battle attire. A black-scaled armor adorned with intricate patterns, the work of a master craftsman, materialized on her body. In her hands, two massive sabers: the 'Twin Blades of the Apocalypse', engulfed in infernal flames.
"That angry, huh? You really want to fight for real?" Asmodeus teased, delighted by the chaos. She gave no answer. "So be it".
With those words, he too summoned his battle attire. A purple armor, similar to Sabrina's, crafted by the same master. In his hand, the 'Spear of Destiny', which crackled with purple lightning that split the ground beneath his feet.
The most epic battle that world had seen in centuries was about to begin.