Underground.
The stench hit them first.
A wave of rot, sulfur, and wet decay—so thick it coated the back of the throat like tar. They pushed through, blades and breaths steady, light barely piercing the fleshy tunnel walls.
And then—they struck.
The Crawlers.
Dozens of them. Bone-thin, spider-limbed humanoids skittering across the walls and ceiling. No eyes. Just split mouths that opened vertically down their skulls, teeth twitching. They hissed like steam and lunged like dogs.
Shinobu cried out as one sunk its claws into her shoulder, dragging her halfway up the wall before Muichiro sliced through its torso with clean, fluid motion.
Kokushibo cleaved two in half but felt something slice across his ribs. He winced—he winced—and looked down.
Blood. His blood.
The power source below was radiating pure hatred. It twisted the air, made even the Upper Moons bleed.
"This isn't just a power conduit," he muttered. "It's a living gate."
A shriek echoed from ahead.
The Crawlers cleared—and new demons emerged. Heavier. Muscular. Armor-like skin. Serrated hooks for hands. They sprinted toward the group.
Above – The Clash Continues
Slayer dropped low, ducked under a hammer strike, and planted a sticky grenade to the Minister's leg. The blast ripped the demon's shin apart—but again, the energy from below surged, and the wound began to reknit.
Thor grunted. "His regeneration's increasing."
"I know," Kratos snarled, sliding beside him, blood dripping from a gash near his jaw. "They need to hurry down there."
A Marauder leapt between them—but the Slayer caught it mid-air with the Power Gauntlet and ripped it in two.
Then he said nothing. Just turned toward the underground fissure with that same unblinking intensity.
Thor watched him for a second longer.
"…Who are you?" he muttered.
But the Slayer had already turned back to the Minister.
Below – Reinforcements Arrive
A flare of divine blue light cut through the next swarm of demons.
BOOM.
The Paladins had arrived.
Twenty armored warriors bathed in Asgardian light, with celestial shields and swords that shimmered like starlight.
At their front—a massive, dark-skinned warrior with half a helm and a golden crest burned into his chestplate.
Commander Halgar.
[They were sent when the other remaining paladins reported about the incident]
"Hold the line!" he shouted, his voice thundering through the tunnel. "By the Allfather and by the gates of Valhalla—these abominations fall today!"
The morale hit like lightning.
Even Sanemi found himself grinning. "Who are you shiny people?"
Halgar smirked. "You will know soon."
The divine swords burned through the corrupted flesh. Crawlers disintegrated. The heavier demons screamed as they were cleaved apart in flashes of holy flame.
But then—
A slow, thudding sound echoed through the flesh-covered tunnel.
Thump.
Thump.
They all turned.
And saw it.
At the center of a molten chamber—red walls pulsing, the floor slick with blood and slime—sat a Baron of Hell.
(not the same baron as we are used to, can speak and looks damn too different, has fire in his mouth for some reason)
Enormous. Eight feet tall. Horns cracked and charred. Arms resting on the edges of a broken throne, legs sprawled out, eyes glowing faintly orange like dying embers.
He didn't move.
Just smiled lazily at them.
"…Finally," it rasped. "Something fun."
It stood.
The earth groaned.
And all the flesh-walls of the chamber contracted like a living organ.
Rengoku stepped forward, his eyes burning. "This one's mine."
Kokushibo joined him. "Not alone."
The Baron cracked its neck. "Not enough."
Above –
The Minister slammed Thor into the side of a destroyed tower, impaling him briefly on a bent steel girder. Blood splashed. Thor roared and ripped free, throwing Mjölnir into the demon's chest.
Kratos joined from behind, Axe glowing white-hot now, looping and slicing, leaving deep gashes. But even with both of them pressing in—
The Minister grabbed Slayer mid-charge and threw him skyward.
Slayer vanished into the clouds for a second.
Then returned.
Like a meteor.
CRASH.
The ground shattered beneath his landing, creating a crater—but he didn't fall.
He stood. Face unreadable.
And pointed his shotgun again.
Kratos looked over at him, bloodied and breathing hard.
"…We end this soon," he muttered.
Slayer racked the shotgun.
Thor wiped blood from his brow. "If the gods are kind."
Below –
The fight with the Baron began.
And instantly—it became war.
The Baron moved like a tank, throwing molten fire from its mouth, lifting debris to use as clubs, swinging with unholy strength.
Even the Paladins struggled. Their divine weapons cut—but not deep enough.
Commander Halgar rallied them. "Push in! Strike! Cut its ankles and blind its eyes!"
Meanwhile, demons kept swarming the lower tunnels.
Behind them, Atreus knelt on a high ledge, picking off key targets with razor-precise arrows. Beside him, Tanjiro and Inosuke led the younger demon slayers, protecting fleeing Kakushi and holding ground as best they could.
For the first time—they were making kills.
But also, for the first time—they were getting wounded.
Real ones.
Final Scene –
Behind the Baron, deeper within the pulsing walls, a black spire of corrupted bone stood.
It was wrapped in tendrils.
And from it… poured the green energy.
Kokushibo saw it.
"That's it."
And the Baron turned slowly, catching his glance.
"You want my heart?" it rasped.
It raised both arms.
"Come take it."