The grand obsidian doors of the Walpurgis Chamber creaked open with an eerie hum, revealing the room only used when the Demon Lords gathered in full force. The chamber was dark but elegant, demonic in its architecture, filled with crimson runes that pulsed faintly on the black marble walls. A massive round table, jet black and ancient, stood in the center, surrounded by thrones—one for each Demon Lord. At the head of the table sat the crimson sovereign himself, Guy Crimson, his piercing scarlet eyes locked onto the entrance as he waited.
The first to arrive was Milim Nava, skipping through the door with her usual grin and boundless energy. "Hey heyyy! I got here first! Woohoo!" she beamed, throwing herself dramatically into her seat and swinging her legs like a child.
Next came Luminous Valentine, regal and poised, her silver hair glistening under the red light. She spared Milim a short glance before seating herself gracefully, arms folded elegantly.
Leon Cromwell entered next, clad in his usual sharp military uniform, his golden hair perfectly styled. He gave a short nod to Guy before taking his seat silently.
Then followed Carrion, the Beast King, broad-shouldered and confident. "This better be good," he muttered with a smirk, sitting with his arms crossed.
Frey appeared next, gliding with her wings gently folded behind her, her presence graceful as ever. "So dramatic, this whole setup," she muttered under her breath.
Draguel strode in heavily, his presence commanding, and Dino floated lazily behind him with a yawn, slouching into his chair as though it pained him to exist.
Lastly came Ramiris—flying in and landing with a tiny thud on her chair, legs swinging, wings fluttering. "Whew! Did I miss anything? Wait, are we starting now?!"
The room settled as Rain, one of Guy's trusted maids, stepped forward and raised her voice.
"The Walpurgis is now in session."
All heads turned to Guy, who stood slowly, one hand resting on the table.
"I called you all here today to discuss a recent event. I'm sure you all already know what I'm talking about."
Milim raised her hand like an excited student. "Oh! Oh! The message from the orb, right?!"
Guy smirked faintly. "Exactly."
The other demon lords exchanged glances, nodding slowly in agreement.
Leon was the first to speak. "I received the orb as well. The message was the same. Come to Zaneth Island or watch your country be destroyed."
Carrion growled. "Same here. A threat like that… I don't take kindly to it."
Frey sighed. "They clearly know who we are. That kind of challenge isn't made lightly."
Draguel leaned forward, his golden eyes serious. "So… this Zaneth Island. Where did it come from? It's not on any of our maps."
Guy nodded. "That's the interesting part. I investigated. The island didn't exist before. It's like it just appeared out of nowhere."
"That's concerning," Luminous said, eyes narrowed. "So not only is the island unknown, but the one issuing the challenge is also a complete mystery."
"And yet," Guy continued, "they dared to threaten us. Which tells me they're confident—no, certain—they can take us on. Individually."
"Wait, individually?!" Ramiris squeaked. "No armies?! No support?!"
"That's right," Guy confirmed. "The orb made it very clear. Each of us is to come alone. No subordinates. No armies. Just us."
Dino groaned loudly, slouching further in his chair. "Tch. The part that really pissed me off was the line about destroying my domain. Like, seriously? The nerve."
Ramiris burst out laughing. "But you don't even have a domain, Dino! You're just lazing around in Draguel's territory like a squatter!"
Everyone chuckled except Dino, who sat up with a slight pout. "Hey! That's rude. I'm... conserving energy."
Carrion rolled his eyes. "You're conserving your muscles by never using them."
Milim slammed her fists on the table. "Hey hey! Focus! So we're all going to fight this mysterious challenger? Sounds fun!"
Leon frowned. "Fun isn't the word I'd use. It's risky. We don't know their power, origin, or even their intentions beyond this challenge. And why now?"
Draguel rumbled deeply. "They chose their timing carefully. They waited until we were stable, strong, separated. That speaks to strategy."
Frey nodded. "And that makes it even more dangerous."
Luminous tapped a finger on her chair's armrest. "But if we ignore the summons, the threat is real. Destruction. Chaos. We can't risk it."
Guy crossed his arms. "That's why I wanted to hear from each of you. What are your thoughts? How should we proceed?"
Carrion cracked his knuckles. "We accept. We go. Show them what it means to challenge a Demon Lord."
Frey sighed. "Hot-headed as always, Carrion. But… I agree. We can't show weakness."
Leon nodded. "Strategic risk. I'll go, but I'll prepare for the worst."
Draguel nodded solemnly. "I will go. This threat is serious. If it's power they seek, they'll find it."
Dino yawned. "Guess I'll go too. Ugh, but it better not interrupt my nap schedule."
Ramiris flailed her arms. "W-wait! But I'm small! Do I still have to go?!"
Guy smirked. "You're still a Demon Lord, Ramiris."
She huffed. "Fine! But I'm bringing snacks."
Milim threw her arms up excitedly. "Wooo! This is gonna be awesome!"
Luminous was the last to speak, her tone cool. "If it's a threat to us all, then I'll face it head-on. No hesitation."
Guy slowly sat back in his seat, watching them all with a calculating gaze. "Good. Then it's settled. Prepare yourselves. We leave for Zaneth Island in three days. Alone."
Luminous Valentine narrowed her glowing, crimson eyes, her voice low but pointed.
"Is Veldora aware of this?" she asked, tilting her head ever so slightly.
Guy leaned back in his chair, one leg over the other. His golden eyes flickered with amusement.
"I'm sure he is," he said coolly. "He is the one with the strongest army in the world, after all."
That got everyone's attention. A silence fell for a moment—until Draguel, standing tall like an ancient tower, crossed his arms and stepped forward, his eyes locked onto Guy.
"You…" Draguel rumbled. "You seem… different. Your aura… it's refined. Sharper. Like a blade that's been reforged."
Everyone turned to look at Guy again. The room buzzed with energy now.
Milim, ever the curious one, leaned over her chair, her eyes wide and glittering.
"Wait, wait, wait… Guy, have you evolved?!"
Luminous raised a brow, her lips forming a soft frown.
"Evolved? But… becoming a Demon Lord is supposed to be the pinnacle of power. There's nothing beyond that… right?"
Leon, sitting nearby, adjusted his gloves, his eyes analyzing Guy carefully now.
"No… she's right. Something about you is… elevated. Your presence… it's like something otherworldly."
Guy didn't answer immediately. Instead, he let the silence grow, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. Then he finally spoke, voice low but rich with confidence.
"Indeed, my fellow Demon Lords," he said slowly, "I have evolved."
Gasps echoed around the room.
"What?"
"How?"
"That's insane…"
"You were already crazy strong—!"
Guy raised a hand, calming the chaotic noise. His voice dropped lower, more serious.
"I thought the same. I thought I was at the top. That there was nothing left above me. Until… I witnessed true power. Until I was humbled."
Now everyone leaned forward, even the more stoic ones. The idea of Guy being humbled sounded absurd.
Carrion frowned, sitting forward.
"What do you mean humbled? Are you telling me someone defeated you? That's impossible!"
Guy's smile faded into something a little darker… a little more reverent.
"Yes… someone did. His name… is Diablo."
Murmurs burst out.
"Who??"
"Never heard of him."
"Wait, Diablo?"
Leon frowned again.
"Diablo… that doesn't ring any bells. Who is he supposed to be?"
Guy's voice carried across the room like a slow-burning fire.
"He used to be the Primordial Noir. One of the oldest, most powerful demons to ever exist. Now… he goes by Diablo. After being named by Veldora himself… and rising to become a Transcendent Demon."
Luminous narrowed her eyes.
"Transcendent… demon?"
"Is that… even a thing?" Frey asked, voice unsure.
Guy nodded slowly, and then chuckled.
"Oh, it's a thing, alright. Because I'm one too now. I became a Transcendent Demon. Along with Primordial Blanc—who is now called Testarossa. Primordial Jaune—now Ultima. Primordial Violet—now Carrera. All of them are now… under Veldora."
Everyone froze.
The room felt like it had stopped breathing.
"Even… Velzard lives with Veldora now in the Storm Kingdom."
Milim shot up from her seat.
"Okay, that's it! Guy, if you're really that strong now, let's spar right here, right now!"
Guy chuckled, shaking his head.
"Milim… you never change."
She puffed her cheeks.
"What's that supposed to mean?!"
"It means," Guy said, eyes glowing faintly, "you wouldn't last ten seconds against me anymore."
"WHAT?!"
Then, without warning, Guy stood up. He closed his eyes… and released his aura.
And the world broke.
The walls of the hall shuddered violently. A deep crimson light began to pour from Guy's body like a storm made of blood and madness. The floor cracked beneath his feet, and the very air seemed to scream.
Reality twisted. It bent.
Sound vanished. The pressure was unbearable.
Draguel, the giant, felt his bones tremble.
Milim's face went pale, her excited grin vanishing in an instant.
Carrion dropped to one knee, clutching his head.
Leon gritted his teeth as sweat poured down his face.
Frey gasped, trying to speak—but no sound came out.
Even Luminous—vampire, immortal, and radiant—found herself frozen, her body unwilling to move an inch.
It was like being swallowed by an endless abyss of power. There was no up or down. No sense of self. Just pressure. Crippling. Crushing. Like the weight of existence itself had chosen to sit upon their shoulders.
And then…
It stopped.
All of it.
Guy sat back down casually, brushing imaginary dust off his sleeve.
The room was silent.
No one spoke. No one moved.
It was as if everyone was trying to catch their soul before it floated out of their body.
Milim finally broke the silence. Her voice was hoarse, cracked.
"...What… the hell… was that?!"
Guy just smiled.
"That… was a taste."
He leaned forward, his smile now full of wicked delight.
"Now imagine if i had released all of my power."
And no one—not even the cocky, cheerful Milim—had a response to that....