The group gazes across the underworld with wide eyes. Daniil and Admetus, especially, are struck by the surreal sight.
"Welcome to hell," Zenobios says, staring at the distant castle. A crimson sun burns against a pitch-black sky, defying all reason.
Demons scattered across the wasteland glare at them. Zenobios' smile turns cold, radiating menace. The demons hiss and growl, ready to strike if provoked.
"So many pests," Areios mutters. "Infested. No surprise, given the Demon King dwells here."
Athanasia readies her scythe. Daniil and Admetus remain fixated on their surroundings.
"No time to waste," Zenobios raises his arm. "Begone from my sight."
A sphere of blue fire forms in his palm. The demons charge—hundreds of hulking brutes rushing at once.
"Hmph. Foolishness."
The flame bursts outward, engulfing them in searing blue fire. Their collective shrieks echo before they crumble into ash, leaving the field silent.
"Time's running out," Athanasia says.
"We can't waste it walking," Areios adds, stepping forward.
"What's he planning?" Admetus asks.
"Oh, just watch," Zenobios replies with a faint smile.
Areios hefts his axe and slams it into the ground. In an instant, the group blinks to the castle bridge. A pitch-black moat surrounds it, radiating dark mana. Daniil speaks first.
"What's in the water? Something feels… wrong."
"You see it too," Athanasia replies.
"How?"
"Divine vision. Look closer."
Daniil squints. The silhouette sharpens until he gasps. "A dragon?!"
The demon dragon erupts from the waters, drenching the bridge. Daniil and Admetus grip their weapons.
"Can I leave this to you two? We're short on time," Zenobios asks, eyes fixed on the beast.
Admetus meets Daniil's nervous glance, then nods to Zenobios. "Yes, my lord. We'll handle it."
"Same here…" Daniil adds, though his voice falters.
"Good. Thank you," Zenobios says with warmth. "Do not worry—I trust you." He strides across the bridge, Athanasia and Areios at his side.
The dragon snarls. "Insolent fools! You dare approach this gate in my presence?"
Zenobios shoots him a glare. The dragon flinches at the weight of it.
"YOU DARE LOOK AT ME SO? I'LL CRUSH YOU!"
It opens its maw, fire gathering—but a voice cuts in.
"Eyes on me, dipshit!"
Admetus is already airborne, soaring higher than treetops, sword arcing toward the dragon's neck. Flames roar from the dragon's jaws, but its attention snaps back to him. Time slows. Admetus feels the weight of the holy blade in his grip—familiar, righteous. His instincts whisper to dodge, but he smirks.
"Nah. Let's see what happens."
Time snaps back. The flames engulf him—yet he bursts through unscathed.
"You thought it'd be that easy?"
The dragon's eyes widen. Before it can recover, Admetus' sword cleaves downward. The dragon jerks its head aside, and the strike instead tears a massive scar into the castle wall, the gust scattering fire like smoke. Admetus lands smoothly, palm bracing the bridge.
"Daniil, now!"
Jolted from his trance, Daniil charges. He leaps onto the dragon's tail, nearly slipping on its scales, but races upward with a cry. He reaches its throat and swings for the vital spot.
"Argh!"
But the dragon bellows, "Impressive… yet inadequate!" With a thunderous crack, it lashes its tail across its own back. The shockwave knocks Daniil off balance. He crashes onto the bridge, shaken but alive.
The dragon glares down with disdain.
"You are eons away from so much as scratching me."