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Chapter 17 - Chapter 17: Descent into the Abyss

Hades's black stab did not end Asmodeus, but awakened in him a far greater beast.

With a torn voice, he released a dark roar, driving his elbow into Hades's chest.

Hades's body was thrown back, yet Asmodeus seized him by the neck like a reaper of souls.

His eyes blazed with wrath:

Asmodeus (in desperate rage):

"Even if you stab me a thousand times…

I will not yield, I will not bow!"

But Hades, with cold eyes, plunged his dagger again—this time into his stomach.

Black blood surged like shadows, forcing Asmodeus to release his grip.

Both staggered back a step… then lunged once more.

The sky split apart, the earth beneath them quaked.

Steel turned to fire, shadow to flame, until the storm itself seemed to manifest in their bodies.

Narrator:

"Their strikes were faster than sight could follow,

as if death itself was wrestling with hell."

As their blades clashed, their feet drew closer to a colossal cliff, stretching into a bottomless abyss where no light could reach.

From afar, Phinikeiros, his wings ablaze, shouted to the heavens:

Phinikeiros:

"I won't let you escape this time… Asmodeus!!!"

He raised his hands and unleashed a barrage of fiery strikes, like falling meteors.

Explosions encircled Asmodeus, driving him back until his feet slipped on the abyss's edge.

Asmodeus (with a bloody smile):

"Hahaha… is this my fate?!"

But before falling, he seized Hades's arm.

With maddened eyes, he uttered one final oath:

Asmodeus:

"If I fall into the abyss… you shall fall with me!!!"

With all his strength, he pulled Hades down, and both plunged into the void.

Phinikeiros's wings spread across the sky, his scream echoing:

Phinikeiros:

"Hadeeesss!!!"

Darkness swallowed them, the abyss trembling as though a gate to nothingness had opened.

Narrator:

"And thus, Asmodeus and Hades descended into an eternal fall,

two flames still battling even in the void…"

The demon army began its retreat, disciplined under Morlock's lead, while the other legions watched with wary eyes.

Ashura, standing tall, his mad laughter tearing the air:

Ashura:

"We shall meet again soon!!!"

Aletheia raised her spear, her eyes sharp as blades, answering with unyielding voice:

Aletheia:

"The next time we meet—you will die!"

Dragmor, still burning with rage, snarled in mocking threat:

Dragmor:

"Consider yourself lucky—you were minutes away from death."

Ganesha, his heavy mace resting on his shoulder, spoke with cold, crushing weight:

Ganesha:

"When we meet again… I will crush your skull as I crushed the Icy Beasts' heads."

Ashura shrugged, his laughter echoing like the abyss itself:

Ashura:

"Kahahaha… we shall see!"

Falkoris, his wings fading into the wind, gave a final, disdainful glance:

Falkoris:

"The war is over. Begone, cursed one."

Slowly, the leaders gathered their ranks. Banners were folded, war machines pulled back, soldiers prepared their return—to their kingdoms.

And thus, beneath the last echo of Oungan's name, the armies parted ways. It was no peace, but a truce laced with vows and threats—would peace endure, or would war consume the world once more?

Meanwhile, as the demon army withdrew in order, Morlock approached the Mysterious Demon, his voice a mix of plea and caution:

Morlock:

"I beg you… if you can, bring Asmodeus back to me. Do not let him be lost to the shadows."

The Mysterious Demon slightly lifted his head, silence cloaking him like a wall of midnight, then answered coldly:

Mysterious Demon:

"Your request is accepted… I will find him. Whether alive, or clinging to his last breath."

Then he turned, walking into the burning mountains, where even the air smoldered with ash.

On his path, a massive black dragon appeared, wings like a storm, eyes glowing like embers in the dark.

Its roar shook the ground:

Black Dragon:

"Halt, intruder! Your blood reeks of enmity… this land is not yours!"

The Mysterious Demon did not falter but stood firm, his words dripping like venom:

Mysterious Demon:

"Great power… yet you remain in the shadows. Nothing more than a pawn to a higher voice… your brother's voice. Thalgron claims the throne, and you… are nothing but his shadow."

The dragon's heart trembled for a moment, his breath faltering as if struck at its core.

But pride quickly smothered the doubt, and he roared louder, as though convincing himself as much as his foe.

Black Dragon:

"My brother… is the king. I will not betray blood, nor heed your whispers!"

The Mysterious Demon smiled coldly behind his mask:

Mysterious Demon:

"Your brother… or your jailer? Think carefully, Son of Flame. When blood is spilled, who will remain upon the throne?"

A flicker of doubt flashed in the dragon's eyes, but he turned swiftly to hide it, unleashing a fiery roar that split the sky.

In furious defiance, he spread his wings and rose, leaving behind a whirlwind of fire.

Black Dragon (from the sky):

"You will not poison my mind with words! My name is Zagoron—if we meet again… I will tear you apart without hesitation!"

The Mysterious Demon remained still, watching him vanish into the dark sky, then muttered lowly:

Mysterious Demon:

"You flee for now… but the seed has been planted. And doubt shall grow within you, until the day of downfall."

He continued his path toward the abyss, where Asmodeus's fate awaited.

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