As human cheers thundered across the battlefield, demons surged forward, their rage rekindled. A chunk of the horde broke away, rushing directly toward Raymond. The young man stood his ground, blades raised, his chest heaving.
Shit. I barely have any magic left. My body feels heavy as well. Well, fuck it. I am an apprentice of the great Cranel, and I will not die fearing demons, Raymond thought, his resolve hardening. He let out a battle cry, lifting his blades high. His defiance inspired the soldiers on the wall, their cheers and cries intensifying as they watched the boy stand unshaken against the tide.
The demons closed in — but before they could reach him, an inferno ripped through their ranks. Flames devoured the front line, scattering the horde. Out of the blaze stepped Jeremiah, his smile radiant, a beacon of hope for the soldiers who marched with him and a terror to the demons who faced him.
"Fine showing, my friend. Now it is my chance to show off," Jeremiah said, his tone playful yet resolute. Raymond, exhausted but encouraged, smiled back.
Jeremiah rushed forward, leaping into the air as the horde advanced. His leg extended in a mighty axe kick, lightning crackling along its length. As he descended, the lightning transformed into a massive bolt, striking the demons with explosive force when his foot connected. The ground shook, and dozens of demons were obliterated in a single strike.
Satan's eyes lit up with ecstasy. "Magnificent!" he exclaimed, turning to Beelzebub.
Beelzebub scoffed, though a smile tugged at his lips. "Now that human is talented," he admitted. Lucifer, ever indifferent, continued to watch in silence, his gaze unreadable.
Meanwhile, Cranel and Hamza carved their way through the demon army, fists and blades cutting a path toward the princes.
"Princes! We simply request an audience!" Cranel shouted mockingly, kicking the head off a lunging demon.
Hamza smirked grimly. "You and your jokes, Cranel. An audience with demons? Imaginary. My presence among demons is an exorcism." He smashed through a horde with a single strike, his voice ringing with conviction.
The princes observed from afar. "Seems the tide of war is shifting in their favor. Do we still not involve ourselves?" Satan asked, his eyes narrowing at Lucifer.
"Lilith has yet to make her entrance," Lucifer replied, his voice calm, detached.
Satan chuckled darkly. "My patience grows thin as my wrath grows stronger."
"You are free to do as you please, unless Lucifer is your commander, Prince Satan," Abaddon remarked cynically. Lucifer's gaze flicked toward him, cold and sharp, but Abaddon only smiled back.
"This war is becoming a drag. Must we really get involved?" Belphegor muttered, his voice dripping with disinterest.
Lucifer shook his head. "We will engage when all cards are on the table. Not all players have revealed their hands. We must bide our time."
Abaddon protested, his voice sharp. "Till when? Lilith could already be at the springs, escaping!"
Lucifer's tone hardened. "Never. Lilith declared war. If I know one thing about her, it is that she never backs down. That is her most redeeming quality."
On the battlefield, the Zarim soldiers fought valiantly. Their tactics were simple but effective: fighting in pairs, moving with precision, cutting down demons with deadly efficiency. Raymond pressed on, dual blades flashing, though without his Holy Time his body bore the marks of battle. Jeremiah, however, was unstoppable. His speed and strength, paired with elemental magic, tore through the horde. Wind carried him across the battlefield, fire incinerated demons in waves, and lightning delivered devastating blows that punched holes through their ranks.
"With the exorcist boys, we're pushing back the demons!" one soldier shouted, his voice brimming with hope.
"March on, men! I'll lead the way!" Jeremiah roared, standing atop the corpse of a massive demon he had just slain.
The soldiers roared in response, their morale surging as they pressed forward. The demon horde, though vast, lacked coordination, and the humans cut them down with relentless momentum.
But just as triumph filled the air, a new sound shattered it — the thunder of hooves and devilish cries echoing from the western horizon. The battlefield froze as all eyes turned.
"Oh Lord, deliver us," one soldier whispered, his voice trembling as he beheld the sight: a fresh horde of demons riding across the horizon, their numbers vast and terrifying.
Satan erupted in laughter, his voice booming. "That's the rearguard! Ukobathan! Hear me! Impress me, my boy!"
At the front rode Ukobathan, his armor drenched in crimson, his voice a roar of malice. "No human shall survive!!" Beside him rode Lenen, silent, his eyes scanning the battlefield with cold calculation.
The arrival of the rearguard invigorated the demon forces. Their morale surged, and they pushed back against the humans with renewed fury. Raymond and Jeremiah's forces began to dwindle, their line faltering under the relentless assault.
Hamza's eyes widened in alarm. "The gate!! Close the gate!" he shouted, his voice echoing across the walls. The men at the gate scrambled, straining to shut the massive doors.
But from the rearguard, a demon rider leaned from his horse, bow in hand. He conjured an arrow of pure energy, his voice calm and mocking. "Oh no you don't."
He loosed the arrow. It struck the gate with explosive force, blowing it off its hinges. The surrounding wall crumbled, devastation spreading. Panic erupted among the humans.
"Calm yourselves! Retreat! We must hold the gate — or what remains of it!" Raymond shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. He darted toward the breach, rallying the fighters to fall back behind him.
Fuck! I need to reach that gate before the demons. I will be back for you, Lord Lucifer. Lives come first, Lenen thought grimly. He clicked his tongue, spurring his horse faster, leaving the rearguard behind.
There is that boy. I must remain close to him, Valefor mused, mounting his own horse and riding after Lenen.