Breeze shouted as she brought her fist down on the head of a demon rebel, quite literally knocking his head off of his shoulders. Knowing how demons work, she spun around and kicked the body in its side, sending it flying. Even if he could move without his head, he certainly wasn't going to move with a shattered spine.

The battle had been going on for some time now, and Breeze was starting to wonder just how many of these things they would need to take down. She wondered if finding and dealing with whichever of the Ten was here would stop it. It was clearly demon magic that was manipulating the undead, which was the bulk of their numbers, so it had to be Kruger. But what were the chances he would show himself so soon?

"LOOK OUT!"

Breeze's eyes went wide as a large slash began making its way across the battlefield, tearing up the ground itself and cutting down anyone in its path. "Out of the way! Quickly!" Margo shouted as she and Higgs both rushed into the way of the attack. They lifted their swords, and when the slash clashed with their bladed they were both pushed back a few feet.

The two women both grit their teeth and plant their feet, struggling to hold the slash back as they angle their blades upwards. With a shout, they managed to send it spiralling upwards and into the air, though it was clear from their breaths it took a considerable amount of effort.

Breeze turned back towards the direction of the attack, and saw Kruger making his way towards them, his sword in hand. "Well, I'm a bit surprised to see you out on the battlefield, your highness. But then again, you're not really of my blood, so that might explain why you're not cowering behind the castle walls," he said.

Margo tightened her grip on her sword. "I wouldn't dream of letting you off that easily. I have every intention of cutting you down myself," she said before looking towards Higgs. "Though I could use a little help." She wasn't going to let her arrogance risk her chance at victory here.

Higgs got ready to charge. "Like I'm about to pass up a chance to go toe to toe with someone like him." Kruger's history as the strongest of the demon blades was known to those even on the surface, and she wanted to see if he really lived up to the legend. "Let's do this!" She rushed in at a blinding speed, cutting down everyone that stood between her and Kruger.

Kruger pulled out his sword and casually swung at her, but Higgs leapt over it and behind him. "Quite fast…" Kruger muttered, somewhat surprised. Higgs swung down at the back of his neck, but without missing a beat, he lifted his blade and blocked it. "But compared to Gadfly, you're nothing to brag about."

The moment he had looked towards her, Margo leapt in front of him and spun around, aiming her blade at his chest. He ducked and moved out of the way, his eyes now narrowed. "This is rather unfortunate. I'd prefer not to raise my blade against women if at all possible. I don't suppose I can convince you to surrender," he said.

Margo looked insulted. "Excuse me?"

"Surrender now, and I'll allow you and yours to leave with their lives. Refuse, and I really will have no choice but to cut you down," Kruger said. "I won't make this offer-" He stopped when a bolt of lightning nearly struck him, then looked over towards Higgs. She had pointed her blade at him and was glaring.

"Don't belittle us, or try to act like you're doing us a favor. You're an invader, so drop the noble act and just get ready to fight," Higgs said, charging at him again.

Kruger sighed. "Very well then. You made your choice." He swung Bloodedge, and their blades clashed. Margo quickly followed up behind Higgs, and the two began moving around and trying to overwhelm him. If Kruger was struggling, then he didn't at all show it. He seemed to be keeping up with them rather easily.

Breeze got ready to move in and back them up, but suddenly another figure crashed down in front of her. She slid back as the figure towered over her, the heat coming off of him creating beads of sweat to form over her face. Sun looked down at her with a scowl on his face. "To think I have to waste my time with this little mewman. How insulting," he said balling his fist up.

He swung fiery first at Breeze, who jumped up and out of the way before he came crashing down, melting the very ground where she once stood. Breeze landed and then glared up at him. "And just who might you be? Another fool who sided with the Ten, or an undead puppet being pulled on their strings?" she asked.

Sun glared down at her. "Insolent child. Don't dare to presume I would follow that demon scum of my own free will," he said as he stomped towards her. He got into a fighting stance, sending a wave of heat from his body. "I am Sun, former chief of the Fire Nymphs, the mightiest of warriors, and I will show you the meaning of pain!"

Breeze narrowed her eyes, getting into a fighting stance of her own. "You can't be that mighty, you died," she said before rushing in at him. She intended to finish this brute off quickly so she could go help Margo and Higgs.

Cole panted as he looked around, ready to fend off the next enemy that came his way. The wave of enemies on the battlefield seemed endless. It was as if for every one he cut down three more rose in their place. He looked around, trying to pick out Topaz from the crowd and make sure she was okay. They had gotten separated a while back.

"Look out!"

"They're too fast!"

"We can't stop her!"

Cole looked back and saw a red fiery blur making its way across the battlefield. It hoped from place to place, ramming into people at random. The sight before him looked… familiar, far too familiar for his liking. "No, it can't be…" he said, shaking his head. The blur suddenly began making its way towards him, and he went wide eyed.

"Daddy, lookout!"

Topaz appeared near her father using flicker, tackling him out of the way before the blur could crash into him. They hit the ground, and then looked over and saw the figure sliding to a stop. Both Cole and Topaz looked shocked as the flames around it dispersed. Topaz expressions were a mixture of sheer confusion and sadness, while Cole grit his teeth. Why did they have to bring her back? Her of all people?

"Mama," Topaz said standing up, walking towards Phyra. "You're here…"

Cole pulled his daughter back just before Phyra tried to run into her. Phyra turned back around and got ready to dash at them again. "I'm sorry," Phyra said, frowning. "I can't stop myself…" She sped at them once more, and both father and daughter had to leapt out of the way.

Topaz rolled against the ground and looked up, clearly shaken by the site of her mother's face. It had been so many years since she had last seen her. So many years of grief, sorrow, and pain. Now here she was standing before her again, and… they were supposed to be enemies?

No, this wasn't right. This was…

"Topaz, move!"

Her mother's voice snapped her out of her thoughts, and she just barely managed to avoid the blade of her mother's spear. "Sweetie, you have to focus! I'm not gonna be able to hold back like this!" Phyra shouted as she spun her weapon around and swung again. Topaz tried to react, but it was clear this situation still had her shaken.

Luckily Cole moved in and stopped the attack with his sword. "Phyra, there has to be something we can do! Some way to stop this! To stop you!" This whole scenario was surreal, and he still hadn't been able to process it himself. But his wife was standing before him again and… he didn't want to hurt her. Not that he thought he had much of a chance at that.

"There isn't! Or maybe there is! But we don't have time to find it!" she said swinging at him again. He blocked and ducked from the attack, but Phyra kept on him. "You have to fight back and stop me!"

Cole grit his teeth and he pushed back against her, then looked back at his daughter. She was in a fighting stance, but her expression was anything but battle ready, and she was trembling all over.

From a distance away, Char squinted to make sure he was seeing things right. Was that… was that his aunt? Fighting against his uncle and cousin? "Guys, look!" he called pointing towards the scene. Both Zafira and Burnicia turned towards where he was pointing, and then cursed.

"Shit, no way," Zafira muttered.

"Let's go!" Burnicia yelled.

The three began making their way over to help them out. Nevermind the fact that they knew just how badass Phyra was, Topaz wouldn't be able to fight against her with a clear head. Before they could reach them however, a figure cut them off and swung at Char, who had been leading the charge.

He reacted quickly, raising and hardening his arms for the blow. But when it landed, the force behind it not only sent him sliding back, but shattered the shell of hardened magma over his arms. Zafira and Burnicia managed to catch him as he stumbled back, and they looked up to see a large hulking figure before them.

"Well, look at that. You're made of tough stuff, ain't you kid?" Bang said, cracking his knuckles. He smiled down at the three, who glared back in response.

"Get out of the way!" Zafira yelled, raising her weapon. Their friend needed them, and they didn't have time to deal with whoever this guy was.

Bang narrowed his eyes. "Hey… you're that little half-breed brat that used to run around. You have hair now," he said before looking over towards Burnicia. "And you're the angry little runt that used to run around bugging my wife and the other women."

The two of them looked at him surprised, but Char just grunted. "We don't have time for this! Get out of the way!" he yelled, charging again. His cousin was in trouble, and he wasn't going to sit around and waste time with this guy. He hardened his arms again, bringing one of his fists back and getting ready to swing.

Bang smiled and balled both of his fists up. "Fine by me!" He raised both his fist into the air and then slammed them to the ground. Everyone in the area nearby turned their heads as an explosion suddenly shot out from his entire body. Char, who was the closest, had been blown back yet again.

More than a few others around them were sent flying, and Zafira stuck her weapon in the ground to keep from being blown back, and Burnicia weighed herself down. "What the hell?!" Zafira said, shocked. She had seen plenty of explosions before. Not a day went by when Sputter didn't set off at least several.

But that one had been way too massive. If he kept that up he'd cleaned the battlefield of his allies and enemies alike. Not that they thought he really cared. "I hope you're ready for the next one, because that was just the warm up!" Bang shouted, raising his arms up once again.

He was about to set off another explosion, and they braced themselves, but then someone rushed in towards him. "Even in death, you're still a reckless fool!"

Right as Bang's body began to glow and release another blast, Elder Crisp thrust his hand forward and placed them on his gut. The glow around Bang's body died down, seemingly being absorbed into Elder Crisp's hands. Bang looked down at him wide eyed. "Crisp?! You're still alive?!"

The elder jumped back before Bang could strike him. He looked over his shoulder towards Char, Zafira, and Burnicia. "I absorbed enough heat to keep him from denoating again for a while, but you must help me get him away from here! We will suffer far too many casualties if he's allowed to remain!"

"But Topaz needs-!"

"She and Cole will be blown up along with everyone else if we don't deal with Bang now! I can't deal with him on my own! I need your help! The sooner we deal with him, the sooner we can return and assist her!"

The three youths all frowned, clearly not wanting to leave while Topaz was in such a bind. But… if he really could keep sending off explosions like that, they didn't have much of a choice.

"Stand still you whelp!"

Scorch growled and he struggled to strike down the short haired nymph before him. She was quickly on her feet, and very agile. Dodging his every attack just before it landed. "It wouldn't be much of a fight if I just let your strike me down, now would it?" she asked annoyed. Not that she had any say in that anyway. Her body was on autopilot.

"It wouldn't be a fight either way, short hair," he spat, disgusted at the very idea she thought it would be anything than a slaughter. "You've already died once. I imagine in a way someone as weak as you usually is. But now you have the honor of being stuck down by me. You'd be wise to drag it out."

Magman narrowed her eyes at the brute. "An honor? To die to you? I see our tribe is every bit as stupid and narrow minded as ever. There's no honor or glory in death. Only death," she said shaking her head. "Obviously leaving was the right call. You've only fallen further and further into stupidity."

Scorch scoffed. "An outcast? Even worse than a weakling. And you would dare talk down to me?" he asked as he raised his sword and moved towards her.

The large metal box on Magman's back started to turn red, and she pushed her glasses up. "I honestly couldn't care less about how this war turns out. But, I can't say I won't feel a certain satisfaction in watching you melt away…"

Scab was angry.

He was angry because he was on babysitting duty. He was angry because he should have been out there righting. And he was angry because Isaac kept tugging his hair. He scowled at the infant as he laughed and yanked away at the handful of locks he'd managed to grab.

This was ridiculous. He knew that Isaac needed to be protected, and Margo had tasked him with it. He couldn't turn down a request from his master, but… it wasn't right. He should have been out there, fighting alongside her. He was easily worth ten times as much as any other demon or nymph on the battlefield.

Anybody could have looked after Isaac. Any of the maids, or servants, or… whoever else besides him! Damn it! The original demon blade himself was out there!

"GAH!"

Scab's eyes went wide. There was a commotion coming from the hallway outside. It sounded like a scuffle. But how? The battle had only just started. The enemy couldn't have breached the castle so quickly. He got up, setting Isaac down before slowly making his way towards the door.

When he opened it, one of the guards fell to the ground in front of him, two slashes on his back. Scab looked up and saw a figure looming over him. "This is where the demon prince is, yes?" En asked, tilting his head. "I'm sorry to do, but I can't control myself. And it's very clear no one here is fit to stop me. I'd suggest giving him up if you don't want to be hurt."

Scab could immediately tell this guy was dangerous. He had the aura of a master swordsman around him. The same one he got off of his father and Queen Margo whenever he saw them get serious. He backed up towards Isaac, who looked confused at the scene unfolding before him.

En sighed. "Listen, I know what you're thinking, and it's very noble of you. But you have no chance of victory or escape. I'm En, The Demon Blade. Well, a former demon blade anyway. The skill gap between us is too wide for you to even hope to overcome. My order was to bring the prince, and so long as I accomplish that I won't have to harm you."

He already felt bad about having to cut down the guards outside. He didn't want to have to cut down a child as well. This boy didn't even look old enough to drink. He wouldn't hold it against him to flee and save-

"This is perfect." En hummed and looked back down at Scab. To his surprise, the boy had a rather intense gaze in his eyes. He drew both of his swords, getting into a frightening stance. "A former demon blade. What better way to gauge just how far I am from my goal."

En raised an eyebrow. "Oh…?"

"I am Scab Brimstone, the next demon blade, and the sworn protector of Isaac Lucitor. I am going to be the one to cut you down and return you back to the grave…"

En hummed. Was this kid just blowing smoke? No, he got a feeling he was different from the guards outside. He might have been younger, but he was… hungrier. That was the best word he could think of. "Very well Scrab Brimstone, allow me to show you just how high the peak you aim for is…"

Isaac laughed and clapped his hands as he watched the two face off.

A/N: We're starting off with the battle in the Underworld! Higgs and Margo are squaring up with the OG Demon Blade himself! And Breeze is ready to tangle with a beast of a fire nymph! Topaz and Cole have to deal with a lost love, and Elder Crisp and the others are gonna have to do something about Bang before he blows up the whole place! There's Scorch dealing with Magman, and Scab getting ready to prove himself against an old demon blade!

Fights are going down everywhere! Everybody is fittin' to throw hands!