PART VII

Satan in a Pinch and a Deadly Duel

Satan, Avatar of Wrath was reading in his room. Engrossed in his book, he did not notice anything around him until an explosion near the House of Lamentation shook the whole House. Dropping his book in shock, he ran out of his room and opened the double doors at the Entrance Hall. Before him was a magical barrier Barbatos had put up to secure Satan inside the House. Peering through the barrier, Satan saw that the explosion had come from the Forest. It was in flames. Within the flaming forest, a huge mass of Dark Energy had formed. A sense of unease slowly came over Satan as he looked at the Dark Energy mass. He knew he had to go there but he was under House Arrest. If he disobeyed Lord Diavolo by leaving the House, Lord Diavolo would be furious. His punishment for Satan's disobedience would not be as lenient. Fighting with his conflicting thoughts, he made a decision. He must go to the Forest. The Dark Energy there cannot be ignored. Transforming into demon form, he deactivated the magical barrier and went toward the Forest. Upon entering the forest, he first put out the fire with his powers.

Once the Forest was no longer burning, he went deeper into the forest before he sensed a Dark Trap. Before the Trap could activate, he called on his powers and deactivated it. As the Trap deactivated, a figure materialized before him in a cloud of Dark Mist. When the Mist cleared, Satan was once again facing his Dark Twin, the same person who had abducted Kagura and the one who had killed him when he was in the human world. He was not alone, behind him appeared twenty of the dead humans that had no souls. They were the same undead wraiths he encountered when he was in the human world.

"My Dark Brothers were right. You were indeed resurrected, but no matter. I killed you once. I can kill you again. This time we'll play fair. Once you've been taken care of, I'm going after the girl again. My Master wants her, and this time, she won't escape."

Satan froze when he heard his Dark Twin's plan. He's going after Kagura again. However, this time, I'll make sure he doesn't succeed. I will protect her. In a cold voice, Satan said, "You will not touch her. If you want her, you're going to have to go through me. I will protect her."

"So be it," his Dark Twin said, just as coldly.

Turning to the undead wraiths, Satan's Dark Twin commanded, "Soldiers of Darkness heed my command, eliminate this one for our Master!"

In unison, the undead wraiths surrounded Satan. He knew that he was outnumbered, but his pride as one of the most powerful demons in the Devildom boosted his determination. Satan's promise to Kagura also made him determined to destroy the wraiths including his Dark Twin no matter the odds. With these thoughts running through his mind, Satan released all his powers and attacked the wraiths. He already had experience battling these things and also knew of the danger it would have on him. The wraiths were undead. That meant the more he destroyed, more would revive. The only way to destroy them permanently was to destroy his Dark Twin. However, Satan was kept busy by the wraiths and could not get to his Dark Twin. He needed to come up with a plan and fast. If he continued with the wraiths, his powers would get drained. That was something he dared not risk. So what could he do? After thinking about it for a bit, Satan suddenly knew what to do. He could subdue them like what he did to the Cerberus in one of Levi's games. With that in mind he cast the Subduing spell, "Espirimus Paratis! Subdue!" After the spell was cast, the ground shook and trembled around the wraiths forcing the wraiths to their knees, restraining them in seconds.

Satan's Dark Twin couldn't believe it. Satan had subdued his Soldiers of Darkness. "You'll pay for that," he said in a cold voice, releasing his own Dark Powers. Before Satan could say or do anything, a Web of Dark Energy suddenly entrapped him. The next thing he knew, a million volts of electricity went through his body electrocuting him and he collapsed to his knees. Seconds later, a demon binding circle surrounded Satan once again. He was bound, his demon powers sealed once again.

With a cruel smile, Satan's Dark Twin said, "You're trapped once more Avatar of Wrath. Before I destroy you once and for all, I'm going to play with you some more until you beg for your life."

Despite his pain and injuries, Satan was not about to give up. He had promised to protect Kagura no matter what. Forcing himself up despite being bound, Satan said coldly, "Do your worst. I'll never give in no matter what you do. I am one of the Seven Lords of the Devildom and will not be easily defeated."

Satan's Dark Twin gave a cold smile, "Then I will torture you some more until you give in." With that said, he started to chant another Dark spell. As the chant echoed throughout the Forest, a Dark Aura slowly formed around him. As it expanded, two bolts of Dark Lightning formed around his body increasing in size until the bolts sizzled with Dark Energy. In the next instant, Satan's Dark Twin blasted the bolts right at Satan. As they hit, Satan's whole body felt as if a thousand daggers had impaled him, and he collapsed once more forcing the Darkness at bay. If he gave in to the Darkness, all would be lost. He must stay conscious no matter what for Kagura's sake.

Gasping from the pain, Satan said, "What did you do to me?"

"You are a stubborn one, but no matter. You are already weakened so I'll humor you by answering your question before I destroy you. That was a little something my Master taught me. I am not the only one who is able to cast that spell. My Dark Brothers can cast it too. The spell is called Demonbane. It is potent enough to mortally wound demons. At full power, it can destroy them. I only used half its power so you're still alive. But the next time I attack, you won't be so lucky. Once you're destroyed, I can capture the girl. My Master is waiting. Goodbye forever, Satan, Avatar of Wrath." With a victorious smile, Satan's Dark Twin activated Demonbane once more…