Chapter 23: Heaven's Wrath. Behold the Knights of Glory
"I don't plan to give in so easily, Asmodeus… I have one more trick up my sleeve. I activate Monster Reincarnation. This brings Dark Knight Soul back to my mind. Then, I activate another Polymerization, fusing Dark Knight Soul, Hard Armor, Fiend Sword, and Cursed Shield."
Three objects appeared on the field: a suit of armor, a large sword, and a black shield. They fused together when a blue fire incorporated itself into the armor.
"Arise, Wicked Knight Dullahan!"
The armor came to life. Flesh formed beneath the armor and red eyes glowed through the helm.
"Dullahan, attack with Wicked Breaker."
Dullahan lifted his enormous fiend sword and charged at Asmodeus.
"Dullahan has an infinite attack, so when you go, you go."
"…grr…"
Asmodeus lifted his arm and blocked Dullahan's attack! Dullahan flew backwards and landed on his feet next to Bann.
"What? What happened?"
"I am the Lord of Hell. I will not be downed by such a weak attack. Nessus blocks all effects that target me."
"No…"
"Too bad for your Dullahan."
"I cast a spell and end my turn."
"Good…" Asmodeus said as he spread his wings and lifted his arm again. He brought it down on Dullahan, but Dullahan countered! He lifted his blade to protect himself, fending off Asmodeus attack.
"I activate Last Clash. This spell makes Dullahan your equal for the turn, but you won't be destroyed in battle."
"You protect your life, but you lose your knight."
Dullahan's armor vanished, but he didn't disappear. The remains of his soul transformed into a red demon.
"Meet Hellion Dullahan, the true form of the Wicked Knight. Oh, and guess what. He is far more powerful than you now, Asmodeus!"
"I knew you had it in you."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"Look at the Cree you just summoned. A demon, far stronger than me. Cree is the reflection of the soul, and if Dullahan is a powerful demon, then you are as well!"
Bann's eyes widened. He dropped to his knees in shock. What had he done? Dullahan roared. He became uncontrollable and struck Asmodeus' chest with his own claws, releasing a pool of devil blood and obliterating Asmodeus' body. The pit of Nessus vanished. They returned to the tower.
"Is it over? We won?" Recks asked.
"Not quite…" Jigen started.
"What do you…"
"Look," Tiamat pointed to the sky.
Hellion Dullahan flew overhead. He let out bursts of energy, destroying buildings and igniting everything in his path.
"We beat one demon, just to unleash a stronger one."
"Yin… and yang… We are unbalanced. Each time we destroy evil, it just proves we are more powerful, so more powerful evil awakens."
"I don't think I can beat that thing. I am out of powerful Cree…"
"Can't we help you?"
"No, this is still part of the shadow game with Judis. I have to beat that thing on my own, but without any Cree to help me, its useless."
"…Then take ours…" Zakei said. "Dark Magician, I transfer you to Bann's soul."
The spirit of Dark Magician rose from Zakei and vanished.
"Whoa, we can do that?" Morgen jumped back in shock.
"Go, Armed Dragon."
"And I send Dimension Warrior."
"Go Giant Rex."
They all turned and looked at Morgen.
"What? Oh, fine. I send you Masaki the Legendary Swordsman."
"Thank you all," Bann said and turned toward Dullahan.
"Wait Bann," Zakei said reaching into his pocket. 'B for Bann.'
"What is it?"
"This, catch. Rooko told me to give this to you." He took out the crest and passed it to Bann.
"Knight's Title. Alright, my turn. Prepare to go down, Dullahan. I activate Black Magic Curtain, Special Summoning Dark Magician. Then I cast one spell and end my turn."
Dullahan turned toward Bann. He saw Dark Magician and understood. Dullahan spread his wings, lifted his head into the sky, roared, and let out a burst of energy. Then he looked down at Dark Magician and shot another attack. Dark Magician was destroyed, but Bann took no damage since the Magician was in Defense Position.
"My turn. I activate Holy Rebirth. I have to destroy a Cree, but I can then summon a Cree destroyed during the previous turn. Return Dark Magician. Then, I activate Level Tuning, Special Summoning the Armed Dragon whose soul I traded for Dark Magician's. For my next trick, I activate Level Up, raising him into his ultimate level. Then, I activate Call to Arms, Special Summoning Masaki and Dimensional Warrior. Then, I summon Giant Rex."
All the Cree his friends had given him were now on the field, ready to take down Dullahan.
"Finally, I use Knight's Title." Bann lifted the small crest between his thumb and index finger.
The clouds above parted and light struck the five monsters. They all transformed in the light, changing into five spectacular knights.
"Meet the Knights of Glory: Dark Magician Knight, Armed Knight, D.D. Knight, Gallant Knight Rex, and Masaki the Legendary Knight! Now, Dark Magician Knight, use your Special Ability to destroy one of Dullahan's souls."
Dark Magician Knight jumped into the air and struck Dullahan with his sword, cutting him clear in half, but the red behemoth reformed himself.
"Masaki, take out another of Dullahan's souls."
Masaki did the same as Dark Magician Knight, striking Dullahan, who reformed himself again.
"Next, I'll have Gallant Knight Rex take out another soul. I activate Rush Recklessly!"
Gallant Knight Rex also struck Dullahan, leaving him paralyzed.
"Armed Knight, finish him!"
Armed Knight lifted his sword into the air. Lightning shot out of the blade and hit the clouds above. Then lightning struck Dullahan, breaking his body apart into millions of disintegrating pieces. Within, Judis' body lay unconscious.
"This ends now… D.D. Knight, strike Judis' soul and end this duel."
D.D. Knight vanished and reappeared in front of Judis. He pulled out his sword and plunged it into Judis' heart.
Bann collapsed. The duel was finally over. Hellion Dullahan was destroyed along with the Lords of the Nine. Judis was defeated and the city was safe. Bann could finally rest…
Next time on City of Fire: In Her Majesties' Services