Both Chandler and Cusack had just combined into the Original Demon. This new Demon was completely different from the two hired Demons that Ragnar and the others had been battling.
Below its torso, instead of human legs, he had the body of a beast. From the waist up, he was a man in heavy armour with a long white beard. However, he had an extra pair of arms. He held Cusack's twin blades; in another, he held Chandler's staff, and on his final arm, he carried a shield. Over his head, he wore a helmet which covered his eyes, and blue flames erupted from the top.
"The halves of the sinner are reunited," he said. "I am the Original Demon."
The transformation blew away Chandler's darkness around the castle and blew up a massive portion of it in the process. Eret had managed to protect Ragnar with his body, and even he was shocked by what he had witnessed.
"No way, he eradicated the field of darkness by Meliodas and the Commandment," said Ragnar. "So what were seen as their true form."
Everyone, even Zeldris, looked upon the Original Demon in shock even by looking at and they could see that he was extremely powerful.
"We're done for; there's no way we can win now," said Ragnar.
The Original Demon didn't waste any time and immediately attacked them, and Eret immediately began to engage him. However, with his powers waning and the fact that the sun was now covered, it took everything he had just to hold him off.
Eret swung his greatsword at the Original Demon, who quickly used his shield to block his attacks easily. The two of them then began trading blows with their blades, but the Original Demon had an extra pair of arms and easily knocked Eret back using his staff.
"How disappointing," he said, looking at Eret. "Passed the peak of the noon; this is all the power you can muster."
"I may not be as strong as I was, but don't think I'm just gonna roll over," said Eret and created a miniature son in his palm. "Cruel Sun!"
He then tossed the miniature sun straight at the Original Demon, but he was able to block it with his shield.
Ragnar then hovered next to Eret. "All we can do right now is hope that Fishlegs and the others join us here as soon as possible. We must hold out until then."
"We'll do more than just hold out," said Eret raising his sword.
"Oh, don't put on airs; the certainty of your deaths is already a settled matter," said the Original Demon. "And none of your friends will make it in time."
"Exterminate Ray!" Ragnar yelled, firing a beam of magical power straight at him.
The Original Demon opened his mouth, and a beam of magic shot out of it, clashing with Ragnar's attack. His attack overpowered Ragnar's spell sending him flying backwards into a nearby tower.
Eret then immediately jumped into action, but the Original Demon jumped in front of him and hit him with his back feet.
"The first Sin is down," he smiled but then sensed something powerful heading his way. "What's that? Something enormous is flying in fast from a distance."
He then saw heading straight towards him was Chastiefol in its original form. He quickly raised his shield just in time to block it, but the sheer power behind it nearly overpowered him.
"Is that Fishlegs' Chastiefol?" said Ragnar as his eyes fell upon the spear.
"If it is, then where is he?" Eret asked, looking around.
"It's likely an attack that is controlled remotely," Ragnar theorised. "Did you master the true power of the Fairy King?"
"It's the Seven Deadly Sins," said Zeldris looking towards the North. "The distance is unclear, but multiple immense magical powers are headed in this direction from the North."
Sure enough, Astrid and the rest of their group were making their way as quickly as they could towards Xeovell. Fishlegs knew no matter how fast they moved, they wouldn't get there in time, but thankfully he found he could control his weapon remotely from a distance.
'I'm starting to get the hang of this,' said Fishlegs. 'With remote controlling, I can only take one form at a time. Either way, this consumes too much magical power. I need to settle this quickly.'
The Original Demon then used his blades to slice through Chastiefol to pieces. However, it quickly reformed and transformed into its Sunflower Form and towered over the battlefield, must everyone surprise.
"This is bad," said Ragnar, quickly teleporting himself to safety.
"You're mine!" said Fishlegs.
The sunflower then fired a powerful beam down upon the Original Demon; it was so powerful that it blew a good portion of the Kingdom away. Ragnar just had enough time to teleport himself to safety and float Eret up into the air to avoid getting incinerated.
"Such an immense force," said Ragnar.
"He could have given us a bit of warning," said Eret.
Fishelgs, however, sensed that his target was still very much alive. "What? The attack was nullified?"
Some of the smoke began to clear, revealing Zeldris, who somehow managed to neutralise the attack.
"Original Demon, let me take this one on by myself," said Zeldris. "You just focus on the others, crush Eret and Ragnar."
The original Demon then turned his gaze upon Ragnar and Eret and fired a beam from his mouth at them. However, the two of them moved out of the way in time to avoid it, and he then began chasing after them.
Chastiefol then fired a second beam at Zeldris, who quickly took off to avoid it. Chastiefol then turned into its Increase Form, chasing after him.
Gilthunder and Alvin could only watch the battle.
"This battle is intense," said Gilthunder.
"It's only a matter of time before the conflict reaches us," said Alvin. "Gilthunder, I suggest that you escape now."
"What? I object!" he said and looked down at Ludociel, who was still reeling from the memory alterations. "Besides, I can't leave Sapphire behind, especially in this condition."
Ludociel was crying her eyes out. "Mael was alive this whole time. I knew he couldn't be killed off so easily, and certainly not by the impure Demon Clan."
"Sapphire," said Gilthunder softly.
Ludociel rose to her feet and stumbled over to Alvin. "Alvin listen to me; I want you to take me to where Mael is."
"Lord Ludociel?" Alvin stared.
"Please," she begged. "The shock from this realisation is just too great! I'm unable to fly or walk. Pathetic, right? Go ahead and laugh at me, but please, I'm begging you."
"You poor soul," said Alvin and then placed his hand on her head. "Purge!"
Light then began to cover both Alvin and Ludociel as he channelled as much magic as he could. Ludociel was then separated from Sapphire's body, and both of them lost consciousness.
"Sapphire!" Gilthunder cried, catching her. He then turned and looked at Ludociel, who was flat on the ground. "Is that a man with wings? Did you separate him from Sapphire's body? So this is the real form of Ludociel? One of the Four Archangels."
"Purge isn't simply a technique simply used to destroy evil," Alvin explained. "It can also eliminate impurities from muddy water and turn it fresh once again. If his real form hadn't deteriorated to this degree, this wouldn't have been possible. He would have been too weary of me and stayed away if things haven't gone well, that is."
"Alvin, you devoted yourself to Ludociel from the start?" Gilthunder frowned. "Was this because you planned to do this all along?"
"It would seem my all-for-nothing bet worked out," Alvin noted. "Now take Princess Sapphire and get away from here."
"And what will you do?"
"I will stay here; I've committed far too many sins. After murdering your father, I went so far as to imprison you and Princess Sapphire, causing you further suffering." He then turned his head to Ludociel. "Besides, I just can't leave him like this."
Gilthunder just stared at him, speechless.
Alvin looked back at him and smiled. "Before we part, I have a message for you from your father. 'I will always watch over you, son.' Now go."
Gilthunder began to cry and rose to his feet with Sapphire in his arms. He then used his magical power to launch himself into the air, putting much distance away from the battle as possible.
Ludociel then began to regain consciousness. "Alvin, how dare you to deceive me, you traitor!"
"I've prepared myself," said Alvin turning to face him. "Ludociel, please allow me to service your vessel into my life and soul are exhausted. I do not have any fear of death. That is an asset, one that shall allow you to use your full power to your heart's content."
Ludociel rose to his feet and approached him.
'This is goodbye, Calder,' said Alvin thinking of his friend.
Meanwhile, the battle was still raging on, and Zeldris was currently being chased by Chastiefol.
"Don't bother with useless resistance," said Zeldris. "You have no chance of beating me!"
He then swung his sword, deflecting Chastiefol, but then it transformed into its Guardian form. And then quickly punched Zeldris and then continued to bombard him with powerful fists.
"You think this is useless, resistance?" said Fishlegs.
Zeldris had been knocked back but quickly recovered. "They should realise any moment now that they're not the only ones who were heading towards this location."
Fishlegs then sensed a powerful ahead of them. "What?"
The others to sensed this powerful presence as well.
"Hey, Ruby, do you sense it too?" Heather asked.
"A presence that advancing far ahead of us? What could it be?" Ruby wandered.
"No way," said Mael.
"What is it, Mael?" Astrid asked.
"Zeldris must have anticipated all of this happening since the very beginning. How in the abyss of madness I would—no, Estraossa would collect everything he couldn't take it in. Until is unavoidable self-destruction."
"You're saying the powerful presence heading this way is the four Commandments that left Mael?" said Ruby, stunned.
"Commandment increase their power as they draw closer and gather in one place," Mael explained. "They even have the capacity to form an ego. They are drawn to one another for a powerful level of attraction. Meliodas should be taking in five Commandments in Xeovell at this very moment. Based on these factors, I cannot think of another place that the Commandment could be headed."
"That is very bad," said Toothless.
"I just finished tangling with one Demon King, and now we're up against another?" Luna moaned.
"Can we stop it?" Ruby asked.
Mael shook his head. "There's no way."
"How could that be? If all the Commandments come together, Meliodas will really become the Demon King?"
"Then we don't have to worry; Ragnar has Melascula's Commandment; they can't all come together," Heather pointed out.
"Except the attraction of nine Commandments might be enough to attract the Commandment that Ragnar is currently holding in his possession," said Astrid.
Mael nodded. "It's too late."
At Xeovell, Ragnar noticed that the vile holding Melascula began to glow and began to move on its own.
'Melascula's test tube is moving on its own?' he said, stunned that he watched in horror as it began to crack. 'No, the Commandment is resonating with something!'
The test tube then broke, freeing Melascula, but if that wasn't bad enough, the Commandment shot out of her mouth. Her tiny body then went limp and fell to the ground, and the Commandment began flying up towards the sky.
The Commandment then joined up with the other four Commandments that Mael had released, and they began flying towards the cocoon.
"They're finally here," said Zeldris. 'It's almost time, Gelda.'
"Bear witness to the birth of our new Demon King!" the Original Demon roared.
All five of the Commandments then entered the cocoon, and Zeldris smiled at the triumph.
"We're too late," said Fishlegs.
"This is the worst-case scenario, isn't it?" said Eret approaching Ragnar.
"I'm not ready to give up yet," said Ragnar, then held his staff up and began chanting in an ancient tongue.
"What spell is that?" Eret asked curiously.
Suddenly appearing above Ragnar and in front of the cocoon was some kind of clock. Upon seeing this, both Zeldris and the Original Demon actually looked terrified.
"It can't be," said the Original Demon.
"No way," said Zeldris.
"The forbidden spell Chrono Coffin."
"Is he trying to suspend the cocoon in time?" Zeldris roared and then dashed towards Ragnar. "I won't let him!"
The Original Demon charged towards Ragnar and tried to strike him down with his blades. However, Eret quickly jumped between them and blocked it with his sword. Zeldris tried to strike Ragnar as well, but he was stopped by Chastiefol.
"Eret… Fishlegs… I need you!" said Ragnar. "Help me! Just please keep me guarded for 12 minutes!"
Both Ludociel and Alvin watched as the battle took place.
"Everything is over," said Ludociel.
"Not just yet, Sir Ragnar will surely find a way to—"
"Interesting," said Ludociel. "I'm surprised that man has the ability to stop time. It is clear that he will be killed before he has time to complete the spell."
Eret was battling with the Original Demon with all his strength but was being overwhelmed. Due to lack of sunlight, Eret no longer has the strength left to stop the Original Demon."
Chastiefol had just changed from its Increase Form to its Guardian Form. It then began pelting Zeldris with an onslaught of fists, but Zeldris was able to battle with it on equal ground.
"The practitioner remotely controlling that Spirit Spear possesses great ability, no doubt, but stopping the attacks of those two monsters is a next-to-impossible deed."
He then turned his gaze upon the cocoon. "And if Meliodas awakens as the Demon King, our defeated is simply a matter of procedure."
"Don't talk like that," said Alvin. "How can you be so fainthearted, Lord Ludociel. I was told that the Angel Clan encouraged and guided humans 3,000 years ago. That they showed great perseverance and will!"
"Yes, we were admired by humans and received their faith, and I let that get to my head," he admitted. "I, Ludociel, became too confident and arrogant, thinking of others as nothing but pawns. However, everything that we did was to win the Holy War. Nevertheless, there were those like you among the humans, turncoats that shows to flip sides and leave me behind."
"Listen, I'm sorry, but I needed to save those two by any means possible. The way I see it, this is my atonement, my penance for toying with their fates."
"Huh, from such great heights, I've fallen to self-ruin. I became as ecstatic as a child that had been given a neutral way. Simply because I found out that there were those who were still devoted to me."
Alvin then toppled over from exhaustion, and Ludociel showed some concern by reaching out to him. Alvin was a little surprised, as was Ludociel himself, as he quickly pulled back his hand.
"Count me among them," said Alvin after any awkward silence. "I still respect and worship you without hesitation."
"That's enough of your lies; I won't be fooled again," said Ludociel.
"For the Druids, myself included, the Angle Clan is dogma. You are the divine, and above all, you try to guide us to victory with utmost effort. Well, I do get disappointed, to be honest. It's true the way that you treated Gil, and Princess Sapphire was atrocious, as you freely admitted yourself. Nonetheless, that panic state you are in realising your brother was alive, I admit I couldn't help but laugh."
"Bastard!" Ludociel glared, clearly embarrassed. "Cease this! You're speaking too straightforwardly!"
Alvin just smiled. "Don't be angry; such moments may be like you all the more. Finding out that you're just like us. Divine yet human imperfect being."
"Sorry, but I'm not into that kind of thing."
Alvin frowned and quickly realised what he was getting at. "Oh, not to worry. I'm not, either. In any case, I urge you to please hurry and use me as your vessel. Not simply as a Druid who worships you, but as a dear friend… please."
Ludociel approached him and raised his hand. "Then brace yourself."
Alvin braced himself, ready to become his vessel.
"Be vigorous," said Ludociel and healed Alvin's wounds.
Alvin stared at him in shock as he turned his back on him.
"You… you're a soft one that puts others' needs before your own," Ludociel observed.
"I don't understand?" Alvin frowned. "Didn't you just say brace yourself?"
"Don't get carried away with a vessel like yours; I couldn't bring myself to use my full power, that's all."
Alvin then saw a drop of light exiting Ludociel's body. "Once upon a time, I also had a friend. He was a soft one like you, a foolish member of the Angel Clan who threw away his own life for the sake of others. Don't die, Alvin."
Alvin just stared at him, realising that Ludociel had no intention of possessing his body but had every intention of joining the battle.
Eret was still trying to fend off the Original Demon, but he was being overpowered and could barely keep up with his strikes. Chastiefol, too was still battling against Zeldris, keeping him at bay while Ragnar continued his spell.
Eret then fell to his knee, exhausted from the battle.
"It's over," said the Original Demon aiming his staff at him. "Death Drive!"
He then blasted Eret with a powerful blast of magic, sending him flying across the air and making him drop his sword.
"Sir Ragnar!" Eret cried out.
"Eret!" Ragnar yelled.
"Prepare for your death," said the Original Demon swinging his sword down on top of him.
Ragnar braced himself, but the attack never reached him. When he opened his eyes, he saw that Ludociel had blocked the attack using his Ark.
"Finish your magic and complete the spell quickly," said Ludociel. "I can't guarantee that I maintain this state for long without a vessel, but I can guarantee something as small as stalling him."
"Ludociel?" Ragnar stared.
Eret, meanwhile, was still flying through the air, completely powerless.
'I should have seen this coming,' said Eret as he fell. 'The arrogance of a man myself, acting like I could protect anyone. I can't believe how impertinent I was. This life of mine… even if it means giving up this power, I don't care. Someone… anyone… please save my friends…'
"Eret," said a voice. "Who would have thought that this would be the way we reunite."
Eret opened his eyes and discovered that he was now flying as he was now being carried by Mael.
"Could this be the guidance of the Sunshine as well?" said Mael.