Chapter 36 The Darkest Day in the Underworld: Part Two: Despair
Happy New Year everyone hope you enjoy the chapter
Authors Note: All events are happening roughly at the same time.
11:00 in the Morning Approximately 6 Hours Before the Game (Location of the Task Force on Stand-by for the Attack of the Chaos Brigade)
The task force was at the decoy prison where it was leaked that Katerea was being prepared for when the attack would be happening in the coming days.
Approximately twenty-five thousand combined soldiers from Fallen, Devil, and Angels alike.
Their position was hidden under four barriers where the soldiers were patiently waiting.
To make sure their position would not be discovered until the surprise attack was launched all magic no one was to leave said barriers so their magic wouldn't be discovered.
The downside was the troops were isolated unaware of what was happening in the outside world until they were sent a message.
Inside one of the four barriers troops were preparing weapons and running some combat drills.
On the outskirts from inside the barrier, patrols were doing rounds from inside the barrier just checking to make sure the barriers weren't secretly infiltrated.
Two devil soldiers were currently on patrol bored wishing the Khaos Brigade would just attack already so they could be doing something else.
"This is getting boring we have been here for two days and no action," the other Fallen slapped his partner up behind his head, "Weren't you listening the attack is supposed to happen next week."
The Fallen rubbed the back of his head more irritated he was sitting around doing nothing than getting hit.
"I know but just wished something would happen," "Are you boys bored...mind if I play with you," said a boorish voice from behind them.
Before they could register the voice any further they were dead, the Fallen that complained about having nothing to do had a fist run through his back.
While the other had a tail pierce him through the back, both coughed up blood and turned their heads slowly to see a humanoid western dragon with black scales with piercing silver eyes.
The last thought they had was how the hell did something like that get past the barrier.
Their bodies fell limp as they died on the spot, "That's twenty," said Grendel pulling out his tail and fist licking the blood loving the taste of iron.
"That takes care of the patrols now I can slaughter the rest of them," his body starts to grow to its fifteen-meter size as he starts to extend his wings.
Grendel then leaps to the center of the camp landing on two Devils killing them instantly and splattering blood all over another devil who was eating food with his two friends.
The Devil slowly looks up completely stunned as Grendel bites his head off, "That makes twenty-three," blood dripped from his mouth as the devils who could see Grendel were stunned but quickly got over their stupor but those few moments cost the lives of more devils.
Grendel inhales letting out a monstrous breath of fire torching numerous Angels, Fallen, and Devils annihilating them on the spot.
Unfortunately, some did not die on the spot, some suffered horrendous burns but they wouldn't live long.
Grendel started laughing manically enjoying the screams he was hearing.
The troops started to rally to fend off Grendel but they were ants fighting an elephant, spells started flying at him but none were strong enough to even scratch his scales.
With every foe, Grendel struck their bodies splattered like flies getting swatted, and blood and gore littered the battlefield.
After no more than ten minutes the army was destroyed with only one survivor remaining as he tried to crawl away with one of his legs missing.
"You won't get away with this wee...have thousands of troops on standby," Grendel was slowly stalking toward the lone survivor as the encampment was engulfed in flames.
Grendel's glowing silver eyes sent terror down the Fallen's soul, Grendel started smiling a sickening toothy grin that sent utter fear into his, Grendel saw the fear in the Fallen's face which brought utter joy to his face.
Grendel then placed his massive claw on the Fallen's chest, "No one is coming I personally made sure of it."
Grendel pressed his claw slowly into the Fallen's to see the life fade from his eyes, the Fallen's screams didn't last long as his internal organs were ruptured.
"You seem to be having fun Grendel," Grendel removed his claw licking off the blood, "Oh it's you, Black, I need more...I'm not nearly satisfied enough."
The blood-crazed look in Grendel's silver eyes showed he was eager to slaughter more people, Black looked over the destruction caused by the evil Dragon.
"Yea I see that," replied Black kicking away a severed hand, "But I'm going to need you to settle down. So reign it black unless," Black then cracked his ring finger, "You want to dance."
It was Black's unwanted job of keeping Grendel and the other guy in check even though in the next few hours thousands were about to die, Grendel humphed as his body shrunk.
He then slammed his fist into the ground, "Fuck you, I'm tired of all this waiting," Grendel then found his face eating the blood-ridden ground.
"Kill who you want but stick to the plan," said Black shoving Grendel's face in the dirt under his raven dress shoes.
Grendel didn't bother trying to resist the gap between their power was incomparable, "Fine…I get it just get off," Black sighed he really didn't wanna babysit these two, especially Grendel.
"Good now get your ass to the forces that will be attacking the prison," Grendel cautiously rose to his feet then backed away to leave before he got into trouble again.
The Arena
The arena was silent, some were confused if this was a part of the program, "Is this part of the game," "I don't know they already did the countdown for the game so I don't understand why another intermission."
This was the common thought process among those present unable to discern who this individual truly was.
"So many unclean spirits gathered here today," said the man as his head slowly rose with his hands coming apart at a similar speed.
"It seems I must clean this area before I look for," "Who are you," says Sirzechs, "You are trespassing."
The man's reptilian eyes roll upward to Sirzech's, from his position in the stadium Sirzechs felt weird magic forming but before he could act the spell activated.
"Red hair but you aren't the one I am looking for," the man then turned his attention from Sirzech's scanning the stadium and searching for Anos.
"You must be a fool coming here alone," Sirzechs silently ordered his peerage to help with clearing the stadium.
Operations had already begun the moment he made his way onto the arena but with his peerage's help, it should start going more smoothly.
"Alone," questioned the man with an impassive look, "seems he's not here how unfortunate but if I threaten to kill you he might show himself."
Sirzechs flared his aura threateningly if he stretched it any further he might injure the devils trying to escape, "You dare threaten one of the Four," suddenly from the city of Lilith some miles away a bright golden light engulfed the entire city.
Even though they were miles away from the city, the majestic golden glow was bright enough that many even Sirzechs had to squint their eyes.
Once the light died down allowing Sirzech to reopen his eyes, he felt a wave of terror washes over him, the city of Lilith was gone reduced to rubble like a nuclear bomb was dropped.
The buildings, the people, and the trees all reduced to ash in a mere instant nothing fire and burnt dirt littered where the city was.
Sirzech felt a powerful aura being released but the moment it was sensed it was too late.
Before he could process that information any further multiple teleportation circles activated in the stadium, as devils from the Old Satan Faction started pouring through killing people everywhere they went.
Two many events were happening at once but the one thing Sirzechs should have been focusing open appeared right in front of him, "Where can I find the one they call Anos," the man then punched Sirzechs in the chest sending him hurdling through the sky miles away from the stadium.
The man extends a pair of draconic wings soaring at high speeds after Sirzechs.
Unable and unprepared for the attack Sirzech was unable to gather his bearings flying all the way to the next city crashing through numerous buildings.
His fall is finally halted as he crashes into the ground creating enormous shock waves, the devils in the crater look into the meter-deep crater as the dust clears revealing Sirzech coughing up blood as his armor falls to the ground shattered into pieces.
"Your majesty are you alright," screamed all of them in terror, Sirzechs was the strongest devil to ever live with Ajuka being the only one to rival him in strength.
"Get out of here," frantically screamed Sirzech the crowd started to disperse but it was too late as the man landed next to a devil woman, landing with a monstrous crash the surrounding devils were sent flying.
"Bring your brother to me and," he then turned to the woman to his right as his shadow blew off her head splattering her blood on another devil, "I may be inclined to let the devils here live?"
He needed to buy time for his people to escape the area so he just needed to keep him talking and keep the battle contained here.
"You know who I am but I don't know who you are," to Sirzech's stupor the man renders Sirzechs a bow, "Oh where are my manners but I am sure even you may have heard of me."
Sirzechs raised an eyebrow as he started casting healing magic, he wasn't too good but anything helped.
"Long ago I was called the Nemesis of Ra," now that phrase sounded familiar from his history classes and it belonged to a very powerful and dangerous evil dragon and if the hint he just gave Sirzechs was true he was in for the fight of his life.
"But my true name is Apophis the Eclipse Dragon," at this revelation Apophis eyes turned black as a black primal aura erupted from his body.
From Sirzech's knowledge, Apophis was an Evil Dragon who was the arch-enemy of The Sun god Ra who was the strongest god in the Egyptian pantheon.
Their feud started when Apophis tried to drink from creation that flowed into the Nile which was the reason why the region used to be rich with magic.
Their battles are the reason why most of Egypt will remain desert, "Judging by that expression you know who I am," "I do but you are supposed to be dead," "True I was but I am very much alive now."
Sirzechs now moderately healed stood to his feet, tossing off the rest of his shattered armor, this brief introduction didn't even allow a fraction of the people to escape the area, even so, some people were ignorant of the events happening who certainly wouldn't be able to escape.
"Devils are evil creatures who deserve to be removed from this world, with that being said I don't like the murdering of innocents so I will grant you an offer bring me your brother and I won't kill every devil here and I won't be as merciful as my friend earlier."
Sirzech's aura flared evaporating even the ground he was standing on as he started floating, "Ohhh you're just as powerful as he described just how many can you save before I kill them King of Devils?"
Sirzechs and Apophis fly at each other, and dark shadow-like magic envelops Apophis's hand as the power of destruction envelops Sirzech's hand.
As their fist collided the crater Sirzechs was in expanded to three times its original size causing more buildings to collapse but luckily no one was inside.
"Impressive Devil King seems the estimation the young master gave about your power was not exaggerated," Apophis slaps away his hand grabbing Sirzechs by the throat.
"But if you want to stop me you will need to do better than that," Apophis then threw Sirzechs but this time he was able to recover and threw a red orb at Apophis after flipping in the air landing on his feet.
Apophis attempts to slap the orb away but it expands into a barrier trapping him inside.
"Do you really think this will be able to hold me," says Apophis with a shake of his head, "It doesn't have to," corrects Sirzechs as the power of destruction detonates inside the barrier enveloping Apophis.
Sirzechs doesn't stop there as he continues to pour even more magic inside the barrier, he is using so much magic that if a god was trapped inside their life would be in danger.
"Good even if he isn't dead he should be critically injured from my knowledge Apophis level of strength was just above the dragon kings. This will be troublesome but I can bring him down," thought Sirzechs.
With that being said Sirzechs miscalculated Apophis level of strength, as Apophis's aura destroys the barrier revealing his body with not even a scratch on it.
Surprised by this Sirzechs can only look on in surprise, "That might have worked on my former self but I'm not the same dragon I was," Apophis body then vanishes, and pain assaults Sirzech's face as he flies across the ground.
Apophis then kicks Sirzechs sending him flying into the air, Apophis reappears above him punching him into a building.
Sirzechs coughs up blood as he clutches his stomach feeling his broken ribs. "Oh my gosh King Lucifer are you alright," says a woman attempting to help him to his feet, a dark light then casts an ominous light in the room office.
Sirzechs grabs the woman to protect her and at the same time notices that there are other people in the office but it is too late to save them as the building is leveled killing them instantly.
Sirzechs protected the one woman by encasing them both in a barrier, as the dust cleared, Sirzechs could see the full damage of Apophis attack.
Black flames riddled the area along with hundreds of devil corpses, some were crushed by falling debris and some burnt to a crisp.
Sirzechs then turned his attention to the sky looking up to see a Black Eastern Dragon over a hundred meters in length and terms of size he was second only to the World Serpent.
Apophis with a single blast of his fire had destroyed three city blocks killing hundreds of people, "All of this could have been avoided if you would just give in to my demands."
Sirzechs then felt something sharp pierce his back he turned his head to see the woman's shadow twisted into a black spear perching through her back into his. "My Lord please help me I don't want to die please," says the woman but it is already too late as she falls limp.
"You are supposed to be their protector but you can't save anyone you are a failure and after I have killed you, your brother is next."
Suddenly a massive pressure assaulted Apophis as he instinctively flew a few feet back, "What is this pressure that I am feeling, is it coming from Sirzechs," thought Apophis.
With a shadow cast over Sirzech's face, he grabbed the shadow-shaped spear shattering it into pieces, he then caught the woman before she could fall on the ground setting her down softly wiping off the dirt on her cheek.
"I failed to save you but I will be avenging not just you but all the lives lost starting now."
Proper usage of aura allows one of many positive applications such as a type of armor and boosting your physical abilities, users can also add certain attributes to aura for different magical effects as well.
Sirzechs was one of the rare devils who mastered aura achieving a new level of power that made him nearly invincible on par with Hades god of the underworld among the top ten strongest gods in the world.
Suddenly the entire underworld started shaking as an earthquake that was so powerful surged it could be felt from the far reaches of the underworld tarting with Sirzechs at the epicenter.
The wind started to swirl around him stirring up dust and then as suddenly as flipping a light switch there was a massive flash of red. After the flash was gone there was a five-meter circular dent in the ground with Sirzechs in the center.
He had turned himself into the living embodiment of the destruction, this was the power that drove the Old-Satan Faction to the far reaches of the Underworld. This power was ultimate and would grow without restriction increasing its destructive power.
This was the power that was keeping the gods who wanted to eradicate the devils back and with this power, Sirzechs would avenge the people Apophis just killed, "Prepare yourself Apophis I am coming for you."
The Arena
Seconds, after Sirzechs was ejected from the arena chaos, transpired in the Clloseum Grayfia sprung into action, she wanted to go help her king but she needed to protect their people.
Without a word, the strongest peerage in the Underworld descended into the Colosseum, thankfully three of the Satans were at the Colosseum and the second strongest devil in existence descended on the battlefield firing off numerous spells with pinpoint accuracy not injuring a single civilian.
Ajuka landed next to Grayfia and just like Sirzech he was not able to go full out unless he wanted to injure the very people he was trying to protect, "What's the situation so far," asked Ajuka killing multiple devils, "Chaotic we can't protect them all, where is the taskforce we could use their support," "I just spoke with Azazel he is going to get them."
Sairaorg and Seekvaira along with their peerages ran toward Ajuka while fighting devils along the way, "King Beelzebub we await your orders," Ajuka looked around trying to decide which objective to give. Have them help with evacuating the civilians or help in the fight, he would have chosen to keep them out of this fight since the task force was on the way but unfortunately, that decision was about to be made for him.
A communication circle appeared next to his ear, it was Azazel supplying him with terrible news, "Have you tried contacting Michael or anyone from heaven," but that answer was even more dreadful.
Whatever forces that were in the city of Lilith were gone, along with all communication to heaven, any time used to gather forces would allow more time for the enemy to continue their invasion.
"Tell Falbium to drop what he is doing and get over here," "That's the thing Serafall is here with me and she has been trying to contact him and she isn't getting through."
Ajuka was getting a massive migraine this was all executed too perfectly they were spread thin with no one to help, "King Beelzebub I can't stand idly by while innocents are dying, how can we help," said Athena floating down with Artemis falling past her, their protection detail was also escorting them down.
"I would have told you to stay with your protection detail but we are currently undermanned at the moment, I don't know who is fighting Sirzechs but we need his help," Athena put up her hand she understood what he asking.
"Say nothing further I understand and Artemis has determined the identity of the individual, Apophis the Eclipse Dragon," Ajuka deciding that now isn't the time to question it just nodded.
"Take Grayfia with you," Grayfia was worried about her King's safety but also as her husband, Sirzechs was at the pinnacle of power for devils, to see him get struck as that hurt her in a way she didn't know she could.
"I think I should," Grayfia started but Ajuka didn't have time, "I can take care of things here now go," Ajuka then turned to Sairaorg and Seekvaira ending their conversation.
As Athena, Artemis, and Grayfia set out to help Sirzech, "You two," said Ajuka starting with Sairaorg and Seekvaira, "Help with the evacuation then help with pushing the enemy back."
They nodded and set out to help the nearest people, "Next all," then Ajuka paused as a powerful earthquake erupted nearly causing Ajuka to fall over, "Sirzechs what is happening over there that is causing you to use this power."
There was a flash of red from the direction Sirzechs flew to, turning back to the protection detail he saw worry on the faces of the lower ranks while Baraqiel and Parisa kept a calm demeanor although he could see sweat pooling on their foreheads.
If things couldn't get even more troublesome more magic circles started appearing outside the arena all the way into the town.
"Protect the town and defeat the enemy if you can," they were twenty up against an unknown number of enemy forces that were increasing.
Luckily one of them was a powerful Fallen Angel, "Parisa any guards you find fighting let them know by the order of the Great Devil King Ajuka Beelzebub you have assumed temporary authority over them."
Ajuka earned a strange look from the devils attached to the group but that silent judgment didn't go any further, "Understood my Lord, we will not fail you," they flew away.
"Baraqiel can you go to the Grigori and muster some troops," "Yes I will hurry back as fast as I can," Baraqiel activated a teleportation circle and vanished in a golden light.
Ajuka turned his attention to the stage as three powerful devils just teleported in, Creuserey and Shalba appeared in the arena smiling at the brutality transpiring but Ajuka's attention was pulled toward a man with silver hair tied into a braid in a similar color silver robe.
Unsurprisingly he looked a little like Grayfia, which wasn't surprising to Ajuka since the man in question was her younger brother Euclid Lucifuge.
In terms of strength, he surpassed both of the devil King Descendants next to him and the only reason why he wasn't the one in charge was because his bloodline was created only to serve the house of Lucifer.
Euclid scanned the area he was looking for his sister, he had two jobs the first one was to deal with Ajuka and if he could capture his idiot elder sister.
As a member of Lucifuge, her only purpose for living was to serve their master Rizevim but she chose to fall in love with Sirzechs and have a spawn with him.
"Seems she isn't here how unfortunate welp first things," Euclid said turning his attention toward Ajuka, "Remember you only need to keep him distracted for five minutes then leave the rest to me."
Creuserey and Shalba stiffened, they would rather face Sirzechs because death would be painless but with Ajuka death wouldn't be swift.
Plus they doubted they could keep him distracted for a minute he was a Super Devil whose powers surpassed Rizevim and rivaled Sirzechs.
"Fine just hurry with it, I doubt we can distract him for thirty seconds," said Shalba as thousands of flies started to swarm around.
While Creuserey activated a dark pink magic circle and pointed it to the sky as beams of pink light stuck the heads of devil civilians turning them into his lust slaves as their eyes turned pink.
Ajuka floated in the sky annoyed he was able to block some of the beams but the ones closer to Creuserey successfully stuck the civilians.
From what Anos informed him from Ophis, she gave him both of them one of her snakes making them stronger, with that being said there was still a substantial gap between their strength.
He then glanced a little at Euclid who was chanting some magic spell, "Euclid hasn't moved yet and is focusing on casting a spell," Ajuka then shut one eye, "Kankara," his eye reopened it had turned completely black.
Small symbols started to roll down like the credits at the end of the movie but instead of words, these were mathematical formulas.
Kankara was a spell of his creation and could only be used by him because it turned any spell into a mathematical equation, allowing him to analyze it like an equation, solve it then counter it best possible way.
Doing something like this is a hard process because of the amount of information that flows into the user the moment the spell is activated, plus the equations themselves would take days for any devil to solve which isn't effective in combat.
Although Ajuka was able to analyze all the information almost instantly, the moment an opponent activated a spell it was analyzed with a counter spell already activated.
Ajuka analyzed Euclid, "A magical projection but there is another spell inside the projection a reverse summoning.
If Euclid summons himself I can deal with that when the time arises."
The members of Sirzech's peerage were dealing with the devil soldiers and the civilians under Creuserey's spell, Ajuka then activated fifty magic spells.
A few would be used to support the members of Sirzechs, Sairaorg, and Seekvaira peerages, others would be used to cast barriers on civilians as they escaped and the last would be used to deal with the three devils below him.
Euclid mentally smiled step one was now complete, now it was just up to Creuserey and Shalba to buy him time.
When Azazel ended his call with Ajuka he really wanted to be anywhere else plus the carnage he saw at the camp for their forces in waiting was a massacre.
It reminded him of the scene when they fought Ddraig and Albion, he would have thrown up if he wasn't used to the site. He had only been in the area for a few seconds but was all the time he needed to realize that the barriers were gone along with every soul that resided in them.
It was a truly sad sight but Azazel didn't have time to mourn the dead more people were dying plus they needed to figure out what was happening at the secret prison and deal with it.
Serafall had joined up with them after Artemis and Athena said they offered their divine help because they didn't want to stand idly by as so much carnage was happening.
Serafall didn't buy that well not all of it, did the two gods not want to witness such a massacre probably not but their help definitely wasn't free.
After this ordeal, they would want some compensation and since Athena seemed interested in Anos this may be a ploy to gather such information.
"Okay listen up kids time to put on your big boy pants," started Azazel looking between both Rias and Sona's peerage.
"Time to get serious, this is war. I would have preferred to keep you kids away for this battle but you are all we got for the moment."
Azazel looked into each one of their eyes he didn't see fear but resolve, even the timid Gasper understood the gravity of the situation trying to act tough even though Azazel could tell the boy was frightened.
Azazel was a Fallen who had led thousands of Fallen so why did their faces not inspire him, because they were also filled with the resolve to give their lives if need be.
Over these past few days, Azazel had grown very fond of these kids so the looks in their eyes were good but the kind kids should have.
"Don't worry Sensei I am ready to kick some ass and give," but Azazel lifted his hand cutting Issei off, "I like the determination but let's avoid any death flags."
"That's right guys watch out for each other who knows what's going to happen once we get there so be prepared for a fight," continued Serafall stepping in front of Azazel.
"No, giving up your lives leave that us adults," she said smiling trying to ease the tension, unknowingly raising another doom flag.
While they conversed further Rin brought another matter to Anos attention, "I can't feel them," she said mentally, "What do you mean," "The three girls were in the same location as that explosion of power but their presence was gone."
Anos's eyes narrowed and turned his senses toward that location he didn't doubt Ophis abilities but he just wanted to look and she was right they were gone.
"I need to go to the City of Lilith I need to find," said Anos abruptly, "Mittelt, Koneko, and Ravel were there I need to find them."
Rias thought they were close to the Colosseum out of range and had been calling but thought it was due to them fighting.
"Before you guys try to protest I am going alone we can't split up any further, plus I'll deal with whoever caused it," Anos shared and look with Azazel, he would have preferred if Anos had come along but if the power he sensed from that dragon then only Anos or Rin could deal with him.
"Fine find those three and deal with the ones who caused the explosion," reluctantly agreed Azazel, "I am coming to," interjected Ruval he wanted to help find his sister.
"I got this as a friend, master, and finance I will be the one to rescue them," Ruval cautiously took a step the anger he was feeling from Anos was intoxicating.
"Plus my maid here is pretty strong the two of us will be enough," Ruval would have protested again but Azazel grabbed his shoulder. "We don't have time for this.
Find them and deal with whatever caused that explosion," Anos nodded as Rin teleported them away to their confusion since no magic activated or sensed.
"Did she just," started Rias, "Enough questions," Azazel was about to teleport them to the prison but paused as the earth started to shake causing Asia to nearly fall over.
"What the hell is that," screamed Saji, "Dam if he is using that then things are getting serious," said Azazel looking in the direction of Sirzech's location.
Serafall was also worried she had sensed and seen this form of Sirzechs and it's just as monstrous as she remembered.
"I can only help the four of them will be enough to deal with him," Azazel thought as they teleported to the prison.
Once the flash died down smoke and ash assaulted their noses, and the prison was in flames while devils were fighting forces from the Old Satan faction.
Suddenly something crashed a few yards in front of them, Falbium slowly tried to stand but fell back on his back and he was missing an arm.
The group rushed over paused but slowly looked up as they started feeling mighty footsteps as a looming shadow drew near.
"Seems my toy is done but luckily some new ones have arrived," roared Grendel in a thunderous laughter.
There was a devil in his hand screaming for dear life, Grendel then lifted the devil to his ear laughing even louder at the screams of terror from the devil. "Ruval and Serafall you are with me." Azazel didn't plan on beating Grendel only buy time so they could escape later.
"Rias find a way to deal with the barrier the ones casting it may be at the center of all of this and take Falbium with you and heal him.
Sona find Katerea and recapture her but if she is already outside the barrier then go help Rias."
In an instant, Azazel understood the situation, the barrier was blocking all communication while also allowing entry but denying exit except for those who probably are associated with the Old Satan Faction.
It would make sense why no one was trying to leave.
This is why he told Sona to don't bother with trying to recapture her if she leaves out the barrier because she won't be able to follow.
Without waiting to make sure they heard him Azazel and Serafall sprung into action, Azazel summoned a massive light spear as Serafall slapped the ground creating a pillar of ice that slammed Grendel in the stomach causing him to drop the devil he was holding who was caught by Ruval.
The light spear Azazel summoned slammed into Grendel's face exploding on contact, while this happened both peerages acted on Azazel's orders.
Sirzech's
"You seem worried," started Athena flying next to Grayfia as Artemis ran underneath them matching their speed.
After the earth started shaking Grayfia's mood darkened if Sirzechs had to use this power then the threat was real and many devils were about to die or were already dead.
"If Sirzechs is using this power then the threat may be more serious than we first thought," Grayfia said increasing her speed, "I wouldn't be too worried Apophis is only slightly stronger than a dragon king," interjected Artemis trying her best to ease her worrying.
From their position they saw a bright red star explode from the ground toward the Draconic form of Apophis, Grayfia then let out a silent prayer to herself, "Please my love be alright by the time we arrive."
Sirzechs exploded toward Apophis who roared back at him, Sirzechs outstretched his hand to punch Apophis while Apophis outstretched his claws to swipe at Sirzech's.
Their clash generated an enormous explosion of power generating a dangerous shockwave. The two started trading blows generating concussive shock waves dispersing clouds, and shattering the ground even further.
"This guy is matching my strength no that's not it, he is slowly overpowering me," Sirzechs then caught Apophis's claw, "Weak," and punched him in the chest sending him tumbling upward.
Sirzech then vanished from Apophis sight his vision was then filled with crimson seconds later pain assaulted his body.
Sirzechas was flying at high speeds assailing Apophis massive body, this form was powerful but it put an enormous strain on his body.
Sirzechs couldn't waste any more time he needed to get back to the Colosseum so he needed to end this fight.
Sirzechs flew back and outstretched his hand toward Apophis's, blasting him with a tidal wave-sized blast of the power of destruction that was so large it turned everything below crimson. Apophis massive form wasn't completely engulfed only his massive head head was completely struck by the massive blow.
Sirzechs started panting as that exhausted him but he crossed his arms over his face as black flames came crashing down from the heavens slamming him down to the ground and impeding him in a massive ten-mile-deep crater, "What the heck his power is nowhere near the power of a Dragon King it's like the rumored power of Ddraig and Albion."
Sirzechs looked up at Apophis, the scales on his face were all but gone he looked in pain but he didn't look like he was about to die.
His claws were busted and bruised after coming into contact with Sirzech's fist, trading blows with Sirzechs will lead to his defeat so he changed up his approach a little.
He thought he could just physically overpower Sirzechs, "Seems like I can't beat him to a pulp, no matter my Shadows will be even more dangerous."
Suddenly Apophis eyes turned silver as a black dome surrounded the entire battlefield and the next thing Sirzechs saw was Apophis flying down towards him before his whole world turned black.
The only thing he could see was a few inches in front of him illuminated by his red aura but even then the very ground was black.
He looked back but his own shadow was done and the shadows around him were constantly getting burned as if they were alive.
"To think I would have to use magic on you," Apophis tone wasn't that of anger but that of respect, "Hiding are we," Apophis laughed, "Whose hiding you are looking at me."
Suddenly hundreds of draconic eyes formed and surrounded Sirzechs creeping him out only slightly, Sirzechs then fired a blast of his power of destruction at one of the eyes and it disappeared upon contact.
"Your power is impressive to think it can hold back my power even this much, previously only Ra could. With that being it's only a matter of time until even you will be swallowed by shadows."
Sirzechs looked down earlier he had about two feet between him as the shadows but now he was at a foot in a half, "Don't underestimate my power."
Sirzechs then flared his aura even brighter which expanded his protective bubble causing him to exhaust himself further.
"Did you think I was just going to sit by and just wait," suddenly something pierced Sirzechs's foo but when he looked down all he saw was steam.
Now that he was on more alert for an attack he started to check his surroundings, this whole area was magic so trying to sense a magical attack was like looking for a leaf in a forest.
Then something water-like shot at his face, and he jumped back but seconds later it was destroyed by his aura turning to steam.
Pain sharply erupted from his foot it felt like was burning, he looked down again and noticed that the steam was coming from his foot.
This wasn't the same feeling as getting attacked with the holy element his foot felt like it was on fire and the pain was growing rapidly as he started losing feeling in it.
"Hurts doesn't it Primordial Water is some dangerous stuff," Sirzechs started to notice his ankle was slowly turning purple, and to stop the spread he cut off his foot and cartelized the wound with the power of destruction.
His foot seconds later turned purple then completely black, he then saw small droplets of water surmising that all of these were probably the Primordial Water.
He then started to fly and looked down but the puddles were still there and even worse his protective dome created by his aura was shrinking. "You can fly wherever you want but up and down is irrelevant here."
Suddenly like bullets the small droplets of water shot into his aura, Sirzechs while in his aura dodged the best he could. Luckily they were slow enough to do so, and it only took a few seconds for the power of destruction to erase them but there were many of them.
"You really are something but what are you going to do about the ones to the left, right, and above you," Sirzechs looked around just like he said Sirzechs saw more tiny drops of water.
But he wasn't just going to let his body get riddled with holes and started blasting them with the power of destruction destroying them.
With that being said for every one hundred he destroyed another two hundred formed and he could only sense them the moment they entered his aura.
Sirzechs fought hard straining his body and mind to work overdrive to combat this but he could hit them all.
One hit his side, six more hit his back, twelve struck his neck, and another twenty-four hit his stomach.
Sirzechs was fighting not for just his life but for the lives of those he couldn't save and also for those who would die if he didn't keep fighting.
"How are you still fighting your body is turning black and blue, and your crimson red hair is all black," Sirzechs then let out a mighty roar, "I am the Devil Lucifer the strongest devil in existence.
My pride won't let me die no matter what if I die then I am taking you with me."
Suddenly something started to rise from deep within Sirzechs and Apophis could sense, "Is he trying to release every ounce of magic in his body in a massive explosion."
Apophis then increased his attack generating even more droplets pummeling his body even more, Sirzechs's aura then vanished and the shadows surrounded his body.
This should have been a triumphing moment for Apophis but something felt off his instincts were telling him to destroy Sirzechs's unconscious body.
Then he noticed something weird his body had not turned completely black, it was still purple and black with some white skin left.
Sirzechs's chest more specifically where his heart was started turning red, it didn't even take a millisecond for Apophis to realize and act upon destroying the body but milliseconds was all it took for Sirzechs to release his final attack.
A few minutes earlier Sirzechs was pondering his options he couldn't maintain this level of power for long plus he had just hit him with an attack that would obliterate Hades if he took it straight on like Apophis. Then an idea formed,
"He can't get close to my power...it's holding him back hence why the shadows are burning the Shadows but maybe."
So Sirzechs stilled his resolve to risk it all, step one, "Separate a portion of the power I'm using to stay in this state, good at the rate the Shadows are creeping in I have five minutes before they consume me."
Step Two, "I need to separate another portion to fend off these Primordial Waters the time limit won't matter if I don't survive, I don't need much just enough to for five minutes."
Step three, "Now the last part the most dangerous, if I do this I won't see my son grow up to the fine devil I know he will be.
And Grayfia my treasure…my everything…I'm so glad I met you." Memories of Rias and all their best moments flowed through his mind, next were his loving parents, and last but certainly not least was Anos, his amazing brother.
Sirzechs regretted not seeing what the future would hold for them but to save everyone he needed to do this.
"Now draw the very magic that resides in your soul as much as you can," Sirzechs was one his last legs from fending off Apophis devastating barrage keeping his aura up to protect himself from the darkness encroaching around him and he was trying to turn his very soul into to magic.
Doing such a thing was not taught in the underworld because it was suicidal to convert one's soul into magic power to gain strength.
Once someone damaged their very soul the damage was irreversible and they wouldn't live long, but with the amount of power Sirzechs was trying to attain he wouldn't live more than a few minutes.
"Thank you, everyone I had a marvelous life," thought Sirzechs as he released the last reserves of his magical power, Sirzechs's heart glowed with astronomical magical power.
"Dam I should have destroyed him when I had a chance," screamed Apophis as crimson illuminated the darkness completely evaporating it in an instant.
Grayfia saw everything, "King Lucifer is just as monstrous as the rumors said, I doubt either Artemis or myself could face," said Athena but then she frowned.
Artemis was laughing in amusement, "The shockwaves from them clashing is beyond legendary, Sirzechs is a freaking monster bro."
Athena sighed she never approved of her sister's language but she didn't didn't like this weird magical pressure after that counter from Apophis, "Artemis," screamed Athena, "You got it," nodded Artemis as her speed quadrupled, moving so fast Grayfia thought she was teleporting.
Grayfia then saw a massive black dome form and seconds later it turned jet black, Grayfia looked back and saw Artemis shaking her head in disappointment while tapping her foot on the ground, after five minutes they reached Artemis.
"Whatever is happening inside I can't tell," for Artemis this whole thing was coming up to her as a gigantic dome of magic.
She couldn't even feel the presence of Sirzechs only the monstrous power of Apophis, and now that she was this close as she was when he first appeared, "No doubt about it Apophis isn't Dragon King level the power is on the level of the Heavenly Dragons and that scares and excites me."
Athena was impressed more than anything Sirzechs was holding his own against a dragon that was Heavenly Class.
It took the combined might of the three factions to take on Ddraig and Albion, Sirzechs was truly in a class of his own.
Artemis frowned and grabbed both Athena and Grayfia she took a deep breath flexed every muscle in her legs and ran at full speed.
Before either of them could register what was happening their vision was filled with red, they were standing outside a red dome, and seconds later the dome detonated with the power of destruction disintegrating everything inside.
Grayfia placed her hand on the barrier caressing it softly, "What is it," inquired Artemis, "A barrier he creates to contain his power from destroying when he fights."
The explosion ceased and the barrier dropped and they rushed back to the center where Sirzechs should have been.
Grayfia looked around frantically and finally found him and her hurt shattered, she had never seen him look so beaten up.
His glorious hair was black, there were so many holes in his body that were either black, purple, or blue, and he was missing a foot.
Grayfia tried to stay calm she really was, Grayfia knew things were getting bad but she didn't think it would be this to this extent, Grayfia landed on the ground nearly falling over as she ran to him.
Her hands touched his pale face, he was so cold, "My King please wake up," Sirzechs didn't respond, "My liege please."
Grayfia bit her lip forcing back the tears, "Please Zechs, don't leave me," she choked out, Athena and Artemis's hearts suck. Athena placed her hand on Grayfia's shoulder, "I'm sorry Grayfia he's gone," a single tear fell from Grayfia's face it was the first time in centuries.
Grayfia had failed to protect Lucifer the King of the Underworld, the father of her child, and most of all the love of her life.
Flash Back
Rizevim sat at his desks with a magical projection of Creuserey and Shalba kneeling in front of them.
They just finished their discussion on which of the Three Evil Dragons would be fighting Sirzechs. "Now which one of you wants to fight Ajuka," Mr. Black, Grendel, and Apophis were also in the back of the room.
"Let me," basically ordered Grendel. Rizevim looked at Mr. Black expecting he would actually volunteer, Grendel was stronger after his rebirth but not strong enough to be taking on Ajuka.
Apophis and Mr. Black are two of the three strongest evil dragons to ever live and as far as their level of power it was night and day.
Apophis had reached the level of Albion and Ddraig, while Mr. Black was now strong enough to take on both Albion and Ddraig in their prime and still come out on top.
Although Grendel had gotten stronger he wasn't strong enough to take on Ajuka but did Grendel care, not one bit he just wanted to fight him.
Mr. Black was about to volunteer to dance with Ajuka but Euclid who was right next to Rizevim spoke.
"My Lord if I may," Rizevim glimpsed at Euclid and that was his authorization to speak, "I have an idea on how to deal with him if you would permit me?"
After a detailed explanation Creuserey and Shalba were annoyed because Euclid wanted to use them as bait, "This plan is fucking stupid," but Grendel stopped when Mr. Black placed his hand on his shoulder.
"Would you mind shutting up," he said with a smile, Grendel growled and tried to pull his shoulder away but couldn't under his grip.
Mr. Black's smile then turned devious, "Someone's feeling brave today," "Fine I get it let go."
Rizevim entertained the idea and he did want to test out the spell, "Do you think you can actually do it," Euclid bowed further, "Of course without fail."
Ajuka
Thanks to Kankara Ajuka was able to do several tasks at once but a problem was starting to arise, more and more devils were teleporting in.
For now, the three peerages were doing pretty well at keeping the forces contained in the Colosseum but it wouldn't long until they were overrun.
There were still many who lost their lives they couldn't save them all but Ajuka would make sure he could save the majority.
About a third of the Colosseum was evacuated and the ones that made it out were not out of the woods yet because there was a fearsome battle taking place outside with Parisa in command.
Parisa had already lost more than half of the protection detail and the guards stationed outside were dropping like flies, it seemed like a never-ending wave.
The reason why they hadn't been overrun was thanks to Parisa but her magic wouldn't last forever and this was just outside the Colosseum there is no telling if this was just centered around the adjacent areas or was the entire underworld under attack.
In the distance, Ajuka could feel and see the battle Sirzechs was having with Apophis.
"Ajuka we are getting slowly overrun we need assistance," said Parisa sending a telepathic message to Ajuka.
The power of the snakes Ophis gave Creuserey and Shalba was more than he first calculated but it was manageable and he couldn't give all his attention to those two.
Ajuka was trying to save as many people as he could, redirecting spells away from civilians, and creating barriers to protect them from either spears or swords.
Ajuka was even maintaining barriers around the Sairaorg and Seekvaira's peerages he would have preferred if they weren't so he couldn't help but drag them into this battle.
So the best he could do was protect them to the best of his abilities, Shalba threw a swarm of blood-sucking flies at Ajuka hoping to divert his attention.
Ajuka's eyes flickered all over the place and for less than a second his eyes flicked toward Shalba then back around the coliseum.
The flies drew near but like all times before they just dropped dead, the spell Ajuka cast was a miasma-created to kill insects.
Shalba was a devil who used flies, so a spell like this rendered any attacks he threw useless.
This was a reason why Ajuka wasn't particularly worried about Shalba, any flies released in the coliseum were killed seconds later.
Creuserey was faring a little better because Ajuka didn't have a nullify his ways of mind-controlling people until they were mind controlled but like with Shalba once he erased the mind control seconds after it had taken control the threat of Creuserey was gone.
"What is it Parisa," "Are you able to spare some manpower," Ajuka started his calculations finding which group would be best to send but he kept coming back to the same solution.
At this rate, he would be the last one left still standing it would be much harder to fight off an army while protecting the civilians.
Hundreds even those calculative ideas flowed through his mind even as he continued to support and fight, Euclid smiled, "Almost there but I need you to work just a bit harder Ajuka," Euclid was about done he just needed Ajuka to drop his guard for just a moment and he had him.
An idea formed and then Ajuka started running his trillions of calculations and to do what he was about to do he would have to calculate every minute detail.
Where everyone's next step would be, how their next thought would cause them to shift in any position, every shift in weight, and every possible brick that could cause them to stumble.
Ajuka calculated even further every possible glance anyone might take which may cause them to move incorrectly, what he was trying to do was calculate the future in the next few seconds using math.
Ajuka was running trillions of calculations for every civilian and the enemy soldier position in the next few seconds.
If he was off he could hit or miss a civilian or enemy soldier but after his numerous calculations, this was the best solution to save more people in the long run.
Ajuka then identified where every teleportation circle was, they needed to be destroyed or more soldiers would teleport inside.
Ajuka fired off an enormous red magic circle, "Don't worry I am ending this battle here and now," it was so large it covered the entire coliseum and the surrounding area, his attention was so all over the place he didn't even notice the sky turning red.
Creuserey and Shalba froze they thought Ajuka was about to blow up the entire coliseum, "This guy must be insane that an explosion spell."
The spell started to glow red as it started pulsing with power, "You plan to blow us all to cinders."
Ajuka didn't respond to Parisa as the entire area flashed red, then Ajuka dispelled all the spells he was casting and he activated thousands of magic transportation circles under each civilian.
He was sending them to his estate grounds it was large enough to hold this many people plus he was barely at the place so if a mess was made he didn't care.
Teleporting thousands of devils at once was a feat and teleporting devils that were running also was a challenge but it was all calculated perfectly by him.
Next was the enemy army the spell above resembled an explosion spell because it was but the red flash it gave turned blue, and now it was a lighting spell.
Then thousands of lightning bolts crashed into the enemy army below, the power from the lightning strikes was so devastatingly powerful not only were their bodies disintegrated but their armor as well.
Scorch marks and smoke littered the skies and the ground, "He just one-shot the entire army he is a fucking monster," said Shalba falling on his butt, Creuserey and Shalba were only alive because it would have taken more magic to kill them plus he wanted them alive to interrogate them.
Ajuka had also used some of the lighting spells to destroy every one of the teleportation circles ending the invasion in the immediate area.
Ajuka's head was pounding doing all of those calculations in a fraction of a second mentally drained.
A devilish smile formed on Eculid's face, "Gotcha," the reverse summoning spell actives the moment Ajuka dispelled Kankara.
Alerted by this Ajuka's attention darted to Euclid but it was too late, golden chains shot from the ground clutching around his entire body and yanking him to the ground, "Do you really think these can hold me," the chains were draining his magic but he could break out of them in moments and he was about to but a triangular barrier was erected around him and then he suddenly felt his magic reserves plummet to destructive levels.
Ajuka flexed his aura and the chains shattered, "You scared me there Ajuka, I was trying to overwhelm your ability but I didn't expect you to save everyone and annihilate the entire army.
It's unfortunate that you were blessed with such…" Euclid's delicate voice then turned vindictive, "It's truly disgusting that you dare attain more power than his highness know your place you low-born trash."
Ajuka rolled his eyes while crossing his arms, "Oh please you flatter me," Ajuka flicked the barrier, "Impressive but if you think an unstable barrier like this will keep me trapped for long you are mistaken."
Although the barrier was sapping his magic judging by how unstable it was, if he did nothing the barrier would shatter on its own in fifteen minutes.
With that being said these three can do a lot in fifteen minutes plus for some reason, plus he can't use any magic which is also weird, "Seems you noticed," Euclid turned his back to Ajuka with a pretentious smirk, "This is a poor imitation of the World Isolation Barrier."
Ajuka bashed his fist into the barrier, "Are you insane…are you trying to bring the end of the world," Euclid beamed playfully back at Ajuka.
"You know us too well," Ajuka flashed his aura if Rizevim was messing with the World Isolation Barrier which is one of thousands of seals placed by the Biblical God then it meant only one thing Rizevim was trying to free the Trihexa.
The barrier started to form cracks, "I won't let you escape," the cracks grew wider as even the ground started to crack.
Euclid, Shalba, and Creuserey took a back preparing a teleportation circle in the event that Ajuka broke free.
Although the barrier was a cheap imitation of the real thing created by the Biblical God, the barrier sapped magic from the user at a rapid rate until there was no more magic available.
The Trihexa is a mass of magical energy, so any magic absorbed strengthens the barrier and in return, the Trihexa regenerates its own magic in large amounts.
Creating a constant loop but for Ajuka who can't restore his magic faster than the barrier was sapping his magic and threatening life.
Although if Ajuka was at full strength he could have overpowered the barrier fast enough before it caught up to his level of strength.
The same was true for the Trihexa but there were other seals in place to compensate for that weakness.
Ajuka's aura then subsided and tried to catch his breath, "When I get out of here..." as he fell to his knees and onto his back unconscious.
"What a fucking monster he almost overpowered it in his current state," said Shalba letting out the breath he was holding, Euclid also let out his own breath he was holding, "But thanks to that he wasted more magic and now the barrier can drain him even further, he will be dead soon."
The Prison
"So this is the power of a Satan Class Devil," thought Ruval, in the Underworld when someone becomes an Ultimate-Class or goes up in any rank.
There is another unofficial ranking inside of those such as Lower, Mid, or High, this rang even more true for Ultimate Class Status.
Ruval has the strength of an Ultimate Class but when his power was put next to Serafall it was like she was a Super Devil even though she was Ultimate Class.
He'd never seen her fight before only acting childish like in her shows, so he doubted her actual strength a little.
But those doubts were gone and he understood why Serafall is the most powerful female devil in the world.
Thousands of spears of ice flew at Grendel along with dozens more being generated in their place, "How can she create so many spears without prepping a magic circle to create them."
While Serafall launched thousands of light spears at him, Azazel prepped massive light spears to bombard Grendel with.
Speaking of Azazel, he was launching Jumbo Jet-sized light spears back to back at Grendel without breaking a sweat.
Ruval marveled at their power at the apex of Fallen and Devil power, "I can't let myself fall behind," Ruval thought manifesting a massive fireball.
"Asia how is he doing," asked Rias, "His internal organs are all but ruptured, I've stopped the bleeding in his arm but he has already lost a lot of blood. But I can heal all of it except for the blood loss."
Rias nodded, all of them were inside the ruined prison, preparing to separate from Sona, "Issei, Gasper, Irina, and Akeno stay here with Asia and protect her."
They nodded, "The rest of us will make our way to the roof, I think it's best to reach the top through the inside should be less fighting," Sona nodded in agreement.
"Also if I find Katerea along the way I will let you know," "I will do the same if I find the caster of the barrier."
Suddenly something came flying through the first floor bouncing all the ground and ceiling, "Azazel," everyone screamed, "Move," he shouted back at them frantically.
The room lit up as a wave of fire was going to burn the room luckily Serafall flew into the room encasing everyone in a dome of ice.
"Hey there Sona how is it going long time no see," smiled Serafall at Sona, "Why are you here I thought you were fighting that dragon?"
"It seems he is after our little Rias here," answered Azazel pulling himself out of the ground, Serafall then dispelled the dome of ice. The prison as gone along but the barrier was still up so it wasn't where Azazel suspected it was, "Well the barrier isn't in the prison since it's still up," he sighed but they weren't out of the woods yet.
Trying to distract Grendel and keep him from trying to attack Rias was going to be even more work.
Ruval was blasting the back of Grendel with Hellfire, but Grendel just continued his advance toward them more specifically toward Rias staring directly at her.
"Red hair you must be his little sister, call your brother to bring him here I wanna talk, but I guess you can't because of the barrier, oh well," Grendel said with a predatory smile on his face.
Rias felt a gross chill run down her back, "Azazel why does he want my brother," "That is the question of the hour."
Grendel swung his fist back slapping Ruval to the ground, "You bore me…I want her she's stronger than the rest of you trash."
Ruval's body burst into flames, "That bastard he's completely ignoring me," Grendel then took off in a full-on sprint toward Rias.
Azazel wasn't going to let this dragon hurt Rias, "All of you get back," Azazel screamed blitzing right in front of Grendel fist cocked back infused with holy power.
Azazel slammed his fist in Grendel's chest cracking his scales, Grendel went skidding back with saliva coming out of his mouth.
"So you have been holding back this entire time," Grendel started laughing, "Seems I just needed to motivate you," he then looked at Serafall then slowly toward Sona.
He could from their auras that they were blood related and Serafall didn't miss that as Serafall's aura exploded with murderous intent.
Sona took a step back not just at the amount of magic exploding from Serafall but she had never seen her sister so furious, "You touch a single hair on her head I will kill you."
"Sis," said Sona outstretching her hand toward Serafall, "How dare you….HOW…DARE…YOU," Ice-like armor started to form on Serafall's body.
"Ruval protect them it is about to get gold," Ruval flew over to the two peerages at this point he would only get in the way.
Azazel's potent holy aura was keeping him out of the fight unless he wanted to get burned only Serafall was resistant enough not to suffer any serious damage.
Ruval flew into the center of the peerages surrounding them in hellfire, "Hopefully this will be strong enough," "Celsius Cross Trigger," was Serafall's ultimate spell that had the power to turn an entire region of the Underworld to ice but she didn't need to freeze the Underworld just Grendel.
Serafall lunged toward Grendel at high speed, Grendel turned his attention toward Serafall with delight, "You must be taking me lightly if you think you can turn your back to me."
Azazel brought his hands together on top of Grendel's head, the earth ruptured under the weight of the mighty blow sending Grendel to one knee.
"You keep hitting me like that I won't do it again," cheered Grendel after being struck like that, out of the corner of his eye he saw Serafall right underneath him.
He then brought his fist down on her and Serafall brought up her own to match with the collision creating an enormous shock wave.
Grendel then felt something cold as his scales started turning to ice, Serafall then reappeared next to his jaw and she kicked him causing him to bounce off the ground Azazel then appeared above Grendel with a sword of light bringing it down on his neck in a attempt to slice off his neck.
But the sword only managed to shatter the ice and only sliced into an inch of his scales, "You actually cut my scales," Azazel let out a tsk noise and jumped back toward Serafall, "Dam I thought that would have cut it clean off but I will get it next time, those scales are just as hard as rumored."
With that being said even being able to cut Grendel's scales just showed how truly powerful Azazel was, some gods couldn't manage just doing that.
"It's fine but I doubt there will be a next time now that we damaged him he won't be letting us slap him around."
Serafall's non cheerful attitude was off-putting, it annoyed Azazel even further he enjoyed Serafall that way much better.
Grendel stood cracking his knuckles, Serafall's eyes narrowed then kicked Azazel out of the way as she put her right foot forward and raising her both her hands in the air.
Seconds later a tremendous force clamped down on her, Serafall was partially inside Grendel's jaws holding his bottom jaw open with her foot and jaw with her hands.
Grendel's mouth turned to ice as he grabbed Serafall throwing her out, Azazel not letting this distraction slip brought a hammer down on his head but Grendel twisted his body grabbing the hammer.
"Weak," he then grabbed Azazel slamming him on the ground and attempting to stomp on him but Azazel created a shield of light to protect himself.
Serafall comes at Grendel from his left and he turns his head roaring at her with a mighty wave of fire.
"The same trick won't work twice," "If you think a simple heat is enough to hurt me I wouldn't be Leviathan," Serafall roared exploding through the flames, her armor was melted but the fire in her eyes was still alive.
She was then punched out of the sky by Grendel shattering the remaining armor, Grendel fell backward as Azazel pushed him off of him.
"You step on me like that again and I will lose it," "I want you to lose it, please lose it," Grendel is a battle maniac who loved fighting so he was having the time of his life.
"You're still holding back," "I'm not," screamed Serafall flying at Grendel but her grabbed her out of the air.
His hand started to turn to ice but he tightened his grip shattering the ice forming but it didn't stop.
"I love that look in your eye…should I kill you now or…" "Don't touch," but he slammed her into the ground Azazel came to the rescue light sword in hand.
A smile formed on Grendel's face as he twisted his head back dodging the sword but caught Azazel's arm.
Grendel twisted his head ripping Azazel's arm clean off and throwing him onto the ground then promptly stepping on him, "Oops I stepped on you again," laughed Grendel, ice exploded freezing Grendel's entire body turned to ice.
His arm then shattered into a thousand pieces, Serafall flew past the destroyed pieces to shatter his head but fire erupted from his mouth sending her flying back as the rest of the ice melted.
"You actually shattered my arm, the pain is glorious look at all the blood.
You've done something that most gods could never accomplish," he then blew flames on the stump cauterizing the wound.
Grendel looked at Serafall who coughed up blood struggling to stand then toward Azazel after removing his foot who was unconscious.
"Come on I want more I haven't had this much fun in a while," Serafall was the first to stand and Grendel smiled, "Good but the fire in your eyes had dimmed."
Grendel turned to Sona and started running, "NO...you stay away from her," Serafall started limping.
Ruval was already doing his best to keep it from freezing everyone else but she kept restrained only releasing it whenever she struck Grendel. She released her full force into Grendel when she froze his body completely in ice but she wasn't able to capitalize on it only shattering his arm after she broke free.
"You guys run," Ruval ran to meet Grendel, "What do we can't just leave them," said Sona staring at Serafall dumbfounded that she lost.
"Sona pull yourself together we gotta move," the earth shook and they saw Rival get smashed to the ground by Grendel, and seconds later he was nearly on top of them.
A wall of ice appeared in front of the group, "Thank goodness I made it in time are you guys okay, especially you Sona...you looked so scared."
Blood pooled on the ground, and Sona started trembling, "Sis," "You guys should really get out of here…"
Serafall coughed up blood, "It is not safe anymore. If you run into the ensuing battle Grendel might lose interest and start killing he's crazy like that."
Serafall looked at Falbium's unconscious body, "He doesn't look so good, it's unfortunate but you should leave him he will slow you down."
The wall of ice started to crack but everyone's attention wasn't on the wall of ice or the words Serafall was saying, it was the massive claw in her stomach. Serafall had frozen Grendel's body in a wall of ice but Grendel was able to position one of his claws in her back.
The ice was cracking because Grendel was breaking free, "Asia can heal you," said Rias pulling Asia toward her, "That's sweat but not enough time I can't hold him back for much longer."
Tsubaki grabbed Sona's arm, "I'm sorry president we gotta go," Sona snatched her arm away glaring at Tsubaki, "You are out of line Tsubaki I am not leaving her."
"Tsubaki please…." Serafall's eyes started getting heavy as the ice broke even more, "Say no more Lady Leviathan," "Wait this doesn't feel right," said Saji.
The rest of the peerage had the same reaction but Tsubaki looked at them and still there resolved.
"Fuck," Saji manifested his sacred gear tying it around Sona, "What are you all doing," "Rias are we just gonna let this happen," asked Issei, and when he looked at Rias, she was crying, "Come on guys we gotta get out of here," said Rias wiping away her tears.
"But Rias," said Issei, "I said let's go we can't let the time she has given us go to waste," both peerages started to run with Sona for the first time in her life kicking and screaming.
"I am your king put me down… Saji stop to her please we have to go back we can't leave her to die," but he just looked away, "Momo we have to go back," Momo just bit her lip crying, Sona looked between all of them and they had similar expressions. Sona then looked back to Serafall who was smiling back at her and mouthed the words I love you, Serafall coughed again the ice shattered.
Grendel roared and pulled out his claw before grabbing Serafall he squeezed his hand and her head fell limp, Grendel laughed and locked eyes with Sona's before dropping Serafall's lifeless body.
Sona watched in slow-motion as Serafall's lifeless body dropped to the ground, her dead eyes burned a hole in Sona's very soul and she let out a deafening scream that ripped Tsubaki's heart to shreds.
Epilogue 1: Darkness Reaching for the Light
Death sat tapping her throne head resting on her throne of bones, from the memories of her disgusting detached soul.
It was only for a few seconds but her lessor half mistake actually gave her invaluable intel.
She didn't know what those three were doing in the Underworld but she knew they wouldn't just still for long, people were going to die and that was going to give her a gorgeous opportunity.
Her eyes shot open as an influx of souls just arrived in a part of her territory she smiled as her power surged and frowned as it started to slowly vanish.
"How annoying still not enough yet," from the souls that arrived in her territory she scanned their memories and annoyed her even more.
She wasn't strong enough to overcome the programming since the day she was confined to this prison.
She couldn't see much just a flash of yellow for all of them but in some, she did see Mr. Black. "So that's how…" then another influx of souls of Devils being massacred her head started pounding as she started screaming.
Hundreds of disgusting memories and horrible sensations started flowing into her, she hated this sensation just as much as that stupid little girl.
It was her fault she was like this in the first place, since she was imprisoned here there have been hundreds of wars, so she had grown accustomed to the small increments of souls flowing down here.
"Make it stop," Death cried as she fell off her throne, "Mother what is," said one of the children she created, and Deathobliterated her head her voice was annoying her.
Seconds later it grew back, "Silence and gather the sins, the time has come," it didn't take long since they were right there.
Death was took occupied with her own problems right now, "Mother we are here," said one of the Seven Sins.
They hadn't seen their mother like this since World War II and it infuriated them but unlike other times they had a way to get out.
Countless disgusting souls flowed through her but she only needed one to do what she needed.
Then one soul and its memories flowed into her as she was able to smile through the pain, Death opened her palm and a blue flame appeared.
She was able to obtain this soul before that girl could take it, "Sloth…Greed," a man and woman stood up.
"Sloth I am sending you first and if another opportunity presents itself I am sending you Greed," "Of course Mother, your wish is our command," they both said bowing their heads.
A few minutes had passed and just like Death hoped another opportunity presented itself, this one was disgusting but it was perfect.
Death created two more lamps and placed the souls in them, she then activated a spell sending Sloth and Greed into those two bodies. Their mission was simple bring Anos to her…
Epilogue 2: Sending Aid…?
Hades was all in on the idea of eradicating the Devil's and Fallen angels not so much the Angels since they were actually doing something positive.
So why was he so annoyed by their existence, well for two reasons but the main one was because of what their mere existence did to Ereshkigal.
When new souls entered his domain he could feel whenever someone soul entered, he could if he wanted to alter their souls but that process was something he despised doing because some souls were disgusting, especially the souls of Devils and Fallen they tasted like crap and for someone all-powerful as her that sensation was worse.
An influx of devil souls arrived at the gates of his domain, "What this," out of pure curiosity even though he hated it he read one of the souls.
There was nothing except a flash of yellow, "Weird," his throne room doors opened as Thanatos walked in the most powerful Grim Reaper Hades had under his command.
"What is it," Thanatos dropped to a knee, "I am sure you have noticed My Lord but an influx of souls has arrived all of them are devils I believe something is happening."
Hades nodded in agreement, "Yes but all I saw was a flash of a golden light," part of Thanatos's shadow separated from him as another Grim Reaper appeared.
"No need to taste those souls again I have turned one of them into a Grim Reaper," Thanatos snapped and the Devil turned Grim Reaper spoke.
"Before I died I was at a rating game…" Hades rubbed his chin, "Seems another Devil Civil War," then he abruptly stood remembering that his nieces were in the underworld.
He didn't think they were in any immediate danger but this did present the opportunity for them to invade.
Zeus was on the fence about starting a wart due to Sirzechs and Ajuka but if they were distracted with this invasion then they wouldn't need Shiva's support.
Hades then activated a magic circle on the ground and seconds later a magical projection of Zeus appeared. Hades then explained the situation, "True this would present the perfect opportunity but," Hera then interjected herself into the call, "You sound on the fence still."
She was in the background but decided to voice her thoughts, "Zeus come on or did you forget our children are down there, is it not concerning how not even Athena has contacted you."
Zeus hadn't forgotten that Athena would have informed him the moment something happened, he expected something like this from Artemis but definitely not Athena.
"Athena contact Odin and Amaterasu we are invading the Underworld and tell Ares to not over do it," Zeus then looked back to Hades, "How long until your armies will be ready," if Hades could smile he would have, "They already are."
End Chapter