As Venefica hovered above, taunting Peon with threats of what she would do to him, Peon was lost in thought, desperately trying to formulate a plan.
Think, Peon, think! he urged himself. You're not completely screwed yet. You can still move a little. And Lady Jezabel, she will certainly save me, right? He glanced in her direction, his eyes pleading for some sign of help.
There she was, Lady Jezabel, sitting comfortably, watching the battle unfold. She munched on popcorn, a mischievous smile curling at her lips as she gives him a casual wave in his direction, utterly unfazed by his dire situation.
"Oh no," Peon thought, his heart sinking. She's totally ready to abandon me, isn't she? He groaned internally. I should have known she renamed me Peon for a reason. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his rising panic. Come on, Peon. You've got to come up with a plan. Maybe something from your training can help you get out of this mess.
Peon's Flashback
"Leon, you good for nothing fool!" roared the devil army instructor, his voice echoing through the training grounds. His sharp eyes glared down at Leon, who stood at attention, trying not to flinch. "You can't get anything right! Everything about you sucks. I've never trained a more talentless devil in my life! Honestly, the only way I see you improving is if you were to die and be reborn as someone more talented in your next life."
Leon winced, biting back a retort. The instructor shoved a mop and bucket into his hands. "Here, make yourself useful. Go clean the latrines it's the only thing you're good for."
"Wait, no, Instructor! I can't be..." Leon tried to protest, but the instructor's glare silenced him.
"I've heard enough! Do as you're told, or there will be consequences," the instructor snapped, raising a clenched fist.
Leon grumbled to himself as he trudged off. "How will you get strong enough for revenge against him now, Leon?" he muttered bitterly.
A Few Months Later
The training camp was bustling with activity. The instructor's voice boomed as he addressed the assembled soldiers. "Listen up, men! Tomorrow, we have a special guest Lady Runeas Gremory, the founder of the House of Gremory, one of the 72 pillars! I want you all to be on your best behavior. And Leon!" he barked, pointing his finger. "Make sure this base is spotless for our honored guest!"
"Instructor!" A soldier came running up, breathless. "It's Lady Gremory! She's been sighted she's arriving today, not tomorrow!"
The instructor's face went pale. "What?! She's early?! Damn it, everyone, get into position! And Leon, this base better be spotless this instant!" he yelled, sprinting off to prepare."
Lady Runeas Gremory rode into the base atop a magnificent brown camel, her crimson hair flowing like a fiery cape behind her. Her presence commanded attention, and her mischievous smile hinted at the whimsy she was known for.
"Greetings, Lady Gremory!" The instructor and soldiers bowed deeply, their expressions tense with anticipation.
Runeas opened her mouth to speak when an unexpected voice cut through the silence.
"Gotta mop fast!" Leon muttered, oblivious to the crowd as he frantically cleaned with a mop and bucket. He was so engrossed in his work that he hadn't realized where he was smack in the middle of Lady Gremory's grand arrival.
"Leoooon!" the instructor roared, his face turning crimson with fury.
Leon froze, looking up with wide eyes. Realizing everyone was staring at him especially Lady Gremory his face paled. In his clumsy attempt to retreat, he took a hasty step backward, tripping over his bucket of water.
Desperate for something to grab onto, Leon instinctively reached for the nearest object a lit lantern hanging from a wall, which came off easily.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Leon yelped as the lantern slipped from his grasp as he felled backwards.
The army watched in horror as Leon's backwards momentum send the lantern flying through the air in slow motion before crashing into the wooden barracks. Flames erupted almost immediately, hungrily engulfing the entire base.
The instructor's face twisted into a mask of pure fury. "LEON, YOU GOOD FOR NOTHING FOOL! NOT ONLY DID YOU EMBARRESS ALL OF US IN FRONT OF LADY GREMORY, BUT YOU'VE SET THE WHOLE BASE ON FIRE TOO! YOU'RE DEAD YOU HEAR ME DEAD,"
Leon quickly scrambled to his feet, as fear and panic starts to set in.
As the scene descended into chaos, with soldiers running to and from trying to extinguish the flames, Lady Runeas Gremory watched it all with wide eyes. Her shocked expression slowly melted into a bright grin, and then she burst into a deep and unrestrained laughter that echoed across the camp.
"Hahaha! Oh, by the Maou, this is priceless!" Runeas gasped between fits of laughter. "I haven't seen anything this funny in centuries!" With a wave of her hand, she cast a spell that instantly extinguished the flames, leaving only smoldering embers and the smell of smoke.
"I like him," she declared with a wide grin, pointing at the disheveled and panicking Leon. "Have him show me around."
"HUH?!" The instructor's jaw dropped. "I mean... of course, my lady!" He quickly composed himself, then barked, "LEON!"
Leon scrambled to attention, his eyes wide with a mix of fear and confusion. "Y-Yes, sir?"
"Show Lady Gremory around. And don't you dare mess this up!"
"Sir, yes sir!" Leon saluted, then turned to Lady Runeas with a nervous grin. "This way, my lady," he said, already sucking up to her, his voice dripping with an exaggerated politeness.
Runeas chuckled, clearly entertained as she followed him. The soldiers exchanged baffled looks, but none dared to question Lady Gremory's amusement.
Back to the present
WTF? Why did I have that useless 600ish words flashback out of nowhere? It's almost completely unrelated to the situation, am I finally losing it? Peon thought slowly shaking his head, frustration bubbling up as he stood paralyzed. The only thing I learned was that my instructor was 100% right about me, that and how to suck up to my superiors. He glanced at Venefica, who was still rambling on, completely absorbed in her monologue.
How is she still not done talking? Never mind, that's a good thing, I still have time. But what can I do? He racked his brain, recalling something Lady Jezabel had mentioned "Demons know how to fight by instinct."
Wait... Peon thought, suddenly realizing his mistake. I've been panicking and thinking too much maybe listening to my instincts is the answer. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath, and let his mind go blank. He focused entirely on his demonic nature, tuning into the raw, primal instincts that had been suppressed by his fear.
Slowly, he began to do a series of muscle flexes, small twitches at first, then gradually building strength. His movement returning with each pose. His breathing steadied, and he felt a surge of power course through him.
Venefica's monologue faltered as she noticed his movement. Her eyes went wide. "W-What?! You're breaking free of my paralysis formula by... flexing?!" She stammered, her voice tinged with disbelief. "How? That doesn't make any scientific sense at all?!"
Peon smirked, rising to his feet with a newfound confidence, the definition of his muscles more pronounced as red flames crackled around his sword. "I guess I'm just built different." he answered, a smirk playing at the corner of his lips. "Your cheap tricks won't save you now."
In one swift motion, he slashed his sword through the air, sending a crescent-shaped wave of flames roaring toward Venefica.
Peon's eyes widened in surprise. "Flames? I've never been able to use fire before… What the hell is happening? Is it because of that stupid flashback, or is this... connected to him?" He shook off the thought, focusing back on the immediate threat.
Venefica dodged the fiery slash, feeling the intense heat singe her skin. Her expression shifted from shock to a sinister grin as she conjured multiple spell circles, encircling Peon with glowing, crackling energy. "Fascinating! It seems there's more to you than I thought," she sneered, her eyes alight with a manic gleam. "I was hoping to bring you back alive for my research, but I'll happily make do with your corpse!"
Peon shot up into the air, narrowly dodging a barrage of magical blasts. "Wait I can fly?", he suddenly noticed flames sprouting from his back wings made of pure fire. He flapped instinctively, the heat radiating off him so intense it began warping the air around him.
Venefica's eyes narrowed, her mind racing as she recognized the intensity of the flames. These flames... They're just as intense as that man's... Could it be?!
Peon, not wasting the advantage, roared as he summoned an inferno around his blade, his eyes gleaming with a newfound determination. "Flaming Dark Night Slash!" He swung with all his might, sending a flurry of blazing slashes hurtling toward Venefica.
The fiery waves surged forward, their heat blistering. Venefica darted and twisted to dodge the onslaught, but the mere proximity scorched her skin, leaving painful burns. She shrieked in agony, stumbling backward as the last of the slashes flew past her arm, leaving it completely charred.
Peon pointed his sword at her, flames licking up the blade. His confident grin had returned, a twisted reflection of his usual fear and uncertainty now burned away. "How do you like that, Venefica?" he taunted looking towards Venefica who is holding her arm in agony as her expression darkens. "Even if you dodge every one of my attacks, the heat alone will cook you alive."
Meanwhile, on the other side of the battlefield, Mastema was in dire straits. Exhausted and battered, she struggled to defend herself against Nyra's relentless onslaught. The heir of Beleth moved with blinding speed, her attacks a flurry of strikes had left Mastema reeling.
Desperately, Mastema attempted to cast slow again. But Nyra's speed on the ground was even faster so much so that the spell seemed to have no effect at all.
Mastema in a last-ditch effort summoned a barrier of flames, hoping it would deter Nyra, but Nyra's fists punched through the searing fire with ease, slamming into Mastema's abdomen. The former angel gasped, her body recoiling from the force. Nyra didn't let up, landing blow after blow across Mastema's body.
"This one's for Vallyn!" Nyra snarled, striking her hard in the ribs. "And this one's for Mesha!" Another punch sent Mastema staggering back. "And this," Nyra growled, her eyes blazing with fury, "is for making me harm my own allies!" She delivered a powerful uppercut that sent Mastema flying. Her body hit the ground with a heavy thud, coughing up blood as her tattered clothes clung to her bruised form.
Nyra approached slowly, breathing heavily as she glared down at Mastema. She grabbed her by the throat, lifting her up effortlessly. "I'll give you the chance you didn't give any of them," she hissed. "Any last words?"
Mastema's vision blurred as she hung limp in Nyra's grip. Her body was broken, her energy depleted. I'm sorry, God... I've failed you, she thought, the words echoing in her mind like a final plea.
But then, a familiar, benevolent voice resonated within her."No, my child, it's not over yet."
God?Mastema's heart surged with hope.
"You must reach deep within, my child. The power I bestowed upon you as an angel has not truly left you,"the voice continued, warm and reassuring.
But I can't feel the light anymore,Mastema thought, despair creeping in.
"Believe, Mastema not just in me, but in yourself. I shall help you find the way. For I have faith in you, my child."
Mastema recalled the saying that she heard from Jezabel: "Believe in the me that believes in you." She closed her eyes, searching deep within herself for a spark of the divine light she once wielded.
Nyra scoffed, tightening her grip. "Can't even muster the strength to speak? This is the end for you!" She pulled her fist back, ready to deliver the final blow. But as her punch flew forward, a brilliant holy light erupted from Mastema's body, engulfing them both.
The light burned Nyra's hand, forcing her to release her grip and retreating backward, shielding her eyes from the blinding glow as burns starts to accumulate over her body. The battlefield fell silent as a cocoon of radiant light enveloped Mastema, its brilliance washing over everything.
As the light faded, Mastema emerged, transformed. Her wounds have completely vanished, Her attire was now a pristine white nun's habit, adorned with delicate lace. The veil framed her face, while a golden halo like crown with sharp, spiked rays floated above her head. Her long, flowing blue hair cascaded down her back shimmering under the holy light. Her wings had regained their form, but unlike before, they were now pure white, shimmering with a holy luminescence. Her tail, too, had taken on a similar radiant hue, symbolizing her restored connection to the divine.
Mastema: Holy Succubus - Lvl 440
Nyra stared in disbelief. "A fallen archangel? No... that light is too pure for a fallen," she muttered, her expression twisted with confusion and rage.
Mastema's eyes softened with a serene, unearthly glow as she clasped her hands together in prayer. "Oh Lord in heaven," she began, her voice echoing with divine resonance.
Nyra's eyes widened in panic. "Not good!" Ignoring the pain searing her flesh from the holy energy, she lunged at Mastema, aiming to interrupt the prayer before it could be completed.
"Hear my prayer," Mastema intoned, her voice calm and unwavering. She spread her arms wide, her gaze lifted towards the heavens. The holy energy around her intensified, forming a swirling vortex of light.
Nyra pushed forward, her muscles straining against the intense radiance. The closer she got, the more her skin blistered and burned from the divine aura. "Damn you!" she screamed, her voice cracking with desperation as she threw her fist forward.
"And answer," Mastema declared, her eyes snapping open. She thrust her hands upward, calling upon God's divine power. The sky brightened as a massive sphere of holy light materialized above her, growing larger and brighter, humming with raw, celestial energy.
The air shimmered as Mastema's voice rang out, filled with divine authority"Great Lament!"
High above her, the sphere of radiant light began to swell, its surface crackling with arcs of holy energy. It expanded rapidly, growing brighter and larger until it resembled a miniature sun. The intensity of its light was blinding, casting long, stark shadows across the battlefield as it grew to engulf everything in its surroundings. The ground beneath it quaked, and the air itself seemed to vibrate with an overwhelming pressure, a prelude to the celestial cataclysm about to unfold.
In an instant, the sphere exploded outward. The eruption was like a supernova, a wave of radiant light tearing through the sky. The brilliance of the blast was enough to turn night into day, its searing luminescence swallowing the battlefield whole.
The onlooking devils in a distant cried out in alarm, their eyes wide with terror. "Lady Nyra!" several voices shouted, their calls overlapping in a cacophony of panic.
If any of you are wondering how Peon broke free of paralysis just by flexing, he used a modified version of Muscle Greeting a special move that the warrior class has in Disgaea 7, and great lament is based on SMT Mastema's attack.