The battlefield was a chaotic tapestry of destruction and power. Ash and dust swirled through the air, rising from the still-smoking craters that marked the behemoth's last attack. Gabriel stood before the Warlords, transformed into a grotesque monstrosity, his body pulsing with raw dark energy. His twisted horns glistened with a dark, malevolent light, and his glowing orange eyes burned with hatred. Behind him, the massive behemoth shook off the slowing effects of Solan's magic, preparing to charge again.
Brig, Gale, Haruto, and Solan regrouped, hearts pounding, eyes fixed on Gabriel's warped form. The loss of Cohn still weighed heavily on their minds, but now was not the time for grief. Gabriel was far more dangerous in his current form, and the behemoth was still a looming threat.
"We need a plan," Brigs muttered, wiping the sweat from his brow. His eyes darted between Gabriel and the behemoth, the enormity of the battle pressing down on him. "This isn't just some fight—we're going up against a monster and a living fortress."
Haruto gritted his teeth, fists still glowing faintly from his earlier attack. "We need to hit them fast, before they get another chance to attack. I'll take the behemoth."
Gale shot him a glance, concern flashing in her eyes. "Are you insane? You can't take that thing alone."
Haruto's expression hardened. "I don't have to win—just distract it long enough for you to deal with Gabriel. I can handle that much."
Brig's jaw tightened as he processed the plan. He hated it. The thought of splitting up in the face of such overwhelming power felt like suicide. But they didn't have much choice. Haruto's speed and firepower were their best shot at keeping the behemoth occupied.
"Fine," Brig said at last, "but be careful. If you get in over your head, retreat."
Haruto nodded, his eyes blazing with determination. He turned to the others, his voice steady. "I'll draw the behemoth away. Try to finish it before I die." He gave a confident smirk before heading off towards the behemoth.
Haruto grit his teeth as the beast inched closer. 'There's no way I have a chance at winning. I just got to stall long enough. I guess I gotta use that.' With a flick of his wrist, Haruto ignited his body in a blazing aura of fire and shot off toward the behemoth, leaving a trail of scorched earth in his wake.
The ground shook as the massive creature lumbered forward, its glowing spikes pulsing with energy. It roared as it noticed Haruto's approach, swinging its colossal tail in a wide arc. The force of the swing tore through the air, sending shockwaves rippling outward.
Haruto twisted his body midair, narrowly dodging the tail. He gathered heat and lightening elements in his palms and hurled a volley of hybrid electro-fireballs at the behemoth's head. The flames exploded against its armored hide, sending sparks rippling throughout its body, but the creature barely slowed. Its glowing eyes locked onto Haruto, and with a deafening roar, it charged after him, shaking the very ground beneath it.
Meanwhile, Brig, Gale, and Solan turned their attention back to Gabriel, who was watching the spectacle with a twisted grin.
"Foolish," Gabriel hissed, his voice now deeper and distorted, like two voices overlapping. "Splitting your forces only ensures your doom."
Brig met Gabriel's gaze, his heart pounding with anger and loss. "We don't need the whole team to take you down."
Gabriel's eyes flared with malice, and in an instant, he lunged forward, faster than any of them expected. His elongated arms slashed through the air, claws gleaming in the dim light. Brigs barely had time to raise his sword, deflecting the first strike, but the sheer force sent him skidding backward twenty meters leaving his arm shaking. "One blow is that heavy? I can't take too many of those hits." Brig stated through gritted teeth as he tried to calm the trembling in his hand.
Gabriel launched another while Gale reacted with practiced precision, summoning a barrier of shimmering light between Gabriel and Brig. The demonic claws raked against the shield, sending cracks splintering through it. With a snarl, Gabriel lashed out again, shattering the barrier with a deafening explosion of magic. Solan who had been slowly moving into position, finally found a place.
"Solan, now!" Brig shouted as he regained his footing.
Solan, standing a few feet behind Gale, thrust his hands forward. The ground trembled, and thick vines of mana erupted from the earth, wrapping around Gabriel's legs and arms, binding him in place. The demonic figure struggled against the magical restraints, but the vines tightened, glowing with Solan's energy.
Gale wasted no time. She focused her mana, her eyes glowing with an intense light. The air around her crackled with power as she summoned a spear of pure light, its tip sparking with deadly energy. With a cry, she hurled the spear at Gabriel's chest.
The spear struck true, hitting Gabriel with a thunderous explosion. His body convulsed as the energy surged through him, and for a brief moment, the demonic transformation faltered. His skin flickered between blackened flesh and human form, but with a roar, he tore free of the vines, his body returning to its monstrous state.
"What is this? HOLY MAGIC!" Pathetic!" Gabriel bellowed, his voice echoing across the battlefield. He raised his arm, and dark energy began to coalesce around his hand, forming a sphere of swirling black magic. With a flick of his wrist, he hurled it toward Gale.
Brig moved in a flash, throwing himself in front of Gale and raising his shield. The dark orb smashed against the barrier, shattering it instantly and sending Brig flying backward. He hit the ground hard, pain lancing through his body, but he forced himself back up, his grip tightening on his sword.
"You'll die like the others!" Gabriel roared, charging forward, his claws outstretched.
But before he could reach them, a sudden explosion rocked the battlefield. The behemoth, still locked in its battle with Haruto, had unleashed another devastating blast of fire and energy from its mouth. The beam tore across the landscape, missing Haruto by inches as he darted through the air, but it carved a deep trench into the earth, sending debris flying in all directions.
Haruto was relentless, his body blazing with fire as he unleashed a series of rapid strikes against the behemoth's legs and sides. His fists and feet connected with the creature's armored hide, each blow resonating with a shockwave. But the behemoth was seemingly unstoppable. Even with its legs starting to bleed from Haruto's earlier attack, it continued its assault, swiping at Haruto with its massive claws and tail.
"Come on, you big bastard!" Haruto yelled, dodging another swing and launching himself into the air. He gathered a massive ball of wind and fire between his hands, the heat so intense that the air around him shimmered. With a grunt of effort, he hurled the fireball at the behemoth's head.
The fireball struck with a fiery explosion, engulfing the creature's face in flames. The behemoth let out a roar, stumbling back as the fire burned its eyes but Haruto knew it wouldn't last long. The beast lived in the Inferno Lands. Haruto seized the moment, diving down and slamming a lightening punch into the creature's chest. The impact sent shockwaves through the ground, and the behemoth let out another agonized roar, its massive form wavering.
But as Haruto prepared to strike again, the behemoth's spikes flared to life, glowing with renewed energy. Before he could react, the creature released a burst of magic, sending shards of glowing stone hurtling toward him. Haruto barely managed to raise a shield of wind, but the force of the attack sent him crashing to the ground, skidding across the dirt.
"Kage!" Gale cried, watching in horror as he struggled to rise.
Brig, battered but still standing, saw his chance. He turned to Gale and Solan, his eyes burning with determination. "We need to end this. Now."
Gale nodded, summoning her remaining mana. Solan, though drained from holding Gabriel, gritted his teeth and prepared another spell.
Brig charged toward Gabriel, his sword glowing with power. Gabriel, still enraged, lashed out with his claws, but Brig ducked under the strike, closing the distance in an instant. He thrust his sword forward, aiming for Gabriel's heart.
Gabriel sneered, raising his arm to block the blow. But in that moment, Gale unleashed her final spell—a bolt of pure holy magic, brighter than the sun. The light struck Gabriel, blinding him just long enough for Brig to drive his sword deep into Gabriel's chest.
Gabriel let out a gurgling roar, his demonic form flickering. He tried to pull the sword out, but Solan's vines wrapped around him once more, holding him in place.
With one final cry, Brig twisted the blade, and Gabriel's body erupted into a burst of dark energy. The force of the explosion sent Brig flying backward, but when the smoke cleared, Gabriel was gone, his twisted form disintegrated into ash.
Brig lay on the ground, panting, his body aching from the battle. Gale and Solan rushed to his side, helping him to his feet.
"We did it," Gale said, her voice shaky with relief.
But their victory was short-lived. The behemoth, was still standing. Its glowing eyes burned with fury as it let out a deafening roar, preparing to launch more, devastating attacks.
Haruto, battered but alive, pushed himself to his feet. His body was bruised, his mana nearly depleted, but he wasn't ready to give up.
"Everyone," he called out, his voice steady despite the pain. "Get ready."
The Warlords stood together, bruised, battered, but unbroken. The behemoth charged, its enormous body thundering toward them. Suddenly a sinister laugh erupted from behind them.
"You fools really thought that attack of yours would work!?" It was Gabriel. He was still in his second form, but he seemed more battered.
Gale shook her head. "It's impossible. We saw him die."
Gabriel smirked showing rows of sharpened teeth. "I told you didn't I? I am not Caron. You have absolutely no chance of beating me." As he prepared to attack a light erupted from behind him. The other Saints and the troops covered their eyes. A lone figure stepped out slowly. The aura around this individual was completely off the charts. He wore a straight white and yellow cape. He had pure silver armor and long blue hair. His pupils were orangelike almost iridescent. He had no weapon but they knew immediately this guy was the most dangerous being here. Even Moreso than the behemoth.
"We're doomed. There's no hope left." Solan said as he sunk down into a pit of despair shaking.
Brigs seeing Solan react to the individual, immediately ran to his side. "Who is that?"
Solan was shaking so much he could barely speak. "He's Michael. The leader of the Saints. Or the name he's gained. Saint Of The Black Flame.
The battlefield fell silent, the dust settling over the new arrival. The Warlords stood shell shocked. They knew the war was far from over and now another player had entered the scene.