Read ahead on my P@treon...
p@treon.com/MayaMatengele01
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Suddenly, Levi stopped coughing.
In his hand appeared a black staff adorned with gemstones, pointed directly at Hedelin. A blue light erupted from the staff, engulfing her without resistance.
Meanwhile, Amadi slashed at the air in front of him, redirecting the 'Lightning Storm' that was meant for Hedelin toward Stacy.
Stacy let out a startled cry, using both 'Staff Substitution' and 'Mirror Substitution' in quick succession. But it was futile. Even when she pulled out a dazzling talisman and activated it, nothing worked.
The 'Ancestral Staff' had recreated a 'Lightning Storm' that Levi had witnessed at great personal risk during a battle at sea, where a Cardinal from the Church of Storms had unleashed it with full force...
That Cardinal was a Sequence 3 'Sea King'. Though this 'Lightning Storm' couldn't match the original's power, it was more than enough to kill a 'Demoness of Affliction' who wielded a Sequence 4 Sealed Artifact...
However, the lightning didn't strike Stacy. Instead, a clash of black flames and blue lightning erupted between the three, and the 'Lightning Storm', lacking sustained power, dissipated unwillingly within the villa.
Seeing the black flames that could neutralize an attack nearing Sequence 3 demi-god level, Levi and Amadi didn't speak. They silently heightened their guard, their expressions betraying a sense of grim satisfaction.
A voice, distant yet close, echoed through the room:
"New elder Amadi, what a stunning man... A pity you're an Abraham. Otherwise, I'd be reluctant to kill you. Don't think of running, I've already extracted your basic information through soul-searching."
Still wearing a relaxed expression, Amadi replied, "Oh? So you've captured, killed, and spiritually interrogated everyone who left earlier? You didn't even consider recruiting them? How cruel."
"Don't try to provoke me. I must admit, the Abraham family is admirable in this regard. Even though they were just Sequence 9 and Sequence 8 weaklings, they showed no desire to surrender, even when facing a demi-god... Is this the pride of your former Angel Family? Hah! Joining us wouldn't disgrace your ancestors. After all, we are a true god's family, unlike your pathetic clan that can't even produce a Sequence 6 Beyonder!" The ethereal voice taunted.
"Stop talking! Hedelin's dead! Kill them both and avenge her!" Stacy the 'Demoness of Affliction' snarled, her face twisted with malice.
The ethereal laughter echoed through the villa, "Don't rush. It'll be over soon."
During the brief exchange, Levi had handed the 'Ancestral Staff' to Amadi, who was continuously slashing the air around them with the 'Dagger of Secrecy'. Levi didn't speak, only giving Amadi a meaningful look.
Amadi's face finally showed pain. The ever-optimistic 'Astrologer' had realized the grim truth, only one of them could survive by sacrificing the other to hold off their enemies. And that survivor would undoubtedly be him...
The thought of leaving Levi who had dedicated his life to the Abraham family behind filled Amadi with anguish.
Suddenly, after just a few seconds of silent communication, both men felt a tickle in their throats. Without a word, Amadi, holding the 'Ancestral Staff', opened a portal and vanished in the blink of an eye.
The demi-god 'Demoness of Despair' didn't intervene, only revealing herself with a smile:
"It's useless. I've already sealed the surrounding space. Did you think I was just–" She cut herself off, her expression shifting to shock, "Impossible! Is that black staff a Grade 0 Sealed Artifact!?"
Realizing her miscalculation, the 'Demoness of Despair' frantically clawed at the air, as if pulling invisible strings. Only when she seemed to find what she was looking for did she relax and smile.
In the next moment, a blinding light filled the villa, enveloping both the 'Demoness of Affliction' and the 'Demoness of Despair'. Under the light, faint threads appeared in the demi-god's hands but were quickly destroyed by the radiant brilliance.
The 'Demoness of Despair' shielded Stacy, her expression calm but far from the confident demeanor she had displayed earlier.
As the light faded, she said coolly, "The Abraham family... a bunch of cowardly rats, always scurrying away. But this time, you won't escape. You can't hide."
Levi's ring glowed with an eerie light, illuminating the surroundings...
His throat seemed clogged, but he forced out his words, "I know. Your virus has already brought me to the brink of death. But I'm not running!"
"...You say the Abraham family flees? Fine. But you call us cowards? Never! No matter how low we've fallen, no Abraham has ever surrendered! What we enjoy now is a gift from our ancestors..."
"...Do you know whose remains the 'Ring of Wandering' is made from? My ancestor! The glory of our Angel Family isn't just from our peak, but also from our unyielding spirit in our darkest hours! Our ancestors' spirit will always protect us!" Levi roared with all his might.
A burst of light and lightning erupted from his body. His form dissolved in the brilliance, but something remained... a diamond-like object that merged into the 'Ring of Wandering'.
The 'Demoness of Despair' and Stacy were also bathed in the light and lightning. The black flames and frost around the 'Demoness of Despair' surged to counter the attack, but they evaporated like shadows under sunlight.
Before the light could consume them, the 'Demoness of Despair' waved her hand, transporting herself and Stacy through a mirror to safety.
When the light faded and the lightning subsided, the 'Demoness of Despair' reached out to grab the ring, then fled through the mirror.
Moments later, before the 'Demoness of Despair' could get far, a faint sound echoed from the horizon. A figure descended swiftly and silently onto the villa, or rather, the ruins.
At the same time, a golden figure streaked across the sky, landing near the newly arrived demi-god. Without a word, both turned their attention to a shadowy corner of the ruins. A figure emerged, unremarkable in appearance but radiating an undeniable presence.
The three approached each other, exchanged a few words, nodded, and then quickly dispersed...