The Silent Death Duo, Lyra and Nerina, carved their way through the enemy ranks with ruthless efficiency. Their movements were seamless, cutting down the demon elites from the weakest to the strongest, one by one. The battlefield was a storm of steel and magic, their combined attacks leaving trails of destruction in their wake.
Meanwhile, Captain Rurik and his unit arrived back at the city and immediately shifted their focus to eliminating the enemy's ranged attackers. Utilizing the city's defensive towers, they rained precise strikes upon enemy mages and other magical demons, thinning the opposition's ability to counter their forces. However, this battle was different from the others—the sheer number of enemies seemed endless, and the demons fought with a savage, almost mindless fury.
The chaotic tide of demons surged toward the city gates, with the most daring ones taking to the skies, releasing their monstrous wings. They dived at Lyra and Nerina like a relentless swarm, surrounding them in the air. It was like standing in the center of a massive beehive, with countless winged monstrosities descending upon them from all directions.
Without hesitation, the sisters unleashed their combined might. Summoning their elemental prowess, they created a massive tornado infused with razor-sharp water droplets. The swirling storm cut through the enemy ranks like an unstoppable force, the demons shrieking as their bodies were shredded apart mid-air. The remnants of the enemy forces watching from a distance began to recall the terror of this legendary duo. This was why they were called the Silent Death—when they struck, their enemies barely had time to register their demise.
Nerina, ever the superior duelist in close combat, took on all five Demon Kings single-handedly. She moved with deadly precision, her spear slicing through the gaps in their defenses, wounding them until they were barely able to stand. Bit by bit, she chipped away at their strength, making them immobile and vulnerable. With relentless pressure, she finally took down the weakest Demon King, piercing his heart before absorbing his essence with alarming speed. As his energy coursed through her body, Nerina smirked.
"It's been a while since I absorbed someone of this caliber," she mused, feeling the surge of power fuel her even further.
Lyra, meanwhile, faced the remaining two Demon Kings alongside four of the Demon Generals. The battle was grueling, but her resilience and skill proved too much for them. She finally took down two of the Demon Generals, crushing them with a decisive blast of magic before absorbing their power in quick succession. The battlefield, once chaotic and uncertain, was now slowly tipping in their favor.
A sudden shift in the air sent a chill down Lyra's spine. One of the remaining Demon Kings let out a guttural roar, signaling reinforcements. From the darkened horizon, another wave of monstrous entities emerged—winged horrors armed with jagged weapons, their eyes glowing with an eerie crimson light. They surged toward the city with renewed frenzy, their bloodlust undeterred by their fallen brethren.
Nerina gritted her teeth. "We need to end this now."
She launched herself into the fray, spinning her spear in a deadly arc, sending shockwaves of power through the enemy ranks. Lyra followed suit, casting a barrage of high-speed wind blades that sliced through the advancing demons like a storm of executioners' guillotines.
The battle intensified. The enemy refused to falter, clawing, biting, and striking with relentless fury. Lyra barely dodged a spiked chain aimed at her throat, countering with a burst of compressed wind pressure that sent her attacker crashing into the ruins below. Nerina, momentarily overwhelmed, blocked a downward cleave from a Demon King's axe, her feet skidding back as the ground cracked beneath her.
Then, with a surge of power, she twisted her body and drove her lance into the Demon King's exposed side. The monster let out a furious wail as dark ichor sprayed into the air. She didn't stop—twisting the weapon deeper, she summoned an explosive burst of magic that sent shockwaves rippling through the battlefield.
Meanwhile, deep within the enemy's stronghold, Jareth ascended the tower, his body tense with anticipation. As he reached the next floor, a strange sensation coursed through him—a presence unlike the others he had faced. Bahamut's voice echoed in his mind.
"Jareth, I have a feeling the Demon King is just beyond this floor. Stay alert. He is a tricky one, just as Nerina warned. Keep all of your senses open. He may even descend to ambush you."
Jareth clenched his fists and stepped forward, but as he did, he was met with an unexpected sight. The floor before him was unlike the previous levels—it resembled an opulent bathhouse, filled with golden statues and intricate carvings. Steam filled the air, thick and almost intoxicating. The warmth of the hot springs enveloped him, making the atmosphere feel surreal, almost dreamlike.
Then, through the mist, he noticed a shadowy figure shifting behind a delicate silk curtain. The translucent fabric revealed the silhouettes of several feminine forms, their curves accentuated by the flickering golden light.
Jareth narrowed his eyes. Something was off.