Max ran out of the castle ruins with his breath caught in his throat. Fire and blood mingled in the air, the once shining sky now covered in thick smoke. In his mind, Astaros' voice growled angrily, "Damn Kaizer... I thought he gave up."
Max gritted his teeth, his eyes full of anger, "Is it because he knew about Amalthea's death that he dared to attack?"
Astaros was still doubting something, "I still suspect that girl. Really, she's making a big deal!"
But Max had no time to think further. He continued to run, his sword held high, sweeping away the demons still inside the castle. With incredible speed, he thrust the sword into the stomach of the first demon, spun around swiftly and slashed the neck of the next demon in one fell swoop. Black blood spurted in the air, but Max continued forward.
As he reached the final corridor, a group of demons confronted him. Max realized the exit was closed, so without hesitation, he jumped into the window and lunged out of the burning castle. A cold wind hit his face, and ahead, he saw a Wyvern rider who had just flown past.
Without thinking, Max plunged his sword into the creature's wing. With wind magic, he gave it a powerful push, knocking the demonic rider to the ground below, followed by the screams of the Wyverns that crashed into the rubble. Max landed safely, but the sight around him made him pause.
The city was on fire.
The buildings collapsed, the surviving human soldiers tried to fight back, but one by one they died. The sound of screams and cries echoed among the flames that devoured everything.
Max clenched his fists. This wasn't a war... This was a massacre.
But before he could sink into despair, Astaros' voice shouted in his mind, "Snap out of it, Max! Don't get carried away! Go find Kaizer!"
Suddenly, a large shadow appeared in the sky. Kaizer Mandroga leapt down from his Wyvern, his coat fluttering, his sword glinting in the firelight. He stood before Max, his red eyes glaring, full of pride.
Casually, Kaizer slammed his sword into the ground, causing a wave of energy to spread around him, "Max Raiden... the hero... Long time no see."
Max immediately raised his sword, alert, "Kaizer! Where's Lilith!?"
Kaizer sighed, looking at Max coldly, "I've taken it back... It's time to restore my glory after being degraded by that bitch goddess as a trash story."
Max felt the fire of anger within him. But before he could react further, his body suddenly shook.
Astaros churned in his soul, "Let me out! How dare this bastard come before me with such intentions!"
Max fell to his knees, his hands clutching his chest as a huge light appeared behind him.
The giant shadow of Astaros rise.
His eyes shone like stars, an ancient dragon aura enveloping the battlefield.
Kaizer was slightly surprised at Astaros' presence, "Astaros... So you are one with this hero... Which means you've get off your throne... What a shame for the Dragon King."
Astaros snorted, his gaze full of hatred, "Shut up, you bastard! How dare you come here just because Amalthea died... You want to make a stepping stone for your new glory? Don't bullshit!". Astaros' voice echoed, the entire ground trembled, "YOU'RE RIGHT WITH ME! DRAGONKING ASTAROS....THE GUARDIAN OF THE WORLDLY BALANCE!"
Kaizer drew his sword, his eyes full of hatred and determination, "You stubborn ass hell... That balance you're referring to was destroyed long ago!"
In an instant, Kaizer exploded demonic magic in Berserk mode, his body filled with dark energy that swirled wildly around him. With incredible speed, he lunged at Max, his attack powerful enough to split the ground beneath them.
Max managed to dodge at the last second, but Kaizer's power shattered the terrain around the castle, causing the ground to shake violently. With Astaros' help, Max instantly countered with a slash full of light, creating a wave of energy that split the air.
The battle begins.
And the battlefield in front of the castle now turned into an arena of destruction, where the hero and the demon king fought with all their strength.
As soon as the battle began, Kaizer immediately attacked with a swing of his greatsword, blasting the air with tremendous pressure. Max felt the weight of the attack, even though Astaros was also helping him from within. Even without a physical body, Astaros' magical power was enough to suppress Kaizer's attacks.
"Don't falter, Max!" shout Astaros behind him.
Max tried to parry and counterattack, but Kaizer continued to retaliate aggressively. Each slash caused cracks in the ground. Max erected a barrier, but the thrust of Kaizer's attacks kept him bouncing until he crashed into a house that immediately collapsed behind him.
Before he could catch his breath, a loud roar rang out from the sky. Kaizer's Wyvern hovered above, then spouted flames that devoured the ground Max was standing on. Quickly, Max jumped to the side, but Kaizer was already in front of him, swinging a sword at high speed. Max parried it, but the impact of the attack numbed his hand.
"Damn it...!" growled Max.
In an instant, Max deployed blast magic, creating a powerful explosion that forced Kaizer back. He stood up straight, his breathing heavy but his eyes still sharp. "Up my power again... Astaros!"
A golden aura emanated from his sword, pulsing like a heart filled with holy power. Kaizer, undaunted, raised his sword high and activated his skill, Damnation Slash. His long range slash shot out with the power of darkness, splitting the air like a flash of black lightning. Max tried to dodge, but the impact of the attack shattered the castle tower that collapsed with a rumbling.
"Crazy! The attacks are getting more and more terrifying!" Max swear while looking for an opening.
Max used earth magic, creating sharp pillars sticking out of the ground, attacking Kaizer from various directions. However, Kaizer easily destroyed them all with a single swing of his sword. Max immediately changed his strategy, blanketing the arena with dense flames to blind his opponent.
As Kaizer lost sight of him for an instant, Max capitalized on the momentum. He darted forward, slipping between the smoke and embers, thrusting his sword. But Kaizer's reflexes were too quick. With ease, he blocked it.
However, it was only a feint.
Max conjured lightning in his hand and aimed it at Kaizer from close range. However, instead of taking the attack, Kaizer simply raised his hand and neutralized the electricity with black magic.
"Nice trick... but stupid." Kaizer coldly.
Instantly, the ground beneath Max shook violently. With a single stomp of his foot, Kaizer created a huge crack, throwing Max off balance. However, Max quickly used earth magic, creating pillars to push himself away and pin Kaizer down from both sides.
"Now!" Max roared.
From within him, Astaros released Exidium Ragnum, a burst of dragon energy that shattered the ground where Kaizer stood. The blast shook the entire area, sending rubble flying.
But... it wasn't enough.
The smoke began to dissipate, and Kaizer was still standing upright. The wounds on his body disappeared in an instant. What a terrifying regeneration.
"Impossible..." Max gritted his teeth.
Kaizer stepped forward, followed by his wyvern which again flew above. This time, they attacked together. The wyvern spewed flames from the sky, while Kaizer launched a flurry of attacks. Max parried, but the constant pressure was getting to him.
With a loud clanking sound of iron, their battle continued to heat up, bringing destruction to the terrain around them.
Hot gusts of wind mixed with dust swirled among the ruins of buildings that had been destroyed by the fierce battle. In the distance, Elliz stood atop a small cliff, her eyes keenly gazing at the fierce battle that shook the ground below her.
"Hoo... what a powerful battle," she murmured, gazing at the destructive impact that was felt even to where she stood.
Footsteps approached her, accompanied by a low, respectful voice. "Greetings, Your Highness Elliz."
Elliz turned her head with a probing gaze. "Who are you? Just see you for the first time."
Leonardus bowed respectfully. "Leonardus, a high ranking serving the Demon King."
Elliz's gaze narrowed, a sardonic smile etched on her face. "Aren't you going to help your king?"
Leonardus stared at the battlefield, then shook his head. "No... this is a battle between kings."
Elliz snorted, crossing her arms. "I'd better join in..." Without further ado, she jumped down onto the battlefield.
Max continued to try to fend off Kaizer's relentless attacks. Suddenly-
BANG!
A sharp shot towards him! Astaros quickly deflected it, setting off a blinding spark of energy. Max and Astaros were startled. They turned their heads and saw a figure casually walking into the arena.
"Yikes, troublesome. You can parry it apparently," Elliz said in a bored tone.
Max stiffened. His eyes widened, emotions churning between confusion, anger, and feelings of betrayal. "Why did you... attack me? You betrayed me, Elliz!"
Elliz drew her sword with an astonished expression. "Betrayed? Not even supporting you, let alone being on your side."
Max fell silent. Astaros hissed angrily. "I told you not to trust her!"
On the other side, Kaizer gave Elliz a flat look. "You're late... where have you been?"
Elliz gave him an annoyed look. "Huh? Can't wait for this girl to get ready?" She swung her sword. "It's a draw now. Two against two."
However, Max, who was already filled with rage, immediately attacked Elliz. The girl swiftly parried him. Kaizer joined in the attack, pushing Max back.
It was time for round two.
The aura of hell exploded from each fighter.
Elliz instantly activated Infernal Cataclysm, turning the field into a sea of fire with bursts of lava erupting from the ground. Max countered with Draconic Fang of Ruin, a slash of dragon fang energy that tore through the air. Astaros followed with Drako Blast, a burst of holy fire that targeted Kaizer.
Kaizer went berserk, entering berserk mode with a dark aura engulfing his surroundings. Quickly, he swung his sword, creating a wave of destruction that broke the ground.
Elliz moved nimbly among the flames, raising the Magic Pistol, firing consecutive shots at Max. However, Max tried to deflect them while Kaizer with black energy launched Doom Requiem, a long-range slashing attack that tore through the ground and destroyed the surrounding buildings.
Max shouted in annoyance, "Ugh... damn it!"
He activated Devine Draconis Maelstrom, a fiery dragon vortex that devoured everything in its path.
The battle was getting fiercer. The surrounding area was ablaze, dense smoke filling the air. Kaizer raised his sword high, then swung it with full force.
Astaros warned, "GET DOWN!"
Max quickly ducked, and Kaizer's attack blew the sea of fire in front of him out, splitting the castle and tearing apart the clouds in the sky.
Max staggered, his body exhausted, his breathing labored. But he couldn't give up. With a hoarse voice, he pleaded, "Astaros... give me full power..."
Astaros fell silent "Max! Your body will be destroy-"
"PLEASE!!!"
Silence for a moment. Astaros finally relented. Light enveloped Max's body.
Kaizer and Elliz were alert. "What the...?" Elliz asked tensely
The energy pressure increased drastically, Max raised his sword to the sky. The bright blue light enveloping the battlefield soared into the sky making the clouds form a vortex above it.
"AETERNUM TYRANNIS!"
The energy overflowed even more. Max's body trembled, his bones almost shattered, blood rushing from his mouth.
Kaizer immediately put on a layered black barrier and stuck his sword into the ground to immediately defend himself.
While Elliz couldn't stay still and continued to use wind and earth magic to forcefully push her away, "SHIT!!!"
Max swung his sword!
A sky-splitting star slash shot through the mountains, destroying the village five weeks away, almost hitting the Farewyn Kingdom.
Max fell to his knees. Blood poured from his lips. His sword shattered into pieces. His breathing was intermittent.
Kaizer was still standing, though his right arm was shattered, his armor in ruins. He collapsed on the ground, panting.
This battle isn't over yet...
Max caught his breath, his eyes staring at the destruction around him. The once majestic castle was now nothing but gaping ruins, the split sky slowly coming back together. The fire was still raging, leaving embers flickering amidst the ruins.
"Is it done...?" Max muttered, his body almost unable to move anymore.
However, the sound of soft steps broke the silence. Max turned his head, his eyes widening when he saw Elliz rising from the pile of rubble. Her body that was previously torn apart began to regenerate slowly, her shattered left leg and hand reformed, the burnt skin peeled off, replaced with new flesh. However, the look in her eyes remained cold, without mercy.
"Tch..." Max tried to get up, but his body did not respond. His muscles screamed in pain, and the only thing he could do was crawl.
"Astaros... where are you...? Oy, wake up...!" Max called out to his partner in a hoarse voice, but there was no answer.
Elliz raised her pistol, preparing to shoot Max, but the weapon only made a broken mechanical sound. With an exasperated expression, she threw the gun at Max hard, making him stagger back. Her steps continued forward, approaching with dominance.
"You lose here, Max Raiden," she said, coldly.
Max groaned, his body feeling heavy. "Why... are you doing this to me...? I thought... you were nice..."
For a moment, Elliz was silent. However, her expression did not change. "Because you will hinder my future goals. I want to change the world."
Max's eyes widened. With what was left of his strength, he grabbed Elliz's leg, holding it tightly. "Don't..."
Elliz only let out a small sigh before her hand was raised. "Essence Devourer."
Instantly, an excruciating pain hit Max. He screamed, his body seemed to be torn apart from the inside. His soul trembled, and deep within his consciousness, he saw something, Astaros.
In the realm of his soul, Max saw the figure of Astaros being pulled forcefully. The rope connecting them tightened even more, as if it was about to break.
"Wait! Astaros! Don't go!" Max tried to pull on the rope, but each pull only added to the stabbing pain.
Astaros smiled faintly, his eyes radiating a calmness unusual for a Dragon king like him. "There's no way... we're parting ways here, Max. It's good to be with a kind soul like you. I don't regret giving you my power."
Max bit his lip, holding back the sobs he never allowed to escape. "Don't say that! Without you...!"
Astaros looked at him with reverence. "You've proven yourself to be a balance keeper since we first met. And... I also have a problem with that goddess, so we're even."
The rope holding Astaros finally broke. The Dragon king's figure disappeared from Max's sight.
The next moment, Astaros awoke in an unfamiliar place, dark, empty, and the floor red as a pool of hardened blood. He looked up, seeing figures wearing chains around him. His eyes widened as he saw Amalthea, the goddess he had always been about, hanging dead with chains wrapped around her body, "What... is this place...?"
Around her, there were more and more chained figures some still alive, moaning in the darkness, some already lifeless. He tried to move, but the chains wrapped around his body would not budge. It roared angrily, trying to break free, but in vain. Slowly, darkness enveloped the place.
Fear crept into his mind for the first time, "This girl...just worse like him..."
Meanwhile, in the real world, Max's body relaxed. He was lying on the ground, blood flowing from his mouth. His breathing was labored, his eyes trembling in shock and despair, "N-No..."
In front of him, Elliz closed her eyes, feeling the new power flowing through her body. Her body's regeneration was now complete, her wounds disappearing as if they never existed. She took a deep breath and exhaled with relief.
Then, a small smile appeared on her lips. "Ahh... new power..."
Kaizer staggered, relying on his sword to stay on his feet. His eyes gazed at Elliz who stood straight, as if untouched by everything that happened.
"Hmph... you seem to be alright," he muttered in a sarcastic tone.
Elliz smiled faintly, her eyes shining with sadistic pleasure. "Ara~? Are you awake? Where's your hand?"
Kaizer snorted, holding back the anger raging in his chest. "I can't regenerate anymore... that burst completely destroyed it." His gaze shifted to Max who lay limp on the ground. "And he... is just trash now. Can't get back up."
Max tried to move, but his body refused to obey his will. All his strength had been drained away.
Elliz tilted his head, thinking for a moment before asking, "Kaizer, do you know about the Abyss?"
Kaizer frowned. "Of course. The Abyss... the deepest and most terrifying place, filled with darkness."
Elliz smiled. "Then you can open it, right?" Her eyes looked at Kaizer meaningfully.
"So what?" asked Kaizer with suspicion.
Elliz lifted Max easily, pulling his limp body towards her. "I was thinking of throwing him in there."
Max was shocked. Realizing what was about to happen, he tried to crawl away. "No... no...!"
However, Elliz simply stomped on his back, stopping his attempt. "Don't waste your energy, hero~."
Kaizer finally raised his hand, opening the Abyss gate. As soon as the dimensional door opened, a tremendous pressure gushed out, dark and dense as if swallowing light.
With one move, Elliz threw Max into the darkness mercilessly. Max could only stare in despair as his body was sucked in. "I don't want to die...!"
"Goodbye~ hero~" said Elliz while waving her hand in a mocking tone. The gate closed, leaving behind a void.
Kaizer looked at Elliz, feeling lucky that this woman was by his side. However, his thoughts were interrupted as someone ran towards them.
"Where's Max?" Lilith's voice sounded hoarse, almost incredulous.
Kaizer gave her a flat look. "He's dead."
Lilith froze in place, her eyes wide, her brain refusing to accept reality. "No... my husband... died...?"
Kaizer looked at her, there was a hint of tenderness in his eyes. "If only you knew, Lilith... this is all for your sake... only you can be the successor... if only you understood-"
Instantly, a sword pierced through his chest.
Kaizer gasped, looked back and saw Elliz smiling sarcastically, his hand twisting the sword inside his body before pulling it out. Kaizer staggered, blood rushing from the wound.
"What... the... ELLIZABETH!!!" he shouted angrily.
Elliz just stared down. "I never said I would work with you permanently. Thank you for your help~"
In the distance, the sounds of battle exploded. The cries of demons could be heard in unison, followed by the clanking of swords and gunfire.
"Kill the demons!" shouted the Melavonian army.
The titans swarmed in, finishing off the demons that tried to fight back. Azrael survived as best he could, but eventually fell. Grynda tried to help him, only to be shot down.
Azrael still tried to get up, gripping his spear weakly. "Human bastard...!" But the Titan was already standing in front of him, before he could attack again, he died in an instant.
Elsewhere, Leonardus was thrown violently against a building. He tried to get up, but Lyra had already emerged from the dust. Leonardus mustered all his strength for his final attack, but Lyra slammed into his face, kicking him hard to the ground.
"You're not human..." Leonardus whispered, before Lyra finished him off.
Back on the battlefield, a weakened Kaizer stared at the chaos around him. "I thought you had suffered a lot of losses after the war with Amalthea..."
Elliz chuckled. "That's why I didn't bring any troops here. I was waiting for you to suffer heavy losses. I'm the most horrible human, aren't I? I only do what you consider horrible."
Lilith, filled with rage and sorrow, darted forward, trying to attack Elliz. However, before she could launch an attack, Elliz quickly beheaded her. Lilith's body fell to the ground, lifeless.
Kaizer froze, his eyes widening at the sight of his own daughter's body lying lifeless. His daughter... dead in front of him... betrayed by someone he considered an ally.
With the last of his strength left, Kaizer raised his sword, trying to attack Elliz. However, Elliz was now far superior to him. With one hard kick, Kaizer was thrown to the ground, lying helplessly.
Elliz approached him, looking at him with triumphant eyes. "This is the end of the glory you crave... the death of Demon King Kaizer Mandroga."
Kaizer tried to move his sword one more time, but Elliz had already swung her weapon first.
Blood spurted, the Demon King... died in her hands.
Elliz began to absorb the essence of the two of them, she stared at the battlefield with a sense of pride. "Ahhh... time to take the next step..."
At that time, the demons who surrendered were enslaved, the territory of the Hero Kingdom was now destroyed and taken over by Melavonia. As the demons suffered massive losses, a massive invasion of demon territory was carried out. A war raged on the border, trying to break through their defenses. Screams and explosions were heard everywhere.
In the demon tower, a black-robed demon with her face covered in black cloth and horns, held a staff. Lalloroana, the demon tower sorcerer serving Kaizer, was distraught and frightened. "Forgive me, My king... I cannot fulfill this duty..." she said with a trembling voice and tears streaming down her face.
She was given the task of guarding this territory, but could not since sensing the demon king's presence disappeared and Melavonia's army finally broke through the fort. She was even more frightened when the sounds of fighting outside the door were heard until the door was finally broken down by force. Lieutenant Juggernaut entered with Darius.
Lalloroana immediately screamed hysterically. "Wait! Wait! Please forgive me! I'll follow you! Right... a-I'll serve your queen! I'm so useful!" she said, prostrating herself and trembling with fear.
Darius raised his hand, stopping his men. "Follow us... take her by force."
Lalloroana was immediately taken away by force.
Elliz, on the other hand, entered the castle, heading for Kaizer's empty throne, made of obsidian. She looked up and smiled with satisfaction. "This way, two territories are mine..." she said, walking over to the throne. She sat on it and grumbled, "Damn, it's so hard. How can the Demon King sit here comfortably?"
Moments later, Darius and his squad entered, pushing Lalloroana in front of Elliz. Lalloroana immediately looked down in fear.
"Oh, Your Majesty Elizabeth! Please spare my life! I will cooperate with you! I'm a demon tower sorcerer... I'll be very useful!" her voice trembled. He felt both fear and disappointment in herself for preferring to serve Elliz rather than die, but her instincts forced her to make that decision.
Elliz looked at her with a thoughtful expression. "Oh? Seriously? You made a good choice then... you're accepted."
Lalloroana felt happy to finally be alive. However, Elliz suddenly stood up, walked out of the castle and stared at the scene of the battlefield full of destruction. "A new era has arrived..."
Lalloroana followed close behind. "What do you mean, Your Highness...?"
Elliz raised both hands and said in a victory tone, "A new power... of course. I will make them down... at all costs. For a world where there is only one ruler... me! Of course~."
Elliz's laughter echoed out, showing the great ambition that now consumed her. An absolute goal was born within her: to change the world by ruling it, mercilessly.
A new journey began, the territory of Melavonia that was now getting bigger, Elliz and the entire kingdom witnessed regarded Elliz as a true hero by defeating the Hero kingdom and the demon territory, now Melavonia had risen from a kingdom to an empire
Elsewhere, in a mysterious realm filled with stars and floating books, the sky swirled like a swirling nebula. A white-haired girl wearing a black eye patch patterned with sparkling knick-knacks and a luxurious dress, stared at the screen of water that showed Elliz's current journey.
In a calm voice, she muttered, "It's all useless... I told her not to keep reincarnating people... even the whole thing was played... In the end, I had to do it myself..."
She stared at the screen with a cold expression. "Elliz... no... Number 13..."
To be continued