Ercale let out a slow sigh as he felt Kharveth's presence push through the portal, the shift in demonic energy unmistakable. "So that's his trump card," he muttered under his breath. He turned and began making his way back toward the coliseum, moving at an unhurried pace despite the chaos around him.
Demons that crossed his path barely slowed him down. A flick of his fingers, a brief crackle of lightning, and they dropped where they stood, bodies smoking as he passed. He did not even look back. "Too many major players gathered in one place," he said quietly to himself. "Domine. Arkanis. Sarandel. And now Kharveth."
As he moved through the streets, he slowed near a stretch of rubble where the air was still heavy with dust. He stopped and looked down, eyes narrowing slightly as he took in the pattern of destruction. "That would be the guard tower that was cut," he said, more observation than surprise. He crouched briefly, brushing his fingers through the debris before standing again. "Who did this, I wonder?" His gaze drifted across the ruined stone. "I can think of one man capable of it… but he's dead. And it's not as if his descendant is at that level."
He continued on, passing into a residential district. He could feel people still hiding inside the houses—fearful, silent, clinging to whatever shelter they had left. Ercale did not slow, nor did he turn toward them. *Not my responsibility,* he thought flatly, eyes fixed ahead as the coliseum drew closer. A few more minutes, no more than that.
Then he felt it.
A sudden surge of mana rolled through the air, sharp and unmistakable, followed by the acrid stench of burning demon flesh. Ercale stopped mid-step. Curious, he bent his knees and leapt upward, landing lightly on the edge of a nearby roof. From there, he moved across the rooftops with ease, following the trail of residual energy toward its source.
He came to a halt above an area that looked like it catered more to the city's nightlife—wider streets, clustered buildings, signage torn down or shattered. From his vantage point, he looked down and froze for a fraction of a second.
Someone he had not expected to see again stood below.
*Damn, you're a persistent one,* he thought.
Amara stood in the street, letting out a bored sigh as she brushed soot and ash from her hands. Around her lay a scattering of demonic corpses, charred and smoking, the air still shimmering with lingering heat. "I should report to mistress what's happening here," she muttered to herself.
She turned and walked toward a nearby alley, pulling out a communication tool as she went and activating it.
In an unknown location somewhere in Aetheria
The succubus felt her personal communication device activate. Without breaking her stride, she curled her tail around the small object, drew it from within her dress, and lifted it before her face. A faint glow formed, resolving into a small holographic projection of Amara.
"Hello, Amara. Is there anything you wish to discuss with me?" she asked, her tone light and pleasant.
Amara shook her head once. "No, mistress. I am calling to make a report." Her voice was calm but subdued. "A demonic invasion began over two hours ago. I have been actively fighting against it and, because of that, I have been unable to secure the target."
The succubus let out a soft chuckle. "Oh dear. You did not need to report that to me," she replied casually, even as she reached out and seized a demon by the horns. With a sharp twist, she tore its head free and let the body fall away. "We are already handling the invasion on our end." Her tone shifted slightly, curiosity replacing amusement. "But you chose to fight the demons instead of retrieving the target?"
"Yes, mistress." Amara lowered her head a fraction. "I believed it was necessary. They threaten our overall objective, and extracting the target would have been difficult while demons were still active." There was a hint of uncertainty in her voice now.
"I see…" the succubus said thoughtfully. She spread her wings and lifted into the air, rising above the castle battlements. A horned, winged demon lunged toward her. She caught it mid-flight, snapped both its arms with a sharp twist, and coiled her tail around its neck, tightening as she continued speaking into the device. "Do not worry. I am not going to belittle you for that."
She tightened her tail slowly as she continued speaking, the demon clawing weakly as it was lifted even higher into the air. "What you said makes sense," she went on. "And you know how often I tell you to relax." A faint smile crept into her voice. "Killing demons sounds like an excellent way to release pent-up energy. Go ahead. Kill them all. I do not mind at all."
There was a dull snap as the demon's neck gave way. She released the corpse and let it fall, still holding the communication device as though nothing had interrupted her conversation.
"Thank you for the permission, mistress," Amara said, bowing slightly. "I will not take up any more of your time."
The succubus shifted the device from her tail into her hand. "You did not take up any time at all, Amara. It was wonderful speaking with you," she said warmly. "But it would be best if we talk later."
The hologram faded as the device shut down.
"Such a lovely girl," the succubus mused as she put it away.
"Hey! If you're done with your chat, help me down here!"
She looked down at the shout and spotted the sage below, locked in combat with a Demon Knight clad in full orange plate armor. He was fighting alone, and it was clearly not going well, especially with the boost from the Knight Commander still in effect—something everyone present could feel.
"Coming~" she called back, already diving down to join the fight.