Raymond and the soldiers at the gate fought desperately against the incoming wave of demons. What had once been a coordinated defense devolved into chaos. Their fluid, disciplined movements gave way to frantic sword swings and raw physical strikes. The horde pressed harder, their sheer numbers threatening to overwhelm the gate.
"Move back! Archers, cover us!" Raymond shouted, his voice cutting through the din as the men retreated toward the city walls.
"But that will mean we've given in! Tarth will be invaded!" one of the archers cried, his voice trembling with dread.
"We have no choice! Cover those men!" the archer commander barked, loosing an arrow into the horde. His men followed suit, arrows raining down to slow the advance.
Out on the battlefield, Jeremiah stood alone against the rearguard's onslaught. His fighting style had lost its elegance, replaced by raw aggression and deadly efficiency. Every kick carried gusts of wind, every punch crackled with lightning. His fury halted the demon tide, forcing them to circle him warily.
"Don't just stand there. Fight me, you monsters!" Jeremiah roared, his fiery aura blazing around him.
A voice rang out from behind. "Human! Remember me!"
Jeremiah turned, his eyes narrowing. It was Ukobathan, the demon from the forest.
"Why was I secretly praying you'd be here," Jeremiah muttered, his aura flaring brighter.
Ukobathan dismounted, his grin twisted. "Where's your little friend?" he sneered, approaching slowly.
"Busy killing your kind. I've been waiting for this," Jeremiah replied, stepping forward to meet him.
Ukobathan raised his voice to the horde. "Leave this human to me! Take the gate! Kimaris, keep your eyes on Lenen!" The demon archer who had destroyed the gate nodded, signaling the forces onward.
The two warriors charged. Jeremiah's fist slammed into Ukobathan's throat as he dodged a swing. Lightning-enhanced speed carried him through a flurry of counters, but Ukobathan's projection magic placed him behind Jeremiah in an instant. A crushing blow to Jeremiah's back sent him flying. He rose, grimacing, and dropped into a stance. Ukobathan smiled, charging again.
At the gate, Raymond and his men fought desperately as demons poured into the city. The rearguard pressed closer. Raymond cut down another foe, only to find himself shadowed by a towering demon nearly ten feet tall. Its massive hands rose, ready to crush him. Raymond froze, defenseless.
Before the strike could land, a figure leapt above him. A massive blade cleaved the demon clean in half. Raymond's eyes widened as the figure landed — a young man with striking blue hair and sharp ears. He swung his blade again, horizontally, cutting through a dozen demons in one stroke.
"Who are you?" Raymond demanded, stunned.
The young man smiled. "We're reinforcements."
It was Adriano. Behind him, Elliot and Eddard descended into the fray. Elliot's arms transformed into whips, lashing through demons, while Eddard tore through them barehanded, his strikes breaking bodies like stone.
"They're amazing," one soldier whispered in awe.
"They're monsters," another muttered, half in fear.
Raymond raised his voice. "Men! Keep pushing! Don't let these young men fight alone!" He charged beside Adriano, blades flashing.
Behind the horde, a horse crashed through the ranks. Demons turned to see Lenen advancing on foot, sword in hand. One demon rushed to greet him.
"Lieutenant Lenen, the hum—" His words were cut short as Lenen's blade severed his head.
"Traitor!!" another demon screamed, lunging. Lenen parried effortlessly and punched, his strike so precise it tore the demon's head clean off. Silent, expressionless, he continued cutting down his former allies, his betrayal undeniable.
Meanwhile, Hamza and Cranel stood drenched in blood before the seven princes. Their wounds were minor, their spirits unbroken.
"Lucifer. The humans have reached us. Do we still wait?" Satan asked, his gaze fixed on the two warriors.
Lucifer's voice was cold, indifferent. "Who volunteers to face them?"
Cranel smirked. "Well, if we could intervene, we'd like to face one prince each. I think we can handle it. Can we do that?" His tone was casual, mocking.
"I'll face the white-haired one," Satan declared.
"I will take care of the other," Abaddon said, his voice dripping with menace. "If you require death, human, I will oblige."
Cranel smiled, gesturing for Satan to come. Hamza wasted no time — he launched himself at Abaddon, closing the distance so fast even Cranel was surprised. His fist connected with Abaddon's face, sending the prince flying. The other demons stared, speechless.
"That's the spirit! I respect your urgency, human!" Satan laughed, patting Hamza's shoulder.
Hamza's eyes burned. "And I respect nothing about you, demon. Now let me finish your friend. Cranel, try not to get too injured. We still have five of them left." He strode toward Abaddon's landing point.
"I hear you, my friend," Cranel replied, charging at Satan. He leapt, delivering a roundhouse kick. Satan blocked with his arm and countered with a punch. Cranel crossed his forearms to block, but the force sent him flying.
Beelzebub watched, his voice calm but intrigued. "The interest factor of this war keeps rising."