Marshal and the Sylph Queen stared each other down.
Marshal transformed into his human form red eyes, black hair, clad in dragon-scale armor, a katana resting in his hands.
Dragons used this form because it granted them speed and smooth, precise evasion.
"Who are you, dragon?" the Sylph Queen asked, releasing immense energy that blew the smoke away.
Marshal said nothing.
He lowered his stance and lunged forward, slashing at her. The Sylph Queen countered with her claws, and their attacks collided, releasing a violent mana shockwave across the battlefield.
Grandpa Caesar kicked one Storm Sylph away and turned his head toward the clash. His eyes widened.
Kyle, Oni, and Noah lay unconscious.
And standing before the Sylph Queen was Marshal the Supreme Commander of the Dragon Army.
Caesar froze for a moment, then his expression hardened. This time, he controlled his flames carefully, preventing his energy from burning out like before. He blocked a Storm Sylph's attack and defeated it with a single punch.
Nearby, Ace and Lucy had already taken down one Storm Sylph together, while the last fled elsewhere. Lucy and Ace immediately rejoined the fight against the Sylph Army.
Kyle stirred and slowly regained consciousness. Grandpa Caesar moved to his side. Noah soon awoke as well.
Oni was already standing, watching the battle between Marshal and the Sylph Queen.
Meanwhile, the Tao brothers (Rico, Kai, and Akira) along with Lucy and Ace, struggled against the advanced sylphs.
Noah raised his hand.
Undead soldiers erupted from the ground and surged into the battlefield.
At the Sky Palace, Suiryu received alarming news: the Supreme Commander of the Dragon Army had entered the battlefield.
He was stunned.
"I had casted a spell to hide the Sky Fortress…" Suiryu muttered.
Then his expression darkened.
"Opium. Osric. Go there and eliminate him."
"As you wish, Your Majesty," Osric replied.
Opium had already departed.
On the battlefield, Marshal unleashed his draconic flames and delivered five devastating strikes. The final blow sent the Sylph Queen crashing backward.
A crimson light erupted from her body, shooting into the sky like a beacon.
Her eyes glowed as she launched herself toward Marshal but he vanished, redirecting his attack toward Opium instead.
Opium and Osric were Celestial Archons of the Sky God's army.
Opium countered Marshal with an ice trident, and the two exchanged rapid blows. Marshal kicked Opium in the gut, raised his katana, and attempted to sever his neck but Opium dodged, slammed his head into Marshal's chin, then unleashed a massive ice surge, trapping him.
An ice bird formed and exploded, firing dozens of ice spikes.
Flames erupted around Marshal, melting the ice. He sliced the spikes apart midair with his katana. Heat and frost collided as the air itself distorted.
They locked eyes locked in a deadly standoff.
Marshal dashed forward.
Opium slid across the ice toward him.
Marshal dodged the trident and raised his blade
Then Osric arrived, slamming his Hammer of Judgment onto Marshal's katana.
The strike halted him completely.
Marshal now faced two Celestial Archons.
Kyle suddenly burst forward, rage flooding his body. He charged the Sylph Queen far stronger than before.
"I can't lose to these monsters! I HAVE TO FIGHT GODS!" Kyle roared.
Oni watched closely.
"Our enemies are growing stronger," Oni said.
A seal shattered.
Oni's King's Aura surged, crushing the air around him.
"What's happening, Oni?" Grandpa Caesar asked.
"I am the Hell King," Oni said calmly. "When I left Hell, my power weakened I didn't belong to this world. But as time passes, I reclaimed my strength by percentage. I was at 10%. Now, I'm at 20%."
Kyle pressed forward despite the pressure.
His Hell Orbs ignited, attacking the Sylph Queen from every direction. She fought calmly, palm-striking Kyle's chest and unleashing Ryo, injecting mana directly into his body.
Kyle's bones and nerves screamed in pain, but the Core of the Elder Dark Dragon resisted.
He was sent flying.
Before the Sylph Queen could finish him, Oni appeared punching her in the gut and kicking her away.
His eyes glowed red.
Oni formed a sharp, triangular mana blade around his hand and thrust forward. The Sylph Queen blocked it but Oni spun and landed a crushing back kick to her face.
Just as he prepared to end her
The Storm Sylph that had escaped returned.
It hurled a massive pillar at Oni, then struck him with overwhelming force. Its body had grown larger, more muscular. Gathering energy into one arm, it smashed Oni backward.
The Storm Sylph grabbed the Sylph Queen and fled.
They reached a distant location and exchanged energy.
The Storm Sylph was drained completely.
The Sylph Queen died.
Left behind was a black egg.
Oni stared into the distance.
"Where did they go…?"
Marshal continued fighting the two Celestial Archons when Kyle rushed in, blocking a combined attack from Opium and Osric.
"Whoever you are thank you," Marshal said.
"Enemy of my enemy is my friend," Kyle replied.
Grandpa Caesar moved to support the other Metsuju members.
Oni joined Kyle and Marshal against Opium and Osric.
Marshal transformed back into his dragon form and unleashed a massive flame wave into the storm clouds sending a signal to the dragon army.
Opium tried to stop it, but it was too late.
The Dragon King sensed it.
Though not fully confirmed, Orwlevdis sent one division of his army to investigate.
At the Sky Palace,
Suiryu panicked.
He sent a message to the God of Souls.
"Ryzen's son, Kyle, has returned from Hell seeking revenge. The Dragon Army has begun hunting the gods. We must end them now."