"Three more of that caliber before I have to cool down," Aida stated.
"I'll restrict his movement so you can land a shot." Zack shifted the sand beneath Lazare's feet.
"The rate that he's regenerating it won't be too effective." Aida aimed for center mass.
"We just need to buy some time," Zack stated while the final holy orb returned to his hand.
Aida connected to Zack briefly before nodding, and opening fire. The first blast Aida released formed in an instant as a refined beam. It appeared to be on target, but Lazare shifted sideways at the last second losing his right side in the process. Half of Lazare's torso was missing, but he dashed forward relentlessly as it slowly regenerated.
The second blast took longer to form, but when released it spread apart into five beams. They struck the wings, and legs with extreme precision as the final one hit the head. Lazare's body plopped over onto the ground convulsing before laying still. Aida thought it was over, but chaos spewed from the neck.
'How can it survive without a head?' Aida aimed for the heart.
The final shot was gathering as Lavare's head reformed. Its appearance was more grotesque than before, but its shape constantly morphed. Zack looked into the abyss that was once Lazare's face and heard the wailing of countless souls suffering.
The noise gradually faded as Lazare's flesh returned. Aida searched all her data, and there was no mistake. An angel or demon regardless of their strength would die from a blow like that.
'The wailing is new, but that's the same aura I sensed from his palm.'
When Lazare was struck with the final blast Zack lodged the base of his spear into the sand. The final orb fused with Zack's spear as he flew forward. Lazare already recovered his hands and prepared to attack when Zack drew his gladius.
Zack poured power into the blade swinging up as Lazare shrieked. When the arm struck the sand it crumbled, and Zack aimed for the neck. Lazare attacked with his remaining fist in unison with a relentless barrage. While flying back Zack's wings expanded halting his advance before a beam of holy energy shot Lazare into the dunes.
'My weapons work, but my normal attacks don't do enough...I need to push harder.' Zack raised his hand gathering another blast.
"That could work, but the aftermath would affect others. Trust your original plan. The faith you in have your friends isn't misplaced."
The voice always seemed to appear at random times, but it has helped in the past. Zack continued battling Lazare with his blade alone. He needed a little more time for the spear to gather the proper energy, but each exchange could easily be the last.
Now that Lazare was aware of the blade's potential he did everything in his power to avoid its edge. When it collided with the weapons in Lazare's hands a loud ring was echoed through the desert. Each exchange was gradually turning his hand numb, and he struggled to hold the blade.
Zack narrowly dodged the axes from the side, but a hammer crashed down for his shoulder. With his hands occupied his wings were the last resort. The golden wings folded over as a sharp pain erupted that caused their brilliance to dim. Zack rapidly unfurled his wings while releasing his grace.
With their brilliance returning, and divine light erupting in Lazare's face he sprang back to avoid an ambush. When his sight returned Zack was far away at the spear's side. The golden spearhead was now a bright white as an orb of holy flames flicked in the ring.
Zack sliced his hand and began reaching for the ring halting an inch from the flames. He never forgot the shrieks from Declan, and Malachi when encountering the flame. The vision of the slavers in the market indicated Malachi's hand was permanently damaged.
'Maybe I can do it without the blood.'
"It won't harm you."
Observing Lazare closing in, and Aida at his side Zack plunged his hand into the flames. He felt no pain and experienced a warm sensation around the wound. Zack could feel a trickle of his life force seeping out as the spear erupted with holy flames.
The white flames filled the sky bringing Lazare to a halt. There was a loud screeching sound as divine light filled the sky. Those taking cover in the desert peered out from their cover to see something fluttering at a distance.
Flying above the battlefield was a large phoenix that illuminated the sky. Its eyes were bright blue, and its wings white as snow. Its body radiated a divine light, and the tail feathers swaying elegantly across the sky left a trail of white flames.
'I've never seen a phoenix-like that.' Aida examined it closely.
The phoenix flying through the sky wasn't your typical familiar. Zack used the method taught to him by Vanessa, but he sensed something different inside. This was a physical being with a unique aura. It flew around amazed by its surroundings, and with the clumsy movements, it seemed like a newborn.
Its carefree flying ended abruptly as it scanned the area. There was an impurity below, and the moment its eyes met Lazare the wings began to flutter. Rapidly surrounding him was a wing of holy flames as the phoenix soared high into the air. Lazare responded with a blast of chaos, but the phoenix didn't alter its course.
That spell took more than Zack expected, and he was struggling to stand, but he wouldn't let it face it alone. He raised his hand gathering as much energy as he can as a beam of holy light filled the sky. Zack's last-ditch effort was futile for Lazare continued his attacks.
The phoenix witnessed Zack's resolve and matched it. It nosedived as its body erupted into holy flames, and only its visage remained. Holy flames were a phenomenon capable of purifying any corruption. When the chaos met the flames it was eradicated.
Lazare attempted to flee from the ring, but Zack hurled his blade into the remaining wing. While fumbling to the ground the phoenix slammed into Lazare. Holy flames swirled violently around him. The body tried to regenerate, but the divine flames purified everything in its domain.
As the phoenix reformed it lifted its wings as holy flames seeped into the fissures. Corruption had seeped deep into the land, and if it wasn't purified another creature could emerge. Cleansing such a large area wasn't easy, and as the phoenix continued the light began to fade from its wings.