Third Person POV
Zeaira called upon her true powers and started transforming into the incarnation of pure destruction.
The entire underworld was shaking with the amount of power Zeaira was radiating the space in the battle field was shaking. The air itself was twisting around her making her figure distorted.
After that what remained there was not a living being it was humanoid shaped Power of destruction. It didn't even look like a living bring, just PoD taking a human form.
Few beings in the world can call themselves incarnation of destruction and Zeaira is one of them.
The fly chimera felt scared as only its primal instincts were in control. Just by Zeaira's presence the poison was being erased out of existence.
Seeing that it's most versatile weapon being destroyed so easily, the fly chimera instinctively understood that this is not a opponent it can face.
It started to run away but Zeaira created a dome of PoD around both of them.
"Gotta end this fast. I cant control my powers in this form, I will end up causing more damage than the chimera."
This was the first time Zeaira had used her form. Unlike Cain who used Nyx's divine realm to learn and master his true form Zeaira didn't or wasn't able to.
Thus her aura of destruction destroyed anything in her vicinity without differentiating between allies and enemies.
'I just need to kill the chimera and stay like this for a while my aura would erase all traces of poison on it's own.'
Thus Zeaira used the strongest attack in her arsenal to kill the chimera. She created a sphere around the chimera and filled it up with the PoD the chimera inside screeched and howled but the PoD slowly erased its Existence.
The malebranche's power and Melan Beezelebub both were oblireterd without any resistance by Zeaira's strongest attack, Ruin the Extinct.
The chimera was destroyed. Now only the poison it released was left to be destroyed. Zeaira's aura was doing it but with the amount it had released it was going to take a while.
This could have been way faster but Zeaira was afraid that her destruction would reach the poulpulated areas so she was doing her best restraining it.
But still the terrain nearby area was getting slowly obliterated and the sky above her had changed to red from purple due the large amount of destruction aura released by Zeaira.
'Please just let this end quickly.'
...
Gerhard Lucifuge was fighting with the malebranche Scarlimgione while the poison from the fly chimera was still hindering him.
"Hmm you are the servant of the bastard Lucifer so weak, well your master was too."
Hearing that Gerhard was enraged "You may disrespect me but disrespecting my master is off limits."
Saying tgat Gerhard slashed his sword and a cut appeared on the cheek of the malebranche, shocking it.
"Let's see which happens first, either you die or my body gives up."
Gerhard had decided that this would be his last battle
'I wouldn't be able to fight after this even if I survive what a shame that would be.'
Thus the last battle of the first Lucifuge began. After that Gerhard started overpowering the malebranche with his sword skill, skillful manipulation of his clan trait alongwith using the terrain to his advantage.
The evil claw Scarlimgione was astonished.
"How can a mere servant can you fight me!"
"You think too highly of yourselves. My master sealed you because he wouldn't be able to win against all 12 of you at once. But in a one on one battle even your leader Malacoda will be nothing but fodder to my master the Morningstar if he was in his heyday."
This was true if Lucifer were to fight the malebranche's in his angel form he will defeat them all. He wasn't called the Morningstar for nothing.
But due the restraints placed on him by the heavens system made him seal them due to it limiting his strength.
But that is talk for later. The malebranche was hell bent on killing him due to his connection with Lucifer and Gerhard was also hellbent on killing the malebranche to keep the promise he made to his master
The battlefield lay shrouded in an eerie tension, a testament to the clash between Scarlimgione and Gerhard. The air crackled with an unsettling energy as the two adversaries faced each other, a dance of swords and claws about to unfold.
Gerhard, weakened and poisoned, gripped his sword with unwavering determination. The poison coursing through his veins served as a cruel reminder that he needs to end this fast.
Scarlimgione, a relic from the past with dark wings and a sinister aura, had a grin on his face.
"So, Gerhard Lucifuge, your time is at an end. The poison eats away at your strength" Scarlimgione sneered.
Scarmiglione was the one gave the power to Melan so he knew that Gerhard was poisoned
Gerhard, defiant despite his weakened state, retorted,
"I'll face my death when it comes for me, not at the hand of a sealed machine like you."
The clash began, blades and claws clashing with each other at tremendous speed, creating sonic booms every time they touched.
Scarlimgione's movements were swift, his attacks fueled by the hatred he wielded. Gerhard, though weakened, fought with a ferocity of war hardened devil. Showing of why was he called the dark spirit during the great war.
Even some of the Archangels were scared to fight him due to him killing one.
As the battle lengthened, Gerhard was losing his vision and the poison's grip around his life tightened. Scarlimgione, reveling in the suffering of the servant of his most hated perosn, taunted,
"Your master sealed me away, but in the end, he couldn't escape the clutches of death. Now you shall fall to me as well."
Gerhard, fueled by a final surge of determination, unleashed a torrent of dark energy. The shadows intertwined with his sword, creating a deadly aura that caught Scarlimgione off guard.
"I may not escape death, but I'll take you down with me," Gerhard declared, his voice a defiant echo.
Scarmiglione was shocked he retaliated with a barrage of his nails which he launched from his claws. The battle between a dying warrior and a malevolent force become more turbulent.
In the midst of the chaos, Gerhard's movements were getting slower, he was out of breath.
Scarlimgione, sensing his foes weakening, grinned with sadistic pleasure
.
"Your end is near, Lucifuge. The poison will kill you, and soon, your soul will meet your master." Scarlimgione proclaimed.
Seeing that he needed to end this quickly Gerhard used a trick he was saving. Using his connection with his master he used the sealing magic. He was only able to do so because he also took a part in the sealing.
Silver runes appeared around Scarlimgione, halting his movements momentarily. Seizing this opportunity, Gerhard unleashed a series of precise strikes, each infused with the last dregs of his strength.
As Scarlimgione was too unprepared and was unable to resist the full might of Gerhard, Gerhard's final strike pierced through the Malebranche's heart. A dark scream echoed through the battlefield as Scarlimgione dissipated into the shadows. But not without a warning
"My other brother will take revenge on the underworld, Curse you Lucifuge!!"
The sealing magic, having served its purpose, faded away. Gerhard, fell on his knees, and felt the poison take hold of his life . But contrary to his impending doom he looked towards the purple sky, a weary but resolute smile on his face.
"I finished a part of what you started my Lord now I will leave the rest to your son," he whispered.
The battlefield, silent in the aftermath, bore witness to the loyalty of a warrior who had faced the malebranche with unwavering resolve.
...
While Gerhard and Zeaira were fighting there respective battles Cain was protecting Grayfia and Serafall while fighting Barbariccia.
"Both of you go and kill Damaidosu. I will handle the malebranche. Come here after you are done."
Grayfia and Serafall went to the satan faction camp to end the life of Damaidosu Asmodeus.
"Now that they have gone, shall we see how strong you are."
Cain started using his extraordinary scythe skills to fight the so famed deputy leader of the evil claws. But to his surprise he was quite good.
'But that is it, he will lose to even Zeaira or Ajuka. But he is stronger than any other devil.'
Cain used his darklight to end this quickly but just as the evil claw saw that his entire temperament changed and he became a bloodthirsty killer.
"Luciferrrr! I will murder your entire bloodline."
"Wow he is attacking me with the ferocity of a mad dog. Wait not a good comparison."
'Oh my stupid father sealed him so he is taking out his hatred on me and looks like he can somehow defend against Darklight. So this might be tough. I guess this was the reason they were sealed.'
Cain knowing that he can't use darklight extensievely in this fight, started to use the powers of the scythe.
Cain raised his scythe and used the move he used against Kokabiel. The damage done to the malebranche was extensieve.
'Looks like these guys are weak to soul attacks.'
Azrael's scythe is a soul based growth weapon. As he used to collect the soul of the dead his scythe had the ability to cut souls and harvest them.
Many more abilities are waiting to be unleashed but Cain is not on the level of Azrael who was probably on the level of Angel Lucifer.
But the scythe was surprisingly effective against the malebranche.
"Lucifer I will kill you even if it means sacrificing myself."
Barbariccia had understood that Cain was stronger than him.
'He is stronger than me and has a weapon which can attack our weakness. I can only try to take him down with me. If not only leader Malacoda can fight him.'
Ironically the antagonist was the one sacrificing here instead of the protagonist. Cain is fully playing the role of a devil here.
'Let's get serious.'
The winds were creating a eerie noise as Cain, realised the aura of his scythe, a sinister feeling assaulted Barbariccia, the malebranche with razor-sharp claws. The clash of steel against claws echoed through the desolate battleground, both combatants locked in a serious battle.
Cain's red eyes radiating coldness and determination, swung his scythe with lethal precision, aiming for Barbariccia's vulnerable spots. Barbariccia, agile and relentless, due to using his life force, countered with swift slashes of his claws, each strike leaving a trail of destructive energy in its wake.
As the battle intensified, Barbariccia could feel himself going on the losing side while Cain was pushing him back by showing off his ridiculous skill with the scythe.
In a desperate move, he tapped into his life force, channeling it into his claws. The energy surged through him, transforming his attacks into a deadly force that cut through the air like a storm.
Cain was unperturbed and swung his scythe with deadly grace, each swing calculated to exploit any opening. Barbariccia, fueled by the sacrifice of his life force, fought with a ferocity that bordered on madness.
All of this lasted only for a short time as with each swing, Barbariccia's strength waned, and his movements grew sluggish.
Cain, understanding that Barbariccia's life force was almost over pressed the advantage. "Your life force won't save you, ancient mongrel. It only hastens your demise!"
Barbariccia, his breaths labored, retorted with a feral growl.
"I'll take you down with me, even if it costs me everything!"
In a final act of desperation, Barbariccia unleashed a barrage of energy-infused slashes. The last attempt of the malebranche was strong but Cain, however, seized the opportunity and using his scythe as a lever turned on his scythe and pierced him from the back ripping his torso from the rest of his body and delivered a precise strike, severing Barbariccia's claws and sending him to the ground.
As Barbariccia lay defeated, his life force expended, Cain stood over him with a neutral gaze.
"Your sacrifice was in vain. You cannot overcome me. I am inevitable."
Barbariccia, weakened but defiant, managed a strained chuckle.
"Perhaps not, but my leader sure will."
With those words, Barbariccia's eyes lost their light, his life force spent in a futile attempt to overcome Cain.
The winds, now silent, carried away the remnants of the battle, leaving only the scars on the battlefield as a remainder to the battle between Cain and the deputy leader of the evil claws.
Cain turned his head and looked towards the place where Gerhard was fighting
"Looks he also dealt with that one. But what the actual fuck is Zeaira doing! The demonic energy output is crazy! she is deleting the space around her, dont tell me she can't control it."
"Looks like I need to limit the destruction."
Cain spread his wings and went there on the way he met Grayfia and Serafall.
"Killed him?"
"No he was already dead by the time we reached there."
Cain frowned but he heard Grayfia say in his mind using the connection.
(Lord Cain, he was killed by Euclid. Serafall wasn't able to tell but I knew his energy signature.)
Heating that Cain's frown increased.
'What is my brother planning now. Well I have prepared a nice gift for him.'
They met up with Gerhard who was on his last legs but was maintaining a strong front for Grayfia.
The four of them went where Zeaira was fighting and they witnessed a huge dome of PoD and it was slowly increasing in radius.
"Um, Cain how do we stop that?"
"None of you can'. Well looks like I need to do some heavy lifting here."
Saying that Cain realesed all of his aura countering Zeaira's PoD and started making his way towards Zeaira.
After reaching near her he held her hands and said
"Calm down, dont lose yourself to destruction."
Hearing his voice she calmed down and under the suppression of Cain managed to get her PoD under control. Just as she transformed back her legs gave up and she fell on Cain's chest.
"Can't walk after that heavy work?"
"Dont say words which can be taken out of context."
Cain lifted her in a princess carry and started walking towards the group.
On reaching he saw Gerhard lying with a peaceful smile on his face and Grayfia crying silently.
Seeing that he put Zeaira down as she had recovered a bit. And went and hugged Gryafia, consoling her.
He didn't say anything as hollow words will do nothing, the best he can do is be a supporting pillar to her just like her father was to her.
They were like that for a while, neither Serafall or Zeaira said anything even though Gerhard was a enemy.
After Grayfia was able to calm down a little, Cain lifted Gerhard's body dug up a hole and put him in it. And buried his sword near his grave and engraved the words
"Here lies Gerhard Lucifuge, the right hand of the Morningstar."
AN:- The bonus chapter. It is over 2500 words excluding the note. Next bonus chapter is at 369 power stones. Any ideas on which Archangel was killed by Gerhard?