Arc landed on concrete, leaving a crater in his wake. Pierrot landed behind him, seeing the parked vehicles rush away from the sudden impact.
He saw Crescent by the side, shouting for people to evacuate, while Sycamore and the responders followed, guiding civilians away from the commotion.
"So this is who you are..." Arc faced him. "Your name?"
"I have no obligations to state my name," the voice overlaying Pierrot spoke.
"A shy friend." Arc lowered his arms to the ground. "Regardless, I don't need you spoiling my plans..."
Arc's eyes flared with a sinister red glow in the middle. He crouched further, ready to pounce... and sprang forward, his fists a blur. Pierrot twisted, dodging just in time.
Arc's punch slammed into the ground, concrete exploding and dirt raining down.
He roared in frustration, lifting a chunk of concrete and hurling it at Pierrot. The angel ducked and rolled, the debris crashing into a nearby vehicle, flattening it instantly.
Pierrot moved with fluid grace, almost like a dance. A flick of his wrist, and beams of bright blades shot toward Arc. The demon raised his arms, flicking off the blades, creating bursts of light and shadow.
Arc retaliated with a swipe of his claws, sending an impactful wave toward Pierrot. The angel jumped high, narrowly avoiding the wave as it split the ground beneath him.
Mid-air, Pierrot summoned more blades, launching them with pinpoint accuracy. Arc twisted and turned, deflecting some with his claws, but a few grazed his skin, drawing dark, steaming blood.
Arc growled, his muscles tensing. He leaped into the air, claws extended, and dove at Pierrot. Pierrot met him mid-air, their clash sending a wave of impact through the area.
Arc and Pierrot tumbled through the air, locked in a deadly dance. Arc's claws raked against Pierrot's sword, sparks flying with each strike.
Pierrot kicked off Arc's chest, flipping backward and landing lightly on his feet.
Arc landed heavily, cracking the concrete beneath him. He charged again, faster this time, his eyes blazing.
Claws relentlessly swung toward Pierrot as he retreated from every strike. Then he pushed back. He threw a blade, and the demon's shoulder was thrown back from the hit.
He barraged the blades once more, hitting the demon all over his body, and the demon was thrown, skidding across the concrete, leaving deep gouges.
Roaring, Arc charged again, black smoke swirling around him with intensity.
Pierrot spun his blade, ready to strike the approaching demon.
Arc jumped as Pierrot swung his sword forward, slicing Arc by the abdomen.
Arc staggered back, but with a last burst of energy, he lunged at Pierrot, aiming to tackle him to the ground. Pierrot sidestepped, slashing Arc across the back.
The demon roared in pain, swinging wildly. Pierrot dodged effortlessly, delivering a series of precise cuts to Arc's arms and legs, weakening him further.
It fell down to its knees, clutching its stomach with a screech.
"That blade..." he grunted. "The lance of flames..."
"The guardian..." Arc's breathing turned ragged from the wound from the blade of light. "...of the Garden of Eden."
"It is I."
Arc spat black blood, his eyes burning with hatred. "Curse you... Uriel..."
Pierrot stepped closer, his blade still glowing, towering over Arc. "You cannot take that soul."
The demon smirked, black blood pouring from his mouth. "For now."
"For never." Pierrot's grip on his sword tightened as he walked closer to Arc. He raised his sword.
The demon sneered. "Till next time..." A smirk on its face unfazed.
With a swift, fluid motion, Pierrot thrust his blade into Arc's chest. The demon's eyes widened, a mixture of shock and rage flashing across his face. The sword glowed brighter, its light consuming the darkness within Arc.
A piercing scream echoed through the air. Arc's form convulsed, black smoke pouring from his wounds, dissipating into the air. The body, now free of control, slumped forward, unconscious.
Pierrot stepped back, watching as Arc fell forward. He lowered his sword, the glow fading, and knelt beside the fallen body, checking for his vitals. Arc was breathing shallowly but steadily.
Crescent and Sycamore rushed over, their expressions a mix of relief and awe. "Is it over?" Crescent asked, her voice trembling.
Pierrot nodded. "For now." His form flickered and dissipated, wings fading and hair shortening. The glow was no more.
"How did this happen?" Sycamore asked the man who was slumped beside Arc.
Pierrot shook his head. "We'll figure it out soon." He stood up and staggered, making Crescent run to his aid. "Let's get him to the hospital."
"You need it yourself," Crescent said as she offered her shoulders as a crutch.
Sycamore quickly signaled for the responders to bring a stretcher. "We need to get both of them to safety," he directed, his voice firm and authoritative. The responders moved efficiently, securing Arc's unconscious body and preparing to transport him.
Pierrot, now in his human form, leaned heavily on Crescent. "Thank you," he murmured, his voice weak.
The paramedics gently placed Arc on a stretcher and secured him in the ambulance. Pierrot was guided to another, Crescent staying by his side.
Sycamore directed the responders, ensuring both ambulances were ready to depart swiftly. He then went with Arc to the emergency, leaving his detectives in charge.
Inside the ambulance, Crescent looked at Pierrot, concern etched on her face. "Who was that demon?"
Pierrot sighed, wincing slightly from his injuries. "He called himself Ba'al."
"Ba'al? Who..."
Pierrot shook his head. "Let's ask Quill later. The guy knows a lot of them."
"Okay."
He turned his head, scanning the surroundings. "But where are they?"
Crescent released a deep breath. "They helped evacuate the civilians faster, they will be back in a few minutes..."
Silence fell upon them, and Crescent hesitated to speak once more.
"W-what will happen to Arc now?"
Just then, the other three members arrived and immediately checked on Pierrot.
"Where's Arc?!" Quill's voice was filled with worry, eyes searching everywhere as they gathered.
"To the emergency," Crescent replied.
Roy, who stood beside him, asked, "How bad was it?"
Pierrot shook his head. "He'll be fine, I think." He sighed. "But it's not the end... the demon, I think it's sealed within him."
Gibbous was surprised. "Sealed within...?"
Quill looked away. The expression on his face was a mix of worry and terror. "This is bad." He turned to Pierrot. "Does the demon have a name?"
"He called himself Ba'al. Do you know that name?" Pierrot asked.
Quill fell silent. A wave of icy air showered him down. His face paled as the members only waited for his reply.
"A god of myth who turned demon... Ba'al...?" He kept shaking his head repeatedly.
"He was exiled in both the heavens and hell..."