From his position, Yanis stood facing the towering Archdemon, whose face twisted with sadistic delight. He marveled at the sheer size and might of the creature, well aware that he was no match for this embodiment of power. Fleeing crossed his mind, but pride and principles stopped him from running away from a fight.
"I hope you're up for the challenge!" taunted the Archdemon.
This is serious... an Archdemon. The difference in power compared to a regular demon is palpable. Just how powerful is an Archdemon of emotions?
In spite of the Archdemon's intimidating presence, Yanis assumed his usual combat stance — a flawless guard and a face void of fear.
"Bring it on! I'll take you down!" Yanis declared confidently.
"I admire your courage and determination! You're different from the rest, daring to challenge me."
Yanis started their duel by teleporting near the Archdemon's head and delivering a powerful kick. At least, that's what Yanis thought he did, for the Archdemon didn't budge an inch. To him, it was as if a fly had landed on his head, prompting a wider grin.
"Mmm... Put some more force into it. I didn't feel a thing."
"Alright then! Don't blame me for what happens next."
Using his rapid teleportation, Yanis darted around the Archdemon in every direction, landing hundreds of punches and kicks in succession. But despite his efforts, Yanis' attacks barely scratched the surface.
"Teleportation..." the Archdemon murmured.
As Yanis pressed on, the Archdemon caught him by the right leg and slammed him to the ground with monstrous strength, breaking the leg and creating a massive crater.
Damn it... That bastard broke my leg!
But with unyielding determination, Yanis, supported by his remaining good leg, stood up to face the Archdemon again.
"You're tougher than I thought."
"Of course!"
With his good leg, Yanis launched himself into the air. Suspended, he extended his foot laterally, like a spear ready to strike. In mid-air, he performed a magical gesture:
[Elemental Magic: Seismic Air]
Magical blue symbols appeared, followed by a gust of wind propelling Yanis straight towards the Archdemon's head. This time, the kick sent the Archdemon back several meters.
Good! I need to find Alora quickly, or she's done for.
His teleportation ability only covered a ten-meter range, so Yanis hopped from spot to spot. But the Archdemon, faster than mere teleportation, appeared right in front of him with a wicked grin.
"Where do you think you're going? Our fight isn't over!"
With a swift kick, the Archdemon shattered Yanis' nose and several teeth, leaving his face a bloody mess.
"You damned son of a bitch!"
In a desperate attempt, Yanis gathered energy between his hands and unleashed a massive wave of mana, hoping to destroy his foe. Yet, the Archdemon stood untouched.
"It seems you're not as strong as you think... I'll end you here and now."
Struggling to breathe due to blood flooding his lungs, Yanis watched the Archdemon extend his hands towards him.
"Die..."
An explosive surge of demonic mana ejected Yanis deep into the forest. His body tumbled over rocks and branches, breaking ribs and further damaging his face. Blood streamed from his nose and mouth.
Is this... how I die?
"You sure are persistent! Let's make your suffering even more intense."
Looking up, Yanis saw the Archdemon already before him, gazing down nonchalantly. The demon reached out, and all Yanis could do was witness his imminent doom.
So, this is the end?
[Demonic Magic: Infernal Release]
As soon as the spell was casted, Yanis' body began to darken with a red and black hue, as though he was a shadow of himself, his body emitting its own eerie glow. He screamed in agony as his mouth and eyes lit up in a fierce red.
"STOP IT!"
"This demonic spell burns your soul, without killing you right away," he taunted.
Yanis struggled mightily against the dark magic of the archdemon, enduring unimaginable, unbearable pain.
"However, your soul will continue to burn as the spell persists... Eventually, you will die."
Glancing at his hand, Yanis felt a sinking realization. His body was slowly disintegrating into ash.
Damn it... I'm going to die!
The relentless black and red flames consumed his soul while the archdemon laughed uproariously, reveling in his torment.
"This sucks… this just sucks…," Yanis muttered.
"What a pity. You had such potential," the archdemon sneered.
"Shut your damn mouth, bastard! I will find a way to counter your magic!"
Even on the brink of death, Yanis did not surrender. He continued to resist his doomed fate, his cries now not just of pain, but also of sheer defiance against the archdemon.
"You're wasting time. Your soul is burning. You will die."
"Death is for the weak!"
If I have to bite the dust, so be it... What matters most... is to protect Alora and take that bastard of Tony down. I swear, Léa, I'll make Tony pay... you'll be avenged!
These thoughts looped in his mind as he screamed, no longer from pain, but from determination.
Impressive. His sheer willpower was stalling the spell. What's driving him so much?
"Where does your determination come from?"
"I have someone I need to kill, so I won't die today!"
"Ah, revenge! Humans are all the same, driven by vengeance, greed, power, and more. Yet, few have such strong resolve. Is it personal revenge or something else?"
"Why would I tell you, vermin?"
"Because I have a curiosity about humans, especially those from another world."
"I need to kill a guy who murdered a friend!"
"I see… Sadly, I have to kill you, so you won't get your revenge."
"We'll see about that!"
"Give up, boy. You're just prolonging your pain."
"If suffering keeps me alive, then so be it!"
How's he doing it? Every second, his soul endures what hell would mete out over a millennium!
"Even if you survive this, your soul will be scarred forever."
"I don't give a damn! No matter what, I will survive and avenge her! I swear it on my life!"
Following this proclamation, a luminous white orb descended from the heavens, merging with Yanis' very essence. It shattered the archdemon's curse, healing his soul and mending most of his severe injuries, like his lost teeth and broken ribs.
"The... the... the Archangels…," he stammered.
As the archdemon took a fearful step back, in awe of the commanding presence now before him, Yanis rose magnificently, his face shining with an undying and resolved determination.
"So! What did I tell you just before, bitch?!"
"You... you've been imbued with angelic energy?!"
"I don't know... And honestly, I don't give a damn. All I care about is beating you up!"
No! He hasn't received angelic energy; I can't sense any from him!
Indeed, because through the archdemon's eyes, Yanis's soul wasn't glowing, indicating he hadn't received any.
But then? What happened?! What did the Archangels send him?
Filled with hope and determination, Yanis mustered his courage to run towards the archdemon and face him again. He jumped on one leg and struck the archdemon's head with a powerful spinning kick, to no effect on him.
His strength hasn't increased either!
The archdemon then tried to defeat Yanis, unleashing a vast wave of his demonic mana, propelling him deep into the forest.
I can't wait any longer! I must finish him off quickly! If the Archangels sent him something, it's surely for a reason... Unless...
The archdemon froze in fear, realizing what had just occurred. Yanis wasn't an angelic human but someone beyond that status. This someone, awaited for over a millennium, had finally appeared. He recalled the prophecy which spoke of a person capable of impressing the Archangels with such bravery, something no other human in existence had achieved until now. He realized that this event had just occurred, and he was the cause of it.
He is... the chosen one?! Oh no... What have I done?! Why did I torture him?!
As he rushed towards him, trying to kill him one last time, a stranger intervened, striking the archdemon with a blow that sent him back to his starting position.
"Who are you?!"
Emerging from the dust cloud of his strike, the stranger slowly approached the archdemon.
"I am..."
The dust revealed a mature, smiling man dressed in a white shirt and simple jeans. He had long orange hair and eyes of the same fiery hue. His shirt showed off his toned muscles as he stood confidently with his arms crossed. A badge adorned his left chest, a golden and silver circle surrounded by green floral motifs, a beautiful and eloquent jewel. A flame with angelic wings shone on it, embodying divine beauty and human bravery. A unique symbol representing courage, honor, and perseverance.
"... Hermiel Vini, bearer of angelic energy!"
Still with a proud smile, he pointed at the archdemon, declaring his death sentence:
"You will die here, archdemon!"
With hypersonic speed, Hermiel charged at the archdemon, leaving a dazzling luminous trail behind him, like a comet streaking across the sky.
Such speed! He wasn't lying, he's a human with angelic energy. Is this the extent of their power?!
As these thoughts raced in his mind, he failed to notice Hermiel preparing another powerful punch, this time charged with angelic energy. The punch dislocated the archdemon's jaw, where a white flame began consuming him.
"Blargh!"
"Let me end your suffering."
[Angelic Magic: Glow of Paradise]
Through his magic spell, a blinding angelic light burst from the heavens, wrapping the archdemon in a swirling rush of glowing ashes, consuming him entirely.
"What the?!", exclaimed the archdemon.
Paralyzed by this angelic glow, he was unable to utter another word.
"Angelic magic triumphs over all other magic types. You're finished, archdemon!
"No! I don't want to go back to Hell! Anything but that!"
As he screamed in agony, his body was inevitably consumed to ashes under the proud smile of his executioner: the angelic human named Hermiel Vini.
"Good! That's one less problem! Now, let's see about the young boy!"
As he observed the archdemon's defeat, Hermiel set out to find Yanis. After a short walk, he discovered Yanis's battered and bloodied body. Yanis tried to catch his breath, hands on his chest, lying on the blood-streaked grass.
"Young man. Are you alright?"
Yanis looked up at Hermiel, his face twisted in pain.
"Who are you?"
"Hermiel Vini, one of the five bearers of angelic energy."
"No way?"
"You're a new bearer of angelic energy, aren't you?"
"I don't think so. Why?"
"A luminous orb descended from the sky towards you. It's often a sign that an Archangel has chosen you to be a bearer."
"I don't know. I don't feel anything."
"Well... We'll see about that when we get to Haradi. For now, I'll rescue you from this forest and take you to the camp."
Hermiel bent down and generously offered his hand to help Yanis up.
"Wait! What about my friends?! Are they okay?"
"Your friend Rogue is safe and well! However, I don't know about the others... But don't worry! I'll rescue them as soon as I've taken you to the camp!"