In a tense scene, Marshal quivered in pain, his legs wobbly beneath him. Yet, a faint light emerged from the sky, heading straight for him as he displayed an unwavering determination. Abaguo watched Marshal's face with pride as he shielded the children, a smile gracing his lips.
This man fascinates me! His determination is so fierce that he forgets his pain to save mere children, Abaguo mused.
His admiration for Marshal, a fighter true and loyal, valiant and brave, was evident. But as he pondered on Marshal's character, his mind wandered, leaving him with a haunting sense of déjà vu.
Yet... there's something unsettling about watching him. It feels as if I've always known the Anabitos. Why this feeling of familiarity? Since coming to Trillia, I never paid them any attention. And now, this man arrives, making me question my very existence...
With valor and courage, Marshal wielded his katana like a beacon of determination, forming a formidable barrier between Garnal, his brother, and harm.
"It's over for you!" Abaguo declared confidently.
"No! I will fight to my last breath!" Marshal retorted.
Stretching out his hand, Abaguo conjured red magic runes and symbols which wrapped around Marshal.
[Demonic Magic: Soul Bind]
Suddenly, reddish spiritual chains burst forth from the magic circles, ensnaring Marshal. Despite his bindings, Marshal seemed to move as if unrestricted.
"What have you done to me?" Marshal demanded.
"I've taken a liking to your soul, so I've tethered it to Trillia!"
"You think this will stop me?"
"No, I'm well aware it won't. It's just a contingency for when I wish to claim your soul later, should you survive tonight."
Ending their conversation, Abaguo summoned his archdemons with a mere snap of his fingers. They thundered down Haradi's streets, bringing destruction and chaos in their wake.
"Archdemons, bring me their souls!" He commanded, pointing at Marshal.
Instantly, the thousands of archdemons behind Abaguo lunged at Marshal without hesitation. Marshal closed his eyes, letting his tactical mind devise a strategy to obliterate the demonic horde with a single sword strike. He mentally pushed away Garnal and his brother's cries, the advancing horde, and even Abaguo.
Think, Marshal. Forget the pain, the cries, the horde, Abaguo. Find a way out...
Determined, Marshal opened his eyes and stretched out his hand towards the onrushing archdemons.
[Elemental Magic: Raging Tsunami]
A hundred-meter radius around him was marked by blue magic circles. The charging archdemons were abruptly halted by waves erupting from these circles.
"This is the end, archdemons!"
With a great leap, katana in hand and driven by his unwavering determination, Marshal soared into the air. He slashed hundreds of times, sending out a potent anti-demonic magic energy, reducing the archdemons to dust.
Exhausted, drained, Marshal then plummeted back to the ground. Beside him, Abaguo stared in amazement.
"I misjudged you, Marshal... You are the only one deserving of my eternal respect. Sadly, I must claim your soul for my ascension..."
As he began to absorb Marshal's soul, his face betrayed deep respect, as if he regretted this act.
"If you were a demon... I would have held you as my equal."
Just as Abaguo was about to absorb Marshal's soul, he was struck hard on the head, sending him stumbling back. A mysterious figure intervened, his back turned, showcasing long orange hair, jeans, and a white shirt.
"Fear not! I, Hermiel Vini, bearer of angelic energy, am here to save you!"
Hermiel, face unflinching, smiled with immense pride. Turning to Marshal, he offered his hand.
"I don't know your name, but you're a brave fighter and have my respect."
"I am Marshal Anabito. Thank you for stepping in, Mr. Vini..."
"Call me Hermiel. After witnessing your bravery, you've earned that privilege."
As Marshal got to his feet with help from Hermiel's outstretched hand, he noticed from the corner of his eye that Abaguo was inches away from absorbing the children with his hand. However, with unparalleled reflexes and blinding speed, Marshal grabbed his katana from the ground and sliced off Abaguo's arm in a split second.
"How?!"
"I cannot stand by and let innocent lives be taken, especially children!"
A previously faint glow in the clouds intensified, revealing a brilliant white orb racing towards Marshal. It deeply penetrated his soul's essence. His body radiated a brilliant white light, and the spiritual chains binding his soul shattered, leaving Abaguo in shock.
Two angelic humans! I won't survive this. I need to flee!
As Abaguo recoiled in terror, a malicious roar summoned a grim array of archdemons. Their presence permeated the air with a malevolent aura. Their glowing red eyes seethed with ancient hatred towards the angelic humans, ready to dive into a brutal battle on Abaguo's command.
"Do you think we stand a chance against them?" Marshal asked.
"Absolutely," Hermiel chuckled.
"Right! I believe you!"
"Kill them! Bring me their souls!" Abaguo commanded.
Like a raging hurricane, the archdemons descended with their eyes aflame. Yet Marshal, now empowered by angelic energy, stood tall and fearless. With a movement both swift and divine, he swept away the demons with a single sword strike, vanishing them in the blink of an eye.
Wow, did I really do that? Angelic energy is amazing!
In a masterful gesture, Hermiel channeled the burning energy within him, releasing a horde of thousands of enraged spirits. These ethereal beings surged towards the encircling archdemons, unleashing an unseen tempest. Their spectral forms danced and whirled, their supernatural glow piercing the night's darkness.
"What is this?!" Abaguo exclaimed.
"These are lost spirits who never found Paradise. My unique power allows me to control and absorb them. Consider it a pact: they aid me, and in return, I grant them eternal rest."
The furious spirits stood ready to slaughter the archdemons on Hermiel's command.
"My dear friends, your task is this; vanquish the archdemons, and find peace."
The spirits promptly destroyed the archdemons, and having fulfilled their pact with Hermiel, soared towards the heavens, illuminated by breaks in the clouds.
"May you find eternal rest," he whispered, bringing his hands together in prayer.
Spotting Marshal defending Garnal and his younger brother, and Hermiel summoning enraged spirits to his aid, Abaguo saw the perfect chance to flee.
"Now!" he shouted, running as fast as he could.
With a brief backward glance, Hermiel released a spirit at him.
"You won't escape! Spirit, destroy him!"
The spirit began to tear Abaguo apart, but he retaliated, placing his hand on the spirit's head, casting a demonic spell that shattered it into countless fragments.
[Demonic Magic: Infernal Fragmentation]
"Coward! Come back!"
"I will return, and next time, I'll possess the power of an Archdemon of Emotion!"
[Back in the residence's living room]
Proudly, Jacob clutched the blue katana that Marshal had gifted him. Garnal felt profound gratitude towards Marshal and Hermiel, the saviors of both him and his brother.
"I can never thank them enough for saving me that night… The Archangels truly choose wisely."
Garnal turned to Yanis, his eyes reflecting deep gratitude.
"Just like you, Yanis. You're worthy to be the Chosen One."
"I don't know about that. I've done many wrongs in my life. Not sure I truly deserve it…"