"Hey! No worries, what's a Gideon? Some kind of worm?" With that, Demon Burd's eyes suddenly shot out two black beams.
The rays, charged with powerful negative energy, were silent beams of weakness. The cyan flames on the great sword sparked to life as Burd thrust it forward, fire trailing the blade.
The black light sizzled upon contact with Gideon but had no effect on him whatsoever. Just as faint starlight is invisible under the bright sun, the demon's malevolence was rendered impotent before a greater evil.
Gideon effortlessly leaped onto the blade of Burd's sword, standing atop it as the blue flames licked harmlessly at his feet. He seemed indifferent to the demon's ambush, as if nothing had happened, and began to reprimand Burd, "You dare ask what Gideon is? Ignorance, foolishness! Why am I always faced with such uncultured brutes! 'Chi' is a term of derision. Later lexicographers defined it as a term for insects. 'All who are ignorant are named Chi.' A true fool, you don't even know this? Have you grasped it now? And by the way, you are my junior; I've allowed you three strikes. If you continue your assault, I will be forced to retaliate."
Demon Burd was nearly driven mad with rage—Gideon's demeanor was too infuriating. Was he mocking me? Or trying to provoke me? No, this fiend was merely humiliating me! The demon wanted to shred the man before him to pieces, but Burd was no fool. Clearly outmatched, this phantom moved like a wraith, with low-tier magic ineffective against him, and flames posing no threat. Who was this person? Who could guess what other strange powers he possessed? If it really came to a fight, the outcome was uncertain.
Visits to the prime material plane didn't come easy; perhaps it was best to quit while ahead.
Unlike his Abyssal peers, Burd was born a prince of the Abyss without the prowess to match. Thus, he always weighed emotion against interest, understanding when to compromise or back down.
Decisively retreating several steps, Burd gave a strained smile and said, "No more, I promise. I can't beat you. I'm no match for you. I concede. Truly, I won't attack you again. I'll leave right now."
Gideon paused and then smiled back, "Alright, you may go."
Without hesitation, Burd leaped away to depart. As he did, a spell crossed his mind—Mage's Eye—casting silently. He wouldn't foolishly expose his back to the enemy.
And that's all Burd saw, just that. He couldn't react in time.
Like lightning, Gideon charged at him, a knife flashing in his hand, slicing toward Burd.
Everything transpired in an instant. Burd could only twist his body slightly, adjusting his mid-air stance.
The blade slashed across.
Gideon was too fast, a streak of light flashing by, the glint passing over Burd. The demon's body hung in the air, feet severed cleanly from his ankles, falling helplessly to the ground. In the blink of an eye, Burd hadn't even felt the pain when his feet detached.
Then came the pain, the blood spurt, and the disgraceful landing.
Gideon stood calmly in front of Burd, tilting his head as he observed.
Burd scrambled up. He could no longer sing; the music had vanished from his heart. He spat at Gideon, "You tricked me, you deceiver. A damned wriggling worm, you dared to deceive me!"
Gideon's face was the very picture of innocence. "No, I didn't trick you. I really did let you go." He chuckled before adding, "But now, you are without feet. How will you walk? Hmm, can you leave now? And before you go, do you know who you're speaking to? You think such things come cheaply in this world?"
"I'll curse you...!" Burd ignored Gideon's taunts, hurling insults until Gideon stepped forward, knife poised at his throat. Burd yelled out, "You want to kill me? Ha! Think about your father. If I die, he'll be tormented for eternity! I guarantee it. His soul will suffer in the Abyss for a thousand, ten thousand years. Consider the cruelty! Think about it!"
Gideon felt Azazel's soul thrashing within. In a fleeting moment, he lost control over Azazel's body. Gideon's hands raised the knife high, but Azazel's spirit wouldn't let it fall.
Burd seized the opportunity, slapping the ground and bouncing backward, spinning in mid-air like a top. With all his might, he swung the sword down at Gideon.
Not long ago, Burd had used this very move to sever the Mage Tower from its base.
The sword whistled through the air, cutting towards Gideon with death's breath.
Gideon frowned. At this moment, the ancient demon felt Azazel's soul subside within him.
Good, you idiot, better learn to behave! Otherwise, you'll get us both killed! Gideon warned Azazel inside, while Azazel could only respond with silence.
As the sword bore down, Gideon even had time for a smile. As long as this body's rightful owner didn't interfere, there was no adversary he feared. But his smile froze as the evil eye on the sword's hilt fixed upon him.
"Petrifying Gaze" took effect, and Gideon found himself momentarily immobilized.
"Petrifying Gaze," a high-level spell stored in Burd's sword by his father, the Abyssal King, halted anything the eye saw. This magic was so potent, Arcanists equated its effect with "Time Stop."
Gideon felt everything around him freeze: the air, the floating dust, even the light and the flow of time—all stood still before the spell's might.
But it only held Gideon briefly, and for Burd, a brief moment was all he needed.
The sword struck Gideon, launching him like a cannonball. "Bang, bang, bang..." The sound of impact echoed as Gideon crashed through half the town's walls before tumbling to a stop. Then came a crashing sound as the last house he hit collapsed.
Burd, not taking any chances, still didn't believe the man was dead. Surely, no one could survive such a blow.
The enemy was human after all, not some resilient demon. How could he possibly be alive after that?
Deciding not to dwell on future worries, Burd tended to the present. He beckoned his detached feet, which stood up obediently. One hopped back to him gleefully; the other, attempting escape, reluctantly returned after a loud threat.
As Burd reattached his feet and stood firm once more, an explosion rocked the other side of town.