The Group of Heroes started to huddle together. They had to formulate a plan against Lillian.
Jarred stared down the patient Lillian waiting for their next attack. "We need another plan of attack. Sylph, do you think you can slow her down?"
"Aside from the earth magic, I would have to get close to her to do that. But I think I can manage."
"Alright, then I'll be the distraction then!"
Ragnar charged forth without hesitation. Jarred surprised Followed behind. "Hey wait!"
Ragnar switched his shield into an Ax, swinging it at Lillian. She blocks the attack with the back of her hands. Jarred, not far behind, attacks Lillian as well, forcing her to use her other hand to parry his attack.
Ragnar used the opportunity to reverse swing his ax aiming for the torso. This was met by another block. Lillian felt a heft from this latest blow. Ragnar's eyes started to glow green.
Like a phantom his ax passed right through her, leaving no traces of injury. Both Ragnar and his ax then started to glow red hot like hot Magma. He was now posed and ready to strike.
"Ready yourself Jarred," Ragnar said.
"Huh?" Lillian quickly came to a realization that Jarred is gone. She looked back to see Jarred's eyes glowing green charging up an attack.
"I'm already a step ahead."
Lillian could only smile. "Sneaky, sneaky."
Ragnar's ax scorched hot as Jarred sword became heavier and dense. With all the power flowing through them, they finally attempt their joint attack.
A loud bang is heard as Lillian completely dodge the attacks in time, however she then found sylph dropping from above. This shocking move left Lillian befuddled as Sylph land on her stomach hard where she stood. It looked as though this would break Lillian's back, but amazingly enough stood firm.
"What the hell?"
Sylph hung on using her legs to hug Lillian's hips as she channeled some strange magic. Lillian then started to see her body glowing faintly red before Sylph aimed her palms at her head.
"Take this!"
A burst of flames came through seemingly searing Lillian's head in flames. The flame was immediately stopped as Lillian crushed Sylph's hands with her own!
Sylph could only scream out in pain as both hands were crushed. She fell off Lillian hard, unable to clasp her hands.
Lillian didn't waste any time kicking sylph back into the ice wall. Ragnar rushed over to help a now distressed sylph. Lillian simply watched as she was pissed that her hair, she worked on was now scorched and singed.
Lillian held out her hand to use some magic on Sylph but was suddenly sliced off by Jarred whose sword was glowing red hot. Despite the effective attack, Lillian didn't flinch. She only gave an unamused look at Jarred before using her other hand to counter him.
She proceeded to grab him by the throat picking him up where he stood.
"This is still too easy, let me give you three another boost."
Lillian threw Jarred with his other companions; he slid on his back hard upon reaching Sylph and Ragnar who were using the last of their vitality potions.
"Jarred are you alright?" Ragnar hurried to give Jarred a vial of the green liquid. Their bodies suddenly glowed golden once more. They all looked over to Lillian to find her regrowing the hand she just lost.
"Damn it. Just when I thought we made progress." Jarred frustration shined through as he continued to look at Lillian with contempt.
Sylph joins Ragnar and Jarred, her hands healed thanks to the vitality potion. She started to whisper "I don't think she's noticed yet… This could be our chance to turn to the tables."
Ragnar and Jarred agreed with this sentiment. "Your right, without that spell, it'd be a lot harder to cut through her," Jarred Said, still gazing at Lillian.
"You're telling me. It was like cutting through a mountain with her." Ragnar posed with his ax. "Perhaps this time I can cut all the way through."
Everyone was ready for Battle once more. Sylph buffed her allies with spells and barriers before they once again took off to battle Lillian.
Both men clashed with Lillian. She confidently parried and blocked each of the men's attacks. They could see they were much stronger and faster, and yet they still couldn't get an opening on her.
They soon noticed a flurry of dirt and rocks being flung through each encounter. Upon closer inspections Lillian's feet are constantly being trapped and forcefully released. Sylph was obviously trying to slow Lillian down with little effect.
Realizing her own futility, Sylph changes her plans and conjures fireballs right above everyone. Rain and fireballs now showered the field with complete disregard for her companions.
Luckily enough they were able to avoid the Fireballs in time. "Damn it Sylph! Give us a warning next time." Jarred yelled.
"There won't be a next time unless we defeat her!"
A cloud of smoke dissipates showing that Lillian was fine aside from the few scorches on her body. She was smiling contently and raising her hand to show her bleeding index finger.
"If this is all your three got…"
A drop of blood drips from Lillian's fingers. Upon contacting the floor, a wave of disorientations hits the three Heroes. They looked around to find themselves somewhere else entirely.
"That's much better," Lillian Said.
A pinging is heard. Once again, they moved somewhere different. They were all even stance differently as if they were readying to do some sort of attack. A fatigue hit the three.
They looked around for Lillian to find her battered. They watched as she was healed of her wounds, regenerating from her wounds and scratches.
"You three may not know this but demons like me-"
PING
"Are able to use a sixth kind of magic aside from the Fire, Earth, Water, Wind and Holy." They all switched places again.
PING
This time they all surrounded Lillian again posed to do
something. But they don't remember what.
"They call this magic. Blood Magic although the more direct
human translation would be-"
PING
"Demon Magic." Lillian disappeared from their line
of sight.
The three turned around to find Lillian to be sitting on a broken off piece of rock from the terrain. She pinched her finger to get some blood to come out.
"There's apparently a lot of variations to this magic. But mine in particular allows me to manipulate the mind to an extent." blood drips on the floor.
They all found themselves now lying in separate locations on the battlefield. Ragnar found himself indented into the rocky ground, sylph laid back onto the ice wall and Jarred found himself bleeding on the ground. They were each battered, bruised and burned. And by some miracle, they were all alive.
"It allows me to erase a person's more recent memories, at most it can usually erase a year." Lillian bent down to look at Jarred. "But I can probably do more than that now."
Their vision started to blur and become fuzzy. The heart slowed down. The Light in their eyes started to dim.
"Oh, yeah. You all have one last chance." Lillian snapped
her fingers for all of them to start healing. All three of the heroes were enveloped by a warm embrace of Lillian's healing magic. Slowly, the wounds started to heal, and the fatigue left their bodies. This power once again served as a reminder to them that the Demon Queen before them was in fact, also the Saintess.
Feeling more energized they got up, only to find themself also glowing gold once more. "This will be your tenth boost so make good use of it." Everyone was stunned by what Lillian had stated.
"T-tenth?" Sylph asked questionably. She was shocked by this strange revelation.
"Oh, yeah. I did erase your memories of most of the battle, didn't I?" Lillian started to chuckle to herself.
Jarred looked at his sword to find that it chipped throughout the blade. Ragnar's shield was also quite battered and close from falling apart.
They all looked at Lillian to find that she was starting to visibly breathe. Not only that but some of her wounds were not healing. They can finally see that their fight was not in vain.
Jarred posed himself ready to battle once more. "Ragnar!! Sylph!!!" Their attention immediately turned to Jarred.
"Let's go all out! And whatever you do, don't stop attacking!" Understanding Jarred completely, they all became Serious.
They had to bring out all the stops to defeat the Demon Queen.
In a last-ditch attempt Ragnar and Jarred charged forth to once again try to overwhelm Lillian with number. She retaliates by scorching the rocky terrain around her with fire. Fortunately for both Ragnar and Jarred, Sylph joined in blowing away the fire with her wind magic to snuff out the fire.
The two men attacked at the same time with great heft, using both their skills to break through; Ragnar with his transmuted Magma skin and Jarred with his Elemental fire slash attack. Lillian with a show of great power catches both of the attacks just barely in time.
"Amazing! It looks like you three remember unconsciously what happened earlier even if your memories are erased."
Sylph came from behind with a water magic encasing her head.
Lillian looked back slightly as she started to think to herself. "Heh. She's too far for me to reach her with my tail but…"
A wave of wind magic swirled fiercely around Lillian, expanding quickly and pushing everyone else away. This canceled Sylph earlier Magic.
"And now." Lillian looks up to find a big exploding Fireball above her. It started coming down on her at a steady pace. The heroes, understanding the implications clustered together and Ragnar use his ability to help cloak them with his Phantom Skin.
Lillian, seeing the big Attack, simply pointed a finger into the sky with a little yellow Fireball at its end and launched it. It soon reached the huge on causing it to Explode preemptively.
The explosion enveloped the entire sky. The heat of the magic attack could be felt for miles on end. Even residents from a small village could feel it.
"H-hold on! That's my magic" Sylph yelled.
Lillian gave a smile. "After a while of seeing you, all fight me with the attacks they've gotten a little more predictable."
Sylph can only grit her teeth in frustration since that the Exploding fireball was her magnum opus of her study of Magic.
"I never would've thought that earth magic with just a little bit of Fire could give such an interesting result."
Sylph starts to become more exhausted. "H-hey sylph are you alright!?" Jarred was worried.
"I put almost everything I had into that one attack."
"Sylph, how could you be so reckless. can you walk?" Jarred questioned.
Sylph could only shake her head. Jarred paused. As he stood there Lillian started to grow an explosive Fireball in the palm of her hands. Lillian's Impatiens can be felt by her serious gaze.
"Sylph! Ragnar!"
Jarred's companions look at him intently.
"Please! Lend me your power!" Jarred lifted his head to reveal his eyes glowing yellow.
Without hesitation his two companions place their hands on his shoulder, their eyes glowing yellow. A swirl of power came forth into Jarred sword, it started to be enveloped by amidst of colors that collided together into a brilliant gold.
"Alright Demon Queen. You better be ready!"
Lillian could only look on in surprise, shockingly enough even Lillian's eyes also start to glow yellow. Lillian's face then contorted to that of Awe, followed by shock and into a maniacal Laughter. Her eyes soon returned to their normal red.
Although taken aback by this, Jarred didn't Let Lillian's sudden madness stop him from charging forth with his newfound powers. In the midst of this charge, Lillian Launched the explosive Fireball at him that had very little effect on him.
"So, this is the true power of the blessings you bestowed upon us. All for the sake of maintaining your own balance… well…"
Lillian closed her eyes as Jarred now swung his golden blade down at her.
"I REFUSE!"
Lillian caught the blade with her two hands. Once more, it became a game of strength between two opposing forces. The sheer power from the sword was starting to cut and shred off pieces of Lillian and her clothes.
As Jarred continued to focus his power into this one last attack, he couldn't help but to glance up at Lillian. He couldn't help but to be stunned as he saw Lillian's face looking so kind and gentle.
"Sorry… that it had to end this way…"
Lillian's statement left Jarred befuddled as the power he once had quickly left him. "W-what the-"
Lillian quickly grabbed his sword with one hand and used the other to burn a hole right through his stomach with immense fire magic. Jarred fell to his knees and collapsed onto his arms. He could only hunch over reeling from the newfound pain.
Lilian dropped his platinum sword right beside him. She then gave a long sigh.
"That's unfortunate. It looks like you're the only one left…"
Confused, Jarred looked back the best he could to find his companions on the floor and bloodied. And between the two of them was a blue demon decked in heavy armor and a purple cape. He recognized demon despite the different shaped horns.
Jarred froze from Fear. "N-no way."
"So, you're the one that dispersed my Barrier. I said that I wanted to deal with them myself, Lucius."
"Is it wrong for a King to worry for his Queen? Besides, it seems you've exhausted yourself using your blood magic. You need to be more careful with that."
Lucius starts to walk to Lillian, he puts his hands on her shoulder and starts to whisper in her ear. "I can take it from here if I want."
"No… I'll Finish it."
"Are you sure?" Lucius started to sound a little worried.
"Yes, Think of this as my ultimate show of loyalty."
"You've already done so time and time again. But if you insist, so be it."
Lucius started to trout off before stopping once more. "Oh, and what about your sister?"
"I'll carry her home if you don't mind." Lillian looked back at Lucius with a smile.
Jarred didn't understand as Kalika had turned into nothing not too long ago. He looked up to find a bare Kalika lying on the ground, slumbering. Her hands and feet are regenerating as if she herself was not human.
It isn't long before Lucius tore off his cape and covered Kalika with it. He went on his way soon after.
"H-how is she alive?" Jarred questioned. He was almost frightened.
"You see... Eighteen years ago the very same day she killed me and the very same day I became a demon… was when we discovered that she was immortal."
Lillian started to sit, crossing her legs as if to unwind. "I was so happy to find out Kalika's Immortality. You have no idea the joy and relief..."
Lillian sighed then looked up at the sky above them, her smile becoming more bitter. " "To be honest, When I found that I was a demon. I was so scared. In just a moment I killed those I cherished just purely on instinct. Instinct I couldn't control... And when I finally killed my sister, my thoughts turned to killing the Demon King and then..."
Lillian stopped herself looking back at Jarred whose breathing was starting to slow and become heavier. "But that didn't happen. instead, she came back to life. during that time, I saw it as a blessing."
Lillian grabbed Both of Jarred's hands, clasping them together. "Do you have anyone you love so much that you'd do anything for them? Even if it means that they would have to endure a lot of pain."
Jarred looked up. He was trying to stay conscious. "I can't say that I do."
"Well, I can say that I do. My sister in fact... She's the only reason I'm still around fighting for the Demon King's dream."
"D-dream?"
"Yes."
Jarred couldn't help but chuckle a little. "I didn't know Demons could dream."
"Yes. Well… We all have dreams. It's just the matter that some are snuffed out faster than others. while others thrive."
Lillian finally started to get up, walking to her sister as Jarred took his final breaths. She picked up Kalika in her arms before turning back one last time to Jarred who was struggling to hold himself up.
"Until next we meet… Hero."
Kalika found herself being carried like a child in Lillian's arms. She was Lillian bloodied, bruised and singed, she then started to look around very confused.
"What? Where's the-"
"Don't look back, Kalika." Lillian stated.
Kalika really wanted to look back but then heard an audible thud. She quickly changed her mind upon realizing that whatever lies behind them would only serve to send her into further despair.
"There's nothing left for us to go back to anyways…"
clutch her hands in frustration. The very thought of their deaths started to weigh heavy. But even more so, she felt completely exhausted and overwhelmed. after all it's only felt like three days to Kalika despite almost ten years already passing by.
With a defeated tone, Kalika speaks up. "Lily…"
Lillian turned her attention back to her sister.
"I get it. Okay… I get it. "
Lillian looked away, staying silent.
"I promise. I won't do it again. I won't try to escape again."
Lillian continues to not answer. Kalika understanding that Lillian won't respond, stays quiet as they traveled back to the demon castle. However, Unknown to either of these sisters, an unavoidable chain of events will now unfold that could spell disaster to their world.