As the war raged on, chaos unfolded with relentless brutality. Ausha's knights clashed head-on with the Red Moon Empire's soldiers, a storm of blades and blood consuming the battlefield. Knights and soldiers alike fell, their cries drowned out by the explosions of massive spells tearing through the land, leaving fire and destruction in their wake.
Leo stood like a fortress, cutting down every enemy that dared approach him. Yet his gaze constantly drifted to his knights—his people—fighting valiantly despite the odds. He saw one knight fall, another gravely injured but still gripping his sword, refusing to yield. They weren't just soldiers; they were his brothers, his family, and the sight burned a hole in his heart.
Enemy after enemy came for Leo, yet he fought with the ferocity of a lion, desperate to reach his fallen knights. Every step forward was a battle, but his resolve remained unshaken. "No more will fall today," he vowed silently, his every strike a promise to protect those who fought by his side.
In the chaos of battle, Leo's sharp gaze fell upon a familiar figure—Kaylor, his trusted knight, standing defiantly against a towering figure cloaked in crimson and shadow. It was Muka, the infamous general of the Red Moon Army, a higher demon with power that rivaled even the Demon Lords. The ground seemed to quake beneath his presence, his aura oppressive and suffocating.
Leo's heart clenched. "Kaylor... no."
But Kaylor had already made his decision. Though he knew the odds were against him, though he understood Muka's devastating reputation, he gripped his sword tightly and raised it high, his stance unwavering. There was no fear in his eyes—only determination. He would fight, not for glory, but to buy his brothers-in-arms precious time.
With a battle cry that pierced through the cacophony of war, Kaylor charged at Muka, the clash of steel against demonic power marking the start of a battle that would shake the field itself.
Leo's breath quickened as he pushed through the relentless enemies, his ordinary sword blazing a path toward Kaylor. Yet, no matter how fast he moved, it felt agonizingly slow. Then, his heart stopped—Muka's blade was mere inches from Kaylor's neck.
In a flash, an elf leaped forward, intercepting the strike with a gleaming sword. The blade shattered like brittle glass against Muka's overwhelming power, but it was enough. The elf had saved Kaylor.
Muka sneered, his dark aura radiating menace. "A pathetic elf dares to interfere? You're weaker than this human, yet you stand before me. Why? What is the point of your defiance?"
The elf, bloodied but resolute, met Muka's glare. "It's not about strength, demon. It's about honor. A knight's duty is to protect—to fight until their last breath. That is why I stand."
Kaylor, regaining his footing, muttered with gratitude, "This isn't your fight, elf... but thank you."
Leo finally reached them, his presence commanding and undeniable. His voice rang out like thunder, "You're both right—this isn't your fight. It's mine."
But just as the tension peaked, a dark, oppressive aura swept over the battlefield. Every soldier, elf, and knight froze as a towering figure emerged from the Red Moon army. His crimson eyes glowed with malice, his presence suffocating.
A strikingly handsome man stood in the middle of the battlefield, his slightly long black hair flowing gently in the wind. His crimson eyes gleamed with an unsettling mixture of intelligence and malice, a gaze that could pierce through the bravest of souls. Draped in a sleek black overcoat that seemed to absorb the surrounding light, he exuded an aura of both elegance and dread.
At first glance, he looked human—perfectly so—except for the faint presence of black wings that occasionally flickered into view, only to vanish again into the shadows. These wings, a manifestation of his demonic nature, concealed themselves as if they were part of his very essence. This was Dons, the Demon King, a being who walked the line between beauty and terror, embodying the power of darkness itself.
The Demon King himself had arrived
"The strongest human of this era. The 105th Emperor of the Ausha Empire. The one chosen by the gods. The legendary hero, Leo Gemini," Dons declared, his voice dripping with dark amusement.
"Slicer of the Xing Fu Empire's emperor. A human whose healing surpasses even the Vampire King. The rare master of both cultivation and the sword. The child of Olivia and Brock."
Dons leaned forward, his crimson gaze locking with Leo's, a sinister smile curling his lips. "It is an honor to meet you again," he finished, his tone as sharp as any blade.
Dons turned his gaze toward Muka, his expression stern yet composed.
"Muka," he said firmly, his deep voice echoing across the battlefield. "Please leave from here immediately. This is not your fight."
Muka's fiery eyes flared with defiance for a brief moment before he bowed, understanding the weight of the command. "As you wish, Your Majesty," he replied, stepping back and vanishing into the chaos.
Dons shifted his focus back to Leo, the faintest hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Now, hero, let us decide the fate of this war ourselves."
Leo's gaze was steady as he spoke. "Just like Lola," he said, his tone calm yet carrying an edge of curiosity.
Dons raised an eyebrow. "You know Lola?"
Leo nodded slightly. "Yes, I just met her. She's... a fortune teller, or something along those lines."
A flicker of understanding crossed Dons' face, and he smiled faintly. "Ah, I see. So, the Knight King himself knows her. Very well, let's settle this in the style befitting legends. This battlefield isn't worthy of our clash. Let's take our fight somewhere else."
Leo smirked. "Of course. But before that, there's something I must attend to. Do you mind waiting?"
Dons chuckled lightly, folding his arms. "Sure. Take your time. It's not often I get to meet someone who makes me want to wait."
Leo turned to the two figures by his side. One was familiar—Kaylor, his trusted knight—and the other, a young elf from the support team who had saved Kaylor from Muka's deadly strike.
"Elf, what's your name?" Leo asked, his piercing gaze fixed on the newcomer.
The elf straightened up, a hint of nervousness in his voice. "It's Alex, Your Majesty."
Leo's tone was calm but firm. "Good. Why did you save Kaylor? You're just from the support team. Clearly, you couldn't even flee from Muka, yet you stood against him. Why?"
Alex met Leo's gaze unwaveringly. "Because I am a royal knight of the great Elf Kingdom. If I had ignored Kaylor or run away, I wouldn't have been able to face my family. A royal knight doesn't abandon those in danger or flee from battle. Our duty is to protect. Yes, I am from the support team, but I am a knight first and foremost. And we are here to aid the knights of the Ausha Empire." He bowed deeply.
Leo nodded, a faint smile on his lips. "Raise your head, knight of the Elf Kingdom. Your reasoning does you honor, and I commend your bravery in saving Kaylor. Your sword broke during the fight, correct?"
Alex hesitated before nodding. "Yes, Your Majesty."
Without hesitation, Leo plunged his right-hand sword into the ground before him. "Take this sword."
Alex's eyes widened in shock. "Your Majesty! I can't accept it—it's the holy sword of the previous Emperor. Someone like me doesn't deserve such an honor."
Leo's expression remained firm. "To me, the previous Emperor's sword is just a normal blade. How will you fight without one? Accept it. This is an order. Furthermore, I, Leo Gemini, Emperor of the Ausha Empire, bestow upon you the title of Long Blade."
With a ceremonial motion, Leo lifted the sword from the ground and handed it to Alex.
Tears welled in Alex's eyes as he accepted the blade. "I am honored, Your Majesty."
Leo placed a hand on Alex's shoulder. "Rise, knight of the Elf Kingdom. From this day forward, you are Long Blade. Don't disappoint me."
Alex stood tall, his resolve burning brighter than ever.
Leo then turned to Kaylor, who was silent but visibly remorseful. Before Kaylor could utter a word, Leo handed him a sealed letter.
"You are brave, Kaylor. I am proud of you," Leo said with a rare warmth in his tone.
Kaylor bowed deeply, his voice steady but filled with gratitude. "I am honored that you think so, Your Majesty."
Leo handed the sealed letter to Kaylor, his expression resolute.
"Kaylor, this letter contains your next orders—tasks that only you can accomplish. When this battle ends, follow its instructions without delay. Inside, you'll also find a gate pass. Show it only to Miasha. Remember, no one else should see it."
Kaylor accepted the letter with a firm grip, bowing deeply. "As your wish, Your Majesty. Consider it done."
The knights retreated swiftly, leaving Leo standing amidst the chaotic battlefield. His eyes locked onto Dons, who appeared engrossed in an enigmatic ritual.
"So, how will you fight me, Leo?" Dons asked, a faint smirk curling on his lips.
Leo gripped his sword tightly, his voice calm yet firm. "No worries. I have all I need."
With that, Leo dashed forward at a speed so blinding that even Dons, the mighty Demon King, struggled to keep up.
"Ah, I see," Dons muttered, his sharp gaze following Leo's trail. "You already have a place in mind for our battle."
Unfurling his massive black wings, Dons ascended into the sky, the fluttering feathers of his dark form scattering like shadows across the battlefield.
Leo wasted no time, placing his hands together in a firm grip. A radiant ball of light, shimmering with hues of gold, blue, and green, began to form in his left palm. The air around him crackled with energy, the ground beneath him trembling slightly as he summoned his legendary weapon. Moments later, the holy sword Balha materialized, its gleaming metallic form unlike anything seen before.
The blade was a masterpiece of divine craftsmanship—its head shone emerald green, transitioning into a deep blue, with a radiant golden hue at its core. The lower part of the blade blended into stark black and white, giving it an otherworldly aura. The handle, though appearing to be crafted of pure gold, was an intricate construct of Qi magic, shimmering faintly as if alive with power. It was a sword of legend, the embodiment of Leo's strength and faith.
Dons smirked, his crimson eyes narrowing as he took in the weapon. "So, it is true. The legendary ninth sword—Balha. No wonder you so casually gave away the previous emperor's blade. To wield this... you truly are unlike any other." He mumbled the words as if speaking to himself, yet his tone was laced with intrigue.
Leo's piercing gaze locked onto Dons. "You said we've met before. When was this supposed to have happened? I remember no such meeting. And what is your true intention here, Dons?" His voice was steady, but his stance betrayed readiness, his every muscle coiled like a spring.
Dons tilted his head, a sly smile forming on his lips. "In time, you will remember, Leo Gemini. But for now, intentions mean nothing. Actions speak louder, do they not?" His wings, faint and shadowy, began to unfurl ever so slightly as the tension in the air thickened.
Acting first, Leo flash-stepped, appearing directly in front of Dons, and swung Balha with incredible speed and precision. However, Dons raised a magical barrier in an instant. The collision of holy power and dark energy sent a shockwave through the battlefield, a deafening explosion propelling both combatants skidding across the ground.
"Not bad, Hero," Dons smirked, his crimson eyes gleaming with interest. Without hesitation, he raised his hand, summoning a barrage of blue fireballs that hovered menacingly in the sky before descending upon Leo.
Leo, unshaken, raised Balha. The sword expanded with radiant energy, its brilliance cutting through the fireballs like a blade through paper. The sky above them erupted with bursts of flames and sparks, a testament to the power of the spells.
"This is no ordinary spell," Leo muttered to himself, gripping Balha tightly. "If I didn't have this sword, I'd already be finished."
Dons laughed, a low, amused sound. "Interesting! Your sword… it's remarkable. The reports always described it as an ethereal, spiritual weapon. Yet here it stands before me in its metallic form." Raising his right hand, Dons summoned a cascade of dark thunderbolts from the sky.
The attack was swift, yet Balha reacted on its own, forming a radiant shield that deflected the thunderbolts effortlessly.
"Fascinating," Dons murmured. "A sword that defends its master even without command. Truly remarkable."
"You're enjoying this, aren't you, Dons?" Leo said, his tone sharp. Lowering his stance, he bent at the waist, one leg sliding back as he focused his energy. Whispering under his breath, he uttered a single word: "Slicer."
In an instant, Leo hurled Balha like a streak of divine light. Dons reacted swiftly, summoning a massive earthen wall to intercept the sword. But Balha shattered the wall as though it were made of glass, continuing its relentless path toward Dons.
Dons, already prepared, activated a seven-circle magical barrier around himself. The sword struck the barrier, creating a massive explosion of light and dark energy. Despite the resistance, Balha was repelled and flew back toward Leo, who caught it effortlessly using his telekinesis.
"Your telekinesis is impressive," Dons acknowledged, his tone respectful.
"And your magic is formidable," Leo replied, his grip tightening on Balha.
"This is becoming tiresome," Dons said with a smirk. "Why not take things to the next level? Death Castle—Three Towers."
A colossal palace materialized in the sky, constructed of crimson energy that shimmered like cursed sand. Its towering spires loomed ominously, casting a shadow over the battlefield.
Leo launched several attacks at the structure, but each one was repelled effortlessly. The castle stood indomitable, its magic pulsing with an otherworldly power.
Dons' voice echoed through the air. "Welcome, Leo. This is my domain. Let's see how you fare. Don't worry—well, maybe you should. Death might be the only escape."
The palace began to close around Leo, trapping him in its dark, suffocating aura.
On the other side of the battlefield, Muka now faced the renowned War Minister of Ausha Empire, Abuld Pegasus. The two were evenly matched, their strikes and counterstrikes creating shockwaves that rattled the surrounding terrain. Yet Abuld held back, his full power still dormant.
"You are… Mu...mi...Muka, right?" Abuld asked, his tone calm but probing.
For a moment, Muka paused, narrowing his crimson eyes. "Finally, someone who doesn't know my name," he muttered under his breath.
Abuld, however, heard the comment and couldn't help but chuckle. "Well, it seems your reputation hasn't reached every ear just yet."
Their momentary exchange was interrupted as a massive shadow loomed over the battlefield, blanketing the ground in darkness. Both warriors paused, gazing up in unison to see the colossal form of the Death Castle—Three Towers—dominating the sky.
"You see that?" Muka said, smirking as he glanced back at Abuld. "My lord is already taking his fight with the Hero seriously."
Abuld's expression hardened. "Wait… Are you saying that the Demon King is already fighting Leo?"
"Didn't you hear me the first time?" Muka replied, his tone dripping with mockery.
Abuld clenched his fists, his heart heavy with concern. "Leo… Please, be careful," he thought silently, his resolve firming as he turned his attention back to Muka.
"If your lord is serious, then so must I be," Abuld said, his aura intensifying as a silver light began to radiate from his body. "You'll regret underestimating me, Muka."
The clash resumed, each warrior fully prepared to test the limits of the other.