Jeremiah and Ukobathan faced each other in a tense standoff. Ukobathan's eyes narrowed, the heat radiating from Jeremiah's flames pressing against him. Both men were breathing heavily, their bodies strained.
My magic is running out fast. I need to wound this bastard enough to grab Raymond and escape, Jeremiah thought, shifting into a fighting stance.
Ukobathan conjured a red sphere of energy in each hand, each the size of a basketball. He hurled them forward, but Jeremiah raised a wall of fire, blocking the attack.
In the next instant, Jeremiah leapt onto a tree branch, creating distance as he launched smaller fireballs. Ukobathan dodged with his projection skill, weaving through the barrage.
Damn it. My reserves are draining too quickly. But this human—he should've burned through his magic by now. He might actually outlast me, Ukobathan realized, staggering slightly as he tried to push toward Raymond. His steps faltered, his breath ragged.
"No you don't, you bastard!" Jeremiah roared. Flames burst beneath his feet, propelling him forward at near Mach speed. He connected with a devastating kick, cracking Ukobathan's ribs and sending him flying. The demon rolled across the ground before clawing at the earth to stop himself. He rose, clutching Raymond's blade, both combatants gasping for air.
"Make peace with your demon overlords. You won't live to see tomorrow," Jeremiah said coldly.
Ukobathan laughed—genuine, booming laughter.
"Don't mistake me, exorcist! I laugh not because I dismiss your threat, but because I believe you might actually kill me. My thirst for battle makes me savor this moment. So I, Ukobathan, will fight you to the death!"
"I acknowledge you, demon. I, Jeremiah, will exorcise you!" Jeremiah declared, charging forward as Ukobathan met him head-on.
Meanwhile, Lenen raced through the forest, leaping from tree to tree. Tears blurred his vision, his hand pressed against his bleeding stomach wound.
I ruptured a blood vessel in his brain… no way he's dead, right? Lenen tried to reassure himself, but the thought gnawed at him. His pace quickened with his spiraling guilt, reopening his wound. Blood spilled from his mouth and nose, yet he pressed on.
Lenen, get a grip! he scolded himself, collapsing by a river. He vomited violently, then sat trembling, clutching his head.
It was him or Uko. I did it for my brother. I hope he survives. He stared at his reflection in the water.
No. This isn't the time to break. Brother needs me to finish the mission. The target is only fifty kilometers east. I must not fail. He rose, leaping back into the trees.
Raymond's eyes fluttered open.
God… my head feels like it's splitting in two, he thought, staggering upright. His left eye was bloodshot. He saw Jeremiah and Ukobathan locked in combat—Jeremiah's sword flashing with deadly precision, Ukobathan dodging and countering with his projection skill. The battle was evenly matched.
I need to use that spell… to help Jeremiah.
Raymond closed his eyes, extending two fingers. His voice trembled, his body weak, but his spirit burned with conviction.
"Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty…"
A white aura enveloped him, illuminating the battlefield.
"I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.' Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence…"
The aura grew brighter, catching the attention of both fighters. Jeremiah was astonished—there was no magic presence, only something divine. Ukobathan felt dread creep into his chest, stepping back instinctively. But before he could flee, Jeremiah seized him in a bear hug.
"Now, Raymond! Blast this bastard to kingdom come!"
"With these words, be vanquished—Protector's Psalm!" Raymond cried. A massive white beam erupted from his fingers, engulfing both Jeremiah and Ukobathan.
Ukobathan screamed as the divine light burned him at the molecular level. Jeremiah, however, felt only warmth and safety. When the blast faded, Jeremiah stood unharmed over Ukobathan's charred remains.
"Damn. Burned so thoroughly it barely leaves residual magic. He's definitely dead," Jeremiah muttered, stepping past the corpse to join Raymond. The two fist-bumped in victory.
But as they turned to leave, a suffocating aura washed over them—ancient, malevolent, overwhelming.
"What the hell is this?" Jeremiah panicked.
Raymond's eyes widened as he looked back. "Impossible…"
Ukobathan stood regenerated, larger, redder, more demonic than before. His smile radiated pure wrath.
"I don't know what happened, but I'll kill you both if it's the last thing I do," he snarled.
The young men froze, stunned by the monster before them.
Far away, Satan stirred in his bed.
What? Someone is drawing power from Wrath. How I've missed this… a new demon dipping into sin's power. I hope they live long enough for me to meet them, he thought, laughing manically.
"Raymond, I don't see a way for either of us to kill this thing. We need a plan," Jeremiah said.
"That fire you used earlier—that was elemental conversion, right?" Raymond asked.
"Yes. And?"
"If we amplify it, we can burn him to ash."
"How? I barely have a quarter of my reserves left."
"Holy time. I can boost your reserves," Raymond replied.
"We'll need a distraction first."
Raymond reclaimed his blade. "I cut him up, you punch. Sounds like a plan." He charged, activating holy time, his blade glowing.
Ukobathan let him approach. When Raymond's blade struck, it shattered instantly. Ukobathan countered with a punch to Raymond's stomach, breaking his ribs and hurling him into the trees.
Damn it, Raymond. You'd better get back up, Jeremiah thought, charging with flaming fists. He unleashed a flurry of blows, but Ukobathan stood unfazed before driving a fist through Jeremiah's abdomen. He hurled him aside—only for Raymond to catch him.
"Now or never!" Raymond shouted. The two clasped hands, Jeremiah's arm trembling, blood soaking his shirt. He smiled through the pain.
"Burn, you bastard." A golden aura enveloped them both, flames erupting from Jeremiah, forcing Ukobathan back.
The fire grew, driving the demon into retreat. Raymond struck Jeremiah's arm, redirecting the blast into the trees, burying Ukobathan in debris. With his last strength, Raymond activated holy time, boosting his speed. He carried Jeremiah away into the forest.
As they fled, Jeremiah asked weakly, "Why?"
"If we stayed, you wouldn't have survived. I chose saving you over killing him. I'm sorry… I'm not an exorcist," Raymond admitted.