Lilith's crimson eyes locked onto Eddard, who had already shifted into a defensive stance. The air between them was thick with tension, the grass bending under the weight of their magic. Without hesitation, Lilith surged forward, her movements blurring into a streak of speed. Before Eddard could react, her foot slammed into his chest with bone-shattering force. The impact cracked ribs, the sound sharp and sickening. Eddard's breath caught, blood spraying from his lips as the kick hurled him several feet across the battlefield.
He landed hard, skidding across the dirt before forcing himself upright. His yellow eyes glowed brighter, piercing through the haze as he fixed his gaze on Lilith.
Seems I cannot afford even a moment of weakness, he thought grimly. His hands clapped together, the sound echoing like a war drum. A massive magic circle flared into existence before him, its runes burning with fiery light.
"Fourth-tier fire spell: Devastating Inferno!" Eddard roared.
From the circle erupted a colossal blaze, a wall of fire stretching a hundred meters wide. The flames roared forward, devouring the air, the heat blistering the earth. Lilith raised her hand calmly, her expression unshaken. A shimmering shield materialized before her, translucent yet unyielding. The inferno struck, splitting apart, flames scattering harmlessly to the sides.
"Impressive output," Lilith said, her voice dripping with disdain. "But not nearly enough to push me back. Now I'll show you true power. Seventh-tier storm: Ripping Hurricane."
Her body lifted from the ground, floating effortlessly as the sky darkened. Clouds twisted violently above, spiraling into a vortex. The wind howled, tearing at the earth, uprooting trees and ripping stones from the ground.
Eddard's jaw tightened. Fuck! I've never felt this much magic power. The gale intensified, so strong it lifted the unconscious Adriano's body into the air.
But even in his unconscious state, Adriano's hand extended instinctively. His massive buster sword flew to him, embedding into the earth as he grasped it. Using the weapon as leverage, he dragged himself down, his eyes snapping open — glowing red, demonic possession revealed.
"I did not want to get involved," the demon within Adriano said coldly, his voice echoing with malice. "But this is… inconvenient." His gaze shifted to Elliot's body, possessed by Lilith.
"PREPARE YOURSELF, MORTAL!" Lilith thundered, her voice shaking the heavens. "I WAS SIMPLY SETTING THE STAGE! NOW OUR BATTLE BEGINS!" Lightning struck her hands, surging through her body in violent arcs.
Eddard's face hardened. Seems I have no choice. He pulled a vial from his belt and drank deeply. His eyes flared brighter, energy coursing through him. Lilith laughed, the sound sharp and mocking.
"Magic-enhancing potions! Resourceful, aren't you? Let's see if you survive this!" She unleashed a bolt of lightning, the strike crashing against Eddard's hastily conjured shield. The barrier held, but the force drove him back, his boots carving trenches into the soil.
I'm in trouble, Eddard thought, sweat dripping down his brow. No weak points. Her magic is flawless, precise, executed at a level beyond anything I've faced.
Tilting his shield, he redirected the lightning, deflecting it into the ground. The resulting explosion blasted him backward, hurling him into a crater. His clothes smoldered, torn and burnt. Yet as he lay there, Eddard began to laugh, his eyes glowing brighter still.
Lilith frowned, unease flickering across her face.
Eddard rose, grinning wide. "Demon… I must know your name."
Lilith chuckled, hovering above him. "I am Lilith," she said, her voice sincere.
Eddard's eyes widened. "Lilith… the Mother of Demons. I've read of you. I yield." His grin twisted into something darker.
Before Lilith could respond, a sword screamed through the air at impossible speed. She barely reacted, blasting it aside with lightning. Her gaze snapped toward the source — Adriano, his red eyes blazing with murderous intent.
"Who might you be, demon?" Lilith asked, her tone calm but wary.
"You forget me," Adriano's voice growled, though it was not his own. "This body is weak compared to my true form. I am Azazel. Lilith… I will have my vengeance." His words dripped with fury, though his tone remained chillingly composed.
Lilith's nose bled, Elliot's body straining under her control. Shit. Not now. Elliot's body is giving out. I'll need to finish him quickly.
She hurled lightning frantically, bolts tearing through the air. Azazel dodged with inhuman speed, leaping high. His sword swooped beneath him, and he mounted it like a surfboard, riding it through the storm.
"Metal replication magic: Thousand Swords," Azazel intoned.
Instantly, countless replicas of Adriano's blade materialized, filling the sky. They shot forward, a storm of steel aimed at Lilith.
Lilith swirled her hands, conjuring a massive sphere of wind. The vortex spun violently, deflecting the blades.
"Metal enhancement magic: Piercing Blade," Azazel declared. He backflipped, kicking his sword forward. It rocketed at supersonic speed, shattering the wind sphere.
Lilith reacted, catching the blade — but it pierced her shoulder, dissolving into molten metal that seeped into Elliot's body.
Shit! Shit! Shit! Lilith panicked, struggling to expel the invasive magic.
Azazel smirked, controlling the metal from below. But before he could finish, a fist smashed into his face, sending him sprawling. Eddard stood over him, his voice cold. "That's my prey."
Lilith seized the moment, expelling the metal from her body. But Elliot's strength faltered. She plummeted from the sky, only for Eddard to catch him before he hit the ground. Elliot was unconscious, his body pushed beyond its limits.
Azazel advanced, rage burning. "Now you will pay for interrupting my vengeance." But before he could strike, his red eyes faded, replaced by Adriano's natural white.
"Thank you… for saving Elliot," Adriano whispered, reclaiming control before collapsing.
Hours Later
The night was quiet, stars scattered across the sky. A campfire crackled, its glow illuminating three figures. Elliot stirred awake, groaning, his body aching. He saw Adriano and Eddard seated by the fire.
He tried to rise, fists clenched, but Eddard raised a hand. "Chill out, lad."
"Elliot," Adriano said softly, "he wants a truce."
"A truce?" Elliot's voice was sharp.
"A temporary truce," Eddard explained, his tone calm but resolute. "I will join your journey until I am strong enough to kill both of you — and the demons within you. Until then, I will fight as your comrade and defend you with my life."
Lilith's voice whispered in Elliot's mind. This boy could be a valuable asset in Tarth.
Elliot's eyes narrowed. "I agree. But one mistake… and I'll kill you myself."
Eddard smirked. "My friend… we'll see who kills who."