"Azazel. I hope you're listening," Adriano whispered, his weak smile masking the fear in his eyes. His grip tightened around the hilt of his blade as the princes advanced.
"I don't know what I'm doing. We've never gotten along… but I need you. With this, I may as well be throwing my life away. But… I don't want to die," his voice cracked, desperation bleeding through.
Azazel's reply was firm, resonant within him. "You don't want to die, huh? Then sit back. Let me carry you through this. I won't die here… not to those bastards."
Adriano exhaled, surrendering. "I concede. Take my body." His consciousness slipped, and in the next moment, a sinister, immense energy erupted from him. His demeanor shifted — calm, composed, terrifyingly assured.
Eddard's eyes narrowed as he sensed the surge. So he's come out to play. One of the rare times I'll see him unleashed without restraint.
"Another high demon," Belphegor muttered as the princes neared the gate.
"Not at all," Asmodeus corrected, his grin sharp. "That energy is close to Lucifer's, but not demonic. A fallen angel."
Beelzebub's grin widened. "Not just any fallen angel. It's Azazel. Guess he's back."
Lucifer's face twisted with disdain. "How utterly distasteful. Someone deal with that."
"I've been itching for a fight. I'll cover it," Beelzebub said, breaking from the group, his eyes locked on Adriano.
Azazel smiled, hefting his massive blade over his shoulder. His eyes turned black, pupils burning crimson. And then, softly, he began to sing — a lullaby that carried across the battlefield, chilling both demon and human alike:
Azazel's Song (unchanged):
"Hush now, hush now, hush now, listen close,
To the angel who wanted the most,
They cast me down for hunger and pride,
But something far darker survived.
Down, down, down I fell,
Too proud for heaven, too bright for hell,
I gave your secrets to mortal hands,
And built my throne on forbidden lands.
I gathered my brothers, the broken-winged,
We dreamed of the glory that power brings,
But you were waiting with your seven kings,
And shattered my pride like porcelain rings.
Oh Lilith, oh princes, do you remember me?
The one you left bleeding, begging to flee?
I've been so patient, so quiet, so still,
But patience, my darlings, has sharpened my will.
Hush now, hush now, I'm almost there,
I've memorized every face, every prayer,
You thought me broken, you thought me gone,
But cold is the fire that's burned this long.
So breathe, little princes, breathe while you can,
For heaven forsook me, and so did your hand,
I've nothing left in me, nothing to lose,
And vengeance, my darlings… …is long overdue."
As the haunting melody faded, Azazel's aura flared, his blade gleaming with malice.
Eddard removed his hood and upper clothing, revealing a scarred, battle-hardened body. A wolf pendant hung from his neck, his eyes burning brighter as he took a defensive stance.
The princes closed in. Belphegor conjured a volatile sphere of magic, hurling it at the wall of Tarth. With blinding speed, Eddard launched himself forward, his tonfa slicing through the attack in a dozen precise swipes. The unstable energy dissipated instantly.
Asmodeus and Belphegor exchanged looks of surprise.
"Impressive. He split the inter-magic forces," Asmodeus muttered.
Lucifer's voice was cold. "Belphegor, kill that human immediately, then join us." He swung his hand, unleashing a gust so powerful it leveled part of the wall. Dust and rubble rained down, leaving the defenders frozen in helpless awe.
Within the city, soldiers trembled as Satan and Asmodeus hovered above them.
"Someone… do something," one whispered.
"Do what?" another replied, despair in his voice.
"This power is godly. What could we possibly do?"
Raymond jolted, charging deeper into the city. I must protect the women and children. I must be there!
Meanwhile, Ukobathan, battered and bloodied, faced Jeremiah. "You saw what Lord Lucifer did to your wall. Why do you still fight, human?"
Jeremiah grinned, lightning surging through his body. "You fail to understand. Today, two of the seven princes fell by human hands. I never believed it possible. But now… I will never yield!"
He charged, delivering two electrified swings that staggered Ukobathan. As the demon struggled to regain footing, Jeremiah struck again, knocking him down.
Ukobathan chuckled weakly. "Human… what is your name?"
"Jeremiah. And you?"
"Ukobathan. I have a brother — you met him in the dark forest. He seeks the death of my people. I cannot choose between my people and my brother. What would you do?"
Jeremiah hesitated, confused by the sudden vulnerability. "I have a brother too. Even if Elliot does something against my beliefs, he will always be my brother first. That's what I believe."
Ukobathan laughed softly. "Go, save as many as you can, Jeremiah. I will die beside my brother in his coup, if he will have me."
Jeremiah smiled, helping him up. "Then let us die fighting the princes that remain."
Ukobathan nodded. "We may share the same enemy. Let us go die."
"Let us," Jeremiah replied, lightning sparking around him as the two unlikely allies turned toward the battlefield.