Lucifer’s tower was the sign of strength in Hell. A great tower made of dark blue crystals was a shelter for the most elite demons and the royalty. Only the greatest soldiers of Lucifer could dream about living there. Phantasm or Phantom as he was called for short was one of them. Purple, seven meters long snake-like figure with wings on its back and horns on its head, icy eyes and six hands orbiting around him was now sitting in his "room". Those said rooms were rather caves than actual rooms. It was simple, stones for style bookshelves, candles giving mediocre light, skin of some creature doing for bed, they didn't have windows or any decorations. Some might think that living in those circumstances was horrible, yet Phantom didn't mind them. For the likes of him it was a luxury. To be able to study under one of Hell greatest commanders, Beelzebub was something every spellcaster wanted. Even now he did as his master told him and was busy reading a scroll containing a powerful spell. Aspect of a black flame was written on the scroll. The scroll itself contained a drawing of a person who was covered in said flame. His studies were interrupted by a loud banging to his doors.

On the other side stood a tall human skeleton with a goat skull for a head. The skull itself had seven eye sockets and an upside down cross carved on it. It wasn’t the only carving on the demon’s body, for Lamb was covered in various runes and curses from head to toe.

-Whatever it is, make it quick- Phantasm pushed away the stone plaque that was used for doors.

- Lord Lucifer wants to see you in the throne room. I do not know any further details if that’s what are you wondering

- Well then, I shouldn't let my master wait- the demon slithered out of his room. He noticed that Lamb was following him- And what else do you want?

- I was told to come with you- Phantom only scoffed at that and continued on his way to the throne room, ignoring the skeleton that was right on his tail. He couldn’t believe that of all demons that lived in the tower, this coward was the one that had to go with him. If Phantom could, he would blast the Lamb into the closest pillar he could find. But before he could further think this through, they both were standing in front of large doors made of steel. Snake pushed the doors and slithered into the throne room, while Lamb went shortly after him.

Both of them saw their master sitting on the throne made of iron. Lucifer was an evenement in terms of demons. While all of them have only one physical form, not counting any transformation magic, Lucifer had a few of them but his favorite was similar to his pre-fall form, that looked like a beautiful, young man with long, light hair, the only difference was it had darker color.

Phantasm and Lamb bowed before the king. Lucifer looked at them calmly.

- I am more than pleased with your punctuality. I knew I made the right decision when I allowed you to live here-the king sounded to be pleased with himself rather than his soldiers- But enough of that, you want to know why I have called you there, right?

They both nodded.

- You see, I got rather interesting information from Beelzebub

- Master, what was that information about?- asked Lamb.

- On the north side of Sixth circle, he found stones shaped like claws, arranged in a circle. Apparently it could be used as a teleport, albeit with no small risk. There is no limit as to where it could lead but also no way of telling what might happen when using it- a mischievous grin formed on the Lucifer’s face

- Your highness, does that mean that we could leave Hell without the need of being summoned?- skeleton asked again.

- Yes, and I have mission for you Phantasm

- What is it?- asked the demon, being a little confused.

- I would like you to collect seven Crystals of the Elements, and use them in ritual to awake great being, Legion

- I understand, but where are those crystals?

- From the information I have managed to get, they are scattered around the earth and hidden in the temples. Beelzebub should tell you something more about them

- My Lord, I will make sure to conquer all of those temples and bring glory to your name

Lucifer chuckled a little. Phantom truly was one of the more loyal soldiers he ever had. But even then, this task is too important to be handled by a simple soldier like him. Of course, that didn’t mean that Lucifer didn’t have a plan for that. For even thinking like that would cause one to lose their head in Hell.

- While you had proved your strength many times, you don’t think I had forgotten what had happened three centuries ago?- at the mention of that Phantom froze in place. He already received his punishment for that, so what more was to come?- As for that, you will have to find yourself all of three other members that will join you. Of course I think I don’t have to add that it is better if they will be back alive, do I?- the demon only shook his head. King of Hell then handed the demon a small stone tablet with three names written on it.

- Master, this isn't a good idea to give this demon team, I mean we tried that before and we lost six men, SIX!

- Lamb, are you saying that I made a wrong choice?

- No Lord, but still...

- So then silence!- both demons were able to hear a hint of anger in Lucifer voice- Phantasm, I hope that you will succeed

- I will do my best Lord

- Well then, go and remember that, this is an order and I do not want to see you coming back here, unless you will complete the mission

- I understand- after saying these words Phantom slithered out of the room. Lucifer waited a while and then he said:

- Lamb, you too will go to keep an eye on him, I mean, we do not want any more casualties, right?

- Yes, my Lord-Lamb marched out of the room.

Now I only need these people and we can go to the earth, it can't be that hard Phantom thought to himself as he wandered to the seventh circle. If he wanted to find them, he needed to check Tower of the magicians for Noktum, Horn of the Babylon for Samukai and wasteland for Fenfir.

Of course easiest was wasteland, because in Hell everything was wasteland. He was lucky, as the hellhound rested on some height. He slithered closer to the giant, black wolf.

- I guess you are Fenfir- of course that was nothing more than a wild guess. But that was one of the bigger hellhounds he had ever seen, so he could only hope that he was the one.

Hearing that name, the hound stood up, looking at the demon with his red eyes.

- I will take that as "yes"- Phantasm ordered the wolf to come with him. To his surprise the hellhound obeyed.

- Wait, I think that I saw you somewhere... Ah, you are that wolf that was chained up to the stone. I never thought that I would see you again, but hey welcome aboard.

One less, now for the samurai.

Horn of Babylon was a giant complex of various buildings. Many made of dark stone. Others of mere ground. Some even made of crystals that could be found in Hell. All of them were of a different size. Some could barely fit the demon inside, while others could fit an entire army inside of them. Not only that, they have been built in various styles. Most of them were like those from the damned Holy Kingdom of Vatican. A bunch took their design from the Kohryu Empire and a few were like the sand domes of Arabia. It could be difficult to spot samurai, so Phantasm wandered for some time until he saw the house built in a style of the eastern kingdom. Seiryu or however it was called. He never was able to tell the difference between them and only knew they had those weird roofs and didn’t look too sturdy, just like this stone building. He didn't waste time knocking on the door, instead he opened them by force and slithered in. To his surprise, he didn't see anybody, only a stand for katana’s which was made of stone. He wanted to leave, but then at the corner of his eye he saw another entrance. That led to the open field with stone pillars. All of them were covered in claw marks. No, not claws. Upon closer look they seemed to be made from a blade, probably a one from a sword. If the demon was to guess then this probably was the training area. And if there was one thing he knew about warriors, it was the fact that they love spending their time in places like that.

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Phantom knew that Samukai was somewhere around, because he could sense his aura. It smelled somewhat metallic, but mostly it was exotic, not something he had felt everyday. His guess was right, when the katana was thrown and stuck in the ground near him. Phantasm saw that it was made of black lead, he could swear that he felt that it was enchanted or even cursed. Then he spotted the silhouette on one of the pillars.

Warrior jumped down to greet his invader. Phantom could now see him better. Nearly two meters tall figure, wearing a black samurai armor with purple trim. He had two other blades crossed on his back and a sheath for the third one on his hip. And that third interested him. Samurai went to retrieve his weapon, never letting the demon from his sight.

- What do you want demon?- he asked.

- From the very order of our glorious Lord Lucifer, your duty is to join me and fulfill his will

- What if I decline?

- I will make you join by force

- Is it proposal for duel

- As hell it is

- So then, try to catch me- he said as he ran out.

- Come back here!- Phantom shouted, following after the warrior. The samurai was much faster than he expected. Even in full black lead armor he managed to completely outrun the demon. After a while he found himself on the stone circle. Samukai was standing in the middle, waiting for the demon.

- So you really are determined to fight me? Let it be, but I show no mercy against the intruders

- Are you going to shut up? Just fight me!

- As your wish- Phantom already hated that warrior. He was cocky. Too cocky.

Samukai summoned his three shadow clones and they all came rushing on the demon. Phantasm waited for strike, to quickly counter attack, but samurais started to encircle the demon. As much as he hated to admit it, his speed might end up causing him some troubles.

Samukai placed the tip of the blade to the ground and said:

- I call upon the Trap of Jiuweihu; Fangs of fire!

After that, Phantasm felt something piercing his body. Fangs of the demonic, ghostly nine tailed fox slammed at him, keeping him from moving an inch.

Soon the demon founded himself surrounded by the circle of the warriors. All of them were running at an amazing speed. They started to run diagonally from one side to another, while slashing Phantom with their blades. Even though those were minor wounds, with that fox biting into him, he thought that he underestimated the Samukai. Demon summoned his scythe covered in a gray skin of a dragon. Now he was done playing. He didn’t want to use magic so early but Lord Lucifer hasn’t specified if they have to be in one piece or not.

He uses a scythe? Interesting.Samukai thought to himself as he slashed the opponent once again.

- I wanted to make this fair for you, I really wanted to. But now it is time to end this. I call the power of the great infernal hydra, Hydra’s chain of flame to scorch those who oppose me- after he said this, he lifted his scythe to the sky. Shortly after, the ball made of fire showed itself and fired three flames ending with dragon heads directly into the warrior.

Samurai didn't even have time to react, when he was hit by the high tier magic and was sent flying into the stone pillars. His clones and trap disappeared. He is a spellcaster? Damn it, I will have to do better than that if I want to win. Samukai was now thinking of a proper way to approach his enemy. As he was coming up with a strategy, the demon fired off a red beam that cut down through any stone pillar to get him.

Samurai barely dodged an upcoming spell, which managed to graze him. Another high tier magic, maybe he underestimated the demon. Perhaps fighting with him was not the smartest idea. But it was too late to back off now. He drew his black blade, Izanagi. It was different from his normal ones and not just by the material it was made. The blade had a powerful enchant on it making it so that any martial art casted by it would become more powerful than normally but it would take a much bigger portion of the magic aura.

- Sing o steel and sing o wind for I call thee to make blade of my cut down those who stand against me; Dragon of the East!- Izanagi gained a grayish green aura. Warrior then charged at the demon who also casted his own spell that took the form of a great fire vortex. Before it could hit the samurai, he vanished. Phantom tried to see if the warrior hid himself behind any of the pillars, but found nothing. Perhaps he ran away like a coward? If so that would mean more time spent on searching rather than fulfilling his mission.

Just as he was to return to Fenfir, the demon noticed a weird looking shadow near him. From it came a warrior with his blade still covered in aura. He managed to get a clean cut on the demon’s chest before getting blasted off by a red beam. Samukai slowly stood up, being glad that whatever spell the demon used was of a dark attribute thus not breaking his armor. This and the fact that his own magic aura was responsible for creating a coat, or truly thin, invisible barrier that covered an entire body as scholars called it, which protected him from any attack that was in any way connected to dark attribute. Albeit he would have preferred to also have a fire one, just in case it was needed.

But now he was sure that winning against him was a tough task. That’s why he hated going against spellcasters, no matter the distance they could always hit you.

- Are you giving up?- Phantom asked- Seriously, if this continues you might lose some parts of you- demon said in a mocking voice.

- Let it be, I give up

- So from now you will be following me and you will do everything I want. Do you understand?

- I might have lost this duel, but not my honor- warrior muttered.

- What was that?

- Nothing

- Nevermind, just follow me

Now they only needed to find Noktum and they could finally use the portal. Good thing was that both the portal and Tower of magicians were in the same circle. It was only a matter of time, when they would find the magician.

- Is it necessary for this hound to follow us?- Samukai asked.

- Yes, he is also part of the team- Phantasm answered.

They walked in silence until Samukai spotted the tower. They got closer and saw it better. Tower of magicians was tall, made of stones and dark blue crystals. They saw the door was opened by someone and figure dressed in dark purple robe was thrown out. They go closer to the figure. As the magician got up, Phantom saw that he had black antlers and one big, bright blue eye.

- Hey kid, do you know where we can find Noktum?- demon asked.

- A..actually I am Noktum- figure answered.

-If that so, then come with me

- Why?

- Believe me, you really want to do as he said- Samukai said.

- Let's say that I understood

- Great, so you will wait here and I will go for one last thing

Phantasm was now slithering to the lord Beelzebub, for any useful information. Both regarding the crystals and the portal.

Beelzebub as a prince of Hell had his own tower but smaller than the Lucifer's. Inside it looked more like a library rather than something that was used to live in.

Beelzebub really deserved his name as Lord of the flies mostly, but if Phantom was being honest, his master was more like a sick chimera of all of the insects of the world.

He was an insect-like demon that stood tall on two massive legs that ended with mighty claws, he had four arms,and six insect-like wings which were now folded, creating an armor on his back. His abdomen ended with many sharp claws. His body was dark blue and dark green. His head was golden with red, fly eyes. In one of his hands rested a staff created of bones that he got during all of his years of fighting.

- So you got a mission from Lucifer? - his voice came rather as buzzing than a normal speech.

- That's right

- Wait a while- he said as he went to another room.

Phantom waited for a while, getting more and more impatient. Finally Beelzebub came back with a small object in his hand.

- Here it is- Lord of the flies said as he gave Phantasm a small black crystal.

- So...what is it?

- I got it from Lucifer. From what I understood it is akin to the crystals you have to get. In theory it should lead you to the rest, but we had no way to test it

- Thank you lord Beelzebub. I swear that this time I will succeed

- First and foremost remember to return here in one piece. It would be a shame to lose a student like you

Phantom came back to his team and all four of them came close to the stones. Demon slithered closer to them and started chanting something. For a short while his magic aura became visible, and parts of it went inside the stones.

- Now get inside the circle- before he could lead them there, the one eyed mage had his gaze focused on the small black crystal.

- If I might get to know, what is that?- he asked.

- And maybe tell us what our task is. I don’t think it is anything simple as burn the world or something like that

- This is a tool that will make my crystal hunting easier. Just follow me and get ready- while neither of them knew exactly about what crystals the demon was talking about, they all stepped inside the stone circle which was shaking violently. They got a weird feeling as the world started spinning around them and bright light appeared, blinding all of them and making them lose consciousness .

When Phantom woke up, he saw that they were in a forest.