Silence hung in the air as all three of us had a stare down. Demiurge, still with that twisted grin on his face, seemed to be watching Stormglass carefully. Despite his playful demeanor it looked as if he wasn’t underestimating her. The quiet air was broken once Stormglass spoke in a low voice.

“As much as I would like to, I will refrain from asking who or what this thing is for the time being. But I will say… Thank you.”

“Well, you know, I couldn’t have you dying on me. Even I have some honor that can be stained.”

A small chuckle could be heard from the golden knight before me.

“I will lead the assault. Once I make a move I’ll need you to follow through after me. Is that clear?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“That’s Commander to you.”

With that the battle began. Merely a second had past and already Stormglass’s body was covered in sparks of electricity as she leaped forward towards Demiurge. I followed close behind. The Demon Apostle didn’t move and simply raised his hand in an attempt to stop her sword. However, the power of her swing even caused him to falter though only for a brief moment.

“Oh! This sword of yours is really strong! Say, can I have it?!”

Hoping to capitalize on his stumble and him being distracted and I made my way to his side and sent forth [Titanium Fist]. My mana powered fist made contact with his other hand and was stopped immediately.

“Can’t you see we’re having a conversation? I no longer have interest in playing with you.”

His hand then grabs my wrist and then he lunges me over his head and into a nearby building. Thankfully due to [Full Body Fortress] I didn’t feel an ounce of pain.

As I’m sent flying I can hear Stormglass shout for me which Demiurge gleefully takes advantage of. The clashing of steel can be heard echoing through the streets. I make my way back as Stormglass is being pushed back more and more by Demiurge.

“C’mon, tell me what that sword is! I know it’s not a Calamity but it’s definitely stronger than normal weapons.”

This guy isn’t making any sense. Does he not know about enchanted weapons? I mean, I know Stormglass’s Holy Armament is far superior to normal enchanted weapons but he makes it seem as if he’s unaware of either. Not to mention him referring to something as “a Calamity.”

Just what exactly is this Demon Apostle.

“This sword is my Holy Armament, Stormglass, and it will be the blade that shall slay you. [Call Thunder]!”

Pointing her Holy Armament skyward a great surge of mana could be seen gathering overhead. Suddenly, bolts of lighting began raining down onto the already battered street and Demiurge, who quickly backed off but avoided every single strike.

Not missing the opportunity to back him into a corner Stormglass ran after him. Demiurge smiled as she drew closer.

“[Blood Starved Bite]!”

Droplets of the blood still above him came forth and formed into a giant mouth that was ready to swallow up Stormglass. Her sword, wrapped in lighting, came down onto the beast head before her and dispersed it.

Stormglass couldn’t see it because of the giant beast head made of blood but I could. Right behind it Demiurge stopped moving backwards but was instead moving forward, right for Stormglass. I knew exactly what was happening. He was using the [Blood Starved Bite] spell not only as a distraction but as a shield to hide his incoming attack. I couldn’t stand on the sidelines anymore!

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“[Vampiric Thirst]!”

“[Storm Dragon’s Roar]!”

Before Demiurge can make contact with Stormglass’s body the lighting dragon shooting at from my fist sends him straight into a nearby building collapsing it almost in its entirety.

“Stormglass, are you okay?!”

“I’m fine. I appreciate the help but please refrain from causing some much destruction. I won’t allow any innocents to be caught in the crossfire.”

A “thank you” would’ve been nice… But then again I can’t say I don’t understand where she’s coming from. I’m not so callous as to not care about that. Unfortunately I didn’t think of that in the moment.

Bits of rubble began parting as Demiurge climbed out with an excited look on his face.

“Apologies for slightly underestimating you… Szandor was it? Though… don’t think for a moment that either of you are stronger than me. I’m just a bit tired from my long sleep. I’m also fighting you without my spell book. Fighting you two with Blood Magic is really a pain considering I need this to awaken His Majesty.”

“Sounds more like excuses to me. It’s not too late to admit defeat. We can put an end to this.”

I know I shouldn’t but I couldn’t help but poke the hornet’s nest. I even caught Stormglass giving me a disapproving side look. Demiurge laughed, but I could sense he wasn’t simply mocking me. He was angry at the notion.

“Hmm, yes. Let’s put an end to this shall we. His Majesty has always chastised me for dragging fights on longer than need be. Saying my ‘folley would be my ruin.’ Of course, He is right. Forgive me Father. I’ll end things now and no longer delay your return.”

The Demon Apostle before us was no longer smiling. With that it was like a switch was flipped. The atmosphere was filled with far more dread than before. He meant every word of what he just said. He had every intention of ending things now.

Stormglass, taking heed of his word, leaped forward at a speed far greater than I had seen from her before. Her body became a blur of gold before stopping before Demiurge and bringing her sword down. Demiurge stopped the blade with lazy ease.

“Haven’t we done this already?”

Demiurge then pulled the sword towards himself and punched Stormglass straight into the ground causing an explosion of debris and broken cobblestone.

I could tell, even from this distance, that the strength he put into that attack was much more than any attack he threw at us before. He really was simply “playing with us,” but now there was no denying it. He is serious.

Stormglass tried to get back up but was sent flying by a kick to the gut. I had to do something. I knew it would be stupid to just rush in and punch him. My fists didn’t affect him before. The only attack of mine that hurt him was [Storm Dragon’s Roar] but not only could I end up causing more collateral damage there’s a possibility Stormglass could get caught up in the attack.

Sure, I had no doubts she could handle it but if something were to happen to her… I just don’t think I could live with myself. Damn, this chivalrous knight really is rubbing off on me.

So, what could I do? If [Storm Dragon’s Roar] is the only thing I have that can hurt him then I need to find a way to make it work. The attack needs to be less spread out and more precise.

I have to refine the technique to a point. Wait… A point like…

Suddenly, the image of one of Demiurge's attacks sprang to mind: [Blood Lance]. That’s it! I didn’t know if it was possible. To condense the power of that attack into the form of a lance without losing its bite or even I had good enough aim to hit my target directly from a distance but there was no time to think of such things.

I simply had to act.

I gathered heaps of mana to use [Strom Dragon’s Roar] but as I said I condense it down into the shape of a spear floating beside me. Just as Demiurge is getting closer to Stormglass I put everything into my thrust. At that moment I wasn’t sure if I was even going to hit him but despite that I put my all into this attack, Hoping this would truly bring an end to things.

“[Storm Dragon’s Lance]!”

Gusts of wind and bolts of wild lightning shot out as the lance made its way to Demiurge. The attack hit straight into his left shoulder, causing his arm to split off and fountains of blood to spray out.

For the first time I saw Demiurge in pain as he held the bleeding wound that was once his arm. Anger slipped out from his clenched demon-like teeth.

“Y-You bastard!”

Stormglass was finally able to regain her composure as she got back up and proceeded to swing at the wounded Demon Apostle which caused him to leap back in panic.

“Hahaha… AHAHAHAHA! It seems you really are strong! Just like those Otherworlders! This time I’m serious when I say that I have underestimated you.”

Anger, confusion, madness. All these things and more seem to be swelling within Demiurge as he laughs like a lunatic.

“Ahh, I hope His Majesty can forgive me for I must retreat. Though, don’t think you’ve stopped His awaken. You’ve only merely delayed the inevitable. [Greater Teleportation]!”

And then, as if nothing had happened, Demiurge disappeared before our eyes. Calm quiet falls over the ruined city streets.

This time… things were truly over.