The intense red of Haziel's irises glinted as she channeled her energy. Her rapier thrummed in her grip, the vibrations resonating up her arm with barely contained power as scarlet lightning streaked along its edge.

Her muscles coiled and released in a fluid motion as she drove the rapier through Dante's stomach. The blade sank deep, and for a heartbeat, everything was still. Dante's eyes flew wide open, shock and pain forcing his mouth open. His pristine suit blossomed with crimson as blood sprayed from the wound, soaking the fabric and splattering onto the ground.

Dante's breath hitched in his throat. He coughed violently, a mouthful of blood spewing forth and splattering on the stone floor. His knees gave way under the force of the blow, and he crumpled as strength drained from his body.

For a moment, Haziel's gaze was fixed on Dante as she gripped the rapier tighter. She watched, almost detached, as the demon's face contorted in agony.

Then, in an instant, everything changed. Dante's body shimmered, the image wavering like a mirage before vanishing entirely. Haziel's eyes widened, disbelief flooding her senses as the weight of the rapier felt suddenly hollow in her hand. She spun around, the air thick with tension, just in time to see Dante materialize behind her.

He was still standing, completely unscathed. "Missed me already?"

Dante reached into his pocket slowly, pulling out a card that glowed with a vivid, ominous red. The light from the card bathed his hand and face in an eerie glow, enhancing the menace in his eyes. "Let's see how you handle this."

With a flick of his wrist, Dante sent the card hurtling through the air toward Haziel. The inquisitor barely had time to react before the card exploded in a blinding flash of light and searing heat. The explosion's force hit her so hard that she was sent stumbling backward.

As the smoke and debris cleared, the shimmering outline of ethereal wings unfolded from Haziel's back. Each feather glowed with an otherworldly luminescence, the delicate barbs catching the light in a mesmerizing dance. The wings had absorbed the brunt of the explosion, shielding her from harm.

Haziel took a deep breath, feeling the comforting weight of her wings before she dispersed them. The light faded, the feathers dissolving into the air like mist in the morning sun. She regained her composure, eyes locking onto Dante. "How did you survive that?"

Dante's let out an amused chuckle. "Oh, I was just lucky. Care to try again?"

Haziel's grip tightened on her rapier as she drove the blade into the ground. The steel met the stone with a resounding crash, and a trail of lightning surged from the point of impact. The electric tendrils crackled and sparked, racing along the ground toward Dante.

The moment the lightning reached him, it surged up his body and enveloped him in a blinding aura of light and energy. Dante's screams echoed through the chamber, his body convulsing violently as the electricity coursed through him. The acrid smell of burning flesh filled the air, mingling with the smoke that rose from his now charred form.

Haziel watched as the last sparks of lightning dissipated. She approached his body with slow steps, heart pounding in her chest. Yet, when she reached out to examine the remains, Dante's form shimmered once more.

Before she could touch him, he was sucked into the floor, disappearing from sight. The stone beneath her feet rippled like water, then solidified, leaving no trace of his presence.

Haziel desperately looked around the room, taking in every detail with heightened awareness. Her heart pounded in her chest, each beat echoing like a war drum in her ears.

Suddenly, a deafening explosion erupted behind her. The blast wave hit her like a battering ram, lifting her off her feet and hurling her forward. She hit the ground hard, the impact driving the air from her lungs. Pain lanced through her back, as if countless needles had pierced her skin.

Despite still being dazed, Haziel managed to push herself up. Her vision blurred for a moment before sharpening as she forced herself to focus. She turned to see Dante standing there with a triumphant look plastered across his face.

"Impressive," he drawled, voice dripping with sarcasm. "But not quite good enough."

Haziel gritted her teeth, the pain in her back throbbing with each breath. She forced herself to stand, willing her wings to flicker back into existence. "You won't get away with this."

Dante laughed. "My dear inquisitor, I believe we're just getting started."

But suddenly, the door to the room burst open, wood splintering as a handful of staffers rushed in. "Is everyone alright?" one of them called out, stepping forward cautiously.

Immediately, Haziel's eyes flared with a malevolent intensity. She extended her hand, fingers crackling with red lightning that danced across her skin.

Several bolts lanced through the air, their red hue staining the room in a crimson glow, and struck the staffers directly. Their screams were brief, cut off abruptly as their bodies convulsed and crumpled to the ground, lifeless and smoking.

Dante's laugh was a low, dark chuckle. "You know, it's usually demons who kill innocent people."

Haziel's gaze snapped to him as she opened her mouth to retort. That was, until a sharp, searing pain tore through her skull, forcing her to clutch her head with a wince. The agony was blinding, a white-hot spike that momentarily blurred her vision.

Seizing the opportunity, Dante flicked his wrist, sending a flurry of enchanted cards hurtling toward her. Each card ignited on impact, explosions rocking the room and enveloping Haziel in a storm of fire and smoke. The force of the blasts sent shards of debris flying, the heat scorching the walls.

When the smoke finally cleared, Haziel stood amidst the wreckage. Blood seeped from numerous wounds, staining her clothes and dripping onto the floor. Yet, her face was twisted with an even more intense rage as arcs of red lightning danced around her like a storm.

"Amaryllis, I'll kill you myself!" Haziel screamed.

Dante's smirk faltered, a flicker of unease crossing his features as he saw the intensity of her fury. "Amaryllis? Look, I don't know who you think I am, but you've got the wrong person. Whatever or whoever you're angry about, it's not me."

But Haziel was beyond reason. "I won't forgive you for everything you did!"

She lunged at Dante and drove her rapier into his chest. The blade pierced through his flesh with a sickening crunch, the force of the impact pinning him to the ground. His eyes widened in shock and pain as a purple stain blossomed across his chest.

Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

Above them, the sound of rolling thunder built to a deafening crescendo, each rumble vibrating through the walls and floor. Haziel's eyes burned with a fierce intensity as she raised her hand upward.

In a split second, a massive pillar of lightning crackled to life, its electric red tendrils writhing and twisting as it descended from the sky and shattered the ceiling. The bolt struck with unrelenting force, enveloping both of them in a blinding flash of light.

The sheer power of the blast bored a large, smoking hole into the ground. The floor beneath them crumbled into a cascade of rubble and debris, causing them to plummet into the darkness below.

Both Dante and Haziel crashed into the murky water below with a tremendous splash. The impact sent waves rippling through the cavern, and for a moment, all was silent except for the distant echoes of dripping water.

Haziel surfaced first, body aching from the battle and the fall. She looked around, adjusting to the dim light filtering through large cracks in the cave ceiling. Gathering her strength, she manifested her wings, their ethereal glow illuminating the dark water around her.

With a powerful thrust, she flew out of the murky depths, water streaming off her as she soared above the surface. After hovering for a few seconds, Haziel let her wings dematerialize and landed lightly on the water's surface. Her weight did not break the tension of the water, allowing her to stand as if on solid ground. She took this chance to look through the cavern, trying to find Dante.

Suddenly, Haziel sensed movement and turned just in time to see a sword hurtling towards her. She dodged to the side, the blade slicing through the air where she had stood a moment before. More swords followed, flying at her rapidly.

Haziel twisted and turned as she evaded each strike. The swords that missed her shimmered in the dim light, their edges glinting before transforming into silver-colored cards. Each card hung in the air for a brief moment, catching the light before dissipating into thin air, leaving no trace of their existence.

The inquisitor's muscles burned with exertion, but she pushed on, her focus razor-sharp on the swords in front of her. Yet, she was so intent on the barrage that she failed to notice the silent approach of a sword behind her.

Pain exploded through her back as the blade plunged into her flesh, the sensation sharp and searing. Her eyes widened in shock, and she coughed up blood, the metallic taste filling her mouth. Her vision blurred, dark spots dancing at the edges as she staggered forward, trying to maintain her footing.

Dante's voice echoed through the cavern. "Alright… do me a favor and die this time."

Haziel's rage flared as she discharged a massive bolt of red lightning from all over her body. The crackling energy surged through the air, the sheer force of it sending Dante flying into the water with a resounding splash.

Then, Haziel manifested her wings and dove into the water after Dante, her wings propelling her with incredible speed. The water churned around her, creating whirlpools in her wake. Her rapier, gleaming with a deadly light, sliced through the water as she slashed and stabbed at Dante repeatedly.

Each strike found its mark, drawing blood that mingled with the murky water. Dante gasped for breath, his eyes wide with panic as he struggled to fend off her attacks. The look of terror on his face fueled Haziel's rage, driving her movements with an unstoppable force.

She was relentless, her fury manifesting in every motion. Her rapier cut through the water like a predator's fangs, each strike delivering pain and drawing purple clouds in the water.

But just as she was about to deliver the final blow, Dante's hand shot to his pocket, pulling out a red card. This one glowed much brighter than the others, its light almost blinding in the dark water.

The ensuing explosion was immense, a blinding burst of energy that tore through the water. The shockwave hit Haziel with the force of a tidal wave, sending her hurtling backward. She collided with the cavern wall, the impact knocking the breath out of her and sending a burst of pain through her body.

***

After what felt like an exceedingly long amount of time, Haziel managed to open her eyes. The first thing she noticed was the rough texture of the cave floor beneath her cheek, the cold, jagged stone pressing into her skin.

She coughed, her throat raw, expelling a mouthful of water that had pooled in her lungs. Each cough sent a jolt of pain through her chest, but she managed to force herself to sit up eventually.

Haziel looked around, taking in her surroundings with a slow, methodical gaze. The cave was now dry, the once roiling water having receded, leaving behind a damp, musty smell. The walls were lined with sharp, crystalline formations that glinted faintly in the dim light filtering through the cracks in the ceiling. Stalactites hung from above like jagged teeth, and the ground was littered with small, glittering stones and patches of lichen. A faint trickle of water echoed somewhere in the distance, a reminder of the battle's aftermath.

Pushing herself to stand on her feet, Haziel swayed slightly as her body felt like it was protesting every movement. She glanced down at her uniform, which was now a tattered mess. The fabric was torn and shredded, exposing patches of bruised and bloodied skin. Her chest armor was dented, and the insignia of her rank was barely recognizable beneath the grime and damage. Unfortunate, but could be worse.

Her eyes scanned the cave, searching for her rapier. She squinted, trying to make out shapes in the dim light.

Finally, in the far corner of the cave, she spotted a glint of steel. Her heart quickened as she made her way towards it. When she got closer, she recognized the familiar hilt of her rapier, half-buried beneath a pile of rubble.

After a brief exhale, Haziel knelt down and carefully extricated the weapon from the debris. With her rapier securely in hand, Haziel took a deep breath, the familiar weight of the weapon providing a sense of comfort and resolve. She manifested her wings, the ethereal feathers shimmering as they unfurled.

Looking up, she launched herself into the air, each wing beat sending a gust of wind echoing through the cave. As she ascended, the walls of the cave blurred as she flew.

Haziel landed in Dante's room, her wings dematerializing as her feet touched the ground. The room was eerily silent, the aftermath of their confrontation evident in the scattered sheet music and overturned furniture. A grand oak desk stood askew, papers strewn across its surface, and a bookshelf against the wall partially collapsed, its contents spilling onto the floor.

Stepping cautiously, Haziel navigated the room and looked for any clues or remnants of Dante's presence. But there was no sign of the demon, only the stark emptiness left in his wake. As she moved, her foot pressed down on a loose plank, the wood creaking under her weight. She paused, dematerializing her wings and taking a moment to steady herself before walking towards the door and opened it, stepping into the corridor.

The concert hall was now filled with guards. I must have been knocked out for a good while.

One of the guards, a tall man with a stern face and a prominent crest of rank on his chest, spotted her and hurried over. "Inquisitor Haziel," he greeted, his voice laced with concern. "Are you alright? What happened to you?"

Haziel just stared at him blankly for a moment. Right… I'm an inquisitor, but what was I doing here?"

"Inquisitor? Are you alright?"

"Y-yes, I'm fine," Haziel said, glancing at her tattered uniform briefly. " However, I'll need a change of clothes."

The guard hesitated, his expression shifting to one of regret. "I'm sorry, Inquisitor. We don't have any spare clothes to give."

Haziel sighed, but she nodded in understanding. "It's fine. I'll find something on my own."

After exploring more of the hall, she saw a side door leading to the backstage area. The good part of being an inquisitor was that nobody dared to question Haziel as she walked toward the door, even despite the fatigue evident in the slight drag of her feet.

She pushed the door open, revealing dimly lit passageways lined with props and costumes for the concert performances. The air smelled of dust and old fabric, mingling with the lingering scent of perfume.

Haziel's eyes scanned the racks of costumes, their varied colors and textures blending into a chaotic tapestry. She needed something practical and inconspicuous. Finally, her gaze settled on a simple yet elegant ensemble: a dark tunic and trousers, accompanied by a long cloak. Looks roughly around my size too.

She quickly changed, fingers trembling slightly as she fastened the buttons and adjusted the fit. The fresh fabric was a welcome relief against her skin, cool and soft compared to the rough remnants of her uniform. She fastened the cloak around her shoulders and adjusted her rapier at her side, the familiar weight grounding her.