Flashback: Hildagard's Resolve

The warm glow of the setting sun painted the town of Ozamian in soft hues of gold and orange. Inside her cozy home, Hildagard Reigns stood by the window, her gaze lingering on the lively streets below. The sounds of laughter and music reached her ears as the townsfolk prepared for the evening's festivities.

She sighed softly, her mind wandering to her children.

"Those kids are growing up so fast," she murmured, a wistful smile playing on her lips. "I wonder what they'll be like in the future…"

Her thoughts drifted to Artreus, her youngest. "I'm sure Artreus will become a knight, just like his brother, Arthur," she mused, a trace of pride in her voice. "My boys… they'll grow into strong, independent men. They won't need their mommy anymore." She chuckled, though there was a faint hint of sadness in her tone.

Her smile deepened as her imagination ran wild. "Maybe one day, Artreus will marry my darling little Rafaela. She comes from such a good family—wealthy, kind... I wouldn't have to worry about him at all."

She paused, suddenly realizing the absurdity of her thoughts. "What am I thinking? It's too early for this!" Shaking her head, she laughed softly at herself, turning away from the window.

Whatever their futures held, one thing was certain—her love for them was unwavering. "Whatever path they choose," she said quietly, her voice filled with resolve, "I'll always be there for them."

An Unwelcome Visitor

Her peaceful evening was interrupted by a sudden knock at the door. Assuming it might be Artreus coming home early, Hildagard called out as she walked toward the door. "Artreus? Is that you? If it's you, you don't have to knock—"

She stopped mid-sentence as she opened the door. A tall, dark figure stood on her doorstep, cloaked in shadows. His presence was chilling, and the air around him seemed heavier.

"Umm… who are you??" she asked uneasily, her earlier cheer fading.

The figure stepped forward, ignoring her question. "You must be Hilda," he said smoothly, his voice deep and unsettling. "Mind if I come in?"

Before she could respond, he moved past her, his imposing figure filling the space. Hildagard's unease deepened as he casually sat at the table, summoning a mug of beer with a wave of his hand.

"What do you want?" she demanded, her voice sharp with anger.

The figure took a sip of his drink, then fixed his gaze on her. "Long ago, during the Great War, a man named Azrael became a god. A hero to mankind, but a murderer to gods," he said, his tone dripping with disdain. "He banished the Demon King to the darkness realm and stole what was mine—the Stone of Kalius."

Hildagard's eyes narrowed as recognition dawned. "The Stone of Kalius," she said slowly. "The great power of the Demon King, sealed within a stone…"

The figure smirked. "Exactly. Your husband, Azrael, stole it from me."

Hildagard crossed her arms, her expression hardening. "Even if I had the stone, I wouldn't give it to you. You have no right to come into my home and demand anything."

The figure leaned forward, his smile cold. "This town is lively tonight, celebrating the return of the hero and his knights. Your son, Arthur… I'd like to meet him. Perhaps I'll give him a feast of my own before he arrives."

A chill ran down Hildagard's spine as his words sunk in. "What do you mean?"

Rising from his seat, the figure's voice grew colder. "This town will be the feast. My hounds are hungry."

Hell Unleashed

With a snap of his fingers, hellhounds erupted from the ground outside. Their monstrous forms snarled and growled, their glowing eyes scanning for prey. The distant sounds of laughter and celebration turned to screams of terror as the creatures descended upon the unsuspecting townsfolk.

"What's that?" someone cried out.

The hellhounds wasted no time, their bloodthirsty jaws tearing into flesh. The once-festive streets were filled with panic and chaos.

Inside, Hildagard's expression hardened. "You will not harm my family or this town," she said, her voice cold and determined. Her armor shimmered as she readied herself for battle.

The man smirked, clearly relishing the challenge. "Let's see if you're as strong as the stories say, Brynhildr."

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

The fight was fierce. The man summoned waves of dark magic, but Hildagard's Valkyrie armor protected her. Her axe clashed against his power, creating flashes of light that lit up the destruction around them. She moved with precision, each strike of her axe calculated to disrupt his attacks. Despite the overwhelming power of his dark magic, she held her ground, the glow of her armor illuminating the chaos like a beacon of hope.

Amid the chaos consuming the town of Ozamian, a sinister figure stood atop a rooftop overlooking the destruction. Cloaked in shadow and exuding an aura of malevolent power, Nero, the mysterious Archdemon, gazed down at the chaos with a wicked grin. His long, flowing cape billowed behind him as the glow of the inferno painted his sharp, angular features in shades of red and orange.

"Hahahahaha!" Nero's laughter rang out, cold and triumphant, cutting through the night like a blade. "It's time… my master has unleashed chaos upon these despicable creatures. Marvelous!" His eyes gleamed with sadistic delight as he spread his arms wide. "Rise, oh great king! Let the world tremble before your power!"

Behind him, a soft, sultry voice broke through the din. "My, my… Nero," the speaker purred. "The fun is only just beginning."

Nero turned slightly, his grin widening as Asmodina, the Archdemon of Lust, emerged from the shadows behind him. Her presence was both alluring and menacing. Her crimson hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her glowing, violet eyes shimmered with amusement. She held a golden staff adorned with a pulsating gem at its tip, her every movement calculated and graceful.

"Asmodina," Nero said smoothly, inclining his head in acknowledgment. "I was wondering when you'd show up."

Asmodina chuckled, stepping closer to him with a teasing smirk. "You didn't think I'd miss such a spectacular display, did you? Look at them," she said, gesturing toward the chaos below. "Scurrying like frightened insects. This is exactly how it should be."

Nero's eyes flickered with excitement as he watched the hellhounds tear through the streets, their snarls and the screams of the townspeople creating a symphony of terror. "Perfect, isn't it? The rise of our king will be heralded by fire, blood, and despair."

Asmodina tilted her head, her smile sharpening. "Oh, Nero, you're always so dramatic. But I have to admit…" She leaned on her staff, her voice dropping to a playful whisper. "It's… delightful." Suddenly, an explosion rocked the house, collapsing part of the roof. The shockwave sent debris flying, and for a moment, the world seemed to stand still. Through the dust and flames, the sinister figure of Nero made his presence known. Hildagard emerged from the rubble, her breathing heavy but steady. She touched her armor, relief washing over her. "This armor… it saved me," she whispered. "I could have died…"

Her relief was short-lived. In the distance, she heard a familiar voice—a desperate cry that made her heart stop.

"Mom! Please don't die!"

"Artreus…" she breathed, panic flooding her. "No! My son, don't come here!"

She started to run, but her path was blocked by Demon King Abaddon, his towering form casting a shadow over her.

"Where do you think you're going, Valkyrie?" he sneered, slashing his massive sword toward her.

Hildagard dodged, rolling swiftly to avoid the attack. Thinking quickly, she unleashed a blinding flare of light from her armor, momentarily disorienting the Demon King. Taking the opportunity, she sprinted toward the sound of her son's voice.

Behind her, Abaddon roared in frustration. "That won't stop me for long," he growled, his fiery eyes narrowing as he began his pursuit.

Back to the Present

The flashback ends, bringing the story back to the burning town. Hildagard's fierce determination to protect her son is clear, and the battle for survival has only just begun.

the streets were filled with screams as townspeople ran for their lives from the rampaging hellhounds. A monstrous beast charged at a woman clutching her child, its glowing eyes locked on its prey. She fell to her knees, shielding her child with her body, bracing for the inevitable strike.

Just as the hellhound leapt, an arrow whistled through the air, piercing the creature's skull. The beast collapsed mid-attack, its lifeless body skidding to a stop just inches from the terrified woman. She looked up, stunned, as a group of knights arrived, their armor glinting in the fiery light.

"Protect the people!" one of the knights shouted as they formed a defensive line. The hellhounds snarled and charged at the knights, their claws tearing into armor and flesh. Though outnumbered and overpowered, the knights fought with unwavering resolve. Blood spilled as the beasts clawed through their ranks, severing limbs and striking fatal blows. But even as they fell, the knights continued to fight, their sacrifices buying precious time for the townspeople to flee.

Through the carnage, Alaric, the Captain of the Knights, appeared atop his warhorse. His silver armor was a beacon of authority and strength amid the chaos. He surveyed the battlefield, his sharp eyes taking in the scene.

"Hellhounds?" he muttered, his voice filled with disbelief. "Beasts from hell... Where have these monsters come from?"

Before anyone could answer, the broken bodies of knights were hurled high into the air. From a distance, a towering figure strode onto the battlefield, wielding a whip that crackled with dark energy. Each snap of the whip sent knights sprawling, their armor shattered and their cries silenced. The figure's menacing presence was undeniable.

Akuma, an Archdemon of terrifying power, grinned wickedly as he surveyed the carnage. "Filthy insects," he spat, his voice dripping with contempt. "How boring... Is there no one here who can match me?"

As if in answer, a massive figure stepped forward. A Minotaur Knight, clad in battered yet formidable armor, entered the battlefield. His towering frame exuded strength, and the massive axe he carried glinted ominously in the firelight. His deep voice rumbled with determination.

"You Vile Devil!," he growled. "You dare bring destruction to my home."

Akuma's grin widened as he took in the sight of the Minotaur. "Hahaha! An ugly half-breed has come to challenge me? How amusing."

The Minotaur stepped closer, planting his feet firmly on the ground. "I am Karo, a knight of this town. This is where I was born and raised. These people are my family, and they treated me with love and respect." He raised his axe, pointing it at Akuma. "You, devil, have brought nothing but suffering to my home. And for that..." His voice rose, filled with righteous fury. "I will eliminate you from existence!"

Akuma laughed, twirling his whip menacingly. "Bold words for a beast like you. Let's see if you can back them up."

The two giants squared off, the battlefield trembling as their auras collided. Around them, the flames roared higher, and the fate of the town hung in the balance.