[https://i.imgur.com/eY2gF5l.png]

"I cannot allow you to proceed with this! The Sword of Heaven is not yours to barter away! Your actions amount to treason, Anauel!"

"You see, Uriel?" I hissed into his ear, my voice filled with malicious delight. "Even your closest allies turn against you. They are willing to sacrifice everything, including their principles, for a slim chance at saving you."

Uriel's eyes burned with anger and despair, his will to fight against his bonds renewed. With a surge of energy, he summoned his inner strength however failed to break free from the chains that bound him, struggling against his restraints as the unholy energies swirled through his body.

Raziel, poised for combat, directed his conjured magical spells towards Anauel.

"If you wish... I can silence him..." I offered.

Anauel appeared torn between the sword and Uriel. As I proposed removing Raziel from the equation, doubt clouded Uriel's mind, unsure whether he should agree to the proposition.

With my demonic claws digging deep into Uriel's neck, he gasped for air, a muted cry of anguish escaping his lips.

Seeing this, Anauel shifted his attention to Raziel.

"I cannot allow another one of my brothers to die... If I have to give him the sword of heaven, then so be it."

"So be it... SO BE IT!!! Treason it is!" Raziel declared.

In an instant, Raziel propelled himself back to the Sword of Heaven, unleashing a relentless barrage of artillery-like spells towards Anauel.

"You have betrayed us all, Anauel! For your actions, the highest of punishments awaits!"

Anauel deftly evaded the onslaught of magical spells unleashed by Raziel, his focus divided between me and his adversary.

"You're the one betraying us! The sword is meaningless if we cannot wield it! You would sacrifice the life of your own brother to save yours?!"

"Greater Paralysis!"

Uttering the incantation, I cast a powerful spell that rendered Uriel motionless. Relinquishing my hold on him, the chains suspended him in a state of stasis, his paralyzed form tugging against the restraints. With Uriel incapacitated, the only obstacle remaining in my path was Raziel, and with Anauel's assistance, overcoming him seemed within reach, despite my dwindling mana reserves, a fact unbeknownst to them.

"What did you do to him?!" Questioned Anauel.

"It's just a paralysis spell so he doesn't get in the way."

"I see..." replied Anauel.

Anauel and I joined forces, prompting Raziel to adopt a defensive stance as he began chanting defensive spells.

"You coward! You don't deserve to be the leader of the angels!" Muttered Raziel.

"Ray of Undeath!"

Channeling necromantic energies, I unleashed a beam that manifested as a howling skull, its gaping maw aimed at Raziel. Responding swiftly, Raziel conjured a barrier of arcane energies, effectively defending against my magical assault while simultaneously launching his own artillery spells at Anauel.

Although Michael was renowned as the mightiest warrior in Heaven, Raziel closely trailed behind him in strength. However, even I found Raziel to be a formidable opponent. His magic was intricately crafted, and he exploited his advantages with expertise. His fighting style was elusive and unpredictable, where a single misstep could propel him leagues ahead.

"Will you stand idle, or will you take action? The longer it takes for me to claim the sword, Uriel's life force will be drained."

Anauel, driven by desperation, summoned his courage to fight, surrounded by swirling scrolls of magic arranged in a hexagonal pattern, he began chanting his special incantation. With his powers now activated, all four elemental forces surged forth from the scrolls, unleashed upon Raziel with relentless fury.

"Dark Grasp!"

Summoning a shadowy hand behind Raziel, it swiftly closed its fingers, ensnaring him in its grasp. The dark energies inflicted significant turmoil upon Raziel, leaving him barely able to regain his composure.

"Flames of Hell!"

As hellish flames erupted from my fingertips, Raziel conjured five layers of holy barriers. The flames tore through his magical defenses with incredible speed, but it provided him enough time to evade the full brunt of the spell.

"WHAT IN THE HELL ARE YOU DOING? DON'T KILL HIM!" Anauel's voice reverberated with urgency.

right... Yeah as if he would fall victim to this.

Enraged by Anauel's remarks, Raziel conjured four powerful Greater Angels, a spell of extraordinary potency ranging from the 8th to 9th tier. These celestial beings, armed with heavenly weapons, surged forward, targeting both Anauel and me. In that fleeting moment, our gazes locked, silently agreeing on our respective opponents.

"I'm not so weak to let mere hell flames take me down! You hear me?! COWARD?!"

"I'll take three, you deal with the one." I commanded.

Summoning my Sword of Darkness, I sliced through the air, rending the fabric of space. Tentacle-like appendages materialized, ensnaring the incoming angels.

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Although mere manifestations, the summoned angels remained impervious to pain but were susceptible to damage. Undeterred, they pressed forward, engaging me in fierce melee combat.

With immense fury, I brought down my blade upon the angel assaulting me, while two others positioned themselves behind. Just as I was preparing to chant my spell, Raziel unleashed a barrage of artillery spells directly aimed at me, leaving me no time to react. The explosive spells impacted with devastating force, depleting my mana reserves as my magical shield activated. The resulting explosions also inflicted significant damage upon the angels, their armor suffering from the unintended friendly fire.

"Holy LIGHT!"

Raziel, casting a beam of radiant energy directly at me, unleashed a wave of pure positive power. Simultaneously, the three angels attempted to launch their attacks.

"Negative Shield!"

Summoning forth Negative Shield, a formidable 9th-tier spell, I enveloped myself in a forcefield of negative energy. The shield absorbed the full impact of all the incoming attacks, shattering upon collision but successfully fulfilling its protective purpose.

Having dealt with the angel he was assigned to, Anauel redirected his assaults towards Raziel, launching a relentless barrage of spells in his direction. With the two engaged in their battle, I seized the opportunity to confront and eliminate the troublesome angels.

"Ultimate RAGE!"

Swirling tendrils of dark chaotic energy enveloped me, coursing through my veins and heightening my senses with an overwhelming surge of adrenaline. The weight of the sword felt nonexistent, while the world around me seemed to slow down. With each ferocious slash through the air, the fabric of space rippled, obliterating anything it encountered.

"Can't you see the enemy right in front of you? Have you gone BLIND?!" Raziel taunted Anauel.

"I will NOT let another one of my brothers fall!"

Foolish, naive Anauel... Does he truly think I won't turn against him once I obtain the sword?

"That's it! Don't let him taunt you!" I bellowed, swiftly dispatching the remaining three angels and charging forward, ready to engage Raziel in a deadly combat.

As I closed in on Raziel with incredible speed, he attempted to use teleportation magic to create distance. However, Anauel's relentless barrage of magical energies disrupted his spell, granting me the opportunity to narrow the gap.

With each mighty swing of my blade, Raziel struggled to contend with the ferocity of close-quarters combat. His expertise lay in ranged artillery spells and relying on his summoned entities for protection.

"You're betraying all of Heaven, Anauel! STOP BEING A COWARD! STOP HIDING! FACE THE TRUTH!" Raziel shouted, attempting to rally his defense amidst my relentless assault. "It's not too late to turn back!"

Amidst his words, I couldn't help but laugh, intensifying the strength and speed of my barrage. Each strike pushed him back, unsettling the very air beneath his feet.

Anauel observed from the rear, uncertain of his next move.

"Maximize magic, Sunlight Radiance!" Raziel chanted, conjuring a radiant beam of light that cascaded down upon us.

In response, I swiftly invoked "Cloak of Shadows," causing my form to disperse into a mystical shroud of darkness, evading the brilliance of the light.

"Where did he go?" Anauel questioned, scanning the surroundings.

"He's still here... Watching," Raziel replied confidently. "I know you can't cast your spells anymore!"

"He can't cast his spells?" Anauel's eyes widened with realization.

"We have him cornered, Anauel! Can't you see? He's depleted his magic reserves! The cloak of shadows was his last resort, a sign of his waning mana. We can trap him and end him right here! We can bring peace for the next thousand years!"

Both of them surveyed the darkened skies, searching for any trace of my presence hidden within the shadows.

"Anauel, you understand that don't you? If you attempt to kill me, Uriel's life will be forfeit... Is that truly what you desire?" I taunted, my voice echoing from the depths of the darkness.

"He's lying, Anauel! Do not listen to him!" Raziel's voice trembled with frustration.

Anauel's voice trembled with desperation as he pleaded with Raziel.

"Why must we protect a sword we cannot wield? We have the power to save our brother, Raziel. Let's not let him die in vain..."

Raziel averted his gaze, his frustration evident in his response. "It's not for me to decide... The sword may seem useless to us, but he certainly can use it. We cannot afford to act recklessly... The lives of not only ourselves but potentially hundreds of thousands, if not millions, are at stake."

"I don't care about any of that! All I want is to save Uriel!" Anauel's voice cracked with emotion.

"He's a demon god, Anauel! Are you truly placing your trust in his words? Who's to say he won't drive that very sword through your back the moment the deal is complete?" Raziel's words held a mix of concern and warning.

That was exactly what I was planning... Am I really that obvious?

"I... I don't know what to do!" Uriel shouted.

I can't even claim the sword anymore... I spent too much mana, I can't convert the blade anymore...

"Very well then... Keep the sword, as it is useless in your hands... There will always be another time... I shall drag Uriel down to the depths of Hell, where he will rot alongside Michael."

"NO WAIT!" Anauel pleaded.

In an instant, I materialized next to Uriel's unconscious form, my blade poised beneath his vulnerable throat.

"Then again, hell is full of prisoners as it stands..."

I ruthlessly slit Uriel's throat, watching as the light within him dissipated, drawn into the dark depths of my blade.

"NOOOO!!!!!!!!!!" Anauel's anguished cry pierced the air, while Raziel reacted swiftly, unleashing a relentless barrage of spells in a desperate attempt to attack me. Charging towards me, Anauel exerted his magical prowess, forcefully pushing me back and seizing hold of Uriel's lifeless body.

"NOOO! NOOO NOONONONO! HOW... HOW COULD YOU! I WAS GOING TO GIVE YOU THAT DAMN SWORD!"

Raziel's eyes reflected a mixture of grief and fury, but it was Anauel who was consumed by inconsolable tears and overwhelming frustration.

Raziel persistently hurled spells at me, but I deftly evaded them, dodging and seamlessly melding into the shadows, only to reemerge in a different location.

"You're NOT GOING TO GET AWAY!" Anauel's voice thundered as he snatched up Uriel's lance, channeling his fury into a charge directed at me.

"He won't! He's nearly finished!" Raziel's voice echoed in the distance, providing support for Anauel's assault.

My mana is running out... I should retreat for now...

"If you rush to his side, there might still be a chance to save him, provided he receives immediate treatment," I provocatively remarked.

Uriel's lifeless body, freed from the constricting chains, began to descend from the sky, the radiance within him dimming with every passing moment.

Witnessing Uriel's descent, Anauel abruptly halted his attacks, redirecting his attention towards his fallen comrade. With Uriel and Anauel momentarily occupied, I took advantage of the opportunity to plan my escape.

"DON'T LET HIM ESCAPE!" Raziel's voice resounded with disbelief, witnessing Anauel's determined pursuit of Uriel's descending form.

Driven by his overwhelming anguish and the need to rescue his fallen brother, Anauel disregarded any other consideration, his sole focus fixed on reaching Uriel before it was too late.

"Greater teleportation," I intoned, activating the powerful spell to transport myself away from the battlefield.