Samael tightened his grip as he felt Crimson Raven tremble in his palms, as though it just had the most satisfying meal of its life.

"There's more to come, buddy," Samael whispered.

Shifting his gaze ahead, the wyvern emitted a loud roar as it shattered everything near it. However, nothing he does will lessen the pain.

Samael seized the opportunity as he casted.

"Void bind."

A plethora of jet black chains sprung from the ground, latching onto the Wyvern and searing its scales.

With one forceful kick to the ground, Samael jetted forward. Using his Void compass, he avoided the frenzied strikes of the beast as he closed the distance.

Using the chains, Samael pulled with force, prompting the beast to lower its right wing as Samael slammed his palms together.

"Nihility surge!"

A blast of Void matter blasted from his hands as it tore a hole straight through the wing of the abomination. But Samael was not done yet as he dragged his arm up and down, cutting and tearing the entire arm completely.

The wyvern released a thunderous cry of pain, sending massive shockwaves throughout the ancient grounds.

Its entered a frenzied state! Samael thought.

The wyvern, with its newfound strength, swiftly broke through the chains and whipped its tail in an arc.

Samael's Void Compass sent warnings as he propelled himself up, narrowly avoiding the attack. However, his gaze widened as he met face-to-face with a stream of fire.

"SHI—" Samael's words were cut short as he formed a makeshift shield.

Upon collision, Samael was thrown back as he descended like a meteor in the sky, burning.

Clenching his jaw, Samael released a pulse of Void matter, shattering his ability [Void skin] and ridding himself of the flames.

I thought my Void skin would protect me, but it seems some still got through. Samael thought in exasperation as he regenerated his scorched abdomen.

The wyvern, not giving him time to heal, lunged forward, plowing through the marble floor like a tornado.

"Mirage!" Samael spoke as he dashed to the side.

The beast, blinded by pain and rage, bit through the false clone.

Seeing its vulnerable position, Samael swung his arm rapidly.

"Void Cleave!"

Five consecutive Void cleaves streaked through the wind, each and every single one landing on the abominations scales, leaving its flesh with deep gashes as it bled down the ground.

A grating screech echoed off its lips as it spewed fire everywhere, creating a tsunami of heat and destruction.

However, Samael leveraged this as he cast.

"Void Aegis!"

A solidified circular shield sprung from Samael's hand, tanking the flames as it grew purple fast.

"Release!" Samael roared as he pushed forward, sending the shield billowing as it crashed and threw the beast off balance.

Dashing through the flames, Samael ignored their heat as he dragged Crimson Raven's edge through Wyvern's leg.

The abomination hastily smashed Samael's position, only to miss. With its leg injured, it soon buckled under its weight and kneeled.

Utilizing his weapon, Samael burst into a flock of ravens as he soared in the sky.

Seeing the birds hovering above, the wyvern blew another jet of flames. But before it could land, another steam of Nihility surged through the flame and straight into the eyes of the beast, blinding it completely.

Unfortunately, the attack was not enough to pierce through its head as the abomination jerked its head away.

Blind and frenzied, the wyvern released a loud humming noise as the ground shook violently, nearly tripping Samael.

Samael's Void compass rang warnings of impending danger, and Samael himself could feel something was coming.

Extending his Void compass further, Samael's eyes widened as he shot a look upwards.

Slowly, the sky darkened as a large, solid chunk of rock descended from the stormy clouds. It was like a meteor was falling down.

Is it... Committing suicide?! Samael thought in bewilderment as he shot a look at the Wyvern.

It was weakening, its aura was shallow, and it was slumped down the ground. However, it wore a smirk, thinking it would take everything with it to hell.

Clenching his jaw, Samael shot a look at the falling attack as it started to burn due to its speed.

I have no choice! It's now or never! Samael thought.

Clasping his hands together, Samael spoke.

"Nihility surge."

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

A violent beam of Void matter projected from Samael's hands, pushing him against the floor as his legs shook under the pressure.

However, Samael remained steadfast, not ending the ability and, in fact, pouring more essence into it, further increasing its power.

Samael could feel his skin start to tear as the stream burst, appearing like an onyx black beacon apparent for the world to see.

Unable to take the pressure, Samael's body slammed against the ground, shattering it as he slowly got pushed down.

"ARGHHHHHH!!!" Samael roared as the beam gained speed.

For a moment, time seemed to slow down as the two closed to each other. Then...

BOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMM!!!

An ear-shattering explosion ignited in the sky as the beam shattered the rock, fragmenting it to pieces as it fell down like fireworks.

Ending the attack, Samael's hands fell beside him, bleeding and trembling. His skin had gone, exposing the muscles beneath it.

As the rain showers of stones and boulders traveled hundreds of miles, abominations of all kinds saw their display.

It was an awe-inspiring sight to witness. Like fireworks in the sky.

Samael remained still as the fragments crashed across the ancient grounds, some near him and some far away.

The wyvern, on the other hand, could only glare in frustration as its last attack failed.

As the spectacle ended, Samael rose up with great effort as he approached the dying beast.

Staring it in the eyes, Samael spoke.

"You laid waste to an entire civilization. Now, you pay the consequences."

"Zepiro."

The wyvern, who had lost its strength, could not help but squirm in hellish agony as blood escaped from its eyes, flowing down and staining the ground.

Samael made sure to look the beast in the eyes as it started to deform into something grotesque.

Its arms elongated, its neck inflated, and even its eyes grew twice their size, extending outwards and out their sockets.

By the time Samael was done, the wyvern had been reduced to a pathetic piece of squirming dying flesh.

Zepiro, another major skill he had gained before. An ability so extreme, it was reserved for bastards like this.

Zepiro allows Samael to warp his enemies souls, even if only slightly. However, even that small change is enough to put them in enough pain that they'd wish they were dead, but no. Death will not come in the near future, as they will suffer through it.

All the changes that occur in their soul will reflect in their body. Until it breaks and they perish.

Detected unique irregularities!

Samael's brows raised.

Due to the Wyverns soul strength and accumulation of kills, changes have occured to its soul!

Devoured Void Essence of "Wyvern." [Ascended III] <200,000> VE.

***

Ajax's appearance in battle reignited the dying light behind the warriors pupils. They took up arms and began their rally for the saint.

Waves upon waves of soldiers, regardless of rank and stature, stood behind Ajax as he marched forward, laying waste to all enemies before him.

Cries and howls of pain reverberated as Ajax's blade weaved across the air. His shadows did no different, as Merlin kept casting one ability after another. Igram, on the other hand, had yet to return.

Using his shadow tendrils, Ajax's job was made far easier. He would pick the enemies out one by one and throw them.

With his leadership, the warriors started to prevail, as the wolves were left with no choice but to back away.

After all, this was different.

Inside the lair, a body flew across the room, slamming against the metal wall as he coughed wildly.

"Human... your information betrays us." A deep, husky voice spoke amidst the dense fog of decay.

"P-please! I can explain!" Portugal said as he hastily kneeled. However, a sharp piece of metal struck him in the arm, impaling him on the wall.

"Explain...? Will that bring back my kin?" The voice asked.

Portugal shrieked as he held his bleeding arm.

"I only did as I was told by my informant! He said the Saint was to intervene until much later!" Portugal reasoned as cold sweat trailed down his forehead.

From the darkness, a large, sharp claw slowly and delicately wiped the sweat off, nicking Portugal's skin as it started to rot.

"ARGHHHHHH!!!" Portugal roared as he flailed around, ignoring his arm completely.

"Be silent, human..." the voice commanded, prompting the knight to bite his own lips.

Gathering his courage, Portugal tried his best to speak.

"Y-you can't do this! We have an agreement!"

"Your master and I have an agreement..."

Portugal clenched his jaw as he breathed heavily.

"M-My master will make you pay if you do anything to me! He will not forgive you!" Portugal burst.

"Your master will make me pay. But you're not the master... aren't you?" The voice uttered.

Portugal's eyes widened, fear streaking across his gaze as a large figure was reflected in his pupils.

Then its shine was taken away.

The large beast slowly licked its claws as a loud thud echoed across the lair.

"Do your part, human. I have done as you wished. Your leader... is dead."

"I will," Seth said as he walked out of the fog, a crazy smile etched on his face.

As he left, the large beast released a thunderous howl, its sound traveling all across the base.

"Finish the pests who dare enter our territory," the voice said.

"Your will is mine, mother," another voice replied as the wolf who nearly killed Samael walked from the darkness, a large demonic grin etched in its face.

"But what of the Saint Mother?" it asked.

"I will handle the saint myself," the mother replied.

Back outside, Erubin and Timeus proceeded forward as they massacred dozens of wolves.

Erubin made sure to ignite the beasts while Timeus kept them in place.

However, the wolves suddenly halted their movements as their ears perked up.

Erubin and Timeus's eyes narrowed upon observing this odd behavior.

Exchanging glances, the wolves growled in hostility before slowly backing away.

Erubin attempted to come closer, but Timeus swiftly held him in place.

"This... This is different," Timeus warned.

Erubin shot a look at the man for a brief second before he focused forward.

Just like Timeus warned, a large figure fell from the sky, landing down with a large explosion that stirred the earth.

As the figure formed from the thinning smoke, Erubin's gaze darkened as flames burst from his blade.

It was the giant wolf Samael fought...

And the abomination that took everything from him.

Meanwhile, back at Ajax's side, the saint continuously killed one beast after the other. However, he halted his steps as he felt a strong presence near Timeus.

Shifting his gaze at their location, his attention was soon taken again as his astral compass bellowed in alarm.

Slowly, the wind picked up as the cold air coursed through the field, sending shivers down everyone's spines.

Shifting his gaze ahead, Ajax tightened his grip on his blade.

From the darkness ahead, a surge of fog engulfed the field, sending fear amongst the warriors.

However, Ajax remained steadfast, as he never once removed his eyes from it.

Slowly, a large figure presented itself before them.

The warriors unintentionally backed away, their eyes large in fear as their hands shook uncontrollably.

There it was, a wolf so large it was nearly twice the size of the wolf Samael fought.

Its fur was black with streaks of red. It had fangs twice as large as their ballistas ammunition and had four crimson pupils.

It was the mother.

The leader of the Imgrave wolves.

And he's come for revenge.

The battle was starting to heat up.