A Demon's Tale

A flame.

A single flame.

A flame that stands alone, yet it pushes past the darkness surrounding it.

Much brighter than anything else, it continues to burn.

There is no end to such a flame.

The end is not in sight.

Yet, the flame continues to grow.

Is it not enough?

From the beginning, the flame provided enough power to ward off that which surrounded it.

But now, it seeked to push that very same darkness into its own corner.

This should have been enough, but the flame lingered on.

Larger.

Much larger than before.

It continued to spread embers like a tornado as it continued to grow stronger.

Stronger.

Much stronger than before.

Burning.

Burning far more than it had previously achieved.

It continued to burn with the risk of being reduced to ashes.

The flame had started to grow stronger than the darkness around it.

But it was far too late.

Ashes.

The tips of the fire were slowly reduced into nothing but ash.

The spread of ash continued to move down along the fire, until the flame was reduced to its original size.

But even then, it did not stop.

Had the flame chosen to remain at its original size, it likely would have not burned itself out.

The size that this small flame was used to was now made even smaller.

It continued to lessen.

Until it was no longer a flame.

Just white ash.

Alone, and with no strength left, the darkness surrounded the ash…and completely froze it over.

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A man of unbelievable stature continued to deal with the various forces that charged at him from every angle. Using a pair of blades that jutted out from both sides of his arms, he made quick work of those around him. A man with odd pink hair, where the right side of his bangs pointed to the air above. While at the same time, the back of his hair was tied into a ponytail. He was dressed in a black sweater and blue jeans, along with some black running shoes that completed their figure. Due to the definition of their muscles, the man’s clothes were almost skin tight along his body. The latest member of Devi Bloodfire’s forces, who had joined nearly ten years prior, Night.

Behind him was a woman with beautiful silver bangs, and eyes that matched. Along her body was a midnight blue dress that covered every section of skin, making her face the only place in which her smooth appearance was visible. Using the expertise of her darkness, she blinded her foes and provided a piercing attack of the same element through their bodies. The third to join Devi Bloodfire’s group, a woman with the name of Luna.

Though the two seemed to have the upper hand, they were incredibly distressed over their current situation. Countless soldiers on both sides had already fallen. On top of this, there was still the risk of a crossfire towards those who remained by the medical stations or the village even further.

While fighting alongside each other, the two elite members of the former ruler of the world’s army discussed the status of their group.

Night: [Luna, what are our casualties looking like?]

Luna: [Pretty bad. A lot of our soldiers are down. As for our elite officers though…]

Luna hesitated to continue. Her priority still remained fighting against the enemies that surrounded the two. However, she could not help but cast her eyes down after thinking of those at the same rank as her.

Noticing the sudden pause, Night moved his gaze over his shoulder to meet her.

Night: [How bad is it?]

Luna: [...Five. We’ve lost five of our eleven so far. Saturno, Venus, Mercurio, Neptuno and Urano are all gone. We weren’t even able to heal some of them in time…]

A rise in sadness continued to spread out along Luna’s face. Though the same did not happen with Night’s own, he struggled to accept the words he had received.

Night: [...I see. There’s only six of us left then.]

Slicing two more soldiers, Night hardened his resolve as he gave the next set of instructions to his comrade.

Night: [Luna. In the absolute worst case scenario, I’m going to ask that you back Lady Devi up. It seems like our opponents are ones we can’t take lightly. If even this many of us prove to be unfit for a challenge like this, it should be our top priority to secure her safety.]

Now adorned in the same look as Night after a wave of encouragement struck her, Luna gave a determined smile.

Luna: [Right! What will you do then, Night?]

Night: [I’ll focus on assisting the others. Not just our forces though. Anyone around who needs our help is the next place I’ll jump to.]

Luna’s smile started to shine with her teeth as their emergency plan was now prepared. At any moment within the battle, the two would initiate this strategy to increase their chances of victory.

Luna: [Sounds good to me! No offense, Night, but you seem a lot more focused than usual!]

Taking care of the remaining opponents around him, Night shifted his eyes towards the main enemy warship. His sights now set on the man clad in black sitting on a throne of the same color. A much more aggressive look now rested on Night’s eyes.

Night: [I’m not sure why, but something about him is throwing me off….]

Luna: [Well, he’s our main target after all. I can’t blame you for being thrown off because of that.]

Night: [No…]

While Night’s eyes continued to glare at the man, the man’s very own focused on the lady which Night and Luna both served.

Night: [...There’s something odd. I don’t know what it is, but something about him isn’t right at all.]

Moving his eyes back to the approaching forces, Night readied himself for battle once again.

Within the back of his mind…rested the sight of that man’s appearance.

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Rushing through countless enemy forces was a woman clad in jewelry along with silk clothing of dark red and bright orange. The accessories across her body created a loud ringing of metal with every movement she took. Though many would see this as a weakness, as it would provide a dead giveaway as to where her location was, there was never any time to use this sound to their advantage. The woman with long pink hair and eyes of the same was a woman who could not be stopped. Neither in speed nor power, she had enough skill to defeat the greatest of enemies presented to her. All of these gifts she had received from birth only became stronger with her incredibly energetic personality. There was never a single moment in which she slowed down, nor stopped smiling. To her, even the ability to breathe was an exciting gift.

She used not a single weapon to defeat her foes, nor a single ounce of her element. She merely struck her incredibly powerful arms and legs against her foes or the ground below them. That in itself was enough to deal with what stood in her way.

Ever since she had first joined the lady she served, it was always this way.

She had devastated the opponents before her, while the woman who she wished to protect handled the biggest threat of them all.

It was this very same lady that had saved the woman when she was young. To act as though her current actions provided a payment to the debt she owed was far too optimistic.

To this woman, something far greater would be required if she were to pay her lady back. She was fed by her, given a roof to sleep under by her, bathed by her. She was even provided the position of the right hand woman among her army.

If the woman who burned as brightly as the sun itself, Sol, were to pay back the kind lady who she served. The woman known by all as Devi Bloodfire. Her payment would require something much larger.

Charging towards the ground from mid air, Sol provided the expression she was most well known for as she prepared to strike the grass with her fist.

Sol: [Yahoo!]

With a single punch, the ground below her started to crack and break. Countless soldiers on the enemy side were sent flying into the air from the sheer force provided. Those who were not however were greeted with something far more terrifying. A clothesline that struck the ribs of many. A swift kick that crushed multiple teeth within their mouths. There had even been a single soldier who was grabbed by their legs, and spun around in a circular motion. Sol effectively used the soldier as a means to attack others, before throwing them into another group and reducing the number of opponents even further.

Sol: [Come on! Come on! This fight isn’t fun if there’s no fighting back!]

The confidence of many among the enemy forces started to dwindle. They had feared nothing in the beginning. But now, the battle was a completely different story. What laid ahead of them was an opponent that none of them believed they could face.

Some had been brave enough to try, but those very same people were all met with the same thing.

A single soldier rushed towards Sol from the side, and attempted to cut her down with their sword. Before their blade could even cut her however, Sol merely provided a boastful flex of her abdomen which caused the blade to snap in half. An arm was then outstretched towards their face, while another was held back and curled into a fist. All the while, she charged not only her next attack, but her next word that she would state.

Sol: [Ya…]

Enemy Soldier: [Sh–]

Sol: [HOO!]

A punch strong enough to send them flying was delivered directly to their jaw. The power behind the strike was large enough that they had even flown past the darkened clouds surrounding the sky. Many were unsure if it was possible to live from such an attack. This only scared the troops further, as they did not want to find out for themselves.

Rushing in behind Sol was a pale woman colored in blue and white. Her short blue hair was divided into five large ends. Her white jacket had a star cut out from the back, making the shirt glittered in stars visible from a side other than the front. Her blue pants even had wallet chains with the shape of stars, and shoes of the same color that had a similar pattern as her shirt. She was a few inches smaller than Sol, and perhaps slightly less experienced, but the two were incredibly close in position as well as the amount of time in which they served Devi Bloodfire. Her name matching in tandem with Sol’s, Estrella.

Estrella: [Hey! Sol! Don’t get ahead of yourself! This isn’t a battle you can treat lightly!]

Sol turned to Estrella with a pouting look on her face. A look that almost mocked Estrella’s annoyed expression.

Sol: [I’m not getting ahead of myself! I’m just having fun! That’s all!]

Estrella: [This isn’t the time for doing that either! Our job is to deal with our enemies and support our allies!]

Sol: [Yeah! I’m dealing with them just fine!]

Estrella: [But you aren’t supporting your allies, are you?! You need to be careful with some of your attacks or you’re gonna get some of our own people killed!]

Sol: [I am being careful! I’m making sure they don’t hit anyone else!]

Though an argument had now erupted between the two, the enemy forces still refused to engage such an unstoppable opponent. It now only made matters worse as another foe had entered the same spot.

Whilst the opponents past the two continued to decide if they would move or not, the argument between two elite captains resumed.

Estrella: [Honestly, this is why I can’t put up with you sometimes!]

Sol: [It’s not my fault a lot of these guys are weak! Plus, all the decent ones are taken already! Even Lady Devi is fighting one of them!]

Estrella: [Stop getting cocky and focus on our objective, Sol! Our goal right now is to push them back, not play around!]

Growing more and more upset over Estrella’s words, Sol casted her eyes down. A tight clench of her fists rang out into the silent field around them. Concerned over the sudden change, Estrella called out to her.

Estrella: [Sol…?]

Sol: [Fine then. I’ll do just as you said, Estrella.]

Estrella: [Huh? What do you mean?]

Suddenly, Sol’s face shot back up to meet Estrella. A kind hearted smile now on full display, the embodiment of the sun.

Sol: [You said focus on our objective, right? Then I’ll do exactly that!]

Turning to face the enemies behind her, Sol paid little attention to them. Rather, her eyes moved upwards in height, and reached something far greater.

Sol: [If I wanna have some fun while doing that, I guess I can start there!]

Before anyone else, Estrella was the first to realize what Sol was focused on. Shifting her eyes ever so quickly, only to move them back to her comrade, Estrella attempted to reach her with a single hand in a panic.

Estrella: [SOL–]

It was far too late, however. With a small bend of her knees, and a quick thrust of her arms, Sol went flying into the air. Her very own objective was now clear, not only to Estrella nor the soldiers who contemplated whether they would fight her or not…but also two others.

Devi and Night: [SOL!]

Night’s plan felt as though it was now crumbling. Their strongest force had been Sol. Despite the help she could provide however, she chose the largest fish in the sea. To call it a fish however was a grand understatement. A killer whale had been a more fitting term for it.

Devi had been known as The Braveheart. Under any circumstance, her resolve never faded. She faced any challenge that arrived with full confidence that she could complete what needed to be done. There was never a trace of fear within her body, or within her mind. This was one of the many things that not only her troops, but also those around the world admired about her.

However, for that one brief moment, it appeared.

Fear.

A spark of fear rose within Devi’s body as she watched Sol’s reckless decision.

She had known since she started raising the girl that she was a careless one. She was strong, she was fast, she was intelligent, she was a child like no other. However, she was extremely confident in her own ability. When Sol had often entered battles alongside Devi, she would usually act extraordinarily cocky towards the opponents she faced. No matter how much Devi trained her, or even spoke about Sol’s bad habits, it never changed. Perhaps that was a curse of Sol’s own kindness. She could not fully accept that there was something wrong with her mindset. But now, it finally came back to bite her. Her new opponent was now chosen, one which Devi did not believe she could handle.

Dashing through the air, and landing firmly on the deck of a large warship, Sol met her opponent.

Clad in black, with a cold intimidating appearance about him, a man sat upon a throne.

A man…who had little to no interest in Sol.

Resting her fists by her hips, Sol provided a confident smile as she stared at her new foe.

Sol: [If you’re the number one among this group, that means you’ll provide me with the challenge I need!]

Not a word was given back. The man kept his eyes focused on the same direction in which Sol’s lady remained.

From Sol’s own perspective, it had seemed as though the man was staring at an end of the deck. Her eyes grew confused as to why he had not responded.

Sol: [Helloooo? Anyone home?]

Finally, the man’s eyes turned to meet her.

Sol: [There we go! Now you’re looking at me properly!]

Nero: [I care little about the lives of those far weaker than me. If you wish to struggle for only a short while longer, I recommend you continue serving the Bloodfire woman until the moment in which I cut off her head.]

The joy on Sol’s face now faded, replaced by a visceral anger within her eyes that had never been seen before.

Sol: [I suggest you take back those words. Things won’t be pretty for you otherwise.]

Nero: [Funny. I could say the very same to you. I have enough reason to slaughter each and every one of you, and present your carcasses to her. From there, I’d take my time ripping her to shreds as she cries over the loss of her forces.]

The grip within their palms grew tighter as a great disdain built up between them.

Sol: [...It wasn’t Lady Devi’s fault that she died.]

Nero’s eyes widened in fury. His nose wrinkled with hatred. It was clear to Sol that her words only worsened his mood.

Nero: [And yet, her forces were involved.]

Sol: [They weren’t ordered to do that!]

A loud shout left Sol’s mouth. Any amount of slander towards her lady could not be allowed.

Nero: [If a soldier cannot follow the orders they are given, there is only one correct option to deal with the problem. Putting the mutt down. If the failure also falls on the one who taught them, then the same is required of the mutt standing atop a throne of trash.]

Sol’s teeth started to grind together as she looked at Nero’s face.

Sol: [Don’t you dare refer to Lady Devi as a mutt, you heartless monster.]

Nero: [Yet you have no issues speaking ill of the dead. Specifically towards a woman who would not hurt a fly at that. To call you a pitiful insect would be far too kind.]

Small embers started to build up and outline Sol’s figure as she cracked her neck. Spreading her arms out to the sides, she placed a single leg far behind the other.

Sol: [I guess we don’t really have a reason to talk to begin with. I’ll just start having fun then!]

Nero: [If you believe you can even scratch my body, you’re sadly mistaken.]

Sol: [Haha! Act confident while you can!]

With a powerful boom of a sound filling the air, Sol shot her body towards the seated Nero. At the very same moment, Nero started to stand to avoid damaging his throne. The moment his body stood tall however, a swift punch was thrown towards his cheek, sending him flying into a nearby warship. A massive explosion of dust and fire occurred on impact.

The ship had yet to fall, but the damage it received was at a critical level. Inside the ship, countless assistants and maids looked on in horror at the damage. What truly surprised them was the man who sat in the middle of it all. The one they served, Nero Virtuoso, who remained completely unharmed by the attack he had received along with his impact against the ship. The only visible irritation on his face was likely due to his uncomfortable seated position.

Before any of them could question him, Sol jumped from the main warship towards the ship Nero now resided within. Spinning in the air before bending her leg like a whip, Sol struck at the exact position where Nero was. The force of her kick caused the ship to explode on impact, with not a fraction of it left to fly.

From the cloud of smoke came Nero, who flew backwards in the air as he moved towards another ship. His cape now rested firmly on his body as the wind pushed against it. Following close behind was Sol, who kept up her hot pursuit on him. With another quick punch, she struck down at his head and aimed directly for the same ship he was headed towards. With just a single attack, and the body of her victim being used as the weapon, the ship was split into two in a matter of seconds.

As pieces of the ship fell to the ground below, and countless people screamed as they descended with it, Nero flew high into the air before landing on another ship. Landing on one of the slanted halves of the previous ship, Sol looked towards her opponent with a coy smile on her face.

Sol: [He seems to be afraid of going on the ground…That’s fine! All I need to do then is destroy every last one of these ships!]

Kicking off the slanted half, and causing it to flip with the force of her feet, Sol charged towards Nero again and attempted to deliver a flurry of punches onto him. From the top of the deck, to the next level down, to the second level and finally to the last, Sol drilled Nero into the floorboards as she continued her onslaught of punches. Though they were just punches, the ship had started to bend inward with every strike given. Eventually, a crumpled mess of a ship was all that remained.

Just as he did before, Nero flew past the now destroyed ship and focused on moving to the next one over. Before he could finish moving, Sol reappeared directly in front of him, with her body turned upside down and a leg reeled back.

Sol: [Here! I’ll help you!]

A powerful kick launched Nero into the next ship over. The damage caused was now significantly reduced, as only a large dent atop the deck of the ship was created. Standing himself up, Nero adjusted his clothes while keeping a large matōki barrier up. The reason for why he had done so was simple, as a succubus maid had her internal organs on full display and an agonizing expression now taking up her face. Using his barrier to prevent the blood from touching his clothing, Nero kept a large clump of what would have been sprayed at him motionless in the air. As he stood up, the maid attempted to reach out to him and ask for his help.

Succubus Maid: [L-Lo-chk…Ne–]

…Only for a small beam from Nero’s finger to strike her head, with an explosion of brain matter splattered across the deck shortly after.

With a loud thud, Sol arrived on the same ship as him. Once again, her face displayed a wide grin.

Sol: [You’re starting to run out of ships, you know? Perhaps you could do us all a favor and surrender right now!]

Nero did not respond. Instead, he dropped the floating mess of blood from his barrier, causing a disgusting splash of sound to answer her statement.

The door behind Nero suddenly opened, and another maid came rushing through to check on the situation at the top of the deck. Sol pushed forward, using this as a chance to strike. Before the shock and realization of what was happening could hit the maid, her clothing was pulled forward by Nero. Using his arm to throw her at Sol, another punch was readied with its aim now set on the hostage used. Another would soon follow as soon as she could make contact.

With her fist aimed towards Nero, Sol’s punch effortlessly ripped through the maid as she attempted to make a remark about Nero.

Sol: [To think that you’re a coward who would use hostages! I guess I shouldn’t expect much from–]

The reason for the hostage. The reason he had thrown them.

It was now clear.

Rather, it was no longer clear to her vision, but her mind.

Sol had expected an attack that would not only hit the maid, but Sol herself. It was one of the oldest tricks in the book. It was even something that she had seen on missions with her lady many times before. Thus, it was only fair to expect for the same move to be used again.

However, that was not the reason as to why Nero had thrown them. For a single moment before, when Nero protected himself from the blood, there was something Sol had noticed about him. After she had made a comment to him, he casted his eyes onto the blood he held in the air before turning back to meet Sol’s own eyes.

Blood.

Sol’s eyes.

The reason was now in sight, but her sight was no longer there.

A splash of blood now struck her eyes, which caused her to lower her strength over the new situation she was put into. Sol changed her sight over to her matōki sensing, but did so at the perfect time.

Narrowly. Sol narrowly dodged a spear-like blow aimed at her neck by Nero’s hand. A single circular earring was now sliced into two as she moved out of the way.

Before she could even provide a counter attack, Sol took several steps back in order to gain distance.

Her breath was now heavy. Sweat fell across her body. Though her eyes were closed, they shook with anxiety.

Sol was afraid.

This entire time, she felt as though she had an advantage over the man. Her attacks were incredible. The performance she provided showed just how powerful she was. Her speed was unmatched. Everything should have led to a complete, utter victory for her.

There was one small anomaly however. There was not a single time in which Sol’s attack showed any effect on Nero’s body. She struck him with her fists, her legs, her everything. Regardless of what she attacked him with, he remained unfazed. At most, she had only shifted the position of his clothes.

It all led to this very moment, where for the first time ever, Sol felt fear. She mimicked her lady in many ways, and one of those many ways was her bravery. Sol had never backed down from facing an opponent. She always pushed forward. But in this very battle, Sol moved several steps back to prevent herself from being hurt.

It was obvious what her fear was.

She had never felt it before. She never believed she would need to fear it. It was something that wouldn’t happen for a long time. That was what she had thought at first.

But it was here. It was real. It had arrived with a ghastly head to tell her that she should fear it.

Death.

Despite never fearing such a thing before, Sol was afraid of dying.

She knew what would have happened had she not chosen to dodge.

A deep cut against the skin of her throat, the blood from within spraying out like a fountain. The neck being pierced entirely, a small barrel placed between her head and body that would lead the liquid it held within. A clean decapitation, her hair flying in the air as she accepted the seconds of immense pain that would soon follow.

Sol’s body started to shake as she thought of what would have happened.

Snapping her back to the reality before her, a figureless voice spoke to her.

Nero: [What a truly pitiful creature you are. You can no longer see, and like a rat, your only option left is to cower in fear.]

Wiping off the blood around her eyes, Sol’s now small pupils faced the man standing many feet away from her. What she only assumed to be a few steps back was now known to be far more than that. The two now stood on opposite sides of the deck.

Nero: [Bear witness. I will show you what true power looks like.]

An immense wave of matōki burst forth from Nero’s figure, and ascended into the sky. Along with the presence of the wildfire of matōki was a pressure like no other. Sol was not the only being who felt the weight of such power, as many of those on the ground struggled to stand as it appeared. Some had even lost their abilities to breathe from the mere force of it.

Following the explosion of matōki, Nero shot himself forward in the same way Sol had done prior. Switching her strategy to something far more defensive, Sol attempted to engage in close quarters combat with Nero.

Shifting a fist to the side, and pushing another spear-like blow into the air, she did not provide any counters of her own as she waited to see an area in which she could exploit him. A swift jab was thrown towards her face, which Sol scarcely blocked with her arm. Sounds of creaking could be heard within her body, causing Sol to push the fist out of the way. As the punch was moved, only then did Sol notice the attack that was launched alongside it. A curled palm was placed close to the right side of her hips. As she moved her eyes to the palm, the hand quickly opened and caused a heavy strike onto her body. A loud boom, followed by a crack and the sound of something being squished that matched in volume rang out.

Sol: [GHAK!]

An immense pain filled her body, but before she could deal with the pain provided, Sol used her leg on the opposite side to kick Nero into an elevated room of the ship.

Grabbing her hip, Sol kneeled onto the floor while biting the bottom of her lip. The force behind her teeth caused a stream of blood to fall across her chin.

Sol: [Hk!]

Something broke. She was unsure of what, however both the crack and the squish along with the unbearable pain she had felt was enough to tell her that it was bad. Clumps of blood were coughed up from her mouth, proving that her injury was far worse that she could have imagined.

Raising a fist in the air, Sol focused on fighting through her pain.

Sol: [...Now! I need to charge it…now!]

Bright rays of the sun were now casted onto her body. Around her was a thin glow of light, while the rest of her was now darkened by shadow. An ear piercing ringing was created as she prepared her next move.

Her eyes that now moved up to face Nero’s position widened in astonishment. Several large pieces of the room she had shot him towards were now floating in the air. An aura of matōki outlining each of the pieces of rubble. Sol raised her guard as fast as she could, but it did not matter. The chunks of debris were flung at her, and successfully pushed her off the ship.

Sol: [Ghk!...Damn!]

Floating in mid air, she was unsure where Nero would come from next. His choice of attack however was far more natural than she expected, as he came flying towards her in a straight path with the heel of his boot pointed at her stomach. Raising her arms again, Sol attempted to defend herself, but was ultimately kicked to the ground below. A pained sound escaped her mouth as she made contact with the rough crater her body created. A creak was let out from her arm. Sol soon realized that it had been dislocated from the attack.

Sol: [More…Just need…a bit more…I can't let it end here!...Not until I've paid Lady Devi back!]

Despite the damage she took, Sol focused on charging her next attack. She did not allow the damage she received to stop her plan in its tracks.

There was an issue with her current plan however. Nero was nowhere to be seen once again. With a redirection of her eyes, Sol looked towards the sky above–

Sol: [Hk! Damn!...Move, body! Move!]

The ship the two were previously standing on was now charging at her. Another aura of matōki now provided the power required to send the immense weapon of metal to soar at an incredible speed. Smashing her arm against the ground, another thick wave of pain washed across Sol as she shifted it back into place. Using both of her arms, she smashed the ground again to move herself far enough from the attack to prevent any damage. The crash and explosion of the ship caused multiple soldiers, both on her side and Nero’s own, to be killed in an instant.

Using her legs to support herself again, Sol struggled to stand over the damage caused to her hip. The aim of such a devastating attack was perfect. It not only caused immense pain onto Sol’s body, but also prevented her right leg from moving correctly. But much like many times before, she continued to charge what would come next. Gritting her teeth, Sol painfully kicked off the ground and rised into the air.

Higher and higher, she rose into the air until her entire back had the sun casted upon it. The rays from before only grew stronger, and the clouds surrounding the sky started to dissipate. Sol closed her eyes as she took a deep breath.

The small embers that surrounded her moments before now grew even stronger. Large flames appeared and swirled around her frame. Her pink hair started to shift in the same shape as a radiant fire, the ends of which were slowly raised into the air.

Opening her eyes again, an immense glow now filled her eyes. The pupils and iris were still visible, but they too had gained a beautiful shine that brightened them.

Below her, Nero rose back up and landed onto the main warship. Standing only inches away from his throne, he looked towards the woman above him.

With a new, divine echo attached to her voice, Sol spoke down to him.

Sol: [If this is all that a god is capable of, then perhaps I should be considered one as well! Your biggest mistake today wasn’t starting this war, but the fact that you assumed that you were above Lady Devi! I’ll teach you a lesson that not even the devil himself could provide you! Your entire soul will be scorched beyond recognition.]

The cold eyes staring back up at her did not change.

Only a sentence was given to her.

Nero: [Hurry and fall into the hands of your demise so we can put an end to this.]

Sol: [The only one who is falling is you!]

A heavenly light evaporated the remaining clouds around the area. Lifting her arms into the air, Sol quickly shot them forward towards Nero. Above him in the sky was a large circle of flames. In the middle of the circle were concentrated flames that built up rapidly as Sol’s own power was charged.

Sol: [Sun Glazed Mirror!]

A deafening beam was quickly shot out from the built up flames. In a mere second, the beam struck down at Nero’s position and burned through the ship without effort. Blasting past the ship, it struck the ground below and scorched the grass around it. An incredible wave of heat struck those around, causing many to sweat profusely as soon as it washed over them.

For several seconds, the wave continued to blast down at the same position. The rough field that replaced the grass was starting to melt as the beam pierced through. Lower and lower, an elongated crater was quickly being formed within the ground.

Sol: [Ghk!...Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!]

Using up the last bits of her power, Sol let out a pained scream as she made sure her foe was eradicated. Releasing her element, Sol descended towards the main ship and crashed into it with little damage to her or the ship caused. She struggled to stand, but ultimately did so with her hardened resolve as she wished to look at her lady below.

Sol: [L-...Lady…Devi! I…I did it!]

Staring back up at her was Devi, who was amazed by Sol’s attack. Quietly, she whispered the words she wanted to deliver to Sol to herself.

Devi: [Sol…]

A smile slowly formed on Devi’s face. It was not the outcome that she would have preferred. Regardless, it was one that would both stop the war, and also prove to her just how capable Sol had been. Those two things alone were enough to satisfy her.

At the sight of her lady smiling, Sol couldn’t help but tear up.

Sol: [I…I beat him! I did it! Yeah! Wahoo! I’m the hero of this war! I got the victory!]

A moment of joy filled the air around Devi’s troops.

???: [Damn, that lady is as dumb as bricks I guess.]

…But a single member of Nero’s own interrupted the gleeful air.

Devi: [You shouldn’t speak of my right hand woman in such a manner. She took down your leader after all.]

Replying to the rough looking man in front of her, Devi received a glare with a single raised eyebrow.

Ryuusei: [Are you stupid as well or something? Guess I expected too much from the former ruler. Are you bad at sensing signatures? That said, the whole ship thing is kinda unfortunate though. Guess we’re gonna have to put a sign over it now. But at least it still works.]

Devi: [Sense? What do you–]

Suddenly, a voice yelled out to her.

Estrella: [LADY DEVI! TELL SOL TO GET OFF THAT SHIP RIGHT NOW!]

Devi moved her eyes to meet the owner of this voice, only to see another individual who served her. A look of absolute panic was now clinging onto her face.

Devi: [Estrella? What do you mea–]

Estrella: [SHE WON’T LISTEN TO ME IF I TELL HER TO DO SO! IT HAS TO BE YOU! TELL HER TO GET OFF THAT SHIP! HE’S STILL ALIVE!]

With the words given now being digested, Devi’s eyes widened as she tried to look back at Sol.

Devi: [SOL! YOU NEED TO MOVE FROM THERE IMMEDIATELY!]

Sol’s joy morphed into confusion as she heard Devi’s call. Her smile quickly returned as she replied to her lady.

Sol: [What do you mean, Lady Devi?! We won! It’s over! My beam was enough to finish the job! I might be a little injured, but that’s not something a little healing can’t fix!]

Raising her hands in the air, she released an open smile as she shouted back.

Sol: [It’s our complete victor–]

A large greatsword cut off her words as it pierced her chest from behind.

Coughing up blood, Sol slowly moved her eyes down to face the weapon. Blood from within her body now covered both it and the hands she gently placed below it.

Sol: [H-Huh…?]

A voice then removed the silence behind her.

???: [It is certainly impressive that a fool who could not provide sufficient damage earlier in our bout would now believe that their strongest attack would reduce me to nothing. Not even a moment was taken to confirm my death, yet you cluelessly celebrated your false victory. I’ll inform you of some necessary ideas that should be corrected. You and the woman you serve aren’t saints. You’re disgusting mollusks that need to be exterminated. Your strength, speed, everything that makes you strong. It all lacks purpose. I am someone with far more behind me, along with far more that I have suffered through than your feeble mind could even muster the courage to face. Lastly…]

Moving close to Sol’s ear, the man spoke to her a final time.

Nero: [You’re no god. You’re standing before one. Now kneel.]

With a swift removal of his sword, Nero slashed the back of Sol’s legs. All of Sol’s strength quickly left her body, and she fell to her knees following the injury.

Estrella: [SOL!]

Sol’s horrified eyes could only stare up to the sun above her.

The sun that faded into the clouds.

A heavy kick of Nero’s boot was placed onto her back, and Sol was knocked off the top of the ship. Without an ounce of power left, she descended to the ground where she would soon meet her death.

Atop the deck of the ship, Nero released a minuscule light of matōki from the palm of his hand that slowly followed her. Striking at his cape with a hand, he adjusted its position as he moved back towards the middle of the ship.

As Sol descended, Estrella rose into the air in an attempt to catch her. Devi took quick notice of what she was doing, and yelled out to her.

Devi: [ESTRELLA! FALL BACK, NOW!]

Her words could not reach her.

As soon as Estrella caught her comrade…

…the matōki that followed close behind finally reached its destination.

An incredible explosion occurred within the air that engulfed the two of them.

With the swift dispersal of the smoke, what only remained was the rain.

A red colored rain that tapped against Devi.

A rain that was a mix of the two captains she had known for the longest time.

They were gone.

In an instant, both Sol and Estrella were reduced to nothing.

Moving her horrified eyes over to Nero, she watched as another throne was presented by the maids that served him. Seated in front of the hole that Sol had created, the man rested his cheek against one of his fists.

Looking down towards Devi, he did not speak in the slightest.

Not a word escaped his mouth, nor did his lips move in such a way where a statement could be deciphered from them.

Only the disgusted look within his eyes provided the words he wanted to tell her.

You’re next.

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