The atmosphere shifted before Vergil could continue explaining what it meant to transform twelve thousand Valkyries into Aethernox. Four presences tore through the Demon Realm at high speed, bearing down on the sky and triggering magical alarms within Sparda's still-incomplete structures. They were ancient, dense, and instantly recognizable energies—belonging to demons who needed no permission to traverse most of the Underworld.
The Valkyries reacted instinctively. Spears were lowered, shields raised, and the front ranks took up defensive positions in front of the more vulnerable units. Brynhildr and Sigrun moved to Vergil's side, while Freya gazed at the dark horizon, trying to make out the four figures approaching amidst the crimson clouds.
Vergil merely partially folded his six wings.
As the presences entered Sparda's territory, he raised a hand.
Space itself came to a halt.
