That night, Lilith prepared herself, knowing that the following day would be the one that ended it all.
The next morning, she got ready—ready to end everything once and for all.
"I'm heading out today," Lilith said. "I'm going to end this. I'm perfectly prepared, and I will win."
Gelda nodded. "Now that's the captain we've been waiting for. Make us proud. Liebe and I will take care of the funeral."
"Thanks," Lilith replied softly. "Maybe it's for the best if I'm not there. My presence would only taint Tenebris's memory… and it's something I don't deserve."
"You got that right," Gelda said. "Now end this—for all of us."
"Understood," Lilith said.
"And make sure to return. We'll be waiting," Gelda added.
Lilith activated her communicator and called Jewel.
"Go for Jewel," came the reply.
"Did they accept?" Lilith asked.
"They did," Jewel confirmed.
"It's time to end this," Lilith said. "I'll be there shortly."
As Lilith reached the gates of Faust, she thought, Father… Tenebris… I will end this for all of us.
She spoke aloud, steady and firm: "Lilith Faust, Captain of Black Rose, taking off."
She flew toward the crater where Tenebris had died.
Jewel was waiting. "Good to see all four of you showed up—Elaar and Hearld."
Elaar smirked. "How could we refuse? We know this is a Conqueror's Challenge… and a two‑on‑one at that."
Jewel chuckled. "If you hadn't, it would've been amusing to see the humiliation—two grown captains unable to defeat a new captain who hasn't even led for a month."
A man stepped forward. "I'm Belgene, Vice‑Captain of Endless Justice."
The other introduced herself: "I'm Gruce, Vice‑Captain of Sacred Freedom."
Jewel nodded. "I'm Jewel Vaude, Vice‑Captain of Black Rose."
Lilith landed calmly. "I'm Lilith Faust, the new Captain of Black Rose."
Elaar gestured to the ground. "This crater will be our battlefield."
"Before we begin," Jewel said, "we need to set the terms."
Hearld spoke first. "If we win, we claim the territory of Black Rose, all its assets… and Lilith Faust, you must become our slave and swear your life to us."
"Same for me," Elaar added.
Lilith's eyes hardened. "If I win, I want you both to pay for what you did to my father and Tenebris."
Elaar smirked. "We'll see."
Jewel raised her voice. "I, Jewel Vaude, Vice‑Captain of Black Rose, will witness this challenge. It will be Elaar and Hearld versus Lilith Faust.
Anyone who loses consciousness or admits they cannot continue will be defeated. Begin!"
"Steel Magic: Death Blades!" Hearld roared, and countless flying blades shot toward Lilith.
Lilith whispered, "Void Magic: Abyssal Gate!"
A dark portal opened, and every blade turned to dust.
Elaar growled, "Lightning Magic: Raging Thunder Destruction!"
Bolts rained from the skies.
"Abyssal Gate—Move!" Lilith commanded.
The gate shifted upward, consuming the thunder until nothing remained.
"Is that all you've got?" Lilith taunted.
"Then try this!" Hearld slammed his fists into the ground. "Steel Magic: Rising Strike!"
Steel spikes erupted from every direction, surrounding Lilith in an all‑around attack that even the Abyssal Gate couldn't block.
"Void Magic: Black Hole—Go!" Lilith's body pulsed with power, a black sphere forming and swallowing the spikes effortlessly.
Elaar grinned. "Just what I was waiting for. Lightning Magic: Purging Thunder!"
The lightning surged through the steel and struck Lilith, creating a smokescreen.
As the smoke cleared, Lilith stood unharmed, dual swords in hand—one pure black, the other bright and shining.
Hearld's eyes widened. "Well… this is getting interesting. Spirit Form—Spirit of Hephaestus! Summon Holy Relic: Wayland's Greatblade!"
Elaar shouted, "Spirit Form—Spirit of Zeus! Summon Holy Relic: Zeus's Thunderbolt!"
A crackling gauntlet of lightning formed around her arm.
"The real battle begins now," Elaar growled.
Lilith smiled coldly. "This will be interesting."
"Greatblade: World‑Splitting Slash!" Hearld swung his blade, splitting the ground beneath Lilith's feet. She took flight, but Elaar was faster.
"Won't allow it! Zeus's Gauntlet—Smash!" Elaar struck Lilith midair, slamming her into the ground.
"Thunder Blitz Slash!" Elaar blurred, moving with lightning speed, not giving Lilith a chance to recover.
Hearld raised his hand. "Steel Magic: Lance!" Heavy lances fired from every angle.
"Lightning Magic: Raging Raid!" Elaar followed up, steel spikes and lightning converging. Lilith was caught in the storm and sent crashing into the earth.
Dust rose.
Hearld smirked. "You aren't so tough after all."
Lilith rose slowly, brushing herself off. "Sorry to disappoint you, insect."
She walked toward Hearld. His attacks struck her but did no damage.
As she passed him, invisible slashes appeared all over his body. His spirit armor cracked and shattered.
Hearld staggered, bleeding. "How… how did you do that?"
Elaar shouted, "Hearld, look out!"
Lilith's voice was calm, cold. "Smash to the ground."
From above, Elaar plummeted with devastating force, slammed into the earth—
and no matter how she struggled, she could not rise again.