The ground quaked beneath each of Zephir's steps.
His eyes had turned pitch black, the glowing demon mark pulsing brightly on his forehead.
A crushing, chaotic aura surrounded him — bending the very air with its intensity.
In front of him, Néo forced a mocking laugh, trying to mask his fear.
"You think that scares me?! Even with your demon powers, you'll never beat me!"
Zephir smirked — calm, dangerous.
"You talk too much. If you're not scared… come at me."
Screaming in rage, Néo lunged at him, blade raised high.
"When I'm done with you, your little family will join you in the afterlife!!"
But Zephir calmly lifted his hand.
Dark tendrils erupted from the ground, snaring Néo in a merciless grip.
"W-What the hell is this?!" Néo screamed, struggling.
"Nothing much," Zephir said, coldly. "Just the beginning."
The tendrils tightened violently.
Néo cried out, then shattered the spell in a burst of energy.
"You think that'll stop me?!"
In the blink of an eye—
Zephir was in front of him.
His fist slammed into Néo's stomach with devastating force.
Blood burst from Néo's mouth as he collapsed to his knees, gasping.
He looked up, eyes wide.
"How… How can a reject like you be this strong?! You're just a bastard — a forgotten son your own father tried to erase!"
Zephir looked down, the pain flickering behind his eyes.
"…You're right. I was a pariah. A demon born in a world of hate. My father wanted me dead. But I survived."
His gaze sharpened, an ember of light flickering deep in the darkness.
"Because I found something stronger than hate: my light. My wife. My daughter. My son.
As long as I breathe… I won't let anyone take them from me."
Néo, panting, staggered to his feet.
He gave a twisted, manic grin.
"Your light, huh…? Then I'll make sure you never see it again."
A grotesque light surged from his body.
"Self-destruct spell. If I die… I'll take everything with me!!"
A demonic vortex spun around him — consuming his essence.
Then—
A blinding explosion.