Chapter 55: Demon
2023-10-23 Author: Rowing Without Oars 233
Underground Gotham, within the barrier.
Afterimages flew about as energy beams and explosions went off one after another. The demonic spirits scattered in terror. Energy beams and missiles crisscrossed the air, throwing the great hall into utter chaos amidst an unending series of roars.
"Enough!"
A deep, powerful voice suddenly boomed like a great bell, echoing dully throughout the sealed palace.
Upon hearing this voice, every demonic spirit trembled, hastily ceasing their movements and bowing in utmost reverence. An invisible coercion swept over them like a tidal wave.
At the far end of the great hall, a ball of black mist appeared, swirling and transforming into a mirror-like shape. Within that mirror, a shadowy figure emerged—a sinister, blurry form with crimson eyes. It stared down condescendingly, coldly surveying the great hall from beyond the mirror.
In terms of presence and aura, it was on a completely different level from the demonic spirits below.
Unsure of what he was up against, Orin Vale refrained from acting rashly and asked Pal, "What are we looking at? Some kind of magic that resembles video communication technology?"
"No, the hyperspace bracelet has detected a weakening of the space barrier," Pal said. "That isn't footage, sir, but rather some form of space-related magic. It might be connected to a magical dimension."
"Like the one we saw in the Sanctuary at the Rock of Eternity?"
"More or less."
The lore of *Shazam* established that the DC World has numerous magical dimensions, many of which harbor all sorts of magical threats: the Demon Realm, hell, Cthulhu, and so on—it had them all.
It seemed the "That Lord" these demonic spirits spoke of was also a powerful being from some Otherworld Dimension.
The blurry silhouette stared directly at Orin Vale from behind the mirror and spoke in a cold voice.
"We meet for the first time. My name is Belial."
Orin Vale: "!?"
What? Belial?
Hearing this name, Orin Vale was instantly on alert. His first reaction was that the infamous fugitive from the Land of Light had followed him to this world.
Belial was an infamous household name in the Land of Light. He was a rare problem child in the long history of the Land of Light. After turning to darkness, he wielded a rod and fought his way across the Land of Light, from the South Heaven Gate all the way to Penglai East Road. In the end, it took a Deus ex Machina from Ultraman King, who suppressed him with a backhand slap under the Five Finger Mountain—ah, no, I mean, locked him up in the Space Prison.
However, Orin Vale quickly realized it was probably just a coincidence in names.
The name Belial originated from the king of hell in Jewish folklore and has been used for boss-type characters in countless parallel world fantasy works. The Belial Orin Vale was familiar with was just one of them.
The one he was facing now was likely a native DC Comics Demon named "Belial."
"You are not human. I can sense it."
That Belial spoke from behind the mirror.
"You are powerful, but you do not belong here. This world, these humans, they should have nothing to do with you. No, perhaps I should say, for beings like you and I who possess great power, we are essentially deities in this world.
"To rule is our birthright. Those tiny, ant-like individuals are destined to be ruled by us!"
His tone rose, a bewitching light flickering in his crimson eyes.
"Join me! We shall become the kings of the new world, and all humans will submit! And we will conquer more worlds, more dimensions, and become the masters of countless worlds!"
"Hmm... that does sound tempting."
Orin Vale feigned deep contemplation, as if he were seriously considering the proposal.
"I'm not against what you're saying. So why don't you come out of that mirror, and then we can discuss this idea properly?"
"Hahaha, I like straightforward, powerful individuals like you. Very well!"
As his voice fell, a thick black mist billowed out from the mirror. A figure slowly stepped out from the swirling black smoke, its body passing straight through the mirror.
A humanoid form exuding a sinister aura, with a pair of dark red eyes. He had jagged, sharp teeth, black curly hair, and a tall, slender build. His hard, grayish-white skin seemed to be composed of elements not of this Earth. Behind him was a pair of wings like a Fallen Angel's, emitting a chilling presence.
Every demonic spirit present fell to their knees, not daring to even breathe, as if the invisible coercion had formed unseen chains.
Belial landed lightly in front of Orin Vale and gave an elegant, polite bow.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you. I've often heard my subordinate demonic spirits speak of you. I have always respected strength," he said with a smile. "My demonic spirits have now made full preparations."
"The arrival ritual is about to begin; we only need a few more sacrifices. Once my true form arrives, this entire city will be mine for the taking!"
"Just one city? Your ambition is a bit small, don't you think?" Orin Vale smiled.
"Hahaha, of course. This is merely a starting point. With the two of us working together, conquering this world is only a matter of time."
"That makes sense."
While smiling and cheerfully discussing the future blueprint, Orin Vale suddenly thrust both his palms forward. A blue glow flashed in his palms, and two light energy cannons fired simultaneously.
In the same second, as if by tacit agreement, Belial also flipped his hand, and a sphere of magic power wreathed in dark flame shot out as well.
A massive explosion erupted. Light energy and dark magic power clashed, and ripples of energy burst forth within a transparent shockwave, the force of which shattered the floor tiles.
Both their expressions changed.
"Despicable!" "Shameless!"
It was obvious they'd had the same idea, both planning to feign cooperation while waiting for a chance to backstab. They just hadn't expected to stab at the same time. It was as if they were taught by the same master; neither could break the other's technique.
Now that the pretense was dropped, there was no need for more words. Propulsion flames shot from the soles of Orin Vale's feet, launching him into the air as he fired two more cannons from his palms. Belial leaped aside, spread his wings, and lunged forward, baring his fangs and claws.
The mecha and the demon clashed in the open air of the great hall, trading punches and kicks. Their battle was interspersed with various light rays and magic, blasting the dome until it cracked and debris rained down.
Belial launched a black sphere of energy. Orin Vale extended his left palm, and a torrent of light energy transformed into a barrier to block it. The black sphere exploded violently against the barrier, creating faint ripples on its mirror-like surface.
But that was just a feint. Beating his wings, Belial flashed to the side at hypervelocity, swiping with his sharp claws!
Surging magic power coiled around the razor-sharp claws, accompanied by a piercing whistle through the air. It was a strike infused with magical attributes, making it almost unstoppable!
*Clang.*
The sharp claws landed on Orin Vale's raised armored gauntlet and were parried securely. The magic-infused claws couldn't even leave a scratch.
"Nth Metal?" Belial was stunned. "You actually have Nth Metal?"
With a *bang*, Orin Vale's powerful backhand straight punch slammed into the demon's cheek, knocking his head aside. But Belial roared and simultaneously pressed a palm against the battlesuit's abdomen. A torrent of magic power erupted, the violent blast sending the entire battlesuit flying. Both were sent reeling backward from the other's impact.
The back of the armor crashed through the wall behind it. The moment he landed, Orin Vale reignited his thrusters and shot back into the air. When he looked up, Belial was already flapping his wings and charging at him again.
"Sir, some demonic spirits are trying to escape,"
Pal warned, simultaneously highlighting several demonic spirits that were trying to sneak away in his field of vision.
"Should we just ignore them for now?"
"Of course not."
Each one was a walking bundle of experience. Letting a single one go would be a waste; there was no way he would let them escape safely.
"Pal, take control of the armor. Don't let a single one get away."
"Yes, sir."
Control of the battlesuit was immediately transferred. The red-silver mech armor turned, accelerated its thrusters, and shot off in pursuit of the fleeing demonic spirits.
At the same instant, Orin Vale, who had been inside the armor, was suddenly enveloped in a brilliant radiance and vanished from within the battlesuit.
The next moment, Belial, who was sprinting at full speed, suddenly saw a blinding radiance erupt directly in front of him, so bright he couldn't open his eyes.
A gigantic fist burst forth from the brilliance, slamming head-on into his charging body.
(end of chapter)