Aldwin ducked and countered instantly, slashing at Valzaha's waist. The strike slammed against the armor with a deafening clang, forcing Aldwin to leap back from the recoil.
Valzaha didn't move.
He stared at Aldwin, surprised.
"You touched me," Valzaha muttered.
Aldwin lunged again, aiming for the neck.
Valzaha raised his hand.
Barehanded, he caught the blade.
Aldwin's eyes widened.
"What the hell…?" Aldwin thought. "I'm using my full Sword God skill—and I can't even cut his hand?"
Valzaha looked down at the sword, unimpressed.
"Why did I even draw my weapon?" he said, sheathing it calmly.
Before Aldwin could react, Valzaha moved forward with overwhelming speed and seized him by the throat.
Aldwin was lifted off the ground, Valzaha's grip tightening as the air was crushed from his lungs.
"Die, you moron. Die!"
Valzaha's grip tightened.
Aldwin's feet left the ground as the demon lifted him by the throat, fingers crushing deeper with every breath.
"No—!"
Aldwin clawed at the demon's arm, his sword slipping from his grasp.
I'm not going to die… not like this.
Cold sweat soaked his back.
I thought I was strong…
His vision blurred.
But I'm weak. Pathetically weak.
The fight hadn't even begun—and he was already defeated.
This is shameful…
Valzaha leaned closer, red eyes burning.
"Struggle harder," the demon mocked. "Your despair tastes better that way."
Dark energy gathered around Aldwin as demonic pressure crushed in, gnawing at his body and spirit.
His consciousness began to slip—
Then—
BOOM!
A streak of white-gold light tore through the air with terrifying speed.
It slammed into Valzaha's side and exploded, blasting the demon backward in a shockwave that shattered stone and sent dust roaring into the sky.
Valzaha released Aldwin.
Aldwin hit the ground hard, coughing violently as he dragged air back into his lungs.
Something massive stepped forward.
Heavy.
Ancient.
A towering Fenrir stood between Aldwin and the demon, silver-white fur faintly glowing with divine markings. Its presence alone pushed back the demonic pressure.
Valzaha steadied himself and snarled.
"…Fenrir."
The beast turned its massive head slightly.
"What are you doing here?" Fenrir asked calmly.
Aldwin forced himself to stand, grabbing his fallen sword.
A demon… and Fenrir?
His instincts screamed.
I'm not strong enough for this.
Fenrir glanced at him.
"So you're the young master's father," he thought.
Then Fenrir spoke aloud.
"Go inside," Fenrir said. "Be with your wife."
Aldwin stiffened. "I don't know who you are—"
"I'll handle this."
Aldwin hesitated only a second longer before turning.
"Rowan…" he muttered, rushing into the castle toward Mira.
Inside, Rowan lay unconscious, unaware of the battle outside.
Valzaha laughed darkly.
"Fenrir meddling in human affairs?" he said. "That's rare."
"Normally," Fenrir replied. "But my young master is inside that building."
His eyes narrowed.
"And you were heading for him."
Valzaha tilted his head. "So you're here to stop me."
"Yes."
Valzaha chuckled. "You think you can?"
"I'm not certain I can kill you," Fenrir admitted.
"But I know this—"
His claws dug into the ground.
"You won't walk past me easily."
Valzaha stepped forward, sword flashing.
Fenrir caught the blade bare-handed.
Wind exploded outward as Fenrir retaliated—a claw-shaped shockwave ripped through the air.
Valzaha blocked, sliding backward as the ground split beneath him.
Fenrir lunged.
BOOM!
A punch slammed into Valzaha's jaw, sending him skidding across the courtyard.
Fenrir opened his jaws.
A blinding beam erupted.
Valzaha dodged—too slow.
The blast struck him head-on, smoke swallowing his form.
Before the dust cleared, Valzaha charged.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
A barrage of punches crashed into Fenrir with monstrous force.
Black lightning wrapped Valzaha's body as he unleashed his power.
Fenrir leapt back, gathering energy.
"Divine Breath."
Both released their attacks simultaneously.
Light and darkness collided.
The shockwave ripped through the grounds.
Fenrir was pushed back—slammed into the earth, carving a trench before finally collapsing and immediately stood up.