Reiji, Mijarun, and Yai's footsteps echoed up the stairs leading to the throne peak. The dark stone walls felt like they were watching knowing something far greater than this world was awakening.
Before them stood the tall, horned figure of Demon King Vaw, his red eyes burning like embers.
An aura of hatred and ambition swirled into a storm around the chamber.
"At last you've come, human," Vaw said in a mocking tone.
"Or… should I call you by that name unworthy of being spoken?"
Reiji smiled faintly, his steps steady.
His eyes reflected flames, yet held no trace of emotion.
"That name… isn't for this world," he said softly.
"And anyone who knows it will no longer exist."
Mijarun and Yai watched him both understood what Reiji meant: his true name, Zarabis, was not one to be spoken without erasing one's existence from all concepts of reality.
The Battle Begins
Vaw raised his hand high, and the sky above the throne seemed to crack open. Hundreds of hellfire spears materialized and hurtled toward them.
Reiji leaped forward, striking empty air with a bare fist each spear veered off course, slamming into the walls and exploding into red light.
Yai moved instantly, her body nearly vanishing as she split into twin shadows. She glided to the side, kicking Vaw in the chest before bouncing off the wall.
"Now, Yai!" Mijarun shouted.
Mijarun called forth the spell "Ethelion Spiral" purple magic swirled around her staff. She slashed through the air, a long cut tearing through darkness and splitting Vaw's barrier.
But Vaw laughed loudly.
"Your strength… is nothing but sparks!"
Suddenly, the floor cracked open black roots like chains burst forth, wrapping around Yai and Mijarun's legs.
Reiji darted forward, spinning with lightning speed to deliver a kick to Vaw's head striking hard enough to crack his horns!
"Heh," Reiji smiled slightly. "You should've protected your head better."
Mijarun freed herself, slicing through the black chains with elegant movements.
Yai, still trembling, rose again
her eyes glowing silver. She merged wind and lightning magic, unleashing layered attacks at Vaw's chest.
They moved as one.
Blows, slashes, flashes of light.
The air filled with the sound of impacts all three moving in perfect sync like a single storm.
Reiji advanced with ordinary human speed, but absolute precision.
His punches and kicks carried no mana aura yet every movement was precise, sharp, and deadly.
He spun once more, striking Vaw's temple the sound of cracking bone echoing through the room.
Yai panted heavily, but Reiji looked at her and spoke gently:
"You're strong already. Don't hesitate."
Yai smiled, tears welling in her eyes. "Yes, Master…"
Mijarun glanced at her brother, a faint smile on her face. "Still as stylish as ever, Reiji."
The Mystery Within Vaw
But Reiji suddenly stopped.
He stared sharply at Vaw, narrowing his eyes his pupils glowing bright.
"Wait… there's something inside his body…" Reiji thought.
And in that instant, a strange whisper echoed in his mind:
"…Reiji… help me…"
The voice Ashia's.
Reiji clenched his fist, the aura around him trembling.
In a split second, his body vanished from sight at hypersonic speed leaving only a blue flash behind.
"Power Output 00000.000001%," he said flatly.
Reiji's fist struck Vaw's stomach.
A massive explosion shook the entire palace.
BOOOOOOOM!!!
From the swirling dark energy, a woman's body was thrown out unconscious and wounded, but alive.
"Ashia!!!" Mijarun cried out.
She rushed forward and caught her before she hit the floor. Tears streamed down Mijarun's face as she held her tight.
The Demon King's End
Demon King Vaw now trembled, his body slowly withering away.
All the mana and power within him had been unknowingly absorbed by Reiji.
His frame grew gaunt, bones protruding through his skin.
Reiji looked at Yai and smiled faintly.
"Now… it's your turn, Yai."
In an instant, Reiji transferred all the absorbed mana into Yai's body.
Blue and white light enveloped the girl her aura surged, her hair billowing in the energy pressure.
Yai roared, charging forward and striking Vaw with all her strength.
The attack split the air, shattering the throne and for the first time… the Demon King screamed in pain.
Then silence.
Vaw's body cracked like glass, then vanished into dark dust.
After the Battle
Mijarun looked at her brother, still holding the awakening Ashia.
"…Brother, I… I thought I'd never see her again."
Reiji watched them, smiling gently for the first time in a long while.
Ashia slowly opened her eyes.
"Reiji… you… you're still alive…"
"Always," he replied simply. "I promised I'd find you again, didn't I?"
Yai stood there, her body trembling with relief and emotion. She knelt before her master.
Tears streamed down her cheeks.
"Thank you, Master… I don't know how to repay you."
Reiji looked at her with a warm gaze, though his forced smile revealed deep burdens.
"Then… would you like to be friends with some friendly demons?"
Yai smiled through her tears.
"Yes… if I may."
Reiji let out a small laugh. "Then you'll meet them soon enough."
In an instant, the space around Yai trembled.
Blue teleportation light wrapped around her body and before she could speak another word, Reiji sent her to the Nyrion Multiverse, right at the first gate of the Nyrion Kingdom.
The blue light faded… and Yai stood before a massive black gate, with strange symbols spinning above it.
The air felt foreign, yet not threatening.
Several demons passed by their skin gleaming like metal, wings asymmetrical, eyes multi-colored.
They paused briefly, studying Yai from horn to toe.
"A demon?"
"Hmm… her aura's different. Like she was shaped in another world."
Yai remained silent, her eyes scanning the surroundings in confusion.
At the gate, a woman in silver armor with two black wings descended slowly.
"Welcome to the Nyrion Multiverse,"
she said flatly, her gaze sharp.
"I am Velkira, guardian of the first gate. State your name, New Demon."
Yai paused for a moment.
Then, in a small but steady voice, she replied:
"Yai… Yai Homur."