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Chapter 19 - Chapter 18: A Tale from the Past, a Very Powerful Human and Demon, Part 3

Continuing with the war, everyone was preparing for the fight; the tension was thick on both sides. At the top of the wall, our friends stand waiting for the inevitable.

MALEKIN: This is getting out of control. What can we do? There are so many of them. Do you think we can end this?

RENJIT: This is bad, I don't think we can take them all down while that thing is waiting for us up there. I don't think we can handle them.

HERACLES: No se preocupen, nosotros somos calidad, ellos son cantidad; lograremos ganar esto, pero miren, ahí adelante, a su costado, están 4 personas muy sospechosas se ven fuertes.

RENJIT: You're right. I don't think those four are there just for show. Well, let's get the troops ready. IS EVERYONE READY?

MALEKIN: Those four are very strong, I can feel it in my veins; besides, they seem familiar to me. Maybe I could handle two at once, but I don't know.

HERACLES: This reminds me of when I fought the Hydra. It was difficult, but I won. This is a very dangerous feat to pull off. Alright, EVERYONE PAY ATTENTION, WE ATTACK. NOW, GET READY.

Meanwhile, on the other side, the others are also preparing for war.

MAMMON: Gentlemen, are you ready? You know that for this day you belong to me, right? Gabriel owed me a favor. Now then, GUERRA, MUERTE, DISPUTA, and AZOTE, are you ready for this massacre? I'll let the pawns go first, and then you will follow.

Before our eyes stand the four horsemen of the Apocalypse.

GUERRA: Gabriel does not command us; if we are here, it's because we had nothing better to do. Waiting for the apocalypse of some world is tedious, and it's annoying to sit around doing nothing.

MUERTE: I support my brother in this, but you don't command us either (looking at him seriously).

DISPUTA: Just because Gabriel has the blessed trumpet to let us out of the dimension that holds us, it doesn't mean he can handle us however he pleases. Do you understand that, darling?

AZOTE: It's alright, brothers, don't get upset with this poor demon; it's good to get a little exercise after millennia locked away. (MAMMON is sweating).

MAMMON: (In his mind) I'm glad these guys are in a good mood; I recognize they are strong—I couldn't handle the four of them.

GUERRA: Well, demon, what are you waiting for to end this?

MAMMON: Yes, you're right. EVERYONE GET READY FOR BATTLE! (A loud shout is heard from the entire army). ADVANCE!

The two armies set out. MAMMON'S army outnumbered the other five to one, but the superior skill of HERACLES' army made the difference. Both armies were already locked in combat; in this place, firearms do not exist, so the fight consists of swords, claws, and combat techniques. One by one, they can be seen falling in this struggle. In HERACLES' army, there are also humans fighting for their freedom, losing the life they had left in this place. A fierce battle unfolds on the field while the most powerful look on.

HERACLES: RENJIT, I think it's your turn to help. Finish them off before they enter the city; they are advancing too far.

RENJIT: Do you think it would be alright for me to go? I see you're doing a good job without me.

HERACLES: Yes, but they are gradually pressing us and I don't think… (suddenly MALEKIN leaps onto the battlefield) MALEKIN! No, god, how annoying, I knew he would do that—that's why I told you to go. (He looks at RENJIT with annoyance).

RENJIT: Well, it's too late now, so let's just watch and see what happens.

While MALEKIN runs to the battlefield shouting, a rider is seen approaching from the other side on a black horse. It is DISPUTA, a very powerful woman with a spear on her back; she rides at great speed, trampling allies and enemies alike, coming face to face with MALEKIN. He notices her presence and charges at DISPUTA. The two collide head-on; MALEKIN grabs the horse's head, slamming it to the ground, and DISPUTA jumps, landing on her feet in front of MALEKIN. The horse disappears, and the two stand face to face.

DISPUTA: You, demon—it's clear you are strong; entertain me as much as you can.

MALEKIN: A Horseman? You seemed familiar; now I see it clearly: you are the 4 Horsemen. Your legend is known everywhere. It is an honor to fight the great DISPUTA, but woman, you won't have it easy.

DISPUTA: Haha, men are such idiots to think they have it easy against me. Well, let me tell you something, big guy (she draws her spear): get ready, you bastard, this will be very hard for you, hehe.

MALEKIN: Fine, let this begin, milady; I treat all races equally. Charge!

The fight begins: DISPUTA lunges with her spear at MALEKIN'S chest, which he manages to dodge, receiving only a scratch. MALEKIN throws blow after blow, and DISPUTA dodges quickly; she leaps backward, immediately springing forward again, striking MALEKIN with her spear. He raises a barrier to defend himself while looking directly at DISPUTA. Meanwhile, at MAMMON'S side…

MUERTE: Hmm, this is strange because DISPUTA isn't killing him immediately.

GUERRA: Haven't you noticed, brother? Our power is limited in this place.

AZOTE: You're right, this is annoying; in this place, our power is only at 5%. I thought this would be quick.

MUERTE: If that is true, our power is only fully released when the final apocalypse arrives—where all universes will be destroyed and the multiverse as we know it will disappear and be reset, hahahaha.

AZOTE: Hey, GUERRA, MUERTE is missing a screw, don't you think?

GUERRA: Sí, se emociona cuando habla del fin de todo; oye MUERTE, si tienes mucha razón, ahí nuestro poder está al 100% y cuando llega el fin de una civilización nuestro poder está al 50%, pero si nos traen por traer (mira a MAMMON), por seguridad nos debilitan mucho, pero con el 5% es más que suficiente para ganarle a esos idiotas.

MAMMON: Stop your chattering; it's time to join the fight.

GUERRA: You are so annoying. Very well, it's time to attack so we can be rid of this idiot demon (looking at MAMMON).

MAMMON: Watch your words, cursed Horseman.

GUERRA: I'll keep that in mind. AZOTE, let's go.

AZOTE: Very well, let's get to it.

The Horsemen set off at great speed on their steeds: GUERRA on his red horse, and AZOTE on his white horse. Immediately, AZOTE picks up speed and in a few seconds is near the city entrance. Suddenly, something falls from the sky, slamming AZOTE and his horse into the ground. Out of the dust emerges HERACLES.

HERACLES: Hello, skinny. You'll be fighting me.

Meanwhile, a shadow moving across the ground at high speed crashes into GUERRA, launching him into the air and making his horse disappear. Behind GUERRA, RENJIT appears, holding a long sword (katana).

RENJIT: Whatever, this will be fun (looking at HERACLES in the distance). On guard, Lord Horseman.

Returning to the fight between MALEKIN and DISPUTA, the situation begins to look favorable for DISPUTA, as MALEKIN is on the ground on his knees before her.

DISPUTA: What do you think? The demon who thinks he's strong is on his knees before me.

MALEKIN: Curse it... what is your power? Why do I feel so tired and hungry? And why aren't my blows landing? These strange things happening during our battle... what kind of thing are you, Horseman?

DISPUTA: You're going to die anyway. My name is DISPUTA of Famine; my natural power causes any creature near me to suffer from hunger and thirst—as long as they have less power than I do, of course. Besides, I have fortune on my side, hahaha. Those "strange things" you see... well, I don't think you know about the butterfly effect, do you? I'll just say that by moving one thing, a series of events will occur in my favor.

MALEKIN: Heh, fine. Thanks for the information. You powerful types always underestimate the weak. (DISPUTA is taken aback).

DISPUTA: What do you mean by that, you cursed demon?

MALEKIN stands up, and a black aura surrounds his body, granting him great power. DISPUTA is slightly surprised.

DISPUTA: (sweating) So you were hiding your true power, weren't you? How interesting. Fine, let's get back to it, big guy.

The fight begins with DISPUTA attacking with her spear simultaneously; Malekin shielded himself with his steel bracelets, deflecting the blows in the process. Malekin noticed his spear emitting a colorful glow that shifted from black to white with each attack, its power varying depending on the color. Suddenly, it turned green, knocking Malekin's hand aside. He was surprised that the force of the blow had suddenly increased after the color change. Disputa seized the opportunity and landed a blow on Malekin's shoulder, injuring him deeply. Malekin stumbled back and healed instantly, staring at Disputa, who was laughing.

DISPUTA: Hahaha! Seriously, demon? With that, you're on your knees once again.

MALEKIN: Bitch, you said luck is on your side, right? That spear is your luck; before attacking, it emits a glow between black and white. White is weak, black is stronger, but the one to watch out for is green—what a basic ability.

DISPUTA: Yes, you're right, it is very basic. But what good does it do you to know that if you can't react to the attack? Not only does the strength increase when it's green, but all my power triples—and now it's your turn to defend yourself even more. (She kicks a stone).

DISPUTA lunges at MALEKIN, while we see the stone she kicked bouncing all over the battlefield. Out of nowhere, it pushes another larger rock, which hits MALEKIN in the face, causing him to lose his balance while defending against DISPUTA. She does not waste the opportunity and manages to drive her spear into MALEKIN'S side, leaving him lying on the ground. Quickly, DISPUTA intends to end the fight by trying to drive her spear into MALEKIN'S head; he remains motionless on the ground with a serious gaze. Just as she was about to pierce his head, a red barrier appears covering MALEKIN, which forces DISPUTA back, leaving her stunned.

DISPUTA: So you still had an ace up your sleeve, didn't you, demon?

MALEKIN stands up Furiously and pulls the handkerchief from his mouth, revealing his wicked smile and shocking DISPUTA.

MALEKIN: Well, since you are so strong, it would be rude to keep you waiting for me any longer. My name is MALEKIN, the demon of barriers. A while ago, I discovered my true power thanks to a god who was crazy about fire. Now, we finish this.

DISPUTA: Even with that ugly smile of yours, you won't beat me. (She takes a fighting stance).

MALEKIN places a red barrier all around his body, molding it to himself as if he were wearing a full-body suit. He prepares to fight, closing in on DISPUTA at great speed; he strikes the woman in the stomach, sending her flying into the air. While DISPUTA recovers from the blow mid-air, she looks down, realizing that MALEKIN is rising toward her. She immediately points her spear at MALEKIN and unleashes a barrage of very fast strikes that MALEKIN cannot dodge—but it's useless, as the red barrier covering him does not allow the attacks to reach his skin. DISPUTA is in shock seeing that her attacks no longer have any effect; MALEKIN seizes the moment, quickly landing three consecutive hits, and then joins his hands together, striking her hard on the head. The force sends her crashing into the ground, creating an enormous crater. MALEKIN descends, landing in front of her; DISPUTA struggles to her feet, looking up at MALEKIN.

DISPUTA: I can't believe... that a demon... possesses such barrier power.

MALEKIN: I'll tell you one thing: this is not even my strongest barrier.

DISPUTA: Look at you—to think you aren't even serious and you beat me. Fine, I guess it's over.

Out of nowhere, DISPUTA'S spear, which was lying elsewhere, flies into its mistress's hands. Quickly, with immense power, she tries to impale MALEKIN'S body, causing a massive impact that kicks up dust everywhere. DISPUTA laughs like a madwoman, thinking she won since she used all her power in that final strike. But as the dust settles, MALEKIN is standing upright, untouched, with a purple barrier covering him. The smile vanishes from DISPUTA'S face, and she drops her spear.

DISPUTA: So that's it, isn't it? Who would have thought... you have power similar to ours when we are at 10%, hahahaha. End this, big guy.

MALEKIN: It was an honor fighting you. You can leave with the comfort of knowing that this brings me no satisfaction; defeating you while your power is reduced brings me no glory.

DISPUTA: Don't sell yourself short, MALEKIN. It is already an achievement to beat me at 5%; no demon of your level, angel, or mortal has ever accomplished such a thing. So, feel free to brag. Farewell, MALEKIN, demon of barriers.

MALEKIN: Are all Horsemen this honorable? What a great privilege! Farewell, DISPUTA.

MALEKIN concentrates a massive amount of energy in his hand and delivers a powerful blow to DISPUTA'S entire body, knocking her out of commission. DISPUTA'S body begins to disintegrate while MALEKIN watches her with respect and sits on the ground to rest from such a tremendous encounter. We turn to where MAMMON is, who has already realized that DISPUTA lost.

MAMMON: NOOOOO! DAMN BITCH! SHE COULDN'T EVEN HANDLE ONE, AND SHE CALLS HERSELF A HORSEMAN!!!

MUERTE: Watch your words, MAMMON. I am still here.

MAMMON: (with a twitch in his eye) MUERTE, I don't want to pressure you, but would you care to help me?

MUERTE: (sighs) Fine. One of us has already been defeated; I will speak with DISPUTA when all this is over.

MAMMON: Isn't that bitch dead? I mean, didn't DISPUTA die?

MUERTE: She has only returned to our dimension; we do not die. Our souls are not here; they are kept in the other dimension.

MAMMON: I see. Well, leaving all that aside, please go. Look at me—I'm being polite, and it sickens me.

MUERTE: Fine, I will go. But I am not like my siblings; so don't get annoyed.

MUERTE heads toward the fight, but he does so by galloping calmly, with such slowness that he might as well be on foot. Seeing this, MAMMON begins to get angry.

MAMMON: Now I see why he told me not to get annoyed. How irritating! That piece of garbage... I swear one day I will make them pay for EVERYTHING! HAAAAAAAAAA!

The fight is becoming more intense by the second; for now, one Horseman has fallen, and MUERTE finally makes his move. What lies ahead for our friends? We will find out soon.

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