A roar split the night.

  Nero's dark aura erupted outward, a violent storm of malevolence that shattered the ethereal swords in an instant.

  The sheer force of his power sent shockwaves ripping through the battlefield.

  BOOM!

  Debris blasted into the air, stone and dust raining down like a storm.

  Guinevere staggered back, shielding her face as the wave of energy crashed against her.

  Artreus gritted his teeth, his weakened body trembling under the crushing weight of Nero's overwhelming presence.

  Then, Nero's voice exploded through the night.

  "THAT'S F**KING ENOUGH!!"

  His red eyes burned, his body wrapped in a swirling mass of black flames.

  His lips curled into a twisted grin, his fangs gleaming.

  "I've grown hungry!" His voice rumbled like a beast.

  His gaze shifted.

  Straight to Guinevere.

  A shiver ran down her spine.

  "Perhaps I'll add an elf to my menu…"

  His voice dripped with cruel amusement.

  He licked his lips.

  "She looks delicious."

  Guinevere's stomach twisted.

  Her hands clenched into fists, but her pulse quickened.

  Nero took a step forward—

  Then—

  A voice cut through the chaos.

  A voice too calm.

  A voice too familiar.

  "What's all the ruckus down here?"

  The air grew heavy.

  From the shadows, a figure emerged.

  Her movements were slow, deliberate… predatory.

  Her long, raven-black hair cascaded over her shoulders, framing a face of unsettling beauty.

  Her eyes—piercing crimson.

  Her lips—the color of blood.

  Guinevere froze.

  Artreus' heart pounded.

  Even Nero stiffened.

  His dark aura faltered for a brief moment.

  Then—he spoke her name.

  "Asmodina..."

  Artreus narrowed his eyes. "Another one?"

  A tense silence hung between them.

  Then—Asmodina sighed dramatically.

  She glanced around, surveying the battlefield.

  "Tsk, tsk… quite a mess around here."

  Her smirk deepened.

  She shifted her gaze to Nero.

  "And I see you're throwing another tantrum, Nero."

  Nero's face twisted in irritation.

  "Shut up!" He snarled. "Why are you here?! Didn't you go to the other side of Eldoria to slaughter for fun?"

  Asmodina shrugged.

  "Which I did." She examined her nails, uninterested. "But I have other business here."

  Then, her gaze landed on Guinevere.

  Her smile widened.

  "A prey I'm particularly interested in."

  Guinevere's breath caught in her throat.

  Asmodina's eyes gleamed with cruel delight.

  "I just came here to see the princess herself—Princess Guinevere Aragorn."

  A wicked giggle.

  Nero growled. "Tch. You never do your homework, do you?"

  Asmodina took a step closer, her voice like silk.

  "She carries royal blood."

  She tilted her head, savoring the moment.

  "A direct descendant of King Arathorn. The power of limitless mana… the ability to shift the balance of the world."

  Nero's brows furrowed.

  "That's… interesting."

  Then, he snarled. "Tch—I found her first! Don't you try to steal my food!"

  Asmodina chuckled.

  "Oh, Nero…"

  Her smile turned sinister.

  "Who said I was here to share?"

  Asmodina vanished in a blur.

  Then—she reappeared, lunging straight for Guinevere.

  Her fingernails elongated, twisting into deadly, blood-red claws.

  Her crimson eyes gleamed with sadistic excitement as she slashed forward.

  Guinevere gritted her teeth, her hands flashing with mana.

  She thrust her arms forward.

  "Protection Barrier!"

  A shimmering blue shield materialized, blocking Asmodina's vicious strike.

  CLANG!

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  Sparks flew as blood magic clashed against pure mana.

  A shockwave exploded outward, sending cracks tearing through the ground beneath them.

  Guinevere winced, bracing against the pressure.

  Asmodina licked her lips.

  "Tsk, tsk, Princess…" she cooed. "You're just playing defense, eh?"

  Her claws pulsed with deep crimson energy.

  She pressed harder, forcing Guinevere back.

  Guinevere's muscles strained, her feet sliding across the dirt.

  Then—she retaliated.

  Her violet eyes burned with power.

  "Tch—ZOLTAR PATRIUM!!"

  A brilliant surge of energy erupted from her palms, crashing into Asmodina like a celestial cannon.

  BOOOOOM!

  The ground trembled.

  A shockwave ripped through the air, blasting debris in all directions.

  Asmodina was sent flying backward, crashing into a nearby wall.

  CRACK!

  The stone shattered around her, dust and rubble raining down.

  For a moment, silence.

  Guinevere panted, her hands still glowing.

  She watched the smoke-covered crater where Asmodina had landed, her heart pounding.

  Then—a soft chuckle.

  From the debris, Asmodina emerged.

  Her hair flowed like a dark river.

  Her blood-red lips curled into a sinister grin.

  She wiped a speck of blood from her cheek.

  "Not bad… for a princess."

  Behind Guinevere, a voice.

  "Princess…"

  She turned—Artreus was standing.

  Still bruised. Still bleeding.

  But standing.

  Her eyes widened.

  "Stay down… you're not healed yet…!"

  Artreus wiped the blood from his lip, smirking.

  "I'm fine." He rolled his shoulders, gripping his sword. "Besides, you can't heal me while fighting two."

  His blue eyes flickered toward Nero, who was still seething.

  "Unless you can wipe them both out with some world-ending magic. Maybe something like your great-great-great-grandpa or whatever?"

  Guinevere glared at him.

  "Shut up, idiot."

  Asmodina chuckled.

  "Oh, how precious… the knight is still standing."

  Her eyes glowed.

  "This just keeps getting more entertaining."

  Nero laughed, his voice dripping with cruel amusement.

  "Hahahaha! Looks like you can't get what you want that easily, Asmodina!"

  Asmodina chuckled, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

  "Heh… Oh? Look who's talking." She gestured lazily toward Artreus, who was still standing despite his battered body. "You still haven't taken care of Azrael's brat."

  Nero's grin twisted.

  "Hahahaha… He's weak. He barely lasted playing with me. I'm going to eat him whole now."

  Guinevere ignored their taunts.

  She rushed to Artreus' side, pressing her glowing hands against his arm.

  A gentle warmth surged through him.

  Not a full heal—just enough to stop the bleeding.

  "We have no choice but to fight," Guinevere said, her violet eyes burning with determination. "I will support you—you will protect me."

  Artreus smirked despite himself.

  "Alright… Princess."

  He took a deep breath, feeling strength return to his limbs.

  Then—he stepped forward.

  He walked to confront them once again.

  Nero and Asmodina watched, amused.

  But Artreus' eyes were filled with fire.

  "I've been training for this…" His voice was low, steady.

  He tightened his grip on his sword.

  "My whole life."

  Memories of his master's lessons flashed through his mind.

  "Don't let your guard down."

  "You must fight!"

  "Even if you fall… you will rise up."

  His body hurt. His breath was ragged.

  But his will never wavered.

  He raised his sword.

  "Come."

  Nero licked his lips, his red eyes gleaming with hunger.

  "Hehe… Perhaps the boy is mine! You take the elf!"

  Asmodina grinned.

  "Okay… Guess we'll both get what we want."

  Without warning—Nero charged.

  "Hahahaha!"

  His wheel-blade dagger spun in his hand, a blur of steel and death.

  But this time—Artreus didn't falter.

  He breathed in deeply, gripping his sword tighter.

  Then—CLANG!

  Artreus blocked Nero's attack, sword meeting dagger.

  Nero's grin faded.

  His eyes widened in shock.

  "What the f—?!"

  Their clashes erupted in a flurry of steel and shadows.

  Each strike sent sparks flying, the sheer force shaking the battlefield.

  Artreus met him, blade for blade, strike for strike.

  Nero's amusement twisted into frustration.

  With a snarl, he twisted his body, his dagger spinning—an opening.

  He lunged—

  But—

  BZZZT!

  A shimmering blue shield materialized in front of Artreus.

  CLANG!

  Nero's attack bounced off the barrier, disrupting his momentum.

  Guinevere stood behind Artreus, her hand raised, her eyes glowing.

  "Huh?!" Nero hissed.

  His red eyes snapped to Guinevere.

  "This… annoys me!!"

  Artreus saw his chance.

  He lunged forward—his sword cutting deep into Nero's ribs.

  SLASH!

  Nero growled in pain, staggering back.

  "Why you—!"

  Furious, Nero slammed his wheel-blade dagger into the ground.

  CRACK!

  The earth shattered, shockwaves rippling outward.

  Artreus flipped back, dodging the impact.

  Landing at a distance, he steadied himself

  Guinevere prepared another spell—

  But in a blur, Asmodina appeared beside her.

  "Too slow, Princess!"

  Guinevere's eyes widened—

  Asmodina's blood-red claws slashed toward her.

  But—

  Guinevere twisted her body, dodging at the last second.

  She jumped into the air, spinning mid-air—

  "Mana Blast!"

  A surge of radiant blue energy burst from her palms.

  BOOOOOM!

  The blast tore through the air, racing toward Asmodina.

  Asmodina grinned, flipping backward, barely evading the attack.

  She landed, dust swirling around her.

  "Not bad, Princess…" she purred. "But let's see how long you can last!"

  Guinevere gritted her teeth, her mana flaring around her.

  "Tsk—damn it! I can't support Artreus while I'm dealing with this demon…!"

  Asmodina smirked.

  "Oh? You're distracted, Princess?"

  Without hesitation, Asmodina thrust her hands forward.

  "Dark Requiem!"

  A barrage of dark energy blasts erupted from her palms, each orb crackling with raw malevolence.

  BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

  Guinevere's eyes flashed.

  She raised her hands.

  "Protection Barrier!"

  A shimmering blue shield materialized, absorbing the blasts.

  The air shook from the impact, dust swirling around them.

  But—Guinevere didn't stop there.

  Her eyes burned with determination.

  She countered.

  With a flick of her fingers, multiple mana blasts shot from her palms—

  Not just at Asmodina—but at Nero as well.

  As Nero clashed with Artreus, his instincts screamed.

  His red eyes darted sideways—

  "Tch—?!"

  BOOOOM!

  The mana blasts erupted toward him, a streak of blue destruction.

  Nero barely had time to react—he leaped back, flipping mid-air to evade the explosions.

  "Heh… feisty elf."

  Meanwhile, Asmodina was already moving.

  Her monstrous speed sent her blurring through the battlefield.

  She weaved through the mana blasts, dodging with unnatural grace.

  SWOOSH—BOOM!

  One attack grazed her, sending sparks of mana sizzling against her skin.

  She hissed.

  Then—she lunged.

  Her blood claws pulsed with dark magic.

  "You'll need more than that, Sweetheart!"

  She slashed downward, her claws colliding with Guinevere's barrier.

  CRACK!

  The force of the impact sent a shockwave rippling through the shield.

  Guinevere's arms trembled under the pressure.

  Asmodina's crimson eyes glowed.

  "How long can you hold out?" she whispered, pressing harder.

  Asmodina pressed her claws harder against Guinevere's barrier, her blood magic cracking against the shimmering blue shield.

  Her crimson eyes narrowed.

  Guinevere gritted her teeth, her arms shaking under the pressure.

  Then—her violet eyes flashed.

  Now.

  She muttered an incantation under her breath.

  The ground behind Asmodina rumbled.

  "Enchanted Roots!"

  From beneath the war-torn earth, thick, glowing roots burst forth—twisting and coiling around Asmodina's body.

  "What the—?!"

  The roots constricted, wrapping around her arms, legs, and torso.

  Asmodina struggled, thrashing against them.

  But the more she fought—the tighter they pulled.

  "Huh…?! GET THIS FKING THING OFF ME!!"**

  Her movements turned frantic.

  Her blood claws lashed out, but the enchanted roots refused to snap.

  Guinevere's expression remained cold.

  She lowered her barrier—then raised her hand.

  Straight in front of Asmodina's face.

  Fast. Ruthless. Precise.

  The mana in her palm glowed brighter—fiercer.

  Then, she uttered the words.

  "BEGONE, DEMON!"

  BOOOOOOOM!

  A blinding blast of pure mana exploded from her palm, engulfing Asmodina.

  Asmodina screamed as the blast sent her hurtling through the air.

  She crashed into the distance, an eruption of dust and debris following her impact.

  The ground shook from the sheer force.

  Silence.

  Guinevere exhaled, lowering her hand.

  She wasn't sure if that was enough to take Asmodina out—but it was enough to get her out of the way.

  For now.

  The battlefield roared with the sound of clashing blades.

  Artreus and Nero collided once more, their weapons flashing in the moonlight.

  Artreus swung his sword with raw power—

  CLANG!

  Nero blocked it with his wheel-blade dagger, the force sending a sharp vibration through his arm.

  With lightning reflexes, Nero counterattacked—his dagger slicing toward Artreus' ribs.

  But Artreus dodged, shifting to the side, his speed sharper than before.

  Nero's red eyes gleamed.

  With a wicked grin, he slashed downward with full force.

  BOOM!

  The ground split apart, cracks spreading like spiderwebs.

  Artreus backflipped away, landing smoothly.

  Nero let out a low chuckle.

  "Hahaha… You're getting the hang of my speed."

  He bared his fangs, his expression twisting into something monstrous.

  "That pisses me off."

  His golden eyes burned with hunger.

  "Just let me eat you already!!"

  Artreus exhaled sharply, then raised his free hand.

  A surge of lightning crackled at his fingertips.

  "Let's see how you handle this!"

  He unleashed a bolt of lightning toward Nero—

  But—Nero moved.

  With a single leap, he vaulted high into the air, his wheel-blade dagger gleaming.

  He twisted midair, preparing for a devastating slash—

  BOOOOM!

  Suddenly, a barrage of energy blasts rained down upon him.

  Nero's eyes widened.

  He barely had time to shift his body, twisting between the shots.

  "Tch—?!"

  BOOM!

  One blast exploded against him, sending him crashing into the ground.

  Dust billowed into the air.

  Artreus' head snapped toward the source.

  Guinevere.

  She stood at a distance, her arms raised, mana crackling around her fingertips.

  Her violet eyes locked onto Nero.

  Artreus' breath steadied.

  "Princess… you okay?!"

  Guinevere exhaled, her shoulders rising and falling.

  "I'm fine," she said, her voice firm. "Let's finish this."

  Artreus grinned.

  Nero groaned from the rubble, his body twitching.