Cranel crashed onto the ground, sliding across the dirt before planting his hands to recover. He rose swiftly, crimson eyes locked on Satan, who approached with a predatory calm. Extending his hand, Cranel summoned the radiant sword of light once more, its glow cutting through the haze of battle. Without hesitation, he charged.
Satan met his advance with a punch, but Cranel sidestepped, his blade flashing. In a single stroke, he severed Satan's arm at the shoulder. Cranel leapt back, creating distance, his chest heaving.
Satan looked down at his severed limb, then up at Cranel. A smile spread across his face. "That won't suffice. Show me I picked the right opponent. Hit me with everything."
Before Cranel's eyes, another arm sprouted from the wound, flesh knitting itself together. The priest's expression hardened. He dashed forward again, but Satan raised his hand.
"Demon Arts! Wrath Devastating Beam!" Satan roared. A crimson laser erupted from his palm, tearing through the battlefield. At the last instant, Cranel ducked, the beam scorching past him. Using the blast as cover, he closed the distance in a blur.
"Creation Magic: Duplicate Doppelgänger Parade!" Cranel shouted.
In an instant, dozens of clones materialized, each wielding the sword of light. They surrounded Satan, their eyes burning with the same crimson fury.
The princes watching stirred. Beelzebub leaned forward, excitement in his voice. "Now that is talent! Not only does he have the magic to produce so many clones, but he's duplicating Lucifer's spell. Satan might actually be in trouble."
Mammon frowned. "I think we should pull out."
Asmodeus scoffed. "Pull out? Have you no pride? If he defeats Satan, I get second dibs on that human."
Lucifer's voice cut through, cold and indifferent. "Defeats? You forget. That is Satan, the Sin of Wrath — feared by angels, worshipped by warlocks. He does not lose."
The clones swarmed. Their blades struck in relentless succession, each clone attacking as soon as the last withdrew. Satan swung wildly, his movements reckless, his wrath boiling. But the clones pressed harder, driving their swords into his chest, pinning him down. One after another, they locked him in place until every clone had embedded its blade into him.
"I have faith this is enough. Creation Magic: Combusting Duplicates," Cranel declared.
The clones exploded simultaneously, a cataclysmic blast that carved a massive crater into the battlefield. Dust and debris filled the air.
Cranel staggered forward, his blade fading. "Can't believe that worked," he muttered, confidence swelling as he turned toward the other princes. "Well, that's one. Who's ne—"
His words were cut short. A crushing blow struck his back, lifting him into the air and forcing blood from his mouth. Another strike hammered his ribs, sending him flying. Satan stood there, unscathed, his body bare but unhurt.
"That human sure has firepower," Satan said, his grin widening.
Nearby, Abaddon sat up, his face twisted with rage, his hands trembling. "How dare he! That human dares strike me! I am Abaddon!" His roar shook the ground as raw, uncontrolled magic erupted from him.
Hamza charged, fists clenched. He unleashed a flurry of punches, each strike stronger than the last. Abaddon deflected them with one hand, winding back the other. His counterpunch connected with Hamza's head, slamming him into the ground with such force that his body bounced back into the air. Abaddon followed with another swing, driving Hamza into the earth.
The demon stepped back, sneering. "Seems you were all talk." He spat on Hamza's body.
But Hamza's eyes snapped open. He jolted upright, blood dripping from his brow, his body otherwise unscathed. "That was quite the attack. Now my turn."
Abaddon chuckled darkly. "And you are quite the monster, huh."
Hamza raised his fist. "Enhancement Spell, Fifth Tier: Relentless Flurry of Blows."
His arm blurred, striking Abaddon with such speed and strength the demon couldn't react. Blood sprayed as Hamza's punches hammered into his chest, each blow faster, harder, more devastating than the last. Abaddon staggered, coughing blood, his chest mangled and bruised.
When Hamza ceased, Abaddon stumbled, his body struggling to heal. His breath came ragged.
"I feel pity for you, demon," Hamza said, his voice calm, resolute. "You won't win today because you stand against one of the World's Finest."
Abaddon's eyes widened. "World's Finest?"
Hamza stepped closer, his aura blazing. "Red-Eye Cranel. Infinity's Zarnia. Unstoppable Force Hamza. Jaqen of the Blind Eye. Names synonymous with strength beyond humanity's boundaries. Adequately named the World's Finest. Your mistake was ignorance — not knowing who we are, and failing to avoid us."
His fist connected with Abaddon's face, sending the demon sprawling.
Belphegor frowned. "Seems Abaddon is having trouble."
Lucifer's voice remained indifferent. "Leave him be. Each of us should handle our own problems."
At the gate, Elliot fought fiercely, his arms lashing like whips.
Lilith, scan the area. Are any of the princes here? What are they focusing on? Elliot thought.
"Beat you to it," Lilith replied in his mind. "Satan is in single combat with that human priest from your village. Wait… your brother is also here."
Jeremiah?! Elliot panicked.
"Yes. Damn it. Five of the seven are not fighting. Elliot, abandon this gate. We need to reach the springs," Lilith urged.
Sorry, Lilith. Not yet. I need to trim down the demons here. Then I'll run full speed for the springs.
"Okay, but no engaging any of the seven," Lilith warned. Elliot nodded, decapitating a demon with a single kick.
Meanwhile, Hamza stood over Abaddon. The demon began laughing, his voice echoing. Red light erupted from the ground beneath him. Hamza stepped back, taking a defensive stance.
Abaddon rose, a spear materializing in his hands, its surface etched with sinister markings. His grin widened.
"Now let's begin fighting all out, human," Abaddon said, his voice dripping with malice.