Yajin placed his free hand against his forehead as he watched the Sages flee into the distance, their silhouettes shrinking beneath the moonlit plains.
"Wow," he muttered, a crooked grin forming. "That elf has some monstrous strength for someone so slim."
He let his hand fall back to his side, the Sword of Judgement humming faintly in his other hand.
"Phsae," he said, voice dropping into something colder, heavier, "I think it's time we call power from the gods. But… we're not using the first invocation."
He paused.
"We're using the second."
Eiden and Morvath's eyes widened instantly.
"Shit…" Morvath whispered, hands trembling despite his attempt to steady them.
Eiden didn't hesitate.
He drove both blades into the ground, the steel ringing through the plains. His cloak slipped from his shoulders, drifting with the wind for a moment before dissolving into a white light, scattering into the night like fading embers.
He remained exactly where he stood.
He loosened the top half of his robe, letting it fall to his waist, the fabric settling against him as he reached down and reclaimed his blades.
Yajin laughed under his breath.
"Hah… seems you aren't going to hold back, are ya?"
He mirrored Eiden's motion, embedding the Sword of Judgement into the earth. His own cloak tore free, drifting with the wind before dissolving into a faint shimmer of divine light. He pulled the blade free again, its resonance deepening, warping the air around it.
Now the two of them stood across from each other — bare‑chested, moonlit, unshielded, unmasked.
The Angel King glanced at Yajin. "The second? If we do that, our aura will clash like steel blades. This area isn't exactly large enough for that."
"Fine then," Yajin replied, licking his lips. "It seems we'll split up even more. After all, I want to have a fun time ending the First Divinity's life."
"Alright," Phsae said, eyes narrowing. "Then I'll have my fun ending the life of the Demon King's son."
Morvath's hands tightened on his blades. "How do you know that? He kept it secret for the rest of his life — and mine."
"Oh-hoh," Phsae chuckled. "I know because he is one of my close enemies. Not enemies to the point we'd kill each other, but enemies who simply… don't get along. But there was once a time he and I were friends. I was there when you were born. One of the only three who ever saw you. I remember seeing you from time to time until you were eighteen. That's when he made you leave his castle — a few days after your mother died to a mere human."
Morvath trembled, staring at the ground, rage tightening every muscle in his body.
"Morvath," Eiden said, voice steady but firm. "I know I've always told you and the Sages to limit your combat, but this time… I permit you to do what you like. But I suggest you use the second invocation — and I'll do the same."
Morvath swallowed hard, trying to calm himself. "Yes… I understand." He looked at Eiden, eyes filled with worry. "Just… don't die."
"Same goes for you," Eiden replied.
"Oh, both of you are going to die, so just shut it," Yajin said with a scoff.
"Now then," he continued, raising his palm, "let's split up."
His eyes locked onto Eiden.
"And you will come with me."
Yajin's body erupted into a pillar of green light that shot into the sky. Eiden sheathed his longsword and gripped onto the streak of light, and the two of them burst upward like a star tearing across the heavens — racing far from Morvath and the Angel King.