The thunder of war raged above. Blinding lights from angelic attacks lit up the sky like divine fireworks, and explosions echoed in the distance.
At first, the citizens of Nyvaris were terrified.
Mothers shielded their children, shopkeepers shuttered their windows, and old warriors stood on balconies gripping rusted blades out of instinct. The endless rain of light from the angels looked like doomsday incarnate.
But as the minutes stretched into hours, something shifted.
Despite the intensity of the angelic barrage, not a single blast pierced the golden-hued dome of Nyvaris. The magical barrier that encased the city pulsed gently every time it absorbed an attack — not weakening, but growing stronger with each hit. It shimmered like a divine aegis, a symbol of unyielding protection.
Whispers began to stir among the people.
"They… they can't get in."
"The angels aren't even scratching the barrier!"
A young child pointed up and shouted, "Look! The Demon Lords are fighting for us!"
An elder mage, eyes wide with disbelief, dropped to his knees. "This… this must be the work of Lord Varvatos. His magic… it surpasses the divine…"
The murmurs grew into cheers. Then into chants.
"All hail Lord Varvatos!"
"Our king stands above the heavens!"
"He will not let us fall!"
Crowds gathered in the city squares, staring upward in awe at the celestial battle. The fear had turned to fervor. Faith. Loyalty. The people of Nyvaris stood united beneath the shimmering dome, their voices rising in one name.
Beyond the dense trees of the Jura Forest, the earth trembled.
The Eastern Empire's colossal war machine was in motion. The main body — over five million strong — advanced in perfect formation. Their golden banners bearing Rudra's insignia swayed like a tidal wave of conquest. Giant beasts, golems, siege engines, and flying warships the size of fortresses floated overhead.
The mechanical roar of engines combined with magical thrumming, producing an eerie harmony — as if war itself were singing.
Inside the lead flagship, Rudra stood with arms crossed behind his back, his eyes locked onto the golden glow of Nyvaris in the distance. Kondou and Damrada stood behind him, flanking him like twin shadows.
A soldier rushed forward, saluting. "Emperor Rudra! We are now within range. Shall we begin the bombardment?"
Rudra's eyes narrowed, his voice sharp and unwavering. "Begin the assault. Full magical barrage. I want to test this 'unbreakable' fortress."
From their position above Nyvaris, the Demon Lords watched as dozens of flying warships repositioned in the skies like migrating titans. Beneath them, the rest of the empire's army surged forward like an unstoppable flood.
Magic energy began to concentrate in the warships' weapons. A soft hum grew into a deafening vibration as spell cores were charged.
Leon's eyes glinted. "They're not testing our patience. This is a declaration."
Carrion snarled. "And here I thought angels were enough trouble."
Milim cracked her knuckles. "Heh! More toys to break!"
Then Guy's eyes narrowed. He recognized one of the distant figures standing atop the lead ship.
"It's Rudra."
Everyone paused.
Velgrynd's name came instantly to his mind. She was the only one among them who had a chance of reaching Rudra — not with strength, but with reason. Their history was tangled and complicated… but their connection undeniable.
Guy turned to her. His voice was calm but authoritative.
"Velgrynd. Go."
Velgrynd, who had been soaring through angelic legions in a trail of fire, paused mid-flight. She locked eyes with Guy, reading the unspoken urgency.
"Try to talk sense into him," Guy continued. "If we can avoid more bloodshed… we should."
Velgrynd nodded, without words.
She turned midair and flew like a scarlet arrow toward the oncoming fleet. The air around her shimmered from the heat of her magic.
Velgrynd's arrival was like the arrival of a storm. Her magic made the air waver, and all cannons and soldiers paused as she hovered before the flagship's observation deck.
She didn't attack. Instead, she floated calmly, her long crimson hair blazing like fire in the sun.
Rudra stepped forward, his voice rising above the wind.
"Velgrynd. I was wondering when you'd show yourself."
Velgrynd's voice was steady but impassioned.
"Call this off, Rudra. You won't win this."
Rudra chuckled. "I disagree. The angels are just the opening act."
Velgrynd's eyes hardened. "So you're really going to sacrifice your army on the altar of pride?"
Rudra's gaze darkened. "This is more than pride. This is destiny. This world is in stasis — locked in a cycle of Demon Lords playing god. I will break it."
She stepped closer. "And what if you're wrong?"
"Then I will fall. But I will fall trying to build a new future. And if you get in my way…" He raised a hand — and Noir suddenly appeared at his side, sipping tea and smiling.
"…you'll be treated like any other enemy."
Velgrynd's aura surged with fury. "So be it." Her voice, sharp as a blade. "But remember this, Rudra… if you fall, I won't mourn you. I will burn everything you built to the ground."
She vanished in a burst of fire, returning to the battlefield.
Rudra lowered his hand.
"Continue the assault."
The skies over Nyvaris lit up again — this time not from angels, but from the Eastern Empire's magic artillery.
Hundreds of blasts of all elements rained from above, colliding with the dome over Nyvaris. But just like before…
The barrier held.
Waves of divine energy rebounded back, creating shockwaves through the sky.
The Demon Lords turned toward the incoming army. Now it was no longer about just fighting angels.
Now, a war had truly begun.
As Velgrynd returned from the parley, her expression was unreadable. Rage swirled beneath her calm façade, and the very air around her shimmered with heat. She descended beside the other Demon Lords, her wings spread wide, flames dancing around her body.
Guy Crimson's eyes met hers.
"He refused?"
Velgrynd simply nodded.
"He believes he's destined to win."
Leon clicked his tongue.
"Then we must show him that destiny is forged — not dictated."
Milim grinned.
"Finally! Let's bring the pain!"
The moment Rudra's army launched their second wave of attacks, the Demon Lords surged into action.
Guy raised his hand, conjuring a crimson rift in the sky — and from it, chains made of condensed demonic energy burst forth, lashing through the air and wrapping around several of the flying ships, crushing them like tin cans. Explosions rippled across the skies.
Leon vanished in a flash of light, reappearing on the deck of a warship. With a simple swing of his blade — radiating divine fire — the entire ship was cleaved in two, its magical engine detonating in a burst of golden fire.
Milim, laughing maniacally, shot through the sky like a meteor. She struck one of the siege beasts with a flying knee, sending it hurtling back into the empire's ranks, causing chaos below.
Velgrynd, silent and graceful in her fury, raised her hand — and the sky itself turned red. A storm of flame dragons swirled behind her as she whispered:
"Flame Sovereign's Judgment."
Thousands of fiery serpents surged forward, engulfing the aerial fleet, reducing ships to molten debris.
Carrion and Frey worked in tandem — Carrion conjuring barriers and launching beastly shockwaves, while Frey summoned violent storms and razor winds that shredded infantry and air units alike.
Dino, the lazy Demon Lord, now looked completely awake. He drifted like a ghost above a battalion of enemy soldiers, muttering:
"Sweet dreams."
A wave of sleep magic washed over them, and thousands of soldiers collapsed in an instant, snoring amidst the battlefield.
Clayman, commanded legions of puppets — corpses reanimated and bound by his will — who fought off angels and soldiers alike with precision and brutality.
Draguel, the giant unleashed temporal magic — freezing small pockets of time where he moved freely, disintegrating warships and elites before the bubbles of time snapped back.
And through it all… the sky was a canvas of magic and flame, lightning and void. It was not a battle — it was a divine war.
Within his grand palace chamber, Varvatos remained unmoved. He sat on his obsidian throne, a single leg crossed over the other, chin resting lightly on his knuckles.
Before him stood Benimaru, Veldora, Hakuro, and Rigur — all burning with the desire to fight.
"My lord," Benimaru pressed again, "the Demon Lords are giving it their all. Why do we remain idle?"
Still, Varvatos did not respond immediately.
His golden eyes, glowing faintly beneath his hood, were locked on the sky — not with concern, but with amusement. Then finally… he spoke.
"I am watching, Benimaru. Observing the measure of their courage. Their determination."
He looked at his generals.
"And more importantly… I am letting Rudra dig his own grave."
Veldora crossed his arms, pouting slightly.
"Tch. You're always so theatrical."
Varvatos smirked.
"Theatrics are the language of kings, Veldora. Let them sing their songs of fire and light. And when the final note is played…"
A gust of wind passed through the chamber — subtle, yet filled with immense power. It caused the floor to shiver slightly.
"…I shall show them silence."
The war was not going as smoothly as Rudra had hoped.
Reports came in:
"Ten ships destroyed."
"Magical core breaches in fleet quadrant seven!"
"Losses mounting… Demon Lords are pushing back hard."
Kondou clenched his fists.
"They're stronger than we projected."
Rudra remained firm.
"Good. It will make our victory all the more glorious."
Damrada looked at Rudra carefully.
"Are you sure, my Emperor, that we should keep pressing this?"
Rudra looked toward the storm of chaos in the sky, then down at Nyvaris, still untouched.
"This war is no longer about winning or losing. It is about who defines the future. I will burn Nyvaris and make Varvatos kneel before me— and from it, a new age will rise. Led by me."
Behind him, Noir, still lounging with that ever-present smirk, chuckled darkly.
"You're certainly making an offering worthy of a Primordial, Emperor. Shall I… entertain myself a little more?"
Rudra nodded.
"Go. Unleash your wrath upon their forces."
Noir bowed slightly. "With pleasure."
And then… the real nightmare began.