Flying into the hell that is Schon, Jackson kept his eyes forward the entire time as the lead Dragon, King Augustus peered into the thick red tint like a missile homing into their target. The Grand Prince of James alongside the Prince of Gareth with the Corsair Cardinal and the Elven Great Knight rode on the back of Bahamut, the Black Dragon slowly deviating its course as they began to enter into the heartlands of Schon where the land below was tainted with death and the smell of rot filled the air.

  The Imperial Prince of the Elven Empire alongside the Dwarven Warmaster was with Jackson too, with the Knight General turning around to see such a lovely sight on the back of Bahamut as the Black Knife’s kept their distance from the extremely powerful and dangerous people. “Ahahaha, you know, Bahamut. It’s not always we get to have this many passengers on a flight.”

  “Master, when we reach the Capital. We must shoot straight to find the Demon Princess at all cost.” he nods as he leans into her spine. “I do wonder if the sudden destruction of the Demon Towers will cause a meltdown. Since the Demon Princess alongside the King are linchpins, wouldn’t that just take out the middle guy?” The Dragon was silent for a second before replying. “I heard the Hero, Master. I believe this plan will succeed. It’s a good plan for the situation we find ourselves in. It will surely localize the power to those two, but that also means the King cannot kill the Princess as that’d mean he would no longer have a backup.”

  Looking down, the formerly barren land underneath them has shifted into something outworldly. With the terrain having masses of flesh and trees growing that’s made out of bones and skulls, it looked nothing liveable at all as red grass that’s as sharp as daggers began to spread throughout the Kingdom of Vitas and the Vile Fog taking over every inch of the land. “I can only imagine the smell…” the Dragon scoffed a bit before letting out a small furnace. “It’s bad, Master. It smells like salt and rust mixed together and I am forced to sniff it.” with a small laugh, he pats her spiky spine and looks out to the horizon.

  As far the eye could see, an entirely new fauna has spawned in Threa. One whose entire biological make up and purpose strays away from the natural laws of the planet and its devastating in its conquering, causing far more damage to the land than any of the Demon Armies and Outworlder Armies combined as creatures of mass flesh and bones rose from the soil where they’d begin to toil away at any living being in the vicinity.

  Air quality has also gone down in the extremes, with Jackson having to put on the basic looking steel helmet to prevent suffocation as the air became thicker and thicker but alongside it was the foreign substance. Even the Grand Prince would cough every now and then just from the pollutant that was slowly overrunning the natural oxygen.

  Soon, King Augustus with the Sword Saint’s party split away from Bahamut, taking half of the Ancient Elves in their winged horses and as they got into the border region to Vitas.

  Jackson’s eyes then opened wide, cutting through the thick red air was the shiny blue orb on top of one of the Demon Towers and to his dismay, it was readying itself to fire. “Wait… how?! We’re still far from their borders!” He hugs her spine as the Dragon’s flapping changes into a faster pace. “EVERYONE! HOLD INTO SOMETHING!”

  She suddenly spins into the right as the blue laser beam nearly grazes her talons. The Grand Prince then runs to the front, lifting his hand, the red tint is completely cleared and on the other side was an entire armada of Dark Wyverns and Dragons alongside whatever Air unit the defenses could scrounge up taking to the skies to stop the Dragon God’s advance.

  Without even a second thought, Jackson unholsters his revolver and sword alongside hundreds of Dragon Bolts. Bahamut on the other hand opened her mouth and to let off a crimson lightning from her mouth, it instantly broke through the Demon Tower’s Magic Barrier and made contact with the huge floating orb on top of it as she began to circle around it. The Hero Party on top of her is already busy with the combat as Dark Wyverns would land on her, trying to destroy her lift just for a Demon Lord to appear with a General.

  With the pretty firework of the Ancient Elves dodging magic fire from below and aiding the flanks of the Dragon God, they made short work of the absolutely massive Demon Army below them as they didn’t even need to aim with the sheer amount of units the Cosmic Gods sent to defend the Tower.

  Jackson was the first to take initiative but the Grand Prince’s skills with the sword was unmatchable, striking first and mortally wounding the high ranked Demon with less than a scratch as the ground shakes and the giant creature that the Knight General nuked on the first day of combat peers through the mountain valley behind him.

  The Elven Prince, seeing the chance, dashes into the top of a Dark Wyvern, throwing off the Demon Knight on top of it as he took to the duty of killing the gargantuan creature with its leathery black skin and mandibles that could eat apart an entire valley with one swoop.

  Warmaster Ormoc with the Cardinal and Wood Elf on the other hand kept to the middle section of Bahamut, using AoE spells and moves to constantly clear her back and wings of intruders whilst the Grand Prince was already challenging the Demon General to a fight, Jackson having to act as a Support, annoying the Demon with his revolver and Rapier that’d sucked the blood of anything that’d die thanks to Elizabeth’s efforts.

  Cracks began to appear on the crystal orb on top of the Demon Tower, Bahamut’s big golden eyes sparkling like gems dropped in a pond, the reflection of her iris’ was like a spotlight hitting the unworthy and just like that, the Orb shatters completely and the Tower itself began to violently rumble and shake, the Demons and Undead inside unable to escape as it falls down, the black walls around it contained the shrapnel and debris field but the secondary explosions from the munitions meant for the Mana Crystal Cannons detonated.

  As Bahamut turned to the other side of the country, a burning red laser came to her. “Master! Hold on!” as she attempted to dodge it, she reacted too late and its trajectory was straight towards her side.

  A small circular shield was then thrown into its way, causing the laser to completely refract and hit the Demon Tower from the West, hundreds of miles away, they could see its color fade away. “Nice! Holy shit! Who did that?!” looking around, when he looked to his back, the massive tarantula beetle creature that was nuked was completely dead and the Imperial Prince returned to them. “Hm. That was not in my initial calculations, but the outcome was far better than I expected. My Ancestors are already clearing up most of the units around the Tower too.”

  The Knight General just shrugged his head at just how stupidly powerful they are as streaks of blinding light are seen flying high above the sky and towards the heartland of Vitas. “Master! The fourth Demon Tower has just collapsed!” Everyone turned to the head of the Dragon. “I felt it sent a massive amount of Mana to the Capital! I believe this is an emergency reaction! Goldie, your plan worked even better! They’ve panicked and the Demon King is localizing his power!”

  Sigured though wasn’t cheering, instead, he took off his helmet as the Demon Legion and its many Units began a hasty retreat, the Angelic Elves taking the moment to relax. Completely disengaging and awaiting orders. “Hmmm… this is bad, when we arrive at the Capital. We might meet a far stronger Demon King as the Demon Towers had sent their strength and linchpins to him. We must get to the Capital now. Is Sir Vincere already taking the Sword Saint and her Party to it?”

  Bahamut just tilts her head as the Demon Army was in a complete rout below them. “Who?” Grand Prince Sigured just shakes his head at her obliviousness. “Dragon God Augustus. I find it astonishing you did not dare remember the full name of a legendary and historic Dragon God who had helped the Ancient Elves.” She just scoffed as she nodded. “They’ve begun to move to the Capital.” He then pointed towards the heart of Vitas. “Then, let us go forth!”

  She then hovers in place, letting go of a powerful beam that wiped out the horde of flying units. Paving the way for a clean ride to the once mighty city of Laeyla. With the Ancient Elves flying around her, they entered together into the clean circle created in the red fog.

  Jackson on the other hand was just standing, though he could feel his heart was beating fast, his adrenaline wasn’t rushing like crazy, instead, it felt like a calm rush of water that he could manage. His eyes weren’t darting in every direction now, instead, his eyes were focused all the way, not bothered by anything else as Elizabeth walked towards the head. “Sir James, may I discuss a theory of mine to you?” The two Princes looked at the Vampire as she performed a curtsy and bowed her head.

  “I have been thinking long about the idea of a new species, a Demonkin offshoot capable of Human emotions.” Her emerald eyes shone brightly as the red tint around then began to recede faster than Bahamut was going. “Yes? What of it, Vampire?” The blonde man stood with his hands to his side, his guard completely down. “Wouldn’t that mean the Demon King no longer has an ancestor that could carry on the duty of a secondary Lynchpin? She might still be strong, but not Lynchpin strong.”

  “Indeed, that is part of the Gods plan. But I do not know what full effects are in play.” she shrugs her head, the Vampire Queen walking closer to the two Princes. “No, I meant how would you cope with the idea that the Demon King would be one to hold all of the power? None of us could hope to defeat such a creature even with your blessings.” Sigured just gave her a smirk and a smile. “That is why you are needed, alongside Bahamut. I believe you’ve yet to fully fill your roles, as the Gods would’ve long left you alone. You believe in Sir Jackson, and I shall put my trust in your judgment, Empress Dowager of a once massive Vampire Nation.” This made the Queen stop in her tracks as the Countess turned to Jackson who was standing near the edge of Bahamut’s snout.

  “Of course… I hope the Princess is still a lynchpin. I do not want to even think of a Demon King of that caliber with this much worshippers.” He then turns around to the Heroes as they break through the cloud and points down below them and they could see millions of people all bowing and kneeled, below them, a line of a magic circle with hundreds of thousands of symbols upon a few hundred rings. “By Deus Vrax’s blade…” they were all lined up perfectly, the formation of citizens of Vitas could go on for miles upon miles, even in the horizon, the magic circle still continued on.

  Jackson’s eyes squinted as the view of Laeyla came in. The city was guarded by multiple Field Armies, all full of Legions of Uberdemonus as its walls were patrolled by a mixture of Demon Knights and Lords. “That’s one hell of a fortress they got there.” The inner walls for the Caste itself were guarded by Demon Nobles. “Good thing they sent their best already, Sir James, would you please tell me what we’re going to do if the King is indestructible as Elizabeth theorized?”

  The blonde man looked to the Imperial Prince who then looked at the Dwarf. “What? Ya sissy laddies. Just go and fight! Git and grith! Nothin’ a simple hairy situation can’t fix. Somethin’ that strong’ suddenly can’t be stable, aye.” the Knight General just had an unimpressed expression on his eyes, shared by the Elven Prince. “Sir Ormoc, do you mean we literally just let the pressure make our brains find a way?” the Warmaster nods, making him sigh. “Now, now, My Lord. I do believe Sir Ormoc here has a point. The Demon King being indestructible won’t be an issue, we have a good chance of finding a weakness through his own daughter. Being given so much strength would make one vulnerable and weak as your body would need to keep up with it.”

  Appearing from the East, King Augustus comes into view, making Bahamut speed up to match there speed as the Capital of Laeyla lit up with all sorts of magics being used and prepped, the ancient primordial barrier of Bahamut just took it all like a champ, not one even damaging the shield as the two Dragon Gods dived head first into the Castle’s courtyard where they shift their bodies to the sides, making there passengers deploy into the balcony garden.

  Stylishly landing, Jackson on the other hand immediately ran to cover as he peeks over the concrete railing and could see movement already. “Sigured! What’s the plan?” explosions then began to rock the Capital as the Ancient Elves were wreaking havoc, preventing any reinforcements from entering the city and the castle walls.

  “Sir Jackson, use the Black Knife’s and have them find the Princess. I with the Sword Saint shall now begin the operation of paving the way to the Throne room and distract the Demon King!” The two Dragon Gods began to patrol around the city, with Bahamut screaming a spell in the open air. “Alispter’gya Deno!” One by one, every Demon that’d be under her and hit by her shadow would self combust, killing hundreds of thousands alongside those the Ancient Elves were laying waste to.

  Even the Legions of Uberdemonus weren’t safe, there very armor melting into the soil as they turned into ghastly monuments, buried forever in the steel of their skin as Augustus summoned a few hundred balls of flames which then started to fire off hundreds of direct pinpoint lasers, instantly killing any that’d try to hide behind cover.

  They, alongside the Angelic Elves, were careful with their action, making sure none of the civilians were hurt as they continued to pray to the Cosmic Unknown, the Untold, and the Unspeakable. Jackson on the other hand was going door to door in the hallways of the Castle. Mostly finding empty rooms with no people at all.

  Though the Orcish and Ogre grunts were scaling the walls and windows, they were no match to the Heroes, with Jackson himself not having any problem in dealing with them as most of the Elite Units were getting mopped up by the Ancient Elves even before they could scale up the castle wall. “We better get this done before the Emperor arrives here with even more reinforcements as this is going to get ten times more messy!”

  Looking at the window, the castle itself is massive in size even though it's fitted to be on top of a hill, with barracks, a stable, and multiple assembly areas for soldiers alongside gardens where the profane statues lay in gleaming show. Inside, the carpet had the art of snakes and lions with bodies of griffins, the border design being odd loops and circles that made the Knight General shiver a bit.

  Though the ceiling and the walls weren’t any better, being painted in an absurd green and red, the glamor was there with the gold and brass, yet it didn’t give him any hint of calmness nor beauty, it was ruined by the marble tiles having carved into it the faces of the screaming souls of the portal.

  One by one, they spread out more as the scope of the search became far too large. With the rooms meant for the Royals all empty, the Heroes met with just beds with no occupant. This soon made them regroup in the center as the attacks became more and more violent, with the occasional Demon Knight coming in with a group of Ogres.

  “Sir Jackson?”

  “Sorry, James. There’s nothing on my side. I guess the Demon King is also not here?”

  “Lady Death?”

  “Nope. Not even Desson found anyone and he usually has a knack for this. Sorry, General.”

  The Imperial Prince also shrugged. “Miss Death, are you sure this is the floor of the Royals? Do they not have an escape room of sorts like we have in the Palace or a place to go when in war?” the Sword Saint player lifts her hand up to her chin, thinking as Anthony, the other player with her flicks her finger. “Wait, Sir Dydares might be onto something. El, didn’t you mention they have stuff in the basement when you were planning your escape?”

  She nods but then looks below them. “There’s also the Throne Room… on the floor beneath us…” Alana quickly nods as her eyes and smell pick up an immensely massive aura slowly emanating from the floors. “I am sensing something superbly powerful on it, right now. I believe you will need to all be there to fight it… As I am slowly feeling it, I believe the Demon King is still coping with the sudden surge of power.”

  She then claps her hands together. “This shouldn’t be a problem. M’Lord shall continue to find the Princess. As the Assassins are not here yet, you should go on now and distract the Demon King. He is there, I can assure you.” the Elf Imperial Prince looked at the blonde man who nodded. “Of course. It should be our turn to fight and give you time. General, do as you need to do.”

  Cracking his neck like a boxer about to hop into the ring, Jackson nods at Sigured. “Hell yeah, you guys and gals do your thing, Imma fork over and find the damsel.” Elizabeth just facepalms as everyone got to work. “My Lord, we must hurry up immediately as when that Demon King gets his body to stabilize, I believe not even you may survive.”

  With the Sword Saint leading the way, Jackson out of nowhere walked faster and got ahead of everyone and made his pace the same as the blonde lady, her sky blue eyes didn’t even turn to look at him as they made a right turn into the corridor, leading to the stairs at the corner of the floor. “You know, I’ve always wondered this but… do you even like being the Sword Saint?”

  Corsair Cardinal Belwokt from James’ party immediately spoke up. “Of course! Do you not know what kind of privilege it is?!” Elizadeath then turns her head to Jackson with a wide smile. “Absolutely not!” This made the General raise an eyebrow as they turned left down the stairs. “Back in Dark World, I did… I was fawned over by everyone and anyone, from the chat rooms to IRL meetups and events… but here, I have to kill bad people, which is great for someone like you, but for me, I do not like killing. I couldn’t sleep for months!”

  This made the Knight General nod slowly. “Then, have you ever thought of apologizing?” as they were going down the stairs, a massive lobby was to their right with what is seemingly hundreds of Armor stands in formation. “Hmph. I know what type of guy you are, Jackson. You don’t forgive.”

  He immediately scoffed at her reply and put his hands on his belt. “I don’t forgive, but I am willing to forget and move on. Yes, whenever I look at you, all I can feel is a lingering need to strangle you to death, but I am also willing to put that aside till I die.”

  “You know, Jackson… I am blessed with a lot of powers and one of them is knowing if a person is genuine or not and what sins they are carrying, you were carrying a lot… but not alot of them were sins.” Massive blood painted pillars stood in the sides of the carpet with devilish sigils on it that lead towards the two massive doors to the Demon King’s Throne room. “I am… actually jealous of you, Jackson.”

  Halfway through the tall grand stairs, the group notices the Armors were varying in their sizes and types, some lighter than others while their weapons were also differing from one another. “Unlike me, you actually went through a fun and silly adventure throughout this land. You met, helped, saved people, and even got yourself a little harem of pretty ladies. Hmph, you got the baddies on deck just for you.”

  This made the Knight General cough. “AHEM, AHEM.” This made the Sword Saint let out a small laugh. “Well, I’d rather be out there than dealing with the politics of player guilds and the natives. Seems more like a headache than just following the orders of the Gods.”

  Going down the grand staircase to the door to the Throne room where his jaws dropped. On it was an entire formation of Demon Nobles, all in their varying types of armor, watching the gleaming Heroes walk down the flight of stairs. “General, continue onto the right and go further down. Maybe three floors. This might get bad quickly.”

  He had the eyes of a man who was listening to a General, Jackson nodded without hesitation and the moment they reached the floor, he ran out of the area and below as the entire castle began to rock with the fighting already starting.

  Demon Knights who were coming up the stairs to reinforce their Lords are surprised at the appearance of Jackson in shiny basic Knight armor and the two Vampires with him. They stopped for a moment but quickly rushed towards him, a swing of his Rapier cuts through multiple of them in quick succession as the two Vampires continued down the stairs to their rear where they began to tear them down with their bare hands.

  As they could hear the fighting audibly even from below, a Black Knife sneaks through the staircase window and gestures for them. “Your Highness!” Looking at the assassin with a massive halberd on her back, the Queen approached her with a gallant look, swaying her hand to throw off the blood from the stairs. “Yes, Ada?” The assassin then properly stood on the carpet and bowed her head. “We’ve located the Princess and have freed her. Miss Clemetine, Briar, Charlotte, and Eleanor await you and the King in the basement lab.”

  “Basement lab? Could this be the same one the Special Forces Operators raided last year?” Elizabeth turns to him and squints her eyes. “Oh yeah, you weren’t there but when we were in the phase of learning the world, a player was suspected to be helping the Demons and they went in to gather some other stuff, right, Alana?” the Countess nods. “Yes, M’Lord. You are surprisingly… correct. Your memory is usually not this sharp…”

  “Either Way, why is the Princess of the Demon King in those labs?” Ada then walks them through the castle, heading down to the deepest part on the end of the stairs which is on the ground floor. A secret block can be pushed in which unlocks a wall, revealing another set of stairs.

  As they went down into the inner parts of the Castle, there weren't any more combatants. The only remains of the defenders were the mess the assassins left behind and the green fire on the lamps gave out an eerie vibe throughout the sanctum, with the dimly lit halls and creaky wooden doors with slits for you to view in.

  “I was doing a preliminary search of the Castle for any maps and Lady Vol said this entire place is full of trap doors and secret pathways.” They then began a series of left and right turns, the language on the signs weren’t being translated into English, coming out as gibberish to Jackson’s eyes. “When Klara felt movements deeper than the first floor, we began a thorough search, Your Majesty and came out with this Basement. I believe this is also where the first Demi Humans came from. The Half Wolves, Cats, Bears, Lions, and Horses.”

  Alana held herself throughout the way, the cold atmosphere was far more endearing than normal, with a light fog creeping from some sections, the Knife takes them through the labyrinth till they reach a more well built area, with concrete tiles and proper lighting. The moment they turned to the right, multiple Black Knife’s were standing with their backs leaning against the wall. They quickly stood straight up and bowed as Ada took them into the thick wooden door.

  Inside is one of the larger labs, it had proper sanitized walls and tables, modern apparatus and ones made by the players were scattered throughout alongside ones that the Natives made.

  In the corner where there’s a gurney, two Black Knife’s loomed over a pale faced young teenage girl with long red hair who was holding herself. Her naked body is mostly invisible as Clementine had given her cloak to her, revealing the chainmail underneath that abides by her feminine contours. “Your Majesty, this is the Demon Princess, her horns are over there.” pointing at the wall where there are even X-Rays of her skull. Jackson’s head was filled with curiosity. “They have horns? How come when they came to us at the Three Kingdoms incident with the rogue robots, they didn’t have any?”

  “They usually hide their horns, Sir Jackson. In the society of Vitas, Demon Horns are extremely sacred and held in high regard, but it can also be a sign of trouble. It's not unusual for Demon hybrids to try to vy for the seat of the Nobility and those horns are there source of power, conduits to the other world.” he then turns around to face the Demon Princess, her skin was changing, from its blue color, a more humanoid paler skin tone began to emerge from underneath as the vertical line tattoos that once led to her horns started to burn out.

  “Just what kind of society do you have that people would rather topple each other over the reason of being stronger than you…” kneeling with one leg, Elizabeth and Alana both kept their distance. “M’Lord, beware of her. This is the Demon Princess here, her strength can easily match ours and yours together.” he shrugs his head as he lifts his hand, the girl cowering before he slowly patted her hair. It began to change its color into a deeper red color. “A new species huh…”

  Using his new found powers, he looks straight into the soul of the Demon Princess, inside, he finds a soul that’s fully balanced, one of Humanity, and another of a Demon. “Hybrids…”

  Taking a peek at him, the man gave her a warm smile. “Hello. I am Paul Jackson, I am from Earth. I’d like to help you out of here and maybe find the weakness of your father.” Klara then shrugs her head. “My Lord, I’ve done my best to heal her. But her bones are still in need of time to fully reconstruct. The damage they’ve done to her is of a great deal.” with a sigh, he looks around the lab and sees the office table on the other hand. With a single point to it, Elizabeth was already on it.

  She rummages through the cabinets and drawers, only to fully pull them out and reveal them all empty. “Damn, that guy left huh. The UN should’ve finished him off too when they had the chance.” he returns his attention to the former Demon, now an entirely new type of Humanoid. “Can you speak?” Klara then kneels and inspects her neck. “She should be able to now.”

  “... Y… Yes…” though weak and feeble, it was audible enough for him and he took a seat next to her. Summoning his black leather coat and white shirt. Before long, she got her ability to walk again, though the occasional rumble of the battle on the upper floors made it hard for her to fully maintain her balance, with the help of Jackson, he brought her to the metal chair. “When we found her, her limbs were all nearly cut off and her cranium was torn open, her brain was fully exposed. It took a great deal of my Mana to heal her, Your Majesty’s.”

  He turns to Klara and shakes his head. Blinking many times before sighing. “Well, you did a magnificent job at patching her up. Thank you.” The Assassin performs a royal curtsy before taking a few steps back. “Can you tell me your name?”

  “L-Lumille…” as she says this with bated breath, the Knight General places his hand on her shoulder. “Take it slow. Take as much time as you need. Right now, what’s important is your recovery. Can you still control your legions?” she slowly nods. “Good. I believe you made a secret promise with the Sword Saint?” she once again nods. “Alright. When can you do it?” The girl then looked around for a moment before trying to stand up. “Uh huh, no. Not with your current state. Bahamut!”

  Brazenly walking in the lab, a woman in a Gothic Funeral Gown with a veil attached to her Dragon Crown waltzes in on them. “Yes Master?” he points at the girl, the Dragon walking in and kneeling in front of her. “I am not here to hurt you. You are no longer a Demon fully… hmmm… this is odd. A Demon and a Human in one, I do not know how to deal with this.” Jackson then lays his elbow on her head. “No you stupid dragon, help her! We need her to start the civil whatever war the Gods planned and the weakness of the Demon King!”

  As if a lightbulb opens inside her noggin, the Dragon changes Lumille’s form back to her Demon self. “There! It's temporary but it should do the job.” The Demon Princess fully stands up, stretching her arms and legs, her eyes change back to its violet color and the vertical slits on it have a fiery flame as Jackson steps aside for her.

  Opening one of the cabinets, the Demon Princess takes back her plate armor that’s attached to her royal gown. “The Demon Legions function like a big group, a beehive of sorts. Do not be surprised if some of your worst enemies suddenly become your ally.” As her blue skin returns alongside her huge vertical horns which disappear. She closes her eyes and outside, half the Demon Army scaling the castle walls stopped. The Ancient Elves baffled by the sudden indifference shown to them by half of the Demon Legions.

  Even the Demon Knights from the Cosmic Gods turned their heads on their fellow colleagues. Donning the same plate armor and colors, they then began to swing their blades on their own. The massive Demon Army outside the walls was the same music, with chaos ensuing with the Goblins and Orcs unable to know what side to support as their higher rank members began to murder each other in broad daylight.

  Seeing the mess, King Augustus began focusing on the Demon God Towers that had arisen from the ground, the thousands of eyes on there skin were shooting off lasers by the dozen and the Ancient Elves were having to finally meet some level of resistance as they squashed the massive Demon Army that was trying its best to recuperate, with units from other Regions rushing to save the besieged Capital.

  “There, I’ve done my end of the bargain. Please, will you uphold yours.” Jackson shrugs his head. “Not mine, the Sword Saint’s. Whatever she promised to you, that's for her to decide to pull through.” the Demon Princess sighs as she sits back down on the metal chair. Legs together and hands on top. “I just wish for this Kingdom to be safe after all this. The people do not deserve to be killed or given eternal servitude, the majority population are still normal Humans who are just under the influence of the Cosmic Entities. I will tell you the weakness of my father if you promise me that you will protect my people afterwards.”

  He then turns to Alana and Elizabeth, the two looking at each other before then her. “Hm. As the former Queen of the Vampires, I assure you of your safety after all of this is done.” She then performs a curtsy, stylishly showing off her frilly purple gown. “On behalf of the Bartley name, this is my promise that shall not be tarnished even if it costs me my name and wealth.”

  Lumille nods at her and then looks at Jackson, her eyes punching through his helmet. “The Profane Sabbath ends here, with me.” She then stands up. “Good Knight, do you know what the linchpins are?” he shrugs his head. “I don’t really know, I guess it's what holds your absurd power?” as the Princess takes her sword from the display board, she nods at him. “We are what holds that portal above the planet alive. Me and my Father are the Chosen Ones, meant to bear the Mark of the Cosmic God, the Profane Apostles. What you did with the Demon Towers, it was good but you were too late and he forced them to self mutilate and send their pins to him, strengthening him to no end.”

  Jackson just gave her a scoff as he put his hand on his pommel. “What needs to be done?” She then walks to the two doors, though she could feel her strength wasn’t as it was before, she looks forward into the dimly lit halls of the basement labs. “In substitute to me, my Father probably used the citizens of this Kingdom and many others, using them as batteries and becoming a second linchpin which he controls, unlike me and I can find out where his horns are.” turning her head to Jackson, she points to the West of the castle. “My Father has two extremely tall battlements there, meant to touch the Heavens as he said. On its very top are Stygian Crystals.”

  “Destroy the shards first to stop the flow of energy, the horns that he never shows will be the last conduits… and I believe I know where they are.”

  This made Elizabeth’s eyes squint as she walked forward to the Princess. “Excuse me, where did you get such gems? Are you aware that we own all Stygian shards throughout the land?” She bows her head to the Queen. “I apologize, Miss Vampire. But our Kingdom was once the battlespace for the Gods, many bloods were spilled here even by the Cosmic Divine. It's normal for crystalled blood of the Divine to be found below the soil.” The Queen just facepalmed and shrugged her head. “No wonder there are skulls and dried blood in the air. You have been powering that massive portal with the blood of millions and of the dead Gods. Their very life essences.”

  “Elizabeth, you sure know a lot about this.” she nods at Jackson, her emerald eyes turn gold. “Of course, it is what I use to temporarily turn the skies dark for a few weeks and lead a rebellion in all of the Kingdoms and Empires. It was also the source of my Undead Army which I used to make up for the lack of numbers I had.” shrugging her head, the Queen’s eyes blinking multiple times before she breathed out. “I already know what you’ve done as I’ve also done it before… I found this method.”

  Lumille shrugs her head. “No, ours is the improved version. Yours required far too much sacrifice and energy. It was wholly inefficient and unsustainable in the fullness of time, but we gathered you weren’t planning for a long lasting Vampiric Empire.” Elizabeth had a slight grin to her face as she nodded. “Sir Knight, destroy those towers. The mistake of my Father is that he is the First and Second Linchpin now. The Cosmic Gods made a second for a reason, a backup if the First were to get disrupted or die.” he slowly looks to Bahamut, his chin up and lips cobbled into a circle, she on the other hand had the biggest smile on her face.

  “I find it kinda odd the Cosmic Forces aren’t really doing much now, they're mostly using fodder and Elite units the same.” Lumille opens the doors and begins to walk through the halls of the labs. “The Cosmic Gods aren’t as infallible as you think. The Known Gods fought back and presumably gave them a good beating if things are looking this much good for your side. Your Gods are far more cunning and dastardly in their methods than the Cosmic Unknowns from time to time.”

  Hearing this made Jackson scoff as they returned to the upper ground floor where the sound of battle was everywhere, with a single look outside, his eyes couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Demon soldiers, undead, and abominations fighting each other as Augustus who was flying around the outer territory of the city fought anyone and anything whilst trying to protect the praying civilians, the Angelic Elves were toppling one Demon God Tower after the other as Cosmic Portals opened, dropping off more eldritch units by the minute.

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  In the main hall, Lumille points at the door to its left. “We must enter that and head to the battlement.” but he didn’t immediately go, keeping his eye on her. “Also, where are the Demon King’s horns?” she sighs and looks up to the battle happening outside the main windows. “It’s under the floor of the Throne Room. Hidden under a very strong seal. As I feel right now, Father is as strong as a living God.”

  “Ohhhh! I wanna fight that strong Demon King!” Jackson turns to Bahamut and shrugs. “No. Absolutely fucking not. You will help me do this and we go help the Heroes. CAPICHE?” She crosses her arms and pouts. “No! I wanna fight that thing, Master. And you should do this yourself, you have the means to do so now, have some faith in yourself. You're stronger than some of the Heroes, you know?”

  “Bahamut, I don’t have time for this… With you, I can do this in a mere second. You will get a chance to fight him, believe me.” she once again shrugs her head. “Master, believe me when I say, you will have a superb moment if you do this.” Jackson was on the verge of removing his helmet and pulling his hair out before getting calmed by Elizabeth and Alana. “M’Lord, let us go.” The Queen nods with the Countess. “My Lord, the Dragon has her reasons. It’s best we go now. Princess, may you lead the way?”

  Busting through the doors of the Throne room, the Hero party is met with a formation of Demon Generals standing in parade at the sides, there backs behind the pillars as the zombie-like Demon King sat on his throne room, the smaller seat next to his is where his staff is placed. “Kneel before me! All ye who dareth enter the home of the Crimson King!” The red carpet led towards his mighty throne atop a stage of statues of the Cosmic Gods. Their bodies, all varying in their forms of tentacles and flesh, some even having a form of a mere portal with tendrils reaching out.

  James quickly raises his sword, tip pointed at the rotting body in extravagant robes. “Kneel? If anyone is going to kneel, it is you. Your legs will one day buckle under the weight of your own sins, Demon.” Elizadeath then stood next to him, with a smile on her face, she locked eyes with the red iris of the King. “This ends now! Tell your Gods they failed!”

  “Hah? Who are you two? Some whorish Sword Saint and an innocent Prince? I wasn’t talking to a vapid peon of the Gods like yourselves but you…” lifting his wrinkled fingers, the rotting King points towards the woman in a funeral gown standing in the center of the carpet, her presence caught everyone off guard, even the Demon Generals standing at ease by the pillars turned there head to look. “If it weren’t from your sudden physical manifestation, I would’ve thought you were just another strong Human.”

  “Can we get this over with? I do not like to waste my time on animals.” Bahamut’s tall vertical horns and dragon tail appear on her human form, and with a grand smile on her face, crushes the King’s ego which only makes its expression change into pure anger. The Heroes all looked in astonishment as she kept forward. “Don’t waste your energy, he won’t die with whatever magic and blessings you have. But… Master though, he might’ve found what needs to be done.”

  “That other Hero? Pfft, you may stall me for as long as you wish but when the Cosmic Gods are done with yours, they will come unto here and end this scourge." The King then stands up, his body moving like a young man. “I am not going to allow you to undo what took eons. The Purebred birth of the Princess was the signal, this shall end only with victory.” A single burst of energy made Bahamut’s eyes open wide as she found herself a few hundred feet off the floor as inside the castle, the entire upper floors were completely blasted away.

  Looking behind them, the Heroes all stood silently, the power of the Crimson King was impressively brutal, with them not even experiencing such control and manipulation of Mana. A thud then shakes the floor, a wave of energy sent by every step as coming out of the smoke cloud, Bahamut had her eyes locked at the Crimson King.

  Each step she took, the Spatial Area below it was cracking from the sheer weight of the power she’s unleashing as Void Liquid began to fill the throne room. Her vertical horns gleamed as the red tint fully disappeared, the Crimson King standing up and leaning down. “Tsk. Annoying.”

  Down below on the Western side of the Castle, Jackson’s party walks through the corridors, paying close attention to the fighting and in one of the corners, a zombie wielding two machine guns pops out, tearing apart the decor. As he ducks into cover, the Princess is with him whilst the Vampires go on ahead to intercept. “You know, for someone who has Human Empathy, you sure are calm with the idea of toppling one of your own family members.”

  Hearing a pile of bones shatter and fall, he looks out of cover just to see a bunch of Elite Demon Knights come crashing out of the windows, the Black Knife’s having to fight them in close quarters and Jackson lowering his head as a massive halberd is swung around by one of them. “Sir Knight, I may look Human but you must not forget my real form. We Demons do not have the concept of a family, we live from birth to maturity training to become warriors… and he isn’t my real father. I came from a virgin birth.”

  “WHAT?!” as he stands up, he draws his revolver and shoots at three Demon Knights in quick succession. Having more magic now, he freely uses enchanted bullets without care. “Yes, and my Mother is a Human girl who was born in these walls. I am supposed to serve a purpose from birth to ascension, to become the lynchpin of the Cosmic Gods and rule over a new planet.”

  Hearing this, he just smiles and shrugs his head, he turns the corner and notices one of the Knife’s gesturing for them. “... Well, I hope you meet normal people. You have a lot to learn about Human emotions. Get friends and colleagues too… and get a good Religion! Maybe adapt Bahamut’s! She’s not a Human and should have some good lessons about conquering your own natural urges!”

  A Bishop of Sin then appears with a handful more of Elite Knights and High Priests of Hell. Jackson putting his hand on his pommel as the Vampires and Assassins prepare for a long battle till a pillar of golden light hits the blockade. Turning to the left window, the Ancient Elf in his mighty winged horse looked down at the Hero and his party of Vampires. “Thank you sir!” screamed the Knight General, the Angelic Elf merely nodding before flying back to the hefty battle outside where hundreds of Cosmic Portals had opened to deploy more units from the Underworld.

  Demon God Towers, in their lively and fleshy state were also now becoming far too numerous, some of their heights even reaching the clouds as they constantly fired lasers onto the Ancient Elves and Augustus who was stopping the reinforcing Legions from sieging the city proper as the former Demon Princess’ own troops was blocking the gates and preventing any of the enemy units that slipped through from getting in.

  Fast Walking through the ruined corridors, the view outside was terrible, a full blown civil war had started under the veil of The Great Rift above, the circular rainbow frame around it seemed to be dancing as it watched Demons and the tainted and ruinous armies under it fighting each other in the gardens while the Demon God Towers started to spew a thick oily red liquid to meet with Bahamut’s Void water that’s began to spill out of the Throne room. “We do not have a concept of friendship, only mutual objectives, Sir Hero Knight. What do you recommend?”

  The Vampires left behind in their wake a trail of corpses as Goblins from the basements were all that's left to stand in there way, though they didn’t go all out, leaving entire hallways and sections unprotected, letting the more stronger Demons to fight each other, the Princess seemed so calm and collected, her red eyes not even darting anywhere whilst Jackson’s senses was absolute shot has he could feel even the slightest movement from afar. “Live on a rural farm for a few years and come back and rule this place. Read Bahamut’s story, her life lessons and such. Adapt her updated scriptures.” She nods, Jackson shocked at the Demon Princess taking his advice to heart but having no time to stop as he could see the light show happening from behind him just from the amount of lasers and explosions overtaking the skies, he continued on as they reached an exit.

  “Bahamut was never Human to begin with, like you. But she learned a lot in the many years we’ve been together. I am sure the lessons she’s learned from our time together can help your new species in the new world.”

  Looking out, the sound of the massive portal above the planet seems to have shifted to that of drums, Jackson’s eyes squinting behind this helmet as he looked at the many battlements scattered throughout the inner castle wall, there numbers spanning all the way to the outer layer and most of them were still hand whilst some were already destroyed.

  “Dragons are also known to be the most Wisest of the Sages of Tur. Their also first ones Kings and Emperors would talk to in guidance for anything, economic or spiritual. That’s why Kingdoms and Empires would fight for the loyalty of one, as it's a guaranteed easy win with one of them with you.”

  He then stops and looks around the ruined garden, the statues and hedges were all burned to crisp, turning it into a flat ground. “So which of these Battlements has it?” she then points to the one near the Southern defense. Its defensive positions on top are already destroyed and remains of burnt armor lay silently on its front door.

  Alana and Elizabeth with the Black Knife’s were already on top of things, clearing whatever remnants were trying to make a break to stop them. “So Sir Knight, as a Human, what’s your biggest rule in life?” This made him stop on the marble stairs leading to the dirt path of the garden, the Tower holding the Stygian Crystals just up ahead. “Never kill without due reason. That’s my biggest rule, it's what separates us from animals.” the Princess though leans forward and looks at him. “Yet, Humans love killing each other, right?”

  He looks at her with such an intense gaze not even the Demonic red eyes of the Princess was able to hide her soul from his intent. “But it's that thing you feel afterwards. That is what makes you normal. Some react differently but there’s always one thing in common with most people, you feel shit. You feel like you did something extremely wrong, as if this act went against all of your being.” he continued to walk down, the Lumille following closely behind him as the Black Knife’s cleaned up battered Demon Knights coming out the castle halls, crashing into the stained windows and into the garden.

  “Why do you think when Humans start killing each other, new ideologies and Governments rise up afterward?” she shrugs her head as they walk around a giant pond that had a statue of a disfigured creature, its form, that of a boney flesh that is the amalgamation sheeps, lambs, and deer and on top of its body, a three headed King with bushy beards eating a person with a fork. “Because Humans have the tendency to improve upon things.”

  “This thing failed, let’s try something new. Be it more extreme or just start from scratch and collapse the entire nation and try again. I am telling you this now, make it a rule to never kill without due reason. If you want our respect and admiration, do it by diplomacy. The Dragons saw our potential when we didn’t just go ahead and kill them and tried to talk first. They taught us modern language, math, and science. Treated us as equals even.” entering a ruined garden gate, Alana and Elizabeth both looked at him as he seemed to be a stern teacher with the Princess. “That is how you will gain our respect. None of his hokey pokey demonic crap that makes my eyes wanna puke out. Learn beauty, form, and the importance of life. Maybe then, we will start looking away from the past because believe me when I say this.”

  She then stops as they reach the base of the Tower door, the plate armors of its guards were still sizzling from the Ancient Elves divine magic as Elizabeth touches its front door and a red shield hovered around it, the Black Knife’s weapons unable to deal it any damage as Jackson walks to the wall and stops a meter from the magical barrier that blocks his way. “We Humans are the most forgiving species of all of the people here. You can thank your short lives for that.” With his Rapier on hand and using the divine gift now imbued upon it, he swings it at the barrier, completely shattering it upon contact. “Huh… my Father spent decades perfecting that.”

  “Everyone, back off a bit. This might get messy.” As bodies of Demon Knights fell from the wall, killed by their own colleagues and some by being ganged up by tens of Orcs who just wanted to escape, Jackson swung his blade once again, this time using the sword's ability to manipulate blood to make it five times longer and sharper. To the surprise of the Vampires, the blood red aura of the blade gets mixed in with the crimson of Bahamut’s lightning and the Gold of the Gods, creating a multicolored fire of Mana which completely slices the tower and a section of the wall.

  With another swing, he cuts the lower part of the tower in an 80 degree angle, causing it to quickly collapse and the sound of beaming energy is now audible within the rubble. Walking up the piles of bricks, he sees the Crystal, kept within a silvery case, he points his Rapier at it and a pinpoint energy destroys the case, sending a laser into the portal, causing a light rumble as its rainbow frame changes into a blue color.

  “Now what?” as a gust of wind clears the smoke, the Demon Princess removes her circlet crown which held on it a purple gem. “This… It's also a Stygian Crystal, one meant for the Marked Ones like me. I must get to the Great Rift above and throw this. It should fully close it as it reaches critical mass. We must hurry, my Father would have surely felt it and knows this can sap his power and his direct connection to the Cosmic Gods.”

  Inside the throne room, the Demon King was neck on neck with the fully powered Bahamut, both were trying to limit their power as even with them holding back, entire sections of the main Castle was still being blown completely apart, the Heroes just continuing on to battle a seemingly endless sea of Elite Demon Knights, James looking up to the roofless room where the Ancient Elves were still fighting tooth and nail against the horrific armies of the Demon World.

  The magnificent view of the giant Red Dragon flying around the outer territory of the city as it topples Demon God Towers and the barely visible blue sky as the Portal is visibly blinking and its rainbowish frame were losing its colors. The red tint has further weakened as he felt a ting hit his ears. “Sir Dydares! Your Father has come through!” The Imperial Prince swiftly stakes two Demons with one arrow and stylishly lands, making the Grand Prince scoff at the handsome touchdown. “Of course! My Father would never forgive anyone from invading the Capital.”

  Turning his head upward as the Demon Generals fought the Heroes, his eyes dawned on a few thousand Dragons, on their talons were holding ropes to haul massive crates while on their back, the most Elite soldiers of the Kingdoms coming to aid the Heroes. The Elven Prince just had a big wide smile to him as the Sword Saint took the opportunity to collapse multiple pathways, preventing the Elite Demon Knights from pouring in and stalling them further. “Now’s the time!”

  Augustus roars as he could see the beautiful form of Queen Catherine, her white feathers and four massive wings as she approached her beloved King. “My wife! My beloved wife! We meet again!” He immediately disengages the Demon God Towers and heads straight to his Queen, the two’s giant heads colliding with each other as he licks her snout but Catherine quickly then uses her chin on his head. “You insolent Dragon! Do you know how worried I was?! All these years and you were butting up with the Sword Saint?! Have you no shame?!”

  With the number of Dragon Gods in the field now being three, even the Demon Knights below started to retreat into the inner walls, leaving behind their defenses as a combined army of Humans, Elves, and Dwarves lands inside and outside of Laeyla’s walls. They were completely caught off guard with the High Elves winged troops swooping into the ground and aid their Ancient Ancestors in their fight against the ravaging forces of the Cosmic realm.

  One by one, everyone’s troops began landing in and with the powerful Kings and Cardinals present, using their magic to open wormholes for their battle hardened and angry armies to finally have a chance to take the fight to them, the Demon Army was finally now met on equal grounds, not even there numbers were enough as the Human Knight orders in there differing flags and logos joined together, creating a massive Grunt Army led by the Chivalrous Orders of Man as the Dwarfs brought forth there contraptions, the massive walking hulking Humanoid Mining automatrons now outfitted in plate armor and wielding upsized versions of their Warhammers, crushing Uberdemonus’ left and right.

  On Top of the flagship of the Dydares Family, the Maximus Pontifex of the Holy See spreads his arms wide, his mighty Staff that’s shaped like a Sword sparkled like dew hit upon the Sun's blinding rays. “I PRAY TO THE GOOD GOD DEUS VRAX! CRUSH THESE PORTALS! END THE TYRANNY OF THE FOREIGN GODS! MAY PEACE REIGN THIS LANDS FOREVER!” a gigantic golden magic circle appears atop the Capitol and its outskirts, sparkling godly lightning began striking the Cosmic Portals, closing them by the dozens as the Human Knight Orders charges forward in there horses, there mighty steeds crushing down the shield walls of the already tired and confused Goblin, Orc, and Ogre Divisions.

  Confusion on top of confusion, the Demon Army which was already plagued with a civil war now had to contend with the arrival of the Free Species and there mighty armies as the colorful banners of Man, Elf, Dragon, and Dwarf rolled over there vanguard units, like a tide of magnificence coming down on the decrepit lands, the Field Armies of the Demons began to fold, unable to grasp the evolving situation as their King is nowhere to be found.

  Massaging his chin as he stood next to King James, the Emperor of the Elves could only laugh at the situation below. His Elven Legions having unending morale as their Ancient Angelic Ancestors were flying above them like streaks of lightning, not one Demonic Air Unit was able to relax as he lifted his hand. “Ships! Target the Demon God Towers! Their vile water shall not intrude upon this final and majestic battle!” The Mana Cannons on the flying Heavy Cruisers of the Air Corps of the Empire then took aim. “After this, I shall go down there myself and lead the Order of Holy James.” Looking at King James, the Emperor just shrugged his head. “Then, I shall join you in this endeavor. Caul! Bring me my bow!” as he then lowered his hand and the cannons of the floating ships opened fire.

  On the collapsed tower, Jackson was ready with Alana and Elizabeth holding his shoulders. “I kinda regret not learning flight magic now.” The Black Knife’s also had their bat wings out, the Demon Princess having flaming red spectral wings that were oozing with angry fire. The amount of flying enemies was astonishing till a few hundred breaths of fire cleared the air completely. His eyes then became teary as the sight of numerous friendly Dragons with Human and Elven soldiers on their backs firing arrows and crossbows onto the Demon Army circled around them. Deploying troops deep within the Castle walls.

  One of them lands on top of the tower rubble, seeing the crushed crystal, the white feathered four winged Dragon’s head looming in to inspect him. “Are you the one called Jackson?” he nods. “Hop into my back. The Queen wishes to talk to you.” The Knight General walks up to him with the Demon Princess tailing him. As he looked to the Castle, its upper floors were completely gone and he could see the intense battle between the Heroes, Bahamut herself, and the weakened Demon King. Preventing any of his hopes of getting to them.

  It’d occasionally try to use ancient magic to summon spawns, but Bahamut quickly used her Lantern to summon a shadowy creature from the Void which promptly eats it or drags it into the Void Portal. “No, take me there instead with her.” pointing up to the massive portal, the Dragon nods as it lowered its body. “Alana, Elizabeth, everyone. Get back to the Throne room and help the Hero Party. I’ll be back soon.” nodding, Alana quickly raises his helmet’s visor and gives him a quick kiss on the lips while Elizabeth contends with one on the cheek. “Be back soon, My Lord.”

  Above, the Great Rift began to puke out hundreds of thousands of Reaper Wraiths. The divine breath of Queen Catherine cleared a majority of them as the Pope casted another magic circle of divine protection for tens of miles and piercing through it, the feathered four winged Dragon went completely vertical, heading straight to the exosphere and intercept the massive portal floating above the planet.

  “Hero Knight! Sir Dragon! Beware, the force of so much concentrated Mana might be dangerous to us!” Jackson just shrugs his head. “And? Let’s do this and get this whole thing done!”

  Inside the Throne Room, Sigured with Bahamut kept slicing the Demon King, but there swords were merely taunting it as the wrinkled rotting corpse in a fine robes kept rejuvenating into a complete form, hitting back at them with only its hands as the Imperial Prince and Sword Saint with Sir Anthony and Gareth switched back and tried their own style, using a mixture of divine magic and player ancient spells, the Demon King looked impressed at the magic sigil in front of him as the Sword Saint’s blade is driven through it and into his body which he merely shrugged off.

  Coming from below, the Dwarf Warmaster Ormoc with Sir Benthal and the Corsair Cardinal Belwokt from the Holy See combined their skills as Bahamut continued to tank the Demon King’s most dangerous attacks, keeping the rest of them safe from the strongest skills and magics of the King.

  Ormoc’s Warhammer imbues Sir Benthal’s heroic sword with the sharpening magic of his people with the pure and beautiful divine magic of the Corsair. The commoner from an Eastern Village proceeds to get thrown by Prince Theodrin of Gareth into the Demon King who dodges the blade just for the Grand Prince to swiftly turn Benthal around to try to land a hit which ends with the King pulling out wavy sword out, parrying both of them midair.

  The Demon King took the millisecond of freedom to look around his capital, the city was being completely sacked by the Dragons, Elves, Dwarves, and Humans. Overrunning the walls and leaping into the main districts as the normal color of the sky was slowly returning. The tower that held the Stygian Crystals was destroyed and his power waning slowly.

  Shrugging and squinting his eye on the Grand Prince who was coming back in once again for another strike, he dodges this and the wavy blade of the Demon King pierces the shining white and blue plate armor made of meteorite steel and purest form of adamantium composites. Bahamut quickly catches the Prince, preventing a hard landing back into the Throne Room.

  The Sword Saint then steps forward, pointing the tip of her sword at the floating Demon King, its entire silhouette blackened by the massive portal above the planet as an ancient magic circle appears in front of her sword. “Nar’dl lee!” a gigantic laser beam is emitted out. Its light so bright the entire Capital was lit up by its pure colors for a brief moment, the Emperor who was riding atop a Dragon looked in awe of it as King James donning his suit of armor once more coughs and straddles as he is helped up by the Elf.

  “I might be too old for all these wars and fighting for the planet.”

  “It will soon end. Take us down to the street!”

  Appearing from the otherside of the laser beam, the Demon King had a big frown on its face as with a blink of an eye, the air shook violently and the sound of crumbling halls came tearing down from space. The gargantuan portal above the planet revolted and began to shake violently as Bahamut opened her hand, a Lance appearing on her as she dashed forward before throwing it into the sky.

  The Demon King quickly tried to block it, but the Ancient Dragon Weapon, much like her swords, went straight through the Demon as it flew into space like a streak of lightning and exploded. The Portal is beginning to contract and become smaller. The joyful celebrations of the Knights and Grunts could be heard from all around them, the Dragon roaring in victory and the Elves singing songs of Forrus as the Humans and Dwarfs screamed in hopeful tones.

  A sigh appears on the Demon King. “Seems that this won’t be the last.” The Grand Prince, even though his body is wounded, still stands up as Bahamut appears behind the King and kicks him down to the throne room. “I can’t believe even without the beacons, you're still this absurdly strong.” rising up like a ghost, the King of Vitas just had a smirk on his face as Sigured took a step forward, the Imperial Prince and Sword Saint also raising their blades at the Demon King all side by side. “This will be the last, believe me this, Demon King.”

  The Demon King then spreads his arms, rising once again and this time, Bahamut’s attack starts to phase through him and the ground below them starts to become hot. Wrath with fires of Hell itself rising from the soils in a vain final attempt to save things for the Demons, a single revolver bullet hits the back of the Crimson King and the sound of something shattering rings out, as he turns around to look. Ignoring his bleeding chest.

  He sees Jackson and his adopted Daughter riding on the back of a feathered white dragon, the Knight in basic plate armor had his revolver drawn and pointing down right at his head, in front of the barrel of the gun was a Demon Sigil which the bullet passed through.

  Bahamut didn’t waste time and dealt a fatal blow to his heart, sending him spiraling down back to the Throne room where the Grand Prince drove his sword towards its heart. “NOOO! NOOOO!” The blonde man only had a fiery passion in his eyes; he pushed it deeper and upon their crash into the marble tiles, the sword of Deus Vrax, the logo of the Holy See, is embedded on the Crimson King’s heart.

  Imperial Prince Dydares also follows suit, embedding his sword into its body alongside the Elizadeath’s own holy blade.

  Alana and Elizabeth were both by the door to the throne room as they stood atop a pile of dead Demon Knights, leaning by the heavy ornate wooden doors as the four winged dragon landed behind them in the lobby, the dragon bowed its head to Bahamut who recognized him. “Ah, it's you again. We keep meeting again, are you a stalker?” Jackson just shrugs his head as he helps the Demon Princess down who just giggled at his gentleman behaviour. “Goddess, our Queen wanted to chat with you and Sir Jackson.”

  “No. She can go to me. Master, let’s go.” She then leads him into the throne room. The Heroes all gathered around the staked body of the King of Vitas. “Did you send me off to the Tower for that sick entrance?” the Dragon just had a snicker as a reply as they joined the Heroes. Jackson looked over to the Demon King closely and recoiled a bit upon seeing him. “Ew, Lumille, this is your dad?” Everyone then turned to the Demon Princess, her skin completely going back to that of a Human.

  With red hair and eyes, her shallow pale skin gleamed as the red tint completely disappeared. Looking forward, she sees the Heroes, the Rift above them closing completely and the Demon Armies now left in complete disarray as the strongest ones begin to burn up. “I thank you for this. Miss Death, your gift of Empathy, I shall treasure to greatly. As the first of a new species of Free people, I will dearly hold this till my death.” the player nods as they then hear the rubble move.

  Looking at it, Jackson just sat down on the floor. Unstrapping his helmet and letting it roll onto the marble tiles as he breathes in the fresh air. “Is it… over? Is it actually done?” The Prince walks past him a bit and looks down on the Demon King, its body convulsing as it begins to burn and slowly turn into ash. “It is, Sir Jackson. The world is saved.” This made the man fully stretch his arms and tears began to go down his cheeks. “Sorry, I can’t… help it. Haaaah… I can breathe finally.”

  The Vampires and Bahamut quickly responded, hugging his head as he began to cry tears of joy. James just stood with a big wide smile to his face, looking at Dydares, the Elven Prince gave him a nod as he took his sword back and raised it up, pointing at the bright blue sky. “To the free world!” he looks around him, the Heroes all collected together, chosen by their Gods and people. “And this planet’s many species, together as one, we once again saved this planet from peril, with help from guests from another world, Threa may now forever live without the fear of the Cosmic Unknown!”

  A few hours later, the fighting had fully died down with the Field Armies of the Cosmic Gods surrendering and Knights and Grunts from the Kingdoms were helping the citizens of Laeyla, their ritual caused great harm to their bodies, the weight on their flesh was so much the Holy See had to basically turn into dedicated healers and began setting up tent cities to help the wounded citizens of Vitas.

  Jackson finds himself in a square in the city, the Heroes were met with their Noble parents, with him sitting by a fountain with a destroyed statue on it. Alana and Elizabeth were both holding his hands as Bahamut was scurrying around the place, avoiding Queen Catherine who wanted to talk to her so much.

  Soon after the small celebrations and conversations between the many Free Species, King James and Emperor Dydares took a moment to check on him. The giddy old King patted his shoulder. “Look at you! Having two pretty Vampires dote on you! Bwahahaha! Impressive! Hard to believe you were the same skeleton in uniform who burst into my Throne room last year!” The more posh and eloquent Emperor Dydares though had an entirely different aura to him.

  “I’ve heard much from my son about your fighting, Sir Jackson. I must say, you represent the best quality of those from Earth. To become a King, Hero, and Dragon Lord. Hmph, you were to stay, your Family might outshine that even of the Dydares if you were to stay.” With a slight nod, the Knight General smiles at the Emperor of the Elves who out of nowhere also gave him a smile in return. “I shall pray for you tonight, you plan to return back to your world, yes?” Jackson nods. “Of course, I have family, friends, and businesses there… I simply have unfinished business there, I am done in Threa. I’ve represented Earth and all of its peoples, I am… tired… Heh, I remembered something.”

  The Emperor and King tilted their heads in unison. “A fellow player said he wished our world was a dystopia where there is no hope, but sadly. It’s not really like that. We could’ve easily become a cyberpunk dystopia, but the common folk just want to live a normal life." He then stands up, his hand out and the King already dealing with many Outworlders knew the gesture and shook it. Even putting his free hand on the man's shoulder. “Your parents should be proud of you, they made sure such a fine man would bless this land and rise up to the challenge. I shall erect a monument to you, Sir Jackson. Right by the Capital and a section of land shall forever be named only yours.”

  He then turns to the Elven Emperor who bows his head first and then shakes his hand. “I cannot hope to give much to you, the Heroes and all those involved with this victory, but know this. We Elves are hard to forget, those we deem as Legends will and shall live forever. Not one month shall pass when we won’t pray for your well being. Upon Merche’s arrival, when the leaves fall and the heat rises from the soil below, your people and those of Earth shall be part of our festivities, our offerings not only to the Goddess but also to you and your planet and may it see a lasting peace just as you did to ours.” the Emperor then lets go of his hand and once again nods. “Such a fine quality of Men shouldn’t be wasted on trife wars. Men should become leaders and turn to a new age of greatness, Sir Jackson. May you return to your loved ones safely.”

  Seeing the Elven Emperor and Human King bow to him, he quickly rushes to their shoulders and lifts them up. “N-No need! Thank you! I will… I will be sure to tell my Mom and Dad and relatives about all of you, how beautiful all of you are. I… I may not understand all of your cultures and traditions perfectly, I am as imperfect as the next man is, even more. But I cannot stop the fact that I really want to stay here but…” Alana and Elizabeth both laid their arms on his shoulders as he breathed in. “Haaaah… but I still have responsibilities. Emperor, please be kind to Man. As bad as we are, I hope you can see the good too even from afar.”

  He then breathes a long sigh as he looks at the pointy and sharp edges of the Castle of the Demon King. “I… also have a request.” The two powerful leaders turned their gaze to his brown eyes, the burning fiery flame of a warrior and hero swirling in his soul as the Dragon heart pumped an ancient and primordial blood into his veins.

  Promptly bowing his head, he closed his eyes and irked out his request with a stern voice. “Please be kind to Princess Lumille! What she needs the most right now is guidance! She has only gotten Human Empathy very recently and her first emotion was pain and sadness as she was captured. Please treat her well and as equals!” King James nodded as the Emperor scoffed and smiled. “Very well. I’ve heard of the Sword Saint’s plan. You of Man kept it well from me but I have a vague understanding as to why the Gods planned it this way. Have no fear, the Elves shall be an instrument to the rejuvenation of a new Demon Kingdom. One where its a moral and just society.”

  The Elven Emperor just looked at King James and smiled. “Of course. A new age comes upon this land anyways, I hope you may teach her well, James. ” The King in his bright gold and platinum plate armor crusted with jewelry and rubies nodded and looked up. “I am just happy my children will no longer need to be in danger. They can live their lives in peace. Have no worries, Sir Jackson. I will guide the former Demon Kingdom properly.” He looked down to the square, Prince Sigured was with his brothers, with big smiles and his Mother doting on him heavily, the King had to remove his crown and just breathe out. “I may need to retire soon. Sir Jackson, we must go. Thank you. Do you need transport back to Geraldia? King Gareth is also coming from what I’ve heard.”

  He stands up and shrugs his head. Turning to his belt, he opens the pouch and takes out the two Signature Keys given to him. “No thank you. Bahamut will take me there.” The Sword Saint notices the shiny Guild key and walks up to him. “Are we going home already? Anthony is still not done with his goodbyes.” Jackson shrugs his head. “Do what you need to do. Bahamut is gone anyways… where did that Dragon go again?!”

  On an alleyway, King Augustus and Queen Catherine had cornered Bahamut completely. The Black Dragon turned around and changed her stance into combat. “Do you really want to start that here, Goddess?” She scoffs and crosses her arms. “What?! I already told you, I am not interested and I won’t be building a Sect or Pavilion here! The Church of Bahamut is just that, a Church! It won’t threaten your Dragon Bloodline!”

  “Haaaah… we could’ve done this better, you know? Did you really have to push your companions to this limit and leave us in the dark?” she nods as she points to the Square. “Of course! As a Dragon companion, it is my duty to make sure my humans and friends do not only come out stronger but also better people! I never really understood the Dragons of this world, so it's better I did not engage too much with your kind.” King Augustus nods. “Love, why not just forgo her? She is a foreigner anyways. She did her part and wishes to just go home.”

  “Fine. You better get me those flowers. Bahamut, your Church is led by Humans, a new powerful Dragon Bloodline is assured to come.” The Dragon Queen turned around and looked at the wagons full of soldiers passing by on the main street, leaving the two be. Augustus lowers his head a bit, his eyes averting Bahamut’s gaze. “Goddess, thank you for all this. I hope you may forgive me. My wife is… as she is. She’s just concerned for our future strength” she immediately shrugs her head.

  “I will never forgive anyone who hurt Master. But he has mostly moved on so I will leave this as it is.” She then began to walk too and passed by the two Dragons Knights who were shocked by her sudden appearance onto the sidewalk. “Keep an eye on the Vampires for me… and do as you will with my followers. Just don’t be violent with them.”

  The Queen then grabbed her thin shoulder who was waiting by the corner on the sidewalk. “We won’t do anything. You might have broken our laws with Dragon Religions, but it was for a good cause. We’ll add it as a de facto religion. Your followers won’t be sanctioned and chased. I’ll forgive this one stint even though I know your Church might threaten us in the future.” She nods and leaves for the city square. Looking around, the various Elite Units of the Kingdoms were all present, with the Heroes celebrating, her Master walking to the two Leaders of a Nation as the Pontifex sat by the fountain, the old man resting his back and tired legs. She was about to turn into a Dragon before a hand grabbed her.

  Turning her around, it was Grand Prince Sigured. He quickly got on one knee and gently held her hand. The dashing blonde one was nothing in sort of a dreamlike man, his angelic blue eyes singing a quiet choir of angels and his elegance, unmatched by even the Vampires as he donned his polished dented armor with the pride of a lion. “Goddess. As the war has finished, may I request for a reward?” tilting her head, the Dragon smiles under her veil. “Of course. What will it be? A powerful ancient weapon? The ability to look forever young? Speak.” he shrugs his head before looking up to her.

  His eyes were beaming and his smile, capable of killing even the harshest of Demons. “I’d like to ask for a lock of your hair. As remembrance before you go back to your world.” Bahamut didn’t reply, the Prince knowing he had completely caught her off guard as she stammered her words for the first ever time. “I… I… hmmm…” she turns around and gestures for Jackson who quickly comes. “What? Did you get into trouble again?”

  “Master, he wants a lock of my hair.” He shrugs. “And? Give him. The man deserves it. As much as it makes me a bit jealous, he earned it and more. A Hero needs his rewards anyways." The Dragon just laughed a bit as he flicked a wink at Sigured before walking back to King James and Emperor Dydares who were greeting the other Heroes and the arrival of the Dwarven Chieftain made everyone change their attention to him. After a long sigh, she nods. “Fine.”

  Softly pulling on her long black hair, it's so straight that one would think she gets the best modern hair care available everyday, every hour and minute and on demand. With a beautiful smile under her veil, she then hands the Heroic Prince three locks of her hair, roped up and ready to be pocketed. “Here. Take it. Just be warned, this has my essence in it. I do not know of its long term effects on Mortal souls as no one has ever asked such a thing from me." The Prince had the biggest smile on his face as he took the locks and bowed his head.

  He then proceeds to unsheathe his sword, lifting it up with both of his hands as he bowed his head. “Goddess, as selfish as it may be. May you please Knight me? After my life is done, I’d wish to be with you. Become a Knight for you.” crossing her arms, she lifts an eyebrow and taps her chin with her long slender finger. “Hmmm… you know, my Dragon Knights all equally love me as much as you do right? Some even more than you.” he continues bowing his head, making her sigh.

  “What is it with Men and their admiration for a female who is not even of their own species?” The Prince then lifts his sword up a bit more. “Goddess, believe me. You are not a bad choice, I know that you are afraid of wasting me when you already have such loyal people. But this is my decision, for the moment I saw you. What I felt, it's more than love. It's far beyond that. Far beyond intimacy, lust, and breeding. This is my wish.” she sighs once more, and after some hesitation takes the sword.

  “Then, by my name, Bahamut, Dragon God of the Abyss, Ruler of the Void. The land between the Dead, and the Living. I name you, Prince Sigured James of the Kingdom of James as my Knight, you shall receive the title of Dragon Knight Commander under my first retinue…” She then hoists the sword up and then gently returns it to him. “When the day comes, and your first child is born. Pray to an Altar of mine, give upon it a Ruby and your bloodline shall flourish for the next thousand years with many healthy offsprings who are of equal quality to you.”

  “I shall offer you all of the Kingdom's riches if it means peace upon my people and those who live in this world.”

  “No need. Your soul is worth more than all of the jewelry of your Kingdom. Use it to rebuild and make a prosperous country. Your children, teach them well and when the day comes, I shall fulfill my other promise to you, and return to visit you upon the day you die. I will collect your soul and give you the armor of the Dragon Knights and attend your funeral as per your wish of me.”

  “And when the Church Bells sing, and the Nobles shout, Long Live the King. Goddess, a new Era of peace will come upon this world. One that wouldn’t be possible without your guidance and the Outworlders. I hope when you retire back to your world, you may remember of your greatness and the wonderful new Era you’ve ushered for all of us.” Bahamut’s hand extends outward, touching Sigured’s pristine cheeks, making him stand up. “I do know why Men do what Men do. Why you hate, lie, and kill yet love, give compassion and truth… and most of all, Mercy to others who are not of your own.”

  The Grand Prince could see the emerald brooch on her neck, the black choker gleamed brightly in the afternoon sun. “Live a well long peaceful life. For someone so young, you’ve achieved so much already. You deserve a rest for your heroics.” She then retracts her hands and lifts her veil. Revealing her pale skin and magnificent face to the Prince. The young teenager couldn’t help but blush, his face beet red as Bahamut was showing him a genuine smile. “Live well for me.”

  She then turns around and transforms into her Dragon form. Roaring and alerting the Ancient Elves to come to her. “Return to your tomb. I know you wish to come under Forrus once again. Tell her she has my thanks for letting you awaken." The Elves in their flying horses divide, one coming out from the rear was a True Elf donning armor of gold and wielding a long enchanted spear. He bows his head to her. “Thank you, Goddess. For hath’us serve an’ protect the Goddess’ Tree. Just as we did eons ago. Thy divinity is worthy to be’th named for Elves.” he then raises his spear. “PRAISE BE! PRAISE BE!”

  The High Elves looked in confusion as their Ancestors was praising a foreign God, but Emperor Dydares raised his weapon, prompting the Legions to follow suit and in unison, screaming the same words as the Elves on the ground all kneeled, the Emperor included, facing the massive Black Dragon. Bahamut in return closed her eyes and bowed her gigantic head. The True Elves’ Commander then pulled the reins of his majestic horse and began their flight back to their tomb in the Empire.

  Jackson though was by the ladder to her neck as the Grand Prince James kept shaking his hands and bowing his head. “Thank you, thank you, so much, Sir Jackson. I can never repay your kindness and the help your companion Bahamut has done to all of us. Thank you so so much. If you ever find yourself back here, I shall name and title you ten thousand acres if you so wish and build your many manors for free." The Knight General just patted James’ shoulder as the very young teenage man turned around and smiled at the colors, though Laeyla wasn’t much in painting there buildings in bright colors like in Geraldia or Dragovh, the darb red had yellow paint around its sides making still a lightly tone to freshen the eye. “I’ll keep that in mind if I ever want my own fiefdom someday. Hahahaha!” He playfully winks at the man.

  Walking forward as the Imperial Prince then shaked hands with Jackson. The two exchanged pleasantries before the Elf raised his sword. “People of Threa! Please turn your gaze to our friends from Earth and present to them a low bow!” the Knights and Grunts, even the Dragons all lowered their heads. “Thank you! Your sacrifices will forever be remembered by the people of this planet! Please tell the people of your planet that your achievements and contributions here, big and small, will be cemented for generations and generations to come!”

  Lifting his right hand, he began to slowly wave at the players as Jackson went up the rope ladder towards Bahamut’s head. With his helmet gone, the proud man waves back at them with a smile to his face. “Thank you! I will never forget this adventure! Be kind, and be courteous! On behalf of Earth! You all kicked their asses back to Hell!” Spreading her wings, the Black Dragon then takes off. Heading straight southward as they began the journey back to the Portal Fortress with the Sword Saint and Sir Anthony in the back alongside Alana and Elizabeth with her Black Knife’s.

  Just as he left, Princess Lumille with her troop of Devilish Cardinals and Bishops, still in there vile vestments with just some green paint coated over to cover the dastardly symbols looks up from her Throne as it was carried by Demon Knights heading towards the Main Gate, the view of the huge black dragon flying away from the square where the most important people of the world were made the young teenage looking red haired girl to bow as her face borrows in sadness. “Safe travels, O’mighty Heroes. May peace forever reign over this world.” Looking forward, King James, Emperor Kelvin, King Augustus with Queen Catherine, and the Pontifex of the Holy See all gathered into a line, waiting for her.

  Her eyes glowed a golden color as she stood up and bowed her head at them and on her face, was an expression not of sorrow nor defeat, but one full of hope and wonder as Bahamut’s blackish shiny scales reflected the bright rays of the foreign Sun to her.