286. Rematch

[Ancient Centinel - Lvl. 162]

Before me was a threat I’d normally be running from. A walking calamity that would be able to fall an entire nation by itself. It was the guardian of the Bloodied Gulf— a beast that swallowed any light seeping from the sea above with its mere shadow. It wore an armored carapace that was smeared crimson by the blood of all that it had killed. An undulating creature that was hundreds of feet in length with barbed limbs that clawed the very earth beneath it open.

It opened its mandibles, revealing rows and rows of jagged teeth seething with the vitriolic acid that was its saliva. Such a monster. Such a terrifying disaster. And I—

I approached it. There was no hesitation here. I had been soundly defeated by it not long ago, forced to flee and escape. But since then, I had grown stronger. I had thrown myself into multiple near-death situations and came out more powerful, earning even a Grand Skill in the process.

Two Grand Skills. Only one was active. [Divine Essence of the Daeva Cambion]. It gave me the power and confidence needed to face the [Ancient Centinel].

I dove down, drawing its ire alongside thousands and thousands of other Centinels. I loosed iridescent Nebular Blazing Bolts at it— brilliant blasts of all colors erupted on its shell, blowing apart the nearby Centinels. The [Ancient Centinel] barely slowed from the attack. It barreled straight through the fire and ash and rose up to meet me.

However, I wasn’t totally unprepared for my Nebular Blazing Bolts to fail. I was already pulling out my Nebular Scythe from [Dimensional Pocket]; it was the dull-gray colored weapon that was typical of my [Nebular Constructs]. Apparently, the multi-colored flair to my Nebular Weapons only applied to when I created it during the effect of my Grand Skill. So, since I made this Nebular Scythe weeks or months ago, it wasn’t enhanced to be much stronger.

I crashed straight into its lower jaw of the [Ancient Centinel], unleashing a flurry of [Barrage of Cinders]. I ran along to its underbody and continued my onslaught of attacks until it attempted to crush me against the cliffside.

Fortunately, I teleported out of the way in time. A Short Range Teleport. One that got me out of the way in time. Unfortunately, the [Ancient Centinel] didn’t care for me. It ignored me like I was a fly and heading for the floating figures in the distance.

I stared at its target, hearing its screeching voice echo through the Bloodied Gulf.

“Centina! You dare show your face here after your exile? After your betrayal?! You will die!”

“Uh-oh.”

I activated [Haste] and [Warped Time]— their cooldown had already ended, as with most of my Skills apart from [Demon’s Mark]— and moved to intercept it once again.

Centina looked back once. She heard the terribly, garbled screech of the [Ancient Centinel]. Her former ally— one who’d sought the destruction of all other Species with her. Those that had wreaked destruction to their kin.

Should Centina even have been fleeing? She felt like it was entirely selfish of her. To want to live. To want to find love again. But nevertheless, here she was, clinging onto a magically resized boulder that was glowing purple, floating thanks to Willy’s magic.

They were ascending too slow for her liking. Especially since the [Ancient Centinel] was drawing close now.

“Can’t we go any faster?”

She called out to the [Will O’ Wisp]. His flames changed to an annoyed red as he spoke in a frustrated voice.

“Try— ing!”

Centina clicked her mandibles, glancing back down as Salvos flew in front of the [Ancient Centinel] and unleashed a storm of silver and golden flames. A wall rose, barring its path. Only for a moment. It tore straight through it, even if its outer shell was singed and burned.

It whipped its tail up, knocking Salvos back as the Breastplate of Alexander flashed. Its aura flickered, and the Demon was sent sailing to the ground. A massive crater was left where she landed.

For a moment, the [Ancient Centinel] was left to assail the floating monsters unimpeded. Centina knew she needed to be distracted— even if not for long.

“Kron! Your illusions!”

Centina looked up, and the [Krokodis] blinked. Kron hesitated, looking at the encroaching [Ancient Centinel]. Then she stood on unsteady feed, spreading her arms wide.

“[Fool’s Copies]!”

Hundreds of copies of Centina and the monsters of the haven appeared, floating in the area surrounding them. The [Ancient Centinel] didn't even pause as she watched those illusions flicker into existence. She simply dove at the closest image of Centina she saw.

Fortunately for the [Evolved Centinel], it wasn’t the real her. She watched as the massive Centinel wiped out a hundred illusions with a single bite. It was a momentary delay. One that bought them enough time for Salvos to leap out of the rubble and scream.

“Stop!”

Centina sighed in relief as the [Ancient Centinel] halted, and Salvos crashed into her side. The monsters of the haven continued their ascent, until eventually, they reached the ocean above. Below, Centina could only watch as Salvos was embroiled in a grand battle with the [Ancient Centinel].

And hope that the Demon would survive.

“[Radiant Slash]!”

I swung my Nebular Scythe at the underbelly of the [Ancient Centinel]. It was supposed to be the weakest part of its body. The carapace here was at its softest. And I dragged the multi-colored flaming strike as I ran down the undulating creature.

It tore open a long streak across its stomach until I heard a clink. I felt the Nebular Scythe snap, and I was sent tumbling away from the [Ancient Centinel]. It struck me back with its massive body, still screaming.

“CeNtInaAAaAAaAaaAAAAAAAAAAA!”

But Centina wasn’t here right now. She was already gone— she’d disappeared into the floating sea, and I was the only one left for it to fight.

“Focus on me, idiot!”

I called out to it as my left arm morphed into a tendril and grabbed onto one of its limbs. I pulled myself towards it, shifting my right arm into the giant claw of a Titan Centinel. That attack slowed and enraged the [Ancient Centinel].

Its entire body began to glow— some kind of crimson aura. Then it blasted out, knocking me back. A pulse of energy that vaporized its own kin. It took me a bit to recover, and when I did, I watched as the [Ancient Centinel] rising higher and higher. From its back, a pair of massive, deformed wings shot out. I stared with wide eyes as it ascended up to the ocean.

“What? It can fly?!”

I gasped. And that wasn’t just it. It could fly fast. With its size and speed, it would reach Centina before me. My effects of [Haste] and [Warped Time] were still active. However, I was at the bottom of the Bloodied Gulf, feet touching the ground. Meanwhile, the head of the [Ancient Centinel] was hundreds of feet off the ground due to the sheer size of its body,.

I cursed. I had no choice. Before the [Ancient Centinel] could dive into the sea, I pointed.

“[Long Ranged Teleport].”

Saffron Merryster sighed as she strolled down the gilded hallway.

“It seems that things will be getting more and more chaotic. To think that the Demons would make a move for my life as well.”

That would expedite her plans. She wouldn’t be able to take the cautious approach anymore, since they were clearly aware of her. Shaking her head, she spun around.

“Salvos, I will need to rely on you for—”

And Saffron faced… nothing. She expected to see the fiery clone of Salvos standing behind her, but no one was there. There were only glowing flickering wisps that slowly vanished.

“Salvos…?”

My clone appeared before the [Ancient Centinel], protesting and shaking a fist. I rolled my eyes.

“I’ll find Saffron once this is all over, alright? For now, help me stop it!”

She scowled, but did as she was told. Her flames burned a different color now. She didn’t shine with an iridescent light— instead, she was a mix of gold and silver flames. And the attacks she produced all burned with the same spiraling light.

Her fire slowed the [Ancient Centinel] long enough for me to reach it from behind, creating six more [Faux Limbs], each of them taking the same claws of a Titan Centinel.

I assailed its sides with [Barrage of Cinder] once again, but this time it seemed to deal even more damage than before. It hurt the [Ancient Centinel] enough to draw its attention. From above, my clone loosed waves of fire, and from below, I attacked it with half a dozen giant claws with fire.

The [Ancient Centinel]’s body glowed again.

“Pesky Demon! Get out of the way!”

It spun around, knocking myself and my clone back. My clone mostly dodged the attack, but still suffered significant damage from the pulse of red energy, while I took it head on. I expected the Breastplate of Alexander to absorb most of the attack. But it shimmered dimly this time.

The [Ancient Centinel]’s blast blew apart my [Faux Limbs], scratching my skin and actual arms. I didn’t crash into the earth, managing to steady myself mid-air, but not without taking some damage.

I looked down, staring at the Breastplate of Alexander as its aura began to fade. I could sense the magic inside of it leaving. It was going to run out soon. Once that happened, I’d have nothing left to protect me against the [Ancient Centinel]’s deadly assault.

The state of my clone prefigured what would happen to me once the Breastplate of Alexander fully failed me. It was no longer even absorbing all of the oncoming attacks. The best course of action now would be to flee. However, I couldn’t do that. The moment I let this [Ancient Centinel] go, it would give chase to Centina and slaughter the monsters of the haven.

So, I straightened. I flanked it from the other side with my clone, smirking.

“Another near-death experience added to the list, then. Now, how many levels am I going to get from you?”

Sal watched, grinning like a madman as Salvos engaged with the [Ancient Centinel]. Black and green blood oozed out of her body. Demon’s blood and Centinel blood. Actual shapeshifting— similar to what the Devil himself was capable of.

“You should really watch this, Reggie. You’re missing out on good stuff.”

The Demon King didn’t look up. He was too focused on moving pieces on the table, but he did respond.

“She’s struggling against a mere [Ancient Centinel]. Not even its Progenitor.”

“Well, yeah? But she’s only Level 125! Well, 127 now. But you know what I mean. Don’t be such a spoilsport.”

The Devil pouted for a moment. Then his eyes flickered back to the fissure in space— the screen that glowed brightly from the inferno of flames Salvos was releasing.

“Ooo, my daughter is truly the best.”

Sal’s voice, however, was drowned out by the rapping on the doorway. The Demon King looked up, speaking in a commanding voice.

“Enter.”

And the chamber’s massive double doors slowly swung open. Two figures entered the room. Both humanoid-looking Archdemons— one short, barely over four feet tall with light blue skin, and the other was a mass of red muscle, nearly as tall as the Demon King himself, although he kept his head low and bowed.

Regnorex addressed his subjects as Sal gave them a sidelong glance.

“Taburas. What is it that you want?”

The light blue Demon kneeled before the Demon King.

“Your Majesty, I apologize for our intrusion. However, we have returned from the task you had given us. We have slain all the wild Demons that have encroached on your Domain.”

“Hmph. Very good. You may take your leave now and rest.”

He waved a dismissive hand, but the pair of Demons didn’t leave. Taburas looked up slightly, tilting her head as he frowned.

“Your Majesty, if I may make a request, we are growing weary waiting here in the Netherworld, slaying nothing but our kind. We know you have plans for us, but we also hope that we may join our brothers and sisters in the Mortal Realm to be of further use to you.”

The Demon King shook his head.

“No. You are still weak. The both of you have shown the greatest potential out of any Demon birthed in this cycle of Advent. That is why you must grow in strength here before you are allowed to cross the planes.”

“But—”

Taburas started, and Regnorex spok with finality in his voice.

“I have spoken.”

She bowed deeply, apologizing.

“I am sorry for questioning you, Your Majesty.”

Sal looked over at the pair of Demons— at the light blue Demon and the red Demon— and chuckled.

“Of course they’re weak. I mean, not anyone can be as great as my daughter. Come on, you guys are barely around Level 120 and you still lack Grand Skills.”

He shook his head.

“Meanwhile, Salvos has two Grand Skills. Two!”

Regnorex made a disgruntled sound, and Taburas narrowed her eyes.

“Excuse me, but who—”

However, before she could speak, the red Demon stood up.

“What did you say?”

Sal smiled, spreading his arms wide..

“I said you’re weak. That my daughter is stronger than the both of you.”

He noticed how the red Demon’s eyes flickered towards the screen, staring at Salvos as she battled the [Ancient Centinel].

“And that’s your daughter?”

“Interested, are you? Well, there’s a fifty gold watching fee.”

The red Demon shifted back, and Sal chuckled.

“I’m kidding. I’m kidding. You can watch.”

The Devil turned back to the screen while red Demon watched the fight from behind, clearly distressed. Sal tapped a finger on his chin.

So, is this your boyfriend? Or, no— your brother?

He threw his head back and laughed.

Interesting. But, alas, he’s Reggie’s son, not mine.

They watched as Salvos continued her duel with the [Ancient Centinel], the Breastplate of Alexander fading, and her time running out.