This one is sorry for the slow updates. I’ve been busy, but I’m trying to write as much as I can in my free time; however, my brain is melted from studying and tests. I’ll try to speed up over the holidays. Try being the key word. So... sorry orz.

Lucifer felt embarrassed for his son. He had been confronted by these weaklings, if it wasn’t for the Seraphim (which had yet to show itself), Noxim would have easily won.

If only he could turn back time.

Raguel was strong, kind of. In Lucifer’s eyes, being someone comparable to a dragon, he was still a weak little boy. Raguel was struggling to fight someone who was clearly leagues beyond him, but it wasn’t as if he could just give up. It was the same situation from when Lucifer challenged Erebus, only the roles had switched.

In all honesty, Lucifer didn’t even need for the others to come with him, it was more of a formality than anything. He could easily take out a few archangels and a couple Seraphim on his own and survive without taking many wounds.

Lucifer sighed, once again blowing Raguel back.

The archangel bounced back up, he was resilient, Lucifer would give him that much credit.

Raguel spat out a mouthful of blood and stood up, Lucifer’s hit had knocked a couple of his teeth out. Raguel glared at Lucifer, the demon looked like he was playing a game with a child.

An understanding look, not expecting much. Raguel felt his blood boil with anger, should he call upon a Seraphim? Maybe his other brothers could come and help... no, the three would probably end up getting needlessly hurt.

Lucifer was leagues beyond them and he was hardly trying. Raguel curled his hands into a tight fist, he readjusted his lance, a new resolve appearing in his body.

He’d kill Lucifer or die trying. That was his decision.

In Raguel’s (one-track) mind glory was everything. What could be better than ridding the world of the evil that stood before him? An evil so full of arrogance and confidence that it was more than just revolting.

Raguel charged at Lucifer, straightforwardly and honestly.

“How cute,” Lucifer responded with a light smile as the archangel came towards him, his intentions obvious.

Straight for the heart.

Lucifer stepped aside quickly, but Raguel surprised him by changing his direction suddenly and barely stabbing Lucifer in the chest.

The demon leaped back, an interesting expression on his face. He glanced down at the blood that dripped down from the shallow wound and then looked back up at Raguel, a cruel smile spreading across his face.

“You wounded me?” he questioned.

Raguel ignored the question and charged once again, pointing his lance at Lucifer’s chest.

Lucifer stepped out of the way once more.

The cycle repeated. Raguel uselessly tried to attack Lucifer who would dodge at the last moment.

From a distance, Vyne watched what happened uninterestedly. Just like his Lord Erebus. Except, his loyalty to his grandfather was next to none.

Vyne never thought that he would be able to say this, but Erebus was far more merciful than Lucifer. His lord, at least, had the decency to put his victims out of his misery, but Lucifer was like a cat playing with a mouse.

He enjoyed watching it squeal and run around, hoping that it could escape or win. Well, Vyne could relate to that sentiment. Which was unsettling because Vyne preferred to think he was nothing like his grandfather.

Vyne switched his gaze over to Beta who was having a far more interesting match with Archangel Michael.

The two of them were more evenly matched, Beta had the advantage in overall strength, but Michael made up for it with his swordsmanship skills. It was an amazing display, it was rare that he was able to see this level of ability and capability; if ever.

Both were focused on cutting the other down, there were no wasted or flashy movements in their attacks. Everything was delivered with the intent to kill.

It was far different than the game that Lucifer was playing with Raguel. Though, something seemed strange about Beta’s footwork, it looked as if he was forcing himself to move slower.

“Ah... I see,” Vyne said, understanding that Beta was doing. “I was wrong to think that he was different from that man. Mm, looks like it’s more of a simplistic strategy than him just playing around.”

Vyne analyzed Beta’s movements. It was a basic idea, really, Beta was just fooling his opponent into thinking that he was a better swordsman. It would allow him to overwhelm Michael, who (it seemed to be a characteristic of all the angels) only seemed to be able to focus on one thing at a time.

It was easy to deceive angels into believing something, they were honest folk. They all believed the world was black and white and nothing in between. It was hard for them to adapt to an abrupt change, too.

Take for example what happened just now:

Beta’s blade severed Michael’s arm from the elbow down, surprising Michael because of the sudden movement that didn’t fit in with Beta’s attack pattern.

The archangel drew back, raising his hand to the stump of his arm; using intense heat, he cauterized the wound.

Michael grimaced, but he refused to allow the pain to see. Of course, Beta wasn’t so forgiving as to let Michael stop this bleeding, he charged at the archangel.

Desperately dodging, Michael was being pushed into a corner. The pressure that Beta was applying was starting to take its toll, and with one arm down Michael couldn’t do much.

Beta smirked, knowing that he would end up being victorious. “I see why the Seraphim had to step in now. Someone of your caliber would have never been able to defeat Noxim.”

Michael finally tripped up, unable to take any more. His stance was broken and he was left wide open for Beta’s attacks.

The sword pierced through Michael’s neck, blood bubbled and began to gush out when Beta yanked out his weapon.

“You’re a disgrace to swordsmen,” Beta said coldly, swinging his sword once more to behead Michael. “The capability of the archangel’s has decreased over time, I see. You lot are no better than mindless puppets now.”

Beta sighed and wiped his blade clean, it seemed like so long ago when the archangels were actually worth battling.

“Quantity of quality, is it?” The demon sheathed his sword, dissatisfaction present on his face. “Lucifer, are you done entertaining yourself?”

The elder demon pouted. “Is it that time already?” He looked at Raguel, who stood to the side panting heavily and tightly gripping his spear. “Apologies, it seems our time together has been cut short.”

Raguel began to mutter a prayer--but his words were cut short--Lucifer’s blade removed Raguel’s limbs in a flash, the angel fell to the ground. Only his head and torso were still attached.

Raguel screamed loudly, he was only capable of thinking two words:

It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts.

Lucifer stared down at Raguel, boredom present in his eyes; he watched with little to no interest as Raguel continued to bleed out on the ground, the left-half of his body having been blown off.

“So annoying,” Lucifer muttered, trying to ignore Raguel’s cries of agony. “Stop whining and die already.” The Prince of Hell raised his weapon and plunged it deep into Raguel’s chest. “Ah... It looks like the main players are here now,” he said, looking up at the sky where two Seraphim had arrived.

The distant sound of trumpets blared in the air, playing a joyous melody.

A grumble came from Lucifer, “They’re loud.”

“They sent two,” Beta remarked, slightly surprised. He had been expecting one to come, for two meant that they had angered Him significantly.

“I think that He’s upset that we killed some of His children as a pastime. I don’t see what the big deal is, He can recreate His. As for my child, I don’t have that luxury.” Lucifer turned and shouted, “Vyne! Quit hiding and come over here, fight for your family.”

A terse response came from the distance, “I refuse.”

Lucifer growled, “Don’t tell me that Laufeia’s cowardliness rubbed off on you.”

“Not quite,” Vyne explained, “I have no desire to partake in activities that will lead to the termination of my life. Lord Erebus told me not to engage in life-threatening battles and I shall obey his orders.”

Vyne’s grandfather ground his teeth in annoyance. “Beta, it looks like it’ll just be me and you.”

“That’s reassuring,” the other demon responded tartly, his shoulders sagging. “Perhaps we should retreat and come back with a greater for--”

“Unnecessary!” Lucifer said, thumping his chest proudly. “I am more than enough.”

Beta scrunched his face up. Lucifer certainly could deal with one or two Seraphim, but that was only if he was alone. He would be concerned with shielding Vyne from any stray attacks and ensuring that Beta remained safe also.

“Rest assured,” Lucifer said. “I’ll handle this.”

Beta (unwillingly) agreed. “I’ll step back... I’m afraid I’ll only be a hindrance.”

Lucifer considered this, it was true that he would be able to fight more freely without checking to make sure Beta was still alive. Unlike the other Demon Emperors, for various reasons, he wasn’t disposable.

“Step back,” Lucifer said. “Keep Vyne safe, try your best to ignore his mouth; it’s venomous.”

Beta bowed his chest parallel to the ground. “I will carry out that duty.” Quietly, he said, “Don’t get yourself killed.”

Lucifer snorted, pointing his sword at the beings flying in the air. “Just who do you think I am? These lightweights should be honored to be able to fight me.”