Avernus raised on his feet and went to one of the knocked over chairs. He flipped it back amidst the burnt wood and fallen debris and seated as if he was oblivious to his surroundings. Avernus pulled his notebook out of his pocket and started writing. Tia went to his side and gently cleaned his face with a cloth. Avernus ignored her as his eyes were focused on the paper.

"Are you okay?" Tia asked.

"I need to take notes from our encounter. That thing was unlike anything that I've ever fought."

Tia bent over and cupped her hands over his face, raising it to meet her gaze, "You're hurt. Stop writing and let me heal you."

Avernus paused and cluelessly stared at her for a few moments, then nodded, closing his notebook. "You're right."

Tia cast a healing spell over his body. His wounds began to disappear one after another. She sensed his scrambled thoughts and the damage the daemon's psychological attack had been caused to his mind. "Revert your thoughts to something pleasant," Tia advised.

Avernus smirked, "Like to Velvet?"

Tia clicked her tongue as she was cleaning his cheeks with a white cloth, "Not unless you have a death wish."

Avernus looked at the mansion entrance and noticed the architect's family. The remaining villagers were gathered and looking at him with approval.

He managed to smile slightly for them before his thoughts came rushing back; The psychological nightmare he endured, his failures and screams of Velvet gnawed at his soul again. But it was a long time since people looked at him like that; A hero.

His staff came twirling back to his hand. "Come on, Tia. We've done all we could. Let's get back."

Architect rushed to his side, "Wait, young man. You didn't tell me your name."

"There is no need for you to know my name-"

Tia interrupted him, "His name is Avernus."

The architect slightly bowed in respect, "We will not forget your kindness, sir Avernus."

Avernus raised a brow in complaint at Tia for spilling his name and wordlessly bowed to the architect in return. He and Tia navigated through the rubble. However, some undamaged mock-up caught his attention; A city built on what seemed to be a lake. Avernus moved closer to inspect and blow off the dust. "Is that a city built on water?"

The architect joined them and smiled proudly, "That's right, young man. It is called "the Aquapolis," my dream project. But it's a little bit too soon, and I haven't found the place. Besides, with all the workforce that went to building the Empyrean's throne, I doubt the empire wants to pursue this one."

"Aquapolis." Avernus stroked his chin and smiled to himself. "Hold on to it. Don't lose your sight, and maybe someday, You can make your dream a reality."

The architect bowed again, "Thank you a thousand times for your kind words, good sir. I hope we meet again someday."

Avernus nodded and exited the mansion. He looked up to the sky and noticed they took their time dealing with the daemon. "We're going to be late."

Tia merged with him and surged her power through his body. "Then let's get back. Pronto."

At the Zekson port, Velvet released the messenger Sylphjay, and it flew to its destination. Velvet closed her eyes, sighed, and gave Avernus' pendant to Benwick, "You breathe a single word about the letter to anyone, and I'll devour you, limb by limb. And don't forget to give his pendant back to him when he returns."

Benwick shuddered a bit under her cold gaze and received the pendant, "Yes, ma'am! Already forgot about it!"

"Good."

One of the pirates called Benwick, "Hey! The scouts are back!"

Benwick ran to meet the team that Eizen sent out to investigate the area around the barrier. Velvet noticed Eizen's bubbling with anger as soon as they debriefed him, "The scouts say that he was using a pendulum as a weapon. Is that true?"

"Aye, first mate. They say that he blasted all the exorcist inspectors! If that's the case, I think he'd be a match for even the captain." Benwick said.

"Then I'll look into this myself." Eizen immediately took off and disappeared behind the gates alone.

Velvet joined the group, "What is going on? Where did he go?"

"The exorcist's inspection team was attacked by a malak armed with a pendulum type weapon." Scouts reported.

"Why is this important anyway?" Velvet asked.

"Because it's the same type of weapon that was found at the place the captain was last seen."

"So you think that malak is the one who took the captain?"

"We're not sure, but this can't be a coincidence."

Velvet paused for a moment, "If Aifread is in the custody of the Abbey, why would one attack their own forces?"

Magilou knew that Velvet was torn to follow this lead too. And she decided to push Velvet for a decision, "What will you do? Wait for Avernus or go after this key?"

Velvet's eyes glimmered. Now it was the best time to put the plan in motion, "Avernus already sent a message. He said that he couldn't find a fourth malakhim. We should set out and find that malak before he could escape." Velvet lied while Benwick began to sweat, but she gave him a soft cold glare, prompting him to confirm her claim, "Y-Yeah. She is right. We got the message about a-a few minutes ago."

Magilou and Rokorou both gazed at Velvet with skepticism. Magilou sighed in disappointment, "It seems we should not take things for granted. Sometimes people aren't that resourceful all the time."

"Enough. We're going after Eizen. If the Abbey is already in disarray, causing more confusion will benefit us." Velvet ordered. The team began to group up and travelled to the last known location of the malak near the Empyrean's throne.

As they arrived at the checkpoint, they spotted Eizen fighting the malak. His looks matched the reports: he had silver hair and a brown coat. Just as the scouts said, the malak used pendulums as a weapon to fight. Eizen dodged his incoming attacks and threw a fist of his own, which the malak evaded.

The malak sneered at Eizen, eyes fired up with adrenaline, "You're good, whoever you are."

Eizen groaned at his cocky voice, "I was told the soldiers doing inspections had been attacked by someone arming with a pendulum as a weapon. So I came here to check. It seems to be true. I'm Eizen, The reaper, and Aifread's first mate."

The malak's eyes widened in excitement, "Oh, you're a friend of Aifread's. This will be fun!"

Eizen cracked his knuckles, preparing to resume his fight, "So you are the one who took the captain from us!"

The malak squared his shoulders and popped his chest, smacking his hand on it, "That's the spirit, buddy! Come and get it!"

Velvet impatiently marched at them, "Eizen, that's enough."

Eizen stopped and turned to Velvet, waiting to hear what she had to say.

"He is a malak, and he is against the Abbey. If we work together, we can neutralize the barrier."

The malak sneered at Velvet, "Don't come up with theories and peacemaking bullshit in the middle of a fight, woman."

Eizen raised his fist and clenched it, "This is my own business. I'm settling this my way. Right here, right now!"

Both of them turned to Velvet at the same time, "Do not interrupt!"

Velvet exhaled, baring her teeth in anger, "I see. You two can play your game but, I will settle this in my own way as well." She whipped her therion arm and took her battle stance, "I'll beat you both until you're helpless, then drag your powerless bodies to the barrier and open it myself!"

Rokurou unsheathed his blades, "Why does it have to be like this?"

Magilou released a barrage of her cards at the malaks, "Oh, be silent and help Velvet. Otherwise, she'll have our head."

Velvet dashed toward Eizen first. He broke off his fight with the malak when he spotted Velvet and prepared to throw a punch at her. As she closed her distance, Eizen's fist flew at Velvet. She quickly and swiftly dodged his heavy and slow attack. In the meantime, her therion arm transformed, and She clenched it, striking him in his stomach. Eizen bowled over her enormous fist and gasped for the air, falling to his knees.

The malak flung his pendulums at Velvet. She masterfully evaded the attack and was darted swiftly like a wolf. Before his pendulums could return to him, Velvet slid and kicked him square in the chest, and he was tossed across the fence and hit the ground, sliding for a meter or two.

The malak burst into a burst of sudden laughter amidst his painful groans, "Haha, y-you didn't even break a sweat. You're an interesting one, lady!"

Velvet's arm reverted to normal, glaring at the two defeated malaks in disappointment, "I should have just done this from the start. You two could've saved a lot of trouble if you listened to me."

The malak struggled to his feet and checked the barrier from up close, "So what's your plan after you've opened this barrier?"

"Kill the Shepherd." Velvet said.

The malak tipped his head toward his back and chuckled, "Wow, that's a new one! Alright, you won the fight. What do you want me to do?"

Magilou clapped her hand, and Bienfu appeared, "Everyone! Line up before the barrier, especially you, my glorious little Bienfu!"

Laphicet and Eizen joined them. Nervously, Laphicet put both of his hands on the barrier, and it instantly vaporized before anyone could touch it.

Velvet narrowed her eyes inquisitive at him, "The barrier vanished so quickly. It seemed to me that only Laphicet touched it."

With a satisfied grin, the malak began to walk away, "I really want to see the panic on their faces. The rest is up to you now. Have fun storming the castle!"

Eizen followed him for a few meters, "Wait. We're not done yet. I still have some questions for you."

The malak turned half-way toward him, "Let's stop this, for now, Eizen. If we keep at it, one of us will end up dead. By the way, I'm Zaveid, the whirlwind, and nothing more than a fighter."

Zavaid smirked for Eizen and continued his way toward the main highway back to Loegres. Velvet read the look in Eizen's eyes, "I won't stop you if you want to go after him. The barrier is down anyway. I don't need you anymore."

"No, I will come with you. Melchior might be at the temple, and he's my surest connection to Aifread whereabouts. I will settle things with Zaveid later."

Eizen then noticed the absence of Avernus, "Where is he?"

"Avernus sent a message that he couldn't make it in time. He asked us to move forward and go to the temple. He will meet us there." Velvet lied again.

Magilou caught the inconsistency and smirked surely, "I thought he only said that he couldn't find a fourth malak. Not that he will meet us there."

Velvet threw a sideway, cold glance at Magilou, "There was more written in the letter. I decided this is the best time to mention it."

Magilou clung to her eyes, narrowing her eyes slightly to tell her, "I know you're lying" before Velvet broke it. She marched past where the barrier was supposed to be, "Be quick, or you'll be left behind!"

The team promptly followed Velvet into the Empyrean's throne perimeter.

The Empyrean's Throne Inner Sanctum

Eleanor Hume opened the door hastily and spotted Arotrius sitting crossed-leg in the middle of the room, meditating.

"I thought I ordered no one to enter," Artorius said in his cold tone.

Eleanor bowed, "Forgive my intrusion. But there was an incident at the royal villa in Loegres that I had to report-"

Artorius quickly cut her short, turning his head, "Where are your malakhim?"

Eleanor heaved a breath to control her nerves, "They were consumed by the left hand of a daemon."

Artorius groaned lowly, "Velvet."

Eleanor stepped closer at hearing her adversary's name, "What? Do you know her?!"

"She was my former student." Artorius lowered his head, mumbling. "So she already bested Oscar, Teresa, and now you, Eleanor."

His condensing tone sent chills to Eleanor's spine, "Please, I insist that you grant me new malakhim. I pledge myself to destroy that daemon!"

Artorius raised his head in indifference, "Right now, Eleanor, you are overcome with emotion. Will you fight a daemon with your hatred? She even broke the resolve of even an exemplary disciple like you."'

"She was not alone," Eleanor said, "She had help from someone that was exceptional at fighting and using magic. He might be a traitor."

"A traitor?"

"Yes. A young man with long blond hair, green eyes, and wearing feather earrings. He used a long, silver staff that I had never seen before." Eleanor described. "I fought him, but he spared my life."

Artorius squeezed the handle of his sword, mumbling his name in slight annoyance, "Avernus. So, he is still alive."

Eleanor didn't seem surprised, "Avernus...So do you know him too?"

"Yes. Even more than Velvet. But this one is confidential and not for your ears, Eleanor."

Her eyes widened at Artorius' harsh words. Eleanor felt that she fell so low in her teacher's eyes. "My lord, there was an enormous daemon held captive at the villa. Why is such a monstrous thing held in the capital?! Is that confidential too?!"

"That place is forbidden to all but legates. You had no business there..." Artorius paused for a moment, "If you want to know more, you have to answer a question, Eleanor; Why do you think the birds fly?"

The young praetor thought the question would be from one of her lessons. She was not ready for something like this that seemed too easy, but truly hard to have a definitive answer.

"It is so they can hunt and catch prey."

Artorius sighed in disappointment as he shut his eyes, "You are dismissed, Eleanor. The knowledge you seek is not for you."

Baffled, Eleanor bowed and left the room, leaving Artorius to himself.

"Velvet is coming. The ties that bind us must be severed at last." The shepherd muttered to himself and rose on his feet, "And if my destiny is to sever the tie with my master too, then I will comply."

Gallas Lake

Avernus pounded down the road, passing caravans and merchants like a wind. Suddenly, his senses felt a Sylphjay struggling to keep up with him. " Another Sylphjay. They must have been tired of waiting, or they're worried about me."

"Dream on, my naive Avernus. Nobody among this misfit group cares about your well-being."

Avernus opened the tiny cylinder and raised a brow in surprise, "Hah, this is a long letter."

His eyes gradually widened as he read through it.

Avernus,

I decided to write this letter as I think we won't be able to talk face to face. I would tell you in person, but somehow, I can't bring myself to seeing the damn look on your face. I chose my own path, and it is different than yours. But I will say this to you: when you first came to our village, I thought you were just another idiot city boy who got lost. You proved me wrong. During those days, my life seemed to brighten up a bit. I was happier, and I think Laphi was happy too. But those times have passed, and now, only my vengeance is what matters to me. You're not the one who decides if my revenge has meaning, I am. Even if it doesn't bring back what I've lost, I'm not going to back down.

Because it's the life that I've chosen, and there is another thing that I decided; I want you to live. This isn't your fight. It wasn't yours to begin with. By the time you come back, I'm already gone.

You face your own destiny, and I'll face my fate.

Goodbye, you damn fool.

-Velvet

Avernus nearly crumpled the letter, but he folded it and put it in his pocket, "We must go. Now."

"What is it? What was in the letter?"

Avernus broke into a hard sprint, "Velvet is going to attack the Empyrean Throne without me."

Tia separated her ethereal body from him, cutting his power to mana and prompting him to stop. Tia grabbed his arm. She stared Avernus in his eyes, repeating her question, "Tell me; what was in that letter?"

He maintained his neutral and cold look, "I already told you. Velvet wants to kill Artorius without me."

"Then we let her."

Avernus yanked his arm free of Tia in protest, "What? Are you out of your goddamn mind? She is going to get herself killed!"

"That's the point. Velvet will either kill Artorius or weaken him enough to force him to draw out his trump card. Amidst the confusion, we will strike when nobody expects us. Artorius doesn't know that you're alive. We cannot afford to lose this opportunity." Tiamat explained.

Avernus brows knotted, the wrinkles began to form on his forehead, "If she dies, all that I went through means nothing."

"Then, my suspicions were true. You're the one who lost his mind over a peasant girl. She is a nobody who won't be missed when she's gone. She is a daemon; it might be merciful just to let her die."

"I don't care what you think."

Tia crossed her arms over her chest, glaring scoldingly, "Do you really want to endanger your life over one girl?!"

Avernus paused. His eyes stared blankly as images of a happy Velvet flashed in front of his mind.

"I don't care what happens to me. I don't care what happens to the world. But Velvet…" he clenched his hand hard as if it wasn't for his combat gloves, his nails would wound his flesh. "If it's the last thing I do, I will not let her die no matter what!"

Tia closed her eyes and heaved a heavy breath, "I have felt what Velvet feels all the time: In that claw, revenge thirsts, in her heart, destruction's curse." She raised her head. "I will follow you then, but remember; you are no longer a Shepherd. You are now one of the wolves."

Avernus nodded favourably at Tia, "Then let's go and join the pack."

Empyrean's Throne

Velvet and the rest of the group made their way to the main gate of the temple. While Velvet was shoving open the main entrance, Eizen turned back to look for any sign of their ally, "Velvet, wait. Why are we going in without Avernus?"

"He will not come here. We will go without him."

"What?!"

"I lied." Velvet said, looking uncaringly over her shoulder at the rest of them, "I don't need his help or power. We can finish Artorius without him.

Rokurou sighed, brushing a hand over his face, "Why, Velvet? We could've used his help. You don't turn allies so easily."

"I'm capable of killing Artorius myself." Velvet tried her best to dodge the answer.

"How are you supposed to do that?" Eizen asked.

"Artorius is a swordsman. He trained me, and I know all of his secrets." Velvet said.

"What is his method of fighting?"

"He wields a long sword in his left hand. And he once had a fire malak named Seres, but I killed her."

"So Artorius tethered a new malak called Innominat to use in her place?" Eizen wondered.

"As far as I know, yes. But I can't imagine a new malak will synchronize with him as well as Seres did."

Magilou sneered, "It must be so delightful when you're optimistic."

"If I'm wrong about this, that's where all of you come in." Velvet swept a glance over them, "The four of you will weaken his tie to the malak. Then I'll claw and bite at him again and again until Artorius becomes nothing more than a mere human."

"But how can you even get close to him?" Rokurou asked.

Velvet turned to Laphicet, "Artorius will wound me. He will burn me. And I will keep attacking. Your job is to keep healing me so that I can stay on my feet. Understood?"

Rokurou slowly nodded at the idea, grinning. "A suicidal attack might catch him off guard. It is not a bad plan, after all."

Although it seemed no one cared about Velvet's well-being, Laphicet ambled up in protest, "But Velvet, you might…"

Velvet interrupted him. She knew he was trying to be kind, "That is an order."

Laphicet lowered his head, disappointed but still was worried about her.

Magilou patted the little malak's shoulder, "Don't sweat it. You're still just a tool to her, kiddo."

As Velvet moved up the stairs, Bienfu materialized from his orb, whispering, "Does Velvet really mean to kill Shepherd Artorius? What is she thinking?!"

Magilou shrugged, "I don't know. Maybe she's not thinking at all."

"She has some feud with Artorius." Rokurou said, "Avernus knew more, I think. He was there with her when it happened. He talked about not being able to save Velvet. From what, he didn't say."

"Her hate for Artorius flows deep. I wonder what her connection to Artorius and Avernus is." Magilou wondered. "But who will this all hatred will burn at the end?"

Laphicet stopped and gazed over the large doors. Rokurou turned and nodded, "It's a dangerous path we walk, but a debt is a debt. Come along, Laphicet. Let's pay Velvet for helping us."

Laphicet took a deep breath and followed the group. He didn't care about paying Velvet back. But he wanted to save her, no matter what.

Dannan Highway - Avernus

On the road from the capital to Dannan highway, Avernus raced to the Empyrean throne at an inhuman speed. Tia boosted his stamina and gave him power over wind and speed. Quick as silver, Avernus passed numerous camps, gates, and farms in a matter of minutes. Near the junction to the Dannan Highway, he spotted a flash of a silver whip-like pendulum coming right at him, as if someone had set up an ambush. He tilted his head to the side, and the weapons missed him.

Avernus followed the rope and saw a man with a brown coat and silver hair controlling it from behind a rock.

Zaveid threw the next pendulum, and Avernus quickly anticipated its path and slashed it masterfully in mid-air with his staff. Zaveid's eyes widened, and he burst into laughter, "Today is an awesome day! I'm having so much fun! You're a good one, exorcist! But I bet you can't dodge this one!"

Avernus narrowed his eyes at him, "I don't have time for this stupid wind malak… Tia! Take him out!"

Suddenly, Tia appeared behind Zaveid. He quickly turned and saw her in full glory, ready to blast him off. "Oh. Hello there, beautiful lady…"

Tia's hand glowed, and she slapped him through the face, tossing him a few dozen meters over to the other side. Zaveid crashed into the ground with a loud thump.

The temple doors heaved inward and opened wildly. Velvet and the rest marched to the main worship area. Velvet glimpsed at the lonely figure, sitting down in the middle of the room. She stopped and raised her voice, "Shepherd Artorius!"

He slowly raised his head. His stoic and emotionless voice seemed unimpressed as he sensed the malevolence invading the domain, "Daemons and malakhim. Unlikely companions, to say the least."

Velvet tapped her belly, "Seres is here too, right inside my stomach."

"So you chose to be a mother bird, Seres," Artorius muttered to himself and stood up, slowly turning to face Velvet. "Where is Avernus?"

Velvet let out a low growl, "I don't need him to take you down." She whipped her arm to the side, putting a leg in front of her as the air became tense with hatred, "Things will be different this time! I will have my revenge. Revenge for Laphicet!"

Artorius stabbed his sword into the ground, pulling it out of its scabbard. "Very well, Velvet. Let's not waste any more time."

Velvet immediately took off, unsheathing her blade. Rokurou followed her lead and slashed away at Artorius. The Shepherd parried both of their attacks effortlessly, barely moving any more muscle than he needed. Rokurou was astounded by his battle stance. "That strong spirit. So this is the Shepherd's style."

Eizen tapped into the spirit realm to find a trace of Artorius' malak, "I can't sense any malakhim!"

Velvet resumed her posture and dashed at Artorius once again, "It doesn't matter! We end it right here!"

Rokurou, Magilou, and Eizen followed Velvet with Laphicet supporting them from the back of the room with healing artes.

Rokurou brandished his blades, "Let's go then! A single strike he can't dodge at this range!"

Eizen turned to Laphicet as he was sending his artes one after another, "Are you prepared? If not, step back!"

Laphicet began to conjure more aggressive artes, eyes glowing with confidence, "I will be okay! Avernus taught me well! Spirits release!"

Artorius' eyes scanned their tactics and attacks perfectly. He intercepted Rokurou's frontal attack, perfectly parrying him again and kicking him in the gut, bowling him over. Velvet released all her foot blades, and her arm tore through the bandages. She pinned the Shepherd under her relentless flurries of blades and claws desperately.

Artorius read each of her assaults perfectly, guarding or evading each blow she dealt. Then his eyes glowed.

Velvet stole a glimpse of a sword coming from above and rolled to the side. Then more blades rained down around her.

"With a single stroke, I will carve death into your being!"

As Velvet turned toward Artorius again, a blade cut right through her stomach. She cried in pain and recoiled back. Her eyes caught Artorius running past her like a flash. Then, as Artorius's mystic arte was in full effect, another slash of his sword hit her side, and immediately, another attack wounded her legs.

"Savage Wolf Fury!"

An excruciating pain burned through her body, and her body fell on the cold ground of the temple. Laphicet scrambled toward her. His hands flared up in the tense healing magic.

Velvet's pain began to soothe and wash away.

Velvet rose on her feet in an instant. She didn't care about pain nor death. Her eyes were on her prey, and he had to die, no matter the cost. Artorius sneered as Velvet closed the distance. She threw one last slash of her wrist blade before Artorius easily predicted its path. He moved to the side as her blade tore through empty air and shoved his sword into Velvet's stomach.

Velvet threw up blood and bent over the blade, "Laphicet! Now!" She groaned in pain and turned to Laphicet. He read the plea in her eyes. The little malak's arms were shaking in dread as if he felt all the pain that Velvet was going through. He sent the most potent healing arte he could muster to Velvet.

Velvet's body surged with renewed stamina. She raised her head and levelled a glaring bloodlust at Artorius. "The fourth maxim! Never let your guard down!" She muttered and, unexpectedly, slashed her blade at Artorius's chest. He quickly stepped back but not fast enough to completely escape her attack. He lowered his head and saw a nasty gash on his chest. Laphicet ran to Velvet's side and resumed her healing to mend Velvet's wound.

Artorius exhaled as he sensed Velvet's determination in killing him. "I will not let you win so easily. I will use my full strength and power; As it is just and proper for a Shepherd." He raised his sword skyward, "Aid me, Innominat!"

The symbol above the throne began glowing intensely, and the wound Velvet inflicted instantly faded from Artorius' chest.

Everyone looked in dismay as Velvet's efforts and the pain she endured were for naught.

"His wounds are gone!" Rokurou yelled, watching Artorius' body glowing in a bright gold shine.

Laphicet was in the process of healing Velvet, and he felt a familiar feeling from the force that Artorius summoned to his aid.

Velvet sensed its presence from that fateful night that she lost everything, "I remember you… that night… that terrible night!"

The sigil burned bright until it flared up and engulfed the whole room with a blinding light, throwing everyone off their balance.

They were dazed and disoriented from the light blast. Velvet groaned erratically from the pain. Laphicet grabbed her shoulder and begged her to escape, "It's impossible. We have to run!"

As they struggled to their feet, a woman's voice echoed around them threateningly. "You won't escape this time."

They turned and saw Eleanor Hume, along with the legates, Melchior Mayvin, Oscar Dragonia, and Teresa Linares entering the main worshiping area.

Oscar Dragonia, wounded by Velvet in his first fight, moved to the front and bowed at Artorius,

"I beg your pardon, Lord Artorius. I had assumed Lord Shigure was attending you."

"Shigure is out training. Besides, that man would like to see my blood spilled more than anyone." Artorius said and quickly turned to the inquisitively. "Haven't you seen another intruder?"

Oscar and Teresa looked at each other, then shook their heads. "No, my lord."

Melchior crossed his arms, snorting, "Shigure always thinks only of himself. I have received the news that we've lost the experimental creature to some unknown attacker in the village. He should not have sent it without a proper observer."

Velvet limped and stumbled toward Artorius as they talked, "No, Artorius. The one who most wants to spill your blood is me!"

Teresa walked protectively in front of Artorius and, with a twirl of her staff, summoned her malak.

"Master Artorius, allow me to silence this filthy daemon."

Velvet didn't care who or what was in her way. Her eyes only saw blood and Artorius. Like an unchained animal, she pounced. "Out of my way!"

With a nod from Teresa, her young malak hurled a fireball at Velvet. "Learn your place, you despicable daemon."

The fiery orb exploded in Velvet's face, and the enormous blast tossed the weakened Velvet back to the ground with screams of agony. Laphicet rushed to her side as her life was fading before his eyes. Laphicet began to heal her for the dozenth time, but her wounds were far more fatal than he could mend.

Laphicet stopped his healing magic. His eyes were watering up as he sensed Velvet's pain and suffering.

"Why? Doesn't it hurt? Aren't you in pain?" A tear streaked down his cheek, "Why, Velvet? Why do you keep on fighting?"

The shine in Velvet's eyes dimmed, and a lifetime of regret hit her hard, "Because Laphicet knew so much more pain than I ever will. Avernus endured much more suffering than I will ever face. And still, I couldn't do anything for them-" Velvet squeezed his small hand, "I'm sorry…" She slowly whispered as the spark started to leave her eyes.

"Consorting and conspiring with daemons." Teresa said, prompting Laphicet to raise his head at her, "Number Two, your punishment must be harsh. Kill the daemon. Then end your own life."

Laphicet's gloomy expression turned into a scowl. "No."

The defiance hit Teresa hard, and she gritted her teeth in anger, "Have you forgotten our pact?! Your mistress is giving you an order!"

Teresa invoked their pact, trying to hold control over Laphicet. The magic pushed on Laphicet's soul, and the sigil that appeared above his head nearly pulled him off the ground.

"I'm sick of your orders!" Laphicet cried, pulling his soul away from the magic. His eyes fell on Velvet, and his emotions flared up like a volcano, and it burned the strings of fate.

The sigil above the throne began to react and glowed continuously. Artorius whipped his head at the sigil. "Impossible!" He muttered and turned to Laphicet. "That aura is the same as Innominat."

The pact's seal around Laphicet began to break. "I don't want Velvet to die!" It was unclear whether his strident shout shattered the seal or was will to protect Velvet, but the wave of magic quickly broke apart the pact, and it travelled far and wide, reaching outside.

Avernus felt the magic wave washing all over the area as he saw it stretching like a domain. His senses flared up, recognizing Laphicet's life force. "It's Laphicet's power!" Avernus said. "Something has happened." Avernus ran up the stairs and spotted a division of exorcists guarding the gate to the temple.

Avernus suddenly stopped half-way. He counted the number of the guards, "Fifteen." and he paused as they noticed him, pointing their spears and swords at him.

Avernus cucked his head and exhaled deeply, calming down his nerves. Then his mind raced to the memories of his mother-figure, Rosa. Even he could still feel the soothing sense of her voice again.

"If you are in doubt, always trust your instincts. You know which one is right and which one is wrong, my son."

"Thanks, mother. This is what I needed to hear." Avernus whispered and smiled to himself. He heaved for one last time before his core surged with Tia's powers, awakening at his will.

Tia understood his adamant decision to save Velvet, feeling his soul brimming with magic and determination at the same time. The greater malak complied, "All in?"

"All in." Avernus clenched his fist around his staff, and his eyes tracked the exorcists and their malaks as they stormed down the steps.

"I couldn't protect my mother. To this day, I hated myself for not being there for her when she needed me!"

Avernus, his staff, was glowing in bright silver. "But right now, I'm here, and I swear this to you, Velvet!"

His hairband snapped, and all those long hair flowed and trailed behind him, overwhelming magic flowed and shone all the gold in his outfit. The exorcists and malaks stopped suddenly in fear as they pilled and stumbled on each other, watching Avernus charging up at them with all that power swirling around him. Like a beast unleashed.

"I won't leave you to die! VELVET!"

Avernus' shout battered the walls all over the Empyrean's throne. Velvet's fading life returned slightly, recognizing his voice calling her name. Her dimmed eyes turned slowly at the door.

Everyone in the room whipped their heads at the entrance. Their eyes caught the heavy doors heaving inward and then exploded forcefully in a blinding light as if it was hit with a gigantic meteor. Eizen, Magilou, and Rokurou covered their faces as broken pieces of metal wood rained down around them. Then bodies of exorcists and malaks came crashing down on the clear tiles, breaking them apart. Their damaged shields, spears, and swords scattered beneath their feet.

Eleanor, Oscar, and Teresa watched the motionless bodies of all the exorcists and malaks in horror. "What in the hell-?!"

No one dared to speak, and a deadly silence fell upon them.

Everyone squinted into the dust, and they saw Avernus marching through the smoke, his footsteps echoing in the chamber. He passed Magilou, Eizen, and Rokurou, paying them no attention. Even Magilou refrained herself from commenting.

Avernus stopped near Velvet and glanced at her from the corner of his eyes, gazing into her dimmed eyes, "Idiot, girl." He whispered.

Velvet's paled lips managed to mutter his name silently.

Avernus continued toward the legates and Artorius. He stopped in the middle of the room and slammed the end of his staff into the ground dominatingly, gazing over his opponents with a stoic and collected face, devoid of emotions.

"It's him…" Eleanor muttered, lips shaking as she recognized Avernus.

Melchior took an assessing look at their new guest, brushing a hand over his beard, "So, you have finally shown yourself."

Avernus' eyes showed no recognition, not even to Artorius. It seemed he didn't see them worthy enough as a threat or even remembering.

Oscar took a step forward, raising a clenched fist, "What is this meaning of intrusion?! who are you?!"

Avernus' shining green eyes fell on him like a predator. He sized Oscar up. "You're one of the Shepherd's dogs." He grinned slightly for the first time since he showed his presence, "Waste of my time."

Oscar scowled at his response, but Artorius held his hand over Oscar's chest.

"His name is Avernus. Previously, the Shepherd of the far-continent," Artorius introduced, making Eleanor, Teresa, and Oscar recoil in surprise.

"A Shepherd?!"

Avernus' grin widened at their baffled face, "That's right."

Oscar's hand quickly went for his sword and pulled it out, pointing it threateningly at Avernus. "Explain your intentions, traitor!"

Avernus chuckled hushedly, "I have to give it to you, Artorius; your dogs are truly obedient."

Rage flitted across Oscar's face, and he gripped his sword with two hands and charged at him, "I will silence your dirty tongue!" His malak surged his body with power, and he closed his distance at an inhuman speed. But then, Oscar saw Avernus's eyes easily tracking his movements. He slashed his sword, "Answer for your sins!"

Then his blade cut the empty air, and Oscar gasped. Avernus dodged his attack effortlessly. As Oscar turned his body to resume his attack, Avernus slammed a heavy blow to his chest. Oscar bent over his hand and threw up crimson blood, pain flaring up all over his torso.

Oscar fell to his knees, panting and hissing erratically.

Avernus shook his head. "You've got a few broken ribs." He turned his back to Oscar. "Go back to your mother and come back when you are older to play with grownups, boy."

Oscar pulled his weight and rose on his feet, his face twisting in pain. "I will not forgive your insolence to Lord Artorius!" He whipped his blade and dashed for another attack. "Die for your sins!"

Avernus looked over his shoulder stoically, "Not in this lifetime, kid."

Oscar's blade missed Avernus' body again, watching in dread as he swiftly evaded his attack once again. Then Avernus landed a heavy blow from his staff on his back. "Incompetent!" Avernus beat Oscar down mercilessly with his glowing staff and then, his fist, nearly snapping his collarbone and crushing his pelvis. Their eyes couldn't keep track of Avernus' blows, and Teresa screamed in terror, ordering her malak to attack. "No! Oscar! Number one! Kill him!"

As Oscar's senseless body fell with a loud thump, Avernus spotted the small, silvered-hair malak preparing an arte, and he teleported instantly toward him and appeared in a breath distance.

The little malak gasped and stumbled backward, watching Avernus towering above him. He smiled slightly for the malak and made a gun shape with his hand. Avernus sent a slumbering arte, and the malak fell on his back, diving deep into sleep. "Good night, little one."

Teresa dashed over to Oscar's side and pulled his bruised and battered body from the ground, "Oscar?" his eyes remained shut, and she whirled her head at Avernus in a fury. "You're a monster!"

Avernus stayed composed and marched at her. "I'd rather not hit a woman. Take him and go back to your parents. I don't have time to play with kids."

Watching his dear brother beaten down and her malak defeated, Teresa grabbed her staff and rushed at Avernus with anger burning behind her eyes. "I will-!"

Without a malak to boost her powers, Avernus quickly countered her attack and, with a twirl of his staff, hit Teresa squarely in her stomach, sending her down near Oscar's body. Teresa turned to Oscar and extended an arm before her eyes drooped shut from pain.

Avernus' gaze shifted to Artorius and Melchior. "Any more lamb you wanted to send to their slaughter, Artorius?"

Eleanor rushed forward, and Avernus' glowing eyes caught her approach. Eleanor's jaw tensed. Teeth clenching together. "Why?!" She barked, her instincts telling her that Avernus was different from the bunch. But the show of power shattered her hidden optimistic view of him. "You beat them down like animals! How could you?"

Avernus levelled a surprised glance at her, smiling amusingly at her question as if she knew who he indeed was. "What do you expect from a wolf?" He said and turned to Velvet as she was still watching him, holding Laphicet. "I'm just protecting my pack from the Shepherd's dogs."

Eleanor was confused with his calm response. Avernus didn't finish Oscar and Teresa off, which meant she wasn't entirely wrong in her assumptions. Amidst her thoughts, Melchior stepped forward.

"You, Avernus, do you know where you and your power came from? Do you know who you really are?"

Avernus turned uncaringly at Melchior. "I'm not here to talk, old man."

Artorius marched onward closer to him. "Are you here for revenge too, like Velvet?"

Avernus slammed his staff on the ground. "I'm not here for vengeance," He fully turned to Artorius, "I'm here for justice."

Artorius and Melchior's eyes narrowed as if they heard something familiar; "Justice," a word that was once spoken many times by their master, Claudin Asgard, and by even the same tone of voice. Eleanor noticed Artorius gripped the handle of his sword. Watching him affected by Avernus' words was surprising.

"If your eyes are closed to the truth, Avernus…" Artorius brandished his sword, ready for the battle, "Then you leave me no choice but to kill you. I ask no forgiveness from my master. Killing you is another sin that I must bear."

Avernus frowned at Artorius, "I'm tired of you speaking in riddles." Ethereal blades appeared on top of his staff, shining in blue light. "Your master was Claudin Asgard, am I right?" Avernus grinned wickedly, his loosened hair flowing. "I wonder how he was, but I assume with a student like you, he was a horrible man."

Melchior's arm clawed at Avernus and instantly fired bolts of ice at him, "Be silent!"

Avernus slashed them out of the air, turning them into soft powders. "I guess I hit a nerve, did I?"

Artorius' body flared up with golden magic as he took a deep breath. "You are a misguided soul. I would've guided you to the light, let you take your place, but this plan of mine is too great to be threatened. Even by you."

Tia began to whisper, "Laphicet opened a tear in time and space. If you can dance a little bit more, I can open it for us to all escape."

Avernus turned once more to Velvet as she extended an arm at him, probably thinking that he would probably die. "Will do. I'll put up a good show for everyone." He blinked at Velvet playfully. If I can't make it, be sure to take Velvet and Laphicet away.

Tia groaned, in her disembodied voice, "Just stay alive for goodness' sake."

Artorius and Melchior both scrambled at him. Avernus parried Artrius' single slash first and then shattered Melchior's incoming mana shards with a swing of his staff. His senses dialled up to the maximum, and he dashed at Artorius. Avernus' longer staff proved a little too much for Artorius to counter. The ethereal blades scythed down around him with each spin. The over-extension of them found his cloth and tore his cloak and his disabled arm. Artorius raised his blade at the last moment to guard against a fatal blow. He held his staff in its place firmly. "Stand down, Avernus. This is my last warning."

"Pretty weak statement coming from a cold-blooded murderer like you." Avernus pushed on against his guard, but his senses picked up more shards coming his way from the other side. Avernus jumped backward, and the piercing artes whistled away between him and Arotrius.

"Ice shards." Avernus gestured his hand at them, and they stopped in mid-air. He whipped his head at Melchior, pinning him with murderous intent. "You're responsible for a lot of misery.' He clawed his hand, and the shards turned their pointy ends at Melchior. With a twist from his hand, the number of shards multiplied to ten times more. "Suffer!"

Avernus threw his punch, and the shards followed his command. Melchior raised his hand, conjuring an elemental shield. The shards battered it like a hail storm, and Melchior's body shuddered as he held on to his power. But suddenly, one last tiny shard pierced the veil and went straight for Melchior's left eye.

Melchior's loupe broke with his cry of pain, and he dropped to his knee, holding his face.

Artorius unexpectedly lowered his sword. "Stand down, Avernus. This has nothing to do with you."

Irritated, Avernus scrambled at Artorius with astonishing speed. "I'm tired of your nonsense!"

Artorius waited patiently until Avernus closed the distance, then quickly slashed like a flash. But Avernus disappeared in a fast warp and appeared behind him. "Ready for a beat down?"

Artorius whirled on his heels in time to guard against Avernus' staff, but he wasn't fast enough as the long blades pierced his shoulder, and he hissed in pain. "You…!"

"Relying on one arm won't do you any good," Avernus mocked and smacked Artorius' side with the bottom of his weapon and kicked him in the chest, hurling him down the floor.

Eleanor never expected to see such a brutal fight. "He fights like a-"

"A daemon."She ate the word, but Rokurou finished it for her. "Avernus fights like a daemon."

Artorius sword and Avernus' staff clashed and clanged like hammers battering iron. Their moves and slashes became invisible to normal eyes. Each blow sent tremors through the temple.

Then they both stopped before circling. Artorius whipped his blade to the side, inviting Avernus for one final duel. Avernus swung his staff to his back and leaned forward in his battle stance with his free arm arching in front of him. Avernus coiled it into a fist, smirking.

Their gaze met one another like two crushing storms ready to rumble—Blue ice versus green flames.

Melchior tossed the damaged loupe on his left eye and walked to Eleanor, watching the scene intently. "Shepherd against Shepherd." He muttered.

Artorius fixed a death glare on Avernus, " "With a single stroke, I will carve death into your being!"

Avernus arched his staff and the blades shone even bright, bolts of lightning hitting all around them. "Heavens! Rend the skies with Fury! Deliver justice to my enemies!"

"Savage Wolf Fury!"

"Tyranny of Heaven!"

Their shouts matched their speed, and the weapons met one another in a grand slam. The wave that emanated beat their eardrums for one last time. Avernus' mystic arte seemed to tore the reality in two.

The rest gazed upon the aftermath:

Avernus and Artorius were now on the opposite sides. Each glued to their spot and staring blankly at their fronts.

Then a bloody cough and a pained groan came from Artorius as he heavily fell on his knees.

"Impossible!" Eleanor recoiled in fear. Melchior groaned but didn't move. Instead, he glanced over at the sigil behind the throne.

Magilou sneered, with Rokurou and Eizen scowling at the unexpected outcome. "He did it."

Avernus turned and marched at Artorius, intending to kill. "Time to finish the job-"

Then as he raised his bladed staff, the sigil pulsed heavily with magic, and a wave of intense magic washed over the Artorius and smashed like a rolling stone into Avernus. The force tossed him to the ground. Avernus slammed the end of his staff into the floor to break the speed. He raised his head to see Artorius rose on his feet with all his wounds healed fully.

"Damn it! Tia, how are you doing with the portal?!"

Then the tear behind him stretched and burst into existence. "All done! Let's go!"

Avernus scrambled at Velvet. Her eyes were barely open, and she frowned a scolding glare at him before closing her eyes. Avernus smirked and picked her off the ground. "Not sorry for that, Velvet."

Eizen took Laphicet, and they all scrambled into the vortex. Avernus tightly hugged Velvet as he braced himself before jumping into the tear.

Eleanor suddenly took off after them. Her thoughts and beliefs took a direct hit when she met Avernus. The portal's vortex intensified and pulled Eleanor off her feet. She turned one last time at her teachers to see Melchior sending a floating orb after her. Their faces were cold and uncaring as usual, and they didn't make a goodbye scene. Eleanor's vision went away as the portal sucked her in, sending her to an unknown land.

With the commotion ended, Artorius gazed at the space where the portal used to be. "We need to deal with Velvet and Avernus."

Melchior strode slowly at the broken door, walking all over debris. "I will send for Shigure and Lucian. We need to stop them before they try anything new."

Artorius heaved a breath and glanced at Innominat's sigil that shone on the throne, remembering Laphicet's power. "Contact Eleanor immediately and tell her that she needs to capture the malak." He paused. "Make that a priority."

After Melchior left the chamber, the exorcists' reinforcements entered the room and tended to Oscar and Teresa. Artorius swept a gaze over Avernus' handiworks.

"It's a shame that I must cut off your wings, Avernus. How far you and Velvet could have flown if you chose differently."