Insight and Greed streaked through the sky, their wings slicing through the air with urgency as they raced toward the Emerald Tree. The skeletal crew left to guard it were far too few, as most of the city's defenses had been pulled to the frontlines of the battle. But even this modest force had not been spared. As the Archdemons landed before the tree’s entrance, the sight that greeted them was grim: bodies lay sprawled across the ground, lifeless and mutilated, their weapons discarded beside them. The faint, lingering traces of emerald magic told them all they needed to know—this was Ciel’s work.
The pair exchanged a tense glance before pushing forward. The atmosphere grew heavier with each step as they descended deeper into the sanctum housing the Emerald Tree. Its glow, impossibly radiant, filled the chamber with a mystical aura that seemed to pulsate in time with the beating of their hearts. But the moment they stepped into the room, a horrifying realization struck them: they were too late.
Ciel stood before the towering tree, his arms raised high as streams of emerald energy surged toward him, wrapping around his body like ethereal chains. The very air shimmered as his power multiplied exponentially, the green hue overtaking his once-purple eyes and magic. Runes of vibrant green danced across his skin, weaving patterns of raw, unbridled strength.
“Ciel!” Insight shouted, her voice cutting through the hum of power emanating from the tree. But he didn’t turn—he was too engrossed in the surge of energy flooding his form.
With no hesitation, the Archdemons charged, their weapons blazing as they aimed to strike him down. Greed’s twin golden axes spun in deadly arcs, while Insight’s shadowy scythe whirled with precision, the room briefly illuminated by the flickering interplay of gold and shadow.
But before their attacks could land, Ciel raised an arm, releasing an immense wave of magic force that blasted them backward. The impact sent the Archdemons crashing into the stone walls of the chamber, the sheer intensity of the attack enough to leave cracks in the ancient stone. “Do not interrupt,” Ciel hissed, his voice low and dangerous.
Ciel held one arm toward the tree, continuing to siphon its energy, while the other remained pointed at Insight and Greed, warding them off with a palpable wall of power. Determined, the Archdemons rose to their feet and charged again. Their movements were precise and synchronized, but their attacks were met with yet another obstacle—an emerald barrier materialized around Ciel, shimmering like liquid light and crackling with an intensity they had never encountered.
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“Cease your pointless efforts,” Ciel said, a smug smile spreading across his face as he gazed at his former allies. “My power is growing beyond your comprehension. After my initial encounter with this tree, I saw its true potential. And what potential might you ask?” His laughter echoed throughout the chamber, his green eyes gleaming with manic intensity.
“Just shut up and die by my blade!” Greed snarled, her axes spinning faster as she unleashed strike after strike against the barrier. Insight joined her, the tendrils of her scythe lashing out and colliding with the shield in bursts of shadowy energy. The chamber vibrated with the force of their attacks, and cracks began to appear in the barrier, spidering across its glowing surface.
Ciel stopped siphoning energy, his attention shifting to his attackers as the barrier shattered into shards of green light. Before Greed and Insight could capitalize on their opening, Ciel raised his hand and fired an emerald blast at them. The wave of magic was overwhelming, sending the Archdemons hurtling across the room like ragdolls. Insight slammed into the wall with sickening force and collapsed to the floor, unmoving, her scythe falling from her grasp.
Greed groaned, her body battered but still fueled by sheer determination. She rose to her feet, her axes glowing faintly as she prepared to strike again. Ciel smirked, his entire form now coated in vibrant green magic. “The potential for a new Demon Lord!” he shouted, his voice reverberating through the chamber. His laughter was maniacal, unhinged, as he basked in his newfound power.
Greed launched herself at him, her body propelled by the last reserves of her strength. She swung her axes in a deadly arc, aiming for his chest. But Ciel was faster. With a motion that seemed effortless, he caught her by the neck, lifting her off the ground as her axes clattered to the floor. Her golden eyes burned with defiance, but the raw power radiating from Ciel was impossible to match.
“Calm yourself,” Ciel said, his voice dripping with condescension. “I will not kill you, Greed. There is a place for you in my kingdom, after all.” With a flick of his wrist, he sent her hurtling across the room, her body skidding to a halt beside Insight’s. Greed groaned once before falling unconscious, her axes lying forgotten beside her.
Ciel stood amidst the ruins of the chamber, his emerald aura crackling with uncontrollable energy. He glanced back at the Emerald Tree, its glow subdued from his relentless siphoning. A smug grin spread across his face as he turned and ascended the steps out of the chamber. “Now,” he muttered to himself, “it’s time to rid the battlefield of the one obstacle left in my path—the Demon Lord.”
As he emerged from the bunker and the battlefield came into view once more. Fires raged, divine and mortal forces clashing in a storm of blood and light. But Ciel’s gaze was fixed solely on one figure—the towering, red-skinned form of the Demon Lord, whose oppressive energy blanketed the battlefield. Ciel’s smile widened, his green aura flaring even brighter as he prepared to challenge the King of Hell himself. The true battle was about to begin.
