Lilya moved stealthily through the dense shadows of Helheim. The oppressive atmosphere seemed to pulse with malevolent energy, whispering threats that crawled down her spine. She gripped her halberd tightly—Abyssal Bastion, now in its Seventh Form: Tracker. The runes carved along its blade glowed faintly, channeling enough power to track Lucifer without revealing her presence. But Helheim had never been a place of predictability.
- ???: "Do you think it's safe to watch us like that?"A cold voice echoed from the void, dripping with contempt.
Lilya spun around, her halberd raised in defense. Around her, only moving shadows—and a single black feather drifting down before landing at her feet. She frowned, alert but unafraid.
- Lilya: "Damn it… who dares?" - she muttered, eyes scanning the desolate landscape.
When she turned back to Lucifer's trail, it had vanished. A demonic roar made her whirl around again. An Oni emerged from the shadows, its monstrous aura seething with hostility. Lilya activated the First Form: Materialize, unleashing a powerful strike that reduced the Oni to ashes.
- Lilya: "You're nothing but distractions," she murmured, regaining focus.
Before the black vortex of the Abyss, Lucifer stood tall, his gaze fixed on the vast, distorted rift that seemed to devour reality itself. Memories of a recent encounter, in another spiritual plane, echoed within his mind.
- Feminine Voice: "Are you ready for the inevitable, Lucifer?" - The whisper replayed in his thoughts. - "Hades already knows you've declared war, just as we planned. His pride will bring him to you—so don't trouble yourself crossing to the other side of the Abyssal Rift."
Lucifer clenched his fists, tension and excitement coursing through him. As he prepared to leap into the vortex, a bridge of dark energy materialized beneath his feet. In the distance, the imposing figure of Hades emerged, holding the Staff of Helheim.
- Hades: "Bold." - he thundered, his voice echoing like stormclouds. - "You thought you could invade my domain without consequence?"
Lucifer smirked, activating his Magnetism ability to manipulate the bridge, which trembled violently under the combined control of both powers.
- Lucifer: "Your reign is obsolete, Hades. Come—show me what remains of your so-called greatness."
The battle erupted in chaos. Lucifer unleashed Infernal Devastation, summoning a storm of black flames that consumed the air itself. Hades countered with the Chains of Styx, absorbing surrounding energy and weakening Lucifer's attacks.
- Hades: "Underestimating my power within my own domain was your greatest mistake." - Hades declared, summoning the Abyss of Charon. A legion of tormented souls surged forth, attacking in unison.
Lucifer retaliated with Celestial Flames, reducing the souls to cinders. He flew toward Hades, channeling his Nephilim Ascension to amplify his next blow. The impact was devastating—but Hades stood firm, activating Erebus Mode, his aura flaring to an overwhelming level.
- Hades: "You are strong, but your arrogance will be your undoing!" - he roared, unleashing Underworld Judgment, a spiritual assault that struck Lucifer's very essence, forcing him to retreat momentarily.
The clash dragged on, each blow echoing through the underworld like thunder. The ground of Helheim fractured, and the surrounding structures collapsed into ruin. Both combatants remained standing—exhausted, yet equally determined to prevail.
Hidden in the distance, Lilya arrived at the scene, watching as Hades and Lucifer clashed. Once more, she invoked the Seventh Form: Tracker, marking Lucifer with a subtle energy signature—ensuring she could follow him, even across dimensions.
Meanwhile, the other Templars faced their own trials:
Midoki, asleep within the Third Area of the Spiritual Zone, confronted a mysterious realm in his trial.
Durin, reunited with Keldor, relived the day they planned their great escape from that prison.
Gronnak, alongside Grendor and Palnak, prepared to infiltrate Surtur's Prison.
Elyra and Elliot trained relentlessly in the First Area of the Spiritual Zone.
Belphegor and Neptune battled their inner terrors within the Second Area.
Aelion and Spink sailed aboard Namiro's warship, accompanied by a diverse group of survivors.
And Throk, in Lunareth, stood before the World Mystic Tree, quietly observing.
A terrifying glimpse unfolded—a creature of pure darkness, its power eclipsing everything that had ever been seen before.