"Die, Azreal."
The figure floats in the air, its presence radiating an ominous power. Azreal looks up at the transformation, his expression unmoved. "That's quite the transformation."
The figure's voice comes out doubled, hoarse, and cold. "We have evolved into a perfect being. A being with the power to reform Hell and be its Supreme ruler. We are Asrah."
Asrah's eyes lock onto Azreal, icy and unforgiving. "You aren't welcome in our new Hell. You're in the way. That's why your death will be the cleansing of our new Hell."
Azreal's gaze sharpens. "Then I have only one thing left to say… Try to kill me if you can."
Asrah smirks. "That arrogance will only cost you your life."
With a swift motion, she raises her palm, and a giant flaming spear shoots towards Azreal. His eyes glow as he stops it with his hands, squeezing his palm until the flame dissipates.
Asrah's voice echoes, "You did well to stop that. But what will you do about the rest?"
From behind her, swords made of flame form, streaking toward Azreal. He moves forward, his hands bursting with flames, stopping the blades mid-flight. Asrah disappears in an instant, reappearing with a powerful kick aimed at him. Azreal blocks it, gripping her foot in his hand. Flames burst out from his grip as he backs away, his coat singed. He brushes it off, chuckling. "Ah, that was my favorite."
Asrah's cold voice cuts through the air. "Such things are meaningless."
Azreal smirks, releasing an intense wave of heat. "Meaningless, huh?"
He stretches his palm out, flames swirling into a long spear. It solidifies, and a flame-drawn symbol forms at its tip. He swings it with precision, his eyes burning with resolve. "Why don't we test it out?"
Asrah flaps her wings and flies up into the air, raising her palm. Dozens of flaming swords appear around her. "Prove it with your power."
She sends the blades flying at Azreal. Azreal runs forward, deflecting them effortlessly, but then, two large flaming shurikens appear in his blind spot. He leaps sideways, placing his feet in the middle of the shurikens' holes, and smirks. "You can have it back."
Asrah dodges, but Azreal vanishes, only to reappear behind her, striking with incredible force. She's sent flying down, crashing into the ground. As she looks up, she sees Azreal slowly landing beside her. He walks towards her, but she becomes invisible, her voice echoing around him.
Flaming balls of fire rain down from the sky. Azreal closes his eyes, taking a deep breath, steam hissing from his mouth. "Now is not the time for hide-and-seek."
He slashes the air with his spear, sending a fiery slash toward her. Asrah's body begins to become visible, but to Azreal's shock, she splits in half, narrowly avoiding the attack.
She laughs. "Don't think that would work on me."
Her eyes glow as code runs across them. "I've figured out the technique you used to detect me. Who would have thought it was so basic… The Breath of Life."
Azreal's eyes narrow. "So, you've finally started acting like the system."
Asrah grins, her voice cold. "I'll admit it took me some time to notice, but now that I do… Knowing won't change the outcome."
Azreal stares at her with glowing eyes. "I've already seen your defeat."
Asrah grits her teeth as her body stitches back together with threads of light. "I made a mistake in my judgment… Power is given, power is taken."
She opens her eyes, locking onto him with newfound determination. "Therefore, I won't kill you, Azreal. I will take your powers and evolve into an even stronger being."
Azreal raises his fist. "It seems that pesky transformation has gotten into your head. You want to take my powers? Where have your manners gone? You need a reminder of who the true ruler is around here."
Asrah sneers. "You're no longer the ruler. Don't expect any respect from me in my form now. We're not on the same level."
Azreal's eyes flare with intensity. "That's right. We're not on the same level."
With a fierce motion, he raises his fist, shouting, "Zonal Tide Control: 'Cyro Brachium!'"
A barrage of fiery punches rains down on Asrah from every angle, each strike more intense than the last. The heat increases with every blow, and Asrah is forced to endure, her body taking the full brunt of the attack.
She grits her teeth. These punches… they're getting stronger with each hit. I need to find a way out of here.
But before she can react, Azreal appears in front of her, his fiery fist ready to strike. "This is bad," she thinks, but it's too late. Azreal punches her, his fist sinking deep into her body. Just as he does, he hears the voice of a young girl cry out, "Help me!"
Azreal freezes. "Laisa?"
He pulls his hand away, looking down in confusion. Asrah's body turns to fluid, but she laughs maniacally as she reforms, the liquid flesh merging back together.
Azreal stares in shock. "What's going on? I heard Laisa's voice."
Asrah doesn't give him time to think. She punches again, and Azreal forms flames in his palms to block it, feeling a sharp pain in his chest. Steam rises from his body as he grips his chest with his other hand. Asrah sees her opportunity and kicks him, pushing him back.
Azreal regains his balance, clutching his chest in pain. His eyes begin to glow once more as he suddenly finds himself in another world. The ground is covered in black flames, and skeletons lie scattered across the barren landscape. A haunting white light fills the air, and there, in the distance, he sees Laisa.
She's shackled in black chains, her eyes full of tears. "Help me…" she whispers.
Azreal's heart tightens. "Laisa…"
Before he can reach her, he's pulled back into the present. Asrah is there, attempting to kick him once more.
"Where are you looking, Azreal?" she taunts.
But Azreal isn't distracted this time. He grabs her leg, flinging her across the battlefield. Flames burst from his palm as he sends a fiery orb toward her. The explosion echoes in the air as Asrah is sent crashing to the ground.
"What was that feeling? That world…" Azreal murmurs, still shaken. "Is Laisa truly in trouble?"
He turns to face Asrah, who slowly rises from the rubble. "Just who are you?"
She laughs, her voice dripping with malice. "I told you. I am Asrah. We combined completely to form a perfect evolutionary being."
Azreal narrows his eyes. "Doesn't seem so."
Asrah dashes forward, her hands forming into a blade. But then, something strange happens. She stops, her hand trembling. "Laisa… are you trying to stop me?" Her voice cracks as she realizes what's happening. "What happened to our goal?"
Her hand shakes uncontrollably, and with a look of desperation, she forces it down with her other hand. "This is my body! I am the one in control!"
Azreal watches, his heart sinking. "Then I'm right. Laisa is still there… inside you."
His voice softens. "Laisa, hang on a little longer."
Asrah struggles to regain control, her voice breaking. "There's nothing you can do…"
Suddenly, flames rain down from the sky, but they stop as Azreal stabs Asrah in the chest with his black flame-covered fingers. She coughs blood, but with a final surge of power, she stabs him with a blade, sinking it deep into his side.
She rests her head against Azreal's chest as their surroundings blur. Azreal's vision fades into white once more. He sees Laisa, a child again, tears streaming down her face as she hits his chest with her tiny fists.
"Why won't you acknowledge my power?" she cries, her voice filled with pain. "Why can't you see? I've been working so hard… for your acknowledgment! Why?! Why?"
Azreal's heart aches as he holds her, pulling her close. "I'm sorry… Laisa."
He continues softly, "I don't think saying sorry can cure the pain you feel…"
Laisa looks up at him, her eyes filled with unshed tears. "Lord Azreal…"
Flame petals surround them, filling the air with warmth as they embrace. Azreal whispers, "What is this place?"
Laisa sniffles, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know…"
Azreal notices a black horn mark on her body. He mutters, "I see… My mark is resonating with Y'tharion's mark…"
He extends his hand toward her, a soft light filling the world. "Let's go back."
Laisa looks up at him, her eyes glowing with a newfound light. "You've taught me a lesson, Lord Azreal. I was clouded by darkness, but you… you were my light. Just like the sun shines on the dark…"
She reaches her hand toward his, and as their hands meet, the world is flooded with light.
Azreal drags her out of Sarah's body and lays her down gently. As she falls unconscious, Azreal turns to face Sarah, who has returned to her normal form. The third eye on her forehead is still glowing.
Azreal eyes her carefully. "What's going on?"
Sarah laughs darkly. "This isn't over. The time for revolution is still near."
She swells up, absorbing heat. Her form grows larger, fatter, and her eyes glow with fury. "Die with me, Azreal!"