Earlier...
The demoness had known the price of this fusion.
She hadn't fused from the beginning, not out of weakness, but pride.
As a true demon, her blood was pure. Fusing with half-formed, corrupted combatants was sacrilege. Her rank, her lineage, her identity would be sullied. She'd be reduced to something primal and Mindless. A beast driven by destruction alone.
But that was the point.
Cornered, with no way out, she embraced the unthinkable. She let go of reason and pride. Let go of form.
Now, there were no thoughts in the monstrosity, only rage.
---
The spines on the creature's back rattled as it launched forward, its bulk surprisingly fast for its size. Its roar split the battlefield again as it charged at the Vanguards.
Vanguard Taco's face hardened. "Supreme Nikko! Do what you have to do. We'll hold it off."
Nikko nodded once and closed her eyes. Calm in the chaos, she reached deep into her core. Primal energy danced across her skin as her aura surged.
