The barrier cracked again, a spiderweb of light trembling under Samael's fire. Anthony's voice was ragged, every prayer tearing his throat raw, blood dripping from his split lips. Gabby stood firm, golden wings spread, her blade pressed into the earth, her body shaking as she funneled every ounce of her strength into holding the line.
Samael loomed over them, fire pouring from his wings, his laughter a storm. "You cannot win. He is already mine. Every second you resist, you feed me more. When your strength fails, when your prayers die in your throat — he will walk to me of his own will."
Maxwell shuddered, the silver and crimson war tearing through his veins. His sword shook violently, his breath coming in ragged gasps. In his ears, Samael's voice thundered:
Why resist what you are? Why deny the fire in your blood? Strike with me, and the world bends. Strike against me, and you will break.
Maxwell's knees buckled. His vision blurred crimson. He saw himself kneeling before Samael, fire pouring from his hands, the world burning at his command. For a heartbeat, he wanted it. He wanted the power. The freedom. The end of weakness.
But then — the whispers faltered. A softer voice broke through the storm
Maxwell…
He froze, his chest heaving.
My son… you are not his fire. You are not my chains. You are stronger. Stronger than me. Stronger than him.
His mother's voice. Fragile, but steady. Her last words, echoing in his soul.
Maxwell's eyes snapped open, silver blazing brighter than crimson. He lifted his sword, though it felt like lifting a mountain. His voice came hoarse, but sharp.
"No…"
The crimson glow in his veins flickered, faltered. His grip steadied.
"No!"
With a roar, he drove his sword into the earth. Silver light exploded outward, cutting through the whispers, tearing Samael's voice from his head. The ruins shook as if struck by thunder.
Gabby gasped, her eyes widening as the barrier surged brighter, fueled by his defiance. Anthony collapsed to his knees, sobbing with relief as the Codex's glow steadied.
Samael staggered, his flames flaring wildly, his laughter breaking into a snarl. "What have you done?!"
Maxwell rose to his feet, his eyes pure silver now, burning like a storm unchained. His sword pulsed with runes alive, brighter than ever before. His voice rang out, fierce and unyielding.
"I broke you. You don't own me. You never will."
The Forgotten Host raised their blades as one, their silent chorus booming like war drums. With Maxwell's defiance, their strength surged, their light blazing white-hot.
Gabby stood tall again, her golden wings burning brighter, her face fierce with pride. "You hear that, Samael? He is not yours. And neither is this world."
For the first time, Samael's fire wavered. His massive form recoiled, his chains rattling like thunder. His burning eyes locked on Maxwell, hatred and fury boiling within them.
"This is not over, child. You have denied me once… but your blood is mine. And I will claim it before the end."
With a roar that shook the heavens, Samael's form split into flame and shadow, tearing back into the Abyss. The battlefield fell into silence, ash and smoke drifting in the air like snowfall.
Maxwell sank to his knees, his chest heaving, sweat pouring down his face. His silver eyes dimmed, but the storm within them remained.
Gabby knelt beside him, resting a hand on his shoulder. Her voice softened. "You chose. Not for him. Not for me. For yourself. That is your strength."
Anthony, still shaking, closed the Codex with trembling hands. "But he won't stop. He'll return stronger. And next time, he may not give us the chance to resist."
Maxwell tightened his grip on his sword, staring into the ashes where Samael vanished. His voice was low, but steady as iron.
"Then we'll be stronger too. No more running. No more waiting. We take the fight to him."