The Arrival in Paris
Wind howled at the top of Tour Montparnasse, the tallest tower still standing in burning Paris. Crimson light faded as Rehan, Zahir, and Ishita materialized from teleportation.
The sight froze them.
The entire city… was drowned in blood.
Rivers of red flowed through the streets. Cars overturned, corpses hanging from shattered glass, screams fading into silence. Even the French army, once deployed in thousands, had either been slaughtered or turned into demons themselves.
Ishita's knees buckled.
"N-no… this can't be real…"
Rehan's fist clenched so hard that sparks of blue flame escaped his knuckles.
"…damn it."
Zahir's usual arrogant smirk was gone. His jaw trembled as he whispered,
"This… this is hell."
For the first time, all three stood silent, shaken. The metallic stench of blood clung to their throats.
Then Zahir's voice broke the silence, trembling with rage.
"Enough. Enough running, enough talking. If we don't fight here—Paris will vanish from the map."
---
The Feast of Demons
Across the bloody plaza near the Eiffel Tower, two mid-ranked demons feasted like animals.
One was a hulking beast with obsidian skin and molten cracks running across its arms—Malrik, the Devourer (7th Mid-Rank Ghost Demon). His maw split open wider than humanly possible as he tore soldiers apart and crunched their bones. Every kill released black mist that swirled into his chest, strengthening him.
Beside him, a lean, crimson-skinned figure with wings of flesh sharpened into blades licked his claws—Morthis, the Carrion Prince (6th Mid-Rank Ghost Demon). His power was crueler—every corpse he touched rose again as twisted ghouls, swelling the demon army further.
Malrik chuckled, blood dripping down his chin.
"These humans break so easily. Paris tastes better than Rome."
Morthis grinned, raising another soldier's corpse with a snap of his fingers.
"True. But we'll need more. The lord Ghost Demon awakens only when the Scarlet bleeds. Find her."
Their eyes turned—locking directly onto the tower where Ishita stood.
Ishita's heart froze.
---
Zahir vs. Morthis – Duel of Pride
Zahir roared first, rage boiling.
"You bastards think you can toy with us?! Not while I breathe!"
He leapt from the tower, aura bursting into golden sand. The storm engulfed the ground, forming colossal sand serpents that lunged toward Morthis.
"Golden Tomb: Serpent Burial!"
Morthis only smirked, slashing the air with his wing-blades. The serpents were shredded instantly, collapsing into dust.
"Pretty lights," the demon mocked.
Zahir's fury only grew. With a guttural roar, he launched again.
Thus began Zahir vs. Morthis.
---
Rehan & Ishita vs. Malrik – Strength and Fire
Meanwhile, Rehan and Ishita faced Malrik.
The giant demon roared, swinging an arm the size of a truck. Rehan shoved Ishita aside, flames exploding from his fists.
"Stay behind me!"
"B-but—"
"No buts! You're not ready!"
Rehan dashed forward, chains of blue fire lashing out.
"Infernal Bind!"
The flaming chains wrapped Malrik's arm, searing flesh. But the demon only laughed, pulling Rehan forward with brute strength.
"You burn like a candle, boy!"
With a swing, Malrik hurled Rehan into a car, shattering it into pieces.
Ishita screamed, aura trembling around her hands. Crimson energy flared, unstable, wild.
"No… no, I can fight too!"
She thrust her palms forward.
"Scarlet Burst!"
A blast of crimson aura shot forth, striking Malrik in the chest. The demon actually staggered, smoke rising from his torso.
Rehan crawled out of the wreckage, stunned.
"…She actually… landed a hit?"
But Malrik only chuckled, licking the blood off his lips.
"Scarlet bloodline… delicious."
He charged at Ishita, fangs bared.
"Ishita!!" Rehan roared, teleporting in front of her at the last second. His chains clashed against Malrik's claws, sparks igniting the night.
---
The Arrival of Ethan Blake
As the battles raged, a mocking voice echoed across the blood-stained plaza.
"Well, well. Looks like Paris is already hosting a party—and you didn't invite me?"
Everyone turned.
From the shadows stepped a man clad in black tactical armor, his weapon strapped across his back—a colossal boarding axe glowing with silver runes. His hair was blond, his jaw sharp, and his presence almost as heavy as Shion's.
Ethan Blake. America's Weapon Wielder.
Zahir's eyes widened. "You…!"
Rehan narrowed his gaze. "The axe wielder."
Ethan grinned, rolling his shoulders.
"You kids are struggling. Why don't you leave the real fight to me?"
He pointed the axe at the mid-rank demons.
"You three—clean up the trash. Thin the army. I'll handle the princes."
Even Zahir, bleeding and furious, froze for a second—shocked.
"…Ethan Blake. Here, in Paris…"
---
Ethan vs. Malrik & Morthis
The boarding axe glowed bright, splitting into two blades. Ethan spun it once, the motion creating a shockwave that cleared the blood mist.
"Titan Cleaver!"
He swung downward, and the ground split apart in a massive fissure. Malrik roared as the attack carved into his leg, black ichor splattering.
"Human scum!!"
Ethan smirked, spinning the axe behind his back.
"Come on then. Show me what you've got."
Morthis lunged from above, wing-blades slashing. Ethan blocked with the flat of his axe, sparks raining down. He twisted, slamming the axe into Morthis's chest.
The demon crashed into a building, rubble collapsing around him.
Rehan, Zahir, and Ishita—fighting off the horde of low-rank demons—paused for a second, shocked.
"…He's actually… overwhelming them," Ishita whispered.
Rehan's eyes narrowed. "…Impressive."
---
The Twist – Low-Rank Demons Appear
But then—Ethan staggered. Blood dripped from his shoulder.
A claw mark. Deep.
He turned, eyes wide.
"What—?"
Behind him, the shadows twisted. From the sewers and alleys, four new demons emerged.
1. Shyra (11th Rank, Low-Rank Ghost Demon) – the same girl from the café, aura glowing with sickly violet.
2. Korvak (8th Rank) – a brute covered in jagged spikes, his body a walking arsenal.
3. Velra (7th Rank) – a serpentine demoness, her tongue dripping venom that melted stone.
4. Dravok (6th Rank) – a four-armed beast wielding blades of bone.
They surrounded Ethan, snarling.
The axe wielder spat blood, tightening his grip.
"…Damn it. This just got interesting."
From the distance, Rehan and Ishita froze—eyes widening.
Ishita gasped, pointing. "Shyra… that's her! The one from the café!"
Rehan's face darkened, fists trembling. "It really is her… Shyra survived."
Even Zahir's prideful face twisted in shock as he looked at Ethan surrounded.
"…No… this is worse than I thought."
The battlefield went silent, every soul realizing the true nightmare had only begun.r