The portal shimmered open inside the Gargoyle Monastery. Li Feng stepped through—and nearly collided with Ophir, who rushed upholding the Key of Solomon.
"Master Austin," Ophir said earnestly, "this is yours. Thank you for lending it to me. Because of this book, my brothers and sisters can still fight on."
Li Feng yawned and waved him off. "No thanks needed. I already told you—I was giving it to you. Keep it."
But Ophir pressed the tome back into his hands with a small, knowing smile. "The value lies in the knowledge. We've already copied every page. This original, imbued with power, belongs with you. Think of it as a keepsake."
He gestured toward the audience chamber. "Some of the simpler spells have been translated. The queen wishes to give them to you personally."
Heh, Li Feng thought. Now they're polite? Not really about the spells. They just want to know where I disappeared to. Gargoyles love circling instead of asking directly.
He followed Ophir into the chamber. Queen Leonore rose from her throne, scroll in hand, and smiled warmly. "I heard of your aid—the Key in Ophir's hands, the demons destroyed within our walls. Thank you."
Li Feng waved quickly. "No need for bows. I was in the monastery when they attacked. Lending the book was as much self-preservation as anything."
Leonore chuckled, then signaled Gideon. The stoic captain stepped forward carrying a silver flask studded with gems. "A gift, in recognition of your aid," he said.
Leonore added, "The flask prevents spoilage, but the contents matter more. Holy water. Not consecrated by mortal priests but forged here through angelic rites. Its strength is absolute."
Li Feng raised an eyebrow, masking his excitement. The real stuff. Strong enough to fry almost anything demonic. Mass-produce this and you wouldn't need swords—just water guns. Fill a fire truck and even Naberius would drown screaming.
But he frowned slightly. And you're giving it to me? I use dark energy. You testing me, see if I burst into flames?
Leonore seemed to read his thoughts. "Holy water purifies corruption. Demons suffer because their hearts are twisted. Energy itself is not moral. Darkness corrodes, yes, but faith corrupts too, if wielded blindly. This water will steady you, strengthen your resistance against corruption."
Li Feng dipped a finger into the flask. Nothing. No smoke. No sizzle. He touched it to his tongue.
Instantly, a portion of his mana vanished—but the rest gleamed sharper, refined. His eyes widened. Weeks of meditation to achieve what one drop just did.
Tempted, he lifted the flask for a long pull.
Gideon stopped him. "Only after your mana is full. Then a sip—no more than a capful. Taken properly, this flask can double your purity."
Li Feng considered, then took a careful swallow. Half his energy drained, yes—but the remainder crystallized in quality. He grinned. "Good stuff."
He lifted the flask toward Leonore. "My thanks. This is a treasure."
Satisfied, Leonore handed him a scroll. "The demon assault leaves us on the brink of war. Time is short. For now, take the basics we've parsed. When the battle calms, I'll teach you the deeper mysteries."
Li Feng bowed. "Plenty to keep me busy. I'll rest now, if permitted."
Once he was gone, Gideon leaned close to his queen. "You won't ask where he went?"
Leonore shook her head. "He drank holy water and grew stronger. That proves he is no ally of demons. Our duty is to guard humanity. His path is his own."
Back in his quarters, Li Feng eagerly unrolled the scroll, copying spells into his grimoire. "Low-level? Some of these are gold. Healing—half as strong with my affinity, but still enough to run a clinic. Stamina restoration? A point of mana for instant recovery? I could rent myself out as a personal trainer."
He was still muttering when a knock came. Mordo entered, bottle in hand, his face grim.
"Adam's returned," Mordo said after a long drink. "He told Leonore Naberius wants Frankenstein's notes to raise corpses—vessels for his army."
Li Feng rubbed his temple. He knew that already. Just didn't say. "And that's why you're this drunk?"
Mordo's jaw tightened. His voice dropped. "Leonore has ordered Gideon to shadow Adam. The moment he finds the notebook; Gideon is to kill him—so Naberius can't seize it."
Li Feng raised a brow. "And the problem is? The Mordo I know would agree. Adam's existence defies natural law."
Mordo swallowed hard. "But you told me—God allowed Adam to exist. And I've seen nothing evil in him. Our duty is to protect. We have no right to strip another being of the right to live."
Soon after, events overtook them.
Li Feng finally grasped what gnawed at Mordo—old dogma colliding with new perspective.
Adam, once condemned as a stitch-born abomination, had risked himself to save Leonore. Yet because Gideon had reached her first—trading Frankenstein's notebook for her freedom—the gargoyles now resolved to kill Adam to prevent Naberius from using him.
Who was right? Who was wrong? Once, Mordo would've cut Adam down without hesitation. But not now.
Li Feng shook his head—equal parts exasperation and satisfaction. Exasperated that Mordo chose this moment, with war looming, to wrestle with conscience. Satisfied, because it meant the Ancient One's unspoken lesson had worked. Mordo's faith was cracking.
Li Feng clapped his companion on the shoulder. "If God lets Adam exist, maybe there's a reason. You think the Almighty will just let gargoyles cut him down? If you're confused, sharpen your relics. Vent your doubts on demons, not him."
Mordo thought, then nodded grimly. "Perhaps. I do want to kill some demons right now."
He left to prepare. Li Feng strapped on his blade, tucked away his grimoire, and hefted the Key of Solomon. "Guess I'll find a few demons myself. Time to test the sword arm."
Elsewhere, Adam returned home empty. No sign of Dr. Terra. Panic struck. Grabbing Frankenstein's notebook, he set out.
From the shadows, Gideon struck. Their clash was fast, brutal ending with Adam driving Gideon back to Heaven. Only then did Adam realize the truth: the gargoyles would hunt him now, notebook or not.
But Terra came first. She was the one companion who saw him as more than a monster.
Tracking her led Adam to Naberius's lair. Alone, he couldn't hope to breach it. But the gargoyles? They were the perfect bait. If he led them here, maybe both sides would bleed each other dry.
So, Adam burned Frankenstein's notes, denying their use to anyone, then made sure the gargoyles saw his trail.
At the monastery, Li Feng and Mordo lounged in the hall, weapons at hand, when a gargoyle scout burst in. "Your Majesty—we've found him!"
Leonore's eyes hardened. She shifted to her winged form. "Move out."
The gargoyles unfurled their wings, filling the sky. Li Feng muttered to Mordo, "They can fly. What about us? Portal?"
Mordo arched a brow. "Do you even know where the lair is?"
Li Feng snorted. "Remember that fortress crawling with demons? You think they're nesting in sewers? They're demons, not rats."
Mordo chuckled, then flicked his hand, opening a portal. "Ready? Party time."
Li Feng drew his flaming sword. "I'll stick to the weak ones. Good sparring practice."
They stepped through onto a rooftop across from the lair. Li Feng peeked over. "I thought you'd drop us at the front door."
Mordo rolled his eyes. "Charging blind into unknown numbers? You think I'm the Ancient One? We wait for the gargoyles."
Soon enough, Adam appeared below, weaving through alleys, the gargoyle host shadowing him.
From above, Li Feng spotted Leonore's gaze fixed on Adam, who was hemmed in by men in black suits. He almost laughed. Centuries of war with demons, and you don't notice disguises? Meanwhile they adapt with science, and you're still burning candles. Ever hear of electricity? Guns? A Gatling would've cleaned house already.
He shook his head. "So, portal down or stairs?"
Before Mordo could answer, Adam swung his iron rods, cutting down the first demon. Recognition lit Leonore's eyes. She signaled the dive. The gargoyles plunged into battle.
Mordo rose, conviction rekindled. "You were right. God let Adam live to lead them here. Now the demons will be purged."
Li Feng blinked. Has he lost it? Purged? With this bunch? Not likely.
But then his eyes narrowed. The gargoyles weren't just slashing, they were glowing. Runes traced their torsos, power he recognized from the Key of Solomon. Overhead, two gargoyles held a replica grimoire, chanting.
Golden-orange portals flared amidst the demon ranks, stunning them. For the first time, gargoyles wielded spells instead of steel.
Li Feng grinned. "Well, that's new." He ignited his blade and leapt into the fray.
As the battle raged, Adam fought only briefly before slipping away. He wanted the gargoyles to see Naberius's true work.
Leonore tracked him into a warehouse—and froze. Corpses stacked like inventory, ready to be possessed. An army of husks, waiting for Hell to wear.
Her face blanched.
From the shadows outside, Li Feng crouched, spreading a scroll etched with a sealing circle. I'll catch one alive. A weakling, preferably with brains. Naberius would've been the prize, but too risky. If this fails, I'm demon food. Better start small.
He glanced toward Adam's trail, regret flickering. I'm not strong enough yet. But one day…
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