Without using any of their weapons, Aniik and Yuri simultaneously launched an Attack on Yonuro. They performed consecutive airborn kicks and deadly punches that put a lot of pressure on the enemy.

With her extremely fast character, though, she dodged many of their attacks and she also used her forearm to block the undodgeable ones. Yonuro's strategy was based on switching between both targets and between blocking and attacking in order to fend off the pressure.

She blocked Aniik's incoming kick, then faced Yuri and punched her in return. That strategy held out for a while but it soon appeared to be overly optimistic...

Aniik- Too slow!

Their strikes were one too many for Yonuro to handle and Aniik's front knee attack in the stomach launched her toward Yuri who was preparing an all-in punch.

Their combo was well timed and clearly devastating. Battle scars were already visible in Yonuro's face and body. On the other hand, Aniik and Yuri were almost left unscathed. The situation was surely looking dire...

In order to prove otherwise, after getting a hold of herself from such a deadly combo, Yonuro whispered something to Ramael. They both nodded and then executed Yonuro's idea.

Yonuro- Form the rectangle wall now Ramael!

As she was told, Ramael streched herself in the air forming a sturdy protective wall made out of Holy Energy.

Aniik- Well, that's new.

Yuri- Hold on! Don't go near it or else it'll drain you!

Unsure of what the enemy plan was about, Aniik and Yuri were on their guard facing the wall.

The wall, however, wasn't used to protect Yonuro, but to hide her clever ambush...

From behind Yuri and Aniik's backs the sound of a projectile being thrown was heard. Yuri felt her back being stabbed by a knife as blood started coming out of the wound. Aniik noticed her ally's injury and was startled for a moment.

She then turned towards the direction the knife was thrown from and saw Yonuro revealing herself from the side of a pillar.

Aniik- How did you-

Yuri- Fuck! That stings!

Yonuro- The wall was just a distraction!

Aniik / Yuri- (...)

Yonuro- Or was it?

The golden color of Ramael's body who was forming the wall became all the more bright and blinding. Aniik and Yuri who were angrily  staring at Yonuro just now turned to Ramael only to see her channeling an all-time classic incantation.

Ramael- Angelic Ray!

Yuri / Aniik- I cannot see a thing! / Not this again!

While covering their foreheads with their hands to avoid getting blinded, an ever powerful beam of Holy Energy struck them both with outstanding force.

The incantation's channel time was almost a whole minute, therefore this specific Angelic Ray was so massive and deadly that after they had been sent flying toward the huge entry door, Aniik and Yuri were paralyzed with pain for a while.

After this successful ambush attack, Yonuro and Ramael evened up on inflicting damage. Yuri and Aniik sure felt the tension now.

Yuri could be seen removing the knife from her back and tossing it away while screaming from the sheer pain she felt. Mid flight, Yuri's blood that was covering the knife fell on the floor and thus revealed an insteresting carving on the knife's hilt:  " Get Fucked -Geord "

Aniik was also caught up in the enhanced Angelic Ray and she wasn't faring all that well either... She cleaned the dust off of her clothes and touched her left cheek only to notice deep scars and her fingers soaked up in blood.

Aniik-  You got us good...

Aniik and Yuri got back on their feet and then the battle paused for a while. To be more accurate, Yonuro, who used this time to get back to Ramael, wanted to stop the fighting.

Yonuro- Yuri, Aniik! I don't want to fight you! Just tell me where Ramael's body is and this will all be over! Can't we talk it through for once?!

Aniik-  I can't do as you say, Yonuro. I have sacrificed too many things for this cause. This corrupted world needs to be erased. And I'll get my revenge from this world by purifying it and making it a rightful place. My people need a fairer World. They need me... I cannot fail again...

Yonuro- But if the Barrier isn't restored in time, all will become a wasteland. Countless people will die! What happiness can you find in such a place, Aniik?

Aniik- This is the only way I'll ever be acknowledged and loved... That's how I see happiness...

Yonuro- You're wrong... This path only leads to a miserable life... Can't you see it? This is not love! This will only grow despair in your heart!

Aniik- (...)

Yonuro half closed her eyes and then looked at Yuri with anger. She then shouted at her with all her heart and feelings on the line.

Yonuro- And you, Yuri?! You're helping her achieve such a messed up goal just to get your revenge on me? Why do you always have to be such a bitch?!  Aniik is in need of help, yet you're focused on revenge... Revenge will get us NOWHERE! You're a fucking GROWN-UP! DON'T YOU GET THIS?

As though she was possessed by an evil spirit, Yuri tried to talk back big time ableit unsuccessfully.

Yuri- I–Err– I– I! ENOUGH! We're here to FIGHT, not CHIT CHAT! Right, ANIIK?

Aniik, who was looking down, suddenly clenched her hand into a fist, bit her lips, looked up toward Yonuro again and said

Aniik- You can't change my mind, Yonuro. I cannot turn back now... If you don't want to fight then, please, give me your Angelic Veil... I don't want to fight you anymore either...

With a pensive facial expression, Yonuro said

Yonuro- Aniik, I'm sorry, I'd like to end this peacefully but I just cannot abandon... Ramael.

Ramael- Yonuro!

Yonuro moved her gaze toward Ramael and chuckled a bit. She then stared at Yuri and Aniik and said

Yonuro- I'll make you tell me where Ramael's body is by force then...

Yuri- Time to die then, assholes! I can't wait to make you plead for my mercy! HAHAHAHA!

Ramael- Noone cares.

Yuri- ?!?!?!?!?!  AHHH! Come to me Diabolic Shield!

Aniik- It seems that you'd rather die alongside Ramael. How cute. Alright then, answer my call, Zanir!

Yonuro- Ramael, <Attach!>

Three different sounds regarding the "drawal" of a weapon resounded in the battleground. The Demonic ring being tapped that made the Demonic Claws appear, the formation of a circular, fiery shield with spikes called the Diabolic Shield and the sound of Ramael's attachment to Yonuro.

Everyone was ready to fight and assumed a battle stance each. At some point, as if she was a referee, Aniik snapped her fingers to initiate the battle. This time around it felt more like a 2 vs 2 all-out brawl fight to the death rather than some chaotic scirmish.

Yuri stood back at first while Aniik was making the first move. Aniik ran toward Yonuro and struck her with a couple of quick consecutive slashes with her Demonic Claws. Much to her surprise, the attacks didn't do much on her as her hands had been imbued with Holy Energy by Ramael. This energy was used defensively thus making her forearms immune to damage.

Without much of a delay Yonuro punched Aniik once under her chest and followed up a second one aiming for her head. The latter one was dodged by Aniik, who managed to lean her body back and counter attack with a kick on Yonuro's flank.

The back and forth trades of kicks and punches continued on for some time until suddenly Ramael detached from Yonuro.

Ramael stretched in the air and was about to cast an Angelic Ray on her enemy while Yonuro was severely pressuring her. Aniik couldn't do much in this instance. If she were to try and dodge the incoming projectile she would get him by Yonuro's kick or the other way around.

Ramael- Angelic Ray!

Before the projectile hit the target, though, Yuri could be heard saying something after touching her Diabolic Shield.

Yuri- I ain't gonna let you do that, you critter!

A defensive fiery wall appeared behind Aniik's back that obliterated the Angelic Ray in an instant. The wall also seperated Ramael from Yonuro and made their reunion a bit more difficult.

After the wall was formed, Yuri rushed to help Aniik defeat Yonuro.

Yonuro- Uh oh..

Yonuro's enhanced fists suddenly came back to normal (The incantation was interrupted) and on top of that she was facing two armed enemies.

Aniik slashed Yonuro's belly as her beatiful top could be seen tearing apart and blood streaks forming on impact. Immediately after, Yuri charged at her with her shield, the spikes of which wounded Yonuro's bare hands that were instinctively used to block.

Just as she was being pushed back with that shield, however, Yonuro found a moment to strike back with a kick and then follow up the attack with a chair she grabbed from the room. She hit Yuri in the neck so hard with that chair that it broke on impact and immobilized her for a while.

At that moment Aniik jumped forth and was about to deliver an airborn slash with her claws. Before she was hit, Yonuro noticed that she was still holding on two legs of the wooden chair she had broken on Yuri earlier. She widened her eyes, then shrugged and thought the following.

"These two chair legs could do some work"

Yonuro joined the two pieces of wood together to guard herself from Aniik's lethal attack. The amount of force they both used was admirable and at the end of it all, they were both evenly knocked back.

Yuri could be seen stroking her neck with pressure still trying to recover from the chair-attack. On the other hand, Ramael made her way back to Yonuro after seperating previously and contrary to Yuri, she had some good news for her ally.

Ramael- Found it!

While unfolding her floating, swirled up body, Ramael revealed the same knife Geord had given Yonuro the previous day.

Yonuro- Thanks, Ramael!

Yonuro then tossed away the chair legs and held the knife with her right hand.

Even though she wasn't used to fighting with a knife, she had to learn the basics right from the get go. And that's because Aniik wasn't going to let her have any breathing room...

She tapped the demonic ring with her index finger and a familiar mettalic sound reverberated in Yonuro's ears. At that moment, Aniik disappeared. Yonuro, who was bracing herself, looked left and right but couldn't tell where Aniik was.

Out of the blue, Aniik's right hand claws appeared to Yonuro's left side and attacked her.  But after getting experience from their first battle, her reflexes had gotten so fast that she managed to block with her knife just in the nick of time.

After her attack was surprisingly blocked, Aniik was startled for a moment and couldn't evade Yonuro's counter attack. Her invisibility was interrupted and blood could be seen coming out of her forearm.

But Yonuro's combo attack didn't just end there. After slashing Aniik in the forearm, she flipped the knife and held it the other way around. She then slashed Aniik once more on the knee and blood gushed out of it violently.

Aniik was so injured that she couldn't move. The nerves of her right leg couldn't hold her up for much longer... Yonuro approached her and held the knife with both hands to end her off.

It was the perfect opportunity. Aniik was defenceless and her neck was exposed. Yonuro could have just slit her neck and end this madness once and for all.

But after making eye contact, Yonuro hesitated..........

Yuri- Aniik! Hold in there!

Yuri snapped her fingers and a fiery field surrounded Yonuro, seperating her in this way from Aniik.

The ring of fire was quite large, more than 2 meters tall and with a diameter of 8 meters. Since it was this large, Yonuro and Ramael were isolated from the battlefield and couldn't know where their enemies were.

After saving her life, Yuri rushed to help Aniik with her injuries

Aniik- Thanks Yuri...  I thought I was a goner back there...

"But why didn't she?  I– I don't understand..." Aniik thought afterwards.

Yuri- Don't waste time with words. Use this bandage and get back to fighting. We need to kill them now that they're in a difficult spot. (literally speaking.)

Aniik- Yeah...

———————————————————

Inside the ring of fire Yonuro expressed her frustration by venting out loud.

Yonuro- Fuck! I hesitated... I know that I don't want things to end this way, but we have no other choice! I'm always so foolish.  (...)

Ramael- Don't worry Yonuro, once we make it out of this ring, we'll knock them out for sure. Let's focus on the present, okay?

Yonuro softly nodded. As soon as she did that though, she noticed that the ring of fire was slowly but surely closing in on her. Yonuro looked left and right anxiously thinking about what to do...

As if that wasn't enough of a trouble for her already, she also heard Aniik prepare for a unique attack of her own.

Aniik- Zanir! Let's end this! Hunt your prey's heart!

Aniik uleashed all ten of her Demonic nails and launched them toward the ring of fire wherein was Yonuro.

As soon as the nails made contact with the flames, they became enhanced with fire and they were now deadlier than ever. The Dark Essence mixed with flames coming from another Demonic Lord all focused on a single sharp point, such projectiles weren't to be messed around with.

What's more, the thrown nails followed a cone shaped trajectory and in combination with the limited space she had at her disposal it was pretty doomed for Yonuro...

Yonuro- Ughhh!!!! It's burning my flesh!

One demonic nail hit her just above her heart. The nail disappeared on impact but left behind a burning sensation never experienced before. If it weren't for Ramael's recuperative properties Yonuro would've gone crazy with pain.

And to make matters worse, Ramael couldn't keep wrapping herself around Yonuro's chest to reduce the burning for much longer, because Aniik was preparing for a second round of fire...

Ramael abandoned Yonuro and created a rectangle shaped wall with her body in front of her in order to avoid the imminent barrage.

However, nobody said that the angle of fire would be the same as last time...

Aniik quietly resummoned her Demonic Claws and threw them nails from the opposite side of the ring of fire.  Two of the enhanced Demonic Nails hit Yonuro's back.

Yonuro- Ughhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Help...... Help! I can't take this! I'm dying, Ramael!

Yonuro dropped on her knees, completely powerless. Her only hope was Ramael...

Ramael- Yonuro! Hold on!

Ramael floated her way back to Yonuro's back and hugged it tightly. Now, Ramael couldn't leave her behind, as it would mark Yonuro's end. She had to keep healing her no matter what.

And that was Aniik's gameplan all along. The ring of fire shrinked in and there was no room to counter Aniik. Aniik asked from her demonic self to bless her with a final array of lethal projectiles that she readied to fire.

Not only that, but the area the ring had settled on was below a chandelier that Yuri had noticed earlier. To ascertain Yonuro's death, Yuri aimed her Diabolic Shield toward the golden chain on the ceiling that the chandelier was hanging on.

Aniik and Yuri exchanged determined glances and silmutaneously threw their everything at Yonuro...

The spikes of the shield broke the chandelier chain and gravity was all it needed to fall on Yonuro's head.

At the same time, one of the Demonic Nails was aimed perfectly at Yonuro's heart. After being imbued with flame from the closing-in ring of fire, it was certain to end things once and for all...

At the moment of impact however, a certain object stood in front of Yonuro's heart... After making contact with the thrown demonic nail, the Pendant of Immortality reacted to the inflicted damage and brought about a massive spherical explosion of some peculiar Essence around it.

The outburst of energy resembled that of the Dark Essence, but in comparison, it was so distinctly powerful that it eradicated everything it touched besides the bearer. A pure black color never seen before...

The chandelier falling half a meter above  Yonuro's head was caught up in the explosion and it was instantly annihilated. The flames surrounding her also turned black and wavered from the destructive energy that got released.

The pillars in the room started to show signs of wear and chunks of them could be seen breaking off of them. Geord's knife that had fallen on the floor at some point was also oblitarated.

Aniik and Yuri weren't caught in the exposion, but similarly to the other inanimate objects they were being pushed back with great force and needed to stand their ground. While using her hands to block the powerful directed wind and dust that was present, Yuri asked Aniik

Yuri- What's GOING ON?! Where's YONURO?!

Aniik- I don't know!  Ghk* Ghk*

A pair of Indigo colored eyes could be faintly seen in the mist that was formed near the explosion's origin point. These eyes were steadily becoming more and more visible as the temporary fog began fading away.

Yuri- IMPOSSIBLE! SH— SHE'S ALIVE?!

With countless scars all over her body, trails of blood dripping from her legs, and a facial expression showing as if she had transcended death, Yonuro walked slowly toward Aniik and Yuri.

When her entire body became clear to her enemies, Yonuro spat blood at the marble floor and said

Yonuro-  I made a promise. To Dad. Geord. Samei. Ramael. I cannot give up now! I have to keep on living! I have to protect them! That's why, I'll fight... till the very end...

"Give me your everything, my dear, dear, Ramael..."

Ramael transferred every last bit of her remaining Holy Energy to Yonuro. Thereafter, she could do nothing more than a normal cloak, but in return, Yonuro's limbs were enhanced to a great margin. And on top of her increased agility and power on her limbs, her whole body began flowing with Holy Energy, healing her wounds.

Yuri- We must go all out, Aniik. Yonuro's not messing around...

Aniik- This the last time I can summon the Demonic Claws. Let's end this...

Yuri and Aniik charged both at once at Yonuro who was also running toward them. With a smooth sidestep to the right, Yonuro dodged Yuri's shield and then blocked Aniik's claws with her bare hands. She struck Aniik back with a quick double punch combo and then focused on Yuri who was trying to kick her from behind.

Yuri- TAKE THIS AND DIE!

Without moving aside, Yonuro was prepared for such a response from Yuri and she grabbed her leg before getting hit. Then, Yonuro pushed her back a bit so that she loses balance and instantly delivered a kick of her own in the diaphragm.

Yuri's short wavy red hair could be seen flying in the air in random directions while she was being knocked back from the attack.

Aniik slashed Yonuro with her nails multiple times, but one after the other her attacks were all avoided. When she tried to slash her with her claws one last time before running out of stamina, Yonuro looked at Aniik with a pensive expression and then grabbed the nails of her right hand.

As though they were mere plastic toys, Yonuro bent the Demonic Nails forward and broke them apart. The Dark Essence that they left behind in the process vanished in thin air.

At that moment, Aniik screamed from the pain she felt. Yuri tsked in irritation and did a front attack with her elbow, which Yonuro managed to dodge. But then...

Yuri- HA! GOT YOU!

With her free left hand, Yuri punched Yonuro in the face with all her might.

Yonuro- Uh oh..

During the time it took for Yonuro to get back on her feet, Aniik tried to resummon her demonic claws but to no avail...

Aniik- It's not looking good, Yuri. I've run out of strength...  I can only fight with one hand...

Yuri- It's okay. Leave this to me! I'LL KILL HER WITH MY OWN TWO HANDS!

Yonuro cracked her fingers, closed her eyes for a sec and said "Let's see what you've got!"

A memory of her training with Geord long ago came back to her.

"It doesn't matter how much strength or defence your opponent has if you can outwit them with your agility and sharp mind. Use their own strength to bring them down!" - Geord.

Yonuro whispered to herself "Thanks, Geord."

At that moment, Yuri prepared a powerful punch with her right hand and ran toward Yonuro to deliver the final blow. Yonuro didn't do almost anything to counter her opponent. She dashed to the right and just pushed Yuri to the direction she was already moving towards. That was enough to make her fall down all on her own.

When she touched the floor, though, Yuri grabbed a broken chair leg—that looked like a stick—and used it to make Yonuro trip on it and fall together with her.

Yuri- If I am to go down, then I'll take you with me!

Yuri then head-locked Yonuro with her legs and was about to choke her to death. Thank god that same stick from earlier was still around. Yonuro grabbed it and struck Yuri's belly with it. For a split second, Yuri released her legs and Yonuro was the one to take the initiative.

Yonuro moved to Yuri's left side and grabbed her left wrist tightly. While using her legs to hold Yuri's upper body on the floor, she pushed Yuri's elbow upwards with her lower abs and thus broke her arm.

Yuri- Ouch!!!!!! My arm!!!!!! ANIIK! HELP!

Aniik then, failed to connect a kick to Yonuro, who immediately left Yuri behind with a swift backflip to dodge777 Aniik's attack.

It was apparent by that point that Aniik's reflections were slow and her endurance limited. And on top of that, she had only 5 demonic nails left. She was no match for Yonuro. And Yonuro knew that as well...

Yonuro dashed toward Aniik and pretended to go for an upper kick. Aniik ducked in response only to notice Yonuro's firmly clenched fist imbued with Holy Energy coming toward her face.

Yonuro- This is the end...

She hit her so hard that Aniik was sent flying. The unfortunate pillar she landed on took so much damage that dust appeared everywhere around it. Aniik could be faintly seen unconscious on the floor beside the pillar.

Ramael- Fine work, Yonuro! We did it~

At that moment, though, Aniik's maniac laughter resounded in the Holy Shrine as she was slowly coming back on her feet.

???- Hahahahahahahaha!

Ramael / Yonuro- How's she still standing?

When all the broken chunks of the pillar had fallen on the floor and the dust disappeared, they certainly saw why...

With Dark Essence coming out of her eyes, brand new Demonic Claws double the size of the original ones, and an expression showing her absolute frenzy, she glared at Yonuro and continued her insane laughter.

???-    HaHaHaHaHaHaHa!     I.   WILL.    BE.    ACKNOWLEDGED!

This distinct, demonic way of speech sent a chill run down Yonuro and Ramael's spines. It was as if she were-

Zanir-   I. WILL.   SERVE.   JUSTICE.     TO.      THIS.         WORLD!

Facing this disgusting beast of nature, Yonuro braced herself while trying not to succumb to her fear...

Charging at Yonuro with outstanding speed, that thing had its tongue out and its face spelled  the word "INSANE". Even in her wildest dreams, Yonuro couldn't predict its behaviour.

The frenzied Aniik slashed Yonuro's thighs out of all places with a swift deadly swipe that left a deep bloody scar. So fast were her slashes that Yonuro had no chance to avoid, let alone counter her attacks.

Also, the claws' increased size and sharpness made every cut more dangerous than the last.

Yonuro- UGH!!!!!!

One after the other the slices from that monstrocity inflicted grave wounds on Yonuro's body.

Her forearm was now soaked in blood. Then followed her shoulders. Her chest. Her flank. Every part of Yonuro's body was lethaly injured...

Yonuro was scared and her heart couldn't hide that fact. She was just no match for that thing. Ramael had no strength left to back her up either. She herself was out of energy.

Yonuro's senses were fuzzy. She took a step back and looked at her bloody hands, chest and legs. No matter how doomed her situation was, though, she didn't give up. Despite all the heavy bleeding, she brought her hands forth in order to fight.

Then, from behind her back a figure with a broken left arm threw her spikey shield at Yonuro's feet. Each and every one of them fingers bled from the inside of her shoes and Yonuro screamed in pain.

Yuri- DID YOU FORGET ABOUT ME, YOU SLUT?!

Yuri approached her slowly from the spot she had her arm broken earlier.

Yonuro somehow withstood the pain from all of their attacks and didn't fall down. She was too determined to give up.

Yonuro- I have to— keep— going....  I have to— keep my promise...

At that moment, the frenzied  Aniik instead of tapping the Demonic Ring, she licked it once with her tongue and manifested illusions of herself in battle. This enhanced variation of her invisibility was about to mark Yonuro's death.

Yonuro threw a really slow punch as a counter attack, only to hit one of Aniik's illusions. Aniik then slashed her and nearly ended Yonuro on the spot. So much blood came out of her wounds that she couldn't physically fight back no matter how strong her willpower was. Yonuro tried to ran away from Aniik as a last resort to keep her from dying...

Yuri- YOU'RE GOING NOWHERE! (3 minutes of PLAYTIME!)

Yuri created a ring of fire once more so that Yonuro couldn't flee from the battle. As soon as she noticed the end of the ring, she sluggishly turned around and then saw a beastly Aniik running toward her with frenzy.

Yonuro- I'm sorry, everyone....... I wasn't strong enough......

Yonuro dropped down on her knees and couldn't move an inch. Aniik's illusions then returned to her original self and she delivered— the final blow. A certain fatal slash with her absolute Demonic Claws...

Zanir- AHHHHH!

At that moment, a peculiar sound of friction could be heard in the Holy Shrine and Aniik couldn't finish her attack. And that was becase her attack was blocked by a Pure Demonic Lord that suddenly teleported in to save them all.

The ring of fire was interrupted and a long Dark Scepter held back both of Aniik's attacking claws and pushed them back.

???- I've finally come to rescue you Aniik, my daughter......

Her eyes were bathed in a clear red color and her long dark hair flew around after the block.

Yonuro- ARIA?!

Aria- This is my thanks for back then. Now, I don't have much time. I have to do this. We have to do this, Yonuro...

Aniik's frenzied self came back to normal and she widened her eyes when she saw her.

Aniik- Mom...?!  Is— Is that you...?

Aria- Yes, honey, it's me. I'm finally here. Together with you! I know I'm a failure as a mother, but the least thing I can do to compensate is to have a talk with you. I want to help you...

Aniik rushed to her mother and fake punched her in the stomach without using any strength whatsoever.

Aniik- Baka!!!!!!! You can't be here! You're going to di—

Aria- This is the only way...  Come here....

Aria then hugged her daughter for the first and final time.

Aria-  You've had it rough all this time... I'm so sorry... You were never able to understand the feeling of love because of Aldrich's and especially my mistakes and that led to your heart being consumed by hatred and a false sense of love.

This world sure is cruel sometimes, I know, but there are people in it that care about you. There's more to it besides cruelty. You need to open your heart and see it for yourself. All this time you have closed your heart and you have faught for people who just want to take advantage of you. Blinded by this false sense of acknowledgement, you fight for a life that is beyond miserable...

This needs to stop! I want you to see this world with your heart, not your resentful mind! If you achieve what you've been longing for, the New World, then there won't be anyone willing to save you anymore!

Your heart will forever be filled with despair! And as your mother, I can't— let this happen! So, please... Forget about revenge and move on while following your heart!!!

With tears flowing down her cheeks like rivers, Aniik held her mother's hand, which was starting to dissipate from the one minute rule.

Aniik- No! Mom! Don't— Don't leave me behind! I'll do anything! Please! I can't bear to be abandoned again!

While crying with her heart, Aria said her final words...

Aria- I wish I could spend more time with you, honey... But I'm a terrible mother... You were unlucky to have me as your mom... I'm so sorry..........

But even a failure like myself, will never cease to forever—— truly—— love you.........

While Aniik was hugging her dearly, Aria's body was obliterated and the Dark Essence left behind vanished in the air peacefully. The Dark scepter dematerialized and the Pandonomicon returned to its rightful bearer.

Aniik knelt down and wholeheartedly cried outloud...

At some point in her breakdown, Aniik felt a warm touch stroking her shoulder. She turned her head and saw Yonuro, a supposedly arch-enemy of hers. This badly injured "ememy" though was willing to share Aniik's lament and save her from her own despair. Calling her an enemy would no longer be fitting...

With teary eyes, Yonuro said

Yonuro- What you've been longing for all this time Aniik was someone to truly care about and accept you... Not some New World, power or revenge. All this time, your one and only desire has always been.. affection. Don't worry, though. You don't have to bear the burden of loneliness and abandonment any longer. Aniik! I will acknowledge you!   Come here...

Aniik accepted Yonuro's hug and her pure grey eyes were shedding tears on Yonuro's wounded shoulder. At that moment, Aniik's hood came off and her short dark hair was revealed. From that point on, Aniik was never going to wear it ever again...

When the mental breakdown was over and they broke the hug, Ramael could be seen carrying a piece of paper and giving it over to Aniik.

Ramael- Your mother left this for you. It's a summary of a few lines on the Pandonomicon that she wanted to show you if she had the time...

Aniik sniffed her nose, wiped her teary eyes and read the sheet.

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" Page 1,420

A group of Lingerians calling themselves the Accursed represent the most poor social class of the Lingering World.  They have no power whatsoever and are looked down upon by especially the Believers. They hate the Lingering World for its inner imbalance in power and wealth and they have grouped together under the leadership of a certain Lingerian, Marden.

————————————————————————

When the Demonic Lord, Aniik paid a visit to the Lingering World for a second time, Marden became a sub-leader and Aniik was praised as their Lord. Even though he wasn't the leader, Marden was the one to pull the strings out of everyone with his hidden plan to save the Accursed.

————————————————————————

This plan, however, was kept hidden from their Lord and stated the following. "The Accursed shall use the power of this Demonic Lord to climb up in social status and gain power. The Accursed shall play along with their Lord's foolish beliefs of equality and justice till we find enough power to rule the Lingering World. And finally, when all threats are obliterated, the Accursed shall kill the last possible obstacle, their Lord, Aniik. "

"The Accursed shall finally get their ULTIMATE REVENGE! "

————————————————————————

Aniik- I— I can't believe this... My people... They had betrayed me from the— very begining?!

Yonuro- That's what Aria meant by looking at everything with your heart... These people were just using you, but you couldn't see it with your locked-up heart... You were blinded by your false sense of love and misinterpretated their "deceipt" to "acceptance"  (...)

While sobbing, Aniik felt something soft surrounding her neck.

Ramael- We never wanted to fight you, Aniik. From the very start, we wanted to talk to you. We wanted to understand you. What made you like this... What was the very root of your hatred...

Yonuro- That's right... You were just really unlucky in life and we knew that the World was very harsh on you... But this World can be so much fun if you have the right people with you!

Aniik- I thought that in the New World I'd find my happiness and the meaning behind the word love, but I was so wrong... Thanks, Yonuro...

Ramael- What about me?!

Aniik- Our beef is not over just yet, you little blankie! Hahaha!

Aniik's laughter was cheerful and happy, as if she'd found a place where she belonged...

Ramael and Yonuro laughed as well and they were really happy to talk with Aniik like that.

At that moment, though, someone who was paralyzed quite a few moments ago, suddenly came around.

Yuri- What the hell happened to me...? That bitch Aria cast a paralyzing projectile of Dark Essence with her Scepter and interrupted my ring of fire! How long has it been since then—

At that moment, Yuri saw Aniik and Yonuro being way too close and laughing. Then, some screw loose became all the more loose apparently...

Yuri- ?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Yuri- WHAT ARE YOU DOING ANIIK? YONURO IS RIGHT THERE! DON'T LET HER GET AWAY! KILL HER AND GET OUR REVENGE!

Aniik- Tsk* Revenge, revenge and revenge... I'm sick and tired of hearing this word...

Yuri- WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?! SHE AND RAMAEL ARE YOUR ARCH-ENEMIES! HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN WHAT YOU'VE BEEN FIGHTING FOR? DON'T YOU WANT TO TRANSCEND THIS WORLD? MAKE IT A FAIRER PLACE FOR EVERYONE? ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?!?!?!?!

Ramael- Just sayin' but the only one out of their mind is you. Anyways...

Yuri then threw her diabolic shield at Ramael but the attack was blocked by Aniik.

Aniik- I now understand what my mother was talking about. People who take advantage of you... People who are focused only on revenge... YURI! You're just like those damned ACCURSED! NOTHING MORE THAN A BITCH!

Yuri lowered her tone of voice, as she knew she wasn't going to win a battle of words.

Yuri-  (...)  Don't you want to create a New World where you'll be proud to live in and find happiness?

Aniik- My happiness lays here... Ramael and Yonuro are the first people I've talked more than a minute with that want me to truly be happy... Now I understand that in the New World, I won't be able to experience this feeling called love. What's left of humanity will be afraid of me.  They will acknowledge me just out of pure obligation...

That's not what I want! I want to have somebody that cares about and understands me! That's all! And I think I've found what I really want. The answers are sometimes closer than we think they are...

Yuri- (...) But Aniik! Yonuro hurt you so much just a few minutes ago! How can you be this calm?

Aniik- I hurt her a whole lot too, so we're even.

Yuri- Yonuro! Have you forgotten how much trouble Aniik has caused you?

Yonuro- She found the right path now and I'm eager to forgive her.

Yuri- Ramael! Did you forget the humiliation you felt after losing your Veil?

Yonuro- THAT'S ENOUGH! GET LOST, YURI!  ALL YOU ARE IS ONE PATHETIC LITTLE BITCH!

Yuri's mental state became too unstable to retain her sanity... She put her hands on her face and then you could hear her laughing and crying at the same time. Her insanity had gone off the rails...

Yuri- HAH! HAHAHAHA! IF YOU THINK YOU CAN LOOK DOWN UPON ME LIKE THAT THEN YOU'RE MISTAKEN! I WILL—

Yuri's voice dramatically changed as if she had lost control of her mind.

Yuri- KILL YOU ALL!

The previous bearer of the Diabolic Shield, Sadron, was certain to take control if her mental state didn't stabilize in time.  Although it was too early for him to have any impact on her body, such a corrupted mind like Yuri's couldn't last for much longer. And more importantly... Yuri had no real goal in life anymore...

Yuri- I— THE DEMONIC LORD, SADR— YURI, WILL MAKE YOU REGRET MESSING WITH ME!

Yuri created a ring of fire around herself with the Diabolic Shield. Then she fisted the shield violently and the ring of fire was extinguished leaving behind a large amount of smoke that made the others cough and cover their eyes with their hands.

Yonuro / Ramael / Aniik- Cough* Cough*

After coughing a few more times, they rushed to where Yuri was only to notice her disappearance. Yes, Yuri was nowhere to be found...

Everyone in unison- Where'd she go?!

Aniik- She must have teleported somewhere....

Yonuro- But where? Did she just give up and fled back to the Overworld?

Aniik- No, that can't be right... She wants to kill us so fucking badly...

Ramael remained silent for a few more seconds only to come up with a great theory. Her wits saved the day once again...

Ramael- SHIT! I know where she must be heading towards... She's going after Kallian, The Angel Protector! She's her counterpart Angel!

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East of the Lingering World, close to one of the 4 Holy Shrines, Yuri made her sudden appearance. She used the smokes from the ring of fire earlier to finish teleporting, an ability every Demonic Lord has.

After looking around, she saw quite a few guards that were protecting the Shrine. It didn't take much time for them to notice her and issue a coordinated attack on her.

Although they were clearly talking, Yuri couldn't hear anything that they were saying.

Guards-  (......)?!  (........................) !!!

Yuri- TO CONTINUE MY MOTHER'S DREAM I NEED TO FIND MORE POWER! YA'LL STAND IN THE WAY!!!!!!!!

Yuri summoned the Diabolic Shield and started killing one guard after the other. Her face expressed her uncontrollable hatred, gravely unstable mental state and her obvious insanity.

Yuri- I NEED POWER TO AVENGE HER! I NEED POWER TO CURE THIS WORLD! JUST LIKE HER! AREN'T YOU PROUD MOM? HAHAHAHAHAHA!

After killing every last one of them Yuri lost total control of her body due to her insanity. All that was left in her was Sadron's Dark Essence combined with her soul. But the one with command was the one with the stronger will, Sadron...

Yuri (Sadron)- I WILL KILL ALL THAT STANDS IN MY WAY! WITH THE COMBINED POWER OF THE DIABOLIC SHIELD AND KALLIAN'S VEIL, I WILL BRING PROSPERITY TO THE UNDERWORLD!

At that moment, Aniik teleported in as well. From far away, she saw Yuri killing the last guard and heard the bullshit she was talking about.

Aniik- I don't know who's talking now, Sadron or Yuri, but it doesn't matter.. Now I can clearly sense the sheer amount of Dark Essence inside you. The one minute rule has kicked in...  Whoever you are, you've lost!

Without hearing or talking back to her, Yuri turned around and walked up the smooth stairs that led to the shrine.

Aniik- STOP RIGHT THERE!

Yuri began running toward the Shrine as fast as she could and Aniik did the same. This chase was instense, fast paced and breathless. Aniik was obviously faster than Yuri, but Yuri had the highground from the stairs they were walking up to.

As they were running, Yuri created a wall of fire to stop her dead at her tracks. Aniik had to go around it and consequently was slowed down a bit. That wasn't enough, though...

Yuri touched her shield once more and locked Aniik inside the final ring of fire ever cast.

While panting heavily, Yuri said  "HA! WHAT ABOUT THIS ONE?"

Despite her expectations, Aniik was locked inside for a mere second! She jumped over the ring of fire with her abnormal speed and athletic ability.

After that, Aniik tapped her Demonic Ring and summoned her Demonic Claws that she threw at Yuri's feet. One nail of each hand hit the back of Yuri's shoes and pinned them on the ground. Yuri had to remove them and run barefeet, which slowed her down dramatically.

What's more, the ground wasn't always smooth and at times blood could be seen on the stairs coming from Yuri's feet. She was in a very difficult spot and her heart rate had surpassed any logical number..

Yuri- Ugh!!

Aniik- The clock is ticking!

The door of the shrine was really close. When Yuri passed over the final step, though, she lost her vision and couldn't see where she was going.

Her senses of touch were also beggining to die out. She couldn't feel her legs or hands no more.

Aniik- 50, 51, 52. It's over...

Yuri stretched her hand forward and said  "I WILL GET—"

The second Aniik counted "58" Yuri dropped down dead on the ground before the huge entry door of the East Shrine. Then her body began dissipating from the one minute rule. Her entire body was obliterated and similarly to Aria's case, her demonic Item dematerialized and her Dark Essence peacefully vanished in the air.

Aniik- Did I count wrong? Well, it doesn't matter. It's all over... So long, Yuri Keller.......

Aniik's short black hair wavered around with so much air that was apparent near the Holy Shrine of the East. In comparison with the other 3 Holy shrines, this one was located in a beautiful hill and the view from up there was breathtaking. The sunshine together with the beauty of the calm waters which were staring the hill... The atmosphere was perfect for someone to get immersed in thought...

Aniik- (...)

At some point in all of her thinking, Aniik made a soft decisive nod. Her pure grey eyes were filled with hope for the future and her expression was somewhat happy even though a tear was about to be formed. That same tear fell down and interracted with the grass of the hill.

Aniik- You wouldn't want to see me crying, right mom? How silly of me...

After saying that Aniik cleaned her eyes with her hand to stop herself from crying.

Aniik- I've gotta go now... There are people who wait for me... My first two friends...

After taking a deep breath Aniik had a smile on her face.

Aniik- *chuckles. Aria, Wherever you are, I want you to know that I will hold you dear in my heart forever...

At that moment, Aniik floated in the air and teleported back to Ramael's Holy Shrine to inform the others that the battle had finally come to an end...

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