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Amid the carnage, a cluster of demons pulled back from the front line, snarling and shoving one another as explosions and screams shook the streets around them. Their claws were slick with blood. Their armor was cracked. One of them stumbled, catching itself on a broken wall, chest heaving.
A horned demon snarled, voice rough and panicked as it scanned the battlefield.
"We are losing. If we fail, we will be dragged back to Hell."
Another demon slammed its fist into the ground, cracking concrete under the force. Its hands shook as it turned toward the others.
"Then we sacrifice ourselves. Summon the Greater Demon Aamon. If he wins, we are free. No human can defeat a Greater Demon."
The others hesitated for a heartbeat. Screams echoed nearby. A beam of light tore through the sky behind them, shaking dust loose from the ruins.
Then they nodded.
Ten demons spread out, forming a rough circle in the middle of the street. Their boots scraped against shattered glass and bone. They raised their hands. Symbols flared under their feet, burning red through the asphalt. The glow crept outward, carving lines into the ground.
Their breathing grew fast and uneven.
One by one, they dragged claws across their own throats.
Blood sprayed out in thick arcs, splattering into the glowing circle. Some of them gagged as they fell. Others laughed through choking sounds. Their bodies collapsed inward, twitching as the blood pooled and began to boil.
The air shook.
Pressure dropped so suddenly it punched the breath out of everyone nearby. Heroes staggered, hands flying to their chests as a violent pulse of red light exploded outward.
Dirt lifted off the ground. Loose debris rattled and rose. Windows across the street blew out all at once, glass raining down in sharp waves.
The sky throbbed like a living thing.
A massive magic circle burned into existence, carving itself deep into the earth. Red lightning tore upward from it, spiraling into a roaring column of demonic light. Heat rolled off it in waves, peeling paint from walls and setting wreckage smoldering.
Every remaining fighter turned.
From the center of the circle, a shape rose slowly.
A wolf-shaped silhouette emerged, massive and heavy, claws digging into the glowing surface. Fur black as charred steel rippled as he moved. A thick serpent tail coiled behind him, dragging grooves through the ground. Flames dripped from his jaws, hitting the earth with wet hisses.
Aamon lifted his head.
His eyes opened halfway. His voice rolled out deep and calm, echoing across the ruins, amused rather than angry.
"…Who dares summon me?"
Photon staggered back a step, swallowing hard. His grip tightened on his weapon. Sweat ran down his temples.
"Uh… yeah. We're fucked," he muttered, eyes locked on the demon. "The demons summoned someone strong. His energy is insane."
Spectra wiped blood from her cheek with the back of her hand, teeth clenched. Her chest rose and fell hard.
"I don't care if they summoned Satan himself. We're not backing down," she snapped. "They killed Blink. I want blood. I will have my revenge."
Aamon closed his eyes slowly, as if the sound bored him.
Before anyone could react, Hydroblast stepped forward, water spiraling around his arms as wind whipped debris off the ground.
"C'mon," he shouted, launching compressed blasts of water and air toward a cluster of demons nearby. "Let's hit him while he's distracted!"
Mindstorm spun, panic flashing across his face as he reached out.
"Wait. Rockman, don't rush—!"
Too late.
Rock-man charged.
His boots crushed rubble as he sprinted straight at Aamon, shoulders hunched forward, jaw clenched. His arms shifted, stone crawling over skin, reshaping into spinning drills that screamed as they rotated.
"LET'S SEE YOU HANDLE THI—"
Aamon flicked one finger.
Just one.
The air snapped into shockwaves.
Rock-man's right arm detonated mid-charge. Stone shards and blood sprayed outward in a wide burst. The force spun him sideways. His scream tore out raw and sharp as he slammed into the ground, rolling hard, leaving a smeared trail behind him.
Echo stared for half a second, disbelief cracking his voice.
"S–seriously?"
Aamon looked down at Rock-man, ears twitching slightly.
"How rude," he said calmly. "Filthy humans."
He stepped forward.
His claw came down on what remained of Blink's bloodied gear, grinding it into the pavement with a slow, deliberate press.
Echo vanished instantly, reappearing beside Rock-man and grabbing him under the arm. He strained as he hauled him back, teeth clenched, boots skidding.
"Rock. Dude, talk to me," he said fast. "You good?"
Rock-man clutched the mangled stump at his shoulder, fingers slick with blood. Sweat poured down his face. His breathing came in short, sharp bursts.
"S–shit… man…" he groaned. "My fuckin' arm… it's just gone." He swallowed hard, eyes flicking back to Aamon. "Who the fuck is this dude? One flick and my shit's in pieces? Nah. Fuck this…"
Aamon dipped his head slightly, one claw pressed to his chest in mock courtesy.
"My apologies for the discourtesy," he said smoothly. "I am Aamon, the Grand Marquis of Hell. You may address me as such."
His tongue flicked out, flames spilling briefly across his muzzle.
"Be grateful it is not daytime," he added. "For then I would be ten times stronger."
He dragged a claw slowly down his own fur, eyes half-lidded as he surveyed them.
"Hm, I was observing the past the moment I arrived," he continued, glancing around the burning streets and broken bodies. "Before you so rudely interrupted me." His gaze sharpened. "Hmm. So Lord Megalodon sent his warrior here as well."
Gravity stumbled back, knees buckling slightly. Her voice shook as she spoke.
"G-great… he can see the past? H–how the hell do we fight something like this…?"
Mender dropped to one knee beside Rock-man, hands glowing as he pressed them against the ruined shoulder. Blood slowed under the light, but the damage stayed.
"I… I can't regenerate a missing limb," Mender said quietly. "I'm sorry."
Rock-man sucked in a breath, jaw tight, then nodded once.
"Don't… don't worry about it," he said through clenched teeth. "Thanks. The pain's fading… enough to keep me standing."
Inferno stepped forward, flames climbing up his arms, heat warping the air around him.
"We'll roast this demon ass to ash."
Thunderstrike clicked his tongue, tightening his grip on his hammer. His eyes never left Aamon.
"Yeah, nah. Not this time, dawg," he muttered. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but let's not underestimate this bastard. We hit him together. Something's off. I got a bad feeling about this one."
Frostbite rolled her shoulders, frost racing down her arms as ice cracked along her knuckles.
"Then let's fuckin' do it," she said. "We could all charge him up in all directions. All at once ya know."
Aamon lifted one claw to his muzzle, voice polite, smooth, and dripping arrogance.
"How amusing," he said. "Very well."
He spread his arms wide, flames spilling from his jaws and licking the air.
"Come, filthy humans," he said calmly. "Let the party begin."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"At least… that way all of you can die together."
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