The vessel glided smoothly across the waters of Lior's Port, but the atmosphere was anything but peaceful. Midoki, standing firm and silent, observed the scene — his companions exhausted, their bodies marked by wounds and their gazes heavy with fatigue. He knew he couldn't afford to wait. Without a word, he leapt from the boat and stepped onto solid ground. His steady footsteps echoed, carrying his silent determination as he walked away.
Behind him, Throk, Neptune, and Elliot only sighed, oblivious to his departure. The weight of their last battle hung over them like an anchor.
At the port, Midoki raised his hands, channeling his spiritual energy. He made contact with the Kingdom of Lior, his energy vibrating in the air. A mage from the kingdom appeared through the connection, her ethereal presence surrounded by a soft light.
- Midoki: "I need news about Lilya, Gronnak, or Durin," he said, his voice firm yet laced with concern.
The mage closed her eyes, concentrating.
- Mage: "Lilya is safe. Although she was thrown into the sea, she managed to escape by transforming into a fish. She also contacted us recently."
Midoki allowed himself a brief moment of relief, but the tension quickly returned upon hearing the rest.
- Mage: "Gronnak and Durin... have been captured by Mammon."
Before he could ask more, the connection began to falter. The mage struggled to maintain the link but soon faded away. Midoki clenched his fists. Mammon was once again in his path, spreading destruction.
Entering through the eastern gate of the Kingdom of Lior, Midoki was greeted by a devastating sight. What was once a majestic capital now lay in ruins, debris covering the ground, and battle scars everywhere.
Walking through the shattered streets, something caught Midoki's attention. A familiar figure stood in the distance near the rubble. His eyes widened.
- Midoki: "Sir Alden?" — he called out, cautious but hopeful.
The figure turned slowly. However, as the face became clear, a dense darkness took its place. Midoki's heart sank.
- Midoki: "It can't be..."
As the darkness lifted, what emerged was not Sir Alden, but an infernal creature. The oppressive aura emanating from the being was unmistakable. This was no ordinary demon — but a Geulim, a redeemed demon, the opposite of a Nephilim, a fallen angel — presenting himself as Baphomet of Disprotection.
- Baphomet: "I am Baphomet of Disprotection..." — the creature announced, his voice deep and brimming with malice. "One of the 10 Decrees of the Abyss."
The group fell into absolute silence, absorbing the words. Each member felt the crushing weight of Baphomet's presence, a force even greater than most of the 20 Infernal Generals.
- Baphomet: "We serve directly under Lucifer..." — he continued, a cruel smile forming. "And this city... now belongs to us."
Midoki stepped forward, his spiritual energy shining around him like a star on the verge of explosion.
- Baphomet: "You shall not pass beyond this point," — he asserted, his voice cutting through the air.
As Midoki advanced against Baphomet, the Geulim revealed a dreadful trick. His body split into three distinct forms, each pulsing with malignant energy. He unleashed a swarm of venomous insects that spread throughout the city. Midoki triggered his Wolf Manifestation, creating a protective barrier of stellar energy to repel the insects.
Elyra appeared amidst the battle, her presence bringing a flash of hope.
- Elyra: "Midoki! I'm with you!"
- Midoki: "Get out of here, Elyra! It's too dangerous!" — he roared.
But she shook her head, her eyes shining with resolve.
- Elyra: "I don't want to be separated from you. Not anymore."
Surprised by the firmness in her words, Midoki had no choice but to accept her help.
The battle escalated to a new level of intensity when Elliot emerged from the shadows, determined to face the formidable Baphomet of Disprotection. Masterfully wielding his bow, he showcased extraordinary skill as an archer, taking down wave after wave of venomous insects with precise, agile shots. Each arrow seemed to fly with purpose, striking down dozens of creatures in a display of unmatched prowess.
However, the scene changed drastically when, unintentionally, Elliot triggered the Decree of Disprotection by killing the insects near Baphomet.
- Narrator: "The Decree of Disprotection activates the perk: Immediate Death Sentence — Instantly causes death to anyone who challenges the decree's bearer by attempting to kill any living being in their presence. Death occurs without warning or chance of defense, affecting not only the challenger but anyone acting against the bearer," — he sighed after explaining. — "The perks of the Abyssal Decrees are considered the most powerful type."
The decree, triggered by the extermination of the insects, began to manifest its terrible power. Elliot felt his body weaken as his life force was relentlessly drained by the merciless curse. Every second dragged him closer to the abyss as he struggled desperately against the imminent death sentence.
As the insects fell, something terrible happened. The Decree of Disprotection activated. Elliot's body began to weaken, his life draining away without mercy.
- Midoki: "Elliot!" — Midoki shouted, trying to reach his friend.
At the moment Elliot seemed on the brink of collapse, a new figure entered the scene. Belphegor, with a serene posture, looked toward the archer.
- Belphegor: "You're lucky, kid," — he said. — "Because you bear the Windes Segen, your life is spared. The curse is only temporary for you."
Elliot looked at him, confused but relieved.
- Elliot: "So... I'm safe?"
Belphegor nodded. Those blessed with a Divine Segen, such as Sonne, Meeres, Windes, or Blitz, are immune to the curses imposed by the 10 Decrees of the Abyss.
- Belphegor: "Yes, but be careful. Never underestimate the power of the Decrees."
Belphegor explained that Midoki, Elyra, and himself were forbidden from inflicting lethal damage on any living being in that environment — with the exception of Elliot, bearer of the Breeze — Windes Segen, granted by Azariel.
As Midoki, Elyra, and Elliot prepared to rest, trusting Belphegor to confront Baphomet, the archdemon took the lead in battle.
Confronted once again with Baphomet's Nest of Venomous Insects, Belphegor invoked his Burden of Eternal Flames, incinerating the insects in a sea of Infernal Flames. The air filled with the acrid scent of burning creatures as the flames danced wildly around them.
Baphomet, however, sneered at Belphegor:
- Baphomet: "You are under my decree now. Your death is inevitable."
To everyone's surprise, nothing happened. Belphegor remained untouched, to Baphomet's complete shock. With a dark smile, the archdemon revealed a sinister detail about his technique:
- Belphegor: "The Burden of Eternal Flames are flames that never extinguish, but they not only incinerate — they also grant a kind of temporary immortality to those they consume. A cycle of endless torment and incineration, where not even death can free you."
Still perplexed, Baphomet recalled that each Infernal General possesses a unique combination of spiritual abilities and perks. In Belphegor's case, the Impatience perk seals the spiritual abilities of those who cannot endure the burning of the Infernal Flames.
With this revelation, Belphegor's unshakable resolve became evident. He faced Baphomet with a cunning unmatched, turning the battle into a confrontation of mind and might.
The chapter ends with Baphomet staring into the flames, his own screams echoing across the battlefield.