Chapter 143: What is going on? (2/2)
The massive barrage of arrows made its way toward Satan and Lucifer who had withdrawn. The latter nodded to Satan and flapped his dark wings before flying away to somewhere else.
Michael frowned and was about to chase him when Satan howled like an enraged animal. His body expanded in a strange way and the armor he wore was torn apart. His skin turned red and two pairs of horns grew on his head. His teeth turned into fangs and his silhouette easily reached ten meters in height.
His two swords burned and heated up before also getting bigger to match their wielder. The newly transformed monster roared and cast a giant wall of fire that blocked all of Michael's arrows. The fire also went to the clouds and covered the hole created by Michael earlier.
”Bothersome,” Michael flapped his wings. A circle of light remained behind as his figure vanished and reappeared in front of the huge demon. He put his spear away and placed his palm on Satan's abdomen.
”[Sacred Palm],” he chanted and his mana flowed through his arm.
A white mark drew itself on Satan made him unable to move. Michael pulled his spear back and bashed Satan with it before sending him flying away with an explosion of light energy.
As Satan was soaring through the air, the mark on his body glowed and the clouds opened up again. A giant palm descended from the sky and crushed Satan on the ground with a tremendous force.
The earth shook and a huge amount of dust raised. When the palm dispersed into particles, there was a crater on the ground in the shape of a hand.
Michael sighed and suddenly narrowed his eyes. He wasn't the only one as Gabriel also reacted and immediately teleported beside her comrade.
”That aura, is that him?”
”I think so,” Michael wryly smiled and answered.
Thousands of miles away from them, the largest volcano of this Plane's Hell erupted with a powerful vibration. Near the volcano, Lucifer was grinning whilst looking at the mountain spitting lava. He only stayed there for a few seconds before leaving.
A minute after the eruption, a huge shadow rose from the lava and instantly became a giant fire cone that made its way toward the battlefield at very-high-speed.
”Gabriel, back off,” Michael said and gripped his spear with both hands. He closed his eyes and inhaled. Gabriel silently complied and moved back.
”[Lord, Grant Me Your Protection],” he chanted and a sort of projection materialized behind him, depicting similar to god's statue. Its arms moved in front of Michael to protect him.
After just half a minute, the unknown fire cone reached the angel and clashed against the statue. Michael gasped and he almost lost control over his magic because of the shock.
At the same time, the flames that struck him burned stronger and took the shape of a twenty-meter-tall monster. It only lasted for an instant and the flames started to die down, starting from the legs. As the flames were extinguished, the figured under it was revealed.
Sharp claws, dark skin, red fur, and magma flowing down the body. The horned beast that revealed itself looked down at Michael with its crimson eyes. The archangel gritted his teeth under the pressure.
Hades who was fighting against Poseidon also trembled for half a second because of it. Even Baphomet also reacted badly to this pressure.
”Shit, I forgot about him. Lucifer, you bastard, did you have to do this?” Chulainn complained and swiped Utain with his paw.
”Who is that?” Lanya flapped her wings and closed the Lawless Tome which she had been using in its weaker form.
”Ifrit,” Lilis answered for Chulainn. ”In the legends, he may not be described to be really strong but they're utterly wrong. The truth is that his legend is one of the strongest out there. Although his name isn't known as much as Kerberos or other famed figures, there's one thing that makes Ifrit special.”
”In the first place, Ifrits are not supposed to be a single individual but just a class of infernal djinn. But people began to think of him as a powerful fire beast. That incongruity created something unique. The Ifrits that were once multiple entities became one. And what allowed all it to happen was Ifrit's connection to the death spirits.”
”When his legend became twisted, he was supposed to die. But he instead was revived in Hell as an anomaly because of his power to drain the life force of others in certain circumstances. Everyone considered Ifrit as the creature the closest to Life Hunters,” Lilis finished her explanation and sighed strongly.
”To be honest, we hoped that he wouldn't join this war. He has been sleeping for thousands of years now. He is usually neutral. We don't know what he will do,” Lilis added and stared at Ifrit from afar. ”Nowadays, Ifrit is most likely the strongest creature in this Plane. His choice will most likely determine the winning side,” she declared with a grave tone and Lanya's eyes widened.
Meanwhile, Ifrit calmly reached for the arms of the statue created by Michael and broke the already weakened magic with a single hand. The archangel grunted and retreated as fast as he could.
”What is going on?” Ifrit muttered and looked around. ”A war? For what?”
He had slept for a long time and he absolutely had no idea of what was happening. He couldn't even begin to consider Karez's involvement since the incident of him fleeing Hell also happened while he was asleep.
”Furthermore, there's a Life Hunter…no, a Death Hunter going through his trial up there.” The more he analyzed the situation, the more confused he became. ”Hey, Gabriel. Explain”
”What do you mean 'Explain'!? I'm not your ser-hmm!!” The archangel snapped at him but Michael covered her mouth before she could continue.
”Sorry about that,” he apologized in her stead. He couldn't afford to have the strongest being of the Plane against them too. ”I will tell you everything myself,” he said and Ifrit focused on him.