Chapter 399: A cornered beast

The assassin naturally also realized what was going on and did not want to give them the time to trap him. He had no chance to kill Eldrian at this point, Kohaku had already run another 10 meters (11yd) by the time things had settled and he found himself in this situation. 

Currently, he was encircled by Kydone and three other dwarves. Two massive balls of flames floated in the air and four smaller ones spaced out to ensure there were no shadows near the group. 

Dodging Kydone's attacks were quite easy for the assassin. In fact, if not for the surprise from her appearance he would have easily managed to kill his target. 

As he took a deep breath and observed the dwarves who were closing in while Kydone was falling back, the devil realized that he was going to have to fight. They were surely not going to give him the time he needed to escape.

A black and crimson saber appeared in his hands as he spun to block the attack from behind. The blow sent him skidding back a few meters and destroyed the surrounding terrain.

Naturally, there was not just one attack. It was the signal for the dwarves to converge on him and they did just that. Forcing Milgoroth to keep dodging and blocking while they waited for Hrothgar or those in the camp to arrive. 

Soon they were standing in a muddy field without grass. The shockwaves had naturally alerted the entire camp and escape would become harder and harder as more time passed.

A short respite appeared as the dwarves knew they just needed to prolong the fight. Trying to kill their opponent quickly was not the best strategy. Especially when it was only thanks to their armor that they could keep up with him. The adage of a cornered beast was especially true in this situation. 

In the center of the triangle, the devil stared at Girlan. Thanks to their short fight he knew this was the least experienced out of the three and he was certainly going to do his best to escape. 

'It is all your fault!' Throwing a hate-filled look at Kydone and Eldrian, he charged towards Girlan. 

The dwarf immediately brought his shield to defend while switching his armor to boost his strength. Deep track marks appeared as the dwarf was pushed back, yet he was unharmed and the formation was not broken. 

Immediately, Milgoroth moved to block the hit from Bringïrr while he sent his tail to sweep the other dwarf's feet. It bought him a split second which didn't do much. However, it had given him the time to grow his anger and activate his bloodline.

"Die!" He shouted, suddenly turning to the third dwarf, Olav. Thrusting his saber in what appeared as a desperate attack. However, suddenly flames of darkness burst out of his body. Sending The other two flying back a few steps while it also opened his target's defense. 

The attack was one the dwarves had never experienced. Even through their armor, they could feel the heat. A heat not like that of a fire but one that stirred the emotions and boiled their own internal fire. Burning them from the inside.

It sapped their concentration and nearly made them mad. The dwarves fought to keep their sanity, but that was enough for the devil to capitalize. 

Laughter filled the air along with a grunt of pain.

Clutching the sword that had pierced his armor, Olav spat out a mouthful of blood and smiled. A dagger with a soft blue hue appearing in his hands as he thrust forward. 

"Screw you!" Milgoroth cursed as he was forced to give up on his weapon, but he had plenty more. Jumping back he avoided the attack as a pitch-black hammer appeared in his hands. Without mercy, he struck at the saber. 

Another grunt filled the air. The saber sent flying as it cut through Olav's shoulder and hand. Without mercy, Milgoroth attacked again.

Gritting his teeth the devil decided to continue his attack despite his instincts telling him to dodge. With all his strength he struck at the place where Olav's armor was weakened. The hammer easily burst through the armor that was left and crushed flesh and skin alike. 

When it was nearly at Olav's heart it was suddenly ripped to the side as Milgoroth was sent flying from Girlan's attack. 

"Thanks," The devil smiled despite the fact that most of his ribs were broken. However, just as he was about to dive into the shadows an axe stopped his path. 

"How brave of you," Talastos said, swinging his axe again as the dwarves remade their formation with the old centaur as one of the corners. 

No one had time to help Olav and his condition was not something someone could normally survive. Not to mention the poison that was now coursing through him brought him to death's door that much faster and the flames eating at his mind. 

Milgoroth spat in anger and pulled out another weapon, a scimitar which he planned to dual wield. However, Talastos was just faster than the others who had come to investigate what had happened. 

The devil managed to keep the fight going against three, even while massively outclassed. He would use his skills and abilities wisely and timely, trying to destroy his opponent's spirits with his unique abilities. Yet, 5 seconds later he was surrounded by 10 more people. One who was even a Tier 9 mage, capable of stopping most of his tricks.

With one last look of hate at Kohaku and Eldrian, Milgoroth decided that he did not want to die alone. 

Charging forward and ignoring the attacks reigning down on him, hoping his armor and tough skin would save him. The devil aimed for the Tier 9 mage. 

Seeing the crazy actions of the cornered devil, no one knew what was going to happen. Yet, everyone felt dread deep in their souls. 

...

Eldrian turned to the commotion and failed to see much, other than that the mana in the surroundings was like a storm. The amount beyond words. The brightness coming from the center blinding even from so far. 

'No. No no! shit!' Eldrian pushed Kohaku back and jumped forward, "Becare-" His warning was too late as suddenly black flames filled the sky, expanding a few meters before imploding. 

Cries of pain filled the air as more than half those having surrounded the devil were sent flying. 

...

Tears dripped down Kilen's cheeks as she stared into the distance. Just across the horizon, she could feel the connection she had lost. The child she would never be able to hug again. She couldn't do anything to stop it this time.

Besides her stood a much larger devil with a grin.  "He did well." The devil said.

Furious, Kilen attacked her husband who easily took control of her single arm and pulled her in. "He did not die alone." The devil said but failed to calm his wife. 

Trapped, she sank her teeth into his chest, yet he just kept her in his embrace. It took nearly an hour for her to finally calm down, yet her hate for her husband had grown beyond what words could explain. 

'I will recover and you will be the first I kill.' She swore, her second target being the same as her son's. She couldn't do anything to the dwarves. Not with Amnur present, however, she would make sure to kill the elf who had refused to die.