Chapter 116: Return of the Demon King

A single millimeter of mistake would have been fatal. Arthur was always moving at the right place, at the right time. It was as if he could perfectly predict the chaotic battle occurring before him.

Slowly, Arthur had managed to sneak in the chaos. The theory of his entry was sound and irrefutable, but the application was frightening. Electrocution, explosions, shockwaves, desolation or the lust of the Empress could all kill Arthur. But this lion's den proved useless against Arthur's eyes.

As the Overcomers noticed Arthur, they made sure that the Empress wouldn't notice it.

The chaos of the battle that was happening before him immediately intensified. Yet even then, Arthur was able to maintain his cloak. Any other person would have failed. But not Arthur. He knew where he must be and where to go.

It was as if Arthur was playing a complicated game of chess. Every movement was important. he had to go to a specific place as Arthur calculated it was the safest zone for his team to enter through.

Although the Empress had the technology to detect Arthur, the chaos around the Empress gave Arthur the cloak he needed.

Lennox did his best and started to act more aggressive. The bolts of his attacks started to drain his own physical body. Richie blasted several desperate attacks and Meng had started to even unveil the Tail of the Dragon. Yet in all of this, Arthur took his time.

After a few more seconds, the times that Arthur had escaped death by a few inches had already reached the hundreds.

A few more seconds passed and Arthur finally reached it.

Arthur dashed and placed a small round device to the ground and immediately retreated making his way through the same complicated path once more.

He then readied a small switch and pressed on it.

BOOM!

Suddenly, the area where Arthur left the device exploded out and a bright golden pillar of light shot out towards the heavens.

The majestic and sudden appearance of the bright light stunned everyone in the battle.

The Empress was ready to defend whatever nefarious attacks that would come out of that ground and licked her lips. Would there be more of these fun, exciting and mighty men to kneel before her?

The light continued to shine brightly. Even with the Empress's technology, it could not pierce through or see what was within that light. This small fact made the Empress curious. For even the Pangean Everbright could be seen through with the technology the Rule and her suit was equipped with.

The Empress readied the Rule to dash towards the bright light and immediately attack whatever would come out of it.

The light immediately disappeared and the Empress commanded the Rule to move. But then…

"What?!" The Empress halted.

What appeared to be a naked young man hovered in the air and a strange laugh crackled out. His body was covered in dirt and grime and his entire body was covered in wounds that were written in strange symbols in his torso and face. Suddenly the figure slowly opened its eyes.

The laughter was strange as its voice had a similar sensation to the voice of Richie. Although it was slightly weaker, the strange development had caused even the Empress to halt. The bolts around her disappeared as the Empress continued to analyze the creature.

The creature's body temperature was shooting up and down as if its body was constantly being cooled and heated up.

"Nāṉ cutantiramāka irukkiṟēṉ!" A strange deep and dark voice emerged from the mouth of the naked being. The bright light once more shone and the pillar of light shot up once more towards the sky.

"Tamil?" Lennox uttered unconsciously.

The Empress was also alerted by the A.I system of her suit.

"What is Tamil?" The Empress ordered. Since many languages were no longer spoken in this era, the Empress had to ask the A.I system to search for it.

As the A.I relayed the data, the Empress had a peculiar expression on her face. This creature was indeed speaking with ancient language that had ceased to exist after the Third World War. Why was this strange naked creature speaking with a language widely known to be the oldest language in the world?

Just as the creature was about to look around, his attention was immediately diverted to the sky and started to shout angrily.

"Nīṅkaḷ!" A frightening shriek was heard as the creature continued to look to the skies. The light started to envelop him once more although it wasn't as bright as before. Small beams of light seemed to have been gathering around the creature as the creature glared angrily to the heavens.

The Empress was the first to detect it due to her technologies, an unidentified power source was detected in the skies above.

The group turned to see what the strange creature was looking at and was shocked at what they saw.

A burning figure was quickly descending. A bright light-tailed from its back and continued to shoot out brightly towards the high heavens. It was as if it was teleported from heaven itself and sent down to Earth.

The figure was constantly burning and what appeared to be wings could be seen from its back. It kept flapping uncontrollably like a cloth facing the strong wind. Yet these wings were also on fire and the temperature that it carried alarmed the Empress.

The Empress was stunned at the sight. The technologies that the Empress had had far surpassed the combination of the nations that Seeker and his friends had. It had sensory technology, detection and can use various imaging technology to analyze anything. Yet against the bright light and the burning fire that enveloped the falling being, it could do nothing.

"A devil and an angel?!" Seeker cried in shock.

Its face didn't have eyes. It was as if a burning mantle was placed where a human's eyes should be. Suddenly the angel held up its hands in front of it.

Strange bright lights were gathering in the palm of the two hands it held out. It was aiming at the demon. And the peculiar thing is that some of the lights seemed to have been leaking out of the chest!

Everything the Empress witnessed before her seemed to have been leading to the same conclusion that Seeker had. Did their battle somehow awaken a slumbering demon in the heart of China?

The flight of the descending angel suddenly exploded with speed as it plummeted towards the devil.

Everyone was unconsciously retreating from the clash of the two.

The Empress continued to observe the angel when suddenly, a bright light exploded out.

A few minutes earlier, Arthur had to reassure Lowengren that he can place the team in a suitable place, Arthur detailed what they can do to harm the Empress.

"My Unlocking is different than yours." Arthur summarized.

"I can limit my sight, but keep my senses as strong as ever. I'll use Instant Calculations to enter the battlefield. I'll use the chaos to sneak in and position myself in the proper position. I am a hundred percent confident, that I can make it!" Arthur declared.

Lowengren's expression changed. He knew that a confident declaration with such precise calculations was something that Arthur took seriously.

"But how can you attack the Empress?" Lynd frowned.

"I won't. I'm only going in so that I can open up another way to get you guys to get in the middle of everything without having to pass through the obstacles."

"I see. You want us to go through the sewers and reveal ourselves at the right time..." Lowengren realized it.

"Wait. Can't we just all do that now? Why do you have to go first, Arthy?" Meryl exclaimed.

"No. Going underground and revealing ourselves right in the middle of the battlefield is still too dangerous. Arthur has to go in and lead us is so that our entry wouldn't lead to one or two of us dying. Arthur can calculate the precise time of our entry where we can launch our surprise attack. Isn't that right, Arthur? I forget. You are still that Precision." Lowengren laughed.

Arthur nodded.

"That's right. Your entry will also be the beginning of our surprise attack! We can now be in a position that is safe. If that's the case, I believe we can now do a sneak attack!"

Lowengren's initial worry and agitation disappeared. But a look of curiousness had replaced the irritated and fearful expression.

"We cannot face the Empress directly and will have to rely on using sneak attacks. The problem is, the Empress not only commands technology greater than what we have, but her reaction speed is just as good as Meng."

"How can we do a surprise attack? With that technology, she'll know when we get close and with that reaction speed and strong defense, we cannot do a lethal blow." Meryl asked.

"We do have one shot. Your attack."

"I don't know the full extent of the attack or if it can damage that Rule thing. I haven't tried attacking weapons made of Prime Almetal. That's why I said my attack wasn't strong enough to damage the Horn because you all might pin your hopes on my attack."

"I don't think it can penetrate Prime Almetal. But considering how Typical praised it, it should be stronger than you think. And the Empress isn't wearing a Prime Almetal suit, but an Altered Almetal. It should be weaker than Prime Almetal so you can damage it. At most, you can hurt her or stun her."

"How are you going to attack the Empress? The Rule is equipped with morphing Prime Almetal. We can't break through that." Lowengren asked.

"That's why we need to wait for her to focus on attacking. Based on Seeker's description of her, she's an impatient one. She's bound to change her current utilization of the Rule and use it for a more offensive form. And when she does that, a surprise attack might just work."

"Even then, it's still too risky. You just said her reaction speed is at an Overcomers level. At that stage, she doesn't need the auto-defense of her suit and can easily evade attacks." Lowengren countered.

"That's why we need to lower her guard. Lowengren, that is precisely why I brought you here. If she is exposed to the full force of Meryl's bright light, the surprise will get her off guard. Even if it's for just a tenth of a second, we can use that surprise as an opening to attack. Create an opportunity which will cause her to fix her eyes on Meryl and not expect that blinding flashbang. Meryl will then shoot her most powerful attack on the Empress once the Empress is blinded. Can you do that, Lowengren?" Arthur gazed at Lowengren in a serious manner.

Lowengren paused but then a strange grin appeared and he nodded and quickly explained his plan.

The serious gaze of Arthur, Meryl, and Lynd changed almost immediately.

Even though they were Unlocked, their daze almost lasted three seconds. The group forgot about the battle and was shocked at the bold and audacious plan of Lowengren. 

The plan was called, 'Return of the Demon King.'

"What we need is to create a scene so shocking that it would stop the battle almost immediately. Here's how we do it." Lowengren explained.

Arthur who had treaded through the Lion's Den placed the marker on the location where his team can safely jump in the battle. Finding the precise location to escape the Empress's Realm or the Paths of the other Overcomer's was almost impossible, but not for the Prophet Daniel. 

Deep in the sewers, Lowengren, Lynd, and Meryl waited. At Arthur's signal, they used a Pangean bomb to blow up a hole to the streets.

At the exact moment of the explosion, Lynd released his copy of Meryl's bright flash. The bright light penetrated all the way to the top creating the strange pillar of light that mystified the Empress. The momentary surprise, caused the Empress to fail in detecting that something at the center of this pillar had flown all the way up.

Using the technologies of the Dragon's Fang, particularly Specter's tech, Lowengren used the invisible wires to make himself appear to hover on the air. He had stripped off all his clothing and revealed everything. He had added strange marks on his face and body and covering it with the grime in the sewers to give the authentic dirty look.

The strange appearance of Lowengren caused her surprise. And then, Lowengren's Path went to action.

Standing haughtily on the above ground, naked and dirty, Lowengren gave off the impression of power, danger, and confidence. He paid no attention to the Empress and knew that Arthur's preparation placed him in a position where Meng's desolation would block the Empress' pheromones.

At the moment when Lynd used his flash, Meryl flew up as high as she could with the technologies she borrowed from the Dragon's Fang.

Lowengren had cut the back of Meryl's suit making two 'wings.' A part of her suit was also cut off and made into a bandana which Meryl wore over her head.

Since the suits were crafted by Lennox to have Meryl's cells in it, Meryl caused her fire to flow through it causing it to burn but not be consumed. The fire gave Meryl a burning wing and a strange flaming head which further deceived the Empress.

As Meryl freefell, she then prepared her strongest attack as the wound to her heart was still open.

At Arthur's signal, Meryl then used it.

BOOM!

A blinding flash exploded out loudly. It blinded all the Overcomers as they were looking at the figure closely.

Even Seeker was stunned. Lowengren's deception even made him forget about Meryl's skill!

The Empress, who had her eyes affixed on Meryl was affected by the blinding light and caused her to unconsciously cover her face.

Arthur then sprung up and did his last task.

Perfect Rhythm and Chaos Order worked together. All Arthur had to do was to lead Meryl's aim to where the Tyrant Empress was standing. Since Meryl couldn't look, it was up to the blinded Arthur to aim for Meryl. Arthur had already calculated where the Empress would be.

"Go!" Arthur shouted.

Amidst the golden flash, a beam of light rushed out and struck the unprepared Empress.

BOOM!

The Empress was caught off guard from the sudden attack and thrown her off the Rule. The beam couldn't pierce through the skin-platted armor but this stunning moment proved deadly to them.

Seeker, Lennox, and Richie immediately acted when they heard Arthur shout.

Amidst the light, Seeker rushed forth and readied a slash. Lennox sent out a powerful bright bolt to where Seeker was and led Seeker's sword to strike the Empress. Knowing where the Empress only at a theoretical level, Lennox was able to send the attack out.

Richie shouted and created a powerful force that pushed Seeker's arms and legs, ensuring that Seeker would not escape or withdraw his slash attack.

BOOM!

The powerful upward slash struck the still disoriented Empress throwing her higher to the sky.

The Empress managed to perform a defensive pose with her arms. Her bones were broken at the powerful impact and the resilient armor had cracks.

Immediately her Realm and her Pheromones erupted.

"MENG!" Seeker shouted as he felt a powerful urge to kill those around him.

Meng had already revealed a pair of green wings and flapped it towards where he heard the sound. The Desolation enveloped the surrounding area of the Empress burning her Realm. Seeker was able to retreat as the Empress's Realm failed to reach him.

Arthur immediately dashed forth.

"Lightning and Sound!" Arthur commanded.

Any of Meng's greenish desolation could have critically wound Arthur or kill him. But Arthur knew Meng's mysterious desolation was still made of matter. And all matter takes up space. Thereby, an external force can still push or move it.

The form that Arthur envisioned, was a drill.

Locking various senses and only keeping the ones he needed, Arthur took out his mace and Lynd's sword and started to spin at an unbelievable speed.

Richie instinctively shouted covering Arthur with a spiraling sound force.

The sword and mace spun outwards and a strange wind could be felt being drawn into the spinning sword and mace vortex.

Lennox released another string of lightning that connected with Arthur's weapons and the spin turned faster and was headed towards the Empress.

The Empress was shaking and still recovering from Seeker's attack. She wanted to dash out of where she was but she immediately noticed that the desolation around her could melt her own armor. If Meng had the will to send that desolation to her, she knew she would die.

And this momentary analysis that the Empress made as she saw the surrounding aura, caused her to be blinded from the fast-approaching force.

The spinning vortex which was led by Lennox's lightning penetrated and withstood the green aura as it was visually seen to have been pushed away. The drill penetrated deep and finally entered the area where Meng could not send his desolations to.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Sword and mace kept striking the Empress's body in a chaotic swirl. The Empress's unresistant body was caught up in the storm. Meng ceased his aura as the two pushed further upwards.

"Almost there, Arthur." Seeker laughed as he witnessed the nostalgic move.

"STOP!" A desperate and strangely alluring cry was heard in the midst of the grinding vortex.

Lennox unconsciously pulled back the lightning bolts back and Richie commanded his sound to also pull Arthur back. The sudden pull threw Arthur far off in the distance.

The battered and beaten body of the Empress freefell from the sky.

"Damn it, Arthur! If I become a lesbian, this is on you!" A frustrated cry emerged as the burning being rushed to catch the Empress from falling.

Meng took the opportunity and destroyed the Rule as his Maw started chewing the Rule.

Meryl caught the Empress and landed safely. She couldn't move as she witnessed the terrifying sight of the Empress.

The Exoskeleton was shattered and only a few parts remained intact. The damaged body of the Empress was unrecognizable. Blood kept dripping from the many cracks and shattered parts of her suit.

The Rule that Meng kept on attacking was slowly being degraded.

"Just damage the core circuits. You can't eat that metal easily." Seeker sighed in relief.

"It's finally over." Lennox gathered the remaining bolts in the sky. He was missing several fingers and holes could be seen on his arms and legs. However, he ignored his state and kept gazed at the location where Lowengren was standing.

"I never thought such a Path would be possible. " Lennox commended.

Meng had a stoic gaze but said nothing. Seeker sneered at the sight of that.

"Oh my God! Meng… You believed that?" Seeker laughed.

A desolate aura started growing as it crept towards Seeker.

"She's healing!" Meryl managed to force out a cry.

The wounds and bloody gore on the Empress's body could be visually seen to be regenerating. The skin was covering the deep wounds and even the scars vanished.

Meng grew tense and turned his desolation to face the Empress. However, Seeker and Richie kept calm and continued to rest.

"Relax. She used what was left of her energy reserve to heal herself. She won't be able to fight anymore. Especially since you got the Rule and her armors broken. Don't underestimate the Threshing Floor." Seeker smiled.

"I see. So that's why I feel calm." Richie smiled.

"If that's the case, I trust you and Arthur can take it from here correct? And you do know how to heal me?" Lennox asked Seeker.

"Yes." Seeker nodded.

Lennox immediately fainted without saying anything.

"You can heal him?"

"Yes. You're in a more critical state. You should rest. We got this."

"Oh. So I'm the worst of the bunch?" Richie grumbled.

"Last question. How did she heal herself?"

"It's part of her Path. Extreme vanity. She is beautiful. That's the summary of her Path right? So she can return to that beautiful body regardless of how mangled it is. The fastest regeneration, second only to Lennox." Seeker explained.

Richie didn't say anything else but gave in to the fatigue and fainted.

"I can't believe I lost." The Empress smiled as she finally sat up embracing Meryl.

Meryl tried but she couldn't move away or let go of the Empress.

"Say goodbye to heterosexuality, Meryl." Seeker laughed.

"You're not going to kill me?" The Empress wondered as he witnessed the casual expressions of the group.

"Like we can." Seeker laughed then shook his head.

"No. Although you wanted us as your slaves, we still need you in the future. Arthur, could you get the Presider? I think the Empress tossed him towards the Port Highverse Building."

Arthur immediately dashed off.

"I hope I wasn't too rough on him. Who knows what you guys would do if that ally of yours die."

"He needs to live but, no. Not an ally. He's an important enemy. And soon, it will be your enemy too. If you want to win against them, you have to join us. Oh, and please stop trying to control us." Seeker sighed.

The Empress pondered on Seeker's words but then turned and laughed.

"No promises." But a hint of relief appeared on her expression.

"You've got quite a beautiful friend. It's the first time I've envied white skin." She stroked Meryl's neck. Meryl was doing her best not to give in to the extreme pleasure of her touch.

"Take care of me while I sleep, Ok? You're my guardian angel after all." She giggled. Then she remembered something.

"Oh! Where's that boy who fooled me?"

"Hiding of course. It would be dangerous if you got him. Quite a skill right? No wonder, Arthy said he could help. A Path that could even deceive an Overcomer. Man… That's new." Seeker laughed.

"Yes. To think that I believed that a Demon King had awakened. But Arthur was also impressive. His Lennox's son?" The Empress.

Seeker nodded.

"Like Father like Son. Well, since you don't have any plans to kill me, I guess it's safe for me to sleep. Let's talk more when I wake up." The Empress urged Meryl to sit and the Empress slept at Meryl's lap.

Meryl continued to show signs of shaking. She was trying to break off the Empress's control but even as the Empress slept, Meryl couldn't find a way to get out of her grasps.

The battle had finally ended.