It was a gigantic mass of light, probably over seven meters tall. It had three large pairs of wings, white armor and a golden mace, similar to a scepter. Despite its disturbing appearance, it was clearly a sacred monster.

  "Truly magnificent!"

  It was the first time Bork had seen it, but he had heard of it before. After the defeat of the Seven Great Sins by the hands of the Twelve Heroes, some of the former's minions began unleashing themselves upon the world, bringing death and destruction. One of them was killed by an Archangel Authority, along with the city he had subjugated.

  -This was the true power of the treasures left by the Twelve Gods.

  Bork felt reborn as he held the golden cross in his hands. Finally he could kill Almodeus. This time the other would be the one who was afraid. That mad man would pay for his ignorance with his own blood!

  "Is this angel your last trick?"

  That was the only thing that came out of Almodeus's mouth. Bork's subordinates were stunned, while the Absolute Lord and Almodea looked...bored?

  “What is it? Are you afraid? I don't blame you at all, fool! Behold true power!”

  "Who would have ever imagined..."

  Almodeus raised a hand to his forehead, as if frustrated. To Bork, it was a gesture of desperation.

  “I admit you are truly skilled! I decided to be generous with you! Indeed! You will have the glorious honor of being destroyed by this incredible marvel! I would have asked you to join us, you know? You are strong, but your manners leave much to be desired! Rejoice! You will die at the hands of a top-level angel!”

  However, the response to those words was cold as ice:

  “What an unspeakable disappointment! And here I was, intrigued by such a little toy!”

  Almodeus commented, not hesitating to express his dissatisfaction.

  “Forgive me if I made you back away, Almodea.”

  “No need, really! We couldn't have known what it would conjure up.”

  “Yeah. Sorry again, little spot.”

  Bork couldn't believe what he was hearing. Those two were talking as if they were in the presence to a cockroach. It was an insult to such a powerful angel.

  "T-Toy? This sacred being was summoned and imprisoned in the sphere by our Gods! They used these noble superior angels to eliminate evil monsters and malevolent deities!"

  Bork thundered, shocked and irritated by Almodeus's comment. Archangel Authority was a level 60 angel, deemed invincible by the Theocracy.

  Is Almodeus more powerful than the highest authority of the angels?

  “No! Impossible! Enough nonsense! You are in the presence of a higher being! Don't pretend to not be afraid!”

  Bork seemed to be having a complete nervous breakdown. He couldn't believe that a man was stronger than a creature left to him by their gods. It couldn't be true!

  "Archangel Authority! Attack with Supreme Smite!"

  Supreme Smite was nothing more than a beefed-up version of Sacre Smite. The main difference was the percentage boost against demons and undead, as well as the addition of an execution soy. If a target struck had less than 25% health, the Archangel would kill them instantly. Magic shields were ineffective, as were protection spells. It would be a full-blown execution.

  Although he seemed aware of this, Almodeus remained impassive. He seemed almost bored.

  "Show him your strength, Archangel Authority!"

  The colossal angel obeyed and raised his scepter to the sky, ready to cast the level 8 spell. It was magic impossible for humans to replicate, even for the most skilled mages of the Theocracy. However, Archangel Authority was a superior angel; such destructive power was to be expected.

  As if called by the angel's scepter, a huge beam of light struck Almodeus. The battle was over. No human could survive such an attack. That solemn blow was a concentration of pure sacred energy, capable of eliminating even beings like the Archdemons.

  -And yet, he was still standing. Almodeus, that monster, had been completely unaffected by the attack. His robes appeared slightly singed, but it had regenerated almost immediately.

  “Normally, a level 8 spell wouldn’t deal me any damage. However, for the extent of this fight, I’ve canceled my passive ability Absolute Defense, which negates any damage dealt by spells of level 10 or lower.”

  Bork was completely clueless. Level 10 magic existed?! Wasn't it just a legend? And, to top it all off, Almodeus was immune to it.

  "H-How are you still standing?!"

  The Captain stammered, now completely panicked. That blow would have annihilated a former Evil Deity, but it had barely tickled the mysterious individual before him. It made no sense.

  "It was instructive. Aside from the angels' unexpected weakness, everything went according to plan. Anyway..."

  Almodeus took a step forward.

  "Now it's my turn!"

  The Absolute Lord began to stare at his opponents. He felt his mask barely managing to contain the destructive power he was about to unleash.

  “A-Arcangel Authority! Use Supreme Smite again! Quickly!”

  Even though Almodeus had told him the attack had had no effect, Bork didn't believe him. Or rather, he refused to believe him. It was clear the spell hadn't had any effect whatsoever, but Bork decided to use it repeatedly for as long as he could. It was the only thing that had had any effect, albeit minimal, on Almodeus. What other options did he have? Flee? He doubted he could do so at that point.

  “Demons…”

  He hadn't even realized he'd said it out loud.

  “You are demons! Foul monsters!”

  The Commander shouted at the top of his lungs. It had come naturally to him to call them that. Bork knew of few beings capable of withstanding the supreme angel's strongest attack:

  -There were of course the Twelve Gods that Bork believed in.

  -The legendary Crimson Dragon and the Primordial Dragons born from him.

  -The Scarlet Demon, enemy of the Crimson Dragon.

  -Legendary beasts such as Nasus, the Water Hound and Renekton, the Sand Crocodile.

  -Finally: The Ten Primordial Demons.

  He'd heard they'd appeared after the great battle between the Crimson Dragon and the Scarlet Demon. Normally, they remained in the Spiritual Realm, essentially Hell. It was said that the Twelve Heroes had faced one and the fight had ended in a draw. Almodeus was that? One of the Ten Primordials? He certainly had the power to be called one. Was that masked sorcerer really one of them? The ones from whom all demons spawned?

  Which of the ten lineages will it be?

  When a demon surpassed the level of "Greater Demon" it gained a lineage - that is a connection to one of the Ten Primordial Demons. If Almodeus hadn't been one of them, he would surely have belonged to the black, white or red one, considered the strongest lineages.

  “Archangel Authority! Attack again! What are you waiting for?!”

  Bork screamed at the top of his lungs. Even though he didn't know if Almodeus was a demon or not, he had to do something. He clung to the hope that Arcangel Authority had a chance of winning, given the percentage increase in damage against negative energy creatures.

  It was then that Almodeus spoke:

  "Prepare to learn the true meaning of the word fear!"

  Bork looked up at the A still lingering in the sky from the previous attack of his opponent. Almodeus simply snapped his fingers, and pitch-black tentacles emerged from that gigantic letter.

  Stolen story; please report.

  "Abyssal Doom!"

  The tentacles closed in, until the invincible angel was captured by the dark lusts. He was dragged toward the red A in the sky -the symbol swallowed him whole.

  It had been a disappointing death, so much so that no one could speak. Bork was hoping that the angel was still alive, that he would emerge from that crimson A and defeat Almodeus. He was hoping with all his heart. That didn’t happen. Bork realized that it would never happen when the cross in his hands crumbled, a sign that the angel was no longer part of that world.

  After, there was only the wind playing in that starry night. A hoarse cry broke the deathly silence.

  “Who are you…Who the hell are you?!”

  Bork screamed at the top of his lungs, on the verge of tears.

  “I've never heard the name Almodeus, I…”

  The man froze at that moment. Something occurred to him that he had never noticed until then.

  It's not possible…It can't be him!

  The name of this mysterious spellcaster was monstrously similar to that of the strongest and most brutal of the Twelve Gods: Arcadeus, the God of Discord. Could Almodeus be him? Impossible. Arcadeus had died against the Seven Great Sins. Could he have survived? But why hide for five hundred years? Why face his servants? Were they committing a sin? Were they in the wrong?

  "I am Almodeus, Demon of Fear! No one has ever ignored this name."

  The demon's voice was surprisingly menacing, so much so that it made all his enemies tremble with fear. They no longer had any hope left in their hearts.

  "I-Impossible! You have strength far greater than that of the Evil Deities and the Archdemons!"

  Bork was about to throw himself to the ground. What had happened had sealed the death of the last shred of hope within him.

  "I think we should stop then..."

  Bork began to cry. He felt immeasurable fear. He wanted to fall to his knees, but Almodeus didn't seem a compassionate man. However, he couldn't escape. He'd tried to cast a teleportation spell, but for some reason it hadn't worked. The only thing left for him to do was throw himself at Almodeus's feet, hoping for mercy.

  "W-Wait, Almodeus! I-I mean, Lord Almodeus! I beg you! Spare my life and I will give you anything! I promise! I swear!"

  "Do you really think you have something that would interest me?"

  The Commander broke out in a cold sweat. He could hear his subordinates shaking and whimpering, but they were no longer relevant to him. The only thing that mattered now was his own life. Everything else had become meaningless.

  “I-I can give you a lot of money, or magical items! I hold a great position of power in the Theocracy! IName your price! If you let me live, I can get it for you!”

  Bork ignored the various angry whispers from his subordinates. He could look for other subordinates, but he couldn't lose his life right now.

  “I see…”

  By his tone, Almodeus didn't seem very interested. Bork began to tremble as he felt the demon's gaze upon him. The man placed a hand on his chest, trying in vain to contain his racing heart.

  "I can tell you who sent us! What do you say, Lord Almodeus? Who really disrespected you by sending us here! It was..."

  Before he could betray, Bork suddenly fell silent, as if struck by something. He seemed possessed or hypnotized.

  "Captain?! What’s wrong?"

  Even the man's subordinates seemed surprised. However, they too stopped speaking and froze. The A on tthe Absolute Lord chest began to beat faster and faster, until a sound like breaking glass was heard. Almodeus's defenses against remote viewing and mind control spells had activated, blocking any possible magic.

  "W-What happened?"

  Bork stammered, regaining consciousness, still visibly confused. His men also seemed to be back to normal.

  "I don't know, but you were about to tell me who sent you, right?"

  Bork put on a fragile smile and nodded at the demon.

  "Y-Yes! It was..."

  The Commander fell silent and opened his eyes in shock. He put his hands to his face, trying in vain to calm himself. He couldn't remember. Was it a spell? When a soldier is admitted into the Theocracy's army, their minds are scanned to screen for possible spies.

  That spell had a secondary effect?!

  His face twisted into a desperate grimace.

  "No! No! I can't remember! I-I beg you, Lord Almodeus! Give me another chance!"

  "I wouldn't have given you even one. But, whoever sent you is a tasty piece of information."

  Bork smiled at those wwords. However, he had completely misunderstood their meaning.

  "My Lord! This means that..."

  Almodeus raised his right hand to the sky, stopping the Commander before he could finish his sentence.

  "What a fool! Beings like you should bow their heads when talking to my father!"

  To the surprise of both sides, Almodea intervened, positioning herself between her father and the Theocracy's troops. A murderous aura was visible in her eyes. Her dark aura was unlike anything she had ever encountered.

  "B-Beings like me?"

  Bork stammered, trying to understand the meaning of the young woman's words. It was then that he noticed that Almodeus had removed his mask, finally revealing his demonic face.

  "Good Lord!"

  "What is that thing?!"

  "Gods! Gods, help us!"

  "How rude of you! He is my daddy!"

  Almodea puffed out her cheeks, visibly angry with those men. Absolute Lord, however, saw the human's dismay and began to laugh, as his body transformed into something entirely different, much larger and more frightening.

  "Look at you! All shaking!"

  Almodeus mocked Bork and his squaud.

  “You look like a stray dog! What did you say about strays? Oh, yes! They're dogs that should stop barking and lower their heads, silently awaiting their inevitable fate: death!”

  Bork blanched as he heard his arrogant words reproached. He felt as if he had been hit by a spell cast by himself.

  "I say we take your advice, Bork!"

  The demon said, now returned to his original form. He was enormous and his aura completely engulfed Almodea's. If the girl was a monster, Almodeus was the one even they feared.

  "Oh, and as for your information, beings like me don't need permission to peer into memories..."

  Black tentacles began to emerge from Almodeus's back. Bork and his subordinates, now standing as still as statues, were unable even to think because of how scared they were.

  "All I need is your head, but don't worry! I'll leave it in the best possible condition. As for the rest of your body... It's useless to me! It's just garbage!"

  Almodeus began to distort his body, somehow becoming even more deformed and inhuman.

  "Prepare to know the true meaning of the word Fear!"

  The Absolute Lord began to laugh in a macabre, frenetic way. It was clear he was enjoying the moment.

  "Take notes, Almodea! Now Daddy's going to show you how to kill the old-fashioned way!"

  The screams of the Theocracy men were heard only for a few seconds.

  -Then…Silence fell over the world.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  As he walked under the starry sky, Almodeus sat on his cell phone, holding his daughter close. He had abandoned his containment form in favor of his disguised form. Only Amy and her siblings had seen him in his standard form, and they were traumatized.

  "Were the remains of the bodies taken to Fear Tower?"

  "Yes, sir! Shockwave will be scanning the memory of the Reia Theocracy's sorcerers via the cortical link. We'll have all the information we need in a few hours!"

  "Very good. See you later, Morello."

  With that, he ended the call and put away his cell phone, then turned to his daughter.

  "It was a productive day, wasn't it, Almodea? Did you have fun?"

  Almodeus's tone was extremely calm and affectionate. He would have been sorry if his daughter had been bored during their excursion.

  "Yeah, Dad! That was awesome! Can I take out some humans next time?"

  The smile contradicts the moral content of her statement, but I love it when she does that! Her innocence is brutal and charming at the same time. The cuteness factor is all her mother's; the brutality, however, she gets that from me.

  The demon thought proudly, before answering Almodea's question:

  "I'll see. Are you okay with them being weak?"

  The young demoness nodded vigorously, then smiled mischievously.

  "Yes! In fact, it would be more fun! I won't have to try hard!"

  Almodea started laughing. Her father knew well that the demoness was already thinking about who to confront and what catchy phrases to use. The thought of his daughter massacring people made him chuckle.

  They continued walking toward the village, where the townspeople were tending to the wounded soldiers. Some approached to thank them, including Gareth. He had removed his armor, leaving him in tattered clothes. The Imperial Captain bore various scars on his body, along with wounds from the previous battle.

  “Captain! I apologize if it took me a while to help you.”

  “What are you saying? I'm the one who should apologize! Thank you for everything, really! I don't know how to thank you…”

  Almodeus looked at the Captain up and down. The man was quite injured, with several cuts on his face and a scar on his chest, visible through the shirt. However, he would recover quickly. Gareth wasn't going to die for those wounds.

  “What happened to the men of the Theocracy?”

  “Oh, I chased them away! Unfortunately, they managed to escape.”

  Almodeus clicked his tongue, feigning irritation. It was a lie, but he couldn't tell him he'd killed them all. Gareth simply nodded, and the two stared at each other for a while.

  Its…Embarrassing.

  Finally, it was the Captain who broke the silence.

  “Truly incredible. Can I repay you in any way, Lord Almodeus?”

  “Nothing comes to mind right now…”

  "If you ever make it to the Imperial Capital, I'll welcome you with open arms. Speaking of which, would you like to return with us? We'll leave tomorrow morning, after my men have recovered. The Emperor will thank you personally."

  "Unfortunately, I must take my leave. My apprentice and I have some things to do..."

  “I understand. I hope to see you again in the Capital, then!”

  Gareth offered a handshake, and Almodeus accepted it.

  “See you next time, Captain Gareth.”

  The Absolute Lord turned, his back was facing the village.

  “Let’s go home, Almodea.”

  “Okay!”

  The girl turned happily, following him as they walked deeper into the forest.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Almodeus's bedroom was simple enough, with a few bookshelves and a double bed with red sheets. He didn't need sleep, but his wife did. The Absolute Lord would always be there for her.

  “Here you are, darling!”

  His wife greeted him warmly, sitting on the bed.

  “How did it go?”

  “Everything was fine. Almodea had fun.”

  He replied, sitting down next to her.

  “Where is she now?”

  “She’s probably bathing in the hot springs on the twelfth floor. If I’m not mistaken, Hirashi is there too.”

  The Fear Tower baths were gigantic. They would probably dwarf the baths of the finest luxury hotels. Almodeus didn't use them much, and neither did his subordinates, generally. The main users were Almodea, Hirashi and C. If Nikusa had been present, she would have been the number one customer.

  “Do we know anything about Nikusa, Abadon and the Terror Trio?”

  "Unfortunately not…"

  C shook her head and sighed. She was worried mostly about the first one, more because of Hirashi, actually. She knew there was a strong connection between mother and daughter. She couldn't imagine how uncertain and confused the pale girl was right now.

  “Do you think…We will be able to get home?”

  She asked her husband, who shook his head.

  "I do not know…"

  Almodeus would have liked to give his wife more certainty, but he couldn't. It would have been like lying to her, and he would never do that.

  “For now, let's take a few days off. No one's after us. I say we give Shockwave time to interrogate those warlocks.”

  “By the way, have you discovered anything about this world?”

  Almodeus brought his hand to his chin, nodding.

  “Magic works the same way it does in our world. I don't know why, but if it works to our advantage..."

  He turned to his wife and placed a hand around her belly, pulling her close. She didn't resist.

  “Do you want to relax a bit? We could watch a movie…If you want.”

  The woman smiled and leaned into him, kissing her husband on the left cheek.

  "Why not?"