The Oncoming Storm

With his trident now destroyed and the fact that Grim and his weird magic was so close to him, alarm bells went off inside of Zagred's head.

After the sword and trident had met their mutual ends, Grim's arm was still in a downwards swing and he took full advantage of this opportunity to counterattack.

With the hue on his body turning from a light grey to a blazing blue, his flame sword manifested in his hand.

[Breath of Blue Flames: 3rd Form - Blazing Universe]

*Slash!!*

Emmitting a high temperature, the sword had blue flames dance along its blade as its slashed vertically through the devil's shoulder and down the left side of its chest.

*TEEEAR!!*

Due to their distance being to close to each other, all Zagred could do was fall backwards in an attempt to avoid the blade cutting to deep. That being said, the flames still managed to seep into his body and burn him from the inside.

*Clenches teeth*

"EXPLOSION!!" He screamed.

Hearing his scream, Grim's eyes went wide as he to realized what would happen if he faced an explosion head on at this distance.

'Shit.'

*BOOM!!*

"URGH!!"

Blown back by the after shock, Grim put his arms up to defend himself while Zagred flew up at his fastest speed.

'My heart! He GRAZED MY HEART!!'

"Heal!"

Despite healing himself, the flames that seeped into his body had left a scorch mark on the surface of his heart causing him unimaginable pain. Combined with the pain of all the other attacks that he had healed from earlier on, Zagred realized that the only reason he was able to last this long was thanks to his ability to self heal. If it were any other devil in his position without a healing ability... he didn't even want to imagine what would happen to them.

But even with his healing ability active, the amount of pain he was going through was driving him crazy to the point that he was starting to lose it. Not to mention that he could feel his body breaking down. Whatever Grim's magic was, it was killing him from the inside out. If it continued like this, his heart wouldn't need to be destroyed in order for him to die.

For the first time since incarnating into this world, Zagred regretted having a physical body.

---

"Storm of blades!!" He screamed realzing that the only way to stop the destruction of his body was to kill Grim before his magic took him out.

*SWOOSH!!*

*SWOOSH!!*

*SWOOSH!!*

*SWOOSH!!*

"BRING IT!!" Grim yelled preparing to face the blades head on.

But before he was able to do anything, something else happened.

[Sword Magic]

[Light Magic]

[Demon Light Magic]

[Wind Magic]

[Anti Magic]

'What the?'

*BANG!!*

*BANG!!*

*BANG!!*

Flashing in front of him, Asta and the others took on the full brunt of Zagred's attack and dispersed it with ease.

'These fuckers just interrupted my fight again...'

Flying over to Lumiere's side, Secre attached his arm back onto him and sealed the damage with her magic.

"Thanks Secre."

Annoyed over the fact that more and more people were begining to interfere with his fight, Grim was about to pop off if it weren't for him sensing a familiar ki signature from the black haired girl.

"Oi you." He called out to her. "Who the fuck are you? And why the hell does it feel like we've met before?"

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"Focus on the fight."

"...Hahahahahaha, phew, I must be mistaken." He laughed. "Because if you truly knew me *stops laughing* you'd know not to order me around."

---

After having his heart grazed and scorched, the pain in Zagred's body was becoming unbearable to the point that he actually began shaking.

Hugging his body and digging his nails deep into his arms, he unleashed ear-piercing scream that shook the entire area.

"Arghhh!!" Everybody winced covering their ears.

"Eurgh!!"

"This sound?! Ugh!"

---

-Yami POV-

"Ughh!! What the hell is that?"

Despite falling all the way down here with the elf in Charlotte's body and defending them from the underworld magic by hiding inside his [Black Cocoon], Zagred's shriek had managed to reach here.

"The devil." Charla winced covering her ears. "Something happened to it."

"Something... Tch, it was probably that kid again. He's the only one I know who could piss someone off enough to scream like that."

---

-Upper levels-

"I'Ll KiLL yOU! i'Ll KIl YoU! I'Ll KiLL yOU! i'Ll KIl YoU! I'Ll KiLL yOU! i'Ll KIl YoU! I'Ll KiLL yOU! i'Ll KIl YoU!"

Bleeding black blood from his nose, ears, eyes and mouth, Zagred seemed to have completely lost his sanity as his magic power and voice started to distort.

'Damn this guy is loud!'

*Deep breath*

"Grim." Licht suddenly called out standing in front of the group.

"Huh?"

'Wait. How does this guy know my name?'

"I don't know what you've experienced in your life, or what it was like living amongst the humans. *Raises sword high* But as the leader of the elf tribe, its my responsibility to show you your birthright. Your heritage. *Sword starts glowing with magic power* Now Grim, witness the wrath of our people. The wrath of the ELVES!!"

Gathering the power of all the elves in the Shadow Palace into his blade, he tightened his hold on the hilt and slashed down.

[Sword Ultimate Magic: Demon-Dweller Sword: Conquering Eon]

*SLASH!!*

Slashing down with all his might and unleashing all the power he had gathered from his, a bright light filled the entire room as a gigantic slash slammed into the crazed Zagred with enough force that his body was actively disintegrating before their very eyes.

"NGGKK!!! KAAAH!!" Zagred screamed as his body began breaking apart before their very eyes. Even the underworld magic that hadn't been destroyed yet couldn't withstand the overwhelming power of this spell as it to began disintergrating.

"So... So bright!!" Asta and the others quickly shielded their eyes as the force given off by the attack was enough to push them back.

Even Grim was not exempt from this as he was finally witnessing the true power of the elf leader.

'SUCH FORCE!'

*GRINS*

'I REALLY want to fight him again!!'

---

By the time the spell had ended and they were finally able to lower their hands, the only thing left in the entire area was the crumbling rubble from the collapsed walls and a massive hole that revealed the outside world.

'Dammmn.'

"H-He... destroyed a portion of something that exists in a space between the realm of the living and the dead!... As expected of Licht." Patri said in awe. Never before had he seen Licht's ultimate magic so seeing it now was truly a sight to behold.

While the others were stuck in awe at the power of Licht's spell, scatter pieces of flesh began forming together in the area the devil was destroy.

"Fufufufufuhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!"

!!!

'That voice! Impossible!'

Hearing the malevolent laughter fill the air once more, Grim and the others froze as they all turned to look a the scraps of flesh fusing together to form a creepy looking heart with black veins.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! YoU DIdN't THinK It wAs OVeR dID yOU!!"

"Impossible!" Patri exclaimed in disbelief.

'That thing... Is the devil's heart!?'

Forming a mouth across the heart's surface, the devil's voice rang out loud.

"Reform."

And just like that, the devil's previously vaporized body began reforming itself once again.

"I THoughT I alREADY TolD YoU, YOu CaN'T KiLl Me!"

Seeing the sight of the resurrected devil, everyone's faces turned serious... except Grim.

"Ha...Ha...HAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH- YES, YES, YES!!!" He broke into a fit of maniacal laughter. "YOU DIDN'T DIE! NOW WE CAN FINALLY FINISH THIS ONE ON ONE!!"

"Eh?" Everyone looked at him strangely.

Unfortunately the devil did not share the same sentiment as he used his [Hell Language] to summon forth an horde of Underworld Creatures.

*ROOOOAR!!!*

Bursting out of the ground, countless underworld monster sprang to life.

"Not enough!" Grim shouted happily at the devil. "Show me something better!! Something scarier!!"

'This guy... He's insane.' Patri realized.

"ARGGGGGHHHH!!!" The devil screamed in response summoning everything he could.

"Hahahahaha! That's more like it!" Grim laughed feeling his blood begin to boil in excitement.

But while he was enjoying the situation, Asta was having a trial of his own.

"Urgh!!" He groaned gripping onto the hilt of the Demon Slayer sword with both hands as streams of anti-magic flowed out of it.

"I-I can't control it ugh!" He said gritting his teeth.

With the sword turning completely black in color, he became overwhelmed by its power as it pulled him forward.

"WAAAAHHH!!!" He screamed.

Luckily for him the first wizard king used his light magic to catch up and grab him.

Watching all this happen from his position, the excitement Grim was feeling simmered a bit when he saw Asta's figure.

'What the hell? Is his anti-magic going out of control? No... Its getting stronger...'

"Asta." A calm voice rang out.

'Yuno?'

"How long are you going to continue playing around." He smiled taking a step forward. "If you can't even control your own power-

*FWOOSH!!*

'What the! His magic power is growning...'

"Then you'll never-"

*FWOOSH!!*

'No... its not growing... He's gathering everyone elses scattered mana...'

"Become the wizard king."

*BOOM!!*

Exploding out with immense power, all the remnants of everyone's dispersed magic that had vanished into the air started condensing into the form of wind and swirled around his figure.

"Yuno..." Asta whispered.

"Amazing..." Lumiere smiled upon seeing this.

'He's gathering the scattered mana from before and transforming it into a weapon that can work against the devil.'

"To think he could grow this much since my battle with him... This kid... He'll go far." Licht muttered seeing what Yuno was doing.

*SWOOSH!!*

*SWOOSH!!*

With the wind revolving around him and drawing in more and more mana, his clothes started blowing as a long green blade began to form in his hand.

"I've said this before Asta *grins* But I will be the one to become wizard king."

[Spirit Wind Magic: Spirit of Zephyr]

*BOOM!!*

Blown back by the wind coming off his body, everyone watched in amazement.

Seeing Yuno's figure and hearing his words, Asta did his best to calm himself down and focus on the anti magic that was leaking everywhre. Closing his eyes and taking several deep breaths, the rampaging anti-magic started to calm down and condense itself around his blade.

"Yuno..." He called out. "Sorry to disappoint you but I've just figured out how this power works and *grins*- I'll be the one to become wizard king!"

*BOOM!!*

Exploding out with power of his own, Yuno couldn't help but smile.

"Is that so."

[Anti-Magic Demon Slayer Sword: Black Divider]

---

Seeing the two of them basically radiating with power, Grim began laughing to himself.

'So you two still had something hidden away eh? Well I guess I should see if that thing works now that I have this elven enhancement.'

Grinning to himself, mana started swirling around his figure as he went- "HAH!!"

*BOOM!!*

Caught off guard by the sudden eruption in mana, Patri and the others couldn't help but lose their smiles when they felt the mana around Grim's body turn violent.

"Don't tell me he's powering up as well!"

"Hahaha, the magic knights from this era are incredible!!"

"Lumiere... Do hear that?"

*BOOM!!*

*BOOM!!*

*BOOM!!*

"It... sounds like miniature explosions...!!! The mana in his body is going berserk! He'll break apart if this continues!!"

"What!!" Asta gasped. "We have to stop him!!" He yelled rushing forward.

"ASTA STOP!" Secre screamed.

"GET BACK!!" Grim roared as a wave of ferocious wind hit him dead in the chest.

"ARGHH!!"

"ASTA!!" Yuno charged.

Whilst the two were dealing with Grim, Licht and Lumiere were forced to hold off Zagred and his Underworld monsters.

"They're targeting Grim!" Licht yelled slashing his sword.

"I know!" Lumiere yelled back. "We can't let that happen!"

Nodding their heads, the two friends charged up at the devil.

"NonE Of yOU WiLl SurVIve!!"

*BOOM!!*

*BOOM!!*

*BOOM!!*

"Hahahahahaha it works!" Grim cried as the explosions of mana both in and around his body continued to explode.

'I failed so many times before but its finally begining to work! To it would work in this form!'

Wiping some blood from their lips, Asta and Yuno finally had to admit that they weren't gonna get close.

*RUMBLE*

"What now?"

Feeling the ground beneath them beginning to quake and the air start torumble, Yuno, Lumiere Licht and the others who could sense mana all looked in Grim's direction as if he was a monster.

'This mana... I've never felt anything like it before'

While Lumiere was in awe, the person most shocked by all of this was Licht himself. "T-The mana in the air, the earth and our bodies... He's making them all tremble."

With the trembling of the mana around them, dark clouds began manifesting above them as the sound of thunder rumbled out loudly.

Even those still fighting on the lowered levels could sense it.

---

-Noelle vs Fana-

As the two continued to trade blows with each other, the sudden wave of violent mana caused both girls to stop as expressions of shock and disbelief settled on their faces.

""GRIM!!"" Both girls said in union for very different reasons.

---

-Nozel, Rhya and Mimosa-

Feeling Grim overbearing mana pressed down on them, Nozel's face twisted as memories of Nebra submitting to him rose to the surface.

*Clench*

Mimosa on the other hand was absolutely ecstatic and regretted having to take of Rhya instead of being up there to witness what was happening in person.

---

-Mereoleona vs Vetto-

After beating him to the point of near death and then proceeding to use him as a chair, the moment Grim's mana descended this far down, a sly smile emerged on her face as her eyes lit up with a mischevious light.

---

-Highest level-

As his mana continued to run rampant, the clouds above them became more and more tangible by the second.

"The world's mana is reacting to him." Licht said in shock having never witnessed such a phenomenon before. "Such a scale... it shouldn't be impossible..."

*BOOM!!*

"URGH!!" Everyone yelled as they were forced to cover their faces as violent dark winds began to surround Grim's figure transforming itself into a giant typhoon and devestating the surrounding area causing everyone retreat.

Feeling the destructive nature of both the typhoon and his mana bubbling up to the surface, Grim opened his mouth a roared.

"UNION MAGIC!!"

*BOOM!!*

*BOOM!!*

*BOOM!!*

Thick bolts of lightning descended from the sky breaking through the upper levels of the shadow palace and striking the ground with enough force that the entire castle shook.

"So much mana!" Lumiere gasped.

*FWOOSH!!*

*FWOOSH!!*

With his last yell the surrounding winds and mana started acting crazy, throwing everything into disarray and turning rampant.

*BOOM!!*

*BOOM!!*

*BOOM!!*

Making out the lightning strikes from between the gaps in his fingers, Licht couldn't help but mutter-

"Is this the power of our species joining together?"

Gathering all the mana in his body and using the stimulation and resonance provided from the devil's presence, Grim's grimoire started glowing so brightly that it became blinding.

"So bright!" Asta said shielding his eyes for the second time today.

*Flip*

*Flip*

*Flip*

Flipping through the already written in pages, the grimoire finally settled on a blank page as words began to write themselves into existence.

[Breath of the Storm]