Strike

The sports car sped through the dense, hushed woods at a record-breaking speed. Asmo and Maria were inside, their hearts racing as they tried to outpace Satan and escape his clutches. Asmo couldn't teleport Maria back home due to her stubbornness. Despite his attempts, she adamantly refused to be taken, and even when he tried to do so without her consent, his abilities failed him.

One of the drawbacks of having her blessing was that she could dictate how and when he could use it. Naturally, his Father would never grant him the power of a Saint without the Saint having control over its usage. Maria's refusal wasn't meant to frustrate Asmo; rather, she was afraid for him. She had overheard Asmo and Lucifer's conversation, and she knew that Satan, the greatest evil in existence, was coming for Asmo. No matter how many times he assured her that he could handle Satan, she remained unconvinced. It was clear to her that they had only two options: leave together or stay to face the Prince of Wrath.

Asmo found it endearing how determined Maria was to stay by his side, but he was increasingly concerned for her safety now that her grace no longer shielded her. The thought of Satan suddenly appearing left him feeling torn; how could he ensure her safety and confront Satan simultaneously?

Asmo was jolted out of his thoughts by Maria's piercing scream. In a split second, he maneuvered the car away from the person in their path, only to collide with a tree. Fortunately, the impact was not severe, and both of them emerged unscathed, while the car remained operational.

Asmo swung open his door, ready to confront the individual who had chosen to stand in the path of their speeding sports car.Asmo confronted the individual responsible, a demon who turned out to be the infamous Delilah. Without mincing words, he harshly inquired, "When did someone like you start working for Satan?" In response, Delilah, seemingly unfazed by Asmo's rudeness, stated, "I don't work for him." Perplexed by her response, Asmo pressed further, "Then who do you work for?"

Asmo was taken aback as Delilah pointed to a nearby tree, revealing the presence of Leviathan, Belphegor, and Baal. Astounded by the appearance of this devilish trinity all at once, he exclaimed, "Don't tell me you're all working for Satan!" The trio then approached him, with Leviathan acting as their spokesperson, clarifying, "We don't work for Mr. Angry. We only came to see the Holy Saint you're protecting and ask what exactly she did to you."

"I wouldn't allow any of you to get near her," Asmo solemnly stated, his mind racing as he contemplated facing all three of them simultaneously to thwart Delilah's intentions towards Maria.

"No, Asmo, we knew you wouldn't, that's why we are going to love this," the demons taunted.

Asmo's attention was suddenly drawn to the sound of a military drone approaching. He watched in horror as it fired a rocket at the car where Maria was still seated. Despite wearing a seat belt, she was unable to escape before the deafening explosion engulfed the car.

The three brothers were prepared to face Asmo's wrath for the demise of his beloved mortal, but to their astonishment, he was no longer in their midst.

In a distant location, Asmo was seen carrying Maria. Bewildered by his sudden disappearance and the miraculous rescue of Maria, he attributed his swift action to the grace she bestowed upon him, which seemed to have elevated him to a level akin to his former glorious angelic form.

Impressed by this newfound power, Asmo gazed at the dazed Maria as she slowly regained consciousness, her mortal mind struggling to comprehend how she had escaped the car and found herself outside, unscathed by the explosion.

As Asmo gently laid Maria on the ground, he sensed the malevolent gaze of a hundred demons encircling them. He pondered what Satan had imparted to embolden these creatures to fixate on Asmo's beloved mortal.

Raising his head, Asmo fixed his gaze upon the demons lurking amidst the trees. He sought to instill such terror that they would not dare to intervene in his affairs. As his skin began to sear and a flaming crown materialized upon his head, he assumed his most fearsome countenance, a sight that even Hollywood had strived to capture.

The demons, cowering in the trees, held their ground, unwilling to descend. Yet, Asmo sensed the approach of his brothers from all directions, perhaps endeavoring to confuse him.

As Asmo swiftly whisked Maria away, she surprisingly showed no fear of his terrifying form. With a hint of wry humor, she remarked, "I always knew you were ugly from the inside out." A smile of relief crossed Asmo's face at her ability to find levity in such dire circumstances. He then implored, "Now, please, let me take you somewhere safe." To which she replied, "Do it, as long as you leave with me."

These words were all he needed to hear before vanishing in a tremendous burst of dust and fire. In the aftermath, his brothers, the demons, and a burning cross symbol marked the very spot where they had stood. The un-inverted sign of the cross served as a powerful signal, revealing to the three princes the divine entity that supported Asmo's profoundly heightened power.