As Maria uttered the name of God, a profound transformation began to unfold. The world around her slowed, and with a commanding voice, she banished Lucifer's demons, including the formidable Behemoth, with a simple "Begone!"
Her voice resonated throughout the building, leaving a trail of exorcised demons in its wake.
Asmodeus, frozen in awe, witnessed Maria's transfiguration. Her face glowed with an ethereal light, and the ground beneath her seemed to fade away, as if she were ascending to a higher realm.
Sister Cassandra, emerging from the backstage after defeating Deliah, beheld Maria's glorious metamorphosis and fell to her knees, uttering the revered words, "Ave Maria, full of Grace."
Lutan, realizing the true identity of the once-mortal Maria, lunged at her with desperation, attempting to strike her down before she transcended her physical form and became a divine being known as a Transcendant.
Mammon, breaking free from the rubble, watched in wonder as Maria's transformation unfolded, her divine power overwhelming and intimidating.
Lucifer, meanwhile, tried to grab Sister Cassandra, while commanding his brothers to seize any of the orphanage children.
However, they vanished into a brilliant beam of white light, leaving Maria to confront Lucifer, Lutan, Baal, and Belphegor alone, or so it seemed.
In a breathtaking display of transfiguration, the world around them dissolved, leaving Lutan suspended in mid-air, and the others, including Asmodeus, floating in a dark, endless void.
A radiant light then illuminated the darkness, and Maria appeared, clothed in a resplendent garment as bright as the sun, with a crown of twelve stars adorning her head.
Beneath her feet, the surface of the moon materialized, and the Fallen Archangels found themselves facing her, paralyzed and awestruck.
The moon's surface rotated, positioning them before Maria, who spoke with unwavering authority, "Kings of Hell, tremble in fear, for your end has come."
Lucifer sneered, his lips being the only part of his body still under his control, while Lutan blazed with anger, yelling, "Who do you think you are to command us? Do you believe you can stop us alone?" Maria smiled serenely and replied, "Who said I was alone?"
The void dissipated, returning them to the shattered Opera House, where Maria stood, still radiating her divine aura. As they regained their footing, they sensed the presence of powerful beings behind them.
Turning around, they beheld six of the seven Archangels standing tall, their arrival striking fear into the hearts of the Fallen Archangels.
Asmodeus, now healed and standing behind Maria, realized she sought to spare him from the impending judgment of the Holy Archangels.
He attempted to leave her side, but Maria's gentle voice, still laced with her human essence, urged him to stay, "Please, Asmo, don't get involved. This is not a fight you can win."
Archangel Michael, completing the squad, appeared behind Asmodeus, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder, and whispering, "Listen to her, Asmodeus. This is not your war anymore."
Asmodeus felt a pang of hurt and betrayal as he gazed at Maria, his mind racing with questions. Why had she kept her true identity hidden from him?
Had she used him all along to lure his Fallen Archangel brothers into a trap? The thought stung, and he couldn't shake off the feeling that he had been played.
Maria's gentle voice and reassuring words only added to his confusion. "Please, Asmo, don't get involved. This is not a fight you can win." It sounded like she was trying to protect him, but from what?
What were all the Holy Archangels, who surrounded them here for.What required their presence on Earth?
Asmodeus's eyes narrowed, his gaze fixed on Maria. He wanted answers, but the words stuck in his throat. Archangel Michael's hand on his shoulder only added to his discomfort.
"Listen to her, Asmodeus. This is not your war anymore." But whose war was it, exactly? And what was Maria's true role in all of this?
His loyalty to Maria was being tested, and he wasn't sure if he could trust her anymore. The fate of the world hung in the balance, and he was caught in the middle, unsure of which side to take.
Michael had long anticipated this moment, the culmination of nearly a decade of meticulous planning with his fellow Archangels.
With a calm and authoritative tone, he addressed the Fallen Archangels, "My Fallen Brothers, surrender now and spare yourselves the agony of defeat. Resistance is futile, and fighting fate is pointless."
Before Lucifer could utter a sarcastic remark, Michael preempted him, "I know you've never been fond of peace, so for the first time in history, I will choose violence as the best option."
The six Archangels retreated, creating a divide between themselves and the five Fallen Archangels. Lutan and Lucifer exchanged cautious glances, perplexed by the Holy Archangels' unorthodox strategy.
Michael continued, "I'm intrigued by your 'Merging' tactic, which seems to bolster your confidence. Let's see if it's enough to take me down.Asmodeus!!!, come forth and grant Mammon the power he needs to defeat me."
Asmodeus approached Mammon, embracing him tightly and imparting all his power. He whispered urgently,"Mammon, you need to run.Take this chance and escape." Mammon's response was resolute, "You know I never run, Asmodeus. I'll stand and fight."
Baal and Belphegor merged, granting Baal Belphegor's powers and transforming him into Balphegar. This sudden turn of events left Asmodeus, Lucifer, and Belphegor vulnerable, stripped of their divine abilities and reduced to mere mortals. They could only watch as the battle unfolded.
Leviathan retained his powers, determined to protect his now-human brothers from Maria, whom he deemed untrustworthy. He wondered, "How did she manage to deceive even Lucifer, the Devil himself? She tempted the devil, and we all fell for it!"
The merged Fallen Archangels expected to face all seven Holy Archangels, but Michael stood alone, exuding unwavering confidence. "What are you waiting for? Come at me with all your might. I'm ready for you."
Lutan, Balphegar, and Madeus were taken aback, their resolve wavering. Lutan rallied his comrades, "Listen up, guys! We are the Devils, the Kings of Hell, and the masters of evil. I've faced Michael before and lost due to my own hubris.
But this time, we're not alone, and we're not the same Angels he cast out of heaven. Let's give him a run for his money! Let's show him our true power!"