Chapter 18: Fight Demons

"Annoying shit bags!" Mirabella cursed as she raised her palm towards the horde of demons of all shapes and sizes. She conjured her magic, her hand pulsating with mana. With a burst of ethereal light, she summoned an array of large swords, each intricately crafted with shimmering silver blades and ornate golden hilts. The air crackled with energy as she unleashed the swords, their dazzling trajectory slicing through the demonic horde like a storm of celestial fury.

The cleaved-through corpses of the demons fell to the grassy ground as they disappeared into nothingness. Her sharp blue eyes scanned the large courtyard for any more that might show, and then she clicked her tongue in apparent annoyance.

Juliana, she was on her way to the girl, but someone had evoked teleportation magic. And before she knew it, she found herself in the academy courtyard with demons surrounding her. The only things that surrounded her were grass, trees, and the old ruins of the academy that were no longer in use. But still, her worry about Juliana must have seemed a bit excessive, considering she had just recently met the girl. Still, all of this was annoying, and she could not help but click her tongue in annoyance once more.

But it just annoyed her how weak the girl was and how she just took the punishment thrown her way. But that meek attitude reminded her of how her little sister used to be before she took on a haughty attitude.

"The demon fuckers must've planned for this. This random teleportation attests to that much. They must have some pretty high-ranking demons then." She mused thoughtfully.

There were many different types of demons. Some are mindless, some lackluster, and some are weak. And then there were the 'special demon threats' classified as Chaosmaw's. They were the type of demons rarely seen, smarter than the rest, and way more powerful.

One could very well be behind this. Considering the wards of the academy were broken and so many demons were invading, it could very well be possible.

But suddenly, the ground began to tremble, halting her thoughts. A low rumble rose from the earth, growing in intensity until it shook the very foundations of the land. The earth split apart, cracks snaking through the ground like fissures in glass, revealing a dark void beneath.

From the depths of this abyss, a colossal figure emerged, a creature of pure malevolence and terror. It ascended slowly, rising to its full height, as if the very act of manifesting in the mortal realm required great effort. Finally, with a resounding crash, the demon completed its otherworldly ascent, standing before Mirabella, who dared to witness its emergence.

The demon stood at least twenty feet tall, its monstrous frame towering over the landscape. Its skin was a nightmarish palette of deep obsidian and charred ebony, as if forged in the fiery depths of Hell itself. Every inch of its grotesque form seemed to ripple with muscle and power, its sinewy limbs oozing with an ethereal darkness.

Spiked, horn-like protrusions sprouted from the demon's craggy skull, curving backward ominously. Its face, a twisted mockery of the human form, possessed glowing eyes that burned like molten lava, casting an eerie red glow that illuminated the surrounding ruins. Jagged fangs, sharp and deadly, protruded from its mouth, each layered with a glistening coat of a viscous black substance that dripped slowly to the earth below.

The demon's immense wings unfolded from its back, stretching out like tattered remnants of a long-forgotten nightmare. Covered in leathery, flayed skin, these appendages were a grotesque hybrid of bat and reptilian, their membrane shimmering with an otherworldly iridescence that seemed to breathe with a life of its own. As the demon flexed its massive wings, a gust of wind swept through the desolate landscape, chilling the very marrow of bones.

Its muscular torso, gargantuan and sinuous, seemed to pulse with an innate power, as if it could rend the very fabric of reality. Coarse, matted hair flowed down its back, swaying with an unseen wind. The demon's legs were thick and sturdy, ending in hooved feet that echoed with a nightmarish resonance as they struck the earth.

From within the depths of its demonic essence, a palpable aura of darkness radiated, seeping into the surrounding air like a poisonous vapor. It was as if the very energy of malevolence and suffering emanated from this fearsome behemoth, consuming all light and joy.

With a roar that rattled the heavens, the demon extended its immense, clawed hand, its fingers terminating in wickedly sharp talons. It reached out towards the sky, its shadowy touch corrupting the celestial canvas above. As the ground shuddered beneath its presence, the air grew thick with an overwhelming sense of impending doom, yet Mirabella merely stared at the creature with a grin.

"Well, aren't you a big one?" She mused as the gigantic demon turned. "Maybe this'll be fun after all." She mused.

Without hesitation, the demon lunged forward, its massive frame hurtling towards Mirabella with primal fury. The ground trembled beneath its weight as it swung its colossal fist, aiming to shatter her fragile form. But she moved with an extraordinary grace, her petite figure evading the strike with fluid elegance.

As the demon's fist crashed into the earth with a thunderous impact, sending shockwaves through the air, Mirabella danced away unscathed. Her nimble steps carried her beyond the reach of the demon. She gracefully weaved her way through the danger.

Undeterred, the demon unleashed a torrent of fire from its gaping maw, with streams of searing inferno surging towards the girl. The intense heat washed over her, flames licking at her surroundings, yet she remained untouched. Her body twisted and contorted with uncanny agility, each movement calculated to evade the lethal tongues of fire.

The demon, relentless and unyielding, used its powerful tail as a weapon, lashing it toward her with surprising precision. The tail, tipped with razor-sharp spikes, sliced through the air. Yet, he reflexes defied comprehension as she weaved, dove, and slid beneath each strike, mere inches from certain death.

Infuriated by its inability to strike the nimble Mirabella, the demon unleashed a flurry of clawed swipes, the sheer force behind each attack enough to rend stone and steel. But with a supernatural grace, Mirabella weaved through the onslaught of talons.

The ground beneath her cracked and splintered with the cataclysmic force of the demon's rage, adding to the chaos, yet the girl remained untouched. 

With each evasion, the girl's boredom grew, pushing her to her ultimate feat. The large demon let out a furious roar, its voice shaking the very foundations of the earth.

"Familial Arts: Aetheric Oblivion." She murmured those words almost in boredom as her destruction began.

In one fluid motion, she unleashed her own power—a celestial surge of light and energy emanating from her being. It swirled around her, coalescing into a luminous orb of unparalleled purity.

The celestial energy collided with the demon's monstrous form, an explosion of blinding light and indescribable power tearing through the air. The world trembled, crumbling ruins disintegrating under the sheer force of the onslaught. The malevolent entity, writhing in agony, let out a final, desperate shriek before succumbing to oblivion.

As the dust settled and the echoes of destruction hung in the air. The demon that once stood tall was reduced to nothing but shards of darkness, scattered by the winds of eternity.

She really had no need for such a destructive spell, but she did want to bother prolonging the fight any longer than needed.

"Well done, well done." She suddenly heard clapping from on high, followed by a classy-sounding voice. "As expected from a daughter of Aragorn, just look at all of this destruction. And that was some impressive agility." The voice spoke with an impressed whistle. Mirabella turned her gaze upward as she studied the one who addressed her. Though it surprised her that this individual somehow survived her attack.

It was a demon; that much was clear to see, yet he seemed somehow different. His skin was a sky blue with elongated bat-like ears and white horns atop his head, and his eyes were a pool of blood red. His overall form was humanoid, and he actually wore clothing.

A red button shirt under a black vest with intricate patterns, along with black slacks and dress shoes. Thrown over his form was a black robe adorned with gold.

"Well, you're quite the creepy-looking fucker." Mirabella commented as the floating creature came down, his feet soon touching the ground.

"My, what crude language for a young lady." It shot back. Not really sounding all that annoyed by her comment'.

"Well, are you going to do something about it then?" She challenged, her mana flaring.

"Mayhap." The demon spoke as its blood-red eyes gleamed beneath the moonlight.

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In the heart of the dense forest, Agatha stood amidst the eerie shadows and dappled moonlight that filtered through the canopy above. The air hung heavy with an otherworldly stillness as an array of demons emerged from the darkness, their grotesque forms filled with a sinister malevolence. Their twisted bodies contorted unnaturally, resembling an amalgamation of nightmarish creatures from the deepest abysses.

The first demon, with fiery crimson eyes and razor-sharp claws, lunged towards her with ferocity. Its elongated fangs glistened with a venomous drool, its intentions clear. As the creature closed in, Agatha's eyes flared, flickering with a mesmerizing aura. Her palms began to glow, vibrant streams of azure energy.

Summoning her magical abilities, she extended her arms, and from her fingertips surged a torrent of raw energy. The energy cascaded to the forest floor, weaving an intricate symbols and runes upon the earth. The ground trembled beneath her as her spell took hold, and with a whispered incantation, the dormant tree roots beneath the soil awakened.

Suddenly, the forest floor erupted as colossal tree roots sprung forth with an explosive force, shattering the tranquility of the forest. Knotted and gnarled, the roots surged upward like slithering serpents, their surfaces ridged with rough bark and adorned with sharp thorns. They twisted and coiled, reaching menacingly towards the demons that encircled the girl.

With a thunderous crash, the roots speared through the air, their unrestrained strength crushing and splintering any demon that dared to stand in their path. As she willed them forward, the roots entwined around the demons like vices, constricting their distorted forms until bones shattered and hideous shrieks filled the air.

Another demon, a wraith-like specter with tendrils of darkness curling around its wan body, glided towards her, seeking to envelop her in its grasp. She raised her hands towards it, fingers splayed, and the forest responded to her commanding presence.

Trunks of towering oaks trembled as they awakened from their dormant slumber, their massive forms bursting forth from the soil with an explosive force. The trees' broad branches unfolded like immense skeletal wings, casting haunting shadows on the forest floor. Leaves rustled in anticipation as the trees extended their limbs towards the girl, offering their support.

Seizing the opportunity, she clasped her hands together, and a surge of energy raced through her veins. Her voice resonated through the ancient forest as she chanted an incantation, the words intertwining with the whispered rustle of leaves. The trees, attuned to her command, swept their mighty branches forward with a staggering force.

Demons were ensnared, crushed mercilessly, and impaled upon the jagged spikes that protruded from the embrace of nature's wrath. Their grotesque forms were rendered asunder, their cries of pain echoing into the void.

Though the scene was chaotic, there was an eerie beauty. Agatha, standing tall amidst the wreckage, gazed upon the decimated demons, a glimmer of solemn satisfaction shining in her eyes.

She turned away from the scene of destruction as she walked through the dense forest. Like most, she too was teleported to a random location against her will.

"But this is highly unusual." This was mostly the thought process of the majority. The staff of the academy was most likely handling demons; they were most likely too busy to even take note of all the people that were warped away.

She herself found herself within the confines of a forest far away from the academy grounds. She would teleport back, but there were wards that stretched out endlessly that prevented her from doing so. Correction: there were wards that prevented the invoking of teleportation magic.

("The one responsible for the wards must be preoccupied with something else if they cannot even keep these wards in place.") She deduced easily enough, so as she prepared to teleport away, her head suddenly snapped to the side as she frowned.

"Show yourself!" She yelled, her gaze directed towards a large tree. In response, she heard a small 'eep' before the hidden individual made themselves visible. She frowned as she spotted those horns with the long, gray, fuzzy hair.

("This mana... is she truly a demon?") Agatha could not help but wonder as she stared at the meek-looking girl.

"W-wait! I'm not a demon!" The girl quickly clarified, having gathered what Agatha was thinking about based on how her eyes linger on her horns.

"Your eerie and evil mana says otherwise." The blonde bluntly stated:

"W-well, that uhm...is because I..." The girl seemed hesitant to follow up on her sentence but Agatha quickly deduced just what she was.

"I see. You are a spawn of 'his', correct?" Agatha deduced, and Juliana just hesitantly nodded her head at the girl's words. "That would explain your mana, I suppose." Agatha murmured thoughtfully. "Then come; it would be wise not to linger here."

"You'll help me?" She questioned seemingly in disbelief. Agatha quirked up an eyebrow on her impassive face at the reaction before she spoke.

"Of-" Suddenly, however, she quickly cut herself off as she twisted her body to the side just in time for something to fling past her, mowing down a few trees in its path.

"Mine apologies." She heard a voice uttered out as her eyes landed on a levitating blue-skinned demon. "But she was getting quite rowdy."