Chapter 20: The false hope Diablos

had barely settled from the previous cataclysmic clash when an ominous energy appeared. It was dark, foreboding, and unlike anything the combatants had felt before. This energy coalesced, taking form and shape, as whispers of ancient power filled the air. Suddenly, the Seven Deadly Sins materialized, their dark energies merging into a single, terrifying entity.

The Mother and the Father exchanged horrified glances. "No way," the Mother whispered, her voice trembling. "I thought we sealed you long ago."

Before them stood Diablos, the devil, the king of evil, the ruler of demons. His presence was overwhelming, a living embodiment of darkness and power. Yet, he made no move to attack them. Instead, he turned his attention to Umbra, the One True King.

"I'm not here for revenge," Diablos declared, his voice a chilling rumble. "I'm here to fight Umbra."

Without further ado, Diablos launched himself at Umbra. The battlefield erupted in chaos once more as these two titanic forces collided. Diablos traded blows with Umbra, their combat a furious exchange of punches, kicks, and energy blasts. Each strike shook the fabric of reality, sending shockwaves through the multiverse. The Mother, the Father, and the Six Creators watched in bewilderment, struggling to comprehend how Diablos had grown so powerful despite his long imprisonment.

"How did you get so strong?" the Father demanded, dodging an errant blast.

Diablos grinned wickedly. "I discovered that our world is just one of many. Not planets or universes, but entire worlds containing infinite multiverses and realities."

The revelation struck the Mother and Father like a physical blow. The Six Creators were equally stunned. "But that still doesn't explain your strength," the Mother said, her voice barely audible over the din of battle.

Diablos began to explain, but before he could finish, a random energy enveloped the battlefield. The Father, the Mother, the Six Creators, Akari, and her children were suddenly teleported to an unknown location.

In this new place, a figure emerged, radiating an aura of supreme authority. "Greetings," the figure said. "I am one of the higher-ups. I will explain what Diablos was about to tell you."

The higher-up explained that Diablos had split his soul into seven fragments, each representing one of the Seven Deadly Sins. Each fragment had absorbed the energy of a world, and absolute beings had fused with his soul, augmenting his power beyond comprehension.

Akari, desperate to return to the battlefield, pleaded with the higher-up. "Send me back out there!"

The higher-up shook her head. "No, I have a plan. Diabloswields a sword that can split Umbra's soul, consciousness, and physical body. Though your soul and consciousness are intertwined, this blade will force your physical body to house your consciousness alone, allowing his soul to return to its original transcendent state."

The higher-up's words hung heavy in the air. "But we don't fully understand Umbra's soul. It continues to transcend everything, even other worlds and higher-ups. If Diablosso much as scratches the One True King with that blade, it's over."

Akari's fury erupted. "If you touch my husband, I will kill you and the other higher-ups." Her aura flared, surpassing even that of the One True King.

The higher-up laughed. "The only reason you exist is because I allow you to."

With a swift motion, Akari decapitated the higher-up. The higher-up's head rolled to the ground, yet she laughed, unfazed. "You're a feisty one."

Back on the battlefield, Diablos and Umbra continued their titanic struggle. Diablos grabbed Umbra by the face, slamming him through multiple planets. But suddenly, Diablos felt a sharp pain in his ribs. Confused, he looked back to see Umbra attacking him. "How can this be? I have his face right here," he muttered.

The Mother's telepathic voice echoed in Diablos' mind. "With his speed alone, Umbra can be in multiple places at once."

Diablos was impressed. "What did I expect from the One True King?" he mused.

The fight reached a fever pitch. Diablos drew a secret blade, and Umbra responded by unsheathing his own sword. The clanging of metal filled the air as they exchanged blows, performing acrobatic flips and spins in their deadly dance. Their swords moved with blinding speed, each swing heavy with intent.

"Since when did the One True King learn to wield a blade?" someone shouted in confusion.

The higher-up's voice answered, "Umbra is a part of us all. Remember, they are the same person. This will be harder than we expected."

As the battle raged on, the higher-ups' plan began to take shape. Diablos' blade, glinting ominously, was the key to their strategy. Each strike brought him closer to his goal of piercing Umbra's flesh and enacting the plan to split his soul.

But Akari, determined to protect her husband, re-entered the fray. Her presence added a new dimension to the conflict, her resolve and power a formidable force against even the mightiest adversaries.