Lord of the Mysteries: Catalyst of Shadows

The remnants of the battlefield trembled as new figures materialized within the Edict's domain. Caius, Kaelen, Thaddeus, and Jack emerged amidst the radiant chaos of Sebastian and Vesper's clash. The Edict of Severance pulsed ominously at the center, its brass surface marred with glowing fissures as new words burned into existence:

"No Ally Shall Stand Unquestioned; Only Action Will Prove Intent."

The air shifted violently as the new decree took hold. The atmosphere grew heavier, the very fabric of trust strained. Every movement, every interaction was cloaked in suspicion, forcing alliances to prove themselves not through words but through tangible actions. The Church members exchanged glances, unease settling over them as the battlefield roared to life again.

Sebastian, locked in combat with Vesper, noticed the arrival of his captains first. His Armor of Light gleamed brilliantly as he parried another of Vesper's attacks. "Caius! Kaelen! Thaddeus! Secure the area and assist!" he commanded, his voice booming across the chaotic terrain. 

Caius nodded sharply, his attention momentarily captured by Jack's presence among them. His golden eyes narrowed, a flicker of recognition and suspicion crossing his face. The man had appeared during the battle—an intruder amidst their ranks. "You," Caius growled, his grip tightening on his blade. For a brief second, his stance shifted, his focus on Jack as he prepared to confront the mysterious figure.

Jack, raised his hands briefly in a gesture of caution. He moved warily, his posture deliberately non-threatening as he sidestepped Caius's line of sight. The rule of the Edict weighed heavily in his mind, its decree ensuring that alliances could not be forged through mere words. 

Without hesitation, Jack launched forward into the battle, targeting Vesper's shadow constructs using Creeping Hunger. A Weaken ripple emanated from him, sapping the strength of the surrounding tendrils while he evaded incoming attacks.

Kaelen and Thaddeus paused in confusion, watching the intruder's movements. "Who is that?" Thaddeus questioned, his voice sharp. "He's fighting Vesper! Leave him be for now—we'll deal with him later if needed!" Caius replied

The brief exchange was enough to push Caius back into the fray. He adjusted his grip on his blade and turned his attention to Vesper, who was momentarily startled by the sudden influx of enemies. The Bloody Archduke's descendant sneered, his predatory gaze flicking between the Church members. "More lambs to the slaughter?" Vesper hissed, his voice dripping with malice.

Sebastian's resolve sharpened. "Your corruption ends here, Vesper. No matter how many shadows you summon, the light will pierce through!" His Sun Halo flared, a wave of purification rippling outward, burning away the lingering traces of Vesper's abyssal domain.

Vesper retaliated with fury. Tendrils of corrupted blood surged from his form, slashing toward the advancing Purifiers. Caius, Kaelen, and Thaddeus moved as one, shielding themselves with radiant barriers as they closed the distance. Jack, maintaining his own agility, slipped between the chaos, landing blows against Vesper's summoned shadows.

The battlefield's intensity escalated as the newcomers joined forces with Sebastian. The radiance of the Sun Pathway clashed violently against the corruption, creating bursts of light and shadow that illuminated the domain with each strike. Sebastian, momentarily glancing at the newcomer, narrowed his eyes but said nothing, focusing instead on the battle at hand. Jack's actions against Vesper were enough to warrant temporary reprieve from the Church's wrath, but Sebastian's suspicions lingered.

Vesper's frustration grew as the combined efforts of the Purifiers and Jack began to push him back. He snarled, using his control over desire as he attempted to sow chaos among the intruders. Yet, the Purifiers' faith in their Deacon and the Sun Pathway's inherent resistance to such influence rendered his efforts less effective.

Jack, meanwhile, continued to move, maintaining his wary distance from the captains while exploiting every opportunity to weaken Vesper's forces, with Creeping Hunger's Distortion ability disrupting Vesper's shadow constructs and leaving openings for the Purifiers to exploit.

Sebastian, sensing the tide turning in their favor, pressed his advantage. His Unshadowed Spear surged with divine power as he launched it directly at Vesper, its brilliance cutting through the darkness. Vesper barely managed to evade the attack, his form shifting into a mass of flowing shadow before reforming on the other side of the battlefield.

The battle reached its crescendo as the Edict pulsed once more, the cracks on its surface glowing brighter. The words etched upon its brass surface seemed to twist and shimmer. Every combatant braced themselves, knowing that the rules could change at any moment.

"No Entity May Hold the Advantage Alone."

The battlefield quaked as the rule solidified, affecting every participant. Vesper's aura, which had been pressing against the Purifiers' resistance, faltered slightly, its oppressive force dampened. Likewise, Sebastian's radiant authority dimmed ever so subtly, the divine light tempered. Even the artifacts wielded by both sides seemed to respond, their powers dulled or fluctuating in strength as the Edict enforced its balance.

Caius, Kaelen, and Thaddeus hesitated briefly as the rule took hold, their revolvers raised and ready, but they quickly adapted. Caius fired precise shots from his revolver, each bullet imbued with faint purifying energy that forced Vesper to constantly shift and dodge.

Kaelen's hands glowed as he summoned his signature Sword of Dawn. He swung, cleaving through Vesper's shadow tendrils, severing their reach as they dissipated in bursts of radiant energy.

Thaddeus, on the other hand, focused on providing covering fire, his revolver spitting consecrated bullets aimed at Vesper's movements. He gave quick orders to the other Purifiers, ensuring they maintained their formation while also offering Sebastian the room he needed to lead the charge.

Jack, standing further back, observed the shifts in the battlefield. He noted the ebb and flow of power caused by the Edict's rule, adapting his approach. Creeping Hunger pulsed as he moved swiftly through the chaos, using the glove's Distortion ability. The shadows around him bent unnaturally, forcing Vesper to split his attention.

Taking advantage of the confusion, Jack activated another ability form the same soul, Corrosion. The air around Vesper shimmered with an acidic hue as parts of his aura weakened, the corrosion eating away at the edges of his defenses. 

Vesper snarled in frustration, his movements more erratic as he struggled to manage the onslaught. Despite the Edict's balancing effect, Jack's subtle use of Creeping Hunger's powers kept the Demigod on edge.

Amidst the chaos, Jack's gaze narrowed as he decided to escalate. Reaching into his coat, he drew Death Knell, its design dark and ominous, its presence exuding a palpable weight. Cocking the revolver deliberately, he infused it with his spirituality, activating its Lethal Attack ability.

Jack steadied his aim, locking onto Vesper's figure. With two quick pulls of the trigger, he fired a pair of bullets in rapid succession. A third shot followed almost immediately, echoing through the battlefield with a sharp crack.

A burst of force rippled outward from each impact, battering Vesper's core and forcing him to stagger violently. The Demon roared, his essence flaring as he struggled to recover. Though the shots weren't fatal, the trio of strikes had shattered his concentration, further weakening his grip on the battlefield.

Sebastian seized the opportunity created by Jack's interference. Raising his hand, he summonedanother spear, its blazing purity illuminating the battlefield. He hurled it at Vesper, the radiant weapon cutting through the battlefield.

Vesper twisted his form into a liquid-like state, narrowly evading the spear, but the weapon exploded upon impact with the ground, sending a wave of purifying energy that burned away his corruption.

Snarling in fury, Vesper retaliated, summoning a massive tendril of shadow and blood that lashed out at Sebastian and the other Purifiers. Caius intercepted the attack, deflecting the blow but being forced several steps back from the sheer force.

Kaelen and Thaddeus worked in tandem, their movements fluid and synchronized. Kaelen's Sword of Dawn clashed with Vesper's shadow constructs, each strike sending waves of radiant energy that forced the Demon to shift his position. Thaddeus used his revolver to pin Vesper down, his bullets imbued with divine authority, keeping the Demon from regaining his footing.

Jack, moving stealthily and avoiding drawing unnecessary attention to himself, took advantage of the confusion to maneuver into a better position. Creeping Hunger's color changed with the switch of souls, as he activated Language of Foulness - Slow, subtly affecting Vesper's movements. The Demon's attacks began to lose their fluidity, his reactions slightly delayed.

With the battlefield in a state of balance, the Purifiers began to regain momentum. Though the Edict's rule prevented either side from gaining a decisive upper hand, the coordinated efforts of the Church's forces kept Vesper on the defensive.

Vesper's eyes darted across the battlefield, his frustration mounting. The Purifiers were relentless, their combined efforts chipping away at his defenses. The Edict's rule only exacerbated his predicament, forcing him to fight on even ground despite his overwhelming power.

"You persist," he growled, his voice dripping with malice. "But I will not be undone by mortals."

His aura flared, the battlefield darkening as he prepared to unleash a devastating counterattack. But even as he summoned his strength, the Church's forces surged forward, their unity and divine resolve pressing him further into a corner.

Sebastian advanced with his spear, its purifying brilliance carving through the air like a searing blade. The battlefield around them shimmered with the oppressive glow of his authority, forcing Vesper's movements to become increasingly erratic as he dodged each strike. Yet, despite Sebastian's clear dominance in power, the Edict's rule asserted itself—No Entity May Hold the Advantage Alone.

The radiant halo around Sebastian dimmed, just enough to allow Vesper to catch his footing. The Glove of Profaned Truth on his hand glowed faintly, twisting reality around his next move. Vesper struck out, aiming not at Sebastian but at the battlefield itself. His action surged outward, temporarily disrupting the purity of the Unshadowed Domain. Shadows danced wildly, creeping toward the Purifiers as if to engulf them.

Sebastian's captains reacted immediately. Kaelen unleashed a barrage of golden bullets from his revolver, the shots cutting through the encroaching darkness and driving it back. Thaddeus, with his mace imbued with fire, charged forward, his weapon swinging in wide arcs that shattered the tendrils of corruption before they could gain ground. Meanwhile, Caius struck at the flanks, unleashing attacksthat disrupted Vesper's movements.

Amidst the chaos, Jack moved. Concealed amidst the shifting shadows and bursts of radiance, he used Creeping Hunger to manipulate the battlefield subtly. With a flick of his fingers, he unleashed the Distortion ability, warping the space around Vesper's footing. Vesper stumbled slightly, giving Sebastian an opening to launch an attack from his Sword of Light.

Vesper barely managed to dodge, the light grazing his side, searing his crimson suit and leaving a smoldering wound beneath. His Glove glowed once more, attempting to steal Sebastian's weapons to even the scales, but the Edict countered—every time Vesper sought to tip the fight in his favor, the rule shifted the scales back, granting Sebastian's forces subtle advantages.

With a cunning grin, Jack seized the moment. He used Bribe - Weaken, directing it at Vesper. The corruption radiating from the Black Moth leader's body faltered, diminishing in intensity. Jack fired his revolver to further disorient Vesper. The other captains, momentarily perplexed by Jack's presence, witnessed his attacks and hesitated. Though suspicious, they allowed the supposed ally to press forward for now.

Vesper growled in frustration, his shadowy form flickering. He raised his Glove once more, attempting to use Theft against the odd newcomer, but Sebastian gave him no chance. Sebastian thrust his Sword of Light forward, aiming for Vesper's chest.

The battlefield rippled in response to the Edict's rule, causing the sword's light to dim slightly, yet it was still enough. Vesper, weakened from the cumulative attacks was unable to avoid the strike.

The sword pierced through his defenses, impaling him with divine brilliance. A cry of anguish echoed through the domain as Vesper disintegrated into fragments, his body collapsing to the ground. The corruption he exuded faded, replaced by the searing light of purification.

The captains stood still for a moment, their weapons still raised, before lowering them in relief. The Edict's domain shimmered ominously, signaling the conclusion of this battle. The cracks on its surface pulsed faintly, the battlefield beginning to dissolve around them.

Sebastian stepped forward, breathing heavily but steady, his gaze fixed on Vesper's remains, as they coalesced into an odd-shaped horn. "The Abyss will not rise," he said, his voice resolute.

As the battlefield dissolved entirely, the group felt the Edict's power pull at them, dragging them toward the next battlefield.

…

The battlefield of light and shadow was an unrelenting tempest as Viève and Erynos clashed, "Their" powers colliding in bursts of radiant gold and suffocating crimson. The air crackled with divine energy, every strike from Viève's spear illuminating the swirling darkness, while Erynos's corrupted blood and silver twilight lashed out with ferocity. The domain itself seemed to shudder under "Their" titanic struggle, the boundaries of the Edict barely holding the chaos in check.

Then, in a sudden ripple of force, the battlefield expanded. New figures materialized at its edges, pulled into the fray by the Edict's power. Sebastian, his captains, and Jack stumbled onto the scene, their forms solidifying within the glowing cracks of the Edict's domain. 

Sebastian's breath caught as his gaze locked onto the spectacle before him. Viève stood in radiant defiance against Erynos. "Her" every movement radiated unyielding light, while Erynos's malice seemed to press against reality itself, twisting the space around him into an oppressive void of despair. The sheer scale of the battle was almost overwhelming, "Their" forces locked in a struggle.

Sebastian exchanged glances with his captains. Kaelen's grip tightened on his revolver, his expression hard, while Thaddeus whispered a prayer under his breath, the golden insignia of the Sun glinting faintly on his chest. Caius, for all his usual confidence, hesitated, his eyes narrowing as he assessed the chaos before them.

"They're on a completely different level," Kaelen murmured, his voice barely audible over the clash of divine forces. "How can we even hope to assist "Her" without becoming liabilities?"

Before they could deliberate further, the Edict of Severance roared to life once more. The glowing cracks across its surface pulsed with renewed vigor, and a new inscription etched itself into the artifact's brass surface, its words rippling across the battlefield with undeniable authority:

"Every Soul Shall Bear the Weight of Balance."

The rule's declaration shifted the atmosphere instantly. The radiant dominance of Viève's Ocean of Light dimmed, while Erynos's suffocating corruption seemed to lose its edge. The Edict imposed an equilibrium, forcing both combatants to operate under a delicate balance. Every attack "They" unleashed was countered by the Edict, amplifying the opposing force in response. No one could hold a decisive upper hand for long.

Erynos's crimson eyes narrowed as "He" registered the newcomers, "His" lips curling into a predatory grin. "Ah, new prey," "His" voice dripping with malice. The Edict's rule shifted "His" plans—while not capable of overwhelming Viève directly, "He" could exploit these lesser beings to tip the scales in "His" favor.

With a sweeping gesture, Erynos unleashed a wave of corrupted blood, tendrils laced with silvery twilight snaking toward the newcomers. The blood writhed unnaturally, moving as it sought to ensnare Sebastian and his captains. The air grew heavy with the stench of decay and burning desire, pressing down on them like an invisible weight.

The first strike tore through their defenses, shattering the radiant barriers conjured by the captains as though they were brittle glass. Several Purifiers were hit, some corroding to death while other were overtaken, becoming Ernos's subjects and attacking their former colleagues.

"Hold the line!" Sebastian shouted, his Armor of Light shimmering as he stood firm against the onslaught. He raised his revolver, firing golden bullets into the wave of corruption, but each shot fizzled against the overwhelming might of an Angel.

Viève witnessing this, raised "Her" hand invoking multiple pillars of holy light unto the corrupted purifiers, bringing them to dust before further deaths occured.

Erynos's laughter echoed across the battlefield, cold and merciless. "Do you think your mortal tricks will suffice against me?" "His" hand extended, and the ground beneath the Purifiers erupted with blue flames, forcing them to scatter. Several of the Purifiers cried out as the searing heat scorched their armor, while others fell to the ground, lifeless.

Jack, witnessing the chaos, swiftly dispelled the projections of Creeping Hunger and Death Knell. Moving discreetly, he cloaked himself in illusions, his form vanishing from sight.

The Purifiers' captains—Kaelen, Caius, and Thaddeus—tried to rally the remaining forces, but the sheer scale of Erynos's attacks left little room for coordinated action. Kaelen's mace swung with holy energy, deflecting a fraction of the incoming tendrils. Thaddeus's revolver barked in defiance, his golden bullets aiming for weak points in Erynos's attacks.

Amidst the chaos, Caius suddenly glanced around, his sharp instincts flaring. "Where's the stranger?" he hissed, scanning the battlefield for Jack. His eyes darted through the shadows, searching for any sign of movement, but found nothing.

"He's gone," Kaelen growled, his voice tight with frustration. "Coward ran off when the bastard showed his strength."

Jack, concealed behind layers of illusions, moved switfly. While the captains and Purifiers were focused on surviving Erynos's relentless assault, Jack crept closer to the heart of the battlefield. His mind worked quickly, analyzing the Edict's rule and the chaotic flow of battle. Erynos's focus is divided. The rule favors balance—he can't overwhelm the battlefield completely without a counterforce.

Viève's presence provided that counterforce. The Saint of the Eternal Blazing Sun stood resolute, "Her" golden armor of light blazing brighter as "She" engaged Erynos directly. "Her" Spear of Light clashed with "His" tendrils of corrupted blood, each impact releasing bursts of energy that rocked the battlefield. "Her" unwavering determination kept Erynos's attention split, giving Jack the window he needed.

The captains' efforts, though valiant, proved insufficient against Erynos's overwhelming might. Tendrils of blood and silver flames swept across the battlefield, and another Purifier fell, their cries swallowed by the Abyssal corruption, quickly turning into another ghoul. Despite their divine abilities and Sebastian's leadership, they were outmatched against an Angel's authority.

Jack, now positioned inconspicuously behind a collapsed structure, observed the scene with calm detachment. The captains' attempts to find him had failed, their focus forced back to survival. 

Erynos, noticing the disruption caused to the church's forces, sneered. "Do you see now, Deacon? You're nothing but fodder in this game." "His" voice dripped with venom as "His" corrupted voice lashed out again, forcing Sebastian to his knees, struggling against the darkness within.

Jack's eyes narrowed as he watched the exchange, his thoughts racing. The battlefield was spiraling into chaos, and Erynos's attacks were pushing the Purifiers to their breaking point. But the Edict's rule remained in effect, its authority subtly influencing the flow of battle. No one can hold the advantage alone. Even an Angel is bound by the Edict's decree.

Jack prepared to make his move. The chaos of the battlefield was his element, and amidst the overwhelming might of Angels, he would strike where it mattered most.

Jack stretched his hand into the void, pulling at the void before coalescing into a figure. It materialized before him—a tall, muscular elder with pale, light-blue eyes and a weathered, scarred face. His flaxen-colored shirt and brown coat gave him an unassuming appearance, but his presence exuded latent strength.

Collin Illiad.

The projection of the Silver Knight stood silent as Jack took hold of his Spirit Body threads, his fingers weaving the strands with expertise. Within moments, Collin became Jack's marionette. Collin's form shimmered, his appearance morphing seamlessly into that of Jack, while his true body vanished within layers of illusions.

In his new guise, Jack advanced toward the Angels. His movements were deliberate, blending into the chaos around him. As he approached Erynos, his hand slipped into his coat, retrieving the silver-gray charm.

Raising the charm high, Jack's voice rang out in Ancient Hermes, resonating with a commanding force:

"Misfortune!"

From the heavens, a pillar of dark light descended, enveloping Erynos in its unrelenting radiance. The Deity's Curse, a god-level misfortune curse, manifested. The dark pillar shimmered with an otherworldly hue, its presence oppressive and absolute. For a moment, even Erynos faltered, "His" form wavering under the weight of the curse. The misfortune gnawed at "Him", twisting fate itself against the Bloody Archduke.

Erynos snarled, "His" aura flaring violently as "He" tried to resist the invasive power of the curse. "His" silvery blood-black corruption surged outward, attempting to dispel the effects, but the misfortune lingered, subtly altering the flow of "His" actions and reactions.

Meanwhile, Jack's marionette, Collin Illiad, sprung into action. The Silver Knight's prowess came to bear as his Silver Armor manifested seamlessly, its metallic sheen reflecting the chaotic battlefield's violent hues. Collin's form became a whirlwind of silvery rapiers, each one slicing through the air with precision and speed.

With a fluid motion, the Silver Knight's form changed. Collin's body melted into a malleable silvery liquid that surged toward Erynos, aiming to restrict and suffocate the Archduke's movements. The liquid's tendrils twisted and coiled, seeking to bind the Angel's limbs and exploit his momentary disadvantage.

Erynos roared in defiance, "His" demonic authority erupting as waves of corrupted blood and silvery twilight pushed back against the onslaught. The misfortune curse subtly warped his efforts—his movements, though powerful, carried faint errors, creating fleeting openings.

Viève capitalized on one such opening. "Her" radiant armor blazed as "Her" conjured Mace of Radiance swung forward, the weapon's purifying heat colliding with Erynos's defenses. The impact sent shockwaves through the battlefield, forcing Erynos to retreat momentarily.

Jack, still cloaked in illusions, observed the battlefield carefully. His presence remained unnoticed by most, though his actions began to subtly tip the scales. His marionette, Collin, shifted strategies, reforming from the silvery liquid into the shape of a massive Silver Rapier. The blade hovered momentarily before teleporting randomly around Erynos, delivering swift and disorienting strikes.

The Bloody Archduke's frustration grew. "His" attention split between the unrelenting Viève, the persistent Purifiers led by Sebastian, and now the cunning interference of Jack's marionette. Despite "His" overwhelming strength, the battlefield's dynamics worked against "Him", with the Edict's decree amplifying the challenges "He" faced.

Erynos's form crackled with instability as the Deity's Curse continued to plague him. Each move "He" made seemed just slightly off, every counter met with a subtle misstep that amplified the pressure bearing down on "Him. 

Despite "His" immense power, the battlefield turned against "Him". Viève pressed on, "Her" radiant mace striking with unwavering precision. Jack, from his concealed position, maneuvered deftly, his marionette Collin Illiad delivering a relentless assault of silvery strikes.

Viève's gaze flickered toward Jack, "Her" cautious eyes narrowing. "Her" status allowed "Her" to see through the veil of his illusions. "She" recognized him—not as a mortal interloper, but as an Angel. The realization gave "Her" pause, "Her" strikes momentarily slowing as "She" kept one wary eye on Jack while continuing the assault on Erynos.

Erynos roared in frustration, being pushed to "His" limits. With a mighty surge of strength, the Bloody Archduke lashed out, a wave of corrupted blood and twilight energy sweeping across the battlefield. Collin Illiad's projection bore the brunt of the attack, its silvery form disintegrating and vanishing into the void.

The loss of his marionette didn't faze Jack. In fact, it brought a subtle smirk to his face. From the folds of his illusory clothing, his hidden marionettes—disguised as ordinary attire—sprang to life. Each marionette morphed into his form, creating a battlefield teeming with identical figures. They raised their hands in unison, pointing at Erynos as blasts of Air Bullets erupted toward the Archduke from all directions.

Erynos snarled, "His" twilight armor absorbing much of the barrage, but the misfortune continued to hinder him. Each missed strike, each mistimed movement, compounded "His" frustration. "His" scarlet gaze swept the battlefield, searching for the true Jack amidst the chaos. But before "He" could act, Jack made his next move.

Prickling his fingers into the void, Jack pulled forth a scene from the Void.

Above the battlefield, the sky twisted and darkened. A broken, dark cathedral materialized, its jagged spires piercing the thunderous clouds. The air grew heavy with an unholy pressure as illusory figures emerged within the cathedral. Their forms were indistinct, but their attention was palpable, their gazes locked onto the battlefield and the Angels at its center.

Erynos froze for a brief moment, "His" eyes narrowing recognizing the power before "Him". Jack's voice echoed mockingly, taunting the Archduke with an air of cruel amusement.

Viève's eyes flickered to the scene, "Her" cautious stance deepening. The cathedral's presence sent ripples of tension through "Her" angelical aura, but "She" maintained composure, watching Jack with quiet intensity.

Erynos, realizing the nature of "His" opponent, growled deeply. A Miracle Invoker. The revelation shifted "His" focus. Viève's relentless strikes had pushed "Him" into a corner, but now "He" saw an opportunity to leverage "His" power against this new threat.

The Bloody Archduke turned "His" attention fully to Jack, Erynos unleashed "His" form, flesh and bone warping until "He" stood as a towering Devil figure veined with pulsing blood. Jagged horns twisted from "His" skull, and rivulets of scarlet essence oozed across his sinewy frame, each movement exuding a suffocating aura of corruption. 

This was the Mythical Creature Form of a Bloody Archduke!

Thus, Erynos lunged toward Jack with terrifying speed, the air screeching around him as "He" closed the distance in a heartbeat.

"He" formed a sudden sphere of blood, directing it towards the newcomer. Jack in response to this, made multiple of his marionettes bear the brunt of the attack. Upon contact, it exploded, sending multiple patches of blood into half of the marionettes, corroding and transforming them into Erynos's lackeys.

Jack immediately released control over his tarnished marionettes, avoiding the wave of corruption through the Spirit Body Threads. Then he directed the rest of his marionettes to clash with them, blasting them down to pieces.

But Erynos was relentless. With a sudden burst of speed, "He" pounced on Jack, sending "His" remaining ghouls in stride, "His" towering form crashing down with a force that shook the battlefield. Jack, pinned beneath the Archduke's towering figure, smiled slightly.

Then, he screamed.

"Leodero!"

The air crackled with raw energy as a thunderous storm of lightning erupted from above. Bolts of blinding electricity rained down, converging on Jack's position with devastating force. Erynos, caught in the center of the storm, roared in pain as the lightning tore through "His" form. The misfortune curse amplified the storm's ferocity, intensifying its impact on the Archduke, while obliterating the surroundings, turning the Devil's blood clones to crisp.

For a fleeting moment, it seemed as though the attack might bring an end to the Bloody Archduke. But the cathedral's projection, fragile and fleeting, began to fade. The storm dissipated as quickly as it had appeared, leaving behind a battlefield shrouded in silence.

Erynos lay sprawled on the battlefield, "His" twilight armor shattered and "His" energy all but extinguished. "His" breath came in ragged gasps, the misfortune curse and relentless assaults having brought "Him" to the brink of annihilation. Despite immense power, the Bloody Archduke was now no more than a dying ember.

Jack stood nearest to "Him", his lips curling into a sly, victorious smile. He moved with calm precision, stepping closer to the fallen Angel. Reaching out, his fingers seemed to pluck his Spirit Body Threads. Erynos's being was now laid bare, weakened and defenseless.

Viève's radiant gaze fixed on Jack. "Her" golden armor shimmered as She" realized his intent. "She" surged forward, "Her" mace raised, "Her" presence burning with righteous fury. "Stop!", "Her" voice echoing with divine authority.

But Jack was ready. His remaining marionettes sprang into action, intercepting her with swift precision. Their attacks were calculated—not meant to harm but to delay. Golden shields and radiant strikes from Viève effortlessly neutralized the onslaught, but the mere moments they bought were enough.

The Archduke's form convulsed for a moment, "His" abyssal aura flickering weakly. Then, as though bowing to an unseen master, the once-proud Angel of the Abyss knelt before Jack, "His" scarlet gaze now void of malice, replaced with silent, unyielding servitude.

Erynos was no more. In "His" place stood a marionette.

At that moment, the Edict reacted. Its authority pulsed through the air as the cracks on its surface sealed themselves, its domain dissolving with a final, thunderous tremor. The battlefield shimmered, the oppressive barrier dissipating as the sealed region unraveled. The Church's forces, along with Jack and his new servant, were freed into the outside world.

The purifiers moved cautiously, their weapons raised as they regrouped around Viève. "Her" radiant presence commanded their attention, her gaze locked on Jack and the towering figure of Erynos at his side.

Before anyone could act, the air shifted once more. A thick, dark fog rolled in, enshrouding the surroundings in an eerie, suffocating gloom. The outlines of a darkened, foggy town materialized, its streets twisting unnaturally toward a towering dark cathedral at its center. The ominous scene projected itself with oppressive clarity, its malevolent energy sealing and concealing the Church's forces.

Viève's golden light flared brilliantly, "Her" angelic authority surging outward. The fog recoiled under the onslaught of "Her" purifying radiance, the illusion trembling and breaking apart. Within moments, the dark projection dissipated, revealing the battlefield once more.

But it was already too late.

Jack, along with his new marionette, had vanished without a trace, abandoning the other marionettes at his stead, lifeless husks dropping to the ground, leaving the Church's forces to reckon with the aftermath of the encounter. Viève stood at the forefront, "Her" radiant light unwavering, but a shadow of doubt flickered in "Her" expression.

As the darkened fog cleared and the battlefield returned to an uneasy stillness, the brass staff of the Edict of Severance stood upright amidst the broken ground, its cracks sealed once more. Its oppressive energy had subsided, leaving only the faint hum of its dormant authority. The Church's forces cautiously approached, weapons drawn, their eyes scanning for any lingering threats.

Saint Viève stepped forward, "Her" golden radiance still shining brightly, and extended "Her" hand toward the artifact. The Edict pulsed faintly as though acknowledging "Her" presence. Carefully, "She" brought forth a cloth—a white fabric embroidered with sacred emblem of the Eternal Blazing Sun Church—and wrapped the artifact securely, silencing its power entirely. With the Edict contained, the tension in the air eased.

Sebastian Halloway turned to the Saint, his expression grim but resolute. "Saint Viève, what is your guidance?"

Viève turned "Her" radiant gaze to him, "Her" voice calm but commanding. "Secure the area. Ensure no traces of corruption remain. The Abyss may still linger in unexpected forms. Once the surroundings are purified, I will expect a detailed report of everything that transpired here. Your vigilance is imperative."

Sebastian bowed his head respectfully. "Understood, Your Excellency."

Without another word, Viève lifted the securely wrapped Edict and disappeared in a flash of golden light, "Her" form dissolving into streaks of radiance that ascended toward the heavens. The Church's forces stood in silence for a moment, their gazes lingering on where "She" had vanished, before they turned their attention back to the aftermath of the conflict.

Among them, Caius frowned, his hands stuffed deep in his coat pockets. His thoughts swirled with frustration over the loss of his artifact, the Gambler's Dirge. The battle's chaos had stolen it from him, and the sting of its absence gnawed at his pride. But as his fingers shifted in his pocket, they suddenly brushed against something familiar—the cold, smooth surface of a coin.

His eyes widened slightly as he pulled it out, revealing the coin resting innocently in his palm. He turned it over, inspecting the worn engravings and intricate runes, trying to piece together how it had returned to him. His thoughts raced, but no answers came.

Caius sighed, returning the artifact back into the cigar case tainted with traces of death in his pocket. Whatever had happened, it would remain a mystery for now. For the moment, he joined Sebastian and the others in carrying out Saint Viève's orders, his troubled thoughts buried beneath the weight of duty.

The battlefield was quiet once more, but the lingering tension remained—a stark reminder of the battles yet to come.