He thus left the sanctuary without looking back, searching for the besieged walls of the city. Asteria was a fortress built on several levels with increasingly high and fortified ramparts. From where the sanctuary stood, one could see the entire kingdom and the walls below, bathed in glowing smoke, evidence of a bloody siege.
Deep in the mind, inaudible, two souls communicate within the summoned:
" Arcane, what are you doing? "
" As I've told you, I'm going to retrieve our Ring from this false Demon King. "
" No one has ever known our appearance. The armor I wore kept our anonymity. We should avoid being recognized by them. "
" Don't worry about that. Centuries have passed. And I have no desire to hold back. If these humans need a face for a hero, let's give them this one."
- Arcane!" exclaimed Aramis, holding the sword, "Take this! This is the most resistant and sharpest sword of humanity!
- Since you insist, I will wield this sword on the battlefield.
- Are you heading to the wall? Are you going to fight the Demons alongside the humans?
- Of course. I have a score to settle with the false Demon King there.
- The false Demon King? Aramis asked, taken aback by the visible excitement on the Archangel's face.
- Let's dethrone him! inquired Arcane, leaping powerfully from the sanctuary square hundreds of meters forward.
- Elea, Daïme, gather everyone. We're heading to the battlefield. Arcane wants to kill the Demon King!
- At your command!
When the Saint knights arrived at the top of the wall to observe the situation, they found inactive archers and spearmen, simply watching the scene unfolding on the other side of the wall. Down below, Arcane laughed heartily as he slew hordes of monsters by the dozen, though surrounded by thousands more constantly gathering around him. He laughed so loudly that his excitement reached the ramparts.
- What is this monster? He fights alongside us, he has the same stature as the Archangel but...
- What is happening here? Aramis asked, followed by his comrades.
- Knight! Is one of yours over there? the captain of the guard asked the knight.
- Arcane... What is he doing alone over there? He's going to get himself killed!
- Arcane, you say? Is it the hero, Arcane Celestial? the captain inquired. "It's Arcane Celestial! It's Arcane Celestial!" he began shouting to his men.
Quickly, all the soldiers learned the news and discovered the face of their hero who, once again, showed courage and bravery in the midst of battle.
- Aramis, Daïme remarked, Isn't that Azor over there?"
- Azor? The Demon King himself?
- It is Azor, Elea confirmed. Everyone, sound the alarm. If Azor attacks the city, we will be the only ones able to resist him!
- Sound the alarm! exclaimed Kelin, a Saint knight.
- Sound the alarm! repeated the captain of the guard.
And as they all prepared for the confrontation with the demonic giant approaching step by step, the Archangel's sword flew to Aramis' feet, embedding into the stone before his eyes. He stepped forward to the grooves and watched as Arcane proudly pointed at him with his finger.
"What is he doing?" Aramis wondered as he saw him enjoying the situation, as if he hadn't been able to stretch his legs for ages.
Deep in the mind, inaudible, two souls communicate within the summoned:
"He's coming, Celestial! This Demon who defiles our Ring."
"Why did you get rid of the sword?"
"Don't tell me you were fighting with that knife. You've spent too much time with these humans."
"Maybe you're right. Your strength and ferocity have always been unmatched."
"It's not your fault. We were very different once. We will regain our strength, I can assure you."
"I'm convinced of that.""
- "Commander!" Elea joined, "What is Arcane doing? He's charging straight at the Demon King.
- I know.
- And his sword is here! We must support him
- I don't think it's necessary... he sighed, clenching his fists.
- But Aramis, he's all alone.
- Elea, whoever it is, this is no longer our Arcane Celestial. This entity cares nothing for pain or danger. Look at him. He fights bare-handed. He pulverizes his opponents and rejoices in seeing his enemies as nothing but flies. He's been alone against these thousands of monsters for half an hour, and he hasn't a scratch.
- It's no longer Arcane Celestial... Elea thought aloud, saddened.
- But if he can defeat a Demon King alone, this Archangel is a blessing. And we should believe in Arcane Celestial's plan and his sacrifice, Daïme remarked, joining them.
The destructive strike of the Demon King fell upon Arcane, who looked tiny in comparison. But although the devastating blow swept all around the warrior, who was under the monster's reddish fist, he held his arm outstretched and his fist clenched underneath the opponent, having suffered no bodily harm.
With a grave voice that resonated throughout the battlefield, the Demon King addressed Arcane, who was laughing before him:
- Who are you? I've never seen you before, knight.
- Is that all a false Demon King is capable of? How come the humans haven't managed to defeat you yet?
- False Demon King? I am Azor! The most powerful demon in this kingdom.
- Azor? Never heard of you. Well, I don't have time to listen to a weakling like you. - Die, whoever you are! The Demon raised his elbow and then thrust his fist in a blow so violent that the blast traveled across the entire kingdom, destroying the roofs of the guard towers and knocking down soldiers on the walls, pinning monsters to the besieged walls while Arcane, under the destructive fist of the Demon, still laughed at the situation.
Watching the scene, ridiculed before his army and the enemy's, Azor screamed in anger.
- You will all die! he exclaimed.
- No, Arcane replied, having risen before him in an instant, it's you.
Azor didn't have time to react before Arcane's fist vaporized the enemy's head with a loud bang that resonated throughout the kingdom, followed by a gust that blew all around him for a fraction of a second.
Deep in the mind, inaudible, two souls communicate within the summoned:
"It's done. Here is our 2nd Celestial Ring."
"I had forgotten how dangerous you were."
"If I never blamed you, it's because I know my power was responsible for the destruction of these kingdoms.
"If I had summoned you earlier, we could have avoided so much loss."
"I have not yet chosen to believe in your humans. I sense bitterness in them. This time, I fought for them because this Demon had our Ring. But I wouldn't hesitate to do the same if it turned out they were secretly keeping one."
"I hope you change your mind, Arcane."
"Anyway, this Ring is corrupted. This Demon has possessed it for too long. It seems I cannot claim it in the presence of the first."
"What do you mean? Have our Rings become incompatible?"
"I have an idea. I have the strength to control the power of a corrupted Ring. Why not make transfers? We could awaken simultaneously. I have the strength to master the corruption that plagues this Ring. And you, you could use the summoning Ring to reclaim your place in this world."
"Is this your way of saying you want to team up?"
"We have no choice. You wouldn't last a second under the power of this corruption, and I can't possess two Rings of different states. We can both be the vessel for the Rings. Perhaps we will find a way to remove this corruption later. In the meantime, you can be the Arcane of this world. And if you need my strength, I could take my place again. But you must remain Arcane. Celestial must remain hidden. Do you agree?"
"As you said, we have no choice, Arcane. I'll play along until we find a way to rid ourselves of the corruption."
