Page 63 of Eternal Mate

The beasts, unable to withstand the combined might of my allies, began to fade into tendrils of dissipating darkness.

As the last remnants of the shadow beasts vanished, my allies regrouped, their breathing heavy but spirits unbroken. We locked eyes, my own exhaustion and determination reflected in all of their gazes.

"Nice moves, Neo. You always know how to keep things entertaining," Kiran said, giving Neo a playful nudge.

Neo smirked and replied, "Well, someone's got to lighten the mood around here, right?"

Mikey, still seething with anger but visibly relieved, grunted in acknowledgment. "Yeah, yeah. Just focus on keeping those shadow tricks at bay."

With the immediate threat subdued, we prepared ourselves for the next phase of the battle. Gathering around each other, we stood tall, a unified force against the encroaching darkness. Though the battle had been fierce, we had successfully weakened Lucifer and fended off his shadow minions. Our focus now returned to the fallen angel himself, the ultimate target of our relentless assault.

"You..." the Devil himself growled, his voice laced with desperation. "You will all pay for this insolence!"

But I stood tall, my gaze unyielding. "No, Lucifer," I panted, my voice echoing with unwavering resolve. "We won’t."

Lucifer roared with fury, his power surging.

The battlefield became a tempest of light and darkness, thunderous clashes and explosive bursts of energy. The very fabric of reality seemed to strain under our immense power.

But I persisted, my resolve unwavering. With every strike, I chipped away at Lucifer's defenses, weakening him step by step. I called upon my celestial heritage, drawing strength from Heaven, and channeled it into my attacks. My sword blazed with divine energy, leaving radiant light trails with each strike.

As the battle raged on, exhaustion threatened to consume me. The urgency of my mission pressed upon me, but I knew I had to keep pushing forward—especially when Sariel’s horror bled through the bond.

I gritted my teeth at the sensation, reminded that he was waiting for me—they all were. My friends and family needed me to get through this.

With a final burst of energy, I launched myself toward Lucifer, unleashing a flurry of strikes, and was shocked when they all landed in rapid succession.

Lucifer staggered, his once formidable form now showing signs of fatigue.

I seized the opportunity, stepping back and summoning the energy needed for the sealing spell. I called upon the ancient incantations, my voice resounding with authority and determination.

With a surge of power, I unleashed my part of the sealing spell, which was an intricate web of energy that encased Lucifer, binding him tightly. The magic shimmered and pulsed, its ethereal strands reaching into the depths of his being, weakening his grip on the mortal realm.

Lucifer's form writhed as he fought against the binding, but it was too late. The spell held fast, its power unyielding.

My sacrifice and the combined efforts of my allies had done their work.

As the binding spell held Lucifer captive, the realm quaked with the power of our victory.

I stood before the weakened fallen angel, my chest heaving with exhaustion, but my spirit aflame with triumph. I turned to the others, hand extended for them to form the circle—just a little further, and it was all over.

Immediately, we formed our circle, and Michael began the soft chant that would bind Lucifer.

"We did it," I said softly, my voice filled with relief and pride as my wings dissolved behind me, my magic busy being pushed into the blackened chains that were holding Lucifer captive. The others were silent, heads bowed and occasionally murmuring along with the angel as he worked to finish what we had started.

Suddenly, a peal of chilling laughter echoed through the air, sending shivers down our spines.

24

SEALING THE DARKNESS

ARIA

Lucifer's eyes blazed with malevolence as he grinned, his voice dripping with arrogance. "Oh, my dear, you underestimate me. I am the Morningstar, the first of the fallen. You cannot defeat me."

His dark presence surged, seeping through the cracks in the seal with an unfathomable force.

“And you appear to have forgotten one such demon of mine.”

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