Leaning his head against the seat, Mike closed his eyes. He listened to the hum of the truck engine and the steady rhythm of tires against asphalt. A low vibration coursed through the vehicle, subtle but constant.
"A stronger bat is coming for you. Kill him."
Bahamut's growl echoed through his mind.
Mike's eyes snapped open just as a deeper tremor shook the truck.
"Stop the truck. We're about to be attacked."
Hunter glanced at him, already serious.
"It's a Duke of Hell. Woden says he'll emerge with a legion." His voice was cold as he pulled over. Hamza had already jumped out, eyes fixed on the fissure forming ahead.
"Focus on my blood. You need the power to survive this."
Bahamut growled again, louder.
Mike stepped out of the truck and closed his eyes, picturing the scales forming across his body. Wings unfolding from his back. Claws on his fingers. He focused on his time as a dragon, the power, the instincts, the fury.
The fissure split wider with a fiery glow leaking from the broken earth. Smoke curled upward as the ground continued to quake. Echoes of war horns and the clash of armor filled the air.
Scales formed on Mike's arms and legs. His tail unfurled. Wings expanded behind him. As his transformation completed, rows of armored, horned demons began emerging from the pit.
A massive horse stepped forward its skin smoldering like burning ash, eyes ablaze with fire. Mounted atop it was a towering figure in ornate black armor. Three heads protruded from its back: a regal man's face with curling horns in the center, flanked by an eagle and a dog.
In a high-pitched, almost feminine voice, the demon spoke:
"I am Bune, Great Duke of Hell. Eleventh among the Seventy-Two."
The regal head bowed slightly, almost mocking.
"You've interfered in our battles with the angels. You're a threat to our conquest. I've come to eliminate you."
A war horn howled again. Then, in a much deeper voice, Bune commanded:
"Kill them."
The first wave of demons surged forward. Their formation was tight, disciplined. Frontlines wielded swords and spears; others followed with axes, shields, and maces.
Hamza ignited with smokeless fire, hurling blazing orbs that exploded among the charging soldiers. Flames spread across the sand, consuming armor and flesh.
Mike took flight and dove into the chaos, his claws meeting steel. He struck down the first demon, but its shield held. They pressed in around him, working in unison. A spear slipped through and pierced his scales, causing him to snarl in pain. He launched himself upward to avoid being surrounded.
Black arrows shot from the archers. Several pierced his wings; others bounced off his armored body. Pain surged through him and with it came rage.
His mind drifted to visions of Kelsey.
Of Hecate taking control of his wife, mocking him with taunting words and sadistic smiles.
The anger built faster than he could contain. His emotions starting to overwhelm him and push him out of balance. He started to feel his grip on the new equilibrium slipping.
Focusing on the archers, Mike opened his jaws and let out a roar full of fury and hate trying to find his balance again.
What came out wasn't just sound, but a beam of red-and-black flame exploded from his mouth, striking the archers and igniting a firestorm.
The infernal blaze crept across the sand and up the bodies of the remaining soldiers. It ate through their armor, consumed their flesh. Screams filled the air as fear rippled through their ranks.
Mike tried to summon the flames again but nothing came. Only a roar filled with pure anger.
The battle raged on.
Hamza fought furiously, his fire burning hot, but the demons kept coming. Wounds layered their bodies, slowing their movements, bleeding their stamina.
In Greece…
Lisa sat at a marble table, her hands in her face. Frustration boiled over as she pounded the table.
The Olympians were useless. Every meeting turned into a contest of pride. They boasted of strength, of tactics, of ancient glory—but gave no answers for handling Hecate.
Even worse—the gates to Hell and the Underworld had been opened.
The chosen of Hades and Persephone refused to attend. They sent a message:
"We'll meet when Michael Reed is available."
Hunter wasn't answering his phone. They were four hours past their return time.
And now she heard shouting in the halls:
Creatures emerging from beneath the earth and attacking the angels forces.
Lisa's stomach turned to stone when she heard about one of the Demon Dukes hunting Mike at the request of Hecate.
If a Duke of Hell is hunting him… he's not just in danger. He might not survive. She thought as she reached for her phone to call Nicolas again.
Back at the fissure, Mike was covered in blood. Demon corpses littered the sand. Still more advanced. He fought with teeth, claws, and raw fury.
He bit the head off a demon and stole its mace, using it to crush the shield of the next opponent, then sliced through the exposed flesh with his claws.
I can't do this forever. I have to reach Bune.
He tried to calm his rage. Tried to focus.
Bahamut's voice thundered in his mind:
"Regain your senses! Kill the commander!
You are not strong enough to kill the entire army!"
"Fuck!" He growled as his claws found another horned soldier. Using his bleeding and damaged wings he rose into the air.
Hamza was still burning his opponents and trying to push forward but the horde was endless.
Staring at the smug smile on Bune's face. Mike flapped his wings and propelled himself like a missle straight for the Duke. Roaring as he approached Bune at terrifying speed.
BOOM!!