Chapter 7: The Enemy of My Enemy Is My Friend

The Gnawing Worry

The sky over Tokyo was still shrouded in a gray haze, a remnant of the second wave of demon attacks that had just subsided. A cold veil of uncertainty tightly embraced every corner of the city, trapping human hope in a grip of resignation. Amidst the global anxiety gnawing to the bone, a deep personal worry gnawed at Amamiya Tendou's heart. His face was tense, his breath held as his cold fingers deftly grabbed the vibrating phone in his jacket pocket. What he worried about most was his younger sister, Ayano.

"Big brother, I'm okay! Don't worry!" Ayano's voice on the other end sounded cheerful, almost too cheerful, as if she was trying hard to lift a heavy burden from her brother's shoulders, assuring him that everything would be alright. Yet, beneath that cheerfulness, Tendou could sense a slight tremor. He sighed, the feeling of unease still swirling, refusing to leave, binding his mind in an unresolved knot of anxiety. A bad premonition continued to loom, a darkness that felt increasingly close.

The Demon King's Strategy

Deep in the eternal darkness, in a dimension where light never touched and time seemed to freeze, Lucifer and Memphisto stood tall. The two strongest Demon Generals of Demon King Paradox prepared to launch their final assault on Earth. However, their steps were halted by a dimension-shattering call, a voice only heard by the chosen few.

"Hear me, Lucifer," Paradox's voice echoed, heavy like a tombstone grinding as it dragged souls into the bottomless abyss, "I want you to do something important for Me."

Lucifer bowed deeply, his twisted horns glinting slightly, reflecting the shadows of darkness on the bone-throne floor. "What is it, my King?"

"I want you to eliminate the Anomaly first," Paradox commanded, his voice filled with a cold, soul-piercing murderous intent, "Then you can happily eliminate the hero, Caine."

Lucifer grinned sharply, his eyes glinting on his dark face. "Whatever it is, I am ready, my King!" This was a cunning strategy. Eliminating 'the Anomaly' first would divide humanity's strength and neutralize the one unpredictable threat Paradox hated most: Amamiya Tendou.

The Third Wave: Monstrous Living Tanks

Earth trembled violently, as if anticipating inevitable destruction. Then, with an ear-splitting roar, the Third Attack Wave began. From portals gaping in the sky, like festering wounds in the firmament oozing darkness, emerged giants from the demon world. Monstrous Orcs, their grayish-green skin reflecting a dim light, muscles bulging, and gaping fangs ready to tear anything apart. Behind them, Dragons roared, their mighty wings spread to blot out the sun, casting dark shadows that swallowed cities.

According to intelligence reports, these Orcs and dragons possessed skin as thick and immune as the most advanced military tank armor. In essence, humanity was now facing rows of living tanks that breathed and raged, with claws and fire as their primary weapons, not mere bullets.

The Special Forces, aided by valiant Valkyrie units, continued to confront them. They fired magic attacks and bullets relentlessly, creating an unparalleled storm of steel and energy. The deafening roar of AH-64 Apache helicopters and the piercing whine of F-35 Lightning II jets had now arrived, forming menacing aerial formations. On the front lines, the support of Exo Suit Mark IIs roared, darting through the building ruins, but their defenses did not last long. The endless waves of enemies kept coming like a flood, threatening to drown everything that remained.

Memphisto's Provocation

Suddenly, an ear-splitting evil laugh tore through the gray sky, piercing to the bone. Memphisto, the Second Demon General, floated above the ruins of Tokyo. His monstrous silhouette was clear, like a living storm cloud intent on destroying everything.

"O humanity!" he mocked, his voice thundering like thunder, striking the souls of the soldiers, extinguishing the flickering remnants of hope. "I know you are tired of fighting! Even your breaths are ragged!" He burst into raucous laughter, a bone-chilling laugh, provoking them. "Send your hero out of his lair! Face me alone if he dares!"

Hearing the provocation, Caine, the awaited hero, was immediately engulfed in a burning wave of emotion. His jaw hardened, his eyes glinted with anger, radiating an unyielding fire of determination. "Just you wait, Memphisto," he hissed, clenching his fists until his knuckles turned white, veins bulging in his arms, "I will make you regret challenging me!" He immediately requested coordinates. Memphisto was in Tokyo, in the gate area leading to the demon king's castle, where the main portal loomed, as if the gates of hell had opened wide, spewing darkness.

Wolfpack's Plan: Feedback

Meanwhile, at central command, the Japanese branch of the Valkyrie Force was contacted by the UN to prepare for battle alongside the hero. Kurushima Hikari, with her serious face and strong leadership aura, agreed to the plan. Secretly, she also prepared a trap for the Second Demon General, a cunning strategy that could change the tide of battle. They didn't know when Demon General No. 1, Lucifer, would appear. Their goal now was singular and inevitable: to cripple Memphisto together, before total destruction descended.

After the Third Wave finally subsided, leaving behind indescribable devastation everywhere, many troops suffered serious injuries and extreme exhaustion. In a secret command room, the Wolfpack Force was devising a plan to confront Memphisto. The strategy was code-named "Feedback."

The Chinese team, consisting of Li Wei and Mei Lin, would focus on assisting Caine in suppressing Memphisto with coordinated attacks. Meanwhile, the Korean troops, Jae-Hoon and Min-Ji, would help eliminate the incoming minion forces and secure the area. Tendou and Emmy would be in reserve, ready to assist if the Chinese forces were overwhelmed. Tendou was still using his Mark II Suit, as he hadn't wanted to use the Mark-III 'Nexus' yet. There was a hesitation within him to unleash his full power, as if an invisible wall held him back, an unspoken promise he couldn't yet break.

The Epic Duel Begins: Caine vs. Memphisto

Morning arrived, the sky still shrouded in the smoke of war, creating a somber and tense atmosphere. The Wolfpack Force, with a well-laid plan in hand, was ready, awaiting the arrival of the hero Caine. He finally arrived, a heroic aura emanating from him. Caine waved to the swarming media, and encouraged all of humanity to keep fighting. "We can do this! Don't give up on this darkness! The future is in our hands!" he exclaimed, his voice booming with hope, pumping up spirits that were almost extinguished.

Suddenly, thick dark storm clouds enveloped the sky, swallowing the last of the morning light—a sign of the Second Demon General's arrival. Sure enough, Memphisto arrived with his army, his monstrous silhouette clear amidst the darkness descending upon Earth. Hikari immediately received reports from around the world that armored dragons and Orcs had also emerged from other portals. Humanity now began the Fourth Wave, far heavier than before, like an unending storm, threatening to drown all hope.

It was here, as promised, that Caine, in his advanced EXO Suit, soared into the air, flying towards Memphisto's location. They met in the gray sky, and a tense conversation ensued.

"Look who's arrived," Memphisto sneered, an evil grin adorning his face, full of superiority. "The snot-nosed brat who calls himself a hero."

Caine snorted, his eyes burning sharp. "I know you're trying to provoke me, but it won't work, Memphisto. Words won't intimidate me."

"I know," Memphisto replied, his tone mocking, as if Caine were merely a toy. "Then, let's begin this fight."

The Arrival of Demon King Number One: Lucifer

The battle between Caine and Memphisto then began, a duel so fast, almost invisible to the naked eye, like lightning striking each other amidst a storm. Caine, cleverly, used Fusion Up Magic—a combination of self-enhancement, agility, and healing magic—to maximize his abilities. He moved swiftly, attacking with deadly precision, like a dance of death. Behind him, the Wolfpack Force prepared to assist, while Tendou also monitored the Tokyu Point Alpha Evacuation area, where his sister was, ensuring every evacuation step ran smoothly. There was a tension he couldn't release, a bad premonition gnawing at his soul.

As the epic battle between Caine and Memphisto escalated, a massive explosion shook the entire city, deafening. The sky seemed to split open, gaping. Lucifer, in his terrifying black armor, landed with devastating force directly in front of Bunker Tokyu Point Alpha. The Earth trembled violently, and dust billowed around him, creating a curtain of chaos that obscured vision. Tendou, seeing the horrifying scene through his suit's monitor, immediately changed direction, his instincts screaming of inevitable danger.

"Tendou! Hold your position!" commanded Hikari through communications, her voice tense and filled with clear worry. "This is the plan!"

However, Tendou didn't respond. His mind was solely focused on Ayano, on his sister's cheerful smile he had to protect, on the unspoken promise. He asked his student, Otoya, to check what was happening there. Inside his suit, Tendou saw Demon General Number One arrive fully equipped, as if he would challenge anyone who dared to approach and hinder him. The special forces on the front lines continued to fire at Lucifer, but their bullets merely bounced off, no different than small pebbles thrown at a steel mountain. They were no match.

With brutal and merciless movements, Lucifer immediately wiped out the special forces one by one, cutting them down with a single cruel swing of his hand. He destroyed tanks and helicopters with ease, as if they were fragile children's toys. Then, with a booming laugh, he summoned large-scale forces to all portals in the world. "Hahahaha! Feel despair, humans! This is the beginning of your destruction!"

Otoya, with a panicked voice that almost cracked, reported to everyone, "Demon General Number One has arrived! Lucifer is here!" Hikari immediately acted. Aura Hoshimi, her right-hand woman and Valkyrie Vice Commander, with a calm but firm expression, was assigned to defeat Demon General Number One. Otoya continued to provide information, saying that "demon number one's right-hand man" had appeared in Japan, shocking the UN utterly, as if the world would collapse in an instant.

Unequal Duel: Tendou vs. Lucifer

Lucifer stared down at the desperate soldiers, who were now mere prey to him. "It's useless for you to keep shooting me," he sneered, a cruel smile plastered on his face. "Not a single bullet or spell can harm me. You are merely insects to be crushed!"

He continued to sweep away the defensive lines, ignoring the gunfire and desperate roars. Tendou, who was heading towards his sister's location, finally arrived. Amidst the chaos, a tense conversation between Lucifer and Tendou occurred, as if time slowed around them, leaving only their presence.

"Human," Lucifer growled, his eyes glowing blood-red behind his armored helmet, emanating an aura of bloodlust. "What do you want? Did you come here alone, just to die?"

Tendou was undaunted, his voice calm but filled with unyielding steel determination. "You are the one who will die here, Demon."

And there, the battle between Amamiya Tendou and Lucifer began. Tendou managed to avoid many attacks with extraordinary precision, moving like a shadow, as if he could see several steps ahead, anticipating his opponent's every move. He immediately drew a blue Nano Sword from his Exo Suit, an energy blade pulsating with cold light. However, despite his speed and agility, he was no match for Lucifer. His fighting movements, which would seem impossible to other humans, were easily read by Lucifer, as if Tendou was moving in slow motion.

"Human," Lucifer mocked, a cynical laugh escaping his cruel lips. "Your movements are so easy to read. You'll never be able to fight me. You can only die by my hand!" His grin widened, his eyes radiating a terrifying, victorious glow. "Oh, I see. You are the Anomaly my Master spoke of. I will kill you, here, now!"

"Silence!" Tendou snarled, a deeply buried rage now beginning to burn, heating his blood. He fought with all his might, every movement filled with the determination to fight the demon king's right hand, risking everything, even his own life.

The Belated Intervention

Emmy, seeing Tendou fighting desperately again, risking his own life without thinking of the consequences, finally left her position. "Tendou, you fool!" she muttered, her eyes welling up, filled with worry and frustration. She decided to help him, regardless of orders. However, suddenly, Lucifer created a dark energy dome around them, a strong, pulsating barrier, isolating the fighting area to prevent disturbance, as if a deadly stage had been specially set for them.

Inside the dome, Tendou, with all his might and almost impossible intelligence, managed to slightly wound Lucifer. A small cut appeared on his dark armor, and a drop of dark blood dripped to the ground. "All for a single drop of blood," Lucifer sneered, his finger wiping the wound, his gaze now filled with burning rage. "You truly impress me, human. But that's not enough!"

Lucifer's attacks became more frenzied, uncontrolled, like a merciless storm of darkness. Tendou, overwhelmed, immediately attacked him with his Nano Sword, but the blade was blocked by Lucifer with just one hand. With an unexpected, deadly move, Lucifer immediately shattered the sword into pieces in Tendou's hand. And mercilessly, with the tip of the broken sword, he stabbed it into Tendou's body, piercing his armor.

"Tendou!" shrieked Emmy and Aura, who had just arrived outside the dome, their eyes wide with shock, their hearts seeming to stop, witnessing the horrific scene.

Lucifer smiled coldly, ready to end everything. "Your time is up, Anomaly! Now, feel death!" Just as he was about to deliver the final blow, Ayano, with her bow, fired a brightly glowing energy arrow at Lucifer. However, it didn't harm Lucifer at all, only distracting him for a moment. Enough for him to see the desperate expression in the sister's eyes.

The Anomaly's Awakening: Oscar

"AYANO! GO! THIS IS MY FIGHT!" Tendou screamed, his voice hoarse from the gaping stab wound. Blood flowed from his armor, staining the ground.

Lucifer turned towards Ayano, his grin widening, full of cruelty. "Oh, I see. You are this Anomaly's sister," he mocked, a sneering tone filling the air, condescending.

"But Big Brother!" Ayano insisted, tears beginning to well up in her eyes, unable to stay still. "I want to save you! This time I won't just stand by! Standing by is useless!"

"Silence!" Lucifer roared, his black armored hand shooting out, choking Ayano's neck. The girl struggled, her legs kicking in the air, but her strength was no match. She could only submit, her face turning bluish-red, her breath choked. It was then that Lucifer, with unimaginable cruelty, used his sword and immediately stabbed Ayano, then threw her helpless body aside like a useless rag doll.

At the same time, the magic dome that isolated them suddenly opened. Emmy and Aura, witnessing the horror, immediately attacked Lucifer with blind fury, unleashing all their magic and physical attacks. But again, they were no match for him either. Lucifer easily deflected their attacks. It was then that Emmy immediately went to Ayano, kneeling beside her, trying to stop the heavy bleeding with her healing magic, her face pale.

On the other hand, Tendou, watching his sister gravely wounded before his very eyes, felt something inside him break—like a dam collapsing. Absolute rage, piercing guilt, and deep despair, all churned into a black storm within him. He finally truly awoke, as if the deeply buried soul of Oscar Heinberg was also annoyed, furious, and demanding vengeance. Aura, overwhelmed, was frozen, shocked, feeling an immense energy pressure.

Suddenly, there was a lightning-fast attack from Tendou's direction. It was Tendou, who had finally released Oscar's soul, shedding all the limitations that had held him back, all pretense. He immediately attacked Lucifer with blind fury, every punch filled with pure burning rage. Lucifer reacted strangely, as if an equally powerful, perhaps even stronger, energy was fighting him.

On the other hand, Tendou continued to pummel Lucifer, every blow a surge of pure anger. Tendou's eyes, which were normally red, now turned into a terrifying, glowing golden yellow, just like when he fought Emmy that time, but this time his aura was much darker, more menacing, like a demon himself.

"DAMN YOU! DAMN YOU! DAMN YOU! DIEEEEE!" he roared with intense emotion, his voice echoing like the cry of a wounded beast, full of pain and vengeance.

"DIEEEEE, DAMN IT!" he screamed again, with intense emotion and movements that were fast, unpredictable, beyond human limits. Every punch was a storm of destruction. "You'll never be able to hurt me again!"

Lucifer stumbled back, his eyes wide with shock. "IMPOSSIBLE! THIS ANOMALY CREATURE MANAGED TO OVERWHELM ME?!"

It was then that Lucifer's Armor shattered instantly, breaking into pieces under Tendou's unstoppable barrage of attacks, showing total destruction. Tendou immediately took the opportunity to kill him. With a final move full of determination and rage, Tendou successfully decapitated him. Lucifer's head detached from his body, falling to the ground with a thud, and his body collapsed, no longer moving, becoming a pool of darkness.

Grief and Rage

Tendou immediately went to Ayano, who was lying dying in Emmy's lap. Emmy's face was pale, tears streaming down her cheeks. Aura immediately called the medical team, her voice trembling, "Critical casualty! Needs immediate medical attention!"

"Big brother... I'm sorry... I couldn't be strong... to protect you... forgive me..." Ayano whispered, her breath shallow, a faint smile on her pale lips.

"It's okay, Ayano! Hold on! Please hold on! Hold on!" Tendou pleaded, his voice cracking, tears flooding his cheeks, embracing his sister's lifeless body. But amidst Tendou's desperate pleas, Ayano took her last breath. Her small body went limp, the faint smile faded, and her eyes closed forever. He continued to cry, clutching his sister's body, feeling the coldness of Ayano's fading form. It was there that he felt he had failed once again, failed to protect someone he loved, as had happened before.

Tendou's emotions were reaching their peak, his eyes glowing a darker golden yellow again, immediately shifting into killer mode. In his eyes, there was only destruction. Emmy felt that this was no longer the Tendou she knew, but another personality that had awakened, full of darkness and pure rage. With incredible speed, as if teleporting, Tendou immediately moved to where Caine and Memphisto were fighting.

As Caine was engrossed in battle, Memphisto suddenly collapsed from a lightning-fast attack by this unusual young man. Caine was stunned, shocked. "Young man, I don't know who you are or what your problem is with him," Caine said, looking at Tendou warily, "he is my opponent!"

Tendou didn't care. With powerful magic from an unknown source, he managed to send Caine flying all the way to the peak of Mount Fuji. An energy Caine had never felt before, even alien to him, emanated from the young man. He was shocked to see that this powerful throw created a crater where he landed, making him sure that the young man was no ordinary person. On the other hand, the Chinese and Korean forces had no idea where Tendou had taken Memphisto. Otoya quickly informed them that Tendou was near Tokyo Tower.

With incredible speed, Tendou continued to punch Memphisto to a pulp, without the slightest mercy. Every blow was a surge of hatred. Tendou kept hitting Memphisto until he finally killed him. A wicked smile appeared on Tendou's face, as if he was satisfied after unleashing his anger, which terrified the entire Wolfpack Force, including Hikari and Otoya. It was as if this was no longer the Tendou they knew, but another, far more terrifying entity.

The Frozen Kiss

The scene shifted to night after the defeat of the two demon generals. The world didn't celebrate at all; instead, it was shrouded in deep grief. This Fourth Wave of attacks claimed many lives, leaving indelible scars. Tendou, still in the morgue, reflected on his actions. He still felt guilty, unable to protect his sister. The shadow of his failure continued to haunt him.

There, Otoya, Aura, and Hikari intended to grieve with Tendou, but Emmy stopped them. "Let him be alone for a while," Emmy pleaded, her face wistful. Emmy understood, having lost her own mother, she had felt something similar. She finally took Tendou outside to comfort him in the hospital garden. Emmy now sat beside Tendou, trying to comfort him in every way, but Tendou remained gloomy, his eyes vacant, trapped in darkness. It was then that Tendou, his emotions still rising, mocked Emmy with harsh words, "You will never understand what it feels like to lose someone, Emmy! You will never know!"

It was then that Emmy slapped him very hard. The sound of the slap echoed in the quiet night, pulling Tendou from his haze of anger. Emmy's eyes welled up, but her gaze was firm. Then, without a word, she immediately hugged him tightly, letting Tendou cry in her arms, unleashing all his burgeoning sadness and anger.

"I may not have dreams, Tendou," Emmy whispered, her voice trembling but full of conviction, "but I will try to protect everyone's dreams!" A slap of words, a soul-stirring promise. Those words pierced Tendou's haze of grief, as if a light broke through the darkness, making Tendou rise again, his gaze slowly clearing. It was then, in a moment of meaningful silence, Emmy immediately kissed Tendou, a soft yet firm touch, like a promise she had to hold onto. Right after that, Emmy opened her mouth, as if to say something, a confession of love she had long held back, but before the words could be uttered, time suddenly froze.

Everything around them became still, no movement. Leaves caught in the wind frozen in mid-air, the streetlights frozen in their silhouettes. Only Tendou still moved, his consciousness intact, while Emmy, in his embrace, now also motionless, her eyes closed in the frozen kiss, the words she wanted to speak suspended in the air, never escaping.

The Unexpected Appearance: Belial

Right after that, Goddess Algeist reappeared, with a deeply sorrowful expression. "Tendou, I am deeply sorry for your loss," she said in a soft voice, full of sympathy, "but before that, there is something that must be told."

It was then that a mysterious figure, matching the descriptions from reports that appeared in every portal, finally appeared before Tendou. "You haven't changed at all, Tendou-kun... or Oscar."

Tendou stared at him sharply, confused. "Who are you? Why do you know my real name?"

The mysterious person let out a small laugh, a laugh that somehow sounded familiar. "There you are again, just like you used to be when you saved me from the bullies in middle school and high school. I am Miyamura Iguchi."

Tendou was silent, as if he couldn't believe what he was seeing. Old memories swirled in his mind. Iguchi, his old friend? But how? Then Iguchi spoke again, "The name Miyamura Iguchi is just a disguise in this world." He continued, his voice deepening, becoming more terrifying, full of power. "My true name is Belial."

Tendou was utterly shocked to hear that name. Belial. The Demon of Lies. A name that should exist only in ancient legends, one of the primordial entities known as a master deceiver and soul tempter, the most cunning among all demons. How could an old friend from his past be such a powerful and dangerous figure? These questions hung in the air, unanswered, enveloping Tendou and the world in an even deeper shroud of mystery. Everything Tendou thought he understood now crumbled, replaced by new, menacing shadows.