"The Mighty God!!"

BOOOMMMM!!!

The ground split, cracks spidering in all directions as stone and debris exploded beneath the weapon's weight. Dust and shards rained down. But Leo had vanished again, his body twisting and rolling to safety.

He landed lightly, crouched, letting out a small, hot breath as he spat, "Mighty God? The one who's nothing but… ROT?! A parasite who feeds on corpses and calls himself divine?"

Fallen Nergal's eyes blazed, blood pounding in his temples. "HOW DARE YOU CALL ME THAT!!" he roared, twisting, veins pulsing in his neck.

With a savage yank, he swung his weapon, aiming to crush Leo's skull. But this time, Valra's flames surged, a wall of searing fire barrelling toward Nergal's side. He cursed, yanking his weapon back in the nick of time, using the chains to whip up a shield of shadow.

"BITCH, GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE!" Nergal bellowed.

"Bitch?" Leo reappeared at his flank in a ghostly blur, his sword a flash of silver at Nergal's head.

"That's rich, coming from a coward who kneels for scraps. Tell me—when you lick your master's boots, do you bark or just whimper?" Leo's laughter was sharp as a blade, echoing through the ruined street.

Nergal's rage erupted. "DON'T YOU ACT LIKE YOU KNOW ME!!" he screamed, his eyes bloodshot, every muscle tensed with fury. He hurled the weapon at Leo, chains whipping and slicing the air. Leo slid away, feet skidding over crumbling concrete.

Flames poured onto Nergal again, Valra's power striking his back.

BOOM!

Thud!

Fallen Nergal tumbled over the shattered ground, armor scraping and sparks leaping from the impact. He snarled, rolling to his feet in a fluid motion, swinging his weapon in a deadly arc that shattered the earth at Valra's feet. The shockwave ripped up the ground, sending stones and flames scattering and forcing Valra to leap aside.

"ARRHH!!" Valra shouted, throwing everything into her next attack. Her flames curled like dragons, baring fangs against the darkness.

Leo appeared behind Nergal again, sword at the ready, venomous whisper at his enemy's ear.

"You know what the worst part is, brother? Everyone sees you for what you really are—a failed god,

A dog chained to the feet of stronger masters.

You've never had power of your own, only the scraps left by those you serve.

Pathetic!

Even your rage is borrowed!"

Nergal lashed out, elbow flying back, trying to catch Leo, but he slipped away, leaving only mocking laughter.

"FACE ME, COWARD!!" Nergal roared, voice hoarse, spinning in place, weapon raised high. In his rage, shadows curled from his body, magic leaking in black tendrils across the street.

Just then, he saw Leo, smirking, leaning protectively against Valra as she struggled, her knees trembling, sweat and soot streaking her cheeks, but her flames refusing to go out.

Leo just smiled coldly.

"Coward? Me? That's cute. The so-called god, calling for a fair fight?

Maybe you'd like your leash back, or... would you prefer a muzzle?

All this might and here you are, helpless against a girl and a 'mere mortal.' You talk about power but all you do is destroy—there's nothing mighty about a beast who slaughters children and cowers when he sees real strength.

You're nothing but a rabid mutt, begging for a fucking bone."

He made a mock-crying face, voice dripping with pity. "So sad, man. So, so sad. Maybe your master will come and save you? Or ....will you die like a dog in the gutter? Hahah~"

"YOU!!" Fallen Nergal's bellow shook the broken ground. The weapon crashed down, power and hatred surging as his strength doubled, shadows crackling around his arms. The pressure hammered into Valra and Leo like a physical wave, making the air itself ripple and spark.

Valra gasped, face pale, arms shaking as her flames bent beneath the force. "He's getting stronger—Leo, I can't hold him much longer!

Provoking him… It's working, but he's starting to break through!"

"I think one more hit, he's going to explode," Leo muttered.

He took a deep breath, channeling his energy to his legs, every muscle coiling like a spring. In a blur, he darted forward as he rushed Fallen Nergal, brandishing his katana. The blade sliced through the air, slamming against the blackened chains.

The force of his strike caused the flames to surge forward, roaring hungrily at Nergal's defenses.

But Fallen Nergal yanked his weapon back just in time, shadows swirling around his limbs. With a single, monstrous swipe, he smashed the ground. The earth buckled, a wave of stone and dust sweeping outward, threatening to swallow everything.

Leo and Valra leapt high, twisting through the air as rubble and shadow swept beneath them—escaping the crushing force by inches.

Leo twisted, catching Valra's eye as they hung in the air, a wild smirk on his face.

"Oh? I just remembered—didn't Kai beat you up once? A child, beating a god? OH MY GOD! That's fucking hilarious!" He landed with a thud, laughter rolling from his chest.

"Haha… and even better, I heard you have a wife. Poor woman—imagine her crying at home while her mighty husband gets his ass handed to him by a child and a bunch of nameless nobodies.

So pitiful, aww, awwe…"

He contorted his face in mock sympathy, then gave Nergal a twisted grin. "I wonder if your beloved wife would love to hear that? Maybe I should comfort her… she might be lonely tonight, right?" He licked his lips.

Valra, along with everyone else fighting, froze for a moment, staring at Leo in disbelief.

"W-What did he say?" Raphael gasped, his expression horrified.

That's… low!

But Leo only shrugged, unconcerned. He was the kind of man who did whatever it took to win—no matter how brutal the words, if it meant tipping the scales.

And he'd succeeded.

Fallen Nergal's eyes turned pure crimson, pupils narrowing to slits. "You're dead meat!" he roared, voice shaking the street.

Suddenly his already towering body began to swell, muscles bulging, shadows writhing across his skin. He grew and grew, his flesh stretching and distorting until he was the height of a house—nearly three times his original size. His weapon expanded with him, morphing into a monstrous thing of chains and spikes, dripping with shadow.

Everyone felt the air go cold. Leo's heart hammered. The street trembled as Nergal's steps cracked stone.

"I think... we should run now," Ophis said, her voice trembling, hands glowing with defensive magic.

Everyone nodded in unison, instincts screaming as they prepared to flee. But Nergal raised his weapon, preparing to strike them all down in one blow.

"Shit! Everyone, get under the—"

Before Leo could finish, something shifted.

Thuck!

"Huh?" Leo blinked… suddenly, he was somewhere else... Alone?

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