Sanctum's very foundations shook as Artorious let his combined attack fly – a divine synthesis of [Angel-Arm], [Azure-Edge] and [Azure-Arc] that threw another barrage of light across the entire dead city.

Within seconds, the form of Revok, the Chimera of Westerweald totally vanished – consumed by the ever-hungering light of Kaedmon. The beast became nothing more than a black shadow within the beam of energy that enveloped it, and it seemed, for a moment, that it had been simply deleted from this world.

But the moment passed, and the Lightborn heard no screams of pain or torment that signalled the end of his old foe.

Nor did he see any Spirit Core gain.

And that meant one thing: the Archon was playing another one of his tricks.

He was about to extinguish his attack when a set of six eyes suddenly appeared right in front of him.

And a single, crimson pupil above them all gave him a little wink.

His wings reacted on impulse – sending a gale-force concussive blast at the creature that had traveled through the blast of his divine light. He was fast enough to avoid a swipe from its claws, but not fast enough to avoid what came next.

Ethan opened all his mouths and sent his own triadic blast right at the Lightborn's chest:

[Storm of Revok]

[Cry of Baphomet]

[Spectral Snipe]

The three arcs of energy coalesced into one single beam, rippling with embers and crackling with sinuous threads of lightning. Artorious took the hit, feeling the power of the Archon rip through his armored chest and throw him right into one half-destroyed building which then toppled and crashed down upon him.

Ethan, meanwhile, stood triumphant, and smirked as he inspected his translucent claws.

Ethereal Form had worked wonders.

Ethereal Form Grade B Upgrade: While under the effects of [Ethereal Form], you may take a single hostile action without dispelling the effects.

Grade A Upgrade: [True Invisibility unlocked!] While under the effects of [Ethereal Form], you are unable to be targeted by any hostile foes.

But his victory would be short-lived. He could see the downed building beginning to bubble and melt as the rage of the Lightborn began to intensify. Once again, he spared a look at his old team. He saw Fauna's eyes catch his and hold his gaze.

Those weary eyes held a question within them: can you beat him alone?

Truthfully, he didn't know. The power of Arty's last attack would have been enough to end him completely if he hadn't activated his skill quick enough. With such power at his disposal, it would only be a matter of time before the Lightborn managed to cut right through his defenses. He couldn't keep them up forever.

But there was another skill he had. And it was that skill that would grant him victory.

But to use it, he thought. I've gotta get close to him…or bring him right to me.

Sanctum's trembling foundations shuddered once more as the molten debris erupted skyward. From within the searing ruins, Artorious surged upwards, white-hot and incandescent, the broken masonry melting away like candle wax against his divine form. His wings spread wide, casting brilliant arcs of light, eyes aflame with renewed fury.

That's the Arty I know, Ethan thought. Tired and pissed-off. Just how I like him.

Ethan saw him rise, and wasted no time.

The Archon's powerful limbs tensed, launching him forward with a burst of speed propelled by [Skitter]. His massive chimera form blurred through the ruined cityscape, cracking pavement and splintering bones beneath monstrous claws as he sprinted headlong toward the recovering angel.

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Artorious barely had a chance to react, his wounded body still regaining equilibrium, as he raised a glowing palm and unleashed another searing [Angel Arm]. A concentrated column of radiant fury screamed toward Ethan, carving a molten trench through the cavern. Ethan's reflexes prevailed; he twisted sharply, narrowly evading the beam, feeling the heat graze his scales as it sailed past, obliterating a row of broken structures behind him.

Unrelenting, Artorious fired again—a second [Angel Arm] blazing forth, a golden lance of devastation that streaked across the battlefield with brutal precision. Ethan rolled, the deadly beam carving a sizzling arc overhead, vaporizing crumbling stone towers and turning them to ash instantly.

Within a heartbeat, Ethan closed the distance. His great form collided into melee range, monstrous jaws opening wide, fangs gleaming with malevolent promise. His claws rose, coated in deadly Onixia, ready to deliver the decisive blow.

Yet Artorious was prepared.

In a blinding instant, a wave of sacred force erupted from the Lightborn's armored form, and Ethan was just barely able to Appraise the angel's ability as it activated:

Shield of Aegis (Grade S)

Divine skill representing the pinnacle of defensive miracles.

For 5 secs, all incoming damage launched within 20ft of the caster is NULLIFIED

[REPULSION] 50pts on any damage-dealer within this range

An impenetrable sphere of holy energy burst forth, pulsing outwards violently, instantly nullifying all damage within its radius. The sheer force of the protective surge hammered Ethan mid-leap, a shockwave slamming against him, repelling him back with devastating strength.

He ended up crashing through the gateway to the one place that was still operational in all of Sanctum: the portal chamber.

The swirling orbs of violet light representing each Delve he'd been through activated as though on instinct – seeing the one who had taken the spirit of their Boss Guardian creatures and reacting accordingly. It was as if they were calling their masters home.

But the Angel that came crashing through the gateway after Ethan dimmed their light.

The Archon raised his heads and instantly saw the threat. Artorious soared directly toward him, a radiant missile of divine wrath. The angel's eyes blazed incandescently, burning with celestial fire. His sword, shining with furious, divine light, cleaved forward in a blur aimed straight at Ethan's heart.

Sys! Defense! NOW!

In a heartbeat, [Repulsor Shield] activated instinctively. Hexagonal barriers of shimmering energy appeared before Ethan, absorbing and diffusing the searing impact as the angel's sword struck them with unstoppable force. Yet, even their potent defense could not contain the celestial might behind the blade; each hexagon shattered like glass beneath the blow, leaving Ethan open and vulnerable.

With mere inches to spare, Ethan summoned the full might of [Arms of the Vigil]. Ten spectral blades materialized instantly, swirling around him in a protective tempest of spirit energy. They surged forward as one, countering the angel's devastating strike, each blade clashing against Artorious' burning sword in rapid, furious succession.

Artorious reeled, forced onto the defensive. He parried each incoming spectral blade with lightning-fast precision, spinning, dodging, deflecting as the ghostly weapons lunged and slashed relentlessly. His movements became a furious dance of divine reflexes, each parry sparking with radiant bursts of energy, lighting up the battlefield with flashing bursts of brilliance.

Ethan pressed his advantage, stalking closer as Artorious desperately fought to keep the spectral blades at bay. The angel's fury intensified, frustration igniting his expression, wings beating violently as he matched Ethan's unending barrage.

For a moment of pure intensity, their faces were mere inches from each other's. Ethan's claws caught on the blade of the angel, sparks flying into each stuttering portal. Below, the ground quaked under the the unstoppable clash of these two cosmic adversaries.

And Artorious' raw hatred finally gave way.

"Arms of the Vigil," the angel spat. "You would dare take the soul of a Greycloak and use their power against me?"

"Oh, that bothers you?" Ethan chided, blowing the Lightborn a mocking kiss from Revok's fiery mouth. "If it helps, the old man didn't scream – much."

He felt the Lightborn's fury. He felt him charge up another [Implosion].

"Even if it means my death," the angel snarled. "If I am forced to burn this entire world down to end you, Archon, then it shall be done. I will make the sacrifice."

Ethan smirked in the face of his conviction. Behind the alien face of the angel, he was still the same man. No matter what he said. His mind was strong – stronger than it had ever been in life. His faith was unshakable.

But it took more than faith to win a war.

"You might have the will," Ethan said. "But do you have the power?"

Artorious' eyes flared with fury in response. He tightened his grip on his blade, pushing the Archon back against the crumbling wall of the portal chamber, watching as the entire structure containing the Delves began to melt away at his strength.

And then – something happened.

The light of his power began to dwindle. He felt it. He felt the energy of his God die away in his veins. He felt his blade begin to waver.

And his eyes lost the sheen of light that had once burned with the righteousness of his Lord.

The tide of this battle had just been changed.

And a single word dominated the angel's mind as the Archon smirked down at him.

…How?

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