The plasma of the sea parted, making way for the enormous serpent.

Its gaze locked onto the fox that awaited nonchalantly high in the skies.

Given the power she radiated after absorbing so many cores, it was clear she was not an opponent that could be underestimated.

Understanding that a harrowing battle was about to occur, the illusions clustered in the plaza boiled out of the area, unwilling to fall in the aftermath of the clash.

Meanwhile, the Lords observed the fox and the serpent cautiously.

"Let’s join the fight!" Persephone exclaimed, her excitement palpable.

Given that defeating the Guardian could very well be the key to opening the gates, she was eager to jump into the fray.

Honestly, she would have done so even without the presence of the fox. She simply craved a good fight.

The others hesitated.

The appearance of the fox had been an unaccounted variable. Although the end result had been more than satisfactory, they did not have complete confidence that defeating the Guardian was indeed the key to opening the gates.

Considering that even Gloria stood silent, unable to accurately read the illusion’s intent, they had to proceed carefully.

As if sensing their hesitation, the head of the fox turned sharply, peering right at the Lords watching from a distance, as if she had known where they were all along.

Images flashed in their minds, not ones aimed at causing pain but genuine attempts at communication.

They depicted the dead body of the serpent and the gates wide open.

The fox’s message was clear. If they wanted to pass, they had to slay the Guardian.

Exchanging glances, the Lords debated for a fraction of a second their next move. Given the speed of the serpent, they did not have time to linger.

Due to the potential danger, this was not a process that could be rushed, yet they did not have the luxury of time on their side.

In the end, they reached a consensus. Staying idle would not take them anywhere.

The Lords charged as one.

Content, the fox faced the serpent once more.

With her howl, she conjured dozens of swords, sending them flying toward the Guardian.

Effortlessly burning them off, the serpent shot forward like a missile, aiming to collide with the fox.

However, she proved agile enough to dodge its imminent strike.

"Mine!" Persephone bellowed, creating chains of darkness that clashed against the serpent’s side, briefly hindering its movements.

Roar!

Enraged that the humans it had spared earlier were now attacking, the Guardian was ready to retaliate, only for the fox to pounce on its head, her maw tearing deep.

Exerting great effort, the serpent barely managed to throw the fox aside, though not before the core residing within it shimmered, exposed for a few seconds.

"The core is residing in the head!" Nicole declared, leading the charge.

Knowing the enemy’s weakness was already half the battle.

The twelve Lords encircled the serpent. With the fox keeping it at bay, the Guardian was not able to reposition fast enough.

Proceeding to rain down the full extent of their firepower, the Lords gradually began to wear down the serpent.

However, the creature was not willing to fall so easily.

Its gaze locked onto Supreme Lord Theodore, who was endlessly hurling spears one after another.

The man was not the biggest threat, but he was certainly the most annoying.

Letting out a deafening roar, the serpent used its long body like a whip and lashed at the man faster than anyone could react.

Theodore’s eyes narrowed.

Like every Supreme Lord, he possessed the ability to use Authority Manifestation but had refrained from doing so due to the possibility of alerting the Titan to their presence.

However, with death on the horizon, he placed his life above everything else, ready to manifest his authority.

Sadly... he proved too slow.

The Guardian’s body lashed with enough force to split mountains apart.

Theodore’s body gave in, his spine severed in two, separating his body into upper and lower halves, independent of each other.

Once a mighty fighter and the only Supreme Lord of the Heavenly Pact, Theodore’s life was extinguished on the spot.

Eleven Lords remained.

"Goddamnit!" Emanuel cursed, more furious that their battle prowess had been reduced than about the loss of a comrade.

They had lost a teammate fighting not against the Iskra Titan... but merely against one of its subjects.

Regardless, the Lords did not mourn his loss, knowing that letting their guard down would lead them to the same fate.

Attempting to lessen their numbers further, the Guardian’s body lashed again, though this time the Lords were even more cautious, keeping a safe distance.

The serpent was not able to strike back effectively while it was bombarded with attacks from all sides, its core slowly dimming.

Each injury dealt by the Lords and the fox took longer to heal, its strength being sapped in real time.

In desperation, the Guardian focused on dealing maximum devastation in its last moments.

The gaze of the colossal creature locked onto the Lord of the lowest stage.

Michael.

Letting out a formidable cry, it ignored all damage being done to its body and charged.

"Just great." Michael cursed his luck, focusing on evading.

But a problem arose.

Lightning Surge did not last long enough to get him to safety.

That left him with activating Riftstep at the last possible moment before impact in order to remain unharmed.

But the Guardian’s instincts proved supreme.

When Michael teleported away, the serpent altered its trajectory instantly, knowing exactly where he would reappear.

As a result, Michael found himself facing the enormous creature, charging with speed greater than a falling meteor.

’Master!’ Heaven’s Judgment screamed, her concern palpable. She shifted into shield form.

When the collision occurred, Michael felt every bone in his body ache from the pressure.

Yet, thankfully, due to his speed, he had managed to position himself to the side of the Guardian, avoiding a frontal blow.

He was swept off his feet, toppling to the ground.

Understandably, his grip on Heaven’s Judgment faltered, letting go.

The soul weapon was sent trailing toward the plasma sea, plunging into its depths.

The Guardian was not deterred. It might have failed once, but it was not going to do so a second time!

Especially when Michael lay on the ground and his techniques were on cooldown!

"Handsome!" Persephone shouted. She could not care less about Theodore’s demise, but Michael was too intriguing to die before she could have a proper taste of him.

"Michael!" Nicole’s heart skipped a beat. Terror that surprised her surged through her soul. For an inexplicable reason she felt as if he was her entire world and losing him would mean parting with a fraction of herself.

"Brat!" Devil had assumed his true form and was far away from his master. Meaning they wouldn’t be able to trigger Demonic Form even if they wanted to!

Michael’s mind raced, searching for a solution to his predicament... To no avail.

BOOM!

The impact fractured the surroundings from the sheer intensity.

However, rather than rising into the skies again, the Guardian was locked in place, unable to move.

Michael’s eyes snapped wide open.

Before him stood a figure of ethereal grace. From her back extended two immaculate wings, she was adorned in golden-white robes, plasma still clinging to her stunning figure. Her face was utterly flawless, radiating eternal beauty. With a single raised hand, she conjured a titanic shield that brought the serpent’s relentless advance to a crawl.

[Heaven’s Judgment has evolved!]

[Rank: Legendary → Mythic]

[Angel]