72 Pillar

Madelyn stood with her sword in hand, quite a distance away from me and the demon about to end my life. Yet, a horrid chill ran up my spine as I looked at her.

A pale purple aura, thick like fog, surrounded her. Her head was slightly lowered as she held her sword up to her face.

I couldn't take my eyes off her, which was usually a good thing. But for the first time, I wanted to turn away, fearing immediate death if I did.

"So, you have finally returned," Zoganoth said, raising his arm. His fingers pointed towards my chest. "Good, very good," he nodded with approval. "But if you don't mind, I will finish off the boy!" Zoganoth yelled, lowering his extended hand towards my chest at quick speed.

I closed my eyes, ready for the immense pain, but within seconds, I was thrown to the ground and felt dizzy.

Opening my eyes, I realized I was no longer in Zoganoth's grasp. Instead, I was on the ground with Madelyn standing right next to me.

"Are you okay?" Madelyn asked with a low voice, her blade never lowering, focused on Zoganoth.

"Uh, yeah, I'm good," I said, slowly rising from the ground. But as I began to rise, I suddenly stopped. All the strength I had began to disappear from my body.

My body shook as if extremely cold. I understood why. Madelyn's presence felt massive and domineering, making it hard to breathe. Her purple aura burned the air, almost making me pass out just from looking at it. Her once azure blue eyes were now black and emotionless.

All of this made me wonder if I was really looking at the Madelyn I once knew. Did she even care for my well-being? It made me realize that in all this demonic chaos, I knew nothing. At this moment, I felt like a small speck to this strange power, a speck easily blown away.

"You did well," she said with a small smile as she turned to face me fully, revealing her face hidden by her hair.

What I saw was a stillness that reminded me of a lifeless corpse. Even her skin had an unhealthy shade of white, as if her blood had dried up.

"Now, please stand back," she said, redirecting her attention to her true target.

I looked straight at Zoganoth, hoping he would start laughing and boasting about how great he was and how weak we were. I mean, yeah, it was annoying as hell, but that annoyance beat the fear I was feeling right now.

To my surprise, I was met with no such luck. Instead, I saw a soul-crushing fear etched on Zoganoth's face as he looked at Madelyn as if she were the greatest horror in the world.

"This... This can't be..." he said. "Y-you can't be at that level."

"You don't think so, huh?" Madelyn asked, extending her sword forward. "Well, then how about I show you?" Her smile grew wider. "Aiftah... Altariqa," Madelyn said, her voice deep and echoing. "Pale rider that reveals the way, hear my cry..."

I screamed as Madelyn's already dense dark aura exploded with power, becoming stronger and shaking the ground beneath my feet.

I could barely look ahead as the wind and dust blew in my face, but even I could see how the space around Madelyn began to twist and turn as if it were fluid.

"Bathym, Mathim, Marthim by three I call, by three I open the door," Madelyn continued. "Duke of Travelers, Seeker of the Unseen, dwell within this vessel and with unattainable winds cut through the Dimensions!" She yelled out, her blade glowing brightly as she did so.

"Come forth, Hoshizora no ha!"

I was almost blown back as a wave of power pushed against me. I was forced to cover my eyes as a white light blinded me.

Soon, that light disappeared, and as I opened my eyes, I was met with something I never thought I would see: a black blade covered in shining stars, as if I was looking at the night sky.

Madelyn stood in the middle of such wild energy, holding her transformed blade with both hands. Sweat fell from her forehead as she smiled while breathing hard.

"No," Zoganoth said as the purple poison surrounded him. "This can't be happening!" He yelled.

Madelyn slightly lowered her sword. Her hand trembled as she struggled to maintain her grip.

It was evident that whatever she had just unleashed had taken a toll on her. She looked on the verge of collapsing, and I silently prayed she wouldn't. I doubted I could catch her, given the swirling aura surrounding her. Even if I could ignore that, the twisted space around her seemed like it could twist me out of existence if I got too close.

With determination, Madelyn raised her sword again, holding it with pride, her black eyes fixed on Zoganoth. "This... this is the highest level a pillar can achieve," she managed between breaths. "This is my blade. This is my Hoshizora no ha."

Zoganoth chuckled. "Blade of the starry sky," he translated.

I nodded my thanks silently, understanding now.

"Impressive," Zoganoth admitted. "Truly impressive. Your power is so overwhelming, it almost feels like I'm facing an actual Duke of demons. But it's too bad... your power, even at its peak, is still incomplete."

My heart sank as I realized Zoganoth could see the same weakness I could.

"You won't last much longer, will you, child?" he taunted.

Madelyn gritted her teeth, visibly angered by his words. "That's fine," she declared, raising her

blade once more. "Because all I need is one attack to end this."

"One attack, you say?" Zoganoth's smile widened. "Then prove it!"

As Zoganoth's voice echoed, the poisonous waters surrounding him started to converge, swirling faster and faster. Panic surged through me as the ground trembled violently, causing nearby houses to sway and collapse.

I shook my head, not liking what was happening. "Oh, great. Now what?"

***

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