The golden light still shone from the figure that had just descended from the sky. His aura felt heavy—as if the entire forest was being crushed by his presence.
Gorath narrowed his eyes, glaring. "Who are you?"
The figure stepped forward, slamming his sword into the ground. A wave of holy energy spread out, burning the blood and darkness around him.
"I am Reinhardt, the Demon Hunter."
His shining golden eyes stared straight at Gorath. "And you, monster, have gone too far."
Darius, who was still on his knees breathing heavily, widened his eyes. "Reinhardt...? Does that mean—"
Elric coughed up blood, but still tried to speak. "He... he is a legend... one of the Seven Knights of Radiance."
Lyra, still lying on the ground, trembled. "We... may have hope..."
But Gorath only laughed.
"Knight of Radiance? Huh. What nonsense is this?"
He stepped forward, his black aura burning even more fiercely.
"Do you think I'll be afraid just because you're carrying a glowing sword?"
Reinhardt didn't answer. He simply raised his sword—and in the blink of an eye—disappeared.
SWISH!
Gorath stiffened.
A large wound suddenly appeared on his chest.
Dark green blood spurted into the air.
Gorath's eyes widened. "Wha—"
"Too slow."**
Reinhardt's voice came from behind him.
Gorath turned around, but the knight had already vanished again.
"Here."
Another slash landed on his arm. This time, it was deeper.
SLASH!
Real pain shot through Gorath's body.
He growled, his eyes blazing with rage.
"You think that's enough to kill me?! I am the Devourer! I will devour you too, little knight!"
Gorath growled and spread his arms.
"Black Abyss!"
A wave of black energy exploded from his body, engulfing the entire area in total darkness.
Darius and the others instantly lost their sight.
"What's happening?!" Lyra shouted.
Elric felt a terrifying aura in the air. "He's... trying to flood the entire area with his demonic aura!"
Within the darkness, Gorath smiled wildly.
"I want to see how you can move without light, Demon Hunter."
But then—
A light shone in the darkness.
Reinhardt's sword gleamed, piercing through the dense shadows.
"Divine Judgment."
In an instant, the entire darkness vanished like mist swept away by the wind.
Gorath stepped back, feeling the heat burning his body.
"I can't..."
Reinhardt raised his sword up.
"I don't need eyes to see a monster like you."
Gorath roared in anger. "I WILL KILL YOU!"
He shot forward, his pitch-black claws shooting towards Reinhardt.
But before his claws could reach the knight...
"Holy Execution!"
Reinhardt slashed.
And the world fell silent.
Gorath froze.
His eyes widened as he saw his chest...
Cleaved.
His body trembled, green blood pouring out.
"No... this..."
His legs gave way.
Darius held his breath.
Lyra covered her mouth, in disbelief.
Gorath, the Devourer, who had slaughtered so many...
Now on his knees.
Reinhardt stared at him expressionlessly.
"You may be strong, Orc. But against the light... darkness always loses."
Gorath growled, struggling to stand.
"I... have not..."
Reinhardt glared at him.
"Let go of your hatred, and perhaps your soul may rest."
Gorath roared—but then...
His body began to crack.
The black aura around him vibrated, before finally exploding in holy light.
BOOM!
And when the dust clears...
Gorath is gone.
Silence.
Dust still hung in the air after the blast of holy light that destroyed Gorath.
Darius, Lyra, and Elric stared blankly at the spot where the Orc had stood just seconds ago. Only the shattered ground and the scars of battle remained.
"He's... dead?" Lyra's voice trembled, almost in disbelief.
Reinhardt remained silent, staring at the spot where Gorath had last stood. His sword still glowed, indicating that the remnants of his holy energy had not completely dissipated.
"It's done," Reinhardt finally said, swinging his sword to the side to clear the dark green blood that had stuck to it. "The Devourer has been destroyed."
Elric let out a sigh of relief and dropped to the ground. "Finally..."
But...
Darius still felt something.
A chill ran down his spine, something he couldn't explain.
Like...
A darkness that hadn't completely disappeared.
"Reinhardt..." Darius spoke, his voice strained. "Are you sure he's really dead?"
The knight glared at him. "My holy sword never misses. If hit by my slash, no demon can survive."
However, before Reinhardt could continue, Elric suddenly fell to the ground, holding his head.
"Aghh...!"
Lyra rushed to him. "Elric! What happened?!"
Darius gripped his sword, alert. "Elric, what's wrong with you?!"
Elric looked up...
His eyes were now pitch black.
And from his mouth, a soul-shaking voice came.
"You really think I can die just like that?"
Darius' blood froze.
Reinhardt immediately raised his sword again, preparing to attack. "No way..."
Elric laughed, but the voice was not his. It was a much deeper, more terrifying voice.
"I am the darkness that cannot die."
Suddenly, black shadows began to creep out of Elric's body, covering the ground around them like thick ink.
"I am the Devourer... and I will return."