CHAPTER 288: JUDGMENT MEETS DEMON

Zain turned as footsteps echoed through the hall.

A tall man stepped out from the red-lit corridor, his black-crimson cloak heavy with embroidered flames.

He walked without hurry, like the heat bowed before him.

Zain smirked.

"You must be the leader," he said.

Vorthar stopped, gaze calm but sharp.

"And you must be the cause of this mess," he replied.

Zain tilted his head.

"I’m Zain Zavathor. The Heavenly Demon."

He pointed behind him where flames and bodies marked his path.

"I’ve come to build my own territory. And yours seems... vacant."

Vorthar’s expression stayed neutral.

"So you think because we’ve been quiet, we’re weak?"

"I don’t think anything," Zain said.

"I take what I want. And I want this place for my Heavenly Demon Sect."

Vorthar closed his eyes briefly.

"Arrogant fool."

He put his palms together.

"You intrude. You spill blood. And now you threaten to rule over us?"

He opened his eyes and looked toward the ceiling.

"I’ll burn the soul out of you."

His voice shifted as he began to speak a verse.

[Combustion Psalm]

Heat spread instantly. The air trembled.

The walls turned orange. The floor cracked beneath their feet.

Zain blinked.

His body felt heavier.

His fingers moved more slowly.

"...a domain-type," he muttered.

He clenched his fist, but even his breath burned as it entered his lungs.

"So, you mess with senses and ether."

Vorthar walked forward.

"And that’s only the beginning, mortal."

He lifted one hand and pointed.

A red glyph lit up on Zain’s chest.

[Judgment Ember]

Zain stepped back as his body temperature rose again.

"Tch. Another mark?"

He smirked.

"I’ve seen this before."

He inhaled deeply.

[Heavenly Demon Breathing]

But nothing came.

His ether trembled instead of rising.

"...what?"

Vorthar raised one eyebrow.

"You absorb energy, don’t you?"

Zain didn’t answer.

Vorthar continued.

"That’s unfortunate."

He held up a single finger.

"My flames carry [Reverence Burn]. It was a mark of the Flame Apostle."

Zain’s knees bent slightly as his strength dipped again.

"It suppresses your regeneration. Seals your flow."

Zain growled.

"Then I’ll rely on my body."

His ether flared again.

[Heavenly Demon Body]

The air cracked as his muscles re-tightened and his posture straightened.

Vorthar took one step forward and raised both hands.

"Then let me see how long you can endure."

He clenched his fists and moved with unnatural speed.

Zain barely shifted aside as a fire lash grazed his shoulder.

He rolled sideways, sending a counterstrike with his elbow.

But Vorthar blocked with one arm, then stepped through the motion.

Flame burst from his hand.

Zain’s coat burned at the edge.

"Tch."

Vorthar whispered, "Let me show you what true control looks like."

He spun and kicked upward.

[Sacred Cinder Veil]

A smokeless flame wrapped his body.

Zain tried to read him, but the flame didn’t shine, didn’t move.

The Apostle became a blur, his motion unpredictable.

Zain raised his guard, but a burning punch broke through.

Then another.

Then the mark on his chest pulsed.

Zain shouted as the [Judgment Ember] exploded in place.

Smoke filled the hall.

Zain’s feet skidded back.

His body was charred in parts.

He coughed, blood on his lip.

Vorthar appeared again from the smoke.

"You talk big. But in the end, you’re not ready."

Zain’s glare never left him.

"I’m not done yet."

"You will be soon," Vorthar said.

Zain grinned, despite the blood.

"You’re strong, I’ll admit it."

He dragged his arm across his mouth and rose fully again.

"But I’ve fought gods in lower hells. You’re just heat."

Vorthar’s hands began forming flame again.

Zain narrowed his stance.

"Come on then, Apostle. Let’s see who burns out first."

Vorthar gave a short laugh.

"Big talk. Let me show you the power of the god."

He raised both hands. The air behind him shimmered.

Fire gathered in silence.

He moved forward without warning.

Zain dodged left. Vorthar followed without pause.

A flaming palm came close. Zain blocked it with his forearm, but the heat still burned his skin.

Zain gritted his teeth and pulled back.

"You’re fast for a preacher."

Vorthar’s eyes glowed red.

"I’m not here to preach. I’m here to judge."

He stepped again, too close now.

[Sacred Cinder Veil]

His body vanished in smoke and reappeared beside Zain.

Zain turned fast, raising his hand.

[Heavenly Demon Fist]

His punch connected. The flame around Vorthar broke for a second. The Apostle stumbled back a step.

But then came the backlash. The heat exploded outward.

Zain flew across the hallway and crashed into the wall.

Vorthar stayed calm.

"You fight well. But you’re burning out."

Zain stood. His coat was half gone. His body steamed.

"You talk a lot for someone who hasn’t finished me yet."

He opened his hand. A black-red blade appeared.

[Heavenly Demon Sword]

The blade pulsed with corrupted ether.

Zain dashed forward. His steps cracked the floor.

He slashed.

Vorthar dodged once, twice. The third swipe cut through his cloak.

Zain didn’t stop.

He spun, using his full body, then swung again.

Flame clashed with blade.

The hallway lit up.

But the mark on Zain’s chest glowed again.

[Judgment Ember] exploded a second time.

Zain dropped to one knee.

Vorthar didn’t move in. He waited.

"You’re running out of breath," he said.

Zain coughed once.

"Maybe. But I still have one more breath left."

He stood again.

[Heavenly Demon Breathing]

He tried to absorb the energy, but the [Reverence Burn] still fought back.

It was slow. Weak. But he still healed a little.

Zain focused. His body flickered with energy.

He charged again.

Fist in one hand. Sword in the other.

[Heavenly Demon Fist] met [Volcanic Palm]

[Heavenly Demon Sword] crashed into [Flame Guard]

Blasts of ether and fire collided.

Zain landed a kick. Vorthar answered with a punch.

The floor cracked. The ceiling trembled.

Zain staggered. Breathing heavily.

He backed off three steps.

Vorthar stood tall.

"You’re done."

Zain smirked through bloody lips.

"Not yet."

He forced his body upright again.

"Because I haven’t taken anything from you yet."

Vorthar narrowed his eyes.

"You think this is a game?"

Zain only smirked, spitting blood on the floor. "Yeah."