"But why? Is the sword really that powerful?" Anubis asked, confused by Lilith's urgency.
"Yes, it is," Lilith responded firmly.
"That blade can slay anything it touches. You need it."
Anubis nodded.
"But how do I get it? I can't just walk up there and fight him. It'll expose me—and ruin everything."
"Wait until they're both weak," Lilith advised, eyes fixed on the battle.
"There will be an opening. When it comes, strike."
---
Time passed. The duel between the Demon God and the dragon man raged on. Both combatants were nearly spent. The Demon God's charred flesh bore the mark of countless blue flames, while the dragon man, gasping for air, now struggled to even lift his sword.
The Flame Sword, though powerful, had a cost—it consumed its wielder's blood to function. With every swing, the dragon man drained himself further.
Finally, Anubis spotted it.
An opening.
She crept forward, aura still perfectly concealed. Neither of the weakened titans sensed her presence. As she neared the dragon man's side, she swiftly pulled out the silver dagger and—before he could move—
Slice.
His head rolled across the ground.
Eyes frozen wide in terror.
Anubis looked down at his corpse, unblinking.
"So much for vengeance," she muttered. "He didn't even see his killer."
Her gaze shifted to the blue Flame Sword. It radiated power, humming with a low, ominous sound. Carefully, she reached down and picked it up.
The moment her fingers curled around the hilt, a surge of force pulled at her. She gasped as the sword began siphoning her blood.
"Lilith?! What's happening?"
"Don't panic," Lilith replied calmly.
"The sword is accepting you. It must drain your blood to bond with you. You're its new master now."
Anubis gritted her teeth, but stayed still.
After a few draining moments, the sword vibrated, then stopped. The bleeding ceased.
She exhaled and looked at it.
"You're mine now. And I'm yours."
The sword hummed—almost as if in acknowledgment.
As she examined it more closely, she noticed a small red button on the hilt. Curious, she pressed it.
The sword dissolved into a glowing light, snaking up her arm and etching itself into her skin as a glowing tattoo-like mark.
"Oh... wow," she whispered, wide-eyed.
"Now this is cool."
Meanwhile, the Demon God lay among the ruins, barely conscious.
A flash of silver.
His eyes widened—just before his head was severed cleanly from his neck.
"So... this is how I end?" were his final thoughts before the void claimed him.
Anubis chuckled.
"Too easy," she said, wiping the blood off the blade.
She knelt, plunged the dagger into his chest, and dug her hand into his ribcage. With effort, she pulled free a large, still-beating, blackened heart.
She gagged.
"Now, Anubis!" Lilith urged.
"You need to eat it now—or you'll be trapped here forever."
Suppressing her disgust, Anubis closed her eyes and bit into the heart.
The taste was revolting, but she forced herself to keep going until it was gone.
Instantly, a burning pain ignited in her chest. She dropped to her knees, screaming as it spread through her body. Her skin seared as though aflame—an unquenchable fire scorching her from the inside out.
Time passed—she didn't know how much—before the agony finally dulled.
She collapsed, gasping.
Then something pierced her forehead.
A dark horn emerged from her skull, and with it came a flood of unimaginable power.
When she opened her eyes, dozens of demon elders had gathered around her, kneeling in reverence.
"My Lord," the eldest said, bowing low, "You are now our ruler. We pledge our lives to you."
Anubis blinked, still panting.
"Say something!" Lilith hissed.
"Don't just stand there looking stupid—you'll leave a bad impression!"
Clearing her throat, Anubis straightened and spoke with newfound authority:
"Understood. I'm still new to this. I'm young, and I don't know everything—so I'll accept your guidance. But if anyone disobeys or betrays me... I'll kill you without hesitation."
The demons bowed again.
"We wouldn't dare, My Lord."
---
After she explained her need to return to the mortal realm, the elders—though reluctant—agreed. They gave her a silver ring with a small button.
"With this, you can open a portal to any realm. Just press the button and speak the name of the place."
Anubis grinned.
"Guess being a demon lord comes with perks."
Before leaving, they made one last request.
"My Lord, before you go, allow us to introduce you to the rest of the demon world—your subjects."
"Next time," she promised. "Right now, I have things to take care of."
She pressed the ring, whispered, "Mortal realm. Home," and vanished into the swirling portal.
She reappeared in her courtyard.
"With this ring... I can go anywhere," she laughed as she stepped inside.
Exhausted, she went straight to her room and collapsed onto the bed. Sleep claimed her instantly.
The next morning.
Anubis woke to the loud rumble of her stomach.
"I'm starving!"
She sprinted downstairs to the kitchen, rummaged through the fridge, and found leftovers. She devoured them cold—too hungry to care. But she was still unsatisfied.
Pouting, she decided to have Telma cook something fresh.
Within minutes, Telma brought her a large bowl of noodles and turned to fetch water.
By the time she returned, Anubis had finished everything.
The bottled water slipped from her hand in shock—but thankfully didn't spill.
"What?!" Anubis asked, confused by her reaction.
"You... finished the whole thing?" Telma asked in disbelief.
"Yes. So?"
"I cooked four packs... I didn't expect you to eat it all. It was meant for both of us. Now I don't have anything to eat—and it's already 6:00 a.m. I won't have time to make more before school!" Telma said with closed eyes, bracing for punishment.
Anubis stood slowly. Telma flinched.
"I'll give you money. Buy something at school. Now get ready."
Telma blinked in shock.
"Did she just... offer me money?"
Anubis smirked and headed upstairs.
"Keep standing there and we'll be late. If we are—I'll have to punish you."
Telma scrambled to her room.
They reached school on time. Anubis handed Telma some money, and they went to their respective classes.
During break, Anubis walked to the infirmary.
Uriel was alone.
He was stunned to see her—of all people.
But oddly enough, a flicker of hope shone in his eyes.
Anubis sat beside his bed.
"You shouldn't feel so defeated."
Uriel stared at her.
"You're alone now. But maybe... I can help.
But..." she hesitated. "...it's a secret. And I don't trust big mouths."
Uriel sat up straighter.
"I swear—your secret is safe with me. If it means getting my powers back... I'll do anything."
Anubis smirked.
"I'll help you. But... are you willing to become like me?"
"What... what are you?"
"Whatever I am, are you willing to become it?"
Uriel looked into her eyes without hesitation.
"Yes. I'll do it. No matter what."
She took out a small silver dagger, slit her wrist, and held it out.
"Then drink."
Uriel pressed his mouth to her wrist and drank.
His eyes widened, and pain overtook him.
Anticipating this, Anubis waved her hand and trapped him in a dimensional void, shielding his transformation from the outside world.
She cleaned and bandaged her wrist, then sat and waited.
Ten minutes passed.
No sign of Uriel.
"Is he... dead?" she thought, panicking.
Then—
"Hey... uh, what exactly are we? Because I feel different."
Uriel stepped out of the void—reborn.
His blond hair now had red spikes. His once-brown eyes were golden. His skin was darker—glowing with life.
He was no longer sickly or broken.
Anubis blinked, briefly mesmerized. She shook her head, banishing any improper thoughts.
She handed him a mirror.
"Look for yourself."
Uriel stared.
"Whoa... I look... incredible."
He turned to her again.
"So what are we?"
Anubis smiled faintly.
"We're demons of course."