"Tarasque!"
Seeing the grievously wounded Cain about to be burned to ashes by the Flame Demon Sword, at the critical moment, accompanied by a woman's sharp cry, a massive dragon-like creature with a hedgehog-like appearance, a huge head covered in sharp spikes of purplish-red rock armor, six legs, and a tail tipped with a venomous stinger was sent flying by a purplish-red cross scepter. It crashed across the sword's path.
"Roar!"
Amid a miserable shriek, the heavily armored dragon's dorsal spines shattered. Like a ball struck back and forth by the two combatants, it spun through the air with a whistling gale and slammed into the side of a distant mountain.
"You bastard, stop right there and reflect on what you've done!"
At the same time, a cold, furious shout rang out. Amid a series of explosive air-bursts, a pale jade-like fist rapidly enlarged before Samael's eyes. The fierce pressure it carried bored through the magical barrier like steel blades, scraping at the ancient serpent's flesh, bones, and sinews, causing a faint sting.
Samael had just unleashed an overwhelmingly powerful blow. His old force was spent, while new force had yet to arise. Caught off guard and unable to change moves in time, he could only sharply twist his wrist and raise the Flame Demon Sword to block.
When fist and sword collided, an ear-piercing metallic clang erupted. The surrounding Aether shook violently, forming a visible storm.
"Honor me, fear me. This is the Hall of God, this is the Gate of Heaven! For your sins, be anointed and branded, cast off the burden of life, and rest here!—Faith's Blessing!"
With the fierce wind billowing around her, the tall woman—gentle as a calm sea in peace and wild as raging waves in battle—prayed with devotion and fervor. That surging power