The terrifying angel spread the deep-purple bat wings behind it and raised its head high, crowned with two backward-curving horns. It stood far taller than an ordinary person; even Maximus, who had undergone the Sacred Marriage Ritual, still appeared small before it. "This is destiny." As if to affirm the High Priestess's words, it said to Maximus, "I will sever your enemy's head, for this is what the gods desire."
"No, that is my honor!" Maximus retorted without hesitation, utterly unaware of the venomous resentment in the angel's eight eyes. Yet when he held out his hand, the angel obediently lowered its head. "I will have an honorable duel with my brother. The Attilan Royal Family's honor must not be sullied. I must personally cut off his head. Only then can I ascend the throne that belongs to me."
"It is your right, and none would question it, but we must first defeat the invaders." High Priestess Phylira hurriedly said, "The upper decks have lost themselves in corrupt political rule and feeble lies. The weak royal family cannot resist the Human Army. Lead the army and defeat humanity, my Emperor. Only we who know the truth can do this. Only we can let more of our kin understand the truth the gods created for this universe. Only you can save those who have fallen into blindness."
Maximus nodded.
High Priestess Phylira breathed a sigh of relief. She summoned the other priests to carry the enormous silver sword from the altar. Normally, such a man-high greatsword required long practice to wield, but after the much taller Maximus took it, he effortlessly flourished it. The immensely heavy silver blade moved like an extension of his arm. Deep-crimson psychic energy traveled through the special material used to forge the sword and spread across