The battlefield was absolute chaos.
Safari was a storm of destruction, tearing through the demonic horde alone - without Angeleva at his side.
Each punch and hammer smacks ripped through the creatures, but it wasn't enough.
The deeper they pushed, the stronger the opposition became.
And Safari - who was now used to fighting alongside Angeleva - was struggling gradually.
His movements weren't as sharp. His strategy wasn't as precise.
He wasn't fighting for himself.
He was fighting for Angeleva.
But without her - he had to do her job, too to shield the family as well as attack.
That meant making tactical decisions, something Angeleva always did for protecting the family.
And it was exhausting.
Safari's muscles screamed with every motion. Sweat dripped down his face. His devil aura flickered dangerously - a sign of the immense energy he was burning.
A demon lunged, razor-sharp claws gleaming. Safari swung the Devil Hammer in response.
"Devil Hammer Smash!"
The blow crushed the demon's chest, sending it flying into a cluster of others. A shockwave exploded from the impact, throwing dust and rubble into the air.
But the wave of demons was endless.
Another snarling creature leapt from behind. Safari spun, using the momentum to hurl his hammer like a missile.
"Devil Hammer Throw!"
The weapon struck true, obliterating the monster on impact. The hammer boomeranged back to Safari's grip.
But for every demon he crushed, more emerged.
Safari's breathing grew ragged. The lack of Angeleva's support was painfully clear as he had to not only charge forward but also protect his family at the same time by smacking the demons coming near any of them.
Olive quickly noticed the strain in his attacks. Every swing was powerful, but they were becoming increasingly reckless.
She yelled from behind cover, "Big bro! You're pushing too hard! Conserve your energy!"
"SHUT UP, OLIVE! I DON'T HAVE TIME TO SLOW DOWN!!" Safari roared back, striking another demon in half. His voice was raw, fueled by desperation.
But Olive wasn't about to let him break down.
"Tch... That idiot," she muttered, biting her lip as she quickly analyzed the battlefield.
If Safari kept this up, he'd burn out before reaching Zozo.
She had to step in.
"Zack! Jen! Stay ready!" Olive commanded. "Big bro's losing stamina!"
"Already on it!" Zack called back, his hands glowing faintly as he maintained his healing energy.
But even Zack was beginning to falter.
Every burst of healing powers he used drained him. His small frame trembled under the strain. But Zack refused to stop.
He clenched his fists, panting.
"I... I have to keep going."
His eyes burned with determination.
"Big sis is depending on us."
Jen rushed to his side, swiftly pulling out one of her signature homemade crackers.
"Zack, eat!" she ordered, practically shoving it into his mouth.
The moment the cracker touched his tongue, a rush of energy surged through Zack's body. He gasped as the revitalizing effects kicked in.
"Jen... Thank you."
She gave a firm nod, sweat dripping down her forehead.
"Don't you dare collapse on me."
Ian, meanwhile, was reluctantly documenting the battle. Every explosion, every devastating attack - he captured it all through the lens of his camera.
But even he couldn't ignore how bad the situation was getting.
"This is insane," Ian muttered. "Safari big bro's rage... It's like nothing I've ever seen."
Ian tried to keep focus. Every moment mattered. Every strike and scream - a piece of history.
But then Olive's furious voice interrupted him.
"IAN! STOP TAKING PHOTOS AND DO SOMETHING USEFUL!"
"I AM doing something useful!" Ian protested, holding up his camera dramatically. "I'm documenting history!"
"WHAT PART OF THIS IS HISTORY?!?" Olive shouted, grabbing him by the collar.
"Fine, fine! What do you want me to do?" Ian sighed.
Olive narrowed her eyes.
"You're fast. Distract the big ones so big bro doesn't have to deal with them alone."
Ian groaned. "Ugh... That sounds like work..."
"DO IT OR I'LL THROW YOUR CAMERA INTO THE LAVA."
Ian paled. "I-I'm on it!"
With that, Ian dashed into the battlefield, using his agility to bait the larger demons. His sharp turns and quick reflexes sent the monsters into disarray.
Safari noticed.
And for the first time, he had a brief moment to breathe.
With Ian distracting, Zack healing, Jen feeding Zack her crackers, and Olive commanding the battle, the tide shifted.
"Big bro! Adjust your stance!" Olive barked. "You're leaving your right side open!"
Safari, though still furious, followed her advice. The next demon's clawed strike barely missed him.
"Olive - keep doing that!" Zack shouted, sensing the rhythm returning.
"Tch. I know!" Olive snapped.
She wasn't Angeleva.
But she was doing her part.
_ _ _
After a brutal struggle, the family finally reached the fortress gates.
A massive, demonic palace loomed before them - spikes, chains, and dark energy swirling around its towers.
The air was thick with an oppressive aura. The fortress's jagged spires reached into the crimson sky like twisted claws.
Safari stood before the colossal gate, his body aching but his resolve stronger than ever.
Angeleva was somewhere inside.
His hands gripped the Devil Hammer tightly, the weight of the weapon grounding him.
He could almost hear her voice.
"I'm coming, Angeleva."
With a mighty swing -
"DEVIL HAMMER EXPLOSION!!"
The hammer struck the gate.
A violent blast of energy erupted from the impact. The gates groaned, the metal twisting and shattering under the force.
The echoes of the explosion faded.
And beyond the destroyed gate -
A dark, endless corridor awaited.
Safari stepped forward. The rest following behind him.
The twisted shadows along the walls slithered unnaturally, pulsing like veins of a living beast. The air was thick, suffocating with the stench of sulfur. The distant howls of tortured souls echoed through the hollow space.
Safari gripped his Devil Hammer tightly, his muscles tense. His chest heaved from the relentless battle, but he couldn't stop now.
Behind him, Zack, Jen, Olive, and Ian cautiously stepped through the crumbling remains of the gate. The eerie darkness ahead offered no solace. Only suffering awaited.
Olive's voice broke the tense silence.
"We're in. But... I don't like this. This place is practically alive."
"I feel it too," Zack whispered, his small hands glowing faintly with restorative energy, ready to heal at any moment.
Jen pulled out her bag, tightly gripping her supply of homemade crackers. She'd make sure Zack stayed energized - no matter what.
Ian, camera still in hand, forced a nervous laugh.
"Heh... Well, if we die, at least I'll have some quality shots."
Safari growled. "We're not dying. None of us." His eyes burned with determination. "Let's move."
Meanwhile - In the Dark Chamber
Angeleva hung helplessly from the air. Her body was bound in a reverse crucifix - her wrists and ankles chained by glowing red sigils.
A massive, dark pentagon was drawn beneath her, carved into the stone floor. Blood-red energy pulsed from its center, slowly draining away her divine strength. Every agonizing second stole more of her power.
The once-radiant light that Angeleva embodied was fading.
Her delicate wings, though still shimmering, were battered and torn. Faint scratches covered her body - thin but deep - inflicted by the tormenting demons that swarmed her like vultures.
Their twisted laughter echoed through the chamber, enjoying every second of her suffering.
But despite the pain, Angeleva's resolve remained. Her glowing, violet eyes never wavered.
She still believed Safari would come.
A throne of twisted bones loomed in the distance. On it sat Zozo, the overseer of Hellsgate. His form was monstrous - long, sinewy limbs and twisted horns that curled like roots. His crimson eyes gleamed with amusement as he watched Angeleva's torment.
"Such fragile divinity," Zozo sneered, his voice dripping with malice. "And yet, they call you a fairy warrior. How pathetic."
Angeleva said nothing. She refused to give him the satisfaction.
Zozo grinned wider, leaning forward.
"You're waiting for him, aren't you?" He chuckled darkly. "Safari, the so-called 'Devil Warrior.' You think he'll save you?"
Angeleva's glare hardened.
"Even if I hate it, he will."
Zozo's laughter erupted, echoing through the chamber.
"Oh, I'm counting on it. But by the time he reaches you... you'll be nothing more than a shattered husk."
With a bored sigh, Zozo stood, his massive shadow towering over the trembling demons beneath him.
"Continue the ritual." His voice rumbled with authority. "Break her. Slowly. I want her spirit broken before her precious 'family' arrives."
The demons howled in agreement. The pentagon's glow intensified, sending another painful surge through Angeleva's body. She bit her lip, suppressing a cry of pain.
Zozo smirked one last time.
"I'll be in my castle. Watching."
With a wave of his clawed hand, the demon lord vanished into swirling shadows, leaving his minions to carry out his will.