The dark corridor twisted before them, the air thick with the stench of corruption. Columns of cracked stone lined the path, and the dim purple glow of cursed torches flickered against the walls.
But none of that mattered to Safari.
He only focused on one thing - getting to Zozo.
Angeleva's soft, steady breathing against his back kept him grounded. Despite her weakened state, her warmth balanced the raging storm of his devil energy. The fusion between their powers remained constant, their energies harmonizing as one.
The family moved cautiously, but it wasn't long before a wave of demon guards blocked their path.
Black, twisted figures emerged from the shadows. Their glowing red eyes gleamed with malice. Armed with jagged blades and spiked shields, they snarled and charged forward.
But Safari didn't flinch.
He raised his Celestic Hammer, its surface glowing with both devilish green and radiant pink light.
"Fairy-Devil Hammer Shock!"
BOOM!
A massive shockwave exploded from the hammer's impact, surging through the demons. The combined energy of Safari and Angeleva's power sent them flying, crashing against the stone walls. Cracks formed beneath their feet, rippling across the ground.
Olive's eyes widened. "That power... it's unreal."
Ian was practically trembling with excitement. "Safari big bro's like an unstoppable force now!"
Safari smirked, the rush of the combined energy invigorating him. Angeleva's presence strengthened him - not just physically, but emotionally. Her unwavering determination resonated through him, fueling his every strike.
More demons rushed forward, but Safari met them head-on.
"Fairy-Devil Hammer Strike!"
His hammer flashed with twin energy as he swung it down, the blow cleaving through their defenses. Each strike pulsed with devastating force, vaporizing the cursed armor of his enemies.
Angeleva's voice was soft but supportive. "Keep going. I'm with you."
Safari nodded, gritting his teeth as he spun his weapon. Jen held close to Zack supporting him as he stayed near Safari as backup, while Olive blasted demons that tried to flank Safari.
Zack kept his hands glowing, ready to heal anyone who took a hit. Fortunately, Safari's overwhelming strength made that unnecessary.
"Fairy-Devil Hammer Crash!"
With a forceful leap, Safari slammed his hammer into the ground, sending an eruption of pink and green light. The shockwave tore through the remaining demons, leaving nothing but scorched ruins behind.
The family stood in awe, the sheer display of power reigniting their hope.
"He's unstoppable," Jen whispered, her voice trembling with amazement.
Zack nodded, his eyes shining. "We can win this."
With the guards defeated, Safari lowered his hammer, exhaling sharply. His state still held strong, and Angeleva's light soothed his fatigue.
"I can't believe how well our powers are working together," Safari muttered, half to himself.
Angeleva smiled faintly. "That's because we're connected... even if I have to cling to your back like this."
Safari chuckled. "Could be worse."
She blushed, though her wings remained firmly wrapped around his chest. Despite the situation, she didn't loosen her grip - not even for a second.
"Come on," Safari said, his eyes narrowing. "Zozo's throne room is next."
The family gathered close behind him, their determination renewed. The heavy double doors ahead bore demonic engravings, twisted faces etched into the surface. From behind them, a dark aura seeped through.
And standing before the throne room's entrance -
A massive, armored figure awaited.
Zozo's Strongest Demon Guard.
His crimson armor gleamed under the dim light, his eyes burning with hatred. A massive axe rested on his shoulder, dripping with corrupted energy.
"Your path ends here," the demon growled, his voice deep and menacing. "You'll never reach Lord Zozo."
Safari's grip on his hammer tightened, and Angeleva's fingers curled slightly over his shoulder.
"Like hell we won't," Safari growled. "We're going through you."
The massive demon guard loomed before Safari, its crimson armor gleaming ominously.
Every step it took caused the ground beneath to tremble. The corrupted energy that radiated from it distorted the air, making it hard to breathe.
Safari stood firm with Angeleva clinging tightly to his back. The pink aura from her pulsed gently, harmonizing with his green energy.
"Let's see what you're made of," Safari growled.
The demon let out a guttural laugh. "You're bold, I'll give you that. But boldness won't save you."
Without warning, the demon lunged, its massive axe swinging in a vicious arc. Safari narrowly dodged, the blade cleaving through the stone floor with a deafening crash.
"Fairy-Devil Hammer Strike!"
Safari countered, his hammer radiating with the combined might of both energies. The strike met the demon's axe mid-air, sending a shockwave rippling through the room. Sparks flew as the weapons clashed, the force shaking the very walls of the castle.
The demon grinned, clearly enjoying the fight. "You're strong... but not strong enough."
Blow after blow, the two titans exchanged brutal attacks. Safari's strikes were amplified by Angeleva's presence, his hammer glowing with fierce light. Each swing created bursts of pink and green energy, shaking the ground.
"Fairy-Devil Hammer Shock!"
A powerful shockwave blasted the demon backward, sending it crashing into a stone pillar. Yet, even as rubble fell around it, the creature roared with laughter.
"Good! You're more entertaining than I thought!"
The demon's aura flared wildly. Purple flames erupted from its body, crackling with destructive energy. It slammed its axe down, sending waves of corruption across the floor.
Safari jumped to avoid the impact, but even mid-air, the demon pursued him with relentless fury.
"Safari!" Angeleva called out, tightening her grip around his chest with her wings. Her presence reminded him of their combined strength.
"I'm not losing to this thing."
He landed with a thunderous crash, gripping his hammer tightly. "Fairy-Devil Hammer Crash!"
The ground split beneath him as he unleashed a massive burst of energy. The demon staggered, the glowing impact sending cracks through its armor. Yet it still stood, defiant.
The battle continued, the room growing more unstable with each clash. But as time passed, Safari's strength began to overwhelm his opponent.
The demon's once ferocious movements grew sluggish. Its axe trembled in its hands, and its breaths became labored. Angeleva could sense it.
"He's weakening, Safari," she whispered.
Safari nodded, his determination unwavering. "Then it's time to end this."
"Fairy-Devil Hammer Blossom Incineration!"
With a powerful swing, Safari unleashed a devastating energy wave. The blast engulfed the demon, consuming it in a blinding explosion of pink and green light. The creature roared in agony, its armor shattering as it was thrown across the room.
It hit the ground with a thunderous crash, smoke and debris billowing into the air. Safari kept his stance, his breathing heavy. The battle seemed over.
But just as the family began to approach, thinking it was safe -
A chilling voice echoed through the throne room.
"How dull."
The air thickened. A dark presence seeped through the cracks of the ruined chamber. The very atmosphere twisted under its malice.
Safari's eyes widened. "No..."
Emerging from the shadows, a towering figure appeared - Zozo.
His twisted form radiated pure, unfiltered corruption. Deep crimson eyes glinted with amusement, his jagged armor dripping with vile energy.
The demon guard, barely alive and struggling to move, weakly turned to its master. "L-Lord Zozo..."
But Zozo merely sneered.
"You had your fun. But now... you bore me."
Without a moment's hesitation, Zozo extended his hand. A surge of dark energy erupted from his palm - a formless, writhing mass that shot through the air.
The blast impaled the demon guard.
The creature gasped, its eyes widening in shock. Within seconds, it disintegrated into ash, leaving only a hollow echo of its final cry.
Angeleva flinched, her heart sinking. "He... killed his own guard."
Safari's fists clenched tightly around his hammer, rage burning through him. "Zozo."
The demon lord's grin widened. "You've made it this far, little warrior. But this is where your journey ends."
Safari didn't back down. He glanced at Angeleva, her weakened yet determined expression fueling his resolve.
"No." His voice was firm. "This is where we finish you."