The next day came, and Clyde woke from a deep and undisturbed sleep.
He stretched lazily on his bed, his body moving with the ease of someone who could almost pretend he was about to start a normal, mundane day—as if he were still just a boy and not something much more.
A faint smile tugged at his lips. He was excited. He had something to do today.
Outside his window, there was no sun. No clouds. No weather. Just the same eternal night sky that always loomed over this particular Ruin.
This world—the one where the mansion stood—was another forgotten plane, hidden deep within the layered realms. It had been prepared for him by Demon Duchess Graemory, a perfect hiding place far from the eyes Celestials and Angels alike.
Clyde stood and made his way to the cold shower. The icy water splashed over his skin, and still, that smile remained. It wasn’t the shower itself that excited him.
What made him feel alive was the knowledge that today, he would finally act. He wouldn’t just fulfill his task from the Ancient One—he would test his own evolving power against the higher realms.
The Ancient One hadn’t contacted him for days now but Clyde wasn’t worried. Maybe that entity was simply acting like a superior who had already delegated the work and now only waited for results.
Clyde understood that.
In truth, it made things easier for him when the Ancient One didn’t interfere.
After finishing the shower and dressing Clyde returned to sit on the edge of his bed.
He closed his eyes, focused, and reached out with his mind—projecting a telepathic thread across the veils of existence.
It took about a full minute before a familiar presence stirred and answered him.
"Yes. What is it? What do you want to do now?"
Asmodeus’s cold and sharp voice as always echoed in Clyde’s head.
Clyde had often wondered if the Demon King still bore resentment toward him. After all, Clyde had defeated him once and though he had given Asmodeus power from the Ancient One, perhaps that defeat still burned in his pride.
Clyde didn’t worry about it. What mattered was that Asmodeus hadn’t denied his requests yet and that meant they still had a working agreement.
Clyde didn’t waste time.
"I need your army again," he said directly. "And this time, I need more than what you lent me before."
There was a long silence.
Clyde suspected Asmodeus was reluctant. But he also knew the Demon King had no real choice Clyde demanded it.
"What are you planning to do now?" Asmodeus finally asked. "If you’re going to use my forces, atleast I need to know what for."
"Alright. No problem," Clyde replied. "I’m going to attack the Celestials first. One by one. They’ve got the largest numbers among you after all."
"That’ll only make them more eager to hunt you down."
"What’s the difference from now?"
"You’re right," Asmodeus admitted. "I’ve heard an alliance is beginning to form. Hermes has been wandering across realms, saying we all need to unify against the threat."
Clyde sighed, his expression growing more serious.
"That’s why I need to move now. Let me act on my own. You just keep doing what you’re doing and lend me your army when I ask."
There was a brief pause.
"Yes. I’ll give you my army when you need it."
With that, the connection cut.
The silence in the room returned. Clyde opened his eyes.
The wheels were turning now. And soon, blood would fall from the sky.
About an hour later, Clyde and Asqa had finished their breakfast. There was no lingering or talk. The moment the meal was done they both rose and began preparing for battle.
Clyde didn’t bother with armor. He stepped out of his room in a simple black shirt and a long, plain coat with no enchantments or magical effects.
It was all he needed now. His body alone was tougher than most armor and his confidence radiated from every stride he took.
Asqa emerged from her room as well, her white robe immaculate despite the previous day’s bloodshed.
Her wand was fastened securely at her waist. Her expression was calm but her eyes were sharp and serious. She was more than ready.
"You ready?" Clyde asked, his voice low and focused.
Asqa gave a firm nod.
"This is serious," Clyde said. "We’re attacking the Celestials. If we can cripple them—or better yet, kill them—we do it."
Asqa nodded again without hesitation. She understood perfectly.
Together, they walked out of the mansion.
When they reached the front yard, Clyde raised his hand and focused. He channeled his magic into the amulet around his neck. The runes lit up in violet hues, spinning and glowing with layered energy.
A portal shimmered into existence before them. Without another word, they stepped forward and begin the hunt.
Asqa didn’t ask where they were going. She didn’t need to. She trusted Clyde completely and more than that, she was ready for whoever awaited on the other side.
The portal shimmered and twisted around them as they stepped through, folding space and spirit alike in a single breath.
Then, they arrived. The realm they stepped into was quiet.
Snow fell gently from a sky blanketed in dull gray. The air was cold and still. Tall wooden gates loomed ahead, radiating a powerful presence.
Stone lanterns lined the path, some still glowing with blue fire, others cracked and overgrown with moss.
Beyond the gates, temple towers rose in silence. The temple made of curved roofs and dark woo and perched atop misty cliffs.
Cherry blossoms tree floated and framed the narrow winding path ahead.
It was a domain filled with solemn beauty, but it wasn’t serene.
There was a weight of unseen eyes were watching from behind every pillar, shadow, and petal drifting in the wind
"This is it," Clyde muttered.
Asqa said nothing and just nodded her head. She drew her wand from her waist, eyes narrowed, her breath faintly fogging in the cold.
And then, faintly in the distance, they heard the sound of bells.