Beyond the Apocalypse

Chapter 1144: The end of the Ninth Layer of Hell (I)

Lucifer understood all of this in an instant.

The battlefield was slipping from his grasp.

The death of Beelzebub, the weakening of the Gods, the suicidal tactics of the Antimatter Doppelgänger, and the relentless pressure on Zamael—all of it pointed toward a single, undeniable truth:

They were losing.

The Archangel of Death tightened his grip on his scythe, his mind racing as he searched for a way to turn the tide.

It took no more than a few seconds for the Archangel of Death to analyze every possible path before him—every future that awaited the Ninth Layer of Hell. In each and every one, the outcome was the same.

Defeat.

Absolute, crushing defeat.

If he continued to press forward, they might succeed in killing a few Lords. But the cost would be too great. The risk to Heaven’s Paragons was unacceptable, and that alone made the choice clear.

Filled with unwillingness and deep frustration, the Archangel of Death cast a single glance toward Rafael and Zamael.

No words were needed.

The two Archangels understood immediately and gave silent nods.

The next instant, without warning, the wings of the three Archangels ignited with brilliance, shining like miniature supernovas. Beams of glorious divine light manifested—piercing through space-time itself as they descended upon them.

"Pull back!"

The voice of the True Depravita of Wrath echoed across the battlefield, sharp and commanding. The Antimatter Doppelgänger and the Sovereigns reacted instantly, halting their charge and retreating without hesitation.

Vlad’s eyes narrowed, glowing with a cold, calculating light as he studied the beams enveloping the Archangels. Within them, he could feel the pure essence of Heaven—ancient, immense, and overwhelmingly powerful.

These were not mere constructs of energy.

They were manifestations of cosmic laws so refined and primordial that even Paragons would be torn apart if they faced them carelessly.

Lucifer turned his gaze toward Vlad.

The killing intent in his eyes was chilling—cold, endless, and absolute. It was the kind of hatred that would not fade with time, no matter how many battles passed.

Yet even that fury could not stop what was happening.

The Light of Heaven fully enveloped the three Archangels, pulling them away from the battlefield and extracting them from the Ninth Layer entirely.

For a brief moment, silence lingered.

Then Vlad and Overlord exchanged a glance.

A solemn understanding passed between them.

They had just witnessed a fragment of Heaven’s true power—its ancient laws, its refined mastery over existence itself. It was a force that surpassed even what they had anticipated.

And yet, alongside that realization, another emotion surfaced in their eyes.

Desire.

Heaven held secrets—terrifying, profound secrets. And one day, those secrets would belong to them. Once conquered, they would push their strength to heights unimaginable... perhaps even to a level capable of challenging the Ancient Ones themselves and sealing them away once more—until the end of times.

But such thoughts did not distract them for long.

The battlefield still demanded their attention.

Without delay, Vlad and Overlord teleported, reappearing beside Brightkin and Orkin.

The two Sovereigns were in terrible condition.

Their bodies were ravaged with grievous wounds, many of them bordering on lethal. They had pushed themselves far beyond their limits, brushing against death again and again.

And yet—they had achieved the impossible.

They had faced a Paragon. Not just any Paragon, but an Archangel of Heaven... and they had severely wounded him.

Without hesitation, Vlad and Overlord placed their hands on the Sovereigns’ backs. Psychic energy surged into their bodies, stabilizing their soul dimensions, while the Law of Life worked to mend their shattered flesh.

Under the immense power of the two True Depravitas, the process was swift.

It was not a full recovery—not even close—but their conditions stabilized. Their lives were no longer in immediate danger, and they could continue their healing on their own.

Brightkin and Orkin bowed deeply, gratitude clear in their eyes.

Then, with faint but genuine smiles, they withdrew from the battlefield.

The fight had been brutal. Recovery would demand time and resources. But the reward was undeniable.

By facing the overwhelming might of a Paragon in direct combat, they had shattered the limits that bound them. The final barrier separating them from the Paragon Realm had weakened significantly.

Once they fully recovered... they might take that final step.

Vlad watched them leave, a faint smile forming as he sensed the transformation within their souls. Then his expression hardened as he turned back toward the battlefield.

The Lords had not ceased fighting after the Archangels’ retreat—but their approach had changed.

They had slowed.

Formations shifted, becoming defensive and controlled.

Without the Archangels, the fate of the Gods was already sealed. None of them possessed the power to halt the falling sky.

But that did not make them harmless.

A cornered beast was always the most dangerous.

If the Gods chose to self-destruct in desperation, they could still claim the lives of many Lords. And that was a risk the Six Sun Alliance did not need to take.

Victory was already within their grasp.

There was no need for reckless sacrifice.

They had proven their strength and courage.

Now, they would prove their wisdom.

Vlad and Overlord nodded in approval as they observed the Lords’ restraint.

Then, in perfect synchronization, they raised their hands and clasped them together.

Hundreds of golden portals materialized across the sky.

In the next instant, a torrential rain of divine weapons poured down upon the battlefield.

Each strike was precise, controlled—targeting only the Gods. Any who attempted a suicidal charge were immediately cut down, their final gambits extinguished before they could take effect.

The battlefield fell completely under the control of the Six Sun Alliance.

Below them, the Ninth Layer of Hell trembled as the massive landmass of the Eighth Layer continued its descent.

Divine Kingdoms shattered one after another, unable to withstand the relentless force.

Devils, twisted souls, and all remnants of resistance were obliterated beneath the collapsing sky.

There was nothing left to stop it.

The end had begun.

And the Ninth Layer of Hell could do nothing but watch as its destruction drew ever closer.