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Nero and his parents had set off to track down and destroy Zarion’s demon-killing weapon before he could use it.

That’s why we came here, said Cadence. We knew Zarion would be here. We planned to confront him and make him shut down his weapon before it’s too late.

The alliance was already teetering on the precipice of disaster. If Zarion’s weapon went off, if he killed demons, things would get a lot worse for everyone.

Well, it seems the demons beat Zarion to the punch, Damiel commented as the mega-demon set off an explosion that blew up the cake.

The dark fiend was creating so much destruction, no one could get close to him.

Or maybe the demons found out what Zarion was going to do and preempted him, I suggested. This could be their preemptive counterstrike.

Preemptive counterstrike? That does sound like the sort of thing the demons would do, Nero agreed.

I wonder if the mega-demon has an off button, I said.

I very much doubt it, replied Nero.

Yeah… I cringed as I watched the mega-demon blow up a table. Well, maybe we can still defuse the situation.

No one answered. Apparently, they weren’t holding out any hope for the power of diplomacy.

Get ready, I told Nero and his parents, my gaze scanning the room.

Get ready? For what? Cadence asked.

For a distraction.

I’d found my target: the large window that had provided the audience with such a stellar sunrise view during Saphira’s ceremony. I slipped my psychic magic inside the perfect sheet of glass…and blew the whole damn thing up.

When the glass shattered, pouring into the room like an icy avalanche, the mega-demon turned to look. His sword arm tensed, like he was anticipating an attack. Nero, Damiel, and Cadence moved in, taking full advantage of the demon’s distraction.

Just watch out for his big Venom burst, I warned them.

We are Immortals. We’re immune to Venom, Cadence reminded me.

Yeah, well, he also has an immortal weapon: that big sword he’s swinging around.

Damiel ducked to evade a blast from the mega-demon’s sword. Immortal weapon. You should have led with that, Leda.

Sorry. I wiggled all the fingers in my right hand. Now that was progress. My head’s still a little fuzzy from when he blasted me with his sword.

The demon hurt you. Even from all the way across the room, the menacing look on Nero’s face was unmistakable. Hold on, Leda. I’m coming to get you.

The ground exploded beneath him.

Nero! I tried to jump to my feet, but all I managed to do was sit up. And the only reason I didn’t fall over again immediately was because the big stone column was supporting my back. Are you all right? I asked him.

I squinted at the cloud of dark smoke, trying to pierce the burning flames and thick ash. Trying to find any sign of Nero.

I’m fine, he said after a pause, and I exhaled a heavy breath of relief.

I pulled myself up a little higher, stretching out my neck to get a better view. The mega-demon was fighting Nero, Cadence, and Damiel—and he wasn’t having any trouble handling them.

He has more than just one immortal artifact, Cadence noted, then jumped and spun, aiming a powerful kick at the demon’s helmet, knocking a glowing ball off the top. She swooped down, grabbed the ball, and tossed it to Damiel.

Damiel caught it, tucking it into his jacket. Well, we do know both gods and demons have been collecting immortal artifacts.

The mega-demon spread his arms wide, then snapped them back in. His hands clapped together, and magic exploded from them, cutting through Cadence and Damiel.