Edwin looked over Light's prone form, eyes locked on his rival as he struggled to rise. Light muttered something beneath his breath, but Edwin ignored it. His only objective tonight was victory.
Light staggered up. In an instant, Edwin sprang forward. Light swung a desperate kick, but Edwin ducked beneath it and unleashed a crushing left hook that snapped Light's head to the side. He followed with a second hook and a savage kick into Light's stomach.
Light snarled, and his aura ignited in streaks of red and black. Across from him, Edwin's own aura flared purple and black cold resolve made visible.
They clashed in a blur of motion punching, dodging, countering. Edwin drove a high kick into Light's ribs, then a double-kick combo that sent Light skipping across the marble floor. With a burst of speed, Edwin leapt, seized Light's head with his right hand, and slammed him against the far wall so hard that Light's aura begin to flicker.
Light crashed up on the wall, dazed. Edwin is no joke, he thought, swallowing pain. I have to unleash everything I've got.
Edwin paused, recalling Lucifer's words "Your foe is Light. His true power is the Inferno remember that." He let the memory sharpen his focus, then opened himself to that promise. Purple flames surged into a wildfire of intent and ready to deliver the final blow. Then Light erupted in a dark sinister aura. both auras flamed high and wide with energy wrinkling up the air in a cataclysmic collision. The impact ripped through the hall like a thunderclap, hurling Albert off his feet.
Edwin pressed the assault. He pummeled Light with rapid strikes hammer fists, spinning kicks, brutal stomps. Light answered blow for blow, countering and standing his ground, but Edwin's discipline held the edge. When Light lunged, Edwin's vision narrowed to crimson intent. A brutal gut punch cut Wind from Light's lungs and a follow-through combo left him reeling.
Then Edwin gripped Light's head in one hand and drove it into the floor, skin rasping against stone. He raised his boot and slammed it onto Light's back again and again each stomp echoing like a bone splintering.
Light lay broken, gasping, unable even to scream. Edwin planted his foot on Light's skull and loomed over him.
"Bow for the Supreme," he commanded, voice low and merciless.
Light, pain carving every word, forced out, "I bow."
Edwin leaned close, his breath cold. "Then die."
A sudden voice cut through the tension.
"Enough."
Lucifer stepped onto the balcony above, arms folded. His gaze swept the hall, landing on both fighters.
"Light," he said, "you are the loser. From now on you are discharged from my legion. The reason you are not dead is that I took into consideration your role in setting this New World up so thank you I am Just. but you and your servant are no longer welcome here. Albert, escort him from these premises."
Edwin stepped back as Albert knelt beside Light, scooped him up, and carried him away in silence.
Lucifer descended the steps to stand before Edwin. He placed a hand on Edwin's shoulder.
"Congratulations. You are now family, you've earned the seat."
Edwin bowed his head. "Thank you, Master. I will not fail you."
Lucifer's smile was a blade. "I hope you don't. I have an important mission. Are you willing?"
Edwin looked up, fierce and obedient. "Yes. What is your wish?"
Lucifer's voice dropped to a chilling whisper.
"I want Thomas's body."