The Demon King stepped fully into the arena, and the temperature rose twenty degrees instantly. Not from fire—from his mere presence. Reality adjusting to accommodate something that predated current cosmic order.

"You're wondering why I called you here," he said, circling slowly. "Why formal challenge instead of simple assassination. Why honor your rebellion with this display."

Azrael kept the Black Flame ready but didn't attack. Something about the Demon King's stance suggested this was ...