The two other ice gates around him exploded into a grand shower of hail and ice stones. They struck his body with considerable force that crushed them into flakes. The power of the explosions and their abrupt occurrence would have killed a weaker being but Infernox is no weakling. He survived the three explosions.
"I see that you are out of tricks." He said to Baal.
He has lost his flame domain but the flame protected him from the bulk of the explosions. Meanwhile, Baal has lost all the ice constructs that he can use to delay him. The only thing still around is the pillars of the three previous ice gates. So by his standards, he is out on top.
In fact, he is stronger even. The explosion managed to harm him causing his strength and defense to increase a little. The tides of the battle have turned in his favor. Or so he thought. Baal snapped his fingers in answer. Suddenly Infernox froze over. Ice appeared all over his body. It covered every inch of his volcanic skin and froze him. The ice continued to grow until Infernox became trapped in one giant slab of ice.
The ice slabs have always been trying to recover their structure but his flame domain prevented that. Now that his flames have been put out by the explosion of three ice gates, it allowed Baal to conjure them again. Baal activated all of them at the same time in one large grand conjuration.
But that wouldn't hold Infernox for long. It's like trying to freeze a volcano. It is all but a futile attempt if you don't have enough power. Infernox was about to explode and he is still going to explode. Even now, the process has started. He lit up within the ice slab and began to melt it from within.
Baal didn't wait for him to finish his escape. He muttered some words quickly and chains formed from the pillars of the ice gates that exploded and Infernox's trapped form.
The gates exploded earlier leaving behind their pillars. There are 6 pillars for the 3 gates. Long and thick ice chains formed from the pillars and entered the ice before reaching Infernox's body. The thick ice chains used the flakes of ice that doused Infernox flames to attach to his body and bound him. Infernox couldn't resist because he was trapped within the ice. He was thoroughly bound by the time his flames shattered the giant ice slabs.
His cage of ice exploded into flakes but the flames recombined into ice labs moments after. The ice slabs formed around Infernox in large amounts except they are smaller in size. The problem with them is that each one also has a chain attached to him. They had left some flakes on him when he shattered them easily. The reason why they were smaller in size is that they dumped part of themselves on him to slow him down and form their own chains.
"Give up," Baal said to his captive.
Infernox considered using Accumulation but decided against it. The Lord of Chaos has banned the use of Accumulation for challenges. Accumulation can make a fool look powerful, but it doesn't mean they are really powerful. Only pure skill matters and there's no skill that could let him escape from this entanglement of ice. He knows he will continue to get slower as ice holds him back while Baal flees and siphons his stamina.
It pained Infernox but he said it. "I admit defeat."
Baal nodded and recalled his summons. The ice slabs, chains, and pillars broke apart into flakes. They then formed ice cards that flew into his grimoire. Baal closed the grimoire when all the ice cards had returned. The ice cards turned into their natural state after that. They became sheets made out of the skins of demon nobles.
The sheets are a creation of Baal. He started making them when he was a high-rank demon. Back then, it was a dream item for him. But It has become easier to acquire the materials needed to make the pages now that he is a demon duke.
The sheets are capable of transforming into whatever Baal needs. He changes their form through the inscriptions he made on them. So their form is limited to spell structures. They can transform into any of his spells based on any of the 6 elements but he can only use one element at a time.
Aeternus had been watching their fight closely. He proclaimed after they are done. "From henceforth, Baal, the duke of lust, of the house of chaos shall become Number 1."
The number 2 in Baal's left eye changed into 1 immediately while the opposite happened to Infernox. The ranking represents more than superiority. It also represents resource distribution and the allocation of soldiers. It is very important in the house of Chaos.
They both bowed and offered their gratitude to their lord. "We thank the Lord of Chaos."
He said to them. "You may leave."
Infernox sighed in relief and left. He is grateful that the Lord of Khaos did not allow him to be killed for his defeat. Meanwhile, Baal hesitated to leave. He has something he wants to ask Aeternus but doesn't know how to go about it.
Aeternus noticed his hesitation, so he asked. "What is it?"
"I would like to get to know Number 0 better. But I hardly see her around." Baal answered with as much confidence that he can muster.
Aeternus chuckled. "You want to talk her into accepting your challenge right?"
Baal denied it. "No, my lord. I feel it is good to become familiar with..."
Aeternus interrupted him. "Forget it. You can't beat her. If you can't find her then you can't beat her. So find her first before concerning yourself with when you will fight her."
Baal had more questions but he kept them to himself. The Lord of Khaos has already indulged him in his lust for power. He turned around to leave when he came face to face with a giant black serpent with its mouth spread wide open and multiple fangs like long sharpened blades.