Sanroku's POV
Part 1
I pat Rhonix on his head and excuse him. I swear i am bad with names. Rhonix, is my phoenix, a familiar beast i have trained for over 10 years. Interestingly, he was the only one who had approached me only a few moments after I had been revived. The beast never forgets his master, they say. Humans do. Not only do they forget you, they even replace you. Not that it affects me much.
"Sanroku!"
A voice echoes in my head. It's Cruen. Probably wants to give me some instructions before the battle.
I roll my eyes
"Hey Cruen...It's been a long time since you contacted me. When was the last time....OH! The one on the roof. When i tore you to pieces.Tell me how have you been healing? "
"I am not here for jokes Sanroku."
"Your sense of humour is pathetic...I feel sorry for you."
"Don't bother. I don't want any sympathy."
"Ouch!"
"Sanroku..."
"Shoot"
He sighs. "You're impossible. Shall we get back to the main issue now?"
"Sometimes I feel you are worse than those teachers...in that shithole of a school Max had made me attend."
"Say whatever you want Sanroku...It's my duty."
"It's your desperation."
"That too to some extent. My victory depends on yours after all."
"Might as well pierce my ears with those instructions now that you are here."
"You are aware who your opponent is, right?
"Crusader."
"Don't take this lightly Sanroku. You know it's been ages since you last battle someone from the Heaven."
"I'm aware. That's why I am quite excited for this battle."
"Don't get ahead of yourself. It might be the Gods' ploy to make you reveal yourself."
"I didn't think of that."
"Cruen ignores my comment and continues. "You must end the battle as soon as you can. You get what i am implying by that, right?"
"End it as soon as it begins. That's no fun, Cruen."
"Lot fun it would be if the Gods recognize your powers and descend from the Heaven to go at you all at once. They've already proven once that they have no shame or honour. Don't you remember how they killed Lucia? They'll play any dirty trick in their arsenal to have you dead Sanroku!
I clench my teeth and ball my fists. Cruen is seriously pushing his luck by mentioning Lucia. But that brings me back to my senses. What he says is true. The Gods fear me...for what I did in the First Holy War. They had to resort to cheap tricks like holding Lucia hostage to have me killed. I still can't forget that. The day...i lost my only love. A tear flows down by cheek as i remember that day. They say, Sanroku is the strongest because he can't lose. I say, Sanroku is the strongest, because he can't afford to lose. I have already lost a lot. Can't bear to lose anyone or anything else.
"I understand. I'll do just as you say."
"Good! I'll be here if you want to tap into my powers. But i suppose you'd like to use your own for this one. Kill the fker before he knows what hit him, my boy!"
I manage a smile and nod.
Part 2
I wait for Hunter and Crusader to descend from the Gates of Heaven. It's taking them longer than I expected. The Heaven Transport Services must have rusted over the years. Thank Goodness, we use private transport...I mean we create our own portals. Also, there's no such thing as Heaven Transport Services. Disappointing, right? Fun fact: Hell has Hell Transport Services. Come down here sometime to check them out. I sorta commissioned it. And not gonna lie, it's faster than whatever transport services these Heaven guys use.
After some time, or should i say after few decades( not literally, but it did feel like decades) two figures descend from the Gates of Heaven. One of them, who I could definitely say was Crusader, points his staff to the ground and launches a magic spell. That's where....I sensed Eliz's and Mizen's presence a few moments ago. I hope she's safe. Eliz is a valuable asset in my army. That and a good friend. A secret between you and me: We've shared bed a couple of times. Uhh...forget i said that!
As soon as i notice him,I point my hand in his direction.
I whisper under my breath,"Chains of Hell!"
A bundle of chains shoots from my wrists and race towards Crusader. I won't target Hunter on this one. I sensed Lucalus arrive a few hours ago. He'll make sure tat Hunter is well looked after. The chains pierce through Crusader's abdomen. However, he isn't shocked. I know he expected me to be here. The rascal is probably here for revenge after I humiliated him in the last battle. Last time, I took mercy and let the dog run with his tail between his legs. This time I will make sure he doesn't come back for revenge.
I yank the chain and pull Crusader towards me. I notice a rope wound around Hunter and he gets pulled in the opposite direction. Lucalus waited for me to initiate it. Reminds me of the old days. I just wish...I wish my sword hadn't gone through his head. It was an accident. My body had gone out of control. Back then, I wasn't fully compatible with Cruen. I had gone berserk, killing everyone in my way. Lucalus had tried to stop me...only that he couldn't. Instead i fullstopped his life, or at least his vessel's. It had taken him several years to regain a vessel. I know he still blames and despises me for it. I hope...one day...we could go back to what we used to be.
For now...I will stick to the present. That is Crusader. I shove my hands in my dragon-pelt overcoat and stride forward. A figure crashes in front of me. He steadies himself, dusting off the dirt from his clothes. His face is covered by the hood, but i can make out his metallic face and those glowing red eyes.
"Crusader, My friend, long time no see!
"You're no friend, Sanroku!"
I whistle. "We have had a sweet history, Crusader. Don't tell me you forgot that time? I'd be hurt." I produce fake tears to make it look genuine.
He moves his eyes to his cloak and then glaring at me with his red as hot coal eyes, "Is this the way you welcome a friend?"
I throw my arms in the air. "Well. Forgive me friend, I didn't have the time to arrange a chariot for you. Had to compromise with the chains. On the plus side, it's faster."
"I would actually believe that if I didn't know you better. I bet you've been sitting here in anticipation of my arrival. Plenty of time for the arrangements, I would say. You've always been the early bird."
I knew his face was metallic but I could feel him raise his eyebrows.
"I am honoured. But I think of myself as more of a night owl. The bird of the night spots the worm before the early bird, after all, he sees the morning arrive first."
We stare into each other's red eyes without speaking any more words.
I take the initiative to break the silence. "As much as I would like to entertain you with a long, drawn fight, I've got time constraints. I've an offer to keep it fair. A One-Strike knockout, only magic-based attacks allowed. The one who gets the first killing strike wins?"
"That's not how a one-strike knockout works. What are you playing at Sanroku?"
I rake my red hair. " We both know that the magic we will use will be strong enough to kill the other. Why not just cut the crap Crusader."
" Well I've got to agree with that. Magic has always been the weakest aspect of your skill-set. And my strongest. I would say you're underestimating me. But I won't. I made that mistake once. Not again. You've a deal Sanroku. "
"You first."
"Sanroku...You son of a b'tch. You're playing with my ego. My gut says I should take up the offer. And I've no option but to take it up, considering the past."
"Crusader...Can I ask you a question?"
"Am I obliged to answer it?"
"Not really. No. It's up to you."
"Who sent you on this one?"
"I think you already know the answer to that Sanroku."
"Michael."
He nods.
" I've been known to be heartless. But Crusader... I know you better than everyone, more than even those Heaven rascals you worship. A little sparring is all it takes me to know anyone."
"What are you hinting at, fcker?"
"Curse all you want. But this is very unlike you, Crusader. Almost as if...you've accepted defeat and death before the battle begins."
He stomps his metallic foot on the ground, and his eyes glow hotter.
"Forget those cheap tricks—"
"You and I both know, Crusader. I don't play cheap tricks. "
His face trembles. He staggers back but manages to steady himself.
"You know nothing Sanroku!"
"You're right. I don't. You're lucky, Crusader. Till now I've never felt sympathy for an opponent. You'd be the first. I will be it quick...and easy."
He snickers and points his staff at me and mumbles under his breath, "Testamentum Exorcistae."
The orb at the top of the staff glows brightly red. It releases a blinding beam of light which engulfs the entire battlefield.
I've multiple ways of dealing with this. I could dodge it easily, or I can create a barrier blocking it off. Or...I could choose the riskiest move, which I end up doing in the end.
I take the hit head on. Okay I'll come clean! I lied to Crusader...my attacks can kill him for sure...but his attacks...none of them are strong enough to kill me.
As the magic hits me I feel my flesh sizzling. Well of course there would be some damage. It's not as though this body is unwoundable . My entire skin has been tore off due to the impact of the magic. It has even managed to seep through my flesh. The bones of my ribs and limbs are visible on the outside.
But I've a motive behind taking such a risky gamble. That is—
Crusader starts laughing maniacally in a metallic voice and a psychotic smile on his face.
He can't see me here due to the bright light and the smoke from the magic. He can't see me smirking as the wounds on my body slowly heal.
Time to end it!.
As soon as the wounds on my body heal I teleport right behind Crusader. I whisper into his ears—"La Carnifex"
His pupils constrict and he turns towards me in astonishment. " How–"
A Larvesian magic circle appears in front of him at point black range. Thousands of red glowing Excaliburs shoot out of it and pierces into his body. He isn't abel to avoid even one of them. He just stands there, frozen in place. I snap my fingers and the swords twist inside his body. He squirms and screeches as the blood overflows his body.
I should end his misery soon.
My longcoat flies in the air as I turn around and mutter under my breath, "La concutere! La ruptis!"
I hear the swords creaking slowly as they slowly shatter into particulate fragments. Each fragment carries tremendous amount of energy. One of them is enough to blow off a body part of a Lower Devils. Millions of them at once.
La ruptis...it is the spell taht makes these fragment burst. A pillar of bright red light shoot from the ground to the sky as Crusader vaporises off.
I cut a protal through the space to teleport back to the Coven headquarters. That's when I hear a voice overhead me.
" Sanroku..."
I look up. It's Owl.
I sigh. This can't be good
I nod towards him
" It's...Renzuke."
"What about him?"
" He's ...dead."
Part 3
Adracia's Pov
Ugh these chains.
I yank at the chain holding me prisoner. 5000 whole years. But I still haven't been able to break out of them. By now I had lost all hope.
But just now...I felt a glimmer...he revealed hsi power just a little. The barrier must've become weaker because last time he did it to its full extent yet I wasn't able to sense it.
Maybe just maybe...I can contact him this time.
" Sanroku...It's me...your mother...help—"
The connection suddenly disrupts. The Gods must have sensed it. Those Sons of Bitches. Once I get out of this shitty prison I'll make sure to make them regret every moment.
That's when I notice another presence . It's ancient...older than Sanroku's...It's smell...oh I recognize it. It's one of Devil King's incarnations...the Blood Incaranation— Cruen
"What do you want from Sanroku?"
" He is my son. But you know that don't you?"
" Ya you suddenly remember that he's your son right when you're in trouble. You never helped him during the First Holy War."
" Tch. How the f*ck do you expect me to help him in my current condition. Hell I can't even help myself. The barrier...it has weakened a little...so I thought maybe I could get out of here..with a little external help. "
" And that's when Sanroku comes in."
" Of course, Who else would help me? So do me a favour...and persuade Sanroku to help me out of this shithole."
" Why should I?"
" Cruen dear...imagine what Sanroku would do to you...if you don't do it... I'm his mother afterall. Also since you care about him so much...I'll tell you this much... I'm planning to make him the heir...ah.."
The connection weakens again. Damn it!
" I'm planning to make him the heir...of my Dragonaire Magic."