Az stared at the figure standing over him, grinning maliciously as its tremendous Magic Energy filled the air.
Az: "There's murder in his eyes… he looks nothing like he used to."
He paused briefly
Az: So this is the power of a primordial dragon."
Acnologia examined his human body.
Acnologia: "Hmmm... It'll take some time to get used to this body before it evolves into my dragon form."
"Hehehehe"
Acnologia: Until then, why don't you entertain me little mongrel.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the bridge, Phoenix, Baka, and Miki felt the tremendous Magic Energy emanating from the opposite side.
Iroh, however, remained oblivious to the overwhelming presence. As an ordinary human, he couldn't perceive Magic Energy the way they did.
Baka: "This terrible magic energy."
Baka thought to himself.
"It seems Sieg is going out of control and letting the beast instincts corrupt his mind.
Miki: "Captain that tremendous magic energy can you feel it."
Miki said nervously while healing Baka wound on his chest.
Baka: "I'm here Miki so there's no need to worry whatever comes our way I'll handle it.
Baka thought to himself.
"I said that just to reassure her, but there's no way i can kill a dragon by myself it's impossible, the only way is to hope Sieg will come back to his senses soon enough"
Phoenix opened his closed eyes after feeling the magic energy from afar as well.
Phoenix thought "I don't know what's happening at the other side of that bridge or where that sudden spike of magic energy came from, though I'm sure it won't be a problem for Az.
Baka: "Hey Phoenix I'm sure you've sensed it and you may not understand but things has gotten pretty dire."
Miki backs away after healing him as Baka thanks her.
He gets up and points his katana at Phoenix.
Baka: "So let's end this charade of ours."
Phoenix: "I couldn't have said it better myself."
Meanwhile, on the other side of the bridge.
Acnologia lifted his foot off Az's face and stepped in front of him.
Acnologia: "Get up."
Az slowly rose to his feet, breathing heavily.
Acnologia: "Hahaha... Twelve years of slumber. It's been far too long since I last stretched my limbs. How about we play a little game? Consider it a warmup."
Az thought to himself.
I can't risk him noticing my brother on the other side of the bridge. I have to protect him at all costs... I have to be useful.
Acnologia: "Now then, here's the game. Mutual Combat. We'll take turns exchanging blows in a straight fight. No dodging, no blocking. Sounds fun, doesn't it?"
Az: "Alright. I accept."
Acnologia: "Excellent! Though, honestly, if you'd refused, I would've burned you on the spot."
Az thought to himself.
Damn it... I'm completely out of Magic Energy. How long can I hold out against this beast?
Acnologia: "I'll grant you the honor of attacking first. And don't worry, it's just a fistfight. We won't need our elemental abilities, so Magic Energy is irrelevant."
He spread his arms sideways and patiently waited for Az to attack.
Az clenched his fist and ran towards Acnologia with all his might and punched him right on the stomach.
Baam!
Acnologia opened his eyes, looked down and smirked irritated.
Acnologia: Is that the best you can do? Pathetic"
Without warning Acnologia struck his fist into Az stomach as the impact created air pressure. Az spat out blood as he collapsed on his knees.
Acnologia: "I admit, the Magic Knights of this era have grown pretty weak. You're nowhere near the level of the human who defeated me centuries ago."
Acnologia looked down at Az, who was coughing violently as he struggled to catch his breath.
Acnologia: "You bore me. There has to be someone around here strong enough to entertain me."
Az: "Wait... Let's go again."
Acnologia: "Hmm?"
Az thought to himself
Az: "I have to keep him away from my brother at all cost even if it means putting my life on the line.
Az got up again and dragged his legs slowly as his hands trembled before giving him a weak blow.
Acnologia just looked at him for a brief moment as his tone sounded more irritated.
Acnologia: "Be gone you filthy mongrel, game's over."
He raised it's arms with the intent to finish Az once and for all.
He swinged it down as Az closed his eyes preparing for the worst.
For a few seconds nothing happened, Az opened his eyes and saw that it's attack stopped mid way before reaching him."
Acnologia: "Huh what's this?"
It was as if Acnologia had no control over his arm again.
He then unconsciously punched himself in the face.
Then punched himself again and again.
Acnologia: Ow! How is he doing this? Wait is he suppressing me? He's unconsciously trying to take control of his body back.
Suddenly, a faint heartbeat echoed within his chest.
Acnologia's fangs and claws gradually receded, and his scales disappeared.
Acnologia: "Why can't I completely suppress this Sieg?!"
His crimson eyes gradually returned to their ordinary emerald green.
Moments later, he collapsed onto the ground, completely exhausted.
Az: "His body... returned to normal."
Az coughed as blood dripped from his mouth.
Az: "That was absolutely terrifying. Damn it, I need to catch my breath."
He collapsed onto the ground, breathing heavily.
Meanwhile—
Captain Baka and Phoenix locked eyes and in a heartbeat ran towards each other clashing swords as metal noises filled the air and sparks flew from the blade's friction.
They stepped back away from each other as Phoenix ran forward using his momentum to swing his executioner blade downward vertically.
Phoenix: "Die!" He screamed"
Baka stood there as he looked up at the blade dropping closer.
Baka's muscles tightened as he firmly gripped his sword.
Baka: "Lightless Slash!"
He delivers a horizontal slash that shatters Phoenix blade right at the moment of impact.
Baka "You're just playing right into my hand by letting your emotions take over.
Phoenix drops his broken blade.
Phoenix: "Tch... It was just a lousy sword anyway."
Baka: "Don't try to act tough. There's nothing you can do in this situation. That old man Iroh your target, is the symbol of courage on this island. The bridge he's building is the hope of this island in the Lightning Kingdom. And your Personal selfish ambitions will sacrifice countless lives.
Phoenix: "Who cares? I have always fought for my own ideals… and that will never change.
Baka "If you still continue to remain the way you are then I'll have to resort to drastic measures and kill you."
Phoenix: "You're welcome to try."
Baka close the distance very quickly as he was about to kill Phoenix by stabbing him with his katana.
But just at the last second Phoenix screamed.
Phoenix: "AZ! GET YOUR ASS OVER HERE!"
Az's eyes widened.
Az: "...Big brother?"
Despite his exhausted body, Az slowly forced himself to stand.
Az: "I have to... get back to him."
His legs trembled. The Magic Energy within him had long since been depleted, yet he forcibly attempted to generate more.
Crackle!
Lightning sparked around his feet.
Az: "Just... a little more..."
His body screamed in protest, but he ignored it.
Az: "I'm coming, big brother!"
With a desperate burst of lightning, Az launched himself forward.
Sieg slowly regained consciousness as his eyes blinked open.
Sieg: "Huh, what the hell happened? Why does my head hurt so much?
He glanced around until he saw Aturia still lying on the ground unconscious.
He stood up as he noticed his body wasn't in pain anymore. He checked his lightning wound he got earlier protecting Aturia and it had been healed while a scar was visible. He then noticed Aturia pieces of clothes tied around him.
Without further much thinking he ran to check on Aturia.
He tapped Aturia gently on the face as she mumbled.
Sieg: Good she's still alive.
He carried her gently on a piggyback ride.
Sieg: I'll have to hurry to the other side of the bridge so that Miki can heal her wounds.
He began to run forward.
Sieg: "What happened to Az anyway?"
He thought to himself as his eyes caught something horrific as he stopped running unable to believe what happened as he got there.