PROLOGUE
…It's been ages… AGAIN, but I thank beforehand those who have been patient. The thing is that I tend to overfocus in my studies… anyway; here we have the third chapter
NINGENKAI - Papunika Kingdom
"I'M GONNA CRUSH ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!"
…Earth trembled, and the Skies roared at his roar and power. But despite his rage, Dai had still been "raised" under a strict code of honor worthy of the Gods, and therefore, the forst to victims, the heavily injured Larhalt, and the crushed and unconscious Hym would remain "safe". But not the closest preys next to the former two. Pop or Brass, the two were at exactly the same distance from the Dragon Knight. The choice was obvious, in this particular scenario, logic and reason could easily be displaced by emotion.
"DAAAAAIIIIII! What do you think you are doing! Have you forgotten about us, your family…! About Delmurin Island and all your friends there…" After Dai's display, no one could move, only tremble or remain still… everyone except for Brass. As Dai's "father", he somehow managed to oppose his son, at least in will if not in action. The hero heard Brass' voice, and focused his attention on him. After processing the words said by the old Druid, the Dragon Knight somehow got dazed by nothing more than the former's words and presence.
"Jii-san, stop it! It's too dangerous!" Pop shouted at Brass to stop him from angering their opponent any further, while failing at noticing the Dragon Knight's change in behavior.
Brass word had an effect in rest too. When they heard about Delmurin Island and the words family and friend, they all managed to get a hold of themselves… everyone but Hym who was unconscious, and Larhalt, who had already overcome the pain in his body, but who was just facing an emotional turmoil like a maelstrom with no precedents. Dino… sama… Why… why did you attack me…? Am I… not worthy…? As these thoughts filled his mind, tears began to fall as he remained on the ground, facing upwards as the sunlight illuminated his face.
"Have… have you… HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN ABOUT YOUR JII-CHAN!" Brass snapped. These words stirred new memories in Dai's mind, which made him react with a perplexed face, and a soft moan, as if he was terrified. Crocodine, Hyunkel and Marm readied themselves to jump forward just in case Dai. However, that was their mistake, as said preparation forced them to shift their respective weights, abandoning their balance positions…
"! Dai shouted after travelling through the images that were forced into his mind by his new enemies, sending everyone of similar build or smaller flying a little, and expelling Dragonic Aura form all his pores. "SOOOOO, IT'S YOU WHO'S TRYING TO TAMPER WITH MY MIND! TOO BAD, YOU'VE FAILED, AND NOW YOU ARE FINISHED!" roared the Dragon Knight before jumping at his adoptive father. Brass could only feel sadness at his son jumping for the kill, a feeling that showed in his face. However, a huge shadow appeared between father and son. Crocodine's huge build prevented him from being sent flying, allowing him to protect Brass, but at a huge price. Dai's punch broke his left arm, and would have crushed both arms, his sternum and his ribs, and ruptured his organs had it not been for Dai's Dragonic Aura being disseminated through his whole body instead of being focused on his punch, and Crocodine's focused Touki.
So… this is your strength when you are NOT focused… Your strength truly is monstruous Dai, just like I imagined it would become… But right now, YOU ARE the monster, and that is not something I can take… "Sorry kid, but… IT'S TIME FOR YOU TO WAKE UP!…" Crocodine muttered as he searched for his new weapon with his healthy arm.
"What are you talking about, oversized lizard" Dai said in a calmer tone, surprised at Crocodine's resilience. "… And it seems that you still need to be roughed up a little to wake up, huh?" Crocodine finished before swinging his broken limb at Dai, hurting him slightly, and pushing him a few steps. "Wha… What?" Dai muttered, completely shocked at the fact that he could be hurt by such a creature. The King Beast managed to pierce the Dragonic Aura.
"Sorry for that, but you better know that you are not the only one who has gotten stronger…" Crocodine next swung his new "King's Axe", which remained wrapped in the cloth with which Nova covered it at the moment of delivering to his new owner. "RELEASE… BURNING FIRE" commanded the Beast King, releasing a Mera-class attack, as strong as a Merazoma, and striking his unwanted opponent with it, stunning him further now that his "Iron Defense" had been broken temporarily. The flame burned the cloth that covered the weapon, revealing a double edged golden and copper colored axe, with a red jewel at its center, supported by an extremely long, black clothed handle. Crocodine was right at assuming that the new Axe would at least retrieve the old one's properties.
"CROCODINE IS RIGHT GUYS! WE HAVE TO WAKE HIM UP WITH FORCE IF WE WANT OUR DAI BACK!" yelled Pop after hearing Crocodine's words, and concluding that he was right. Even if beating him didn't unlock his memories for real, it would at least give them time to find a way to do it. "I'LL ISSUE THE ORDERS…! MARM, HYUNKEL …"
After hearing Pop giving an implicit indication to Marm and Hyunkel, Nova rapidly stepped forward to hand Marm her own weapon before she and Hyunkel moved. Then he warned his friends about the new weapons as fast as possible "EVERYONE, THIS WEAPONS HAVE BEEN MODIFIED…! JUST TRUST ME AND FOCUS YOUR TOUKI OR MAGIC ENERGY ON YOUR WEAPON AS STRONGLY AS POSSIBLE…! IMAGINE THAT YOU ARE FILLING A BALLON WITH AIR UNTIL IT BURSTS!". Nova was aware that he couldn't help them because of two reasons: One, he was exhausted from the crafting of the weapons, and Two, his own blade wasn't ready. If I try to help them in my condition, I'll just be a liability. Still… Nova had matured in the last three years, but he couldn't help the frustration that filled his heart.
Right after that, Hyunkel and Marm moved, while Nova threw another weapon to Leona, who had begun to regain her composure. He also threw a new Rod towards Pop, who had deduced how the new weapons had been improved "…Man, and I thought that my old Black Rod was unique… hopefully, this new Rod has the modifications I requested…"
As Dai readied himself to respond, two shadows appeared, one at each of his sides, shocking him a little. "Sorry Dai, but…" Marm said softly and with some regret, but with full resolve in her eyes. "… THIS IS FOR YOUR OWN GOOD" complemented Hyunkel, as he swung his sword at Dai, while Marm aimed at the Little Dragon's torso with her fist, covered by the Metal Fist that came alongside her new Magic Armlet, which resembled the old one. Both decided to do as Nova had indicated, and something happened. Marm's knuckle and Hyunkels sword got a coat of energy the extended slightly from said weapons ends. In Marm's case, said coat resembled 4 spikes, while in Hyunkel's, it was a simply prolongation of the blade itself. Dai had instinctively predicted the danger of said weapons, and having learned from his short encounter with Crocodine, he decided to focus his Dragonic Aura in both arms, with which he blocked both attacks. "… Sorry to disappoint you people… but I'm a fast learner" said the Dragon Knight with a cocky but weak smile. He was still shocked by the clash from earlier and the torrent of memories that filled his mind just a few minutes ago.
"Guys, the shape of the extension should change according to your will… Ruura…!" Pop chanted to rescue Brass and to get near Hym and Larhalt who remained on the ground. With Ruura, he managed to fly instantly to his two teammates while catching Brass. "…Try to keep him occupied while we heal our party. Leona-hime, you heal Crocodine, while I take care of these two…" Pop indicated to the party before he quickly focused his magic energy "… Behoma" chanted Pop in each hand to heal his teammates. While doing that, he noticed that Larhalt wasn't unconscious, but in a trance, while crying. "… Larhalt… what's wro…"
"I can't fight with Dino-sama. He has rejected me, and more important, I can't bear the idea of harming him…" answered Larhalt. Unlike Pop and the rest, Larhalt felt it was his duty as a Dragon Rider to protect Dai. Pop couldn't help but sympathize with him. But right after that, his anger filled him. On the other hand, Hym began to regain his consciousness while his battered Orichalcum body regenerated.
Meanwhile, Leona grabbed her new Magical Whip, rushed to Crocodine and healed him so that both could join the fight which was tilting towards Dai's favour… fortunately, Dai was still stunned. The four combatants positioned themselves, with Leona in the back, attacking (unsuccessfully) at her friend and healing her teammates with swift and constant chants of Behoimi, Marm trying to attack at Dai's blind spot (while restraining herself form using her Senka Rekkouken), while Hyunkel and Crocodine went against him face to face while looking for a chance to use their Sure-Kill Attacks at point blank range. Dai wasn't in his best condition, and had to block his opponents, and his own attacks were slow, but because of his natural strength, the shockwave of each strike was enough to harm the opposing party. Despite that, his performance was pathetically poor by his Master's, and his own standards. What's happening? Why am I blocking attacks this weak and slow? I… can't accept this…Dark clouds began to gather in the sky, right above them…
"GET A HOLD OF YOURSELF DAMMIT!" Pop roared at Larhalt right before punching him, but to no avail. "DO YOU THINK WE WANT TO FIGHT HIM…! YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING! HE IS LIKE A BROTHER TO ME…!" Pop began panting after his shout, trying to figure out how to make Larhalt join the fight. Without Larhalt, we have no chance to face Dai once he recovers. But I can't blame Larhalt for not wanting to fight Dai… After all, Baran was like a father to Larh… THAT'S IT! "Larhalt, it's your duty to fight Dai, not as a Baran's warrior, but as Baran's…"… "RAIDEIN!" Pop continued before being interrupted by a roar and a shockwave, which were immediately followed by Hyunkel and Crocodine passing right behind him after being sent flying by Dai's renewed strength. Marm was pushed a few meters in the opposite direction, as she was attacking Dai from behind, while Leona remained at her position because of the distance she maintained.
Dai had decided to use the signature spell of a Hero. However, its strength was far beyond what a human could achieve without exhausting himself. Unfortunately, he was a Dragon Knight, and prior to the chanting of the spell, he focused his Dragonic Aura inside his body, and the let it explode as he simultaneously chanted the spell. The sudden burst of energy cleared his head and energized his body, which allowed him to approach Leona easily, who was about to become the first victim of the Dragon Knight's renewed power and rage.
"If I remember right, you were the first to insult my Masters… Now you'll pay" Dai muttered with an imposing presence, as if he was saving his anger to release it with his next strike. Por got distracted by Marm, Hyunkel and Crocodine's collapse, and would not be able to make it in time. "HIMEEEEEEEEEEEEE!".
Dai readied for the strike, and his Dragon Crest radiated the most in what had passed of the day. He was going to stab her heart with his right hand, simulating a blade with it. Leona couldn't even feel fear. She only felt regret and sorrow. "You are finished…" said the Dragon Knight before dropping his hand towards her chest. Leona could only mutter "… Dai-kun… I love…" before she was pierced by his arm …
… Or so she would have been, but something happened… Dai's left fist buried itself into his own left cheek. You fool… What do you think you are doing? Isn't she "The One that's most important to you"? Dai heard those words ring inside his head, not on his ears. The same fist that attacked him glowed for the instant it hit him, but it was clear that for a second it concentrated a great portion of his Dragonic Aura, enough to pierce his defense. The surprises he had experienced today had been completely surpassed with this event. He was too shocked to even try to figure out what, or why it happened. However, everyone understood what had happened, as Leona narrated the details of the first stage Dai and Vearn's fight. Baran's spirit was still with his son, and decided that it was necessary to reprimand his idiotic child.
"… Do you get it now?" Pop asked to a dumbfounded Larhalt. "Baran wasn't just your master… he was also your father… unfortunately, he is no longer with us, so… as the big brother, it's your duty to reprimand Dai" Pop finally declared. And then it hit Larhalt. Larhalt finally understood his duty as the "Big Brother", and decided that his first job was to protect his future "sister in law". But before that, he had something to do. From the remains of his weapon from the war three years ago, Nova, with Lon Berk's assistance, created a new Magic Armor Spear, which was now held tightly with his right hand. "AAAAAAAAAAMUUUUUUUUUDOOOOOOOO!" screamed Larhalt before his revived armor protected him once more. The end of every part was golden colored, while the rest itself kept its silver/cerulean color. Additional parts had been integrated, but had been made of a material as flexible a chainmail. The thighs and the waist were now covered. The prongs of the spear, which coupled with the blade formed a cross, were also golden. "Thanks for the lecture" said the Land Warrior to the Daimadoushi, without even looking back at him. Before Pop could speak, the Dragon Rider disappeared, only to reappear in front of his Master - NO, before his brother.
Dai was taken slightly aback when Larhalt "teleported" in front of him. Once he could process the information, he reached a conclusion. I've already been infected. I'm fighting it, but time is running out… I HAVE TO DESTROY THEM. Both fighters tensed their muscles, and more importantly, sharpened their senses. He is fast. The two thought the same, and therefore, new that speed, agility, and mind sharpness would decide the outcome. Now he seems much more focused thought Dai while facing his subject. "Time for a test and a lesson" said Larhalt. Dai made the first move, with a rolling kick to drop Larhalt to the floor. However, the later simply lifted his right foot, then put it on the ground, lifted his left foot, and also put it on the ground. Dai followed with a uppercut with his right fist. Larhalt bent backwards jumped, and did a rolling kick with his left leg towards the Dragon Knight head, which the latter dodged by ducking. They continued fighting at a speed beyond the imaginable. They were on a different dimension. Their senses were at full throttle, sensing their opponent's attacks not only with sight, but with hearing, and also touch, by feeling the vibrations in the air. Unlike his companions, Larhalt dodged not only the blows, but the shockwaves.
Dino… no, Dai-sama. I'm happy that you have grown so much in this time. However… "…it's time to wake up" Larhalt accelerated by his last notch available, and concentrated his limited Touki into his spear. The two prongs and the blade became one because of the Touki blade that got generated. The raised his spear, and attacked. However, he held back for a fraction of a second, before executing his technique. "HAKEEEN… DISTAAAL…" shouted Larhalt. Right after the shockwave which raised a big cloud of dust, he stepped backwards, grabbed Leona, and regrouped with his party. Now, everyone was together, and Pop took the chance to heal everyone. "Behomazun", a healing spell which heals the whole party completely… Lon Berk, Nova, Merle, Chiu and Brass remained distant form the fight, while the "Hero's Party" had finally become complete.
"Sorry guys, but I'm gonna make him pay" said Hym, who was now in perfect condition, ready to fight. As Hym said this, the smoke cleared, revealing tha Dai had a small cut on his left arm. Superficial at most, but at least everyone knew that they could face him.
"Okay guys, get ready. He is not finished, and he is coming for blood" Pop said before giving instructions. "Larhalt, you'll be our vanguard, as you are the only one who can move faster than Dai. Hyukel, Hym, you'll cover him; whenever he gives you guys an opening, you hit and run with strong strikes". With those indications, the three formed a triangle with Larhalt at front. "Who would've thought we would fight together like this" said Hym to his partners. "Hyunkel, I don't know what happened before, but if my Haken Distal managed to injure Dai-sama, then your Avan Cross Scryed should do better. The same can be said about that Aura Knuckle of yours Hym" continued Larhalt. "We'll have to find out during the fight" replied Hyunkel.
"Ossan, Marm, with your respective reach and speed, you'll take care of the second line. Marm, you'll also have to heal Larhalt, Hyunkel and Hym with swift spells, preferably Hoimi, Behoimi at most. If the spells don't seem to work, don't worry, the Dragonic Aura invaded their bodies, but it will only delay the spells. Ossan, you better use your Axe to deal spells, and save your Juuou Geki whenever he lowers his guard". After Pop gave the orders, Marm and Crocodine nodded in approval, and stepped forward
"Leona-hime and I will deal with spells of all type in the third line. We'll also block his spells. Hime, make use of your Magic Whip and I'll use my new Chaos Rod to attack from distance, and also give him a little surprise. DID YOU ALL GET YOUR INSTRUCTIONS?"
"YES!" everyone replied. Despite the sorrow that stirred within them by having to face "their Dai", they all held a smile, because they were together.
"I finally understand… you all are proof of the glory of the Gods" said Dai with the same calm, but overbearing and overwhelming voice, after finally calming down. "What do you mean Dai-kun?" Leona asked after hearing Dai's words. "Simple. Even I'm aware of the fact that the Gods are not the most powerful beings in the three realms. But nevertheless, they created life in them… life of which some individuals have come out, and who are capable of destroying the Gods. That's what I was taught. But do you even understand why?"
Such question came many times to each member of the party, but none could find a solution… ever. "It's simple… they wanted to create something which could surpass them, and therefore, they spent, not just their power, but a part of themselves to create a life form capable of evolving beyond their creators. That's was also the reason for them to create so many specimens, and such large population". So far, Dai's argument seemed sound and logical. Then, he continued. "Let's take you and your dear Dai as example. You were all weak, but managed to defeat Vearn, and more importantly, you managed to unite the whole world towards a common objective. Clearly, in numbers, as long as managed correctly, you can find much more power than the sum of the parts… However, let me tell you something. No matter how much you exploit your potential, no matter how much you multiply your abilities, you can't defeat my power. Not because its power itself, but because, instead of being mindless destruction, it serves a higher purpose… Truth and Balance" These last words held some anger, which wasn't missed by the opposing party.
"STOP THAT RUBBISH, AND GET READY, AS WE'LL KICK YOUR ASS!" yelled Leona, words which brought a smile to each of her friends.
"… You are a princess, right? Well, just for you to know…" Dai said with a stoic face. Everyone got a little curious about what he was going to say. "… That's not very princess-like". With that, Leona let one tear fall from her eye, before smiling radiantly, while remembering that Dai said the same words three years ago, while fighting Vearn. "Dai-kun… you should get ready, because I'm coming for you…" answered Leona to Dai's off-topic comment.
"… actually, now that I've brought it to the conversation, let's talk about Vearn. He surpassed the Gods all by himself, showing that he was a pinnacle in evolution. However, he only bested them in mindless power, not true strength. The Black Core, his Kigan, they were all weapons used to harm others. However, tools themselves are not evil…" Dai commented, while assuming a pose very slowly. "… Which is why, I hope you'll understand that what I'm doing is not evil" finished the Dragon Boy before taking a stance that everyone recognized, with the legs separated, his left arm raised, and the right one lowered by the hip's height.
"Te… Tenchi… Matou?" said Pop as fear filled his face.
