Heroic New Era: New Beginnings
Chapter 11: Demons Arise
"I'm going to need you to repeat that for me, Magina…" Siege said as the OSA Golden Blaze was mobilizing to another universe, with a screen linking to Magina. "We're helping a world filled by demons?"
"Precisely, and solely Demons. But they aren't in the sense of what you would call Demons considering their views. There's two sides down there. One led by Great Overlord Zeabolos, who is actually a very justice based Demon Overlord, while the other is led by Void Dark, a demon solely on the path of conquest. You should hurry, I sense there are many powerful allies we can acquire from them, if Great Overlord Zeabolos spares a few." Magina said.
"Zeabolos…" Richard remarked back. "Heh, so the bastard did make it through all of that trouble with his giant problem… and decided to expand his reach. I bet that many Overlords are going to be cowed at how infamous he would be. He would make a good ally for sure."
"That's fairly ironic, you know." Magina responded back. "Because believe it or not… in the old universe… he was your very first true ally."
Richard fell silent at that, as there were signs of surprise on his face.
"You're acquainted with Zeabolos, Richard?" Siege asked.
"Not personally, no." Richard shook his head, shaking the surprise of his face. "You see, Zeabolos is a very powerful Overlord. He literally can cleave Netherworlds to pieces when he takes things seriously. Unfortunately, he was piled with an equally powerful problem that actually deprived him of most of his power, a God of Destruction. Trillion was its name, and boy… was it trouble. Devoured countless Netherworlds, heavens, and even mortal realms. It took a contract with a enigmatic girl called Faust, and her fellow Overlords to beat that thing to oblivion. But in it all, they all got stronger and much more… mature for some of them."
"Jeez… sounds rough." Siege winced at the tale. "Regardless if this world is in need of our aid, this 'Void Dark' sounds rather interesting to deal with. I suppose no more pulling punches anymore. Richard, we're deploying for this one. I suggest you assemble some of your strongest people from your side. I'll speak with Rutega, as well as Weiss, Blake, Yang, Reisen, and Sienna. We can't head into this world underprepared from the sound of things."
"I would not recommend the spatial vehicles for transport. Instead, use the teleportation system installed in the Golden Blaze for this transport. I'm certain there are those capable in the ranks of piloting the Golden Blaze, or putting it on Auto-Pilot at least." Magina mused.
"Noted, and noted." Richard remarked with a thin smile on his lips. "As for me, the original four should be enough. Gus can take a blow well, even if its from planetary power-houses… and I don't think Kaguya and Mokou are going to take 'no' for an answer, if it's a real war. They did grow attached to us quite a lot through the years. I'd bring more… but for now, let's leave the others as reserve in case. A hidden card in your hand… so to speak."
"We've got plenty of hidden cards ready to go if need be. Alright, we have the forces in mind ready, so let's head down." Siege declared, as they soon gathered said forces and teleported down to the Netherworld, finding themselves in a forest-like area, which seemed to be abundant with mushrooms.
Upon arrival, they suddenly saw a panicked yellow penguin-like creature running, with something in hand.
"Eh? What is that?" Siege asked as he saw the creature running, not paying attention whatsoever as it bumped into Siege. "Oofh! Pardon me."
"Gyah!" The yellow creature exclaimed, as she almost dropped the item in her hand, which was a plate of steaming curry that smells appetising. "Eep! Sorry, I didn't mean to bump into you! Please, just let me go, I need to hand curry over to my master!"
"Curry?" Kaguya remarked, before she then took a whiff of it, as her face lit up instantly with bliss. "Ah… That is the most delicious curry that I have ever smelt. It's basically heaven on a plate. No wait… Not the time to drool over food. Don't worry, we're not angry. Just move along."
Suddenly, the group heard a female's voice yelling in the distance. "I swear to Zeabolos if I find that bastard who stole the curry, that Yellow Prinny I- HEY! I SEE IT!" Yelled the female's voice, as sparks of lightning could be seen from afar.
"T-Thank you!" The yellow creature remarked, as she sprinted away, opposite of the direction of the voice.
"What the… was that…" Richard remarked, recognising the voice.
Suddenly, as soon as he recognized it, a red blur tackled straight into Richard, as they were sent tumbling across the ground.
"Oh boy…" chuckled Yang. "I would guess what her name is but I'll let her explain…"
Just as Richard was recovering from the initial impact, he was slapped hard on his cheek.
"Just who do you think you are!? Planting yourself in an Overlord's way!" The woman yelled as she had long black hair with red streaks on the end, silver eyes, wearing what appeared to be regal red clothing complete with a cape and some rose designs here and there, with a scythe and sword on her back. "Ah, no matter, out of my way! I have to find that Yellow Prinny before she- THERE!" The woman yelled before planting a boot on Richard's face and using him as a launch pad as lightning sparked again, dashing after the prinny in lightning and rose petals.
"Richard!" Kaguya remarked, as she caught Richard, and pushed him back up on his feet, before glaring towards the direction the Overlord went. "Okay, she's asking for a beating if she thinks she can-"
"Kaguya! It's fine." Richard responded back, groaning slightly, as he rubbed where the boot hit his face. "Well, I suppose that this is a Ruby that neither of us expected, Yang? She's a real fire-cracker, so much that I almost mistook her as your splitting image in a different body."
"Yeah, she gets that from being related to me back home so that's not too much of a surprise. If she's on a goal she'll get everyone out of the way… but just wait, if she's anything like the Ruby I know she'll come back and apologize, kneeling at your feet." Yang smirked.
"I GOT HER!" The voice of the ecstatic Ruby called out as the now squirming Yellow Prinny was in her hands. "Phew! I actually should thank you all! Had you not stopped her for a moment I would have never found he-" She began, before seeing her boot print on Richard's face and got wide eyes. "OH MY GOSH! Did I do that!? I'm so so so so so so sorry! I-I'll make it up to you, here, someone hold this Prinny while I get first aid!"
"Easy, easy!" Richard quickly responded back. "I'm alright. It didn't even hurt that much. I was just surprised, that's all..."
He then muttered under his breath. "Well, at least the norm is established, she's quite bipolar, to go from fiery to cuddly in top speed."
"You sure you're okay?" Ruby asked in concern.
Kaguya merely sighed, and rolled her eyes. "Look, he's made of tougher stuff." Kaguya explained with a stoic expression. "The boot you gave him was far less powerful than anything he had to tank to his face. And you only foot-stooled him firmly, not smash his face to the ground. Still, perhaps you shouldn't go around zipping about without checking your path?"
"Sorry… I was just so focused on the Prinny because it stole some curry we were about to give to Great Overlord Zeabolos. Kind of a long story so I'll summarize. Killia made this SUPER AWESOME curry, that caused a bit of an uproar back in our Pocket Dimension… so Zeabolos finally ceased it and demanded some curry. But this Yellow Prinny stole it! Now I have it, so I can give it to Zeabolos!" Ruby beamed with a smile as she finished explaining.
"Heh, she's determined." Mokou smirked. "I'll give her that and my respect. Well, now that you have your curry back, what do you intend to do now?"
"I'm gonna head back to the Pocket Dimension and give Zeabolos this curry! You guys can come along if you want. I'm sure Zeabolos won't mind. Considering we're in for a fight against Void Dark, we'll honestly need all the help we can get." Ruby said. "Stop struggling, you little Prinny, or I'll chop you to bits!" Ruby growled at the struggling Yellow Prinny.
"Please, master needs this curry badly! If we don't hurry, my master will be in grave danger!" The Prinny exclaimed frantically. "I need curry… I need curry, or my master will…! If we don't feed my master curry soon, we're all going to regret it!"
"...Why didn't you tell us this?" Ruby said, looking at the Prinny. "I'll still need to report this to Zeabolos, to see if you're speaking the truth, but if it really is the truth then we'll help you. Would one of you hold this Prinny for a moment while I go speak with Zeabolos?" Ruby asked.
"Please let me." Kaguya stated, as she spread her arms out for Ruby to put the Prinny inside of.
Ruby promptly did so before she dashed off to a portal opening to the Pocket Dimension. A few moments later, and Ruby came out with Killia at her side.
"Zeabolos thinks you're being truthful. If you are, then lead the way." Ruby said to the Prinny. "But this better be pertinent to your master's mental condition or something akin to that, or you will face consequences for causing this ruckus for nothing." Ruby threatened the Prinny.
"Thank you, thank you!" The Prinny stated. "I promise on my master's honour that I'm not lying at all!"
"Don't worry, we'll be keeping a watch for any surprises… Wouldn't you want to lose that curry that your master requires, do you?" Mokou told the Prinny.
Richard then noticed Killia, as the two of them shared a silent stare at each other, before they both broke away.
"Let's go." Richard stated, as the group traversed through the Netherworld.
As they proceeded through the Netherworld, they encountered the Lost vanguard, which spotted them quickly.
"It's the yellow Prinny! And some unknown demons, as well as two members of Zeabolos' Army!" One of the slimes in its ranks.
"Surrender the yellow Prinny, and the resistance members… and the rest of you will be spared." Another slime ordered.
Kaguya and Mokou shared a dry look, while Gus reached for his weapon, Richard scoffed slightly, and Killia and Ruby immediately adopted a battle stance.
Siege, on the other hand, simply scoffed as well, as he looked to Weiss, Blake, and Yang. "You three got this?"
"Undoubtedly." Weiss said, summoning a glyph quickly as she froze the entire Lost regiment in front of them.
"Let's blow 'em to bits!" Yang smirked.
"You read my mind." Blake answered as she loaded Fire Dust rounds into Gambol Shroud, while Yang loaded up explosive rounds, as a few shots obliterated the Lost regiment to nothing more than ice shards.
"There. Done." Yang smirked.
"Well, that's a problem averted." Kaguya nodded. "Good job, girls, you saved us a lot of trouble with these… one-tracked annoyances."
"Whoooooooaaaaa!" Ruby exclaimed as she watched the display. "That. Was. So. AWESOME! You three are like, the best!"
"Heh, I guess you could call us that." Yang smirked as Weiss rolled her eyes with a small smile.
"Okay, enough ogling over displays of strength. Though, I don't know if I consider that a display of strength, much less clearing a minor annoyance…" Siege deadpanned. "Regardless, onward!"
"Heh, come on, let them have this one with Ruby. If it impresses the Overlord, all the better." Richard chuckled slightly.
The group continued to advance, as the sounds of battle grew louder as they walked towards it, until they reached the area where the battle occurred.
The yellow Prinny reacted to the scene of the battle, as she stepped forward. "Ah! That's my master over there, plip!" She remarked, pointing a flipper towards what seemed to be a girl in a yellow fluffy jacket, and a pair of large yellow rabbit ears with red glowing marking on the front-side, short yellow hair, and glowing solid red eyes, as she seemed to be fighting the nearby Lost forces, fighting like a feral beast on all fours, firing vaporising beasts from her mouth all over the place.
"That's your master?" Rutega asked. "Why is she acting like a complete beast?"
"Huh. She seems very in touch with her inner feral self. Unlike Reisen and myself." Weiss said as her Lynx tail swished a little bit as she mused.
"No, you've got it all wrong, plip!" The yellow Prinny remarked. "My master is a very cute and calm girl! But a Demon General cast a spell on her, so now if she runs out of curry, she turns into a beast like that, plip!"
"Well, she's not wrong. That ain't natural." Mokou responded back. "Only way we're fixing this, is if we shove that curry in her maw, even if we have to break a few teeth doing that."
"That can be handled." Richard responded back, as he swiped his hand, as a dome of sukimas appeared around the Prinny's master, entrapping her, as well as ensuring that the Lost cannot get to her. "There, now she can't harm us, since her attacks will be absorbed. It'll take a lot of energy to sustain this lattice of sukimas… But honestly, I doubt I need all my strength to take care of the Lost. And besides, I have you guys. So Siege, how about you one-up what Yang and her pals did. Go nuts, she's protected from whatever you might do."
"Alright then. HEY! ASSHOLES! ABOUT FACE OVER HERE!" Siege yelled at the Lost.
The Lost soon turned to him, as Siege drew his blade, Dyrnwyn. "You want some!? You want a fight!? How about you come after me?" Siege taunted.
The Lost soon roared as they rushed at Siege, as he raised Dyrnwyn high into the air. "EAT THIS! CRATER OF LIGHT!" Siege yelled as he slammed Dyrnwyn down into the ground, as blinding light encapsuled the entire Lost Army, before it all exploded into pillars of harmful light, evaporating the Lost force to nothingness.
Richard merely whistled in approval. "Record time, baby." Richard smirked, before he then dispelled the sukima lattice. "Mokou, if you will."
"Sorry, penguin, but I'm going to have to man-handle your master for a bit." Mokou remarked, as she cracked her knuckles and neck slightly, before she then transformed into a form that surprised Kaguya, Gus and Richard, as the tips of her white hair turned red, and a pair of powerful red feathered wings flowed from her back, her hands and fore-arm turned black and her fingers grew claws, and a aura of fire appeared around her. "Now then, let's get this done quick."
With a burst of flames, she rushed towards the berserk girl, before grappling her by the shoulders, and forcing her down belly-first, as the restrained girl tried to struggle out of Mokou's grip, only to find that her efforts did nothing to faze Mokou at all, as she simply nodded to the Prinny, as a gesture for her to quickly feed her master the curry.
"Sorry, master, plip…" The Prinny stated, as she scooped up the curry with the spoon inside of it. "But I won't let you stay like this forever!"
The Prinny fed her master the curry, as the latter stopped struggling. Mokou took this as a sign to release her, just in time for the Prinny's master to jump into the air, as she transformed back to normal with a mighty aerial explosion, as the red on her ears turned white, and her eyes were just red on the iris, rather than just solid glowing red.
"Huh!? Aaaahh! Th-This taste!" The girl remarked with pure joy in her voice. "The various spices from a complicated mix, but the fragrant Eryngia Oil in it is giving it a luxurious aroma, plip! It has a collaboration of smells. The spices and oil heighten each other. It's mightier than a Gigantis' pounding footsteps, plip!"
She then dropped down onto the ground, before she could continue describing the enlightening sensation that the curry gave her, as the yellow Prinny rushed over to her, with tears in her eyes in joy.
"Master Usalia!" She declared, before she then conjured a crate to place the curry on, then moving to the side of her master to twirl in joy.
"Special Fire Dragon Curry, Giga Fire Style." Killia stated, stepping forward. "I held back on the spiciness so that little kids can also eat it."
"Oh god, just the description makes me want to-" Kaguya remarked, before she then felt drool running down the corner of her lips, and Mokou's laughter, as she blushed slightly. "Oh, shut up, Mokou! Unlike you, I'm more into the most exquisite of tastes! Just smelling this makes me miss our Reisen's cooking."
"'Our' Reisen?" Reisen remarked with a tilted head and confusion on her face.
"Well…" Kaguya answered back. "We have someone like you back where we both lived… And I'm sure that the two of you would become good friends, and not just because you're similar people in many aspects."
"Say, Killia… Did you cook that dish specifically for someone?" Gus asked.
"...That plate was actually going to be Ruby's, which is why she was after it so badly." Killia responded back. "Don't worry, I brought a pot of it with me, just in case that plate was lost."
"Did Zeabolos get to try any though? That was the reason I was trying to grab my plate anyways!" Ruby turned and said to Killia.
"...You seem to be quite concerned for him, considering that you met him not too long ago." Killia answered back. "Yes, I left a plate for him, since he requested it. The yellow Prinny took the second plate, that was for you. I do believe he's enjoying it as we speak."
"Phew…" Ruby said with relief. "And of course I'm concerned for him! He's going up against one of the most powerful beings in these Netherworlds, Void Dark! You saw what happened to the Remnant Netherworld, Killia! He wiped it out, you found me only because… because… well I was the only survivor…" Ruby said solemnly on the end of her statement.
'She lost her home too!?' Yang thought as she heard this.
"Killia, care to explain?" Richard asked, with a frown on his face, although he had no hostility on his face, nor any judgemental looks.
"...It is a long story, a while before I even met Zeabolos." Killia answered back. "...I was wandering worlds back then, looking for Void Dark. I met Ruby on the world she talked about, and I have fought the Lost there. From then on, we travelled together, as she was insistent on coming with me… I lost count of the times she tried to persuade me, as she kept me company while I prepared for the next trip. Eventually, I allowed her to come… because she reminds me of something I lost a long time ago."
Richard looked towards Ruby for a moment, as he nodded gently. "...I can see what you mean." He nodded.
"Yeah but it took me nearly dying in order to finally get you to take me along! You walked right into a Lost Ambush! Who took all those blows for you? I did! And then you finally let me come! What, do you need someone to put themselves on the line for you before you'll bring them along?" Ruby asked with a small tick mark. "Jeez, tell the story right!"
Killia merely sighed. "What she says is true." He relented. "I do not intend to let that happen again. Especially not with someone like this girl here."
"That's… quite noble of you." Gus responded back. "You are far more generous than most people I've met."
Killia let out a light 'hmph' in response.
"In any regards, are we finished here?" Siege asked, when suddenly he saw something concerning. "...Hold it… Richard… in the distance…!" Siege exclaimed, pointing to figures approaching the group.
They appeared to be corrupted versions of Duel Monsters. Celtic Guardian, Giant Soldier of Stone, and leading them was Chaos Sorcerer.
"...Holy shit…" Siege cursed as he saw them. "I need to contact Magina on this, approach them with caution!"
"Whatever these freaks are I'll hold the line!" Rutega yelled as she roared, transforming into Super Saiyan God form. "Alright assholes, come get some!"
"Let the pros handle this." Kaguya remarked, as Mokou and Gus stepped up as well, while Kaguya drew her naginata for battle. "So, Duel Monsters eh… This is going to be quite interesting to say the least… Hey, Killia, want to help us out with this one? You owe it after your pal helped do a part of the work here."
"Fine. I suppose that it's what I owe." Killia stated, as he stepped up, adopting a combat stance as well.
The Celtic Guardian would attack first, rushing straight at Killia to swing its blade rapidly, as Killia parried the attack with his own fist, before firing off a power blast with the other, knocking the Guardian back. The blast seemed to affect Celtic Guardian quite a lot, already seemingly near defeat. Killia noticed it, as he rushed it down, as he slowly punched through its guard, before firing off a fire blast with his fist that defeated the Duel Monster.
As for the Giant Soldier of Stone, Mokou, Gus, and Kaguya were able to quickly dispatch the stone warrior by smashing it to bits. The Chaos Sorcerer was nowhere near Rutega's level of power, as it was obliterated by her quickly.
"Humph. That was way too easy." Rutega said.
"Might have been but Magina suggests we keep our eyes out for more of those. Just in case… Apologies, Killia, we didn't expect any outside problems causing us some more issues." Siege apologized.
"It is to be expected." Killia answered back. "I have no reason to bear any grudge regarding it."
"Okay. Now we're done here." Siege remarked. "Shall we head to Zeabolos' Pocket Dimension then?" Siege would ask.
"...Follow us." Killia stated, as the portal to the Pocket Netherworld appeared before them, as they entered through it, followed by the others, as they found themselves in a furnished realm that was neatly turned into a home-base.
"Hm. Homey." Siege mused as he looked around.
"Agreed." Richard added, before he then noticed Zeabolos come down and meet them, followed by a band of demons. "And look who's here to greet us."
"And I'm to assume you are Great Overlord Zeabolos?" Siege asked Zeabolos as he approached them. "We are on assignment here by the name of someone who seems to have remembrance of you. Lady Magina, does it ring a bell?"
"Lady Magina…" Zeabolos pondered, before he then nodded back. "Indeed, I do. I assume that you're friends with her then. She is one of the first few who made contact with me, after the Trillion incident. She promised me an alliance, which I took."
"My it's been so long after the fact I had thought you had forgotten!" Magina's voice soon rang out as the master Magician appeared into the area.
"Lady Magina? Aren't you-" Siege was about to ask.
"Oh come now there are others who can take my place. I left Marcus, the Quintet Magician to take my place in running things over at the O.I.M." Magina said. "After all, he is nearly equal to myself in strength. Should something go wrong I don't expect him to fail me."
"So are you here for that Duel Monster incident we faced?" Rutega asked.
"Indeed. My goal here is to intend to study them. See if I can locate a central master or duelist perhaps, bringing chaos to here and making this a pain in our side." Magina said, before turning to Zeabolos. "Plus it does seem like Zeabolos and I have much to catch up on! Considering he's built such a formidable army without my help."
"Well, in any case shouldn't our main focus be helping Zeabolos now?" Yang asked.
"As I said, we do need all the help we can get in dealing with Void Dark." Ruby said to Yang's question.
"Apologies for getting off track with things here, Zeabolos. We just didn't expect Lady Magina to appear in person to help us." Siege admitted.
"I do not mind at all, as you have told me, Magina…" Zeabolos smiled. "...I say the same to you, I can tell that these people that are chosen by you are powerful indeed, and still have potential to grow further. But I have digressed from the main idea. It seems that we are working together on the same goal of putting down Void Dark's tyranny. How about I introduce you to a few people that I have met along the way?"
"Actually, that would be… Wait, Zeabolos, aren't your Overlords supposed to stand by your side?" Magina stated, remembering the topic.
"...I left them to guard the Underworld, so that Void Dark does not get any ideas of invading it in my absence." Zeabolos answered back. "And to ensure that Elma is not left unguarded. She is not ready to take the responsibility of a Overlord for now, although she is growing."
"Well, perhaps I can help with that. If it's the Underworld you're concerned with, I can dispatch some of my elite magicians as temporary guards for the Underworld to keep Elma safe. I assure you that you will not be disappointed with the ones I have in mind. They are an incredible batch of magic users, and even have the power to banish any opponent before them, or manipulate their minds to their will." Magina suggested. "That way, the Overlords you have stationed down there will be able to join us for the fight against Void Dark, to give us an extra hand."
"...Your concern is noted. Magina." Zeabolos stated. "But I need no more reinforcements. Call it folly if you may… But as it is, the Lost are not worthy of being taken seriously. The Demon Generals are the only people worth noting. All others… are but arrogant rabble."
"Oh quite true. I've seen their power first hand be whittled away by Siege in mere seconds." Magina explained. "But I do say… what is holding Elma from becoming an Overlord? Age? Lack of skill? Lack of experience? I can help in two of those areas but age I cannot." Magina mused as she looked at Zeabolos curiously.
"Age matters not for a Overlord." Zeabolos responded back. "And after all she… we've been through, she would have qualified as a proper Overlord. But yes, there is something she lacks that isn't so simply solved with the wave of a hand… It's the burden of being a Overlord, after what happened to the previous holder."
"...Astaroth…" Magina stated, as her expression saddened greatly. "...I see what you mean. To lose her father like that, and be given the same title that he once had. It must have weighed upon her heart."
"It has. But there is a way that you can help her." Zeabolos stated, before eyeing Richard and Siege. "The both of you… what are your names?"
"Siege Sukui." Siege answered back.
"Richard Liu." Richard did the same.
"Magina thinks highly of you both, if she considers you leaders. After this all ends… My only request from you both is that you take her on as one of your members." Zeabolos responded back. "She needs to be reminded that there are others who can connect to her at a spiritual level, and help her overcome her grief and regret. Because you both are powerful and trustworthy, I can feel safe leaving her in your hands."
"...You have our word, Great Overlord." Richard answered back with a tip of his head.
"We'll take her in as one of our own." Siege said with a nod and smile. "Now then, back to the current task at hand, shall we?"
"Indeed. We must continue our trek through Netherworlds to get their allegiance. With Usalia here with us, no doubt Toto Bunny is now on our list of allied Netherworlds. So where next?" Magina would ask.
"Icic-Hell… A Netherworld where even hellfire freezes in an instant." Zeabolos responded back. "I have intel that there is a Demon General within the forces there. If we can kill, or at least subdue them… The Lost will have lost one of their major advantages in this war."
As Zeabolos detailed about the entire situation on Icic-Hell, Mokou found herself being approached by a burly red-skinned horned demon with long red flaming hair, furred arm-binders, a large necklace of brown spherical jewels, and red bushy eye-brows. She turned to face him, as the demon seemed to be quite interested from the look on his face.
"Something the matter?" Mokou asked the demon.
"You're the lady that super pinned that girl while she was running berserk?" The demon remarked with a wild voice. "I SUPER respect you for how super strong you are! I can tell that you aren't no simple mook! I can even feel that you're like me: we're SUPER burning up inside!"
"Heh, that's one way to put it. And a big pair of lungs you got there." Mokou stated. "What's your name, pal?"
"Red Magnus, SUPER Overlord of Scorching Flame!" Red Magnus boasted, before putting a large hand out. "Nice to meet you!"
Mokou eyed the hand, before she then shook it firmly, as they were both intrigued by each other's strength in the hand-shaking.
Weiss then found herself approached by another one of the demons that came down with Zeabolos, as she was a demon girl dressed in a flamboyant manner, with pink hair tied into a ponytail by a black bow, and purple eyes.
"Oh? And you are?" Weiss asked as she looked at the girl. "You seem to be a lady of elegance. I already respect that."
"Ohoho, finally, someone can respect my beauty and elegance around here!" The demoness remarked with a haughty tone, before she then toned her voice down. "But in any case, I simply found that you are not too different. In fact, I daresay that you would be a very potent rival to me, when it comes to winning the hearts of men over. And you even have the look of one in wealth, I'm surprised for the first time in quite a while."
"Well, I am wealthy, although for a time I was wealthy but not happy. Forced to run a fighting tournament that claimed multiple lives. Against my will, might I add." Weiss admitted with a solemn tone.
"Oh? Is that so?" The demoness remarked, as the smile on her face faded. "...That's quite forthcoming of you. So your wealth is blood money to you then? Hm… I cannot imagine what that would be like."
"...You don't seem like someone who actually fought much in her life." Weiss retorted back.
"...You can tell, can't you." The demoness answered back, as her expression drooped slightly with sympathy. "I may be haughty, I may be arrogant, but I know when there are topics that I shouldn't tread upon. After all, an Overlord needs to learn some decorum and courtesy after all to live their own lives. So… are you happy with your life now, if you shed your bloody past-time off?"
"...Indeed I am." Weiss said. "I'm happy that the shackles binding me to that blood sport have whittled away to crumbling rust. I'm now free to forge the path that I want. If that means stopping more evil in this world then so be it. My main goal is to ensure everyone has a chance at the life they deserve."
"So that's your resolve then..." The demoness remarked, as her expression trailed into slight melancholy for a moment, before she then shifted it back to normal, as if she caught her current state. "Oh, right, no time to be this dreary. I got a Great Overlord to try and win over. Name's Seraphina, wealthy Overlord of Gorgeous! I'll be watching you and your band of companions!"
"Weiss Schnee, pleased to make your acquaintance Seraphina." Weiss replied with a smile.
While that conversation happened, Rutega soon spotted someone lurking just out of sight, but she smirked as she rushed over and drug him out of his place. "Don't evade it! We gotta get to know you, too!" She smirked as she pulled the person watching from afar out into view.
The figure seemed to be a male demon with large purple pronged horns on the side of his head, with long green hair, and dressed in a black and yellow robe, with glasses over his red eyes. He tried to struggle out of Rutega's grip, only to find that her grip was too strong.
"There is no need for you to know me. I'm merely a tactician in the service of the Great Overlord." The demon spoke firmly, yet also calmly. "My name is of little relevance to you all."
"Ha, the way you talk reminds me of an angel I know." Rutega laughed some. "Come on, don't be so antisocial!"
"Leave the man be, Rutega." Blake said to Rutega. "If he wants his space then give him his space. Besides I'm sure he was reading a good book when you barged in on him."
As the demon heard the word 'angel', his expression perked with slight surprise.
"Angel? I remind you of such a being?" The demon remarked, before shaking his head. "...You must be mistaken. What similarities would I bear to this angel you refer to?"
"Oh, your politeness, your very formal tone… yeah, sounds just like that angel I know!" Rutega chuckled. "But don't think too much of it. Just some simi-"
Rutega was bonked on the head by Blake. "Ow! Hey! What was that for?"
"Again, I'm sure you ripped him away from a good novel. I'm certain he would like to return to it and not be seen as uncomfortable by your talk of angels. Need I remind you we're in a world full of demons?" Blake scolded Rutega.
Rutega blinked for a moment before facepalming. "Oh… right… whoops."
"It is fine. This book of mine… call it a business log. I was just reviewing a few things inside." The demon answered back. "So your Felynn friend isn't entirely right. But next time, could you please speak to me before you try to drag me out?"
"Ehehe… sure. But… I would like to know your name, really I would. I'm Rutega, by the way." Rutega introduced.
"Blake Belladonna, if you're curious." Blake responded.
"...Christo, Overlord of a certain giant Netherworld." Christo answered back, adjusting his glasses.
"Pleasure. If you're ever interested, I'd love to see some of the novels you enjoy reading." Blake said, before pulling out a book she brought along about fantasy tales and walked off to find a place to read it.
As they left, Christo let out a sigh of relief, as if they skimmed over something he was uncomfortable with.
With that interaction done, Siege soon got the attention of his group. "Okay, guys. We can't pull any punches considering the situation Zeabolos just gave us regarding this next Netherworld." Siege said. "We have a Demon General as our target, and we intend to bring them down! Weiss, Reisen, your affinity to the cold should help you in Icic-Hell, and Rutega can join you for a little extra Brute force. I'll leave Richard and Zeabolos to decide who goes with you three."
"Noted." Weiss declared.
"Gotcha!" Rutega smiled.
"I understand." Reisen nodded back.
Before Richard could open his mouth to actually state if there was anyone who was going to help the three out, Usalia then walked over onwards where the three were, as she bowed to the others.
"...Everyone, thank you for everything. I will now be going, plip." Usalia stated, much to the shock of several of the people.
"Why are you so hurried to leave, Usalia? Did anything have to do with that sudden choice?" Zeabolos asked back.
"I am very grateful for your kindness, but as long as I'm around. I'll only cause more trouble for you, plip." Usalia responded back.
"Oh, yeah! You're talking about curry, right? Killia can-" Red Magnus offered, before he was elbowed by Mokou. "What the hey?"
"Not the problem here, Red." Mokou shook her head.
"No, it's not about the curry, plip! I'm being chased by the-" Usalia was about to say, before Kaguya stepped forward, and squished her cheeks firmly. "Muh?"
"I simply can't resist doing this, when you're so adorable yet also miserable." Kaguya smiled. "Don't worry, we can take care of the Lost. If Mokou can keep you in control by herself with no ease, then I'll hack anything that even thinks of trying to get to a cute little bunny like you. So come on, stay with us, what troubles you will be an opportunity for us."
Usalia seemed to have her spirits lifted up by Kaguya's encouraging words, before Kaguya let go of her cheeks, and turned to Reisen.
"Hey, Reisen, she's coming with you." Kaguya remarked, before pointing at Reisen. "I want you to take good care of her, like she's your kin. If anything makes her miserable, put double the effort to plowing them into the ground, even to the extent where they're more than six feet under! Consider this a task I entrust to you in my absence to care for this sweet bun."
"I… That can be done." Reisen remarked, slightly taken aback at how serious Kaguya sounded with her words.
"I suppose that should be it then. Rutega, Reisen, Weiss, and Usalia." Richard answered back.
"If that's the case, then I suppose we should get you moving then." Zeabolos stated, creating the portal to the Netherworld, as the group entered it, finding themselves in an icy world, where the areas looked like they were made of frosting and ice-cream.
"...It is fairly cold here, but it's something that we're comfortable with." Reisen noted. "Rutega, are you fine?"
"Just fine. Training in a Hyperbolic Time Chamber helped with temperatures like this." Rutega said with a smirk. "Usalia? How about you?"
Usalia seemed to be silent, although it looked more like that she was worried, rather than effected from the cold.
"Usalia? What's wrong?" Reisen asked.
"...Are you all not scared, plip? When your enemy is Void Dark, that means ten billion Lost soldiers are out there to get your life. Among them is the Demon General who cast that spell that made me berserk without curry on me." Usalia asked back.
"Ten billion enemies does not matter. I will strike down as many as it takes to ensure that my duty is complete." Reisen answered back firmly.
"Heh. Let me put it to you this way, Usalia. I'll compare the Lost and Void Dark to an army I fought once. Army of this tyrannical alien prick named Frieza." Rutega said. "His minions numbered about… 100 million I'd say, maybe even 1 billion. I wiped all of those guys out with ease, and Frieza? Pfft. It's like he was an annoying mosquito just waiting to be swat."
"That's a rather impressive feat." Weiss said to Rutega. "As I recall your father said he had to go Super Saiyan to beat Frieza."
"I didn't though~!" Rutega winked. "In other words, you have nothing to fear, Usalia!"
"...You are all so strong. I don't have that kind of strength…" Usalia stated. "That's why my parents… were killed by the Demon General, and my homeworld destroyed. But I still live on in shame… I would have been my father's successor… As the Overlord of Toto Bunny, I should get revenge and take back my homeworld, but… I want to become strong, like you guys. And get revenge for my parents, plip."
"Then you will get strong." Reisen stated, placing a hand on Usalia's head to comfort her.
"Well, if there's one thing Saiyans like me know, it's how to train someone to be stronger." Rutega said with a smile. "You'll get stronger if you stay with us, Usalia!"
"R-Really?" Usalia stated, as the others nodded back.
Before the conversation could progress, Rutega sensed the Lost coming, while Reisen had the same feeling, as they prepared for battle, as the Lost division approached them.
"We've finally found you, Usalia of Toto Bunny." One of the blue imps remarked.
"You guys are with Zeabolos' army, aren't ya? We're been authorised to kill you on sight." One of the gunslingers remarked.
"...Tch. Usalia, stay close to us." Reisen clicked her tongue, as she quickly transformed her hands .
"I think I got an idea, but I'll need Usalia for a bit of extra firepower…" Rutega said. "Usalia! I'm gonna charge up an attack! When I signal you, throw something out there to add a bit of explosive power to my attack, kay?"
"...Okay, plip." Usalia remarked, as she summoned her yellow Prinny mount.
Usalia and Rutega Combo Attack: Wild Exploding Cannon
"WILD…" Rutega yelled as she began charging up green sparking energy.
Usalia immediately fumbled in the pouch of her Prinny mount, before finding a bundle of high-power bombs. She tossed them all at the Lost forces, causing them to look at them in confusion.
"CANNON!" Rutega yelled as the beam fired and collided with the bombs, resulting in a MASSIVE explosion, obliterating the entire Lost force.
"WOOOO! YEAH BABY THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!" Rutega celebrated. "EAT THAT, ASSHOLES!"
Weiss and Reisen sweat dropped at the celebration, as they saw the shocked face of Usalia from what just happened.
"So, Usalia, how did ya like that? Pretty cool, right?" Rutega asked.
Usalia was silent for a moment, before she then nodded back.
"And that, my bunny friend, is the first step in getting you stronger! Relying on friends to help you get stronger is one of the key steps to it! Your high powered bombs gave my attack enough power to WIPE those Lost idiots to bits!" Rutega laughed.
"A rather impressive display… the beam empowered Usalia's bombs to give them devastating effects…" Weiss mused.
"Interesting… It almost works on the same synergy between us, Weiss." Reisen agreed.
As they continued on the area, Rutega sensed a very strong presence, as she became alert, as it caused Weiss and Reisen to back up, as they moved Usalia behind them. And then with a puff of purple smoke, a short girl with purple twin-tails with skull hair-pins, pink eyes, and dressed in a orange bra, black shorts and brown boots. As soon as her and Usalia's eyes met, Usalia stiffened up, while the girl's eyes narrowed with a malicious smirk on them.
"I finally found you, Princess of Toto Bunny." The girl stated. "Huh? And it seems that you have brought some actual people."
"You…!" Usalia remarked, with a snarl on her lips, and eyes filled with rage, as she shoved past Reisen and Weiss. "You killed my mother and father! I will… I'll never forgive you, plip!"
"Hehehe… Well, that's surprising. A kid who used to piss her pants and cry a lot is now trying to challenge me to a fight." The girl answered back mockingly. "Interesting… do you really hate me that much?"
"Do you even need to ask!? Revenge for my mother and father. I'll take it now!" Usalia remarked, as she lifted what seemed to be a large pounding hammer over her head with both hands.
"Hehehe, I can't wait to see that rage-filled face of yours become tainted with a look of devastation." The girl cackled.
"You forget that we are here." Reisen stated icily.
"And what of you then?" The girl retorted back. "I could care less of what you all are. You're all in the way, so you will die."
"...Tch… hehehe… hehehehehe…" Rutega began to chuckle. "Hehehehe… AHAHAHAHA! Don't- Don't make me laugh!"
"Oh? You think that you're a match for me then?" The girl answered back, the smirk disappeared from her lips.
"Yeah… Wait, no, I don't think I'm a match for you." Rutega smirked, before a snarl curled on her lips as her power began to skyrocket, which made those behind her back up.
"What the…!?" Weiss yelled.
"What is this power!?" Reisen remarked, as she caught Usalia who was stumbling back, her earlier rage forgotten.
"I KNOW I'm a match for you… Demon General Majorita" Rutega said to the girl, as her power skyrocketed even further, as she gained a blue Aura, with Lightning striking rapidly, and the Netherworld itself shaking at the seams. "But I was told about all you've done… all the people you killed… all the people you've hurt… thousands… no… millions… I… I… I'LL NEVER FORGIVE YOU!" Rutega yelled as she erupted in an incredibly bright blue light, as the power skyrocketed even above Majorita's level, which was evident with how her face changed into one of shock.
~BGM: Super Saiyan Vegeta Theme Symphonic Metal Cover - FalKKone~
"What… What is this power…!?" Majorita remarked, her earlier arrogance replaced with hostility. "No… NO! You're trying to bluff me with your display. Even if you really are this strong… You don't faze me!"
Majorita then used the extent of her power to conjure up an army of zombified corpses to fight for her, as Weiss and Reisen were surprised at the extent of the undead numbers… Yet Rutega merely smirked in response to the display.
"Oh this is rich. You think your little minions can stop me? You honestly think they can stop a power beyond the level of Gods!?" Rutega laughed. "Oh please! This is too rich!"
In a mere singular one handed ki beam, the numbers that Majorita summoned were wiped to zero in an instant, as Majorita was left stunned.
"If this is all you have then I'm going to be quite disappointed I won't be able to test my new Super Saiyan Blue form on you." Rutega said with a smirk. "Have you yet to comprehend the disadvantage you're at?"
Rutega finally began to walk forward to Majorita, as she walked slowly. "I'll give you a chance. You're just a kid, so I really am against killing you for others here. I can imagine you probably had a better life outside of this… then again this is all assuming you have a better side. Surrender and I'll let you live. If you don't… I won't make any promises."
Majorita was left silent, as she took a few steps, as she was terrified by what she was seeing, before she then clenched her fists.
"R-Rghh…" Majorita stated, as her voice trembled in a attempt to stay collected. "Damn you… You… You think that this… this will be enough… to make me kneel…? I'm not going… not going to…"
Majorita then felt herself collapse, as her own legs gave out, as it came to a surprise to her.
"What… What is this… Why… Why am I… I'm supposed to be a Demon General… And yet… the likes of you… You… You are…" Majorita stated, before she then roared in frustration, before she then teleported herself out of the Netherworld.
"She… She is scared…" Reisen noted, observing the entire situation. "And yet… despite that, she refuses to fold… What could have been so important to her, that she'd rather flee than surrender…?"
"Her own life." Rutega mused as she reverted to normal. "I got the story from her already. Granted, she chose this but considering the fact she doesn't have parents other than the first one she looked to, I can't blame her, really. Bottom line: She's just a kid. Had I went ahead and brought her to near death, she would have been begging for her life."
"How… terrible." Reisen remarked. "Even for someone like her… I do not wish such a thing upon her. For it is evil that creates evil…"
"The only reason she does all this… the only reason she's even opposing us…" Rutega said solemnly. "...She's just a kid trying to live. Trying to survive. Void Dark gave her life. ...We have to show her that it's not the only way for her to truly be alive." Rutega said, before turning to Usalia. "That's why she killed your parents. She despises someone like you, Usalia… because you had parents. You had life… so in her envy she robbed that from you and made you what she was. An orphan."
Usalia was silent, as she had her head bowed, and her fists clenched.
"Usalia… why does your hate of Majorita grow beyond what someone like you should ever have…?" Weiss asked Usalia.
"...Even now, I clearly remember what happened, plip." Usalia stated with a low voice. "My father built Toto Bunny all by himself for demons who don't like to fight. Even though it was a Netherworld. It was a peaceful place. But then Demon General Majorita showed up and everything changed in an instant. My mother and father resisted till the very end, but I wasn't able to run away in time, so Majorita cast a spell on me…"
"...I have a feeling this will pry deep in your inner demons, Usalia…" Reisen stated.
"It doesn't matter… Majorita's spell would turn me into a beast and ultimately kill me, so I had to weigh my life against the fate of my world. Majorita approached my despaired father and told him if he obeyed her for a hundred days, she'd remove the spell." Usalia stated, as her voice become more heated. "My father trusted her and did as she ordered… And he never knew it was a trap… Some of my people did nonstop hard labor, some were told to become suicide bombers in other Netherworlds, and some were just killed for sport. But everyone in my homeworld obeyed for the sake of Toto Bunny's only successor, me. But on the hundredth day… she killed my parents… like a child who have gotten bored of its toys, she killed them and took them apart…!"
Rutega looked down in slight anger, but she had sympathy for both ends.
"Usalia…" Weiss stated with sympathy.
"Obviously, I can't forgive Majorita…" Usalia stated, as tears welled up in her eyes, and her voice cracked with anger and sorrow. "But I hate myself even more than I do for her… If I wasn't dragging them down, my parents wouldn't have been killed…! If I wasn't such a spoiled brat… this would have never happened. Or if I was brave enough to let myself die… Everyone died because of me. They must all hate me in their hearts. So when I'm done getting revenge…"
"I'm gonna put you on hold." Rutega said as she walked up to Usalia. "Because damn my pure heart and seeing both ends of this story that I have sympathy for the both of you. I dunno, maybe because I've seen too many instances like this. Here we are in this scenario. Sure, Majorita can't be forgiven for what she's done… but did you ever stop and think… that she's suffering too? Orphanage is rough. I went for years without my mother and father due to a crafty swordsman's cheap fucking tactics. Orphanage Is rough." Rutega said. "It does things to you that you don't want to do. Anything that can give you release… relief… it's scary but I've been there. I went on a rampage a couple times as a kid. It was at my second I realized it was wrong… but for some, like Majorita, they don't realize it. Anything to get rid of the pain, anything to null the emotional scars… It sucks. I still have a hard time forgiving myself for what I did, just like I can't forgive Majorita for what she's done. I contemplated suicide a couple times, just like I contemplated killing her. But think of this: What do we accomplish by killing someone in pain? They're left for eternity in suffering in their own sorrow. That's why you don't go for the death option. It makes things hell on them. So what is left then? Reform. That's how you approach someone like Majorita. I'm not saying we can do it… but I'm saying it's possible we can help her out of this… so she gets a life she deserves." Rutega finished.
Usalia was left silent, as she turned away.
"That's just how I see this situation, Usalia. Take that information as you will." Rutega added on, seeing Usalia turn away. "I'm not asking you to side with my views. I'm asking you to simply consider it from someone who's been there."
"I…" Usalia started, before she fell silent again. "I'll… I'll listen to those words."
"...Usalia." Reisen stated, as she walked towards Usalia with a stony expression on her face. "Did you mean everything that you had said?"
"I… I did mean it, all of it, but now that I listened to Rutega… I…" Usalia remarked, before Reisen took a step forward and slapped Usalia's cheek with enough force to stun her. "...Huh?"
"...Do you know why I did that?" Reisen asked firmly, with a strict tone in her voice.
"...Was… Was it because I let myself be consumed by revenge…?" Usalia asked back.
"No, that's wrong. I believe that you are capable of changing from that view… But what you said after your hate of Majorita… Your hate of yourself… and had Rutega not interrupted you… you would have said that you'd gladly die after you're satisfied." Reisen stated coldly. "...Do you even understand what you're asking for, Usalia of Toto Bunny?"
"...I…" Usalia remarked, as her voice was shaky.
"You might have seen death before you, I do not doubt that Majorita showed it to you many times. But you don't understand the true terror of death, or what it does to someone." Reisen continued, her eyes locked in a glare. "Do you think that it's brave to die for something that's not your own? It may seem like that to those who are naive… but in the eyes of people who knows what death is truly like… it is the most disgraceful act of cowardice… because dying means throwing everything that is you away. Your loved ones, your duty and purpose, even your emotions. Once you die, it is only by the memories of those who know and cherish you that sustain your existence. Otherwise… you die forgotten, living a pointless life from start to end."
"...But I…." Usalia answered back, as she was in disbelief.
"Your people and your parents died for you. Do you think that this life they protected means so little to you? This hate to yourself, is needless." Reisen responded back. "I will tell you this from the deepest recesses of my heart… you are far more fortunate than Weiss and I… because there were people who would die for you in order to ensure you live free and happy. Neither of us were given such a hopeful choice. If they truly hated you, then that was still evidence that they still cared for you, because their hate was only born because their love was spurned. But that isn't the case, because from how you sound it… did they ever complain once about their fate? Did any of them state any true hate towards you in their last breaths?"
"...No… No they didn't…" Usalia muttered.
"Then they never hated you to start with. Death is not something you take lightly." Reisen responded back, bowing her head slightly. "You need to understand that even when all seems lost, you still have a hope that you can keep living, a purpose that you can claim as your own. Weiss and I… we killed countless people by our own hands. We were the ones who watched their last moments. Hate, despair, sorrow, fear… we watched it all, until the light faded from their eyes. They died for nothing, an utter disgrace for both the victim and executioner… We killed for nothing, and that made us despair."
"I can affirm Reisen's statement." Weiss said. "It changes you for the worst, seeing multiple people being slaughtered in front of your own eyes… it's as if you see their soul leave their body… the memories… the pain… it changes you… it's made our hearts grow… even if they are scarred beyond incredible belief. Death… is cruel… and for someone as young as you… Death cannot claim you yet. You have such a bright future ahead of you." Weiss said, before affirming the point on her statement by slapping Usalia again. "DON'T WASTE IT!"
Usalia was silenced again by the other slap, although it seemed to have loosened something in her, as tears flowed down her cheeks, slowly stepping towards Reisen and Weiss. Both of them knew what she wanted, as they embraced her firmly, as the young Overlord cried in between them both, sobbing and weeping at everything that she's gone through, as if letting what seemed to be years, if not decades of torment out for once in her life, while Reisen and Weiss comforted her.
"...I'm sorry you had to see this, Rutega." Reisen stated with an apologetic tone. "But it takes a harsh hand to snap one back to reality, especially when they are at the brink of despair, to wish for their own death. I much prefer that she be angry and sad, rather than numbed inside… She is young still, and deserves better than to be shackled with this for the rest of her life."
"Don't worry about it. Dad gave me a scolding before so it wasn't anything new for me to see or experience." Rutega said. "I'm just glad you two are taking care of this now rather than later."
Suddenly, a black figure appeared before them, dressed in dark armour, with a black horned helmet. Rutega immediately sensed the immense power emanating from the individual, as it was powerful in a different way, and made them seem like leagues above what Majorita was. The same feeling was felt by Weiss and Reisen, as their feral instincts caused them to tense up.
"...Stay back, all of you." Rutega demanded as she powered up to Super Saiyan Blue. "Name your intentions." She then directed to the black clothed figure.
"You were the one who forced Majorita to flee from this Netherworld… It may as well, since she is ordered to deal with another Netherworld. However, I cannot simply allow you to run amok, while I am here." The being spoke with a deep male voice. "Now then, perhaps it would be wise to deal with you first. The others will be of no challenge when you are defeated."
"Buddy, you're gonna need to over-take the power of 5 Gods to be able to match me." Rutega said. "It took 5 Gods to beat me in my previous form. I have yet to have a good test of this one just yet… hm… perhaps I could use you as my target practice." Rutega smirked as she powered up more. True, this being was leagues stronger than Majorita… but comparing their power, he was matching Rutega and she hadn't even begun to use 25% of her current strength.
"...So you have reserves to your power then. I suppose that this will not be a fight, but a mutual exchange of blows." The demon remarked with a slightly intrigued tone, before pulling back a fist. "Then allow me to launch mine. Show me what your power achieves."
He then fired off a large ball of black energy at Rutega, which she smirked at, before she simply held it in her hands by catching it, surprising her foe.
"You caught this attack?" The demon remarked. "How did you manage such a feat?"
"Really? Psh. Child's play." Rutega smirked as she tossed the attack into the sky, as it exploded into an orb of black energy. "It's a mere elementary skill of energy manipulation. Let's see if you have any. HAVE SOME OF THIS!"
Rutega began charging up her own signature attack, as she had one arm poised back charging a blue Aura of energy, and the hand in front began charging a red orb. "EAT THIS! AZURE CRIMSON DRAGON BLAST!" She yelled, throwing the red ball of energy forward, as she fired the blue ball of energy as a beam, which empowered the red ball as it began surrounding the blue beam in a spiral pattern.
The demon noticed the empowered attack, as he let out a grunt, and hastily charged up another attack, this one far larger, as he threw it forward to try and clash with Rutega's move. The attacks did collide together, but it only lasted for a second and a half, as the red energy ball consumed the black one, moving at full speed towards the demon, who guarded in an attempt to weather the blast, as the impact sent the demon through the horizon, crashing through several rows of elevated ground, before stopping in a crater.
"Hahaha! For someone who talked like he was tough shit that was easy! That was even my weakest signature attack!" Rutega laughed.
The demon slowly climbed out of the attack, as he quickly flew back, landing before Rutega.
Rutega soon sensed something else as it came to her mind. 'Shit! His power seems like it hasn't dropped, even a bit!'
"...I will admit that you are indeed powerful. For the first time in a while… I have been blown back." He stated. "It is a feat that only a scarce few can claim, but I can tell… that you would have done more… if you intended to kill me. For that mercy, I will step down. Next time we meet… Perhaps we will take this fight more seriously. But until then… continue your path, and one day, you'll fight Demon General Bloodis in a true fight."
Bloodis then disappeared, as the pressure around the area dissipated.
"...He's… gone." Reisen remarked. "So this is another Demon General, far more terrifying… and powerful than another of his ranking…"
"And yet he still isn't as strong as I am. He had to use some of his reserves to withstand my attack… but by using his reserves he showed me roughly 50% of his power. I wasn't even at 25% yet." Rutega analyzed. "In other words, I bet I'm stronger than him."
"Hopefully." Weiss remarked. "Let us hope that he doesn't have any hidden tricks up his sleeves… Opponents with such things are dangerous to face, no matter the power difference."
"Exactly. In the meantime… I think we're done here." Rutega said. "Shall we return to the Pocket Dimension?"
Usalia nodded, as the group returned through the portal that Zeabolos created for them, returning to the Pocket Dimension, where they would plan their next move.