Chapter 14
Deep in the vastness of rural Japan, a lone Raptor climbed to the peak of the tallest mountain. The air was frost bitten, and rain beat his scales, but he persisted under the allure of peace. Peace, something he'd never felt in all his many years of life. All he knew was fighting and war and death and blood. But after this battle, he'd be dead one way or another, and then he'd be at peace.
He had long since left human establishments, so he traveled only wearing his worn armor with his blade strapped to his back. The sky above him crackled with savage anger, as if the thunder god was aware of the Raptor's intentions. It did not matter though. Straw-hat's vanity and pride would blind him to Reptile's potential, and he would pay the price.
Finally, the side of the rocky cliff gave way to a flat peak. The air was thin and cold, and Reptile found great difficulty in breathing. Never the less, he filled his lungs with the bitter wind to use his power of speach. "Lord Raiden," he shouted. "I have traveled for many miles, and days. I challenge you to fight."
The sky crackled with thunder and glowed with lightning, and a deep voice emerged from the heavens with a laugh. "Foolish monster. Why should I fight with a lowly creature such as you."
"You have taken everything from me, I demand a battle to avenge my people," Reptile roared.
"You have no race, no world, no name. You are nothing," cackled the heavens.
Reptile growled. "Then the mighty Lord of Thunder fears nothing?"
The skies spun with a savage burn and cascaded in a swirling vortex of glowing power. Then, in a beam of bright, blinding lightning, Lord Raiden appeared.
Reptile struggled not to cower from the sight. The thunder god stood at seven feet, a full foot over the Raptor when he was at his tallest. His eyes glowed an angry red, and his robes were as dark as a moonless night. Lightning crackled over his muscular form and gave the air a burned, foul smell. His voice was impossibly deep and frightening.
"The Lord of Thunder fears nothing. Foolish Saurians, you will die for your insolence, just like---"
Reptile leapt forward and wrapped his arms around the Raiden's waist. In his hand, he clutched the amulet given to him by Nitara, and he screamed the incantation. A portal suddenly opened and sucked the Raptor and the god in.
Raiden shook the residual dizziness of the trip from his head. "Clever beast," he snapped. "Taking me to Outworld."
"Balancing the field," Reptile hissed as he drew his blade and relinquished his fragile hold on humanity. Raiden produced the katana he carried on his belt.
The Raptor swung his heavy blade. Sparks flew as the steel collided. Reptile pulled back and swung again, and this time Raiden buckled slightly. He attempted to run the thunder god through, but his target disappeared into a beam of light.
Reptile's keen animal senses told him his prey was behind him, and he spun, his blade erect. The tip of steel cut Raiden's chest and drew blood.
The thunder god released a surge of lightning into the Raptor's chest that threw him back. Raiden was upon him in a moment, and lifted Reptile by the throat and hurled him across the battlefield. Reptile snatched his blade from the ground and charged the thunder god. Raiden merely lifted a hand and released lightning that would melt away the Raptor's precious blade. He pushed a clenched fist into Reptile's stomach that sent him to the ground.
"Your skills are impressive. But I am a god. My powers are infinet. How can a mere mortal hope to stand a chance."
Raiden shot a bolt of lightning into the Raptor. Reptile let out a roar of pain.
"You are nothing, just a shadow of a weak race. A creature of a long dead species, too stubborn and stupid to lay down and die."
The lightnening torture stopped, and Reptile lay weakly on the ground. His breathing was slow and forced, and his scales smelled of burnt flesh.
"But I am not completely without mercy," the thunder god said with his deep, booming voice. "I will grant you, a warriors death."
He drew the katana he carried on his belt and slowly made his way to the Raptor. Then, when he stood five feet away, he suddenly dashed forward and Reptile allowed himself a smile.
Hidden between his scales and armor, was the dagger who so many had died for. He drew the blade suddenly and leaned forward. And thought the thunder god tried to stop his advance, momentum claimed his mass. He fell upon the dagger, the cold steel entering his stomach.
"What," Raiden demanded. "How. What happened." He pulled away, but only succeded in opening his wounded gut further. "What is happening?"
Reptile drug the diety to the ground. He climbed ontop of him and pushed the dagger into his chest. The thunder god grabbed two scaly wrists and struggled to keep the tip of the unholy steel from entering his holy omnipotent body. But Reptile leaned all his weight onto the god. Ever so slowly, the blade cut through robes and skin until it passed through the thunder god's body and drove into the ground beneath.
Have no fear, the story will not end here. I will post one more chapter, an epiloge, that will conclude this epic. Its taking a while to work everything out, but have no fear, it will be up shortly. And please leave a review and tell me how you feel.