The fog of war was thick surrounding the devilman commander. The sounds of defeated cries and triumphant roars became background noise, and the sight of splattered blood was merely scenery. Akira carried on with his killing thoughtlessly letting it flow through him like second nature. Meanwhile, there was something much more pressing on his mind, something much more deliberate. He scanned the battlefield knowing the demon's king would not be far from the fight.
On the other side of the war, Zennon did in fact watch diligently, and even more so than that disappointedly. His several eyes landed on the servant beside him. The smaller of the devils sweated profusely, trying not to notice the dreadfully obvious.
"The witch got away…" the king spoke in a sinister tone.
The servant gulped, "W-Well sir, we still have our soldiers tracking them, w-we could still get her and-"
"You let her get away!" Zennon boomed.
The scrawny demon curled inwards, "S-she's not gone yet, we'll get her, I'll make sure of it," he tried to reassure. "At the very least, killing the devilman leader should be much easier now."
"Or that much more difficult, he has nothing valuable with him now," the giant demon released a displeased growl. "Do not waste your time on the girl anymore, I want that little brat wearing Amon's skin dead! I'll kill him myself if I must!" the ruler declared. The second he made the word, every last fleet in the devil's arsenal all took wing at once, and they all had the same target in sight.
Akira had been slashing through more hoards than most for some time, it didn't make much difference to him, knowing he was a much more desirable prize compared to others. It didn't seem to matter what they threw at him; he could just cut through it in pure brawn. However, where their persistence didn't pose a threat to his fighting, it did deduct quite a bit from his outside awareness, so much so that when the unexpected blow came it all but knocked the devilman out of the sky.
He went whirling from a punch that had leaped out from the cover of the other smaller demons. This attack was unlike the others, this was a much higher-ranking devil, and Akira had a strong inkling he knew exactly who it was.
He couldn't see him, knowing he hid behind all those worthless demon soldiers. He was using them as living shields to take cover and strike when Akira could not view him.
The commander closed his fangs and exposed them menacingly, "Show yourself Zennon! Come out and fight me yourself, you coward!"
A rippling cackle roamed above the noise of the chaos to meet at the devilman's ears.
"You truly believe you'll make a difference, don't you?"
Akira couldn't see the demon king, but he knew by his voice he wore a mocking smirk. "Tell me boy, how much do you truly know about the demon you sold your soul to?"
Akira thoughtlessly ripped through all the demons that created a typhoon around him, doing all he could to look past them and see if he could find a sign of his true opponent. The devils were so thick he was hit again, this time feeling Zennon's blunt hoof knock him in the face. The devilman grunted and caught himself from the inertia of the fall as he swooped back upwards.
The smaller demons gave their lives just to distract him, as he continued to peel them back. He would not give them the same attention they desired for there was only one devil that mattered to him here.
"Come out and fight me yourself! Quit hiding behind your lackeys! You call yourself a king!"
Another rumble of laughter sounded, "Oh, you think I'm trying to hide from you? Your mistaken child, I only wish to tell you the unspoken truth. There's so much you couldn't even begin to know."
The devilman couldn't lie, the taunting was getting to him. It buried itself in his brain and nagged, despite his efforts to deny it.
"None of that matters, I'll defeat you! And I'll make sure demons are wiped from this Earth so that humans can at last live in peace!"
Once more those deriding chortles rang in the commander's ears, "That sounds awfully familiar." Zennon's voice had a cunning slight, "But how could you expect to do that when even he couldn't?"
An icy chill clutched the leader's heart as the meaning of those words settled into his mind. It was such a cold feeling that Akira didn't even realize it had frozen him from the inside out. In his moment of vulnerability, is when the giant king of demons made his crushing blow. He leaped out from behind his storm of warriors as he stomped down on his enemy's chest.
Akira could hardly register what was going on before he met the unforgiving edge of the coastline. In his fighting, he had found his way back to a small island off the side of Japan. Now aching he tried to come to his feet on the rocky shore. He had barely come up from a crouch when the king shuttered the ground next to him. Akira lost his footing and the next thing he knew he felt the harrowing devil's foot kick him across the coast.
"That got to you, didn't it?" Zennon laughed.
The mighty hybrid sunk his claws into the gravelly ground until at last, he slowed himself to a stop. A trickle of blood from his forehead ran down the side of his face and dripped onto the jagged stone. The rest of his body was pretty scrapped up as well, he bit back the pain and swiftly came to his feet, knowing if he did not, he'd surely perish.
The king strolled towards him, with his hands behind his back and an uncomfortable air of confidence to him.
"Don't get me wrong of course, Amon was a remarkable demon, hailed as the hero of demons at one time as a matter of fact. However, things never do stay the same forever, now do they?"
Zennon bent down to look Akira in the eyes. It was not a respectful gesture however; his motions were condescending and the flash of his fangs imposing. The mixed being clutched his side but stood firmly, never showing the struggle he faced just to stand. He glowered at him before he mercilessly slashed his claws across his face, leaving a gruesome gash.
The devil's king huffed in pain. His anger surfaced first and with great vigor, but it was short-lived, he almost instantly subdued it with a chuckle. He uncoiled himself from his squatting position to look down upon his opponent once more.
"One thing will always be the same, and that's that you'll always lose to me!" Akira responded. With that declaration, his feet lifted off the ground in an abrupt downbeat. Rocketing upwards he punched his foe right in the jaw, the force was so great the demon stumbled back a few steps. It didn't keep him down long however, Zennon grinned as he caught Akira's next blow in his fist.
"You certainly never lost the spirit that's for sure, though perhaps that spirit is often misguided," the large dark-furred demon said as he kept hold of the devilman's arm. He drew back his arm and let go of his victim, leaving him to hurdle to the ground. A thud resonated with the plume of dust as the impact was made.
Akira didn't want to admit his curiosity about what Zennon was trying to say. In truth, it was beginning to annoy him, as if he were being poked and prodded but had no idea as to why. He sucked in the air through his teeth, mustering every bit of strength he could to get back up and fight on. He didn't need an explanation from the cruel ruler, all he needed to do was end this, and never have to worry about it again.
"Shut up, I don't care!" the young fighter went hurdling at the much larger nemesis. He went after him in a furry of swipes and kicks, some missing and others landing considerably hard. Zennon attempted to get in a few blows himself, but Akira had been moving so fast, it was like trying to swat a buzzing fly, and one that had some impressive attacks.
"Perhaps you don't care now, but you will. Whether you kill me or not you and Amon's fates are the same, and let me tell you boy, he's never held his own against God, and that's where all this will end up."
Zennon seemed delighted in sharing such crushing information as he witnessed the subtle paleness climb up the devilman's complexion. This was his opening, and the king took it in stride, flicking the warrior away.
Akira went rocketing back again, but he could catch himself before meeting the rough ground. His muscles were beginning to feel withered and pained, he had been fighting for so long and so brutally, and his mind wasn't fairing much better. Suddenly his head felt heavier than the entirety of his body. Visions flashed before his eyes but not ones his consciousness recognized. They went so fast he couldn't make sense of them, and in a moment like this, they were a nuisance of the highest degree. He heard Zennon clomping towards him, each step was like the strike of a clock, knowing he needed to hurry and get battle ready again.
The ruler's ginormous hands came down upon the devilman, but his aim had missed as the smaller of the two slipped through his catch. Akira used the opportunity to his advantage, running up the demon's arm and kicking him across the face. His talons left a gash in the devil's cheek, and even with his blood spuing, somehow the king still smiled.
"You're trying so hard…" in a flash he was able to grab Akira in his hands. "I'd say it commendable, but really, maybe it's just pathetic."
The blue beast writhed in the demon's grip. His talons shredded at his wrists forcing the king to beat him to the ground and hold him there.
"You'll never win you know, not where it counts…" Zennon said.
The teen coughed up a collection of yellow-tinted blood, clearing his throat to speak, "I haven't done badly so far. All I need to do right now is kill you. That's all that matters right now."
A pause hung in the air as the mountain of black fur stared down at his captive. The first thing to break the moment was a cynical laugh.
"Oh, you sound just as stupid and brash as he was. Tell me, is this actually Amon? Perhaps this has all been an elaborate ruse? This boy, this devilman thing, is it just an alter ego because you know you are nothing but the shameful shell of a hero you once were!" Zennon spoke venomously.
An inexplicable spark festered inside the devilman, leaking through his teeth in the form of a low growl. Akira couldn't exactly explain what about that irked him so much. It could have been the suggestion that he never was who he believed or all the accusations of failure, but in truth, the young man truly thought it was not himself who was so perturbed.
Zennon squeezed hard on the beastly foe in his hands. Akira felt his blood pool in his skull and feet as his torso was slowly crushed. Even still that spark within him only grew becoming more akin to a roaring flame. Its power seemed to push back against Zennon's own pressure, mildly puzzling the king.
The stronger this feeling inside him grew the more Akira could feel himself slipping away. He knew his theory was now proven correct. Zennon was pestering Amon, coaxing him to draw out. On one hand, Akira was ready to welcome it, knowing with Amon's help this fight would be a breeze, however, the words of Zennon still buzzed in his ears. The idea that he never truly was, and that this whole time he was only an extension of Amon and not the other way around. If this was not true then how could it be, that Amon could overthrow his conscious so easily? In the times before, when he believed he was holding down the demon, was it perhaps all false? Was he really overpowering the demon inside him or was this devil merely just allowing him to think that, because now, the boy couldn't stop the demon from surfacing at all.
A red shroud came over the body of the devilman, turning his hue from blue to a hellish crimson almost instantly. His form grew as well, and much larger than the demon king could manage to contain. He broke from his enemy's fingers as he sent a swift kick upwards knocking the mighty ruler away and to the ground. Zennon held his chin soothingly as he forced himself to sit upwards again and get a good look at his old friend.
The black-furred devil simpered, he didn't need to be told or explained to about what all this meant. All he knew was that he was onto something, something much grander than anyone had before.
"So Amon has risen again. I can't say I'm surprised; word is this isn't the first time. I apologize for my accusations of you, you understand I had to stir you awake somehow," Zennon smiled mischievously. "I will say for all it's worth, it is truly a delightful spectacle to see you alive once again."
The wind gently whistled in the space between them as Zennon awaited a response that would not soon come. Narrowing his gaze shadily he continued anyway.
"You're plotting something nobody else knows about, aren't you? You've been planning this for a long time, huh?"
The silhouette of the great beast remained still, with only the glow of his eyes to reveal his stern contemplations. Moments passed this way until steadily; he began to step forward.
Zennon appeared somewhat put off guard by the reaction, "Hmm, I can't say I recall you being so quiet and stoic, it used to take the whole band of generals to shut up your big mouth. What is it you're keeping from everyone? Do you really intend to let demons die off, are you truly killing us for some kind of gain? You only ever wanted to fight for demonkind, to release us from God's tyranny, and now you seem to want to destroy it, why?" he asked strangely sincere.
The king was met with only more frustrating silence. He grimaced as he struggled to find his footing, watching Amon coming closer.
"Speak to me. You might as well tell me, I know I might not seem like it, but I have watched over these creatures for centuries, I do wish to know what will become of them and this planet. We've all known for some time that our fate lies in the hands of God, and you."
The sworn monarch eased his tired body and allowed his head to lightly hang. It was a defeatist position, and yet there was still an unusual dignity to his movements.
Admittedly Amon tilted his head to this strange behavior. He may have slowed but he did not stop in his advances. He kept an even firmer eye on the king, however, just waiting for the moment Zennon would spring back. It had to come; it was inevitable. Amon knew the chance to defeat the great devil himself was a dream the king had long held close.
"Amon, we both know I'm no match for you…"
The bluntness of such an unexpected statement, at last, brought the legendary demon to a halt. He stood right before him, as they studied the look in one another's eyes. The red beastia searched for a sign of trickery, anything that would reveal Zennon's true manipulative nature. He examined long and rigorously, and to his shock and discomfort, he could not find a trace of mistrust.
The shadow of the fabled demon noticeably appeared disarmed by such a raw admission. Slowly the winged appendages crowning Amon's head rose modestly in genuine interest.
Zennon sighed while maintaining the unbroken stare between himself and Amon, "I've always been aware that my time here was futile. The passion of the fight will forever beat in my chest and the desire for domination, but to you I confess, I don't fear my demise. I know my last breath will be made in your presence; it was never something I doubted. Yes, I may have hoped for something different, I may have spoken arrogantly, but deep within I've always known," Zennon admitted. "So please, I want to know before you do, what is your will?" Zennon questioned somberly.
Hearing this revelation was like something out of an impossible daze. In all Amon's countless years, and for as long as he had known Zennon, never had he ever viewed such a side to him. Never before had he seen his prestigious and boastful front cave, revealing the true nature of this demon. How small he actually was, and how little he actually perceived himself. All along he knew how minimal his attendance was in the grand scheme of this battle. He wore a large false crown among others, but only he had ever laid eyes on the sorry kingdom of nothing he really claimed. Even when he abused his power and his own in the past, deep below the surface, he always knew it was all he had.
In all honestly, it was the wisest and most kingly Amon had ever interpreted him. How even through the emptiness of it all, he truly wanted to know what would become of all that he dedicated his life to.
Seconds of pondering passed until finally, Amon broke his silence, "I never thought you cared so much?"
Zennon's eyes wandered the ground distantly as if he were watching a vision play before him. By the tiny display of amusement on his lips, Amon assumed it was a good thought.
The king's sight crawled back to greet his adversary, "Neither did I…"
An unexplainable connection had formed between the both of them. Whether it was hostile or friendly didn't much matter any longer and there were no words in existence to elaborate on it. All that communicated this divided experience was an odd smile they shared. It was a smile that somehow conveyed more sadness than it did happiness, and yet it was comforting all the same.
Zennon's eyes closed peacefully as he took in a deep breath. He heard the assault and the gush of blood after. The pain didn't ever really register to him, for his mind was far more occupied knowing these would be his final moments.
Amon let the wounded king lean against him, helping him stay upright as he soberly pulled his bloodied arm out of his foe's chest.
"I do not intend to allow any more earthly life to fall prey to this God ever again, and I will cease any that attempt to oppose my progress, man, or devil. I will combine every strength I come across to assure this, and allow this world to at last live in harmony…"
A gap or wordlessness followed the sentiment. Aside from the slight gurgles of coughed-up blood Zennon did not make any noise for a time. Such a time in fact that Amon assumed he would hear nothing at all in reply. That was before, he noticed the sound of a weak yet growing chuckle.
"…I wish I could've seen it… You'll take better care of them than I did, Amon…"
The body was limp in his arms now. Conflicting feelings crashed against one another in Amon's mind, but despite either side, gently and with grace he laid the fallen king down. He placed the lifeless arms over one another, cloaking the corpse in his own wings. He stared over him for a period of time with a stale expression. The rage of war inside called louder than ever to Amon. For so long he believed himself so sure of the horrid being that was the demon king and yet now looking upon him, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt. He knew he had to kill him though, Hell even Zennon knew that, for all his past cruelties and transgressions he very much deserved it, but then again, he still was just a demon. An inhabitant of the Earth just like any other, king or not.
Amon sighed, there was nothing left for him here anymore, it was pointless to dwindle on past matters when his future now lay closer to him than ever.
Tiredly Amon shut his eyes, and succumbed to his slumber once again, dreaming of the day he could at last rest for good.