"Fight me…"

Branch looked up at the hulking figure before him, a frown on his face. Despite his calm expression throughout the meeting, he had been able to sense the raging fire within him. This confrontation was a long time coming, and today finally seemed to be the day it was going to boil over.

"I already told you, I have no interest in fighting for the sake of fighting. Much less to help you stroke your ego."

Sun glared down at the Earth nymph, clearly displeased with the answer. "I am no longer accepting such half-hearted excuses. The choice is no longer yours. You will battle me," he said as he got into a fighting stance. "Or you will die by my hand."

Branch narrowed his eyes. "Do you really think defeating me will prove something? Do the mutterings of others bother you so much?" he asked. He knew all about what some of the other tribes were saying. How he was the strongest nymphs, and how that made the Earth nymphs the strongest of the four nymphs tribe by default.

He didn't care about such things. It was a waste of time to worry over who was stronger and who wasn't. His time was better spent worrying over how to look after his tribe. But he knew how much the fire nymphs prided themselves on their battle prowess. Sun was no doubt trying to prove something by challenging and defeating him.

But Branch wasn't interested in playing along with his game. "If your tribe is so concerned about petty hearsay and rumors, then perhaps you should focus more on dealing with them than with me," Branch said simply.

Sun narrowed his eyes. "I care not about the opinion of the weaklings around us. Nor those of my tribe. I challenge you for my own reasons. My own desire. Your strength is not mere rumor. It is genuine, and I would test it against my own," he said, pounding his fist into his hand.

"Well, I'm sorry. But I'm still not interested."

"As I said, I'm not giving you a choice."

Sun could never understand how someone as powerful as Branch could shy away from battle. Those who held power should have instinctively sought a means to use it. Sought opponents to test their limits against. This denial of his nature, his instincts, it sickened him to no end.

"Sun, I'm asking you not to do this. This won't prove anything. It won't benefit either of us. Stand down and just let it go."

"I refuse." Sun stomped his foot down, and a wave of heat burned away the grass nearby. Branch looked down at the slightly scorched earth in disappointment. He didn't like seeing nature so needlessly destroyed. "Put your guard up, now."

Branch stared up at him blankly. He could tell by the look in his eyes that he wasn't going to back down on this. He sighed and then raised his hand. "I see. I'm sorry then."

The earth nymph snapped his fingers, and then suddenly Sun felt a stabbing pain throughout his body. He opened his mouth, only for blood to spill out. When he looked down, he could see roots and twigs sticking out of his body. "What did…?"

"I spread spores throughout the meeting room when I sensed your intent. I had truly hoped not to use them, but if you're intent on attacking me, I have no choice," he said as he turned and began walking away.

Sun struggled to stay on his feet, and when he stepped towards Branch he felt another stabbing pain in his chest. The roots seemed to be wrapping around his hearts. "Y-you coward…" he choked out, stumbling forward. "To resort to such underhanded tactics? How can you call yourself a warrior?"

"I never claimed to be. This was simply the most efficient way to end the conflict. I'm sorry things turned out this way Sun."

The warlord watched as Branch walked off, his vision slowly fading. This… this wasn't right. This wasn't how it was supposed to go. To be denied victory was one thing, but to be denied a proper battle? A proper death?

It was disgraceful.

"Stand aside girl! I will have what I was robbed off long ago!"

Breeze moved out of the way as Sun punched the ground once more, sending a wave of fire from the impact. The blonde glared as she landed and slid back. The longer the fight went on, the more his body seemed to heat up. And the stronger he got as well. The latter wasn't a problem. She was sure she could still overpower him, but…

The heat that was coming off of him. It was like his whole entire body was bathed in flames. If she hit him, it would no doubt leave her burned as well. "How the hell am I supposed to finish him off like this?" she muttered.

Sun grunted and glared towards her. Damn this spell. If it wasn't for it controlling him, he would have left this battlefield of weaklings ages ago and went to seek out Branch. "I said begone little one. I haven't the time to waste of a mere mewman such as you. I have been granted a second chance, and I will not squander it on you."

Breeze narrowed her eyes at him before picking up a rock. She brought her arm back and then chucked it at him, using her magic to increase it's force tenfold. Sun moved his head out of the way, easily dodging it. "Hmm, faster than he looks like long range tactics won't be very effective either."

Sun grit his teeth and stomped towards her. "You have no idea what it feels like, do you? To be denied what was rightfully yours?" he asked angrily.

Breeze hummed. "No, I don't. In fact, I don't even have the slightest clue what you're rambling on about. I don't much care either. If you could stop whining and just die already, it would be a huge convenience for me," she said.

"I have already died in disgrace once. I will not do so again." The flames around his body seemed to grow even more, and his eyes began to glow. "If there are any warriors worthy of the honor, I bid you to bring them to me! I will relish in the thrill of battle once more! I will not be denied!"

Breeze tilted her head. "Oh you're one of those types are you?" she asked before she reached down and began taking her gauntlets off.

He snorted. "What are you doing?"

"These are my favorite gauntlets. I'd prefer they not be melted away," she said as hung them at her side. She got into a fighting stance and then raised her fist. "If it's a proper death you're looking for, then look no further. This is the most simple method of dealing with you anyway."

Sun looked down at her, looking insulted. Did this meager mewman really think she was up to the task of challenging him? On a battlefield of demons and fire nymphs, this girl had the audacity to believe she was a match for him. "Do not mock me girl, I'm not here to toy with the likes of you. I seek-"

Breeze's magic suddenly flared up, a red aura surrounding her whole body. Everyone on the battlefield could feel the massive spike in magic.

Sun stared at her in disbelief. The aura coming off of this child. The look in her eyes. Her battle stance. She was not here out of desperation or necessity. Not just another body to fill the ranks. She was a real warrior. She was… "A worthy adversary," he said, a smile making its way across his face.

He entered into his fighting stance once more, the flames surrounding his body building up even more. It seemed fortunate had smiled upon him after all. He was lucky to find someone of her caliber so soon after awakening. "Come girl, let us revel in glorious combat," he said.

Breeze clenched her fist. "It won't be much of a fight. But enjoy it for as long as you can, I suppose." She couldn't afford to draw this out. The longer she kept in contact with him, the more burns and injuries she risked. She would end this with a single strike.

The two of them stood off against one another, Sun's flames and Breeze's aura both swirling around each of them. Then suddenly, they both rushed forward. Sun let out a yell as she cloaked his fist in flames, and Breeze brought her own fist back, a calm and collected expression on her face.

They clashed, the force knocking everyone nearby back. The flames and crimson aura mixed, swirling around one another before blowing apart. When the debris cleared, they could see the two standing in the middle, both still standing.

The sleeve and part of the torso of Breeze's armor had melted away, and there was a burn on her knuckles, along with a long one running up her arm. She grit her teeth in pain. She knew this was inevitable, but it had been better to make sure she had finished things quickly.

"A well struck blow, small one."

Breeze looked over her shoulder towards Sun, who was also still standing. Though the fire nymph had looked far worse off than she did. Not only was his arm missing, but so was a large part of his torso. Despite all the damage to his body, there was a smile on his face. "Well stuck indeed…"

Breeze let out a breath as she turned and began moving towards him. The heat around his body was dying down, and she was sure he couldn't do much more with those injuries. But it was still better to finish him off, just to be safe. "Apologies for cutting your fun short, but it would have been troublesome to have you lingering around," Breeze said.

"Do not apologize. I was finally given what I was robbed of so long ago. What is your name, young one? I would know who it was that bested me."

"Breeze. Breeze Johansen."

"You have my respect and thanks, Breeze Johansen. I shall burn your name and face into my memory, and carry it with me through eternity."

Breeze stopped in front of him and brought her fist back. "I appreciate the sentiment. I can't say you were the strongest warrior I've ever fought, but you certainly made an impression. Out of respect I'll carry these burns with me. To remember you by. That's about all I can give you."

"It's more than enough. A good death is its own reward."

Breeze swung, the impact of her fist blowing away what was left of his body. His legs crumbled away into dust, and Breeze let out a breath. "Well, that's one less nuisance to deal with…" Now she had to go help deal with Kruger.

Margo and Higgs both panted as they circled around Kruger. The tall demon was standing calmly as he looked over the two of them. Despite their best efforts, they hadn't been able to land a single hit on him. It was like he was able to predict every single one of their moves.

Margo looked towards Higgs, who silently nodded before rushing in towards him. Kruger flicked his blade at her, and she rolled underneath it before swinging at his feet. The demon leapt up, and Margo quickly moved in and followed him into the air, spinning around and aiming her blade right at his throat.

Kruger hummed before blocking it with Bloodedge. He pushed her away, and Margo landed and rolled back up to her feet before running back at him. Kruger landed and quickly began parrying when Higgs slashed at him, not wanting to give him a moment to breathe. "Quite an unorthodox style you have. Higgs was it?"

She cloaked herself in lightning, preparing to charge in at him again. "It's lightning blade to you lanky," she said as she pointed at him and sent a bolt his way.

Kruger raised his blade, and then swung down. Margo and Higgs both looked shocked as the lightning was split straight down the middle. "Did he just cut lightning in-?!"

He swung again before Margo could finish, and she leaned back just in time to avoid the slash. "Your skills with the blade are undeniably polished, and I have no doubt that in this era your skills are considered unmatched," he said before swinging his blade. Both the women raised their weapons to defend themselves from the slash. They knocked them away, but were sent stumbling back.

"But I think the difference between our abilities should be clear by now," he said, a dangerous glare in his eyes. "So I make you an offer. Stand down and surrender. Agree to accept the terms Python declared earlier, and I will call off my forces and allow you and yours to live. Refuse, and I'll be forced to cut down every last one of you."

Margo and Higgs both narrowed their eyes. "Now a chance. You're underestimating us if you think we'll roll over and let you have your way," Margo said.

"No. I think you're just overestimating yourselves," Kruger said bluntly. They moved in at him again, and he tightened his grip on his blade. "I think it's time I finished this. I didn't want to sully my blade with the blood of women, but I'm not being given much choice."

"I'm getting really tired of not cutting women bullshit!" Higgs yelled as she sped behind him and aimed for his back. "I'm a swordsman, same as you! And if you hold back because of it you're gonna regret it!"

Just as she was about to sink her blade into his spine, something shot out towards her. It wrapped around the blade, stopping it in its tracks. Higgs was stunned to see that his tail slipped out from under his armor, curling around the blade and holding it. She tried to pull it loose, but it didn't budge. She tried to hit him with lightning, but if he felt it at all, he didn't show it.

"You are a splendid swordsman. But make no mistake, I am objectively better."

Kruger looked over his shoulder as he raised his blade up, and Margo quickly ran in to intercept him before he could cut Higgs down. She aimed for his throat, but just as he was about to slash down at Higgs, he slashed forward at the queen instead. "Shit!" Margo said her sword to defend herself, and then-

*SLICE*

Margo landed, her eyes wide as she watched the top half of her sword hit the ground. She looked down at what was left of it. The handle, the hilt, and just barely what was left of the blade. Kruger had cut clean through it, like it was made of paper. She didn't get to dwell on it much longer however, as she heard something dripping on the ground.

She looked down and saw that there was blood dripping from her torso, where there was now a rather deep cut. She reached up and put her hand over it as Kurger looked down at her with a dull expression. "I'm also a Lucitor in more than name only." He raised his sword and got ready to pierce her.

"MARGO!"

Higgs let go of her sword, cloaking herself in lightning and moved around him. She tackled Margo out of the way just before Kruger to run her through, but unfortunately his blade cut through the side of her leg. She winced in pain as she and Margo fell and tumbled to the ground.

Higgs tried to push herself up, but then winced as she felt a sharp pain in her leg. She looked down at Margo who was trying to apply pressure to her wound.

Kruger began making his way towards them, his sword raised. "My ability on the battlefield is a reflection of my indomitable will, revolve, and spirit. My blade will never waver before the likes of those whose foundations are built off of lies and needless bloodshed," he said.

Higgs grit her teeth and got ready to try and fend him off with a coat of lightning, but suddenly someone moved in and slid between them. Everyone looked shocked as Vera spread out of her arms, looking up at Kruger with a glare. "Stop it!" she shouted. "Stop it now! This all needs to stop!"

"Vera…?" Margo looked up towards her daughter, mortified to see her out in the middle of the battlefield. What was she doing here? She was supposed to be inside the castle with Scab and Isaac.

"Get out here!" Higgs yelled, trying to get up and move towards her. She didn't even get five feet before she fell back down to one knee again.

Kruger looked down at Vera with narrowed eyes. "What exactly are you doing here? Why are you not cowering inside the castle as our family is wont to do?" he asked.

Vera glared right back at him. "When we talked before you told me words weren't enough to change anything. That actions were more important. Well I decided to act and come out here to stop you," she said, determination in her voice.

Kruger scoffed, sounding almost insulted. "Do you intend to try and fight me?"

"No."

"Then why did you even bother stepping onto the battlefield?"

"To remind you that you're a knight, and that you're supposed to be protecting innocent people. Not helping Python and the others try and murder them all."

Kruger grit his teeth. "So you just came here to talk then. I'm not wasting my time having this conversation. If you want to talk, talk to your mother and beg her to yield. Otherwise I'm going to have to cut all three of you down," he threatened.

Vera shook her head. "No! You… you know this is wrong. You have to. I could tell from how you talked earlier. You can't think that what you and the rest of the Ten are doing is right," she challenged. "You're forcing people to either move from their homes, or be killed. How is this any better than that you said our family did back-"

She stopped when she suddenly found a blade pointed right at her face. Kruger was giving off a deadly aura. "I am NOT having this conversation with you girl. Step aside," he said angrily. Cutting down someone without a weapon would have left an even worse taste in his mouth.

"No!" Vera said sternly.

It was clear she was nervous. Her legs were shaking, and Kruger's demonic aura felt like it was going to crush her. But she didn't take a single step back. "I said move aside girl! I don't want to have to cut you down, but I will!" Kruger growled.

"I'm not going anywhere!"

Kruger looked furious, all three of his eyes turning blood red. He tightened his grip on his sword, and both Margo and Higgs struggled to get to their feet. He raised his blade, and Vera closed her eyes and braced herself. She kept waiting and waiting, but… nothing seemed to happen.

When she opened her eyes again, she saw Kruger was still just standing there. He still looked angered, and his hand was still on his blade, but he didn't make a move. "Naive stubborn little girl…" he muttered irritably. He knew what he should have done. He should have cut this girl down and been done with it.

But to cut down a mere girl, an unarmed one at that… he didn't know if he could quite bring himself to do it. His duty demanded that he carry out this task, but the look in her eyes right now made him falter. Despite all the fear in her, she was resolved.

Vera took a step forward. "You… you don't have to do this, you know. You could try to talk to the others. We could try-"

They heard a noise, and suddenly something came flying towards Kruger. Without missing a beat, he swung his sword, slicing the ballista bolt that had been launched him at him clean in two. Vera and the others looked surprised, while Kruger hummed. "I see, a distraction. I suppose that is an action in it's own way. And one fitting of our family name," he said turning back to Vera.

"No, that's not what I was trying to-" More ballista bolts began firing at him, but he swatted them away with his blade. "No! Stop, wait! This isn't what I wanted!"

When they finished firing, Kruger swung his sword again, cutting down every ballista lining the castle wall. He then turned back towards Vera. "I should have known better. You, my brothers, the rest of the family. I keep going through the same thing but expecting a different result. That's the definition of insanity," he said.

"Kruger I didn't-!"

He moved towards her, ready to cut her down, but suddenly a fist slammed into the side of his face. He was sent stumbling back as Breeze landed down on the ground, a glare on her face. "Vera, get Higgs and your mother and get away," she said, getting into a fighting stance. Vera opened her mouth to say something, but Breeze spoke again. "I am not asking you, I'm telling you. Go."

Vera frowned, but then turned and went to go aid her mother and Higgs. Kruger rubbed his jaw as he looked down at Breeze. "And you are?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"A family friend, and student of the woman you just cut down," she said, balling her fist up. Despite her calm expression, she was seething from what she had seen happen to Margo and Higgs. "I'm also the one who's going to bring you down and put an end to this nonsense."

Kruger noticed the burns on her fist and arms. Was it arrogance or confidence that made her so sure she would win? Well, at the end of the day it didn't matter. "You're in for a dose of disappointment girl…" Breeze's entire body suddenly began to glow, and Kruger could feel her magic spiking. So, she had been the one from earlier then?

There was no point in her holding back. She had to go full throttle from the start. She turned up Full Impact to its maximum and then rushed towards him. Kruger was slightly caught off guard by her speed, but managed to raise his arms up to defend himself. When she kicked him however, he was sent sliding back.

Breeze was on him again before he even managed to stop himself, sending a flurry of punches and kicks her way. Kruger scowled and he managed to block them, but the force behind each sent him further and further back. Breeze intended to break through his guard and beat him down without giving him a chance to fight back.

Kruger mentally cursed, and his third eye widened before suddenly shooting a beam from it. Breeze twisted her body to avoid it, and the brief moment she stopped her attack gave Kruger a chance to counterattack. He swung down at her, trying to cut her in half, but Breeze responded with a punch of her own. Her fist just barely went past his blade, and then she twisted it, her gauntlets knocking it away and causing it to miss.

The slash tore into the ground, tearing through it like a knife through butter. Kruger looked somewhat impressed, but Breeze scowled. It had taken more than a little effort to knock his blade aside, and with how much power was behind it she knew a single strike would be able to cut her down.

She couldn't afford to let him gain any momentum, and she couldn't let her guard down, or else it would be the end of her. She stomped on the ground, causing a few rocks to fly upwards. She grabbed a handful of them before chuckling them at the demon, using Impact to increase their force and speed.

Kruger knocked them aside with his blade. "Are we here to throw rocks at one another girl, or are-?" He realized Breeze was gone, and then suddenly felt a kick to the back of the head. He fell forward. She really was a fast one. Breeze raised her foot, aiming to bring it down on the back of his head.

He grabbed his blade, ready to strike back, but at the last second Breeze leapt back and away from him. She scowled angrily. If she had tried to attack him just now she would have lost her leg. "Keep your guard up girl…" Breeze was shocked to find Kruger was already up on his feet and on her.

He swung at her with Bloodege, and Breeze began to dodge as quickly as he could. To everyone watching, the slight nearly looked like a blur. The ground was being slashed apart around them, and there were bits and pieces of Breeze's armor being chipped off. There were even a few strands of blonde hair falling to the ground.

Kruger kept trying to cut her down, a little surprised she was able to avoid him for so long. She was moving quickly, and using the most minimal movement she possibly could to avoid Bloodedge. Still, he knew she couldn't keep this up forever. He started to move even faster, and Breeze struggled to keep from getting hit.

Kruger managed to nick her a few times, and she winced as cuts slowly started to appear on her. Was he getting faster? Or was he just started to read her movements more accurately. Either way, she had to act quickly. She dodged a few more swings of his blade, and then suddenly leapt straight at him.

Kruger stabbed at her, and though she moved the blade pierced her side. Breeze powered through it however, bringing her fist back and slamming it right into his face. Kruger's head snapped back, and she grit his teeth.

Had she known she wouldn't be able to dodge that? Had she really taken the blow just to hit him on him? He didn't get much time to ponder on it before Breeze struck again, knocking him to the ground. She leapt on top of his chest, bringing both of her fists back before delivering punch after punch to his face.

She growled as she focused on nothing but caving his face in. She needed to finish this now. She didn't know if she'd get another chance. A crater formed underneath Kruger's head as she continued to land blow after blow, and everyone watching looked on closely. If she could finish it the battle would surely be won.

Breeze yelled out and got ready to swing again, but suddenly Kruger reached up and caught her fist. She quickly swung with her other, but he caught that as well. He glared up at her, his third eye glowing again. "Death Wink…" His third eye blinked, and suddenly Breeze felt like she had been hit in the chest with a cannonball.

The air was knocked out of her lungs, and she was sent flying back, hitting the ground hard. Kruger jumped up to his feet and began walking towards her. "I'll admit, you are a cut above the others. Especially for a mere mewman," he said as he raised his sword again. "It's almost a shame to have to cut you down. But I'm not dragging this out any longer."

A few arrows came his way, and he heard yelling coming from off to the side. He glanced over and saw a number of warriors rushing towards him, their weapons all raised and ready to strike.

"Protect Lady Breeze!"

"Buy her as much time as you can!"

"Keep him away from her!"

Kruger looked annoyed. So they were banking on her to win the day were they? Fine, he would just have to finish her off now to break their morale. He rushed towards Breeze, easily cutting down the few demons and nymphs who were able to get between himself and the blonde.

Breeze had gotten back up to her feet, getting back into her fighting stance and preparing to fend him off as best she could. Right as Kruger was about to reach her however, he felt another rather large magical presence nearby. He stopped and leapt back just before it crashed into him, and then glared.

"And who might you be?"

Mazarine stood up and looked at Kruger in disgust. "A concerned mother," she said, crossing her arms. She glanced towards the castle, where she had sensed her daughter running around inside. She still couldn't believe she had stepped out on the battlefield. How reckless could that girl be?

She sighed and then turned back towards Kruger. She hadn't wanted to get involved in this. Not at all. She certainly hadn't wanted to come to the aid of the Lucitor family, even if it was to fight another Lucitor. But when she had felt Kruger's magic flare up, she knew she had to do something. If the tide of battle turned her daughter would be finished.

"You're a titan, are you not?" Kruger said, glaring. He couldn't tell for sure, not being an actual titan himself. But he could tell she wasn't like the others around here. For a mere succubus she was giving off quite a lot of power. "What are you doing here? Why would you be fighting for the mewmans and Lucitors?"

Mazarine snorted. "It's not really any of your concern, now is it?" she asked, letting her magic flare up. She wasn't going to take Kruger lightly. His legend as one of the Ten aside, she could tell he was no pushover. Still, she wasn't planning on backing down with her daughter's life being involved.

Breeze's aura returned around her, and she forced herself back up to her feet. "Your assistance is appreciated, but I don't like you both talking as if I'm not here anymore. I'm hardly finished," she said, glaring at Kruger. There was still more than a little fight in her eyes. Mazarine spared her a glance, but said nothing. The girl was injured, and pushing herself. But she wasn't going to turn down the help. Against Kruger she would likely need it.

The demon looked more annoyed than anything. "How many women am I going to have to cut down today," he said as he began making his way towards them. A titan getting in his way would delay things even further than he'd planned, but if she really was siding against them someone would have to deal with her eventually. Better to be done with her and the little blonde one now. They could become actual threats if left alone.

"I don't suppose you could seduce him into surrendering," Breeze said.

"If it were that easy we wouldn't be in this situation," Mazarine said, bracing herself.

Kruger prepared to engage the two, but just as it looked like he was about to lunge at him, he stopped. Mazarine and Breeze both watched as she suddenly sheathed his sword and turned around, looking off into the distance. "I see…" He looked over her shoulder back towards them. "Well, it seems you all are very fortunate. You officially have a stay of execution."

"What?" Breeze asked, confused.

Kruger raised his foot. "All who are capable of doing so, fall back!" He stomped his foot down, and suddenly another wave of decrepit undead warriors began making their way out of the ground. The demon and fire nymph forces quickly began moving to take them out, while all the living warriors on Kruger's side began retreating, Kruger included.

"No! Get back here!"

Breeze made to go after him, but Mazarine stopped her. "You're injured, and so are a lot of others. Let him leave," she advised.

"If he's going to regroup with the others then this might be the only chance we have to take him down! We can't let it slip away!" Breeze countered. She was about to start going after him again, but then suddenly heard a scream from behind. She looked back and saw some of them being overwhelmed by the undead forces.

The blonde hesitated. Kruger was getting away, and she knew if he regrouped with one of the others her slim chance at victory would drop to zero. But… she also couldn't just leave the others to fend for themselves. They had been fighting for a while. They were tired, and with Higgs and Margo injured, and most of the others busy, their fighting force was greatly crippled. Abandoning them now was akin to a death sentence.

"Damn it!"

She turned and went back to help them, no longer bothering to hide the fury on her face. To take down both Higgs and Margo like he did, and to back her into such a corner. And even after that to be willing to fight both her and Mazarine, another titan, with such confidence. The Ten were far more formidable than she could have imagined.

She hoped the others were able to hold their own.

A/N: And so concludes the battle of the Underworld! Sun is defeated, but Kruger has managed to overwhelm Margo, Higgs, and even pushes Breeze into a corner! The Ten's strength is even more than they imagined! And despite Vera's best efforts, she couldn't seem to reason with her ancestor! But what made him suddenly stop and retreat on the verge of supposed victory? Gonna have to keep reading to find out!

Next chapter we'll start on another battlefield! Which one is it going to be though?!