The sky above and the sea underneath were embraced by such calmness that they stood still. They didn't dare to move even an inch in the presence of the transcendental king of the stars blessing the world with his decent and divine form. Like a shooting star he has appeared out of nowhere but unlike the short-lived gifts from beyond the atmosphere, he remained steadfast in this realm of meagre mortals.
Under him, two mighty dragons mimicked the unmoving state of their surroundings. They as well didn't dare to move without permission from the god-like being sitting atop the heavens, the echo of his demanding speech still lingering in the air. Compared to him they looked like specks of filth dirtying an otherwise canvas of perfection. Sensing the enormous pressure emitting from his seemingly bottomless magical power they understood, that the same applied to the difference in strength.
Igneel and Atlas Flame came to terms that they didn't have the slightest chance of winning in this match up. The opponent was too strong. However, the very same opponent was blocking the path towards their target and most likely it wouldn't help to simply try from another direction. He would merely appear again out of nowhere and serve as a living blockade. Doing this would only waste precious time, time which was scarce from the initial.
There was no other choice but to overcome this enemy in front of them right now and maybe they could actually succeed. The large warrior had yet to show any signs of enmity. Apparently, he was content with just stopping them midway and taking no further action than that. He had his arms crossed over his heavy-plated chest and observed them like a predator with his ruby-like eyes, pondering whether the cost of the hunt will be worth the price.
This might serve as the required opening for Igneel and Atlas Flame to hit him with everything they got in a surprise attack. That he has appeared here in front of them must mean his ally will get into trouble if Ignis should receive support.
Not wanting to waste any more time both dragons glanced from the corner of their eyes at each other. The plan was not spoken out aloud. There was no need nor necessity for this. A silent agreement transmitted by barely visible movements of their visual orbs sufficed.
At the same time, both flapped their wings and jetted forward with the intent to break through the barrier chaining them done in this place. They opened their mouths and two mighty roars rocked the air and water as they released their breath attacks simultaneously at point-blank range. A large ball of fire engulfed the seemingly unprepared warrior of the stars, both dragons pouring even more magic into the combined attack. Two became one as a duet of magical powers morphed into a solo - like light and shadows overlapping.
It was a Unison Raid. A combination of two different beings holding the blessing of magic. No matter how fragile the attacks may be on their own, together they were stronger but in this world are walls high enough that a pair is not able to climb to the top.
From within the blazing bubble of fire, a set of gloved hands emerged, unbothered by the burning heat, and grabbed both dragons by their throats, cutting off their attack in the process. They yapped for air as it suddenly ran short before both of their heads were smashed against each other, causing a sickening sound of bones grinding on bones.
Then they were tossed away like mere rag dolls, only their size differing from normal. The enemy crossed his arms over his chest again and they found themselves where they had started. His face wore the same neutral expression as before and no matter where they looked, there was not a single scratch on his body to be found. The one thing they achieved to complete was draining their strength for this failed attempt. And a pair of aching heads.
"Igneel, what are we going to do now?" Atlas Flame wanted to know but Igneel didn't dare to share his empty thoughts. Atlas Flame was asking because he couldn't come up with anything that would move them a step further but alas Igneel was in the same boat. Hadn't it been Atlas Flame, Igneel would have asked his friend the very same question instead. They were at a dead-end.
"Heed my warning, hatchlings of dragons. Your quest of offering assistance is futile. My old friend surpasses you in every regard imaginable. You have yet to invent the mechanisms required if you wish to measure him. That itself is a waste of effort as well because the one thing you will find is despair and nothing else. The despair of how you lack strength compared to my old friend." the transcendental god explained, each word a thunder without lightning.
It felt like a harsh lecture for them. Like a parent scolding his children because of their rebellious actions. It would be best to hear the advice of the elders because they were right. It was the same right now. They knew what they were getting themselves involved in. They realised it the moment when they witnessed the pillar of fire shooting into the sky and were reminded by the similar one right now in the background.
Still, they charged again. They would not stop because there will be something, anything they and only they can do to turn the tables in their favour. For that, they need to overcome this hindrance in front of them.
But despite their strong conviction and the missing will to fight from their enemy the next attempt was a failure as well. Igneel and Atlas Flame wanted to punch him but all he had to do in order to render the attack useless was a mere sideways motion with one of his arms, calling forth the massive powers residing in his body.
Both dragons have been pushed back again and found themselves at the beginning once more. This time though the armoured warrior did not retreat his arm in its former position. Instead, it remained where it was.
The air shifted considerably from before as the holy being addressed the dragons again.
"You may try all you want but the result will be the same no matter what you attempt. For the final time, I will repeat myself. Heed my warning and retreat. This is a storm you can't do anything to stop."
It was Igneel who gave their united response.
"Warn us as often as you want but we will not stop from trying again and again until we have overcome you. We have decided to support my father and that's exactly what are we going to do. There's nothing you can do to stop us!"
In Igneel's eyes as well as in Atlas Flame's burned the fire of a strong belief. Even though they sensed his magic without a doubt, they failed to notice the hopelessness of their plan.
The lord of the nightly sky sighed disappointedly. It is just how he voiced it out earlier.
They lack the means to measure him. If they could, they wouldn't be acting as they did. How foolish. This must be the infamous arrogance, only dragons bear, he has heard so often about.
"I see. How unfortunate."
Suddenly a golden light embraced the scene of the impending fight. The fire dragons had to shield their eyes so they wouldn't end up blind afterwards. The caster, however, didn't even flinch from the bright light. He embraced its essence and pulled the powerful shine closer to his body.
From the skies yet another shooting star fell from the endless universe upon the battlefield. Not as large as its predecessor used by the master of the stars to travel to this distant world, but still big enough to intimidate his soon to be enemies.
The piece of heaven stopped next to the outstretched right hand of the one who has called out for its appearance. Then he grabbed inside the blazing source of light and pulled out a gigantic sword almost as tall as he is himself. The large weapon emitted the same presence as its owner. It was literally not from this world.
A sword as big as this could easily cleave each of them in half but neither Igneel nor Atlas Flame had the time to dwell long on this gruesome fact. It was noticeable, the sudden shift in the atmosphere and it didn't originate from the battle still far away. It was getting harder to breathe and they felt as if someone had stacked several boulders on their backs, effectively making any movement sluggish and unorganized. They were pulled back into reality when the mighty king took hold of the sword with both hands, fastening his grip on the handle with determination burning in his ruby eyes.
"If you insist in your pursuit of throwing away your young lives I shall no longer indulge you. You leave me with no other choice. In honour of the contract we formed and in honour of being the Celestial Spirit King I shall crush you here and now!"
The magic of the ghostly spirit flared up, surrounding him with the colours of the universe. No longer would he perform the role of a consoling parent trying to educate the right path but instead turn himself into a spirit of vengeance. The beings in front of him after all belonged to the same race who caused his old friend so much pain and grief. Such sacrilege must be paid back in blood and nothing else!
When they sensed the fast increasing magic, Atlas Flame and Igneel understood very well how much the Celestial Spirit King had been holding back. He has merely toyed with them up to this moment and now playtime was over! His own power was already terrific and strong enough to fend them off but mixed together was the same vile magic they could sense clashing over and over again with the Fire God Dragon Ignis. For a fraction of a second, they thought the battle had shifted to their location but this proofed to be false when they felt yet another quake from far away. It was solely coming from the spiritual king facing them but why was his magic power intertwined with another one?
A newly appeared bright light cut off their trail of thoughts abruptly but as fast as it had graced the world with its shine it had already vanished again. Both dragons were left behind confused. Has this merely been a dream they shared together? Maybe even an illusion?
If that was the case then why did their sides suddenly burn from pain? Why could they feel their blood gushing out of their bodies like fountains? And why did they pick up the noise of the rustling cloak of their enemy from behind? Why didn't they see anything? What has happened in this brief moment? Countless questions flooded their minds, filling them to the brim until there was no space left to fill. Only now did they realise how much of a grave mistake they made by thinking there would be something they can do in this situation, as both cried out in pain.
They may be mighty and proud dragons but the Celestial Spirit King as he titled himself was far beyond their comprehension. The same applies to his ally facing off against the powerful dragon Ignis. For these divine-like beings, they might as well be nothing more than mere gnats struggling inside a horrific storm. Probably they are.
In order to stop the bleeding, they used their own flames to cauterize the wounds afflicted to them with a single swing by the weaponry of the spiritual king. In front of his strength, their normally impenetrable scales were like dried up leaves in a storm. Utterly helpless and without reason.
Would they soon share the same fate and wither on the ground, slain by his sword drenched in their blood. Or would he spare them on the approach of pity? For the moment he apparently was content to return to his former self and simply stare them down as they tended to their injuries. Not a single emotion showed on his face but this was so much more terrifying. Feeling nothing when hurting them means feeling nothing when killing them as well. Consequently neither will he hesitate nor show mercy.
But still. Even a mouse will turn into a furious beast if pushed into a corner and so will they do as well!
Due to the Celestial Spirit King's unmoving state, Igneel and Atlas Flame had enough time to close the wounds and stop them from getting worse – at least for now. Finally returning their full attention back on their target both agreed it was time to turn the tables and switch the roles of hunter and prey!
Being best friends for centuries proofed to be a vital ability in a fight since they always knew what the other was thinking and where they were at every given moment. This way they could focus their eyes solely on the enemy.
However, if said enemy is too fast it doesn't matter much. Another bright shine and he was gone yet again. This time Igneel and Atlas Flame moved out of the way instinctively, knowing that there would come a new strike aiming to take their lives. A sudden pull on his tail stopped Igneel from his attempt to escape, though.
An armoured glove prevented him from any further movement, the grip so tight he feared his bones and flesh might be crushed any moment. A strong pull and he was flung around like a rag doll as if his weight and strength were that of an ant - meaningless. He smashed against his partner who was unable to stabilize their fall before they hit the watery vastness beneath them. They only came to a halt when their bodies hit the solid sea bottom, the impact causing sea dust to wildly swirl around.
While the fire dragons sank into the confines of the ocean, their natural enemy so to say, the Celestial Spirit King raised his gigantic sword high above his head. Star-streaked bluish light engulfed the fairy tale sword which turned brighter and brighter with every passing moment. The intensity of responding magic increased alongside until it was ready to snap.
"Meteor Blade!"
Beneath the waves, both dragons struggled to stand up again. The air was running thin and the pressure from the surrounding water was insane. On top they couldn't see anything, even with their enhanced sight, black was the one and only thing they could percept. This changed when from high above a blue flash was born.
It was Atlas Flame who reacted first out of instinct and pushed Igneel to the side just in time. The next moment they could breathe again and their watery shackles had vanished – alongside the ground where Igneel has been standing! It was simply gone, obliterated by a single powerful swing from only one individual. They had noticed that there was a gap between them power-wise. They had understood that it was large but they failed to realise blinded by their meaningless hope how gargantuan the difference in reality was.
The power of the divine being opposing them was beyond their comprehension. That realisation, at last, resulted in their bodies shaking in fear. To the dragons' dread, the king of the stars noticed the distress they felt and his thunderous voice filled the air once again.
"Fear not young hatchlings. You will not have to grief for long in your dread." he began, preparing his sword with his right hand for the next attack while his left was busy doing something else.
Swift movements dotted together and a magical circle consisting out of runes neither of them had seen before had formed above their heads.
"I will repeat this as often as needed. In honour of our contract, I will crush his enemies." Suddenly the earth to their feat rumbled before it rose, so fast that Igneel and Atlas Flame were pressed against the rising stone, unable to resist the growing mountain.
"Therefore thine magic shall be mine to use and mine will follow your every command, old friend." His weapon burst into flames when he finished his speech. The feeling of this fire prickled on their scales, letting them dance and jump across their flesh as much as they could. There's something nauseating about these flames! But before they could think more about them, they were already struck by them and for the first time in their lives fire afflicted pain to their bodies and souls.
High above the skies far away another dragon was facing the same inferno. His left wing throbbed in agonizing pain as it has been churned badly by this vile magic.
"What have you done?!" Ignis wanted to know but in response, the demon only smirked satisfied at him.
"The Abyss Of Magic."
We are getting closer to the climax of this story section. Stay tuned for what is going to happen.
See you next time!
