Chapter 41 – Indomitable
"Woohooooooo! At last, I did it! Top of the world, baby!"
Takeshi shouted with a beatific expression, his arms raised above his head in triumph. Right now, he was standing on top of the rock spire that extended from the bottom of the chasm he had been trapped in for the past couple of months. After repeated failed attempts to climb it that had only resulted in an equal number of nasty falls and ample frustration, Takeshi's arduous work had been rewarded today.
"I can't believe it took me so long to reach the top…" Takeshi let out an exhausted sigh as he laid down on the rock surface, staring at the sky above. "If it wasn't for the last quarter of the distance being even more challenging and tricky with its aura fluctuations, I would have been out of there weeks ago. Zirnitra-sama sure pulled out all the stops to make this as difficult as possible. Good thing I didn't have my…roommates whispering stuff in my mind all the time, or else I'd still be stuck down there."
Takeshi glanced at Cataclysm Zone after saying that. Whatever the spells Zirnitra had cast on him were, they had retained their effectiveness for the past month. He hadn't heard a peep from the four Evil Dragons, and for the first time in what felt like ages, he had slept without being tormented by nightmares. While he knew this wasn't bound to last for much longer, he was determined to enjoy this brief respite for now.
At that moment, the sound of wings flapping could be heard coming from above. Turning his gaze towards the source of the sound, Takeshi saw the familiar figures of Tannin and Zirnitra descending towards him.
"It appears you have cleared this part of your training, Ryuugamine Takeshi." Tannin remarked as he came to hover above the young Devil. "From the looks of it, you have a better grasp of handling and channeling the draconic aura provided to you by Cataclysm Zone. Very good. You will need the skills you acquired here if you are to overcome your next challenge."
"The spells I cast on you, they have held up so far, no?" Zirnitra asked. "You haven't received any harassment from the Evil Dragons during that period, right?"
"I haven't, but I have a feeling this grace period is coming to a close soon." Takeshi said. "If I focus hard enough, I can feel their influence starting to seep in once again."
"Unfortunate, but such is the cross you have to bear." Tannin said as he extended his open hand. "Climb on. We will bring you to the location where the next part of your training will take place through the Dragon Gate."
Takeshi did as Tannin asked, jumping on the Dragon's outstretched hand. Once Tannin had made sure his passenger was secure, he and Zirnitra took flight, with two complex magic circles, one colored purple and the other colored indigo, appearing in front of them. The two Dragons went through them, finding themselves inside a kaleidoscope-like dimensional tunnel reminiscent of the Dimensional Gap. Takeshi felt chills go down his spine, along with a brief sense of vertigo that was gone as fast as it came. Before he knew it, the two Dragons had exited the tunnel and were now flying above a wasteland filled with fissures and craters, heading towards the entrance of a large cave in the distance.
"So, this is the Dragon-exclusive transportation magic, the Dragon Gate." Takeshi said. "These gates of yours, do they go through the Dimensional Gap, or was that some other dimension we travelled through?"
"No, that was the uppermost layer of the Dimensional Gap." Zirnitra said as she flew next to Tannin. "All Dragons are naturally able to use the pathways going through that layer through the Dragon Gate in order to move between the realms. Furthermore, since it's the uppermost layer, the corrosive energies of the Gap aren't that fierce there, allowing for safe travel."
"I see." Takeshi nodded. "So, where are we now? From what I can tell, we're still in the Underworld, and I can sense that this area is also enclosed in a time-dilation barrier, but other than that, nothing."
"Patience." Tannin said. "Once we arrive at our destination, I will explain everything."
Takeshi fell silent after that, with the two Dragons landing near the mouth of the cave after a few seconds. Takeshi jumped off Tannin's hand, frowning as he looked around. While everything seemed normal at first glance, there was an unmistakable feeling of corruption and malice wafting around that seemed awfully familiar. Furthermore, upon closer inspection, Takeshi sensed that a large array of sealing formations and barriers had been applied around the cave's mouth, designed to prevent whatever was inside from coming out. In other words, this place could only be…
"A prison…?"
"For all intents and purposes, yes." Tannin said, confirming Takeshi's hypothesis. "Welcome to the Maw, a prison designed for the sole purpose of containing Evil Dragons, though this wasn't its intended function in the beginning."
"Not its intended function…?" Takeshi narrowed his eyes. "No, to begin with, why would you bother with imprisoning Evil Dragons? I thought the supernatural world's policy was shoot to kill when it comes to them."
"Hmm, I suppose we should start with the specifics of the Evil Dragon transformation before we explain the original purpose of the Maw." Zirnitra said. "For a Dragon to undergo such a transformation, they must be overwhelmed by an immense amount of negative emotions, usually intense hatred, deep despair or rampant bloodlust. Of course, there are also cases where one was born an Evil Dragon like Orochi or Apophis. Those negative emotions corrupt their draconic aura, which in turn poisons their mind, removes several of the body's limiters and scars their soul. Therein lies the major issue and risk though."
"Let me guess, some Dragons can't withstand the transformation?"
"Indeed." Zirnitra nodded. "The burden of this transformation is immense for the average Dragon. In some cases, the corrupted draconic aura tears through their bodies, turning them into mangled corpses. Most of the time though, the damage concentrates on the mind, destroying all higher cognitive functions and turning them into little more than savage animals. Even in this state though, they are quite dangerous since they have no regard for their wellbeing. The Devils of old took note of that and sought to take advantage of the Evil Dragons for their own purposes."
"I don't really like where this is going…" Takeshi grimaced. "What sort of harebrained scheme did they come up with?"
"In a time before the Great War, the Buné clan, whose members specialize in Dragon taming, suggested a certain plan to the first Devil Kings." Tannin said. "Their objective was to collect Dragons who had their minds broken by their transformation, and also abduct young Dragons to torture and turn into Evil Dragons while also breaking their mind in the process. They would then use their clan trait on these mindless Evil Dragons in order to place them under their control, providing the Underworld with a fearsome weapon in theory. The Maw here functioned as a storage, torture and breeding facility for the captured Evil Dragons. In practice, things didn't turn out as they had hoped for."
"Even in their feral state, the Evil Dragons proved to be nigh uncontrollable, turning on their handlers several times." Zirnitra said. "The abductions also caught the attention of several Dragon Kings, myself included, who began launching attacks on Devil territories in retaliation. Eventually, the project was scrapped and the Evil Dragons were imprisoned here since the Devil Kings didn't want to go through the trouble of exterminating them. Moreover, the Buné clan still hoped they could refine their techniques and subjugate the feral Dragons at some point, though that never came to pass."
"When I became an Ultimate-class Devil and received my territory from the current government, I requested ownership of the area where the Maw was situated as well." Tannin said. "We still imprison the occasional Evil Dragon from time to time in there, but my main purpose for claiming this prison was for research. I was hoping we could study the Evil Dragons to find a cure for their condition, allowing us to reverse the transformation and bring fallen Dragons like them back to normal. Unfortunately, our efforts have proven fruitless so far."
"Not to mention, since the Evil Dragons are still breeding in there, the population increases after a time even though they cannibalize each other, necessitating periodic cullings." Zirnitra said. "That's where you come in, Ryuugamine Takeshi."
"…Pardon?"
"We will teleport you to the Maw's bottom stratum through magic circle." Tannin said. "From there, you have to make your way up to the middle and upper stratums while surviving both the harsh conditions and attacks from the feral Evil Dragons dwelling inside this prison. I cannot guarantee your survival, but if you can overcome this challenge, you will certainly grow even stronger."
"Unless you're afraid of course. This is a bit too much for a frail Devil such as you after all."
Takeshi scowled as he turned his gaze towards the source of the voice. Standing on top of a nearby rock formation was Bova, a mocking smile on his reptilian features.
"Oh, you're here too, Bobo?" Takeshi smirked. "I thought I smelled something nasty. Did you piss yourself again or something?"
"Funny." Bova growled as he jumped off, landing next to Takeshi. "I wonder if you'll still be in the mood for jokes when the Evil Dragons inside the Maw slowly tear you apart. Shame I won't be able to watch you make a fool of yourself, but I'll settle for imagining it."
"You sound really salty, Bobo." Takeshi said with a grin. "I understand though. Getting your ass kicked by yours truly must have really stung."
"First, my name is Bova, you insufferable creature." Bova said, glowering at Takeshi. "Second, where and when exactly did I lose to you, puny Devil? You barely managed a draw, and that's only because the Dragon Kings intervened and stopped the fight. Unless you want me to finish what I started, I suggest you tone down the attitude."
"Took the words right out of my mouth." Takeshi said, cracking his knuckles. "Perhaps a warmup is in order before I head inside the Maw."
"Bring it on then, you—"
"Enough." Tannin stomped his foot on the ground, cutting off Bova. "This isn't the time or place to settle your petty differences. Ryuugamine Takeshi, I suggest you focus on the task ahead if you wish to survive. And you, Bova, stop antagonizing my pupil simply because you don't acknowledge him. To begin with, why are you here? I believe I had tasked you with hunting down the Behemoth that had appeared near our farming grounds, no?"
"That task is already finished." Bova said. "I was on my way back to report when I heard from my brother that you intended to visit the Maw for the scheduled culling, so I wanted to participate as well. However, to think you're sending this lowlife to carry it out…well, even I can't help but feel a bit sorry for him."
"Feel sorry for yourself if you have the time for that, Bobo." Takeshi said. "No matter the obstacle, I'll clear it without fail, and that includes this prison right here."
"That's a fine attitude, but actions speak louder than words." Tannin said before Bova could respond, and then turned to Zirnitra. "Is the transportation magic circle ready?"
"Almost…there." Zirnitra said as a teleportation magic circle appeared beneath Takeshi. "I'm embedding a compass spell in your forearm that will help guide you towards the exit. Good luck in there, Ryuugamine Takeshi. Trust me, you will need it."
The light of teleportation engulfed Takeshi in a matter of seconds. Once the radiance died down, he was nowhere to be found.
"Are you sure this is wise, Tannin?" Zirnitra turned to her fellow Dragon King, a concerned expression on her face. "That child is strong, no doubt about that, but asking him to traverse the Maw while facing all sorts of feral Evil Dragons and having the Evil Dragons within his Sacred Gear tormenting him at the same time…that might be beyond his capabilities."
"If the worst comes to pass, then I suppose this was as far as he could go." Tannin said. "Evolution or death. That has always been the way for us Dragons since the dawn of our race. And what better way to evolve than to push one's self to the absolute limit, both physically and mentally, and then surpass it?"
"That might be true, but Ryuugamine Takeshi's circumstances are different compared to that of the average Dragon's." Zirnitra said. "Moreover, how do you think Rias Gremory and her family will react if we end up killing their precious servant? Making an enemy out of the family that has ties to the abnormal existence that occupies the throne of Lucifer isn't advisable."
"It's precisely because of his unique circumstances that his training must be even more severe." Tannin insisted. "What Ryuugamine Takeshi requires above all is unshakable willpower refined through adversity that shall not yield to anything. This journey in the dark will demonstrate whether he possesses such an abnormal will that borders on insanity. There is no other way for him to survive and thrive in the long run. As for the Gremory family, both the family head and his wife are aware of my plan, as is Azazel. Even if our Evil Dragon User perishes in there, I doubt the consequences will be too severe for us."
"I hope you know what you're doing, Tannin." Zirnitra said. "For your sake, but mostly for the young one's sake. It would be a shame if Bova here lost his new friend."
"Excuse me?" Bova frowned. "My apologies, but are you perhaps going blind in your old age, Zirnitra-sama? I'm not and will never be friends with a disrespectful weakling like the Evil Dragon User. If anything, I'm looking forward to him biting the dust so that Father can stop wasting his time with him."
"Ah, never say never, young Bova." Zirnitra said while chuckling. "In any case, since it will take Ryuugamine Takeshi a couple of months at least to reach the exit, we have some free time in the meantime. I recall you said something about Bova hunting a Behemoth before. If some meat is left from this delicacy…"
"Say no more." Tannin said as he spread his wings. "It's been some time since the last one, so we'll be having a grand feast tonight. I hope you're ready for more food and drink than you can consume."
"Hoh, is that a challenge?" Zirnitra grinned as she also spread her wings. "Bring it on then. I'll show you once again that I'm not someone to be trifled with when it comes to drinking contests!"
The two Dragon Kings took off, with Bova following behind them. The young Dragon glanced at the Maw once before letting out a huff, with several embers coming out of his mouth.
"Suppose he survives this ordeal, we can settle the score once and for all then…"
Bova muttered as he entered the Dragon Gate alongside Tannin, vanishing from the area.
"Ugh, feels like someone's, cough, shoving hot coal straight into my lungs…"
Takeshi said with a grimace while coughing, his back against a stone wall as he tried to compose himself. Once the light of teleportation had died down, he had found himself inside a massive open space filled with numerous thick rock columns that he assumed stretched all the way up to the ceiling. The area was dimly lit, and even with his enhanced Devil senses, he could barely see a few meters ahead of him. Worst of all was that the very atmosphere of the place was malignant. His eyes and nose burned, his skin felt like someone was rubbing sandpaper on it, and the very air he breathed felt like poison.
"As expected of a dwelling fit for Evil Dragons, I guess…" Takeshi said as he wrapped draconic aura around his body to mitigate the adverse effects the environment had on his body. "All the corrupted draconic aura they've been letting out over the centuries must have altered the ecosystem into a hazardous one. Looks like this training's starting on high difficulty mode."
[That is an understatement, whelp.] Nidhogg's voice echoed in Takeshi's thoughts. [Quite cruel of Tannin to dump you in here. I wonder, could that be because he's written you off as a lost cause?]
"Oh, you're back, how nice." Takeshi said with a grimace while surveying his surroundings. "When it rains, it pours…"
[Did you miss us, shitty brat?] Grendel said while cackling. [You didn't think you'd get rid of us that easily, right? I would never miss such a promising bloodbath after all!]
"Perish the thought." Takeshi said. "We're partners that will be stuck with each other for a very, very long time, aren't we?"
[Hm, someone seems more confident than before, and also more amicable.] Orochi said. [Is it actually happening? Has partner realized how much he cares for us over our long absence? Oh, what a joyous day indeed!]
"Don't get ahead of yourself, Orochi." Takeshi said as he examined the magic formation in his forearm, which had formed an arrow pointing towards his right. "Your power is necessary for me, but we aren't friends, and we never will be if you keep being so determined to ruin my life."
[Your life…is already ruined…and you're only…making things worse…for yourself…with this vain struggle…whelp…] Ladon said. [This fight of yours…is pointless…]
"That's for me to decide, not you, Ladon." Takeshi said. "Now hush all of you. I need to concentrate here."
[Whether you chose fight or flight, you'd better prepare yourself, partner.] Orochi said. [Our lesser kin must have picked up your scent by now, and they'll be upon you soon enough. So, unless you want to end up as their chew toy, keep your guard up.]
Takeshi didn't respond, opting to summon Cataclysm Zone and Hesperides Fort as he started walking, his senses on high alert for any suspicious movements in his surroundings. Although he thought about using his powers to generate light and further illuminate his surroundings, he decided against it in the end. While he was almost certain the residents of this underground prison were tracking him, he wasn't about to make things easier for them. Moreover, wielding demonic power and draconic aura at the same time was still difficult for him, so he opted against trying for now.
The sound of claws scrapping against stone was the only warning he had. Jumping sideways on instinct, he avoided a charging mass that was coming straight at him just in time. Bringing up Hesperides Fort, he conjured a large rhomboid barrier, with a large tail slamming on it and sending him skidding backwards.
"An Earth Drake, eh!?"
Takeshi remarked after getting a good look at his opponent, a brown-colored drake with sharp claws and a barbed tail that was letting out incomprehensible snarls and screeches. Its bloodshot eyes were focusing on Takeshi as it slammed its front legs on the ground, with several rock spires erupting from it and heading straight for the young Devil. Takeshi slammed Hesperides Fort on the ground, conjuring a semi-circular barrier around him that blocked the incoming spires.
Aiming at the charging Earth Drake, he formed a stake-shaped barrier around his shield. The stake shot forward, piercing through its right foreleg and chest. Despite the mortal wound however, the Earth Drake kept charging at Takeshi, his claws poised to tear him apart. Forming a large cube-shaped barrier above it, Takeshi smashed it on his other leg, forcing it on the ground. Before it could recover, Takeshi was upon it, his right leg covered in dense draconic aura as he aimed a heel kick at the Earth Drake's head. His blow shattered its skull and pulverized its brain, finally killing the Evil Dragon.
"Damn, how hard was that guy's skull…?" Takeshi said through gritted teeth as he rubbed his aching leg. "Should have worn one of my armors from the start… Still, if that's the worst they can do, then—"
Takeshi's words were cut off as a series of outraged howls echoed across the vast underground space, followed by the sound of numerous heavy footsteps and intense rumbling that shook the area.
"Oh, that's not good…"
Filled with trepidation, Takeshi turned his gaze towards the source of the cacophony. Even with the poor visibility, he could make out the numerous large shapes rushing at him in the distance, their gazes that were full of murderous intent aimed at him. In their haste to get him, some of them would trample over their companions, but that did nothing to slow down the overall momentum of the horde.
[Alright, looks like things are finally getting interesting!] Grendel said. [Turn these lowlifes into mincemeat, whelp! We're having one hell of a feast today!]
"Like Hell we are!" Takeshi said, dismissing Hesperides Fort and summoning Blight Current. "Balance Break!"
[Hazard Rise! Venom Blood Awakening!]
Eight Branch Ethereal Surge's armor formed around Takeshi's body, with the chariot appearing next to him. He jumped on it in haste and gave it a telepathic command. The chariot rushed away from the horde in response as Takeshi checked the compass spell on his arm for the general direction he should head for, doing his best to ignore the magnified pain inflicted on him by the hazardous environment.
[You're running away!?] Grendel's outraged howl echoed in Takeshi's head. [Don't joke with me, you shitty whelp! Where's your pride as a warrior!? Stand and fight, and let me enjoy the massacre to the fullest!]
"I'm going to say no thank you to that!" Takeshi shouted, his tails shooting globules of venom at the charging Earth Drakes. "If you want to fight so much, get out there and do it yourself, Grendel!"
[If only we could…] Nidhogg said with a sigh. [I would have bitten your head off and put an end to this farce once and for all if that was the case. Alas, I will have to settle for others doing the dirty work for me.]
Takeshi didn't respond to that, busy with blowing away the Earth Drakes falling from above with his black wind. From what he could tell, several Earth Drakes would climb the rock pillars around the area with the aid of their earth manipulation abilties and jump off them, aiming for his chariot. Others would settle for creating platforms beneath their feet that would launch them off, closing the distance between them and Takeshi.
Despite the loss of intelligence, they still have enough sense left to use their inborn abilties in a rudimentary manner. Takeshi thought as he enveloped his chariot in a dense black wind barrier. Moreover, I can't tell if my attacks are having any effect on their numbers, and I can't keep running forever. It's risky, but I need to counterattack here!
Burying one of his tails into a nearby pillar, Takeshi used it as an anchor to spin around and crash on the charging Dragons' frontline, the black wind and thunder barrier enveloping the chariot tearing through them and leaving only chunks of mangled flesh behind. Conjuring several tornadoes and sending them at the Evil Dragons further back to slow them down, Takeshi turned the chariot around and dashed forward. However, much to his shock, he noticed that a large number of Earth Drakes were charging towards him from the front as well. Taking a quick look around, he realized that he was surrounded from all sides, with the Evil Dragons closing in on him.
"Tch, not even an hour in here, and I'm already in a do-or-die situation!" Takeshi clicked his tongue in irritation as he dismissed the chariot. "I can't face all of them out here in the open, which means…"
Propelling himself upwards with a blast of black wind, Takeshi landed on an outcropping jutting out of one of the nearby rock pillars that was close to the vast cavern's ceiling. Though this position was far from ideal, it was a little better than being swarmed from all sides in open terrain.
[Seems like we're doing this after all!] Grendel chuckled. [Good, that's very good! Give those pitiful fuckers a beating they won't soon forget, shitty brat!]
[Festival, festival~!] Orochi cheered. [Let's turn up the heat and let the blood flow, partner!]
"At least someone's having fun here…"
Takeshi mumbled as he spread out his tails, letting streams of venom pour out of them and rush down the entirety of the pillar. He hoped this would slow down the horde a bit, but the maddened Evil Dragons didn't pay any heed to it, using their claws to climb the pillar with rapid steps as they headed for Takeshi's position. Even though their limbs would start rotting from the poison and their bodies convulsed as it seeped into their bloodstream, the Evil Dragons ignored their critical condition to keep pursuing their prey.
"These bastards have completely lost their sense of self-preservation…!" Takeshi remarked with a grimace, black thunder gathering around his limbs. "Hard way it is then!"
Takeshi began shooting a barrage of thunderbolts at the incoming Earth Drakes, felling beast after beast. His tails also worked overtime, swatting the charging beasts aside or tearing through their bodies. Summoning his chariot once again, Takeshi had it circle around him and shoot fire blasts and wind blades to further thin the horde. He also unleashed raging black winds from his entire armor whenever the Evil Dragons got too close for comfort, blowing them away and sending them crashing down. Some of them would hit the ground, while others would fall on their companions, injuring both of them.
Despite the losses they incurred though, the Evil Dragons' relentless assault didn't show any signs of slowing down. The Earth Drakes would use their rudimentary earth manipulation skills to create footholds on the pillar for easier climbing and charge ahead. Others would climb on the adjacent pillars and jump off them, aiming to surprise Takeshi, while others further back on the ground would conjure rock and crystal spears, bombarding his position. This omni-directional assault was pushing both Takeshi's concentration and body to their limit as he had to take his enemy's position, his general condition and his own reserves into account while counterattacking.
How many are there, damn it!? Takeshi shouted in his thoughts as his arm stinger pierced through yet another Evil Dragon's chest, with him tossing the convulsing body into an Earth Drake that was sailing through the air towards him. If it keeps going like this…!
Having lost focus for a couple of seconds, Takeshi was too slow to react when an Earth Drake reached his position and slashed at him with its claws. Taking a hurried step back, he avoided the worst of it, but the claws still tore through the armor and opened a few gashes on his torso. Focusing demonic power into his voice, Takeshi let out a scream that cut the Earth Drake to pieces through high-frequency vibrations. He then slammed his right fist on the ground, generating a massive thunderstorm that blew away most of the Evil Dragons around him. Raising his arms high next, he formed several storm clouds that began raining poison and black thunder all around him, felling even more enemies. Falling on his knees due to the exertion and intense pain, he struggled to catch his breath. Unfortunately, the reprieve offered by his large-scale attack proved to be shot-lived as the area started shaking once again.
"Oh, what the Hell is it now!?"
No sooner Takeshi had spoken than the ground burst open, with three creatures resembling oversized serpents with blackened scales emerging from it and heading towards Takeshi's position, trampling the Earth Drakes in their way underneath their massive frame.
"This time, it's Earth Wyrms!?" Takeshi cried out, aiming his tails at them and shooting venom and thunderbolts at them. "Give me a break already!"
The Earth Wyrms rushed forward with speed unbefitting of their frame as Takeshi's attacks bounced off their hardened scales. The one in the lead slid up the pillar, crushing the chariot in his way and opening his mouth wide to consume Takeshi. However, he was ready for it, having gathered a large sphere of venom in his hands. Tossing it into its mouth, Takeshi jumped off the outcropping as the writhing Wyrm crashed on it, pressing the sides of his buckle twice.
[Charge! Hazard Overflow!]
The stinger attached to his left arm wrapped itself around it as his black wind-clad tails propelled him towards the second Wyrm. Dodging its bite and the rock projectiles it shot at him, Takeshi aimed for its back.
[Venom Impact!]
With large amounts of draconic aura, black thunder and venom gathered around his left arm, Takeshi had little trouble tearing through the Earth Wyrm's back, its scales flying around in all directions as it howled in agony. Takeshi landed next to it, but at that moment, the third Earth Wyrm rushed at him. Due to exhaustion and pain from his several injuries, Takeshi was unable to react fast enough. The Wyrm smashed on him and sent him crashing through several pillars, breaking his left arm and leg along with several ribs. Takeshi spat out copious amounts of blood, using his tails to in an attempt to steady himself. Several rock spires suddenly erupted from around him, striking him in the abdomen and knocking the breath out of him. As the Earth Wyrm charged at him again, time seemed to slow down for Takeshi. He was well aware that he was too slow and too injured to avoid or counterattack in this scenario. This only left him with one option.
Come on, work, damn it! Takeshi thought as he focused all his attention on Cataclysm Zone. Work, you piece of junk! I…I can't let everything end here!
Just as the Earth Wyrm was about to devour Takeshi, Cataclysm Zone shone once as the color of the middle gem changed to ash grey.
[Revolve On. Malice.]
Eight Branch Ethereal Surge's armor vanished, with Dead Shore Advent's armor taking its place and mending Takeshi's wounds. Summoning a large number of ash arms to stop the charging Earth Wyrm and hold its mouth open, Takeshi pressed the sides of his buckle once.
[Charge! Malice Overflow!]
As copious amounts of miasma and demonic power surrounded Takeshi's leg, he spread his wings wide and jumped into the beast's throat.
[Abyss Blast Fever!]
Takeshi's flying side kick pulverized the Earth Wyrm's insides and tore its back open, with the armored youth landing behind the dying Earth Wyrm while covered in its blood and entrails. One of the surviving Earth Drakes charged at Takeshi, only for him to sever its front legs with Mayhem Striker. He then grabbed its head and channeled miasma into it, turning the beast into a decomposing carcass in a matter of seconds. Another Earth Drake tried to attack from behind, but Takeshi formed a curved ash blade around his leg, bifurcating the Evil Dragon with a back kick.
This final death seemed to be the straw that broke the camel's back for the rest as the surviving Evil Dragons retreated in haste. After making sure no-one was around, Takeshi collapsed on his knees, with the armor dissipating. His entire body was trembling, his breaths were coming out in short gasps and he was plagued by phantom pain from his healed injuries. Although a small part of him was glad that he was able to switch between Balance Breakers on the fly, his current condition didn't leave him with any time for celebrations.
"Can't stay…out here in the open…" Takeshi wheezed out after a few seconds, forcing himself to stand. "Got to find…got to find some place to rest… Who knows…when they'll be back…"
Spreading his Devil wings, Takeshi took flight, his senses on high alert for any sight of trouble. After flying for an indeterminate amount of time, he came across several rock formations. Noticing a small cave opening in one of them, Takeshi landed in front of it. Upon examining it and making sure no-one else was occupying it, Takeshi stepped inside the cave, which was barely tall and wide enough to fit him. Summoning Hesperides Fort, Takeshi almost fell down due to the magnified feeling of intense exhaustion that assaulted him, but forced himself to endure it. Once he had conjured several barriers to envelop the entirety of the cave and seal its opening, he lied on the ground with a sigh.
"Day one, and I'm already a mess…" Takeshi muttered as his stomach grumbled. "That's just what I needed right now. Master should have let me pack some food…"
[What for?] Grendel said. [There's plenty of good meat back there.]
Takeshi frowned. While it was true that he could eat the Dragons' corpses, he was certain that their taste would leave a lot to be desired, what with the corrupted draconic aura that had seeped into their bodies. Furthermore, there was the issue of water to consider as well. Devils could go on without food and water for much longer than regular humans, but they still required them. The only upside was that, for water at least, he could convert his demonic power into it, though he didn't wish to expend it if he didn't have to.
"I'll let tomorrow's me handle all that." Takeshi said. "Right now, I need to rest…"
[Rest…you say…?] Ladon chuckled. [I'm afraid…that won't happen… I lost…an entire month…because of that meddlesome Zirnitra…so I intend…to make up for that…and then some… Soon…you will realize…there is only one way…to escape…from this miserable existence…you call a life…]
Too exhausted to say anything in response, Takeshi occupied himself by reminiscing about more pleasant times, bracing himself for the horror that was sure to come.
"How long have I been in here… A few days, a week, a month…or more…?"
Takeshi muttered with a dispirited sigh as he made his way through the bottom stratum, following the compass spell's directions. Ever since Tannin and Zirnitra had tossed him in here, he had spent his days alternating between fighting various Evil Dragons while awake and contending against all sorts of horrors while asleep. Having lost all sense of time in here didn't help his condition, and every day that passed, he found it more and more difficult to recall pleasant memories in order to lift his spirits up.
"Doesn't help that the food in here sucks as well…" Takeshi said, taking a bite out of a piece of grilled Dragon meat and almost throwing up due to the horrible taste reminiscent of spoiled meat. "Good thing I found a couple of streams with drinkable water. Shame that it tastes like drinking mud…"
Takeshi sighed once again before slapping his cheeks to force himself to focus. The only piece of good news was the ground beneath him seemed to incline, and the temperature was also dropping slightly the more he moved forward. Though he couldn't be certain of it, he assumed that meant he was approaching the entrance leading to a higher stratum. Moreover, since he had dealt with yet another assault from a horde of Earth Dragons shortly before, he assumed they would leave him alone for now just like they had done all the other times.
After walking for a while, he noticed that he had entered a large tunnel, where the atmosphere had grown noticeably colder and ice had started forming here and there. Taking the alterations on the environment as a good sign, Takeshi quickened his pace, hoping to reach the entrance to the next stratum as soon as possible.
[I wouldn't be too eager if I was in your shoes, whelp.] Nidhogg said. [Even if you do reach another layer, you're merely trading one Hell for another. Not to mention, all this frost around probably means you're about to enter Blizzard Dragon territory, which means you're bound to be attacked once again sooner or later.]
"Aren't you a ray of sunshine, Nidhogg…" Takeshi grumbled as he summoned Berserk Devastator. "Still, thanks for the heads-up, I guess."
As he moved deeper into the tunnel, Takeshi ignited his gauntlets and greaves to keep himself warm and melt the ice beneath his feet. He thought he could hear growls coming from the various smaller openings all around him, but he couldn't be certain. Even so, he made sure to keep his guard up at all times while moving forward with careful steps.
Some time passed like that, with Takeshi deciding to stop and get some rest before marching on, looking around for a suitable cave or some other location that would provide some protection. As if waiting for him to come to a halt, several ice walls around him exploded, with a large number of Blizzard Dragons emerging from the openings and shooting their freezing breaths at Takeshi. Large amounts of ice enveloped the young Devil, quenching the flames coming from Berserk Devastator with ease. However, as the Blizzard Dragons edged closer to the ice prison they had created, a voice echoed.
[Atrocity Rise! Crime Force Awakening!]
An explosion of flames destroyed the ice trapping Takeshi, forcing the Blizzard Dragons to shield themselves with their wings. Emerging from the conflagration while wearing his armor, Takeshi landed on top of an Evil Dragon's head, smashing its skull with a flame-enveloped punch. Spreading his wings next, he took flight and unleashed two massive waves of fire towards the Blizzard Dragons beneath him, incinerating two of them and melting sections of the ice surrounding the cavern. Despite that, the Evil Dragons still dove into the conflagration without regard for themselves, aiming to skewer Takeshi with their fangs and claws. Their efforts proved to be fruitless though as his robust armor shielded him from their attacks, with the Evil Dragons breaking their claws more often than not.
"Seriously, realize it's useless already and give it a rest!" Takeshi yelled as he broke a Blizzard Dragon's leg with a kick, and then severed its head with his flame-enveloped arm blades. "I've had just about enough of you lowlifes!"
Dodging a volley of ice crystals, Takeshi delivered a flurry of punches at a Blizzard Dragon before blowing its head clean off with a powerful uppercut. Spinning around on the air, he aimed a heel kick at another Dragon and broke its spine, leaving it writhing on the ground. As several Blizzard Dragons pounced on him, Takeshi gathered and condensed a large amount of flames into his right gauntlet before smashing it on the ground, generating a massive explosion that vaporized a large number of Blizzard Dragons and melted not only the surrounding ice, but even the stone walls themselves. He then let out a series of flame-enveloped kicks at the nearest Blizzard Dragons, sending them flying and melting their hides in various places. Jumping on one of the remaining Blizzard Dragons, Takeshi thrust his arm into its neck and tore out its windpipe, with copious amounts of frost rushing out of the hole and freezing parts of its body. Pressing the sides of his buckle twice next, Takeshi took a stance.
[Charge! Atrocity Overflow!]
His right and left gauntlet were enveloped by fire and ice respectively as Takeshi dashed forward while spinning around, forming a tornado of flames and ice around him.
[Violent Impact!]
Takeshi tore through the remaining Blizzard Dragons, his flames destroying their bodies and his ice freezing their remains. Looking around and making sure that there were no enemies present, Takeshi gave a mental command to Cataclysm Zone.
[Revolve On. Hazard.]
Changing armors once again, Takeshi barely stifled a scream as the pain from the injuries Berserk Devastator had inflicted on his body became more intense. Powering through it, he summoned his chariot and jumped on it, guiding it towards the tunnel's exit.
[Throwing caution to the wind, eh?] Orochi said. [Can't blame you, partner. Better to get out of here as quickly as possible than risk another confrontation. It's not like you have the energy to spare here, right?]
"Don't…don't look on me, Orochi." Takeshi said with some effort. "I can keep going…for as long as I have to…"
[Now that's a big, fat lie if I've ever heard one.] Grendel snorted. [You're barely holding yourself together and you've only got through a single layer so far, shitty whelp. I admit, you've put on a good show so far, had me taste some delicious pain and suffering, but you're reaching your limit. This prison will be your tomb.]
"I won't let that happen." Takeshi said, though he couldn't summon his usual fervor. "For the sake of everything and everyone I'm fighting for, I—"
[Please…] Ladon cut off Takeshi. [How much longer…do you intend…to deceive yourself…? Well, whatever… Sooner or later…the harsh reality…will destroy that foolish illusion…of yours…]
Takeshi didn't respond to that as he saw a faint light in the distance. Increasing the chariot's speed and avoiding the occasional Blizzard Dragon's attacks while counterattacking, Takeshi arrived at the end of the tunnel and the entrance to the middle stratum, only to let out a dispirited sigh.
"Out of the frying pan and into the fire, eh…?"
Takeshi said, a bitter expression behind his helmet. The place he had arrived at was another vast underground space, though not as high as the bottom stratum. Unlike the bottom stratum however, the place was filled with lakes and winding rivers of magma as far as the eye could see, with the intense heat making Takeshi feel like he had stepped inside an oven. The noxious fumes rising from the numerous cracks on the blackened ground only made the atmosphere even more insufferable. Far in the distance, Takeshi could make out what appeared to be Fire Wyrms swimming inside the magma.
"Couldn't Master have given me a heads-up at least about this hellhole?" Takeshi grumbled as he checked the compass spell once again. "And of course, my way out goes through that swarm of Fire Wyrms I can see over there. Fantastic…"
Letting out a resigned sigh, Takeshi began making his way towards the Fire Wyrms in the distance. Unbeknownst to him, a small Fire Wyvern was observing him from above, hidden behind a stalactite formation. Once Takeshi had left the area, it spread its wings and flew, heading deeper into the cavern. After flying for some time, he arrived at the edge of a large lava waterfall, where an imposing Dragon was resting on top of a rock formation. It was covered in orange-colored scales that seemed to be letting out a faint glow, its head was V-shaped with a long horn protruding from its snout, two wings and two curved horn-shaped protrusions grew from its back and its barbed tail was flicking back and forth. Upon sensing the Fire Wyvern's approach, its eyes opened wide, focusing on it.
"What is it, servant?" The Fire Dragon said, his voice echoing around. "Why have you disturbed my rest? Answer quickly, unless you wish to become my next meal."
The Fire Wyvern let out a series of shrieks, with the Fire Dragon opening his eyes wide in response as he stood up.
"Fresh meat has wandered into our territory from the bottom stratum?" The Fire Dragon said, looking intrigued. "One that feels like an Evil Dragon like us, yet is not one? How interesting. Notify the rest of my pack, and then keep observing him. We will strike once the wild ones have softened him up a bit. The taste of tender flesh will be a welcome change after all this time."
The Fire Wyvern let out another shriek as it left in a hurry, with the Fire Dragon letting out a deep chuckle as he imagined savoring the new delicacy his underling had come across.
"That makes…sixty-eight…so far…"
Takeshi said, his exhaustion evident as he removed Mayhem Striker from the corpse of the Fire Wyvern he had just slain, dismissing his armor. He had been travelling for an indeterminate amount of time, battling all sorts of Fire Dragons in the meantime. Unlike their Earth brethren, they were far more aggressive and even less likely to retreat unless all members of their group had been exterminated. At times, they would even attack him in his resting spots, requiring him to constantly be alert and cut down on his sleeping time so as not to be caught unaware.
All that, combined with the extremely harsh environment, constant nightmares and lack of proper nutrition, only served to further wear him down, both in mind and body. His life so far was starting to seem like a distant dream, with his bleak condition being the only reality he had ever experienced. Even so, he dragged his battered body forward, the last vestiges of his determination urging him to soldier on despite the compulsion to simply give up on everything growing stronger.
"I should be reaching the path leading to the upper stratum soon…" Takeshi checked his compass spell, wiping the sweat from his brow. "At least…I hope that's the case…"
After making sure his draconic aura output was stable and taking a few deep breaths to compose himself, Takeshi started walking once again, following a large lava river and heading for a lava waterfall in the distance. Upon arriving at its bottom, Takeshi noticed that several boulders were jutting out of it. Using them as footholds by jumping from boulder to boulder, Takeshi reached the top of the waterfall, landing on the nearby bank.
However, just as he was about to start walking again, a large number of stalactites fell from the ceiling all of a sudden, aiming to skewer him. Takeshi jumped to the side in a hurry, forming an aura barrier to shield himself from any stray fragments. At that moment, several Fire Wyrms that were submerged beneath the lava surfaced, opening their mouths wide and letting out streams of flame. Slamming Mayhem Striker on the ground, Takeshi formed an ash tornado around him to shield himself from the flames. Before he could counterattack though, several Fire Drakes that had emerged from nearby fissures shot a barrage of fireballs, aiming for the fumes coming out of some crevices near Takeshi.
"Sh—!"
A massive explosion rocked the area and scattered the ashes, sending Takeshi skidding backwards. As more stalactites fell from the ceiling and a volley of fireballs aimed at him, he shouted.
"Balance Break!"
[Malice Rise! Abyss Rage Awakening!]
Dead Shore Advent's armor formed around Takeshi's body, with him quickly raising an ash tsunami to counter the flames and forming several ash blades to slice apart the falling stalactites.
"Good reflexes. No wonder you've managed to survive so long in here, little Devil."
Takeshi turned to the source of the voice, a large Fire Dragon who was sitting on top of an outcropping a few meters away from him, a sharp glint on his eyes. Even if he hadn't spoken, Takeshi would have guessed this Evil Dragon was intelligent from the look in his eyes and the way he carried himself.
"Let me guess, you're the boss of this area?" Takeshi said, pointing Mayhem Striker at him as several ash lances formed around him. "Perfect. That means, if I kill you here, I'll have an easier time getting through this hellhole."
"Kill me, you say?" The Dragon laughed. "You will kill me, the great Melzron? I have survived in this place for countless years, reigning as the undisputed ruler of the largest pack in the middle stratum. No, I'm afraid this is the end of the line for you. Rest assured though, I will savor every last bit of you. It's not often I get to dine on Devil flesh after all."
"Sorry, but I'm not on the menu." Takeshi said. "Also, picking a fight with me was a very bad choice. Looks like your undisputed reign ends today."
"I doubt that." Melzron grinned. "After all, you've already fallen into my trap!"
Melzron raised one of his feet that was enveloped in aura and slammed it down. In response, the ground beneath Takeshi erupted, with the magma explosion sending him flying. Acting on instinct, he hurled every ash lance he had conjured in random directions along with waves of draconic aura, with some of his projectiles hitting the assembled Fire Dragons and causing a series of explosions that sent several stalactites raining down on his opponents and raised a huge dust cloud. As for Takeshi, his armor broke apart and his momentum carried him over the lava waterfall, sending him crashing on the banks of the lava river. Rolling down the slope towards the river, he barely managed to stop himself from falling into the lava by burying his left hand's fingers into the rock.
Got to…get up… Takeshi thought, struggling to form coherent thoughts due to his pain and intense exhaustion. Before they come…I have to stand up…
[…Why…?]
Time seemed to slow down as Ladon's reproachful voice echoed in Takeshi's thoughts.
[Why…stand up…?] Ladon asked. [What for…? For whose sake…? For what purpose…?]
I…I have to prove it… Takeshi thought with some effort. Show everyone…that the Evil Dragon User…is more than an omen of calamity…
[Pointless…] Ladon snorted. [Even if you manage…to control us…you will never…control the world's perception…of you and your successors… No matter what…they will always fear…and distrust you… They will only ever see…the monster you could become…instead of who you are… Tell me…is that any way…for a person to live…?]
Even so…as long as Koneko, Rias, Akeno and the others are there…I can…
[Can do…what…?] Ladon said. [Live a blissful life…supported by their love…? What utter nonsense… Love is…a fleeting emotion… Once you become…too much of a liability…their affection will wither…and fade… Eternal love…only exists in fairytales…when in reality…it's a fragile thing…all too easily broken… Were you to die…they would mourn…but they would move on…and forget you eventually… Time is…cruel like that…]
This…even if that was the case…I am still…
[Obsessed with victory…I guess?] Ladon chuckled. [What does it matter…in the end though…? Win in life…as much as you want…but it means nothing…in the long run… Everything you fight for…everything you strive to accomplish…everything you seek to leave behind…all will be gone…and forgotten eventually… Your life…and that of everyone else…is inconsequential…before the grand scale…of the universe… The truth is…there is no point…to your struggles…to your suffering…]
Takeshi tried to retort, but it was like the words were stuck in his throat. Worse yet, he couldn't help but feel like the Evil Dragon had a point. Having reached this point, he was unable to draw strength from all the happy memories he had made so far, and even his reasons for fighting no longer seemed enough to galvanize his battered body and spirit.
[Yes…at last…you understand…] Ladon said, sounding pleased. [All this pain and anguish…you call life…just isn't worth it…in the end… You don't have…to sacrifice yourself…for anyone anymore… You no longer…need to bear…this heavy burden…or live your life…in fear of tomorrow… Let go… Free yourself…from your chains…and embrace…the release…oblivion offers you…]
Maybe…he's right… Takeshi thought. This… Maybe this is for the best… Maybe…I've done all I could…
Resigning himself to the inevitable, Takeshi decided to let go of his hold and plummet into the lava river, a somewhat swifter death compared to being devoured by a ravenous Evil Dragon. Much to his surprise however, he found out that his hand refused to obey his command, with his fingers remaining firmly embedded inside the hard rock. Before he realized it, he had rolled over, his hands clawing into the rock as he slowly crawled away from the river and up the slope with evident effort. Something inside him, something even he couldn't fully fathom, was spurring him into action, urging him to keep on fighting.
[…Why…?] Ladon said in an agitated tone, his form appearing before Takeshi. [Why…are you still…clinging on to life…? Why…are you still…moving forward…?]
Takeshi said nothing, grunting as he kept on climbing with a fierce expression on his face.
[Why!?] Ladon howled in an outraged tone. [Why, why, why, why, why!? You've already realized it! Justice, love, resolve, duty, bonds, all of them are nothing but fabrications built by feeble minds who don't want to acknowledge how pointless everything is! Everything is a vain attempt to justify an existence that has no meaning or purpose! Knowing all that, why are you still fighting!? What kind of lunacy is driving that broken body and mind!?]
"Because…I still want to see it." Takeshi said as he kept on crawling. "What kind of encounters will I have next? How much more powerful can I get? What sort of wonders do I have yet to see in this world, and what more can I discover and learn down the line? What sort of theme will next year's Kamen Rider, Super Sentai and Ultraman use? And the year after that and so on. In the end…I don't want to give up on my future!"
[Future!?] Ladon said with an incredulous tone, leaning forward to glare at Takeshi. [You're still clinging on to the vain hope that the future has anything decent in store for you!? How much longer do you intend to deceive yourself with lies, whelp!?]
"Isn't it obvious?" Takeshi grinned as he stood up with some effort, facing Ladon's projection. "Until the lies become truth."
[What…?]
"You may have a point, Ladon." Takeshi said. "Maybe all these values we're holding on to are mere illusions and dreams. Even if that's the case though, there's no rule saying that they can't become reality. I'd rather move forward and believe in creating a better tomorrow for myself despite all the anguish I have to go through to reach it instead of wallowing in despair."
Takeshi stared Ladon straight in the eye with a resolute expression before resuming speaking.
"That's why, follow me, Ladon!" Takeshi said. "I'll show you a future that will stir even that emotionally dead heart of yours!"
Ladon said nothing for a few seconds, but then let out a small sigh.
[Even after…all these centuries…I can never seem…to predict you lesser beings…] Ladon said, having seemingly calmed down. [At times…you end up doing…all sorts of unexpected things…and surprising me… I still doubt…you have any future…worth fighting so hard for…but I will acknowledge your resolve… It's…my loss…]
Ladon's projection vanished, leaving Takeshi alone. At that moment, Melzron and his subordinates landed all around Takeshi, surrounding him.
"I admit, that desperate counterattack caught us by surprise, but nothing more than that." Melzron said as he took a step forward, a cruel smirk on his face. "Now then, it's the long-awaited lunchtime."
"No." Takeshi said with a grin, summoning Hesperides Fort. "It's the revival of the self-centered hero of justice! And to celebrate, here's the unveiling of my brand-new power! Balance Break!"
[Terror Rise! Stalwart Insomniac Awakening!]
Following that announcement, a large number of armor parts formed around Takeshi before slamming on his body, forming a thick full-body copper-colored armor with a Dragon motif. Two large shields were attached to the shoulder area, five spherical drone-like devices with red gems on them were attached to the forearms, knees and chest, and two root-shaped horns extended from the helmet.
"Phase Four, complete." Takeshi remarked as he examined his armor. "This is my new Balance Breaker, Insomniac Haunted Ground, eh? Not too bad."
"Is that another fancy armor?" Melzron hissed. "No matter. I'll just have to peel it open and drag you out of it. Get him!"
The assembled Fire Dragons opened their maws wide, unleashing streams of flame at Takeshi. In response, the shields on his armor swung ninety degrees forward, projecting several barriers around him. The flames struck them, but were unable to penetrate them.
"Lame!" Takeshi exclaimed. "Come on, you overgrown lizards, are you kidding me? You weren't able to break even a single barrier?"
[My prided barriers…cannot be brought down…with only this level…of firepower…] Ladon said. [Finish these posers off…and let's move on already…whelp…]
"That was the plan from the start, Ladon!" Takeshi said. "All of them will be eradicated without fail!"
Takeshi conjured several barriers beneath his feet to propel himself upwards, covering his right gauntlet with a multitude of barriers and striking three Fire Wyverns in front of him with a powerful blow that sent them crashing on their brethren below. For some reason however, this minor exertion left Takeshi panting and feeling like he had just finished running a marathon while having weights strapped on him.
[Oh…I forgot to mention…that energy consumption…is further magnified…in Balance Breaker…] Ladon said. [Even simple movements…will exhaust you…faster than normal…]
"You could have mentioned that sooner!" Takeshi complained, conjuring multiple small barriers to keep the surrounding Evil Dragons at bay and shield himself from their attacks. "Well whatever! It's not like I need to move much to take down opponents of this level!"
Takeshi shot several bullet-shaped barriers at the Evil Dragons, with them burying themselves into their bodies. The barriers then expanded, causing their bodies to swell up and explode in a shower of flesh and blood.
"Don't just stand there like idiots!" Melzron howled. "Kill him already, or die by my hand!"
The Evil Dragons let out loud screeches as they charged at Takeshi. In response, Takeshi focused on his armor, with his shields and drone-like units detaching themselves from it and flying towards the approaching Dragons. The drone units let out a harsh red glow, stopping the Dragons in their tracks and causing them to shriek in fear. Meanwhile, the shields were surrounded by thin and sturdy disk-shaped barriers, tearing through the paralyzed Evil Dragons with ease.
Some of them were able to keep moving despite the growing fear within them, but couldn't approach Takeshi as four drones arranged themselves in formation, creating a large rectangular barrier that kept the attacking Dragons at bay. The barrier then slammed on them, with more and more barriers piling on top of it and squashing the Evil Dragons.
"Let's take it up a notch, shall we?"
Takeshi grinned underneath his helmet as he tapped his foot on the ground. Several clawed arms made out of rock erupted from the ground in response, restraining and tearing apart several Fire Wyrms and Drakes. At the same time, a rain of stalagmites fell from the ceiling, impaling the Fire Wyverns flying above, while the drone units and shields continued to wreak havoc in the ranks of the Evil Dragons by forming thin razor-sharp barriers to slice them apart.
"What the Hell is this!?" Melzron howled as he used his fire breath and aura-clad limbs to destroy the rock arms trying to restrain him. "How can you manipulate the earth itself!?"
[Tsk, tsk…] Ladon's condescending voice came from Cataclysm Zone. [That's what happens…when you lack knowledge…I suppose… I, Ladon…am the progeny…of the Primordial Goddess Gaia… It's a given…that I would be able…to control the earth…to a degree…]
"Tough luck, Melzron." Takeshi said as he formed cube-shaped barriers around five approaching Fire Drakes' heads, decapitating them as the barriers slashed their necks. "Looks like victory wasn't an option for you and your pack!"
In a matter of minutes, the entire pack was annihilated with little effort, leaving only Melzron standing. Takeshi approached the Evil Dragon with slow steps, his eyes glowing red and his drones hovering around him while letting out a red radiance as well.
"P-Please…d-don't kill me!" Melzron shrieked as he fell on his knees, the full force of Ladon's terror gaze being too much for him. "I will become your servant, or anything else you wish! Please, just show mercy!"
"I'm sorry, but I'm fresh out of mercy." Takeshi said while smiling underneath his helmet. "Isolation and constant attempts on your life do that. However, don't worry. Unlike you, I don't fancy playing with my food. That's why, I'll kill you quickly."
After saying so, Takeshi pressed the sides of his buckle twice.
[Charge! Terror Overflow!]
The drone units rose high in the sky, with several dense spherical barriers surrounding them. At the same time, the Scale Mail's shields came to hover in Melzron's sides, projecting rectangular-shaped barriers that trapped him in place.
[Crushing Impact!]
The drone units hovering above fell on the Evil Dragon's body with the force of meteors, crushing it with ease and leaving only his mashed remains on the ground.
"This settles it." Takeshi said, dismissing his armor and let out a sigh of relief. "Oh, that feels much better. Impressive power, but it comes with very annoying restrictions as usual. Hey, since you surrendered to me, does that mean I don't have to worry about nightmares anymore, Ladon?"
[You wish…] Ladon said. [I may not…be able…to influence you…as often…as I could before…but I can still…torment you…in your sleep…from time to time… I haven't…given up…just yet…]
"I didn't think you would." Takeshi said. "You're quite stubborn yourself after all. Feel free to do your worst then. No matter what…I will not waver anymore."
[Big words…is what I would normally say, but you've proven yourself to be an abnormally resilient individual.] Nidhogg said. [At this point, I cannot dismiss your progress as a fluke.]
[I knew from the start you were something special, partner!] Orochi said in a jovial manner. [Looks like more fun times are ahead for this dynamic gang!]
[As long as that fun involves strong opponents throwing themselves at us so we can trample them underneath our feet, I'm all for it.] Grendel said. [However, don't get too cocky now, shitty whelp! The remaining three Evil Dragons in this damnable Gear are stronger than us, and far nastier. Underestimate them at your own peril!]
"I'm well aware of that, Grendel." Takeshi said, spreading his wings and taking flight. "I already had a taste of Crom Cruach's power after all. Still, I won't let that bother me now. Getting out of this stinking prison is my number one priority. Let's hope Melzron's death has sent a message to the rest of this stratum's denizens that I'm not to be trifled with."
After saying that, Takeshi checked his compass spell once again, heading towards the direction it was pointing at. Much to his relief, it seemed that the Fire Dragon and his pack's demise had indeed caused all Evil Dragons in the middle stratum to become more cautions since no-one attacked him. Once some time had passed, Takeshi arrived at the mouth of a wide tunnel that seemed to be curving upwards.
"This must be the entrance to the upper stratum." Takeshi grinned. "I was pretty close to it after all. At last, this long journey is coming to an end. Next time someone tosses me into a place like this though, I'm definitely bringing a watch with me. Hopefully, that won't be any time soon…"
Entering the tunnel while being wary of ambushes from more Evil Dragons dwelling in it, Takeshi made his way towards the upper stratum. Apart from the occasional Fire or Earth Drake attack, which he took care of with ease, the long journey that lasted several hours in his estimation was mostly uneventful. Eventually, Takeshi reached the end of the tunnel, where a dazzling radiance could be seen.
"Woah…"
Takeshi was astonished by the majestic sight before him. He had arrived in yet another vast underground space, but unlike the previous two, this one was filled with beautiful crystals as far as the eye could see. They were letting out a warm glow that illuminated their surroundings, creating a stunning scenery that seemed to come straight out of a fairy tale.
"I guess beauty can be found even in the most unexpected places." Takeshi remarked as he traced one of the crystals with his hand. "I wonder if these are valuable. If that's the case, perhaps I could make some good money selling them."
[I hate to be the bearer of bad news…oh, who I am kidding, I love being the bearer of bad news.] Nidhogg chuckled. [What you're touching there with such fascination, whelp…it's actually Sprite Dragon excrement.]
"Wait, excrement?" Takeshi frowned, horror seeping into his features. "Then, that means those crystals are…"
[Yep.] Orochi said while laughing. [That's Dragon poop alright, partner.]
"Ew!" Takeshi said with an expression of disgust as he removed his hand from the crystal in haste, conjuring a storage magic circle and pouring water out of it on his hand. "Would it kill you guys to give me a heads-up sooner!?"
[We could have, but where's the fun in that~?] Orochi grinned. [Not many opportunities for that in here.]
Takeshi was about to retort when several roars echoed in the area. Looking above, he saw a large number of Sprite Dragons approaching him, with the usual deranged expression adorning their reptilian features.
"Seems like the welcoming committee has arrived to greet us." Takeshi said, summoning Hesperides Fort. "In that case, I won't be holding back either! Balance Break!"
[Terror Rise! Stalwart Insomniac Awakening!]
The copper-colored Scale Mail enveloped Takeshi's body once again as he pointed at the approaching Evil Dragons.
"Now then, it's showtime!"
"Are you sure you aren't mistaken, Zirnitra?"
"For the last time, yes, I'm sure my readings are correct, Tannin. Ryuugamine Takeshi is in the upper stratum and is approaching the Maw's exit as we speak."
Zirnitra and Tannin were currently flying side by side, heading towards the Maw as fast as they could, with Bova following close behind. The reason for that was that Zirnitra had received a signal from the tracking spell he had embedded into Takeshi alongside the compass spell that indicated Takeshi was close to the prison's sole exit.
"If it truly is him, then his progress is nothing sort of remarkable." Tannin said. "It's only been a little more than a month inside the time dilation barrier from the moment we teleported Ryuugamine Takeshi to the bottom stratum. To think that he managed to make his way to the surface already…"
"How can you be sure it's him?" Bova asked. "What if one of the imprisoned Dragons ate him and is roaming close to the surface, hence the signal from your spell?"
"Impossible." Zirnitra said. "My spells would have informed me if he had perished. No, he's definitely alive. That much I can tell with certainty."
"I'll take your word for it, unlikely as that seems."
The three Dragons ceased speaking as they arrived at the Maw, landing in front of the entrance and raising a large dust cloud. All three of them waited with evident anticipation as Zirnitra checked the readings from her magic circle once again. After about half an hour had passed, the barriers on the Maw's entrance rippled as a humanoid figure wearing a tattered jersey passed through them. Despite his disheveled appearance and battered body, there was a fierce and lively expression on his face as he raised his hands to the sky.
"Finally, natural light, fresh air and the vast sky!" Takeshi said in an enthusiastic manner. "Oh, how I've missed you! Now all I need is a good meal and a good night's sleep, and I'm golden."
"Perhaps I can help with that." Tannin said as he took a step forward. "Welcome back, Ryuugamine Takeshi. From what I can tell judging from the quality of your aura, your time in the Maw has been fruitful."
"I'm not sure fruitful is the word I would use to describe my experiences down there, Master…" Takeshi said, a bitter smile on his face. "I did manage to unlock my next Balance Breaker though, so all's well that ends well, I guess?"
"That's very good to hear." Zirnitra said. "You have overcome one more obstacle on the path to mastering your Sacred Gear, bringing you that much closer to your goal. I'm sure Azazel will be pleased to hear that, as will your friends."
"I can't believe it…" Bova said, looking astonished. "You should have died in there. A mere Devil like you shouldn't have had the strength or fortitude to survive in there. And yet…here you are."
"You should learn not to underestimate me, Bobo." Takeshi smirked. "Defying expectations and coming out on top in adverse situations are among my specialties after all."
"Is that so?" Bova grinned. "We have something in common then, you and I. It seems you are stronger than I gave you credit for. However, between the two of us, I'm still the better fighter."
"While I'd love to prove you wrong, something else takes precedence here." Takeshi said, turning to Tannin. "I promised myself that if I got out of that pit in one piece, I'd give you a nice punch as payback for throwing me in there, Master!"
"Hah, looks like you're in high spirits despite your ordeal, Ryuugamine Takeshi!" Tannin said while laughing. "If you want to hit me, you're welcome to try any time. However, I'm not going to make it easy for you."
"That's just the way I wanted it, Master!"
"Before that, you should rest and regain your strength." Zirnitra said. "There's still plenty of time left within the time dilation barrier for you to play around with Tannin and Bova. First though, let's get out of this dreadful place. I'm sure you're eager to leave it behind as soon as possible."
"Yeah, that's one set of memories I'll do my best to repress…"
Takeshi muttered as he jumped on Zirnitra's outstretched hand, with the three Dragons opening the Dragon Gate once again and vanishing from the area.
"The information you have received is accurate then, Creuserey?"
Shalba Beelzebub asked, addressing a handsome man that wore high-quality clothes and had black hair tied up in a small ponytail, violet eyes, pointy ears and pale skin. Apart from these two, there was also a young woman wearing noble clothes with features similar to Shalba's, who had long, bushy brown hair, green eyes and a curvaceous figure, and the projection of a young-looking man with an average appearance and build apart from his white hair, golden eyes and somewhat maniacal expression on his face, who wore a simple white robe adorned with Linear A symbols. These four had currently gathered in the suite of a luxurious hotel in the human world, planning the Khaos Brigade's next move.
"As accurate as it can be." Creuserey said. "In a few days, the fake Devil Kings will be throwing a party for the young heirs in a high-class hotel at the edge of Gremory territory. Many prominent figures of the Underworld and leading figures from the other two factions will be present there as well, and there are rumors that even one or two Chief Gods from foreign Pantheons will visit in order to watch the upcoming Rating Game between the Gremory and Sitri heiresses."
"This is a good chance, brother." The sole woman in the room said. "The Underworld's authorities still haven't discovered all the hidden routes we use to infiltrate our realm undetected, which means we can launch a surprise attack. With a little luck, we can cause a lot of damage and punish the traitors who renounced us."
"Still, we must be cautious unless we wish to end up like Katerea, Lalasyu." Shalba said, with Creuserey grimacing at the mention of Katerea's name. "That's why we are counting on the assistance of our…esteemed allies here to bolster our numbers. I trust there aren't any issues from your side, Memnon?"
[Of course not.] Memnon said, a sinister smile on his face. [It's the will of our great masters, so we will cooperate with everything we have to help you punish the infidels. And with their deaths, we'll be one step closer to the return of the glorious Golden Age and our promised ascension!]
"Yes, well, that will be all for now." Shalba said, looking somewhat uncomfortable by the deranged expression on Memnon's face. "We will contact you later for the details of our infiltration operation and the amount of personnel we will need from your side."
[Very well.] Memnon said. [I will make the necessary preparations from my side as well. There are many neophytes eager to prove themselves and offer their lives for our great cause, but rest assured that I will make sure to select the most capable ones.]
After saying so, Memnon's projection vanished from the room.
"Ugh, that human always gives me the creeps." Lalasyu said with a disgusted expression. "Do we really need the assistance of these insane cultists, brother? I feel they would happily stab us in the back if their 'great masters' ordered them to do so."
"I agree with Lalasyu here." Creuserey said. "These Titan Worshippers are unpredictable, and therefore dangerous. We might be better off trying to recruit the exiled half-blood Devils hiding in the human world if we are that desperate for additional manpower."
"Filth like them have no place in our ranks, and they never will." Shalba said with a scornful look on his face. "I made a concession for that useless brat Vali since we need the Lucifer name, but that is as far as I'm willing to go. As for the Titan Worshippers, I understand your reservations, but it's better to risk their lives, which they don't hold in high regard to begin with, than waste the lives of our followers. Remember, all other factions in the Khaos Brigade exist only to be used for our purposes."
"If you say so, brother." Lalasyu said, still looking unconvinced. "If I were you though, I'd make sure our means of escape were foolproof in cases the situation goes south because of them."
"That's a given." Shalba said. "Still, when it comes to the Titan Worshippers, I can't help but be envious of their fanatical devotion to their lords. If all Devils had been as zealous as them when it came to loyalty towards our parents, perhaps they wouldn't have been deposed by the pretenders."
"We should look for ways to instill such loyalty in the general populace and the nobles once we regain our thrones." Creuserey said. "Should we notify Vali about the upcoming operation?"
"No." Shalba said with a severe tone. "After his spectacular failure in the conference, he has proven himself to be an unreliable asset. I would rather not have him make a mess of this operation as well."
"As you wish, brother." Lalasyu said, conjuring several magic circles that projected various images. "Now then, we should go over the details of the operation. Regarding our infiltration route, the most optimal one would be—"
The three Devil King descendants began discussing their plan of attack, completely unaware of the presence of a small black cat that had camouflaged itself and was observing them with keen eyes.
This concludes Chapter 41. First, in response to your comments.
—To RyukiPendragon: Yes, there are six more Dragon Kings in this story, with Zirnitra being one of them.
—To German science: By the time we reach the Trihexa battle, the Evil Dragons will have a much better relationship with Takeshi and be somewhat more amicable. As for a sitcom featuring the Evil Dragons, that's an interesting idea that I will keep in mind.
—To Guest: In the novels, it was mentioned that Bova was the strongest among Tannin's children and was a ruffian who constantly got into fights. I'd place his current level somewhere between High-class and Ultimate-class, which is why he was capable of holding his own against a Takeshi who wasn't in tip-top condition.
After a harrowing trial that pushed him to his limits, Takeshi finally managed to subjugate Ladon and gain access to a new Balance Breaker, Insomniac Haunted Ground. Its design is mainly based on Gundam Gusion Rebake, with its shoulder-mounted shields being based on Gundam Dynames' GN Full Shield and the drone units being based on Kamen Rider Gazer's Dominion Ray.
Well, that's all for now. Since I'm starting the second (and hopefully last) round of chemo tomorrow, I might not be able to respond to your comments and PMs immediately because the hospital's Wi-fi is kind of crappy. As always, please read, review, favorite, follow, but most of all, enjoy!
See you all next time!