Not even gonna lie, I don't know if we're gonna manage to get to 400 for the story's birthday. That being said, it doesn't mean I won't try!
Enjoy!
Neptu watched in shock, barely able to comprehend what he was seeing, as his sister wounded the Demon Lord. Drakhosz grunted in pain as the silver light that impaled his chest glowed brighter, before it exploded. The smoke the explosion threw up masked the pair, but the roars of pain were clear as day. Before he could even say anything, Zynna appeared by his side, helping him up.
"What are you doing?" She demanded, "get up you dumbass!"
"W-Where did you come from?" Neptu asked weakly, "You stormed off..."
"Yeah, and I came back when the camp exploded!" Zynna said, "besides, you need all the help you can get right now! I came in as soon as I can and followed your magic to find you. We can do this! We can kill him!"
"But..." Neptu didn't know what to say. He knew something had to be done, but that meant killing Eastyn. Was he prepared to do that?
He didn't get a chance to think, as the smoke was forced away by a flap of the demon's wings. Drakhosz was still standing, exactly where he had been, inspecting his bloodied hand with a raised eyebrow.
"You've wounded me," he noted, tilting his hand as he stared at it. "That magic, I've felt it before." Zynna growled.
"My mother fought you with it," she spat, "Silver Enhancement Magic."
"Ah," Drakhosz said, "yes, I remember now. The pain she experienced was most exquisite. My, this is a regular reunion, isn't it? Fascinating."
"Neptu, focus up!" Zynna shouted, "we have no time to wonder about if it's ethical to kill Eastyn! We need to prevent another tragedy!"
"Silver Magic types have holy properties, correct?" Drakhosz asked as he flicked dirt off his armour. "I suppose that's why I feel singed."
"Neptu!" Zynna shouted, trying to impress upon him the importance of the situation.
"She's right, you know," Drakhosz said. "If you don't stop me now, I'm going to take that girls soul. Maybe some extra's on the way. Will you allow that?"
"Of course not!" Neptu shouted, making Drakhosz snort.
"Then we have our answer!" He shouted, his wings expanding. "The siblings against the Lord of Pain! It shall be an epic for the ages!" Neptu tensed, watching as a single flap of the demons wings sent him flying towards them. Allowing his power to flow, Neptu reared back and slammed his fist into the demons, causing an explosion. Zynna was able to stay on her feet as magic fought magic, silver claws growing around her hands. She flew for Drakhosz, who blocked her with his free hand.
"I really must have done a number on you kids to warrant such rage," Drakhosz joked lightly. "let me see more of that expression!" Using a quick burst of strength, Drakhosz pushed both of them back and grabbed Neptu by the hand. Pulling him in, the demon curled his fingers into a fist and slammed it into Neptu's stomach. Pain reverberated through every single nerve in Neptu's body, forcing him to his knees in a single blow. Drakhosz drove his elbow into his back, causing another wave of pain. Neptu couldn't see, and he couldn't breathe. Every single part of his body felt like it was on fire.
"Didn't think this through much did you?" Drakhosz asked, "oh well, they never do!"
"Gah!" Neptu vaguely registered that his sister had reappeared, attempting to strike Drakhosz. He didn't see what happened, but the bout of screaming that followed told him who came out victorious.
"Humans never do think things through," Drakhosz said as Neptu tried to keep his organs from spilling out his mouth. "You're always just acting on instinct, on your heart, not your head. Because if you listened to your head, you'd know fighting me is a grave error!"
Neptu was kicked in the stomach, and he felt himself take off from the ground and fly through the air. He landed hard and tried to speak, but it all came out as garbled nonsense.
"Do you think it a fluke I defeated your Father?!" Drakhosz roared, "I am the Demon of Pain! I've slaughtered so many 'Demon Hunters' I've lost count! I will not fall to some nameless nobodies!" Neptu was just beginning to regain control of his senses when he was struck again, this time in the ribs by a knee. He threw up, expelling any food and liquid in his stomach. He screeched in pain as he was punched backwards, being driven into a rock that had found itself lumped into the fight. He slumped against it, mind racing to register the pain he was feeling.
He's right...There's no way a human could defeat him. I can't even move from the pain, and yet, I have to stop him? How? It's not possible!
A scream cut through his mind, forcing him to look up. Drakhosz had grabbed Zynna by the hair and hoisted her up, glaring up at her maliciously.
"You know," he said, "I've always loved the horror brought on by making family watch each other die. I think we'll try that one out now!" Ever so slowly, Drakhosz lifted his free hand and pressed his index finger into Zynna's forearm. His sister screamed as her entire body spasmed, as it rejecting the very idea of being touched.
"Stop!" Neptu managed to groan. Drakhosz didn't stop. spit began to fly from Zynna's mouth as she whipped her head around, desperate to escape the pain. "I swear to God, stop it!"
"No God can hear you, boy!" Drakhosz shouted over Zynna's cries. "The only God here is me!"
"Let her go!" Neptu roared. His vision was going red, but whether that was from the pain or his rage he couldn't tell. "I'll kill you!"
"I'd love to see you try!" The demon laughed, "be honest with yourself, Neptu! You're glad this isn't you, aren't you?! You're secretly happy I grabbed her to torture and not you, right?! Admit it! Admit to your race's self-preserving selfishness! Admit you are relieved I'm killing her and not you!"
When Neptu reflected on what Drakhosz had said after the battle, when he had his faculties, he realised the Demon Lord was right in a way. No matter how deeply it disturbed him, there was a part of him that was glad that Zynna had been tortured and not him. At first he was horrified, but he thought about it. There was no shame it admitting relief that he had not been tortured. It was natural self-preservation. No matter how angry, or sickened, or anything he was, there was a tiny part of him glad he had not been subjected to that ordeal.
Of course, he only realised that later.
In the moment, he couldn't see straight, much less think straight. He needed to do something, but what? What could he do? Zynna's screams were becoming more strained, and Drakhosz looked even more delighted. There had to be something! How could he get him to stop?!
Finally, he came to an idea. It was insane, absolutely and utterly. But it was all he had, and it he didn't act quick then his sister was going to go insane. So it was worth a shot, wasn't it? Of course it was! Steeling himself, Neptu knew what he had to do.
He laughed.
He saw Drakhosz raise an eyebrow, so he snorted a little more. It wasn't hard to look crazy, seeing as he was delirious with pain. The laugh was quick and worrying, one that anyone would had noted if there was anyone to hear.
"Have you lost your mind?" Drakhosz noted over the laughter, "it's so wondrous to see."
"I-It's not that," Neptu replied with a giggle. "It's just, well, it's funny is all."
"What is?"
"That you think this is having any effect!" Zynna's screams stopped, her head lulling in Drakhosz's grasp. The demon lowered her slightly, watching him quietly.
"What are you on about?" He demanded.
"Do you think her pain makes me upset?" Neptu demanded, "I don't care about her. You're right, as long as it isn't me I don't really care." Neptu made a mental note to apologise to Zynna later, but he had to save face right now. He had Drakhosz confused, and he had to bank on that. "I mean come on, I'm not getting hurt, so who cares?" Drakhosz narrowed his eyes at him, the two staring at one another quietly.
Ever so slowly, Drakhosz pressed his finger against Zynna again. Her screams resumed, but Neptu remained as stoic as possible. He'd guessed Drakhosz would test him, and he'd prepared as best as possible for that. Still, being neutral to his sisters cries was breaking his heart. But he had to do it. Because if he didn't, they were dead. Drakhosz snorted.
"Do you think you're fooling anyone?" He asked, making Neptu's stomach drop. "You're not the first one to pull this trick. It was a good attempt, though, I'll give you that. Back to our regularly scheduled tor-!"
Zynna exploded with silvery light. Neptu was tossed back by the shockwave, but got to his feet as quickly as he could. Zynna was on her feet, unsteady but okay. Drakhosz had slid backwards as a result of the explosion, his feet leaving a trail in the ground as he flew.
"My, my!" The Lord of Pain said as he stood up straight again, body smoking. "I'm impressed. To keep any semblance of sanity through all of that pain! You're a strong one, young lady. It'll make breaking you feel so much better."
"Zynna, are you okay?!" Neptu shouted.
"Of course!" Zynna croaked, looking over her shoulder. She was not okay, that much was clear. But she wasn't going to take no for an answer. "Get over here, brother! I wasn't kidding when I said I'd do it myself!" Gathering himself, Neptu stood up straight and balled his fists. Drakhosz smirked.
"I'll admit," he said, "willing to die for a friend like this is admirable. For humans, of course. Shall we continue where we left off?"
"Don't hold anything back, Neptu." Zynna said weakly, "or he'll kill us where we stand."
"Don't have to tell me twice," Neptu replied. Reaching for his power, he summoned all of it that he could find. He could feel the tattoos spreading over his body, and the fire flying off of him in waves. Drakhosz snorted.
"I do love when they put up a fight," he said. "Let us see how long it takes you to break!" The Demon raised his hand, and Neptu prepared himself.
Nothing happened.
Neptu made a face and looked over at Zynna, who looked equally confused. Neither of them were effected by anything, so they looked at Drakhosz. The man clicked his teeth in annoyance.
"Will you continue to hide, little mouse?" He called, "I'm impressed you got by my Domain of Suffering. Tell me; how did you do it?"
"It was simple, really," a voice said. Neptu turned and watched as Elizabeth appeared from the red fog, looking determined. "I have a friend that's got a spell just like this. Making you play by their rules is a dirty trick, but, once you find the loophole it's not hard."
"And what loophole did you discover?" Drakhosz asked, seemingly curious.
"You seem to love torturing humans," Elizabeth replied, "but it seems that once we acknowledge the pain it brings, and stop fighting it, it's got little effect. Especially since they have no psychical form and can't really hurt us. You leave that to yourself, don't you?" Drakhosz showed his teeth like an animal.
"That I do," he said. "Have you freed your little friends as well? Or did you leave them in the fog?"
"I don't know," she said, "ask them."
As if on cue, Drakhosz was attacked by a barrage of purple ice. He flew away from it, but a shadow appeared behind him. It slammed into him and kept him low to he ground, which was where a white laser flew in from the fog and struck him in the back. The Demon growled in frustration and whirled, drawing his blade. A red slash flew through the air in the direction the laser came from, but struck nothing. Before he could retaliate, two pink blurs appeared near him. One flew by, but the first struck the demon in the chest and exploded against him. He was sent flying backwards from the force.
Right into Natsu.
"Fire Dragon Iron Fist!" The Elder Dragon Slayer's fist connected with Drakhosz's face, and with a sickening crack the Demon Lord was sent flying into the ground. He exploded against the earth and created a crater from the force, dirt and rocks flying everywhere as Drakhosz disrupted them.
"Took you guys long enough," Zynna hissed as they were surrounded by the others. "Get lost in the fog?"
"Something like that," Elise muttered, looking livid. As he examined his allies, Neptu realised they all looked strained. Elise was pissed off, Ultear looked distant, Michael and Keita were furious, but what struck him most was Nashi. The pink-haired girl's cheeks were stained with tears, and her eyes looked like shattered glass. She looked lost. Not all with them. He'd ask later. They had a bigger threat to deal with.
A laugh cut his thoughts short.
Looking forward, Neptu watched as Drakhosz stepped up from the crater, wiping blood from his mouth.
"How many years has it been since I was hurt like this?" He asked, "challenged like this? Too many!"
"Take another step forward and I'll kill you," Natsu advised, cracking his knuckles. "Final warning." Drakhosz snarled.
"Do you dare challenge a Demon Lord?" Drakhosz demanded. "Do you realise what you're messing with? The delicate balance of life and death cannot be interrupted like this! Do you think we forgot about you, Natsu Dragneel?"
Silence fell over the group.
"Ah, you didn't know we knew. Of course we know! You're just like your daughter over there. Died from a dragon attack on your village. Such a horrible way to go. But you came back. Be glad Zeref polluted your soul with evil, otherwise we'd have taken you a long time ago."
"Is that a fact?" Natsu demanded, "You couldn't have taken me in your sleep."
"Oh do not lord your arrogance in front of me," Drakhosz spat. "Pay homage to your brother when I kill you, because he's the only reason you managed to-!"
Eleven figures appeared around Drakhosz. Some Neptu recognised. Others he didn't. Drakhosz, for his part, looked furious.
"What are you doing?!" He demanded, "Get out of my way!"
"The Remaining Eleven have come to an agreement," the man closest to them, in a black suit with black hair, said. "You will be punished for this, Drakhosz."
"Shut your mouth, Xisplate!" Drakhosz replied, "she's right there, you damn human lover! Let's take her back already!"
"Brother Xisplate has extended the decision," a woman in black robes that obscured her face said. "He has revealed his hand, and we must reconvene. Now."
"Fuck that!" Drakhosz replied, "I'm taking her and all her friends back down to the Circles where they belong!"
"We do that when we have all agreed," another Demon Lord said. This was was a woman, with silver-coloured hair and eyes that looked like a mosaic of different shades of blue. "And not before."
"You're all insane!" Drakhosz roared as light glowed beneath him. "We're risking the balance! Zomrus could awaken! We need to take her back before she dooms us all!"
"And we will act once we have decided that is the right thing to do," the same woman said. "we cannot act as independents. We need to be rational."
"You of all of us, Mezevera!" Drakhosz snarled as he whirled on her. "You're the one whose seen it, haven't you?! Why do you side with them?! Why do you protect the one who causes your visions?!"
"Because we do not know all the outcomes," Mezevera replied. "Acting like omniscient beings who know all is wrong. It is why Anhkseram created us, remember? We are not infallible. It is in our very nature."
"Gaaah!" Drakhosz shouted. "I can't believe you all agree! Meridia and Quinxotic I expected, but you Mortavius?! Vantros?!"
"That was rude," the scantily clad Meridia said.
"You're being crass, brother," Mortavius, a massive man with white hair on a short ponytail said. "Xisplate has more to say."
"Doesn't he always!" Drakhosz said. "One of you has to agree with me, right?! Akirelys?! Barrath?! Archos?!"
"Well, uh-" one of the Demon Lords attempted to say, but Drakhosz whirled on him.
"Shut your mouth, Zoka!" He yelled. "This is all your fault! You and Ruli!"
"Do not blame the twins for our fathers whispers," a hooded man said. "He is stirring, and he speaks to us all. You hear it, right, Drakhosz?"
"Of course I do!" the Lord of Pain replied, "which is why we take her and-!"
"This matter is to be discussed elsewhere," Xisplate said, "return to the Circles, Drakhosz. We will talk there." The light below Drakhosz grew brighter, forcing Neptu to cover his eyes. Once the glow faded, he looked to see all but Xisplate had left to return to their own domain. Drakhosz had been taken as well it seemed, as the Lord of Death slowly rested Eastyn's body on the ground. The red fog began to disappear around them, and soon they were back in the destroyed Hunter camp. Xisplate let out a long sigh.
"I wish we could've stopped him," he said aloud, "but Barrath and Archos were hard to convince."
"What the hell was all that, Xisplate?" Natsu asked. Xisplate got up and turned to them.
"I apologise for that," he said as he walked to them. Neptu felt rooted to the ground. The energy Xisplate have off was horrifically powerful. Similar to Drakhosz's, but his was darker. More deadly. "Drakhosz has always been impulsive. Something he claims to hate, but, you know how that goes."
"Not all that," Natsu said, "what about Nashi? What's that one Demon been seeing?" Xisplate gave him a tight smile.
"It's against our code to give out information like that," he said. "I cannot say."
"Aren't you our ally?!" Natsu demanded, "help us out!"
"Do you want your sole ally in the ranks of the Demon Lords destroyed for breaking a rule?" Xisplate shot back. "I told you I cannot."
Silence fell on them all.
"So what do we do?" Elise asked finally, looking at Xisplate. "What do you expect of us?" Xisplate gave a defeated chuckle.
"My dear Elise," he said, "what I want you to do and what I expect you to do are two different things. All I can say is this; we will have to come for Nashi. When we do, and under what circumstances, are yet to be discovered. Please make it easy."
And with that, he was gone.
Now that the fog had faded, Hunters began to pour into the area. Thinking quickly, Neptu went to Eastyn's side and made sure no one hurt him. There was a lot to discuss. Neptu became acutely aware that Natsu was by his side as he knelt by Eastyn.
"Did you get any useful information, Natsu?" He asked. There was a long silence between them as chaos started around them. Natsu let out a long sigh.
"Nothing I wasn't already afraid of," he replied.
As we near the end of this arc, which we'll call the Drakhosz arc, I come asking what you guys theories are. I'm curious? Do you have any? Let me know! I hope you all enjoyed, leave a review! Let's try and get five!