The city of Himassa was surrounded by a river on its left, back, and right sides with a large, open stretch of land to its front. This layout justified a more conventional, head-on assault from the Dragon Kingdom's forces, comprised of 10,100 soldiers, bringing along some 30 catapults, 30 ballistas, and 18 siege-towers. Mounted cavalry were chosen to take a leading part in the assault to better swarm the any attacking beastmen on the field.
While this wasn't the easiest or simplest force to move and position into battle, given the rough terrain and surrounding forests leading up to the city, the nature of the situation, had made it somewhat unavoidable. Especially if they were to liberate the city and use it as a staging ground to further push their enemies out of the country.
When it came to their said enemy, the humans were quite surprised by what they saw. The land between them and the city had boulders and crude, spiked wooden constructs dotted about so as to limit their range of movement. In front of the city there were already several bear-type, ape-type, and boar-type beastmen waiting lined formation, some of which mounted on horses. Protecting this group of beastmen were sets of 12 ballistas and catapults each. On the city walls there were newly made wooden and stone walls, serving as protection for beastman archers.
Along with the beastmen were some humans, in chains and tattered clothing, but still in charge of looking after the horses and performing whatever other tasks they were instructed to. All of this was a very peculiar and surprising sight for the forces of the Dragon Kingdom. After what they had seen in Asodosia, this showed an even greater level of civilization, preparedness, and organized defensive war. Combined with the city's still intact high-walls, it made for quite the daunting sight for the liberating army.
As the human forces approached, the beastmen continued with their preparations, including ape-type beastman shamans using fumes created by a strange mixture of herbs to drive some of their own into a berserker-like state. With this their aggressiveness, strength, and resilience was enhanced. Meanwhile, Tomo made his way towards the front of their forces while Haku, Loa, and Tonga remained inside the city's walls.
Unlike most other beastmen around him, Tomo wasn't wearing any armor or protection at all. Others wore armor of their own making or scavenged from humans. This was done to help cover for their weakness to fire that the humans capitalized all too often, by setting their fur and hides aflame.
What Tomo hadn't neglected, as a favor to Haku, was his war paint. Large portions of his back and face were covered in white, while on top of it were several red-colored lines, all of which carefully traced body to invoke the image of a great winged beast, like a dragon. Slowly walking to his left was an older female chimpanzee-type beastman, covered in old rags and carrying one of the small smoking cauldrons they used to "enhance" some of their troops.
"Take. Strong." She insisted.
"Hrmph! Slow. Weak-minded. Tell the rest I'm going to move out and for them to get ready." Tomo curtly replied.
Continuing to further himself from the woman, Tomo took in the army before him. There were a lot of them. A considerable number and well-equipped for the battle to come. He could also see on horseback, the group he was told to be Crystal Tear. It made his rage grow and boil as he saw them, alive and unharmed. It was an insult to his son, and it was an eyesore he couldn't let be any longer. Taking a deep breath, Tomo swiftly charged forward.
From the point of view of the Dragon Kingdom's forces, this wasn't entirely a surprising move, since the beastmen were known for sending out the champion of a given camp to face down several enemies in a display of power. Still, this was the first time they had seen this in a battle of this magnitude. While the display was amusing for some, the order was given to launch a small volley of arrows, specially made to pierce the thick hides of beastmen, to handle their enemy's "champion".
The archers took aim and unleashed a concentrated fusillade of twenty arrows down upon the oncoming beastman. They all found their target, only to just bounce off Tomo, doing very little to stop his charge. Running past one of the smaller boulders in the area, he used his left-hand to grab it, spun around mid-step, and then sent it flying into the human forces. This had easily taken out eight men, prompting another panicked barrage of arrows, and even three spells, all of which either bounced off or dispersed across his body upon impact with no effect.
As he got closer, a wave of warm, oppressive air and pressure wafted over them, and a certain recollection started to form in the minds of Crytal Tear. This quickly took the form of one of the few beastmen that justified all of them joining forces against one foe; Toa. They then wondered if this massive and imposing beastman was in some way related to him. This worrying question was broken by one of the catapults firing next to them, with near sharp-shooter accuracy.
The massive metal sphere launched at Tomo flew through the air faster than normal whilst also bursting into flame. This was one of their "special" siege-rounds, enchanted with the 3rd-tier of magic to hit harder, faster, and with more devastating results, thanks to the flame spell added onto it. As the projectile rocketed towards him, Tomo was left as unimpressed as he was with the arrows and magic. Moving his right-arm back, Tomo focused his power and will, calling upon an ability...
"[Piercing Claws]."
Thrusting his arm forwards just as the projectile was about to hit, the piercing power of his claws was exponentially increased, easily "biting" into the large metal ball, allowing him to grab onto it. He then spun it around, sending it back at the humans with seemingly doubled speed. While luckily it wasn't aimed at the large formation of slack-jawed soldiers, it did plow through one of the siege-towers, killing those inside and sending fiery debris down on those below, along with killing anyone unfortunate enough to be where the projectile explosively landed.
Full-fledge panic settled in as it now dawned on them that this beastman wasn't stopping for anything. Adding to this, was their sources of information speaking of a beastman named Tomo in the city whom was extremely powerful. Though no one ever thought it would be this bad. Not even when some called him "Beastman Lord". Such a concept was mostly laughed at, even when the Espada showed concern, and were still preparing a trap especially for this situation.
However, even those sources weren't entirely accurate, not even to those that were other beastman like Cesar and Nato. It had been a long time after all. Tomo didn't have the need or the chance to go all out, so the full scope of his power was left vague in many ways. The truth was that he was not a "Beastman Lord". He was in fact one tier above; that of "Beastman King".
If he was to be judged by the YGGDRASIL leveling system introduced by Cthalpi, he would no doubt be a level-50. Meaning that on the Beastman Country's side, he could only be challenged by the current ruler Kaze, or the former King Leo, when he was alive and in his prime. For the Dragon Kingdom's side, only the Espada stood a chance.
Quickly closing the distance between himself and the human forces, due to lack of any proper opposition, Tomo executed for a downwards punch thrusting towards the ground, before then invoking one of his strongest techniques.
"[Jackhammer]!"
The moment his fist struck the ground, the area in front of him vibrated and broke apart, until eventually fissures were created, throwing several people off their horses or sending many of said horses into wild sprints with their riders still on them. Even trained warhorses instinctively knew that staying meant death. Having cleared himself a path, even separating Crystal Tear due to the large range of his attack, Tomo continued his hunt.
"[Fur Spike Shield]!"
The fur on Tomo's body stood at attention, elongating in some areas or curling altogether, now looking as if he was covered in spikes. This shield softened certain blows, even leading to some weapons getting tangled in it, but also added high-tier piercing and slashing damage. Meaning that as soon as he was attacked, his opponents either lost their weapons, had them bounce off, or were torn apart by his fur. Of course, didn't count those who were simply run over by him.
Closing in on Crystal Tear, Tomo saw the inevitable begin to settle in their minds, prompting Diogo and Afonso to act. He was expecting this from what Kana told him. So, grabbing onto the severed head of a dead soldier still in its helm, he threw it full-force at Diogo. This swiftly obliterating the head of Crystal Tear's oldest member.
"Diogo!" Afonso cried out as his superior collapsed on the ground.
"Emma! Fire!" Cerabrate commanded.
Cerabrate and Bane dismounted from their panicking warhorses to attack Tomo, with Emma firing several arrows in rapid succession at the beastman. In a mind-blowing display of speed, agility, and skill that contradicted his massive size, he managed to swat away most of them, while grabbing onto two, which he sent right back at a shocked Emma.
"I won't allow it!" Bane declared, jumping out to send the arrows away from Emma.
Using this distraction, Cerabrate's was blade at the ready, and was about to call upon an attack [Martial Art], until he closed the distance with Tomo. Despite the distraction, the titan's eyes were still on him. No. They never left him. He was massive. There was no other word that came to Cerabrate's mind.
He was a massive and overwhelming presence, capable of making his team look so weak. Then there was that wave of heat that hit them. Such raw, and unfiltered killing intent that made their bodies break out in a cold sweat, and reduce Cerabrate himself to the state of a frozen, frightened rookie. Not since his youth did such fear and dread pierce him like this. Nay. This was even worse than that!
Seeing this, Bane was stunned. To think that their leader would let his own fears get the better of him so easily. Bane too felt the overwhelming presence and bloodlust of their opponent. Yet he couldn't let it get to him now. He was the only thing between this beastman and Emma, the woman he loved.
"Emma..." He somberly began.
"Now's not the time." The elf remarked, preparing for another arrow barrage.
"I love you."
"...!"
Emma froze as he said those words, but had no time to mull on them, as her teammate then invoked an ability...
"[Sacrificial Move: Final Strike]!"
Letting out a mighty warcry, Bane charged at Tomo, while putting all of his power into a single blow. That included his own lifeforce, in an attack that would leave him unconscious shortly before his death. It was his last ditch ace-in-the-hole, and Bane knew that if there was a way to slow down their opponent it would be this. Especially in light of Diogo's death, leaving Afonso frozen, and their leader left in a similar state by this monster's bloodlust.
Focusing power into his legs, Bane launched himself towards Tomo's face, momentarily gaining the beastman's attention, to who he gave a defiant smile, as in his desperate state he could see concern in those massive eyes. He was delusional, and Tomo was quick to show him this, as he took a step back and called upon another one of his own abilities.
"[Shining Claw Edge]!"
Bringing his now glowing, daggerlike claws upwards to meet Bane, Tomo sliced through the man's right-arm and head in one fluid motion, rendering his sacrifice moot.
"Now, I'm going to break you like you did my son." Tomo hissed, reaching out to a still frozen Cerabrate.
"...!"
It was then that a light blinded the beastman, finally forcing him to flinch for the first time in this battle. He quickly found himself surrounded by new opponents in Nazz, Leinas, Carmyn, Harribel, Grimmjow, and Nnoitra of the Espada. They had in fact just used [Teleportation] to make their way there from further back in the Dragon Kingdom's lines where they were in the reserve, after being notified of what was going on.
"You're coming with me... [Teleportation]." Carmyn announced, vanishing along with Tomo.
As soon as Tomo's presence vanished, the remaining members of Crystal Tear collapsed. Emma sat on her folded legs as she stared blankly at the remains of Bane's corpse, her mind a whirl of mixed emotions as her eyes filled with tears. Afonso bit his lip as his own tears leaked out at the loss of long time comrades. Cerabrate was on all fours gasping like a drowning man hungry for air. Realization of what they had faced, and lost to hit his mind like a fireball.
"Keh! Useless bunch." Nnoitra dismissively remarked, looking around at the hundreds of mangled corpses Tomo left in his wake.
"I'm afraid I must agree." Grimmjow coldly added.
"Leave them be. We need to get things under control. As is the beastmen are already charging at us. Harribel, tend to the surviving members of Crystal Tear." Leinas firmly ordered.
"As you wish." Harribel stoically replied as she went to tend to the weakened adventurers.
Indeed, as Tomo plowed through the human lines and attacked Crystal Tear, and all focus was placed on him. The forces that were protecting Himassa went on the offensive, preparing to take advantage of what their superior had done before vanishing. Little did they realize that the brief advantage that opened up for them vanished with the arrival of the Espada...
Meanwhile, in the blink of an eye Tomo found himself in a clearing. While surprised he wasn't perturbed to the point he couldn't swing at the small figure that seemed to have brought him there.
"[Fly]." Carmyn nonchalantly invoked.
Swiftly moving herself away to a nearby rock with a speed Tomo didn't expect, she sat down with calm leisure as she stared down the beastman. With a frustrated grunt, Tomo focused his attention on her, and the rather large man next to the rock. His appearance and presence reminded him of the Ice Giants he'd seen on his travels, and of something else. While this man didn't seem familiar right away, there were things about him like his smell and posture, that did remind Tomo of someone.
"It's been a long time, Stone Bear." Inon remarked, taking a few steps forwards.
"Hrm? That voice... Inon?" Tomo asked, his head tilting to the side slightly.
"Indeed. I've left my life as a pit fighter and joined the Espada."
"I see that. Still, how you look, feel, and smell is different. Stronger." Tomo pointed out in surprise.
"That's true. I'm now strong enough to defeat you. But I would like to avoid it if possible. I respect you, Stone Bear. Not only for your power, but your ability as a fighter. There's no need for you to die today. Not if you agree to join us..." Inon tried to reason, just for Tomo to roar over him.
"SILENCE! The only place I'm going, is back to battle, to kill my son's killers! Either send me back, or I go back myself."
"You should reconsider." Inon said, slowly starting to approach Tomo.
"..."
Tomo's reply was to do the same in approaching Inon, no longer seeing a point in talking. As they got closer, the Espada lowered his defenses and power output to match what he used to consider Tomo's level to be when they met as pit fighters. He even went as far as to not wear his best equipment for this encounter. After all, even within his "sealed-state" he was evaluated as a level-81 being.
Getting within arm's reach of each other, Tomo swiftly thrust forward a palm-strike, landing a clean hit on Inon's chest, making him stagger back.
"You said you had the power to defeat me."
"I do. However, I want to test my abilities as a fighter against you. It's a matter of skill, not power. I mean no disrespect, but there's no other way." Inon matter-of-factly replied as he dusted himself off.
The Espada then executed a right-cross, which Tomo parried and grabbed onto, followed up by another palm-strike, this time hitting Inon's face and sending him onto the ground.
"You're holding back too much!" Carmyn shouted
Inon knew Carmyn wasn't wrong, but it was a calculated risk, since he wanted to encourage a situation where Tomo showed him the true extent of his power. If he just wanted to kill him, that would be simple enough to do, but that wasn't the point. Getting back to his feet, Inon charged Tomo, tackling the beastman. While his intention was to send him onto the ground, it seemed that his slightly higher power output wasn't quite enough to topple the beastman.
"[Strength of Ancestors]! [Piercing Claws]!"
Wrapping his arms around Inon, Tomo managed to dig and grab onto the Espada's sides. While he was surprised at how resilient Inon's skin was, it was not enough to make him waver. Placing his enhanced power into his arms, Tomo managed to lift Inon, with the Espada finding himself upside down. Tomo then once again threw the Espada into the ground, making the very earth quake beneath them.
"[Instant Reflex]."
Calling upon his own [Martial Art], Inon was brought back to an offensive stance, rushing back at Tomo before delivering a powerful right-handed uppercut. This forced Tomo's head back and sent him stumbling back, with a low growl and a gush of blood escaping his maw. With Tomo momentarily stunned, Inon tackled him, and with a mighty pull picked up his massive form and threw him to the side. While it seemed Tomo was about to fall, he managed to place his left-arm on the ground, pivoting himself in such a way that he spun and landed back on his feet.
"Gragh! You won't throw me down!" Tomo growled, approaching Inon.
Tensing his muscles, Inon once more allowed more of his power to seep through. It was both thrilling and humbling to see Tomo able to hold on, despite his holding himself back. Did this beastman have some sort of unknown [Talent] that gave a boost to his preternatural might, or was it simply his drive for vengeance pushing him ever onward? Inon could not rightly say. Tomo was always an anomaly.
Pushing those thoughts aside, his fists clenched as he also walked towards the beastman. Closing the distance between them, Inon skillfully executed a right-cross, with Tomo going for a right palm-strike. His attack landed first, since his puissant instincts allowed him to dodge by a hair's breath, allowing his reach to extend slightly greater than Inon's.
"[Instant Counter]!"
Regaining his balance, Inon pushed on, delivering a powerful blow to Tomo's gut. This being enough to make his opponent bend over slightly and leave him open to another uppercut.
"[Shining Claw Edge]!"
As his body moved upward from the uppercut, Tomo brought his extended right-hand claws with it, taking advantage of the momentum created by his opponent's blow. Something that Inon noticed and jumped back to avoid. However, not soon enough to avoid getting some minimal scratches on his torso. The two fighters then simultaneously invoked their respective [Martial Arts] as their bodies shined...
"[Fur Spike Shield]!"
"[Ability Boost]!"
What followed was a grueling exchange of punches, palm-strikes, elbow strikes, and other attacks, which thunderously echoed throughout the area as if the result of a repetitious series of explosions. So intense that Abel's and Elim's group could hear it in the distance. Ultimately, Tomo found himself coming up short in the exchange, his feet growing uneasy as he fell onto his right-knee, while using his left-hand to hold himself up.
"Give up. I don't mean to insult you, but this is not a fight you can win, Tomo." Inon said in saddened tone.
The Espada took a breath, though not feeling significantly spent. Even with all those powerful blows, at best Tomo him with left bruises, with the most visible marks being on his hands and elbows that he had used to deliver attacks. He had to admit while he had heard a lot about Tomo, to see him resist such a beating was still unexpected. Only reaffirming to him how killing him was a terrible decision.
"If you give up you can live and join your people in opposing Kaze. We can offer you power enough to protect your people." Inon added, just for Tomo to spit copious amounts of blood and a few teeth.
"[Jackhammer]!"
Tomo's right-palm rocketed towards Inon's jaw, hitting him full force, and sending a brutal barrage of vibrations throughout the Espada's body, before sending him flying several feet back. Not even Carmyn could believe what she was seeing. Despite all everything, this was the first time she ever saw Inon pushed back in such a manner. Not to mention the blood that was now dripping from his mouth. To her it was now official; Tomo's strength was not natural.
"Ya' don't understand, Inon. There're more important things than me bending knee to you. But, I see. You're indeed powerful. Stronger than me. Yet, you're still lacking somethin'..."
"[Stone Bear's Might]!"
Calling upon his ultimate ability, Tomo's body shine with crimson light as his fur forcefully swept back. Cracking and popping sounds echoed in the air as his muscles tensed and claws extended. This made him look even more imposing, terrifying even, as he called upon the peak of his power with a roar, displacing the air around him. Inon returned to his feet, just as Tomo charged. At this point, he was admittedly startled as his mind searched for a way to stop him, then noticing an odd numbness present around the area where Tomo previously struck him.
"[Walls of the Frost Father]!"
Channeling the lingering remnants of memories and powers of the Frost Giant that had been fused with him, Inon struck the ground. This filled the air with bone-chilling winds, whilst creating a large ice wall between himself and Tomo.
"[Pounce]!"
Tomo's kinetic vision picked up what was happening, and his decades of combat experience quickly moved his body as Tomo called upon an ability that allowed him to leap past the wall the Espada created. He easily landed behind it and pressed his attack upon Inon.
"[Jackhammer]!"
"[Invulnerable Ice Fortress]!"
Tomo's right-arm made contact with Inon's chest when the [Martial Art] activated. Not only did it send the shockwaves of the attack back at Tomo, but it also unleashed a blast of cold energy along with it. The resulting combination, tore apart Tomo's arm and part of his right-side, leaving him blind in his right-eye and with a now useless arm. However, despite all of this Inon failed to make him collapse.
"Finish him." Carmyn curtly instructed.
"Wait. I..." Inon tried to argue, just for Tomo to speak over him with a pained growl.
"Do... as she... says..."
"Why not give up? Why throw away your skills and life?" Inon asked, visibly affected by Tomo's words.
"Because... I refuse to side with the people who killed my boy. Ta' help those who butchered someone who was pushed into being part of this! I heard from Nato that somethin' was goin' on, but I ignored him... That makes me unfit to go on... I wish you luck... Now... FINISH IT!"
Even as the effects of [Stone Bear's Might] faded, Tomo attacked with his left-claws, preparing one final usage of [Jackhammer]. However, this time Inon was did as his opponent and partner had bid, summoning all of his strength as he invoked one of his unique attack [Martial Arts]...
"[Frost Smash]!"
Dodging Tomo's attack, Inon landed a clean hit to his stomach, unleashing enough force and freezing energy to break through his gut, and the resulting shockwave opening Tomo's back. All of this ending with several ice flowers forming around the affected area, and Tomo naturally being frozen in place in the ice wall.
Inon stared at the image with his eyes bearing a look as empty as his feelings. There was no elation or sense of victory. Only a certainty that this was such an utter waste. Could there have been another way? That was the question that haunted Inon. His respect for "Stone Bear" Tomo only grew with this fight, and a profound sense of loss filled him.
"Finally. Now, let's get the body to Las Noches." Carmyn wearily remarked with a sigh, getting off the rock she was sitting upon.
"No. He deserves respect." Inon stoically argued.
"Not... yet..." Tomo gasped, shocking them both.
The Espada sharply turned to what they thought was the dead beastman. Tomo once more placed himself in a fully vertical position as he broke away from the ice. Even a fully powered blow from Inon failed to end him. Neither of the two believed what they were seeing. It was impossible. There was no other way to describe it. Especially after the damage Tomo took. Even Carmyn, who normally remained cool, calm, and calculating, was unnerved at the resilience the beastman was showing.
"Espada... Which... sid' 're ya' on...?" He raggedly breathed, life clearly fading from his body.
"We're here to salvage both sides." Inon firmly declared.
"Aaaah... Then... my failures... yours ta' fix. Protect... Irai and our pup... Protect... us... all..."
With one last breath, Tomo's eyes closed, his body no longer transmitting any sense of life. No breathing, no heartbeat, nothing. Yet, before the Espada he still stood, looking as imposing and overwhelming as he did before fighting Inon. As he did before attacking the Dragon Kingdom's forces, as he had done all his life. Tomo was dead, and yet he died as he lived...
"H-He's standing..." Carmyn mumbled, still unsure of what to think of the situation.
Inon was silent as his pride as a warrior felt both wounded and bolstered by his encounter with Tomo. Wounded since, as powerful as he was meant to be that he was gifted with the rank of the 5th-Espada, had failed to completely defeat or even floor an opponent his lesser. While his pride was bolstered because he had the opportunity to have faced Tomo at his most serious, and to have been shown how in some ways, was still lacking.
Although, it was a rather saddening sight to see someone so powerful, twisted by his own inner demons. It truly was a waste, and a testament to how this war affected both sides, and a reminder of why they were there.
"We're burying him." Inon declared.
"Hm... It's a waste, but..."
Just as Carmyn seemed about to agree with Inon's request, Tomo's body was wrapped in a eerie, green, flame-like aura. This aura quickly covered the body and filled the air with a rather ominous sense of death and overwhelming power. Very similar to what they felt around Nazz, but unrestrained and somehow, older. This feeling prompted both Espada to almost go on the offensive, had it not been for the aura quickly reducing in intensity, and the body vanishing along with them.
"That feeling..." Inon mumbled, still looking around for any possible enemies.
"It's the Dragon Lord we were told about. He took the body... Tsk! Who knows? We might get to see Tomo again." Carmyn pointed out, getting an almost pained look from Inon.
"What happened!?"
The new voice echoing belonged to Abel, as he and Elim's group rushed in, having felt something similar to what happened to Fale in the area. This made them go against their instructions, and their better judgement, go to aid the Espada.
"Why are you here?" Carmyn spat.
"Where's the body?" Elim asked.
"We felt something similar to Fale, so we came." Abel replied, getting an annoyed expression from Carmyn.
"His body vanished, with a teleportation spell. It most likely was that necromancer." She hissed, still annoyed they went against instructions.
"Teleportation? So, it does mean that this is a necromancer of considerable power." Abel said in a grave tone.
"It seems so. Still, let's take a break and get ready to return." Carmyn tersely instructed.
Despite all that the Espada had been achieving in the Dragon Kingdom, they still operated under the "logic" of being top-tier warriors comparable to, in the case of Carmyn and Inon, the realm of heroes. After a battle with Tomo, who was seen as a Beastman Lord, it made sense to them Inon would need to time recover, and Carmyn would also need time to be able to cast a teleportation spell again.
Tomo's body had been transported into one of many areas, in one of many laboratories, that existed in the extensive underground lair of the Elder Coffin Dragon Lord. Laboratories where the Quagoa that worshiped him, some Dark Dwarves that served him out of gratitude and a need for survival, and his undead minions labored to aid their master's ever-present need for self-improvement and discovery.
It was due to the recovery of the body that one of the Dragon Lord's stronger and most intelligent undead minions, a three-headed Night Lich, made his way to his master's chambers. This particular Lich was wearing a pristine white robe with gold lining. The head to the right had its mouth covered with white cloth, the middle one had its eyes covered, and the one on the left had the cloth wrapped around the side of his head where his ears would be.
Arriving at the massive cavern that Zyl'vryg Grayl'dranth tended to inhabit, he walked in on a meeting between the Dragon Lord, a Quagoa-type Elder Lich, and a human-type Elder Lich who wore black robes and a bird-shaped mask. While normally no one would dare to walk in on a meeting without a good excuse, the Night Lich had been allowed this, since not only was his report related to the battle for Himassa, but his master was ignoring all telepathic attempts at communication to focus on overseeing the battle.
"My Lord, the body of Tomo has been recovered. I thought its condition should be reported." The Night Lich dutifully announced.
"I already informed our Lord." The bird masked Lich pointed out.
"You did? Strange. I thought..." The Night Lich began, when the undead Dragon Lord spoke up.
"I took control of the main flock of undead birds to oversee the main battle. Leaving a few to scan the surrounding areas, including where Tomo was."
"I see. My apologies. Still, I dare say I have never received a body in such a condition. Some of the Quagoa almost retreated when he appeared."
"A testament to my kinds' abilities." The Quagoa Lich chuckled.
"There isn't much to fear from a corpse."
"Tell them that once he's revived."
"Indeed. Our information did tell us that we should expect an impressive display from Tomo, and he did not disappoint. The same for the Espada. With this and their defeat of the Yasei no Kari, it is clear that their power is beyond that of most mortals." Zyl'vryg pointed out.
"Then, shall we act? If you wish it my lord, your armies would be more than eager to destroy all your enemies." The three headed lich said, with a bow.
"Hmph! Keep your own desires for combat to yourself. We won't change tactics, unless the Espada do the same. It is plain to my eyes that they are still holding themselves back for the sake of their image. So, I will as well to some extent. But, as ordered, I do want all recovered bodies prepared for revival. Now leave us." The undead Dragon Lord commanded, with the Night Lich taking a bow and promptly leaving.
"I do not mean to question my lord's will, but is it truly correct to leave things be as they are?" The Quagoa Elder Lich asked with an apologetic tone.
"You think my strategy is flawed?" The Dragon Lord asked with a raise brow, his attention going solely to the Lich.
"Of course, I don't my lord. However, I fear what will happen if the Espada turn their full might against us. Given our limited approach."
"I see. Then I will tell you this: Your worries are not unfounded. However, I already stated that a more hands-on approach will put at risk my ability to conceal my involvement. Especially since the presence of another Dragon Lord has already altered my plans, forcing me to gather more undead from the collected beastmen and humans. But while they are a troubling force, I know that all will be determined when Naz'da'gar challenges me to a duel." Zyl'vryg calmly informed.
"Such audacity." The bird mask Lich chuckled.
"Indeed. But the Espada have a mission to see through and an image to keep. Something they cannot do without facing 'Kana'. Of that I am certain."
"A-As expected of you, my lord." The Quagoa Lich reverently remarked.
With this distraction brought to an end, the Dragon Lord went back to controlling and watching events unfold through the several flocks of undead birds he was using to oversee the battle for Himassa. Even if at this point the only good that would come from it was more information on the Espada. All of the information that Zyl'vryg collected clearly indicated that Himassa would fall. This is simply due to the fact no one there would have the power to oppose the Espada.
In other words, this battle's outcome had already been decided. Thus, it simply had to play itself out. This meant that all that could be done was recover more dead beastmen and humans from the battlefield, along with gathering more powerful pawns. Whether they willing or not. While the situation looked bad, Zyl'vryg remained calm and collected. After all, he hadn't made it this far without knowing how difficult things could be to achieve in the long run. And more than that, his own personal curiosity in the Espada themselves grew...