While Inon and Tomo did battle, on the frontlines Nazz took it upon himself to reorganize as best as he could the Dragon Kingdom's forces. This role normally would have been played by Cerabrate. However, he was still in shock after what Tomo had done to his team. This sudden takeover by Nazz wasn't going all too well, even if the Fracción had been sent out along with some soldiers on foot and horseback. Tomo had caused significant damage to their forces, their organization, and their morale.
That, along with how surprisingly organized the beastmen were, coupled with their fighting power, was making a comeback complicated. This meant that Nazz and Leinas would need to also join the frontlines and add onto the "lesser" power of Grimmjow, Harribel, and Nnoitra. All of this to buy time so that Cerabrate could get himself back together... If he can.
"We need him to take the lead for us. That was his role to begin with." Nazz remarked as he looked at Leinas.
"Fine. I'll try to beat some sense into him." Leinas said, turning her attention to the adamantite-ranked adventurer who was still on his knees.
Seeing her approach Afonso, who was still next to Diogo's body, clenched his fists and forced himself back to his feet, arriving near Cerabrate before the Espada.
"You have to get up!" He shouted, getting no response from Cerabrate.
"We can still win this, but we need you to step up and help lead the battle! We'll deal with the one that killed part of your team." Leinas harshly informed, kicking Cerabrate to focus his attention.
"B-But... He just killed them, and I froze... like a rookie! I'm useless. I was never going to make it anywhere!" Cerabrate shouted back in his delirium, momentarily looking at Nazz.
"You're our leader! You cannot let this get the best of you. Please!" Afonso pleaded.
"I... I'm done... I don't..." Cerabrate mumbled incoherently.
As he got back to his feet, it was just as Emma approached. Walking towards him, she removed her blindfold, held it in both her hands, and lunged at Cerabrate. Taken by surprise, her leader could not react as she wrapped it around his neck and kicked his right-leg, dropping him to a knee.
"Where's the bravado you had just a moment ago!? Where is the Cerabrate that offered me a place in his group and promised us spots as his royal guard!?" Emma angrily growled.
"Royal guard?" Leinas remarked, raising an eyebrow.
"He... We had large ambitions if we won." Afonso replied with a defeated tone.
"I-I'm sorry! I never expected that I would be faced with such a powerful monster... Or that things would turn out like this..." Cerabrate admitted, as Emma tightened the cloth around his throat.
"You're a joke. I'm sure Diogo would be laughing at you, regretting ever having agreed to accompany you." Emma hissed, then abruptly letting go of him.
"That doesn't help at all. We need him composed and active." Leinas pointed out with a sigh as the sounds of battle echoed.
"Better use [Lion's Heart] on him." Nazz added as he observed the battle.
"No. Not yet! Come on, Cerabrate! You're our leader! You can't let their deaths be for nothing!" Alfonso shouted.
Cerabrate was a teary-eyed mess, and his ego was very nearly completely shattered. The face-to-face encounter with the pinnacle of power that was Tomo, the death of his comrades, and him being powerless through it all saw to that. Especially Diogo. He felt like a child again. So afraid of what could happen next, so afraid of the big, bad beastmen that could come for him. Could anyone understand the shock to his system that all but completely shattered his views and pride?
He had dreams. He had desires. Surely with the power he worked so hard to attain, he wasn't meant to be miserable, separated from the queen and the glory he desired. No, the queen had already been lost to Nazz in their duel, but the glory surely wasn't impossible. He was weak and was powerless, but surely he could do better than to make a fool out of himself before his comrades, dead or alive. After all, he still had some pride left in him. Even if his status as an adamantite-ranked adventurer seemed like a joke now.
"Ugh, I'm doing it. [Li..." Leinas prepared to chant, when Cerabrate raised a hand to silence her, which took her by surprise.
"I-I can do it." He informed with a deep breath, pushing himself back to his feet.
"Truly? I doubt that." Nazz skeptically said.
"I froze like a rookie, and it disgusts me. I cannot let myself go down like this. I understand that there's more riding on this than my personal glory or status. So, I'm going to do what I must!" Cerabrate shouted back, ripping away Emma's blindfold and his adventurer tag from his neck.
"D-Don't throw it away!" Afonso panicked, picking up the adamantite-plate.
Nazz looked at Cerabrate and then Leinas, before letting out a sigh. It was true that now the adventurer had a more determined expression and seemed more focused. They needed him to take the reins of the kingdom's forces, so they could actually focus fighting and forwarding their plans, without having to worry about other matters.
"Alright. The two of you make sure he keeps focused. Leinas, let's go." Nazz instructed as he began to leave with Leinas.
"About Bane..." Afonso tried to say, but Emma interrupted him.
"What's done is done. Shall we go?" She insisted, looking at Cerabrate.
"Yes... Let's go!" Cerabrate shouted, as his spirit was once more thrown into the battle.
Soon enough the human forces reorganized and managed to stalemate the beastman side. However, even with the superior number of soldiers, weaponry, and more advanced magical power, the beastmen were not like those they met on the fields of battle before. They were better armed, better organized, and clearly understood of the arts of war.
Not only that, but the Beastman Berserkers were formidable and frightening foes all on their own. Capable of living through and withstanding attacks that would cripple or kill them if they were not in that state. Meaning, they were opponents that could only be easily handled by the Espada, along with of course the larger siege engines they brought along, with its enchanted ammunition.
Eventually the fight between Tomo and Inon came to an end, and despite the shocked state of the Espada in question, victory was theirs. Around this time Grimmjow, Harribel, and Nnoitra had managed to fight and outmaneuver their way into the city walls, where they were quickly going about killing beastmen and collecting their corpses for Aizen.
In the palace that housed Tonga, Loa, and Haku, the trio gathered in the same chamber where the brothers' harem was kept. However, in this situation both human and nonhuman members of it were moved to another location within the same building for their safety. From their vantage point, the brothers were still able to see part of the ongoing battle.
While the brothers talked amongst themselves about the battle's progress, and occasionally sent out orders via messengers, Haku was frozen in place as something tugged at his heart. This has happened to him a few times before. Like when former King Leo died. This meant that for him there was no other explanation to this, than the clear fact that Tomo had fallen in battle. Now, the last of the one two great titans of their country had passed.
As Haku started to lose himself in his melancholy thoughts, a powerful presence manifested itself within the entrance to the chamber. Their finely honed danger senses kicked and gained the attention of the trio almost immediately. What they saw greatly shocked the two brothers, while their father remained calm, scrutinizing the newcomers. Among the trio's members, the most surprising wasn't the strongest individual, but was the thought-to-be-dead Cesar. To his right was Nato, and between them was the source of this great presence in Sajin Komamura.
Indeed, these three were the leaders of the "third" faction at play in this battle. Whose goal was to increase the numbers of those kept in Scurll's village, which now acted as a sort of refugee camp. With that goal in mind, Sajin received both Aizen's and Nazz's approval to take a group of skilled and trusted individuals with him, and use teleportation items to send refugees back to the village. The reason they were here now, was because they were the only ones that could hope to handle Haku and his sons.
"You should be dead!" Tonga hissed, pointing at Cesar.
"We..." Loa went to add, when Cesar spoke up.
"You killed my family, but you failed to kill me. I was just left scarred and near death. But as you can see, I'm better. Thanks to him. Thanks to the Espada." Cesar said, motioning to Sajin as he suppressed his own boiling hatred for the brothers.
"Espada? They fight us." Haku pointed out, also causing his sons to fall silent.
"My name is Sajin Komamura. Indeed. Most of us fight against your side. However, I was tasked with gathering your people and make my way to the top of your hierarchy. As we speak, we are transporting those willing to go Scurll's camp so they can survive these battles." Sajin firmly informed.
"Hear him. He already killed Sabre, and Scrull won't challenge him." Nato urgently added.
"What of Hash?" Haku asked with a raised brow.
"Still looking after younglings."
"You want to take us? And my pups' females?" The elder continued, with that same scrutinizing gaze.
"We do." Sajin plainly replied.
"No. We won't leave." Tonga growled.
"Hrm... Now I understand. Then, Espada killed Tomo." Haku contemplatively mumbled.
Silence filled the room, since both his children saw such a statement as being impossible, while the newly arrived trio were surprised at how he knew this.
"How do you know?" Cesar asked in surprise.
"A feeling. The same one when Leo died."
"Then that makes things simpler. What will you do now?" Sajin asked as he folded his arms.
The gaze of the two of them locked as Haku weighed this information. He looked at his sons, and while they remained incredulous, their finely honed instincts kept their bodies in place. He soon realized that while consciously unwilling to accept it, they felt the same thing he did. That this Sajin was strong. As strong, if not stronger than Tomo! He never would have thought such a thing possible, but there was no denying his danger senses, honed over decades of battle. Thus, he made the only decision available to them...
"Very well. Take my pups and the females. Tonga, go and get the nonhumans." Haku instructed.
"I-I won't! They're ours. This city ours. Together surely we can..." Tonga tried to argue, just to get punched in the gut by his father, dropping him to his knees.
"You may lead our people, but I'm your father. Now go!" The elder commanded.
With a pained growl, Tonga did as he was told as he stumbled back to his feet and left the room, leaving Loa the only focus of his father's attention.
"What you say?"
"I say, I want to know why." Loa replied, voicing the question that was also on the minds of the trio.
"Same reason why we took control from Cesar back then. To save you and those that wish to leave for this village. Us and humans never got along. Even when Leo only allowed us to do attacks from time-to-time, killing only what was needed. Kaze and Kana. They freed the worst we had to offer. Now humans want to kill us all, or reduce our numbers to almost nothing at all. Look at big picture. We must save as much as possible." Haku grimly informed.
"Then, why not come with us?" His son asked, seemingly understanding what his father was saying.
"Humans want city. Need to kill the enemy. Puts them at ease. I am older. Not in charge, but still strong. Good final opponent for them. My death will put them at ease. Allow you and the others to live."
Silence filled the room. Indeed, Haku's wise nature was made all the more apparent from this, as he accepted the fact that for things to go smoothly, someone would need to stay behind and act as the city's "villain". Even if the Kingdom's information suggested two leaders, the death of someone as strong as Haku would enhance morale and the nature of the victory.
"How wise. Is that why you told your pups to kill me?" Cesar solemnly asked.
"Yes. We needed to do as Kaze wanted. Your defiance of Kaze put all at risk. It was either you and your family, or all of the tribes. There was no choice." Haku calmly replied.
"..."
A wordless, mutual respect formed between the two beastmen, and in an instant what hatred Cesar had for Haku and his sons evaporated. His instincts told him that he spoke true, and all at once, he was filled with regret that things had turned out like this, and that his decisions indirectly led to it. Though before he could dwell on this further, Sajin's powerful voice broke the brief silence.
"I am thankful for your willingness to cooperate. The first to arrive here will be the Espada. I will inform them of what happened here. They will not be needlessly cruel." Sajin respectfully informed, eliciting a laugh from Haku in reply.
"Hah! Don't look down on me, pup. I'm thankful, but this still my city." The elder pridefully pointed out.
"Hm. Understood."
"But I have question. What exactly happened to Tomo?" Haku stoically asked.
"I was told that... His power, abilities, and skill were without equal when compared to any opponent the Espada that defeated him had ever faced. That in the end, while victorious, it felt like Tomo was, in many ways, still the better between them." Sajin replied, the respect of which Inon had spoken of Tomo via their rings still fresh and clear in his mind.
"As expected from him! Not something humans would imagine from our kind. They are not the only ones who can create mighty warriors. Hah-hah-hah!" Haku said as he laughed, a jovial air replacing the stern one he previously held.
At that moment, Tonga entered the room, accompanied by all of the female beastmen members of the harem.
"I got them." Tonga plainly announced.
"Good. Now, all of you females and my pups, join them. They take you to safety." Haku informed in a soft tone.
While the females were unsure, they knew of the ongoing battle. They knew that the humans had been able to fight their way to the city, and while they were ignorant of what happened to Tomo, they accepted this chance at not being killed by the "invading" force. When it came to Tonga and Loa, while they were unsure of what to think or do, they followed their father's command, by merit of his long life and experience.
With everyone gathered around, Sajin materialized another one of the Espada's teleportation items and activated it. By this time Haku's focus had once again gone to the window, as he took a deep breath and prepared for what was about to come his way. He always knew that he would like to go out fighting, and did not fail to appreciate the irony of this situation.
"Good luck." Cesar respectfully said, as the group then vanished.
As Haku looked over the city, he saw some crows flying by. What he didn't notice, mostly due to all that was going through his mind, was that these birds were undead. Controlled by both the Elder Coffin Dragon Lord and his bird-mask Lich. They were now completely focused on the battlefield, allowing the Dragon Lord to further grasp the nature of the Espada.
With these birds, he was able to see and feel both the teleportation of this large group and the several teleportations made by Grimmjow, Harribel, and Nnoitra to collect corpses. This got his attention, because not only were they gathering bodies like he was, but they were using a type of magic that felt very similar to [Wild Magic]. Though he could tell they were not exactly the same. This made him think that perhaps they had some other source of power that wasn't only the Catastrophe Dragon Lord. Though what that could be he was unsure.
The trio representing the Espada in the city, or Fracción as he had been informed, also felt very interesting. Something that almost made him want to snatch one of them right away, but he held back on this idea. For the time being he would only have his minions observe the battle and split his attention between that and finding where the Beastmen were being teleported too. After all, those were bodies that he could use as well.
Sometime later, the Fracción made their way into the palace, and to the room where Haku was waiting. Entering the chamber, they found him alone, already facing the entrance with a massive war-axe resting to his right as he sat on a modest throne.
"Espada?" Haku tersely asked.
"That's us." Grimmjow casually replied.
"The humans are in a room on this floor." He informed, picking up his weapon.
"Let's begin then." Harribel calmly said, taking a step forward.
"We leave our people to you."
With a ferocious warcry, Haku charged his opponent, with Harribel keeping her calm disposition as she did the same. It didn't take as long as many would have expected, but silence filled the area. The beastmen had been driven back, and Himassa once more belonged to the Dragon Kingdom.
While it was surprising, indeed they had been driven back, and not completely slaughtered like in most previous battles. These beastmen were clearly different from the rest, and after a certain point in the battle, many dropped their weapons, and retreated from the city to live another day. The only ones that didn't do this were naturally the Berserkers, but they had all been killed during the course of the battle. Even the city was far emptier of hostile beastmen than they expected once they did manage to get inside.
When it came to the humans living in there, they also found something surprising even if their information did imply what they found. The buildings that had been left untouched by the beastmen, with some even rebuilt. The human populations had been mostly centered around the stables and fields they were made to work on, along with being dressed in mostly worn out clothes and rags. Clearly, they were used as a source of labor, and not as a primary food source or even "toys" like other settlements.
The men, women, and children were in great, healthy condition, considering those that were in charge of the city. Elderly were almost nonexistent, but they quickly found out that they were among those chosen to be eaten by the beastmen first. Along with the original defenders, and those that stepped out of line instead of following their rule. The latter serving as effective deterrent against rebellion, and thus kept the peace for the most part.
All of this had greatly relieved the stress upon the Kingdom's main forces. However, they would still go ahead with the predetermined plan where the forces on loan from the Baharuth Empire and Slane Theocracy would help keep the city safe and tend to its people's needs, while the Dragon Kingdom's forces, spearheaded by the Espada, would clear the way for them.
Eventually Nazz, Leinas, Cerabrate and a few others of higher standing in the army arrived at the chamber where the Fracción had their "battle" with Haku. Given the room's destroyed state it did seem like there had been a great battle. One that had forced the trio to team up on their opponent. Naturally, this had all been set up to give this victory more value.
"Hmm... I thought this area was ruled by two Beastmen." Cerabrate pointed out in a puzzled tone.
"This is all we found." Harribel calmly, matter-of-factly replied.
"Still, even if we missed one the city is ours." Nazz added.
"Perhaps the other one ran with the rest. Or was on the frontlines." The adventurer mused.
"I heard some of the men talking about tunnels. What was that about?" Nazz asked, still not fully informed regarding the situation, since he had been helping find any remaining enemies.
"Hm? Oh, I was told that tunnels were found in some buildings, along with evidence that this city was occupied by even more beastmen that we were aware of. Most likely females and their younglings." Cerabrate replied, being more well informed since he took on the role of a field commander.
"Indeed. It would seem that not all of them are complete monsters." Leinas contemplatively mused.
"Hence, the strange request to actually let some of them escape." The adventurer wearily remarked while looking at Nazz.
"You saw their slaves. If they treated our side decently, then we should do the same in kind."
"Huh... Hehe. I'll let you explain that when I'm asked about why the soldiers were told not to exterminate the enemy." Cerabrate retorted while chuckling.
"Perhaps we could also mention the fact that Himassa is a rather large city, and that after a battle with a smaller, yet powerful force, we don't have the means to kill every single beastman in an area larger than Asodosia. I'm sure they would accept that excuse." Leinas coolly suggested.
"Agreed. We'll need to keep more of our forces here to back up the foreigners anyways. Well, I think I should go and see what I can do about that." The adventurer said, preparing to leave.
"Cerabrate, you did good. Perhaps you should ask Afonso to give you your plate back." Nazz suggested, getting only a wave in reply.
While the human forces worked on securing the city and waiting for the reinforcements from the Empire and Theocracy, the Elder Coffin Dragon Lord was weighing his options since things had come to pass as he expected.
"Have you found where they teleported to?" Zyl'vryg Grayl'dranth asked, since he was no longer controlling the flocks of crows.
"I have not. However, I am directing my attention to the villages of Hash and Scurll, as you had instructed, my lord." The bird-masked Elder Lich replied with a bow.
These were the two best options, since Zyl'vryg knew that the best area to keep these refugees would be a place where they had allies. Since he was able to see Nato through the windows, he assumed that one of these two beastmen would help them. Now that only one major city remained, the Dragon Lord knew that he had to put things into motion.
That meant harvesting more bodies and creating more pawns to unleash upon the humans, in one last bid to turn this war around. This also meant that there was a need to skip a few steps in his plan, since the Espada wouldn't be easily held back. Even if they could, the best place to do that was Asike, the city ruled by Oka.
"Inform me when you have something. I will use Kana to hasten the gathering of more usable pawns."
"What should I do, my lord?" The Quagoa Elder Lich respectfully asked.
"Nothing. In fact, you are dismissed. I can give the rest of my orders via mental command." His superior curtly replied.
"As you wish."
With a bow, the Elder Lich left, and the Elder Coffin Dragon Lord was now faced with a shorter schedule than expected. He made it a point to make sure his underlings put more effort into repairing the bodies of those that were meant to be turned into his Revenants. Along with rejuvenating the bodies of Tomo and Leo to maximize the power of those two titans.
That was in addition to beginning the rituals that drew upon the spirits of the dead, and twisted their perception so the Revenants could be more easily manipulated. When it came to Kana, well she would be of use when the camp was found, but for now she was to be used to acquire two pawns residing in the capital of the Beastman Country.
With this goal in mind, it didn't take long for Kana to get to the "Rat Hole". The establishment where Liger, daughter of Pantera and Leo, had been kept all this time to "service" her fellow beastmen, and perhaps give birth to strong children. While this was meant to break her down and make her an easier to use pawn, it seemed that she was indeed strong willed.
So "Kana" arrived to offer Liger one last chance, or else. She was also expecting to find Shi here, since her sources told her that he came to visit Liger often. Entering the establishment, she was greeted by the older rat-type beastman receptionist. Seeing the right-hand of their King arrive, and having served as a spy for her before, quietly nodded and motioned to the space where Liger was kept. This told Kana that indeed, Shi was there.
Right away Kana made her way there, not even bothering to announce her presence as she walked inside and closed the wooden door behind her. Just like she expected, nothing was taking place here, as Shi and Liger were simply sitting across from one another, as if talking.
"What are you doing here!?" Liger growled, quickly pushing herself against the wall.
"Shi, leave us." Kana instructed, ignoring Liger's words.
"..."
Shi was unsure of what to do. He had been tasked with looking over Liger and ensuring her safety, yet he could tell that whatever was about to happen wasn't good for her. Meaning, the time had come for him to make a decision and perhaps take things beyond his original mission of looking over her.
"Right."
Complying, Shi got to his feet, looked briefly at Liger who looked back at him with a mixed gaze of confusion and betrayal, thinking he had decided to abandon her. He then looked at Kana and walked past her and placed his hand on the door to open it and leave.
Kana was powerful. This much he could tell, but he could also tell that she was below his own level and since she used magic, that meant she was not physically able to take a blow from him. Especially one that would be much faster than she could react. Taking a deep breath, Shi opted with adding onto his mission by taking Liger back to Nato and the rest.
"Why..."
Kana went to enquire as to why he had yet to leave, when Shi sprung into action, delivering a devastating roundhouse kick to Kana. With the enhancement of his [Silver Claws], easily slicing through her neck. Liger was shocked, as the hobgoblin's head fell right in front of her and in an almost defying display Kana's body remained vertical.
"Y-You did it!" Liger announced, clearly relieved.
"Let's leave." Shi stoically said, going to help her.
Shi went to approach Liger, but suddenly froze, as did Liger when a laugh filled the room. The source was very clear, that being Kana's head, and to add onto the dread that came with the sound that escaped the head, was the fact that this sound was clearly made by a male.
"I guess that is a 'no' to my offer. Well, not that I am surprised. The same goes for your attack, Shi. Very predictable. But I will admit that I made my body weak enough to be damaged by it." The voice humorously said.
"W-What are you?" Liger mumbled in shock.
"You can refer to me as Elder Coffin Dragon Lord."
While they didn't know who the Elder Coffin Dragon Lord was, they did know what a 'Dragon Lord' was. After all, the country they were at war with had been founded by one. They knew that the title of Dragon Lord was given to the most powerful of the already overwhelmingly strong dragon race.
Why it looked like an old hobgoblin they didn't know for sure. Even if Liger had been told something by her parents about how the founder of the Dragon Kingdom could change shape. While she could imagine that to be the case, how did it explain that Shi had beheaded a Dragon Lord?
The answer was rather simple for those who knew. Kana was nothing more than the avatar of the Elder Coffin Dragon Lord. Given his great knowledge of the body and necromancy he preferred an actual corpse to a set of armor. With this avatar he had manipulated Kaze and started this entire war. The beheading was nothing but luck brought about by the fact that avatar at that time was made weaker than it could be for the sake of disguising its true nature.
"Run..." Liger went to scream, but it was too late.
"[Death]."
Pointing its right index finger at Liger, the avatar called upon a spell which instantaneously killed Liger. Shi was taken aback but didn't falter now that he knew that this was even more serious than originally expected. Knowing this he darted for the door. Because even if Liger was dead, he had to at least attempt to escape and warn the rest of what he had just learned.
"Not so fast. [Dominate]."
Suddenly Shi froze in place, the spell quickly taking over his body, as his mind was rendered a slave to the Dragon Lord's whims. A fact that filled the now immobile beastman with horror plain on his once stoic expression.
"Tell me, where is the rest of your group?"
"T-They are in a village, some distance..." Shi went to answer, but Zyl'vryg silenced him.
"Be specific."
"It used to be Scurll's territory, until..." Again he was silenced as he answered.
"That's good enough. I can find out the rest myself. [Death]."
Things had gone better than expected, not only were two new future Revenants acquired, but he had also gotten the location of a place most likely full of bodies for him to use. Now all that was left was to prepare and to send the undead birds to the location. After all, he didn't want anyone to escape.
Meanwhile, the newly acquired refugees were being settled into the village that had once been Scurll's domain. Given the sizable population increase, it was now four times the size it had once been, with large wood and stone walls built around the area, and all inhabitants provided with wooden houses to live in. In the center of this village no longer was Scrull's residence, but a hut where a Kidō empowered pillar maintained a dome shaped barrier around the village.
This barrier was mostly invisible to the naked eye, and made it so that teleportation into the village could only be Kidō-based, while anyone inside the village could teleport within and outside the space as they wished. It also made it where any individual much larger than a medium-sized bird could not enter, so that anyone larger had to be equipped with a small item to freely enter.
While the central hut wasn't used for habitation, sometimes more important meetings were held within. Currently one of those meetings was taking place between the female Lizardman Shaman Scurll, Sajin, Cesar, Tonga, and Loa. Nato and Pantera had left to once again try and convince Hash to join their cause and move to the village.
As the meeting that would brief the brothers on the situation and their plans took place, a small flock of undead birds circled the area, going in and out of the barrier as the Elder Coffin Dragon Lord pondered on what the best way to enter should be.
While in control of these birds, he could tell that this barrier was made out of this new form of magic that in some ways felt similar to [Wild Magic]. Whose source was located near the village's central hut. Having spent some time observing the area, he could tell that teleportation inside of the barrier was impossible. He also learned that placing a bird inside of the barrier and using it as a relay for the teleportation spell also didn't work either.
He then considered walking into the barrier, since the birds could come and go as they wished, but having observed some of the Beastmen going in and out, he understood that some kind of item was needed for this to be possible.
The question was then how to get inside. He could use his birds as a catalyst for a spell to destroy the hut, but he saw some beastmen going inside, so before deciding to destroy the source, it would be best to see who was inside. Of course, he could always consider killing some of the residents to acquire whatever item allowed one to come and go, but doing so with just the birds could get complicated.
He also knew that using a spell to cancel the magic creating the barrier could be pointless, but not a waste to try. That being said, he flew one of his birds closer to the central hut to ascertain who was inside. Landing near it and looking inside, Zyl'vryg marveled at what he saw. They were almost all those of power within the village. There was simply no other way to describe it given their strength, and the feeling the tall fox-faced stranger gave off that was similar to the Fracción. He listened intently as they settled into their meeting...
"You should have brought Haku. Not his younglings." Scurll hissed as her tail flapped in agitation.
"Quiet. You show us respect." Tonga growled back.
"Silence, the both of you! Haku decided to stay behind. We should respect it." Sajin commandingly growled.
"Grm... As you wish." The Lizardman Shaman remarked with a hiss.
"Grumph! I yet to decide if I'll follow you." Tonga added, motioning to Sajin.
"There isn't a choice here. He's much stronger than us." Cesar plainly said.
"Listen to him, brother. Father stayed behind for us." Loa remarked.
"But we were in charge before that! Now we just accept it!?" Tonga argued.
"Now is not the time to let your ego get the best of you. Assist us, and the Espada promise to look after you and yours." Sajin said in a dignified tone.
"Grah! You want to take us over!"
"We want to make sure both sides survive." The Fracción explained.
This was a very fascinating conversation, but Zyl'vryg decided that it was best to divert some of his attention to the getting rid of the barrier. Having seen Sajin, he decided that he would not use a spell to disrupt the magic itself, since having felt the same type of magic emanating from the being's "core", he assumed that it was critical to his existence. Meaning he wasn't going to risk killing this "Sajin", just to rid himself of the barrier. When it came to what Sajin was, he now assumed him to be some form of artificial existence. Perhaps similar in concept to what he had learned of Players and their "NPCs".
That meant that the barrier's destruction was the only option. With that in mind, he started spreading the undead birds throughout several areas of the village so they could later be used for teleportation spells. All the while sending out Quagoa Druids to the nearby area to call upon some weather affecting spells via group rituals to create a natural distraction for the beastmen, in the form of sudden cloud cover, lightning, and thunder.
Taking flight with the same bird that was listening in on their conversation, the Dragon Lord placed it on top of the hut above the pillar, since now he had learned that all he needed was massive, but concentrated damage. Since he was using the bird as a catalyst, Zyl'vryg found it simpler to use a [Wild Magic] spell to deliver the blow. With the lightning created by his Druids, he had the perfect spell for the occasion.
"Treskri Shochraos." The bird squawked in ancient draconic.
The spell in question could also be referred to as "World Lightning". While it could be powered solely by the Dragon Lord's power, he mitigated this by using the magically created lightning, causing all of the electricity to converge above the hut, and come crushing down in a massive lightning column. Eating through the feeble ceiling and into the magical pillar, destroying a large portion of it and bringing down the barrier.
Luckily no one in the barrier died, even if Cesar and Loa were partially burned. At the same time all of the birds spread across the village were used to perform large scale teleportation of several beastmen-type undead, four Death Knights, and two Elder Liches. From the closest bird to the hut, Kana emerged.
"Wiap! Ithquent Jilg Jiko Cha'sidic!" She commanded in ancient draconic, rushing to the hut.
The Wiap spell was the [Wild Magic] version of the [Fly] spell. A necessary one to use, since he prepared another [Wild Magic] spell on top of it, and even for him, the use of [Tier Magic] and [Wild Magic] spells simultaneously was normally impossible, due to the differences in the two magic systems.
However, when compared to the one called upon after it was inconsequential, as Ithquent Jilg Jiko Cha'sidic, or God Hold Six Hands, was one of the many versions of the Ithquent Jilg, or God Hold spell. Said spell allowed the user to call upon several arm-like appendages that attacked the soul of an individual, or the [Wild Magic] placed upon the target.
It was a very versatile technique, however for those in the village, discounting Sajin, who were all well below half the Dragon Lord's total level, one touch resulted in their soul being stolen, with death following immediately after. From Kana's back a dark-purple light emanated, which then sprung out into six limbs that terminated in five finger hands. With the spell's large range, even before Kana arrived at the hut, the limbs stretched out and into it to kill those within.
Six hands went inside, but only two retracted back to Kana, their fingers curled as if holding something, while the other four broke through the wall in front of Kana. At the same time the wall to her right broke apart as Sajin jumped through it, carrying Cesar and Tonga under each arm.
"Run!" Sajin commanded, placing himself between Kana and the other two.
Retracting three of the other limbs, Kana went after Sajin with only one, to which he prepared himself, drawing his blade at the last moment, and managing to slice through the magical limb, causing it to break apart into small particles. This action surprised Tonga, and to a lesser extent Cesar, after both had seen how one hand was enough kill two beastmen of considerable power.
"My brother! I won't leave him!" Tonga growled back.
"Leave or we all die! And your father's death will have been pointless!" Sajin roared at the top of his lungs, displacing the air around him in a display of fury that caught all those present off-guard.
As he did, the other five hands rushed at him, all the while the sixth limb regenerated. In the face of this overwhelming attack, Sajin lifted his free hand and called upon a "spell" of his own.
"Bakudō #39: Enkōsen!"
In front of his free hand a yellow spinning disk took shape, which managed to block the initial impact of the hands, breaking shortly after and the impact forcing Sajin back.
"We need to leave." Cesar growled, already pulling on Tonga
"Do as he says!" Sajin added, preparing himself for the next attack.
Even if reluctantly, Tonga relented and brought himself to set aside his ego and follow the being he once tried to kill. All the while holding back the emotions brought about by the death of first his father, and now brother.
Meanwhile, Kana did nothing, leaving the job of killing the two stragglers to the undead. Right now things were too interesting. So much so that the Dragon Lord ceased both spells, letting his avatar place itself a few feet from Sajin.
"It is rare for me to come across a spell that I am unfamiliar with. Rarer still for me to come across a type of magic I am unfamiliar with. But I wonder how much something like you actually knows... [Grand Fireball]!" Kana remarked, lifting her left-hand as she invoked the 4th-tier spell.
The spell's purpose wasn't exactly to cripple Sajin, but to see how his magic interacted with a [Tier Magic] based spell. Or what his blade could do about it, since no ordinary sword could have damaged a limb created by, Ithquent Jilg Jiko Cha'sidic.
"Hadō #31: Shakkahō!"
Given the size of the fireball, Kana wasn't able to see what this "Hadō #31: Shakkahō" looked like, but it was clear even over the impact, and cancellation of both spells, that the one that had spoken was not Sajin. When the smoke cleared, the avatar was faced with two new individuals of the same nature as Sajin. One of them was tall, with dark-gray eyes, long dark-brown, wavy hair held in a ponytail, and long bangs going down the left-side of his face. In his right-hand he had a katana, and in the other was a much shorter blade similar to a "wakizashi".
The other was a tall yet thin man with long white hair, black eyebrows, and brown eyes, and he unlike his companion held only a single katana. Indeed, the moment Sajin laid eyes on Kana he knew that she was too much for him, and taking advantage of the chaos of the situation used his ring to call Las Noches for backup. Which was delivered to him in the form of the duplicates of Shunsui Kyōraku and Jūshirō Ukitake.
"Long time, Komamura.~" Shunsui remarked in a flighty tone.
"Thank you, for your assistance." Sajin added, as the trio set their sights on Kana
"More Fracción? While I am interested in seeing what else your kind can do, if you think that you can defeat me relying on numbers and power, you're naïve." Kana coldly remarked.
This was not what Zyl'vryg had planned. While yes, he would have used some of his time to play around with Sajin, the appearance of two more meant more of his attention focused on them, and would reduce his attention on the harvest. Meaning that even if his undead could manage to kill several of the beastmen, they wouldn't kill as much as they could without his guidance. Still, in the face of such interesting "specimens", such losses were minimal.
"[Grand Fireball]!"
Another massive orb of flames was shot at the trio in another attempt to test them. With the usage of Shunpo, the newly arrived duo vanished from sight escaping the blast, which was swiftly cut down by Sajin using a Zanjutsu technique. Just as quickly as they vanished, the duo reappeared on each of Kana's sides, swinging their blades in her direction in an attempt to cut down the avatar. Although, even with their speed, the Dragon Lord wasn't caught off guard.
"[Reinforce Armor]. [Shield Wall]."
A yellow/orange magical barrier formed around Kana, promptly stopping both blades in their tracks, even if the duplicates were able to break it in the process. Surprising Kana with such a feat. Seeing this Sajin sped towards Kana, using Shunpo to do so as quickly as possible, and in the blink of an eye he was looming over her.
"Disperse!"
Giving the command, Sajin lifted his left-hand, pulling his middle-finger back with his thumb, before releasing it with a flicking motion, performing the Hakuda technique "Oni Dekopin", creating a large enough blast of physical force to send Kana flying into several nearby buildings.
"So, what are we trying to accomplish here~?" Shunsui lazily asked.
"Buy enough time to evacuate as many people as possible." Sajin firmly replied.
"That won't be simple. Our opponent is formidable." Ukitake cautiously added.
As they finished speaking, they saw Kana approach them once more, holding herself in the air with the usage of the [Fly] spell this time, and landing a few feet away from them, before she nonchalantly spoke.
"I would like to know your names. So I have something to refer to you by."
"Ah, since she knows we are Fracción, I guess it wouldn't hurt to speak." Shunsui casually remarked, looking at his comrades.
"Hrm. Agreed. I am Sajin Komamura."
"Jūshirō Ukitake."
"Shunsui Kyōraku. And~? Who are you?"
"Hehehe... Indeed. It's only fair to told you, and since you are part of the Espada. I am Zyl'vryg Grayl'dranth. Also known as the Elder Coffin Dragon Lord." The avatar informed with a chuckle.
The trio looked at each other and collectively gulped. After all, they had been briefed on how the Cero Espada, the Catastrophe Dragon Lord, was convinced of the presence of this very same Dragon Lord on the side of the beastmen, and how the thought seemed to terrify him.
"Ah~ah. What a pain.~ We always get the tough jobs." Shuinsui sighed.
This earned him a chuckle from the avatar, who was in the process of making her staff, skull mask, and bone adornments vanish in green smoke. In a sense the avatar had just dropped the character of Kana, and now they were truly dealing with the Dragon Lord.
"Don't be so discouraged. You're trying to buy time so that the beastmen can escape, and I am curious about the three of you. We both stand to gain from this." The avatar remarked, now with a clearly male voice
"Alright. Let's do this." Shunsui said, as the trio took their stances.
"[Lighting]." Zyl'vryg chanted, aiming at Shunsui.
Acting quickly, Sajin pushed Shunsui away from the streaking bluish-white blast. Albeit leaving himself open to taking it to his chest, but due to his gear the damage was minimal. This allowed Shunsui and Ukitake to use Shunpo to once more get close to their opponent and attack.
"[Reverse Gravity]."
This time Shunsui wasn't able to avoid the spell and found himself being pulled into the air, however Ukitake managed to swing his blade at the avatar, who in reply grabbed on to the duplicate's hand stopping the blade before it hit the neck.
"I'm not purely a magic caster, and this body isn't as weak as it looks."
Taking advantage of the hold, Ukitake placed his other hand on the body of his blade and called upon another Kidō spell.
"Hadō #32: Ōkasen."
This generated a yellowish orb, which widened itself along the length of their sword, before bursting forth in a large barrage of energy that swallowed the avatar, earning both Ukitake and Shunsui freedom from their respective holds.
The trio quickly regrouped, with their eyes almost immediately going to the area above the origin point of the blast, where their opponent was now floating. Zyl'vryg looked down on them, having used barrier and teleportation spells to avoid any damage. Still, he could not help but see trouble in these beings and their abilities.
There were some that compared more to [Martial Arts] to actual magic. A comparison that in some ways he understood, even if it felt ignorant when spoken out loud. Yet before him were individuals that, even if they were artificial creations, were clearly able to fight like a warrior, while using spells like a magic caster.
Given their strength levels, he never planned to increase the power transmitted into his avatar to close to maximum, but as it stood he opted to do this in order to calmly observe what they could do. Not only that, but their ability to move with such incredible speeds, that at first he thought they were actually teleporting, forced him to increase his focus to that only deserved for stronger opponents. All and all, it was quite amusing, and it almost made him regret not having gone with an avatar more appropriate for close quarters combat.
Dropping back to the ground, Zyl'vryg lifted both his avatar's hands for another spell. To which the trio opted with charging at their opponent with the aid of Shunpo. Unlike before, Sajin took the lead, but the avatar did not focus its attention on him. However, this didn't affect their plans, as Sajin pointed at the figure with his joined index and middle-finger.
"Bakudō # 1: Sai."
"...!"
Compelled by a sudden force, the avatar found its arms being bound behind its back. Though whatever this spell did wasn't strong enough to hold him for more than a few seconds. As he thought about this however, Sajin reduced his speed while Shunsui and Ukitake went on offensive.
"Bakudō #4: Hainawa." Ukitake invoked.
"Carriage of thunder, bridge of a spinning wheel. With light, divide this into six! Bakudō #61: Rikujōkōrō." Shunsui chanted and casted.
Just as the avatar broke out of the initial spell, its torso and arms were bound by a yellow rope of energy, which was then added upon when six beams of the same energy crashed into its midsection. Shunsui and Ukitake stopped their advance jumped slightly to the sides and started the invocation for their next attack.
"Ye lord! Mask of blood and flesh, all creation, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of Man!..." They began, their blades put aside so their hands could be together as energy gathered.
"...!"
Zyl'vryg went to react, but a powerful warcry from Sajin got his attention, seeing the energy building around him. It was a rarer form of the same magic that seemed to power them. With another warcry, Sajin dispersed his reiatsu and lunged at his opponent.
"...On the wall of blue flame, inscribe a twin lotus..."
Using his preternatural greater speed to do so before his target could free himself, and then landing two powerful punches on Zyl'vryg. This was the Hakuda technique Sōkotsu, that would normally destroy the body completely, but given their difference in levels, it only exploded part of the avatar's torso.
"In the abyss of conflagration, wait at the far heavens... Hadō #73: Sōren Sōkatsui!"
Using Shunpo, Sajin vanished, just as his fellow duplicates pushed forward the gathered energy with their palms, propelling it straight at Zyl'vryg. Bathing his avatar's body in the conjoined energy of both attacks, in a combination that this time their opponent was unable to avoid or escape.
"Perhaps we should use this time to take our leave. I'm sure by now most of the survivors have escaped." Shunsui suggested
"Please do not try to rush things, just because you want to go back to Starrk." Ukitake pointed out with a sigh.
"But we were trying out this new sake and Nanao-chan is still on assignment. But it can't be helped it seems."
"Indeed. Let's wait a little while longer." Sajin added with a focused edge to his voice.
Again, their attentions went to the dust cloud left over by their conjoined attacks, from where Zyl'vryg emerged. His avatar sporting the hole caused by Sajin's attack, and several other minor cuts and burns from the Kidō. The usage of [Protection Energy: Electricity], had done much to cancel most of the spell's damage, but given the difference between both magic types it wasn't fully cancelled. Though the damage was easily reparable with [Wild Magic] flowing within.
These three were as formidable as they were versatile. Despite the clear difference in power between them and himself. Their usage of invocations in their spells was also very interesting. Especially when it seemed to be used to empower the spell, and not exactly facilitate the casting process. It was a good way to go beyond one's lower capacity, and it gave him even more information on this new type of magic. Which was very much welcomed.
As he thought on this he was informed via the links he had with his undead minions, that the harvest had been concluded. Even if a large portion of the village population had escaped via teleportation. It would seem that this little charade had come to an end.
"It would seem the village has been evacuated." Zyl'vryg plainly remarked, since not even he could waste his time playing no matter how much he could learn from it.
"Still, it doesn't mean I will let you go... Ithquent Jilg Jiko Cha'sidic."
Once again six magical limbs erupted from the avatar's back in a bright, almost frightening display, quickly rushing towards the trio. After all, he wasn't going to give up on acquiring at least one of these specimens.
"Run, Komamura! Bakudō #39: Enkōsen!" Shunsui shouted.
Even if it pained him to leave his comrades behind, Sajin knew that he still had to play out his role as a beastman. Giving them one final look as the limbs darted towards them, Sajin used another one of the Kidō powered items to teleport himself away from the scene. The moment the limbs were about to reach the magical barrier created by Shunsui, a portion of them were sliced to ribbons, forcing Zyl'vryg to retract them back, as a feminine figure now stood in his way, in Soifon.
Right away Zyl'vryg was able to sense that he was more or less surrounded, and mostly likely via teleportation, several other of these artificial beings had entered the area. From among this group, one approached him, which was among the strongest of those present. He looked like an old man with scars, a long beard, and long eyebrows. Though the Dragon Lord's senses told him that such looks were not indicative of his strength.
"Oh~ dear." Shunsui sighed, relaxing his posture along with Ukitake.
"I am Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, and I speak in the name of the Espada."
"And what does the Espada have to say?" Zyl'vryg asked as his avatar perked a brow.
"That you, and your forces, should leave this village, now. Or we will be forced to take this attack... seriously." Yamamoto replied, his stern features and tone showing how his words weren't a bluff.
Silence reigned for a solid minute as the two sides stared each other down in a standoff. Until at last it was the Elder Coffin Dragon Lord who "blinked".
"Very well. Perhaps this wasn't a complete waste after all..." The avatar mused, as green smoke began to emerge from its mouth.
"However, I have a message for Naz'da'gar Cyddrunarth. That I will be waiting for his inevitable challenge when the Dragon Kingdom makes its attempt to retake Asike." It added, before the smoke enveloped the body and vanished.
Having teleported himself away from the village, Sajin arrived at a location in a forested area where over time, a large, but hidden, camp had been built for this type of situation. It was meant to offer immediate relief to the crisis, but not a permanent home.
Arriving at his latest location, the large duplicate fell on his knees feeling particularly weakened from the confrontation. He had used up too much of his energy and needed to find an opening to replenish his Reiatsu later. Still, he could carry himself well enough to continue playing his role. Especially when those around him gathered closer, with a healed Cesar taking the lead.
"Good to see you are alive. We started to think, Kana had taken you." Cesar said in a relieved tone.
"It almost happened... But what matters now is that we are safe. How many managed to escape?" Sajin asked, remaining his calm and imposing self.
"From what I could tell, we saved little under half of the village's total inhabitants. Not counting the few that ran into the forest during the attack or when we teleported, but you can't blame them." Cesar replied in a now more neutral tone.
"That's good." The duplicate said, just as a healed Tonga also appeared from the crowd.
"And you're alive, which could be said to be even better. Your power is confirmed." Cesar added.
"What now? We can't live here for long." Tonga asked with narrowed eyes.
"True, but we will have to for now. Cesar, take a few able individuals with you. Go meet with Nato and Pantera. Hash might be inclined to help us after this. I'll stay here and watch over the survivors." Sajin calmly suggested.
"As you wish. Tonga, you'll come with me." Cesar calmly instructed.
"Why? You weak." The younger Beastman argued.
"Doesn't matter. He is my aid, you'll do as he says. It's a good chance for you to learn." Sajin remarked in a tone that brooked no argument.
To this Tonga could say nothing. While the deaths of his father and brother pained him greatly, he was in no rush to join them or shame what they had done for him. Not to mention he could tell how strong Sajin was, and his instincts told him not to argue his command, even if it displeased him.
"Hm. Very well." Tonga said, though with an annoyed tone.
When it came to the rest of the Espada they were, in their entirety, being officially informed on the information gathered by Sajin, Ukitake, and Shunsui during their brief altercation with "Kana". This was indeed significant news on what could be the biggest threat that they had faced up until now. After all, so far everything that had not been Nazarick had either been conquered or allied with. In Nazarick's case, it was an ongoing situation which they had some decent understanding on, and they had yet to be openly hostile towards them.
However, in the case of the Elder Coffin Dragon Lord, less was really known about him and after that confrontation, it was clear the Espada's success in the region had pushed him to take more drastic measures. Unfortunately for them these drastic measures hadn't brought about a less careful or cunning side to their opponent, who clearly understood when to start and end confrontations to his benefit.
It was clear that the confrontation with the duplicates had been some kind of play. To see what they could do, as well as learn what power it was that gave them life. Luckily, it seemed that the Dragon Lord's intentions were the same as Aizen's; to let the war play itself out to a certain extent. This meant they had time and opportunity to prepare. Especially Naz'da'gar, who now found himself more determined than ever to duel with one of his race's best.
For the Elder Coffin Dragon Lord himself, after having given his minions the necessary instructions for the processing of bodies acquired from the harvest, his mind went to what he just gone through. A new type of magic, and beings created with it that were comparable to a perfect mixture of Warrior, Magic Caster, and Monk.
This versatility was to the point where even being weaker than he had made his avatar didn't go against their ability to be formidable foes. For the first time in many years, centuries even, Zyl'vryg felt himself to be at a disadvantage. Other Dragon Lords weren't an unknown to him, and even Players after so many waves were a known entity. But he knew this wasn't either.
He felt sure of this. That magic he felt was not [Wild Magic], and he knew that the Catastrophe Dragon Lord did not have the skills to come up with something like this. It was clear that he was missing a piece within the Espada, but even that came with several questions regarding this piece's knowledge, power, and intelligence. A shadow broker like him then, that was pulling strings behind the scenes? Yes, that seemed the most likely conclusion.
Indeed, this was an unknown factor. Perhaps the very progenitor of this type of magic. After all, Players of YGGDRASIL had introduced [Tier Magic], so it wasn't impossible that another entity had brought about another type of magic. He had taken the challenge for granted, but had he gotten ahead of himself. Had his ego gotten the better of him?
Assuming this wasn't a Player, he was so sure that his fellow Dragon Lord was the one in charge of the Espada, but what if that wasn't the case? When Players known as the "Eight Greed Kings" showed hostility towards Dragon Lords, few on the side of the dominant race at the time had even considered the power they could wield. Now, Dragon Lords were for many legends, or seen as dragons that had taken up the title to serve their own egos and to protect themselves.
There were too many variables. So many that he even considered the possibility of pulling back, since he did not know enough to act safely. Or he could do what he had planned to do in putting the fate of this war on this duel, which Zyl'vryg assumed Naz'da'gar wouldn't pass up, given what he knew of the younger Dragon Lord. Along with the fact that if his junior won the duel, he could easily thwart his advances upon the Dragon Kingdom, leaving the beastmen to fend for themselves.
Yes, he would maintain things as they were for now. It felt like the best option. Especially right after such a large harvest and defeat for the beastmen in Himassa. However, no matter how calm he looked, his mind was still focused on how powerful and foreboding the words of the Espada taking his attack on the village seriously were. This made it clear for Zyl'vryg that, for the first time in a few centuries, he had not been forced into a corner like this...