Author's Note: Due to several comments, I'd like to address the matter of this story's version of the Elder Coffin Dragon Lord. As was established in the Overlord Bonus Volume - The Vampire Princess of the Lost Country, that particular Dragon Lord's name is Cure Elim Los Malvar, while in this story his name is Zyl'vryg Grayl'dranth, and is a completely different character.
This is explained by the simple fact that I came up with my version before the Bonus Volume even came out. I only had the Dragon Lord's title, race, and my idea for his role in the story to work with at the time. Although that being said, I can say that in this story's universe, Zyl'vryg Grayl'dranth is the true Elder Coffin Dragon Lord. So what about Cure Elim Los Malvar? Well, he'll actually be addressed in this story soon enough, but won't exactly be the same as he was in that light novel.
And with that, we return to our regularly scheduled programming...
Emerging on the other side of the [Gate], the avatar of Cero Espada Naz'da'gar Cyddrunarth, and avatar of Zyl'vryg Grayl'dranth "Kana", found themselves in a vast, empty, and stony land that, after quick examination, rested several feet above the clouds, despite the strangely warm air around them.
The distance between this and the battlefield, or the place where the Espada's real body currently rested for that matter, must have been great since even Naz'da'gar with his massive power felt the control over his avatar slightly waver. That, and there was some kind of slight interference. Luckily, this effect was momentary, and regaining full control of his armor, he looked at "Kana" who was also looking back at him.
"A decent enough effort, I supposed. To have beaten the control issues with raw power output alone." Zyl'vryg remarked.
"..."
The Espada remained silent, deciding to ignore the clear jab at his lack of refinement, no matter how right it was. If he was to focus on the energy used to manipulate his opponent's avatar, all that he would see was a thin and smooth stream of energy, while in his case it would be a large pilar of jagged energy. Basically, he was using more power to achieve the same effect.
This wasn't the only thing that occupied his thoughts, but it was also the use of the [Gate] spell. Naz'da'gar knew it to be a high-level [Tier Magic] spell, so for it to be used here, he could only assume that it was a statement from the Elder Coffin Dragon Lord. To show him how he was comfortable using a "foreign" magic system to that extent.
"Is something on your mind?" The Elder Coffin Dragon Lord casually asked.
"I was surprised that you would use that spell so early on, when you should have more 'familiar' alternatives." The Espada replied, wishing to gauge his elder's reaction.
"A foolish assertion. If one isn't willing to learn and evolve, they are as good as dead. Our kind's prideful and isolationist nature proved that. When they failed to band together and put the Eight Greed Kings down when when they had the chance. But enough about that... As you have come here, I take it as agreement that we decide this by having the winner be the first to determine the location of the other's true body?"
"Hrm. Yes. I have no issue with that."
This meant that they would be fighting and using a [Wild Magic] technique that allowed one to, after touching a Dragon Lord's avatar, determine where the real body was located. The first to do so would be the winner, since knowledge of the opponent's real body presented enough a threat to their well-being to end the conflict, settling things.
"But before we begin however, there are things I wish to ask you."
"Hmph... Bold of you to assume I would answer, but since you and your group did manage to corner me to this extent, I agree to add them to the terms of our duel. So, why not begin by introducing the witnesses?"
"As you wish." Naz'da'gar neutrally replied.
Giving the younger Dragon Lord's avatar a pleased not, the Elder Coffin Dragon Lord motioned to his right where another portal opened. From it emerged a three-headed Night Lich, who respectfully addressed both Dragon Lords with a bow.
"My lord. Catastrophe Dragon Lord."
"I did not expect such courtesy." Naz'da'gar admitted.
"Do not think so little of your title and standing." The elder Dragon Lord remarked, sounding almost disappointed.
"I do not think 'little' of my title. I have simply come to believe that it doesn't deserve as much merit as it once did." The Espada argued, getting a low laugh from his elder before he replied.
"Ah, bold of you to assume that it ever held that much merit to begin with. Still, to those that hold such a standing have the duty to value and display it properly. Even you, young and green as you are, with your power and reputation alone, have done much to live up to the standards of a Dragon Lord..." Zyl'vryg mused, getting a nod from his servant in reply.
"...Now, present your witness." He commanded, his keen eyes piercing through the Espada's avatar.
Shortly after the Dragon Lord commanded for the witness to be presented, the air next to the Espada split open, leading to what seemed to be a realm of pure light and from inside emerged the man the undead Dragon Lord had learned from his information to be Aizen.
Emerging from the portal, the Shinigami gave the two undead a nod and introduced himself, however in his presence, as was the case with all pure undead, the Night Lich and even his mighty Lord felt a chill go through their undead bodies. It was the result of being face-to-face with something that opposed their very nature, and in the case of the Dragon Lord the fact that he was currently face-to-face with someone who was clearly stronger.
It was both a thrilling and infuriating thing. Not only was Aizen an affront to his very being, not only was Aizen clearly stronger than himself, possessing the same similar power to [Wild Magic] that he had seen before, to top it all off it was the look in Aizen's eyes. The look of a keen and overwhelming intellect. Finally, for the first time in centuries, the Elder Coffin Dragon Lord was face-to-face with someone who just might also be his mental superior.
While Naz'da'gar had expected most of these reactions, even if "Kana" didn't show it, he could only hope that the realization would throw his opponent off balance. Yet, that did not happen. Instead, all the accessories, and staff that were decoration for "Kana", vanished in puffs of dark green smoke, so that the hobgoblin body was only covered in rags. This old and hunched figure than twisted and cracked, as the Dragon Lord forced the avatar to a more vertical position, which then chuckled.
"I see. Aizen... As in the true leader of the Espada, the one behind the beings I fought in that village, and the power of the Espada, correct?" Zyl'vryg asked, with a very calm tone.
"I am, Indeed."
"Ah-hah-hah... It now makes prefect sense how you were able to drive me to a corner like this."
"Then, why are you so calm?" Naz'da'gar growled, failing to understand how his opponent was so confident.
"Why? It's simple enough. I'm not fighting him, for he is only a witness."
"I hope that you aren't downplaying what he is capable of." Aizen mused with a thin smile.
"Oh, not at all. His power, even before meeting you, was prodigious. Why else would have Tsaindorcus Vaision gone through the trouble of trying to neutralize him? Because he was a threat to his agendas. Now then, what are your demands?"
"Actually, I have a suggestion for all the terms in this duel." The Espada remarked.
"Go on."
"If you lose, you and your minions pull out of this conflict. Including Kaze and his items."
"I cannot agree to the last condition. Kaze is working on his own and the items are his, as he found them." Zyl'vryg promptly replied.
"Because you lead him on." Naz'da'gar growled back.
"Perhaps. But he took them and is doing as he wishes with them. I was only his advisor." The older Dragon Lord argued, with a dismissive tone.
"Do y..." the Espada went to say, when Aizen spoke up.
"There are people in the field that can handle Kaze, no?"
"I... True enough... Very well then. I relent on that point. Then if I lose…" Momentarily going silent, "Nazz" briefly looked at Aizen, before then resuming.
"If I lose, myself and the rest of the Espada will pull out of this war and you can do as you please."
"Aaah... Perfect~ Then, if that is all...?" Zyl'vryg began, when his opponent interrupted him.
"No, there are still two matters, if I win. First, you will answer my questions."
"Oh, very well. However, only if I can pick and choose which ones to answer, and your word to keep what is spoken here secret from the outside world."
"Very well. You have my word. Now, second you will agree to join an alliance with us and open the 'Ith Tokeq' that resides under the Dragon Kingdom's capital city."
"Oh?" The avatar Kana's eyebrow raised as it replied, before Aizen smoothly and cordially interjected.
"There is no need to be so forceful, Naz'da'gar. Allow me to explain. The vault that he speaks of is something that requires your assistance in opening it. As for the alliance, I would say we would not be forcing you into one, but discussing it would be to your benefit, no? As we would know where to find you after all."
"Hrmph... Better. Still, you must be desperate, if you are going so far as telling me of something as important and secret as that. Indeed, I would say that you are being very bold in this entire situation, going so far as to challenge me to a duel, and with such extreme stakes." Zyl'vryg mused, eyeing the younger Dragon Lord's avatar, before his eyebrow raised.
"Aaaah... I see~ Two beings of draconic heritage in the same place... A weakening bloodline... Of course... It all makes sense now."
In his lair Naz'da'gar's eyes widened. It was impossible that the Elder Coffin Dragon Lord knew of this and even as a guess, it was still uncomfortably correct. This only served to further unnerve him, to the point that despite his avatar not having a facial expression, it suffered enough of a shift to give Zyl'vryg the confirmation he needed.
"So, I was right, that is good to know." he mused.
"Don't you dare even consider doing anything to them." The Espada growled back.
"I won't touch them; of that you can be certain. Still, since you seem ready to go, why not begin the duel? As is I agree to your terms and I'm certain that you also agree to them."
"Not yet. Before we begin, I have some things to ask you." Naz'da'gar said, holding back his growing anger.
"Hrm... Very well. You have earned the right that much, so as long as they are acceptable and you honor your word to keep the answers to yourself." Zyl'vryg calmly replied.
"The first question should be obvious. Why are you waging this war against the Dragon Kingdom? Because no matter how one tries to spin it, your actions have made all of this possible."
"Indeed. An acceptable question. The reason for this war is simply a matter of rightful retribution, and to maintain my reputation." The Elder Coffin Dragon Lord replied, with a cold and calculating tone.
"Excuse me!? How is that 'simple'? How is that good enough reason for all of this?" The Espada growled back, getting no reaction.
"Again, you forget yourself and your title. Hmph! It has truly grown cheap. Cheap enough that any dragon that thinks himself strong can just use it as they see fit. Like that so called 'White Dragon Lord' of the Azerlisia Mountains. A part of me looks forward to the day his hubris is paid in full... In any event, that is why True Dragon Lords like ourselves, must ensure that the reputation they have built for themselves and their name, is preserved no matter the cost. I do this to repay the affront done to my interests by the Brightness Dragon Lord. A nation for a nation, as it were." Zyl'vryg explained, his tone growing more energetic and heated.
"That's... That's madness. If that is the case, why not just go after the Brightness Dragon Lord himself?"
"Hold a moment, Naz'da'gar. Something in his words needs to be clarified... What do you mean by 'a nation for a nation'?" Aizen asked, now interested in the tale.
"He is known for mingling with other species, and he one day made his way to a small, growing nation that I had been shaping for my own purposes. He wasn't aware of my presence there, or that is what I assume since he isn't that big a fool, and he 'mingled' with their ruler resulting in a child just like here. Needless to say, after that my hold on that nation was gone, and that is why I am quietly repaying him by destroying his Dragon Kingdom. As I have said, it is a matter of reputation and honor."
"I am assuming from your words and behavior that he isn't easy to find?" Aizen mused.
"Indeed. He is very illusive. Even if that weren't the case, most of our kind want nothing to do with him. We have more than a few things in common in those regards." Zyl'vryg replied, sounding almost nostalgic.
"We'll see what will be left of that 'reputation' and 'honor' after we are done here. That aside, I also want to know about Cure Elim Los Malvar, who held the title of Elder Coffin Dragon Lord at the same time as you." Naz'da'gar asked, again controlling his anger.
"Do not let your perceived responsibility for your unborn progeny or your fear of me cloud your judgement, words aren't enough for you to get the upper-hand in this exchange. Although he is also an acceptable topic, and quite the interesting one at that." The older Dragon Lord chuckled before continuing.
"He survived the Eight Greed Kings by running from them, and spent his time getting stronger, and even managed to turn himself into an undead. It was then that I saw that he, like myself, had an affinity for that field, so I decided to take him under my wing, to teach and guide him..." He continued to explain, when the Espada spoke over him.
"How uncharacteristic of you." He hissed in a low tone.
"He did not notice that. So, he did what he was told for the most part. I even allowed him to be my 'successor'. After which I had him, under that title, perform several attacks that devastated four nations. He was a useful pawn to keep my title relevant and perform more destructive experiments I would never do by myself. However, he started growing too overconfident and made the mistake of challenging my authority. For which I punished him." Zyl'vryg finished with a powerful and venomous tone that unsettled the Espada.
"So, he's dead?"
"Inactive, yes."
"Hoh? Does that mean he is still in existence?" Aizen asked, now clearly curious.
"Yes. I have him sealed in a cavern, with just enough energy in him to keep him sentient. Since, beings like him aren't common, it would be a waste to outright destroy him."
"Hmph! At least he worked on becoming stronger to protect this world from hostile Players of YGGDRASIL. Unlike you. Passiveness that's going to cost you." Naz'da'gar said, planning on getting things under way.
"Again, you think that words will do anything. To have avoided Players is not an act of cowardice, despite Cure Elim's belief to the contrary. He was mistaken, and if you think the same, then so are you."
"Then, by all means, enlighten me." Nazz said in an almost sarcastic tone.
"To have fled from Players, or simply decide not to engage with them was one of the smartest things any of us could have done. There is no cowardice in following instinct or acknowledging that there are better things to do than to flirt with death. If we had been better, smarter, less arrogant, isolationist, and complacent, they could have been dealt with." Zyl'vryg said.
"Better? Our power was at its utmost back then. We only needed the unity, numbers, and a good plan to be able to push them back." Naz'da'gar argued in confusion.
"Don't be foolish. Our power had stagnated by then, if not outright started to decline. Do you think that we were the first to stand at the top of this world? Or that Players were the first to upset the balance of things? No. Where they stand now, we once stood, and where they once stood, the being to your side now stands. Things are cyclical, but back then there was only a handful that thought of things in that manner. The rest allowed their power and natural tendencies to go to their heads. To put it simply, we grew soft as a species and group. There was no one to provide such grand power or strategy. Those that dispersed and hid were the smart ones in the end, and outlived their forebears."
"Tch..." The Espada growled, mentally being forced to acknowledge his elder may have had a point, even as he continued to press the issue.
"Even the few that remain now, know better than to live out in the open. Even Tsaindorcus Vaision, spineless as he is, knows this much. But, I do agree with your earlier sentiment; the time for talking is over. I've answered your questions. Now let me show you what 'passiveness' as you called it brings about." The Elder Coffin Dragon Lord aggressively growled.
The Dragon Lord started to walk away from the group, with the Espada following closely after him, in a brief stroll that lasted about 4-minutes until they reached the edge of a cliff that went several-dozen feet down. Looking over the ledge, Naz'da'gar saw that it went on to the sides and eventually started to take circular shape. Along with the hot hair, finally made the Espada realize that they were currently standing on top of a volcano. With what was after the cliff being a layer of rock that mostly had formed on top of the chimney.
"A volcano? That's rather dramatic."
"You finally noticed. I would say it is convenient. There is no one here, and thanks to Cure Elim's efforts a few centuries ago, there is no one in the nearby areas. Nothing but scorched earth remains."
Naz'da'gar decided to remain silent at the revelation, opting to simply watch as "Kana" jumped down, landing on the stone ground, with the impact sending bluish energy across the many cracks that pervaded the ground. Landing, the avatar jumped away, each time it hit the ground the same effect happening, until it stopped some distance away from where the Espada currently stood.
Knowing that he had to follow, Naz'da'gar jumped down, landing on the ground with a loud thud, that proved the solidity of the platform as he then swiftly followed after his opponent, stopping only a few feet away from Zyl'vryg's avatar.
"You don't seem to like Tsaindorcus." The Espada remarked in curiosity.
"Naturally. He is a disgrace to our kind, and especially to his lineage."
"Does that count his father, the Dragon Emperor, who some say is responsible for the appearance of Players?"
"Indeed. Especially when we compare him to his father, who achieved something that even those of us who've lived long lives could only dream of, let alone attempt." Zyl'vryg replied, with clear respect in his voice.
"Even if it killed most of our kind?"
"Pah! It doesn't change what he managed to do." The elder remarked, as the Espada readied his sword.
"Hmph. Right. Well, I'm going to attack now."
"Go ahead~" Zyl'vryg's avatar purred.
Lunging at the elder Dragon Lord's avatar, the Espada brought his sword up, closing distance between them in the blink of an eye as he poured all his rage into the blade, bringing it down on the hobgoblin avatar. Naz'da'gar came within an inch from landing a clean hit upon his opponent, when his blade met an invisible force, and he was then sent flying several feet in the opposite direction. The animated armor crashed onto the ground with cacophonous tremors that created massive fissures around it.
"Fogah Shivir Navnikic." Zyl'vryg calmly chanted.
The [Wild Magic] spell he had currently used could be loosely translated as "Three Guardian Spirits", which took shape as large dark-purple orbs that formed around the avatar, while calmly looking at his fallen foe.
Meanwhile, the Espada jumped back to his feet, tightened his hold on his blade and for the time being decided to keep his distance. Mostly due to having no idea what had just happened. He knew that it was [Wild Magic], but what worried him was the fact that he didn't hear the incantation himselt. Meaning that the spell had either been cast previously, or his opponent had just performed magic silently. Both of which were highly likely options.
Deciding on approaching his foe, Naz'da'gar did so slowly, and with weapon at the ready for anything that might come his way. Which happened to be the three magical orbs rocketing towards him, with two moving to his sides, while one went straight for him, in what the Espada saw as being a very clear ploy.
Executing a leap, the Espada went straight over the incoming orbs, landing behind them not only avoiding whatever they were trying to do, but also countering it with a massive, broad swing of his sword which sent a crescent moon-shape slice of his purple corrosive energy, easily destroying two orbs. Yet, as he turned and easily sliced through them, he noted that the third was missing.
Just as he came to this realization, the remaining orb emerged from the cracks in the ground, appearing behind him as it suddenly exploded and covered the Espada in a similarly colored smoke, whose magical properties magically obscured his senses.
This was all nothing but petty distractions and was certain that his opponent knew that this wouldn't gain him victory. Still, while true this smoke blocked his senses, but it was also easy enough to deal with. Or so Naz'da'gar would have thought, when he felt behind him a very familiar presence, with the mere thought making his skin crawl, and again he performed another mighty horizontal swing.
Releasing a thunderous, mighty war cry, the Espada managed to create enough force for the resulting barrage of wind to dissipate the smoke entirely, and the blade itself slicing through the waist of the Elder Coffin Dragon Lord's avatar that had somehow made its way behind him. But he grunted in dissatisfaction as he realized that something was amiss as he looked down upon the bifurcated body.
"Grmph! Enough tricks! I know this is a duplicate."
"True. But still, it made you worry, did it not? Well, perhaps this would better suit you... [Napalm]."
Calling upon the 7th-tier [Tier Magic] spell, the clone brought a pillar of flame down on itself and the Catastrophe Dragon Lord's avatar. The resulting impact further damaging the ground and incensing the Espada, who again decided to charge towards the real avatar, who had yet to move, as it calmly observed events unfold.
Again, managing to close the distance between himself and the other avatar, Naz'da'gar opted with abruptly halting his advance and simultaneously kicking the ground, sending large pieces of stone debris hurtling towards Zyl'vryg. This serving as a distraction as he moved around his opponent from the right in the blink of an eye.
"I see." Zyl'vryg mused, using his right index-finger to draw a small circle in the air.
Using an unseen and silent command, the Dragon Lord called upon a portal similar to that of [Gate] which took in all the projectiles, with his intent understood by the Espada who in turn stopping dashing and simply lunged himself straight towards "Kana".
"Hrm... Impressive speed..."
Just as the dry comment escaped his avatar's mouth, the same portal opened between the two avatars with the makeshift projectiles being thrown right back at the Espada.
"...But I had already thought that far ahead."
"Don't think so little of me!"
Wrapping his purple-colored energy around his weapon, Naz'da'gar easily sliced through the high-speed projectiles, sending out another energy slash for his opponent to contend with.
"Ithquent Mirt. Ithquent Jilg Jiko Cha'sidic."
The second spell the Elder Coffin Dragon Lord called upon was the same as he had used against the duplicates. Known as "God Hold Six Hands", it 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.
The first spell was known as "God Pull", allowing the user to absorb the energy of an attacker's [Wild Magic] based attack, and in this case it allowed the Elder Coffin Dragon Lord to suck into his mouth the corrosive energy of his younger opponent.
Since he expected this process to be complicated given the energies' properties, the six limbs were used to attack Naz'da'gar. Just as the limbs emerged from the avatar's back, the Espada ducked low, dashing around his opponent, and avoided the limbs and touching "Kana's" back, just as he activated the technique to discover the Elder Coffin Dragon Lord's location.
Ordinarily this would have signaled the end of the duel, but here that was not the case. Two of the limbs summoned by Zyl'vryg rammed themselves into the ground, propeling the avatar forwards and away from the Espada, while the others went on to attack Naz'da'gar. The avatar leapt back, avoiding the attack whilst contemplating his next move.
Putting some distance between them, the Espada took a breath and acknowledged that the technique had failed, as he had not discovered his opponent's location. This indeed was quite the troublesome turn of events, since he knew that one touch was all that Zyl'vryg needed to end the match, so what had happened?
He did not believe that any technique had been used to confuse him. These duels and his opponent were greatly ruled by his ego and tradition, so such moves weren't permitted. This meant that, most likely, the connection between Zyl'vryg and "Kana" wasn't a direct link, and that most likely the Elder Coffin Dragon Lord had different points between himself and the avatar to enhance and maintain the link, to compensate for the great distance. If this was the case, it simply meant that he had to use the technique until it finally worked.
"That was a win, wasn't it?" Naz'da'gar flatly asked, slowly approaching his opponent.
"Against anyone else, indeed that would be a win."
"But it goes to show that if it wasn't for whatever's between you and your avatar, I would have won. Even with the difference between our age, experience, and intellect~" The Espada cheekily remarked, earning himself a low growl from his opponent.
"And did you manage to understand why that is the case?" He further pressed.
"I di..." The senior Dragon Lord went to reply, when the Espada continued.
"It was due to timing and my understanding of how powerful you are. I knew that you wouldn't let the chance escape to try and use my own attack against me with that final slash, but I also knew that even you should be momentarily immobilized while absorbing in my energy. Coupled with my still superior speed and strength, even if that difference isn't as wide as I had hoped, allowed me to move around you and get that 'win', oh Elder Coffin Dragon Lord." Naz'da'gar explained with a superior tone.
"Grmph! Are you satisfied with your boast?" Zyl'vryg growled, letting some of his annoyance show.
"I am. We can continue."
"Ithquent Rechan Adulese."
A spell that could be translated to "God Throw Serpent", was one that could be used to follow up the "God Pull" spell, since it would take in the energy with the God Throw Serpent would send it back at the enemy.
In this case, "Kana's" body seemed to squirm and pulse, as from the avatar's mouth emerged a stream of the Catastrophe's Dragon Lord characteristic energy that ended in the shape of a serpent head. This stream lunged at Naz'da'gar, while the limbs summoned via "Ithquent Jilg Jiko Cha'sidic", swirled and wrapped around it to give the Espada more to deal with.
Steeling himself, Naz'da'gar held his ground and lifted his free hand towards the incoming attack. Noting the massive serpent-like form, and the six ethereal limbs that expanded from it like frills, he then called upon a spell of his own.
"[World's Cocoon Shield]."
His energy gathered in his hand and wrapped around his body, forming a dome around his avatar, which stopped Zyl'vryg's attack as it crashed into it.
"[World's Cocoon Shield: Push]!"
The cocoon expanded and exploded, dispersing the serpent like spell and forcing the limbs back to the vicinity of the Elder Coffin Dragon Lord.
"That was [Wild Magic], yet you do not use our language to cast or even enhance it."
"Hm... A fair point. I knew that my usual strategy wouldn't work on you. I would need to use strategies that involve timing, split second decisions, and varied uses of my ability. That's why I went through and thought of ways to use it differently, resulting in what you saw. I decided to not use our language, because at this point... it doesn't really matter, does it?"
"Your very own spells? Amusing~... The let us see how they perform against my centuries of knowledge and experience!" Zyl'vryg roared, this development having clearly gotten his interest.
As the duel between Dragon Lords intensified, Kaze rested on his large, stony throne inside the tent that currently housed him. The sounds of the battle happening outside of the city walls slowly fading as his senses were drawn elsewhere.
His face was twisted with a depraved grin, his tongue hanging to the side, saliva dripping as he took in the sounds of the deaths of every beastman that had been tasked with guarding him. Slowly and steadily their cries vanished in the wind, either being silenced or turning into cries of fear as they ran from the tent. This carried on for a few minutes, until at the edge of his tent appeared a blonde human woman with a spear resting on her shoulder, and her entire armored figure covered in blood that was not her own. Oh, how he had waited for this.
"Finally~..." He growled in sadistic pleasure.
Letting out a breath, Leinas stayed at the entrance to the tent, readying herself as she saw the massive form of the mighty War Troll lift itself from the throne. From what she could see, Nazz had not done his gear justice, because even if it seemed to have some age to it, there was no mistaking the power and uneasy aura it possessed, her worries growing even more because she knew they were enchanted with [Wild Magic].
His head wasn't protected by any kind of gear, but on it rested a large pelt. Which was strange since it wasn't enchanted. His torso was covered with a bronze-colored chest-plate with golden edgings, his shoulders covered with matching-colored guards with spikes on them.
His left-arm was covered in a metallic-brown piece with some fur covering it, and a set of jewels over the hand, with a spiral pattern connecting them. The right-arm had an upper-arm and wrist guard. His legs were covered in similar armor to his chest and shoulders, with spikes on the feet and knees. From his back hung a black-colored cape that draped all the way to the ground and on his right-hand rested a large, spiked club.
"...I was waiting for a worthy fight." Kaze mused, throwing away his head cover in a symbolic showing.
Kaze's keen senses, enhanced by his items, told him that this was an opponent like no other. She stood atop of a singular and great peak. A feeling that sent both fear and exhilaration through his heart. He had never felt like this, but at the same time he also knew the power that his items sent through his body, and thanks to them he felt stronger than ever. Now more than ever, everything felt so simple and clear, and he was ready to fight with his all.
"Now come at me, Espada!"
"[Flow Acceleration]."
Leaning in, Leinas lunged at Kaze, readying her spear to run the War Troll through. However, as soon as she closed in, the King of the Beastman Country swung his club, performing a horizontal motion which she ducked under. Having somewhat expected this, Leinas prepared to propel her spear upwards to the exposed head. Preparing for this, Kaze's free hand pushed forwards, landing a clean hit on her chest, which sent the Espada flying out of the tent.
Leinas crashed into the ground a few feet away from the tent, her breath forcefully pushed out of her body from the impact and her eyes wide at how much power was truly behind that blow. While she had been weary of what he could do, she never expected that [Wild Magic] panoply could make such a difference. Especially when he didn't use any [Martial Arts].
Taking in a deep breath, Leinas jumped back to her feet in a perfectly vertical position, before she suddenly fell on one knee, her head still wobbly from the attack. Was that an effect from the [Wild Magic] in that gear? It was possible, which only increased the threat Kaze posed. It would be a lie to say that in that moment she didn't feel a hint of fear. After all, it had been so long since she had felt any real opposition that did not come from her comrades or master.
"This in the way."
The remark came from within the tent where Kaze still stood, until suddenly a large blast of wind came from within, and the tent was sent flying before being tattered to pieces. A large cloud of dust lifted up and the ground cracked as Kaze finished smashing his club into the ground.
"Better."
No longer under the effect of [Flow Acceleration], Leinas pushed herself back to her feet, readied herself and took a simple stance with her spear, waiting as the War Troll to approach her. Letting out a mighty cry, Kaze lumbered his way towards her, showing impressive speed, even with his large and corpulent frame getting close to her, just before he brought his club down.
"[Evasion]. [Ability Boost]."
Side-stepping the club, Leinas allowed it to strike the ground, causing a sizable crater, which allowed her to place a foot on it jump up, thrusting her spear towards the Troll's head. Again, this only led to Kaze superseding her expectations, in a showcase of reflexes and intelligence, shifting his head to the side just enough for the tip of the spear to go through his right-cheek.
"Seri...!"
Leinas tried to speak, when Kaze suddenly used his free hand to grab onto her, sending her crashing onto the ground. Even if the violent motion forced the spear to tear through his cheek. Something that would quickly heal to the extent it couldn't be considered an annoyance. On the other hand, Kaze had to note how precise her moves were. Far better than any he experienced before. Quite deadly if he didn't have the good reflexes as he did that were being enhanced by his items.
He also guessed that she wasn't the type he could play too much with. At least not while she was uninjured. A point proven as she avoided a sweeping attack with his club. Throwing herself to Kaze's left, Leinas swiftly dashed to go around him, when suddenly his cape moved on its own, its tip springing out like a tendril to attempt to impale her.
Thankfully the attack was easy enough to flick aside, and again move back to put some distance between them so she could think. His armor was extraordinarily sturdy, with only his head and a portion of his right-arm exposed, and his flank was covered by that weaponized cape. All in all he didn't have that many weak points. His strength and reflexes, likely being enhanced by that [Wild Magic] panoply and weapon made taking a direct hit a danger.
"Alright, let's begin. Representing the Espada, Tres Espada, Leinas Rockbruise." She informed in a calm formal tone, again taking a simple looking stance.
"King of land, Kaze."
"Hmph!"
Closing the distance between them with an enormous, almost hop-like step, Kaze brought his club down on the Espada. The air around it distorted slightly with a strange, unseen energy as it rocketed down towards her. This time the Espada stood her ground, placing the staff portion of her weapon between herself and the War Troll's attack as he invoked her [Martial Arts].
"[Greater Ability Boost]! [Divine Invulnerable Fortress]!"
Bending her legs and tensing them to the extreme, Leinas took on the full brunt of the giant's attack as her entire frame trembled like a gong struck. The ground cracked and fissured when the impact unleashed this wave of dense and unseen energy. The weight was staggering as the force of the weapon's ability and Kaze's enhanced power was something that she had truly never felt before. In the end however, it wasn't enough to crush her.
When the [Divine Invulnerable Fortress] activated, it sent most of Kaze's attack right back at him, along with a wave of divine power, sending a searing, burning sensation through the evil-aligned War Troll as he also temporarily blinded him. As he staggered back, at the same time Leinas' legs pushed her upwards like two mighty springs, sending both her knees first into his jaw forcing him to close his mouth, along with teeth and blood to fly out.
"[Piercing Red Dragon Tusk]!"
A variation of [Piercing Dragon Tusk], it performed a double piercing attack with elemental fire-type damage. With Kaze's head moving back, and his arms quickly trying to wrap around her, Leinas' attack brushed past the left-side of his face, scorching a portion of it, including the Troll's eyes, before she placed her feet on his shoulders and gracefully jumped away.
"Let's see if you heal from that." Leinas calmly remarked, as the air was filled with his pained cries.
Slamming his club onto the ground, Kaze leaned forwards as he turned towards Leinas. Giving her a wide grin with his tongue hanging out, despite the pain he was enjoying a real challenge. His calm confidence was confusing for a moment, but then before her very eyes, the burned skin on his face peeled off, the damage vanishing, including his eye regenerating. The reason for it clear to her as she indignantly hissed.
"Damned armor."
With a roar Kaze charged towards her, this time keeping himself low, trying to tackle her, which in turn presented Leinas with the perfect opening.
"[Flow Acceleration]."
Soon enough the War Troll was upon her, both his arms closing in around her, until Leinas used her increased speed and agility to stab him in the exposed portion of his right-arm, piercing through the joint as she called upon her next [Martial Art].
"[Burning Explosion]!"
Digging the spear deeper, Leinas unleashed a hot wave of air which sundered the joint of Kaze's arm, leaving its two halves connected via small portions of flesh, skin, and connecting armor straps. Naturally, Kaze cried out in agony with one of his limbs being violently damaged. Even so he was quick to counter-attack as he swiftly closed in and headbutted her.
The size and thickness of his head impacting with Leinas' forehead created a sickeningly wet, cracking noise as the Espada was taken by complete surprise by the Troll's resilience. Staggering on her feet in a daze, the War Troll's free-hand grabbed onto Leinas' right, including the spear it held, and then lifted her up and slammed her onto the ground in a blur with a titanic force that shook the entire area around. Her body went limp from the force as her spear left her grasp.
"ARGH! Damned human!"
Not letting up for a moment, nor waiting for his items to heal him, Kaze grabbed Leinas by the waist and pulled her up and bit onto her right-shoulder. His teeth pierced her adamantite-plate armor and into her flesh, earning him the Espada's pained cries. As his teeth dug into her, his grip tightened like a vise, crush her sides and causing her as much pain as she had caused him.
"Guaaaah! L-Let go!" Leinas cried out, punching his head to no effect.
Gritting her teeth, Leinas' mind raced through what she should do, now that she had gotten herself into his mess. It was simply ridiculous how enormous of a boost he received from these [Wild Magic] items, and how prodigious his reflexes were with them. All things considered, it made sense why he had been chosen to act as the Elder Coffin Dragon Lord's main puppet.
Regardless, letting him chew on her for much longer wasn't an option. Letting her body go strangely limp, she went back to something that Rylen taught her and trained with a few times just to not put up with him. This being the concept of thinking of the body being a weapon, and through mastering this technique, someone that primarily used a weapon could do the same with their body alone.
"Graaagh! [Dull Pain]! [Explosive Thrust]!"
Using her right-arm, mostly because she feared that her inexperience could result in serious injury, Leinas straightened her fingers as like a spear-tip and rammed them into the War Troll's jaw. The impact unleashing a blast of air that ripped apart his jaw, freeing her as she landed on wobbling feet like a newborn colt.
"Hehe... Fingers still good~ I can't believe that actually worked."
Kaze's eyes widened, his mind failing to process what had happened. This left him open to a barrage of attacks as the Espada went wild. Jumping back at him, she landed another knee on his head, sending Kaze onto his side. His left-hand halted his fall as she then jumped, spun around, and landed another kick on his head. Trying to protect its wearer, the black cape twirled around itself to form a spiked flail and attacked Leinas, who was quick to respond.
"[Explosive Thrust]!"
Channeling the [Martial Art] into a pointed kick which acted as her "spear", it destroyed a large portion of the cape. Raging through the pain, Kaze tried to grab her, just for Leinas to swiftly leap back and retrieve her spear, again taking a stance in one smooth motion. Kaze quickly and simultaneously staggered over to and picked up his club with his left-hand as his jaw slowly regenerated.
"[Ability Boost]. [Greater Ability Boost]."
Not wanting to let Kaze regain his bearings, Leinas again closed in, unleashing an innumerable barrage of spear thrusts. In this moment she used everything she could to find an opening to exploit, displaying herself to be a true master of the lance as she changed the "length" of her spear by letting it slide through her hands, before swiftly retracting it as if it flew back into her grasp like it was her own limb.
Likewise using foot work to move around Kaze's field of view, she twirled, performing other smooth, graceful motions to confuse him and find the best opening to strike. To this Kaze could only block, his mind still trying to process how she was able to damage him with no weapon and destroy his cape.
"[Divine Battle Aura]. [Trajectory Shift]!"
Her spear was covered in divine light from the first [Martial Art] she called upon, which has a secondary healing effect, when she pushed it past his right-side and then pulled it back, with the second [Martial Art] activating, forcing the divine energy to suddenly bend to the right and slice through the Troll's skin as it went between his chest plate and lower armor.
Kaze reacted with a swing of his club that Leinas managed to block with her spear, sending her a few feet back, and giving him an opening to be the one to press the attack, his club again emanating that unseen aura.
"[Instant Reflex]! [Explosive Barrage]!"
The technique [Explosive Barrage], allowed her to perform an incredibly fast series of thrust attacks that generated concussive explosions. These coupled with her spear impacting with his club and the energy it possessed resulted in deafeningly powerful impacts that could be heard through the entire area. The sheer force of their match blows cracked the ground, sending pieces of debris flying in all directions.
While Kaze had yet to land a hit in this exchange, still having only one arm to work with, Leinas knew that she would need to either back away or break through his defenses soon. It was only a question of which unfavorable event would happen first; his arm regenerating, or her weapon giving out from his clubs assaults. A weapon she suspected to have some type of sundering ability that would have destroyed any lesser weapon or armor by now.
"[Sense Weakness]."
Using a sensory [Martial Art], Leinas picked up on the different weak points in Kaze's frame, and outside of his head and slowly regenerating arm, it confirmed that his right-side was her best chance, and with a big enough attack she should be able to land a good blow.
"[Focus Battle Aura]... [Piercing Red Dragon Tusk]... [Trajectory Shift]... [Dragon Fang Thrust]!"
Letting her spear pass under Kaze's incoming attack, she reached his right-side, and in that moment quickly invoked her [Martial Arts], pouring enough power into herself to punch a hole through the War Troll's armor, digging into his liver before a wild, reactionary strike from his club sent her flying.
Now with blood streaming down the right-side of her face, Leinas slowly staggered back to her feet, ramming her spear in the ground as she turned to look upon Kaze. The War Troll was well and truly enraged at the fact that, not only would she simply not go down, but seriously wound him in ways that his items actually struggled to compensate for!
His rage addled mind brought with it clarity, sensing things he hadn't pick up on before, now that they had exchanged so many blows, and tasted her flesh. Yes, something about her wasn't normal. And while it wasn't quite as good as his, her gear likewise wasn't normal either. His long-dulled survival instincts were now whispering danger signals in his skull, but failed to heed them as he stood his ground.
Meanwhile, Leinas was momentarily stunned from the impact of his last attack as her left-hand went to her face. Wiping away loose hair from her right-side, she pulled away and noticed the blood staining her hair and gauntlet.
"W-What did you do? What did you do to my face?" She mumbled though gritted teeth.
It wasn't the blood that had riled up her anger. Nor the fractures that had caused her to start bleeding. No, it was the idea that the right-side of her face was damaged. That it had once again been damaged, and the mere idea awoke in Leinas a wild and raging inferno within her heart.
As a few strands of hair moved with the wind to slightly cover the right-side of her face, her eyes darted towards Kaze and this greenish aura started to flow around her, her killing intent filling the air. It moved towards and around Kaze, piercing him like a thousand needles. It filled the War Troll with pure fear for the first time in years. Indeed, his survival instincts held true. She was dangerous, and for a moment he wanted to run. Had Leinas not lunged at him.
"...!"
Before he could say or do anything, Leinas was on top of him like a great predator in the wild. Her spear went through his cheek once more as the Espada used it as a hold, bringing her left-hand up and called upon another [Martial Art].
"[Explosive Barrage]!"
Several explosive blows to his head followed this, with nothing stopping Leinas, not even Kaze weakly grabbing onto her head. In that moment she was completely focused on devastating his head. However, because of this her mind wasn't focused on anything else. Not even the jewels on the armor that covered Kaze's left-arm started glowing.
"[Stop]." Kaze managed to say, with a gurgling sound.
"...!"
Suddenly, Leinas felt her muscles seize up and her body stopped. She didn't understand what was happening. In the heat of the moment she hadn't even really felt him place a hand on her, neither had she heard him. Kaze then collapsed on the floor, his head now a mangled mess of flesh and bone, still barely alive, thanks to his natural resiliency and his panoply's powers. Leinas simply stood by his side doing nothing, feeling as if she was trapped in her own body.
She remained like this for about a few minutes. Time Kaze needed for his head to regenerate to the point where he could get up and actually look around, his hate-filled eyes falling upon her. How DARE she make him feel fear! That was something for the weak! A feeling he cast aside long ago. No, he was the one to bring fear, and as he thought this, a grin twisted his expression.
"[Walk back 10 steps and stop]."
Leinas' body did as it was told and in the meantime her mind noticed the glowing jewels and correctly assumed that she had fallen to some kind of mind control.
"Coward!"
Her words filled with malice and contempt didn't elicit any reaction from Kaze. At this point he had managed to regenerate his right-arm and was taking his time to examine it. Picking up his club with his newly regenerated limb, he walked up to the Espada and grinned.
"You strong. But I am King. Now, end yourself."
"...!"
Leinas' eyes widened, her hand pointing the spear towards herself, swiftly ramming it through her chest. It was amazing how fast and swift she was under his control. She surprised even herself, since she hadn't given herself any time to even say anything. With blood flowing from the wound and her mouth, her eyes went up to Kaze, who simply grinned.
"I'm going to enjoy eating you~"
"D-Dammit..." Leinas hissed, getting a laugh out of Kaze.
"Grah-hah-hah-hah-hah! Die!"
Not being able to contain himself, Kaze lifted his club over Leinas, coating it in the unseen energy and bringing it down on the dangerously injured Espada.
"Kuh! Making me look this bad... Upend Nature, Liebre!"
The moment Kaze's club was about to collide with Leinas' head, a powerful maelstrom of wind erupted from her, launching the War Troll back over a dozen feet onto his back. The air swirling around Leinas took on a light-green and golden coloration as it erupted into the sky. Like a green and gold tornado, it seemed to connect the heavens with the earth, twisting and twirling in place, distorting some nearby clouds and causing the sky around it to darken.
The buildings vibrated and hummed from the wind and energy released, with the windows and fragile objects cracking and shattering with the pressure. The ground itself also cracked, with some pieces sent flying and swirling around the energy torrent. The display was seen for miles, and it was safe to say that it got a lot of attention, even from those still in battle.
Indeed, it was like the world held its breath as all those witnessing the spectacle wondered in unison just what power could cause such a display. Of course, those of the Espada knew exactly what the cause was, and were the first to take full advantage of the lull in combat as they renewed the battle in earnest.
Even if they hadn't done so, the display was rather brief, as the tornado-like torrent started to lose strength, and its motions losing intensity as the green and gold energies pushed each other apart and finally dissipated with a thunderous boom. This sent floating shards of glass and debris flying in every direction as the sky returned to normal.
Kaze was sitting up, failing to notice his wounds were done regenerating, since his eyes were fixated upon the overwhelming display, and were now focused on Leinas. She looked incredibly different from before. Her hair was now longer. Long enough to reach down to her calves. Her exposed skin was now covered in golden fur, with only her face lacking any, outside of some which outlined its sides, and her nose taking on a more rabbit-like appearance. Finally, from her lower back emerged a small bunny-like tail and ears appearing from underneath her hair.
While the transformation itself was amazing, breathtaking even, Kaze's heart skipped a beat as he saw that her wounds were gone, and somehow the mental link he established to control her was now gone. Not only that, but his senses were now on fire, overwhelming him with terror. As they should, since Leinas' Resurrección was no mere transformation, but a rebirth, healing and strengthening her. In her "Sealed-form" she was a level-85 entity, and now was a level-100.
"Let's kick things into gear."
"T-Try it!" Kaze roared.
Fighting against the fear that threatened to overtake him, Kaze raised his club, the air around it starting to twist and swirl, with that unseen energy growing in intensity. The War Troll let out another mighty roar as he smashed it into the ground, unleashing a wave of this energy that broke through the ground, heading directly towards Leinas.
Letting out a sigh, the Espada vanished with a speed that made it seem as if she had teleported, easily placing her on his right-side where she rammed her spear through the previous hole she had opened up. With a pained cry, Kaze swung his club, prompting Leinas to swiftly pull her spear out, moving to and jumping up his front, before ramming her spear through his head.
"Y-You...!" Kaze tried to say, before she calmly spoke over him.
"[Burning Explosion]."
Only a loud breath, almost a gasp, escaped Kaze's body after Leinas used her [Martial Art] to blow apart his head, sending its fragments in every direction. The War Troll's large form slowly went limp, despite some muscles still twitching and tensing here and there, before Kaze's body finally collapsed.
Casually moving herself to the side of his body, Leinas took a breath and looked down at it, just as a greenish, flame-like aura wrapped around the body, which quickly overtook it and filled the area with a sense of dread. Leinas did nothing to stop it. While she could have tried to destroy more of the body, Naz'da'gar had instructed her to let something like this happen and to leave anything regarding the enemy Dragon Lord to him.
Once the body vanished, Leinas finally felt relieved. Kaze had proved more trouble than she had expected. After all, had it not been for whatever item he used to control her, she would have been able to defeat him, without having to resort to using her Resurrección. Even so, she also couldn't ignore that the gear he wore managed to enhance him from what they estimated to be a level-50 on the "YGGDRASIL Scale", to nearly matching her Sealed-form at level-85.
Assuming what those items did was increase what was already there, Leinas could see why Kaze was the King of the Beastman. A keen mind far beyond most of his kind, quick reflexes, and speed for his size, all of this coupled with a War Troll's raw power, size, and endurance. He was a monster and probably a nightmare on par with Tomo.
Had he been allowed to come into open conflict with humanity, even more so with the armor, nothing less than the Theocracy's Black Scripture would have been able to stop him. Although there was no telling how many scores of human men, women, and children would have died before they could have arrived. Truly, it was fortunate the Espada came into this war, and she had been the one to be tasked with taking him out. It showed how the Espada had things well organized and in hand.
Kaze was dead, and despite his best efforts, failed to put even a dent in the Espada's overall fighting force. At the same time "Kana" was still fighting "Nazz", the Elder Coffin Dragon Lord now having more or less placed all of his moves in this one duel, that if he won would give him the advantage he needed.
With Kaze gone, information Leinas was quick to disseminate using her ring item, there was no longer any official figure ruling the Beastman Country. That was where Sajin Komamura and the following he had been gathering came in. Having been informed of Kaze's demise, Sajin and his supporters started to march towards what served as the Kings' palace, where the duplicate would take the throne as its ruler. Any challenger made to see "reason" by force, as was expected of their culture.
The idea was to undermine the Elder Coffin Dragon Lord's influence, catching him between the Dragon Kingdom, and a Beastman Country that would slowly be moving away from Kaze's rule. In so doing, it would greatly diminish the Dragon Lord's possible plays, even if he was to win the duel. This was especially true, since he preferred to act with proxies, instead of openly acting.
However, the undead Dragon Lord still had one card left to play. Losing the duel wasn't an option for Zyl'vryg, but if there was a chance of that happening, even the slightest chance, he knew that there was still the chance of damaging the Dragon Kingdom to some degree. He factored in not only the casualties of this battle, but the desperation of the all too eager and frustrated, young General Iain La Baran.
It was the undead Dragon Lord's belief that his pawn would use the drastic lowering of capital's defenses, and by extension its Royal Palace, to gather his followers and lead an attack upon the Queen, to claim the throne itself. In the end, despite the defeat of Kaze and the Revenant, with the battle taking place in front of the city and the duel between the Dragon Lords still raging, the end of this challenge had yet to reveal itself. Yes, the fate of many would soon be decided, and the ancient undead smiled in anticipation, as even he was curious to see how it would end.