Chapter 26: Perfect Warriors
Zeboiim-Zoar
Elm had been tasked to find the missing individuals by Insidious as the other three siblings were busy with their own duties and the populace of Evil Beings- evolved Danger Beasts with humanoid forms was settling in their new locale with the Great One also taking his time for the next stage of his plan.
The cycloptic tree then spotted two figures flying towards them.
The first one was a unique blend of three different beings. Her face was that of a young, curvaceous woman with short blonde hair that cascaded down in two delicate tufts, framing her golden eyes. Yet, there was something eerily childlike about her, akin to a young girl with short, black hair styled in twintails and piercing black eyes. This duality was mirrored in her attire. She wore a black sailor uniform but with a twist—a white, long-sleeve shirt that was slightly too short, revealing a hint of her toned midriff. The collar was adorned with a crimson ribbon that matched the vibrant red of her checkered miniskirt. The ensemble was completed with black leather boots that reached just below her knees, and she had on a black tube top with detachable sleeves that looked like they were held together by gold bands. A scarf of the same vivid red was loosely draped around her neck, fluttering in the wind as she approached.
Kusealeo- Human Saviors.
Elm watched as the two figures grew closer, their silhouettes clearing up against the backdrop of the moonlit sky. The first one, a mesmerizing fusion of contrasts, had an aura that was as perplexing as it was intriguing. Her steps were those of a tomboy, grounded and full of purpose, yet there was a delicate grace to her movements that suggested a hidden vulnerability. Her voice, when she finally spoke, was a blend of cheerfulness and a hint of something darker.
The second figure was a combination of a fairly muscular young man of above-average height with short, dark blue hair and eyes; and a bulky young man with tan skin, amber eyes, and pale lilac hair with bangs framing his face with a noticeable X-shaped scar on his face and a beautiful looking young man with fair blond hair and golden eyes. His attire was a combination of a white robe over a black shirt and pants, with a brown belt cinching his waist. A distinctive feature was the feather pin nestled behind his left ear, fluttering slightly with each gust of wind. The collar-like accessory around his neck was an intricate design that matched the blue leather jacket he wore over his shoulders, open to reveal a white shirt with a single blue line that ran down the center, a symbol of unity amidst the chaos. His scarf was a vibrant red, with an anchor emblem stitched into it, billowing dramatically as he flew, serving as a stark reminder of his unwavering commitment to justice. His lower half was clad in grey jeans, held up by a simple black belt, and he finished off the look with dark blue boots that complemented his jacket.
Wasyurun- Human Saviors.
Kusealeo asked Wasyurun with a sly smile, "How is it? Being a new fused existence?"
Wasyurun chuckled his multiple personalities seemingly at ease with each other. "It's quite the ride," he admitted, his amber eyes sparkling with amusement. "Sometimes it feels like I've got a party inside my head, but mostly, it's like having three different perspectives rolled into one. It's oddly... harmonious."
"Seems like the boy-scout Wave, the smart guy Run, and the sociopath, Syura have all found a way to coexist during these last five months of training.," she remarked.
Wasyurun shrugged his shoulders, his muscular frame moving with surprising agility for someone so large. "It's not all sunshine and rainbows, Kuse. Sometimes the voices... they fight. But we've learned to channel our differences into something powerful."
Kusealeo's lips met Wasyurun's in a soft, lingering kiss, filled with a mix of curiosity and affection. It was as if she were trying to understand the essence of his new being through this intimate connection. The three spirits within him—Wave, Run, and Syura—felt the warmth of her touch, and for a brief moment, they were silent, acknowledging the bond between them.
"Seems like Kurome, Leone, and Chelsea have resolved their own differences.," the fused warrior remarked, referring to Kusealeo's own components.
"Kurome was scared of death like Chelsea was, but Leone's advice on how to live each day to the fullest finally resolves their issues. We're very happy together.," the fused cat girl replied.
"Kurome was scared of death like Chelsea was, but Leone's advice on how to live each day to the fullest finally resolve their issues. We're very happy together.," the fused cat girl replied as she hugged herself.
Wasyurun nodded thoughtfully, his eyes never leaving hers. "It's all about balance, isn't it? I've had to learn to juggle Wave's idealism, Run's strategic mind, and Syura's... unique view of the world. But together, we're stronger."
"1000 years of us dying and rebirthing to finally understand that good and evil aren't separate but aspects to complete someone.," Kusealeo remarks.
Wasyurun nods in understanding. "It's like we're living, breathing paradoxes," he says with a chuckle. "But somehow, we make it work."
They then notice Elm.
Kusealeo broke away from their embrace and turned to Elm, her smile widening as she spotted the cycloptic tree. "Elm! It's been a while," she called out, her voice a delightful blend of her three distinct personalities.
"Lady Kurome. Daughter of Lord Mume. This audacity has come to an end. Divide yourself from this...abomination and return to your father.," Elm commanded.
Kusealeo pulled out a lollipop and sucked on it.
"Wasyurun, darling," she said, her golden eyes sparkling with mischief. "How is it, really? Being a walking, talking, breathing amalgamation of your three personalities?"
Wasyurun looked at her, his own amber eyes filled with a mix of amusement and a hint of defiance. "Well, Kuse, it's like being a cake with three different flavors. Sometimes they blend perfectly, other times they fight for dominance, but in the end, it's all about finding the right recipe to satisfy the taste buds."
"You see. It'll be off if you remove an ingredient. And.," she said in Chelsea's voice before saying in Kurome's voice-
"I've lived my life on the control of others my entire life. This is my choice."
"You heard her. We're flawed people who need the natures of others to truly exist. So that's it.," Wasyurun replied.
"Isn't the Great One the same way?," asked Kusealeo.
This trigged Elm enough to summon the ancient power within them. They focused his energy on the earth below them, the soil quivering in response to his will. Slowly, roots began to emerge from the ground, thick and gnarled, stretching towards the two fused beings. Each root was a manifestation of their control over the natural world, a testament to his lineage as an Evil Being. He could feel the life force of the earth surging through him, eager to be commanded.
"I'll have to rip apart that union. I am the 10th commander of Yggdrasil, the Black Plant King. Elm.," they said.
Elm's voice was firm and commanding, the very earth itself seemed to tremble in response. they focused their energy, channeling it through his feet and into the soil. The roots grew more steadfast, their girth increasing as they stretched towards Kusealeo and Wasyurun. The air around them crackled with an ancient power that had not been seen in millennia.
"They're the honorable type so we won't expect reinforcements. Time to take this body out for a spin.," said the fused woman as Wasryurun stood to the side.
Elm's singular emerald gaze narrowed, watching the roots that had taken on a life of their own. They knew the extent of his power and the potential it held. They could feel the roots responding to their will, eager to obey their command. With a flick of his wrist, he sent them darting toward Kusealeo and Wasyurun, their speed and precision a direct reflection of his own. The roots twisted and turned, seeking to entangle and restrain the couple in their organic embrace.
But Kusealeo was not one to be caught off guard. Her fingers began to sparkle, and from the very tips, cosmic cosmetic tools began to materialize. With a twirl of her wrists, she transformed into a female samurai, her outfit adorned with skull and leonine motifs that signified her fierce nature. Her movements were swift and precise, each slice of her new form cutting through the advancing roots as if they were merely paper.
Elm, undeterred, generates spores that generate toxins, but the skulls absorb them, negating their effectiveness.
Lionelle can regenerate, the Trump card of Yatsufusa turns the user into a zombie that is able to withstand attacks, and Gaea Foundation can transform those injuries so they never happen., thought Wasyurun.
He watched as Kusealeo elegantly avoided the toxic spores, her new form moving with the grace of a seasoned warrior. Her black and red armor shimmered under the moonlight, the skulls, and lion emblems seemingly taunting the very essence of Elm's nature-based attacks. With each swipe of her blade, the roots retreated, a testament to her unyielding spirit.
"Seems like I should take you more seriously.," said Elm, as they used Limbo, the ability to generate hellfire- a basic Evil Being ability, but generated black energy to blend into the crimson flames to create tendrils with imbued flames.
The black tendrils lashed out, wrapping around Kusealeo's blade and the roots, entangling them in a dance of shadow and fire. The heat was intense, the kind that could sear through metal, but Kusealeo's regenerative powers kept her unfazed. She merely used the opportunity to pull the roots closer, her blade now a fiery crescent moon that gleamed ominously in the night.
Elm then used the damnation lightning technique, Luxuria as they combined with plant stalks they grew from the group, which blossomed into flowers that shot out electrical discharges.
With a flick of his wrist, Elm summoned forth bolts of black lightning that crackled with the power of his curse. The energy surged through the air, a stark contrast to the serene night. The stunning display was a stark reminder of the chaos that could be wrought by the hands of an Evil Being. The lightning danced and weaved around the plant stalks that had emerged from the ground, each one a conduit for his formidable power.
Elm then summoned leaves from their body and used the demonic art of Avaritia to increase their mass to have them propel downward onto Kusealeo as projectiles. Using this as a distraction, the tree-based Evil Being next used Ira to generate a powerful torrent of purple energy combined with Energy of the Soul to generate a black-purple swirl wave at their enemy.
Kusealeo, anticipating the attack, used her own power to create a shield of heavenly golden energy, absorbing the impact of the massive wave. The explosion of power echoed through the night, lighting up the sky with a brilliant display of colors. Her eyes never left Elm's, the fierce determination in them unwavering.
She knows Energy of the Soul, thought Elm.
The tree creature then noticed that the fusion had blitzed them to cut off their right arm. Quickly, Elm utilized Haeresis to generate black threads from their body to reattach the arm.
Elm then used Vehemens, a torrent of black liquid, and had it be absorbed into the plant stalks. They proceeded to rain down countless droplets, which managed to erode the armor and expose Kusealeo's naked body. She was both too proud of her beauty and socially awkward about it to be embarrassed about it.
They used Fraus to phase into the ground and then utilized Proditio to freeze Kusealeo in place.
To be able to take them on. I'll have to be much more serious., thought Elm as they sprouted jade flowers of their arms as they glowed with an emerald light.
"Hubris: Cedar Forest."
With a flick of their wrist, Elm conjured up a space around them, the very fabric of reality bending to his will. The street was suddenly replaced with a dense, vibrant forest. The trees grew thick and tall, their trunks a deep, rich shade of crimson that looked almost black in the moon's glow. The foliage was a tapestry of greens, ranging from the dark emerald of the leaves to the lighter shades of moss that clung to the bark. The air was alive with the sound of unseen creatures, a symphony of hoots, chirps, and rustling that filled the space with a sense of vitality.
"Gula: Humbaba.," they said as their form morphed into a demonic visage- the very essence of the forest itself. Their skin peeled away to reveal the thick, thorny scales of a creature born of ancient myth. The once serene face of the cycloptic tree twisted and contorted into a monstrous visage- a ghastly blend of men and beasts. The eyes remained a piercing emerald, but the rest of the face was lost in a tangle of coiled entrails that writhed and pulsed with a gruesome vitality.
The transformation was not limited to their face. Their arms grew thick and powerful, the hands morphing into the vicious paws of a lion that could tear through steel with ease. The rest of their body followed suit, the bark and branches giving way to a form that was as terrifying as it was majestic. Their legs ended in the sharp claws of a vulture, ready to dig into the earth and tear apart any who dared to challenge them.
The most unsettling change, however, was the growth of horns from Elm's forehead. They curved outwards and upwards, like those of a wild bull, a clear sign of their newfound brutality and ferocity. The very essence of their being had been transformed into a creature of myth and horror, a monstrosity that could not be contained by the confines of a single species. Their tail lashed behind them, a serpentine head poised and ready to strike, fangs bared and forked tongue flickering in anticipation.
Elm fired a fire sphere of condensed Energy of the Soul as the forest rained down condensed dew from all directions, the droplets causing rapid plant growth on what they came into contact with.
However, neither Wasyurun nor Kusealeo were perturbed by the nightmarish visuals.
Kusealeo gave out a roar, which dispelled both Elm's Hubris domain and their transformation, sending them into a wall.
"Why did Mom Tsu be so worried? This was a cinch.," remarked the leonine-shapeshifter-necromancer girl.
Elm pushed themselves off the crimson-stained wall, the pain of the impact a distant throb compared to the rage boiling within them. The transformation into Gula's Humbaba had not been enough to subdue these insolent humans. The very thought of failure was unbearable.
Wasyurun generates feathered wings from his back, which form a palm to pin Elm down.
"We want intel from you. So spill it.," said the fused man.
"To a Black Evil Being, a complete defeat means death and death gives life its meaning. Therefore, if you don't want to kill me. Then I will do the Wakoku way and do seppuku!" Elm said as they generated roots to impale which was heavily implied to be their core.
Lord Yggdrasil...Lady Arbor...Dorina the odd woman...Sir Hanzo...brothers in arms...I apologize for my failures..., thought the being.
"Nice platitudes, but kinda just a shallow thing to save face.," remarked Wasyurun in a Syura tone.
"To go that far...," noted Kusealeo.
"How hypocritical. You assassins killed people unawares when you're the underdogs yet you take issue with lethal means on an enemy when you're superior.," said a voice. It made the two turn around.
It was a very tall humanoid with medium blue hair, menacing golden iris eyes, and pale skin; he wore a tight, black bio-mechanical long coat with tight arm sleeves fingerless gloves, and boots with spikes underneath them. His voice was emotionless and nihilistic in pitch. Two eerie black wings that were jagged and crooked hovered behind his back. While he was stoic, there were hints of a more twisted side to his personality as well as some mental instability.
"Lord Numen- the Black Divine King...," Elm said as they coughed up black blood.
"His Eminence didn't give you permission to die.," said Numen as he generated tendrils that went into Elm, healing their wounds.
"Sorry, it's that these must be members of the Trinity 16.," the Tree creature noted.
Numen blinked to see Wasyurun flying away with Kusealeo.
"Cowards.," Numen noted.
Elm felt the warmth of life returning to them as the black tendrils retracted. They looked up at the stoic figure with a mix of anger and relief. "You've arrived, my lord."
Numen offered no words of comfort, his gaze as cold as the moon above. "Elm, your recklessness is not befitting of a commander of Yggdrasil. Your duty is to gather information, not engage in battles you cannot win if your death doesn't provide meaning."
"I'll take that into consideration.," Elm fell out of the crater and prostrated before this individual.
Numen then proceeded to glance at a nearby cat Evil Being but paid them no mind.
While I can defeat them like any of the others. From a baseline analysis, none of the commanders can really take them on. These individuals have balance- their powers complement each other and their personalities seem to have traits that lead them to not be so reckless. They're Perfect Warriors. Your Eminenence, is this why you spared them for centuries to have a potential bout with them?, Numen thought.
Human Saviors Base
The two reported what they did to their 14 other comrades as they lounged around.
"So the Black Kings are on a different level even with our fusion?," asked Murasaki as she was fondled by Comerinyau, being bláse about the whole ordeal.
"It's so weird we're sisters now.," Kusealeo noted before Murasaki hugged her in kind.
"I don't see how that can change things.," the indigo-haired woman replied.
"Mura-sis.," Kusealeo said with a blush.
"Hey, she's-," Wasyurun remarked before he gave a Run-like laugh.
"Guess I have to share.," he said with Run inflections.
"Murasaki. she's mine too.," Misheryu said as Mine and Tatsumi- components of their respective fusions were lovers. She brushed off Comerainayu as she went to hug her lover.
"It's odd that we've only seen Insidious. I wonder what the other heirs are like.," pondered Najmabu aloud.
South Part of Neo Pangaea
Nitheb
If the Empire is known for its initial blend of medieval/technologicall aspects before its infamous corruption, Wakoku for its sea-faring sailing as well as the art of the sword, and Berli for its alchemic advancements at the cost of the happiness of its civilians, then Nitheb is known for its harsh deserts and trade of goods while also being a haven for bandits.
Desert
A group of fifteen individuals levitated gracefully through the desert, their cloaks fluttering in the relentless wind that carried the scent of sand and sun-scorched earth. The desert of Nitheb was a land of stark contrasts, where the fiery heat of the day gave way to the icy chill of the night. The landscape was a series of raised plateaus, each one a silent sentinel standing guard over the shifting sands below.
The bandits watched from their perches, hidden in the shadows of the plateaus. They had been tracking the group for days, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. The leader, a man with a scar across his left eye and a grin that never quite reached his eyes, gave the signal. Some licked their blades in anticipation while others looked with intense grimaces.
Suddenly, they noticed that one of the 15 was gone.
"Oi, where-," said one of them before they were shot through the head by an unknown assailant.
The cloaked leader then smirked as a hint of a tail showed itself.
Next Chapter: Vile- The Youngest Child of the Great One undergoes a task to invite the Southern Great One to ally with his father.
Author Notes: Writing for the fusions was difficult as I had to treat them as both their own characters yet also three characters- each with their own struggles at once. They have the broken powers of their Teigu to balance their weaknesses and their personalties basically cancel out the flaws of the other.
Elm had been the top dog of Kodoku, so they were used as a measuring stick for the fusions to prove their might while also hinting at the greater powers of the Black Kings.
Insidious is heavily implied to be a deviant by White Evil Being standards, so I'm introducing a character named Vile to be the in-between of Insidious and the eldest child. The 2nd child is unique as I will reveal later on.
