(This chapter wouldn't be possible without the help of anonmike217, follow him)
Shalltear made the first move by using her negative energy arms to stab at Kroq-gar. He in turn used his spear to deflect and parry the incoming attacks. As he blocked Shalltear kept stabbing, never stopping, never halting, pushing him back as she continued to gain the upper hand. Until Kroq-gar deflected one of the limbs directly into one another locking both in place just long enough to sever both of them in two. Shalltear screamed from the pain as her two limbs decreased in size but only for a quick moment as she regenerated, regaining some of the dark energy but not all. Switching tactics she used her arms to swipe at Kroq-gars feet trying to knock him off balance. Jumped back and forth dodging from the swiping attacks until his foot stepped into a weak patch of dirt and fell into the mud.
Shalltear taking this chance shrunk her improvised limbs down so she would crawl on all fours, lunging at Kroq-gar and biting him into bloody pieces. As the beast sped towards Kroq-gar. He crawled backwards trying to get some distance from the beast moving his feet to dodge Shalltear bites and kicking her in the face with the other leg at opportunistic moments but crawl as he might Shalltear was on top of him and use her dark energy arms to transform into dark claws and slashed at his chest leaving 3 slash marks then moved right on top of him about to bite down hard on his neck until at the last opportune moment. He used the wooden part of the spear to block the incoming bite. Shalltear biting down hard on the wooden spear tried to break through but couldn't.
The spear was too strong and tried using her dark energy limbs to grab a hold of it to tear it off of her mouth but wasn't strong enough and instead was pushed back shoved back first onto the muddy ground by Kroq-gars Lizard might. As she was struggling to get this damn spear off of her mouth Kroq-gar kept pushing her down standing right on top of her and was about to open his jaw to chomp down at her neck. Shalltear reacted quickly by using her dark energy leg shot out to her clone and grabbed a hold of it then threw it with all the strength she can muster from one leg towards Kroq-gars back. Hitting him and knocking him off her, breaking the pinned. Then both quickly got back to their feet.
Shalltear was using her left dark energy hand to wipe across her teeth. Pulling out any loose teeth off of her and reforming loose teeth into the jaw of an Oni to be her mask. Hidden behind the newly formed mask was the actual mouth busy reforming into the shape of Shalltear original teeth.
Kroq-gar slammed both his fists right on the side of Shalltear copy. Then grabbing it by the head slowly dragging it to the side as he turned to face the real Shalltear. Then began swinging the copy round and round his body then with a roar threw it straight at Shalltear with all of his might. She reacted by turning both of her limbs into a bat and slammed it right into the copy trying to endure the force with all her might pushing up dirt as she did and sending it right back at Kroq-gar with more force and speed than before.
He in turn reacted by getting into a stance and moved both arms to redirect the coming projectile. At the last possible moment he grabbed hold of the clone moved it around his body to redirect the incoming projectile to Shalltear but fumbled it at the last second and instead redirected it onto the muddy ground skipping it across the surface at the direction of Shalltear.
As it skipped Shalltear used her artificial limb to blast up to the sky and spin forwards using that very leg to create an axe head splitting the copy in two. As both pieces flew in two directions she used her artificial arms to extend and grab the two and wind back to slam them both together right at Kroq-gar and use the spell "Force Explosion" and "Implosion" localizing three explosions right at his position. As the Hands about to slam right into him. He jumped right at the moment when the explosion detonated. Using the force expelled from the center to boost himself right at Shalltear ready to stab at her heart.
More annoyed than furious transformed herself into mist going through Kroq-gars diving spear thrust then teleported away to the other side of the creator where she collapsed onto the side of the crater exhausted. On the other side Kroq-gar sat down catching his breath. If he had sweat glands he would but the rain helped him cool down. He only felt this worked up during his morning jog from one of the many temple stairs and back down. Which put a smile on his scaly face.
Kroq-gar: "If she comes back, she would make an excellent sparring partner"
He thought to himself. On the other side of the crater was the complete opposite line of thinking. A mind filled with desperation and yet relief at the same time.
Shalltear: "Goddamn, this lizard is hard to put down"
She thought as she huffed and puffed seeing her negative energy slowly dwindling and replacing it with her growing limbs.
Shalltear: "I only have one Time reversal skill left before I'm on my last life and my options for killing that lizard are almost gone. The only spells i have left are Greater Lethal, Purifying Javelin, and a Negative Impact Shield"
Going over the inventory in her mind then sat up facing towards Kroq-gar seeing him kind of squatting in place. She just sighed and smiled.
Shalltear: Well what else do I have to lose other than my dignity.
She said standing up. Extending her Negative limbs into mantis arms. Moving towards Kroq-gar as he got up, spear in hand and starting to run to each other till a crack of thunder shot through Shalltear right mantis arm and tumbled down to the ground.
Shalltear: FFFFuuuu, that was my favorite hand Ga haaa!
She screamed in pain. Kroq-gar stopped running and jogged to a stop and looked towards the air, finding Ainz floating there surrounded by the many elements around him. As Kroq-gar stared at him he heard the voice coming from the trinket Ainz gave him.
Ainz: The spell is almost complete, I'm ending this now
Kroq-gar was about to say something but was quickly cut off.
Ainz: I can do this.
He almost snapped at him. As he finished his sentence he moved his arm back as if he was shooting an arrow then letting loose as the thunderbolt beside him shot through aiming at Shalltear left mantis arm but was blocked by a white colored javelin. Shalltear was breathing hard but not from pain but from excitement.
Shalltear: OH Ainz-sama
She said in her most cutesy voice. Using her previously scorched mantis arm and shaping it into a hand cupping her cheek. Her missing limbs are almost healing to the point where she can have hands and arms again but not the armor.
Shalltear: How rude of me to neglect you, my you're just so desperate to have a turn killing me
She winked, sticking her tongue out to the side. Well that was supposed to happen till her tongue touched the mask around her and she tasted the negative energy. She recoiled at the taste since it tasted like dirty brown water. Ainz didn't dignify with a response.
Shalltear: Ooh, don't feel too bad, you just need to wait a little longer till I turn this LIZARD!
She chided before spitting in anger staring daggers at the lizard just standing around in front of her.
Shalltear: Into my personal boots then you can do whatever you want
She explained adding in a lustful tone at the end. Kroq-gar shuddered in disgust thinking of the implications but had an idea.
Kroq-gar: So you're fine with Ainz killing you and not me?
He questioned. Shalltear just scoffs at the question.
Shalltear: Isn't it obvious, Ainz can do whatever he wants; he is my lord after all
She said lovestruck, not noticing Ainz taking this opportunity to slide in some magical mines all around her as well as a spell.
Kroq-gar: Interesting, so you won't mind if he does this to you
He said pointing upwards. As Shalltear looked up she saw a magical sigil that was glowing on top of her then feeling the gravity all over her weigh 10 times as much which she immediately fell face first into the mud. Her Mantis arms retweeting her to become glove and sock like on her regenerated hands and feet
Shalltear: No, I DO MIND very much!
She said through gritted teeth frustrated that she can't kill the Lizard before Ainz can finish her off. Kroq-gar didn't answer, instead he walked over to kneeling in front of her, still being pinned to the ground, her face filled with frustration.
Kroq-gar: You fought well, Shalltear
He said but Shalltear still doesn't believe she is done yet. She still has two spells left and her limbs have gotten back and her negative energy focused on her hands and foot so she can use any weapons now.
Shalltear "But this damn ritual spell is in the way"
She thought to herself until something came into her mind. Something she overheard from someone long ago that will help her now. Some sort of "glitch" that either hinders or propels her to great heights. Gah her gambles have been inconsistent. But better than nothing. So she chuckled as she tried to lay her bait.
Shalltear: You know what's so interesting about ritual spells?
She questioned hoping Kroq-gar would bite. Kroq-gar tilted his head in response to the question and ask.
Kroq-gar: Really what?
He questioned. Shalltear smirked as she had him but needed to egg him on a little more.
Shalltear: Ritual spells are the most powerful spells in the world but come at the cost of being quite fragile, wanna know why?
She said trying to tilt her head but being hobbled with gravity. Kroq-gar perked up.
Kroq-gar: Know what?
He answered and on que an even bigger ritual circle came underneath the ground beneath them as Shalltear whispered the spell's name "Greater Lethal". Then standing straight up. With bloodthirst eyes and a cherish smile
Shalltear: They can be overwritten
She said smugly and with that she slashed across Kroq-gars chest in a flurry of blows regrowing her claws as well as comboing up into a flurry of kicks with a bladed shoe as well as using her undamaged foot to pull a finisher by kick him in the jaw then in one fluid motion activated the negative energy around her hands to turn into large mallets then proceeded to beat him down till he was not but pulp. Looking over her handy work she smiled and laughed maniacally.
Shalltear: HA, GOT YOU BITCH!
But the only bitch to be had was her as the bloody pulp soon lost its red and blue color and instead changed to a brown and gray color. Shalltear short moment of happiness soon turned into rage and fury as she looked around and spotted Kroq-gar leaning against a mud wall specifically raised for him to rest on.
Kroq-gar: Interesting fact, got to tell this to Mazdamundi later
He said. Scratching the side of the face pondering why Mazdamundi changed positions from astrologer to healer. Besides wanting to sleep in a bed rather than on a floating chair of course. Shalltear, enraged at this lizard, escaped her grasp yet again. Began to fly straight at him like a bullet.
Shalltear: We'll see about THAT-
Kroq-gar: HALT!
Shalltear stopped right as she was about to charge and stared daggers at him.
Shalltear: YOU! Interrupting our moment
She said pointing her finger at the lizard. Kroq-gar got up from leaning on the muddy wall. Then got into a cowboy stance.
Kroq-gar: I know what you're thinking; maybe you can get to me before Ainz shoots you down, maybe having this circle heal you when you charge straight into me
He explained as he snapped his fingers revealing every type of magical trap and projectile floating through the air all around Shalltear form courtesy. By Ainz Ooal Gown. Then continued with his explanation.
Kroq-gar: Or maybe these four hundred magical traps and projectiles have found their mark, me, personally, I like those odds, the question now is...
He then pointed his mechanical finger straight at Shalltear as she was fidgeting in place.
Kroq-gar: Which king will claim your life?
Shalltear's mind was flooded with questions and answers on how to get out of this predicament all the while narrowing her eyes straight at Kroq-gar and he did the same. Feeling the negative energy still dangling around her hands and calling back her spear that she reflected a thunderbolt from earlier. Then stopped the stare down and looked at Ainz who was floating above. Hovering. Waiting. Arms crossed. Expressionless. She laughed at the hopelessness of it all. A hollow laugh before you get hanged at the gallows after you've been told a good joke. Before finding the resolve to push through.
Shalltear: I'VE RATHER MEASURE THE DITCH YOUR REMAINS WILL FILL, LIZARD BREATH!
As she screamed at her declaration. She turned the negative energy around her gloves into the shovel digging in deep into the ground and pushing it up towards the air triggering many traps that freeze, explode, electrocute, and soak all around her. As the smoke kicked up. Kroq-gar fired a bolt into the smoke hoping to hit her but finding little confirmation that his strike hit. However the traps around him were not floating idly and instead shot towards Shalltear location causing more of the elements to mix all around the area.
Ainz saw that the traps had little effect. Proceeded to use all of the elements he had on stand by then cluster bomb the area around Shalltear. Using fire, wind, ice, stone, water, and many more elements mixed in together bombarded the place till the entire area was saturated in smoke and dirt dust everywhere. Kroq-gar being close to the area called for the bombardment to cease and Ainz only ceased when he used up all of his projectiles that he had around them.
As Ainz used the wind to push away as much smoke as possible but failing to snuff out the larger projectiles that still scorched the landscape, all that remained of the area was miniature craters and a random assortment of the elements strung about everywhere. As Kroq-gar, using his lizard eyes to try and focus on the area where Shalltear was, only saw smoke fires emulating from the elemental barrage but couldn't hear anything. Till a voice came out of the trinket.
Ainz: Is there a body?
He questioned. Kroq-gar shook his head no.
Kroq-gar: No,all I see is smoke and pure silence.
Both pondered on that until Ainz screamed into the trinket.
Ainz: Wait silence, GET OUT OF THERE KROQ-GAR IT'S A-
But the voice was cut as a black shovel emerging from the smoke speeding like a bullet landed directly on his shoulder. As he tumbled back. Many more projectiles followed suit all with the same projectile that Ainz saturated the crater. Kroq-gar roared as he placed his metal hand in front of him using his left hand as support blocking the stream of projectiles coming straight at him.
Deflecting off of the metal hand and armor pieces but finding purchase at his exposed shoulder. As the hail of projectiles kept coming. He dove to the left so as to not eat the full barrage of projectiles coming straight at him. Hurting his exposed shoulder even more as he pressed on it. As he was on the ground he looked at where the attack came from and saw that his spear was in front of him. that flurry of projectiles managed to knock off Kroq-gars grip on the spear with pure force.
When he crawled to pick it up he jumped back as he saw two black pipes descended towards the spear and landed hard as if to bar his attempt. As Kroq-gar got on all fours he saw Shalltear standing over his weapon. Her hair singed, Her clothes wet, her left arm cold, her right arm muddy and an expression wore upon her face with expressionless fury. To her right he saw an orb that was on the breaking point of exploding everywhere. She reached down and picked up the spear weighing it with both her hands.
Shalltear: An elegant weapon
She said before throwing it above Kroq-gar exposed shoulder and into the dirt behind him.
Shalltear: I prefer a more personal touch
She coldly said as she walked towards Kroq-gar with her nails slowly extending out laced with negative energy. The elements around her sloth off like it was but air. The orb besides her finally cracked and exploded in a weak puff of smoke. As it puffed she increased her speed to jog, then a run, then a sprint, then she was on all fours screaming out her war cry as her fangs and claws pounced straight at Kroq-gar. Kroq-gar also roared with primal fury as he rushed on all fours headlong into the vampire. Then they collided hard with their chests.
Using their sharpened claws to scratch each other's back like lions all the while pushing and turning round and round as they go trying to get a grip on them but slipping every time. Kroq-gar then used his hands to push Shalltear away from the hold then spun around using his tail to trip Shalltear onto the ground knocking both of her feet sending her falling towards the ground. As she fell used both of her hands to balance herself from falling onto the floor then kicked Kroq-gar in the face then pushed herself off the floor and onto her feet. But was immediately tackled by him in a surprised counter charge.
Both wrestling each other to the ground, kicking, biting and gnawing at each other until Shalltear got Kroq-gar in a choke-hold. One arm closing the airway and the other holding his mouth shut. He tried to claw his way out, to bite, to turn, but the grip was too strong and scratching the arms didn't lessen the hold any less. If he would have been any regular crocodile. He would have been finished. But he is a Saurus. With legs. Using his legs he pushed himself up onto his feet using Shalltear as a weight to balance himself on.
As he stood up he slammed her into the mud wall hoping to loosen the grip but had no effect. Instead he swung her back and forth flailing her body all over the place hoping that she'll lose her grip and it worked but as her grip was broken. She somersaulted and landed straight at Krog-gars chest using his knees as support for her feet and gripping his shoulders. Then letting go of one of her hands she pulled her hand back and with the tracing of negative energy slashed across Kroq-gars chest spreading the claw wound even further.
He roared in pain but didn't stop to roar but instead used this opportunity that was presented and grabbed Shalltear pushing her onto the mud. Then he held her down with one hand and pulled the other and slashed her across the chest, ripping away her dress and pads and leaving a slashing wound there. Then slashed again to leave behind a true gaping wound at the center of her chest. She screamed in pain from the attack but he was not done yet as he lifted her over his head then in one motion slammed her side right on his knee in a back breaker maneuver.
Then he lifted her up again and threw her onto the ground where she bounced from the sheer impact from the force and chomped down hard at her side and rolled her around while she was still in his mouth in a gator death roll. Shalltear chomped down the pain and remembering this maneuver on what the lizard did to one of her wolves began charging a spell at her fingertips and with a frenzied look she shouted.
Shalltear: HOPE YOU LIKE DESERT!
She screamed using her negative impact shield right where Kroq-gar was biting and the two exploded far away from each other Kroq-gar losing some teeth from the explosion tumbling backwards till he was flat on his belly while Shalltear was split into two landing back first on the other side of the crater with her lower torso soon following.
Kroq-gar shaking his head from the explosion and tracing his tongue where his missing teeth would be held his head like he just got clubbed in the head by a warhammer. Reorienting himself he found his spear and picked it up planning to finally end this fight that had been dragging out from her refusal to accept death already. He smiled thinking if she wasn't born a vampire. She would have made for a mighty old blood.
As he looked around, with his trusty spear in hand. He noticed that the smoke was clear and saw Ainz hovering there observing something with his hands balled into fists shaking violently. He looked to see where Ainz was looking and saw Shalltear still alive with negative energy coalescing around her teeth. while her Oni mask was disassembled and was moved to the right arm aiming directly at the split her two pieces were at. With a moment of hesitation and biting down on pure negative energy.
Shot her teeth filled with negative energy right at the tear suturing both pieces together into one body tracing the wound with vampiric teeth as to hold them together and burning the flesh together as to meld the wound. Her muffled screams echoed in the mind of Ainz. Wanting her to just stay down and not let her go through all of this pain for no reason. With his voice cracking he spoke into the trinket.
Ainz: Goddammit, what are you doing? Are you trying to make her suffer?!
He said. Anger within his voice. A rage billowing up inside of him that he swore to protect all of Nazarick now sits by as outsiders harm his family. He knows this is necessary but.
Ainz: Will you just finish this, the spell is ready and I need her to use her time reverse skill one more goddamn time before she can be ended for good. So can't you finish it?
He said the anger directed more to himself than anything repeating this question over and over in his mind and growing more and more angry at this situation.
Ainz: Why can't you finish it, it's supposed to be easy to kill someone? So why can't you just finish it?
He rant and raved more to himself and around a general direction rather than addressing Kroq-gar directly.
Ainz: WHY CAN'T YOU SIT ON THE SIDE AND WATCH HER DIE?
He screamed at himself with all the anger he could muster hunching over from the outburst. almost holding his head. He wanted to cry but he could no longer shed tears anymore. He breathed heavily gathering as much air his non-existent lungs could carry. Feeling exhaustion flooded over his entire system. His automatic emotional dampener has been overused by this point.
Many times it flared up during the battle and many times it stifled his emotion. But the system was used too much and it started to wear out itself as well. This time it didn't come and the full weight of it all weighed heavily on him and almost instinctively floated down onto the ground on his knees. But a voice rang out in the call.
Kroq-gar: I know the burden of being a king weighs heavily on you Ainz
He said trying to counsel him through Ainz's emotional breakdown.
Kroq-gar: It weighs heavy on your mind as the burden is mine, we aren't always prepared to face the many dangers and difficulties that our kingdoms must face; we may fall, stumble, and worse fail our subjects to a fate more worse then we could ever imagined, I know this because I faced a situation like this as well
He remembered the event like it was yesterday. He read, observed, and listened to this event some time ago but now he was transported here as the leader of the lizard men. He could feel that he lived during that time.
Kroq-gar: A plague ravaged our lands for generations; many good friends died to a slow painful death because their bodies were ravaged by diseases and plague, even our sacred spawning pools were infected leaving behind children who were mutated and sickly, I sent warriors and scouts to try and find the cause and try to alleviate the pain my people had to endure; only one managed to make it back and told that our plague was not a natural one but a curse, perpetuated by diseased rats and foul demonic entities; I hunted both of these creatures and eradicated them from the planet, but it wasn't enough; the north an endless tide of demons assaulted our northern cities all following their own version of gods that are too foul to even exist, in the east accursed pirates and Druchii come into our lands to pillage and steal everything we have for the sake of vanity and greed, in the West lies our once trusted allies of men but setback after setback, loss after loss, the leaders their became greedy and incompetent fracturing themselves into city states transforming themselves into a bastardized version of themselves, I wish I could have been everywhere, Ainz, I wished i had the power to wave my hand across the plains and heal the land without any cost.
He said. Sighing on what he is about to tell next.
Kroq-gar: But I don't have that power, I'm just one sentient being in a sea of souls, I ran myself tired, bloody, bruised, even come closer to death too many times to count; I kept myself up at night trying to think of ways just to come over impossible situations, but it is as they were, Impossible, we can't know what an individual's fate would end or how they lead, all we can do is guide them.
He then looked over at Shalltear pushing herself up. Tracing her hand around her sutured wound then looked at her open palm. Then closed it with fire in her heart, sliding down the crater slopes and making her approach to Kroq-gar. He smiled at the display even after all that. Even with her mind and soul shackled. Her passion and will still beats.
Kroq-gar: Your Family fought well, Ainz, you shouldn't be ashamed of that, it's her choice to continue fighting until her body gives out on her; we need to respect that and adapt our path around their choices and passions and if we seek to control every whim of their actions then they'll be mindless automatons, no better than the enemies seeking to destroy us for having the gall to not lay down our arms and die; I promise you this Ainz, I will end this as quickly as I can, but I can't promise Shalltear to do the same, after all...
He said smirking and began to walk towards Shalltear with spear in hand.
Kroq-gar: She is your family member
Ainz processed Kroq-gars speech. He didn't know what to say. What could he say? But he found the intent and wisdom behind those words. Shalltear chose to fight tooth and nail during this battle. Using every tick she has left in her arsenal. To ask her to lay down her arms and die is unthinkable. Who in their right mind would follow such a command and not kick, scream, bite, and reach for the greater victory of overcoming all odds and spit at the people who try to kill you. He breathed heavily but not as heavily as before. He will bring her back; he made absolutely sure of that. He'll throw away everything, even his very life to see each and every person living Nazarick to see a tomorrow again. He straightened himself and found the resolve to sit at the side lines but not before leaving saying the words that needed to be said.
Ainz: Thank you, and Good luck
Word count: 4730
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