"You're truly a monster, brother!" Nuu remarked as he coughed up another phlegm of fresh blood..
"The same could be said for your swordsmanship to last this long against my fist." Oga praised, admiring Bonari's resilience against his relentless punches.
Not only did Nuu's blade fail to chip, but it managed to endure the assault and remain intact..
"Hehe, your shamelessness knows no bounds. You haven't even exerted a tenth of your power, yet I find myself battered and soiled," Nuu responded.
"Your efforts to deceive may fool some, but let's not engage in playful deception," Oga's brow furrowed as the two brothers locked eyes.
Soon, Oga found himself unsheathing the gleaming white blade.
"You-" Nuu knew his brother well enough to decipher this devious character's intentions. After crushing his hands, he now desired a duel of swordsmanship.
'Not a fat chance' Nuu couldn't help but curse at Oga. He wasn't allowing him a moment to recuperate.
Oga stood in a moment of contemplative silence, a sly grin adorning his face. However, to his disappointment, the despair he had anticipated seeing in Nuu's expression was absent.
Indeed, Nuu seemed remarkably composed, resembling a tranquil pool of still water.
Intrigued, Oga raised an eyebrow, his curiosity now fully piqued. 'That cunning brat,' he thought, 'what could he possibly be scheming now?'
Nuu fingers were broken and needed time to heal, so what other tricks could he possibly have up his sleeve?'Oga watched Nuu intently, dispersing the blood mist with a wave of his hands, causing a gentle gust of wind.
Before Oga could delve further into his thoughts, the atmosphere crackled with tension, signaling the commencement of the true battle.
Nuu emerged from the debris, his voice resolute as he uttered two potent words.
"Swallow Bonari!"
The once eerie blade sprang to life, its sharp hum filling the air as the world around them transformed into an abyss of darkness, accompanied by the distant roar of surging blood current.
Nuu's voice echoed through the void as Oga looked on, bewildered.
'This must be Act II of Bonari?' Oga mused.
___________________
In the grip of this nightmarish entity, Oga found himself ensnared within a grotesque monstrosity—a writhing mass of shifting flesh that surged and lashed out, poised to consume him with what appeared to be corrosive and dissolving fluids for a full day.
With each assault, the entity's speed, form, and magnitude escalated, as if adjusting to its intended prey.
"Unbelievably loathsome," Oga lamented, weariness evident in his voice. He wondered, "Where is he hiding? Why is this place so vast?"
Fatigue gnawed at Oga, his feet never making contact with the corrosive ground despite his strong desire to do so.
Oga constant expenditure of mana to keep him afloat. As his blade cut through the air with a banshee-like screech, swiftly severing the bulging tentacles.
They possessed strength, although slightly less potent than his own. With each deafening echo, he aimed to lure Nuu out of his hiding place. However, for hours on end, the elusive brother of his skillfully evaded him.
If this was anyone else, they would have gone mad.
Just as in the preceding hours, Oga deftly parried the next hundred varied attacks: spear-like javelins, masses of flesh attempting to drown him, and massive fists descending from all directions, all intended to bring him down.
As time passed, the relentless hits began to take their toll on Oga. These assaults not only grew heavier but also gained an uncontrollable swiftness that he struggled to match.
Oga found himself on the verge of being overwhelmed, bracing himself for yet another punishing blow to his liver when, at that precise instant, an invisible blade descended with a deadly force.
"You–"
In a desperate bid, Oga's left-wing scattered like a flock of butterflies, seamlessly intertwining into an impenetrable, passive shield. The metallic clang of Bonari's blade against his neck resonated in the eerie silence that followed.
Nuu was taken aback, observing how the shield-like wing methodically monitored his every maneuver, recognizing his inability to penetrate Oga's impregnable defense using conventional tactics.
'How in the world can it match the speed of my evolved Star Shift? Nuu mused.
But there was more. Shortly after, Nuu's pupils contracted in disbelief as he gazed upward.
"Really, isn't this unfair?" Nuu lamented, his confidence shaken. Oga's right-wing transformed into an army of feathery blades, poised and encircling Nuu from every angle, making escape impossible. It seemed as though these feather-like blades awaited Oga's signal, ready to reduce Nuu to a mere pulp.
"Impale," Oga commanded like a general, not giving Nuu the chance to run. This brat had tormented him for an entire day; it was his turn.
The surging thunder of feather blades swooped down upon Nuu.
As the dust cleared, the anticipated sight of a porcupine Nuu did not unfold. Instead, the tip of Nuu's blade rested upon Oga's neck.
Oga couldn't help but gulp as he noticed the strange white glow enveloping Bonari, reminiscent of the flame adorning Nuu's back.
'Did he just manipulate space to breach my defenses? No, that's impossible. There must be something else at play that I'm missing,' Oga contemplated.
"You lose, brother. I hope you'll keep your word!" Nuu said, ready to sheathe his blade. Only to observe Oga's grin.
There was no sign of panic, as though he expected this situation. A foreboding feeling washed over Nuu, screaming for him to get away.
Yet, it was too late.
"Hehe, when will you learn?" Oga said
"?"
"Negative Vortex!" Oga's voice was commanding, resonating with the downdraft.
Just like stars drawn into the vacuum of space, Nuu found himself immobilized, akin to a key locking onto a magnet. The silence was deafening, and the battle had taken an unforeseen turn.
"Don't die!" Oga whispered as he attempted to drive his blade through Nuu.
"Eeeh wait a minute, why is it so gooey, like a slime..." Oga found himself being sucked.
"You…"
"I'm quite disappointed that you still haven't noticed. Brother, answer this question. How long do you think you have been in here?" Nuu inquired, as the sound of approaching footsteps echoed.
"Wait, why are you standing there? Actually, how are you able to walk on that... and who is in front of me?" Oga's alarm surged as he questioned the surreal scene unfolding before him.
"What do you mean? This is my domain; everything within this realm obeys its master," Nuu responded, his words carrying an air of authority.
Miraculously, almost echoing Nuu's proclamation, the corrosive swamp transformed into fresh water, defying the laws of nature.
"...."
" It should already be obvious. Now answer my question. How long do you think you have been here?" Nuu repeated himself.
"Why ask such a silly thing? It should be no more than 24 hours. Right?"
"Hehe... You truly don't know. Twenty-four hours…Interesting; it has only been an hour!" Nuu dropped the bomb, leaving Oga stupefied.
"Before you were swallowed, you were already under my control!" Nuu said
Oga's mouth was truly floored. He couldn't believe what he was hearing or seeing.
"Why are you shocked, or did you believe you were the only one with special wings?" Nuu's twisted smile said it all as Oga found himself unable to move.
The thousands of eyes upon Nuu's wing awaken, as though watching an insect!
"You were careless, brother….The moment your eyes made contact with my blade, you should have taken precautions... not only did you not, but you allowed me to drag you into Bonari's belly. Now I have altered all your five senses. Even the grain of time eludes you!"
"..."
"Admit defeat, and I will settle for your right eye!" Nuu's smug face said it all. A great silence lingered, only to be broken.
…..
"Ga Ga Ga!" Oga burst into laughter, unable to contain his amusement. He finally understood how this brat breeches his defense.
" Do you imagine yourself as some third-rate villain, explaining your trump card?" Oga said, following it up with. "Implode!"
"What?" Nuu's face turned ashen as the Monarch flame imploded upon Oga, engulfing him in fiery brilliance along with his domain, shattering his world.
"Did he just blow himself up like Micah?" Nuu eyes narrow
"Hehe, you silly brat! With a wing possessing the Thousand Eyes of Hypnotism and a flame capable of cutting through space, shouldn't you have been more cautious about what I could do?
No, in fact, it doesn't matter whether you guard against it or not. Your defeat was predetermined from birth!" Oga smirked, savoring the crisp air as his blade descended swiftly toward Nuu's neck.
"....."
______________________
Perched on Baron Roslin's rooftop, a man gazed into the expansive night sky, a bottle gourd rested, and four blades twirled in the air, seemingly eager for the upcoming battle.
"So, you made your way up here, Your Highness," a burly man commented, settling down next to the 4th Prince, Uoe.
"Do you not sense it?" Prince Uoe inquired.
"Sense what?" Quavo asked, wearing a perplexed expression.
"The Hymn of Battle," Uoe insisted.
"?"
"That's not important. Your Highness, the subjugation squad has assembled, but..."
Uoe continues to look into the distance. "What's the issue?" he inquired.
"A man has appeared, requesting to see his sister," Quavo replied.
"?"
"I believe he's related to Roslin's Madame," Quavo continued.
"Why are you reporting this to me?" Uoe took another sip from his gourd.
"Our subjugation squad mistook him for a spy and engaged him, only to find themselves on the concrete floor," Quavo stated.
Upon hearing this, the typically indifferent Prince stirred, swiftly leaving the rooftop and heading straight for Hardlet.
"Your Highness," urgently spoke Quavo, "he's a Divine Knight, and presently you are sealed!"
As they vanished, a new figure emerged from the void—the Proctor for the Royal Succession, the same man who had dozed through the Royal Succession gathering.
"Truly terrifying," he murmured to himself, awestruck. How far-reaching was his comprehension of the sword?
The elderly hunchbacked man melded seamlessly into the enveloping darkness, his gaze seeming to transcend the very confines of space as he observed the release of this formidable energy from a battle a staggering 70 miles away.
[Seventy miles away equates to roughly an hour's journey.]
"How nostalgic," he murmured, his fingers tracing the scar on his chest. "The Thornbrick still possesses such a fearsome successor."
Cadel glanced once more at the young men exchanging pointers, as he prepared to shift his gaze from their blades.
'I presume that stubborn old bastard has passed away; no wonder there was no message from House Thornbrick, for the past decade' he mused. Yet, that wasn't the sole matter that grabbed his interest.
Cadel found it truly odd: why did that young man bear such a striking resemblance to the individual mentioned in the report? Moreover, there was another with dual wings.
'Could it be a mutation of some kind? The records we have about Nephilim suggest that the white flame is the highest, and only one is born within a million years' Cadel reflected, deep in contemplation.
Suddenly, a voice shattered his contemplation.
"Who goes there?" Nuu's shout rang out, causing Oga to halt his attack.
"?"
_______________________
Two days later, amidst the arid expanse of Northern Utgard Province, where scorching sand dunes dominated the landscape, lay the unassuming border town of Dusky.
Despite its unassuming exterior, this settlement like the other two border towns held significant military importance, serving as a stalwart defense against the encroaching barbarian tribes.
Residing within the fortress-like town was none other than 6th Princess Anya, a woman of exceptional intellect and beauty.
The echo of her lace-up sandals reverberated through the halls as her two companions dutifully trailed behind. "Have they sent a representative, Jules?" 6th Princess Anya inquired.
Jules, with his 200cm long dark wavy hair, remained silent.
"Why aren't you answering?" Anya pressed, coming to a sudden halt as her gaze fell upon the tall slender frame of Jules.
"Your Highness, it's just that your request to speak with these chiefs was denied," Jules replied.
"Denied? Then why are you wasting my time? Whom am I meeting at this hour?" Anya questioned as she resumed her steps.
The newly appointed Chieftain of the Baros Tribe, Jules, elaborated, "His mother passed away a few days ago. But, as I mentioned, Your Highness," Jules continued, "the Kumari, Slaa'va, and Ro Tu tribal Chiefs are reluctant to engage in talks with a woman," he added, offering an apologetic smile.
"I see. That's unfortunate. Then there's no way around it." Anya's gaze shifted to a short middle-aged man levitating beside Jules.
"Marcel, I want you to lead the legion and erase these three tribes!" Anya ordered.
"As Her Majesty commands... not even their roaches shall be spared!" Marcel responded.
"You—" Anya's reprimand was cut short as Marcel allowed her little time to address his continuous display of treason.
[Note: "Her Majesty" refers to the ruling Monarch.]
Not long after Marcel's departure, she inquired, "So you're saying the Baros Chief is the only one to accept my peace summons? Then why are they refusing to enter the Fortress?"
"Yes, Your Highness... they await your presence outside. The Baros tribe will not enter the house of a stranger, nor sleep under their roof, for they believe that housing is against the laws of nature; the sky is their roof, and the wind is their blanket. Also, they do not trust the Khan."
"For such an eccentric tribe, I expected them to rebel like the rest?" Anya made her way out of the Villa along with a few guards.
Before her, they appeared on the outskirts of the town- a band of exotic barbarians whose skin boasted a captivating hue of rich copper.
Yet, it was their unabashed freedom that entranced her. They wore little more than loincloths, exposing their robust bodies adorned with intricate tribal Polynesian tattoos.
Among them, a burly figure with bamboo piercings adorning his nipples stood out. Anya, after a brief pause, recognized this imposing man as the recently-anointed chieftain, as Jules had foretold.
As for his accompanying warriors, they exuded an aura of formidable strength, capable of holding their own even against a formidable Rank 3 Grand Knight.
The chieftain himself was a man of imposing stature and handsome features. Involuntarily, the sight of him brought a smile to the princess's lips, though her amusement was misconstrued by the chief as mockery.
Only for Jules to step in and explain her reaction. After all, Jules was Princess Anya's right-hand man and a former Barbarian; he understood the customs of most tribes.
Although not native to the Northern Utgard, those from the southern land shared a similar culture.
Regarding the content of their talks, both parties left with satisfaction on their faces, with a promise to meet again in 3 months.
The Baros would acquire the territory and Oasis of the rebellious faction. In return, his people would pay tribute, and Anya's legion would have the freedom to venture into their land unimpeded.
"Your Highness, what's your plan for dealing with the powerful Awarui Tribe?" Jules snapped the Princess's attention back as they drew closer to the fortress.
Anya continued to look upon the receding backside of the Baros' chief in the distance.
"Ahem," cough!
"Let's send an emissary first. Depending on their action, we'll proceed from there. As for now, I want you to check on the conditions of the common folks," Anya said, the Villa was just a few feet away now.
"Very well, but a few Fallen Nobles would like to have a sit down with you, or should I cancel?" Jules inquired.
"Schedule it for next week, and increase the security around the Villa. As for the kitchen staff, remove them."
"Are you concerned about the First Prince?" Jules asked, a hint of worry lacing his words. "Not the first; it's not his way. Though he despises us, he'd rather throttle me himself," Anya replied with certainty.
"Second, then?" Jules asked, lowering his voice to a hushed tone, keenly aware of the gravity of their situation. As they approached their villa, a noxious stench, reminiscent of rotten eggs and gas, hung in the air.