The White Mountains.
Cassius dropped to his knees with a sharp intake of breath, the pressure on his body had completely disappeared. He lifted his head, to watch the confrontation that was now taking place. A large bald man, with smoky grey skin had appeared from the smoke. His muscular body was covered in numerous scar, some that even appeared to have been life threatening. Such as the thin scar that ran across the width of his neck.
"Demoness," He growled in a low, threatening voice. His green eyes shone with malice.
The Demoness's smiled in delight, "Ivan? Oh how sweet, you came to rescue your daddy! But you should know, he's not the same man. He's stronger, younger, and inexperienced." The gorgeous woman giggled as she glanced back at Cassius, he had just regained his feet.
Ivan through a strange glance at Cassius, his eyes narrowed. The Demoness was correct, his father was very different. The man he knew never would have succumbed to the Demoness. Of course, Cassius didn't notice any of this. He was mentally calling out to Chuck.
"Chuck. If you can hear me, we have a problem. I'm going to need your help, it involves a Goddess." He waited desperately for a response, and for a long moment he was sure Chuck wasn't going to respond.
"Chuck on way." Cassius smiled grimly and returned his attention to the showdown that was taking place. Ivan had summoned a battle scarred sword, it's Blade was riddled with chips and had been scorched by fire numerous times.
"Oh my, is that Magic's Bane? I've heard about your sword, but I've never had the honor of seeing it. Maybe you can put that thing down and come play with us, I'd love to see your other sword." She smiled alluringly, her aura flaring. Luckily, Cassius was prepared. His runes countered the Demoness's and allowed him to remain in control of his body.
Ivan shivered, he could understand why the Demoness was so alluring. She was by far the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen, if she had been anyone else; maybe he'd enjoy her. Not today, she was the woman threatening his beloved father. He gripped his sword tighter and stepped towards her, out of the corner of his eye; he watched Irian raise his sword. Ivan frowned, his father was the most renown swordsman in all of Telon, but now; it was like he'd never even held a sword before. He shook his head, he wasn't sure what was wrong with Irian, but after he handled this bitch, he would find out.
Cassius watched the Demoness warily, he wasn't sure what her other skills were, but he knew he was about to find out. As if confirming his statement; a long, black whip appeared in her slender fingers. It's length was lined in thousands of mini blades, each one capable of ending a life. It crackled with purple energy. Her eyes gleamed with a mix of lust and excitement. He shivered uncomfortably, this woman was completely fucked up.
"Let's play," she giggled and sling her whip in Cassius's direction. Thanks to his enhanced senses, and speed, he managed to barely avoid the lightning quick weapon. He felt a slight sing on his arm, the whip had still managed to clip him. That alone concerned Cassius, the blades were sharp enough to easily slice his Dragon flesh. He resumed his readied stance and raised the Dragon Sword, Crimson lightning crackled around it's black blade.
The Demoness danced in a circle, repeatedly slinging attacks at both Irian and Ivan. Even with Ivan's skill, he was barely able to dodge and deflect the Goddess's attacks. A thin sheen of sweat had formed above his brow, he shot a worried glance at his father. His face contorted in surprise, Irian was continuously dodging and weaving around her attacks. He was only using the sword when necessary. It wasn't the same speed his father had been capable of harnessing in the past, but it was impressive nonetheless.
The Demoness also noticed Irian's impressive display of speed and agility. A frown appeared on her face, "I guess there won't be much playing after all." Her face became an expressionless mask, and she attacked with more vigor. Her whip slashes more precise, and aimed to kill.
"Holy shit," Cassius muttered as he tried to catch his breath. After the Demoness's last barrage of attacks, he was now completely covered in thin cuts. They were beginning to mount, and slow him down. Ivan didn't seem to be fading much better, his sword was moving with incredible speed, but Cassius noticed several long cuts that seeped brackish blood on his torso. His thoughts were interrupted when the Goddess surprised him with a new combination he hadn't seen before. He rolled out of the way, but that didn't stop the large cut that now spread the length of his back. "Chuck, please hurry." He panted as he once again focused on avoiding the whip of a thousand needles, as he was now calling it.
****
Chuck sprinted across the rocky terrain, his massive paws crashing into the earth. The big bear had just finished mating when he heard Cassius's cry of distress. The more Chuck thought about it, the angrier he became; who dared attack his friend? What Goddesses was he going to have to maw for this offense? He didn't know, nor did he care. The longer he spent with Cassius, the more attached he became. There was something about the young Dragon God that just filled Chuck's heart with love and loyalty.
That's why he couldn't let anything happen to Cassius, Chuck had finally found a real friend in the world. He wasn't lonely anymore, not an angry bear cub stranded by hisself in the Great-Wood. Such thoughts brought back long suppressed memories of his mother. She had been a beautiful creature, much like the she-bear he'd just mates with. She had also been a regular beast, no true sentience like his father had possessed. Chuck's heart was filled with sorrow as he thought back to the hunters that came for his mother and siblings when he was very young.
That was the reason he attacked Cassius in the forest on that fateful day, he thought him a human hunter come to claim the life of some other innocent creature. Luckily, they had bonded and Chuck discovered his new friend was in fact, the Dragon God. Now he was Cassius's loyal friend and as he saw it, bodyguard. His crimson fur crackled with electricity as he pressed on through the dense fog. His abilities as a God-Beast allowed him to pick up the slightest smell from miles away. He had tracked Cassius even through the strong scent of lust the Demoness had spread.
He knew he was getting closer, his friend's scent was much stronger now. Within a few moments he would release his glorious wrath on whatever she-devil that was harming his friend. "Hurry Chuck." Cassius's voice echoed through his mind, Chuck could hears the distress and pain laced in his words. This only further enraged the massive God-Beast, his blue eyes narrowed and he ran faster. His massive body only grew larger and larger. He had yet to embrace his true might, but now seemed as good a time as any. His powerful limbs propelling him through the fog. He roared as he smashed through into the clearing, his immense aura flaring in brilliance.
****
Ivan's jaw dropped as the humongous beast crashed through the Demoness's fog. Even her unrelenting attack had faltered as she laid eyes on the most ferocious beast she had ever seen. Ivan was completely astounded by the God-Beast before him. It was easily the size of a Dragon when in true form. It's black fangs were bared and glistening like steel. It bore the piercing blue eyes of his father, a sharp contrast to it's crimson fur. It's roar sent shivers of fear down his back, something that the Dragon General rarely experienced. Even with Ivan's immunity to magic, he could feet the bear's immense aura. He felt as if he was drowning in an ocean of power.
The Demoness stared at the bear with both shock, and fear. She had watched the beast carry Irian on it's back, but it had never been this big or powerful. What she saw before her, was the God of God-Beasts. It's power was stifling, and crashed down against her own. It's blue eyes focused on her, all the malice in it's eyes was meant for her, and she knew it. This broke her surprise and she lashed her whip out against it. The blades slapped against the bear's face, but seemed to bounce off. This earned an angry snort from the bear.
Cassius watched in awe as Chuck displayed his true form for the first time. He had known that Chuck suppressed his power when traveling together, but he hadn't expected this. No, Chuck was incredible. When he saw the Goddess lash out and strike Chuck, his own anger flared. He charged the distracted woman with incredible speed. Ivan, who had finally regained his focus, followed suite. Together, the three allies struck out against the Goddess of Lust. Her powers having no affect within the sphere of the God-Beast's influence.
The Demoness moaned in pain as sharp steel slid across her flawless back. It sliced right through her skin, blood quickly followed. She knew she was greatly outmatches, she couldn't contend with a God-Beast, a God, and a Dragon. Even Bal-Tuhn would struggle to hold his own when fighting against such raw power. She knew that it was time to flee, if not, she would surely perish. She blocked the strikes of both swords and was about to whisk herself away when a massive paw with sharp claws struck her face. She screamed in pain as she was flung across the mountain face. She landed hard and rolled several times, her face was a pulp of ruined flesh. The words of power escaped her mangled lips, and her body disappeared in a wisp of purple smoke.
Cassius and Ivan stared in shock at the location of the Goddess's disappearance. They had both struggled to even survive against the Demoness, but it had only taken one swipe from the bear to end the battle. Chuck acted like it was no big deal, and quickly returned to his traveling size. He shrunk significantly, but was still a huge bear. He snorted and walked off, he promptly collapsed onto the ground to take a nap.
Ivan recovered from his shock and turned to his father. "Father, it has been a long time."
Cassius blinked, Ivan's words had just registered for the first time, "Father?" He questioned, "What do you mean?"
Ivan blinked in confusion, "Are you not Irian? The Dragon God?"
Cassius shrugged, "That's what they tell me, I prefer to go with my given name, Cassius."
Ivan was utterly confused, "B-but you're my father? How can this be?"
Cassius had finally put what Irian told him together, "Ah, I believe I know what the problem is. I am not the Irian you know, I'm actually his reincarnation."
Ivan stared at Cassius, the moments leading up to his father's original death replaying in his mind, "That makes things a hell of a lot more complicated." He grumbled as he ran his hand across his bald head.