Eikon's patience was wearing thin. To him, he counted four puny ants standing before him threatening to claim his life. Facing off against Ranshio Warriors were one thing, but humans? He immediately felt insulted. His feet took a couple of steps forward as he clenched his fists and stared at his enemy. The cocky grins and the confident smirks that were displayed upon their faces annoyed him to no end.
"So then, how do you guys wanna go about this?" Zack asked the group.
"Well, there's four of us and only one of him. I say the odds are in our favor," Vincent commented briefly.
"Heh, make that seven of us," said Koji while performing a hand signs to summon three clones to his side.
"Better yet, make that eleven," Yasmin chimed in as she too performed a set number of hand signs, summoning four clones at her side.
"Impudent humans, it matters not how many of you there are. You will all be crushed by the heel of my foot just like the puny ants you are!" Eikon unleashed a massive uproar as he stretched out his six narrow wings while allowing the flames to enshroud his body. Two large blades had slid out of his knuckles in his right and left hand. His energy intensified as the pressure had overwhelmed the large party of warriors who stood before him.
Koji, who had remained unfazed by the uproar, rushed in after Eikon with his clones following closely behind him. Their blades held to the side as one clone made an attempt to perform an overhead strike towards EIkon who quickly perceived the attack and deflected it with his left bladed arm. In quick haste, Eikon performed a severe palm thrust that launched the clone back against the wall with his body vanishing into the flames upon impact.
Another clone made an attempt to cut through the dragon's midsection but was instantly parried and received a sharp knee to the abdomen, forcing it to vanish into flames. The last remaining clone had vaulted towards Eikon with his blade held outward. Eikon shifted his gaze upward and stretched out his left hand to catch the clone by the face. He then, unleashed a barrage of fiery blasts from within the palm of his left hand which completely annihilated the clone.
Koji was the last one to join in on the assault, after witnessing the demise of his clones, he attempted to perform a sneak attack but the dragon had caught wind of it. Eikon thrust his mighty blade towards Koji who quickly raised his blade in order to shield himself from it. Sparks flew in various directions as Koji stared into the face of the dragon who started to pull back his right bladed fist slightly, prepared to end the boy.
"Koji duck!" Vincent shouted as he appeared behind the boy with a massive swing of his blade. In quick haste, Koji rolled out of Vincent's way, allowing the young warrior to enter into a massive stalemate with the dragon. Vincent began bearing his teeth as he placed all of his strength into the collision. His eyes were locked onto the dragon's who seemed to be unfazed by Vincent's efforts.
EIkon broke the stalemate instantly and charged with a barrage of strikes from his bladed fist. Zack, who had just ran past Koji, came to Vincent's aid as he quickly began parrying the numerous strikes the dragon had unleashed on his brother. They both waited for the opportune moment to counter Eikon's assault until Koji appeared behind the dragon with his blade held tightly withing his hands.
Without a moment's notice, Koji lashed out his unlit Flametongue towards Eikon who quickly diverted from offense to defense. He deflected the strike with his right bladed fist, leaving a small window for Zack and Vincent to capitalize on. The two brothers let out a slight uproar as they both lashed out their blades towards the beast but their strike was too slow. Eikon was able to deflect both strikes in quick haste while managing to deflect Koji's oncoming assault.The three warriors began gritting their teeth in frustration as they increased the speed of their strikes, attacking from various angles and performing unique maneuvers around EIkon.
"Heh, is this the best you can manage!?" EIkon questioned with a cocky grin upon his face. Suddenly, a sharp pain had occurred within Eikon's lower abdomen as the wind was instantly knocked out of the dragon for a moment. He looked down to see a confident smirk appearing on Yasmin's face after delivering a gut wrenching punch to the beast's abdomen. Electricity coursed through her fist as she propelled the beast back towards his throne with his feet digging the dirt below.
Eikon gave Yasmin a snarling look, he didn't expect her to manage an attack on him let alone crack his dragon skin. He released his hold on his abdomen and allowed the many scales to cascade off of his body like falling debris.
"Sorry, you was so wide open I couldn't resist," said Yasmin while emitting electricity from off her body.
"Heh took you long enough, I thought you was gonna let us do all the work," Vincent commented with a smirk on his face.
"Seems like you're able to do some damage on him as well," Zack added.
"Why thank you gentlemen, is it safe to say you no longer seem me as just some broad?" Yasmin questioned.
"Ask me that again once we've beaten this guy," Vincent retort.
"Eyes up, he's ready for the second round," said Koji, directing everyone's focus towards Eikon.
"I will not be done in by the likes of you!" Eikon roared while unleashing another massive energy burst.
"It seems like you still haven't noticed, this fight started with eleven of us, you knocked out Koji's clones but neglected to react to mines," said Yasmin
"What?" Eikon looked on to see four of Yasmin's clones surrounding him in four different corners. He began to grit his teeth as he returned his attention to Yasmin only to find that she had vanished in a burst of lighting.
"Up here!" Yasmin cried, grasping the dragon's attention as he stared up at Yasmin with clenched teeth "Ranshio Bend: Piramide del Rayo!" Yasmin and her clones unleashed a massive electric blast that lit up the room instantly.
A bellow of pain and agony was unleashed from within the dragon as the electricity surged throughout his body. Yasmin continued the assault but noticed something was off with the Dragon. His bellow of pain from earlier had turned into laughter as he instantly vanished and appeared before each clone while knocking them out with a series of blows. He then appeared before Yasmin, still enduring her blast while staring deeply into her eyes which swelled almost instantly.
She couldn't believed what she had just witnessed, the Piramide del Rayo was one of her strongest techniques and Eikon seemed to be unfazed by it. The dragon quickly cut through the lightning blast with his bladed right fist and grabbed Yasmin by the face with his left hand. He spun his body then launched her to the ground, allowing the creation of a massive crater to take place the moment her body had made impact with the earth.
"Yasmin!" Koji cried out in shock as he rushed towards his Master's side.
"Holy shit, how the hell did he withstood that?" Vincent questioned while looking up at the beast who's wings began beating the air beneath it.
"Each of us Legendary Dragons carry a special trait, mines is the toughening of my dragon skin. The moment I realized that girl had the strength to crack my armor I had toughened it up to prepare for the next blow," said EIkon confidently.
"Dammit, you've got to be kidding me," Zack commented.
"That attack, although impressive, was not enough to get through this level of armor," Eikon added as he stared down at Yasmin who began lifting herself up slowly while wiping off the blood on her lips.
"Does anyone have a plan B?" Vincent asked nervously.
"Yeah, don't die!" Yasmin stated while casting her right hand beside her.
"I mean an actual plan B!"
"I should go, his fire attacks won't effect me as much as it would you guys," said Koji.
"Sounds fair, we'll back you up then," said Zack.
"Koji wait, this dragon isn't like the one from before," Yasmin commented.
"Yeah I know, but I've got to do something. Don't worry, I remember all that you've taught me and I'm going to use it here and now," Koji stated while gathering up fire Ranshio essences within himself. "Ranshio Bend: Wrath of Flames!"
Koji had completed the final seal then drew in a hefty breath. Flames slowly started to exit out of his mouth during his inhale and then a massive fiery blast left his mouth as he exhaled. A perplexed look appeared upon Eikon's aspect, for he had no idea the young boy could create a Ranshio Bend at that level. He held his right hand before him, determining that, that should be enough to stop the attack. Once the blast had reached his hand he was instantly being pushed back by it.
"What's the meaning of this?" Eikon questioned as he placed his left hand against the ball of flames while trying to hold it back. "This attack is made out of fire essences, surely it wouldn't be able to harm my armor!"
"Not if I add a little something to it!" Yasmin cried as she stretched out her right two fingers towards the Wrath of Flames and unleashed a lightning stream that entered the massive ball of fire causing it to expand and intensify with an electric surge coursing through it.
"Dammit!" The dragon shouted while being consumed by the blast.
"This ends now!" Vincent roared. Both he and Zack had ran up the side walls at opposite ends then proceeded in leaping off them in order to perform a cross strike with their blades cutting against Eikon's tough skin. They landed on opposite ends of one another with a confident smirk appearing upon their faces as a massive explosion took place moments after.
"Did that do it?" Koji pondered in a heavy pant.
"I sure hope so..." Yasmin commented.
"Heh piece of cake," said Zack while giving up a thumbs up sign towards Koji. He noticed the wide eye expression appearing within Koji and Yasmin's faces as they looked up above to see Eikon's body appearing from within the smoke.
"Don't tell me," Vincent stated while glancing back at the dragon who continued to glare down at the four warriors while holding onto the right side of his rib cage.
His breathing was heavy and his wounds were deep. Anger and frustration began swelling up within him as the flames started to spark up once more and enshroud his body. Koji and Yasmin braced themselves while entering in their stance. They watched as Eikon appeared before Vincent who attempted to swing his Ancient Blade against the beasts neck. Eikon ducked swiftly under the blade and retaliated with a severe strike to the sternum.
He then vanished and reappeared beside Zack while performing a swift kick against the left side of his neck. Both attacks seemed to have happened simultaneously as Zack and Vincent were being propelled in opposite directions. Their bodies, ricocheting off the ground until they had met the walls of Eikon's domain.
"I believe this has gone on long enough, don't you agree?" Eikon questioned with glaring eyes.
"Koji stay on your guard," said Yasmin.
"Right," Koji replied while tightening his grip on his Flametongue.
"Let's end this, right here, right now!" Eikon roared as he appeared between Yasmin and Koji who were both startled by the dragon's speed. He spun his body while unleashing his bladed fists against the two warriors.
Koji quickly raised his blade in defense while Yasmin ducked underneath the swing. In quick haste, they both went in for the counter strike causing the three of them to enter in an exchange of strikes and blows. Koji aimed low towards the dragon's legs but Eikon perceived the attempt and leapt over the strike. He quickly noticed Yasmin rolling off of Koji's back as she delivered a jumping kick with both of her feet being planted against his right cheek in mid air.
His body was instantly pushed back as he continued to watch the two warriors unique movements. Koji had grabbed a hold of Yasmin's hand the moment she had left his backside and spun his body once before launching her towards the dragon. Eikon's eyes widened as he raised both arms to shield himself from Yasmin's incoming strike. Her body vanished then reappeared before the dragon in a spinning motion with her right leg being released after the final rotation. Her kick had broke through Eikon's guard which cause a look of astonishment to envelop his face. She then performed one more spin of her body before thrusting out her right fist against the bridge of Eikon's nose. Blood leaked outward as Eikon was being pushed back further. His armor was being dismantled little by little. He looked up and saw Yasmin landing on her feet while performing Ranshio hand signs.
"Ranshio Bend: Corriente de Rayo!" Yasmin cried out as she stretch her right fingertips forward which allowed a stream of lightning to flow through them and onto Eikon, wrapping the dragon and paralyzing him momentarily.
"My turn!" Koji stated while leaping from behind Yasmin. He appeared before the paralyzed dragon and began unleashing a multitude of strikes against the beast's armor, forcing the scales to break down and allowing the blood to flow. After he finished his multitude of strikes he raised his blade over his head and ignited the flame. "Blaze Scar!" Koji roared as he unleashed a Blaze Scar right before Eikon.
The sword beam drove the dragon back against his throne which created a cloud of dust and smog. Koji stared deeply into the smog. His shoulders were steadily rising and falling as he was trying to catch his breath from his last move.
"You fools..." said Eikon in a low growl "if you think your efforts has any effect on my armor think again!" Eikon appeared before Koji with shoulder charge, knocking the boy back towards the entrance of his domain. Blood spewed out of his mouth as his back had crashed against the wall beside the doorway.
"Dammit, it wasn't enough..." Koji stated with clenched teeth and a squint of his right eye. "At this rate...at this rate..." he looked on to see Yasmin instantly entering Ranshio at it's first stage.
"Looks like I've got no choice but to finish you with this!" Yasmin shouted as she cast her right hand aside then vanish within the lightning.
Eikon's eyes widened as he watched Yasmin appearing before him with a severe uppercut to the jawbone. The blow had launched him straight up towards the canopy with cracks forming in his dragon armor. He glanced down towards Yasmin with clenched teeth to see her once again vanishing within the lighting. The electricity darted in a zig zag motion as her body finally reappeared within it, her arms crossed and her hand straightened. A massive battle cry had released within her the moment she slashed the air before her with her arms. The electricity that had consumed her body shot through her arms and formed into an avatar made out of pure electricity.
The avatar was purple and took the form of a female tiger as it shot up towards Eikon, consuming the dragon in a flashy display. Koji looked on at his master, he watched her as she entered the avatar while gathering up a massive amounts of lightning Ranshio essences within her body. She raised her clenched fists over her head slightly then slammed them down as she unleashed the energy stored within her body in an electrifying explosion.
Koji quickly shield his eyes while still watching in awe at Yasmin's display of power. He could hear the vicious roars coming from Eikon mixing in with Yasmin's battle cry. The lightning explosion consumed the domain and destroyed the outer walls where Eikon's throne use to reside. The canopy above was instantly disintegrated which allowed the stormy sky above to be revealed. Once the destruction had finally settled, Yasmin's body was left descending slowly in midair.
Random spikes of electricity would appear throughout her body, her breathing was heavy along with her arms which dangled beside her. Her back was hunched over and her energy was nearly depleted. She managed a small smile while watching the storm that consume the dragon letting off random bursts of lighting.
"It's finally done..." said Yasmin.
"Think again bitch!" Eikon roared as he appeared out of the storm with his right hand stretched outward. A massive sphere of flames had appeared within the palm of his hands before Yasmin's face. She quickly raised her dead arms before her in an effort to shield herself from the blast as Eikon unleashed the fiery ball onto the young warrior, driving her back to the ground and leaving her body collapsed against it.
"Yasmin no!!" Koji scrambled back to his feet while placing his left hand against the wall behind him in order to balance himself out accordingly.
The integrity of Eikon's armor was nearing its end. He slowly descended down beside Yasmin, determined to finish this fight starting with her. His eyes quickly shifted to the right to see Vincent making another attempt to strike at his head. He quickly pulled back slightly before the blade could reach him and then performed a strong palm thrust towards Vincent's chest cavity, propelling him back instantly.
I've got to do something... Koji thought with clenched teeth as he watched his comrades being tossed around one after another.
Deep within Koji's subconscious, the Fire Fox laid, comfortable within its cage oblivious to what was occurring to his Anfitrion. His ears started to twitch slightly the moment he felt a massive energy spike swelling within Koji. His eye's finally opened to see the destruction that was occurring through Koji's eyes. The energy spike he was feeling earlier continued to increase steadfastly which only meant one thing. Koji was trying to transform into the first stage of Ranshio.
"No, no, no..." Kuro stated with clenched teeth.
I've got no choice...
"No, no, no...."
It's my only option...I have to...I have to transform! Koji instantly formed the fire seal and began gathering in massive amounts of fire Ranshio essences within his body while letting out a hefty battle cry.
"No, no, no, no! You fool, you're body can't handle a transformation! You will turn into a fiend!" Kuro roared. Frustration swelled within the Fire Fox, for he knew Koji still lacked the ability to here him.
Zack rushed Eikon, clashing his blade against the dragon's numerous times before being sent flying back by a vicious thrust kick to the face.
"You puny ants sure are persistent..." said Eikon. He glanced back to see Yasmin struggling to get back on her feet. She was completely exhausted and was left with not many options.The sudden presence of Koji's energy had quickly grasped both of their attentions as they shifted their gaze towards the young boy who was forcing himself through the transformation of Ranshio.
"No Koji stop!" Yasmin cried while stretching out her right hand.
"Is he transforming...? Right here? Right now?" Eikon questioned. He knew a transformed fire elemental user would prove to be trouble for him, especially at the state he was in currently.
I can do this I can... Koji thoughts had instantly trailed off as the energy started to consume his body. He felt heat rising within him as the left side of his body started to change. His hand grew a mixture of black and red fur with claws and his nose began protruding outward with fangs appearing within his teeth. black and red fur started to appear on the left side of his face as his left ear changed and resembled that of a fox. "(No...this isn't happening...)"
"Looks like i was worrying for nothing, he can't manage the transformation after all. He's going to turn into a fiend..." said Eikon with a cocky grin upon his face.
"No Koji, not you, I can't lose you too, not like this!" said Yasmin as tears started to form within her eyes.
"Dammit boy regain control!" The Fox snarled only to be ignored once more. "Yasmin do something!"
"Shall I put him out of his misery?" Eikon stated while slowly ascending into the air, his wings, beating against the ground amidst his ascent.
What's he doing? Shit I can't move! Koji thought with clenched teeth as he stared up at Eikon who tilted his head upward and began gathering essences of every element. FIre, water, earth, nature, lightning, wind, darkness, and holy, each essences gathered and formed en energy sphere held within Eikon's mouth.
"That move, that's every dragon's signature move, Koji get out of the way!" Yasmin cried. She wanted to rush over there but couldn't find the strength to move.
"I hope you said your goodbyes!" Eikon roared while unleashing a menacing laugh. "Ranshio Bend: Elemental Break!" Eikon unleashed the massive energy beam towards Koji who was left frozen in place due to his failed transformation.
Is this really the end for me? Koji thought. His eyes shifted towards the right to see Vincent calling out to him but he couldn't hear the plea. His eyes shifted to the left to see Zack reaching out to him but he knew it was in vain.
Frustration swelled within him, he had failed in his quest to avenge his family, to bring back his city, to save his friends. All he could do now was stare death in the eye and wait for its embrace. As he stared up at the approaching blast he began reflecting on the past days spent with Yasmin. He didn't know exactly what he had felt for her and now it looked like he never will.
Koji shifted his gaze towards the direction where Yasmin was last located but to his surprised she no longer remained there. Her body had appeared before him with her arms stretched outward and her back turned towards the encroaching blast.
"Yasmin..." Koji said softly as he watched the horrific scene of Yasmin taking in the Elemental Break and shielding Koji from its devastation. The explosion was massive enough to cause the ground to shake uncontrollably, stirring the dormant volcanoes and causing the lava to rise.
"Koji...there's something...there's something that I've been wanting...to tell you..." Yasmin stated softly as the last remaining seconds of her life began its countdown.
"Don't you do that, don't you do that to me, you're going to make it you hear me and then you can tell me!"
"Koji..." Yasmin managed to show a small smile before speaking once more, "Koji I...L-" before she could utter the words, the light that once filled her body, her soul, her very essence, left her eyes leaving nothing but a serene smile behind.
"Dammit woman," the Fox stated with clenched teeth. He glared up at Eikon through Koji's eyes as the left side of Koji's face began returning to normal.
"I promise..." said Koji in a low growl.
"For taking this woman's life," Kuro snarled.
"For injuring my friends,"
"I promise..."
"I'll make you pay!" Both Koji and the Fire Fox shouted in unison which caused a massive pillar of flames to enshroud Koji as he underwent the transformation of Ranshio.
"What the, how is this possible you was on the verge of transforming into a fiend!" Eikon shouted with clenched teeth. Koji sliced through the flames, allowing it to disperse and reveal his transformation unto Eikon. His attired had changed into a hooded short sleeved red shirt with the flames rising off of the hood itself. He donned on arm sleeves that carried fire insignia throughout it and his shorts were red with the same insignia embroidered on its side. His boots were black and red and his undershirt was white. In his crimson red eyes were tears, tears of sorrow, tears of anguish, tears of hate. Koji laid Yasmin down on the ground below and summoned his Kunasta to his side, prepared to end this fight once and for all.