The chaos was preparing to strike Lazare when he extended both hands in an attempt to halt it.
'She's stronger than I thought.' Lazare began sweating.
Lazare's wings began flapping with immense force gradually bringing him to a halt. A smirk went across his face when an arrow pierced his wings. Blood spurted into the air, and after wincing, Lazare glared at the culprit.
'Smug bastard.' Kaya aimed her next shot.
Octavia took full advantage of the situation pouring more force into the chaos. Before Lazare could redirect his attention the blast overwhelmed him. Lazare went flying into a dune as destruction ensued. They hunkered down and erected walls to minimize the damage.
"Are you okay?" Kaya asked.
"I just need a minute." Octavia's eyes reverted to normal as she struggled to catch her breath.
"We should check on Miu." Kaya turned around.
"With Zack at her side, she shou..."
A powerful aura erupted behind them sending a chill down her spine. They turned to see a visage gradually forming in the storm. As it drew closer the wings revealed it was Lazare.
"That's not possible." Octavia stared at Lazare's injured body in disbelief.
Chaos is meant to be an unstable force that even the user would struggle to use. Even for a master, it wasn't uncommon for them to injure themselves during a battle. The demon races possess a resistance to the forces of the underworld but still tread carefully in its use.
Humans could have their hands go necrotic at a simple scrape, but a demon would receive minor damage. Lazare was half-human making his body vulnerable to chaos, but he only had light scuffs across his body.
"Not bad for an elf," Lazare smirked.
The smirk on Lazare's faded as blood spewed from his mouth as a fist struck his stomach. Zack was standing before him with an enraged look upon his face. Lazare just barely coughed blood when Zack delivered a swift kick straight to the jaw. While flying through the air his wings began fluttering rapidly.
"About time you got involved. Let's see if you matc..."
Lazare's eyes went wide when seeing a golden beam closing in fast. He narrowly dodged the blast and struggled to recover from the force as he looked around frantically. Zack kicked Lazare in the back as he shrieked. Both wings were torn off as he crashed into the desert.
Lazare looked up, but Zack was missing from the sky. A gold light gathered before him, and Lazare glanced to see another blast of holy energy aimed at his chest.
'Shit.' Lazare rapidly erected walls of sand.
They were destroyed on impact, but it obscured Lazare long enough. Lazare disappeared through the sand as a large wave erupted. It rapidly took the form of dragons as they raced towards Zack. He conjured the holy spear slamming it into the sand as they crumbled.
Zack's energy flooded the desert, and Lazare was forced to exit. The second he appeared the spear went soaring towards his head, but Lazare shifted it just in time. There was a deep gash across Lazare's temple, and when the spear struck the desert a shockwave erupted.
While tumbling forward Zack appeared above Lazare slamming him into the sand by his face. Spikes erupted all around them preparing to skewer Zack, but he stopped them with both hands. Lazare was shifting into the sand when Zack clutched his hands together striking the ground.
What ensued was a rumble that extended to the dark palace as a divine light filled the night sky. Zack didn't land a solid blow, but he struck his target before it vanished into the sand. He flew up from the crater he left in his wake as the others stood in shock.
They've never witnessed Zack enraged before, and the atmosphere surrounding him was suffocating. Realizing his strikes were sloppy from his emotions Zack calmed his mind.
"Get Miu to the barrier, and have Aida up the power." Zack relayed.
"We can fight together!" Kaya shouted.
A simple glance in her direction revealed that Zack wouldn't take no for an answer. There was something unusual, but familiar about this foe, and Zack couldn't take chances. Kaya created a platform under Miu and began rushing to the barrier. She glanced back to see Octavia disobeying.
"We made a promise remember." Octavia declared.
"Stay in position, and focus on defending. If you move off that plan I'll chain you up, and hurl you across the desert. Understand?" Zack asked while landing at her side.
Zack retrieved his spear to force Lazare out once more.
"How did that last one not end this?" Octavia investigated.
"His body is shifting its state somehow. He goes from a physical form to corporeal, but he can't escape this." Zack replied as divine lights broke out through the sand.
'I know he took some damage from it. If I can land one more it should be enough.'
Hiding in the desert covered in wounds was Lazare. None of them were healing, and he was on the brink of death. This was a test of the enemy's power, but this was beyond Lazare's imagination. Before blacking out he heard the voice of his benefactor.
'I told you it would be risky, but you've always lived on the edge. You've done much for our cause, and your sacrifice won't be forgotten.'
"Please don't lie to me, not now. I failed my mission, and now we'll never fix this world." Lazare coughed blood.
'You wish to stand?' The entity struggled to hide his laughter.
"More than anything." Lazare declared.
'Then give me your body,'
Lazare has dedicated his life to alter the western territory, but pride and envy rule the demon world. When approached twenty years ago by a mysterious voice offering aid it was hard to deny. Giving up his life for this cause was something he decided long ago. Without hesitation, Lazare answered yes, but before it all went black a scene played in his head.
He was alone starving in the streets as demons, and humans alike hurled rocks in his direction. Eyes glaring at Lazare filled with hate at his very existence. Stepping in front was a sickly woman desperately trying to shield him from the barrage. Once the crowd grew tired of today's task the bloody woman smiled at the child.
"Don't listen to them. You're my little miracle."
A figure erupted from the desert as Zack hurled his spear in its direction. Lazare was hit, but Zack didn't see the divine light that usually followed. Lazare was standing still with the spear in his stomach as if it weren't a bother. Feeling something attacking the spear he retrieved it.
'What's going on with this guy?' Octavia examined Lazare closely.
Lazare's neck began to jerk about as the sound of it cracking reverbed through the desert. His entire body was convulsing erratically and nearly buckled to the ground. While falling Lazare's neck snapped backward before jerking back into place as his body stood straight.
Lazare looked down and felt upon his chest before looking up with an eerie smile paired with black eyes. The wounds covering Lazare's body rapidly sealed, and a distorted voice spoke out.
"Hello, Octavia." Lazare waved playfully before giggling menacingly.
'That voice...That's not possible.' Octavia began sweating profusely.
"But it is possible. Never forget I'm always right here." Lazare smirked while pointing to his head.
Zack launched a holy beam in his direction as Lazare hurled it into the distance. As an explosion ensued behind Lazare he shook his finger in disappointment.
"It's not polite to interrupt."
Lazare clenched his hand as the desert opened, and chaos saturated the area. It was moving in a manner to separate them, and nearly engulfed Zack before he teleported to safety.
"You can't be here!" Octavia shouted.
"Everyday corruption spreads across the land, and I grow a little stronger. Maybe one day we can talk face to face, but for now, let's have some fun before this body breaks." Lazare smirked as black blood leaked from his orifices.
'You always had a thing for creation...Let's see what the fuss is about.' The entity cackled.