"I MUST KILL REIS DRAGONHAART!" Darak roared.
"OH NO! HE'S BEING CONTROLLED BY ARMAGEDDON!" Reis exclaimed in horror.
At that moment Mistress Kira walked into the field.
"Hey kids, food is ready!" she called.
"STAY BACK MISTRESS KIRA!" Reis ordered.
"What is going on?" Mistress Kira asked.
She was unaware of the situation. Aurora ran to Mistress Kira.
"Aurora! What's going on?!" Mistress Kira demanded.
"Mistress Kira, Armageddon…he-he-he's controlling Darak through his sword!" Aurora said in fear and worry.
"I don't understand what you're saying, you're not making sense" Mistress Kira said.
Aurora explained the situation in detail to Mistress Kira.
"DIE DRAGONHAӒRT!" Darak roared as he leapt into the air.
Reis clutched his sheathed sword and timed his defense. Just before Darak descended on him with full force, he changed the nature of his aura to earth and lightning and unsheathed his sword with full speed and strength. The two blades clashed with a loud metal sound and there was a sudden flash of light.
"Earth affinity increases my physical strength and lightning affinity multiplies my speed. With both…there's no way you can break through ARMAGEDDON!" Reis roared as he pushed back with all his strength.
Darak had to somersault to avoid being propelled forcefully into the air by the force.
"You're strong Dragonhaӓrt but you yourself admitted that…I'M THE MOST POWERFUL DRAGON!" Armageddon roared.
He charged towards Reis and they clashed swords again.
"I said you have the greatest amount of energy but…THAT DOESN'T MAKE YOU THE MOST POWERFUL!!!" Reis roared as he leapt back and somersaulted to deliver an overhead vertical slice but Armageddon evaded the attack and Reis' sword struck the ground causing cracks to appear.
Armageddon disappeared and appeared a few metres away from Reis.
"I must admit that controlling you comes with a greater advantage than controlling this conceited boy" Armageddon sighed.
"Darak isn't conceited! He really cares for others though he's not so good at showing it!" Reis yelled angrily.
"You're more naïve than I perceived Dragonhaӓrt. Right now I control his mind and all I can see is a great envy and rage towards you" Armageddon said.
"And I'm supposed to believe you…why exactly?" Reis retorted.
"It's true Dragonhaӓrt, Darak despises you and you know it!" Armageddon said with an unpleasant smirk.
"Like I said…and I'm supposed to believe you…why exactly?!" Reis roared and charged with amazing speed to attack Armageddon.
"WHAT?! You can't be serious Aurora! Why didn't Darak mention this earlier?!" Mistress Kira exclaimed in shock.
"I don't think he ever planned to unseal the sword but I think meeting Reis changed his mind" Aurora said.
"If that's the case, I need to call for reinforcements. We can't stop Darak on our own" Mistress Kira said as she shut her eyes and touched her forehead with her Dragon ring,
Meanwhile in the Ayenhayze residence, Shin and Kyla were waiting for Reis.
"What's keeping him so long? I'm going to give him a sound scolding when he gets back!" Kyla complained.
"Hey give the guy a break. If you were with Darak or I was with Erasa, we'd ignore the time" Shin admitted.
"Don't pair me with Darak you idiot!" Kyla yelled.
"Why're you getting so worked up? Hey don't tell me what I said just now is true" Shin said as a sly grin began to spread across his face.
"IT'S AN OBVIOUS LIE!" Kyla yelled angrily.
"Oh really? Then why is your face turning red?" Shin teased some more.
"TH-THAT'S BECAUSE YOU ARE SO INFURIATING!" Kyla yelled angrily.
Suddenly, Master Jin somersaulted down the stairs and grabbed his sword.
"Whoa, what's up Jin?" Shin said.
He half admired Master Jin's agility and was half perplexed by Master Jin's seriousness.
"I have to rush to Team Kira's residence. They're in danger. Don't go anywhere Kyla, Shin. I'll be back as soon as possible!" Master Jin said as he rushed out of the house.
"In danger? Don't tell me Armageddon is controlling Reis again!" Shin guessed.
"Shin, can you check on Reis?" Kyla pleaded.
"On it!" Shin said as he shut his eyes and allowed his mind to scan the guild.
Then he suddenly opened them.
"What's wrong Shin?!" Kyla asked worriedly.
"Reis is fine, Aurora and Mistress Kira are also alright but…" Shin remained silent.
"What?" Kyla asked but Shin remained silent. "What?! Tell me Shin!" Kyla ordered.
"Hahaha Kyla. I'm just teasing you…everything's fine" Shin said with a nervous laugh as he turned away.
"You're lying Shin. Tell me the truth" Kyla implored.
"The truth? Heh heh…I just did Kyla" Shin said nervously.
"Shin you're lying! We've lived together for five years and I know you inside out and outside in. Whenever you lie, your left brow twitches and its doing so right now!" Kyla yelled.
"What? Oh man, I guess I have no choice. Kyla, Darak is the one being controlled by Armageddon" Shin said.
Kyla opened her eyes in shock and had to sit down to prevent herself from collapsing.
"You actually took it much better than I expected" Shin said.
"Take me there Shin, to Team Kira's residence!" Kyla suddenly ordered.
"WHA…?! Hey Kyla, Master Jin specifically told us to…"
"I'm not asking Shin!" Kyla demanded with a determined look in her eyes.
"I won't put you in that kind of danger, I refuse!" Shin said adamantly.
"Fine, I'm going on my own!" Kyla said angrily as she opened the door.
Shin sighed and rubbed his face with his hand.
"Kyla, okay, you win, I'll take you" Shin gave up.
"Don't worry Shin, if Master Jin asks…just say I dragged you into this" Kyla said with a satisfied smile.
Shin walked to her and held her hand, then he shut his eyes and they disappeared.
Meanwhile, in the Senshiiro residence, a similar thing was happening. Captain Hiru and Mistress Suzuna had armed themselves with their strongest weapons.
"Ethan, Effuien, we need to go out for a while. Take care of your sister" Captain Hiru said.
Erasa overheard her parents and came down the stairs.
"Dad, Mom, what's going on and why are you armed?" Erasa asked worriedly.
"It's better for you not to know. This is one of the 'ignorance is bliss' cases" Mistress Suzuna joked.
"We'll be back soon so don't go anywhere" Captain Hiru said with a smile and then they left.
"Effuien, what's going on?" Erasa asked.
"I'm not sure but I'll find out soon enough" Effuien said as he focused his mind.
He searched the guild and was finally able to detect Armageddon's aura.
"Erasa this is really bad! Darak's aura is blacker than night!" Effuien exclaimed in horror.
"What?!" Erasa and Ethan exclaimed together.
"And on top of it he's battling Reis!" Effuien added.
"That must mean that he is being controlled by Armageddon! We must help Darak!" Erasa said with determination.
"I agree, let's go Effuien" Ethan said.
"But Mom and Dad…" Effuien complained.
"I'll take responsibility. Just tell them I stubbornly decided to go and you two had no choice but to follow me" Erasa said.
"If you say so" Ethan said as he held Erasa and Ethan's hands and disappeared.
Meanwhile, Reis and Armageddon continued their intense battle. Reis was beginning to lose stamina. He panted heavily.
"Is this your limit Dragonhaӓrt? Honestly, Aurora has more stamina than you do" Armageddon mocked.
"Mistress Kira, why is Reis losing stamina so quickly?" Aurora asked.
"That's because his mind is vexed. This fight is disadvantageous for him not just physically. You must remember that he is fighting his friend" Mistress Kira explained.
Aurora watched the two combatants worriedly.
"Darak! Come to your senses! You're stronger than this!" Reis called.
"It's not going to work. Darak is in fact enjoying this" Armageddon said.
"Well that wouldn't surprise me but I know Darak and what he hates more than anything…IS BEING CONTROLLED!" Reis roared.
"If you want to save your friend, then you'll have to fight with the intention to kill" Armageddon said.
"Oh I will" Reis said as he focused his energy.
"Then I guess my playtime is over. The time has come for you to die!" Armageddon said as he made the fighting stance of Irik the Devil.
"I've improved Irik's fatal strike. Meet the…" Armageddon said as he suddenly charged across the field with lightning speed that far outmatched Reis'. Reis charged to attack.
"RAIZINN STRIKE!!!" Reis roared as he charged his sword with lightning and struck but Armageddon swerved to the left and Reis' attack missed.
"OBLIVIOUS STRIKE!" Armageddon roared as he somersaulted over Reis and attempted to stab Reis from above but Reis dodged to the right and deflected Armageddon's blade.
Armageddon landed.
"I'M NOT DONE! DOUBLE OBLIVION STRIKE!" Armageddon roared as he swung his blade laterally in reverse but Reis leapt above it and rolled out of the way.
Then he pushed himself to his feet and caught Armageddon's hand before he could initiate his final move.
"I won't be stopped by your ridiculous Dragon Parry and I have already anticipated your moves. Prepare to die!" Armageddon roared as he kicked Reis with full force.
Reis was blown backwards by the kick but before he could land Armageddon was behind him.
"TAKE THIS! REVERSE LATERAL OBLIVION STRIKE!!!" Armageddon roared as he swung his blade backwards with the intent of bisecting Reis.
"SHOOT! I CAN'T BLOCK THIS ATTACK WHILE BEING PUSHED IN MIDAIR BY THE FORCE OF ARMAGEDDON'S KICK!" Reis exclaimed in horror.
"REIS!!!" Aurora and Mistress Kira suddenly screamed in concern.
Suddenly, Shin appeared in the way diving towards Reis.
"SHIN! STAY AWAY!" Reis ordered.
"NO WAY! We'll either survive this attack together or…WE WILL PERISH TOGETHER! DO YOU HEAR ME?!" Shin roared as he grabbed Reis.
"YOU WILL PERISH TOGETHER!" Armageddon roared as he increased the speed of his blade.
At that moment Kyla appeared followed by Erasa, Ethan and Effuien.
"REIS! SHIN!" they screamed together.
"YOU WON'T WIN ARMAGEDDON! INVERSE SOLIDIFICATION TECHNIQUE DUAL VERSION!" Shin roared as Armageddon's blade phased through the two.
Everyone watched in horror.
Armageddon glanced at his sword and saw no blood.
"I sensed no resistance! Could I have missed? BUT I WILL WIN YET!" Armageddon said as he waited for the inverse solidification technique to expire and when it did, he prepared for another strike.
"EXACTLY WHAT I WAS WAITING FOR! RENEWED REVERSE LATERAL OBLIVION STRIKE!" Armageddon roared as he appeared behind the two.
"Reis, I can't use the inverse solidification technique for another eight seconds. What do we do?" Shin asked.
"There is only one thing I can think of…" Reis said as he shut his eyes.
"I KNOW YOU CAN'T EVADE AGAIN!" Armageddon roared.
"Dad…Sabre-fang…Alpha…GIVE ME STRENGTH!" Reis called as he opened his eyes.
There was a shattering sound as though a huge glass wall had shattered and Reis and Shin were engulfed in bright golden light.
"WHAT IS THIS?!" Armageddon exclaimed in shock as his sword suddenly struck something hard.
The light slowly became fainter but instead of Reis and Shin, all the others could see were wings, big white wings. It was at that moment that Master Jin arrived with Captain Hiru and Mistress Suzuna.
"What's that?" Master Jin asked Mistress Kira.
The wings slowly spread apart and Shin could be seen clutching a sword. As they spread farther, the figure of a gallant warrior could be seen.
"I AM THE GOLDEN DRAKENGAӒRD! THE HAND OF DIVINE RETRIBUTION!" the figure declared.
"NOT YOU AGAIN!" Armageddon roared in dismay.
"Shin, join the others, I will handle this" Reis said with a warm smile.
Shin nodded and walked away.
"And Shin…thanks a lot. You're a lifesaver" Reis said with a wink.
"Just don't get beat in Drakengaӓrd form. I'll have nightmares forever if I saw a Drakengaӓrd with a black eye and a swollen face" Shin said and Reis laughed.
Then Reis turned to face Armageddon.
"What are you looking at?!" Armageddon said in disgust.
Reis remained silent.
"If you take me down, you'll kill the human as well" Armageddon said with a smirk.
"You sorely underestimate humans. If it makes you feel any better I'm not going to fight you" Reis said.
"A very wise choice" Armageddon said.
"Don't get so comfortable, Darak will be the one to defeat you!" Reis declared.
"HAHA! If that is your plan then you've already failed" Armageddon said.
"Darak! I know you can hear me! I don't know much about your past but I know you want to redeem your clan. You can defeat the darkness within the sword. Remember your ancestor created that sword with good intentions but even the best of intentions can be flawed if they are not carried out by people with good hearts. That sword was created to be a sword of hope and not regret. You have had to bear the shame caused by the mistakes of your ancestors but you must now think of the future of your clan. Do you want your descendants to bear the same shame? Why not end the cycle of pain and regret once and for all" Reis said.
Darak had a painful look on his face. Then he clutched his head and growled in pain.
"I-I can't. Armageddon is too strong!" Darak said painfully.
Then his eyes began to flare and Armageddon took over again.
"It's useless!" he said.
"Darak! Look around you! There are people here that care for you!" Reis yelled.
Darak's eyes lost their evil glow. He looked around at the familiar faces. He began to recall the times they had shared together especially since Reis arrived in the guild. His eyes eventually rested on Kyla's tear-stained face.
"For a while I thought you were also going to try and escape" Darak said unconsciously.
"Idiot, there's nothing for me to escape from" Kyla said with a sad smile.
"Aren't you scared of me?" Darak asked.
He felt an impulse to say these things but didn't know why. It was as though the words were just escaping from his mouth.
"No Darak. I won't run because…I believe in you!" Kyla declared.
Armageddon took over Darak again.
"He can try and try but he can't defeat me. This boy isn't like you Dragonhaӓrt. He has great darkness in his heart and that darkness wasn't placed there by me" Armageddon said with an unpleasantly cunning look on his face.
"You may be right about that but Sabre-fang taught me an important lesson. There is darkness within every living thing however…THE DARKNESS CAN NEVER PUT OUT THE LIGHT!" Reis roared.
Armageddon frowned angrily.
"I don't care whether you're human, dragon or Drakengaӓrd, I WILL DESTROY YOU!!!" Armageddon roared as he charged to attack Reis.
"I've got one final chance to bring Darak to his senses. It's a long shot but I've got to try it. If I fail, I may be forced to kill Darak" Reis thought as he watched Armageddon closely.
When Darak was close enough, Reis opened his mouth and called out, "DARAK! HOW COULD YOU ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE CONTROLLED SO EASILY?! AREN'T YOU A DRAGON RANGER?! AREN'T YOU MY RIVAL?!"
"IT'S USELESS!" Armageddon roared.
"AREN'T YOU…AN IGNIS?! HOW CAN YOU ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE CONTROLLED BY A STUPID SWORD THAT RESEMBLES A DIABOLIC CUTLASS?!" Reis kept yelling.
Darak stopped in his tracks.
"Hey Reis! ISN'T THAT HITTING BELOW THE BELT?!" Darak yelled angrily.
"Huh? Hey Darak! You're back!" Reis exclaimed joyfully.
"YOU STUPID NONSENSICAL NON-ENTITY! HOW DARE YOU COMPARE MY SWORD TO A DIABOLIC CUTLASS?!" Darak roared.
"Heh heh, it has a jagged edge doesn't it?" Reis teased.
"At least you didn't take this fight for granted. You transformed just like you promised and now…I'll do same!" Darak said with a cunning smile.
"RRRRRRAAAAAAARRRRRRGGGGHHHHHHH!!!" a loud sinister roar sounded as dark energy escaped from Darak's body and sword and formed a spirit like form of Armageddon's head. "I may have underestimated both of you Darak, Reis, however…let's see how Kyla will fare once I possess her. You've revealed your weakness to me Darak. You've shown me that there's nothing in this world you value more than her" Armageddon laughed sinisterly.
"DRAGNARӦK! I SUMMON YOU!" Darak called and Dragnarӧk appeared in a sea of flames.
"Dragnarӧk! Bow to me!" Armageddon ordered.
"Hmmph!" Dragnarӧk scoffed. "My bond with the Dragonhaӓrt is indeed strong however…my bond with Darak of Ignis is much stronger!" Darak roared.
"I'll make you pay for making Kyla cry and everyone else worried plus you've given my rival a hard time. Something that is exclusively my right! DRAGNARӦK! THROUGH THIS BLADE AND OUR BOND, LET US BE UNITED!" Darak roared as the Dragon Blade began to release a fiery glow.
It raised Darak into the air and Dragnarӧk enveloped Darak in his wings. There was a sudden shattering sound and a bright fiery flame engulfed both Darak and Dragnarӧk. Everyone stared in awe. Reis was more fascinated than shocked.
Suddenly, there was a sudden explosion of energy and two huge crimson dragon wings spread out as the light faded, everyone could see a mighty warrior cloaked in flaming armour. His hair blazed like wild flames but his face still resembled Darak though it had a greater look of authority. In his hand he held the Dragon Blade except for the fact that it was bigger and mightier and more magnificent in appearance.
"IMPOSSIBLE! YOU ARE…?!" Armageddon exclaimed in shock.
"I AM DARAG-ARӦKNA! THE VUNG-JYA SPIRIT OF FLAME!!!" the warrior declared.
"WHOA!" Shin exclaimed in shock.
"WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS GENERATION?! YOU ALL SEEM TO POSSESS STRONG FAITH AND POWER! THE GENERATION OF THE TRAGIC LEGEND WERE ALSO STRONG BUT THEY BELIEVED IN THEIR POWER! YOU HOWEVER BELIEVE IN A POWER GREATER THAN YOURSELVES!" Armageddon roared in frustration.
"It's something Reis taught us all. There is a God out there. A God who is not afraid to get hurt in order to save us. A God who will never leave us defenceless. A God who gives us strength, courage and hope and Armageddon, I believe you have underestimated the true nature of humans" Aurora said.
"What are you talking about? Is this God the same one I know? The one I despise above all else? The one who cheated me from my glory and handed the glory that rightfully belonged to the Drakengaӓrd down to you pathetic humans? Tell me?!" Armageddon roared angrily.
"You misunderstood God's plan Armageddon. God wanted all of creation to share in his glory. He loved you. You were probably the most precious thing he ever had but you let envy blind you and challenged him. And even after I defeated you and cast you out of heaven, God was merciful to you. He was always waiting for the day that his precious son would return to him" Reis said.
"DON'T LIE TO ME! ALL HE CARES ABOUT IS HIS PRECIOUS HUMANS! IF HE LOVED US DRAKENGAӒRDS SO MUCH…THEN TELL ME WHY HE SENT YOU AND 'THE NAMELESS SILVER DRAKENGAӒRD' OUT OF HEAVEN TO THIS CURSED WORLD TO SEAL ME?!" Armageddon roared.
"The Nameless Silver Drakengaӓrd? Why does that name sound so familiar to me?" Shin wondered.
"You misunderstand Armageddon. God never forced us to do anything. We did it of our own volition" Reis said.
"I see…then you Reihel, your partner the Unnamed One and your God are hopelessly naïve!" Armageddon roared angrily.
"WATCH YOUR MOUTH ARMAGEDDON!" Reis and Shin roared together.
Armageddon stared at Shin in surprise and smiled evilly.
"I believe I have found my next target Reihel. The Nameless Silver 'Truthful' One is much closer than you think. Humans are so pathetic but they prove to be so amusing and fascinating. Perhaps God did not make a mistake in creating humans" Armageddon said.
"What are you trying to say Armageddon?" Reis muttered in surprise.
"Humans are the perfect tools for my vengeance against God. Anytime you appear, you always call yourself 'the hand of divine retribution right?' Well then tell your God that I am also a hand of retribution. Tell him that the one who will deliver retribution against him…will be me!" Armageddon said and then he laughed.
"Reihel! Isn't it about time we took down this abomination?!" Darag-Ar kna said.
"Don't be so arrogant Darak!" Armageddon mocked.
"You're right! Let's do this together!" Reis said with determination.
"SWORD OF THE SPIRIT! I SUMMON YOU!" Reis called and the cross shaped sword appeared in his hands.
Together, Reihel and Darag-Arӧkna charged towards Armageddon.
"Hmm, I guess my time has not yet come" Armageddon said as Reihel and Darag-Arӧkna leapt to attack him.
"SEAL OF THE CROSS!!!" Reihel roared.
"AURORAN FLAME!!!" Darag-Arӧkna roared and the two techniques combined and blasted Armageddon.
"Remember Dragonhaӓrt, the very thing you fight to protect is that which gives me life" Armageddon said as he disappeared.
"He sure was annoying" Darag-Arӧkna said as he twisted his neck and stretched his shoulders overconfidently.
"I pity Armageddon. He is so lost and he has no hope" Reihel said.
"But this fight isn't over just yet" Darag-Arokna said.
"You're right. It almost seemed like Armageddon was urging us to fight" Reihel said.
"That's not what I meant Reis. I challenge you to a Drakenjinn duel!" Darag-Arokna said.
"WHAT?! ARE YOU MAD?! DO YOU WANT TO DESTROY THIS GUILD?!" Reihel roared.
"YOU IDIOT! THE ONE THAT HAD ALL THE FUN BATTLING YOU WAS ARMAGEDDON PLUS YOU COMPARED MY SWORD TO A DIABOLIC CUTLASS!!!" Darag-Arӧkna said.
"So in the end that's the point. You're just hell-bent on fighting me in Drakengaӓrd form" Reis thought.
"Jeez! Although these kids are vessels of ancient spirits, they still act like kids!" Master Jin said with a bored look on his face.
"I agree" Mistress Kira said.
"It appears we were not really needed" Captain Hiru said.
"The children of this generation are amazing. They are almost as valiant as the Dragon Knights of ages past" Mistress Suzuna said.
"While we fear Armageddon, they believe in each other and in the God of the Mind, Heart and Spirit" Mistress Kira said.
"Their hope is like a little sword that creates a huge tunnel of light through the darkness" Master Jin agreed.
"We won't destroy the guild because we are taking the battle up there!" Darag-Arӧkna pointed towards the sky.
"At least you're not being reckless" Reihel said.
"Wouldn't dream of it!" Darag-Arӧkna declared as the two rivals leapt into the sky and began their battle.
"I will never forget the words that have made me who I am today!" Reis declared.
"Me neither!" Darak roared as they clashed swords.
The clash released a mixture of golden, crimson and blue light.
"As a Dragon Ranger,
I will be an enforcer of Light!"
Reihel and Darag-Arӧkna roared as they clashed blades again.
"I will be a protector of Dragons" Shin recited.
"And follow the teachings of the Dragon Knights" Kyla, Erasa, Aurora, Ethan and Effuien joined.
"I will protect the weak and free the oppressed
I will obey the Dragonlord!"
The Dragon Masters joined.
"THIS WILL BE THE FINAL MOVE!" Reihel roared.
"BRING IT ON!!!" Darag-Arӧkna challenged.
"For I am a Dragon Ranger…and a Dragon Ranger forever!" everyone exclaimed together as Reihel and Darag-Arӧkna clashed with full force.
There was a huge explosion. Reihel's aura and that of Darag-Arӧkna mingled and formed a huge dragon with a rainbow coloured heart. There was a golden cross across its heart. The cross was formed from the clashed blades.
The rangers stared at the manifestation of Reis' and Darak's will to protect everyone and as they watched the image released countless energy bands that spread throughout the guild and the emblem of the image appeared on their breastplates.
"What's this?" Kyla asked.
"I don't know why but I feel a great strength flowing through my heart" Mistress Kira said.
Let this be a lesson for all of us. Even in a world filled with darkness, the celestial light that flows through the hearts of a few can make a great difference.