Zyre propelled himself toward Ashen and roared. He threw a punch, but Ashen blocked the attack and grunted as Zyre knocked him back then flew after him. Ashen landed on the ground then threw off his cloak and his aura surged around his body and he flew toward Zyre as well. The two clashed then threw a barrage of attacks at each other. Ashen parried Zyre's next attack then struck him with his elbow then used a Burst Strike to blow him away.
Zyre groaned as he crashed through multiple pillars then rolled on the ground, grunting. He stood up and propelled himself toward Ashen once again he landed on the ground then stared at Ashen.
Ashen looked at Zyre then smirked. He got into his battle stance then smoke came from his nose. Zyre roared and flames erupted from his mouth. He ran toward Ashen then jumped up and summoned his great sword then slashed downward at Ashen. Ashen summoned his sword and blocked his attack. Zyre pushed himself off Ashen then dashed toward Ashen. He went for a barrage of attacks.
Ashen dodged and blocked each attack then parried the next attack. Zyre rose his sword for a charged attack then grunted when he was struck with a barrage of slashes. Ashen ran forward then kicked Zyre away. He threw his sword at Zyre then threw a Warp Strike at Zyre. He struck Zyre with the attack, warping in front of him and grabbed the handle of his sword then slashed down at him, slicing Zyre.
Zyre groaned and stumbled backwards. He noticed his blood dripping on the ground and growled. He used his dragon blood to heal his wounds then looked at Ashen. "You've gotten stronger, but I've been holding back truth be told."
"That's everyone's excuse, but I do sense you're pulling your punches. Are you afraid that I will Evolve even further by fighting against you..?" Ashen asked and chuckled.
"Hmph...that is something I won't allow!" Zyre bellowed and his Divine Aura fused with his Dragon Aura.
Ashen grunted and got into his battle stance.
Ragnarok appeared beside Ashen then crossed his arms. "I'm sorry to inform you, Ashen, but this Infernal Dragon Form only lasts for so long. You have ten minutes left to finish off Zyre before you revert back to your base form."
"Ten minutes..? Heh, that's all I need!" Ashen bellowed. His aura surged powerfully around his body then his flame surged powerfully around his body. "Cranking this up to 50%!"
Zyre propelled himself toward Ashen, breaking the ground beneath him. Ashen flew toward Zyre and they both clashed then a massive shockwave rushed across the citadel. They rapidly clashed then Ashen deflected Zyre's next attack then uppercut his chin, sending him flying upwards.
Zyre stopped himself in the air then fired a barrage of energy blasts at Ashen. Ashen evaded each one then roared and struck Zyre's stomach. Zyre groaned and coughed then grabbed Ashen's arm. He spun him around then threw him across the sky. He flew toward Ashen at high speeds then rushed him with a barrage of Dragon Strikes then kicked him downward. Zyre flew after him then generated a massive sphere of dragon energy then threw it down at Ashen.
Ashen noticed the sphere of energy then caught it with his hands. He grunted as the sphere slowly pushed him to the ground. His feet touched the ground then caved into the ground. Zyre laughed then groaned as he was hit with an energy blast. He looked behind him and noticed Ishia had fired the energy blast.
Ashen noticed Zyre was distracted then roared and deflected the sphere of energy back at Zyre. Ishia flew toward Zyre then dodged his attack then kicked him toward the sphere then it exploded. Zyre cleared the smoke then flew toward Ishia and struck her stomach then sent her crashing to the ground with an energy blast.
Ishia hit the ground then groaned loudly. Ashen grunted then flew toward Ishia and helped her up.
"Guess it's me and you again." Ashen said.
"Just...how I like it..." Ishia grunted.
Zyre laughed and held his hand out toward them then a magic circle appeared in front of his hand. "Disappear, Draco Bloodline!"
Zyre fired a fusillade of energy blasts at them. Together they flew around the energy blasts, evading a majority of them. Ishia squeaked as she was hit by an energy blast then more began to hit her body and the explosions grew larger and larger.
Ishia bellowed and the smoke cleared then she transformed into her Ancient Dragon Mode and flew toward Zyre at high speeds then struck him with a punch, sending him flying. Ashen appear above Zyre then sent a Burst Strike at him. Zyre groaned as he flew toward the ground. Ishia teleported above Zyre then palmed his stomach then a shockwave sent him crashing through the ground.
Zyre groaned as he landed in the Dragon Lair. Ashen and Ishia flew toward him and roared. Zyre heard them then dodged Ashen then knocked him away with right hook then blocked Ishia's attack and palmed her chest then stomped on the ground and aura surged his hands. He moved his arms in a circular motion then struck Ishia with a powerful attack, sending her crashing through multiple walls.
Ishia softly groaned as she laid on the ground. Ashen slowly stood up and felt his power level drop.
"Dammit...the timer is running out and I still haven't gotten close to breaking him." Ashen groaned softly. "I can't go beyond 50% because my body can't handle it...I'm out of options other than my Overdrive..."
Zyre chuckled and looked at Ishia and Ashen. "Is this all you two can do?! Don't you know now that I am a true GOD! You can't possibly hope to defeat me!"
Ashen chuckled and red lightning crackled around his body. "You might've been able to defeat Ishia quickly, but she's never battled against Gods nor does she have the experience to do so. I'm proud of her for lasting this long."
Zyre sensed Ashen's power level increasing rapidly.
"But I'm still standing and I will kill you even if it's the last thing I do!" Ashen roared and his aura turned pitched black. Black and red lightning crackled around him powerfully then be entered his Overdrive Mode.
He flew toward Zyre swiftly then vanished. Zyre grunted at his speed then groaned as he was struck rapidly from all directions. Ashen appeared in front of Zyre then struck his chest, blowing him across the lair then flew after him. He conjured four orbs of apocalyptic energy then threw them at Zyre. Zyre groaned as he was hit with each one then a massive explosion happened.
Cipi noticed the explosion at the altar then flew toward the Altar. Nadori and Ionara noticed then followed Cipi.
Ashen and Zyre continued to clash then Zyre parried Ashen's attack then unleashed a massive beam of energy from his mouth, hitting Ashen and blowing him away. Ashen groaned as he crashed into a set of stairs.
Zyre panted and chuckled then looked back at the Dragon Stone. He walked towards the Dragon Stone then placed his hand on the stone. "This is it...You will die, Ash-"
Zyre looked back and noticed Ashen standing, preparing an atttack.
Ashen bellowed and his aura surged powerfully then he gripped his wrist. "I won't lose to you! I don't care about anything anymore at this very moment...everyone can die from this for all I care! I just want you dead!"
"One minute left!" Ragnarok yelled.
"Now die, Zyre! Final Force!" Ashen roared and fired a massive beam of apocalyptic energy at Zyre.
Zyre blocked the beam and grunted loudly. Lightning surged across the room and Zyre's arms slowly began to become corrupted from the energy. Zyre roared then a massive explosion happened, destroying the altar.
Kinona, Mati, and Serenity noticed the explosion and looked at the Altar. Kinona noticed the same red glow of light from Ashen's and Pandora's battle.
Ashen panted then reverted to his normal form. He felt weak and fell to the ground, but Cipi caught him and looked at Ashen. She grunted in shock as she noticed Ashen was out cold. She used her Dragon Senses, and couldn't hear Ashen's heartbeat.
"Ashen!" Cipi yelled.
Nadori and Ionara looked at Ashen then felt Cipi's morale lowering. Zyre grunted softly and chuckled then slowly stood up. His arms slowly began to turn into ashes.
"He...he made a valiant effort at trying to kill me, but the power of a God was too much for him to handle! Now...it's time to kill every last one of you!" Zyre said then his body shined brightly.
Zyre roared as he began to transform into his Ryujin Form. His body began to shapeshift into a giant golden scaled dragon with Divine Markings along his body. He roared and fired a beam of light at the sky.
"No...No!" Kinona yelled as she noticed Zyre in his true form. "Ashen!"
"There's nothing more we can do...we actually lost this battle.." Cipi said then fell to her knees. "He consumed the Dragon Stone's power. We can't beat him.."
Nadori looked at Ashen then walked toward him. "No, we still have a chance. I have a promise to fulfill to him. I didn't join his army for nothing."
"What will you do?" Ionara asked.
"Ragnarok! If you are still alive and within Ashen, I summon you!" Nadori yelled. "Ashen can not die here! You know this! We all know this! We may be fighting along the side of evil, but that doesn't mean we can't help each other!"
There was silence then suddenly Ashen's flames began to appear on his chest and Ragnarok appeared in the flesh. The God of all Monsters was summoned. The Infernal Demon himself.
Ragnarok looked at Zyre and his golden eyes shined brightly. "Hmph...Ashen doesn't have enough experience to truly deal the final blow. Even in his Overdrive Mode, and I fear Pandora is experiencing the same. You all, gather your allies. I have opened a protal to my Pocket Dimension. Escape now."
Cipi looked at Ragnarok.
"Leave his body, I must reincarnate him so his body can handle more power. He's reached his max potential in this body." Ragnarok said.
Cipi looked at Ashen's body then her lips began quivering. She gently laid his body down then stood up and escaped with Nadori and Ionara.
Ragnarok began to levitate in the air with his arms crossed. "You've made me proud, Ashen. Your reward will be reincarnation. I hope you can still hear me. Listen up, your journey isn't over just yet. You will conquer and destroy. You and me, Ashen."
Zyre looked at Ragnarok who was flying in the air. "The Infernal Demon."
"Just so you know, Lord Zyre, your reign as Ryu belongs to Ashen now. You can't handle even a quarter of my power. I will destroy you here and now, and destroy the kingdom you've tainted." Ragnarok said.
"Is that so? Let us see-" Zyre started then groaned when Ragnarok let his true presence be known.
Everything began to set ablaze and monsters began to appear around Exithia. Ragnarok summoned Ramyru and Vorrah and snapped his fingers then the sky began to turn red.
Kinona watched and looked terrified as she watched the Monsters destroy Exithia.
"Lady Kinona, get a move on!" Harold said then grabbed her wrist and ran with Cipi and the others.
Ashen's forces successfully retreated from the battlefield into Ragnarok's pocket dimension.
.....
Pandora grunted as she slid backwards and watched Soca walking toward her. She panted and her vision began to grow blurry. "Heh, so this is how I go down..? I really didn't imagine this.."
"Lady Pandora, it is my duty to destroy monsters like you. Yes you've shown compassion and love to everyone. I have gotten a taste of your gentleness and your mercy unlike Ashen...but to have peace in this world, you must die!" Soca bellowed and dashed toward Pandora.
Pandora dashed toward Soca. The two clashed swords then Pandora pushed Soca back and impaled his stomach with one of her dark tentacles. Soca groaned then stumbled backwards after Pandora took her dark energy tentacle from his stomach.
She chuckled then dashed toward Soca then grunted loudly. Her heart thumped and she fell to the ground, groaning loudly and panting heavily. She gripped her chest like she was in pain. "Ash..en..!"
Ruination sensed Ragnarok's presence then grew worried. "Ashen...he's dead."
Pandora began to freak out because she couldn't feel Ashen's presence withing her anymore.
"Sis!" Silas yelled and ran toward her then Kagura stopped him by grabbing his arm.
Ericus laughed as he watched. "Your husband has fallen, Mei. We all knew he was in way over his head. Starting war against two of the most powerful Kingdoms in the GALAXY! There was no hope of you winning."
Ruination noticed a portal opening near them and heard Ragnarok's voice.
"Ruina, have everyone escape! We need to destroy Aestrea and Exithia! We have no choice! Pandora and Ashen are too weak to handle these level of opponents. We have to reincarnate them into stronger bodies!" Ragnarok said.
Soca and Ericus noticed the portal and looked at Ruination who had made her true presence known.
"Kagura, take your allies and escape through that portal! This is a battle mere mortals can not win." Ruination said.
"What about Pandora?" Kagura asked.
"I'll keep her safe! But hurry and go!" Ruination yelled.
Kagura nodded then retreated with the rest of Pandora's army.
"What's the deal with Ashen?" Ruination asked Ragnarok.
"He's not entirely dead, but he's used up every bit of power he had to take down Zyre, and it wasn't enough. Show no mercy. We are stronger than these Gods, end this now." Ragnarok said.
Ruination flew to the sky at high speeds and stopped in the air. She noticed the sky turning red then she raised her arms in the air then gathered the death energy around Aestrea and Exithia. A giant sphere of red and black energy began to form over her hands.
"Soca...retreat. Your mission isn't over yet. Take the Sacred Core with you." Ericus said then transformed into his God Form and flew up toward Ruination.
Soca nodded then ran off to get the Sacred Core and retreat from the Kingdom.
"Now it's you and me, Monster! I'll have your head!" Ericus bellowed.
Ruination looked at Ericus then bellowed. "Catastrophe!" She threw the massive sphere of death energy at Ericus.
Ericus looked surprised as the sphere was bigger than he initially thought. He tried to stop it, but the sphere began to immediately disintegrate his body because of the death energy. Ericus yelled as the sphere crashed through the castle then exploded. The explosion began to engulf the entire kingdom and a bright light shined.
Ragnarok parried Zyre's attack then placed his hand on Zyre's head. "You've struggled long enough...now die. True Armageddon."
Zyre felt his body heating up rapidly and intensely then he yelled and flames erupted from every pore and hole of his body. Zyre's body slowly disintegrated into ashes. Ragnarok summoned a massive orb in the sky then snapped his fingers and a barrage of beams of energy was shot at the ground then an explosion happened, destroying the entirety of Exithia.
Ragnarok floated down to where Ashen's body once was then picked up the Infernal Core. "Good...it's still intact. Ashen, soon you'll be more powerful than you once ever was."
Ruination picked up Pandora's Ruin Core and nodded. "I'm sorry I had to kill you, Pandora...but soon you'll be Rebirthed into a more powerful version of yourself..~"
Both Ragnarok and Ruination teleported to Ragnarok's pocket dimension.
[In Iegor...]
Ragnarok and Ruination appeared in Iegor, Ragnarok's pocket dimension. His pocket dimension consisted of just a singular kingdom large enough to fit his citizens and allies in.
Ragnarok floated to his castle and was followed by Ruination. They entered the castle and went to the medical labs then placed Ashen's Core and Pandora's Core inside a large medical machine.
"In two weeks, we will have our new vessels. Plus they now can torture the prisoners they captured, but we can't simply sit around for two weeks. We will need someone out there to progress." Ragnarok said.
"Everyone's pretty tired so I'll give them a week to rest then on the second week, we'll have them figure out who's doing what. We have a lot to do if we wish to focus on other worlds and universes." Ruination said and looked at the machines.
Ragnarok nodded. "In the meantime, get some rest. We did good out there.." Ragnarok said then walked off.
Ruination smiled at Ragnarok then looked at the machines once more and placed her hands on them. "Ashen, Pandora...rest well. As long as you have your cores, you can't die so we will reincarnate you how ever many times you need..~"
Ruination pat the glass gently then walked off and turned off the lights. She closed the doors, leaving Ashen and Pandora to their recoveries.
End of Volume 1...