"Ngh... What happened? My head is killing me.."
"Oh you're up Glacier." Yin says lying on a black pillar the same as Yang.
"What happened to you? I've never seen you so injured and hurt." Glacier gets up and starts to use his healing magic.
"You don't remember? I guess that makes sense."
"Be quiet you two let me concentrate so we can speed this up."
"Bossy as ever but for once listen to us its extremely important you hear it."
"Fine what is it."
"You did this to us or rather someone who claims to be your brother did by possessing your body."
Glacier immediately stops moving as if his ears are keeping what Yang had said on replay constantly.
"My brother? But I know that no one else had survived the guardian massacre and I was the only one born from my parents no one else."
"Why don't you ask your ai as its guardian technology it must have some sort of answer."
"Good idea Yin." Glacier carries Yin and Yang through a portal and end up in a hospital within his mansion.
"Hey ai is it possible that another guardian could be alive?"
"Answer no you are the only remaining guardian within creation no other exists."
"Then what about the folf who claimed to be Glacier's brother he looked exactly like him buy instead of blue he was black and crimson red ironically Crimson being his name." Yang asks.
"Answer judging by your memories that is a rare trait among guardians the creation of a second new and separate persona."
"A second persona what does that mean? And ow careful on my arms you're healing haphazardly." Yang complains.
"Answer in rare situations typically 1 in a billion every few trillion years there will be a guardian who will be born as one but develop a second persona due to some circumstance. Normally the persona would be a voice in their head able to talk back and forth however this Crimson by your memory is an even rarer being where the persona takes on a physical form of its own and possess its own body and mind within the original body."
"So Crimson is indeed Glacier's brother? If he has physical form why hide and not manifest to greet him?" Yin asks.
"Remember what he said. He will protect what he wants and anything in his way will be cut down and burnt to ash. Does he really plan on burning down all of creation just for his own selfish goals?"
"What did you say. Crimson my supposed brother born of a guardian seeks to destroy creation?" Glacier asks standing up.
"He said something on that line. He beat us soundly and with minimal effort. He claimed the only one who could oppose him is you so you have to grow stronger he even beat us at once and survived a blast from our true dragon form."
"Answer. A guardian from birth is compelled to protect creation there will never come a day where they will go back on their purpose."
"If he's coming to destroy creation I will keep him at bay prevent him from doing so. I won't allow it what other details about him can you tell me?"
"He's proefficient in fire based magic and can casually chuck nuke level explosions as often as he likes the energy condensing immediately when he wants to throw."
"A pyromancer and the cryomancer its like he's my opposite my shadow."
"He also wielded a sword that looks like your own blade the only difference being his blade is red with a red tassle."
"He wielded winter but that's not right there's only one of it so how?"
"Master Glacier it is true I only exist as a singular entity and will only choose one guardian to serve it is possible that because he's your brother and therefore connected to you as a persona it makes sense he could to. As because of that I would manifest for him to wield but that weapon won't be the same like me most likely just a copy of my being but with its own personality different than mine. And if that's true this is going to be bad very very bad." Winter explains with distress noticeable at the end.
"Why do you sound concerned that's rather unlike you?"
"Well master you haven't yet fully mastered me you can't even summon my power all you've done thus far is call my name but you can't utilize me I might as well be any ordinary sword in your paws. But judging my the two who fought your brother its clear he's unlocked my true power."
"Which would be what exactly?"
"The power of absolute nullification and conquering. Its name Azathoth lord of the void. This power I say is the most powerful form of nullification. And the height of power."
"Hang on you better explain it to Yin and Yang too."
Winter changes speech patterns so Yin and Yang can understand.
"Azathoth lord of void is my ability. In essence whatever I come into contact with looses all its powers, abilities, energies etc nullifying it completely. I can cancel out just about any power or resistance I like even if say the target is resistant to nullifying niches like this one in fact you could call it omnipotent. Even beings who can rewrite fate and control others fate or destinies even stories can be nullified. You could call me the editors pen of an author in say a manga page or drawing. My power is absolute there is no avoiding or resisting it when in my presence."
"What's manga?" The three asks at once but winter does not elaborate.
"Once its activated its an unstoppable force anything caught in it as I said looses its powers and abilities. Nothing can stop it if there's one thing in creation that's absolute even to the guardians aside from death it would be my power Azathoth."
"That's maddness so you're saying if anyone were to strike you even if it was the strongest being it wouldn't work???!" Yin exclaims.
"Correct my power Azathoth is absolute there is no avoiding it that's why I was sealed away as no one not even the guardians could wield me without going mad over power."
"So why can I wield you other then you chose me?"
"Because your fate looks to be the only thing I can't seem to break something about you won't allow me to use my power to sever it so I figured to tag along and adventure with you to find that unbreakable thing that I can't cut."
"An unbreakable thing I possess yet you don't know? Well we can save that for another time for now how can I summon Azathoth?"
"In order to summon my power and use Azathoth you have to put your life on the line for the sake of something precious thus far there haven't been any real situations where you could."
"I see I guess for now we will just have to train harder to prepare for Crimson's return."
"Indeed but seeing how he defeated both of us and you can barely manage to injure just one of us I think its time for you to fight us two on one."
"Are you trying to kill me here Yin but I hate how accurate your statement is."
"But even if you can defeat us he did it without breaking a sweat you I hate to say need a stronger teacher."
"But who could suffice? Do you have any ideas house ai?"
"Confirmed there are possible candidates however they may be overkill. Would you like me to bring one?"
"I'll take anything at this point."
"Confirmed. Activating summon magic demon summoning..."
"A demon but who even arch demons aren't a match?"
"Summon successful request heard creating artificial body out of the ice found on frost... Successful."
A magic circle forms on the ground expanding in size as a body of ice is placed in the middle.
"Notice brace for imminent increase of energy." The body rises as it starts to turn to flesh creating a blue and black shark with its tail behind it and in a dress shirt but leaves his chest exposed.
"Hello I assume you're the summoner?" The shark asks as everyone shudders at the presence of the demon.
"Not exactly but you can say that my name is Glacier the two behind me are Yin and Yang we would like your help in training to make us stronger."
The shark holds its chin and rubs it. "How odd why not just ask for power why go through training and battling?"
"Because given power is fake power I want to achieve it by hard work not because of some wish."
"I see as expected of someone from the guardians you have greatly inherited their battle spirit." The shark chuckles.
"So do you have a name?"
"My name? Ah yes its been so long but you can call me Azure. Azure of the endless rain filled battle field that is my full title."
"That's a rather strange title." Yin says looking at Azure.
"Wait where have I heard that title?"
"You heard of it Yang?
"Lets see I think it was in the archives about demons. If I remember correctly the name Azure is listed as one of 9 primordial demons." Yang says as everyone shocked except for Azure.
"You're saying that he's as old as my people?" Glacier asks still shocked.
"Indeed little one you aren't the only primordial race we demons were also around but it was a long time after the guardians initial birth."
"Oh this is bad bad bad bad how did we summon that demon in fact how was a primordial summoned at all they rarely show themselves?!. Yang sits down and rubs his head.
"I assume that he's a strong demon then but how strong?" Glacier asks.
"Azure of the endless rain on the battlefield also called the lord of blood is from the original 9 demons that each represent their interests beliefs and ideals. Is that right?" Yang asks.
"Not exactly the other 8 primordial demons and myself each have our unique personality and interests we each have our own and it never overlaps with another but there are some occasions where it does. I embody tranquility and other things but that's for later. Those of blue will have similar feelings."
"By blue do you mean other demons?"
"Yes demon hierarchy is simple. Lesser demons are the most common with no real intelligence only the basic of instincts to serve and follow summoners or superior demons mere foot soldiers or pawns they're big plentiful but that's about it. Next are standard demons at least 100x the strength of a lesser demon with intelligence and much smaller but still the size of a large house. Next up are greater demons they aren't much different from standard the only difference being that they have never lost in battle at least against other standard demons and about the size of a average humanoid being. Next are the highest possible evolution without outside help as you all should know what it is." Azure says sitting down.
"Arch demons." Yin answers.
"Correct in order to become one a demon either has to never loose a battle over many centuries and amass large quantities of energy and power to evolve into one or be born as one and typically the older the demon the stronger they are which is why arch demons are so dangerous even newborns are dangerous easily destroying a large continent with ease."
"What's after that because you clearly are no arch demon." Glacier says which makes Azure clap.
"Even we primordial demons were once arch demons the only difference we never lost to another arch demon other than another primordial. In order to evolve to the next stage the fallen demon requires a large intake of souls the defeat of a powerful holy figure and a master once that has been established arch demons can evolve. And finally the highest rank among demons care to guess the name?"
"If I recall the archive it was stated only 3 of the 9 primordials evolved into a new stage. The name I believe was the devil lord each with a unique title that each one individually appointed themselves."
"Correct Yang I am a devil lord but now that number is now 4 not 3." Azure says which surprises Yang.
"Wait then who's the 4th?" Yang asks as Azure points at himself.
"Then who are the other 3? Better question how did you just evolve?"
"The other 3 are Nero the black demon he embodies solitude and seclusion. Honestly he's a weird one the others seem to hate him me personally I think he's just living his life the way he likes. Shiro the white demon she is often mistaken for an angel but she is one of the most blood thirsty demons there is. So keen in finding new ways to kill and she embodies lust and pleasure. Out of the 9 Shrio has the third highest kill count always challenging new ways to kill and enjoy killing. And Rouge the red demon who embodies a twisted sense of leadership who by using any life form dead or living as his personal game pieces to play the world as his game. He doesn't do good or bad he does whatever he wants however he wants not caring unless you prove to be useful or entertaining. He's the type that would let the world burn for the hell of it. He hates getting his hands dirty but when he does he's nigh unstoppable only me and Nero have managed to stalemate him the others have never bothered with him after the demon civil war or rather what we the primordials called a massive cat fight over who's the strongest." Azure chuckles remembering the war.
"The other 5 well I can explain it some other time I never really cared much about the other primordials but then again I'm sure we all feel that mutual hate for each other."
"So how did you just evolve into the supposed devil lord. By your age you surely would have had enough souls to evolve but why didn't you?"
"I was a fallen demon prior although the master I served has long since died so I remained a fallen demon and today with your contract and this body you provided it acted as the catalyst for me to evolve a capable master fitting my criteria and a strong one at that high magical potential it just fit."
"Only a demon who possesses enough power to rival the gods themselves may call themselves a devil lord. A fitting title for a fitting demon." Azure explains as he wraps up.
"So then while we're here should we get off to fighting?" Yin asks stretching.
"Oh yes why exactly are you fighting. For demons we fight to be the top beings and its in our nature but you are different."
"Well first off the guardians are dead. And the blue one here is the last one."
"That's impossible that race is dead? But how there's no way any normal way to defeat all guardians of creation its just not possible. Even a primordial demon would be lucky to defeat hundred. I doubt I could defeat a thousand if I was dead serious even Rouge will struggle against a thousand and you're telling me all of them are dead?!" Azure nearly screams out.
"Whats done is done I am the last one at least that's what we thought."
"Go on."
"Apparently I had developed a second persona within my soul that's taken physical form and has sworn destruction on creation. I can't let that happen not when he's a fellow guardian and supposedly my brother."
"That wouldn't make sense a guardian would never betray their duty to protect creation."
"We don't know his goal or purpose what we do know is he won't hesitate to kill us if we get in his way so we must get stronger."
"He beat the guardian dragons? I can understand why you have summoned me then. Very well I will teach you about magic fighting and more but don't you dare complain that its to strict." Azure says as his demonic aura spikes in intensity.
The trio proceed to train with Azure for several thousand years when one day.
"Come on you're not making me break a sweat here." Azure catches Glacier's spell and eats it.
"If you won't take this seriously nor fight with intent to kill you can't beat me. Cascade of the dead." Azure summons a torrent of blood that rains down on Glacier who narrowly dodges.
"Cascade multi shot." The blood from earlier rises to become small orbs of blood each shooting out at Glacier who does his best avoiding and defending.
As Glacier blocks the final onslaught Azure appears behind Glacier with his trident already bring brought down onto him.
"Damn it I noticed too late is this the end?"
"You bet it is this has enough force to kill you." The trident gets closer but to Glacier it looked as if time had stopped.
"I can't loose again if I loose I can't win against him. I refuse to loose here I refuse to loose again not when so much has been taken from me. I will never allow anything to cost me victory ever again. Never there will be no more blood shed no more. I won't ever allow it to be spilt again on innocent lives. I will be their shield and their medicine and to do so I must not loose!"
"Confirmed absolute defense barrier skill acquisition successful. Initiating." A voice similar to the house Ai rings as the trident stops before reaching Glacier.
"What how did you stop my strike?"
Glacier leaps back as his fatigued body suddenly feels refreshed.
"No matter I'll just hit you with something stronger and faster. Eye of the storm first. Vortex thrust." Azure grabs his trident and thrusts forward at Glacier with his trident aimed at his chest and again the trident stops dead in its track.
"So that's how it works." Glacier whispers as he kicks Azure away.
"Did he just get stronger? That force has the exact same force as my thrust."
"So tell me whats this new power you have you clearly didn't know about it or used it beforehand." Azure asks.
"A barrier that is an absolute defense."
"There is no such thing as absolute its impossible its the equivalent of saying that something is perfect."
"Well too bad because I hold two absolute things." Glacier raises his arm and blocks the trident again his wounds healing too.
"What kind of barrier is it? Its not magic or spiritual in nature just what is it." Azure thinks as he blocks Glacier's light speed attacks.
"Wait is he getting faster? No that's not it at all its me I'm getting slower?" Azure thrusts his trident as Glacier dodges it before it moves.
"Thanks for the energy refreshment now I can't loose." Glacier boasts as his body begins to glow brightly.
"Combining magic and sword play. Mystic art frost flare nova combined with heavens reach results in this new technique. Frost bite grazer." Glacier's energy flows into his sword as markings appear over him glowing brightly and quickly.
"Careful I still don't have much experience using this move." Glacier warns.
"That's quite an absurd amount of energy however it seems you misjudged your timing." Azure taps the ground as droplets of blood colored liquid appears and strike at Glacier causing injuries all over him.
"You can't use that barrier when you're charging up is that right because your barrier absorbs energy." Azure asks as some of the liquid flows onto his trident.
Glacier grits his teeth as the markings pulsate even faster. "Just a few more seconds."
"Times up. Decaulion's raging current." Azure dashes forward switching up his footwork to prevent his move from being read. As he closes in after dashing around in multiple directions he brings his trident up and aims to split Glacier in half.
"No you're too late." The marks on Glacier stop and explodes in a massive explosion of ice.
"This won't stop me." Azure manages to cut the explosion up but as he does Glacier raises his sword from below cutting off Azure's arms and leaving a deep cut in his chest.
As the slash travels up shockwaves of energy ripple through Azure and as the shockwaves subsides cracks form in the arena.
"Such destructive force who would have thought you could defeat me." Azure chuckles as his arms reattach themselves and his chest heals up.
"It was more luck than anything if it weren't for that barrier skill that I got it would've ended up in my defeat." Glacier admits.
"Well if you can defeat a primordial demon of Azure's level you can surely defeat Crimson."
"Is that right where did you get that assumption Yin?" A voice rings out.
The clouds and sky redden as a magic circle appears below Glacier. Glacier and Azure quickly jump back and soon Crimson appears from a fire funnel.
Crimson walks forward dressed in a dark red trench coat and black suit with a red bowtie. Two swords hang at his waist as he claps.
"My my that was an impressive fight. Hello my dear brother this is the first time I've met you face to face." Crimson chuckles.
"So it is true you're my brother? What do you plan on doing with creation?" Glacier asks keeping his sword ready.
"Oh creation lets see. I think I will destroy it to protect it." Crimson shrugs which angers Glacier.
"You're a guardian too are you not?! Why are you seeking its destruction?"
"Why you ask. Well I guess you could say it stoked my anger and it deserves punishment for what its done. No more. I will protect what I want and I won't allow anyone to stop me." Crimson says grabbing his sword his aura immediately increased to the same level as Azure.
"My duty isn't to protect creation my duty is to protect what I wish at any cost no matter the sacrifice." Crimson says as he lunges and slashes Glacier through his barrier.
"What?" Glacier leaps back only to have Crimson immediately appear in front.
Glacier swings his sword at Crimson only for it to be pushed back onto himself.
"What the hell do you mean your duty isn't to protect creation you're a guardian are you not? So why?" Glacier clashes with Crimson their swords sending sparks everywhere.
"I told you I protect what I want to protect. I'm only part guardian not full the other part is just pure emotion will and power nothing more nothing less now lets see you stop me!" Crimson clashes with Glacier again as the other three watch on unable to join in.
To be continued