"He had us all fooled… He isn't a Dragfilla, he isn't even from this realm," said Teemo as the Loplin tried to help him up.
"Then what's that thing?"
"The individual that we've been talking about… The one that has death written all over his being. The one who collects lost souls and rules over the dead. Ferryman to the afterlife..."
"You're the Ankou..." muttered Layla as she glanced at her opponent.
"Oh? My cover has been blown so quickly? I thought I could have kept it at least after I defeated you… But not to worry, my power is still far greater than yours," said the prideful Ankou, increasing his attack power.
Layla slammed her foot into the ground, desperately trying to hold her stance. The shield was starting to crack and the walls were flickering. The Dragoon was starting to wonder how much more she could take.
As she was about to give up, Layla felt another push, but this time, it was like an arm pushing on her back.
"What's going on?" asked the confused Dragoon as she stood up straight.
"I've got a few bones to pick against this Ankou… He waged war against my people and nearly destroyed my kingdom so I'd like to settle the scores."
"Come on now, don't fall back… Because you've got a whole kingdom behind you!" yelled the Brine King as he slammed the girls back.
"I'm giving you the power of my seas... If you win this, I will gladly let you use my powers sparingly. Be confident and stand your ground. Matter of fact-"
The Brine King then used both hands to push the Dragoon, causing her to go forward with speed and catch up to the Ankou, who was taken aback by surprise.
The two spells broke and faded, allowing the two scythes to clash. Once the giant dust cloud cleared, both beings retreated from the center of the battlefield.
"Layla!" yelled the Loplin, rushing into the ring without any warning.
"Don't rush in without thinking!" yelled the Felidae.
He then rolled his eyes and instantly appeared in front of both rabbit and dragon, shielding them from another attack. The Dragoon tried desperately to catch her breath as her vision started to blur from the overuse of Elemental Energy.
Matt felt scared as he noticed the girl's new features. Her hair tips were now dipped in a faded grayish blue while her scales were flickering aquamarine.
"You were the one responsible for the surge in deaths, weren't you? I never expected us to face a formidable foe after facing one myself not too long ago," said the Felidae as he still held his sword in a parry stance.
The Ankou said nothing as he kept his scythe.
"Or am I wrong? Only a being such as yourself can use the powers of those with the aspect of Death. When the Ankou comes, he won't go away empty."
"You contradict yourself," replied the Ankou as he shook his head in disapproval.
The Felidae widened his eyes as recognized his mistake and lowered his blade.
"Now I'm completely lost… He claims to be the Grim Reaper and has the power of one but he looks like a Dragoon?" asked Matt, trying to keep up with the matter.
"No… This being isn't a creature but a supernatural being. Someone who can transcend both the afterlife and the living. Thus, he doesn't have a proper physical appearance. What you see now is a replica of someone that used to be alive."
"Most likely a lost soul or some dimwit that tried to challenge the Grim Reaper," explained the Felidae as he realized what the Ankou meant.
"I am the collector of lost souls, ruler of the dead… Why would I appear in this realm to kill? Lost souls are everywhere and in abundance."
"No need for me to break my back to kill more. And I do this as my job, not my hobby," explained the Ankou as he brushed his unkempt fringe away from his eyes.
"So… Why would you take the appearance of a Dragfilla?" asked Layla, standing up with the Loplin's help.
"I thought it would be amusing to see your reaction, little Layla," giggled the Grim Reaper as he walked towards the girl.
"How dare you call me so familiarly?!" shouted the Dragoon, getting ready to sucker punch him.
"You wound me… How could you not remember me? We used to play so much when you were just a tiny little dragon… You had such cute fangs and would not stop eating everything on site. And your twin was the opposite of you, refusing to come out to meet me..."
"Your parents were the only souls that pained me to collect, leaving behind such young and joyful kids..."