Speaking about him, the Viceroy moved with cold precision, his scythe slicing through the air as he cut down the small flaming birds that dared to oppose him. Each swing left only embers and ash in his wake, a testament to his ruthless efficiency.
His gaze then shifted to the towering statue of a perched bird, looming large and imposing—larger even than Mavislin's true dragon form. Yet, it posed no threat to the Prince of Darkness.
With a fluid twirl of his scythe, he demonstrated his prowess, the blade spinning effortlessly in his grasp, a deadly dance of power and skill.
"Who dares hurt my brethren..." bellowed a deep, male voice.
Zenos paid the male no mind, his focus solely on the statue before him. With a swift, dismissive motion, he hurled his scythe at the stone figure. To his surprise, the statue repelled the blade, sending it hurtling back.
Unfazed, the Viceroy caught the returning scythe effortlessly, his eyes narrowing as the statue began to fracture. Fine cracks splintered across its surface, leaking a fierce glow of amber and orange from within.
Moments later, the stone exterior crumbled away, disintegrating in a cascade of rubble, and the Firebird emerged, fully awakened and blazing with fiery brilliance.
That thing is a creature of mesmerizing beauty and raw, untamed power. Its plumage blazed with vibrant shades of crimson, orange, and gold, each feather a flickering flame that seemed to shimmer and dance with every movement.
The bird's eyes burned like molten lava, piercing and intense, exuding a fierce intelligence. Its wings, vast and majestic, spread wide, trailing embers and sparks with every powerful beat, creating a fiery halo around its form.
The Firebird was not just a creature of fire; it was fire itself, a living embodiment of flame and fury. The Viceroy smirked as he readied up his blade, vanishing from his spot as the Firebird screeched and shot a giant fireball of flames right at its enemy.
Zenos dodged with ease, raising his blade over his shoulder to slash through the oversized bird's wings. He then contorted his body, swinging his scythe to his front and ensnaring the creature's neck, causing it to flail about when the blade couldn't pierce the flesh.
Sensing that was futile, the Viceroy instantly pulled back and hopped away from the bird.
Gritting his teeth, Zenos tightened his grip on his scythe, the obsidian blade glinting menacingly in the flickering light.
With a burst of speed, he leaped into the air, the force of his jump sending a shockwave rippling through the ground.
His figure became a blur of black and blue, a whirlwind of darkness and azure energy as he spun towards the Firebird, with his scythe slashing through the air in a deadly arc.
The beast of flames lunged at him, its talons outstretched and its wings creating gusts of searing wind. The Prince of Darkness parried each strike with precision, his scythe meeting the fiery talons in a clash of sparks and embers.
He danced through the air with relentless agility, each movement a calculated flourish that deflected the Firebird's attacks and brought him closer to its vulnerable core.
For a brief moment, Zenos locked eyes with the creature; the Firebird's gaze burned with ancient fury and a challenge unspoken. The Viceroy answered with a fierce grin, feeling the familiar rush of adrenaline.
He twisted mid-air, using the momentum to spin his scythe in a sweeping crescent. The blade sang as it sliced through the smoke-laden air, aiming for the Firebird's heart.
A flare of red light erupted as Zenos struck true, searing through the Firebird's defenses and carving a glowing gash across its fiery chest. The creature screeched in agony, its flames flickering wildly as it recoiled, struggling to maintain its form.
But the Prince of Darkness didn't relent; he pressed his advantage, slashing and striking with unyielding ferocity, determined to finish the battle before the Firebird could reclaim its strength.
The battlefield was a maelstrom of fire and shadows, and Zenos knew this was his moment. He couldn't afford a single mistake. One wrong move and the Firebird would rise stronger than ever. He had to end it now—once and for all.
As he gathered his mana and strength to prepare for that final blow, the Firebird seemed to laugh as it made its feathers burn brighter, pushing the Viceroy away.
Swearing under his breath, Zenos then quickly tried to get back to the Firebird's close quarters, only to have to jump back as it used a wing to defend itself.
With wounds constantly healing and his patience getting tested, it was time for the Viceroy to turn the tide of battle. The Firebird sensed something was wrong and lunged at the blonde at maximum speeds, with talons and beak aiming for his head.