Zenos barely had enough time to react yet his heart and mind remained calm, as if he had done this a thousand times before. Pure instinct took over the blonde as his wrists flicked in rapid, precise movements and the air shimmered as his scythe danced in a deadly arc.
With steel clashing against flames, sparks of amber, red, and silver flew about the dimly lit room. Each cut was swift and merciless; slicing through the Firebird's plumage, sending bursts of ember into the air.
The creature's shrieks pierced through the battlefield, a cacophony of rage and pain as the Viceroy's relentless assault left it reeling.
The Firebird staggered back, the once-mighty bird looking rather dim as it was riddled with glowing wounds, with streams of red flames dancing about, trying to stitch up the wounds.
But the Viceroy was adamant about destroying it, charging toward the wounded bird to finish it off. However, the creature screeched, sending a huge soundwave to repel the blonde.
Zenos used his scythe to stab into the ground, forcing himself to stop before slamming against the pillar. He then plucked out his blade from the concrete floor with ease and placed it over his shoulder.
His eyes bore into the skull of the creature as it hurriedly licked its wounds.
"Your eyes bear no hesitance in maiming me. It holds no remorse and yet a single flame burns bright behind it, as if your sole purpose is to hunt me down."
"Tell me, why do you desire to kill me so much? I have not recalled doing anything to displease you..." questioned the wounded entity, its voice echoing throughout the halls.
"You are nothing of consequence to me, and I never held any expectations beyond you being a creature of flame. I harbor no personal grudge against you; you're simply in my path. A mere obstacle, nothing more," replied the Viceroy, nonchalantly.
"You regard my life as a mere stone in your path? Are lives worth so little to you that you would just trample on them as if they were nothing? Your desire to kill me... Is it so great?" thundered the Firebird, with the flames around its neck, glowing radiantly.
It then flapped its wings, trying to scare the Viceroy but he was not affected in any way. In fact, Zenos was wondering if he should start plucking feathers to quell his boredom. Or would the dragoness like it if he captured the bird to turn into her dinner?
"If you seek mercy or compassion, look elsewhere, for you will find none here. I do not desire your death—I crave a worthy battle, something to fill the void within me. But you… you've been nothing but a disappointment."
"Your attacks are monotonous, your defiance tiresome. I grow bored of this tedious display," finished the blonde as he pointed his blade at the bird.
The Firebird let out a deafening howl, its strength surging as it prepared to deliver a final, decisive blow to its emotionless adversary. The Viceroy, undeterred, took a deep breath and closed his eyes, reaching deep within himself to awaken his Guardian.
From the depths of his being, the Guardian stirred from its slumber. Talons and wings unfurled with a primal force, and a mighty roar echoed through the air.
A torrent of mana surged through Zenos' body, fueling him with newfound power and preparing him for the imminent clash.
Unlike the bond shared between the other two and their Guardians, Zenos' relationship with his Guardian was starkly one-sided. It resembled the dynamic of a person with a pet more than a partnership between souls.
This imbalance made it effortless for someone like the Viceroy to manipulate its power.
"By storm and fury, I command thee. Chaos incarnate, from shadow be free. Rise, master of the tempest, heed my call. Unleash your wrath and instill fear in their hearts," chanted the Viceroy as he was engulfed in a cloud of darkness and water.
"I never expected to unleash this against you, but it's a more fitting choice than using it against someone less worthy. Moreover, this form demands time to fully manifest."
"Be thankful; few have had the privilege of seeing me in this state," bellowed Zenos as he felt the Firebird throwing its attacks on him.
The Firebird opened its beak, a fierce, guttural sound escaping as it began to draw in ribbons of amber and red flames. These fiery strands spiraled together in its mouth, coalescing into a massive sphere of blazing energy, a cataclysmic attack poised to unleash its full wrath.
Sensing the gravity of the moment, the Viceroy's lips curved into a confident smirk. He slammed his foot into the ground with purpose, sending a shockwave through the thick miasma that had shrouded the battlefield.